asked the President of the Board of Trade what was Great Britain's exports to Manchuria for the year ended March, 1932, and for the year ended March, 1937?

Particulars of our trade with Manchuria are now published quarterly and annually in the trade returns of the United Kingdom, but since they have only been separately recorded since the 1st January, 1934, it is not possible to give figures for the year ended March, 1932. Exports of United Kingdom goods consigned to Manchuria in the year ended March, 1937, were valued at £47,817 and re-exports at £12,555.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the most recent official interpretation which has been given to Article 10 of the commercial treaty with Germany, 1924; and whether it can be assumed by British commercial interests that under this clause quantitative restrictions of German goods can only be imposed by this country when associated with quantitative contract in the distribution of similar British goods?

As was stated on 25th May last in reply to the hon. Member for Croydon South (Mr. H. G. Williams) the interpretation of this provision of the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty can only usefully be considered in relation to particular concrete cases, and does not lend itself to discussion by way of question and answer.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the House any information with regard to the recently concluded Anglo-Polish coal agreement?

I understand that the terms of the Anglo-Polish Coal Agreement have been under review at a series of meetings between representatives of the United Kingdom and Polish coal industries. I am glad to be able to inform the House that the agreement is to be continued.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the report of the Royal Commission on Safety in Mines will be completed; and, when completed, will it be available to Members of this House?

I understand that work on the report of the Royal Commission is proceeding expeditiously as possible, but that it is too early to fix a date for its completion. The report will, of course, be published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the present price of petrol untaxed and the amount of tax; and will he state the dates on which the various taxes on petrol have been imposed and the price immediately before and after those impositions of taxation?

The retail prices of No. 1 Grade petrol used by ordinary motorists and the amounts of duty, at the periods indicated in the question, are as follow:

Date of imposition or change of duty.	Price exclusive of duty.		Amount of duty.		Price including duty.
	Per gall.		Per gall.		Per gall.
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
25th April, 1928:
Price before	1	0½	—		1	0½
Price after	1	0¾	0	4	1	4¾
28th April, 1931:
Price before	0	10½	0	4	1	2½
Price after	0	10½	0	6	1	4½
10th. September, 1931:
Price before	0	8½	0	6	1	2½
Price after	0	8½	0	8	1	4½
Current price	0	11	0	8	1	7

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase in the import of Empire wines containing proof spirit exceeding 27 degrees has taken place in the last eight years, as compared with the increase, if any, of Empire wines not exceeding 27 degrees; and whether he will consider the discontinuance of preferential rates applied to duties on Empire wines of high alcoholic content?

The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The answer to the first part is as follows:

Quantities of wine in cask* consigned from Empire countries, containing more than 27°proof spirit and not more than 27° proof spirit respectively, imported during the calendar years 1936 and 1929.
—	1936.	1929.
	Gallons.	Gallons.
Containing more than 27° proof spirit.	4,337,647	2,052,618
Containing not more than 27° proof spirit.	676,131	657,436
*Information is not available as to the alcoholic strength of wines imported in bottle.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any decision has yet been reached as to the action to be taken on the report of the Cohen Committee on industrial assurance issued in 1934; and if so, whether legislation is contemplated during the present Parliament?

I am afraid that there is no possibility of legislation on this subject in the present session of Parliament.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any steps have been taken recently and, if so, of what nature, to safeguard the financial stability of this country against possible dangers arising from the Foreign holdings of English currency?

It is impossible to deal by way of question and answer with all the aspects of this matter, but I can assure the hon. Member that the point he mentions has not been overlooked and that the existence of the Exchange Equalisation Account contributes to an important extent to meeting the object which I believe he has in view.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Bank of England has increased its holding of gold during the past 12 months; and, if so, for what reason?

The gold in the Issue Department of the Bank of England was increased by about £13 millions during the past 12 months. The reason was presumably to increase the reserve in view of currency requirements, notably in connection with the Coronation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any experiments have been made in anti-static electricity devices for use in aircraft; and whether any British civil aircraft are fitted with these devices?

Protection of aircraft from lightning has been the subject of experiments in the past and is still receiving attention. It will be appreciated that experiments cannot be carried out at will but devices are installed in aircraft and their behaviour is observed during suitable conditions. As a result of the work done certain safety precautions are prescribed in the Airworthiness Handbook for Civil Aircraft. As regards rain-, snow-and dust-static the only effective device, so far as is known, is the screened loop, a device normally employed with direction-finding systems in this country. As regards radiated static, as distinct from electrification of the aircraft structure by friction effect or by passage through charged clouds, as far as is known no effective method has anywhere been devised to overcome this.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the total cost to the Air Ministry of maintaining Croydon airport during 1936?

The gross cash cost to the Air Ministry of maintaining Croydon airport during 1936 was £34,969. In addition £6,291 was paid by the Treasury as a contribution in lieu of rates. The cash receipts in 1936 were £39,235 and the net cash cost therefore was £2,025.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the present levelling operations at Croydon airport will result in this airport conforming with the specifications as laid down by the Air Ministry as necessary for a first-class aerodrome?

The present levelling scheme at Croydon airport will not serve materially to alter the overall gradients, which are slightly greater than those laid down for a permanent aerodrome in Air Ministry Pamphlet No. 55. These gradients are, however, not considered to constitute a danger.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air under what authority he has appointed a Government director to the Board of British Airways, Limited; and whether he proposes to appoint a second Government director?

Section 1, Sub-section (3) of the Air Navigation Act, 1936, requires that one or more directors of an air transport company to whom a subsidy is paid shall be nominated by the Secretary of State, and this requirement was stated in the White Paper which was laid before the House last July outlining the principal provisions of the proposed agreement with British Airways, Limited. There is at present no intention to appoint a second Government director.

asked the Minister of Pensions why a pension has been refused to Mr. Hugh Kilpatrick, 237, Appen Road, Haghill, Glasgow; if he is aware that medical certificates from Glasgow doctors have been submitted in support of his claim to a pension; and why he refuses to appoint an outside independent medical authority to arbitrate on this case, in accordance with his promise that this procedure would be adopted in such cases?

Mr. Kilpatrick was compensated by a final award for the slight degree of neurasthenia present on his discharge and this was confirmed by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in 1923. The medical certificates to which the hon. Member refers have been fully considered but my medical advisers are unable to certify that the nervous condition now found is due to the persisting effects of service which terminated 19 years ago. In all the circumstances, however, I have decided that the case shall be referred to an independent medical specialist for his advice.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will appoint a Departmental committee or other appropriate tribunal to inquire into the conditions of ex-service veterans of the 1914 to 1918 War with a view to making recommendations to remedy the grievances of these men?

No, Sir. As has been repeatedly stated in the House, the Government have at present no evidence which would indicate that any special inquiry is called for. I would remind the hon. Member that as Minister of Pensions I am responsible only for those ex-servicemen who are disabled as the result of war service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered complaints from service patients regarding their treatment in Chepstow Hospital; and if he proposes to take any action?

On the occasion of a visit last week to Chepstow Hospital which has 121 patients suffering from epilepsy, I received only two complaints, which require and are receiving further investigation. Both related not to the treatment the men were receiving in hospital but to the correctness of certain payments which were being made to them. The patients concerned will be communicated with as early as possible.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of recent defaults among solicitors in connection with moneys and securities belonging to their clients, he is prepared to introduce legislation which would enable clients to demand a note from their solicitor, countersigned by a bank, to the effect that the monies or securities held by their solicitor on their behalf were deposited with such bank and had been earmarked as belonging to the client subject only to legitimate charges?

Rules made by the Council of the Law Society under the Solicitors Act, 1933, and approved by the Master of the Rolls, require solicitors to keep such books and accounts as may be necessary to show and distinguish (a) monies received from or on account of, and monies paid to or on account of, each of their clients, and (b) the monies received and the monies paid on their own account. They also require every solicitor who holds or receives money on account of a client without undue delay to pay it into an account at a bank distinguished as a "client account." They also empower the Law Society to require a solicitor to produce his books so that they may see that he has complied with the Rules. Frequent use has been made of the Rules, and the Law Society believe that they have been effective for the purpose for which they were intended, and that recent defalcations have been in respect of the period before the Rules came into operation, that is, the 1st January, 1935. It is not proposed therefore to introduce further legislation.

asked the Attorney-Generd what were the annual surpluses of income over expenditure in the case of the Land Registry during each of the years 1921–22 to 1936–37; and to what purposes have these surpluses been devoted?

The figures are as follow:

		Surplus.	Deficit.
1921–22	…	—	13,594
1922–23	…	26,082	—
1923–24	…	39,667	—
1924–25	…	43,145	—
1925–26	…	70,217	—
1926–27	…	100,014	—
1927–28	…	82,774	—
1928–29	…	70,742	—
1929–30	…	76,952	—
1930–31	…	44,287	—
1931–32	…	30,973	—
1932–33	…	50,458	—
1933–34	…	84,913	—
1934–35	…	80,216	—
1935–36	…	46,542	—
1936–37	…	43,292	—

During the years referred to £203,677 was contributed to the Land Registry Insurance Fund, £136,773 was applied in part repayment of the outstanding capital liability on the Land Registry building and surpluses aggregating £536,230 (of which approximately £358,881 accrued from the Land Charges and Agricultural Credits Departments and the Middlesex Deeds Department) were surrendered to the Exchequer.The annual surplus in the Land Registry being greater than was required to give a margin of working safety, the fees in the Land Registration Department were reduced in 1926 and 1930; in the Land Charges Department in 1926 and in 1928; and in the Middlesex Deeds Department in 1928. In all three Departments the fees are in consequence substantially below the pre-war scales.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the hardship involved in jury service upon those whose means of livelihood involves night work, whereby, as a result of such jury service, they are liable to be deprived for several consecutive days of their ordinary hours of sleep during the daytime; and whether, in order to remove such hardship, he will instruct under-sheriffs and other officers empowered to summon juries that on proof that the person so summoned is normally employed on night work he or she shall be excused from jury service?

I have been asked to reply. Under Section 3 of the Juries Act, 1922, the Sheriff is authorised to excuse the attendance of a person who has been summoned to attend on a jury, if the Sheriff is satisfied that there is good reason why he should be excused on that occasion. The matter is not one in which I have any authority to issue any instructions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider incorporating in regulations to be made in connection with air-raid precautions a provision that a telephone be installed in every school coming under the county councils, with a view to closer contact with the children and parents in the event of an emergency?

No, Sir. The question whether a telephone would be desirable in a school would be a matter for consideration on its individual merits by the local authority, but my right hon. Friend would not be prepared to require by regulation that a telephone should be installed. The whole question of measures to safeguard school children, including the possible closing of schools in some areas, has been discussed with the Board of Education as a special aspect of air-raid precautions, and that Department will shortly issue a circular to local education authorities on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider issuing a booklet explaining in simple language the provisions of the Factories Act, 1937?

My right hon. Friend is publishing early in the New Year a guide to the new Act which he hopes will fulfil the purpose which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make regulations under Section 42 (3) of the Factories Act, 1937, exempting from the obligation to provide and maintain for use clean towels factories which provide separate lockers for the employed persons wherein their own clean towels may be left?

My right hon. Friend will bear this suggestion in mind, but he would point out that under the terms of the Sub-section exemptions can be authorised only in cases where by reason of special circumstances the application of the requirements would be unreasonable.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the risk of infection attached to the use of roller towels, he will make regulations under Section 42 (2) of the Factories Act, 1937, providing that the provision of roller towels will not be deemed adequate and suitable washing facilities?

Roller towels are used in a large number of factories, and my right hon. Friend has no evidence at present which would justify him in taking the line that they are generally unsuitable on account of risk of infection. He will, however, have further inquiry made into the point.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Edmund Ashworth, late of 10, Abbey Street, Rochdale, died on 17th August last of asbestosis, but that the medical board has not issued their certificate in spite of repeated efforts; and will he take steps to expedite the issue of this certificate and to prevent future delay in issuing asbestosis certificates?

I understand that exceptional difficulties arose in this case because no application to the board was made until the middle of September, and when the board endeavoured to collect the evidence as to the cause of death, it was found that practically none of the material from the post-mortem was still available. The board reached a decision early in November, but subsequently the solicitor who had made the application informed the board that the widow had died and that a certificate was no longer required. It has been impressed upon the board that there should be no avoidable delay, but their difficulties are much increased if applications for certificates in fatal cases are not made immediately on the workman's death.

asked the Home Secretary how many cases of alleged larceny or robbery from motor-cars in the W.1 district were reported to the police in 1935 and 1936 and up to the latest convenient date in 1937; and in how many such cases was a charge brought in the corresponding periods?

If the hon. Member is referring to the W.1, postal district I cannot give the figures for which he asks as that district does not correspond with police areas. In the four police areas which correspond approximately, the number of thefts from unattended vehicles which were reported in 1935 was 1,203; in 1936, 1,430; and in the first eleven months of this year 1,315. The corresponding number of arrests was 87, 70 and 87.

asked the Home Secretary how many cases of alleged burglary, housebreaking, and shopbreaking, or attempts at such offences, were reported to the Metropolitan police in 1935 and 1936 and up to the latest convenient date in 1937; and in how many such cases was a charge brought in the corresponding periods?

Figures for 1937 are not yet available. For 1935 and 1936 the following table shows for each of the offences specified the number of crimes known to the police in the Metropolitan District, and the number of persons proceeded against in respect of such offences. It must be remembered that the difference between the two sets of figures does not represent the number of offenders who are undetected, since a single offender is often responsible for and admits a number of crimes.

Offences. (1)	Crimes known to the Police. (2)	Persons proceeded against. (3)
1935.
Burglary	252	111
Housebreaking	4,486	299
Breaking into Shops, Warehouses, etc.	4,070	1,096
Attempts to break into Houses, Shops, Warehouses, etc.	1,100	89
Total	9,908	1,595
1936.
Burglary	307	106
Housebreaking	4,259	315
Breaking into Shops, Warehouses, etc.	3,806	1,069
Attempts to break into Houses, Shops, Warehouses, etc.	1,264	90
Total	9,636	1,580

asked the Home Secretary (1) how many members of the Metropolitan police force have asked for permission to transfer to or to join a provincial police force during the years 1935, 1936, and to the latest available month in 1937; and how many permits have been granted in each year?(2) how many men below the rank of superintendent have, for any cause, ceased to be members of the Metropolitan police force during each of the years 1935, 1936, and to the latest available month in 1937; and how many new entrants have joined the force for each of the periods named?

During the years 1935, 1936 and 1937, to the end of November, 1,084, 1,047 and 960 men left the force, and 766, 753 and 1,076 men were appointed to it. During the same three periods 67, 131 and 122 men applied for permission to join a provincial police force, and it was granted in 67, 120 and 116 cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement as to his proposed visit to the various prisons during the next few weeks; and whether any in the North of England will be included?

My right hon. Friend welcomes suitable opportunities to visit institutions connected with the Home Office, but has in mind no specific plan such as is suggested in the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider an amendment of Section 1 (3) (b) of the Poor Prisoners' Defence Act, 1930, so as to make it clear that legal aid at public expense is admissible on a plea of guilty for the purpose of putting forward a plea in mitigation of sentence, thus ensuring appropriate treatment of many delinquents?

I understand that legal aid certificates are from time to time granted to persons who have pleaded guilty if it seems desirable that such a person should be assisted in his defence in the sense of having everything said for him that can properly be said by way of extenuation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the details of his programme of publicity in connection with the improvement of the physical condition of the people and the better use of health services; and when such publicity is to commence?

I am sending my hon. Friend particulars about the campaign to encourage the wider use of the health services, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on the 30th September. So far as concerns the work of the National Fitness Council, perhaps my hon. Friend will address a question to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now report any substantial progress with the Towcester Rural (Yardley Gobion, No. 1), Clearance Order, 1936?

I understand that the local authority have recently forwarded to the owners a list of the defects of the property in the area and have asked them to submit at an early date a specification of the works required to remedy them.

asked the Minister of Health when it is proposed to restore the cuts made in National Health Insurance benefits to women which were reduced by the Act of 1931, particularly with regard to the improvement in the financial position of the funds and also seeing that almost every other cut made has been restored?

The reductions to which the hon. Member refers were not due to the needs of national economy but to the increased claims for benefit in respect of women by which the solvency of the scheme was endangered. The number of claims has not fallen to an extent sufficient to enable the question of increased benefits to be considered.

asked the Minister of Health when the report of the committee of inquiry into the anti-tuberculosis services in Wales and Monmouthshire will be completed; and whether it is intended to publish the report?

No, Sir. I understand that the various bodies who wish to give evidence before the committee are being asked to complete and submit a written summary of their evidence before the end of the year, and the committee hope to hold a public sitting in Cardiff early in the New Year. Further sittings will be necessary before the inquiry can be closed. As regards the second part of the question, I will consider the question of publication of the report as soon as I receive it.

asked the Postmaster-General in what foreign languages and from what stations foreign language matter is being disseminated by the British Broadcasting Corporation; and what are the reasons for not, so far, disseminating British news in German and Italian?

No programme in foreign languages is yet being transmitted by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The Corporation has, however, been making active preparations for the broadcasting of daily news bulletins in Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic, in accordance with the request recently made to them by His Majesty's Government; and transmissions are expected to start on a limited scale early in the New Year. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated on the 1st November, the possibility of transmissions in other languages is not excluded; but provision is first being made for the needs which have been most strongly felt.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the hard and responsible work entailed by distribution of letters in the rural districts, coupled with frequent exposure to climatic inclemency, he will now consider the desirability of an increase in the remuneration of rural postmen?

A claim for increased remuneration for postmen and various other Post Office employés was recently submitted by the Staff Association concerned and it is contemplated that the matter will be referred to the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal. In the circumstances I am unable to consider the case of a particular class.

asked the Postmaster-General when work is to start upon the building of a Crown Post Office in Upminster; and where it is to be situated?

No decision is yet possible on either point.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the amount of money stolen from the Stevens Road Post Office, West Ham, on Friday last, and whether any arrest has been made?

The amount stolen from the Stevens Road, Stratford, Post Office on Friday last was £84. No arrest has yet been made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the city of Glasgow the Unemployment Assistance Board have refused to grant any increase in allowance to nearly all the single applicants; and whether he proposes any action to operate the cost-of-living circular which has been issued?

The recent circular is being administered on the same basis in Glasgow City in relation to single applicants as elsewhere. The fact that a relatively small number of such applicants have received additions in Glasgow is due in the main, to the large number of applicants in lodgings already assessed at 17s., partly through the exercise of discretion under the regulations, and partly through the continuance of additions to assessments under the Standstill arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that at the present time the weather in Scotland is intensely cold and is causing great hardship among the applicants for unemployment assistance who, on the present allowances, are not able to provide the extra fuel required; and whether he is prepared, in view of this, to take any action?

The coming of winter was one of the circumstances taken into account in the Board's recent instruction and I have no reason to believe that their policy is not being duly applied in appropriate cases so as to obviate the hardship which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has come to any decision on the report of the Unemployment Insurance Committee upon the draft regulations relating to institutional domestic servants?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has decided to make regulations in accordance with the recommendations which the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee have submitted to him upon this subject. It is expected that the regulations will bring about 170,000 persons into the general scheme of unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance contributions will become payable in respect of these persons on 4th April next.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons it is anticipated will be placed in employment on the Team Valley trading estate when the scheme is completed?

Any estimate such as the hon. Member desires must necessarily be speculative. I would, however, refer him to the account given by the Trading Estate Company of the progress and prospects of the estate which is reproduced in Part VIII of the Commissioner's recent report, and, in particular, to paragraph 299.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the damage which is being done to the Lancashire cheese industry by the recent necessity to increase its price; and whether, in view of the fact that this increase is due to the faulty arrangements with regard to the supply of milk to the cheese manufacturers, he will take an early opportunity of reviewing the situation with the object of taking remedial action?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Accrington (Major Procter) and my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Radcliffe (Mr. Porritt) on 6th December.

asked the Minister of Transport when work on the Newcastle-Carlisle trunk road will be started in the vicinity of Haltwhistle?

I have made an Order declaring the proposed diversion at Halt-whistle to be a trunk road. Work will be put in hand as soon as the necessary preliminaries, including the acquisition of the land required, have been completed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that workmen from the Primrose and Monkton districts have to travel to Waller and Wallsend in all weathers on the open ferry at Hebburn and then work all day in wet clothes; and whether, in view of the urgent need there is for quick and proper crossings of the mid-Tyne, he has yet come to any decision on the various reports submitted to him?

I understand the ferry in question to be a non-statutory one and that it was originally established by a shipbuilding firm for the benefit of their workmen. I am awaiting a joint report from the local authorities concerned as to the general problem of the Tyne crossings.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the survey of the road between Basingstoke and Winchester has yet been completed; and whether any decision has been taken as to the question of its improvement?

A preliminary survey has been completed and so far as can be seen at present it will be possible to carry out adequate improvements on this section without any major departure from the existing line. The full survey will not be completed for some time, and I am not yet able to say when improvements will be put in hand.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, before he again publicly advertises vacancies for assistant surveyors of lands and similar posts, he will consider extending the qualifications to include successful (final) examinees of the Incorporated Society of Auctioneers and Landed Property Agents?

The Civil Service Commission have under consideration the question of admitting the final examination of the Society mentioned by my hon. Friend as a qualification for candidates for posts similar to those of surveyors of land throughout the civil service generally. I must await the outcome of this consideration of the general question before arriving at any decision with regard to appointments in the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has a statement to make as to the situation in Palestine?

Generally the condition of the country has somewhat improved, though sporadic acts of terrorism still continue. Several gangs of terrorists are known to be still operating: these include a number of persons from outside Palestine who act as leaders and organisers. Since the 23rd November the High Commissioner has reported the following casualties:

Arabs (including casualties incurred while resisting the defence forces):
Killed	…	…	…	10
Wounded	…	…	…	4
Jews:
Killed	…	…	…	5
Wounded	…	…	…	27

These figures include five Arab and one Jewish policemen killed. In the same period one British police constable was killed and another wounded. So far 26 Arabs have been tried by Military Courts. Of these, one has been sentenced to death and executed, three have been acquited and 21 have been sentenced to imprisonment for varying periods. Two Arabs have also recently been condemned to death by the Civil Court. Combined columns of mounted police and the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force are operating with great activity in the north, and both there and elsewhere vigorous steps are being taken to combat the continuing murder campaign.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British combatants and how many British non-combatants were killed or injured, respectively, by acts of violence in Palestine during the current year to 30th November or later convenient date; how many of these casualties are attributable to acts of Arabs and of Jews, respectively; how many to persons of other, and what, nationalities; and how many cannot be thus definitely attributed?

It will be necessary to refer this inquiry to the High Commissioner for Palestine. I will inform the hon. Member as soon as his reply is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the town of Tel Aviv the sewerage system is inadequate and endangers the health of the population, and the water supply is deficient; and what steps will be taken to prevent any epidemic breaking out in Tel Aviv due to these deficiencies?

The defects to which my hon. and gallant Friend calls attention have been brought to my notice. Plans for the provision of an improved drainage system and water supply for Tel Aviv have been prepared by consulting engineers, but further progress depends on the completion of satisfactory financial arrangements. In the meantime, I have no doubt that the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Municipality, are taking all practicable steps to safeguard the public health.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the report of the commission into the causes of the disturbances in Barbados will be published; and whether immediate steps will be taken to carry out the recommendations of the commission?

As I have already stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. A. C. Jones), the report to which the hon. Member refers was published in Barbados recently, and a copy is being placed in the Library of the House. As regards the second part of the question, the recommendations of the commission are at present under consideration by the Government of the Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how-many applications to retire in order to make room for younger men have been received during the past five years from members over 40 years of age in the services administered by his Department?

No information is available in the Colonial Office as to the number of applications which may have been made to Colonial Governments by officers in the Colonial Service for permission to retire, or as to the reasons which may have prompted such applications. Retirement on pension is, of course, subject to the provisions of the local pensions law of the Colony in which the officer is serving.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the petition setting forth certain economic and other disabilities under which postal employés in British Guiana are labouring; whether he is aware that many of these civil servants are experiencing great difficulty in providing minimum living standards for themselves and their families on their present low rates of remuneration; and whether he will take immediate steps towards the setting up of an impartial inquiry into the working of the postal department, with particular reference to wage standards, length of holiday periods, promotion prospects, and efficient working?

I have not yet received the petition to which the hon. Member refers. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply which I returned to a question by the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn) on 24th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the terms and purpose of the new sedition ordinance introduced in the legislative assembly in Trinidad in recent months; and whether it is proposed that the ordinance in its present form shall be enacted?

In October I agreed to a proposal of the Governor of Trinidad to introduce a Bill to amend Section 4 of the Trinidad Sedition Ordinance, so as to make offences under this Section triable by indictment or summarily by a magistrate. I have received no copies of the proposed Bill. I understand, however, from Press reports that the Trinidad Government did not proceed with the proposed legislation during the November session.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can state the number of people of British stock who have left the Commonwealth of Australia during the past six years; the reason why such people have left the country; and whether all of them or how many of them returned to this country?

According to reports of the Bureau of Census and Statistics of the Commonwealth Government, the number of people of British stock who left Australia during the six years ending 1936 numbered 262,785. If the number of persons of British stock who entered Australia in the same period is deducted, there is an excess of departures over arrivals of 11,557. The reports do not give the reasons for departure of persons leaving Australia or their final destination.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number of education authorities who have reported schemes for operating the Education Act, 1936; and what conditions, if any, have been set up for deciding as to what is beneficial employment?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I sent him yesterday in reply to his written question of the 15th of this month. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer him to the requirements set out in Sub-section (4) of Section 2 of the Education Act, 1936.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne and in accordance with ancient precedent, a new seal of the Duchy bearing His Majesty's effigy has yet been made?

The Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster Seals of His Majesty (which are not public seals) are in course of being engraved from the designs of Mr. Percy Metcalfe, whose special qualifications for this task are well known. In view of the historic interest attaching to these seals, I will arrange for impressions to be placed for a time in the Tea Room, so soon as they are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what authority the League of Nations is proposing to broadcast news about world happenings other than its own affairs; and what is the attitude of the British Government on the matter?

I am not quite sure to what new proposal my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The League of Nations has for some time past issued weekly objective news broadcasts in various languages, and the last Assembly recommended that this service should be developed, and voted a credit to this end. The United Kingdom Delegates supported this proposal.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the acreage of the Slaley Forest; how many acres have been planted; when planting was commenced; and when it may be expected to be finished?

The area of Slaley Forest is 1,432 acres of which 1,306 are plantable. Seven hundred and forty-nine acres have been planted. Planting started in 1931 and will be finished in 1942.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the complaints regarding the organisation of the Zetland County Police Force; whether he is informed of the age and efficiency of the superintendent of that force; and whether he proposes to take any action?

I have received representations regarding the Zetland Police Force but in view of the fact that this force is not subject to Government inspection and receives no police grant any complaint about its organisation is one for consideration in the first instance by the County Council. I am bringing the representations in question to the notice of the County Council, but I understand that their substance has already been inquired into by the Lord Advocate, who is satisfied that no justifiable ground for complaint exists.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the advisability of experimenting with timber houses in Scotland to overcome the difficulties caused by the shortage of orthodox building materials and labour; if timber houses have been erected by a local authority in any part of Scotland; what has been the experience regarding the suitability of these houses compared with other dwellings; and under what authority such houses qualify for subsidy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Apart from the reconstruction of huts as temporary houses immediately after the War, timber houses for permanent occupation have been provided by the town council of Dundee and the county councils of Aberdeen and Ayr with State assistance under the Acts of 1919, 1924 and 1935 respectively. The houses in Ayr County were only recently completed, but I am informed that experience shows that the houses built in Dundee and Aberdeen County are in every way suitable. In addition two Swedish timber houses are at present being erected on land belonging to the Prisons Department for Scotland at Carntyre.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to a housing scheme of the Blaydon Urban District Council to provide accommodation for young married couples; and whether, as in parts of Scotland these couples are barred from new council houses due to the operation of the present housing policy, he will investigate this scheme with a view to similar schemes being put into operation by Scottish urban district and town councils?

I am aware of the scheme referred to by the hon. Member. In view of the present housing conditions in Scotland it is essential that local authorities should concentrate on the provision of new accommodation for the replacement of unfit houses and for putting an end to overcrowding. It is hoped, however, that decrowning operations will release fit houses which will be available for young married couples and others for whom the houses are suitable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the policy of the Government towards the herring fishing industry for the coming fishing to enable the fishermen to begin the necessary reconditioning of drifters, nets, and gear?

I am not at present in a position to make a statement, but the Government have the condition of the herring industry under close consideration and appreciate the desirability of giving all information available as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the extent to which local authorities in Scotland are adopting, or being asked to adopt, air-raid precautions?

All county and town councils in Scotland have been asked to prepare schemes of air-raid precautions and most are doing so. The scale of preparation will, of course, vary considerably in different parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the prospect of consolidating the Local Government and Public Health Statutes relating to Scotland?

Yes, Sir. After consultation with the local authority associations I have decided to appoint a representative committee to review the whole field of local government and public health law in Scotland and to prepare the necessary measures for its revision and consolidation. The committee will comprise representatives of the political parties, of the local authority associations, and of the Government Departments concerned. Sir John Jeffrey has agreed to act as chairman of the committee, the constitution and terms of reference of which are as follow: