asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the quantity of coal exported to countries within the British Empire and to foreign countries for the year 1936?

During the year 1936, 5,110,000 tons of coal were exported from this country to British countries and 29,423,000 tons to foreign countries.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.
Year.				Estimated total wages bill.		Wage earners employed.
				Cash earnings.	Value of allowances in kind.
				£	£
1934	…	…	…	16,005,000	390,000	137,682
1935	…	…	…	16,005,000	377,000	129,704
1936	…	…	…	15,741,000	371,000	124,231

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will supply what figures he has of the approximate volume of unemployment as at the last available date in the United States of America, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Hungary?

Statistics of unemployment are not officially compiled in the United States of America. The number

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of mineworkers killed and injured in the mining industry in South Wales and Monmouthshire for the years 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936, respectively?

The information is as follows:

Number of Persons killed and injured at Mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, in South Wales and Monmouthshire during the years 1933 to 1936.
Year		Number of Persons.
		Killed.	Injured.*
1933	…	176	24,087
1934	…	163	25,963
1935	…	161	25,974
1936	…	148	Not yet available.
* Disabled for more than three days.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the total wages paid in the mining industry in South Wales and Monmouthshire; and the total number of persons employed for the years 1934, 1935, and 1936, respectively?

The information is as follows:of applicants for work on the registers of the Employment Exchanges comprised in or affiliated to the United States Employment Service was 6,115,443 at the end of February, 1937. This figure includes a large number of persons provided with employment on public relief work schemes.According to estimates made by the American Federation of Labour, there were 10,041,000 persons unemployed in January, 1937. According to estimates made by the National Industrial Confer- ence Board, an employers' organisation with headquarters at New York, the total number of unemployed in the United States in December, 1936, was 8,399,000. Both these estimates include persons engaged on emergency relief work schemes (approximately 3,500,000).In France, the number of persons registered at the Employment Exchanges at the end of March, 1937, was 415,179. It is understood that these figures are not representative of the total volume of unemployment in France, for which comprehensive statistics are not available.In Germany, the number of persons registered at the Employment Exchanges as unemployed was 1,610,947 at 28th February, 1937.In Italy, official statistics of unemployment have not been published since September, 1935, at which date the number of unemployed was 609,094. The index number of employment compiled by the Fascist Confederation of Industrial Employers was 100.99 in September, 1935, and 95.2 in December, 1936—average employment in 1929 being taken as equal to no.In Austria, the number of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit was 309,178 at the end of February, 1937; and the number of persons registered at the Employment Exchanges as seeking work was 407,475 at the end of January, 1937, the latest date for which statistics are available.In Hungary, the number of persons registered at the Employment Exchanges was 54,407 at the end of January, 1937.

Insured Persons aged 14–64.
—		Estimated numbers insured—July, 1936.	Numbers recorded as unemployed.
			23rd March, 1936.	15th March, 1937.
Clay, sand, gravel and chalk pits	…	17,870	1,946	1,590
Lead, tin and copper mining	…	4,270	1,043	714

asked the President of the Board of Trade what formula has been followed in allocating the subsidy to the for hundred and odd shipping companies?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will state the number of workpeople registered as unemployed from the china clay industry in March, 1936, and March, 1937;(2) the number of workpeople registered as employed in the china clay industry in March, 1936, and March, 1937;(3) the number of workpeople registered as unemployed from the tin mining industry in March, 1936, and March, 1937;(4) the number of workpeople registered as employed in the tin mining industry in March, 1936, and March, 1937?

The china clay and the tin mining industries are not separately distinguished in the statistics of employment and unemployment among insured persons, compiled by my Department. For the purpose of these statistics the former is included in the clay, sand, gravel and chalk pits classification, and the latter ill lead, tin and copper mining. Figures giving the numbers employed in the china clay and tin mining industries are, however, compiled at quarterly intervals by the Mines Department. These figures include uninsured as well as insured persons.The following table gives such information as is available:

Numbers Employed.
—		March, 1936.	December, 1936.
China Clay Industry	…	3,710	3,800
Tin Mining Industry	…	1,770	1,590

A full explanation of the method followed in calculating and paying tramp shipping subsidy in respect of the year 1936 will be found in the Memorandum on the Financial Resolution providing for assistance to British Ship- ping (Cmd. 4754), as modified by paragraph 6 of the Memorandum on the Financial Resolution providing for the continuance of the Tramp Shipping Subsidy (Cmd. 5082).

asked the Minister of Health how many rural districts in Wales are without a water or sewerage system; whether the absence of such systems is attributable to financial reasons; and whether any local authorities concerned have applied for State help?

Public water supplies have been undertaken for 554 out of a total of 895 parishes in Wales. In addition 30 parishes are known to have privately owned water supply systems. I have not the corresponding information as regards sewerage system. I am not aware of any necessary schemes of either kind in Wales which are not proceeding for financial reasons. Forty-two rural districts applied for and are receiving grants under the Rural Water Supplies Act, 1934. In the Special Areas, grants for sewarage works may be made by the Commissioner. Six councils have applied for and are receiving grants and one application is under consideration. Two councils outside the Special Areas have made inquiries as to the possibility of State assistance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with reference to the table of figures furnished by him on the 25th March last and the actual figures since published showing a reduction of £17,144,000, realised from Income Tax and Super-tax during the past year compared with 1925–26, His Majesty's Government will reconsider the expenditure contemplated in their defence programme?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the total amount paid in subsidies or subventions from State funds for the three years ended to the last convenient date?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons) on 18th March, 1936, and 15th March, 1937, which show the amounts of subsidies and subventions paid in 1934–35 and 1935–36 and estimated to be paid in 1936–37. I am sending him copies of these answers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the financial allocation to the various railway companies under the Railway Finance Corporation set up under the Railway Agreement Act, 1935. and the amount absorbed in each case?

The amount raised by the Railway Finance Corporation under the Railways (Agreement) Act, 1935, was £26,190,000. The railway companies borrowed this sum from the Finance Corporation in the following proportions:

	£
Great Western Railway Company	5,435,660
London Midland and Scottish Railway Company	8,894,717
London and North Eastern Railway Company	5,929,811
Southern Railway Company	5,929,811

If by the amount absorbed in each case the hon. Member means the amount actually transferred in cash by the Finance. Corporation to each of the railway companies, I am afraid that the quotation of any such figures would be misleading for the reason that certain of the railway companies have, pending the actual expenditure from time to time of the moneys borrowed upon the works authorised to be carried out, left a portion of the moneys borrowed with the Corporation for employment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the approximate net revenue from duties on home-made and imported beer and homemade and imported spirits, respectively, and imported wine, British wines, sweets, and hops for the year 1936?

The approximate net revenue drieved from the specified articles during the calendar year ended 31st December 1936, was as follows:

Beer:	£
Home-made	56,587,000
Imported	5,366,000
Total	61,953,000
Spirits:
Home-made	30,857,000
Imported	4,652,000
Total	35,509,000
Wine, Imported	4,950,000
Sweets, including British Wines	428,000
Hops and Hop Extracts	142,000

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of schools outside which policemen are on guard to protect children from passing traffic; and whether any casualties have occurred to such children at such places and, if so, how many during the last three years?

In the Metropolitan Police district there are 1,339 schools outside which police protection for children is given. The information asked for in the second and third parts of the question is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there is any improvement in accidents at the so-called black spots in London?

I am glad to say that the latest available statistics show a substantial reduction in the number of accidents to persons on these roads as a whole.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, owing to the rising costs of steel and other materials, the railway companies are considering the abandonment or modification of the improvement schemes scheduled under the Railway Agreement Act, 1935; whether he can state what schemes are likely to be affected; and whether the Doncaster reconstruction scheme is involved?

I have received no application for variation or postponement. The preliminary work relating to the improvements to Doncaster Station is proceeding.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the action of the London Passenger Transport Board in stopping at Tooting many of the trains marked for Merton, thus increasing the congestion and danger to passengers using this line; and will he take steps to prevail on this railway board to pay regard to the comfort and safety of the passengers?

I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that only in exceptional circumstances are trains marked as proceeding to Morden reversed at Tooting Broadway, and that this action arises from the necessity to adjust the train service after interruption on another part of the line. I am assured that in such circumstances complete safeguards are taken against any risk of accident.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that arrangements are being made to convey a private party of 9,000 persons in public service vehicles on a sight-seeing trip through the streets of London on the 22nd May; and by what authority the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner or any other person directs the route to be followed by these vehicles, and the time of their passing through London in order to avoid traffic congestion?

Any powers exercised are under Section 61 of the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the recommendations contained in the Report of the Select Committee appointed on 5th February, 1935, to consider and report on the existing state of unemployment in Bermuda; if he is aware that these recommendations provide for compulsory sterilisation; whether it is proposed to give effect to these recommendations by means of legislation; and, if so, whether he will intimate to the Government of Bermuda that the recommendations of the Select Committee are objectionable and that the proposed legislation should not be proceeded with?

The answer to the first part and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part of the question, I am informed by the Governor of Bermuda that no action regarding compulsory sterilisation is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the surplus realised in the Gold Coast at the end of the last financial year; whether this surplus, or any part of it, will be used for improving education; and, if so, on what branch of education?

Final information as to the surplus in 1936–37 is not yet available. As regards the remainder of the question, the Colony's Estimates for 1937–38 have not yet reached me for consideration but are expected shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, at the time of the financial crisis, salaries of Government officials in St. Helena were reduced by 10 per cent. and wages of workmen by 20 per cent.; that the 10 per cent. reduction has been abolished but, apart from certain increases made recently, the 20 per cent. reduction still obtains; what is the reason for this difference in treatment; whether he is aware that, in spite of the appointment of an agriculture and forestry officer, nothing substantial has been done to improve conditions; and whether he will make representations as to the desirability of a scheme of workmen's allotments in the Highlands for the growing of potatoes, which would help to meet the regular shortage of potatoes for Home consumers?

Owing to the financial crisis in 1932 the Acting Governor ordered a 10 per cent. levy on the salaries or wages of all officers and Government employés in St. Helena. The result was that official salaries were not commensurate with their duties and responsibilities and were in some cases actually lower than wages of unskilled labourers. The 10 per cent. cut in salaries was, therefore, restored. At the same time, in order to provide additional revenue to help meet the Island's deficit, a new customs tariff was introduced, designed to affect the labouring classes only lightly but others appreciably.In order to enable larger numbers of unemployed to be given employment wages were further reduced in 1933 by about 10 per cent. to a figure which a local committee had previously advised was sufficient to provide a reasonable standard of living. Following this reduction the number of labourers has been steadily increased and the Governor reports that there is no discontent on the part of the labourers employed by Government. I am fully alive to the importance of developing the agricultural resources of St. Helena and, in fact, since the appointment of the Agricultural and Forestry Officer to whom the hon. Member refers, promising beginnings have been made with several different export crops.With regard to the last part of the question, I am pleased to be able to say that a grant of £2,679 from the Colonial Development Fund was approved last month for the establishment of smallholdings for the growing of potatoes and other garden produce.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many applications for pensions have been made by ex-service men who have previously not applied during the last five years; and how many of such applications were successful?

I regret that I am unable to give figures which do not involve duplicate applications. I may say, however, that during the five years ended December last some 16,000 applications (more than half of which were from existing or former pensioners) were received for fresh disabilities claimed to be due to war service. Of these 2,600 were established and accepted for pension or treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the membership of the International Board for Non-Intervention in Spain; the principal officers employed by the board; and the contributions paid towards the expenses of its maintenance and operation by each Power?

The International Board for Non-Intervention in Spain consists of the diplomatic representatives in London of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Soviet Union, Italy, Poland, Greece and Norway, under the Chairmanship of Vice-Admiral van Dulm (Netherlands).The principal officers employed by the board are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the present position of British officials serving under the municipality of Alexandria; whether, in the event of their being discharged they will be compensated in the same manner as the foreign officials of the Egyptian Government under Law No. 28 of 1923; or, if they are to be retained in service, those who were recruited from their home country will be granted the same ex-patriation allowance as is paid to all foreign officials of the Egyptian Government and to all Egyptians on service outside Egypt?

There has been no change in the position of British officials serving under the municipality of Alexandria. As regards the second and third parts of the question, these matters are under examination by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration has been given to the question of developing products in the West African dependencies which will not unduly compete with the products of the West Indies?

I am not clear what the hon. Member has in mind. The chief economic products of the West Indian islands are sugar, bananas, mineral oil, cocoa, limes, copra, nutmeg and sea island cotton. Those of British West Africa are palm oil, palm kernels, ground nuts, cocoa, gold, tin, manganese, iron ore and diamonds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received from His Majesty's Ambassador in China the expected report on the arbitrary reduction by the Chinese courts of rents on property owned by British subjects in favour of Chinese tenants and on the absence of effective means of recovering rents from defaulting tenants?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Ambassador has had this matter under review and has discussed it with a subcommittee of the British Chamber of Commerce. He has informed the subcommittee that it would not appear possible for him to take any effective action until an instance of reduction of rent by the Chinese courts occurs of such a kind that it can be made the subject of a test case. Meanwhile, this question will doubtless figure in the international petition which, as my Noble Friend stated in answer to my hon. Friend on Monday last is to be presented to the Chinese Government.