asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement as to the progress of the campaign for the destruction of grey squirrels; whether private owners are responding to the appeal made to them to take part in the campaign; and, if not, whether he will consider giving local authorities the right to take action?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement as to the effect of renewed propaganda in regard to the destruction of grey squirrels at large or as to the extent to which private owners are responding to the urgent representations which local authorities have been requested to make. The question of delegation to county agricultural committees of powers under the Destructive Imported Animals Act, 1932, will be considered later if it should appear that voluntary action is not having the desired effect.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the basis adopted in allotting the output quotas to registered curers under the bacon marketing scheme in respect of the current year; and whether, as a result of this allocation, the output of any registered curers has been restricted below their capacity?

I am informed that the formula adopted by the Bacon Marketing Board for the determination of curers' sales quotas for 1937 in respect of bacon manufactured from pigs produced in Great Britain was the curer's average annual output of such bacon during the two years ending on 2nd November, 1935, increased by 60 per cent. in order to create a margin for expansion. Where, however, a quota so calculated amounted to less than 30 per cent. of the curer's output in 1936, the quota for 1937 was determined at 30 per cent. of the 1936 output. As to the last part of the question, the total capacity of bacon factories is greatly in excess of the supply of pigs at present available, and it would, therefore, appear probable that the annual sales quota of almost every curer is less than his capacity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make any further statement as to the milk policy of the Government, especially in reference to his declaration of July last?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider making regulations stipulating that all ice cream sold in this country should be manufactured from English whole milk or cream; and what is the view of his Department on the subject?

There is no power to make regulations to the effect suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. The general question of legislation to enable definitions of articles of food to be prescribed is receiving consideration by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in connection with the recommendations of the Department Committee which reported on the subject in 1934.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, if he will state the number of schools in which educational films are shown at the present time; what is the policy of the Department on this subject; and whether he has issued any advice to local authorities on the matter?

The board have no detailed information as to the number of schools in which educational films are shown, but according to a return recently obtained by the British Film Institute some 700 projectors are in use in schools in England and Wales. The board are anxious to see an extension of the use of educational films; their recent Handbook of Suggestions for Teachers includes several references to the educational value of films, and the board have in mind the issue of an Educational Pamphlet which will make further suggestions in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether it is competent for a local authority, under the procedure suggested in Circular 1457, to lay down as a general rule that no employment shall be certified as beneficial unless the hours to be worked are not to exceed 40, eight hours a week being allowed for attendance at a continuation school, and a fortnight's holiday to be given each year?

As pointed out in Circular 1457, the decision under Section 2 of the Education Act, 1936, whether a particular employment may be regarded as beneficial for a particular child can be reached only after considering all the circumstances of the individual case. A rule such as the hon. Member suggests can therefore only be laid down as an indication of what the local education authority think generally desirable, without prejudice to the decision of particular cases in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Act.

asked the Home Secretary why the Metropolitan Police banned a march of strikers from the cable factories of Johnson and Philips, and

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of petty officers and naval ratings who were discharged from the Royal Navy on completion of service during the year ended 30th September, 1937?

The number of petty officers and naval ratings discharged from the Royal Navy on completion of service during the year ended 30th September, 1937, was 4,866.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that no such action was taken by the police and the question accordingly does not arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the total number of naval ratings invalided from His Majesty's Ship "Hawkins" during the commission 1932–35, and the number invalided from His Majesty's Ship "London" during 1935; and the numbers in both cases invalided with tuberculosis?

The numbers of ratings and Royal Marine ranks invalided from His Majesty's Ships "Hawkins" and "London" during the periods specified were as shown in the following statement:

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of local authorities which were circularised in February, 1936, regarding air raid precautions, requesting them to nominate a responsible officer from their area for special training at Fulfield anti-gas school; the number of such nominations received and the number of them who have so far been trained; and is he aware that, after a period of over 17 months since the nomination was made, no opportunity has yet been afforded the nominee of the Newport Corporation for this essential training?

All local authorities in England and Wales were invited in February, 1936, to submit nominations for vacancies at the Civilian Anti-Gas School for the training of officials to become local anti-gas instructors. Over 70o nominations have been received and 285 such instructors, in addition to police instructors, have been trained. Among these is one official sent by the Newport (Mon.) Corporation, who, therefore, have a trained instructor. This official attended a course which was not specially appropriate to Fire Brigade Officers and this is

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of applicants capable of acting as efficient postmen are debarred from employment as such by the present educational tests; and why, in particular, the geographical test is necessary if the duties of postmen are not in fact merged with those of sorters?

The number of ex-service candidates for appointment as postmen is in excess of the number of vacancies available for them, and the object of the educational tests is to facilitate the selection of the most suitable. The duties of postmen in London include outward primary sorting and it is very the reason why the Newport Fire Superintendent, who was this corporation's original nominee, has not yet been allotted a vacancy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what counties have special schools for children; how many such schools there are in each county; how many children there are in the physical side of these special schools; and how many are in the mental side of these schools?

The information asked for is given in the following tabular statement:

asked the Postmaster-General whether the reduction in postal rates for parcels sent to soldiers serving in Palestine will again be introduced in time for Christmas, as the reduced rates introduced for last Christmas have ceased to be operative?

I am happy to say that the reduced rates which were charged last Christmas on parcels sent to soldiers serving in Palestine were extended as a permanent arrangement, on 1st June last, not only to parcels for soldiers serving in that country, but to all parcels sent to His Majesty's Forces abroad wherever serving and whether sent at Christmas or at any other time.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that many letters from the North and Midlands posted for delivery by the first post in Brentford do not arrive until the second post owing to the lateness of the trains carrying such mail; whether he is aware that these trains often run late; and whether, as no special facilities are made to cope with such late running, he will provide an alternative route for the mails from Euston to Brentford, in view of the continued inconvenience caused to business firms in the area?

Mails from the North and Midlands are conveyed from Euston to Brentford by motor-van. The van leaves Euston at the latest possible time which will ensure connection with the first delivery at Brentford. If, owing to fog and other causes, a mail train does not arrive before the time of departure of the van, it is impracticable to include the mails concerned in the first delivery at Brentford. The Post Office and the Railway Company are fully alive to the necessity for maintaining the punctual running of these mail trains.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether the reduction in the period of training in Great Britain of Burmans who are provisionally selected for the Burmese Civil Service from two years to one year was approved by the Government of Burma; and, in view of the fact that the Burmese Ministers were opposed to the change and that those who have the duty of training the probationers in this country consider one year too short a period, and as the reasons urged for the reduction in the case of Indian probationers for the Indian Civil Service do not apply to Burmans in training for the Burmese Civil Service, whether he is prepared to recommend a reversion to the period of two years' training of Burmese probationers in this country?

The decision to reduce the period of probation in England of candidates recruited in Rangoon for admission to the Burma Civil Service (Class I) from two years to one year was taken by my Noble Friend before the inauguration of the new Constitution, after consultation with the Government of Burma. I am not aware that any objection to this new arrangement has been raised, but it is subject to reconsideration if, in the light of experience, it proves to be unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has made representations to the Bristol, the Red and White, and the Western National omnibus companies with regard to the desirability for interavailability of workmen's and schoolchildren's tickets on the route from Nailsworth to Stroud: and, if so, with what result?

I have no power to intervene in this matter unless an appeal is made to me in accordance with Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. No such appeal has yet been made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the report of the fatal accident which happened in Netherton Road, Tottenham, on Friday, 8th October last, when a girl five years of age was run over by a motor lorry; and if, in view of the great danger to school children at this spot, he will take steps to close this road to heavy traffic?

My officers, in collaboration with the local authority and the police, are making investigations as to the traffic conditions at this point.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the recent Appeal Court decision in connection with the use of the stoplight at the rear of motor vehicles; and whether, in view of this decision, he will consider an early alteration of the law on this point?

The House will appreciate the difficulty of dealing by way of question and answer with three detailed judgments of the Court of Appeal. I am, however, advised that the decision of the Court of Appeal, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, does not mean that signals given by stop-lights may be disregarded. I see no reason at present to consider an alteration of the law.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the number of non-commissioned officers and airmen who were discharged from the Royal Air Force on completion of service during the year ended 30th September, 1937?

During the year ended 30th September, 1937, 685 warrant officers, non - commissioned officers and airmen were discharged on completion of normal engagement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the reasons for which Arab houses in Palestine have been blown up; in how many towns or villages this dynamiting has taken place; on what principle the dwellings have been singled out for destruction; how many persons have been rendered homeless; whether this policy of destruction was authorised by His Majesty's Government before it was put into execution; and whether he will order these dynamiting operations to be forthwith discontinued and the settlement of disputes by conciliatory methods substituted for it?

Houses may be demolished in Palestine if a District Commissioner is satisfied that a firearm has been discharged or a bomb or other explosive or incendiary substance thrown from them. Further any house may be demolished in any town, quarter, village or other area, the inhabitants of which a District Commissioner is satisfied have committed, aided or abetted any offence involving violence to the person or intimidation or sabotage. I have no information as to the number of towns or villages in which such action has been taken or as to the number of persons affected. The regulations authorising demolition in the circumstances which I have mentioned were approved by His Majesty's Government. With regard to the last part of the question, I can only say that there is no intention of altering the law.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has made representations to Imperial Airways, Limited, to the effect that they should encourage British passengers to fly by British air-lines in preference to foreign air-lines; and, if so, with what result?

Representations have been made to Imperial Airways with regard to the notification in Imperial Airways Gazette of facilities for foreign air travel and the form of notification has been altered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make regarding the detention of Mr. H. E. C. Merrick by the Spanish insurgents at Malaga?

Yes, Sir. As a result of representations made to the insurgent authorities, Mr. Merrick was released on 27th October, and has returned to Gibraltar.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a reply has been received from the Japanese Government to the representations made in regard to the recent attack on three British Embassy cars in the neighbourhood of Shanghai?

Yes, Sir. The Japanese Government have addressed a Note to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo giving the results of the investigations which they have made, offering apologies and stating that appropriate measures will be taken against the persons involved. His Majesty's Ambassador has been instructed to acknowledge the receipt of this Note and to inform the Japanese Government that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom agree to regard the incident as closed. They have, however, asked to be informed in due course that the ap-appropriate measures have been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the steam trawler "Napier," of Aberdeen, was arrested on the 11th July and fined £1,000, at Reykjavik, for alleged illegal trawling; that the Iceland Supreme Court reversed this judgment and released the vessel on 8th October; that in the meantime the Aberdeen owner of this vessel suffered a large loss; and whether he will make representations to the Iceland authorities pointing out the equity of making due compensation to the owner of the vessel?

Yes, Sir. The facts are as stated, except that the fine was imposed by the local court of the Westmann Islands. With reference to the second part of the question, I understand that the trawler was detained as security for the fine, the owner having failed to put up the bail demanded, and that the owner has since lodged a claim for compensation, demurrage, etc. This is now sub judice.