asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, taking Japanese imports and exports, respectively, for the latest complete year for which figures are available, he will state the percentage of such trade in each case done between Japan and Great Britain and also between Japan and other parts of the British Empire, respectively?

The United Kingdom's share of Japan's total imports and exports of merchandise during 1936 amounted to 2.6 per cent. and 5.5 per cent., respectively. For the remainder of the British Empire the corresponding proportions were 29.3 per cent. and 23.1 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the prices in relation to the products specified on page 117 of the report of the Import Duties Advisory Committee on Iron and Steel now being charged for these products with which the Import Duties Advisory Committee concurs?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a statement issued by the British Iron and Steel Federation showing the approved basis prices of the principal products on the 30th September last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what date did the Council of the British Iron and Steel Federation establish a central stabilisation fund; on what basis, and by whom, are contributions paid to the fund; how much has been contributed to the fund; and how much has been expended out of the fund and upon what objects?

I am informed that the fund to which the hon. Member refers has not yet been established.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the policy of the Government that, so far as possible, all steel-producing plants, including high-cost plants, should be kept in operation; and what grants have been paid to high-cost plants in order to enable such plants to maintain production without necessitating an unreasonable rise in the general price-level of steel?

I am not prepared to say that all steel-producing plants should necessarily be kept in operation irrespective of their efficiency, but it is clearly desirable in the present state of demand that steel production should be maintained at as high a level as possible. With regard to the second part of the question, I am informed that in one case special action has been taken by the British Iron and Steel Federation to assist an individual producer to restart old blast furnaces, but I am not in a position to give particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a number of British shipowners, including Clyde firms engaged in coasting traffic, have placed orders for new tonnage in Dutch shipyards, where shipbuilders are subsidised by their Governments and tradesmen are paid lower rates and receive no extra payment for overtime, in preference to Clyde shipbuilders, some of whom have been experiencing difficulty in securing materials owing to the Government's rearmament programme; whether the firms concerned qualify for payments under the tramp shipping subsidy scheme; and whether he proposes to take any action?

There are no official statistics of orders placed by British firms for the construction of ships in Holland; but the vessels added to the United Kingdom Register since the beginning of the year include a number of tankers and small vessels for the coasting trade recently built in Holland. According to information in the Press, there are also a number of similar vessels being built at present for British owners in Dutch yards. None of these vessels could qualify for tramp shipping subsidy under the British Shipping Assistance Acts, which require that vessels completed after 1st January, 1936, must have been built in the United Kingdom in order to qualify for subsidy in 1937. I am not aware of any further action that I could usefully take.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the number of ships ordered by British firms to be constructed in German yards in the last 12 months?

There are no official statistics of orders placed by British firms for the construction of ships in Germany; but according to the returns of the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, the number of steam and motor vessels of 100 tons gross and over (including fishing vessels) of recent German construction which have been registered in the United Kingdom since the 1st November, 1936, is 17, totalling 42,000 tons gross.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will arrange an exhibition of pottery and give encouragement to all sections of the industry to exhibit, in order that the industry can have an opportunity of displaying the best possible exhibits for selection to be included in the pottery section at the Glasgow and New York exhibitions?

No decision has yet been reached as to the nature of official participation by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in the New York Exhibition. With regard to the Glasgow Exhibition, official participation will not be designed to display industrial products as such, but the pottery industry in common with others will be at liberty to display its products in the industrial sections of the exhibition.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will appoint a committee for the purpose of considering evidence from interested organisations in the British pavilion at the Paris Exhibition to report and make recommendations with a view to securing in the future the best possible exhibits that will reflect the industry, skill, and experience of the British people at exhibitions?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the dissatisfaction ex pressed by many visitors to the Paris Exhibition over the exhibit staged by Great Britain, he will set up a committee of industrialists and show experts before again arranging a similar exhibit outside this country?

The procedure for dealing with official participation in exhibitions outside this country is constantly under review, and I can assure my hon. Friends that in every such future exhibition all steps will be taken to secure the fullest co-operation with industry and others having appropriate knowledge. Having regard, however, to the varying nature of the circumstances and degree of importance of these exhibitions, it is not possible to lay down a stereotyped procedure which would be capable of general application.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a decree has recently been signed by General Franco annulling all transactions in mining property, bonds, machinery and equipment carried out since 18th July, 1936; and whether he intends to do anything in the matter in view of the adverse effect of this retrospective decree on British interests?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the decree in question, but it is not clear to what extent, if any, British interests are affected. The last part of the question, therefore, does not at present arise, but I am making further inquiries.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, ill view of the recent restrictions placed on the export of coal from South Africa, any special steps have been taken to ensure that the principal consumers of South African coal, such as the Kenya and Uganda railways and the various bunkering depots on the trade routes to the Far East, will obtain their supplies from Great Britain?

No special steps were considered necessary, but in the normal course of its duties the Department issued a circular in September last to coal export organisations and to a large number of individual coal exporters in the United Kingdom drawing attention to the probability that the effect of the restriction upon the export of coal from the Union of South Africa would be felt along the East Coast of Africa and east as far as India and Ceylon. The circular was accompanied by statistics showing the volume of coal exported from the Union to various destinations during the last three years.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has any statement to make on the report of the investigation made by his officers into the measures adopted at: the French coal mines to prevent explosions; and, in view of the fact that the French death-rate from explosions in the period 1925 to 1934 was less than one-third of this country, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. Certain matters, namely, stone-dusting, precautions against fire, and the safety of electrical signalling apparatus were already under consideration before the receipt of this report and are being dealt with by General Regulations, the draft of which is already under discussion with the industry. Certain other matters which could be dealt with only by legislation—notably those of standards and practice of ventilation, and the desirability of further restriction on the use below ground of electricity and naked lights—have been under investigation for some time by the Royal Commission on Safety, and the report has been sent to the Commission for consideration in framing their recommendations. Apart from these there are other questions of conduct and discipline which I commend to the earnest attention of all concerned.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that Great Britain is the only large coal-producing country in Europe which does not subsidise its coal exports; and whether he will take steps to secure that a conference should be called at the earliest possible opportunity with a view to seeing whether some agreement can be reached that will terminate or limit such subsidies?

I have seen a recent statement to that effect, but I must not be taken as accepting it without considerable qualification, as so much depends upon the different interpretations which can be placed on the word "subsidy." With regard to the second part of the question, I do not think that such a conference could achieve anything unless its terms of reference were extended to cover every aspect of competition in the export coal market; but this, as I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry) on 29th October, is primarily a matter for the coal trade itself.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will authorise publishing the prices paid for coal supplied to industrial consumers, municipal and public undertakings, and for domestic purposes, for the quarter ended September, 1937, and for September, 1935, with a comparable statement dealing with f.o.b. export prices?

I regret that the statistics that the hon. Member requires with regard to inland prices are not available in my Department and it is not possible therefore to publish the comparable statement he desires.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average f.o.b. coal prices at the port of Cardiff, respectively, for the quarters ending September, 1935, and September, 1937, and the average freightage rates charged for shipment in the same periods?

The average declared value per ton f.o.b. of coal exported from Cardiff was 17s. 3d. in the quarter ended September, 1935, and 203. 3d. in the quarter ended September, 1937. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the average prices realised at pit-head in South Wales for best steams shipped abroad; and the price per ton at which local consumers can obtain the same class and quality of coal?

I regret that this information is not available in my Department.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that at Newtown Colliery, Pendlebury, belonging to the Manchester Collieries, they have been contravening Clause 7 of the Explosions in Coal Mines Order Regulations, 1934, which relates to shot-firing on main haulage roads; and will he say what steps his Department intends to take with the colliery company?

I am aware of the fact stated, but, as I explained to a deputation from the Mineworkers' Federation on 15th October, I am advised by the Chief Inspector, after the fullest investigation, that there are exceptional circumstances which make it impracticable for the management to comply fully with the clause in question without detriment to 'safety in other important respects. In order to meet such exceptional cases, I propose to amend the Explosives Order by conferring on the Chief Inspector power, where he is satisfied that the firing of shots on a main road in circumstances not at present permitted by Clause 7 is necessary in the interests of safety, to allow such shots to be fired, subject to the observance of such precautions as he deems necessary and adequate. The Chief Inspector will consult the representatives of the workmen before exercising this power in individual cases.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the total amounts paid in the Cannock Chase district for royalties on coal during each of the past five years?

The estimated amounts paid by colliery owners in Cannock Chase in royalties and way-leaves (including the rental value of freehold minerals where worked by the proprietors) during the years 1932 to 1936, are ac follow:—

Year				Amount.
				£
1932	…	…	…	82, 000
1933	…	…	…	81,000
1934	…	…	…	86, 000
1935	…	…	…	87,000
1936	…	…	…	90,000

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the total number of persons in receipt of royalties from coal in the Cannock Chase district; and if he can give the respective numbers receiving amounts of £100, £500, £750, £1,000, or over, per annum?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of prosecutions, and give particulars of those that have taken place, during the three years ended to the last convenient date, in respect of contraventions of the regulations for the care and treatment of pit ponies?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the total amount of assistance given to the agricultural industry in Great Britain in the last three years for which figures are available

—	1934.	1935.	1936.
	£	£	£
Wheat Deficiency Payments*	6,781,504	5,611,276	5,618,812
Beet Sugar Subsidy	4,449,883	2,285,570	2,980,978
Beet Sugar Rebate of Taxation	2,882,000	2,660,000	2,407,000
Cattle (Payments to Producers)	1,899,042 (7 months)	3,597,492	3,715,322
Milk (Payments to Milk Marketing Boards)	1,233,060	1,713454	938,598
	17,245,489	15,867,792	15,660,710
* These amounts were paid out of the Wheat Fund under the Wheat Act, 1932. The periods covered are the cereal years ended 31st July, 1935, 1936 and 1937.

It is not possible to express in terms of money the benefit which agriculture has derived from derating during these years. The amount included in the block grant in respect of the year 1928–29 on the basis of benefit to agriculture in that year totalled approximately £10,800,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the grounds on which, in certain instances, licences for curing bacon in respect of the year 1938 are subject to the condition that the licensees must not exceed their average output in the two years 1934 and 1935, even in cases where such bacon curers were in the habit of producing more bacon prior to the introduction of the bacon marketing scheme than the aver-

The amount for the three financial years 1934, 1935 and 1936 is as follows:age amount they produced in the years 1934 and 1935?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is informed by the Bacon Development Board that there are no licences which provide that the licensees must not exceed their average output in the two years, 1934 and 1935. There are, however, a number of licences issued in respect of the year 1937 which are subject to the condition that the licensees must not produce in the premises more bacon than was produced during the year 1935, and the board have announced their intention of continuing this limitation in respect of the year 1938. In all these cases the curers concerned had applied to the Development Board for permission to erect new accommodation at their premises or to transfer their business to new premises or to bring into operation new factories, and the limitation was imposed for the purpose of ensuring that the total factory capacity, which is already excessive in relation to the supply of pigs, would not be increased as a result of the permission being granted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made during the current year with regard to the artificial drying of crops by machines burning coke or coal; and whether he will consider taking further action to stimulate such development?

As indicated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver) on 29th October, the Ministry and the Agricultural Research Council are collaborating in an investigation of the various grass-drying processes. A report by the Agricultural Research Council was published last May, but I am informed that the additional information obtained during the current year would not justify the publication of a further report at the present time. The position is, however, being kept under constant notice by the Council and the Ministry.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of tin mines in operation in this country in September, 1936, and September, 1937?

In September, 1936, six mines were producing tin ore and development work was being carried on at three other mines. Comparable figures in September, 1937, were 10 and 5 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Government to establish trading estates in county Durham, other than the Team Valley trading estate, with a view to providing work for the large number of persons unemployed in this county; if so, when, and where?

It is not the present intention to establish further trading estates in Durham comparable with that of Team Valley. The Commissioner is, however, acquiring a site for a number of factories at Pallion, near Sunderland, and is considering the suitability of a similar site in the south-west part of the county. The Commissioner will also be ready, in 'suitable circumstances, to exercise his power to provide individual factories and sites elsewhere in the area, though it will be appreciated that, in regard to the establishment of light industries, economic advantage lies, on the whole, in concentration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of factories now completed; the number under construction; and the number of persons that have found employment on the Team Valley trading estate up to the most recent date for which figures are available?

On the 29th October, the number of factories completed on the Team Valley trading estate was 23. In addition, 35 were under construction to meet the definite requirements of industrialists. On that date just over 1,200 persons were employed on the work of developing the estate and just over 550 were already employed in those factories where operations had begun.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to support the allocation of a small sum, varying locally according to needs, to each Employment Exchange to be used at the discretion of the manager for payment of local fares of applicants, shaves for those about to apply for work, and other exceptional assistance which cannot easily be allowed for in rigid regulations?

I have every sympathy with the object the hon. Member has in mind, but I fear that it would not be feasible to provide public funds for use in the circumstances he describes.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of persons aged 16 years and upwards that have been transferred from Durham county to other areas each year since 1932?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th October, 1937; col. 223, Vol. 328) supplied the following statement:

Year.		Men.	Women.	Boys.	Girls.	Total.
1932	…	2,341	503	212	576	3,632
1933	…	1,628	987	450	809	3,874
1934	…	1,883	883	585	618	3,969
1935	…	4,082	1,613	1,563	2,297	8,555
1936	…	5,253	2,032	2,041	1,419	10,475
1937 (half year to June)	…	2,558	1,206	949	899	5,612

Separate figures for boys and girls aged 16 to 18 are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any established industry in an area which is reasonably prosperous has been allowed to transfer to any one of the Special Areas; and will he reassure the House that it is not the intention of the Government to encourage such transfers, either with assistance from Government resources or from the Nuffield Trust?

No permission is required for the transfer of an industrial undertaking from one part of the country to another. As regards the second part of the question, it is the definite policy of the Government to encourage the establishment of new industries in the Special Areas, but I would repeat the assurance given in the Debates on Special Areas legislation last Session that, in carrying out that policy, full regard will be paid to the economic and other circumstances of each particular case. The Government do not control the administration of the Nuffield Trust.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of alien permits granted to operatives in the employ of the British Bata Shoe Company, East Tilbury; the length of time such permits have been in operation; and the duration of the present permits?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th October, 1937; col. 230, Vol. 328) supplied the following statement:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the difficulty in providing milk from local producers in small quantities to school children in rural areas has resulted in a decrease in the quantities supplied; and whether he will consider a scheme for providing milk in these areas from a central distributing depot?

As stated in the replies which I gave on 28th June to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Drewe) and on 15th July to the hon. and gallant Member for the Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore), I am aware that difficulty is being experienced in obtaining supplies of milk in certain rural areas because the suppliers claim that the distribution allowance under the milk-in-schools scheme is insufficient. This question is receiving full consideration in connection with the Government's long-term milk policy. While this difficulty has no doubt resulted in a decrease in the quantities of milk supplied in certain districts I have at present no evidence that it has resulted in a general decline, as on the 31st March, 1937, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of public elementary school children taking milk under the scheme in the county areas in England and Wales was 54,000 greater than on 1st October, 1936, although the total number of children in the schools in those areas had fallen by 18,000. I will consider the suggestion that milk in rural areas should be supplied from a central distributing depot, but this would present some serious practical difficulties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many and which schools in Wales have film projectors for the instruction of children?

As the Board do not obtain returns from schools which have film projectors, I regret that I am unable to supply the information asked for by my hon. Friend. I understand from the British Film Institute that 38 schools in Wales are known by them to have projectors, but this number is probably short of the total.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of properties scheduled for demolition under slum clearance schemes during the first six months of 1937; what was the total compensation awarded to their owners; and what was the approximate total annual rental being paid by their occupants before such scheduling?

The total number of houses included in orders confirmed by my right hon. Friend during the first six months of 1937 was 22,765. As regards the second and third parts of the question my right hon. Friend has no information as to the total compensation paid in respect of the houses referred to, or as to their annual rentals.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will provide statistics showing the full hospital accommodation of this country, whether provided by local authorities, voluntary effort, or other means; to what extent it is anticipated this accommodation is likely to be increased during the next few years; and what steps are now being taken to ensure that the resulting increased demand for nurses will be met?

I will furnish my hon. Friend with such information as is available in reply to the first part of the question, but my right hon. Friend is afraid that it is not possible for him to anticipate what, if any, increase in hospital accommodation is likely to occur within the next few years. As regards the third part of the question, my right hon. Friend has already informed the House that he is proposing to appoint a Departmental Committee to investigate certain important questions concerning the nursing profession. He hopes to announce the personnel and the terms of reference shortly.

asked the Minister of Health what local authorities have issued licences for camping in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he has no information as to the action which local authorities have taken under Section 269 of the Public Health Act, 1936. They are under no obligation to report that action to him. I may, however, observe that the Act came into operation only on the 1st October of this year.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has now been made with the survey of water resources. potential as well as actual; and when it is hoped to complete this survey?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Second Annual Report of the Inland Water Survey Committee published on the 10th October. I understand that their first publication of records is in the press. The survey will be continuous. It will be appreciated that measurements over a long period of years are required before any reliable calculation of water resources can be made.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the provision of water supplies in rural areas; in how many instances have wells been sunk without result; and what is the total amount of capital expenditure involved in new rural waterworks?

Since the Rural Water Supplies Act, 1934, was passed, schemes have been undertaken for 2,900 parishes at an estimated capital expenditure of over £9,000,000. In 14 instances, wells were sunk and proved abortive and other sources sought.

asked the Minister of Health under what circumstances it is essential to a claim to a contributory pension at 65 years of age and continuance for life of national health insurance benefits otherwise than cash, that an insured voluntary contributor should stamp his contribution card in respect of any period subsequent to the 30th June immediately prior to his sixty-fifth birthday?

The National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Acts contemplate in normal circumstances the cessation of weekly contributions from a voluntary contributor only on the attainment of the age of 65. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that it is difficult to advise as to exceptions from this rule except on the facts of a particular case.

asked the Minister of Health how many death certificates were received in the years 1926, 1927, 1928, 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936, on which death was attributed to vaccination or associated therewith; and how many of these deaths, in each year, were assigned by the Registrar-General to vaccinia?

The following is the information desired by the hon. Member:

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can now make a statement regarding the administration of the Ministry of Pensions in reply to the case submitted by the deputation of hon. Members whom he received in February, 1937?

I cannot properly make any general statement regarding the administration of my Department except on the vote for the Ministry in Committee of Supply. With regard to the issues raised by the deputation introduced by the hon. Member in February last, which advocated far - reaching' changes in the accepted principles of war service compensation, I can only say that no evidence has yet been produced to me which would call for formal inquiry. I would add that the Ministry's organisation already provides means of approach for all cases of claim or complaint, and I am personally always ready to examine any individual cases that hon. Members may put to me.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can give some information regarding the provision of treatment for Major John Birkett for wounds received in the War?

Exhaustive inquiries have been made into this gentleman's case, but the War Office inform me that they have no record of his service as a Commissioned Officer in the Great War. I am, however, making further inquiries, and as my hon. Friend has presumably satisfied himself as to Mr. Birkett's service, perhaps he can assist me with more detailed information.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the temporary civil servants employed in the Ministry's hospitals are at present not entitled to any superannuation; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to remedy this grievance?

Staffs employed on a temporary footing in the Ministry's hospitals are, as in other Departments of the State, not entitled to pension under the Superannuation Acts, but, subject to the necessary conditions being satisfied, are eligible for consideration for gratuities on retirement. The circumstances would not, in my opinion, justify special action in favour of the staff referred to.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in framing the forthcoming legislation to extend and cheapen electricity for farm uses, he is noting the action of a Derbyshire power company, acting on the suggestion of the rural community council of Derbyshire, in giving special experimental facilities on one selected farm; what have been the results of this action; and whether he will encourage similar action by power companies in other areas?

I have noted this promising experiment with interest and hope it will be adopted in other areas. One object of the reorganisation which the Government have in mind will be to facilitate progressive development in rural areas, so far as is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he intends to take on the representations he has received from sections of the cotton industry on the removal of quotas in Ceylon?

The President of the Board of Trade and I recently received a representative deputation from Lancashire, with whom the matter was discussed at length. I understand that the deputation were satisfied with the explanations given and no further action is proposed.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware of the sentence to birching of two boys, aged nine and 14, at Airdrie Sheriff Court; whether the ordinary court procedure was followed in this case; whether, being juveniles, any probation officer was asked to provide a report on the case; and what action, if any, does he propose to take to ensure that the law, in its application to juvenile courts and the hearing of charges against juveniles, is given effect to in the letter and the spirit in Scottish courts?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I am informed that there was available to the Court all the information required by the Regulations and necessary for the disposal of the case, and that the Probation Officer, who had been formally notified of the case, was in attendance, and was offered an opportunity of addressing the Court. The last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total number of convictions in the juvenile court of Maryhill, Glasgow, for the years ended September, 1936, and September, 1937, respectively?

I am informed that the findings of guilt recorded against juveniles in the Maryhill Court during the years ended 30th September, 1936. and 30th September, 1937, were 370 and 554 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the many public protests against the sentences of birching passed on boys of 14, 11, and 9 years of age in the sheriffs courts of Airdrie and Falkirk; and what action, if any, does he propose to put an end to the infliction of such sentences upon children?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As stated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Shettleston on the 28th October, 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; and, 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 how many juvenile courts have been set up in Scotland; where they have been set up; if he is satisfied with the progress made; and what action he proposes to encourage and enable local authorities to set up juvenile courts?

Juvenile courts constituted under the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act, 1932, are held at Paisley, Greenock and Giffnock in Renfrewshire and at Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews and Cupar in Fife. The setting-up of similar courts in other areas was necessarily delayed pending a decision in the special case concerning legal difficulties involved in the working of the courts. I hope shortly to be in a position to make Orders under which juvenile courts will be set up in Ayrshire and the City of Aberdeen, and by means of a general circular to expedite progress in other areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total acreage of land in Scotland used for agricultural production for the years ended 1935 and 1936, respectively?

The total area of land in Scotland used for agricultural and pastoral purposes amounted to 14,981,647 acres in 1935 and to 15,003,069 acres in 1936.

—	1935.	1936.
	Acres.	Acres.
Arable land	2,982,911	2,975,995
Land under permanent grass.	1,615,636	1,616,382
Land under crops and grass.	4.598,547	4,592,377
Mountain and heath land used for grazing.	10,383,100	10,410,692
Total area of land used for agricultural and pastoral purposes.	14,981,647	15,003,069

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total number of old age pensioners in Glasgow receiving public assistance relief for the years ended September, 1936 and 1937, respectively?

The number of old age pensioners in receipt of relief in Glasgow at 15th May, 1936, was 13,428; at 15th November, 1936, 13,462; and at 15th May, 1937, 14,054. September figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the opinion of the chief constable of Glasgow that some 300 more policemen are needed, he is satisfied that the present force is adequate for the proper policing of Glasgow, including the new housing schemes?

The Glasgow Corporation, who are charged by Statute with the duty of fixing the size of the police force and have detailed knowledge of the policing requirements of the city, have recently disapproved the proposal to add a substantial number of men to the force. In these circumstances, I am not satisfied, on present information, that I would be justified in taking the view that the existing force is meantime inadequate. I am informed that the Corporation are now considering what steps may require to be taken in connection with the policing of the city during 1938.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that by a literal interpretation of an Act of 1854 small greenhouses and pigeon-houses kept by working men as hobbies are being held liable to rates; and, in view of the fact that both these hobbies are worthy of encouragement and that neither are indulged in for trade purposes, will he consider the matter with a view to allowing a maximum size of between 80 and 100 square feet to be deemed to be below the limit of assessability to rates in respect of such greenhouses or pigeon-houses?

The point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend has not previously been brought to my notice but I shall look into it. Any exemption from rates for which provision is not already made in the Statutes would involve amending legislation, as to which I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give any figures showing the movement in the cost of building working-class houses in Scotland since the summer; and whether there is an increase or a decrease compared with the same period last year in the number of houses approved for construction with the aid of a State grant?

The average cost per house of all the houses for which tenders were approved by the Department of Health in the third quarter of 1937 exceeded the cost in the second quarter of 1937 by £16. The number of houses approved for construction with State assistance in the third quarter of 1937 was 3,549 as against 9.647 for the corresponding quarter of last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give statistics, to the last convenient date, showing the amount of fines collected in Scotland in respect of street betting?

The precise figures desired by the hon. Member are not available but following is a summary of the fines received in respect of betting, gaming and lottery offences in Scotland in each of the years 1931 to 1936 inclusive, the greater part of which relate to betting offences.

Year and Amounts received by way of Fines in Scotland in respect of Betting, Gaming and Lottery Offences.
				£
1931	…	…	…	11,735
1932	…	…	…	12,837
1933	…	…	…	12,532
1934	…	…	…	15,466
1935	…	…	…	13,803
1936	…	…	…	16,387

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any woman with nursing qualifications has been appointed to the committee of inquiry into the recruitment for and conditions obtaining in the nursing profession; and whether inquiries through the usual channels took place as to the composition of the committee prior to its appointment?

Two members of the committee—Miss Smaill, the Superintendent of Nurses at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and Miss Whyte, the Matron of Robroyston Hospital, Glasgow—have nursing qualifications. With regard to the second part of the question, I decided to invite the members of the Scottish Committee which inquired into the training and registration of nurses in 1935, to extend the scope of their investigations to cover questions of recruitment and conditions of service. The only new member of the committee is Lord Alness, who has agreed to act as Chairman in place of Sir Archibald Black, now Sheriff of Lanarkshire and unable, on account of the duties of his office, to undertake this further work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the serious encroachments of bracken in the outer islands of Argyllshire, Berwickshire, Ross-shire and Sutherlandshire; whether he is aware that the total grant given for the eradication of bracken during the year 1936 was £9 5s. for each of these counties; whether this £9 5s. is to be spread over three years; and whether he will consider schemes for the allocation of grants for hand-cutting of bracken more suitable to hill territory?

I am aware that bracken has increased on many pastoral farms in the counties mentioned, as in others. The grants offered in 1936, which represent half the purchase price of machines and are spread over a period of three years, amounted to £194 15s. in Argyll (including one of £9 5s. in an island) and 5s. in each of the counties of Berwick, Ross and Cromarty, and Sutherland. During the present year grants have been offered amounting to £296 in Argyll and to £42 10S. in each of the counties of Berwick and Sutherland. With regard to the last part of the question grants to hill farmers for the general eradication of one kind of weed alone would not, so far as I have seen any practical proposals, be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the disparity in the salary rates and conditions of employment of the staffs employed by the National Library in Edinburgh, the Register House in Edinburgh, and the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to the equalisation of salary rates and conditions for similar qualifications and employment?

I have made inquiry and am aware of the differences mentioned in the first part of the question, which are due to differences in the organisation and duties of the Departments. The existing scales of salary in the Register House were settled in agreement with the representatives of the staff in 1933; and there has been no change of circumstances calling for further inquiry. The salary rates and conditions of the other two Departments are kept under review and considered from time to time as circumstances require.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give any reason for the delay in the inauguration of the Kelvin Valley drainage scheme?

As I stated in my reply to the right hon. Member on 9th March last, the commencement of operations depends on factors which are not within my control. Arbitration is proceeding and I should like to assure the right hon. Member that the Department of Agriculture is doing all that lies in its power to secure expedition within the limits of the procedure laid down by Statute.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution passed at a conference of Members of Parliament and local authorities' representatives, held in Glasgow on 30th September, in which proposals were put forward to improve the housing position in Scotland; and whether he has any statement to make as to the attitude of the Government to wards these proposals?

Yes, Sir, so far as the resolution refers to the proposal that the supply and price of materials should be controlled, I would refer the hon. Member to what I said during the Debate on the Estimates of the Department of Health on 22nd July last, when I indicated that the solution of the present difficulties lay in my opinion rather in the increase of the existing supply of materials and labour.With regard to the supply of building labour the recently appointed Joint Consultative Committee of the Building Trades, employers and employed, are now at work on this problem. With regard to housing subsidies the statutory review of existing rates is now due and the Department have asked representatives of local authorities to meet them on the 15th November to discuss this question. On the last point dealt with in the resolution, it is expected that the decrowding operations of local authorities will release fit houses suitable for other needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the estimate of the Comissioner for the Special Areas in Scotland, that it is possible to bring a vastly increased area of peat-bog under cultivation; and how much such a policy of reclamation would cost per too acres reclaimed?

I assume that the question has reference to the hope expressed by the Special Areas Commissioner that the peat reclamation experiment which he is assisting the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research to carry out at Woodend Farm, near Carnwath, may make it possible to bring an increased area of land under cultivation. I am informed by the Commissioner that the first stage of the experiment will not be completed until November, 1938, and that it will be some time before the final cost can be estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the petition from Milton of Balgonie, signed by 95 per cent. of the ratepayers of that place, protesting against the payment of a drainage rate to the Fife County Council when no drainage facilities are provided; and what steps are being taken to meet the grievances of the signatories in this matter?

I have received a copy of the petition to the Fife County Council to which the hon. Member refers. I am informed that while considerable progress has been made in the negotiations which are proceeding between the county council and the firms and neighbouring authorities concerned with regard to the construction of the regional sewer into which the drainage of sewers for Milton of Balgonie would discharge, the negotiations are not yet completed. I hope very much that these will soon be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, so as to permit a start to be made at the earliest possible date with the construction of the sewer. With regard to the levying of a drainage rate, the county council, as I indicated in reply to the hon. Member's question of 16th February last, consider that they are fully entitled to impose the rate. If the inhabitants think they are being improperly rated their remedy can only lie in the courts. The Secretary of State has undoubtedly no right to interfere.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in reference to the present situation in China, whether His Majesty's Government has ascertained the views of the Dominions, especially Australia, New Zealand, and Canada; and whether the policy now being pursued represents a concerted Empire policy?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have been in constant communication with His Majesty's Governments in Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa regarding the present situation in China and in particular regarding the work of the Brussels Conference. These Dominions will be separately represented at that conference and the United Kingdom delegation will remain in the closest touch with their representative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give the extent to which there have been transfers of staff from one Civil Service Department to another in the course of the last 12 months; and whether efforts are being made to ensure that such transfers are made when possible instead of adding to the service by appointments from outside?

It would not be possible, without disproportionate expenditure of time and labour, to give details of all transfers of staff from one Government Department to another during the last 12 months. Such transfers have been of fairly frequent occurrence and cover a wide field. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. My hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that, if redundant staff exist, special steps are taken to absorb them before recourse is had to outside recruitment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the foreign countries with which Great Britain has conventions in operation regarding legal proceedings similar to that entered into with Jugoslavia on 27th February, 1936, and ratified on 28th June, 1937; and which of these conventions apply to Scotland?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 1st November, 1937: col. 510, Vol. 328) supplied the following particulars:The following are the countries with whom conventions to facilitate legal proceedings in civil and commercial matters have been concluded: Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Yugoslavia.