asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that labour from the Midlands and other areas is being employed at the new ammunition works at Bridgend and that thousands of persons are unemployed in the Mid-Glamorgan area, of whom many are skilled men; and what steps he proposes to see that local labour obtains priority in this Special Area?

(for the First Commissioner of Works): I presume that the hon. Member is referring to certain preliminary work on the site in the way of bore holes. This is specialist work and I am informed that four men are employed in all, of whom three come from the Midlands. The hon. Member can rest assured that as soon as the building work proper starts, the maximum use will be made of local labour, both skilled and unskilled.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of unemployed persons on the register of the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange as at the last convenient date; the number of same who were applying for unemployment allowances and were subject to a means test; and the comparable figures for the year 1935?

The number of unemployed persons on the registers of the Borough (Walworth Road) Employment Exchange at 26th October, 1936, was 10,446. Of these 2,337 were applying for unemployment allowances, and would be subject to a needs test; and the total included 75 persons whose needs were held not to justify the payment of allowances. The corresponding figures for 21st October, 1935, were 11,372, 2,612 and 116, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why an agent of the Iraq Government was recently allowed to come to Palestine in its present disturbed condition; and can any Arab enter Palestine at the present time?

As regards the first part of the question, I have no information. As regards the second part,

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the amounts of money paid out each year, under the several Unemployment Acts, in unemployment benefit, transitional payments, unemployment assistance board allowances, etc., commencing 30th June, 1924, up to 30th June, 1936, for the county borough of Merthyr Tydvil and for the administrative county of Glamorgan, respectively?

pursuant to his reply(OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th November, 1936; col. 1934, Vol. 317)supplied the following statement:the position is that special restrictions, imposed during the recent disorders, on the entry into Palestine of persons from neighbouring countries are still in force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to be in a position to give any information concerning the damage suffered by the Jews in Palestine and the question of compensating them for this damage

I am awaiting a reply to the inquiry which I addressed to the High Commissioner for Palestine, as promised in my reply to the question put to me by the right hon. Member on 3rd November. As regards payment of compensation, I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on that date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the British Government will be in a position to give evidence before the extraordinary session of the Mandates Commission to be held next spring to consider the recent disturbances in Palestine

The extent to which His Majesty's Government will be in a position to give information at the proposed extraordinary session of the Permanent Mandates Commission must depend upon how soon the report of the Palestine Royal Commission is available for the consideration of His Majesty's Government. On the 26th September my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs informed the Council of the League of Nations that His Majesty's Government would be happy to furnish the Permanent Mandates Commission with copies of the report of the Royal Commission at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of Sate for War whether he is aware that many soldiers' wives have to supplement their allowance by appealing to the public assistance committees; and will he take steps to alter this state of affairs?

I am satisfied that the increase in marriage allowance recently granted in respect of the wives of soldiers, not on the married quarters roll, in receipt of pay at rates not exceeding 4s. a day, has removed any grievance which may have existed in this connection. If, however, the hon. Member has in mind married soldiers under the age of 26, whose wives are not entitled to marriage allowance, I can only point out that the age limit for marriage allowance was decided upon after the most careful consideration of the requirements of the three Service Departments, and that unmarried soldiers are fully aware that if they marry below the requisite age they will not receive marriage allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War, what economy would result if the existing issues of uniform to soldiers of the Territorial Army were modified in the following manner: an issue of blue serge walking-out dress for which the men would contribute 25 per cent. of the initial cost of £350,000, one service-mess uniform for camp and drills, and one suit of overalls, of Tank Corps pattern, for all rough work which a man could slip on over his civilian clothes to attend evening drills; and whether the opinions of officers commanding Territorial units have been consulted as to whether such a change would be beneficial for recruiting?

The whole question of the uniform to be issued to soldiers of the Territorial Army is under consideration. My right hon. Friend has not taken the opinion of officers commanding Territorial Units, but he has had the benefit of the advice of the Council of County Territorial Associations to which due weight will be given. It is not regarded as practicable or desirable to make any official issue of uniform dependent upon a contribution from the men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the publication of lists in each locality of those employers who show practical good will towards the Territorial movement by allowing their employés special facilities for attendance at camps and parades?

As recruiting for the Territorial Army is primarily the responsibility of Territorial Army County Associations, my right hon. Friend has thought it best to leave this particular question to be dealt with by Associations in the light of local circumstances. He has, however, suggested to them the desirability of giving as much publicity as possible to the many patriotically minded employers who allow their employés facilities of the kind referred to, and he understands that this is being widely done through the medium of the local Press

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the Post Office, in accordance with the postal regulations, is under no legal obligation to give compensation for lost registered letters insured through the Post Office, he will consider the advisability of altering the practice with a view to securing 'a closer approach to equity?

The position of the Post Office in this matter is determined not merely by postal regulations but by Statute. The regulations under which compensation is paid for lost registered letters are administered equitably, and I can see no reason for any change of practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in accordance with the recommendations of the last Assembly of the League of Nations, the British Government proposes to be represented at the various manifestations of intellectual co-operation in July, 1937, at Paris, in connection with the universal exhibition of art and technique in modern life?

The hon. Member will observe, from the decisions taken by the International Committee on Intellectual Co-operation concerning the organisation of manifestations of intellectual co-operation in connection with the universal exhibition of 1937 in Paris, that there is no question of an invitation for Governments to be represented. These manifestations will be attended by representatives of the different national committees on intellectual co-operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the hope expressed by the last Assembly of the League of Nations that the numerous States who have already approved the principles of the declaration on the teaching of history adopted by the Assembly at its sixteenth session, and since communicated to Governments by the Council of the League of Nations, will sign that document, the British Government will sign it?

His Majesty's Government are in full sympathy with the intention of the declaration, and have so informed the Secretary-General of the League of Nations. Owing to the structure of our educational system, however, they are not in a position to 'adopt the measures provided in the declaration. As the hon. Member is aware, there are over 300 semi-autonomous local education authorities; and neither the Board of Education, nor the local authorities themselves, publish text books, nor employ others to do so. In these circumstances, the procedure laid down in the declaration could not be adopted without an extention of central control, inconsistent with those principles of autonomy which characterise our whole educational system, to which I understand that the Board of Education, the local authorities, and the teachers, alike attach the highest importance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether all messengers employed in Government offices are entitled to a definite period for lunch; and whether any messengers have to make up for such periods by working overtime?

The agreed hours of attendance of messengers in Government Departments, namely, eight a day with a half-holiday on Saturday if the state of business permits, include no specific provision for meal times. In practice, however, messengers are given facilities, whereby they can take their mid-day meal within the agreed hours of attendance. I am not aware of any case in which overtime has been required to make up for a lunch interval.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the number of staff, with their respective gradings, employed in the Ministry for the Coordination of Defence and also the Departments from which these officers were transferred?

The Minister for Coordination of Defence has at his disposal the whole of the staff and organisation of the Committee of Imperial Defence. His personal staff consists of:One Principal Assistant Secretary, who was transferred from the Office of the Prime Minister.One Private Secretary of the rank of Principal seconded from the Ministry of Labour.One Assistant Private Secretary, a Higher Clerical Officer, seconded from the Unemployment Assistance Board.Three Clerical Officers and two Shorthand Typists—one Clerical Officer

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that there is grave distress in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, as there is no way of the rising generation being induced to remain in their native land, with the result that the land is in many cases becoming derelict; and what is he prepared to do to improve this state of affairs?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a list of the persons employed as master, officers, and crew of steamship "Mirupanu," the nationality in each case, and the rates of wages paid?

Following is the information:

I am aware of the hardships of life in many parts of the Highlands and Islands and of the limited opportunities at present available to the younger generation in these areas. As regards the second part of the question a Committee of the Scottish Development Council, with the full co-operation of the Departments concerned, is at present investigating economic conditions in the areas and the possibilities of development.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of coal mines abandoned and allowed to become waterlogged in the last ten years; and whether, in view of the danger of flooding thus created for adjacent mines still working and the burden of pumping costs thus imposed on those adjacent collieries, he will take steps to secure that this menace is dealt with on comprehensive lines by systems of main drainage of waterlogged areas or some other method?

Between 1st January, 1927, and 21st November, 1936, 773 pits employing more than ten men each at the date of closing have been abandoned, as well as 892 pits employing ten persons or fewer at the date of closing. I cannot say how many of these pits have become waterlogged. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to-day to the hon. Member for Houghtonle-Spring (Mr. W. Joseph Stuart).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the decline in the tonnage of coal exported from this country in recent years, he will take steps to secure an increase in our coal exports to the Argentine in the trade agreement he is now negotiating with the representatives of the Argentine Republic?

Coal is one of the commodities dealt with in the new Trade Agreement with Argentina, which was signed this morning, and which will be issued as a White Paper to-morrow evening.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the flying-boat the "Cloud of Iona" disappeared on a regular air service to the Channel Islands in conditions of bad weather; whether he will state the number of lives lost; whether the machine was fitted with wireless; and whether this accident could have been avoided if a proper system of wireless control from the ground had been in operation?

As regards the first part of the question I am aware of the facts stated and as regards the second part, 10 lives were lost. As regards the third and last parts, I am informed that radio equipment was not installed but further comment is undesirable at this stage as certain related matters are sub judice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the reasons for the delay in publishing the report of the Maybury Committee; and how long this report has been in his hands?

My Noble Friend has not yet received this report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the total number of lives lost since 1st January, 1936, as the result of accidents to civil aeroplanes on regular air-line operations in the British Isles?

The number of lives lost since 1st January, 1936, as the result of accidents on regular air-line operations conducted between points in the British Isles was 12.