asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the hostile attitude of producer-retailers to the daily record sheets which have to be forwarded to the Milk Marketing Board; how many of these producers are affected; and whether he will take steps to diminish the number of these forms?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 23rd November to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, East (Mr. Hepworth). The daily record is not sent to the Milk Marketing Board but is retained by the producer, who is required to render a monthly return to the Board. I am informed by the Board that approximately 65,000 registered producers hold licences to sell milk by retail.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can supply figures showing the amount of milk manufactured into butter and cheese in dairies in Great Britain during October, 1937, and in October, 1936, respectively; and whether he can also supply figures showing the amount of milk used for the purposes of condensing and chocolate manufacture during the same periods?

Following is the reply:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the recent reduction in milk supplies available for the manufacturers of Lancashire cheese has necessitated a rise in the price of the cheeses, because none of the makers concerned are able to operate at full capacity and are therefore faced with high overhead costs; and whether steps can be taken to safeguard this industry?

I appreciate that a reduction of factory output must be accompanied by some increase in production costs. Prices of first quality un-graded Lancashire cheese at Preston cheese fair rose by 35s. per cwt. between January and September, 1937, although during this period no supplies of milk were diverted by the Milk Marketing Board from the industry. During October and November, when the plan of allocation was in operation, prices rose by a further 11s. 6d. per cwt. With regard to the last part of the question, the primary cause of the reduction in the intake of cheese factories is the fact that much less milk is available for manufacture, and I regret that there is no action that I can usefully take in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Lancashire cheese makers offered on 12th October last to negotiate with the Milk Marketing Board with regard to milk supplies, but were informed that the contracts were already fixed for a year until 30th September, 1938; and whether he can arrange for this matter to be reviewed at the earliest possible opportunity, in view of the fact that, if present conditions continue during the year, the Lancashire cheese industry will be seriously affected?

I have no precise information regarding the first part of the question, although I am aware that the Lancashire cheese makers have approached the Milk Marketing Board on this subject. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Accrington (Major Procter).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the impossibility of manufacturing cheese in Great Britain on a satisfactory commercial basis when the supplies of milk necessary to such manufacture vary as widely as has been the case during the past two years, he will review the whole situation with a view to ensuring regular supplies of milk for this purpose?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to other answers given on this subject to-day.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the growth of recent years of the practice by public departments of recording the presentation to Parliament, in dummy form, of Reports and Papers which are not, in fact, available even in proof, and are not so available for many months and often not until a subsequent Session; and whether he will give further consideration to a practice which was originally instituted in order to enable Papers to be distributed to Members during a Recess?

The practice of presenting papers in dummy has been found by very long experience to serve a useful purpose, and, while it is desirable that such papers should be made available to Members as soon as reasonably possible after presentation, I do not see any sufficient reason for its reconsideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. Peter Caddy was arrested at Algeciras on the 24th December last and has been held prisoner since that date without trial by the Spanish insurgent authorities; and what action he has taken in the matter?

The case of Mr. Caddy was taken up with the insurgent authorities soon after his arrest, by His Majesty's Consul at Seville, with a view to ensuring that his trial should take place without undue delay and that he should be enabled to make adequate arrangements for his own defence. Despite repeated representations by His Majesty's Consul Mr. Caddy's case has not yet been dealt with by the courts. In these circumstances His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye has been instructed to protest to the Salamanca authorities against this delay in bringing a British subject to trial, and to urge upon them that the trial should take place forthwith and that the prisoner should receive proper facilities for his defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Minister in Mexico City has yet furnished him with a report on the attitude of the Mexican Government in regard to its obligations towards the British holders of Mexican Government bonds; and, in the absence of any such report, whether, seeing that Mexico is a State member of the League of Nations and so bound by the Covenant to co-operate for the maintenance of justice and all treaty obligations between nations, and that Mexico is now prosperous and Mexican imports now total 55.2 millions of dollars as against 106.4 millions of dollars of old United States of America dollars, he will instruct His Majesty's Minister in Mexico to negotiate with the Mexican Government with a view to arriving at some agreement in respect to a settlement?

I understand from His Majesty's Representative at Mexico City that no progress has been made in present months in connection with the negotiations for the settlement of Mexican Government's external debt. As regards the second part of the question, the position is that while His Majesty's Government are ready to give any help that is practicable, they do not consider it desirable to intervene except at the request of the recognised representatives of the British bondholders. No such request has been received.

asked the Home Secretary how many ordinary discipline officers of the officer rank attached to Swansea Prison have received the Imperial Service Medal?

The Regulations governing the award of this medal preclude its issue to serving officers and consequently no officers at present attached to Swansea Prison have received the medal. In the last 12 years five awards of the medal have been made to officers on retirement from Swansea Prison, namely, three chief officers, one principal officer and one officer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government is still pressing the Russian Government for a settlement of the claims of British creditors, who have credits in Russia amounting to a sum of about £180,000,000; and whether any action can be taken to satisfy the claims of these creditors?

The possibility of securing complete or partial satisfaction of British claims against the Soviet Government is an object of constant consideration to His Majesty's Government. It is, however, impossible to say when negotiations for this purpose will in fact be practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Japanese military authorities at Shanghai have announced their intention of installing censors in the offices of the foreign cable companies at Shanghai; and whether he will press for an immediate assurance by the Japanese Government and by the Japanese military authorities at Shanghai that there shall be no interference with the messages of British subjects?

In accordance with the terms of the foreign cable companies' landing licence Chinese censors have been operating in the offices of the foreign telegraph companies since 1933. These censors have now been withdrawn. I understand that the Japanese authorities have now informed foreign cable companies that they desire to replace these Chinese censors with nominees of their own. Inquiries are being made, but I understand that no such substitution has in fact been effected. Meanwhile steps are being taken to consult the other Governments concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give instructions for the particulars relating to the new Pensions Act to be available at all post offices?

Leaflets and explanatory forms containing full particulars of the new pension scheme have been available at post offices since the 1st of August last. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any case where difficulty has been experienced in obtaining these particulars at a post office, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will inquire into the reasons for the rise in the price of coal amounting, in the case of the contract prices tendered to some London boroughs, of 25 per cent., or 6s. 6d. per ton; and will he make a statement?

The Woolwich Borough Council have informed me that owing to the operation of the coal selling schemes, their contract prices for coal are likely to show an increase of about 6s. 6d. per ton and a number of local authorities in London and elsewhere have made similar representations. If these authorities consider that the increases are unfair, inequitable or contrary to the public interest, they should complain to the appropriate Committee of Investigation, which is the statutory body to inquire into the reasons for the increases.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the price paid per ton in royalties in each of the coalfields in this country?

The information is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the total approximate value of aeroplanes, aeroplane engines, aeroplane parts, etc., exported since 1st January, 1936?

During the period from 1st January, 1936, to 31st October, 1937, the total value of aeroplanes, aeroplane engines and other parts, of United Kingdom manufacture exported from this country was £5,951,000.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what regulations govern the parking of cars on the Horse Guards Parade; and whether, in view of the historic and artistic nature of the Parade, he will prohibit the use of it as a parking place?

Parking of cars on the Horse Guards Parade is, for the most part, restricted to officials of offices having a frontage on or closely adjoining the Parade, and of visitors to those offices. While I sympathise with my hon. Friend's point of view, I am afraid that the present position as regards parking facilities in London creates many practical difficulties in the way of the adoption of his suggestion.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the changes contemplated in Trafalgar Square, it is proposed to erect any statue on the vacant pedestal?

I have no proposal to erect a statue on the vacant pedestal in Trafalgar Square.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Portsmouth City Council were at any time in consultation with the hydrographie department of the Admiralty in connection with the proposed air base at Langstone Harbour; whether this department gave any advice to the council on the matter and, if so, of what nature?

A letter from the Portsmouth City Council, dated 31st March, 1937, and addressed to the Hydrographer of the Navy, contained inquiries as to the probable effect of a barrage at the Southern Channel at Langstone Harbour upon the shoals known as the East and West Winners, and the possibility of shingle being thrown on the Hayling beach. A reply was sent on 28th April stating that the Board of Admiralty had no information at their disposal which would enable them to come to any accurate conclusions on the changes to be expected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the German night-mail plane recently crashed at Croydon with the loss of three lives; whether the fire engine at Croydon airport was ready; whether any difficulty was experienced in starting it; and whether it was equipped with the full complement of fire-fighting and crash equipment, including asbestos equipment, in accordance with regulations necessary for a Class I aerodrome?

The engine of the fire engine was running when the German night mail plane taxied off from the tarmac, and was still running when the crash occurred. The fire engine was equipped with the full complement of fire-fighting and crash equipment, including certain items of asbestos equipment, in accordance with the regulations for a Class I aerodrome.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any alteration has taken place within the last three months in the insurance benefits for disability or life affecting pilots employed by Imperial Airways, Limited; and, if so, when this alteration was made?

I have no information on the matter referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give an assurance that arrangements will be made with Imperial Airways, Limited, whereby pilots will be granted facilities to attend and to give evidence before the Cadman Inquiry?

Yes, Sir, if the Committee so desires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any alteration in the rates and methods of pay of pilots is being contemplated by Imperial Airways, Limited?

I do not think that it would be appropriate for me to address an inquiry which would necessarily be of a hypothetical character to the Company on a matter which is primarily one for settlement between them and the personnel concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can state the number of people killed while flying in Air France machines since 1st January, 1936?

I understand that the number is 26.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) whether any alterations have been made in the supernumerary time at controls, which it is necessary for a pilot to do before taking command of an Empire flying-boat; and, if so, when these alterations were made and for what reason;(2) whether there exist any British commercial machines in which an experienced professional B-licensed pilot must fly in the capacity of a second pilot before he can obtain the necessary endorsement on his licence to enable him to fly in command of these machines; and, if so, whether he will state which type of machines are so affected?

There is no regulation which requires a Class "B" pilot to fly in the capacity of second pilot on a particular type of aircraft before his licence can be endorsed with permission to fly in command of that type. A pilot is required to produce evidence of his ability to fly the particular type which he desires should be endorsed on his licence and for this purpose certain certificates must be furnished signed by a person qualified to fly that particular type and in addition a technical examination is required.In 1931 provision was made in the Air Navigation Order permitting a duly licensed Class "B" pilot to fly, under the direct supervision of the pilot, types of aircraft not endorsed on his licence, for the purpose of gaining the necessary flying experience to qualify for the endorsement of his licence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the ac- counts of revenue and expenditure of the Royal Air Force Sports Board are published and available to Members; and how much has been spent during the last year on football, cricket, and polo?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, as the revenues of the Royal Air Force Sports Board are not derived from public funds. I am, however, informed that annual grants of £120 and £100 are made by the Board to the Royal Air Force Cricket and Football Associations respectively and that the sum spent on polo by the Board in 1937 was £22 in addition to a non-recurring grant of £50 to assist in founding a polo club at Dhibban. The cost of providing grounds for cricket and football and other games is mainly met from Air Votes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the undertaking given by his predecessor that a parallel carriage way would be constructed and work begun this autumn across the Hertford Bridge flats on the Basingstoke-Camberley road; and when this work will be begun and, approximately, by what date it is estimated the new road will be completed?

Yes, Sir. The details of this scheme have now been completed. Work, I hope, will be commenced next spring, and completed in 1939.