asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can tell the House the names of the delegates who will represent the United Kingdom at the forthcoming Assembly of the League of Nations?

The composition of the United Kingdom Delegation at the forthcoming session of the League Assembly will be as follows: Delegates:The Secretary of State for Scotland,The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and myself.Substitute Delegates:The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health,My hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward),Mr. Beckett, Assistant Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office,Viscount Astor.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to state how many petitions have been presented during the past five years by minorities in Europe to the secretariat of the League of Nations; how many have been considered by the League Council; how many have been successful; and how many rejected?

So far as can be ascertained, during the years 1932–36 122 receivable petitions from minorities (not counting supplementary petitions) were presented to the League of Nations. Sixteen of these petitions were placed on the agenda of the Council. Seventeen are still under consideration. The remainder were declared closed by the Committee of Three to which they were in each case referred. About two-thirds of the 105 petitions received and decided in 1932–36 were closed on the grounds that no breach of the minorities treaties had been established: in the remaining cases some form of satisfaction was given to the petitioners' requests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the present whereabouts of Tafara Werk, until lately interpreter at His Majesty's legation in Addis Ababa, who was arrested and imprisoned by the Italian army while he was still in His Majesty's employ?

Tafara Werk, who was formerly employed as interpreter at His Majesty's Legation at Addis Ababa and subsequently at His Majesty's Consulate-General, is not a British subject and his functions have never entitled him to enjoy a privileged position. While, therefore, His Majesty's Government have had no locus standi to make representations on his behalf, the matter of his arrest and exile to Italy was nevertheless taken up with the Italian authorities. I am glad to be able to state that the Italian Government have now agreed to free Tafara Werk. Discussions are still proceeding about the detailed arrangements to be made in respect of his release. His Majesty's Government appreciate the good will which the Italian Government, and the personal interest which, I understand, the Head of the Italian Government, have shown in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye to make representations to General Franco concerning the present lamentable condition of 5,000 wounded Basques at Santander; and whether, in view of the lack of hospital accommodation and medical equipment available there, he will urge General Franco to allow ships evacuating these wounded to pass unmolested into and out of the territorial waters adjacent to that port?

While His Majesty's Government have every sympathy with the sufferings of those involved in the Spanish civil war, it would not be possible for them to intervene on behalf of members of the combatant forces of either side except in support of an international humanitarian initiative which was applicable to both parties in Spain. As the hon. Member will be aware, no such initiative has yet been found acceptable.

asked the Prime Minister how many members of His Majesty's Government own shares in companies which directly or indirectly control iron ore deposits and mines in Spain; and whether he intends to ask these persons to dispose of these shares, in view of the danger of partisanship in the civil war which their ownership may cause?

I have no information in regard to the first part of the hon. Member's question, and I see no reason why I should ask for it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that there has been no abuse of the use of British flags by any merchant vessels trading with Spain which are in fact owned or operated by either of the two contesting Governments in that country?

I am not aware of any abuse of the British flag in the circumstances specified in the question; but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I should be glad if he would send me particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the public interest, he will give the House the information possessed by the Government regarding the calibres and numbers of the guns erected in Spanish territory adjacent to Gibraltar; and, if not, whether he will state what special public interests will suffer by the disclosure of such information?

This question was put on the Paper before the statement on this subject made in the course of Debate yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will appoint a Departmental Committee to examine the anomalies that exist in the Widows' and Old Age Pensions Acts and to report on the demand for an increase in the old age and widows' pensions?

I do not think that a committee such as the hon. Member suggests would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government have received any recommendation from the Import Duties Advisory Committee on the application for increased duties on butter and cheese?

The Import Duties Advisory Committee have informed the Government that they have considered the application submitted to them by representative organisations of milk producers for increased duties on butter and cheese. I understand that the applicants had in mind that the proceeds of the duties should be applied as a subsidy for the benefit of the milk industry. The committee, having regard to the fact that it is not within their competence to advise as to the appropriation of revenue derived from import duties and to the fact that no material assistance could be given to the milk industry by means of increased duties, even of a very high order, and even if duties equal to the increase in the rates on foreign produce were imposed on Empire produce, have informed the Government that they could not make any recommendation on the application.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the apprehension felt in some quarters, he will indicate whether National Defence Contribution will apply to the income of superannuation funds of insurance companies and similar bodies where employers and employés jointly contribute for the purpose of providing retiring or disability pensions?

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member has in mind those Superannuation Funds established for the benefit of employés in a trade or undertaking as defined by Section 32 of the Finance Act, 1921. Such a fund will not be liable to the National Defence Contribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the request for a committee of inquiry into the question of reckoning temporary service for pension in the case of ex-service civil servants and the question of age-barred officers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald).

asked the Financial Secretary of the Treasury whether he is aware of the complaints made as to the delay in the payment of industrial assurance claims made against the Shield Assurance Company, Limited; whether the industrial assurance commissioner has inquired into the matter; and if so, with what result?

The Industrial Assurance Commissioner is aware that complaints have been made as to delay in the payment of industrial assurance claims, but he understands that all agreed claims have been met. If my hon. and gallant Friend knows of any cases in which claims are unpaid, perhaps he would supply such information to the Industrial Assurance Commissioner as will enable them to be investigated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of back-to-back houses remaining in Northumberland and Durham, respectively; and what steps are being taken to expedite the conversion or removal of these houses?

I have no statistics relating specifically to back-to-back houses in these counties. I am satisfied, however, that the local authorities in these counties are well aware of the desirability of dealing suitably with such houses in the course of their operations under the Housing Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the Northumberland and Durham mining villages there are large numbers of earth-closets, far below modern standards, in districts where facilities obtain for suitable water carriage system; and whether this matter has his particular attention?

Yes, Sir. Schemes for the conversion of 25,000 closets in these counties have been entertained by the Commissioner for the Special Areas.

asked the Minister of Health how many rural district councils in England and Wales have made application to the Rural Housing Committee for Exchequer grants in respect of new housing accommodation required for the abatement of overcrowding among the agricultural population under the terms of Section 108 of the Housing Act, 1936; and the number and amounts of the grants approved by him under that section up to the end of June, 1937?

Applications have been received from 61 Rural District Councils and up to the 30th June applications from 52 councils, covering 1,117 houses had been considered by the Rural Housing Committee. On the recommendation of the committee I have undertaken to make the following Exchequer contributions, payable annually for 40 years in respect of each house:

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Registrar-General of Births has effected an amendment of an entry of birth under reference 5253 R. 37 of his Department without statutory declarations from both the mother and the husband; having regard to the fact that false information has necessitated the amendment of column 6 of the entry, why the Registrar-General has accepted the particulars in column 4 without corroborative testimony from the informant; and whether he will take steps to call for medical and other evidence to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of the particulars given in column 4 of the entry?

The Registrar-General has no power to authorise the correction of an error of fact in a birth register except upon statutory declarations by "two credible persons having knowledge of the truth of the case." In the case referred to the entry of the child's paternity cannot be corrected since the fact itself is in dispute between the husband and wife. The mother's statement that the entry of her husband's address was incorrect was, however, supported by declarations by credible persons that the husband did not reside at the address in question; and no declaration by the husband was necessary. The Registrar-General accordingly authorised the correction of this particular, which is not, indeed, in dispute.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the large increase in the export of iron and steel, scrap and waste, fit only for recovery of metal, during the last six months; and, in view of the need for this iron and steel in this country, will steps be taken to stop these exports?

I am aware that exports of iron and steel scrap and waste have increased, but would point out that during the first half of this year, imports exceeded exports by nearly 170,000 tons. There is an arrangement between the British Iron and Steel Federation and the National Federation of Iron and Steel Scrap Merchants, the object of which is to conserve in this country any supplies of scrap suitable for home use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of jute manufacturers from India have increased from £278,000 for the first six months of 1935 to £731,000 for the first six months of the present year; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to deal with this abnormal competition, having regard to the fact that industries are debarred from making their application to the Import Duties Advisory Committee in respect of competitive imports from Empire countries?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 20th July to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. Kennedy).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is taking action to protect the retail consumer of tea from further increases in prices as a result of the curtailment of the supply and of stocks in London; and whether he will take steps to effect a reduction in present prices without involving hardship to tea producers?

The average retail price of tea as recorded by the Ministry of Labour for the 1st July, 1937, shows no change from the prices recorded for the two previous months and is ¾d. per lb. higher than the price recorded for the 1st July, 1936. Retail tea prices will continue to be closely watched, but I cannot at present usefully add anything to the answer given to the hon. Member on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Colonies on 6th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of foreign furniture in the first six months of 1937 show a considerable increase over the imports in the corresponding period in 1936; and can he see his way, in the interests of employment, to reduce these imports by an increased duty or otherwise?

I am aware that the value of imports of furniture and cabinet ware of wood was somewhat higher in the first six months of this year than in the corresponding period of 1936. Any question of an increase in the present rate of import duty is a matter for consideration, in the first instance, by the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the disease at present attacking the tomato crops in Lanarkshire has been investigated by his Department; and whether the plants affected were grown from seed locally or imported as plants?

I assume the disease to which the hon. Member refers is Single Virus Streak which has been known in Great Britain for several years but has been exceptionally severe in Lanarkshire this season. The disease is being investigated by the horticultural staff of the West of Scotland Agricultural College in consultation with the plant pathologist of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and the Director of the Experimental and Research Station at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. It is understood that most of the plants affected in Lanarkshire were grown from seed obtained locally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what further measures have been taken by the Ouse catchment board to limit the danger of flooding in the Bentley area, Doncaster?

I have been asked to reply. The comprehensive scheme for the River Don, which was begun by the Ouse Catchment Board in March, 1934, has been proceeding steadily and satisfactorily ever since. It will, however, as I think the hon. Member realises, take some years to complete.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will submit to the High Courts the question whether commercial and competitive activities now carried on by the Ministry of Agriculture in connection with the operations of the poultry disease research station at Weybridge are permissible under Sub-section (3) of Section 2 of the Board of Agriculture Act, 1889, in view of the wording of such section, which only empowers the Board to make or aid in making such inquiries, experiments, and research, and collect or aid in collecting such information as they may think important for the purpose of promoting agriculture or forestry?

I have made some inquiries into this matter and I do not think any legal question arises with regard to what is being done. In any event my hon. Friend's question is based on a misunderstanding of my relations with Departments of State so far as proceedings in the Courts are concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that certain schools in Northumberland mining villages have no system of artificial lighting although electricity is available; and whether immediate steps will be taken to remedy this?

I have no information on the matter, and have received no intimation that the work of the public elementary schools is suffering owing to the absence of artificial lighting.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in all contracts placed by his Department for jute goods, it is stipulated that the goods must be of United Kingdom manufacture; and whether the definition of such manufacture is identical with that included in all our trade agreements with foreign countries that the jute cloth is woven in the United Kingdom from yarn spun in the United Kingdom?

Air Ministry contracts for the supply of jute goods are placed for material manufactured in the United Kingdom, and contain a stipulation that the yarn used in manufacture shall have been spun in the United Kingdom.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the recent unsatisfactory working of the automatic telephones in the Members' telephone room; and whether he will take steps during the forthcoming Parliamentary Recess to remedy the defects?

The telephone service provided for Members is always under the closest supervision and I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction with the working of the automatic service at the House. I should be glad if my hon. Friend would let me know of any specific trouble and I will investigate the matter in collaboration with the appropriate officer of the House.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the issue of the list of the London Post Offices and streets with the supplement; and, in view of the errors in this publication, is it intended to withdraw the book and its supplement?

I am aware that since the list and supplement were issued the London County Council have made further changes in street names but their number is very small in comparison with the total number of entries and insufficient to warrant the withdrawal of the publications.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any steps have been taken to provide gas-proof rooms at the Palace of Westminster as recommended by the Air Raid Precautions Department as the first line of defence against air attack?

The building has been surveyed with a view to selecting the accommodation which will provide the best shelter in the event of air attack, and a scheme of preparation is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether steps have been taken to render the tube railways proof against poison gas?

I can assure the hon. Member that the matter has been taken into consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is considering measures for the widening of main roads leading out of London and other large towns with a view to the rapid evacuation of the population in the event of threatened air attacks?

In considering questions of road improvement, it is my practice to try to take proper account of the possible demands of traffic under abnormal as well as under normal conditions.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can see his way clear to increase the intensity of the artificial lighting in this Chamber, which is now under two-foot candles, to at least that prescribed in Welfare Pamphlet, No. 7, Lighting in Factories, which advises a minimum of three- to five-foot candles for reading?

When the glass ceiling is cleaned during the Recess, the average intensity of the artificial lighting will, I think, be not less than 3.5 foot candles. I will endeavour to see that this standard is maintained and, if possible, increased.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the preliminary drawing by Professor Tristam, about to be removed from its present place over the stairway leading to the Terrace, can be removed to his care for completion by his students; and what is the estimated cost of such procedure?

I will make further inquiry and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in cases where it is found impossible to sell Government property by private treaty after advertisement and where public amenities will not be affected, such properties will in future be sold by public auction with any necessary conditions of sale, rather than by sealed tender, so that persons anxious to purchase the property in question who are unaware of its precise value may be able to increase the sum they proposed to offer in accordance with other bids at the auction?

I am not prepared to bind myself to any particular method of sale of Government property. Public auction is resorted to where it is desirable, but in each case the method adopted is that which is expected to realise the best possible price.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what steps he has been able to take to secure the preservation of Radnor House, Twickenham; and whether any further steps can be taken to this end?

The Twickenham Borough Council have asked my Department to advise them on the condition of the building generally, and I have arranged that an examination shall be carried out and a report made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any progress has been made in the negotiations between employers and workers for the formulation of a scheme for payment of wet time in the building industry?

I cannot add to the reply which was given to a question by the hon. Member for Salford, West (Mr. Emery) on 8th April, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will state the principles on which the Government hospitality fund is administered, as regards different parties in the House and as between Government supporters and the Opposition?

The Government Hospitality Fund was created, and is authorised, to deal with the entertainment of guests from overseas. Entertainment is only extended to residents in this country in order to make effective this primary object. Any further definition of the principle on which guests are selected must detract from the dignity and grace of Government entertainment, and I trust that, like my predecessors, I shall not be pressed on the matter. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that regard is not had to considerations of political party.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons who have been refused allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board on the grounds that they were not capable of work according to the Board but fit according to the public assistance committee standards?

It is a condition for the receipt of unemployment assistance that the applicant must be capable of and available for work. There is no such condition attaching to the receipt of public assistance. I am, therefore, unable to give the hon. Member the information requested, but the Unemployment Assistance Board inform me that 7,200 persons who were in receipt of public assistance prior to the Second Appointed Day and applied for unemployment assistance allowances were held to be outside the scope of the Unemployment Assistance Act on the ground that they were not capable of or available for work. There is no information as to the number rejected on grounds of capability alone.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether consultations took place during the recent Imperial Conference with the Minister of Immigration of the Dominion of Canada and the representative of the Saskatchewan Government as to the resumption of immigration; and, if so, with what result?

My right hon. Friend had an informal consultation with the Canadian Minister in charge of immigration, but not with any representative of the Saskatchewan Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the habit of labourers in Trinidad to work only for such number of days per week as to bring them sufficient funds for their requirements, and that at the present time such labourers in the sugar plantations in Trinidad are only working an average of 4.2 days per week; and whether, before taking any steps to compel any further increase in the wages of these workers, he will satisfy himself that there is sufficient labour in the island to reap the crops if the average number of days' labour per week is further reduced?

I am generally aware of the practice of labourers to which the hon. Member refers. With regard to the second part of the question, I am of opinion that this is a matter for investigation in the first place by the Commission which I have decided to appoint and I am, therefore, unable to make any statement upon it at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the case in the King's Bench affecting the insurance of motorists, establishing that motorists are not bound to insure punishments by flogging were inflicted on white and coloured people, respectively, in Southern Rhodesia during the last five years?

The returns available to me of the sentences of whipping imposed in Southern Rhodesia do not distinguish between white, coloured and native persons. Following are the figures of the total number of cases in which sentences of whipping were imposed during each of the years 1931 to 1935: against liability for their own passengers; and whether he will consider altering the law to enforce insurance for passengers carried?

Parliament, in the Road Traffic Acts of 1930 and 1934, did not require motorists to cover by insurance the risk of death of, or injury to, a passenger who was not carried for hire or reward or in pursuance of a contract of employment.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of accidents and personal injuries, fatal and non-fatal, which have occurred on the Blackrod by-pass from the date of opening to the present?

There have been three fatal accidents resulting in the death of three persons, and 36 non-fatal accidents involving injury to 53 persons on the Blackrod by-pass road since it was opened on 20th April, 1934.

asked the Minister of Transport how many level crossings there are and how many of these it is proposed to replace with bridges this year?

There are, approximately, 4,560 railway crossings on classified and unclassified roads in Great Britain, of which 1,082 are on classified roads. I propose to undertake forthwith five schemes to avoid level crossings on trunk roads and five grants for the elimination or avoidance of level crossings on other roads have been made during this financial year. Highway authorities have scheduled 28 other schemes as due for commencement, but I am unable to state when it will be possible to put all these in hand.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that over 5,000 road bridges in this country have been classified as unsafe for heavy traffic; and whether he can state how many of these it is proposed to reconstruct during the coming year?

The Royal Commission on Transport in their final report issued in 1930 gave the approximate number of weak bridges as 7,000, but I am unable to state the exact number of bridges which are unsafe for heavy traffic to-day. Some 2,500 weak bridges are privately owned and when the appropriate highway authority takes over responsibility for maintaining one of these a grant at the exceptional rate of 75 per cent. is available towards the costs of reconstruction. Proposals to reconstruct 130 such bridges during the financial year 1938–39 have been submitted.

asked the Minister of Transport how many bridges over railways have been classified as weak; and how many of these it is proposed to reconstruct?

Two thousand and fifty bridges over railways in Great Britain have been classified as weak. Proposals for reconstructing 1,015 of these have been notified by highway authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken to safeguard children who have to cross main roads to reach their schools; and whether he has considered the provision of subways or bridges in these circumstances?

A portable "Stop: Children Crossing" sign has been authorised, and by its use many school authorities are implementing the recommendations of the Committees on Road Safety among School Children. The attention of local authorities generally has been drawn to the valuable recommendations made by those committees as to safeguarding children at road crossings and for their instruction in road safety. In a few cases subways or bridges have been provided, or are being provided; and I am glad to have this opportunity of assuring all concerned that I shall continue to give sympathetic consideration to applications from highway authorities for grants towards such works in appropriate cases.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents, respectively, on the roads which were attributed to alcoholic liquor during the last 12 months for which the causes have been analysed; what proportion of the whole these represent; and whether, in view of the authoritative opinion that alcohol is a potent cause of accidents, though the motorist would not be considered under ordinary tests to be under the influence, he will take steps to improve the analysis of causes to cover all cases where drink has been consumed?

Of the 100,000 road accidents involving personal injury during the six months, April to September, 1936, the reporting authorities attributed to drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians under the influence of drink or drugs (as sole or main cause) 14 fatal and 538 non-fatal accidents and (as a contributory cause) 10 fatal and 61 non-fatal accidents. It would not be practicable to obtain the data upon which to make the further analysis suggested.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the air survey of the Great North Road has led him to any conclusions as to the value of such surveys in planning road improvements; and whether he proposes to make similar surveys of other trunk roads?

I am satisfied that air surveys are of undoubted value for certain purposes, for example, in regard to the question whether a town should be by-passed or not. On the other hand, road surveys are essential for other purposes. I shall continue to use both methods as the circumstances warrant.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the need for the Gateshead-Felling by-pass road and the number of accidents in the previous six months, he would agree to give a higher percentage of grant than has been offered to this very poor area?

I have given close personal attention to this case, but I regret that I cannot offer more than the rates already notified in Circular 466 of 9th May, 1936, which are 66⅔ per cent, for a built-up area and 75 per cent. for a non-built-up area. The hon. Lady will recognise that the proposal may be affected by any action which may be taken as the outcome of the report of the Royal Commission on the Tyneside.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the traffic on the Cambridge arterial road; whether he is now satisfied of the need to have this road widened; and whether all new buildings for which plans are being submitted will be set back to the full limit laid down in the Restriction of Ribbon Development Act, 1935?

Yes, Sir. I am informed that the Middlesex County Council will shortly have before them tenders for duplicating the carriageway of the new Cambridge Arterial Road between Lordship Lane, Wood Green, and the North Circular Road, Edmonton. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 16th June last.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the services of Sir Leopold Saville as technical assessor at the inquiry into the Selby Bridge by-pass scheme will be limited to his appearance thereat and to the explanation he gave the objectors; and whether he can give an assurance that, in view of the interest of his firm in this matter, he will not be permitted to advise the person appointed to hold the inquiry as to how his report upon the objections should be drafted?

The person appointed to hold the inquiry has assured me that he has not discussed with Sir Leopold the recommendations which he is making to me in his report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the large increase of accidents involving personal injuries which have occurred on the road between Basingstoke and Winchester, he will consider taking early steps for its improvement?

A road to by-pass Winchester is being constructed and a survey is being made of the whole road from Basingstoke to Winchester so that an early decision can be reached on the question of any necessary improvement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any report from the North-West Traffic Commissioners in connection with a soap maker, of White Lane, Pendleton, Salford, who was summoned on Wednesday last for permitting his motor drivers to work longer hours than the prescribed number; how many summonses were taken out against the firm; and what was the total amount of the fines and will he give any other information about the matter?

No, Sir. Individual cases which come before the courts are not reported to me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that stop-and-go lights are not standardised, and that the colours of the lights at various controlled crossings change at different speeds; and will he give instructions that all traffic lights shall be standardised?

It is impracticable to standardise the timing of traffic light signals of the vehicle actuated type as they are designed to meet traffic requirements and must, therefore, vary according to the demands of traffic. I hope, however, to issue shortly a circular to highway authorities with a view to standardising the amber period in these signals.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will state his ruling under which omnibus operator's are compelled by conditions of licence to charge fares for children over three years of age instead of five as formerly; whether this ruling was sent to all traffic commissioners in the country; and whether they were required to act on it or only asked to consider it;(2) whether he can now state his decision on the question of the appeal by omnibus operators in the East Midland area from the ruling requiring them to charge fares for children over three years of age instead of five years?

The Inquiry in the East Midland case to which he refers was only concluded on 24th July and I have not yet reached a decision. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Road Service Licences (Appeals) Orders (Nos. 9, 10 and 11), 1936, to which I think he refers. While all Decisions on appeals under Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, are made public, they are binding on the Commissioners in relation only to the road service licences to which the particular appeals relate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the excessive delay before the breakdown gang reached the scene of the railway accident at Swanley on 27th June, which meant that two-and-a-half hours elapsed before the breakdown gang arrived; and will steps be taken for sufficient appliances to be available so that passengers may be quickly released?

I am awaiting my Inspecting Officer's report which, I am informed, will be ready at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the serious disability imposed on ex-members of His Majesty's forces who have qualified, while on service abroad, for licences to drive motor vehicles by Section 6 (1) of the Road Traffic Act; and whether he is prepared to amend this section of the Act so as to enable such ex-Service men to take out driving licences in this country without taking out provisional licences and undergoing the test of competence prescribed by the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations, 1937?

Under the existing regulations, the Board of Admiralty, the Army Council and the Air Council are already empowered to conduct tests of members of His Majesty's forces without charge.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware, that the official auditors of the Luton Corporation have refrained from signing the accounts of the Luton Corporation since 1934 on account of a dispute between the Central Electricity Board and the Luton Corporation; that similar disputes between the Central Electricity Board and other supply undertakings exist, such disputes being of more than one year's duration; and whether he will lay before the House information on such cases and what steps he proposes to take to bring such disputes to an end?

I have no jurisdiction to intervene in these cases, but I understand that the Corporation of Luton have applied to the Electricity Commissioners for determination of certain questions and that at the request of the Corporation a hearing is being fixed immediately after the holiday recess. I understand that the Commissioners will shortly issue their decision upon the only oher similar application before them.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Government has yet got in draft a Bill to provide for securing cooperation and mutual assistance among electricity supply undertakings in order to assess the efficiency of each undertaking; and is he aware that the solution to the specific problems is well known in the industry?

A Bill dealing with the reorganisation of the distribution of electricity supply is being drafted. In the various representations which have been made to me, I have not as yet found that one specific solution of the complicated problems involved is well known in the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of men that have been trained by the Army vocational centres as bricklayers and carpenters during the last financial year, and the number that have been trained since the commencement of the scheme?

During the year ended 31st March, 1937, 582 men were trained as bricklayers and 264 as carpenters. The corresponding numbers of men trained from the date the centres opened to 30th June last were 3,667 bricklayers and 2,445 carpenters.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has been reached in regard to the continued existence of the Army vocational centres of Aldershot, Chisledon and Hounslow?

There is no present proposal to discontinue the existence of the centres at Chisledon and Hounslow. The centre at Aldershot is being continued until alternative arrangements have been made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what premises it is proposed to utilise at Cardiff as an instructional centre for training officers of the merchant navy in defence measures?

Negotiations are in progress for the use of a room for lectures and a disused workshop for instruction in gunnery in premises situate in the Cardiff Docks.

asked the Home Secretary when the licensing statistics will be published?

The preparation of these statistics is not yet quite complete, and my right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to specify the date of publication.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Bill to deal with clubs, as promised in the King's Speech, has been prepared, and why it has not been introduced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cleveland (Commander Bower).

asked the Home Secretary the period for which sanction was given for the Basque refugee children to remain in this country?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given on 24th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Mr. C. S. Taylor), and on the 12th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford (Mr. Crossley).

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the repeated attacks made on British citizens by refugee Basque children, he will consider, in the interests of the refugees themselves and the safety of our own people, making arrangements for their early return to their own country?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the riotous conduct of the Basque refugee children, he proposes to take action to repatriate them?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the complaints concerning the lack of supervision of the Basque children at Brechfa, Carmarthen-shire; and what steps he proposes to take to secure adequate supervision in the future?

Of the 4,000 Basque children brought to this country in May all but 600 have now been distributed by the Voluntary Committee in groups in different parts of the country. There have been one or two regrettable outbreaks of disorderly and violent behaviour notably at Harwood Dale, near Scarborough and at Brechfa, Carmarthen-shire, but my information is that these have been entirely local in character and have been caused by a few of the older boys, who have not proved amenable to discipline. The Voluntary Committee which is responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the children has informed my right hon. Friend that it has decided to repatriate the boys responsible for the disturbances, about 24 in number, to Spain via France, and it is expected that they will leave before the end of the week.The Voluntary Committee has also informed my right hon. Friend that it is arranging for the appointment of experienced men at the camps at Harwood Dale and Brechfa to secure that the boys at these camps shall be subject to proper discipline and control. As regards the general question of repatriation of the children I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Cleveland (Commander Bower) on 21st July.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. J. S. Layzell, of 11, Whyteville Road, Forest Gate, was arrested, on 16th July, 1937, at the instigation of a man in plain clothes who called to a uniformed police constable to arrest Mr. Layzell for chalking "Arms for Spain" on a road in connection with a chalked advertisement of a meeting to be held in Stratford Town Hall; that chalking on the roads is not illegal in West Ham; that Mr. Layzell was informed by a police inspector later at Green Street Police Station that he had been arrested for action likely to cause a breach of the peace, and that after this he was told he could go; and whether he can now give the reason for Mr. Layzell's arrest?

My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who informs him that the constable in plain clothes referred to exceeded his duty in effecting this arrest. I understand that when Mr. Layzell was taken to the police station, the inspector on duty refused the charge as no offence against the general law or the West Ham by-laws was disclosed, and tendered a suitable apology to Mr. Layzell.