asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the high prices now being demanded in respect of turkeys for the Christmas trade; and whether, in view of the hardship to consumers which occurred last Christmas, he will take steps to reconsider the import duty on turkeys as an emergency matter?

Any representations in regard to the duty on foreign turkeys should be addressed to the Import Duties Advisory Committee, on whose recommendation it was imposed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in 1935 Great Britain purchased goods from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the value of £21,736,000, while the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics bought from Great Britain £3,505,000 worth of United Kingdom products and £6,206,000 worth of re-exports totalling in all £9,781,000; whether the payments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in Great Britain bore to the proceeds of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in Great Britain in that year the agreed proportion of 1:1.5; and, if so, how the balance of £7,169,500 was made up?

The figures quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend in the first part of his question are not those which under the provisions of the Temporary Commercial Agreement with the Soviet Government form the basis upon which the balance of payments between the two countries is calculated. The proceeds of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1935, as defined by the agreement, amounted to £21,006,000 and the payments by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to £21,783,000. This exceeds the prescribed ratio by £7,779,000. The payments figure included a balance of £5,866,000 from the preceding year, £12,451,000 in respect of exports and re-exports and purchases of old ships during 1935 and earlier years, £1,470,000 for freight on British vessels and £1,996,000 representing 6.½ per cent. of the visible trade turnover.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state up to the latest available date the number of local authorities and companies producing gas, together with the amount of their respective productions?

In the year 1935 there were 718 statutory gas undertakings of which 409 were companies and 309 were local authorities. The companies produced 191,680 million cubic feet of gas and the local authorities produced 107,207 million cubic feet. In addition, some 475 non-statutory firms or companies supplied about 4,000 million cubic feet.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state what is the position with regard to the 55,000 acres of British-land in Mexico which were recently expropriated by the Mexican Government?

His Majesty's Minister is continuing to keep in close touch with the British interests involved and with the Mexican authorities on this question. My right hon. Friend is expecting in the near future a full report giving details of arrangements between the Mexican Government and the interest concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in accordance with the recommendation of the Assembly of the League of Nations at its recent meeting, the British Government proposes to adopt the Convention of 28th October, 1933, relating to the international status of refugees and the provisional arrangement of 4th July, 1936, concerning the status of refugees coming from Germany; and whether the Government is willing to participate in the negotiation of a convention for the protection of refugees from Germany?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have acceded to the Convention of 28th October, 1933, regarding the international status of refugees and have signed the provisional arrangement of 4th July, 1936, concerning the status of refugees coming from Germany. As regards the last part of the question, the task of making proposals regarding the protection of refugees coming from Germany has been entrusted to the High Commissioner appointed by the League of Nations. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have already expressed at Geneva their full agreement with the desirability of League action in this matter. They will accordingly give their most sympathetic consideration to any proposals which the High Commissioner may make in fulfilment of the Assembly's recommendations.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will have inquiries made as to whether there is any efficient mechanical method of painting traffic lines on roads which would reduce the cost of painting them in comparison with doing so by hand?

There are several efficient mechanical methods of painting traffic lines which reduce the cost of hand painting. I am, however, about to issue a circular to Highway Authorities encouraging them to use more permanent forms of line marking such as steel, rubber, or other approved studs or blocks laid intermittently to indicate traffic lanes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of hours worked each week by the light-keepers engaged at the north pier lighthouse controlled by the Tyne Commissioners; and if these men are given a day's rest each month?

I have no information in this matter but am sending a copy of the hon. Member's question to the Tyne Commissioners.

asked the Minister Transport whether he will state, up the latest available date, the number of

Estimated total quantities available for consumption of Beef and Veal, Mutton and Lamb, and Pigmeat in Great Britain in each of the years 1913 and 1930 to 1935 inclusive.
	Beef and Veal.			Mutton and Lamb.			Pigmeat.
Year.	Home production. (a)	Net Imports (b)	Total consumption.	Home production.(a)	Net Imports.(b)	Total consumption.	Home production. (a)	Net Imports. (b)	Total Consumption.
	000 tons.	000 tons.	000 tons.	000 tons.	000 tons.	000 tons.	000 tons.	000 tons.	000 tons.
1913	608	600	1,208	256	288	544	246	325	571
1930	624	730	1,354	238	342	580	275	569	844
1931	589	746	1,335	246	380	626	306	666	972
1932	571	690	1,261	279	369	648	352	664	1,016
1933	598	706	1,304	303	354	657	359	561	920
1934	658	706	1,364	282	346	628	365	509	874
1935 (c)	703	699	1,402	265	360	625	407	461	868
(a) Home production in Great Britain; includes edible offa.
(b) Net Imports of meat into the United Kingdom plus meat from fat animals imported into Great Britain; includes edible offal.
(c) Provisional.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any report to make on the result of the international conference on the regulation of the electricity supplies under local authorities and companies, respectively, and the relative proportions in percentages?

The Statistical Volume of the Electricity Commissioners for 1934–35 shows that supplies of electricity to consumers were being given by 626 undertakings, 367 of which (or 58.6 per cent.) were Public Authority undertakings and 259 (or 41.4 per cent.) company undertakings. Of the sales of electricity to consumers, the public authority undertakings accounted for 63.7 per cent. and the company undertakings for 36.3 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the total consumption in Great Britain for the years 1913 to 1930 and each subsequent year of beef of all kinds, mutton and lamb, bacon and pork, showing the quantities produced at home and imported in each case?

The information desired is as follows:meshes of fishing nets and size limits for fish?

I have received a report of the conclusions of the conference, at which 12 Governments were represented. On the subject of the regulation of the meshes of fishing nets the delegates were almost unanimously in favour of the measurements required by the regulations at present in force in this country. On the subject of size limits for fish, also, a large measure of agreement was reached. There were, however, differences of view which made it desirable that the delegates should have an opportunity of further consulting their respective Governments. The report of the conference will accordingly be transmitted to the Governments concerned without avoidable delay, and I hope that the conference will reassemble early in the new year, and will then be able to draft proposals which might be embodied in an International Convention.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the total numbers of single men and single women, respectively, that are likely to have reduced

Doncaster Employment Exchange.
—		Total number of unemployed persons, aged 14 years and over, insured and uninsured, on registers at 26th October, 1936.	Number of insured persons, included in column 2 with applications authorised for unemployment allowances.	Number of insured persons, included in column 2, whose needs were held not to justify payment of allowances.
(1)		(2)	(3)	(4)
Men aged 18 and over	…	3,598	1,867	87
Boys aged 14–17	…	269	—	—
Women aged 18 and over	…	445	62	12
Girls aged 14–17	…	446	—	—
Total	…	4,758	1,929	99
Separate figures are not available for Bentley and Adwick, which are within the area of the Doncaster Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can explain why in the Thorne area in the week ended 13th November there were nearly twice as many persons in receipt of unemployment allowances as there were in receipt of insurance benefit?

There are considerable variations in the number of payments of unemployment benefit at this Exchange, for instance on 6th November that number was about twice the number of payments of unemployment allowances

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Rhondda, East (Mr. Mainwaring), on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of adult and juvenile unemployed in Doncaster, Bentley and Adwick-le-Street; the number receiving assistance from the public assistance committee; and the number with nil determinations?

The following table gives the information, so far as it is available, on the assumption that the particulars asked for in the second and third parts of the question relate to applicants for unemployment allowances.and on 30th October about equal to the number of the latter payments. These variations are mainly due to fluctuations in the number of persons who are temporarily stopped and are then entitled to draw unemployment benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the determination of scales of allowances to the unemployed, consideration was given to the activities of charitable organisations and, if so, what weight was given to this factor in meeting their needs?

No, Sir. The scales set out in the first schedule to the Unemployment Assistance Regulations relate to applicants without resources, whether from charitable organisations or otherwise. As regards the relation between the board and charitable organisations in dealing with special or exceptional need I would refer the hon. Member to page 45 of the board's report for 1935 (Cmd. 5177).

asked the Minister of Labour what would be the cost per annum of abolishing the means test in the county of Durham and in the town of Jarrow, respectively?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16th July to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) which explains why such figures cannot be given even for the country as a whole, and still less therefore for particular districts.

asked the Minister of Labour, what is the total cost in the last complete year of administering public assistance under the paid commissioners of the county of Durham; and what was the administrative cost under the voluntary system in the last complete year of its existence?

The cost of administering transitional payments under the commissioners for the county of Durham for the year 1934 was approximately £47,700. I have no corresponding figure for the cost of administration by the Durham County Council before the commissioners were appointed; a sum of about £23,000 was repaid to the council in respect of additional expenses incurred by them during the year ended 30th November, 1932, in this connection. These figures are exclusive of the administrative expenses incurred direct by the Ministry at the Employment Exchanges and elsewhere, otherwise than for the purpose of the determination of need.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, what, if any, restrictions and what regulations are in force regarding the acceptance of recruits from the Irish Free State or other of the Dominions?

Recruits from the Irish Free State are accepted into the Royal Navy under the normal regulations, provided that they produce references which the Admiralty consider to be satisfactory. That condition applies also to recruits from the other Dominions but in their case the distance to be travelled to the United Kingdom necessarily restricts the number of candidates. The question of improving facilities for Imperial recruiting for the Navy is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what, if any, restrictions and what regulations are in force regarding the acceptance of recruits from the Irish Free State or other of the Dominions?

There are no restrictions regarding acceptance, but existing regulations prescribe that men shall attend, at their own expense and risk of rejection, for medical examination in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is a condition of military contracts that any coastal transport of material which may be involved in the fulfilment of such contracts shall be undertaken by British ships?

War Department contracts for the supply of coal and coke contain the condition mentioned, and I am considering the introduction of a similar clause in other contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the members of the new defence corps in Birmingham, which is almost entirely made up of Great War ex-service men, are expected to parade every month and are asked to parade with the Territorials once a week for machine-gun practice; and whether, seeing that the condition for enrolment is that they should only be called on in case of war, he will make some small allowance for each drill attended, if only for travelling expenses, seeing that many live at considerable distances from the drill hall?

The regulations provide that personnel enrolled for duty with the National Defence Companies may be permitted to attend parades of the Territorial Army with which they are enrolled or registered, but participation in the peace activities of the Territorial Army must not involve any expenditure of public money. Attendance at the parades referred to by my hon. Friend is entirely voluntary, and while my right hon. Friend appreciates the public spirit and keenness of the members of the defence companies in Birmingham, he regrets that he is unable to adopt the suggestion put forward by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any record is kept of the number of other ranks in the Territorial Army who are qualified to drive a motor; and, if so, the number so qualified?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he could give the approximate number of employés, respectively, who are paid for bank holidays and who are not paid?

The approximate number of War Department civilian employés at Home stations, including the War Office, on 1st April, 1936, was:

Non-industrial	10,880
Industrial	30,600

The former are paid for all bank holidays. The latter, with the exception of a small number of casual employés with insufficient service to render them eligible, are allowed, besides their week's annual leave, five public holidays with pay a year, of which, under present arrangements, two are bank holidays.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information as to the circumstances in which the immigration authorities at Cardiff refused permission to land to wireless operator Enrique Aparicio and fireman Manuel Matios, of the Spanish steamer "Conde de Abasolo" during the month of November; and whether any complaints had been made about the conduct of these men when they had landed during previous trips to this country?

Inquiries have been made in this matter. On arrival of the steamship "Conde de Abasolo" on the 13th November the crew were given the usual permission to come ashore during the ship's stay in port, but as the police reported that the two men named had been making threats against the lives of other Spaniards in Cardiff, the immigration officer decided on 20th November that to prevent a breach of the peace, it was necessary to withdraw the shore leave which has been granted to them. Manuel Matios was subsequently allowed to transfer to a Spanish vessel bound for South America, which has now sailed.

asked the Home Secretary whether Lieut.-Colonel Lucas, who has recently been appointed chief constable of the Monmouthshire constabulary, has had any practical experience of police duty in England and Wales; and whether, in view of the present practice of reserving all chief positions in the police forces for military or naval officers and of the inability of ranker policemen to attain the rank of chief constable, he will take steps to increase the pay and allowances of policemen who will be prevented from obtaining higher rank than that of superintendent?

Colonel Lucas had not previously served in this country, but had long experience with the Egyptian police. There is no ground for the suggestion in the second part of the question. Many chief constables now serving, and many of those recently appointed, have risen from the ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any statement to make in connection with the inestigation by the county council of Argyll into promotions made by the chief constable for that county?

As a result of the investigation referred to by the hon. Member the Argyll County Council found that a promise of promotion to the rank of Inspector had been given by or on behalf of the Chief Constable to a Sergeant and that the post had been filled by the incompetent promotion of another Sergeant. The County Council recorded their concern at the Chief Constable's actions and took steps to secure the termination of the incompetent promotion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, on what date his Department was first approached by the Inland Revenue Department on the question of rehousing the staff of the Romford tax district; what steps have been taken to improve the present unsatisfactory accommodation; whether he will take action to ensure that alternative accommodation is provided within the next three months?

(for the First Commissioner of Works): The question of rehousing this staff was first raised in January, 1935, when it was stated that it was anticipated that the staff would outgrow the present accommodation. Since that date relief has been given to some extent. As the premises are now recognised as inadequate to meet the needs of the increased staff, endeavour has been made to find other accommodation, but suitable offices are not available. All possible steps are being taken to provide alternative accommodation as quickly as possible, but a definite date cannot be given as to when such accommodation will be available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider taking powers to deal with local authorities which cause dispossessed slum tenants to pay higher weekly sums in rent and rates than they paid before dispossession?

The rents to be charged for houses built by local authorities are a matter for the decision of the authority. I have no reason to suppose that local authorities are failing to secure as low rents as are practicable for dispossessed slum tenants. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of persons in Sheffield who are in, receipt of old age pensions under the Pensions Acts, and the number of those whose income is supplemented by the public assistance committee?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member in the first part of the question is not available, as the records of pensioners under the Contributory Pensions Acts are not arranged on a territorial basis. The number of persons in Sheffield in receipt of old age pensions under the various Pensions Acts on 1st January, 1936, who were also in receipt of poor relief was 4,656.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of introducing at an early date legislation, having for its object the equalisation throughout the country of rates levied by local authorities for purposes of public assistance?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to-day to a similar question by the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. W. Joseph Stewart).

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many acres of agricultural land, inclusive of moorland, have been acquired by the Commissioners by purchase on long lease during the last five years in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively?

Land acquired by the Forestry Commissioners during the

—		Plantable (including standing woods and plantations)	Forest workers' holdings and other agriculture land.	Unplantable.	Total
		Acres.	Acres.	Acres.	Acres.
England and Wales	…	81,100	5,100	44,800	131,000
Scotland	…	47,250	2,150	48,600	98,000
Great Britain	…	128,350	7,250	93,400	229,000

The agricultural and holdings land consists of arable and improved pasture. Both the plantable and unplantable land include moorland but no record is available of the precise area of moorland falling into each class.The Department's records relate to England and Wales as a single administrative unit and separate figures for Wales are therefore not readily available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state, up to the latest available dates, the total annual expenditure by local authorities in England and Wales other than capital expenditure, and capital expenditure, respectively?

The total expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales in the year ending 31st March, 1934, was £433,224,921 on revenue account and £89,289,300 on capital account. Details of the income out of which this expenditure was met will be found on page 170 of the Seventeenth Annual Report of the Ministry of Health (Cmd. 5287).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the total money cost to local authorities, within distressed and Special Areas of the country, for the provision of meals and other nourishment to schoolchildren during each of the last four years?

The following table gives the net expenditure on the provision of meals, milk, and other supplementary nourishment during the years in question of all the local education authorities in England and Wales whose areas are wholly or partly Special Areas as defined in the First Schedule to the Special Areas (Development and Improvement) Act, 1934. Fifty per cent. of this expenditure is met by grants from the Board of Education.

	Net Expenditure.
Year.	£
1932–33	98,619
1933–34	115,040
1934–35	117,572
1935–36	116,004

The slight decline in the expenditure during the financial year 1935–36 is due to the reduction in the price of milk under the Milk in Schools Scheme, which came into operation on 1st October, 1934. The number of children receiving free meals or milk was greater in 1935–36 than in 1934–35. The figures are confined to the Special Areas, as there is no precise definition of distressed areas as distinct from Special Areas.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware of the growing dissatisfaction in the Brentford district owing to the postal services having been transferred to Hounslow; whether under the new arrangement he is aware that deliveries are becoming considerably more belated; and whether, in view of the general dissatisfaction, he will institute a special inquiry into the question of delivering letters?

The deliveries in the Brentford district are in accordance with the standards applicable to places immediately outside the London Postal area and have been in no way worsened since the transfer. Unfortunately in consequence of the recent fogs mails from the North and Midlands were seriously delayed at the end of November and could not be included in the first delivery. This no doubt accounts for the complaints which have reached my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether, since prison labour is being used for the assembling of various articles which are afterwards sold through ordinary commercial channels, he will say what steps are taken to prevent this prison labour from competing unfairly with free labour engaged on similar tasks?

Nearly all the work done in His Majesty's Prisons is for Government Departments and the gross receipts for work done for private firms in 1935 amounted only to £1,700. The price charged for all articles is fixed by the Prison Commissioners arid care is always taken to avoid accepting work from private firms at a price which would undercut outside prices.