asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence what are the terms of reference of the committee he has appointed to examine the question of producing oil from coal; whether this committee will have the authority to retain experts to advise them and to examine and report what has been done in connection with this matter on the Continent, more particularly in Germany; and whether the committee will call evidence from any engineer or chemist who has held responsible positions in connection with any oil from coal plant operated abroad?

The terms of reference of the committee are:

"To consider and examine the various processes for the production of oil from coal and certain other materials indigenous to this country, and to report on their economic possibilities and on the advantages to be obtained by way of security of oil supplies in emergency".

As regards the second part of the question, the committee has not been restricted in any way as to the manner in which it should carry out its work and I am quite satisfied to leave the points mentioned to the committee.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will make a special investigation into the working of overtime in the Nottinghamshire coalfield?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13th July to a question by the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. C. Brown), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give a table showing the coal exports from this country, the South Wales ports, and Germany to the principal markets of the world for each year since 1928 and for the first six months of this year?

The information is being prepared and I will send it to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of civil servants employed in the Isle of Man by the Inland Revenue?

None, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give any indication as to when the report of the committee which is investigating the advisability of a contributory pensions scheme for workers in the Royal Ordnance Factories is likely to be available?

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to the investigations which I have instituted following a proposal that a committee should be set up to consider a contributory superannuation scheme for industrial workers in Government service. These investigations, which arose out of an undertaking which I gave to consider certain representations made to me by a deputation, are being actively pursued, but the subject is a complicated one, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any and, if so, which of the following articles are now being issued as part equipment to the 11th Hussars and any other and which mechanised units, namely: spurs, clasp-knife for removing stones from horses' hooves, cavalry bandoliers, swords, sword-knots, sword-belts, riding-breeches, cavalry-putties, puttee-tapes, and lanyards; if so, with what object such issues are being made; and when it is intended to cease such issues?

The whole question of uniform and personal equipment for soldiers of mechanised units is at present under review, and in the meantime all the articles of equipment mentioned are issued to mechanised cavalry regiments and cavalry armoured car regiments, including the 11th Hussars. The object of continuing such issues is to maintain uniformity of equipment until the new scales are introduced. The new scales will be published as soon as possible after certain trials have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of including in the quarterly Army List a nominal roll of officers and men who have been awarded the Albert medal for deeds of gallantry in the execution of their duty?

Since the institution of the Albert medal in 1866, no list of military recipients has been included in the Quarterly Army List or its supplements. The recipients of this medal are entitled to the distinctive letters "A.M." after their names, and those whose names appear in Monthly or Half-Yearly Army Lists are so described. The publication of special lists of service recipients of the medal would inevitably raise the question of publishing not only lists of civilian recipients of the medal, but also similar lists in respect of other awards for gallantry which take precedence of it, a task which would involve unjustifiable labour and expense.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of officers and crew engaged on War Department vessels in June, 1936 and June 1937?

The total numbers of officers and crew employed on War Department vessels, at home and abroad, in June, 1936, and June, 1937, were 347 and 403 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any communication from the Chorley Rural Council relative to their difficulty in providing adequate sewers for property erected in connection with the new munition factory in their area; and, if so, what reply has been given?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I may, however, add that an agreement between the Chorley Borough Council and Chorley Rural District Council and myself in regard to the disposal of sewage is in course of preparation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the average wholesale price of tea in each of the preceding four years, with the quantities of tea in stock in London, on comparable dates in each year, respectively; and whether it is contemplated that increased supplies will be encouraged in order to prevent unjustifiable prices from being imposed upon consumers?

The following statement shows the annual average wholesale prices of tea sold at London auctions in each of the years 1933 to 1936, and the quantities in bonded warehouses in London at 31st December, 1933 to 1936:

Year.	Annual average prices.*	Stocks in bond in London at 31st December.
	Pence per lb.	Lbs.
1933 …	11·70	274,036,532
1934 …	13·27	286,884,700
1935 …	12·90	251,227,624
1936 …	13·07	218,146,506
* The prices are exclusive of import duty which was as follows:—

	Standard	Empire Preferential.
	per lb.
1st January, 1933–21st April, 1936.	4d.	2d.
22nd April, 1936–31st December, 1936.	6d.	4d.

As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Colonies on 6th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the serious decline in the imports of tea, he will take steps towards the immediate removal of the restricting scheme now restraining production to 87½ per cent. of the standard?

I am informed that the decrease of imports into this country in the early months of this year below the imports in the same months of 1936 is due to several causes, the most important of which is that increased supplies of tea are being taken by outside markets. The imports for June were approximately the same as for the last two years, and the increased release of 5 per cent. announced some two months ago, which means an addition of some 40 million lbs. annually to supplies, should be reflected in substantially increased imports in later months of this year.While I should be happy to see some decline in the prices of common teas from their present level, I see many objections to approaching the other countries parties to the International Control Scheme with a view to its removal, nor do I think that such an approach, if made, would be successful.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any official investigation has taken place into the circumstances of the death by drowning of two keepers of the "Monach" lighthouse; what conclusions were arrived at; and what is the position of their dependants regarding compensation or relief?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses that full inquiry was made into this case by them and by the Procurator Fiscal acting for the local authorities. The conclusion arrived at was that the keepers concerned had been drowned as the result of an error of judgment in attempting to cross a narrow sound in a small boat when the weather was unsuitable. Full compensation has already been paid to the dependants of one of the keepers, and the case of the other, where proof of dependancy has not so far been furnished, is under the consideration of the Commissioners.

asked the Minister of Transport how many Acts of Parliament containing how many sections are at present in force dealing with the use of the roads and offences relating to such use; how many statutory orders and regulations have been made under the said Acts; and, in order that motorists and other users of the highway may inform themselves as to the said Acts and regulations, will he consider issuing them in consolidated form?

So far as the ordinary road user is concerned, the principal Acts are the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, and the Road Traffic Acts of 1930 and 1934, but numerous provisions of the Highways Act of 1835 and the Town Police Clauses Act, 1847, remain upon the Statute Book. If an enumeration could be made of the Acts of Parliament relating to the use of the roads, and of the sections whereby offences have been created, it would give an entirely misleading impression, because so many affect only limited classes. I have already approached the local government associations in regard to the possibility of consolidating the highway law in England and Wales.I am sending my bon. Friend a printed list of orders and regulations made by the Minister of Transport other than those of a local nature. Changing conditions necessitate amendments from time to time, but considerable progress has been made with consolidating the several codes and the matter is one which is being borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that less than 10 per cent. of the farms in this country have electricity supplies; and whether he will bear in mind the needs of the agricultural community in this respect when he is framing forthcoming legislation in connection with the electricity industry?

The point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend will certainly be borne in mind in framing the forthcoming legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the average annual consumption of bacon per head for the last five years, respectively?

The following statement shows the estimated consumption of bacon and ham in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1932 to 1936, inclusive:

Estimated consumption of bacon and hams.
Calendar Year				Total. 000 cwt.	Per Head. lbs.
1932	…	…	…	13,758	33·2
1933	…	…	…	11,690	28·1
1934	…	…	…	10,595	25·4
1935	…	…	…	10,533	25·2
1936	…	…	…	10,644	25·3

NOTE.—The above figures do not include the output of small curers not registered under the Bacon Marketing Scheme. The Market Supply Committee estimated, on the basis of a sample investigation carried out in January and February, 1935, that such output amounted to between 640,000 cwt. and 800,000 cwt. in 1934, equivalent to 1½ to 2½ lbs. per head.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government propose to take to prevent the further reduction of the acreage under potatoes in this country?

According to information supplied by the Potato Marketing Board, there has been no reduction in the acreage planted this year by registered producers. On the contrary there has been a slight increase.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, when new internal drainage boards are being established, built-up areas which are in the eight-feet level but do not flood are, or are not, allowed to be included; and will he see that the necessary steps are taken to exclude from the jurisdiction of existing internal drainage boards those parts of the city of Lincoln which are built up and do not flood?

The inclusion of land in internal drainage districts is governed by Section 1 (5) of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, which provides that drainage districts other than catchment areas shall be such areas as will derive benefit or avoid danger as a result of drainage operations. Generally speaking, land in built-up areas that is above the level of the highest known flood should not in my right hon. Friend's view be considered to derive benefit or avoid danger as a result of drainage operations. With regard to the last part of the question, the boundaries of existing internal drainage districts that include a portion of the city of Lincoln can only be altered by means of a scheme or schemes made by the Witham and Steeping Rivers Catchment Board under Section 4 of the Land Drainage Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will ascertain whether there are catchment or drainage boards who hold meetings, or have held meetings, at which the Press are admitted?

Representatives of the Press must normally be admitted to meetings of catchment and other drainage boards by virtue of the Local Authorities (Admission of the Press to Meetings) Act, 1908, and I have no reason to suppose that these bodies do not comply with the law in this respect.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he can state the number of persons employed in agriculture in Monmouthshire for each year since 1926?

The following statement gives the numbers of agricultural workers, including casual employés returned by occupiers of agricultural holdings over 1 acre in extent in Monmouthshire on the 4th June of each year from 1926 to 1936 inclusive.Numbers of Agricultural workers in Monmouthshire:

Year.				Number.
1926	…	…	…	5,140
1927	…	…	…	4,863
1928	…	…	…	5,014
1929	…	…	…	5,020
1930	…	…	…	4,600
1931	…	…	…	4,702
1932	…	…	…	4,610
1933	…	…	…	4,396
1934	…	…	…	4,164
1935	…	…	…	4,044
1936	…	…	…	3,773

NoTE.—The above figures exclude the occupier, his wife and domestic servants, but include relatives assisting in the work of the farm.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the average monthly number of unemployed workers in the jute industry in Scotland for the years 1934, 1935, and 1936, respectively; and whether the figures are increasing during the present year?

The average numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64 years, in the jute industry classification recorded as unemployed in Scotland were 10,880 in 1934, 8,868 in 1935 and 7,996 in 1936. For each of the first six months of 1937 the figure was considerably lower than the figure for the corresponding month in any of the preceding three years. Since February of this year the numbers unemployed have shown a steady decline.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many schools in England and Wales remain on the black list; and what progress is being made in the reduction of the number?

There are still 999 schools on the Board's list of schools with defective premises. Plans for the reconstruction, improvement or replacement of 129 of these have been approved by the Board. I have no doubt that as reorganisation proceeds and definite conclusions are reached as to the future of the remaining schools, further progress will be accelerated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the number of men employed on the construction of aerodromes for his Department in June, 1936, and June, 1937; and whether any discharges have taken place recently?

The information asked for relates to contractors' employés and is not in my possession.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what are the maximum temperatures and humidities recorded in this House during the past week; and whether he can make any statement concerning the better cooling or ventilation of this House in the summer months?

The maximum temperature and humidity in the House during last week were 75°F. and 84 per cent. Consideration is being given to a scheme for the better ventilation of the House and, after this has been put into operation, it will be possible to judge, in the light of the resultant effects, whether a system of air conditioning in addition is desirable, and whether the large expenditure which it would entail is warranted.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether an assurance can be given that not only will Parliament be consulted but, in addition to consultation with the native peoples in the South African protectorates, their consent will be obtained before any transfer of administration to the Union of South Africa is agreed to; what was the nature of the instructions issued to British officials in the protectorates in 1935 in respect to the creation among the Africans of a more conciliatory attitude to the Union; and what is the nature of the new instructions now contemplated?

As regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave to questions which were asked on 9th July. As regards the second part, the letter which my predecessor sent to the High Commissioner after the discussion with General Hertzog in 1935 made it clear that agitation amongst the populations of the territories against transfer to the Union should be discouraged, and that the administrations of the territories should concentrate on getting everyone in the territories, natives and Europeans aike, to work for the success of such measures of co-operation with the Union Government as might be found possible. The High Commissioner was asked to work out as comprehensive a scheme of cooperation as possible. With regard to the last part of the question, I explained in the House on the 9th July that I proposed to communicate with General Hertzog regarding further possible practical steps to implement the policy agreed in 1935. I am not in a position in the meantime to make a further statement as to this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a forecast of the Palestine Report published in the "New York Times" of 4th July; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to determining if the contents of this forecast indicate that a leakage of confidential information had taken place?

My attention has been called to the article in question, which would seem to show that a leakage did take place. It is not easy for His Majesty's Government to institute inquiries as to how or where an American newspaper obtained its information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to make the Report of the Royal Commission on Palestine available to the Arabs and the Jews in their own respective languages; and whether any statements of Government policy on the Report have been broadcast to these communities?

Arabic and Hebrew translations of a summary of the Report were prepared before the date of publication and have been widely distributed throughout Palestine. On the evening of publication the programme of the Palestine Broadcasting Station contained a reading of a full summary of the report and a speech by the High Commissioner in the three official languages. The recent speech delivered by the Chairman of the Commission in the British broadcasting programme was repeated from the Palestine Broadcasting Station.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has taken any and what steps to invite a formal expression of the views of Arabs and Jews, respectively, on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Palestine and His Majesty's Government's statement as to policy; and, if so, with what result?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Imperial General Staff has been consulted as to the defensibility of the suggested frontiers between the projected Arab state and Jewish state in Palestine; and, if so, what is the purport of their advice thereon; and whether it will be communicated to the Permanent Mandates Commission when considering His Majesty's Government's statement of policy as to Palestine?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The other parts of the question do not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any figure showing how far the mortality among infants and children in Barbados has improved since the West Indian Sugar Commission of 1930 reported on the starvation of infants prevailing in that Colony?

I regret that the infant mortality rate in Barbados, which was 251 per 1,000 in 1930, showed only a slight improvement in 1935, when it was 220 per 1,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether conditions in the Rhodesian copper belt are now quiet, and whether any restrictions are in operation against the activities of the religious sect known as Jehovah's Witnesses?

I have received no reports recently to suggest that conditions in the copper belt are other than quiet. As regards the second part of the question, the only restriction in force is that the importation of any literature of the Watch Tower Society is prohibited if in any instance the Government of Northern Rhodesia considers such literature to be definitely subversive.