asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that cowmen and others engaged on farms are in many instances unable to obtain any Sundays off; and what steps he proposes to take to enable farmers to give the necessary facilities to their men for some Sunday leisure?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend is in favour of agricultural workers being given facilities for Sunday leisure where possible, but it will be appreciated that the care and feeding of stock necessarily involves a certain amount of Sunday work, and my right hon. Friend is not aware of any steps he could usefully take in the direction indicated by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in the long-term policy of the Government, he will consider the position of the small farmer farming under 100 acres of land, who today is at a serious disadvantage compared with those with large capital, who can go in for mass production, since today only large capital and mass production can ensure a fair return?

While not necessarily assenting to the premises contained in my hon. Friend's question, I can assure him that the position of the small farmer is being carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order to assist the small farmer who produces wheat and who has to sell the wheat to a miller to get the quota money and who wants to use this wheat for the feeding of poultry on his farm, he will take steps to make it possible for him to have the quota money and to use the wheat for poultry, etc., on his farm by having a check and inspection of the quantity on the farm?

The Wheat Act, 1932, does not give my right hon. Friend any power to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion and in any case my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the only effective method of checking the quantity and the quality of the wheat for which deficiency payments are to be made is that now in force.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can furnish an estimate of the average income per head, male and female, of persons not liable to Income Tax; and the amount per head of family in this category?

I regret that official statistics on this subject are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the request from the association representing the off-Licence trade to receive a deputation to discuss Clause 6 of the Finance Bill; and whether he intends to do so before the Committee stage?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; with regard to the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend has examined the points which the association have made in their letter to him and he will be prepared to deal with them in debate if necessary; but he is informing the association that he regrets he does not see his way to receive a deputation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the total amount of barley used for the brewing of beer in Great Britain during 1936; what percentage of this was British grown; and how this percentage compares with that for previous recent years?

Official statistics are not available as to the proportion of British-grown barley used in brewing. A percentage comparison between successive years is therefore not possible, but I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend and explain to him what information is available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, since the Civil Service Commission is the normal medium for the recruitment of members of general grades of staffs employed in the service, he will consider recruiting Government messengers through that medium?

Messengers in the Government service, in common with other grades of a comparable character, are recruited through the machinery of the Employment Exchanges, acting in conjunction with the National Association for the Employment of Ex-Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen. The present arrangements suit the convenience of all the interests concerned and I do not consider that a change in the present system would be of advantage.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a commencement has been made with a complete survey of the main roads for which he is assuming responsibility; and whether it is proposed to make this survey generally available before any decisions are reached with regard to the carrying out of major alterations to these main roads or the by-passing of any towns through which they run?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part I am under an obligation to hold a local inquiry into any proposal to construct a by-pass if so requested by a county council; in general an inquiry will be held into any major improvement scheme if the circumstances warrant.

asked the Minister of Transport what schemes for constructing by-passes round towns in Great Britain are now under contemplation; and what is the approximate annual traffic through each of these places?

There are some hundreds of by-pass schemes in contemplation. If my hon. and gallant Friend will inform me of any particular town he has in mind I will gladly supply what information I can.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give assurances that steps will be taken to ensure that railway stations or other buildings where crowds collect are not permitted to be erected so as to cause congestion on by-pass and other roads built at great expense to relieve traffic congestion in and out of great cities?

My Department has drawn the attention of highway and other local authorities to the powers conferred upon them by the Restriction of Ribbon De- velopment Act, 1935, to prevent or mitigate the type of development my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, and I shall do all I can to encourage them to make wise use of those powers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of extending the time limit in official parking places in the West End area of London from two to three hours after 8 p.m. in order to enable a certain number of those who come by car to visit theatres to make use of these parking places without moving their cars during the course of a performance?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amount received from the London Passenger Transport Board in 1936 from the taxation of its motor omnibuses and coaches, and also from the fuel consumed by them?

I am informed by the board that the cost of motor vehicle licence duty on their omnibuses and coaches for the year ended 3oth June, 1936, was £511,902 and of the duty included in the price of petrol and other fuel consumed by these vehicles was £1,503,803.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what further progress has now been made in the establishment of a central airport for London?

If, as I presume, my hon. and learned Friend is referring to the site at Fairlop, Essex, the position is that negotiations are still proceeding between the parties concerned and there is otherwise nothing that I can add to the reply which was given to my hon. and learned Friend on 17th March last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps have been taken to date consequent upon the findings of the Maybury Report?

The Committee's recommendation in regard to the setting up of a comprehensive scheme of wireless, meteorological and control facilities throughout the country is being actively pursued, and provision for work thereon has been included in this year's Estimates. The other recommendations which involve action by the Air Ministry are also receiving due attention, and a draft Order in Council will, I hope, be laid before Parliament in the near future to enable a system of licensing of air transport services to be established.

asked the Minister of Health, with regard to the Resolution passed by the House on 10th February, recommending the taking of active steps to ascertaining whether the Government's existing powers are adequate or require substantial reinforcement to prevent the destruction of beauty in town and country and of houses of historic or architectural interest, whether such an investigation has been made; who were the persons that made the investigation; and what were their findings?

Investigations are being carried out in my Department as indicated by my predecessor in accepting my hon. Friend's Motion on behalf of the Government, and my right hon. Friend is proposing to take the views of the Town and Country Planning Advisory Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the total number of Royal Air Force personnel killed and injured during practice for or on Empire air-day displays; and the number of aircraft lost or damaged and the approximate cost of this equipment?

Practice flying for Empire Air Day displays cannot be segregated from flying training of which it forms a normal and integral part. The only figures, therefore, which can be given relate to accidents occurring on the actual days of the displays. Six deaths are recorded as having taken place during the four years since Empire Air Day was initiated. The original purchase value of eight aircraft and their equipment which were lost or damaged was approximately £31,000, but this figure does not of course represent the actual financial loss incurred.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that Royal Air Force officers have in practically all cases reached a position of considerable responsibility by the age of 28, he will consider a reduction of the marriage allowance age from 30 to 28?

The regulations provide that an officer who has attained the rank of squadron-leader is, if married, to be recognised as such for the purpose of the issue of allowances even if he has not attained the age of 3o.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the employment cards pertaining to John Lindsay, 54, East King Street, Helens-burgh, whilst in employment with J. Kerrigan, 54, Sinclair Street, Helens-burgh, were unstamped during the period of employment with the result that he is now refused payment of employment exchange advances; and what steps, if any, he is prepared to take in the matter?

Payment of a part of the unpaid contributions in this case has been obtained from the employer, and all practical efforts will be taken to obtain further payment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will urge on the Commissioner for the Special Areas the importance of assisting in the reopening of limestone quarries in South-West and West Durham in order that agricultural lime may be produced in sufficient quantities for increasing fertility of the soil, and employment may be given to unemployed quarrymen?

My right lion. Friend is communicating with the Commissioner for Special Areas (England and Wales) in regard to this matter.