asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to announce the names of those who will form the delegation from His Majesty's Government to the conference regarding Egypt to be held at Montreux?

As the House has already been informed, my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade will lead the delegation, which will consist of the Counsellor at His Majesty's Embassy in Cairo, the Second Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office, and a secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, and to what extent, the position and prospects of the British officials of the municipality of Alexandria have been affected by the provisions of the Anglo-Egyptian treaty; and what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to safeguard their interests?

The municipality of Alexandria is an international institution founded with the consent of various Powers and its organisation cannot, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, be modified except by negotiation with all of them. It follows that the position of the municipality and consequently of its officials was not touched by the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty. The interests of British officials in the municipality will certainly be taken into consideration if, and when, the status of the municipality comes to be modified.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in view of the implications of Article 13 of the Treaty, it is precisely the absence of any protection in the Treaty for these British officials that is causing anxiety, and will he endeavour at the Montreux Conference to provide some safeguard for their future?

I have stated the actual position. I do not think we can go into hypothetical positions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his Department is in contact with the Export Credits Department with a view to helping friendly countries to develop their varied resources; and whether financial assistance of this kind is recognised as a means of promoting international friendship?

My department is in close touch with the Export Credits Guarantee Department and the two Departments keep each other fully informed. The work of the Export Credits Guarantee Department, however, is based on commercial and financial, and not on political, considerations.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether in view of the desirability of attracting foreign shipbuilding orders to this country, he will reconsider the position with regard to the granting of export credits to the shipbuilding industry?

In 1931 His Majesty's Government decided, in view of all the circumstances, and especially the surplus of world tonnage, that the machinery of the Export Credits Guarantee Department should not be used in connection with the export of ocean-going vessels. No such restriction has been applied to smaller vessels and vessels used for special purposes. I am not aware that the position has so materially altered as to call for reconsideration of this policy. Naval craft are excluded by Statute from the operation of the Export Credits Scheme.

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been directed to a recent speech by the chairman of a leading shipbuilding company in this country and will he consider ascertaining the views of shipbuilders in this matter?

My attention has often been directed to speeches by prominent leaders in the shipbuilding industry, and I do not know to which one the hon. Lady is referring?

While agreeing with the general principle, why, when there is a shortage of steel, is it possible to have export credits, but when there is a surplus tonnage of shipping it is not?

I think I had better see that question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state, in relation to the dealings of the British Iron and Steel Federation in imported iron and steel, other than steel imported under the cartel arrangements, what are the total profits on those transactions which have shown a profit and what are the total losses on those transactions which have shown a loss to the latest available date; and, in relation to steel imported under the cartel arrangements, what are the present office charges or what is the present average office charge made by the federation for handling this steel?

I am informed that, in addition to the material referred to in my reply of 26th January to the hon. Member, the Federation have imported 23,600 tons of iron and steel in addition to the amounts imported under the cartel agreement, and that the profit on this importation amounts to £3,120. The average charge on all imports under the cartel agreement amounts to 9.01d. a ton.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the note received from the insurgent authorities referring to the situation on the borders of Spanish Morocco?

Yes, Sir. I have received through His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye an informal communication from General Franco's Administration alleging that intrigues are being carried on by the French authorities in the frontier area of the French and Spanish zones of Morocco which are calculated to produce disturbances in Spanish Morocco in violation of existing treaties, and proposing that, by agreement between His Majesty's Government and other Powers parties to the Act of Algeciras, together with the other Powers parties to that Act at the time of its signature, an international commission should be appointed to carry out an investigation in the Spanish zone. I have caused the authorities at Salamanca to be informed that His Majesty's Government do not consider that a situation exists as between the French and Spanish zones of Morocco which justified diplomatic steps being taken by the Powers parties to the Act of Algeciras, and that the question of infringement, if any, of the Franco-Spanish Convention of 27th November, 1912, would be a matter between France and Spain.

Is it not a fact that there is not a word of truth in the allegations contained in this note, and is it not another example of the mischievous and misleading propaganda for which the Spanish insurgent authorities are responsible?

The hon. Member will appreciate that I would rather not make any comment. I would rather that my answer stood.

Do not such questions in themselves represent mischievous propaganda?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the Note received from the Spanish Government with reference to the four Italian divisions in Spain?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether full inquiry has been made by the Non-Intervention Committee into the charges of the Spanish Government concerning the invasion of Spain by German troops, and with what result; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter if the charges are found to be true?

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given on Wednesday last to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) to which I have at present nothing to add.

Will the Foreign Secretary bear in mind that if the delay is too long, the present retreat of the Italian divisions now in Spain may bring them back to their own country before he replies?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Council of the League of Nations has received a report from the three delegates of the health organisation of the League who recently visited Spain at the request of the Spanish Government for the purpose of drawing up a report and furnishing necessities for the relief of the Spanish civilian population; and will he give particulars?

Yes, Sir. I am arranging to place a copy of the report in the Library of the House.

Can the Minister say whether the Secretary-General of the League has submitted any names of any experts to the Spanish Government?

Yes, I think so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether all the countries represented on the Non-Intervention Committee have been formally asked to agree to the withdrawal of all foreign troops and volunteers from Spain; and, if so, which countries have not so far assented to the proposal?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have yet laid before the Non-Intervention Committee proposals for the immediate evacuation of foreign troops from Spain and for the organisation of an adequate system of supervision and control over this evacuation?

The question of the withdrawal of foreign combatants from Spain was, as the House is aware, raised by my Noble Friend Lord Plymouth in the Non-Intervention Committee on the basis of suggestions made by the German and Italian Governments in their replies to the notes which were addressed to them by His Majesty's Government regarding the prohibition of the despatch to Spain of foreigners for the purpose of taking part in the civil war. This matter is, I understand, now under discussion in the Committee.

Are we to understand that the Government have put forward a plan for evacuation and supervision?

No, Sir, not a detailed plan.

Is it not desirable to have the details as soon as possible, as it is a situation of great urgency?

Yes, but what we are concentrating on is to get the actual machinery of the present scheme going, and I have been kept busy on that during the week-end.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, the landing of Italian troops, with arms and munitions, in Spain for the purpose of making war on the constitutional Government of the country before 20th February, 1937, did or did not constitute a violation of the Non-Intervention Agreement, signed by Italy on 28th August, 1936, of the Briand-Kellogg pact for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy and of the Covenant of the League of Nations?

If by Italian troops the hon. Member means units of the Italian army, I have no evidence which establishes the landing of such units in Spain. In any event, the question of a violation of the Non-Intervention Agreement is one for consideration by the Non-Intervention Committee itself. I do not feel called upon to express an opinion with regard to the remaining parts of the question.

May I ask whether, in the view of the right hon. Gentleman, the fact that the Spanish Government have received large supplies of arms from Italy during the past week just outside Madrid constitutes a breach of the Non-Intervention Agreement?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding recent landings of Russian aeroplanes in Spain?

I have no official information on this subject.

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether it is in order to congratulate the French and Russians on the manner in which they manage to keep the landing of men and munitions in Spain out of the news?

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire of the Italian Government whether they have any official information?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the steamship "Springwear," which was chased into Gibraltar by General Franco's warships and there obliged to unload its cargo of wheat, will now be allowed to deliver this cargo to Alicante and will receive the protection of His Majesty's Navy against any further piratical acts that may be attempted?

The cargo of the steamship "Springwear" has been examined by the authorities at Gibraltar, acting under the powers conferred by the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Munitions to Spain) Act, and it has been found to consist entirely of grain. In pursuing her voyage the vessel will be entitled to the protection of His Majesty's Navy in precisely the same way as any other British ship.

Is it not a fact that the steamer was chased into Gibraltar by General Franco's trawlers, while the whole British Navy looked on, and was it not the purpose of the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Munitions to Spain) Act to prevent such an occurrence?

I do not want to pursue the matter by way of question and answer, but it is not true to say that she was chased.

Will commanding-officers of His Majesty's ships be informed in accordance with the Minister's answer to-day?

I do not think there is any necessity to inform the Navy because no extra information has been given.

In view of the unhappy experience of several of these ships, would it not be possible to organise convoys as the Dutch Navy do?

I do not think it would be possible to provide escorts for every ship without doubling the size of the Navy.

Is it clear that commanders of British ships have been informed that interference with British cargo vessels by General Franco's ships is not to be tolerated?

That is a separate question, but it is also true that they have been informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inform the Chilean Government that the unrestricted disposal of sterling exchange credits arising from British purchases of Chilean exports is not regarded with favour by His Majesty's Government, and that these sterling credits should be primarily restricted to the purchase of British goods and to fulfilling contractual obligations on defaulted Chilean Government loans floated in London?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 17th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that the Emperor of Ethiopia has sent a note to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations asking for League investigators to be sent to Addis Ababa to report on the recent massacres there; and whether His Majesty's Government will support such a request at the next meeting of the League Council?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Emperor of Abyssinia has now appealed to the League of Nations for an inquiry into the recent massacre in Addis Ababa, His Majesty's Government will use their influence to secure the holding of such an inquiry?

A copy of the note in question was received this morning at the Foreign Office and is at present under examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a report from the British representative at Addis Ababa concerning the reprisals there following the attack upon Marshal Graziani; and whether he will make a statement, especially as to the number killed and their complicity or otherwise in the bomb throwing?

I cannot add to the reply given by my noble Friend to questions asked on this subject on 8th March.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of how closely our action in regard to this matter will be followed by the coloured population in Africa under our government or control?

Yes; that is why we have given the information we have.

Are the Government prepared to support the protest against this massacre which has been made by the Emperor of Ethiopia to the League?

We have said publicly what we have to say on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Third International is actively engaged in fomenting strikes, disaffection, and sabotage in Great Britain and France, with the ultimate object of bringing about revolution and civil wars similar to that now being waged in Spain; and will he therefore confer with the French Government with a view to taking common action against this menace?

So far as the activities of the Third International in this country are concerned, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which my Noble Friend gave to a similar question asked by him on r5th February. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Will my right hon. Friend make representations to our friends across the Channel to the effect that a so-called ally whose chief preoccupation is to stab one in the back is a greater menace than an open enemy?

Do not strikes in this country arise out of the low wages paid?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether ex-service men in Ministry of Pensions hospitals are not in future to be allowed leave at Whitsuntide; if so, will he state the reason; whether or not leave is to be granted to these men during Coronation week; and, if not, whether this decision can be reconsidered?

Leave at Whitsuntide to ex-service men in Ministry of Pensions hospitals will be allowed, as it has been in the past, except so far as such leave has, for medical reasons, to be postponed to the summer for certain classes of patients, chiefly neurological. As to the second part of the question, I am giving instructions to the medical superintendents of Ministry hospitals which will enable them to exercise discretion in suitable cases to allow special leave in Coronation week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he expects to be able to make a statement on the matters forming the subject of recent representations by the National Society of Allotment Holders?

The representations of the society are receiving my careful consideration, but I am afraid that I cannot hold out any hope of early legislation on the subject of allotments.

In view of the very great importance of allotment cultivation in these times, will my right hon. Friend expedite a decision on the matters which were represented to him by the society?

There will be no delay in consideration, but this is a question of priority, because I have things more important occupying my attention at the moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many store cattle were imported into England and Wales for the years 1935 and 1936, respectively?

The numbers of store cattle landed at ports in England and Wales from the whole of Ireland in the years 1935 and 1936 amounted to 341,000 and 406,000 respectively, of which 284,000 and 353,000 respectively originated in the Irish Free State. In the same years, 907 and 6,334 respectively of the Canadian cattle landed at ports in England and Wales were licensed out to premises other than a slaughterhouse, but I am unable to say what proportion of these comprised store cattle for fattening. I regret that no particulars are available of store cattle landed at ports in Scotland and subsequently moved across the border into England and Wales, or landed at ports in England and Wales and moved into Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of cattle which have qualified for subsidy in England and Wales were home-bred?

Precise figures are not available. In particular, I have no information as to the number of imported store cattle which are landed in Scotland and subsequently certified for fat cattle subsidy in England and Wales or vice versa. It is estimated, however, that in the years 1935 and 1936 about 75 per cent. of the animals certified for subsidy in England and Wales were bred in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the reasons for the delay in the expansion of production in all branches of British agriculture, in view of the almost inevitable increase in the cost of living due to the rise in price of all commodities?

During recent years there has been a considerable expansion in several branches of home agriculture. Between 1930—31 and 1935—36 the volume of the total agricultural output in England and Wales increased by 14 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount of remission of Excise Duty that has been granted to sugar producers in this country during the last 13 years?

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind the difference between the amount of Excise Duty received on sugar and molasses manufactured in this country from home-grown beet and the amount of duty which would have been received had duty been charged on a similar quantity of British refined sugar and molasses of foreign origin. The approximate amount during the 13 years ended 31st March, 1936, is £15,275,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will be able to make any statement with regard to the action to be taken to assist the poultry industry in this country before the House rises for the Easter Recess?

No, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the earliest possible opportunity will be taken of improving the present unsatisfactory position?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total rateable value of land and property and the total acreage of land liable to drainage rate within the Great Ouse catchment area, and the total yield to the catchment board of the maximum precepts on the county councils permissible under the Land Drainage Act, 1930?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many schemes for capital works eligible for grants from the Ministry have been submitted by the Great Ouse Catchment Board since 1930; and what was the estimated capital cost of each such scheme and the amount of the grant made in each case?

The River Great Ouse Catchment Board have made application for a grant, under Section 55 of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, in respect of five schemes of capital works, details of which, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Most of these schemes form part of a comprehensive scheme estimated to cost £6,500,000 which was under consideration just before the financial crisis in September, 1931.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now make a further statement upon the issue of any special commemorative Coronation stamps and in what denominations they will be available?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to make any statement regarding the issue of coronation postage stamps?

I am glad to say that I have been able to arrange for the issue of a special Coronation stamp. This will be a 1½d. stamp, which is the denomination most widely used in the Imperial and inland services.

Do I gather from my right hon. and gallant Friend that this will be the only denomination issued?

Yes, I have thought that it would be better to issue a stamp which is in very general demand rather than some of the higher denominations which would not be so widely circulated.

Were the Royal Fine Art Commisison consulted about the design of the stamp?

They have seen the stamp, and I have had some helpful suggestions from them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider asking Parliament to extend to those persons permanently bedridden the same exemption from fees in respect of wireless licences as is at present extended to blind persons under the Wireless Telegraphy (Blind Persons Facilities) Act, 1926?

The extension of the concession of free wireless licences to permanently bedridden persons would raise many difficult questions. Similar extensions have been suggested from time to time on behalf of other classes deserving of sympathy; but the Broadcasting Committee of 1935, which reviewed the whole question, reported against any extension.

Is it not a fact that the Broadcasting Committee considered that this matter was in its infancy, and will the Minister consider the setting up of a Departmental Committee to investigate it?

I do not know the hon. Member's definition of infancy, but they inquired after the first 10 years.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state the personnel and terms of reference of the tribunal to be set up to inquire and report on the capitation fee to panel practitioners under the National Health Insurance scheme?

I am in communication with the British Medical Association on these matters, but I am not yet in a position to give the information desired.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give the information before Easter?

No, I do not think so, but I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman when I am ready with it.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention at an early date to deal with the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government on the Tyneside, which has now been issued?

asked the Minister of Health what action, legislative, administrative, or otherwise, he proposes to take on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Local Government in the Tyneside Area; and when he proposes to afford the House an opportunity of considering the recommendations?

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes, before the rising of the House for Easter, to make a statement as to the intentions of the Government upon the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government in the Tyneside Area?

As the hon. Members know, I have only just received the report of the Royal Commission on the Tyneside, but I can assure them that it is receiving consideration.

Can the Minister give the approximate date when the report will be discussed in this House?

And will the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing the evidence?

I will look into that point.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman the advantage, which other readers of this report have not, of knowing the financial effect of this scheme in the various areas concerned, and, if so, will be also undertake to publish that?

I will look into that point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the High Commissioner for Palestine has decided to add to his official staff persons from this country experienced in local administration for the duty of guiding and advising the local governing bodies under his jurisdiction?

The desirability of such an appointment has been under examination by the Government of Palestine. I do not think, however, that any further steps can usefully be taken pending consideration of the report of the Royal Commission.

asked the Prime Minister the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the nature and extent of the services to be rendered by the home producer of foodstuffs in time of war; and whether he will indicate the steps to be taken in time of peace to enable the home producer to meet the national needs if called upon in an emergency?

As I stated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage) on 16th March, the Government are considering every aspect of food supply, including home production, in relation to Defence, but I am unable at present to make a statement on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that home agriculture is not so able as it was in 1914 to respond to demands made upon it?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman also aware that when farmers have made application to the Potato Marketing Board to be allowed to grow more potatoes they have been told that they will he fined £500 if they do?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in view of the present shortage of lead, he will use his influence to have closed lead mines in the Special Area of Durham opened up?

Whilst I should be very glad to see these mines, which I understand are in the Pennines, reopened, if there was a prospect of continued employment, I am advised that the lead situation is not at present such as to call for any special steps by the Government to that end.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in view of the fact that the Government are probably the largest single purchaser in the country, employing trained personnel to do their buying for the War Office, the Admiralty, the India Office, the Crown Agents for the Colonies, the Office of Works, etc., without the intervention of intermediaries, he will extend this practice to the purchase and distribution of all raw materials required for the rearmament programme?

The system of supply for Government Departments includes main contractors, sub-contractors, sub-subcontractors and even smaller divisions of industry, and few of the firms involved specialise entirely on work in connection with Government orders. It would thus be difficult if not impossible to purchase and distribute raw materials for use by them in connection with Government work without having to introduce complete control of large branches of industry, a step which it is not considered to be either desirable or necessary at this stage.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence what positions or offices are now held by Lord Weir in connection with the rearmament scheme?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 11th November, 1936, Lord Weir acts in an advisory capacity to the Air Ministry in regard to questions of policy associated with supply, production and industry, in connection with the scheme of Air Force expansion. In addition, as indicated in paragraph 46 of the Statement relating to Defence issued as Command Paper No. 5107 of 1936, Lord Weir is a member of the Defence Policy and Requirements Committee which advises the Government on the rearmament scheme as a whole.

Are we to understand that Lord Weir still holds all those positions?

Certainly.

Is his position as official adviser a salaried position?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give time for a discussion on the Motion relative to incitement to sabotage standing on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. and gallant Member for the Handsworth Division?

In the present state of business it is not possible to provide a special opportunity for the discussion of this Motion.

Does not the Prime Minister think that the words used by the hon. and learned Member amount to an incitement to revolution far graver than that which involved a young man in a sentence of nearly a year the other day?

It is a little difficult to assess accurately the value of the spoken word. The hon. and gallant Gentleman, perhaps, puts a little too high a value upon it.

Was the speech any worse than speeches made by leaders of the Tory party in the years 1913–14?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the representations that have been made to him in regard to the political prejudice of the Albert Hall Council in refusing lettings of that building for public meetings; and, if so, will His Majesty's Government introduce legislation to stop this ban on free speech?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I had two communications. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that the Corporation, though incorporated by Royal Charter, is entirely independent of the Government, and there is no power to interfere with its discretion in the matter of letting the building. I do not consider that it would be at all desirable to confer upon a Government Department any such power, and I should not be prepared to suggest that legislation be introduced with that object.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement with regard to the efforts being made for the formulation of a scheme for the payment of wet time in the building trade?

The promotion of a supplementary scheme under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, to cover wet time is primarily a matter for employers and workers in the building industry, and they are in touch with my Department on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Bradford the city engineer managed on a certain occasion to guarantee every building worker a full week's work, and also provided them with facilities for working whether the weather was wet or fine?

This is a matter for the whole country, and not only for Bradford.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he would consider publishing the monthly total of registered unemployed in a form that will bring out more clearly than at present the fact that those included in the figures experience spells of unemployment which differ greatly?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, the communiqué on employment and unemployment issued each month already gives the percentages of applicants who have been unemployed for various periods. I will gladly consider whether the form of this statement can be improved so as to bring out the point more clearly.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can indicate what progress he anticipates for the present year in the reduction of size of classes where the number of scholars is 5o or more?

I anticipate a further diminution in the number of classes with over 50 scholars on the roll; but I am not in a position to forecast the rate of progress.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether, in view of the reductions that have been made, he will make expedition in 1937 to bring down the figure to what was intended to be done in this matter?

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable number of graduates of good degrees and admirable training who are quite unable to find a job, and will he not consider expediting the reduction of the size of such classes so as to absorb the surplus teachers?

Under the reorganisation scheme the number of classes of this nature will gradually diminish.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether expenditure by an education authority in aiding a suitable candidate to enter the Royal Navy through the special entry class will be regarded as ranking for grant?

Any proposal from a local education authority for aiding naval cadets would be considered by the board in consultation with the Admiralty, and any expenditure by the authority would rank for grant if it were made in accordance with arrangements approved by the board for the purpose.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that a circular is sent to all local education authorities informing them of this new provision?

I think that this question and the answer will have a similar effect.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of making arrangements whereby all ranks of the Territorial Army whilst on annual training, Easter training, or away on courses are entitled to send letters and postcards free of charge?

No, Sir. I do not consider that such a concession would have any material effect on recruiting for the Territorial Army.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the many protests relating to the birching of boys and of the widespread feeling against the continuance of this form of punishment for children, he will consider appointing a Departmental Committee to inquire into the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for East Hull (Mr. Muff) and Central Southwark (Mr. Day) on Thursday last.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the Minister's intention to include in the constitution of the committee representatives of women magistrates and others who have had experience of dealing with children; and, further, if there are children awaiting the infliction of this sentence at the time that the committee is sitting, will he afford the committee facilities for seeing the administration of the punishment?

My right hon. Friend pointed out, in the reply to which I have referred, that the members of the committee must be selected with a view to their approaching the subject with an open mind.

Would that debar persons who had been birched from being on the committee?

Are there any regulations governing the birching of boys; and, if so, can a copy of those regulations be placed in the Library of the House?

Yes, Sir, there are.

Would the Minister agree that the members of the committee would not have their minds biased by seeing the infliction of the punishment?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any information as to the method adopted in the birching of boys; what amount of clothing is taken off; whether the boy is medically examined before and after punishment; the number of persons present during the birching; the date on which punishment was last administered to a girl; and whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the chief constable of Northampton in connection with the case of a boy who received six strokes of the birch?

As the Committee of Inquiry which my right hon. Friend is proposing to appoint will no doubt take evidence as to the methods adopted by the police, my right hon. Friend considers that it would be better not to make a statement on this subject, but I am sending to the hon. Member an extract from the Home Officer circular to police on the question of medical advice. The Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, provides that the whipping shall be inflicted privately by a constable in the presence of a superior officer and of the parent if he desires to be present. The whipping of women and girls was abolished by an Act of 1820. I have not seen the statement referred to in the last part of the question.

Will the Home Secretary advise stipendiaries and local justices to refrain from committing any more boys for birching until the Committee has reported?

Does the hon. Gentleman believe that an open mind on this matter is a desirable thing?

asked the Home Secretary the objections which have been made by his Department to the experiments carried out by the Cambridge scientists with regard to air raid precautions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 18th February.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to submit to an impartial inquiry the air raid precautions schemes suggested by his own Department and the criticisms made of them by the Cambridge scientists?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins) on 4th March.

asked the Home Secretary for what period of time the official specification of the respirators supplied by the French Government for the civilian population are required to be effective against chloropicrin and phosgene; and how does this compare with the requirements for the special service grade 2 respirators which are being manufactured in Great Britain for the same concentration of gas?

The announcement that the French Government is proposing to provide a respirator for the civilian population has only recently been made, and no specimen, description or specification has been received. It is regretted, therefore, that it is not possible to reply to the second part of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will instruct the police that prosecutions under Section 91 of the Licensing (Consolidation) Act, which provides penalties for the sale of liquor without a licence much heavier than those permitted by the legislation under which action is usually taken, would be more likely to deter bogus clubs from their frequent breaches of the law?

So far as the Metropolitan Police are concerned, charges of selling intoxicating liquor without a licence are always included in proceedings against bogus clubs wherever practicable, and substantial penalties are often obtained. My right hon. Friend has no general information as to the practice in other parts of the country. He has no authority to issue any such instructions to the police as suggested, but the importance of the point which my hon. Friend has raised is appreciated and will be kept in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now been able to give any further consideration to the question of earlier pensions for spinsters; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 18th February to the hon. Member for Central Bradford (Mr. Leach), to which I have nothing to add.

Does the Financial Secretary mean that the Government are going to take no action whatsoever in regard to this matter?

If the hon. Member will refer to the answer, he will see that my right hon. Friend indicated he could not hold out any hope of action being taken at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport which of the highway authorities have not as yet complied with the suggestions issued to them in the circular forwarded by his Department for the purpose of having all roads treated with an effective method of surface treatment in order to prevent skidding; and whether there has been a noticeable decrease in accidents attributable to this cause?

I have had no reports from my officers of unwillingness on the part of highway authorities to use skid-resisting materials for surfacing schemes assisted with grants from the Road Fund. In the report on Fatal Road Accidents in 1933, 290 fatal accidents were alleged to have been caused by the skidding of motor vehicles. The corresponding figure for 1935 was 162, showing a reduction of 44 per cent.

Has the advice given to the highway authorities by the Minister in the circular been generally followed?

Yes, Sir, it has.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Traffic Commissioners in Scotland are satisfied with the wages being paid by the transport companies to the omnibus workers, as required by Section 93 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930; and whether, in view of the present dispute and strike of 10,000 workers, he will invite them to reconsider the present scales?

The Traffic Commissioners have no power to approve or review scales of wages.

Are they not required under the Section to see that fair wages are paid when a licence is granted?

If representations are made to them by an organisation representative of the industry, they may refer the matter to the Industrial Court for settlement, but I understand that no representation has been made.

Is the Minister aware of the bad conditions which obtain in Scotland, and will he not introduce legislation to deal with such grievances?

That is rather a different question; perhaps the hon. Member will put it down.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of miles of cycle tracks in England and Scotland, respectively?

There are 137 miles in England and Wales constructed or under construction and ¾ mile in Scotland. The Five-years' Programme contemplates the construction of about 500 single track miles in Great Britain, including about seven miles in Scotland.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend take steps to see that Scotland gets a rather fairer share?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state, for the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, the number of children attending schools, not including Arabic or Moslem schools, and the percentage which this constitutes of the total child population?

I assume that by the phrase "Arabic or Moslem schools" the hon. Member refers to schools in receipt of funds from Moslem religious organisations. The number of children who receive education in the Sudan Government schools, or schools subsidised or aided by the Government, is according to the latest reports available, 57,341. The approximate child population of the Sudan is 2,600,000, but, as no machinery for accurate computation exists in the more remote areas, this number must be treated with reserve. On the basis of these figures, the percentage is 2.2.

Are there any plans in existence for covering the huge number of children who are not now being provided for?

I understand that the attendance at the so-called out-schools is increasing.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the colliery or collieries which will restart on the South Crop coalfield to supply the projected coalite plant;

I have been asked to reply. When my right hon. Friend the Minister for Labour made his announcement on 9th March concerning this proposal, he made it clear that the completion of the negotiations was contingent on the passing of the Special Areas Bill. In these circumstances I should not be justified, at this stage, in disclosing information of the kind mentioned in the questions.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the financial success of a Coalite plant is very largely dependent on the disposal of the byproducts for hydrogenation purposes; and will he consider the advisability of having a hydrogenation plant erected in the district?

That has nothing to do with the questions on the Paper.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that British police widows, prior to September, 1918, are without pension and are depending on charity for subsistence, while widows after that date are in receipt of pensions; will he introduce legislation to remedy the grievance of those widows who are without pensions; and, if so, when?

This matter has often been considered, but my right hon. Friend cannot hold out any hope of legislation to alter the position.