asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the risk incurred by the 15 police recruits who travelled from Scotland Yard at 3 p.m. on Monday 6th July in an ordinary lorry, YE7124, constructed for the conveyance of goods; and whether this method of transporting police recruits in the Metropolitan area will be avoided in future?

I am not aware that any risk was incurred by these men who travelled for about one mile in a police tender fitted with benches. Tenders so fitted arc used for conveying personnel when no other vehicle is available, but it is intended shortly to replace them by new vehicles specially adapted for carrying passengers as well as goods.

CROOKE asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the employment of ex-Service men to assist the police in traffic control and control of pedestrian crossings, such men to be sworn in as special constables?

The Commissioner of Police takes the view, with which I fully agree, that if additional men are to be provided for this purpose they should be regular members of the force able to deal with any police matter which may arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Manchester and Salford Council for Social Service, in the course of an investigation by the university settlement of that city, have proved that the hours of labour worked by boys in cinemas range from 51 to 82 hours per week, excluding meal times, and in the case of van boys from 44 to 70 hours per week; and whether he will take steps to bring to an end these excessive hours of work?

As the hon. Member is aware, the hours of employment of van-boys and page and other boys in cinemas (in so far as not covered by existing legislation) are among the matters at present under inquiry by the Departmental Committee on hours of employment of young persons in certain unregulated occupations. I understand that the Committee have had before them the results of the investigation by the Manchester University Settlement to which the hon. Member refers. Consideration of the action to be taken must await their Report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether all the advisory committees have now been set up under the Unemployment Assistance Board; and whether he will state the areas of such committees; the number of them; and what is the nature of the organisations or bodies of which they are representative?

126 committees are to be set up for the Board's administrative areas or groups of such areas. Chairmen and some members have already been appointed to all these committees. Further appointments to bring all committees into a position to start work will have been made by the end of this month. As regards the last part of the question the committees are not being formed upon a basis representative of particular organisations but persons representing the point of view of employers and workpeople have been appointed on the recommendation of the local employment committees of my Department and persons with experience in public assistance and public health administration on the recommendation of local authorities. In addition, a number of persons whose local knowledge and experience will be of value to the committees are being appointed as members. Copies of an explanatory memorandum (A.C.G. 1) giving further details about the constitution and functions of committees are available in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of persons who come under the Unemployment Assistance Board in the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire and the number receiving assistance under the regulations and those receiving transitional benefit under the standstill order; and will he give the figures for each Employment Exchange area separately?

The following table shows for each of the local offices of the Ministry of Labour in the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth the number of applicants for unemployment

Local Office.				Number of applications for unemployment assistance.	Number of payments of unemployment allowances according to
					Unemployment Assistance Regulations.	Transitional payments practice.
Glamorgan—
Aberdare	…	…	…	3,723	1,282	2,425
Aberkenfig	…	…	…	541	161	379
Bargoed	…	…	…	2,958	946	1,955
Barry	…	…	…	978	373	600
Bridgend	…	…	…	736	278	428
Bute Docks	…	…	…	2,048	782	1,008
Caerphilly	…	…	…	2,646	1,068	1,517
Cardiff	…	…	…	5,290	2,086	3,136
Clydach on Tawe		…	…	166	58	107
Cymmer	…	…	…	476	110	375
Dowlais	…	…	…	2226	1,033	1,185
Ferndale	…	…	…	2,971	1,123	1,884
Gorseinon	…	…	…	926	284	633
Llantwit Major		…	…	157	45	118
Maesteg	…	…	…	2,087	592	1,472
Merthyr Tydfil		…	…	4,474	1,849	2,700
Morriston	…	…	…	932	330	567
Mountain Ash	…	…	…	2,218	933	1,321
Mumbles	…	…	…	129	54	79
Neath	…	…	…	2,244	559	1,579
Ogmore Vale	…	…	…	648	209	430
Penarth	…	…	…	426	190	235
Pontardawe	…	…	…	362	101	244
Pontardulais	…	…	…	460	150	285
Pontlottyn	…	…	…	1,130	235	893
Pontyclun	…	…	…	480	138	338
Pontycymmer	…	…	…	720	202	526
Pontypridd	…	…	…	4,569	1,536	2,972
Porth	…	…	…	2,672	837	1,849
Porthcawl	…	…	…	112	58	62
Port Talbot	…	…	…	1,563	351	1,189
Resolven	…	…	…	203	37	177
Swansea	…	…	…	4,661	2,206	2, 494
Swansea Docks		…	…	796	365	457
Taffs Well	…	…	…	362	111	252
Tonypandy	…	…	…	4,028	1,102	2,937
Tonyrefail	…	…	…	1,003	304	669
Treharris	…	…	…	692	243	426
Treorchy	…	…	…	3,674	958	2,662
Ystalyfera	…	…	…	662	167	464
Totals for the County of Glamorgan.				67,149	23,446	43,029

asked the Minister of Labour whether and when he intends to bring in proposals for carrying out the recommendation of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee that the income limit for persons included under unemployment insurance should be raised to £400?

My examination of this recommendation has not yet been completed. I would remind the hon. Member that action cannot be taken without legislation and that this will not be practicable in the present Session.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the advisory committee on nutrition has been consulted regarding the intention of the Government to impose a levy on both Empire and foreign imports of butter and cheese; and whether, in view of the recently increased prices of milk manufactures and the fact that such a levy is likely further to increase prices and lessen the avail- ability of these foods to the poorer classes, he will reconsider the decision to impose this levy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the last part, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to his questions of 9th July and 13th July and remind him that no decision has yet been taken on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can provide a list of the forms and returns issued by the various marketing boards to farmers which have to be filled in by them at regular intervals?

The following is a list of the forms and returns which farmers who are registered under the respective marketing schemes are required periodically to complete and return to the board concerned.Hops Marketing Board:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of ruin, brandy, Geneva and other imported spirits, respectively, retained for home consumption during the year ended 31st March, 1936, and also the quantity of home-made spirits exported during the same period?

The quantities of rum, brandy, Geneva and other imported spirits, respectively, retained for home consumption during the year ended 31st March, 1936, were as follow:

	Proof Gallons.
Rum	542,044
Brandy	410,221
Geneva	60,763
Other Spirits	199,118
Total of dutiable Spirits	1,212,146

The above figures exclude 407,901 proof gallons of imported spirits delivered for methylation or for use in art or manufactures. The quantity of home-made spirits exported during the same period was 6,988,607 proof gallons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of British spirits distilled in England and Scotland, respectively, during the year ended 31st March, 1936; and also the number of distilleries actually at work in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland during the year ended 30th September, 1935?

The quantities of British spirits distilled in England (with Northern Ireland) and Scotland, respectively, during the year ended 31st March, 1936, were as follow:

				Proof Gallons.
England and Northern
Ireland	…	…	…	*40,321,371
Scotland	…	…	…	20,251,702
Total	…	…	…	60,573,073
* Includes 4,981,131 proof gallons of methyl alcohol.

During the year ended 30th September, 1935, 11 distilleries were at work in England and Northern Ireland and 64 in Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the net receipts of Customs and Excise in the United Kingdom for the year ended 31st March, 1936, in respect of beer, home spirits, foreign and Colonial spirits, wine, British wine, liquor licences, monopoly value and club duty?

Final figures for the year ended 31st March, 1936, are not yet available. Provisional figures (subject to correction) are as follow:

			£
Beer:
Imported	…	…	5,348,000
Home-made	…	…	55,451,000
Spirits:
Imported	…	…	4,487,000
Home-made	…	…	30,330,000
Wine	…	…	4,643,000
British Wine	…	…	402,000
Liquor Licences	…	…	3,977,000
Monopoly Value	…	…	217,000
Club duty	…	…	165,000

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to secure the adoption by other countries of the regulations governing the mesh of fishing nets similar to those in force in this country?

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea have recommended the general adoption, as a minimum, of mesh regulations and size limits for fish similar to those in force in this country. The Government are anxious that this recommendation should be put into effect, and have accordingly invited the Governments of all the countries concerned to send representatives to a conference in London in the autumn of this year for the purpose of discussing the recommendation, and, it is hoped, of agreeing upon the heads of a Convention to give effect to it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of occasional liquor licences (any intoxicating liquor) for the year ended 31st March, 1936, in England, Wales, and Scotland, respectively, and the total number of days involved?

The number of occasional liquor licences (any intoxicating liquor) in England and Wales, and Scotland, and the total number of days

Year ended 31st March, 1936.		England and Wales.		Scotland.
		Number.	Net Receipts.	Number.	Net Receipts.
			£		£
Liquor Licences	…	169,775	3,694,000	18,438	283,000
Publican's Licences	…	56,477	2,723,650	5,689	196,690
Beer On-Licences	…	19,232	357,300	97	400
Wine On-Licences	…	3,702	30,200	11	40
Beer Off-Licences	…	17,028	—	2,412	—
Wine Off-Licences	…	12,512	—	2,342	—
Spirit Dealer's Licences	…	4,292	—	586	—
Beer Dealer's Licences	…	3,471	—	339	—
Wine Dealer's Licences	…	4,449	—	351	—
Note.—These figures are provisional.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of brewers in England and Scotland, respectively, distinguishing brewers for sale from brewers not for sale, for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

The particulars required are as follow:

Year ended 31st March, 1936.
	England and Wales	Scotland.
Brewers for sale	1,059	43
Brewers not for sale	8,502	1,265

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of liquor licences and net receipts of duty for the year ended 31st March, 1936, for England and Wales and Scotland, respectively; the number of publican's licences and duty; the number of on-beer and wine retailer's licences and duty; the number of off-beer and wine retailers; and the number of dealers in beer, wine, and spirits, respectively?

The figures required are as follow:—Separate figures for England and Wales are not available.Note.—These figures are provisional.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of molasses, British-made, imported and home-grown beet, respectively, used in distilleries and used as food for stock during the year ended 31st March, 1936?

The quantities of molasses, British-made, imported and home-grown beet, respectively, delivered free of duty for use in distilleries (including molasses delivered for use in the manufacture of yeast) and for use as food for stock during the year ended 31st March, 1936, were as follows:

Molasses.	For use in distilleries and in the manufacture of yeast.	For use as food for stock.
	Cwts.	Cwts.
British manufactured from imported sugar.	1,843,652	622,722
Imported	4,822,466	3,511,288
Manufactured from Home-grown beet.	676,028	1,720,857
	7,342,146	5,854,867
	13,197,013

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of registered clubs in England and Scotland, respectively, paying club duty; and the net receipts, respectively?

The particulars required are as follow:

Year ended 31st March, 1936.
	England.	Scotland.
Number of clubs	16,529	682
Net receipts of duty	£160,233	£5,053

Note.—These figures are provisional.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is no adequate protection for the purchasers of small amounts of coke and fuel other than coal; and whether he is prepared to take steps to prevent the possibility of unfair trading in this respect?

In a number of areas the sale of coke and other fuels derived from coal is regulated under local acts. The question of proposing general legislation on the subject has been noted for consideration at a convenient opportunity.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that many foreign countries, with ample supplies of water power, are now finding it more economical to generate electrical power from coal imported from this country; and what steps he is taking to press the interests of British coalfields in regard to production of electrical power in this country?

My Department has not the necessary information to enable me to deal with the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I think it can safely be left to the coal industry to see that the interests of that industry are properly considered when promoters of new schemes seek, as I am advised they must do. Parliamentary authority for such schemes. If I am approached by the industry, I am, of course, prepared to consider whether there is any action I could take.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when the rehousing of the staff in the Income Tax office in Louth, Lincolnshire, will be carried out in view of the unsatisfactory conditions in which they are now working?

I regret that I am unable to give a definite date by which the rehousing scheme will be completed, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that his desire for expedition is shared by all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the extent of rearmament which has already taken place in Heligoland; whether 11-inch, 5.9-inch, or 4.1-inch guns and heavy artillery guns are now installed; and whether any steps are being taken to ensure compliance with existing treaty obligations?

I have no official information as regards the points raised in the first and second parts of the question. As regards the last part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Handsworth (Commander Locker-Lampson), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make any statement on the progress of the Montreux Conference?

The negotiations are still in progress, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the progress of the Anglo-Egyptian Conference?

Progress has been made, and the discussions have now reached a point where it has been found possible to set up a drafting committee composed of representatives of both parties to draft the texts of all the military clauses ad referendum. The Second Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office arrived in Egypt on 5th July to take part in the discussions. The Sudan and civil clauses have not yet been touched upon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the present position with regard to the meeting of the Locarno Powers at Brussels, and which have been invited and will attend?

I can for the moment add nothing to the terms of the communiqué issued by the United Kingdom, Belgian and French Delegations in Geneva on 3rd July.

asked the Minister of Health what the population of the administrative county of Glamorgan amounted to at the end of the year 1935; and whether he will give the comparative figures of the number of ordinary relief cases and the amount paid, the number of insured workers and the percentage of unemployed, and the number of extraordinary relief cases dealt with and the amount paid, respectively, for the years 1925 and 1935?

The Registrar-General's estimates of population relate to the middle of each year and the estimated population of the administrative county of Glamorgan in 1935 was 743,800. The average number of persons in receipt of out-relief in the county and the cost of such relief in 1935 were as follow:

—	Average number.	Cost of out-relief.
		£
Persons not ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation (including dependants).	27,833	453,449
Persons ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation (including dependants).	20,255	327,543

The estimated number of insured persons (aged 16 to 64) was 215,380 in July, 1935, and the percentage of unemployed was 37.3. As regards 1925 I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 7th July.

asked the Minister of Health whether statistics are available concerning the physical condition of elementary school children under the care of public institutions as compared with those not under such care?.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he has no statistical material upon which the comparison suggested by the Noble Lady could be based.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Sid-mouth Urban District Council is being called upon to make payment to the county council in excess of the amount collected by them from the ratepayers; and whether he will promote legislation to relieve the position created by Section 9 (2) (c) of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Marklew) on 26th June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can provide a list of the forms and returns for which his Department is responsible, and which have to be filled up and returned at regular intervals by local authorities; and whether he will indicate in each case which of these forms or returns has come into existence since 1913?

I will send my hon. Friend the list which he desires.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is prepared to order that in future mails shall be received and despatched from Clynder in place of Roseneath, both in the County of Dumbartonshire, and thereby meet the general demands of the public, who consider that the present service is not to their advantage?

The present service is in many respects better than the service formerly given, and I am sorry that I do not see any sufficient reason for altering the arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number of Scotsmen appointed to the Colonial Service, administrative and legal, during the year 1935?

Eleven Scotsmen were appointed to the Colonial Administrative Service, and one to the Colonial Legal Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will indicate the chief causes of rejection of recruits in this country in 1936?

A number of applicants are, of course, rejected on sight by recruiting officers as unsuitable because below the prescribed physical standard or for other reasons, but records of such rejections are not maintained. Of recruits who were examined but rejected for medical reasons in 1935, the main grounds for rejections, with percentages, are as follow:

Diseases of the middle ear (including deafness)	4.872
Loss or decay of many teeth	4.429
Defects of the lower extremities	2.741
Defective vision	2.263
Diseases of the heart (other than valvular)	1.969
Insufficient weight	1.708
Flat feet	1.664
Valvular disease of the heart	1.581

I regret that figures for 1936 are you not yet available.