asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the hope expressed by the last Assembly of the League of Nations, the British Government will make full use of the Convention on the international circulation of films of an educational character, having regard to its value in encouraging exchanges of educational films likely to contribute to mutual comprehension between peoples?

The instrument of ratification of this Convention was deposited with the Secretariat of the League of Nations on 26th February last. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have every intention of making full use of the Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in accordance with the hope expressed by the last Assembly of the League of Nations, the British Government will be guided in practice by the principles laid down in the recommendations of the International Museums Office regarding international art exhibitions?

The recommendations of the International Museums Office regarding international art exhibitions have only just been received from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations in accordance with the Assembly resolution. These recommendations affect a number of institutions in this country and are receiving the careful consideration of the authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in accordance with the resolution of the last Assembly of the League of Nations, the Government is giving its full support to the health organisation of the League of Nations in its inquiries into the widespread malnutrition which exists in the tropics and certain Far Eastern countries?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government welcomed the resolution and will certainly give their full support to the inquiries proposed by the Health Organisation of the League of Nations into problems of malnutrition in tropical countries. In April last a circular despatch was sent to all Colonial dependencies asking for a full survey of the question and directing their attention to its importance. Further, the Prime Minister has recently appointed a Committee of the Economic Advisory Council to advise and make recommendations on nutritional matters in the Colonial Empire. This Committee will keep in close touch with the work of the League of Nations. The subject will form an important part of the agenda of the conference on Rural Hygiene in the Far East, which will take place in Java next summer under the auspices of the Health Organisation. Steps are being taken to ensure that strong delegations will be sent from all British Colonial dependencies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the hope expressed by the last Assembly of the League of Nations to that effect, he will state how far the British Government are proposing to adopt the recommendation adopted on 9th July, 1936, by the advisory committee of the League of Nations teaching with regard to the proposal of the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, recommended by the Ministries for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, with a view, in particular, to the establishment of regular co-operation between competent sections of the secretariat on the one hand and the wireless broadcasting companies and adult education associations on the other?

This proposal has the sympathy of His Majesty's Government, but it is primarily one for consideration, so far as this country is concerned, by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Adult Education Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has given further consideration to the question of reducing the visa fees for United States citizens visiting the United Kingdom?

Yes, Sir; my Department has recently been in communication with the United States Embassy in London regarding this matter. Although no formal agreement has yet been concluded and there remain various aspects of the question which have still to be discussed, I am glad to be able to say that the principle has been agreed between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government that, except in the case of immigrants into the United States, the visa fee shall be reciprocally reduced from $10 to $2 and the approximate equivalent in sterling on and after 1st April, 1937. I am hopeful that this reduction will prove to be of mutual benefit to both countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement with regard to the present position and prospects of the scheme for the settlement of the Assyrians?

I am unable at present to add anything to the reply which I gave on 16th November to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher).

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can now publish a report from Vancouver on the Canadian Pacific Exhibition held there in August and September, 1936?

The Canadian Pacific Exhibition, which takes place annually at Vancouver, was held this year from the 26th August to the 7th September, and was estimated to have been attended by about 370,000 people. This attendance represents a substantial advance on the figures for previous years, the increase being due to the influx of visitors to Vancouver in connection with the city's Golden Jubilee celebrations. The exhibits at the exhibition consisted principally of live stock, agricultural, forestry and mining products, and local industrial and arts and crafts displays. No United Kingdom firms participated directly, though a few United Kingdom products were included in the displays of local firms.The management of the exhibition have not yet issued any general report on the results achieved but they claim that there was a substantial all-round increase in the amount of business secured by the majority of exhibitors. One firm—the British Columbia Electric Railway Co.—stated that the direct business done by them during the exhibition showed an advance of 25 per cent. over that done last year. This undertaking operates the gas and electricity services in Vancouver, Victoria and other places in British Columbia. Generally, however, exhibitors participate, not so much with the object of obtaining direct orders as for purposes of advertising and propaganda, and having regard to the increased attendance, it may reasonably be assumed that at the 1936 exhibition these purposes were more widely and effectively served than in previous years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gallons of British wine have been produced and sold in this country during the years ending 30th September, 1934, 1935 and 1936, respectively?

The number of gallons of British wine (sweets) retained for consumption in the United Kingdom during the years ending 30th September, 1934, 1935 and 1936, respectively, was as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider transferring British wines from the category of sweets to that of intoxicating liquors?

I am not clear what my hon. Friend has in mind, as the law already treats British wines or sweets as intoxicating liquor.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when block grants to local authorities are reconsidered in 1937, he will give consideration to the possibility of abolishing the local taxation duty derived from the proceeds of licences for male servants

This matter has already been noted as one of the subjects for examination in connection with the revision of the block grant.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution from the Heanor Urban District Council with respect to extending the law to prohibit the sale of any carcases of animals intended for human food found to be affected with localised tuberculosis from which the affected parts have been removed and destroyed; whether he has received any similar requests from other local authorities; and whether he will take an early opportunity to give effect to this request on the part of the local authorities?

My right hon. Friend has considered the resolution referred to, but he has received very few representations from other local authorities on this subject. A Memorandum issued by my Department defines in detail the limits within which the meat of animals found to be affected with localised tuberculosis may be passed for human consumption. These criteria were adopted upon the recommendation of an expert committee, and as at present advised my right hon. Friend does not see any sufficient reason to depart from them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that when the anti-overcrowding regulations of the Housing Act come into operation next year an adequate supply of accommodation for those who are dispossessed will be forthcoming?

I would remind my hon. Friend that an occupier who is overcrowded on the appointed day is not committing any offence, and that no question of his removal arises, until he is offered alternative accommodation within the meaning of the Act.

asked the Postmaster-General what difficulties would arise if residence subscribers were allowed 200 free calls per year instead of 50 free calls per quarter; and will he favourably consider making such a change?

The concession to residence subscribers of a number of free calls each quarter was given in the belief that it would tend to encourage the use of the telephone more or less evenly throughout the year and would stimulate the development of the service. There would be serious disadvantages if it were permissible for the free calls to be saved up and used mainly in one quarter. For example, if 200 free calls were allowed in one quarter and were made at or about Christmas time, or during the summer season, serious staffing difficulties would be caused. In the circumstances I regret that I cannot agree to make the suggested change.

asked the Postmaster-General how many miles of telephone lines are above ground; how many miles of telephone lines have been placed underground during the last six months in the county of Cumberland; and what is the estimated man power to be employed if the whole of the lines were placed underground in this county during the next 12 months?

There are about 800 miles of pole route, representing some 19,700 miles of wire in the county of Cumberland. About 580 miles of wire have been placed underground during the last six months. It would be impracticable to place the whole of the lines underground, and it is therefore not possible to answer the last part of the question; but the hon. Member may like to know that the programme during the next six months provides for the laying in Cumberland of 7,200 additional miles of underground wire and the taking down of 5,900 miles of overhead wire.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any reason why the 1,615 vacancies for postmen and porters filled by the appointment of Post Office servants, mainly boy messengers, in 1935 should not in future years be filled by ex-service men of good character?

The Post Office undertakes to provide a permanent career for boy messengers, and it also allocates 50 per cent. of the vacancies for postmen and porters to ex-service men. This is a long-standing arrangement, and I could not contemplate a system of blind-alley employment for boys, which would be involved by allocating all the postmen and porter vacancies to ex-service men.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what progress has been made in the negotiations for the accession of the Indian princes to the federal Constitution?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) on 23rd November. Preliminary discussions are in progress, but the stage of negotiations for accession to Federation has not yet been reached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give, separately, the number and value of empty shot-gun and rifle cartridge cases imported during the past year, showing Empire and foreign sources separately?

The particulars of imports of empty cartridge cases in the United Kingdom trade returns relate to empty cartridge cases for small arms ammunition. Imports registered during the 12 months ended October, 1936, as consigned from British countries and foreign countries, respectively, were as follow:

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the Film Institute submitted their accounts to the Privy Council as a condition of the grants of £5,000 and £6,000 in 1934 and 1935, respectively; and whether this will be the practice in future years?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the submission of accounts will not be dispensed with in the event of the British Film Institute receiving further grants from the Cinematograph Fund.