asked the Secretary of State for War whether steps are being taken to ensure that Section A Reservists now returning from Palestine will be taken back into their civilian employment without delay?

The helpful attitude of employers, which I am glad to have this opportunity of acknowledging, in the matter of making these reservists promptly available for service, leads me confidently to expect that no difficulty regarding their return to their civilian employment will arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps the War Office is taking to provide adequate drill halls and other buildings for the Territorial Army in Wales, particularly the 53rd Division; whether he is aware that in one district negotiations for a new drill hall have been in progress for two years; and whether, with a view to encouraging recruiting in this area, he will bring the matter to a conclusion in the near future?

Every endeavour is being made to provide adequate drill halls and other buildings for the Territorial Army in Wales and elsewhere, but I would point out that, at the moment, priority must necessarily be given to buildings for the new Anti-Aircraft units. As regards the second part of the question, if my hon. and gallant Friend will inform me of the district he has in mind, I will look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has had a report regarding the 33 youths who were physically unfit for the Army on 13th October when he visited Aldershot and put them on a special diet, which included butter three times a day; and, if there is an improvement, will he give the whole Army butter instead of margarine?

A final opinion on the results of this experiment will not be reached till the end of December, but I understand that they are promising. As, however, the substitution of butter for margarine is only one of a number of measures taken with a view to improving the physique of these recruits, no definite conclusion can be drawn regarding the merits of any particular measure.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state, for each year since 1920, the number of men from the county of Durham who have offered themselves for recruitment to the Regular Army and the number who have been accepted; and what proportion for each year these figures have borne to the corresponding figures for the whole country?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by old campaigners who apply for a special campaign pension on reaching 65 years of age; that many of them are obliged to apply for public assistance before pension is awarded; that pension is withheld so long as public assitance is granted; and will he take steps to remove this anomaly by allowing applications for special pensions to be forwarded two months before reaching the age of 65?

It is already the practice of the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, to consider applications for Special Campaign pension which are submitted shortly before the date on which the claimants attain

The following figures relate only to what is known as the Durham Recruiting Zone, and do not cover those Durham men who apply in the Newcastle and Middlesbrough Zones, each of which serves two counties.age 65, and there is no objection to applications being so made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that agents of insurance companies who have contracted to collect regular payments on insurance policies are not allowed to enter naval barracks for this purpose; and will he make arrangements so that those companies may carry out their contractual obligations to men who have joined the Navy after entering into arrangements with those companies?

I regret that I cannot accede to the hon. Member's request. The Regulations do not permit tradesmen to enter His Majesty's ships or Naval Establishments to sell goods or obtain orders, and if this rule were relaxed in favour of insurance companies even for the limited purpose of collecting payments on existing policies, the result would be inconvenient, in view of the number of competing companies. Further, when the men are at sea this business must be transacted with their representatives and similar arrangements can presumably be made when the men are in barracks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men were promoted from the lower deck to become officers in the Navy in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total new officers they were in each of these three years?

It is presumed that the hon. Member includes Warrant Officers in the expression "Officers of the Navy." The number of promotions to Warrant Rank from the lower deck in 1934, 1935 and 1936 (to date) was 98, 86 and 127 respectively. The number of promotions from the lower deck to Officer's rank other than to Warrant rank was 10, 7 and 9 for these years. Of the total entry into the Royal Navy as officers the lower deck promotions formed the following proportions:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will inform the House of the reports received from commanders of ships of His Majesty's Navy dealing with the transport of munitions and oil to the armed forces opposed to the Spanish Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Cumberland, North (Mr. W. Roberts).

asked the Postmaster-General what were the aggregate amounts paid in wages, including bonus and allowances, to the Post Office staff for the year 1929–36 and subsequent years?

The desired information is as follows:

asked the Postmaster-General, what amounts have been paid into and out of the Post Office Fund; and what are the purposes to which the expenditure has been devoted?

The undermentioned amounts have been paid into the Post Office Fund:—

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the increase in road accidents on certain of the roads on the outskirts of large cities since he has derestricted such roads in respect to the speed limit, he will reconsider his action and reimpose the speed limit where experience appears to justify it.

Yes, Sir. Such matters are open to constant review.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to advise and, if need he, to bear the cost of the illumination of the globes which denote where foot-passengers can cross the streets, so that in darkness the crossings will be safe for the public and easily seen by drivers of vehicles?

The proper procedure where lighting is defective is to improve it so that it may illumine not only the crossings but also the pedestrians using them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to make a statement of the policy of the Government in relation to the projected Forth road-bridge?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the proposed Forth road-bridge?

His Majesty's Government have examined the case presented for new bridges over the estuaries of the Forth, the Severn, and the Humber. They have felt bound to have primary regard to the overriding importance of the National Defence programme and the demands which that programme will progressively make upon the national resources. His Majesty's Government have come to the conclusion that they would not be justified in embarking upon the execution of these public works at the present moment, but this decision does not exclude the reconsideration of these projects at a later date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement regarding the possibility of eliminating headlight dazzle from motorcars by means of polarised lamps; and whether it is intended to issue any further regulations on this subject?

I am aware of recent developments, with which my technical officers are in touch; but it would be premature for me to make any official statement.

asked the Minister of Transport how many county councils have exercised the powers conferred on them by the Ribbon Development Act; and whether any steps will be taken to encourage other county councils to take advantage of the provisions of this Act?

Section 2 of the Act, as my hon. Friend will be aware, is of automatic operation, with the result that within 220 feet from the middle of every classified road in the country it is no longer lawful, without consent, to construct, form or lay out any means of access or to erect or make any building. Thirty-four county councils have applied by resolution the same restrictions to 13,000 miles of unclassified roads, and 15 councils have adopted resolutions applying the more limited widths of Section I to 100 miles of road. In reply to the last part of the question, the answer is "everything possible."

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of meter examiners that have been appointed under the Electricity Supply (Meters) Act, 1936; and when he is likely to name the appointed day under Section 1, sub-section (1), of that Act?

The Electricity Commissioners are making the arrangements necessary to carry out their duties under this Act and I expect to fix the appointed day in the early part of next year before which date the Commissioners will make the appointments of meter examiners.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present amount of the fiduciary note issue under the Currency and Bank Notes Act, 1928?

The present amount of the fiduciary issue is the amount stated in Section 2 (1) of the Currency and Bank Notes Act, 1928, namely £260,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the names and numbers of advances which have been made to date by the Special Areas Reconstruction Association, Limited?

I do not consider that it would be in the best interests of applicants that the fact that they have secured accommodation from the company should be made public. As regards the number of advances made to date, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which has been given to-day by my right hon. Friend in reply to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the arrangements now being made by education committees in Scotland to signalise the Coronation of His Majesty next year by means of presents or otherwise to schoolchildren, the Treasury will authorise a suitable payment out of education funds?

A Scottish Office circular on the subject of expenditure by local authorities in Scotland in connection with local celebrations of His Majesty's Coronation will shortly be issued, and I shall send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information with regard to Italian armed intervention in Spanish affairs in the Balearic islands?

Such authoritative information as has come into the possession of His Majesty's Government regarding breaches of the Non-Intervention Agreement has been laid by them before the International Committee, and it would not be proper to make a statement while the committee is still examining this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what provisions exist to limit or prevent the passage through the Dardanelles of ships conveying arms and munitions, thereby becoming auxiliary naval vessels as defined in clause six of annex two of the Montreux Convention; will the Government make representations to see that such provisions are strictly adhered to in respect of ships from Russia conveying arms and munitions to the Communist party in Spain; will the Government ascertain whether the proper notices required under Article 13 of the Convention have been and will be given to the Turkish Government of the passage of all such vessels; and whether the other conditions under that article are being strictly adhered to?

There is nothing in the Montreux Convention to limit or prevent the passage through the Straits of vessels conveying arms or munitions as such, unless these arms or munitions are carried in vessels of war or naval auxiliary vessels as defined in the Convention, in which case the limitations and restrictions laid down in Section II become applicable. The fact that a vessel is carrying arms or munitions does not of itself make her a naval auxiliary vessel. His Majesty's Government have no reason to suppose that the terms of the Convention, including the provision of Article 13, are not being faithfully carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any official or representative of the Government took action in any way to prevent arms intended for the Spanish Government from being conveyed to Spain prior to the arms embargo agreement?

Prior to the Non-Intervention Agreement which, as my right hon. Friend stated on 29th October, was reached on 27th August last, His Majesty's Government, after reaching agreement with the French Government on 15th August, prohibited the export of arms to Spain from that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House who represented Britain and France when the first consultations took place over the Spanish situation?

I am not quite clear to what consultations the hon. Member refers. Exchanges of view have throughout taken place between His Majesty's Government and the French Government in the normal manner through the diplomatic channel.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the cession of Colonial territory, including territory held under mandate, has formed the subject of any communication which has passed between. His Majesty's Government and the German Government since 27th July last?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing among ex-service men who are patients in Ministry of Pensions hospitals as to the cheap, ill-fitting, and badly tailored suits issued to them; and whether he will arrange to clothe the men concerned in a manner worthy of the services they have rendered to their country?

Distinctive and uniform clothing for hospital patients has been found essential, more especially to secure for them, when outside the hospital premises, the protection and assistance from the public which is very important in the case of most disabilities. The blue uniform supplied has to be of a strong, but washable material. Suits are kept in several sizes but, as a large proportion of the patients are not detained for more than quite a short time in hospital, suits Made or altered for each patient would, I fear, be impracticable. In regard to the last part of the question, I may point out that precisely the same type of suit is currently in use in military hospitals also.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the interests of maintaining law and order, he will consider introducing legislation to prohibit members of any political organisation from wearing military, or quasi-military uniforms and from organising or training on a military or quasi-military basis, and to confer upon the police or other suitable authority power to ban processions, demonstrations, and meetings which are intended or calculated to lead to disorder?

I regret I must ask my hon. Friend to await the terms of the Bill which will, I hope, be available at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour what additional offices for Ministry of Labour business are being established or are about to be established in rural areas in Brecon and Radnor?

Local agencies have been opened at Sennybridge, Talgarth and Talybont-on-Usk in Brecon, and at Presteign and Rhayader in Radnor.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that hotel and restaurant proprietors are bringing into the country waiters and other employés for the purpose of employing them during the Coronation festivities; and, if so, does he intend to take any action to safeguard the interests of the British hotel employés?

Permits for the introduction of foreigners for employment in hotels and restaurants—apart from a few required for highly specialised posts —are limited to student-employés under special arrangements which, in most instances, provide for corresponding facilities for British student-employés. Consequently, the interests of British hotel employés are well safeguarded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there is no factory in North Staffordshire engaged in the production of aircraft or engines; and will he remedy this defect?

I am aware of the fact that there is no factory in North Staffordshire engaged in the production of aircraft or aero-engines. Under the policy of the Government explained in the White Paper (Cmd. 5295) I fear that it would not be feasible to establish a Government factory in that locality.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of coke which he is permitting to be imported into this country, and the reason for allowing coke to be imported whilst collieries which can produce coking coal in Durham are idle?

I understand that arrangements have been made for the importation of about 100,000 tons of foreign coke into Great Britain, but no permit from the Government is necessary for this importation. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that the coke-making plant in this country, which is being used practically to capacity, cannot fully meet present demands.