asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, in the first inquiry arranged by him under the Trunk Roads Act with regard to the provision of a by-pass and new bridge at Selby, the technical assessor assisting the Commissioner in charge of the inquiry was a partner in the firm of consulting engineers who have been responsible for framing the by-pass scheme which formed the subject of the inquiry; and whether he will give an undertaking that in all future such inquiries both the commissioner and his technical assistant will be free of any business interest in the subject of the inquiry?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that Sir Leopold Saville, whom he appointed as technical assessor to the commissioner charged with the duty of inquiring into and reporting upon the objections to the Selby by-pass scheme, is a partner in the firm of consulting engineers who were appointed by the East and West Riding County Councils, in conjunction with his department, to draw up the details of this scheme; and whether, in view of the resentment caused amongst those who attended the inquiry to submit objections he will disregard any report made as a result of the said inquiry and order a fresh inquiry to be held in which the assessor will not be in the position of sitting in judgment upon the work of his own firm?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the scheme for constructing a by-pass route at Selby was drawn up by the firm of Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners, and that at the public inquiry held at Selby, on Friday, 16th July, to hear objections to this scheme, the technical assessor appointed to assist the commissioner in charge of the inquiry was a partner in that same firm of consulting engineers; and whether he will arrange that in future inquiries of this nature the persons charged with reporting to him the objections of local interests will be of an entirely independent character?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a partner in the firm of consulting engineers who evolved the Selby by-pass scheme appeared in the position of an advisory judge upon the objections lodged against the scheme at the local inquiry held at Selby on 16th July; and whether he can give an assurance that in such inquiries under the Trunk Roads Act this procedure will not be repeated?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in the first inquiry arranged by him under the Trunk Roads Act with regard to the provision of a by-pass and new bridge at Selby, the technical assessor assisting the Commissioner in charge of the inquiry was a partner in the firm of consulting engineers who have been responsible for working out the details of the very bypass scheme which formed the subject of the inquiry; and whether he will give an undertaking that in all future such inquiries both the Commissioner and his technical assistant will be free of any business interest in the subject of the inquiry?

The person appointed by me to hold the inquiry is a member of the Bar, who is not an official of my Department. He will report to me in due course: and it is upon his report that I shall take my decision. I appointed as a technical assessor to attend the inquiry a distinguished engineer who is a partner in the firm to whom it is proposed to entrust the general supervision of the scheme, if it be decided upon, because I felt that in this case the inquiry was principally a matter of explanation and would be facilitated by his detailed knowledge of a complicated scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the installation of traffic lights on the Chertsey Arterial Road at Richmond, Surrey, at the crossing situated near the junction of Kew Foot Road and Parkshot, Richmond, Surrey, which is daily becoming more dangerous to pedestrians, as the 30-mile limit at this crossing is ignored?

Inquiries which I have made have led me to the conclusion that light signals are not warranted by the existing traffic conditions at this crossing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the present number of orders and regulations in force with regard to the construction and use of motor vehicles; and whether, in view of the difficulties of those engaged in the motor trade in keeping themselves informed of those orders and regulations, he will arrange to keep such traders, garages and other interests concerned fully acquainted with the contents of such orders and regulations and to supply them with copies when they are brought into force for the first time?

The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations have recently been consolidated into a single pamphlet and cover the main field. The conditions of fitness of public service vehicles are set out in a separate code as also the regulations made under other Acts as to lighting and number plates. In accordance with Section III of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, representative organisations are always consulted before regulations are made and the making of regulations is notified in the general and the technical Press.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to issue the amending regulations regarding the giving of notice to owners of motor vehicles whose motor cars are to be tested or inspected under the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1937?

Draft Regulations were circulated on 15th June, and I propose to make them as soon as certain points raised by those consulted can be settled.

asked the Minister of Transport when he hopes to receive the report of Sir Charles Bressey on the future traffic requirements of the Metropolis?

I expect to receive this report by the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Transport what action is being taken in the replacement of worn railway tracks?

As my hon. and learned Friend will appreciate. the responsibility for maintenance of their lines rests solely with the railway companies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of accidents during 1937 where 2½-ton lorries were involved; and how many accidents during the same period where 5-ton lorries were involved?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give a list of the firms of consulting engineers who have been employed by him in connection with his responsibilities under the Trunk Roads Act; and what steps are taken to apportion the work amongst the firms in an equitable manner?

No, Sir. I do not think that the publication by me of a list of consulting engineers would be in accordance with the wishes of the profession as a whole. The main consideration is the suitability of the firm for the work to be undertaken.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, during his aerial survey of trunk roads, he observed the congestion caused to traffic on the Great North Road where it passes through Doncaster, Retford, Newark, Grantham, and Stamford; how the congestion through these places compared with that on the Liverpool-Hull trunk road at Selby; and whether he will arrange that in all future by-pass schemes on trunk roads preference will be given to those schemes where traffic considerations render them most urgent?

I observed the line of the Great North Road through the towns mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend and the state of traffic. In determining priority of execution of road works all relevant considerations are taken into account, including the comparison of traffic congestion which, of course, involves study of the relative statistics.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of appointments which have been made to posts in the clerical grade in his Department during the period 1st July, 1935, to 30th June, 1937; and how many of such entrants were appointed respectively from the open clerical examination, the minor and manipulative grades examination, the "S" class, the clerical assistant grade, and the typing grades?

The total number of appointments during the period mentioned was 137. Of these, 92 were from the open clerical examination, 19 from the minor and manipulative grades examination, 19 from the "S" class, four from the clerical assistant grade and three from the typing grades.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the policy of His Majesty's Government as regards promotion of ex-service S-class clerks now serving in the Civil Service; and can he give an undertaking that, in view of the large number of appointments to the clerical classes during the past 10 years from other sources, a fixed percentage of 60 per cent. or more of vacancies in the clerical classes shall be reserved annually for the promotion of ex-service S-class clerks?

It was agreed when the special class was constituted that its members should be eligible on their merits for promotion to the general or departmental clerical classes, and this remains the policy of His Majesty's Government. I regret that I cannot adopt the suggestion contained in the latter part of my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the total number of ex-service P-class and S-class clerks in the Civil Service promoted since the 1st October, 1927, to the 31st March, 1937, to the general and departmental clerical classes; the total number of open competition recruits appointed to these two classes; the total number of women promoted to these classes for the same period; and the number of ex-service S-class clerks on the 1st July, 1937?

During the period 1st October, 1927, to 31st March, 1937, approximately 6,350 "P" class and "S" class clerks were promoted to the general and departmental clerical classes. During the same period there were approximately 9,100 open recruits to these classes, and approximately 4,600 women clerical assistants, writing assistants, shorthand-typists and typists were promoted to these classes. The latest date for which accurate information is available as to the total number of "S" class clerks employed is 1st April, 1936, when the number was 14,300. The number employed on the 1st April, 1937, will be available towards the end of the year.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is in a position to state when the Falmouth Committee, set up to examine the processes of getting oil from coal, will make their report?

I understand that the Committee is making good progress with its inquiry but I am not able to give any indication when its report is likely to be made.

asked the Home Secretary whether consideration has been given to the conditions upon which offenders may be placed on probation by a magistrate's court; whether any guidance has been given to magistrates on this question; and whether he will consider the provision of safeguards to prevent the imposition of inequitable or burdensome obligations as a condition of probation?

Yes, Sir. The Departmental Committee on Social Services in Courts of Summary Jurisdiction considered this matter and in its report published last year emphasised the importance of inserting in a probation order such conditions as are suitable to the circumstances of the individual case. The committee added a warning against the use of extravagant conditions, examples of which were brought to its notice and are quoted in the report. The attention of justices has already been called to this report, but my right hon. Friend will bear in mind the desirability of dealing with this particular matter in some future circular.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of abolishing the expressions bastardy and bastard in cases dealt with under the Bastardy Act and so remove what is considered to be a most opprobrious term?

The hon. Member's suggestion has been noted, but my right hon. Friend doubts if such opprobrium as attaches to illegitimacy would be affected by a change of terminology.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the revelations made in the report of the Chief Inspector of Factories as to the serious cases of illegal employment of boys between the ages of 14 and 17, he will consider the advisability of appointing additional inspectors?

The staff has been substantially increased during the last three years and as already announced in connection with the Factories Bill, the strength of the inspectorate is to be reviewed in the light of the provisions of the Bill.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement as to the progress of his conversations with representatives of the local authorities with regard to the finance of air raid precautions?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the proposals made to the local authorities by the Government to meet the cost of air raid precautions; and whether they will be submitted to the House for approval this Session?

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for the Everton Division of Liverpool (Mr. Kirby).

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department proposes to introduce further regulations affecting the use of sand and flint in sandblasting?

It was hoped that the substitution of steel shot and grit for siliceous abrasives in sandblasting would be adopted voluntarily, and good progress was made for some time. Recent reports, however, show that this progress is not being maintained and that there is even a tendency in some quarters to revert to the use of sand. If this attitude continues, there will be no alternative but to propose further regulations to deal with the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a series of loud explosions, being apparently part of a firework display in connection with a social function, took place at the Ranelagh Club at Barnes on the night of the 15th 16th July, wakening numbers of residents in neighbouring houses from their sleep and causing them alarm and distress; whether the Metropolitan Police have taken any steps in the matter; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to prosecuting the persons responsible and preventing any repetition of such conduct?

My right hon. Friend has made inquiry and finds that certain complaints in regard to this display were received by the police over the telephone on the night of the 15th-16th July. These complaints were immediately communicated by the police to the club, but they had no power to take any other action in the matter. The reports which my right hon. Friend has received do not disclose any offence in respect of which proceedings could have been taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the need for a better supply of steel billets for rolling mills; and whether he will take any steps to secure it?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Members for Wednesbury (Mr. Banfield) and Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total number of tramp ships engaged in the trade have been British ships among those chartered to load for European destinations from the St. Lawrence, the Plate, and Australia during the first six months of 1937 and for the same period of each of the years 1933 to 1936?

The only available information on this subject is that contained in the Reports of the Tramp Shipping Administrative Committee which have been presented to Parliament. This information relates principally to the River Plate trade, and no particulars are given for any year earlier than 1934. The revelant parts of the reports are as follows:Interim Report of the Tramp Shipping Administrative Committee (Cmd. 5004), Section 8, pages 7–8.Second Report of the Tramp Shipping Administrative Committee (Cmd. 5084), Section 7, page 6.Third Report of the Tramp Shipping Administrative Committee (Cmd. 5291), Section 7, pages 8–9.Fourth Report of the Tramp Shipping Administrative Committee (Cmd. 5363), Section 4c, page 11.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information indicating when and in what quantity shipment of iron ore from Bilbao and neighbouring ports to the United Kingdom is expected to be resumed?

I have at present nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 15th July.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Cabinet have had under consideration the position of a British ship inside Spanish territorial waters in danger of being sunk by gunfire from a Spanish rebel ship outside territorial waters; and if in such case the British ship is entitled to protection from His Majesty's Navy?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member by the Prime Minister on Monday, and my reply to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Mr. Acland) this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any attempt has been made by the control officials to ascertain the nature of the cargoes carried by the Italian vessel "Liguria" on its frequent passages between Italy and Spain?

I am informed that the "Liguria" is a fleet auxiliary. As such, this vessel, like the naval units of other Powers, is not subject to the provisions of the international scheme of observation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government or the Non-Intervention Committee are considering any plans to prevent vessels evading the observation system by flying a foreign flag outside the control waters and a Spanish flag when they reach the zone of control, and to deal with the question of foreign vessels temporarily transferred to Spanish ownership for the same purpose?

The hon. Member will have observed that in the proposals submitted by His Majesty's Government under Part B further measures for meeting the present situation and for filling certain gaps, such as those to which he refers, in the existing scheme of supervision have been put forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the progress of consideration of the British plan by the Non-Intervention Committee?

Yes, Sir. The British proposals were considered by the Chairman's Sub-Committee yesterday, and it will have been seen from the communiqué issued at the close of the meeting that the representatives unanimously agreed in principle that a provision for the establishment of international officers in Spanish ports should be incorporated in the general plan to be submitted eventually to the two parties in Spain. The Sub-Committee was, however, unable to reach agreement with regard to the order in which the other parts of the British proposals should be discussed, and the meeting was therefore adjourned in order to enable this question to be further considered by the various Governments.

asked the Minister of Health whether calves in the Government lymph establishment are slaughtered immediately before the extraction of the lymph used in vaccination; and, if so, what was the date of the alteration of the method of lymph collection formerly followed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The date of the alteration of method was 1st July, 1936.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in view of the interest now taken in Indian art and culture, he will say what steps are being taken to house the collections of the Indian Museum adequately; and, if no better building is available, whether plans are being considered for the more suitable decoration of the existing galleries?

The question of providing more suitable accommodation for the Indian Museum is receiving consideration. In the meantime it is not proposed to enter into any general scheme of redecoration of the existing galleries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the names of the local authorities in Scotland having mental institutions under their jurisdiction; those that have, for both nurses and attendants, a 48-hours week in operation; those that have decided to introduce a 48-hours week; those that have the question of a 48-hours week under consideration; and those that do not have a 48-hours week in operation and have not the question under consideration?

Following is the information:LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN SCOTLAND HAVING MENTAL INSTITUTIONS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION AND NAME OF MENTAL INSTITUTION.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the proposals made by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board to increase retail prices of milk to 7d. per quart during the months of November, December and January; whether this increased price is due to the lower levies now to be paid by producer retailers; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent exploitation of consumers?

I have seen the announcement made by the Board on this subject. The proposed increase in prices is not due to the revision of the levies payable by producer retailers hut is considered to be necessary to ensure production of an adequate supply of milk in the winter months. I have no authority to intervene in such matters except under Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government propose to take to arrest the decline of the pig population of this country?

The future policy of the Government with regard to the bacon industry is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the notices sent out by the Commissioners of Crown Lands in the manor and forest of Macclesfield, claiming sums for the extinguishment of manorial incidents; if he is aware that the owners of this property, which has been in their possession in some cases for 50 years, have never heard of these manorial incidents; that the phraseology of these notices is giving great offence; that many of these property owners are small people, often widows occupying small cottages; and if he will explain why this matter has been raised now and take steps to see that they are withdrawn?

My right hon. Friend is sorry if the notices referred to have not made the legal position clear. On 1st January, 1936, all manorial incidents, at Macclesfield and elsewhere, became automatically extinguished under the provisions of the Law of Property Act, 1922, and compensation assessed in accordance with the Act became payable to the Lord of the Manor. During the last ten years the Commissioners of Crown Lands have made voluntary agreements under the Act with a number of owners of property at Macclesfield. Where no agreements have yet been made and no compensation paid, notices, in a form similar to that used by the Commissioners in connection with other manors, are now being sent out with a view to the outstanding cause being disposed of before 31st December, 1940, which is the date specified in the Act for completion of these arrangements.The notices do no more than state the legal position and suggest that it would save expense if the owners made voluntary agreements and paid compensation accordingly. As explained in the notices, any of the small property owners referred to by my hon. Friend can obtain further information by application to the Manor Court Office, 43, Churchside, Macclesfield. In such cases the compensation payable would be very small.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement in respect of the widening of No. 1 Dock at Gibraltar?

In order that the docking facilities of our naval bases should be capable of meeting the requirements of modern ships it is necessary to undertake periodical improvements to existing docks. In this connection it has been decided to reconstruct and widen No. 1 Dock, Gibraltar, so that the dock will take any of the capital ships of the Royal Navy either at present in commission or building.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the decision of foreign Powers to mount 16-inch guns in new battleships will lead to a modification in the design of new British battleships; and if there are available either graving or floating docks capable of taking battleships mounting 16-inch guns?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 14th July to the hon. and gallant Members for Paddington, South (Vice-Admiral Taylor) and Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher). The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how the normal leave of officers and men in His Majesty's Navy has been interfered with by service off the Spanish coast; and whether any special steps are being taken to deal with this?

This service has not prevented officers and men from obtaining their ordinary allowance of long leave.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present practice adopted in the United States, Japan, and Italy with regard to employment in naval dockyards; and how the proportion of casual workers employed in the naval dockyards of those countries compares with the proportion in naval yards in this country?

I regret that I am unable to give any information concerning the continuity of employment of dockyard workers in the U.S.A., Japan or Italy. According to the latest returns, the proportion of workpeople employed on a casual basis in the Royal Dockyards at home is about 6½ per cent. of the total (3,000 out of 44,000. This proportion includes not only men entered for special jobs or for short periods, but a substantial number who will ordinarily be placed on the hired list after not more than six months' continuous service. The latter, though described as casuals, are virtually on probation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government has considered the question of putting Gibraltar in a state of effective defence; when the work will begin; and what will be the cost?

Since 1934 the work of modernising our defences at Gibraltar has been and is proceeding. It would not be advisable to announce either the character of the improvements or their cost.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will state the present position with regard to the proposed appointment of official shorthand writers in the Supreme Court; whether he can inform the House when the scheme will be put into operation; whether he can state the terms on which the working shorthand writers are to be employed; and whether the House will be given an opportunity of discussing the official scheme?

I am informed by my Noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor that it is hoped that the formalities connected with the formation of the Association to accept the responsibility of providing official shorthand writers in the Supreme Court contemplated by the committee presided over by Mr. Justice Atkinson will be concluded before the 30th July next. In that event it may be possible to bring the scheme into operation at the beginning of next term. The terms of employment referred to in the third part of the question will be a matter for the Association. I understand that there is no suggestion of any material alteration in existing rates. The last part of the question is not for me to answer but an opportunity would no doubt occur when the necessary estimate is presented to the House.

asked the Postmaster-General what number of his engineering staff are employed in advising the public on questions of interference by electrical apparatus with radio sets; and what expenditure is incurred in reference thereto?

The number of staff at present employed in assisting owners of wireless sets to obtain broadcast reception free from interference—expressed in terms of full-time staff—is about 250. The annual expenditure by the Post Office on this work is of the order of £90,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes by legislation or regulation to take steps to suppress interference by electrical apparatus with radio receiving sets?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 19th July to a question on this subject by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore).

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average cost of installation in a house of an internal telephone extension wire with plug and socket?

The charge for a telephone with one plug and two sockets at the residence rate is 3s. a quarter. This charge is based on the average cost of provision and maintenance.

asked the Postmaster-General why the cost of installation of a coloured telephone is £1, and 10s. extra if a bell is attached, while the black instrument is only 5s. with no charge for the bell attached to the instrument; and if the charges for installation of coloured instruments can be reduced to a figure approximating to the charge for the black instrument?

The black bell set is the standard and is provided free with any type of telephone. The charges for a coloured hand-microphone and a coloured bell set, whether attached to the instrument or not, are based on the average excess costs of these instruments over the costs of a standard black candlestick instrument and a black bell set. The charges cover the extra cost of maintenance and renewal as well as the additional manufacturing costs. I regret that in view of the substantially greater cost of coloured instruments there is no prospect of the charge for them approximating to the charge for black instruments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the position in the six provinces where the Congress party is in a majority position; whether the legislatures have all been summoned; in which provinces the Congress party has declared itself ready to form a Government; and what is the position in the remaining provinces?

The position is that in each of the six Provinces the Ministries appointed when the Government of India Act, 1935, came into operation have tendered their resignations and the Governor has invited the provincial Congress leader to form a Ministry. I understand that in all six Provinces the invitation has been accepted and that the new Ministries have now been formed. In Madras and Bombay the Legislatures have already met; in the remaining Provinces they will be summoned to meet at some date convenient to the new Ministries during this month or early in August.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether before or after the publication of the Report of the Royal Commission on Palestine and His Majesty's Government's statement of policy, and, if so, when, the report and/or statement of policy have been communicated to any, and which, Dominion Government; and whether any replies have been received and their purport?

Copies of the Report of the Royal Commission were sent confidentially to His Majesty's Governments in Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa in advance of publication, and the text of the statement of policy was telegraphed to them. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that the Liverpool public assistance committee are likely to incur a deficit of approximately £400,000 in the current year and that the greater portion of this amount is to be incurred in maintaining able-bodied unemployed persons who it was anticipated would be taken over by the Unemployment Assistance Board; and can he take steps to expedite the transfer of such persons to the care of the Unemployment Assistance Board in accordance with the past assurances of the Government;{2) whether he can make a statement to the House on the subject of the interview he had on 20th July with representatives of local authorities in special and distressed areas, stating what was the case put forward by the deputation; and what steps he proposes to take to remove their grievances?

I received yesterday a deputation from certain local authorities, including Liverpool, which made representations regarding the scope of the Unemployment Assistance Board. Their representations will be the subject of my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the extent of unemployment amongst sea-going workers on Merseyside as at 30th June last and how this figure compares with the figures on the same date in 1936?

At 7th June, 1937, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 8,307 wholly unemployed men aged 18 years and over registered at Merseyside Employment Exchanges as applicants for work as seamen. At 1st June, 1936, the number was 10,146.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements are made or contemplated by his Department in connection with the provision of vocational training for soldiers who have left or are about to leave the service?

The new training centre at Southampton is now available for receiving soldiers recommended by their commanding officers for a course of training on leaving the Colours. This centre will have accommodation for 400 men, though all the equipment is not at present installed. Similarly the new centre to be opened at Leeds in the autumn with accommodation for 550 will be reserved for men leaving the Colours. In addition, there are vacancies in the Ministry's other centres for a large number of men from the Army if room cannot be found for them at Southampton and Leeds, or if they prefer some other centre. It is contemplated that after next April my Department will take over the administration of the Army Vocational Training Centres at Hounslow and Chisledon, and utilise them for the training of ex-soldiers on lines similar to those at present adopted at those centres for the training of serving soldiers. It is estimated that in present industrial circumstances, the Ministry will be able to offer training to some 10,000 men leaving the Army in the course of a year.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the numbers of applicants for unemployment assistance at each of the exchanges at Ferndale. Porth, Tonypandy and Treorchy; and what proportion have had full determinations and partial determinations, respectively, under the regulations?

The numbers of applicants for unemployment allowances on the registers of the Ferndale, Porth, Tonypandy and Treorchy (including Ton Pentre) Employment Exchanges at 21st June, 1937, were 2,650, 2,219, 3,260 and 2,891, respectively. As regards the second part of the question I would point out that allowances may be adjusted under the regulations by way of increase or decrease on account of rent, special circumstances, or other matters within the discretion of the Board's officer. No information is available as to the numbers in which such adjustments have been made, either by way of increase or decrease, or in which no adjustments have been necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number, respectively, of married and single applicants for unemployment allowance at each of Ferndale, Porth, Tonypandy and Treorchy Exchanges in June, 1936, and the latest available date?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the latest figures of the registered unemployed at Grimsby in the following categories: men, women, juveniles; and, in addition, by age groups, number in standard benefit and number on unemployment relief?

This information is being compiled, so far as it is available, and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the temporary allowances granted in August, 1922, to Government servants in Malaya on account of the increased cost of living were cut by 50 per cent. in July, 1931, and abolished in January, 1932, because the country could no longer afford to pay them; that the acting chief secretary stated in November, 1935, that an increase of an average annual revenue of at least three to four million dollars was necessary before restitution of temporary allowances could be considered; and that from 1936 onwards the Government of Malaya have been in receipt of a monthly surplus of between two and four million dollars; and when the temporary allowances will be restored?

With my approval a local Committee has been appointed to advise whether in present circumstances the grant of any temporary allowance is warranted. The Chief Justice of Hong Kong has accepted the task of presiding over the Committee's investigation, and pending the result of this investigation I am not in a position to make any statement.