asked the Home Secretary whether there is any regulation preventing police officers getting married?

No, Sir: there is no general regulation to this effect, but in some police forces it is a condition of service that a constable may not marry during his early service without the chief officer's consent.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the training of the new 800 police patrols, any instructions will be given in the steps to be taken to make effective the advice in the Highway Code to motorists against taking alcohol during or before driving?

I think the hon. Member must refer to the paragraph which says:

"Before using the road be sure that your alertness or sense of caution is not affected by alcohol or fatigue."

I do not think this is a provision which could very well be enforced by the police.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Prison Officers' Representative Board accepted the recent new scales of pay under a misapprehension; that many of the representatives informed their staffs by telegram that they would receive immediate increases of pay, to the effect that the officers would be placed on their maximum rates of pay without any restriction; and what regulations there are, if any, which prevent officers receiving their maximum rates of pay in any new scale introduced?

The Representative Board could not have been under any misapprehension on this point. When the Prison Commissioners met the Emergency Committee of the Board in December, 1935, it was explained verbally that in accordance with the usual Civil Service practice serving officers would be assimilated to the new scale, either at the new minimum or at the level of their existing rate of pay, whichever was higher; and by arrangement with the Committee the Commissioners circulated to all establishments a written statement clearly setting out the position. It was after this statement had been circulated, and after the Emergency Committee had consulted the prison officers that the Committee again met the Commissioners in January, 1936, and accepted the new scales. There are no regulations which prevent an officer attaining, by annual increments, the maximum of the new scale.

asked the Home Secretary the percentage number of prison officers who have been promoted to the rank of principal officer, the corresponding figures of principal officer to chief officer Class 2, and from the latter to chief officer Class I during the year ended 31st December last or to the nearest convenient date?

The Establishment in 1936 consisted of 1,906 officers, 175 principal officers and 51 chief officers (16 being Class 1 chief officers and 35 being Class 11 chief officers). In the course of the year the percentage of promotions was as follows:

	Per cent.
Officers to Principal Officers	1.57
Principal Officers to Chief Officers, Class II	8.57
Chief Officers, Class II, to Chief Officers, Class I	17.14

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases for 1936 in which two counsel have been allowed to accused persons under the Poor Prisoners' Defence Act upon application by them to the committing magistrates, the

			Appeals.	Conviction upheld.	Conviction quashed.	Sentence modified.
Under the influence of drink		…	6	6	—	1
Dangerous driving	…	…	22	19*	3	5†
* Including 2 appeals abandoned.				† Including 1 sentence increased.

asked the Home Secretary how many juveniles were brought before the courts for offences against the law during each of the last five years, giving the figures for males and females separately?

Following is a statement showing the number of children and young persons who were proceeded against for indictable offences in Courts of Summary Jurisdiction (including Juvenile Courts) in England and Wales, during the five years 1931 to 1935 inclusive:

The latest figures available are those for 1935. During that year 25 defence certificates authorising two counsel were granted by committing justices and five by courts of assize. I cannot say in how many cases an application for two counsel was refused. It is for the solicitor acting for the accused to instruct counsel, whether one or two are allowed.

asked the Home Secretary how many appeals were made to the London Sessions Appeals Committee in 1936 by motorists against convictions for driving under the influence of drink and dangerous driving, respectively; in how many cases the conviction was upheld; in how many cases it was reduced; and in how many cases it was increased?

The following are the particulars, so far as available:

	Males	Females	Total
1931	13,007	855	13,862
1932	13,952	1,021	14,973
1933	14,770	959	15,729
1934	21,128	1,312	22,440
1935	25,968	1,536	27,504

The figures for the years 1931, 1932 and 1933 relate to children and young persons according to the definitions in Section 131 of the Children Act, 1908, namely, under the age of 16; those for 1934 and 1935 relate to children and young persons according to the definitions in Section 107 (1) of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, namely, under the age of 17. The figures for the year 1936 are not yet available.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of cases of corporal punishment in each of the approved schools during the year 1936 or for 12 months to the last convenient date?

To obtain the particulars asked for would involve a considerable amount of clerical work. The conditions under which corporal punishment is permitted in approved schools are laid down in the Approved School Rules of 1933, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. Complete records of all cases of corporal punishment are required to be kept at the schools and are closely scrutinised by the Inspectors.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the latest Irish Free State census shows that the net emigration figures, other than overseas, which is practically identical with emigration to the United Kingdom, for the decennium 1926 to 1936, totalled 31,421 males and 46,702 females; and whether he can state the net immigration figure of male and female aliens into the United Kingdom for the same period?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the figures stated. As regards the last part of the question no precise figures for alien immigration can be given, but the number of aliens registered with the police in 1936 was 185,758 as compared with 260,000 approximately in 1927. In comparing these figures account must be taken of the fact that in 1933 about 45,000 women of British birth were exempted from registration and their names removed from the register.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps to grant permission for the shopkeepers in Southampton Row, W.C.1, to suspend the obligation to close on the weekly half-holidays from May to September, 1937, on the ground that the thoroughfare will be frequented as a holiday resort during this year?

The point raised by the hon. Member is one for the consideration of the London County Council. I have no powers in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will call annually for a report from the London County Council and the Marylebone Borough Council as to the results of their continuous supervision of those worn-out residences in the streets between Marylebone Road and Wigmore Street which have been converted into private nursing homes; and will he request that the report shall state the steps taken to disinfect the furnishings of rooms in private nursing homes after they have been vacated by patients and before other patients are admitted?

As indicated in the reply to the question asked by my hon. Friend on nth March, my right hon. Friend is communicating with the London County Council, and will bear his suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the present number of certified lunatics in the asylums of England and Wales under the administration of county authorities; and how do these figures compare with the numbers in 1926 and 1913?

The number of certified mental patients in mental hospitals provided by local authorities (i.e., county and county borough councils and a certain number of non-county borough councils) in England and Wales was as follows:

1st January
1937	123,609
1926	107,836
1913	103,842

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he hopes to circulate to the interests affected the draft of the regulations to be made under the Weights and Measures Act, 1936?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to issue the draft regulations immediately after Easter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any ore from the Rio Tinto mines has been sent to Germany or Italy within the last three months; and, if so, whether he can state the quantities and the estimated money value of such consignments?

I am informed that the British owned mines, of which Rio Tinto is one, have sent no iron ore to Germany or Italy in the last three months, or for a long time previously. These mines have, however, continued during the last three months to ship pyrites to the usual customers, including Germany; but I have no information as to the quantities or estimated values of these consignments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the offer of Mr. Isidore Ostrer, of the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, to transfer as a gift his voting shares in the Metropolis and Bradford Trust Company, Limited, was accepted by his Department; and, if not, upon what grounds it was rejected?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what method his Department takes when new works are started to ascertain what rates of wages are paid, and where such wages are below the recognised standard what action is taken?

My right hon. Friend has no general authority to deal with wages and I understand that no action of the kind referred to is taken in regard to new works unless the wages in the industry concerned fall under some form of statutory regulation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Food Defence Plans Department is to issue a report on its work; and, if so, whether he can give the date of the anticipated publication of such a report?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 24th February to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the present storage capacity of food for defence purposes in this country;

My right hon. Friend has received particulars of storage facilities for food available in this country, but it would not be in the public interest to publish them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the present plans for an expansion of home-grown food are intended only to come into operation after the outbreak of war, or whether he has any plans for an expansion of home-grown food before the outbreak of war?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the necessity for a large expansion of our agricultural developments in time of war, he has taken steps to find out the amount of increase desirable and practicable in each main commodity; and whether he will take steps to stop the present decline in agricultural acreage?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friends to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 11th March to the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day).

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is aware that it is proposed to largely increase the Battersea power station of the London Power Company; and what steps are proposed to be taken to guard against the danger in case of war due to the number of vital power stations situated on the Thames in such a relatively close proximity as Dagenham, Deptford, Blackfriars, Battersea, Lots Road, and Chelsea?

The proposed extension of Battersea Power Station is before the Electricity Commissioners for their consent, and I am not in a position to make any statement. As regards the second part of the question, I have referred in past Debates to the work which is constantly in progress to ensure the proper defence of important services. This includes measures, active and passive, for safeguarding electricity supplies from stations on the line of the Thames.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will reconsider his decision not to authorise any grant to the Ouse Drainage Board, in view of the danger of flooding which now threatens the Fen country as a direct result of his Department's refusal to make a grant in the past towards the necessary flood precautions upon which the lives and property of thousands of people depend?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is at a loss to understand my hon. Friend's question. There has been no refusal of grants either to the Catchment Board now in control of this area, or to its predecessors, the Ouse Drainage Board. Grants at the exceptionally high rate of 75 per cent. are being paid now in respect of current drainage schemes, and have been promised for future schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what numbers of workers have left the agricultural industry in each of the last 15 years?

The following table shows the total number of workers employed on agricultural holdings above one acre in extent in England and Wales in 1921, and in each of the years 1923 to 1936, and the nett increase or decrease in each year.

Years.	Total Number of Workers (a).	Increase or Decrease.
1921	869,183	—
1922	(Figure not available.)	—
1923	772,387	-96,796(b)
1924	806,463	+34,076
1925	803,338	-3,125
1926	794,899	-8,439
1927	774,449	-20,450
1928	772,825	-1,624
1929	770,252	-2,573
1930	741,696	-28,556
1931	716,607	-25,089
1932	697,481	-19,126
1933	715,546	+18,065
1934	687,972	-27,574
1935	673,203	-14,769
1936	640,573	-32,630
(a) Excluding the occupier, his wife and domestic servants.
(b) Compared with 1921.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to bring to the notice of the Lanarkshire County Council the urgent necessity of housing Mr. Andrew Cowen, 44, Hill Street, Larkhall, Lanarkshire, who lives in a single apartment house with his wife and nine children, five of whom are over 14 years of age; and is he aware that the mother is just home from Glasgow Royal Infirmary after a serious operation, that Andrew Cowen won the military medal and afterwards a bar to the medal, and that his health and that of his wife and family are being undermined in these overcrowded conditions?

I am informed that the facts are as stated in the question, and that the hon. Member can be assured that the county council who have the circumstances fully in view will do their utmost to see that suitable accommodation is provided for the family at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the total number of licensed clubs in Glasgow, and the names and addresses of each club and the names of the proprietors?

The number of clubs in Glasgow registered under the Licensing (Scotland) Acts is 73. I am sending the hon. Member a list of their names and addresses. As regards the last part of the question, the business and affairs of such clubs are not controlled by any outside proprietor, but are in the hands of the members.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the almost complete paralysis of the omnibus traffic in the areas of Scotland usually operated by the S.M.T. Company, the loss and inconvenience thereby occasioned to the public, and that the omnibus driver's wage, including payment for Sunday labour, is £3 3s. 11d. per week; whether he is endeavouring to bring into negotiation the two contending parties to the wages dispute; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

I regret that there has been no change in the position which enables me to add anything to the statement made by me on Thursday last in reply to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. H. Stewart).

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the recent widening of Queen Victoria Street, E.C., near its junction with Cannon Street, he can give an approximate date when such widening can be carried out at the junction itself where it is most needed?

Notices to treat have been served on the owners of the property affected but the City Corporation do not anticipate that the negotiations will be completed in time to enable the work to be finished this year.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of persons killed, and how many were injured, during 1936 on the North Circular Road, and the numbers for the first two months of 1937?

During the first two months of this year there were 115 accidents resulting in injury of which nine were fatal. I have not the other information.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any report from the chief Government chemist in respect of the purification of the flue gases from the Battersea station of the London Power Company; whether there is any objection to the extension of this station; and when the Electricity Commissioners' decision in respect of the application for extension will be made?

A report has been received from the Government chemist; the application is now being considered by the Electricity Commissioners.

asked the Minister of Pensions why a disability pension was not granted to Mr. W. J. Sinclair, Lunnister, Sullom, Shetland, in respect of illness stated to have been contracted by him on naval service during the war of 1914–18?

I have looked into the facts of this case which I find has already been fully considered on more than one occasion. I am advised, however, that it cannot be certified that Mr. Sinclair's condition is the result of his war service. I have, therefore, no power to grant him a pension.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Germany buys Chilean goods only as against Chilean purchases of German goods; and whether, as Britain is one of Chile's best customers, he will arrange that Chile shall reserve her sterling credits for the purchase of British goods and for full debt service on British-held Chilean bonds?

The answer to the first part of the question is Yes, Sir. With regard to the second, the question of trade relations between this country and Chile is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has formed any conclusion as to whether the new neutrality policy of the Belgian Government in any way conflicts with the pre-war legal status of neutrality upon which our obligations to Belgium were then based; whether the policy laid down by King Leopold, on 14th October, 1936, conflicts with the tripartite agreement of London of March, 1936, which established complete reciprocal guarantees between France, Great Britain and Belgium against the risk of German aggression; and whether that tripartite agreement and not the new Belgian neutrality policy will hold good until a new Western Pact is concluded to replace the Locarno Treaty?

These are complex and delicate question affecting the foreign policy of another Government on certain aspects of the European situation which, as the House is aware, are the subject of preliminary confidential discussion. The hon. and gallant Member will, I am sure, appreciate that I am not in a position to make a statement on them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information concerning an official memorandum issued in Libya by the Italian authorities on the occasion of the visit of the head of the Italian government to Libya, and which attributes the recent overthrow of the Baghdad government to the action of the British Government, and speaks of a revolt of the Arabs in Palestine as continuing in spite of cruel repression; and whether he proposes to take any action concerning this memorandum?

I am making inquiries on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any discussions are taking place with States not members of the League of Nations on the subject of the supply and distribution of raw materials?

No, Sir. I understand that there have been reports to this effect, but they are unfounded. His Majesty's Government have entered into no such conversations. Indeed the only step they have taken is to make it clear to the German Government that their cooperation in the inquiry would be welcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make concerning the Anglo-German naval conversations?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 17th February, to which I have nothing at present to add.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give figures showing the success or otherwise of instructing unemployed persons in agriculture and finding work for them?

My Department does not provide training in agriculture for unemployed persons. The Land Settlement Association trains unemployed men for settlement on the land and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins) on 18th February, for information as to the results of that association's training schemes.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will now consider the introduction of legislation to prevent actions at law for alleged enticement of spouses?

No, Sir.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of entering undefended divorce cases at assize towns rather than in London; and whether he will, in the public interest, cause the rules of the Divorce Division to be amended, so that no such undefended case, other than a poor persons case, shall be entered at an assize town unless the petitioner or respondent has a permanent place of residence within the county in respect of which such assizes are to be held?

To restrict the entry of Divorce Causes at Assizes as suggested by my hon. and learned Friend might cause hardship to parties and inconvenience to witnesses where the Petitioner, though not a poor person, is of small means. By the Administration of Justice Act, 1920, and Statutory Orders, any undefended matrimonial cause may be tried at any of the Assize Towns prescribed for the trial of such causes. By the Rules of the Supreme Court the place of hearing is to be determined by a Registrar of the Principal Probate Registry upon consideration of the Petition and of any information in relation to residence convenience and expense of the parties and witnesses which he may require. It is the invariable practice to require the facts as to the residence of the parties and witnesses to be set forth in an affidavit.

asked the Secretary of Stae for the Colonies whether he has under consideration the extension to other territories of such legislation as the Sierra Leone Mining Benefits Trust Fund Ordinance?

It is always the policy of Colonial Administrations to secure for the community in general as large a share as possible of the proceeds of mining developments in their territories. The particular method adopted in the Sierra Leone Mining Benefits Trust Fund Ordinance has been applied also in the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast and in Nyasaland, and its adoption will be considered in any other appropriate case that may arise; but in normal circumstances I am inclined to think that the best arrangement is for payments by mining companies to go not into a special fund but into the general revenues of the territory concerned and be available for the general services of the community as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the large proportion of the able-bodied male natives of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia who migrate for labour purposes to other territories, he is considering the advisability of emergency schemes of family migration or settlement and, where this is not possible, of limiting the period of absence from their homes?

The possibility of assisting family migration where it is possible will not be lost sight of, but there are many difficulties. Meanwhile, the question of limiting the period of natives' absence from their homes is being pursued as will be seen from Clause 6 of the Salisbury Agreement signed by the Governments of Nyasaland and Northern and Southern Rhodesia. A copy of this draft agreement is now in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what contracts are held by Messrs. Cowasgee and Sons, Karachi, for the supply of commodities to the Ceylon Government; and whether such contracts were granted after the receipt of competitive tenders?

I have no information on this subject, but I will ask the Governor of Ceylon for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the British Empire as a unit is on balance an importer of sugar, and imports sugar to the extent of nearly 1,000,000 tons per annum from countries which have an unfavourable trade balance; and whether, in view of these facts, he will recommend increasing rather than restricting production in the sugar-producing Colonies of the British Empire?

I am aware of the trade position referred to by the hon. Member, but the Government cannot lose sight of the fact that under the existing preferences any further increase of imports into this country from the Empire is very expensive to the Exchequer and they consider that it may be preferable to

Number of Cadets entered by Special Entry Examination.
Year.			Executive.	Engineering.	Royal Marines.	Paymaster.	Total.
1932	…	…	16	16	16	21	69
1933	…	…	23	11	14	20	68
1934	…	…	25	13	25	22	85
1935	…	…	38	13	25	22	98
1936	…	…	75	23	35	27	160
Totals	…	…	177	76	115	112	480

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the use of the Defence Act of 1842 for the compulsory acquisition of land by the War Office; and whether, having regard to the altered position which lords lieutenant and deputy lieutenants now occupy in regard to county affairs, he will introduce legislation substituting for their certificate under the Act that of a county council?

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend is aware that the Act is being used for this purpose. He is unable to agree that the ground put forward in the second part of the question constitutes an adequate reason for altering the existing procedure.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the number of special entry cadets admitted into all branches of the Navy for each of the last five years; and will he give the number admitted from secondary schools with those from private preparatory schools, giving the figures separately?

With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 10th March to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker). Following is the answer to the first part of the question:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the ages of the four sub-lieutenants promoted last year from the lower deck on the date of their promotion; and the average age of Dartmouth and special-entry cadets on obtaining their commissions?

The ages of the four officers promoted to acting sub-lieutenant from the lower deck in 1936 were 23 years 5 months, 22 years 11 months, 22 years r month, and 22 years 4 months, respectively, at the time of their promotion. The average ages at which officers from Dartmouth and from the special entry normally reach this rank are 20 years 2 months and 21 years 1 month, respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the number and places of the Fleet selection boards to be held this year for lower deck candidates for commissions; and whether the Admiralty will inform the responsible officers afloat that it is their desire that suitable ratings should be encouraged to come forward as candidates?

The arrangement of Fleet selection boards is a matter within the discretion of the various Commandersin-Chief. I understand that orders have been issued for the next boards to be held so that ratings selected may arrive home early in May. With regard to the second part of the question the Admiralty have already informed Commandersin-Chief to the effect suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the seniority of sublieutenants promoted from the lower deck is post-dated from 1st September to 1st January on confirmation, thus causing a loss of four months' seniority, whereas in the case of cadet-entry officers all acting time is counted as seniority; and whether he will take steps to remove this anomaly?

Sub-lieutenants promoted from the lower deck proceed to Greenwich for a preliminary four months' course before they join the general sublieutenants' course. While it is true that the duration of this preliminary course is not counted for seniority, the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that cadet-entered officers can count all acting time as seniority. Far from this being the case, the confirmed seniority of sub-lieutenants from Dartmouth may be as much as nine months later than their acting seniority.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that increases of pay awarded to departmental clerks serving in his Department by the Industrial Court on the 12th October last, to which effect was to be given as from the 1st October last, have still not been paid out; whether he can state the reason for this delay; and what steps he has taken to secure payment to the officers concerned without further delay?

Award 1662 of the Industrial Court, to which the hon. Member refers, could not be put into force until certain questions arising therefrom had been considered. Instructions concerning the method of application of the award were issued on 25th February and it is anticipated that the majority of clerks eligible for an immediate increment of salary will receive payment during this month, including arrears from 1st October, 1936.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that increases of pay awarded to departmental clerks serving in his Department by the Industrial Court, on 12th October last, to which effect was to be given as from 1st October last, have still not been paid out; whether he can state the reason for this delay; and what steps he has taken to secure payment to the officers concerned without further delay?

Consideration of various points affecting the detailed interpretation of the Industrial Court Award has been necessary before instructions regarding its application could be issued, but where increases in pay have already fallen due payment has now been authorised and has in many instances already been made. It is expected that all outstanding payments will have been effected by the end of this month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether there is consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and county councils before land is acquired by his Department for sites for aerodromes; and, if not, in what way the varying values of the sites for air and agricultural purposes of defence are arrived at?

As regards the first part of the question such consultation takes place in all cases where the circumstances demand it. As regards the second part I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer, of which I am sending him a copy, given on 17th November last to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Cardiff, East (Mr. Temple Morris).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any information to give upon the inquiry into the Slough aerodrome scheme held recently; and in particular whether, in view of the letter written on 3rd October, 1935, by the managing director of the Heston airport to the Slough Council relative to the purchase of part of Parlaunt Park Farm, he has made further inquiries and intends to take any action?

The inquiry to which the hon. Member refers was a local inquiry recently held on behalf of the Secretary of State for Air under the provisions of the First Schedule to the Air Navigation Act, 1936, which deals with the procedure in regard to the acquisition of land for aerodrome purposes by local authorities. My Noble Friend has not yet received the report of the officer who held the inquiry and the hon. Member will quite understand that it is impossible for me to comment in the meantime.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he is aware that there is a good demand for and a shortage of supplies of English walnut timber, Juglans regia, and that this timber can be grown in the South of England; and will he therefore arrange for groves of the walnut trees to be planted on suitable Crown and other lands over which he has jurisdiction?

The Forestry Commissioners are aware of the position with regard to walnut timber and will keep in mind the hon. Member's suggestion of planting groves on suitable land under their charge.

asked the Lord President of the Council under what Act of Parliament or legal authority it is proposed to make the changes in the Coronation oath?

In accordance with precedent, express amending legislation is not required for changes necessary in order to bring the words of the oath into harmony with Statutes passed from time to time. The Statute of Westminster and the Declaration of the Imperial Conference of 1926 referred to in the Preamble of that Statute necessitated the changes which have been made in the oath administered at the Coronation of King George V.