asked the Minister of Transport, how many accidents have happened on level crossings during each of the past two years; in how many cases have the railway companies been required to erect bridges to replace level crossings; and how many bridges have been erected at level crossings as schemes of road improvements carried out by highway authorities in each of such years?

The total number of accidents, involving the movement of trains, at public road level crossings was 153 in 1934 and 134 in 1935. As regards the second part of the Question, no such requirement has been made. As regards the last part of the Question, four bridges have been erected during the past two years at railway crossings. In addition four other crossings, although not closed, can be avoided by through traffic by the use of bridges constructed on by-pass roads. Grants have also been made during the two years in respect of four other schemes which when completed will provide for bridges at railway crossings.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether, in view of the narrowness of the road across the Hartford Bridge Flats on the Camberley-Basingstoke Road, he is aware of the danger to motorists owing to the exposed nature of the country and the frequent gusts of wind which drive cars sideways and across the road; and whether he will take steps either to widen this road or to build a separate highway parallel to the present road in order to separate outward and incoming traffic?

No scheme for widening this road has been submitted to me, but I understand that the Southampton County Council has under consideration the construction of a second carriageway in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he can state the number of accidents and the number of persons killed and injured separately during each of the last four years on the Hartford Bridge Flats on the Camberley-Basingstoke Road?

I am informed that the number of accidents and the numbers of persons killed or injured during each of the last four years on the Hartford Bridge Flats on the Camberley-Basingstoke Road were as follow:—

Year.	No. of Accidents	No. of persons killed.	No. of persons injured.
1932	38	—	23
1933	27	1	17
1934	35	1	16
1935	33	3	31

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons were killed or injured, respectively, during 1935 through the opening and closing of railway carriage doors; and whether the figures show an increase on previous years?

The figures for 1935 were: Killed, nil; injured, 2,231. Average figures 1930–34: Killed, nil; injured, 1,673.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons were killed or injured, respectively, during 1935 on attempting to enter or alight from railway trains when in motion; and whether the figures indicate an increase over previous years?

The figures for 1935 were: 14 killed, 1,495 injured. They show a decrease of three killed, and an increase of nine injured, as compared with the average for the previous five years. A certain number of these accidents occurred in connection with stationary trains.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the nationalisation of certain main roads indicates any diminution of the grants made in respect of roads not so taken over; and whether he can make a statement as to any anticipated extra annual charge on the revenue of his department entailed by such nationalisation?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the assurances given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and myself in the course of Debates on the Finance Act of this year, to the effect that there is no intention of curtailing the Five-Year Programme of the highway authorities and that no restraint will be imposed within the limits of the programme. The Government has no intention of regarding the assumption of responsibility for trunk roads as a ground for reducing the rates of grant now given towards the maintenance of the rest of the highway system. I am unable to make any statement at this stage regarding the costs that will fall upon national funds.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the introduction of legislation amending the present law which allows railway companies to issue cheap or excursion tickets to the public on the condition that no claims can arise for compensation against the railway company in the event of accident or death which may be caused through the negligence of the company, and that the holders of such tickets forfeit the right of themselves or their next-of-kin to maintain such action against the company?

As I have previously explained, in reply to similar questions in this House, the main line railway companies informed me earlier in the year that, excluding workmen, they have decided in future to apply the condition, limiting their liability, only in the case of passengers holding Cheap Day, Half-Day or Evening tickets, and I propose to await a further communication from them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the conditions laid down by the railway companies before they will carry out the electrification of South Lancashire railways; and if he will endeavour to bring about the federation of the various transport systems to enable this important improvement to be carried out?

I have followed with interest the efforts being made in the direction of co-ordination of transport facilities in this area and have already expressed my views in a letter sent recently to the Town Clerk of Manchester.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the sums of money now spent from all sources on the A roads of the country as compared with the outlay on the B and C roads, respectively?

Particulars of the expenditure on Class I, Class II, and Unclassified roads are given in Appendix 13 to the Report on the Administration of the Road Fund for the year 1934–35.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the danger of people engaged in the work of window-cleaning who, when travelling on motor and other cycles, carry ladders, buckets, and other material, which make it difficult for them to give the road signs indicating direction; and will he take steps to deal with this practice?

I am aware that the carrying of unsuitable articles on pedal cycles is an occasional cause of accidents and directions on the subject are included in paragraph 70 of The Highway Code, but I will further review the whole matter in the light of the more detailed investigation into the cause of road accidents which is now in progress.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as to the supply of electricity for the village of Bisley, Gloucestershire?

The Commissioners, I understand, are having a further meeting with representatives of the Company to-day.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is no remedy at law by persons aggrieved by acts of members of the Bar in carrying out their professional duties and that there is no remedy against persons holding high judicial office short of an Address to His Majesty from Parliament in a case of alleged grievance; and whether he will introduce legislation removing this immunity?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that barristers cannot be sued at law for negligence in carrying out their profession duties. Disciplinary action can be taken against a barrister by the Inn of Court of which he is a member. The answer to the second part of the question is "Yes", and the answer to the third part is "No".

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) how many visits have been paid by His Majesty's inspectors during the past 12 months to Linby colliery, Nottingham; and how many hours of overtime have been worked at that pit during the same period;(2) whether he will give a list of the pits in Nottinghamshire in which non-fatal accidents reportable took place in 1935, giving the number of such accidents in each case; and whether he will state in which of these pits workmen's inspections took place, stating in each case whether they took place before or after the accidents in question;(3) whether he will give a list of the pits in Nottinghamshire in which fatal accidents occurred in 1935, giving the number of accidents in each case; and whether he will state in which of these pits workmen's inspections took place, and say in each case whether they took place before or after the accidents in question?

I am sorry that the notice given was insufficient to enable me to answer these questions before the Adjournment. I am obtaining the information, and I will communicate with the Hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the position of the coal distributors in relation to the coal-selling schemes that will be operative from 1st August next?

In certain controlled selling schemes, in order to ensure the observance of conditions under which permits for the sale of coal are issued, provisions are included under which conditions of re-sale can be prescribed and a Register of approved distributors can be prepared by the Executive Board of coalowners. In these cases I have asked for and received from the respective Executive Boards assurances that should the clauses in question be put into operation—

(1) Any general conditions of re-sale applicable to the district as a whole and affecting the distributive trade connected with that district will be agreed in consultation with representatives of the distributors and failing such agreement, the matter should be settled by arbitration, outside the provisions of the statutory scheme, and

(2) there will also be a right of arbitration, outside the provisions of the statutory scheme in connection with inclusion in or exclusion from approved lists of distributors.

The districts affected are—

asked the Secretary for Mines how many of His Majesty's inspectors of mines above the rank of junior inspectors and of the members of the technical staff of the safety in mines research board have had experience in the management of a coal mine as set out in Section 2 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, or have at any time exercised daily supervision of workers at the coal face and on haulage roads; and what is the average period of practical experience underground of each of the above-named group of officials?

A statement is being prepared, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of deaths of children under five years of age per 1,000 of the population and the number of deaths of women in childbirth per 1,000 of the population in the Neath borough council area, Neath rural council area, and Pontardawe rural district council area for 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, and the latest date available for 1936, respectively?

Following is the information:The mortality of children under five per 1,000 living for the whole of England and Wales is as follows:

1931	19·9
1932	19·0
1933	17·9
1934	17·5
1935	16·1

Separate figures for individual areas are not available.The deaths classified to pregnancy and childbearing in the three areas mentioned are as follow:

—		Neath M.B.			Neath R.D.			Pontardawe R.D.
		No. of Deaths.	Rate per 1,000 Population.	Rate per 1,000 Live and Still Births.	No. of Deaths.	Rate per 1,000 Population.	Rate per 1,000 Live and Still Births.	No. of Deaths.	Rate per 1,000 Population.	Rate per 1,000 Live and Still Births.
1931	…	1	0·03	1·89	1	0·02	1·43	3	0·08	5·14
1932	…	2	0·06	3·58	6	0·15	8·50	4	0·11	6·74
1933	…	2	0·06	4·34	4	0·10	5·88	3	0·08	5·83
1934	…	2	0·06	3·82	5	0·12	6·59	6	0·17	10·89
1935	…	6	0·18	11·21	6	0·15	9·05	4	0·11	7·78
The rates per 1,000 live and still births have been given as well as the rates per 1,000 of the population, as the rates are not normally calculated in the latter form.

asked the Minister of Health, whether, in view of the small reduction in fresh cases of venereal disease in the past 10 years, he proposes to give effect to the recommendation of the Trevethin Committee in 1923 that the law should be altered so as to permit properly-qualified chemists to sell ad hoc disinfectants in a form approved and with instructions for use approved by some competent authority?

I am advised that all the available evidence tends to show that the reduction in the incidence of venereal disease in recent years has been considerable. The returns from the Treatment Centres for the year 1935 show a reduction of 34 per cent. in cases of recent infection with syphilis, as compared with the year 1931. The recommendation referred to by my hon. Friend was carefully considered after the Trevethin Committee had reported, but the conclusion reached was that it would not be practicable to frame any satisfactory legislation to give effect to that recommendation. I see no reason to dissent from that conclusion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of regional medical officers, whole or part time, appointed by him under the National Health Insurance Acts for England and Wales; the rates of remuneration; and the total cost borne on the Ministry of Health Vote, together with the amount recovered from approved societies?

The regional medical staff under the National Health Insurance Acts for England and Wales consists of four Divisional Medical Officers (apart from the medical member of the Welsh Board of Health who acts in that capacity in Wales), 34 Regional Medical Officers and 37 Deputy Regional Medical Officers, who are all whole time and whose remuneration is £1,400 to £1,600, £1,000 to £1,400, and £800 to £1,100 a year respectively. There are also 150 part time medical referees paid at £2 2s. 0d. per session of 2½ to 3 hours. The cost of the service for the current financial year borne on the Ministry of Health Vote is estimated at £194,000, together with £37,200 borne on the Votes of other Departments, and the amount recoverable from approved societies is estimated at £186,700.

asked the Minister of Health, what number of cases suffering from cancer is reported by the medical officers of health in the Neath rural district council area, Pontardawe rural council area, and Neath borough council area for 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and 1935; what number of deaths is reported from this disease for the same period in each area; and the number of deaths from tuberculosis for the same period and the same areas?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not contained in the reports of the medical officers of health for the areas and years named. As the answer to the remainder of the question involves a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the many complaints about delay in hearing appeals against assessments in the draft valuation lists of Manchester, he will state what steps he proposes to take in order to expedite the hearing of such appeals?

I have been in communication with the Corporation of Manchester on the matter and am informed that the list of outstanding appeals has already been substantially reduced and that every effort will be made to dispose as soon as possible, of the remainder.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the disturbance to the silk industry arising from uncertainty as to the maintenance or otherwise of the Excise duty on artificial silk yarn after next March, he can make a statement as to his intentions respecting that duty?

I gave an assurance on 17th December last, in reply to a question by my hon. Friend that it was not my intention to propose the repeal or reduction of the Customs duties on raw silk or of the Excise duty on artificial silk before the end of March, 1937. In view of the commitments facing the country in regard to defence, it will cause no surprise when I say that I now see no early prospect of being able to finance a reduction or repeal of these duties. I would add that if and when reduction or repeal appears to be practicable from the standpoint of the national Exchequer, I should then think it right to refer the matter again to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for reconsideration, having regard to the lapse of time since that Committee originally reported in 1934 in favour of repealing these duties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that on the merger of the Cunard and White Star Lines surplus officers, many over 50 years of age and with 20 years' service, were given one year's pay in lieu of notice; and whether, in view of the practical impossibility of re-employment for these officers, and the fact that the Cunard White Star is being financed by public money, he will take steps to ensure a more equitable arrangement?

This is not a matter in which I could intervene. The merger involved a retirement of a certain amount of tonnage, and I am informed that in consequence there were a number of cases in which the Company were compelled to dispense with the services of surplus officers, but that each case was given very careful consideration with a view to minimising hardship to those concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he is aware that the Kincardine county council are seeking to assess for rates wooden buildings for camping purposes placed upon their land by farmers; that these rates are being charged in some cases in spite of the refusal of the county council to contribute to the upkeep of adjoining roads, even when there is a public right of way thereupon; and whether, in view of the fact that the county council provides no water or other services to these huts, he will consider taking action to discourage these demands upon farmers providing these facilities for the public?

The matters referred to in the question do not come within my jurisdiction. Rates fall to be levied upon all subjects appearing in the Valuation Roll except those exempted by statute. The Roll is made by the Assessor acting under the Valuation Acts and any owner, tenant or occupier who is dissatisfied with an entry in the Roll has the right of appeal first to the Valuation Committee of the County Council, and thereafter to the Lands Valuation Appeal Court. The County Council have no duty

—		Edinburgh.		Glasgow.		Dundee.		Aberdeen.†
		Diphtheria.	Scarlet Fever.	Diphtheria.	Scarlet Fever.	Diphtheria.	Scarlet Fever.	Diphtheria.	Scarlet Fever.	Combined Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria.
1922	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1923	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1924	…	3,044	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1925	…	3,376	—	—	—	—	—	55	68	806
1926	…	1,982	—	—	—	1,003*	74*	354	2,270	1,969
1927	…	4,600	—	—	—	478*	229*	1,689	629	6,565
1928	…	1,196	—	—	—	265	259	1,180	373	4,350
1929	…	1,205	—	—	—	199	176	227	118	3,606
1930	…	1,891	—	—	—	30	124	127	170	1,620
1931	…	449	—	—	—	26	107	—	—	205
1932	…	631	—	—	—	15	220	—	—	48
1933	…	1,235	—	—	—	31	88	—	—	46
1934	…	2,349	—	—	—	17	101	—	—	140
1935	…	2,085	—	—	—	143	113	—	—	80
* These figures cover age period 0–15.
† All Aberdeen figures cover age period 0–15.
Note.—It has not been possible in the time available for the local authorities affected by the footnotes to have their records analysed for the purpose of excluding children between 10 and 15 years of age.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether his attention has been drawn to references in the Public Accounts Committee's Report to the sale of exclusive information by his department to a weekly newspaper for £1,300 a year; and whether, in view of the committee's criticisms, he proposes to continue the practice?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many children under 10 years of age have been immunised against diphtheria in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, and Edinburgh in each year since 1922; whether there has been any immunisation against scarlet fever in those towns; and, if so, what was the yearly number of children under 10 years inoculated?

The information desired is contained in the following statement:

I shall, of course, give very careful consideration to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee to which my hon. Friend refers. I would, however, assure my hon. Friend that there is no question of the sale of exclusive information, and that the Ministry specifically reserved full power to afford to any other paper similar facilities to those accorded to the "Farmers' Weekly."

asked the President of the Board of Education, what is the average net expenditure from county rates only in the counties of Monmouth and Glamorgan upon the education of a child in an elementary school until he reaches the school-leaving age?

On the basis of the expenditure for 1935–36 the average cost falling on rate fund moneys of educating a child in an elementary school for each year of its attendance is £6 11s. 10d. in the county of Glamorgan and £5 7s. 7d. in the county of Monmouth.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he will state the legal qualifications, remuneration and expenses, leave, and hours of duty of the district auditor appointed under Part X of the Local Government Act, 1933, for No. 1 audit district?

District Auditors are not required to hold legal qualifications but the officer in question is a Chartered Accountant. He is remunerated on the salary scale of the District Auditor grade, namely: £1,011 to £1,161. Travelling and subsistence expenses are allowed on the ordinary scales laid down by His Majesty's Treasury, his leave allowance is 48 days per annum, and his normal hours of duty are those applicable to the Civil Service generally, 42 hours a week.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the attitude of his Department towards the question of permitting the public and representatives of the Press to be present at the audit of accounts under Part X of the Local Government Act, 1933, or whether only local government electors for the area to the accounts of which the audit relates are permitted to be present?

This matter is governed by statute and is not one in which I have any jurisdiction. Section 226 of the Local Government Act, 1933, provides only that a local government elector may be present or represented at the audit.

asked the Minister of Pensions, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to young persons being employed on window-cleaning for Government Departments and the danger to these youths when engaged on such work, and is the fair-wage clause insisted upon for these young people?

The First Commissioner of Works already has under consideration, as a result of representations made to him recently by a trade union, the question of the employment of youths in connection with window-cleaning contracts let by his Department. Contractors are required to observe the terms of the fair-wages clause in respect of all persons employed by them in the execution of the contract.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to state when the contracts for two battleships will be placed, and to what areas they will be given?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 29th July in reply to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any captain promoted from the lower deck in modern times has commanded a battleship or cruiser in the sea-going fleets; and whether one is likely to do so in the near future?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. E. J. Williams) on 4th May last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the class of ships, giving fleet, reserve or special complement status, and the ranks of the officers at the time, of the 99 officers promoted from the lower deck who are stated to have been appointed to the command of ships in the Navy since 1920?

These officers have been appointed in command of sloops, minesweepers, destroyers, submarines and miscellaneous craft. To give the full details asked for by the hon. Member would involve the examination of the records of all officers from the lower deck over a period of 15 years, and would entail an amount of additional work which would not be justified.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of ratings qualified educationally and professionally for the rank of sub-lieutenant and sub-lieutenant (E), the number of candidates who appeared

Fleet or Command.					No. of candidates appearing before Fleet Selection Board.		No. of candidates recommended by Fleet Selection Board.		Number promoted.
					General Service.	Engineering.	General Service.	Engineering.	General Service.	Engineering.
Home Fleet		…	…	…	3	1	2	1	Not yet decided.	1
Mediterranean		…	…	…	5	3	2	2		2
America and West Indies				…	—	1	—	1		1
Africa	…	…	…	…	—	1	—	—		—
Plymouth	…	…	…	…	1	—	1	—		—
Nore	…	…	…	…	1	—	1	—		—

asked the Attorney General whether he can make any statement on the subject of the proposed institution of a system of official shorthand writing to the High Court of Justice or whether the legal authorities have given up the idea of instituting any official system?

I understand that the Committee set up to inquire into the queston of Official Shorthand Writers have now signed and are about to present their Report. I am not, therefore, able to make any statement upon this subject until my Noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, has had an opportunity of considering the recommendations contained in the Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information about

Great latitude is allowed to ratings in regard to the order in which they pass through the various stages before which they can be recommended by their Commanding Officers to appear before a Fleet Selection Board. The information asked for in the first part of the question is, therefore, not available. As regards the remainder of the question the following are the details desired:the contract given to Germany to fortify the Dardanelles; the amount of contract; the name of the firm that has got the contract; the name of the countries that will have to pay for fortifying the Straits; and whether any British firms were asked to tender for the work?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any contract has yet been awarded or tenders invited. The matter rests entirely in the hands of the Turkish Government.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether any reply, and, if so, to what effect, has been given by the government of India to the two memorials of protest against retrocession of the civil station of Bangalore by a joint committee of trades, ratepayers, Anglo-Indian, and domiciled European associations; and if he is aware that these associations include some 1,650 members and employés, representing with their families some 8,000 or 10,000 persons, European, Anglo-Indian, and Indian.

In reply to the first part of the Noble Lady's question, my Noble Friend has no information as to whether a reply has been made by the Government of India to the memorial of the Joint Committee. My Noble Friend is not aware of the precise numerical strength of the associations represented on the Joint Committee. Such information as is available to him is to the effect that the Civil and Military Station Municipal Commission which is in contact with the Resident is of a more representative character.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the Government of India has sent any reply and, if so, to what effect, to the memorial of protest against the retrocession of the civil station of Bangalore, sent in by the Muslim community of the station?

I have no information as to whether a reply has been sent to the Memorial of the Muslim community referred to by the Noble Lady.

asked the Minister of Labour how many advisory committees have been set up in the county of Essex under the Unemployment Assistance Board; and if he can state the geographical position of such committees, the name and qualifications of the chairman appointed, and when it is expected that they will begin their duties?

The information is being obtained from the Board and will be communicated to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give a list of the advisory committees set up in the county of Nottingham, with the names of the members of these committees?

Two local Advisory Committees are being set up to serve the County of Nottingham. The following table shows the areas allocated to each of these Committees and the names of the Chairmen. Substantial progress has been made in the appointment of the members of these Committees, but it has not yet reached a stage for either at which it would be proper to publish a list.

Unemployment Assistance Board.
Advisory Committees serving the County of Nottingham.
Advisory Committees.	Chairmen.
City of Nottingham and District.	W. J. Clarkson.
Mansfield, Worksop and Districts	Alderman S. H. Clay, J.P.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any payments will be made to the chairmen of the advisory committees or to other members; and, if so, the amounts?

No emoluments are payable to a Chairman or other Member of an Advisory Committee. Travelling and other allowances in respect of expenses (including compensation for loss of remunerative time) will be payable on the scale laid down generally for persons attending committees and other bodies set up in connection with the public service.

asked the Minister of Labour how many families have been placed in permanent employment through the land settlement schemes in the administrative county of Durham?

The Durham County Council, with the co-operation of the Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales), has in hand schemes which will provide for the settlement, on full-time holdings in the County, of 124 families. Of these, 19 are on non-residential holdings which the men are working from their existing dwelling-houses. Another 34 families are already in residence on their holdings, and 31 more will go into residence in the near future. As regards the remaining 40 holdings, contracts for the houses have been let and the builders are on the sites.

JONES asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of men unemployed in South Wales on 20th May, 1936?

At 25th May, 1936, the only date in May for which figures are available, there were 124,791 unemployed men, aged 18 years and over, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in South Wales, and 32,165 in the county of Monmouth.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the youths who were engaged on the work of window-cleaning at the head offices of the Unemployment Assistance Board, Thames House, were placed in that employment by his department; was the danger of the work understood when these boys were placed; were these boys informed of the rate of wages to be paid for this work; and will he see that men are in future sent to such work?

I am making inquiries and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

JONES asked the Minister of Labour, what is the number of juveniles who have been transferred from South Wales with aid from the Ministry during 1934 and 1935 and during the first three months of 1936; and what is the total expenditure upon such assisted transfer of juveniles during each of these periods?

The number of juveniles who have been transferred from South Wales (including Monmouthshire) with aid from the Ministry of Labour during the years 1934 and 1935 and the first three months of 1936 is as follows:—

1934	1,768
1935	2,978
1936 (January to March)	1,001

Particulars of the total expenditure incurred in assisting the transfer of these juveniles from South Wales are not available.

asked the Home Secretary how many complaints have been received by his department as to the non-obser- vance of precautions in the inspection and repair of water-sealed gasholders; and what action has been taken?

During the past eight years ten complaints as to the condition of water-sealed gasholders appear to have been received. These were duly dealt with. Further, the Department has taken up as regards the country generally the questions of inspection and of precautions in connection with repair, and has discussed these matters with the Institution of Gas Engineers. Recommendations as to methods of examination were circulated by the Institution and these are now under revision in the light of experience. As regards repairs, a set of working rules has been drawn up and circulated.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will furnish a list of cases setting out the prosecutions which the police have instituted against persons who have used at political meetings insulting words and behaviour whereby a breach of the peace might have been occasioned?

Particulars are not available for the whole country. I am informed that during the period from 1st January to 3rd July there were 46 cases in which charges of this kind were preferred in respect of incidents arising out of public meetings in the Metropolitan Police District.

asked the Home Secretary what is the weekly rent charged to the temporary officers who occupy the old block quarters at Dartmoor; and if these old quarters are fitted out with baths?

The weekly rent charged is 8s. 6d. None of the quarters occupied by the temporary officers is fitted with a bath.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the weekly cost per head for food in remand homes, approved schools, Borstal institutions, prisons, and convict prisons for each of the last three years?

Owing to the varied arrangements which are made for the provision of remand homes and their intermittent use, no information as to weekly cost per head for food in such places is available. The figures for the other establishments mentioned for the years 1933 to 1935 were approximately as follows, viz.:—Senior and Intermediate Schools, 6s.; Junior Schools, 5s. 6d.; Local Prisons, 2s. 8d.; Convict Prisons, 3s. 7d.; Borstal Institutions, 3s. 11d.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of cases reported as suffering from silicosis and the number of deaths in the Neath borough council area, the Neath rural district council area, and the Pontardawe rural district council area for 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, and the latest available date in 1936; and what number received compensation and what number were refused compensation?

Statistics on these lines would be difficult to obtain, and I am not clear exactly on what basis the hon. Member contemplates that the calculations should be made. I am communicating with him in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the prevalence of severe epitheliomatous ulceration in certain industries, he will take steps to secure more frequent medical examination with a view to reducing the incidence of this disease?

If the hon. Member has in mind compulsory periodic medical examination, such as has been prescribed in connection with lead poisoning, I am afraid that there are considerable difficulties in the way of requiring similar arrangements in the case of epitheliomatous ulceration, and I cannot promise any immediate action on those lines. I quite appreciate, however, the desirability of early detection and treatment of skin growths of this character, and much has been and is being done to encourage employers to arrange for voluntary examinations, and to encourage workers to get themselves examined by the employers' or by their own Doctors.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any information in connection with the explosion in the smoke economiser at the Alexandra Mills, Bradford Road, Batley, Yorkshire; the cause of the explosion; and the number of persons injured?

I am sorry to learn that three of the injured are dead, but otherwise I cannot add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Brooke) yesterday.

asked the Home Secretary the individual amounts of the fines inflicted on Foreign trawlers for illegal fishing, in British waters, for the last three years?

I regret that the available statistics do not show offences of this kind separately from other offences against the fishery laws, and I am not therefore in a position to supply the desired information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the individual amount of the fines inflicted on British trawlers for alleged illegal fishing in Foreign waters for the last five years, specifying the countries concerned?

Following is the information:

Statement showing the British trawlers convicted of illegal fishing in Foreign territorial waters during the five years 1931–1935 and the amount of the fine inflicted in each case.
1931.		1932.		1933.		1934.		1935.
Name of Vessel.	Fine.	Name of Vessel.	Fine.	Name of Vessel.	Fine.	Name of Vessel.	Fine.	Name of Vessel.	Fine.
Iceland.
"Nebris" GY. 84	12,500 Kr. (£564)	"Kingston Garnett" H. 342	18,200 Kr. (£822)	"Lacennia" GY.345	30,000 Kr. (£1,364)	"Welbeck" GY. 165	22,000 Kr. (£917)	"James Barrie" H. 460	22,000 Kr. (£993)
"Lady Margot" H. 188	13,200 Kr. (£606)	"Braconmoor" A. 143	17,850 Kr. (£806)	"Derby County" GY. 514	18,500 Kr. (£840)	"Waldorf" GY. 202	20,000 Kr. (£833)	"Fifinella" GY. 1038	20,500 Kr. (£932)
"Itonian" GY. 108	20,000 Kr. (£1,101)					"Crestflower" H. 239	6,000 Kr. (£250)
						"Okino" GY. 1060	20,400 Kr. (£850)
						"Alsey" GY. 460	20,600 Kr. (£858)
Norway.
"Dairycoates" H. 270	4,000 Kr. (£229)	"Gambri" GY. 99	5,000 Kr. (£256)	"Hammond" GY. 80	5,000 Kr. (£256)	"Beachflower" H. 349	5,000 Kr. (£256)
"Deepdale Wyke" H 459	3,000 Kr. (£163)	"Edgar Wallace" H. 262	4,500 Kr. (£226)	"Loch Torridon" A. 96	5,000 Kr.* (£253)
		"St. Neots" H. 112	3,000 Kr. (£154)	"St. Just" H. 320	5,000 Kr. (£195)
		"Akranes" GY. 155	5,000 Kr. (£256)
Denmark (including Faroe Islands)
		"Benvolio" H. 347	5,000 Kr. (£270)	"Lord Ancaster" H. 662	5,000 Kr. (£225)	"Bromelia" GY. 113	2,000 Kr. (£90)
						"Louis Botha" GY. 305	500 Kr. (£22)
* Later skipper was pardoned by Royal Decree and the fine refunded.
Note.—
1. Appeals were made in certain of the Icelandic and Norwegian cases and in such cases the amounts of the fines shown above represent the fine imposed on the appeal.
2. In the great majority of cases costs were also imposed and catch and gear confiscated.