asked the Minister of Health the number of State-subsidised houses now under construction in Wales and England, respectively?

The following statement shows the numbers of houses which were under construction in England and Wales, respectively, at 31st October, 1937, the latest date for which figures are available, (a) by local housing authorities and (b) by private enterprise with State assistance.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the consultations with the associations of local authorities, he will bear in mind the need for adequate provision of four-bedroom houses, in view of the requirements of families with children throughout the country?

The need for large houses for large families is one which I constantly have in mind, and I have on many occasions emphasised the importance of this aspect of new housing provision.

asked the Minister of Health the number and names of local authorities which have adopted, or are adopting, the 48-hour working week for nurses in institutions under their control; and whether he has recently issued any advice to such authorities to adopt such a course?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. R. Duckworth) on 11th November.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the difficulties which are arising in deciding a large number of cases under the new black-coated workers' pension schemes, he will consider establishing some central organisation to which all controversial points could be submitted, since in many instances reliable local guidance cannot be obtained?

I am not aware of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers, and I should be grateful if he would communicate with me in the matter. My Department, at the central office in London and Cardiff, and the many local offices throughout the country, is ready to assist those who are in doubt or difficulty.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is only one small colony for 12 patients suffering from leprosy in this country, and that a Middlesex patient of high infectivity could not be admitted recently owing to lack of accommodation; and if he will sanction financial support to this colony to enable it to be extended to admit all patients deemed to be infective in character?

I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. I am advised, however, that prolonged and close contact with an infected person is necessary for the transmission of this disease and that in the conditions normally existing in this country the risk of transmission is negligible. I understand further that the patient in question is now in a London hospital and that she will be admitted to the colony as soon as a bed is available. The local authority in whose area she resides are prepared to make a substantial contribution to her maintenance, and steps are being taken by the managers of the colony to raise voluntary funds for an extension of the accommodation.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of leprosy in this country have been reported to the Ministry of Health; how many are known to have been contracted here; and how many are regarded as being of high infectivity?

Cases of leprosy are not required to be reported to my Department, but I have information of 38 such cases which have come to their notice in this country. I know of only four cases over a long period of years in which it is considered that the infection was incurred in this country. In each of these there was a history of prolonged and intimate contact with a person who contracted the disease abroad. I have no information with regard to the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the scheme of the West Riding County Council for the review of the areas as affecting the Tadcaster Rural District Council came only partially into effect on 1st April, 1937, and that the absence of a decision with reference to the future of the Garforth Urban District Council area and parishes of the Tadcaster Rural District Council adjoining thereto is causing dislocation of local administration; and whether he can now give any indication as to when a decision will be reached on this matter?

I am aware of the outstanding matters affecting the Garforth urban district and certain adjoining parishes in the Tadcaster rural district. I cannot say when it will be possible for me to dispose of these matters, as the supplementary proposals affecting these areas which I am expecting from the county council have not yet reached me, but I hope it may soon be possible to reach a conclusion.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases have been sent to hospital in Darlington as diphtheria during the last three years; whether any of these cases were re-diagnosed as suffering from other diseases; if so, what were the amended diagnoses; in particular, how many of these cases were re-diagnosed as tonsilitis; and how many cases proved fatal in each classification?

I am making inquiries from the local authority and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether, amongst the notifications of disease sent to his Department, so-called carriers of disease are included; and whether these carriers are isolated in infectious diseases hospitals or anywhere else?

No, Sir. The statutory obligation to send notice of disease to the medical officer of health of the district concerned relates only to persons suffering from the disease, and it is only such persons who are appropriate for admission to an isolation hospital. Persons who are known to be potential sources of infection but do not show any clinical symptoms of disease should be normally the subject of appropriate precautionary measures at home.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the London Insurance Committee recently adopted a regulation requiring all their temporary officials to undergo vaccination as a condition of employment; why this regulation is not to be applied to the permanent officials; and whether he will invite the London Insurance Committee, in view of recent deaths from encephalitis caused by vaccination, imposed as a condition of employment, to rescind their recent regulation?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, I am informed that the London Insurance Committee recently decided that candidates for appointment to their staff, who are all permanent, subject to the usual probation, shall be required as a condition of their employment to be vaccinated if they have not already been vaccinated. I have no power to interfere with the committee's discretion in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an immediate extension of the sewer in Catlin's Lane, Pinner, is necessary; and whether he proposes to represent to the Ruislip-Northwood Urban District Council the need to carry out the work at once?

I have no information on this matter, but I am making inquiries and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Health how many approved societies give additional benefit for ophthalmic treatment to all classes of their members; and whether, in the case of societies which do not give ophthalmic benefit to all classes of their members, he will take steps to ensure that ophthalmic benefit, or some modified scale of ophthalmic benefit should be given to those members not at present entitled to benefit?

Ophthalmic benefit is included amongst the additional benefits available to the members of 730 approved societies and 4,700 branches, with a total membership of 11,300,000. Members of these societies only become entitled to the benefit after a waiting period of two and a-half years on average, but after the completion of the waiting period the benefit is available to all classes of members. Legislation would be necessary to make ophthalmic benefit available to all members of all approved societies, and such legislation cannot at present be contemplated.

asked the Minister of Health what price the Blackburn Corporation has paid for 17 acres of the Broadfold Farm, Little Harwood, in connection with the making of a road; at what distance the land is situate from the town; and what was the rateable value previous to purchase?

The price paid for the land was £1,620. It is within the county borough and less than a mile from the railway station. The rateable value was £89.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government is aware of the serious results on the cost of certain working-class dwellings owing to the high rate of interest on some of the earlier housing loans secured from the Local Loans Board; and whether he is considering any arrangements for relief in these cases and for the provision of money over a considerable period at a cheap rate of interest for future schemes?

The earlier housing loans obtained from the Local Loans Fund were for the most part raised in connection with the assisted schemes under the Housing Act, 1919, on which the Exchequer bears any loss in excess of the produce of a 1d. rate, so that the comparatively high rates of interest could hardly have had the serious results suggested. Since that time the great bulk of the money required has been raised at less than 5 per cent. and the rate has even fallen as low as 3¼ per cent.; moreover subsidies have been provided in respect of houses built by local authorities, and in fixing these regard has been had to the cost of money for the time being. A concession in the matter of the rate of interest on outstanding loans would, as has often been stated, involve an additional direct subsidy which the Government are not prepared to ask the taxpayer to provide. As regards future schemes, the rate must depend upon the cost to the Government of raising the money. The present rate of 3⅝ per cent. is the lowest rate that in present conditions will allow of the provision of the money without loss to the fund.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can provide a table setting out the measure of protection which is being afforded to various British agricultural products since 1932; and in which cases such protection has followed applications by British agricultural interests to the Import Duties Advisory Committee?

Full information regarding the protective duties imposed upon agricultural products is contained in the Customs and Excise Tariff, 1937, published by the Stationery Office, to which I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend. The additional duties imposed under the Import Duties Act, 1932, upon the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, are set out in Part 3 of that publication.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many applications to the Import Duties Advisory Committee have been made by British agricultural interests for increased protection since that committee was established?

It is difficult to say at what point inquiries and representations from various quarters become what may be regarded as a definite application, and it would consequently be misleading to attempt to give a figure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the apprehension which exists amongst whole-time municipal veterinary officers owing to difficulties which have arisen concerning the transfer to the State veterinary service; and, in view of the fact that he has extended invitations to only three whole-time veterinary officers of local authorities, he will take steps to implement the promise given during the Committee stage of the Agriculture Act and invite all whole-time veterinary officers to accept appointment under the Ministry?

All whole-time veterinary officers employed by local authorities have been invited to submit applications for appointment on the Ministry's staff. All candidates for senior posts are being interviewed by a Selection Board which includes the three whole-time officers of local authorities to whom reference is made in the question, whose transfer to the Ministry has been expedited for that purpose. Whereas practically all the functions of the veterinary staffs of county councils are being transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture under Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1937, there are certain functions of the veterinary staffs of borough councils and municipal corporations which are not so transferable. It will clearly be necessary for me to take that fact into account before reaching a final decision on the staff to be transferred, but I know of no justifiable cause for apprehension on those grounds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many allotment holders have been dispossessed of their holdings since 1919; and how many new holdings have been granted during that period?

I regret that there is no information in my possession which would enable me to give the figures asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider making it compulsory that all jam made from imported pulp should be so labelled so as to distinguish it clearly from that produced from fresh fruit?

The only statutory provisions having any relation to the matter which is the subject of the question are contained in the Merchandise Marks Act, 1936, but imported goods which before sale have undergone, in the United Kingdom, any treatment or process resulting in a substantial change in the goods, are specially excepted from the scope of the Act. If, therefore, as seems probable, the conversion of imported fruit pulp into jam was held to involve a substantial change in the goods, a Marking Order applicable to imported fruit pulp would not continue to apply to the jam into which that pulp was manufactured after importation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain jams sold in this country are manufactured from pulp preserved in sulphurous acid; and whether he will consider the desirability of securing that such jams shall be labelled in some way so that the public may know the source of manufacture?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the facts as stated, but on the information before me I do not consider that it is necessary to require declaration of the presence in jam of the amount of sulphur dioxide now permitted by the Preservatives Regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider providing, at reasonable rates, coal tar and approved disinfectants for water troughs, streams, and ponds, in order that farmers in a standstill area may take such preventive steps as to limit the spread of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he will consider the issue of more stringent orders to prohibit movement in an increased area from a proved outbreak, and the total prohibition of persons, mounted or on foot, passing over agricultural land without permission?

The addition of approved disinfectants to water troughs, streams and ponds, would be dangerous not only to stream and pond life, but also to animals drinking therefrom. I am satisfied that the restrictions imposed at present on the movement of persons and animals in areas declared to be foot-and-mouth disease infected areas are adequate for the purpose of preventing the spread of the disease and that the present policy as to the size of such areas does not require amendment in the way suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that all necessary steps are taken to prevent hauliers of livestock by road moving out of a stand-still area in order to ply their trade elsewhere; is he aware that this practice is a certain way of spreading foot-and-mouth disease; and what steps are taken when a stand-still order is issued for the police to supervise the disinfecting and cleaning of all such vehicles with the same stringency as is now imposed on railway companies who are cleaning cattle trucks?

The Orders which require vehicles used by road hauliers for the conveyance of livestock to be cleansed and disinfected are in essentials the same as the Orders relating to railway companies' vehicles, and there is no reason, as far as I am aware, for thinking that these Orders are not generally well enforced throughout the country by local authorities and the police. There is no evidence that empty vehicles moved out of a foot-and-mouth disease infected area have been responsible for spreading disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how frequently 25-inch ordnance maps are revised?

I have been asked to reply. 25-inch Ordnance Survey maps are not revised at specific intervals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make any grants to county councils to meet the cost of bringing ordnance maps up to date for the purpose of carrying out the Town and Country Planning Act?

Effect has already been given to the recommendations made by the Departmental Committee on the Ordnance Survey in its Interim Report published in 1936 for the acceleration of the supply of up-to-date Ordnance Survey maps required for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning Act. It is not proposed to make grants to county councils for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what respects the trade agreements with Denmark and the Argentine, respectively, prevent further protection being given to British agricultural products?

These agreements contain provisions consolidating the duties on certain agricultural products and other provisions defining the cases in which imports may be regulated and guaranteeing minimum quantities or percentages. These provisions cannot be conveniently enumerated in answer to a question, and I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the text of the agreements themselves (Cmd. 4424 and 5324).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the current negotiations with foreign nations for the voluntary limitation of imported eggs, some effort can be made to spread the egg supply by means of cold storage more equally over all the months, so as to avoid the slump in the price in the spring and the exaggerated charges in the winter?

The informal discussions with foreign representatives have been concerned with the possibility of oversupply in the current winter season, but I understand that in fact a good deal of progress has been made in certain countries in the direction desired by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give details of any existing statistics showing the number of eggs monthly in cold storage in this country and if none exist, whether he will compile the information in question for the guidance of British keepers of poultry?

I have been asked to reply. There are no existing statistics relating to the number of eggs in cold storage, and my right hon. Friend has no power to call for such information for the purpose suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the assistance given to the cinema industry by current legislation, he can state the number of British films completed or started, respectively, in 1937, grouping them according to their length and the approximate outlay on each of them?

I fear I have no information as to the number of British films completed or started during the present year or as to their approximate cost. Two hundred and nineteen long films and 209 short films (that is films below 3,000 feet) have so far been registered as British during 1937 under the provisions of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the nature and quantity of arms for which a licence has recently been issued for export to Japan; and whether any others are under consideration?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer on this subject given to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) on 8th November. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can say what disciplinary action has been taken by the Japanese Government against the army officer who ordered shore batteries to fire on His Majesty's Ship "Ladybird" on the Yangtse on 17th December?

No, Sir. I am awaiting a further communication from the Japanese Government in regard to the measures which they have taken in connection with this incident.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent Japanese goods are now entering China tree of duty; and whether the imports of other nations are subjected to the statutory duty?

I have no information to show that imports in general are not subjected to the statutory duty. I understand, however, that goods described by the Japanese as military supplies are said to be entering China free of duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give a list of the cases in which warning shots have been fired across the bows of British ships on the high seas for the purposes of conveying an order to stop by Spanish insurgent armed forces?

I regret that I have not such information in my possession as would enable me to give an exhaustive and accurate list.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the names of the ships legally flying the British flag which have been fired at, sunk, or damaged by mine, torpedo, bomb, gun, or machine-gun fire within Spanish territorial waters by Spanish insurgents?

I understand that the only British ship involved in such an incident was the "Llandovery Castle," which struck a mine within territorial waters. There were also a number of British ships damaged during bombardments when in Spanish ports, but full details of these incidents are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the numbers employed on the 22nd May, 1933, and on the 15th November, 1937?

Statistics of persons in employment are compiled by my Department only in respect of persons aged 16–64 insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. The estimated number of such persons in employment in Great Britain was 9,617,000 at 22nd May, 1933, and 11,573,000 at 15th November, 1937. The latter figure excludes persons within the agricultural scheme, and in compiling it the number of unemployed insured persons aged 16–64 has been ascertained in accordance with the revised procedure introduced in September, 1937. At that date the change reduced the figure for the number of insured persons recorded as unemployed by about 44,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, at the latest date, the total number of men unem-

—			All Industries and Services.	Building Industry (included in previous column)
				Craftsmen*	Labourers and Navvies.	All other occupations.
Whitehaven	…	…	1,437	16	46	31
Cleator Moor	…	…	1,480	27	52	17
Millom	…	…	289	6	2	10
Lancashire	…	…	182,709	6,045	8,047	4,476
Barrow-in-Furness	…	…	1,139	13	38	11
* Including carpenters, bricklayers masons, slaters and tilers, plasterers painters and plumbers
Note:—There is no Employment Exchange at Egremont or Askam.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of hard cases deserving special treatment which have been handled by the Unemployment Assistance Board within the last six weeks; and the number in which extra awards have been made?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to additions made to assessments on account of the special circumstances arising out of the rise in the cost of certain commodities, together with the coming of winter, dealt with in the Board's recent instruction. Under this instruction all cases on the Board's register are considered as they fall due for review. One such review has been completed and a further review is now in progress. The number of additions made during the four weeks ended 30th November, the latest date in respect of which information is available, was 254,543. This figure excludes cases in which the assessment already contained an equal or greater addition under standstill arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour how many allowances under the Unemployment Assistance Board have been increased to applicants in the county

The following table shows the numbers of insured men, aged 18–64, recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in the under-mentioned areas at 15th November, 1937:of Cumberland as a result of his circular letter dealing with the recent increase in the cost of living?

Information relating to the county of Cumberland is not available, but in the Board's administrative areas of Carlisle, Maryport, Whitehaven and Workington, which include, though they are not coterminous with the county, the number of additions made to assessments on account of the special circumstances dealt with in the Board's circular during the four weeks ended 30th November, was 4,800. This figure excludes cases in which the assessment already contained an equal or greater addition under standstill arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of insured persons on the register at the Bridgend, Maesteg, Aberkenfig, Pontycymmer, and Ogmore Vale Employment Exchanges; the number of unemployed adults and juveniles, separately; and also the number of persons who have had no permanent employment for 12 months or more?

The available statistics relate to the numbers recorded as unemployed, and the numbers of persons applying for insurance benefit or unemployment allowances who had been continuously on the register for a year or

Number of insured persons recorded as unemployed at 15th November, 1937.
—		Bridgend.	Maesteg.	Aberkenfig.	Pontycymmer.	Ogmore Vale.
Men, aged 18–64	…	740	1,670	455	512	510
Boys, aged 16–17	…	15	17	2	3	8
Boys, aged 14–15	…	4	7	—	—	—
Women, aged 18–64	…	47	80	24	15	12
Girls, aged 16–17	…	13	20	4	3	2
Girls, aged 14–15	…	8	5	1	1	1
Total	…	827	1,799	486	534	533

Applicants for insurance benefit and unemployment allowances at 15th November, 1937, who had been continuously on the register for a year or more.
—		Bridgend.	Maesteg.	Aberkenfig.	Pontycymmer.	Ogmore Vale.
Men, aged 18–64	…	191	961	226	246	241
Boys, aged 16–17	…	—	—	—	—	—
Women, aged 18–64	…	2	5	2	—	—
Girls, aged 16–17	…	—	—	—	—	—
Total	…	193	966	228	246	241
NOTE.—Of the persons who have been on the register for a year or more, a proportion will have had one or more short spells of employment lasting not more than three days each during the period.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of applicants in the Bridgend, Aberkenfig, Maesteg, Pontycymmer, and Ogmore Vale Exchanges who have made an application to the Unemployment Assistance Board for winter allowances in accord with the increased cost of living; the number granted allowance; and the amount?

I regret that this information is not available for Employment Exchange areas. In the Board's administrative areas of Brigend and Maesteg which include the areas of the Exchanges mentioned the number of additions made to assessments on account of the special circumstances dealt with in the Board's recent circular during the four weeks ended 30th November was 1,973 with an average value of about 2s. 2d. These figures exclude cases in which the assessment already contained an equal or greater addition under standstill arrangements. With regard to the number of applications, I would refer the hon. Member to a reply which I gave on 18th November to the hon. Member for Llanelly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance allowance, respectively, at the Maesteg, Ogmore Vale, Pontycymmer, Aberkenfig, and Bridgend Employment Exchanges?

The following table shows the numbers of payments of insurance benefit and unemployment assistance allowances (excluding payments of allowances in supplementation of benefit) made at the under-mentioned Employment Exchanges during the week ended 3rd December, 1937:

Employment Exchange.		Insurance Benefit.	Unemployment Allowances.
Maesteg	…	332	1,409
Ogmore Vale	…	109	424
Pontycymmer	…	88	436
Aberkenfig	…	100	373
Bridgend	…	293	497
NOTE.—The figures for insurance benefit quoted above exclude payments made through Associations, for which a geographical analysis is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the total expenditure, to the most convenient date, incurred in the transfer of young people of 21 years of age and under from each of the Special Areas; and also the sum expended in subsidising them after transfer?

The total expenditure incurred in the transfer of juveniles of 18 years of age and under from areas scheduled under the juveniles transference scheme from 1st January, 1935, to 30th September, 1937, was £298,410, of which £167,040 represents grants towards the cost of maintenance in the new areas until the juveniles become self-supporting. It is not possible to give separate figures for each of the Special Areas, nor for young people aged 19 to 21 years.

asked the Minister of Labour what was in November, 1937, the percentage rise in the average price of coal used in the United Kingdom, as compared with November, 1933; and whether this rise is reflected in the index number of the cost of living at November, 1937, as compared with November, 1933, and to what approximate extent?

The average percentage increase between November, 1933, and November, 1937, in the retail price of coal of the qualities usually bought by working-class households, as shown by the information collected for the purpose of the official cost-of-living index number, was between 8 and 9 per cent. The effect of this increase was to raise the cost-of-living index number by approximately three-fourths of one point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what colonial and mandatory territories have steps been taken to establish national parks or sanctuaries for the conservation of wild life; and whether any policy in the matter has been laid down in the past and is now being actively supervised throughout the Colonial Empire?

Areas have been set aside for the preservation of wild life generally in:British Guiana.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the names or the terms of reference of the commission proceeding to Palestine in connection with partition; and, in particular, if he can say whether this honourable House will be represented on the commission?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander).

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any of the Ottawa Agreements have been modified since August this year; and whether negotiations are now pending for the modification of any other of these agreements?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. de Rothschild) on 9th December.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give any estimate of the present amount of British capital invested in Danish securities?

No official estimate is available, but I am informed that Sir Robert Kindersley estimates British long-term investments in Denmark in 1936 at approximately £11 million nominal capital, divided as follows:

	Capital.	Income.
	£000	£000
Government and Municipal	3,850	160
Quoted Commercial Investments	3,930	260
Other Investments	3,220	190
	£11,000	£610

In addition to the above, British investments in Iceland in quoted securities are estimated at £1,240,000, from which an income of £60,000 was obtained in 1936.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many crown pieces have been issued to date; and whether most of these are in circulation?

Crown pieces to the face value of £101,200 have been issued to date, and in addition a crown piece has been included in each of the 20,000 sets of specimen coins of the new Reign which so far have been issued to the public. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of clerical officers, general and departmental, and the number of writing assistants employed in the civil service as at 1st April, 1936; and the number of clerical officers, general and departmental, and the number of clerical assistants employed as at 1st October, 1937?

Statistical information of this character is obtained annually and is related to 1st April in each year. The numbers as at 1st October, 1937, are therefore, I regret, not available. The numbers of clerical officers and writing assistants employed as at 1st April, 1936, were 50,500 and 9,000 respectively. The corresponding numbers of clerical officers and clerical assistants as at 1st April, 1937, were 54,800 and 10,500 respectively. The figures for clerical officers include higher clerical officers and grades on comparable salaries in the departmental clerical classes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware of the resolutions passed by the Leyton education committee and other bodies calling for immediate action to limit the number of scholars in infant, junior, and senior classes to 30; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My Noble Friend is aware of the resolutions referred to. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 15th November last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has decided to accept the recent offer of a collection of costumes and clothing?

No actual offer of a collection of costumes and clothing has been received by my Noble Friend. With regard to the possibility of accommodating such a collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum if it were offered for that purpose, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his question on 9th December last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of candidates from the ranks of the

Year.			Number granted Corps Commissions.	Number of those in Column 1 who have attained the rank of Major.	Ranks if still serving.
			1.	2.	3.
1913	…	…	2	—	—
1914	…	…	4	—	—
1915	…	…	2	1	1 Major.
					1 Chief Inspector R.M. P
1916	…	…	1	—	—
1917	…	…	3	—	—
1918	…	…	2	1	1 Major, 1 Captain.
1919	…	…	2	1	1 Major, 1 Captain.
1920	…	…	2	—	2 Captains.
1921	…	…	2	—	2 Captains.
1922	…	…	2	—	1 Captain.
1923	…	…	2	—	2 Captains.
1924	…	…	1	—	1 Captain.
1928	…	…	1	—	—
1931	…	…	1	—	1 Lieutenant.
1934	…	…	1	—	1 Lieutenant.
1935	…	…	1	—	1 Probationary Lieutenant.
1936	…	…	1	—	1 Probationary Second Lieutenant.
1937	…	…	2	—	2 Probationary Second Lieutenants.
			32	3	20*
* Includes:—Majors, 3; Captains, 10; Lieutenants, 2; Probationary Lieutenant, 1; Probationary 2nd Lieutenants, 3; Chief Inspector R.M.P., 1.

As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on the 17th March last to the hon. Member for North Tottenham, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of engineer commanders commissioned from artificers under the mate (E) schemes who are eligible for promotion to engineer captain; and whether any of these officers are likely to be promoted before being retired, observing that the promotion to captain of executive officers

The information asked for in the first three parts of the question is set out in the table below:from the ranks commenced four years ago and that three such officers have been promoted?

The number of these officers who are qualified for promotion by length of service and by sea-time is 28. It will be understood, however, that although the claims of all officers who are eligible are reviewed on each occasion, an officer cannot generally be considered suitable for promotion until he has given sufficient service in the rank to allow the Admiralty to judge his capacity. In the case of engineer commanders this limit is, as a general rule, taken as eight years. The engineer commanders who were granted their commissions under the mate (E) scheme are only now reaching this seniority. The number of qualified officers of this category of over eight years' seniority is only three.

asked the Attorney-General whether he can state the number of suits connected with hire-purchase sales which have been heard in the county courts of the country in the last 12 months?

I regret that no information is available of the number of suits connected with hire-purchase sales.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Irene Green, of Norfolk Street, Wisbech, who received letters and open postcards from Recovery and Adjustments Bureau, Limited, Cannon Street, London, Mr. Sydney Charles Price, Miss Julia May Dutton, and Mr. Frank Arnold Prayer, directors and shareholders of the company, which were described by Mr. Justice Hawke, on 21st December, as outrageous; that this debt of 6s. 11d. was not due by Mrs. Green; and will he take action against these persons?

I have seen a newspaper report of this case and am having inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Transport how many counties have given effect to the scheme of improvement at junctions on the rural sections of the chief roads by joining them up at right angles; what was the amount of State assistance given to such councils for the purpose; how much of this money has been used; and what can be reckoned as the saving in life if the experience in Oxfordshire at these rural junctions is taken as a basis of computation?

The answer to the first part of the question is that highway authorities generally are dealing with these improvements in their annual programmes of works and that grants are made from the Road Fund at normal rates. The information asked for in the second and third parts is not readily available and its compilation would involve a great deal of research and exepnditure for which there would not, in my view, be justification. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think there would be any value in a computation which must of necessity involve so many hypothetical factors.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the growing tendency of local authorities to drive public roads over or through places of public interest or amenity especially round London, and that opposition to such proposals falls mainly on local residents; and whether he will consider taking steps to supply the need for affording Londoners a greater opportunity of expressing opinions on matters which so much affect them?

The responsibility in these matters rests primarily with the duly elected local authorities concerned who should be fully conscious of the desirability of preserving, and if possible, of increasing amenities not only for the benefit of the locality but of the country as a whole.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that in January, 1935, a five-year plan for the expenditure of £100,000,000 for road improvement was announced in this House, and that up to 3rd November, 1937, only £9,250,000 has been so expended, he will state what proposals he has for the fulfilment of the Government's promises made in these directions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow (Tradeston) (Mr. T. Henderson) on 15th December, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, taking the sections of the main roads which run through the rural districts of the country, he will state, county by county, whether the number of fatal accidents shows any notable increase or decrease and the reasons for such increase or decrease?

The information available does not enable particulars relating to those sections of main roads which run through rural areas to be isolated. The following table gives particulars for each county police district but I am not prepared to speculate on the reasons for the increases and decreases indicated.

County Police District.	Killed 11 months ended 30th November.
	1936.	1937.
England.
Bedfordshire	29	35
Berkshire	48	52
Buckinghamshire	65	58
Cambridgeshire	14	24
Cheshire	133	104
Cornwall	35	27
Cumberland and Westmorland.	35	42
Derbyshire	66	76
Devonshire	76	70
Dorset	48	37
Durham	128	112
Ely, Isle of	6	15
Essex	95	117
Gloucestershire	70	78
Hampshire	108	133
Herefordshire	14	15
Hertfordshire	67	58
Huntingdonshire	19	16
Kent	162	144
Lancashire	250	270
Leicestershire	42	53
Lincolnshire	72	69
Monmouthshire	38	32
Norfolk	38	51
Northamptonshire	47	38
Northumberland	50	55
Nottinghamshire	63	78
Oxfordshire	28	44
Peterborough, Liberty of	4	4
Rutland	3	13
Salop	44	33
Somersetshire	61	72
Staffordshire	131	140
Suffolk, East	32	27
Suffolk, West	27	16
Surrey	78	77
Sussex, East	48	57
Sussex, West	57	28
Warwickshire	77	84
Wight, Isle of	5	4
Wiltshire	45	48
Worcestershire	60	61
Yorkshire, East Riding	35	39
Yorkshire, North Riding	54	77
Yorkshire, West Riding	238	223
Total—English Counties	2,845	2,906
(An increase of 2·1 per cent.)

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the circumstances under which lieutenant-colonels commanding regiments, battalions, etc., both Regular and Territorial Army, receive extensions of command beyond the normal period?

Such extensions are not permitted in the Regular Army. In the Territorial Army extensions up to two years at a time are permitted on the recommendation of General Officers Commanding-in-Chief, and with the approval of the Army Council. Such extensions are only granted in the interests of the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the territory adjacent to the Crown Colony of Hong Kong, which is held by His Majesty's Government under lease from the central Chinese government, is garrisoned by British troops; and what instructions have been given to the officers commanding with the object of preventing the use of such territory by any Japanese forces invading any other adjacent Chinese territory?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I should explain that the leased territory is properly to be regarded as an integral part of the Colony for the period of the lease. The answer to the second part is that no special instructions have been given with the object mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the position with regard to the International Institute of Educational Cinematography formed under the League of Nations and situated in Rome?

The International Educational Cinematographic Institute was established by agreement between the Italian Government and the Council of the League. By the organic statute of the institute, which was approved by the Council and the Assembly, its work is carried on under the direction of the Council of the League, which is advised in this respect by the International Committee on Intellectual Co-operation. The governing body of the institute is appointed by the Council. The institute's revenue is derived mainly, if not entirely, from subsidies granted by the Italian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered an application from Mr. C. H. Tulloch for a small holding on Cliffs Park, Cunningsburgh; and what action he proposes to take?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Mr. Tulloch applied in 1914 for a small holding on the farm of Tow of which Cliffs Park forms part. A scheme for the constitution of one new holding and a number of enlargements on the farm was approved by the Land Court in 1915, but Cliffs Park was excluded from the scheme as it was, and still is, regarded by the estate as an essential adjunct to other land in their possession. It was not found possible to include Mr. Tulloch amongst the successful applicants in connection with the 1915 scheme.In 1922 Mr. Tulloch applied for a holding at Veensgarth, Tingwall, or at Quendale, Dunrossness, and the tenancy of a holding on the first mentioned farm was offered to him in 1924. He refused this offer and has since, on various occasions, renewed his application for Cliffs Park. Having regard however to the decision of the Land Court in 1915 and the attitude of the estate, I regret that I am precluded from taking action with a view to securing this particular piece of land for Mr. Tulloch.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state in detail the salaries paid to town clerks and their deputies in the small burghs in Scotland?

The remuneration of the officers in question is fixed by the local authority by whom they are employed. I am not in a position to give details of salaries to which my approval is not required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many milk-producing herds of cows are within the purview of the Milk Marketing Board in each of the counties of Renfrew, Ayr, and Midlothian; and of these herds how many, respectively, are certified as being free from tubercle?

The number of herds owned by producers registered under the Scottish Milk Marketing Scheme in each of the counties of Renfrew, Ayr, and Midlothian is respectively, 444, 1,618 and 271. The number of attested tubercle-free herds in these counties is, Renfrew 30, Ayr 338 and Midlothian 10. I may explain that certificates of attestation are granted in terms of the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme which was made under and in terms of Section 9 of the Milk Act, 1934.

asked the Postmaster-General why 300 students of Birmingham University were signed on as temporary sorters at Birmingham General Post Office; whether an application was made at the Birmingham Employment Exchanges for temporary sorters; and what pay the students will receive?

Students from Birmingham University have been engaged for temporary employment during the Christmas pressure at the Birmingham Post Office, after the resources of the local Employment Exchanges to supply suitable men were exhausted. About 4,300 men had been engaged through the Employment Exchanges. The students are paid at the rate of 1s. 2d. an hour.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that there is no telephone in close proximity to the Central Home, Union Road, Leytonstone, he will take steps to have a public telephone kiosk erected outside the institution in question?

Although telephone facilities are available within 150 yards of the Central Home, Union Road, Leytonstone, arrangements are being made to provide a kiosk in the immediate vicinity, subject to the necessary consents being obtained.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the nature of the chief business transacted at the recent meeting of the International Broadcasting Union at Nice and the decisions reached which more especially affect this country?

I am informed by the British Broadcasting Corporation that the meeting at Nice was mainly occupied with preparatory work for the International Radiocommunications Conference which is to be held at Cairo next February. The chief questions had reference to the allocation of frequencies for shortwave broadcasting. Any decision on this subject must await the conclusions of the Cairo Conference.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that television companies have started to equip theatres with the apparatus for television reception, he will, in consultation with the British Broadcasting Corporation and the other entertainment interests concerned, introduce legislation to regulate the position?

As I have stated in reply to previous questions, I have not so far been consulted about any proposals to equip theatres for television reception. I have no present reason to suppose that legislation is likely to be required for the regulation of any scheme of this kind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the names of the Government-nominated directors of Imperial Airways, Limited, since the beginning, the salaries paid, and the periods of service?

The replies to the first and last parts of the question are as follows:

• Sir Herbert Hambling, 23rd June, 1924–19th January, 1931.
• Major J. W. Hills, 23rd June, 1924–18th December, 1925.
• Air Vice-Marshal Sir Vyell Vyvyan, 8th December, 1925–31st March, 1933.
• Sir Walter F. Nicholson, 20th January, 1931–16th July, 1937.
• Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John M. Salmond, 22nd May, 1933 (still serving).
• Sir Francis L. Joseph, 17th July, 1937 (still serving).

In regard to the second part of the question, the remuneration of the Government directors on the board of Imperial Airways, Limited, is not payable from public funds. It is included in the sum allocated by the company for the remuneration of the board of directors as a whole. This sum was £6,500 a year on the formation of the company in 1924, and was increased to £12,000 a year as from 1st April, 1935.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has a nominal roll of all Spanish children who were permitted to enter this country and of those who have left the country?

A list of all the Spanish children who were permitted to enter this country in May last and of the children who have since returned to Spain has been supplied to the immigration officer. At the request of the Home Office, the Basque Children's Committee has kept detailed records of the children who are under their care in this country, and these are available for inspection by the officers of my Department at all times.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that pseudo stamps are being sold in and around London in purported aid of the distressed areas; whether the said sale has been duly authorised; and, if not, whether proceedings will be taken against the organisers of the said sales?

An organisation called the "Distressed Areas Relief Society" has been arranging for the sale from house to house of stamps commemorative of the Coronation with the avowed object of raising funds in aid of the distressed areas. Under existing law no permission is required for collections for charitable purposes elsewhere than in streets and public places. From this point of view no question arises of the institution of proceedings, and it is understood that the society will be wound up by the end of the year.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that no report of the work of the children's branch of the Home Office has appeared since 1928; and whether he will arrange for a further report in anticipation of further, and elucidation of past, legislation?

In accordance with the undertaking which I gave in the House on 4th June last, a report has been prepared and will, I hope, be published during the course of next month.

asked the Home Secretary whether, and, if so, when it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to the departmental committee on coroners which reported two years ago?

I am not in a position to promise legislation on this topic in the near future.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the introduction during this Session of legislation to give effect to the recommendation contained in paragraph 178 of the report of the departmental committee on imprisonment in default of fines that the time for appealing against an application order should be extended to six months and that there should, in certain circumstances, be power to annul an adjudication of paternity?

I am not in a position to promise legislation on these topics in the near future.

asked the Home Secretary whether and, if so, when the Government will promote a Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to Borstal detention, as recommended by the Commissioners of Prisons in their report for 1935?

A revision of certain aspects of the law relating to Borstal detention is one of the matters with which I hope it may be possible to deal in legislation which is now under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether and, if so, when the Government will institute a public inquiry into certain aspects of the work of Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, with a view to considering what amendments are desirable for facilitating consolidation of the existing law upon lines which will promote simplicity and uniformity?

There have been two inquiries in recent years into certain aspects of the work of Courts of Summary Jurisdiction and the question of further inquiry about other aspects of their work is now under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether and, if so, when it is proposed to give legislative effect to the recommendations of the persistent offenders' committee, made seven years ago, to enable courts to pass sentences of detention other than imprisonment on persons requiring medical treatment who are not certifiably insane or mentally defective?

The committee recommended that there should be attached to one of the prisons a medical psychologist to carry out psychological treatment in selected cases; and effect has been given to this recommendation. The committee also suggested that for some persistent offenders a sentence of prolonged detention might be preferable to a sentence of penal servitude because the offender is of feeble character and mentality, and detention is desirable for the care and control of the offender as well as for the protection of the public. The question of sentences of detention for persistent offenders is one of the matters I hope to deal with in legislation now under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the evidence given at an inquest held at Brighton on 1st December, 1937, that a girl was killed by phosgene gas caused by the use of a chemical for extinguishing a fire at an engineering works; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent similar accidents in future?

I understand that the fire started at an electric heater and that the extinguisher used was of a type particularly suitable for electrical fires. Unfortunately the girl had run into an inner room where she was exposed to the fumes and the window was shut. It is fairly well known that extinguishers of this type are liable to produce poisonous fumes and that their use in confined spaces should, therefore, be avoided where possible; and the point is specially mentioned in the Home Office pamphlet on Fire Protection in Factories, where there is a table indicating advantages and disadvantages of various types of extinguishers in different circumstances. I will consider what further steps I can usefully take, but the unfortunate death of this girl appears to have been due to an exceptional combination of circumstances.