asked the President of the Board of Trade, what is the age of s.s. "Bobie"; when was she transferred to the British flag; how many British officers and crew are on board; and whether anyone on the s.s. "Bobie" can speak English?

The s.s. "Bobie" is 54 years old and was transferred to the British flag from the French flag on 9th July last. She is now registered at Gibraltar, and according to the latest information available at that port, there are no British officers or crew on the vessel, but the Master speaks English.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether any special steps will be taken to ensure that Welsh exports are fully considered in the conclusion of any Anglo-American trade agreement?

I can assure my hon. and learned Friend that the interests of all branches of United Kingdom export trade, including those in which Wales is specially concerned, will be taken into consideration in connection with these negotiations.

asked the Home Secretary how many domestic servants were prosecuted in the years ending 31st October, 1936 and 1937, respectively, for obtaining situations by means of false or fraudulent certificates of character?

Statistics for 1937 are not yet available. The number of prosecutions for offences under the Servants' Characters Act, 1792, was 25 in 1936 and 21 in 1935. These figures, however, include all offences under that Act. Separate figures for the particular offence referred to are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present number of unemployed persons who are receiving training which will fit them to take up employment on farms?

My Department does not provide direct training in agriculture for unemployed persons. The Land Settlement Association trains unemployed men for settlement on the land, and I am informed that the number of men now in training on the Association's estates is 691. There are also at present 42 boys being trained for farm work by certain organisations in connection with the Juvenile Transference Scheme.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in connection with air-raid precautions and the measures now being adopted, he is considering the necessity for the installation of poison-gas filtration apparatus for the introduction of purified air into gas-proofed rooms or chambers or decontamination centres for the general protection of the occupants, and particularly for the protection against poison gas of the aged, invalids, children, and foodstuffs, and for the protection of governmental, civil, and council servants whilst engaged in their duties during air-raids, the execution of which might be hampered by the wearing of gas masks; and whether any such suitable apparatus has been brought to the notice of the Department concerned and is being considered?

The installation of mechanical ventilation in gas-proofed accommodation is normally only considered necessary—

(a) where the number of persons accommodated is greater than will permit of an allowance of 75 square feet of surface area (floor, ceiling and walls) per person; and

(b) where the exacting nature of the work which is being carried on makes special ventilation essential.

Except in these circumstances, the usual methods of gas-proofing without mechanical ventilation are considered to afford adequate protection against gas. A procedure exists whereby private manufacturers may be licensed to affix to filtration plants of their own design a Home Office mark certifying that the apparatus has been tested and conforms to a standard specification of performance. Two such designs are under investigation.