asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is still an inadequate service of omnibuses between Highgate and Muswell Hill during the busy hours of the day and that there is much overcrowding in the Underground trains between Piccadilly and Wood Green during the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and whether he will urge the Transport Board to remedy what is a considerable source of inconvenience to the travelling public?

I have drawn the board's attention to the hon. Member's representations and am informed that steps have been or are being taken to improve facilities.

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount of the estimated cost of the schemes submitted by the Staffordshire County Council under the five-year road plan; the total estimated cost of the schemes approved for commencement in the first year; and the estimated amount of the Road Fund grants to such schemes?

The total estimated cost of schemes in the Five Year Programme submitted by the Staffordshire County Council is £3,165,000. The total estimated cost of schemes approved for commencement in the first year was £122,300, the Road Fund contribution being £80,100. In addition, further schemes, estimated to cost approximately £775,000 have since been approved in principle for grants amounting to £534,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the main roads in Lancashire which it is proposed shortly to nationalise, there are any outstanding works for which grants are being made or will be paid before 1st April, 1937, by his Department; and whether he can in that case give details?

I hope that, pending the introduction of the Bill, I may not be pressed to give particulars about the outstanding works which may be affected.

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount of the estimated cost of the schemes submitted by the Hampshire County Council under the five-year road plan; the total estimated cost of the schemes approved for commencement in the first year; and the estimated amount of the Road Fund grants to such schemes?

The total estimated cost of schemes in the five-year programme submitted by the Hampshire County Council is £1,308,700. The esti- mated cost of schemes approved for commencement in the first year is £449,743 and the grants made or promised amount to approximately £290,000. Further, grants amounting to £255,125 have since been made or promised to schemes estimated to cost £413,506.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider initiating a scheme for the provision of a subsidiary road, to be reserved for cyclists only, alongside the carriageway of the Liverpool-East Lancashire road?

I am glad to say that the Lancashire County Council have under consideration proposals for the construction of service roads and cycle tracks along this road, and that I shall consider them when submitted to me.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he can furnish an estimate of the percentage of the length of the trunk roads which are already illuminated at night;(2) whether in the Bill he is introducing in the autumn to take over the responsibility for the trunk roads he intends to include provisions to provide for the lighting of those roads throughout their length;(3) whether he can furnish an estimate as to the proportion of the length of the trunk roads in respect of which there are at present available neither gas nor electricity mains?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to a similar question on this subject by the hon. Member for Yardley (Mr. Salt), to which I can at present add no further information.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can indicate the nature of the report he has received from his divisional engineer on a river crossing of the Tyne east of Newcastle; and what action he proposes to take thereon?

I have only just received the report and am not in a position to make any statement upon it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give particulars of what by-pass roads in the London and Home counties districts are still considered necessary?

I informed the House in December, 1934, that I have arranged for a comprehensive and systematic survey of the highway developments required in the area of Greater London, and pending its completion I am unable to say what by-pass roads will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the growing practice of motor car insurance companies refusing to renew the policies of motorists if they have had more than one claim against their company during the past year; and whether, in view of the fact that under existing legislation it is impossible for any motorist to obtain a driving licence without a certificate of insurance, he will take steps to provide better protection for motorists in regard to this matter?

I have no information before me, nor any powers to compel insurance companies to accept proposals for insurance which they do not deem safe.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has made, or will make, inquiries of the railway companies in Great Britain as to whether they would be prepared to dispose of the railway lines or tracks in their possession that are, and have been, disused for a period of years; can he give an estimate of the mileage of these unused railway lines; have any of the highway authorities similarly negotiated for purchasing same; and will he give particulars?

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of derelict railway track are lying abandoned in this country; and has the question of their acquisition and conversion into highways ever been considered?

I have been making inquiries of the Companies but I fear that it will be some little time before the necessary information can be collected.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any reduction in the charges for electricity in the South-East of England may be expected owing to the completion of the new large-scale power station at Fulham; and, if so, to what extent?

The prices charged by authorised undertakers for domestic supplies are within their own discretion, so long as they do not exceed the maximum prices authorised.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the High Court decision that it is a criminal offence for two or more persons to share the fare to a taximeter cab or motor vehicle, he proposes to introduce legislation to protect the public?

I am in consultation with the various organisations concerned in this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the sewage disposal scheme recommended for the Trimdon district of Durham by Mr. Malcolm Stewart has been accepted by the Sedgefield rural district council; and to what extent will this scheme provide work for the unemployed men in the district?

I am informed that the Commissioner has under consideration an application for assistance from the Sedgefield Rural District Council towards the cost of a small sewerage disposal scheme in the Trimdon district. Certain outstanding questions have now been disposed of and approval for a grant from the Special Areas Fund will shortly be issued. About 10 men will be engaged on the work for four months.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the total cost of the 620,000 applicants of £38,000,000 includes the cost of administration; and, if so, whether he will state the amounts separately?

The amount referred to does not include the cost of administration.

asked the Minister of Labour what would be the cost of the 620,000 applicants for unemployment allowance if they were receiving benefit under Part 1 of the 1934 Act?

It may be roughly estimated that the amount of unemployment benefit which the 620,000 applicants in receipt of unemployment allowances at the end of June would have received had they been eligible for benefit, would have been at the rate of £39,000,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the aggregate amount of additional allowances paid in the period of the standstill agreement to raise the determination under the suspended scales and regulations to the standard payable as transitional payments in all such cases, with the figures for the whole country and for the counties of Monmouth, Glamorgan and Carmarthen, respectively?

The accounts of the Unemployment Fund are not kept to show separately the cost of supplementary allowances under the Temporary Provisions Act, and the total amount paid since the Act came into operation cannot, therefore, be given. A special analysis made in the week ended 26th June 1936, showed that in that week the cost was at approximately the following annual rates:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of unemployed registered at the Employment Exchanges of Blaenavon, Pontypool and Pontnewydd, respectively; and the number in receipt of standard benefit, assistance under the regulations of the Unemployment Assistance Board, and under the standstill order, respectively?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the payments made during the first six months of 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936 for unemployment benefit and for unemployment assistance, respectively?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by the borough of Sunderland in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary

The following table shows the number of unemployed persons on the registers of the Blaenavon, Pontypool and Pontnewydd Employment Exchanges at 22nd June, 1936, and the numbers of payments of unemployment benefit and of unemployment allowances in the week ended 26th June, 1936:

The following table shows for the six months ended 30th June, 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936, the total amount paid by way of unemployment benefit and of transitional payments and unemployment allowances, respectively, and the average weekly number of payments:sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the borough of Sunderland in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by the city of Norwich in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the city of Norwich in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by Merthyr Tydvil in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to Merthyr Tydvil in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health (1) the amounts paid by the borough of Bootle in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the borough of Bootle in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936;(2) the amounts paid by the city of Liverpool in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the city of Liverpool in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936;

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by Glamorganshire in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to Glamorgan-shire in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by the county of Durham in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the county of Durham in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by the city of Sheffield in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the city of Sheffield in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by the borough of Rotherham in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the borough of Rotherham in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by the city of Hull in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the city of Hull in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by the city of Newcastle-on-Tyne in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, i.e., persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the city of Newcastle-on-Tyne in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts paid by Cumberland in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick. that is, persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to Cumberland in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

asked the Minister of Health (1) the amounts paid by the City of Birmingham in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act, respectively, also for temporary sick, that is, persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the City of Birmingham in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936;(2) the amounts paid by the Borough of Gateshead in respect of able-bodied unemployed within the scope of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and outside the scope of the Act respectively, also for temporary sick, that is, persons who would be in those categories but for temporary sickness; for administrative expenses in respect of able-bodied unemployment in relation to the categories mentioned; and the amount of Government grants paid to the Borough of Gateshead in respect of each of the said categories, all for the year ended 31st March, 1936?

The following statement gives the desired information so far as it is available. The returns made to my Department do not distinguish the total expenditure on out-relief to the able-bodied unemployed. Estimates, which are necessarily approximate, have been made in regard to persons within the scope of Part II of the Unemployment Act, 1934, and the estimated expenditure in 1935–36 is shown in column 2. Corresponding figures for the able-bodied unemployed outside the scope of Part II are not available except for certain periods in 1934 when special returns were obtained. The amounts of administrative expenses in 1935–36 corresponding to those shown in column 5 are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, separately, the number of persons in the county of Durham and in the boroughs in the county who were receiving payments under the Unemployment Assistance Board at the latest available date?

At 22nd June, 1936, there were 63,749 persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the county of Durham (including the county boroughs) with applications authorised for unemployment allowances. The separate figures for Employment Exchanges in the county boroughs were as shown below:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, separately, the number of persons in the county of Durham and in the boroughs in the county who are now receiving payments on the Unemployment Assistance Board's scales and the number receiving payments above the board's scales?

The number of payments in the week ended 26th June, 1936, made at local offices of the Ministry of Labour in the county of Durham other than in the county boroughs, and in the county boroughs, according to the Unemployment Assistance Regulations, and according to assumed transitional payments practice, was as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons in receipt of unemployment assistance at Normanton and Castleford: and the number receiving assistance under the regulations and standstill orders, respectively?

The number of payments made in the week ended 26th June, 1936, at the Normanton and Castleford Employment Exchanges, according to the Unemployment Assistance Regulations and according to assumed transitional payments practice, was as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour, whether his attention has been called to cases of sweating in the fancy leather trade; whether he is aware that the making of kit belts is being done in the homes; that the payment works out at about ld. per hour and that much of the work is being done by the help of children; and whether he will take steps to put a stop to these practices?

Yes, Sir. I am having inquiry made and, when I have all the circumstances before me, I shall give the matter my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any progress to report in his investigations of the methods of computing the cost-of-living figures?

The methods to be adopted in the collection of information as to the present-day distribution of working-class family expenditure, required for the purpose of a revision of the basis of the cost-of-living index number, are now under consideration by the committee which I recently appointed to advise on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the case of Mr. P. T. Turnbull, 19, Bow Street, Stratford, E.15, reference No. LPS 25,718/36, temporary employé of the postal department and of good character, who was nominated by the Ministry of Labour for fulltime employment with a view to a subsequent full-time post but whose nomination has been abandoned by the Post Office?

Mr. Turnbull was put forward by the Ministry of Labour for consideration for a situation as Postman or Porter, but was found to be unsuitable on medical grounds. He has not been in temporary employment in the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a report from the Governor of Tanganyika on the grounds for the decision taken to cancel the deportation of Baron von Bultzingslowen, who had been convicted in a Tanganyika court of flogging a native and recommended for deportation?

Yes, Sir; the Governor has reported that he decided, with the unanimous concurrence of the Executive Council, not to accept the recommendation for expulsion, on the general ground that a very grave offence had been sufficiently expiated by the sentence of imprisonment. This decision was taken in virtue of the discretion vested in the Governor-in-Council under the Expulsion of Undesirables Ordinance. It was communicated to Baron von Bultzingslowen as long ago as the 17th January, and, in the circumstances, it is not possible for me to intervene in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the torture inflicted on a native by Mrs. Schmitz and her brother Gustav Wecker by twisting rope round the head of the native until there was a rupture of the blood vessels; and whether it is proposed to allow these persons to remain in the territory of Tanganyika?

I have received a report on this case. The Governor of Tanganyika states that Mrs. Schmitz is leaving the territory shortly. Herr Wecker is being allowed to remain there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of children of school age within the Gold Coast administration; the number for whom elementary education is provided in public schools; and the total annual cost of the education given?

No statistics are available showing the number of children of school age. According to the latest report available (the Annual Report of the Education Department for 1934), 43,205 children were attending Government and assisted primary schools, and

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Sir John Boyd Orr, one of the foremost experts on nutrition, has stated that Government expenditure on these schools was –130,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the net profits declared by the gold mining companies in the Gold Coast administration for the year 1934, and the total amount contributed by such companies by way of tax on their profits for public administration?

I am not in possession of sufficient information for a complete reply, but I will endeavour to. obtain it from the Governor of the Gold Coast and will communicate with the hon. Member on the receipt of the Governor's reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total casualties to date on both sides in the Palestine disturbances?

The following are the figures of the total casualties in the Palestine disturbances from the 19th April up to 9 a.m. on the 15th July:22,500,000 people, half our population, are living below the income level at which a healthy diet can be assured; and what steps he proposes to take to end this state of affairs?

I am, of course, aware of Sir John Orr's interesting book "Food, Health and Income," but I do not think that his tentative conclusions are the same as the interpretation put upon them by the hon. Member. I would refer the hon. Member to the very full statement which I made in the course of last week's Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report of the African Research Survey, under Sir Malcolm Hailey, may be expected; what is the cost of the investigation; and to what Department or fund that cost will be debited?

The African Research Survey is quite independent of His Majesty's Government. It is, I understand, being conducted under the auspices of a committee set up by the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and financed from money, made available by the Carnegie Corporation of New York; no expenditure from public funds is involved. I am not in a position to say when the report will be published.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state for each university training department in England and Wales the number of students who left with the diploma in 1935; the number of these who are teaching in secondary schools and the number who are teaching in elementary schools; and whether he will give throughout the numbers for men and women separately?

The following table gives for each university training department the number of students who completed in 1935 post graduate courses of training approved by the Board, and who have been notified individually to the Board down to the 30th June, 1936, on appointment respectively to grant-aided secondary schools, elementary schools and other schools in which service is contributory under the Teachers (Superannuation) Act. The Board do not obtain detailed information regarding students other than those training under their Regulations or in regard to appointments in schools other than grant-aided schools.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the nature of the scheme that has been worked out by the Food Council for fixing the minimum prices of bread; and whether he proposes to accept the recommendations of that council that there should be an independent tribunal to which bakers may appeal in the event of their flour supplies being cut off?

In their recent report, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, the Food Council have proposed certain safeguards in connection with the operation by the trade of schemes for maintaining minimum prices of bread, making it clear that the responsibility for such schemes must remain with the trade. The report is now under consideration, and my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to reply to the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether any towns in the country have concluded either their building programmes or their slum-clearance programmes; and whether he can state their names?

While a number of authorities have completed or are on the point of completing their original slum clearance and rehousing programmes, these programmes are still subject to revision from time to time and it would be premature on my part to issue such a list at present.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he can state the weekly cost per head for food in cottage homes, Poor Law institutions, and Poor Law hospitals?

This information is contained in Parts I, II, and III of the costing returns issued by my Department, of which I am sending copies to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether any steps have been taken and completed to introduce new industries into Lancashire in connection with measures of national defence; and whether he can state their nature?

Steps are being taken to arrange for the assembly of respirators in works sited in Lancashire and for the construction of a filling factory in the county. Approaches have been made to 13 firms in the county to undertake the manufacture of munitions, which is not part of their ordinary business.

asked the Home Secretary whether, taking the whole of the road accidents for the last four weeks, he can state in how many cases in each of the weeks mentioned police proceedings were instituted against anybody in connection with the fatalities?

The information for which the hon. Member asks is not available and it would be a most formidable undertaking to collect it from all over the country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will explain why the experiments performed on dogs at the London Central Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, to which his attention has been drawn by the hon. Member for Stratford, are not treated by his Department as coming within the scope of the Act 39 and 40 Vic., c. 77?

The Act 39 and 40 Vic., c. 77, regulates the performance on living animals of experiments calculated to cause pain. I am advised that the purpose for which the dogs were used was not an experiment calculated to cause pain and consequently was not within the scope of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any assurance from the German Government that they do not propose to make use of the occasion of the Olympic games being held in Berlin for the purposes of political propaganda, and as implying recognition of and support for the Nazi régime?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when he last received a report from the Imports Advisory Committee on Japanese imports into this country?

The reports of the committee consist of recommendations for changes in the duties on classes or descriptions of goods, and they do not report to the Treasury on the course of imports from different countries.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in accordance with the regulation that juvenile adults up to 23 years of age may be committed to Borstal institutions instead of to prison, he will direct that no young person under 23 years shall be kept in an adult prison under any circumstances; and will he issue a circular to magistrates directing that greater use be made of the probation system?.

When the Order extending to persons under 23 years of age the provisions of the Prevention of Crime Act, 1908, relating to Borstal detention has been made, my right hon. Friend proposes to send to the courts a circular letter on the subject, and in this letter to draw special attention to the desirability of avoiding imprisonment for young offenders in all cases where other methods are practicable. I am afraid, however, that it would not be possible to give effect to the hon. Member's suggestion that when a young offender is sentenced to imprisonment he should not be committed to a prison containing older offenders. As regards the last part of the question, I believe that magistrates generally are fully aware of the desirability of using the probation system in all suitable cases, but, as is shown by the recent report of the Committee on the Social Services of the Courts, there is need for improvements in the probation service, and the question of what steps my Department can take to assist in bringing about such improvements is now engaging close attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the question of the desirability of ceding territory to Germany in Africa was discussed by members of His Majesty's Government with Mr. Pirow during his, recent visit; and, if so, what views were expressed to him?

I would refer to the statement which has just been made on this subject by the Prime Minister.