asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will call a conference of secondary school authorities and university examining boards and invite them to devise a plan to spread school summer holidays over a more elastic period to meet the persistent demands of parents, railway companies, and those who provide accommodation at holiday resorts, and to prevent the inconveniences caused by the school summer holidays being crowded into one and the same seven weeks?

The fixing of secondary school holidays is a matter which lies within the discretion of the local education authorities or governing bodies concerned. The question of a wider spread-over of school holidays over the summer months has been brought to my Department's attention on a number of occasions, and the conclusion which they have reached is that there is no evidence that there is any widespread demand for such a change, or that, if it were practicable, it would meet with any general welcome from parents, teachers or the public as a whole. I do not, therefore, see my way to adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many uncertificated teachers are now receiving superannuation benefit; and what is the average annual amount received by each?

I am afraid that I cannot supply the information asked for until the complete index, which the Board are in process of setting up, of teachers in receipt of pensions under the Teachers' Superannuation Acts, has been compiled. To extract the information from the Board's records as they are at present would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many unemployed certificated teachers have received, or are receiving, short intensive training in physical exercises in order to become teachers or leaders under the physical training scheme?

Short intensive courses of physical training are available equally for employed and unemployed certificated teachers. My Department has no information as to the number of teachers who, at the time of attending such courses, are without posts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the West Riding education committee proposes to transfer an old Army hut and re-erect it as a temporary school at Cusworth Lane, Sprotborough, and that the Bentley education sub-committee recently paid £4,000 for the site on which to erect a permanent school; and whether, as the cost of removal and erection of the hut will be half the cost of a new school, he can state the age of the hut and whether he will withhold his sanction?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part of the question, any proposals that are submitted will be carefully considered by the board.

asked the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade what are the most recent figures for trade between this country and Soviet Russia; and what proportion of Soviet purchases are re-exports?

During the three months ended March, 1937, the total declared value of merchandise imported into the United Kingdom and consigned from the Soviet Union was £3,082,000, while exports to the Soviet Union amounted to £3,506,000, including re-exports valued at £3,017,000.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many persons are employed in the grade of chief clerk of commercial diplomatic offices; and how many of these are established officers?

There are no established chief clerks but there are 15 un-established officers who have this title. There are, however, eight established assistants to commercial diplomatic officers. Their duties are practically the same as those of chief clerks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that non-ex-service men are employed temporarily in clerical posts in certain of His Majesty's dockyards; that unemployed ex-service men with clerical experience, and in some cases previous Government experience, are registered for re-employment at the Employment Exchanges in the towns concerned; and whether, in view of the Government's pledge that ex-service men shall be given priority of employment in temporary clerical posts in the Government service, he will take the necessary steps to transfer the non-ex-service staffs back to their industrial work in order that effect may be given to this pledge?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 15th June to a similar question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Chatham Division (Captain Plugge).

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of patients during the past 10 years who have received treatment more than once in the institutions of the Welsh Memorial Association; and whether there is any scheme in existence by which discharged patients can be given after-care treatment?

I have requested the Welsh National Memorial Association to furnish me with the information asked for in the first part of the question, and I will let the hon. Member have the figures as soon as they are received. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that tuberculosis care committees have been established in six counties and one county borough in Wales. I have recently asked all the county and county borough councils in Wales to give their early and careful attention to the question of provision for after-care, and a report will be made to me by the Welsh Board of Health in due course.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of local authorities who adopt the policy of boarding out with foster parents deserted and orphaned children; and what is the number of such children?

The returns made to my Department for the 1st January last show that all the public assistance authorities in England and Wales except five had children boarded out at that date. The total number of children boarded out at that date was 6,396.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take the initiative in consulting with local authorities as to the preparation of schemes of public works, in view of the possibility of a marked increase in unemployment either during the winter months or in the next two or three years?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Mr. T. E. Harvey).

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Ministry is in possession of any list of schemes for public works, in order of urgency, which it may be useful to undertake if there should be an increase in the unemployment figures; and whether any plans have been made whereby such schemes can be put into operation with the minimum delay?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Prime Minister gave to the junior Member for the English Universities yesterday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is considering the organisation of public works, in view of the possibility of an increase in unemployment within the next two or three years?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Prime Minister gave to the junior Member for the English Universities yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has considered the petition dealing with damage by red deer addressed to him by four members of the sub-committee which, under the chairmanship of the late Lord Lovat, made unanimous recommendations for the reduction of the ravages of red deer in Scotland; and if he proposes to take steps to introduce the Bill agreed in draft by the interested parties?

Yes Sir. I am considering the petition referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the last part, I am afraid that I cannot at the present time make any statement as to the possibility of legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of old age pensioners in each of the counties of Scotland, separately, who are in receipt of public assistance, with the amount of allowance payable in each county?

I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available. Following is the answer to the first part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is informed of the rejection by the Unemployment Assistance Board of the transfer to them of numbers of men in West Ham, now in receipt of outdoor relief, who have lost their employment during recent years through general trade depression; whether he is aware that such rejection imposes a heavy financial burden on the local authority; and whether he will consider introducing legislation instructing the Unemployment Assistance Board to accept responsibility for all able-bodied persons under 65 years of age who, but for industrial depression in the district in which they reside, might reasonably have expected to have been in employment?

The qualifications bringing persons within the scope of the Unemployment Assistance Board are statutorily defined in Section 36 (1) of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934. A decision on each application is given in the first instance by the Board's Officer and there is a right of appeal against this decision by the applicant, or by the Public Assistance authority, to the Chairman of the Appeal Tribunal who is appointed by the Minister and not by the Board. I know of no ground for suggesting that the qualifications laid down in the Act require amendment or that the provisions for their application, particularly if the provision for appeal is fully exercised, are not such as fully to safeguard the position of Local Authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour when the alterations to the Portsmouth Employment Exchange are likely to be completed?

I have been asked to reply. It is expected that the new Portsmouth Employment Exchange will be completed in December this year.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that complaints have been made as to the unsatisfactory accommodation provided at the Employment Exchanges at Garnant, Ammanford, and Burry Port; and whether lie proposes to provide more suitable accommodation in the near future?

I am pressing on with the rehousing of the offices at Garnant and Burry Port. The premises at Ammanford were adapted and improved last year and I have had no complaints.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men with clerical experience were registered as unemployed at the following Unemployment Exchanges on the 1st June last, and of these numbers how many had served in clerical capacities in Government Departments: Chatham, Devonport, Plymouth, and Portsmouth?

The information asked for is as follows:

asked the Home Secretary what was the total number of boys and girls, with one or both parents alive, sent from approved schools to the Dominions without consultation with the parent or parents in the years 1934, 1935, and 1936, respectively?

Two boys emigrated in 1935 and two in 1936, in each case with the consent of his parents or guardian. There were no emigrations of boys in 1934 and no emigrations of girls in any of the three years.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the traffic congestion in Adler Street, London, E.C., owing to the practice of unofficial parking of motor cars; that the construction of the tube railway in this district has so restricted the use of the roads in this part of East London that the free use of all such side roads is essential to safety; and whether he will call the attention of the Commissioner of Police to the matter?

I am in communication with the Commissioner of Police in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Metropolitan Police have found any evidence justifying the theory that Miss Diana Battye was kidnapped?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that many orders for lime have been cancelled and others deferred following upon the announcement of a Government grant for liming; and whether, in order to bring about the minimum interference with trade, he will make an early announcement fixing the date at which the grant will take effect?

It is my intention, with the co-operation of all interests concerned, to bring the lime and basic slag scheme into operation as soon as possible after the necessary legislation has been approved by Parliament. The legislation will be introduced at a very early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the experiments of Dr. Gehricke, of the University of California, with chemiculture (soil-less) farming, and the results of the commercial application of his theories; and if his Department are pursuing similar investigations in this country?

Yes, Sir. So far as I am aware, however, there is no published information concerning these experiments. I understand that the Rothamsted Experimental Station is in touch with Dr. Gehricke, and that if and when further information concerning the process is available, the station will consider whether investigation is desirable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the amount of the producer's contribution per pig, per lb. of bacon, and per pint of milk required to meet the costs of operating the Pigs, Bacon and Milk Marketing Boards, respectively, for the latest completed account year in each case?

The contributions paid by registered producers under the Pigs, Bacon and Milk Marketing Schemes to meet the costs of operating the schemes during the last accounting periods in each case were, respectively, 1s. 2d. per pig, three-fifty-sixths of a penny per lb. of bacon and one-fifty-seventh of a penny per pint of milk.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the entrances and clearances of the tonnage of shipping entering and clearing to and from United Kingdom ports from and to foreign countries related to foreign ships?

During the year 1936 foreign vessels represented 55 per cent. and 51 per cent., respectively, of the total net tonnage of vessels with cargo that entered and cleared at ports in the United Kingdom from and to foreign countries.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information regarding the price of pit timber; and, if so, will he state the amount of the increase?

While I have no general information about prices of pit wood, I understand that prices have risen considerably during the past year, these increases ranging in some cases as high as 160 per cent, for imported and 60 per cent. for home-grown timber.

asked the Secretary for Mines to what extent the price of coal has been increased during the past two

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many of the 146 applications for financial assistance made to the Special Areas Reconstruction Association have been finally rejected; what were the reasons for their rejection; what is the total amount of financial assistance granted to the 36 approved applicants; and what is the number of workmen that will be employed by these firms when they are established?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to pages 10 and 11 of Command Paper No. 5474, which was presented to Parliament during the early part of this week.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of fatal and serious accidents to boys between the ages of 14 and 18 employed in the mines during the night-shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the years 1934, 1935, and 1936, respectively?

The information is as follows:

The 146 applications to which the hon. Member refers are those made to the Association in respect of new industries, as distinct from applications for assistance to existing concerns. Of these 146 applications, 93 have been rejected and 36 loans amounting to £256,150 have been approved; the remaining 17 are under consideration. The examination of applications is a matter for the Association, which may find itself obliged to reject them for a variety of reasons, and is only empowered by statute to assist projects which in its view have a reasonable expectation of ultimate success on an economic basis. The amount of employment which will be given by assisted businesses depends on many factors and cannot be accurately estimated, but I would remind the hon. Member that the employment capacity of small businesses, such as those for whose assistance the Association was established, is necessarily limited.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will represent to the German Government that they should honour their contractual obligations by restoring the defaulted sinking fund upon the 5½ per cent. German International 1930 (Young) Loan issued in the terms of the Treasury 1930 White Paper by which investors were invited to subscribe to this loan?

I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose to make representations upon this matter at the present time. In Article 7 (i) of the Anglo-German Payments Agreement of 1st November, 1934 (Command Paper No. 4726), tae German Government undertook that full interest would be paid on bonds in British ownership on 15th June, 1934, and this undertaking is of course being carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make any statement of his plans for the improvement of recruiting for the Army

My right hon. Friend proposes, before taking any further steps, to wait until it is possible to judge the effect of the improvements in conditions of service announced in connection with the Army Estimates for this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether compulsory elementary education is in operation in the island of Trinidad, West Indies; if so, what is the age period during which com- pulsory education is applied, and is it equally applicable to all white and coloured inhabitants; and what is the approximate amount of illiteracy in the island, if any?

On the 1st of May, 1935, the municipal area of Port of Spain was declared a compulsory school attendance area. The compulsory attendance age is 6 to 12, and it applies equally to white and coloured children. The latest illiteracy figures available for the whole island are for 1931, when the percentage was 43.1.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, taking the latest figures available, he can state the amount of contracts which have been placed in the special areas to date by the fighting services under the new re-armament proposals?

The value of contracts placed in the special areas between 1st April, 1936, and 31st May, 1937, amounted to £41,583,465. This figure covers only contracts placed direct by the Service Departments, and does not include any sub-contracts which may have been placed in those areas. In certain cases it has not been possible to separate orders placed under the rearmament programme from normal orders.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the proposed local inquiry into the Selby by-pass scheme will be held during the current year; and whether he is yet in a position to give the exact date?

Yes, Sir. The inquiry will be held on Friday, 16th July, 1937, at Selby.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Transport Advisory Council has yet made any recommendation to him as to the desirability of fitting guard rails to motor vehicles; and, if so, whether he will state the nature of such recommendation?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 14th June to the hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. W. H. Green), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Glasgow Corporation made application to the Traffic Commissioners to run omnibuses to the Glasgow Corporation waterworks at Milngavie and that the commissioners have refused the application; and what action he will now take to enable the Corporation to provide transport for Glasgow citizens who wish to visit these works?

Particulars of applications for road service licences, whether granted or refused, are not reported to me unless there is an appeal under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the House any information in connection with the Government's electricity plans; and if he can say when the Government intend introducing the Bill to deal with the electricity industry?

I cannot add to the statement which I made yesterday.