asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the greatest total liability of the British Government at the present time in respect of exports guaranteed to any one foreign country?

I have been asked to reply. In the interests of British trade, it is not considered desirable to state the amount due at any particular moment by any particular country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there have been any negotiations with the United States of America concerning a common policy in connection with the purchase of gold?

There has been, no occasion for such negotiations. The arrangements under the Tripartite Monetary Agreement, in regard to which there is close contact between the two Treasuries, are working to the full satisfaction of the Governments concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Report of the Herring Industry Board may be expected?

I am informed that the Report of the Herring Industry Board is in preparation and will be submitted before the end of the present month.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the centres in Wales and Monmouthshire where gas-masks for issue in case of need to the civil population will be stored in bulk?

The location of depots for the storage of civilian respirators in those parts of Wales and Monmouthshire which are considered to be in the danger zone has not yet been finally decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, on behalf of the Government, state that they have no intention of relinquishing to Nazi Germany or to any other State any territories over which to-day we exercise political control?

I have.nothing to add to Previous statements. On this subject made On behalf of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state those heavy industries which maintain an eight-hour day, and those in Which a seven-and-a-half-hour day is now in force?

Included in industries, in which the normal length of each shift, for workpeople engaged on processes which are carried on continuously by day and night, is usually eight hours, Inclusive of meal times (subject in some eases to a shorter shift on Saturday) are:

• Coke Ovens and By-product Works.
• Cement Manufacturer.
• Brick, Tile, etc., Manufacture.
• Heavy Chemical Manufacture.
• Pig Iron Manufacture.
• Iron and Steel Smelting, Rolling, etc.
• Non-ferrous Metals, Extracting, Refining and Rolling.
• Tinplate Manufacture.
• Iron and Steel Tube Making.
• Iron Ore Mining and Quarrying.

The practice as regards stoppages for meals varies in the different industries and, to some extent, at different works. In some cases there are recognised meal intervals varying as a rule from 15 to 30 minutes, whilst in others no break for meals is formally recognised.In industries in which work is not performed on the basis of continuous shifts the normal weekly working hours are in many cases 47 or 48, exclusive of meal times, but as the working week usually consists of 5½ days, the length of each day's work (except on Saturday) exceeds eight hours.In the coal mining industry the hours of underground workers are 7½ per shift, reckoned from the time the last

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in spite of the assurances given during the past two years, no commencement has been made with regard to the building of the new post office at Stowmarket, and that this inflicts hardship on shopkeepers in the vicinity; and whether he will give a reassurance that the matter will not be delayed further?

His Majesty's Office of Works have the question of commencing this building in hand. I regret that owing to extreme pressure it has not been possible to begin building as soon as had been previously arranged, but it is now anticipated that building will commence in September.of this year.

asked the Minister of Transport how many qualified scientists are employed under the Electricity Commission and the Road Research Board; and what were the equivalent numbers in 1930?

The numbers for the Electricity Commission are 12, as compared with seven in 1930. The expenses of the Road Research Board are borne on the Vote for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, administered by my right hon. Friend.the Lord President of the Council. I understand that the staff of that Department includes for the Road Research Board.21 scientific officers and 19 assistants, as compared with a total of 15 When the board was first set up in 1933.