asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men were placed on the establishment of His Majesty's dockyards during 1936; and what was the average length of their previous unestablished service?

This information will take some time to collect but I will communicate it to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as it is available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any negotiations are now proceeding with regard to an increase of establishment in His Majesty's dockyards so far as concerns those workers not affected by his recent announcement on this subject; and, if so, what organisations are being taken into consultation?

Negotiations on this subject are now in progress on the Admiralty Industrial Council, on which are represented all the trade unions having members in Admiralty industrial establishments. In addition to this the Admiralty have informed a deputation of the Admiralty Industrial Civil Servants' Federation, the largest and most comprehensive of the Associations of Admiralty Industrial Employés not represented on the Industrial Council, that the question is under consideration and that the board will be glad to receive any representations which it may make on behalf of its members.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of the pensions granted to established men discharged from Chatham Dockyard during 1936 have, respectively, been over 30s., between 30s. and 20s., between 20s. and 15s., between 15s. and 10s., or below 10s. per week?

The numbers of workmen. discharged from His Majesty's Dockyard, Chatham, and awarded pensions, etc., during 1936 are as follow:Men awarded pensions of over 30s. a week (and lump sums of over £208 11s. 4d)., 7; men awarded pensions of not more than 30s. and not less than 20s. a week (and lump sums of not more than £208 11s. 4d. and not less than £139 0s. 10d.), 63, of whom 4 were invalided; men awarded pensions of not more than 19s. 11d, and not less than 15s. a week (and lump sums of not more than £138 9s. 2d. and not less than £104 5s. 6d.), 40, of whom 6 were invalided; men awarded pensions of not more than 14s. 11d. and not less than 10s. a week (and lump sums of not more than £103 14s. and not less than £69 10s. 6d.), 4; and pensions of less than 10s. a week, etc., none.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the number of ranker candidates qualified educationally and professionally for second lieutenant, Royal Marines, in each year since 1931, and the number promoted?

A special educational examination for candidates for Corps Commissions in the Royal Marines was not introduced until 1933. The numbers qualified since then are one in 1934, one in 1935 and two in 1936. The number promoted since 1931 is one in each of the years 1931, 1934, 1935 and 1936. There is no professional qualification for these commissions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has considered the serious situation of the ship-repairing and engineering works at Newport docks owing to the fact that skilled and key men are continually leaving the district, with the result that when these engineering and ship-repairing works are required at some later date for general shipping and Admiralty repair work, they will not be in a position to deal with the work, and the large number of unskilled men who depend on skilled and key men will continue to remain idle; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter, particularly in the direction of diverting Admiralty repair work to the area?

I am aware of the situation at Newport. The Admiralty policy is that during peace time all repair work on His Majesty's ships shall normally be carried out in the Royal Dockyards, which exist mainly for this purpose. Under present conditions the the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Royal Dockyards are capable of carrying Storey) on 16th December and to my out the whole of this work. If it becomes reply of to-day to the hon. Member for necessary to depart from this policy the Jarrow (Miss Wilkinson). I am sending claims of the Newport area, as well as to him a copy of the correspondence rethose of other shipbuilding and repairing ferred to in these answers. centres round the coast, will receive consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to prolong for a further period the arrangements in regard to German medium and long-term obligations, other than the. Dawes and Young loans, which are set forth, so far as regards the period ending 30th June, 1936, in Article 7 (ii) of the Anglo-German Payments Agreement of the 1st November, 1934, and were prolonged to the 31st December, 1936?

Yes, Sir. The German Government have informed His Majesty's Government that their offer in regard to the obligations referred to will be prolonged for a further period of six months to 30th June, 1937, or until the termination of the Anglo-German Payments Agreement, if that is earlier. The arrangements for the payment in full of interest on bonds of the Dawes and Young Loans owned by British holders on 15th June, 1934, remain unaffected.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the North-East Development Board have recently urged upon the controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office the desirability of establishing a branch office in the North-east, in view of the size of the area and its remoteness from existing Government stationery offices; and whether, as, amongst other advantages of such a branch in this area, it would offer increased facilities to firms in the North-east desirous of undertaking Government printing contracts, particularly in the matter of inspecting samples of work required, he will give favourable consideration to this proposal?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr.Storey) on 16th December and to my reply of to-day to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Miss Wilkinson). I am sending to him a copy of the correspondence referred to in these answers.

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings have been held by the Economic Advisory Committee during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and what, if any, changes are contemplated in this body?

Thirteen meetings of the two Standing Committees by which the main work of the council is conducted were held in the 12 months ended 30th November, 1936. As regards the second part of the question no changes are contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with the Italian Government with regard to an understanding respecting the Mediterranean; and when he anticipates being able to make a statement?

An exchange of views is proceeding between His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government, but I shall not be in a position to make any statement before the House rises.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that considerable supplies of aeroplanes and small arms ammunition have recently been supplied by France to the Red leaders in Spain; and whether he can give the House any information on the subject?

I have no evidence regarding these allegations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is prepared to announce that it is the settled policy of His Majesty's Government not to acquiesce in the domination of the Balearic Islands by any other country than Spain?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the latest available information about the Treforest Trading Estate scheme; when operations will commence; how many firms have already completed their arrangements; how many are in course of negotiation; and what is the prospect for the future?

I have at present nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) on 26th November. I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is taking any and, if so, what steps to ascertain from the Glamorgan County Council what areas within the administrative county area should be considered for inclusion as Special Areas in the proposed legislation; and will he communicate with the local authorities for authentic information to assist him in the matter?

I have not communicated with the county council on this subject, but I am of course prepared to consider any representations which the council may wish to make to me.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government have taken any active steps to secure new works in the South Wales area; and, if so, what has been done and in what areas can developments be expected?

The reports of the Commissioner have detailed the strenuous efforts that have continuously been made to overcome the reluctance of promoters to establish new works in South Wales or the other Special Areas. As the hon. Member knows, the Government are establishing a munitions factory at Bridgend and there is also to be an Air Force establishment in South Wales, while trading estates are being created with the object of attracting new industries. The question of what further inducements are practicable and sufficient, for this purpose is one of the most important of those which the Government are considering in connection with the new Bill, and I cannot of course anticipate its proposals.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government will, in carrying out their obligations under Article 405 of the Treaty of Peace, adopt the earlier practice of allotting a day for a full discussion of the results of each session of the International Labour Conference instead of simply laying before Parliament a White Paper regarding the Government's decisions on the matter?

In my opinion, the existing practice of laying White Papers announcing the decisions proposed by the Government has been found to be more convenient to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in light of the Government's proposed policy relative to the increase of salaries payable to English judges, he is prepared to consult with the Scottish Sheriffs Substitute Association, in order to ascertain from that body its views on salaries paid to sheriffs substitute in Scotland?

As stated in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 15th instant, I propose to communicate with the Association of Sheriffs Substitute before a final decision is taken in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a list of countries with which trade negotiations are now taking place or are in contemplation; and if he will also add a list of those countries with which no trade agreement has been negotiated since the War and with which no negotiations are at present taking place?

Commercial negotiations are taking place with Canada and India. No definite arrangements have been made for negotiations with other countries, but I would refer to the answer given on 25th June in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte) with regard to proposed negotiations with a view to modifying certain agreements which affect the treatment accorded in the United Kingdom to imports of certain foreign agricultural and fishery products. Following is a list of countries with which trade and payments agreements or similar arrangements have been concluded since the War.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any negotiations have been held with the Government of New Zealand for the development of reciprocal trade, including the negotiation of triangular agreements whereby countries exporting to New Zealand agree to take payment in United Kingdom goods?

Discussions on trade between the United Kingdom and New Zealand are taking place with Mr. Nash, the New Zealand Minister of Finance, Customs and Marketing, who is in this country, but they have so far been of a preliminary nature and it would be premature to make a statement in regard to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to make any statement in regard to Anglo-Spanish trade?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I have made today in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Rankin).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to estimate the amount of outstanding debts due from Spain to this country?

The outstanding debts and remittances in respect of which the Clearing Office have been notified that pesetas have been deposited with the Spanish Exchange Control Authorities amount to about £4,500,000 and a further amount is due to financial institutions in London mainly in respect of acceptances. On the other hand, the amount held by the Clearing Office which (subject to certain possible deductions) will eventually be available for the liquidation of these debts is about £1,100,000.This amount was paid to the Clearing Office in order that a corresponding amount in pesetas should be paid to creditors in Spain. Under present conditions the procedure required to enable such payment to be made has inevitably been suspended and, while His Majesty's Government have expressed their readiness to discuss the matter with the Spanish Government, they have decided that for the present it is not possible to distribute the sterling held by the Anglo-Spanish Clearing Office to creditors in the United Kingdom in the absence of any administrative machinery for distributing the corresponding pesetas to creditors in Spain. The sterling is therefore being placed in a reserve fund.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the intentions of the Government regarding assistance to British shipping, particularly in connection with such branches of the industry as are affected by competition from foreign lines subsidised by their governments?

The Government's proposals for extending a further measure of assistance to British tramp shipping have already been announced. As regards assistance for liners, the undertakings which my right hon. Friend gave when the Government's shipping policy was announced and discussed in July, 1934, still hold good, and, as my hon. Friend is aware, an application from a liner company for assistance to maintain its services in the Pacific is now under active consideration in the light of a report by the Imperial Shipping Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statistics to show the number of one-room flatlets built or under construction with State subsidy in Yorkshire?

I have approved the erection with Exchequer assistance in Yorkshire of 5,068 separate small dwelling-houses having only one bedroom. The statistics do not in every case specify the type of dwelling but it is known that at least 644 are flats.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will supply figures showing the percentage of births vaccinated in each administrative county of England and Wales during the years 1921 to 1934, inclusive?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to a question on the 8th July, 1935, percentages of births vaccinated are not available for administrative counties.

asked the Minister of Health whether the milk depot situated in Poole that was associated with the first eases of typhoid fever at Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch was anywhere near the farm on which a well was reported at a recent meeting of the Poole Borough Council as being contaminated and unfit for domestic use?

No, Sir. I am informed that the distance of the milk depot from the farm to which the hon. Member refers is at least five miles.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council for his Department is so concerned at the treatment of ex-service "S" class clerks in regard to promotion that they have felt compelled to refuse to meet the official side; and whether he will take steps to resolve these difficulties?

I am aware that the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council are dissatisfied with the decision not to hold two promotion boards a year for reviewing the qualifications of "S" class clerks for promotion to the clerical class, and, in consequence, declined to attend meetings arranged for the 12th and 17th instant. It is the practice of my Department to review the qualifications of the whole of this class once a year, and the next review will take place in February, 1937.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the drinking facilities in the present restaurant in Kensington Gardens, which was originally devoted only to the purposes of a tea garden, are to be extended considerably; and whether he has agreed to the whole or part of the proposed extensions to be made by the private firm running the restaurant?

(for the First Commissioner of Works): There are no proposals before my Noble Friend for such extensions as the hon. Member mentions.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the output per man per shift in the coal-mining industry in Great Britain for each of the last ten years, including 1936, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?

The information is as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to the damage by moisture to mural paintings in the corridors of the House; and what action is proposed?

(for the First Commissioner of Works): One or two minor defects are under observation, but I understand that no immediate action is called for.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will give further consideration to the question of granting a total disability pension to Mr. M. F. York, of Wolverhampton, who claims to be suffering from heart disease as a result of active service in the war, during which period he was gassed, who states that he never had rheumatic fever, was passed fit on joining up, attained the high standard of physique required as a physical training and gymnasium instructor but has been getting steadily worse, and is now totally unfit?

All the facts in this case have been very fully reviewed in consultation with my medical advisers, but I regret that, for the reasons already explained at some length to the hon. Member, it cannot be certified the life pension at the 40 per cent. rate granted to Mr. York in 1922 is other than adequate to the disablement arising from the effects of his war service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of reservists returned from Palestine who have returned to their previous employment; the number who have not so returned and who have been assisted by the Government to find other work; and the number who are still out of work, stating how many of those who are out of work lost their employment through being called up?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the reservists who recently returned from Palestine are still without employment; and whether he can indicate the number of unemployed for which each depot is responsible?

Of 2,312 Section A reservists who returned from Palestine, only 1,884 have so far notified their employment situation in accordance with the arrangements made by the War Office. Of this number 1,416 were in employment when called up and 998 have been reinstated, while a further 71 have found other work, though it is not possible to say how far this result is attributable to the activities of Government Departments or voluntary employment associations, and how far to the men's own efforts.As a further 55 not previously employed have now found work, the number at present recorded as unemployed is 760, of whom 347 were in employment when called up. Responsibility for assisting them to obtain work rests, not with depots, but with the War Office, which will continue to use its utmost endeavours in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the attitude of the London County Council to applications for the use of school premises by cadet units, he proposes to arrange for alternative facilities to be made available to these bodies for training purposes?

Provision already exists for allowing recognised cadet units to make use of War Department buildings and Territorial Army drill halls in certain cases, but where these facilities do not exist within a reasonable distance of the homes of unit members, 1 am afraid there is nothing my right hon. Friend can do in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the interests of the recruiting campaign, he will make an appeal to the London County Council to reverse their present policy of discouraging the cadet corps movement in the schools under their control, and of forbidding the use of school premises for the training of cadets when such premises are not otherwise in use?

My right hon. Friend has on more than one occasion made a general appeal for the co-operation of all parties and all local authorities in strengthening the national defence services. In view of the attitude of the London County Council in this matter, he does not think a particular appeal of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend would be likely to meet with a satisfactory response.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the recently-published agreement with the Nizam of Hyderabad regarding the status of Berar, the population of Berar will continue to be included for census purposes in the population statistics for the Central Provinces or will it be regarded as an addition to the population of the Nizam's dominions?

It is anticipated that the population of Berar will be shown for census purposes as part of the population of the Province of the Central Provinces and Berar.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Governor of Kenya Colony to carry out Sir Alan Pim's proposals for the reduction of native taxation on extra huts and the raising of the taxable age; and whether the desirability of substituting a poll tax on male natives for the present hut and poll tax will be considered?

The Government of Kenya is considering what steps should be taken to implement Sir Alan Pim's proposals, in connection with its budget for the year 1937 which is still under consideration. I have informed the Governor that in my opinion it is most desirable that these recommendations should be put into force as from the 1st January. As regards the second part of the question, the proposal for the substitution of a universal poll tax for the present system of hut and poll tax was made by the commission appointed by the Governor of Kenya to inquire into alleged abuses. The report of that commission is under the consideration of the Colonial Government but I would draw attention to the reservation made by the Chief Native Commissioner to the effect that he had since discovered many reasons for considering that a poll tax as suggested would be inequitable and that the present system was preferable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the recommendation by the commission appointed to inquire into abuses in the collection of Native taxes in Kenya, that there should be substituted for the present Native hut and poll tax a poll tax upon all males of taxable age, and of the different recommendation of Sir Alan Pim that the tax should be halved and the taxable age raised to 18, what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just returned to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn). I would add that Sir Alan Pim in his report discussed the suggestion of a universal poll tax and pointed out that it would be difficult to collect and check, would have no equity of incidence, and would aggravate the present inequalities. He also said that the present time would be most unfavourable to any attempt to increase native taxation. As I have stated in my previous reply the Chief Native Commissioner came to the same view and recorded his dissent from that particular recommendation of the local Commission. The Commission's report is still under the consideration of the Colonial Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Convention of Associations of Kenya Colony deploring the use of the Official Gazette for the distribution of partisan propaganda; what was the alleged propaganda referred to; whether this convention represents any body of opinion outside the 2,000 white farmers in Kenya; and whether there is any justification for their criticism?

I have not received any such resolution though my attention has been drawn to a report in the Press that one was passed. Apparently it has reference to a statement of the financial position of the Colony, containing a provisional forecast of the estimated position for 1937, which was published in the Official Gazette of the 13th October, before the Estimates had been introduced in the Legislature Council. The Gazette notice made it clear that the statement was issued in order to remove various misapprehensions which were current in the Colony. In the circumstances I see no reason why the procedure adopted should be regarded as open to criticism. The Convention of Associations consists of representatives of the various local Associations of the unofficial European community of Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the complaints in Nyasaland regarding the exploitation, by the transporters, of Nyasaland natives travelling by motor lorry to Southern Rhodesia in quest of work and on the homeward journey; whether an inquiry has been made; and what steps will be taken to ensure the fair treatment in transit of emigrant labour?

This matter was referred to in the report of the Nyasaland Committee on Emigrant Labour. The hon. Member will see from that report that legislation had already been enacted in Nyasaland to regulate and control the carriage of passengers by motor in the Protectorate. The Government of Southern Rhodesia has now also passed legislation dealing with this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to prevent Nyasaland natives from being engaged for contract labour in the Union of South Africa; whether agreements are still in force with the London and Blantyre Supply Company, Limited, and with the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association for the supply of labourers from Nyasaland; and, if so, whether he will take steps to secure that the agreements are not renewed?

The engagement of Nyasaland natives for contract labour outside that Protectorate is prohibited except with the express permission of the Governor. The only licence at present granted and approved is that held by the London and Blantyre Company. This is due to expire next year and the question will then be considered whether it is in the interests of the natives of Nyasaland that further recruitment of contract labour should be permitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any schemes for overseas settlement have been under examination by the Overseas Settlement Board, and whether that board has made any recommendations to him upon them?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the interim report of the Overseas Settlement Board recently published as Cmd. 5314 and to the reply which I gave on 1st December to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. A. Somerville).

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will have inquiries made as to whether any discrimination is practised against the native people of Southern Rhodesia by the withholding of mining licences from them; whether gold mining in that territory is regarded as a white monopoly; and whether he will bring the constitutional position to the notice of the Government of that colony?

As I stated in reply to a question on the 28th July, natives have received prospecting licences in Southern Rhodesia in the past, and I have been assured by the Southern Rhodesia Government that no native in a position to carry out mining operations effectively will be refused such a licence. There is no discrimination against mining by natives in the Southern Rhodesia Mining Law.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether recent practice has shown that the actual machinery of consultation with the Dominions works rapidly and efficiently at a time of urgency; and, if not, are any changes or adjustments contemplated

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. While, therefore, the second part of the question does not strictly arise, I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that we are always ready to consider any practical proposal which may be put forward for improving the methods of consultation and co-operation between this country and the Dominions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to what private firms orders for military aircraft were given during the years 1929 to 1935; and what was the value of the orders given to each firm in each year?

The following firms received orders for aircraft for the Royal Air Force during the years 1929-1935:

• Airspeed, Ltd.
• Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd.
• Blackburn Aircraft, Ltd.
• Boulton & Paul Aircraft, Ltd.
• Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd.
• Cierva Autogiro Co., Ltd.
• De Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd.
• Fairey Aviation Co., Ltd.
• General Aircraft, Ltd.
• Gloster Aircraft Co., Ltd.
• Handley Page, Ltd.
• Hawker Aircraft, Ltd.
• Parnall Aircraft, Ltd.
• Phillips and Powis, Ltd.
• A. V. Roe & Co., Ltd.
• Saunders Roe, Ltd.
• Short Bros. (Rochester & Bedford), Ltd.
• Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers), Ltd.
• Vickers Aviation, Ltd.
• Westland Aircraft, Ltd.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many sheep in England and Wales were killed by maggot-fly during 1936; and whether any action is being taken by his Department to remedy this matter?

The condition caused by the attack of the sheep maggot-fly is not a notifiable disease, and no statistics are, therefore, available. My right hon. Friend is aware, however, that in the past few years sheep farmers have reported unusual activity of the parasites, the control of which is a matter for voluntary action by flock masters. The Ministry has issued a leaflet on the measures recommmended to prevent or minimise the damage caused by the maggots and is also making a special grant, on the recommendation of the Agricultural Research Council, for research into this problem at the University College of North Wales, Bangor.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the farmers' deliveries of barley and the average price for the week ended 12th December this year as compared with the corresponding week last year, and the deliveries and the average price for the season ended 12th December this year as compared with the corresponding period last year?

No information is available as to farmers' deliveries of barley, but the quantity of British barley returned as sold, as ascertained under the Corn Returns Act, 1882, and the Corn Sales Act, 1921, in England and Wales in the week ended 12th December, 1936, was 389,768 cwts. compared with 325,391 cwts. during the corresponding week of last year, and the average price was 9s. 4d. per cwt. compared with 8s. 2d. per cwt. last year. The total quantity returned under the Acts for the season up -to 12th December, 1936, was 6,617,359 cwts. compared with 6,331,780 cwts. during the corresponding period of last year, and the average price was 10s. per cwt. this year compared with 9s. 1d. last year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the average price of white fish for the first 10 months of 1936 compares with the average price of white fish for the year 1932?

The average price of white fish landed by British fishing vessels at ports in Great Britain during the 10 months January to October, 1936, was 17s. 8d. per cwt. as compared with 18s. 3d. per cwt. for the year 1932.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will introduce in the near future legislation designed to protect users of radio sets in this country from unnecessary interference by industrial or domestic electrical apparatus?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a question on this subject by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 17th December.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is considerable discontent with the postal facilities in the Hornchurch urban district, which now has a population of over 70,000 inhabitants; and whether he can give any date for the opening of at least one Crown post office in that area?

The question of the provision of Crown post offices at Upminster and Hornchurch is being actively pursued, but I am unable at the moment to furnish a date for the opening of an office in either district.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will inquire into the case of the late Patrick Conway, of 400, Moffat Street, Glasgow E. 5, whose widow applied to the medical board for silicosis and asbestosis for a certification to the effect that Mr. Conway died from silicosis; and is he aware that the board demanded payment from the widow of the statutory charge of £2 2s., and on receipt of it wrote to her on 17th November, 1936, that a certificate was not to be granted, even though no post-mortem examination of the deceased was made?

I understand that Conway died on the 12th July, but that notwithstanding a previous warning to the family no post-mortem examination was arranged for and the board were not informed until the end of the month, when the body had been buried and they had no authority to interfere with it. They thereupon informed the widow that they would be unable to issue a certificate without such an examination. Subsequently her solicitor asked them to decide that no post-mortem was necessary, but after a careful review of the evidence before them, they were unable to certify that the death was caused by the disease, and so informed him. The fee has been refunded.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the satisfactory working of the appeals tribunal in the Metropolitan police, he will consider extending similar facilities, by means of a short Act of Parliament, to the prison services, having regard to the many complaints made relating to prison administration on the staff side?

There is no need of legislation to give prison officers a right of appeal to the Secretary of State. They already have such a right. I know of no grounds for the suggestion in the last part of the question or for any suggestion that

asked the Home Secretary whether, during the past two years, there has been any increase in the salary rates of the superior staff on the board of control responsible for the administration of Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum and the superior staff attached to Broad-moor; what was the increase for each official; if there has been an increase in the general remuneration for the uniform staff employed at Broadmoor; and what was the amount of the increase for each officer?

If by the board of control the hon. Member means the Council of Supervision appointed under Section 4 of the Criminal Lunatic Asylums Act, 1860, I would point out that members of the council undertake this public service without remuneration. As regards the staff, there has been no recent increase in the salary of the medical superintendent apart from the consolidation of pay and bonus which applied to all Government servants. During the present year there have been increases in the remuneration of the other medical officers and of the subordinate staff. The former and existing scales of pay are shown in the subjoined table. In the case of attendants (male and female) the maximum of the new scale is reached after 12 years as compared with 20 years under the old scale.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state for the years 1925, 1930, 1935, and for the current year the number of inspectors for factories and workshops and the number of inspectors and immigration officers for the Aliens Restriction Acts?

The authorised staff of factory inspectors, immigration inspectors and immigration officers on the 1st April for each of the years 1925, 1930, 1935 and 1936 was as follows:

asked the Home Secretary whether, in accordance with the Home Office circular on air raid precautions of 9th July, 1935, information has yet been published as to the means by which occupiers of premises can make them gas-proof; and whether these are based on the report to the Red Cross of the international committee of experts for the protection of the civilian population against chemical warfare, held in Rome in 1929, which proposes that on warning of an air raid being given the whole population, except those engaged in essential services, shall descend into cellars provided with ventilators supplied with gas filters?

Yes, Sir. Instructions in gas-proofing are contained in Air Raid Precautions Handbook No. 1 on "Personal Protection against Gas," and the gas-proofing of rooms in private houses will be further dealt with in the handbook in course of preparation for householders. As it is practicable to render rooms gas-proof and as everyone in areas exposed to attack will be supplied with a respirator, it is not proposed to recommend that shelter-rooms in private houses should be fitted with air filtration units.