asked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet able to report the result of the conference of Lancashire transport authorities in Manchester; whether any agreement for the co-ordination of service has been arrived at; and, if so, when the railway company concerned propose to begin electrification of the lines in that area?

I have received no further information from the authorities in question.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to secure adequate and uniform lighting on the highways for which he will become the highway authority on 1st April, 1937?

The first step will be to undertake a survey of the needs of trunk roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the London Traffic Advisory Committee was consulted before the enforcement of the regulations banning horse-drawn traffic in Regent Street and adjoining thoroughfares; and what was the nature of their advice on this subject?

Yes, Sir, advice in this as in other matters was tendered, but the responsibility of decision is mine.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the average number of vehicles per day passing over the Kincardine-on-Forth road-bridge during the last month?

Counts taken on the 6th November and 11th December showed the number of vehicles passing over the bridge to be:—

asked the Minister of Transport whether any improvement is contemplated in the road between Glasgow and the Kincardine-on-Forth road-bridge?

I have already made a grant of 75 per cent, for the improvement of the south approach road connecting the bridge with A. 905. I understand that the Dunbarton County Council contemplate the improvement of the section in their County, including the provision of dual carriageways, and that the Stirling County Council contemplate the provision of an improved connection between the new bridge and the existing classified road system.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a motorist, convicted at the Old Bailey on 19th January for dangerous driving, was charged by the judge as one of those who killed people on the roads because they drink more than they ought; and whether, as this and similar cases are not entered in the annual statistics as accidents due to drink, he will take steps to have the method of collection revised so that the statistics may be a fairer reflection of the facts concerning alcohol and road accidents?

Road accidents attributable to drink or drugs are already so classified. In the case in question a sentence of six months in the Second Division accompanied by a suspension of licence for seven years was recorded on a conviction for dangerous driving. The Judge observed that the person convicted was "in a sort of twilight of sobriety" but there is no special subhead for this condition.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will indicate particulars of the schemes now contemplated, or upon which work has started or is due to start, with reference to railway electrification?

The list is a very lengthy one and changes from time to time. If my hon. and learned Friend requires any special particulars, I shall be happy to send him the information I have.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can give some further information and particulars as to the erection of the new Walworth Road, Borough, Employment Exchange; and when is it proposed that this new exchange will be opened?

(for the First Commissioner of Works): My Noble Friend regrets that he is unable, at present, to add anything to the reply made to the hon. Member's question of the 19th January on the same subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the large amount of unemployment in the area of the Llanfoist parish council, Monmouthshire, including Govilon, and also that the rates are higher than any other rural council in the country; and will he take steps to have this area scheduled as a Special Area?

I am asking for a local report on the situation and will give it careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he would be prepared to allocate a sum of money to enable the derelict sites in and around Jarrow to be cleared and put into such a condition that they will tend to attract new industries to the area;(2) whether he is aware that Jarrow possesses 1½ miles of river frontage situated in a most favourable position on the River Tyne; and whether he is prepared to assist in its effective development;(3) whether he has considered the possibility of establishing a trading estate in the Jarrow area in view of its favourable position; and, if so, what is the result of such consideration?

As the hon. Member is aware, it is the duty of the Commissioners for Special Areas to assist schemes of economic development and at the present time active consideration is being given to various schemes of this nature in Jarrow and elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any consultation takes place between his Department and the Defence Departments as to the availability of suitable labour in particular districts before deciding upon the location of new factories for defence purposes?

The Ministry of Labour has throughout supplied on request information as to the availability of suitable labour in particular districts in connection with proposals for the establishment of these factories. The arrangements in operation provide for continuous and complete co-operation between the Departments concerned when any such question arises.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the serious flooding throughout the country and the damage done, the Government will undertake an extensive drainage scheme whereby work could be found for a considerable number of unemployed workers?

I have no power to carry out such a scheme as that which the hon. Member seems to visualise, but I would remind him that the Catchment Boards constituted as the result of the passing of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, are in possession of the necessary powers to enable them to deal with flooding in their respective areas. Since the passing of that Act, 68 schemes, estimated to cost just under £6,000,000, have been approved for Government grant. Further schemes are either now before my Department, or under consideration by the Catchment Boards concerned, and I shall continue to encourage the endeavours made by these authorities to deal with the problem to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health whether any recent investigations have been made into the number and nature of basement dwellings in various parts of London, and with what results?

The most recent investigation was made in 1934. According to the returns then obtained by the London County Council from the Metropolitan borough councils, 20,108 underground rooms in use for sleeping purposes were deemed to be unfit for human habitation within the meaning of Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1925.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of new houses built for sale in the city of Leicester during 1936 up to the latest convenient date?

The number of houses built for sale in the city of Leicester in the year ending 30th September, 1936, was 1,650.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of new houses built and let in the city of Leicester during 1936 up to the latest convenient date?

. The number of houses built to let in the city of Leicester in the year ending 30th September, 1936, was 552.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of classes in Government-aided secondary schools in which classes there are over 30 pupils and over 40 pupils, respectively?

On 1st October, 1936, there were in grant-aided secondary schools in England and Wales 4,746

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number and value of horses purchased for the British Army in England, Scotland, Wales, the Irish Free State, Northern Ireland, and other sources, respectively, in the past year and also in 1935?

Following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the disappointment felt by young soldiers of regiments detailed for service overseas in not being given leave on free railway warrants to go to their homes for taking leave of their parents and other relatives before embarkation; and whether, in view of the necessity for offering inducements to aid recruiting, he will consider the advisability of granting leave to those soldiers in similar circumstances?

I can understand that some disappointment is felt in this matter but I fear that the cost of granting the concession makes it impracticable. All soldiers when travelling on leave, are, however, entitled to the railway concession of half the ordinary rate charged to the general public.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Crown Office has any public statement to make in connection with the result of police investigations into the murder of a bank clerk in the employment of the Clydesdale Bank there?

No, Sir. It would be contrary to the interests of justice and to the unbroken practice of the Crown Office for any such statement to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is prepared, and, if so, when, to bring in legislation dealing with the findings in the Morrison Report on Irregular Marriages in Scotland?

The report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the law of Scotland relating to the constitution of marriage is at present being examined. I do not expect to be able to make a statement regarding the action proposed to be taken on the Committee's recommendations for some time to come.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the petition submitted by the Scottish Law Agents Society drawing attention to the claims of sheriffs-substitute in Scotland for increased salaries; and whether, in view of the distinguished and increasing services which sheriffs-substitute perform, he is now able to announce that their emoluments are to be made at least equal to those enjoyed by English county court judges?

I have under consideration representations made to me by the society mentioned and others on behalf of sheriffs-substitute. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to a question on the subject by the hon. Member for Dumbartonshire (Mr. Cassells) on the 15th December, to which I am at present unable to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any consultation has taken place between his Department and the Sheriffs' Substitute Association for Scotland in connection with salaries payable to the members of the latter association; and, if so, will he state the result of such consultation?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of the 15th December on this subject, to which I am at present unable to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the figures for maternal mortality, per thousand births, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, respectively, for the last three years?

The rates of maternal mortality per 1,000 births for 1934, 1935 and 1936 were in the case of Edinburgh 5·3, 5·3 and 5·5 and in the case of Glasgow 6.0, 7.0 and 5.9. The 1936 rates are provisional.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will circulate a table showing the daily prices of Argentine chilled meat on Smithfield Market from the 16th November, 1936, until the latest day for which figures are available, together with the comparative figures for a year earlier?

The following are the prices asked for, up to the latest published date:DAILY PRICES OF ARGENTINE CHILLED BEEF ON SMITHFIELD MARKET.(Abstracted from London Central Markets—Smithfield—Daily Reports.)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in agreeing to recommend higher duties upon imported superphosphate, the Import Duties Advisory Committee entered into an arrangement with the Fertiliser Manufacturers' Association under which the Import Duties Advisory Committee in practice regulate the prices of superphosphate; and, in view of the fact that this practice is causing dissatisfaction to and the imposition of heavy additional burdens upon Scottish farmers, what steps he is prepared to take in the matter?

As I explained in Debate in December, 1934, on the Motion for the confirmation of the Order imposing these duties, the Fertiliser Manufacturers' Association gave an assurance not to raise prices above those of 1933–34 to the consumer unless there was an increase in the cost of the raw material or, in exceptional circumstances, on account of a rise in labour costs. Further, any such increase could only be made after consultation with the National Farmers' Unions of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and with the consent of the Import Duties Advisory Committee. These conditions have been complied with so far as the recent increase in price is concerned, and in the circumstances I do not see my way to take any action in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any information about the recent increase in prices of the following commodities, sugar, soap and coal; if he is aware that there is growing disquiet in the country about the increase in the retail prices of these goods without any explanation; if he can give the cause of the increase; and what steps are being taken to prevent unwarranted attempts to increase prices?

Following an increase in world prices, wholesale sugar prices in this country have tended to rise somewhat in the last few months and there have been slight increases in retail prices. With regard to soap, I am aware that there has been an increase in price which I am informed was due to an increase in the world price of raw materials, such as oils and fats.As regards coal, the increase in price is attributable, to some extent, to the greatly increased demand for coal as a result of general trade recovery in recent months, but it will be within the recollection of the House that District Selling Schemes were introduced last year in the coal industry with a view to eliminating cut-throat competition and thereby improving the proceeds of the industry, thus enabling the wages of mineworkers to be raised. The Coal Mines Act of 1930, under which the schemes operate, contains provisions for the protection of consumers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increases have occurred in importations into this country from India during the past three years of commodities granted preferential terms under the United Kingdom-India Com- mercial Agreement; and what changes, if any, have occurred in the volume of the exports to India of United Kingdom cotton piece-goods during the same period?

The only particulars readily available in answer to the first part of the question relate to the years 1933 to 1935 and are included among certain statistical tables compiled and published by the Government of India in a report on the working of the scheme of preferences resulting from the Ottawa Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom. According to this report, the imports into the United Kingdom from India of articles enjoying preference were valued at approximately £28.4 million in 1933, £29.9 million in 1934 and £30.5 million in 1935. During the same years, the exports to India of cotton piece-goods manufactured in the United Kingdom amounted to 486, 583 and 543 million square yards.