asked the Secretary for Mines whether any of His Majesty's divisional inspectors have made any recommendations to him in respect of the strip system of packing now widely adopted in coal mines where coal is mechanically conveyed; whether he has considered the issuing of regulations to prohibit this method of packing; and, if not, whether he will consider making such regulations?

The divisional inspector for the Cardiff Division has made recommendations adverse to strip packing and in favour of solid stowing at collieries in that division, but I am advised that, in general, it would not be advisable or practicable to prohibit strip packing. The question of packing is being considered by the Royal Commission now sitting, and pending their recommendations I do not propose to take further action.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can provide a table illustrating changes in coal prices, inland and export, for each half-year 1936 and

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the amount of commercially disposable coal produced in this country for each year, 1929 to 1936, and for the first half-year of 1937, and the amount disposed of in the same periods within the inland and export markets, respectively; and whether the same information is available for the German coal mining industry?

The available information is as follows:1937, and separately for each of the producing districts of the country?

The following is the available information.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents which have occurred at the Dowlais-Cardiff Associated Collieries, Abercynon, Glamorgan-shire, for each year from 1929?

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if the Italian authorities have reported to the International Board of Control any evidence as to British patrol vessels having protected ships carrying ammunition to Bilbao during the siege, as alleged by the Italian Ambassador?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of Signor Mussolini's recently expressed desire for good relations with this country, he will call his attention to the fact that such good relations can only be hindered by the statements of the Italian Ambassador to this country that Great Britain connived at arms and munitions being conveyed to Bilbao during the siege of that town by Spanish rebel forces and ask for a withdrawal of these charges?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member has in mind certain observations made by the Italian representative on the Non-Intervention Committee at the meeting of the Committee held on Friday last. The hon. and gallant Member will have observed that the chairman subsequently stated that His Majesty's Government were not prepared to accept strictures on their conduct in the Spanish conflict from any quarter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will explain to the House the nature of any arrangement or friendly understanding existing between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Spain relating to the mounting of heavy guns in territory adjacent to Gibraltar?

I cannot at present add anything to the reply to a similar question asked by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. Kennedy) on Monday last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the reasons for the detention of the steamship "Sea Bank" at St. Jean de Luz?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Gorton (Mr. Benn) on 7th July, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in view of the statement of the Italian Ambassador that Italian patrol ships had been compelled to look on while smuggling went on between France and Catalonia, if any instances of such smuggling or of any other evasions of the control system have been reported by Italian or other authorities to the International Board of Control?

The hon. and gallant Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The statement to which he presumably refers was that made by the Italian representative at the meeting of the chairman's Sub-Committee of the Non-Intervention Committee on the 2nd July. According to the official communique of the proceedings, he there referred to maritime traffic directed to Spain along the territorial waters of Southern France and Catalonia and carried out by ships flying the Spanish flag and that of non-European countries. The scheme of observation adopted by the Committee does not relate to traffic of this nature.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any reports from His Majesty's officers in Spanish waters to the effect that insurgent warships are able to navigate in territorial waters adjacent to the port of Santander; and, if so, on what date or dates these reports were sent?

No definite reports of insurgent warships operating inside the three-mile limit have been received; but a destroyer was observed patrolling on the limit on 11th July. The senior naval officer reported on the 14th July that the insurgent cruiser "Almirante Cervera" and other warships were maintaining almost continuous patrol. Their actual distance from the shore no doubt varies whilst they are on patrol.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider postponing the start of the Anglo-Japanese conversations in London until the present trouble in North China has been terminated, in view of the probability that such conversations would be regarded as endorsing Japanese action?

No definite date has yet been fixed for the opening of the conversations in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Minister in Mexico City has furnished him with any report on the attitude of the Mexican Government in regard to its allegations towards the British holders of Mexican Government bonds; and, in the absence of any such report, whether, in view of the unprecedented prosperity which Mexico is now enjoying, he will instruct His Majesty's Minister in Mexico to take such steps as may be necessary with a view to arriving at some agreement for the repayment of such loans or the accrued interest thereon?

His Majesty's Representative has kept my right hon. Friend informed of the progress of the negotiations which have been proceeding in Mexico City for some time past for a settlement of the Mexican Government's external debt, but which have so far proved inconclusive.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the principal Allied and Associated Powers of the Versailles Treaty, the United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy and Japan, were the principal Allied Powers who selected His Britannic Majesty as the mandatory for Palestine; and, if so, whether he is ascertaining the views of these Powers as to the creation of the sovereign States contemplated in the Report of the Palestine Royal Commission?

The principal Allied Powers other than the British Empire who are mentioned in the preamble to the Mandate for Palestine as having selected His Britannic Majesty as the mandatory for Palestine are the same as the principal Allied Powers who signed the Treaty of Sevres, that is to say, France, Italy and Japan. These Powers were members of the Council of the League of Nations which on 24th July, 1922, confirmed that Mandate and defined its terms, and Article 27 of the Mandate states that the consent of the Council of the League is required for any modification of the terms of the Mandate. The Mandate was subsequently accepted on certain conditions by the United States Government under the Convention of 3rd December, 1924. His Majesty's Government do not in the circumstances propose to take any steps to ascertain the views of the principal Allied Powers as such.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount of the reserves in the Treasury of Palestine arising from accumulated budgetary surpluses; whether these reserves or any part of them have been earmarked for any particular purposes; and what is the nature of these purposes and the amount appropriated to each of them?

The estimated surplus balances of Palestine at 1st April, 1937, amounted to £4,819,914. This total includes a sum of £1,185,782 which has been spent in anticipation of the proposed loan of £2,000,000 and which has been treated as advances from and not charges to revenue. The total cost of works in progress or projected in connection with this loan is £1,942,000. The completion of other capital works in progress or to which the Government is committed will cost approximately £917,000 and this expenditure will fall upon surplus balances to the extent to which it cannot be met from revenue. Other commitments include £500,000 for the necessary Treasury working balance and £516,000 for arrears of railway renewals.The Government of Palestine have had in view further expenditure from surplus balances on various services exceeding the balance remaining after allowing for the commitments referred to. The whole question of future financial policy in Palestine will now require reconsideration in the light of the report of the Royal Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to recent negotiations between Germany and Portugal respecting renunciation by Portugal of her rights under the Treaty of Versailles; and whether any recent treaty has been signed between these two countries?

An agreement was signed at Lisbon on 29th June, 1936, between Germany and Portugal, and ratified on the 18th December, 1936, the purpose of which was to regulate the execution by Portugal of the provisions of The Hague Agreement of 20th January, 1930, whereby Portugal, in common with the other creditor Powers, renounced, in respect of property not liquidated before the 1st September, 1929, the right to seize and liquidate German property granted to her under Article 297 (b) and other provisions of the Treaty of Versailles.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of national expenditure for the American debt in each year since 1921, including the present year?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Annual Finance Accounts of the United Kingdom for the financial years 1921–22 to 1933–34. No payment has been made subsequently.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the amount of national expenditure for the National Debt sinking fund in each year since 1921, including the present year?

The hon. Member will find particulars of sinking fund payments in each of the years up to 1935–36 in the National Debt Return (Command Paper 5271 of 1936). For the year 1936–37 the amounts were:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now any statement to make regarding the assessment of crofters' dwellings in the Western Isles?

I am not in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the subject on 16th February last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths and serious injuries have been caused in Scotland during the current year through accidents arising from the existence of spiked railings adjacent to dwelling-houses; in particular, how many such accidents have recently occurred in Clydebank; and whether he will take any steps to secure the removal of these dangerous boundaries to property?

I regret that statistics for the whole of Scotland are not available, but I am informed that one person has been killed and one slightly injured this year in Clydebank as a result of such accidents. The Clydebank Town Council have promoted a Provisional Order in which it is proposed that the erection of spiked railings in or between back counts in the burgh shall be prohibited, and that the prohibition shall apply to existing railings after four years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any report will be issued by him of the transactions and decisions of the conferences on rural housing which have been arranged by his Department between the Scottish Department for Health and the Association of County Councils to deal with the recommendations of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee?

The purpose of the meeting, which took place on the 13th July, was to enable me to obtain the views of the county councils on the recommendations of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee in their Report on Rural Housing. I am considering the views expressed at the meeting but I am not yet in a position to make any statement regarding them. I hope, however, at an early date to issue a circular to county councils on the recommendations which can be carried out administratively and I will send a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of local authorities which have set up juvenile courts as set out in the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act, 1932; and what action he proposes to take to have such courts set up by those authorities which have not yet done so?

Orders have been made with regard to the setting up of juvenile courts in the counties of Renfrew and Fife; and following on the recent removal of certain legal difficulties involved the position in other areas is under active review.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take the initiative in preparing plans to lay out the land above the London outfall sewers, where suitable as two-way cycle tracks, and seek the co-operation of the local authorities concerned so that safety routes may be opened up to enable people to get to and from their work with greater ease?

I will confer with the responsible local authorities as to the practicability of this suggestion and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the schemes for electrification and improvement of the suburban services out of Liverpool Street are to be proceeded with or postponed; and, if the latter, for what reason and for how long?

I am informed that it is the intention of the Standing Joint Committee of the London Passenger Transport Board and the Main Line Railway Companies to proceed with the schemes for the electrification and improvement of the suburban services out of Liverpool Street Station as already announced.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the increase in unnecessary noises made at night by motorists starting-up and racing their engines and moving off in low gear, and the great inconvenience caused to invalids and others in the early hours of the morning through these noises; and what steps he has taken to cause a cessation of these practices?

It is an offence to use a motor vehicle on a road in such manner as to cause any excessive noise which could have been avoided by the exercise of reasonable care on the part of the driver. I hope the hon. Member's question will serve to draw the attention of motorists to this important provision of the law.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the removal of all studs from the light-controlled crossings in order that pedestrians may be compelled to follow the light signals instead of imagining that they have special privileges at these crossings as is the case at present?

The markings on the carriageway at light controlled junctions indicate the proper place for pedestrians to cross, to the advantage of both pedestrians and drivers. Paragraph 98 of the Highway Code instructs pedestrians only to cross at controlled crossings when the appropriate line of traffic is held up.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider amending the law in connection with the lighting of motor vehicles whereby all lorries and long-distance motor omnibuses of a width of seven feet or over would be compelled to carry orange width-lights on the body of the vehicle showing a light to the front and the rear, in order that users of the roads at night may realise the width of approaching vehicles and those about to be overtaken, as is the law in France at the present time?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, this proposal was carefully considered by my predecessor who was unable to adopt it for reasons which he explained at some length to my hon. and gallant Friend. I have reviewed the position, but see no reason to differ from the decision reached by my predecessor.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any further information to give with regard to the export of iron-ore from Spain to the United Kingdom?

I have at present nothing to add to the reply given on 22nd June to the hon. Member for South West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Wednesfield Steel Company has only been able to work half-time for the last five weeks owing to a shortage of steel for re-rolling, causing considerable local unemployment; and whether he is satisfied that such steel as is available is being distributed in an equitable proportion to all users, regardless of whether they are associated with steel manufacturing companies or not?

My attention has not previously been drawn to the difficulties of the Company to which the hon. Member refers, but I am making inquiries. As regards the second part of the question, I have no reason to think that the available supplies of steel for re-rolling are not being distributed equitably.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether steps have now been taken to adopt the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Private Manufacture of and Trading in Arms, 1935–36, with regard to the granting of specific export licences in respect of aircraft of military types, and to withdraw the existing open general export licence in respect of bayonets, swords, and lances?

Yes, Sir. The existing open general export licence for aircraft and aircraft engines and bayonets, swords and lances has been revoked with effect from the 9th August, 1937, and replaced by a new open general export licence which will apply only to civil aircraft and to aircraft engines. The text of the new licence has been published in to-day's issue of the Board of Trade Journal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state if lascar seamen employed in British ships are employed under any legal agreement; and, if so, who are the parties who are bound by such agreement?

Yes, Sir. Lascar seamen are engaged on agreements opened in India. These agreements must comply with the stipulations laid down by the Government of India. The parties to the agreement are the master, or owner of the ship or his agent, and the seamen concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the warning issued by his Department to the investing public in April last, conveying the view that only stockbrokers who are Stock Exchange members are to be generally trusted, represents his considered opinion; and, if not, why was it issued?

The warning against share-pushing issued by the Board of Trade in April last does not in my opinion convey the view suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War under which Army Regulation the authorities make a deduction of is. each week from the reservist pay of an ex-service man who is serving a term of imprisonment for failing to comply with a maintenance order?

Under Article 1220 of the Royal Warrant for the Pay, etc., of the Army, 1931, an Army Reservist forfeits the whole of his reserve pay for the period of his imprisonment.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the decision o the Metropolitan Water Board to appoint an air raid precautions officer only on a temporary basis, in the absence of any definite pronouncement on the part of 1he Government as to meeting any part of the cost of air raid precautions; whether he is aware that the delay in announcing the decision of the Government in this matter is causing local authorities considerable anxiety; and when he will be in a position to make a statement so that local schemes of air raid precautions can be put in hand?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to make any further statement in regard to the proportion of the cost of air raid precautions to be borne by the Treasury?

Arrangements have been made for the meeting with representatives of local authorities, referred to in my make a answer of 7th July, to be held on Monday next. I should prefer in the meanwhile to make no statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to introduce legislation at an early date to bring within the scope of the Workmen's Compensation Act taximeter cab drivers, working for employers, who are buying their cabs on the hire-purchase system?

The point has been noted for consideration but I am afraid I am not in a position to make any statement as to legislation for next Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to introduce legislation for the registration of adoption societies and agencies on the lines suggested in the recent report of the Home Office Departmental Committee?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 12th July.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider recommending an amendment of the Royal Warrant relating to the Albert and Edward medal so as to entitle recipients to the addition after their names of appropriate letters as in the case of all other awards by virtue of Royal Warrants for gallantry?

The use of letters after their names by holders of the Albert and Edward medal has been approved since 1918 and I do not think any amendment of the Royal Warrant relating to either medal is required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the proposal to establish an Institute of Central African Studies?

As indicated in the statement which appeared in the Press on the 30th June, the Rhodes-Livingstone Institute of Central African Studies is to be managed by a trust. I am satisfied that such an institute could prosecute many useful inquiries in Northern Rhodesia and I hope that the appeal for funds for the trust will be successful. The scope of the institute, and the amount of the contribution of the Government of Northern Rhodesia must depend on the public response.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the commission of inquiry into the finances of Nyasaland, which he has just appointed; and whether, in view of the serious effects of the present system of taxation, the commissioner will be authorised, if it appears necessary, to recommend a grant-in-aid from the Imperial Exchequer?

The terms of reference of the Commission have been published and, pending the result of the inquiry, I am not in a position to make any further statement. I would, however, point out as regards the second part of the question that the terms of reference include an inquiry as to whether and, if so, what modifications in the existing system of taxation in Nyasaland should be effected. As regards the last part of the question, it will be seen from the Estimates that Nyasaland already receives a larger grant-in-aid by the British Exchequer than any other Colonial Dependency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction on the part of drainage ratepayers in Horncastle and district in regard to the heavy rates levied upon them by the Third Witham Internal Drainage Board and that resistance to the payment of these rates on principle is continuing; whether he is aware that the drainage board has never yet held a meeting at which either the public, the drainage ratepayers, or the Press are admitted; and whether he will intervene to arrange for periodical public meetings of this board at which the reasons for the heavy demands can be made plain to the public and assurances given as to economy and other matters as in the case of local authorities who are empowered to levy rates?

I am aware that there has been dissatisfaction in the Horn-castle district with regard to the drainage rates levied by the Witham Third District Internal Drainage Board, and I communicated some time ago with both the Internal Board and the Witham and Steeping Rivers Catchment Board with regard to possible adjustments in that district. With regard to the last part of the question, the admission of the public and the Press to meetings of the drainage board would appear to be governed by the Local Authorities (Admission of the Press to Meetings) Act, 1908, and I have no power to intervene.

asked the Minister of Agriculture is he aware that the Third Witham Internal Drainage Board made a demand upon Mr. R. Todd, of 46, South Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, for an occupier's drainage rate of 15s. which was stated to be in arrear, together with 1s. 6d. fine; whether he is aware that Mr. Todd had received no demand or notice for the amount stated to be in arrear; and whether he will have an inquiry made into the circumstances in which this fine was levied?

I have no information with regard to the matters referred to in the first part of the question. I will, however, make inquiries of the drainage board and will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the intention of his Department to subsidise State organisations, such as the Government laboratory at Weybridge, with the object of offering public services at a cost which will crush competitive industry, or, alternatively, whether he will take into consideration the fact that the present policy adopted by the laboratory at Weybridge may have this effect?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 8th July to questions on this subject by the hon. Baronet the Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to take any definite steps to protect the poultry industry before it collapses?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has had full inquiry made into the condition of many poultry keepers in the country, largely brought about by the increase in the prices of feeding-stuffs; and whether he can state to the House the intention of the Government in regard to the matter?

I am aware of the position of the poultry industry, but, as I informed the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) on 5th July, I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, before submitting any amendments to the Milk Marketing Scheme, he will publish the report of the commissioner who conducted the public inquiry into the amendments, in order that Members of Parliament may be adequately informed of all the facts in connection with the matter prior to Parliamentary discussion?

Following the usual practice, I do not propose to publish this report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many persons have been settled on the land under the operations of the Land Settlement Association, Limited, since its formation?

The number of men who had completed their training for full-time smallholdings under the Land Settlement Association's Scheme was, on 30th June last, 39, and the number still in training on that date was 691. These settlers and their families (in so far as the latter have already been transferred to holdings) number 2,998 persons.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of hours per week normally worked by the nursing staffs, male and female, in naval hospitals ashore?

The hours worked by nursing staffs in naval hospitals vary with the work to be done. The normal hours of nursing sisters may, however, be taken as 51 per week for day duty and 64 for night duty, and of sick berth staff, 54 a week for day duty and 73½ for night duty. These figures have been arrived at after deducting time allowed for meals and recreation. Nursing sisters are placed on night duty one month in every six and sick berth ratings one month in every three. The normal duration of night duty is one month.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the average numbers of established and unestablished workers, respectively, engaged at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, during the year ended 31st December, 1936, or other suitable date; and what was the total sum collected for hospital purposes from the established workers during that period?

The average numbers of established and unestablished workers engaged at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, during the year ended 31st December, 1936, were 277 and 2,538, respectively, and the total sum collected for hospital purposes by deduction from the wages of established workers during that period was £150.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what precautions against fire were taken when the recruiting film The Gap was screened recently within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster?

Non-inflammable films were used, the projectors were housed in a fireproof cabinet, fire extincteurs and hydrants were provided and the Resident Engineer was in attendance.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Ipswich, as chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he will consider the advisability of establishing a milk bar in this House to encourage the sale of milk?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on the same subject to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) on 3rd March, 1936.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will concede to authorised officers of a local authority the right under Section 287 of the Public Health Act, 1936, to enter any offices under his control for the purpose of ascertaining the conditions therein?

The Act provides that any local authority to which the Act applies may agree with the appropriate Government Department that any of the provisions of the Act shall apply to a Government property. My right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider any representations which may be made by a local authority regarding the application of Section 287 to offices under his control.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many unemployed disabled ex-service men are in receipt of a pension; if he is aware that a large number of pensioners register at the Employment Exchanges, having no benefit to draw and no prospect of being found work; how many are receiving relief from the public assistance committees; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

The particulars asked for with regard to Unemployment and Public Assistance do not come within the scope of my Department. I am, however, informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, that on the 5th April, the latest date for which his Department has figures, there were 33,398 disabled pensioners registered at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain, of whom 31,000 were applicants for unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance; and that during the quarter ending on the date referred to 4,687 disabled pensioners had been placed in employment by the Employment Exchanges.With regard to the third part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11th February last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the effect that the statistical returns in the possession of the Department do not distinguish holders of disability pensions from other recipients of Poor Relief. I understand that the position in this respect is unchanged.On the information before me I have no grounds for thinking that the situation calls for any special action which I should be competent to take.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, taking the figures for any recent period, he can arrange for an analysis of the 300,000 odd persons who have been on the register for benefit and unemployment allowances for over 12 months, with the object of establishing how many of them are actually over 60 years of age?

I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind when the next analysis of the unemployed according to age is made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of unemployed people on the register of the Portsmouth Employment Exchange at the latest available date and the corresponding figure for each year from 1931, inclusive?

The following Table gives the information desired:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of insured persons between the ages of 16 and 64, excluding agricultural workers, in the boroughs of Greenwich and Woolwich, respectively, on the register of the Employment Exchanges on the 21st June, 1937, and on the same date in 1931?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th July, 1937; col. 1093, Vol. 326) supplied the following statement:At 21st June, 1937, the numbers of insured persons aged 16–64 years (excluding persons insured under the Agricultural Scheme) resident in the metropolitan boroughs of Greenwich and Woolwich, recorded as unemployed were 1,165 and 1,523, respectively. Figures on this basis were not compiled ill 1931, but from such information as is available, it is estimated that the corresponding totals for 22nd June, 1931, were approximately 3,300 for Greenwich and 5,330 for Woolwich.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the chairman of a court of referees in Greenock makes a practice of intimating that claimants in his court have no right of appeal to the umpire against a majority decision of his court; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this chairman?

I have not been able to find any foundation whatever for the statement contained in the hon. and learned Member's question.

asked the Minister of Labour for what reasons and by what authority any discrimination is made against coloured applicants for public assistance; and is he aware that smaller amounts have been paid to such applicants in British seaports on the ground that their standard of living is lower than that of other British citizens?

I understand the hon. Member to have in mind the practice of the Unemployment Assistance Board in this matter. If so, I would refer him to my reply to the hon. Member for Rhondda West (Mr. John) on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he expects to receive the report of the committee of inquiry into holidays with pay before the Summer Recess; and, if so, will the report be printed and circulated to Members?

No, Sir; I do not expect to receive the report before the Summer Recess. When the report is received I will, of course, consider the question of publication.

asked the Minister of Labour when the last report submitted to him, or his predecessors, by the delegates of His Majesty's Government to the International Labour Conference was published; what sessions of the International Labour Conference have since been held; and whether he intends to arrange for the publication of the reports of the delegates of His Majesty's Government to those sessions at an early date?

The last report submitted to the Minister of Labour by the delegates of His Majesty's Government to the International Labour Conference was published in February, 1934, since when four annual sessions and a special maritime session have been held. As summaries of these conferences appeared in the Ministry of Labour Gazette and the volumes of the verbatim records of the proceedings are regularly published and are available in the Library of the House, no further publication has been considered necessary. I have arranged for the records to be brought up to date.