asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of young people transferred from the special areas for each year from 1930, in respect of whom payments in subsidisation of their wages have been or are being made; and the total cost involved?

Statistics of the number of young people transferred from the Special Areas are not available prior to January, 1935. Particulars of juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18 transferred from all scheduled depressed areas during the years 1930 to 1934, and from the Special Areas only during 1935 and 1936, are as follow:Association for the Relief of Distressed Areas regarding modifications of the means test; and, if so, will he state the result?

I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board, with whom I have been in consultation in this matter, that while their legal powers do not enable them to act precisely in the manner suggested by the association, the Board are fully in sympathy with the desire of the association to remove difficulties due to temporary unemployment affecting families or individuals who have transferred from depressed areas. They recognise that household expenses in the new district may for some time after removal be greater than they were in the old, and further that the removal may result in the creation of special needs. Under the new Regulations there is also power, which will be exercised, to meet any reasonable increase in rent which may result from removal. For these reasons it is felt that there should be no apprehension that the position of a household removing to a more prosperous area will be rendered difficult, and the Board suggest that any person in receipt of an unemployment allowance who contemplates removal should see the Board's local officer in order that the details of his case may be considered and information afforded as to what his probable position will be in the new area.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any further information to give the House regarding the discussions with employers of labour on the question of a reduction of working hours?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 18th December to the hon. Member for Southwark Central (Mr. Day) referring to the White Paper (Cmd. 5317), which has been issued on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the number of cases investigated by inspectors under the Agricultural Wages Act, 1924, during 1936, the number of prosecutions, and the total amount of fines?

During 1936, the number of cases investigated by inspectors under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, was 3,328. The number of prosecutions under Section 7 (1) of the Act for failure to pay wages at not less than the minimum rates was 99. The total amount of fines imposed by the Court in the cases in which convictions were secured was £354 2s. One prosecution was also instituted under Section 9 (3) of the Act in respect of refusal to furnish information to one of the Ministry's Inspectors. This resulted in a conviction and a fine of £5.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether in view of the observations of Justice Cunliffe, of the Calcutta High Court, with reference to the administration and application of the criminal law in Bengal by magistrates and judges, any inquiry has been, or is to be, made by the Bengal Government into the subject-matter of these charges?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to remarks made by Mr. Justice Cunliffe during the hearing, on revision, of a case from a magistrate's court. These remarks had reference to the particular case and were not of general application. It is not proposed to hold any special inquiry as the High Court has already dealt with the case in question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider introducing legislation which will have the effect of stabilising the present rates of pay in the Naval, Army, and Air Forces?

The rates of pay in the Navy, Army and Air Force at present in force are already stabilised in the sense that they are not subject to automatic variation with the cost of living. My right hon. Friend sees no need for legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has been able to secure agreement with the medical profession in relation to the fees to be paid in respect of young persons entering into employment for the first time; and, if so, will he state the nature of that agreement?

I am still in communication with representatives of the medical profession on this matter and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health on what day was the first case of smallpox discovered at Oldham; for how long had the patient been infected before discovery; and how many cases have been notified?

The first case was notified on the 27th November, 1936. I am advised that this patient was probably infected about 23 days earlier, which interval includes the period of incubation when there are no clinical manifestations. Nine cases in all have been notified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give particulars of the results of Sir Frederick Leith-Ross's mission to Tokyo?

In the course of his mission to the Far East, Sir Frederick Leith-Ross paid two visits to Tokyo. Those visits afforded a very useful opportunity for an exchange of views on financial and economic questions of common interest to the United Kingdom and Japan, but Sir Frederick was not commissioned to negotiate any particular points, and did not in fact conclude any agreement.