asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that whilst operations in the Aden Hinterland, 1903 to 1904, are allowed to count as war service for the commissioned officers, yet owing to the fact that no medals were issued for those operations, ex-soldiers who are now reaching the age of 65 and are in need are debarred from the award of special campaign pensions; and whether this position can be reviewed?

Service during the operations mentioned is reckoned as war service, and is so entered in the records of both officers and other ranks. In neither case does it confer any financial benefit. The award of a special campaign pension has always been associated with the grant of a medal for the campaign, and it is so restricted by the provisions of the Royal Warrant for Pay. My right hon. Friend sees no reason for waiving this restriction in the case of these particular operations in respect of which it was decided at the time that a medal should not be awarded.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his intention to mechanise the Royal Scots Greys; and whether, before taking a decision in the matter, he will consult the opinions of Scottish Members of Parliament?

My right hon. Friend after examining the facts, will make a statement next week.

asked the Secretary of State for War why so long a period exists between recommendation and gazetting the names of applicants for commissions in the Territorial Army?

The period between the receipt of the recommendation in the War Office and the gazetting of the appointment varies in each case according to the circumstances, as some recommendations require more consideration than others. The normal period is now 10 days, which I am satisfied is a reasonable one.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence what recommendations the Carbide Committee have made with regard to setting up a carbide factory in Wales, and carrying out the Caledonian power scheme without loss of amenity; and what alteration in the plans previously before Parliament and rejected is proposed in order to protect the amenities in the case of the Caledonian scheme?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he has now considered the report of the Carbide Committee; and whether it will be possible, in the light of its finding, to make arrangements for the setting up of a carbide plant in South Wales?

The report of the Calcium Carbide Committee has been submitted and is now under consideration by the Departments concerned, as a preliminary to consideration by the Government. In these circumstances I am unable to answer the specific points put to me in the questions. I should, however, say at once that it will be impossible to give publicity to the report, since much of the evidence on which it was based was given under pledge of secrecy.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is prepared to give serious consideration to the proposal that the Government should purchase and store for national defence needs I, 000, 000 bales of American cotton, particularly in view of the present low price of the commodity which minimises the possibility of loss on the transaction?

The question of accumulating a reserve of cotton has already been carefully considered and, apart from the substantial expenditure involved, the Government are not convinced that it is either necessary or desirable to accumulate a Government reserve. The matter is, of course, kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the nature of the local conditions necessary for the erection of a shell-filling factory; the extent of the examination of the possible sites in Merthyr Tydfil; and the reasons why this town, where there is so much unemployed labour, falls short of the requisite conditions?

One of the main local conditions necessary for the erection of a filling factory is that there must be a large and fairly level area at some distance from habitation. The Merthyr Tydfil area was extensively surveyed, but it was not possible to find a site which satisfied this condition. I may add that the claims of this area for other purposes are not being overlooked.

asked the Attorney-General -whether, in view of the large number of divorce suits still unheard, he will recommend the temporary appointment and payment of members of the Bar of suitable standing to act in a judicial capacity until all divorce petitions filed more than two months ago have been cleared off?

It is not possible in law to adopt the suggestion made by my hon. Friend. As my hon. Friend will see His Majesty's Government are seeking from Parliament the necessary authority for the appointment of additional Judges of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that many justices of the peace are unable to attend regularly the sittings of benches on account of age or infirmity, he will consider making arrangements whereby such justices can be retired entirely from active practice and still be allowed to retain their titles?

Under the present procedure justices who are unable to attend the sittings of the court can be excluded from the rotas though retaining their position as magistrates. This probably meets the point which my hon. Friend has in mind, but I can assure him that the position of justices who are unable to carry out their duties is under the consideration of my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the circular inviting British subjects to take an oath of armed allegiance to an external authority issued by the International Police Force Volunteers, 4, Castle Street, Oxford; and whether it is proposed to initiate a prosecution against the organisation under the Foreign Enlistment Act?

I am satisfied that this circular does not constitute an offence under the Foreign Enlistment Act but the issues raised by it will receive consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position as regards the adoption of the draft agreement between the governments of Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, and Southern Rhodesia with reference to migrant labour?

The Agreement came into operation with effect from 4th June, 1937.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when General Sir Arthur Wauchope is returning to Palestine?

Since Sir Arthur Wauchope came home on leave early in September he has suffered from an illness requiring treatment in a nursing home. He is now recovering and it is hoped that he will be sufficiently restored to health to be able to resume his post about the middle of November. He has, however, intimated that he does not feel that his health will permit his completing the full second term of office as High Commissioner and has therefore asked to be relieved of his duties in the early part of next year. I wish to take this opportunity of expressing the Government's deep appreciation of Sir Arthur Wauchope's long and distinguished services to the State, and I am sure the House will deeply sympathise with him in his premature retirement from an appointment which he has filled with zeal and devotion in most difficult circumstances for no less than six years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will circulate the new Ordinance concerning immigration into Palestine; and whether the onus of proving himself innocent is thereby to be thrown upon the immigrant and those who help or harbour illegal immigrants made guilty of a crime, and distinctions made between Jewish and other immigration?

I hope to receive in a few days copies of the Palestine Gazette in which the draft amending Immigration Ordinance was published, and I will then arrange for copies to be placed in the Library.As regards the second part of the question, the new Ordinance provides that when a foreigner, that is to say, a person who is not a Palestinian citizen, is charged with entering Palestine unlawfully or with having remained in Palestine after the expiry of any period for which he was allowed to enter as a traveller or on a transit visa, the onus shall be on the accused person to show that he is lawfully in Palestine. The Ordinance also provides penalties for aiding, abetting or harbouring persons acting in contravention of the Immigration Ordinance and empowers the High Commissioner to prescribe the maximum aggregate number of foreigners to be admitted to Palestine as immigrants during any specified period and to prescribe what proportion of that number may be persons of Jewish race.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make any statement with regard to the export to the home market of lemons grown by British ex-officers and their widows in the River Settlement in South Africa; why oranges and grapefruit can be shipped to England, but lemons are usually either given away or allowed to rot; and, in view of the shortage of existing supplies, will he consider granting some benefit to the people concerned?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the Sundays River Settlement, which is an enterprise conducted by a private company. I have no detailed information as to the operations of the Settlement, but I understand that the bulk of the lemons produced in the Union of South Africa is disposed of within the Union. Lemons exported from the Union to the United Kingdom receive the benefit of a preference of 10 per cent. ad valorem over foreign lemons, and the South African export of this fruit, though still relatively small in bulk, has increased steadily during the last few years from 2,000 cwt. in 1930 to 25,000 cwt. last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the Federal Treasurer's recent announcement that Australia proposes to raise in London a loan of £2,500,000 new money, he will, on behalf of private United Kingdom investors, intimate to the Commonwealth Government that Australia should reduce rather than increase the already over-large proportion of Australian debt raised in London as compared with the Australian Government loans raised in Australia?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any statement to make regarding the widely resented proposal to assess the dwelling-houses of crofters in the Western Islands and Highlands; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to re-establish the usage and principle of the immunity from assessment of crofters' dwellings?

As the hon. Member will be aware, it was decided early last year by the Lands Valuation Appeal Court that a house forming part of an improvement by a smallholder should be entered in the valuation roll for rating purposes, but that where the house is suitable and accessory to the holding it should receive the benefits of derating as an agricultural subject.

The application of this decision by county assessors has given rise to a large number of local appeals, and in many of these cases the County Valuation Appeal Committee has given a decision upholding the appeal. The assessor in Inverness is bringing these decisions before the Lands Valuation Appeal Court, and the question will be sub judice until January. In these circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the recent sentences in Airdrie Sheriff Court where three boys, one of whom was only nine years of age, were sentenced to be birched; and whether he will take steps to abolish this growing form of punishment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The sentence of birching was not carried out in the case of the boy of nine years of age in view of the certificate of the police surgeon. With regard to the second part, the whole question of corporal punishment is at present under investigation by a committee which was appointed in May last by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and myself.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of vacancies for sheriffs in Glasgow and the name of the interim-sheriff at Airdrie?

The answer to the first part of the question is none. A vacancy for a sheriff-substitute at Aidrie, which occurred on the 1st instant, was filled on the 25th instant; and in the interval Mr. A. D. Donald, Advocate, held a commission to discharge the duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of serious accidents to children who fall on spiked railings; and whether he will take steps to have all spiked railings removed from working-class properties?

I am aware of the large number of accidents of this kind which have occurred in the city of Glasgow. As the hon. Member is aware, the erection of spiked railings in or between back courts in Glasgow has been prohibited since 1922 and under a Provisional Order confirmed by Parliament in July last, this prohibition is extended to apply to existing railings after four years. On the information before me I am not satisfied that general legislation on the subject is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to make any statement in supplement of the reference in the Gracious Speech to forthcoming legislation on the subject of rural housing in Scotland?

I hope to introduce at a very early date legislation carrying out the recommendations of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee with regard to the provision of Exchequer assistance towards the erection by county councils of new houses for the agricultural population and the replacement of defective houses on farms and smallholdings. I am in consultation with my light hon. Friend, the Minister of Health, regarding the recommendations of the Committee relating to the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed in each of the special areas at the most recent date for which the figures are available?

I am having the figures extracted and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state separately the number of unemployed persons in the districts of Ebbw Vale, Tredegar, and Rhymney?

The district of Rhymney is served by the Pontlottyn Employment Exchange. At 13th September, 1937, the numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of the Ebbw Vale, Tredegar and Pontlottyn Employment Exchanges were 1,565, 1,377 and 1,226, respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to communicate to the House the result of his inquiries as to the facilities for providing meals in secondary, central, and elementary schools?

The inquiry mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member's ques-

Coal Exports from the North-East Coast Ports.
Ports	January to September.
	1934		1935		1937
	Cargo.	Bunkers.	Cargo.	Bunkers.	Cargo.	Bunkers.
	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
Amble	191,465	9,640	172,951	8,685	173,711	8,886
Berwick-on-Tweed	—	198	964	480	7,101	647
Blyth	1,892,964	154,120	1,727,442	146,120	1,817,810	111,261
Hartlepool	991,429	154,525	1,020,821	140,899	870,121	101,586
Middlesbrough	37,623	347,361	52,190	317,520	29,774	258,702
Newcastle and Northand South Shields	5,488,278	1,203,072	5,239,534	995,389	5,124,021	718,071
Scarborough	—	3,668	—	4,691	—	5,113
Stockton	—	212	—	148	—	—
Sunderland	1,320,063	148,364	1,217,471	526,433	1,510,681	107,841
Seaham	431,319	26,279	432,142	27,469	340,416	13,490
Whitby	—	43	—	—	—	—
Total	10,353.141	2,047,482	9,863,515	1,767,834	9,873,635	1,325,597

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the total shipment of coal, including bunker coal, and coke from the River Tyne to principal foreign countries; the total coastwise shipments, excluding London; and the total shipments to London, for the nine months ended September, 1937, Septem

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the total quantity of coal exported this year from the North-East coast ports, respectively, and the comparative figures for the years 1935 and 1934?

The information is as follows:ber, 1936, and September, 1929, respectively?

The figures for shipments of coal, including bunker coal, and coke from the River Tyne by destinations are not readily available, but the figures for total coal and coke shipments are as follows;

Coal and Coke Shipments from Newcastle and North and South Shields
Foreign Shipments.				January to September.
				1929.	1936.	1937.
Coal:				Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
Cargo	…	…	…	9,413,452	4,645,115	5,124,021
Bunkers	…	…	…	1,559,449	931,295	718,071
Coke	…	…	…	Not available	740,922	777,212
Coastwise Shipments
Coal:
Cargo:
To all destinations	…	…	…	2,887,451	3,416,620	3,565,973
To London	…	…	…	2,495,768	2,981,915	3,087,773
Bunkers	…	…	…	92,839	89,340	89,039
Coke	…	…	…	13,610	19,366	16,500

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, how many of the ships' bells of the German warships sunk at Scapa have been disposed of, through what channels, and at what average price; how many remain for disposal; and, if any, can preference be given to the applications from the Navy League and similar organisations?

Ships' bells remaining on hoard salved German warships become the property of the firms which bought the ships, and I am unable to say how many of these bells have been disposed of. I understand that there are at present no bells available for disposal, but Metal Industries Ltd., are still engaged in salving some of the remaining ships, and I would suggest that application for any bells which might be brought up in the future should be addressed to that Company.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in what circumstances, on whose authority and at what cost a British destroyer was despatched to rescue from the hands of the Spanish Government Mr. Rupert Belville, who appears to have been previously assisting the insurgent forces in Spain; and whether similar rescues have been effected on the other side?

At 11.30 a.m. on 9th September, Captain (D), 6th Flotilla on board His Majesty's Ship "Keith" at St. Jean de Luz was informed by a representative of the British Embassy at Hendaye that permission for the release of Mr. Belville had been given by the Spanish authorities at Gijon and that a motor-boat would bring Mr. Belville out from Gijon at noon on the following day. Arrangements were accordingly made for His Majesty's Ship "Foresight," which was on patrol off Gijon and Aviles, to take him on board. This was done and His Majesty's Ship "Foresight" left the patrol area at 10 p.m. the same night for La Pallice to oil in accordance with her pre-arranged programme. No additional cost was therefore incurred. There was thus no question of rescue in this case, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position with regard to the Steamship "Dover Abbey"; why the vessel is still held in spite of the promise given by the Spanish insurgents that she would be released; and whether it has been established that she was seized outside Spanish territorial waters?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds the British ship "Seven Seas Spray" was captured by the Italian army in the Spanish port of Santonia on 26th August, and why it has been held in that port ever since; why the master of the vessel, Captain Roberts, and his daughter have been held prisoner in the ship since that date; what representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to the Italian Government and to General Franco; and what compensation has been claimed for Captain Roberts and the owners of the ship?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the captain and crew of the Steamship "Dover Abbey," which was captured off Gijon on 5th October, have been liberated and the cargo placed at the disposal of the owners?

I understand that the Steamship "Seven Seas Spray" was in the port of Santonia when it was captured by the forces under General Franco's command. The Steamship "Dover Abbey" was seized on 5th October, but investigations have failed to establish definitely whether she was seized in Spanish territorial waters or not. The masters and crews of these two vessels have, I understand, also been detained with their ships. His Majesty's Government have made representations to the Salamanca authorities regarding the seizure and detention of these two vessels and an undertaking has been obtained that they will be released. I hope to be in a position to make a further statement on the subject shortly. The owners of the "Seven Seas Spray" have not, I understand, made any request for compensation, but any such claim if made would naturally receive most careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information concerning the occupation of the Columbretes Archipelago by Italian forces and of the island of Alboran by German forces; and whether he can make a statement?

I understand that a French warship recently visited the Columbretes Archipelago, while a British warship visited Alboran Island last Saturday. In neither case was there any trace of an occupation by German or Italian forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the prospective capture of Minorca by Nationalist and Italian forces is regarded as a development in which Great Britain is directly interested; and whether steps are being taken to prevent such an occurrence?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the full statement made on this subject by the Prime Minister in the course of last Thursday's Debate, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions correspondence between His Majesty's Government and His Majesty's representatives, diplomatic and consular, in Spain has been censored and/or delayed by directions of General Franco; and what action His Majesty's Government has taken in regard thereto?

Since the reply given by my Noble Friend to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member on 29th July, no cases have been brought to my notice of correspondence between His Majesty's Government and His Majesty's diplomatic and consular representatives in Spain having been delayed or censored by the direction of General Franco.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the circumstances under which the British steamship "Seven Seas Spray" is detained at Santonia; and whether any steps have been taken to secure her release?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have already given to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions correspondence between His Majesty's Government and His Majesty's representatives, diplomatic and consular, in China has been censored and/or delayed by the Japanese military authorities; and what action His Majesty's Government has taken in regard thereto?

I understand that there has been no case where the Japanese military authorities have censored or delayed correspondence between His Majesty's Government and His Majesty's Representative in China, though some official correspondence has been delayed in common with ordinary mails through interruption of normal services. The situation in this respect appears to have improved.

asked the Prime Minister what plans have been prepared for providing alternative employment when the armaments programme begins to shrink?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) on 22nd July, this question is being studied by the Departments mainly concerned. The matter continues to receive the closest attention and I am not in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will be able to make a statement regarding the future of pigs and bacon boards, bearing in mind the grave concern the present chaotic condition of affairs is causing to all interested in the production of pigs?

Consultations with the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Boards with regard to the future organisation of the bacon industry are at present proceeding, and I am not in a position to say when I shall be able to make a statement in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government are taking to improve the supply of agricultural labour, in view of the serious effect to the industry caused by the present shortage?

The whole agricultural policy of the Government, including the recent extension of unemployment insurance to agricultural workers, is designed to improve the position of the agricultural industry and so make conditions more encouraging for the employer and more attractive for the employed. I would also draw my hon. Friend's attention to the statement in His Majesty's Speech that the Government proposes during the coming Session to make further provision for the improvement of agricultural housing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the number of milk bars now in existence under the supervision of the Milk Marketing Board?

I am informed by the Milk Marketing Board that there were 947 milk bars in existence in England and Wales on 30th September last. None is under the supervision of the board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that any recent rise in the retail prices of English-grown food represents a corresponding rise in the prices received by growers for their products, or whether retailers are merely raising food prices under cover of a general rise in prices and appropriating the increased profit without passing on any corresponding benefit to the producers?

The retail prices collected by the Ministry of Labour refer, in part, to imported foodstuffs and are not, therefore, strictly comparable in all cases with producers' prices in England and Wales. The relation between producers' and retailers' prices varies from time to time and as between the commodities concerned. I can, therefore, give only a very general answer to my hon. Friend, but for the majority of foods which are both grown at home and imported retail prices do not appear to have risen disproportionately to producers' prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what would be the sum required on the basis of the present volume of production to supplement the current prices received by growers for agricultural products after all existing forms of assistance have been included by such margins as may be necessary to raise them to the following guaranteed prices: wheat 50s. per quarter, malting barley 45s. per quarter, oats 24s. per quarter, beef 50s. per cwt., mutton is. per lb., pigs 13s. per score, potatoes £6 per ton, sugar-beet 40s. per ton, and milk (12 months' average) is. 2d. per gallon?

The sum required to make up, in respect of the whole of the output in England and Wales to which my hon. Friend refers, the difference between the standard prices he has suggested and current prices including any subsidies or guaranteed prices already in force may, on certain broad assumptions, be very roughly estimated at about £21 millions per annum.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to implement by legislation the report of the white fish industry in this Session of Parliament?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction which has been caused by the prolonged delay of His Majesty's Government in taking action on the report of the Sea Fish Commission; and whether he can now state the intentions of the Government in this matter?

I would refer to the statement made in His Majesty's Speech that the House will be invited to pass legislation to provide for the re-organisation of the white fish industry and for other matters related to sea fisheries. The necessary legislation will be laid before the House shortly.