asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the large number of cases in Glasgow where applicants for Poor Law relief are being refused boots and clothing for themselves and their children because they are receiving 7s. 6d. per week from National Health Insurance; and if he will take steps to prevent the benefits of the Insurance Act from being defeated in this manner by the Glasgow Corporation?

I am having inquiries made into Glasgow Corporation's practice in the matter of the supply of boots and clothing to applicants for poor relief and to their children. I shall communicate with the hon. Member as soon as these inquiries are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of married householders in Glasgow who are at present on able-bodied relief from the Public Assistance Department; the number on the maximum allowance of 40s. weekly; the number drawing special relief in excess of 40s.; and what is the highest weekly amount paid to a married applicant with a family?

I am informed by the Corporation of Glasgow that the information asked for by the hon. Member will be available about the end of this month. I will send it to the hon. Member as soon as I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the wages paid and hours worked by each section of lamplighters in the service of the Glasgow Corporation?

I am informed that the service conditions of the three classes of lamplighters in the employment of the corporation are as follows:Stairlighters have a working week of 40 hours, and are paid 50s. per week in addition to being provided with uniform clothing.Part-time stairlighters have a 28-hour week and are paid 40s. 2d. per week, no uniform being provided.Streetlighters have a 42-hour week and are paid 55s. per week for the first year, and 56s. per week thereafter, in addition to being provided with uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number and names, respectively, of towns and counties in Scotland where the education authorities have restored to the teachers the DJ per cent, economy cut of 1931?

Following on the National Economy Act, 1931, reductions ranging from 10 per cent. downwards were made in the salaries of the teachers in the employment of the 35 Education Authorities in Scotland. By 1st July, 1935, all these cuts had been restored in full.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the result of the petition to him by the Prison Officers' Representative Board for an improvement in their scales of pay?

I am informed that no petition on the subject has yet been submitted to the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action was taken by the Prisons Department regarding petitions from Group 11 B at Barlinnie Prison, through their representative on the Representative Board, on behalf of the subordinate staff?

I am not aware on the information available of the nature of the petitions referred to. Petitions on local matters may be made to the Governor by the representative officer of the Prison Officers' Representative Board and thereafter, if necessary, through the Governor to the Prisons Department; and it does not appear that any such petition from Barlinnie Prison has recently reached the Prisons Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officers have resigned from the Prison Officers Representative Board during the past six months; and what were the reasons for the resignations?

One resignation has been intimated to the Department during the period in question. I am not aware of the reason for this resignation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the operations may commence for the building of new quarters for the Barlinnie staff; and whether immediate steps will be taken to improve the supplies of drinking water?

It is hoped that the building operations will begin in January, 1938. It is not proposed to alter the existing arrangements for the supply of water to the houses which are to be replaced by the new buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the number of discipline officers in the Scottish prison service who have been promoted to Class 1 during the past six years; and the corresponding figures for Barlinnie Prison during the same period?

The numbers are 25 and 2 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that notices relating to meetings of the Prison Officers' Representative Board at Barlinnie Prison are being forbidden to be exhibited for the information of the staff; and will he arrange for this facility being given?

Provision is made in the constitution of the Scottish Prison Officers' Representative Board for the exhibition of notices with the Governor's sanction (which shall not be unreasonably withheld). My information is that this provision is duly observed at Barlinnie Prison.

asked the Secretary of. State for Scotland whether he is aware. that, with a male staff of over 100 at Barlinnie Prison, there is only one water-closet for their use; and will he take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

The number of male officers on duty at any one time normally ranges from 70 to 80. The existing provision of sanitary conveniences for these officers is being increased.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that there is a shortage of trained personnel at Barlinnie prison; that the staff are unable to have their leave when it falls due; and will he see that this is remedied?

It does not appear, on inquiry, that there is any ground for the statements in the first and second parts of the question. The third part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the percentage number of prison officers who attended the duly-convened meetings of the Prison Officers Representative Board at Barlinnie and Edinburgh prisons, and Polmont institution, respectively?

Reports of attendances at such meetings are not made to the Department. The information asked for is not therefore available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that nine weeks are required for the train-

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state

Candidates undergo a course of nine weeks' training at the Imperial Training School for Prison Officers, followed by four weeks at a Scottish Prison; and if found satisfactory they are certificated by the Civil Service Commissioners, at the end of the period of training, for appointment as Warder. The initial period of three months' training counts as to one-half for pension. This rule is in accordance with the Civil Service practice and with Section 3 (1) of the Superannuation Act, 1935. No alteration appears to be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give, in tabulated form, the numbers of persons received into mental institutions in Scotland, according to age groups, over the years from and including 1930?

The numbers of admissions into Scottish Asylums and Lunatic Wards of Poorhouses of certified lunatic patients (excluding transfers from other Asylums and from Lunatic Wards of Poorhouses) divided into age groups in respect of each sex for each year from 1930 to 1936, inclusive, are as follow:the number, names and salaries of Glasgow Corporation employés who were engaged as enumerators, polling clerks

I am informed that approximately 220 employés of the Corporation were engaged as enumerators: none as poll clerks; and 100 as presiding officers. The officials engaged were selected by the Returning Officer from those with salaries not exceeding £300 per annum on the recommendation of the various Heads of Departments. They were paid the same fees as the other officers engaged, no deduction being made from salaries.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware of the case where a Shettleston woman tendered a weekly payment of 2s. 6d. on 6th November, 1937, to Mr. Turkington, Debt Recovery Agent, Gallowgate, Glasgow; that he refused the payment at his office and threatened to sell off the woman's household effects and used violent language to this lady and put her in a state of collapse; whether he is further aware of a former case where a Tollcross lady fainted in Mr. Turkington's office in consequence of a similar attack; whether the procurator fiscal has, inquired into the debt cases of these women; and, seeing that Mr. Turkington is using illegal

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the owners of the "Dover Abbey" have received a telegram from the British

My inquiries confirm generally the hon. Member's account of the first case mentioned in the question. I understand that the lady has consulted solicitors who have intimated to Mr. Turkington that, in the event of diligence being done in contravention of the agreement, an action of damages will be raised. I have been unable to identify the second case referred to. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar question by him on 29th April last, of which I am sending a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of lead concentrates exported from this country for the years 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1937, giving separate figures for each country?

The following table shows the quantity and value of lead ore and concentrates exported from the United Kingdom during the undermentioned periods, distinguishing the principal countries of consignment.consul at Corunna stating that the release of all vessels has now been withdrawn by the authorities at Salamanca; what steps the Government is taking to secure the release of these vessels; and will he give any indication as to the length of time these vessels are expected to be retained?

As my hon. and gallant Friend will remember from the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 8th November, the Salamanca authorities have agreed to the release of all British vessels detained by them. I am aware that the release of the "Dover Abbey" was temporarily held up. But I am glad to be able to state that this vessel has now left, together with all the other vessels previously detained by the Salamanca authorities, except one. I have every hope that this last vessel will very shortly be able to leave.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the charges made at a recent meeting of the Birmingham City Council of profiteering in house-rents by some small-house property owners; and whether, in order to allay anxiety and to stop this practice, he will cause an inquiry to be held, and, if found necessary, take legislative action to punish those who are guilty of using the sum-clearance orders and overcrowding Acts for the purpose of rent-profiteering?

I have seen an account in the Press of the meeting to which my hon. Friend refers. I understand that the Departmental Committee which is at present considering the workings of the Rent Restrictions Acts have had the assistance of a memorandum submitted by the City Council and have also heard oral evidence from the local Tenants' Federation. The conditions reported in this evidence will no doubt be taken into account by the Committee in framing their report, which my right hon. Friend hopes to receive in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that aged inmates of institutions do not receive weekly pocket money out of their pensions unless they are receiving medical or surgical treatment; and whether he will issue regulations, or take other steps, to allow those who are not ill to receive a part of their pension by way of pocket money each week, in view of the fact that the cost of their maintenance is less, fewer extras are provided for them, and their opportunities for spending are greater?

This matter could not be dealt with by regulations and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 11th instant to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans).

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in a case where action taken by his Department has led to an employer being convicted for gross omission to pay insurance contributions in respect of an employé, the Department cannot itself take proceedings on behalf of the employé for the recovery of actual loss of benefit attributable to the employer's omission; and whether he would be prepared to introduce legislation to make this possible?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, the hon. Member will be aware that under the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act proceedings against an employer for the recovery, as a civil debt, of benefit lost to an insured person through the employer's failure to pay contributions may be taken not only by the insured person, but also by his approved society acting in his name and on his behalf. My right hon. Friend does not think that it is necessary to supplement these provisions on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health what were the ages of the persons whose deaths were certified in the years 1926, 1927, 1928, 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936, to have been due to vaccination or associated therewith; and what were the ages of the persons in those years whose deaths were assigned to vaccinia?

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

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make inquiries into the case of John Burrett, who was arrested on the charge of receiving bets in the street, complied with the request of the constable to keep his hands from his pockets, and, when searched, was found to possess no betting slips whatever, but was fined 20S.; and whether, as this young man has never been previously charged, he will remit this sentence?

The charge against this man was not one of receiving bets in the street, but of loitering in a street for the purpose of betting. After hearing the evidence the magistrate decided to convict and imposed a fine of £5, but after considering representations made by the defendant he reduced the fine to £2. This fine has been paid and my right hon. Friend can find no ground for recommending that any part of it should be remitted.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consult the London Passenger Transport Board in respect to the present inadequacy of travelling facilities provided by them in the place of the West Ham tramways, and make representations in order that better arrangements are made?

The Board have informed me that the trolley buses which have taken the place of the tramways contain more seats than the latter. The Intervals

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the total export of coal from Germany to Canada during the last three years;(2) the total export of coal from Great Britain to Canada during the last three years?

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the total British export of coal for the last eight months; and whether the figure shows an increase over a similar period for 1933;

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department have made an independent investigation of the Bedaux system of factory working; if so, whether he has issued any report on the subject; whether he has any statistics to show the number of factories in this country in which this system is in operation; and whether he has received any specific complaints from organised labour as to the effect of this system in any particular factory?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part of the question the Department has been called upon to intervene in a number of trade disputes in connection with the introduction or application of this system.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of ascertaining if suitable land for cultivation of willows for basket-making can be found in the South Wales area, and whether there is any in Glamorgan; if so, will he call the attention of the Commissioner for Special Areas to the matter?

I am informed that the Commissioner for the Special Areas is already inquiring into this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons affected, and the amount of reduction suffered per week by unemployed persons, in the Sedgefield division of Durham since the standstill allowances were departed from?

I regret that figures relating to the Parliamentary division which includes parts of five of the Board's administrative areas, are not available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will arrange that Admiralty Order CE 3,422/37 shall be put into operation with effect as from 1st March, 1937, in relation to senior electrical station engineers and electrical station engineers, in view of the fact that the order in question relates to the salary scales of inspectors of trades; that, according to Admiralty Order CE 11,105/22, electrical station engineers rank as inspectors of trades; and that previous Admiralty Orders dealing with inspectors of trades have always been held to include electrical station engineers?

The Admiralty Order quoted in the first part of the question refers to an agreement reached between the Admiralty and the Staff Associations representing the foremen and inspectors of trades serving in His Majesty's Dockyards, for improved scales of salaries for the grades specified in the Order. A claim from the Electrical Power Engineers' Association for the revised scales of salary for inspectors of trades to be extended to senior and electrical station engineers is under consideration, and I hope that a decision will be reached in the near future.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make as to the incidents aboard His Majesty's Ship "Warspite" in June last, which led to an inquiry, followed by the dismissal of three naval ratings and the removal of three officers from their posts?

His Majesty's Ship "Warspite" after refitting at Portsmouth had been recently commissioned for foreign service, when it became known that long week-end leave, which had previously been granted to the Chatham crew, in view of the fact that the ship was stationed away from her Home Port, was not likely to be granted during the last two week-ends at home. Improper means of representing this grievance were adopted and an irregular assembly of a section of the crew took place. Subsequently the Admiralty caused an inquiry to be held with the result referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how long it is since the Commission began to plant on the Ennerdale estate, in Cumberland; how soon they expect to have any trees ready for felling on that estate; and whether they have made an estimate of the cost that must be incurred in making the roads out of Ennerdale fit for the transport of timber?

It is eleven years since the Forestry Commission began to plant on the Ennerdale Estate. The first thinnings should begin approximately nine years hence. No detailed estimate of the cost of making timber roads has been made.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether the planting programme on the Commission's estates in the Thetford district of Norfolk and Suffolk is in arrear; whether the planting programmes in any other estates controlled by the Commission are in arrears; and whether the Commissioners will consider the advisability of making up arrears of planting on existing estates before acquiring additional land in that part of the Lake District which the repre- sentatives of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England on the joint informal committee regretted was not excluded from afforestation under the agreement of July, 1936?

The planting programmes on the Forestry Commission's estates in the Thetford district and elsewhere are not in arrears; consequently the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the concession for the extraction of salts from the Dead Sea to the Palestine Potash Company, Limited, was granted under circumstances which effected an injustice to W. Makael Edwards, the owner of the Turkish concession; and whether the concession obtained by Mr. Edwards was recognised by the Palestine Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the Palestine Government did not recognise any concession for the extraction of salts from the Dead Sea prior to the grant of such a concession to Palestine Potash Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, at a meeting of the Permanent Mandates Commission for Palestine, Session 15, 1929, the then High Commissioner, Sir John Chancellor, declared that all particulars with regard to the concession for the extraction of salts from the Dead Sea had been elicited in this House; and whether he can give the date upon which information was obtained as to the existence of the agreement which had the effect of nullifying the concession within three years?

The statement of Sir John Chancellor, then High Commissioner for Palestine, referred only to the concession granted to Palestine Potash Limited and not to any further agreement. In view of the hon. Member's previous questions I assume that the second part of the question refers to the Indemnity Agreement signed on the 1st January, 1930, though it is incorrect to describe this as nullifying the concession. This agreement was not published.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the total number of migrants from Great Britain to Canada, Australia and New Zealand, separately, in each of the years since 1929 up to the latest date; and the in-flowing number to Great Britain from each of those Dominions?

The numbers of British subjects who were recorded in the passenger lists furnished to the Board of

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information as to the total number of persons who have been deported from Canada in each year since 1929?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give an assurance that no supplies of basic slag are being exported which renders the necessary supply for the agricultural community of this country inadequate at the present time?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has no power to control the export of basic slag. I am, however, informed that the producers of basic slag have taken steps to ensure that a larger proportion than usual

According to the official statistics contained in the Canada Year Book, the total numbers of persons deported from Canada to all countries during each of the fiscal years 1929 to 1936 are as follow:of the total output is available to meet the needs of farmers in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that applications to the Milk Marketing Board for supplies of cheap milk to Consett Boys Club have been refused on the grounds that the club is not an educational establishment; and whether, as free milk is provided to unemployed men attending physical training classes, he will secure the provision of cheap milk to this club for the nourishment of growing boys attending physical training classes there?

My right hon. Friend is informed by the Milk Marketing Board that these applications cannot be traced, but, in any case, the supply of cheap milk under the Milk-in-Schools Scheme is confined to the schools, centres, or courses specified in the scheme, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the re-enlisted reservists are married; what is the number of children; and what is the total additional weekly cost to the State in separation and maintenance allowances?

Of the first 1,794 reservists, 844, or rather less than half, were married with a total of 1,148 children. The estimated cost of marriage allowance for these 844 families is about £645 a week on Army Funds, but this figure makes no allowance for any reduction there may have been in allowances from other public sources.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many re-enlisted reservists have been accepted; and what steps he is taking to fill up their places in the reserve?

Up to 31st October last 2,288 reservists had been accepted. The reserve position is satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 1,400 British ex-army horses are recorded as being still at work in France and Flanders, many of them being very old, emaciated, lame and blind; and whether he will give effective support to the rescue work now in progress through private agencies?

If I were able to furnish any information which would assist private agencies to identify with certainty any old war horses in France and Flanders which may be still alive, I would gladly give it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what information he has of the manner and the extent in which the civil population of Germany and Italy are given not only military training and drill but also instruction in the use of lethal weapons?

My information on this subject is as follows:In Germany boys join the "Hitler Youth" at the age of TO and receive instruction in drill, and a certain amount of instruction in shooting with small calibre rifles as "sport." They remain in this organisation until the age of 18 when they join the "Labour Service" for six months. During this period they are instructed in drill and marching. At the age of 20 all male citizens are liable for two years military service.Members of Italian Youth Organisations receive instruction in drill from the age of six, in the use of small calibre weapons from the age of 12, and in elementary military training from the age of 14. Membership is voluntary, but few youths remain outside these organisations. From the age of 18 to 21 pre-military training is compulsory for all male citizens, and includes drill, physical training and theoretical military instruction. During this period musketry instruction is voluntary. At the age of 21 all male citizens become liable for military service.

asked the Secretary of State for War what measures he is taking to meet the shortage of officers in the Regular Army; whether the matter is under inquiry to ascertain the causes of this shortage; and how far it is due to unattractive pay and allowances?

The committee will, I understand, be reporting before the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the purchase by the Government of additional tracts of land at Salisbury Plain and in the Wylye Valley, he can state the purchase price; and whether it is the intention of the Government to make still further purchases of land for the purpose of enlarging the manoeuvre areas?

During the financial year 1936–37 £22,556 was spent on the purchase of land in Salisbury Plain. During the current year further purchases of land are being made both in Salisbury Plain and in the Wylye Valley, but as these purchases are not yet completed, I am unable at present to give a figure of cost. I am not at present in a position to say what further purchases may be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the present system of financing Territorial Army associations is cumbersome and complicated; that in a large number of cases grants are insufficient for their intended purpose; that the present system takes no account of the special needs of scattered areas; and whether he will consider introducing a block grant based on a formula which allows for special and local conditions?

In connection with several other matters affecting the Territorial Army, I will consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is still a cut of 91- per cent. in the retired pay of Army officers owing to a consolidation of the rates in 1935; and whether, in view of the fact that it has been the general principle to restore all the cuts imposed in 1931, he will recommend the restoration of this cut?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. No economy cut was made in 1931 in retired pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that students at the Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, live as sergeants in the sergeants' mess and have to bear the consequent expenses of sergeants even though they may be themselves only corporals or lance-corporals drawing the pay of their rank; and whether, in view of this and of the fact that a military music student has other expenses to keep up on account of his work, such as the provision of civilian evening dress, he will authorise the temporary promotion of all students at Kneller Hall to the rank of lance-sergeant with pay and allowances accordingly?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a bugler in the Royal Army Medical Corps Depot at Cookham, Aldershot, was given seven days confinement to barracks for having failed to attend a football match in his off-duty time; and whether he will take steps to prevent such orders being given in future?

I have not received confirmation of the facts, and I am calling for a full report on the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has given consideration to the desirability of extending the power of the Registrar of Friendly Societies in connection with the supervision of property societies and, in particular, their methods of advertising and selling securities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 4th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any arrangements have yet been made for television broadcast in Scotland; and whether such broadcasts can be made from Scottish centres of the British Broadcasting Corporation or from London?

It is one of the duties of the Television Advisory Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Selsdon, to plan the development of the television service. The question of the establishment of one or more stations to provide television broadcast programmes in areas beyond the range of the existing London station is reviewed from time to time by the committee; but I understand that further experience of the working of the London station will be necessary before the committee will be in a position to make definite recommendations on the subject.