asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now received the report of the Willingdon Committee; and what action His Majesty's Government propose to take?

Yes, Sir, and it is being prepared for the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that it is possible for a soldier who has married young to have as much as 12 years ex emplary service to his credit and yet have to wait for four years or more after he has attained the age of 26 years with out being able to secure married quarters; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this?

Certainly; all married soldiers of 26 automatically draw marriage allowance, but the provision of a married quarter is conditioned by the number of these available.

Am I to understand that my right hon. Friend is doing anything to increase the number available?

Yes, Sir.

What is the good of the Minister of Health bringing in a Population Bill, if the Secretary for War is stopping it in this way?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the Scottish local authorities have provided community centres in connection with their new housing areas; and whether he is pressing upon all local authorities to provide such amenities?

The Department of Health have approved proposals for the provision of community centres by the town councils of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Kilmarnock and Kirkcaldy; and a number of other local authorities have proposals under consideration. With regard to the second part of the question, the Department of Health and the Scottish Education Department issued a Memorandum in December, 1936, urging local authorities with large housing schemes to make provision for community centres.

In view of the date of that communication and the apparently small response that has been made to it, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time to urge this matter further on other local authorities?

There is always a certain amount of administrative pressure. I do not think it necessary at the moment to send out a further circular.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state the names and qualifications of the persons appointed as the Scottish Records Advisory Council?

Yes, Sir. The first Scottish Records Advisory Council has now been constituted. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and qualifications of the members.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to announce the policy of the Government in relation to the poultry industry in Scotland?

No, Sir. The problems of the poultry industry in the country as a whole are receiving consideration from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and myself, but it is not yet possible to make a statement.

Does this mean that the reluctance to make a statement for Scotland is due to the fact that we must wait on England; and is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to hurry forward this matter in view of its urgency?

It is being considered in relation to the country as a whole.

Meanwhile will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending inspectors round some of these small holdings to see what the economic position is, and whether it is possible for the small holders to make a living?

We are constantly receiving reports on these matters.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not consider taking special steps to examine the question of whether or not these men are capable of making a living out of the holdings?

I think that has to be reviewed in connection with the position of the industry as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of householders with families drawing able bodied relief from Glasgow Corporation Public Assistance Department who are limited to 40s. per week, and the number drawing more than 40s. per week?

I am informed that the limit of 40s. in the Glasgow Corporation scale of able-bodied relief has now been abolished.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to secure that the Second Scottish National Housing Company, Limited, reduce the rents of steel houses at Sandy-hills and Springhoig, Glasgow, as the Glasgow Corporation have reduced their house rents for houses of a corresponding size in these areas?

In terms of their agreement with the Department of Health for Scotland, the company are required to fix their rents by reference to the rents charged for similar accommodation in the district. I have had inquiry made and am satisfied that the rents charged at Sandyhills and Springboig are in accordance with this agreement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rents of corresponding houses in the area have been reduced by the Glasgow Corporation, and that, in addition to that fact, these houses are very much inferior to ordinary brick houses; and will he reconsider asking the company to reduce the rents of these houses?

No, Sir. There are 3,950 houses in a district close by, the rents of which vary from £26 to £36 per annum and the rents of the company's houses vary from £27 10s. to £34 per annum.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the average weekly wage paid in the coal mines of Northumberland for the years 1920 up to the latest available date in 1937;

As this and the following question involve a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, answer them together by circulating a statistical statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines what protests he has received from representatives of different classes of coal consumers with regard to their treatment under the coal-selling schemes at present in operation?

I have received a number of complaints in general terms from bodies representative of organised consumers of coal, but have advised in every suitable case that the independent machinery set up by Parliament for the purpose of investigating complaints caused by the operation of the schemes should be invoked. Those complaints not within the competency of that machinery are being given careful consideration by the Government in connection with Part III of the Coal Bill.

asked the Secretary for Mines the retail price of a hundredweight of coal sold in small quantities in working-class districts of London at the latest available date; and whether he is satisfied that the prices are reason able?

I am informed that coal in 14 lb. bags is now sold at about 6½d. per bag. I have no information on which to form an opinion whether this trade, which is not to any extent in the hands of coal merchants, is carried on at reasonable prices.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied that this price is reasonable, as compared with the prices charged for larger quantities in other parts of London?

I have just told the hon. Baronet the reply to that question.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman know that the average price in Yorkshire last month was 14s. 5½d. per ton at the pit head?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make as to the relations between this country and the Irish Free State?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what progress has been made in the settlement of questions outstanding with the Government of the Irish Free State?

The new Constitution which was approved by the Parliament of the Irish Free State in June, 1937, came into force on 29th December. Hon. Members will be familiar with the terms of the announcement issued to the Press at the time, in the course of which the attitude to the new Constitution of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and of His Majesty's Governments in the other Dominions, was set out. A series of meetings was held a fortnight ago between representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom and representatives of the Government of Eire to discuss outstanding questions which affect the relations between the two countries. These meetings were devoted to preliminary examination of the questions involved and at their conclusion an agreed statement was issued to the effect that while no agreement had yet been reached upon any of the questions discussed, it was felt that the discussions had proceeded far enough to justify a more detailed examination of a number of points by officials of the respective Governments. This examination is now proceeding, and pending its completion, the meetings of Ministers have been suspended, to be resumed as soon as the necessary data are available for further conversations.

Are the two Governments discussing the whole of the points of difficulty between them; and is there any possibility of a settlement being arrived at upon those points?

The major questions are all under discussion, and it would be premature to hazard any guess as to whether any agreement is likely or not.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government propose to recognise the claim of the Free State Government to be known as the Government of Ireland, seeing that there is a Government of Northern Ireland?

Eire.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the new Irish Constitution afrects in any way the status of citizens of the Irish Free State as citizens of the British Empire?

That clearly does not arise from the question on the Paper.

Apart from the question of partition, is it possible to make any statement with regard to the financial position; and in regard to the cattle trade on the Merseyside, is it likely that an arrangement may be considered in regard to that position?

It is not possible to make any statement. All these questions are under consideration now.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Newfoundland?

I am glad to say that the general improvement in economic conditions in Newfoundand to which I referred in my answer on 21st October has been maintained. Employment, especially in the mining and logging industries, has been active in most parts of the Island, and the total number on relief in each month from August to December has been little over half that for the corresponding months of 1936. Although difficulties are still being experienced in finding markets for salt fish at remunerative prices, the price realised on the herring catch is satisfactory. Revenue for the half-year ended 31st December showed an expansion under all heads.

Is more being done in Newfoundland in order to establish co-operation between the industries and the workpeople, and is anything being done to establish some form of local government in Newfoundland in addition to the Commission of Government?

If the hon. Member will put questions on these specific points, I will give him more adequate answers than I can without notice.

I am anticipating that the Commission of Government will continue, but is it likely to continue, and are the people never to have a form of representative government in Newfoundland?

There is no present prospect of the Commission of Government coming to an end; it is little beyond the beginning of its work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to introduce the Bill to amend the Companies Acts?

A Bill to deal with share-pushing and similar matters is in course of preparation and will be introduced as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the figures of the references furnished to the Board of Trade by the principal steamship companies, showing the number of British subjects that have been sent back to the United Kingdom for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date by the authorities of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

According to returns furnished voluntarily to the Board of Trade by the principal steamship companies, the numbers of British subjects among those passengers from the United Kingdom to places outside Europe who were sent back during 1937 by the authorities of Canada and Australia were 66 and 10, respectively. So far as I am aware, no one was sent back by the New Zealand authorities.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is an increasing number on the previous year?

As regards Australia, it is practically the same as in the previous year; as regards Canada, it is considerably less.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any figures of the number of subjects sent back from England and repatriated to our Colonies?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down, and I will see what information I can give him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the position with regard to negotiations for a trade agreement with the United States of America?

asked the President of tht Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make as to the progress of the negotiations for a trade agreement with the United States of America?

On 8th January the United States Government issued an announcement giving notice of their intention to negotiate a trade agreement with the United Kingdom. This announcement marked a further definite step in the United States procedure of negotiation. His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington will be one of His Majesty's Government's delegates. The rest of the delegation will leave for Washington shortly to assist him in the discussions. In addition to representatives of the Board of Trade, the delegation will include officers from the Dominions Office, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Board of Customs and Excise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay no attention to any attempt by private vested interests to bring these important negotiations to naught?

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that these negotiations will be of a protracted nature, or does he hope for some sort of an agreement this year?

It is never much good anticipating the course of negotiations. There are obviously many difficult subjects to discuss.

Will there be any representation of the Colonies on this delegation? My right hon. Friend spoke of the Dominions; why not the Colonies?

Any questions will be closely watched, and I think the officials we are sending out will be quite ample.

Will they do anything to safeguard the interests of the agriculturists?

Is it possible for private individuals to use influence with the Government to overcome any decision to which they might come?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will indicate, in the form most convenient, the rate at which iron ore is now being imported from Spain into the United Kingdom?

As the answer includes a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the shipments of coal from the principal shipping groups in the United Kingdom for the first 10 months of the years 1937 and 1936, respectively, namely. Northeast Coast ports, Humber ports, Scottish ports and South Wales ports; and the figures for general merchandise traffic, imports and exports, for the same period for the port of Newcastle and the imports of iron ore for the same periods?

As the answer is lengthy and involves a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the position of those tenants who would be liable to rebuild in the event of their premises being destroyed by the armed forces of an enemy and who are unable to obtain insurance against this risk; and whether the Government proposes to take any steps to relieve them from this dilemma?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; this matter is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the growing public demand for insurance against war risks, he is now prepared to make any further statement as to the policy of the Government on this matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that insurance offices, in renewing fire and comprehensive policies upon dwelling houses, have now intimated that such policies from the first renewal date after 30th September, 1937, will be renewed: subject to an express condition exempting war risks, and that in some cases building societies are drawing the attention of their mortgagees to this condition; and whether, having regard to the uneasiness to which these circumstances are giving rise, he will make a statement?

In regard to the facts mentioned by the hon. Member for Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson), I am informed that insurance offices generally speaking have never covered war risks in this country, and that the recent alteration in the wording of policy conditions has not effected any material change but is merely designed to make clear the actual position that there is no liability under the contracts in question for damage due to war. On the general question of war risks insurance, I would refer to the answers I gave on 2nd and 9th November to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel).

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that if the companies in question did insure, they would be quite safe?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is very considerable pressure from people that there should be some method of insurance, and can he give an undertaking that the Government are likely to come to an early decision on the matter?

My hon. Friend, I know, will remember the answers to which I referred, which indicated that the Government are considering the question more from the point of view of possible compensation in time of emergency rather than by way of insurance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement of the Government's policy with regard to the poultry industry?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is able to make a statement on the Government's policy towards the poultry industry?

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has indicated in reply to an earlier question, it is not at present possible for me to make any statement on this matter.

Can my right hon. Friend say when Sir Duncan Watson's Committee is likely to report?

If my hon. Friend is referring to the technical committee on poultry diseases, I have just received an advance copy of their report, and I expect it will be generally available in the course of a week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will now consider setting up a factory for the production of fish meal to enable the poultry farmers to obtain supplies of feeding-stuffs at a reasonable figure, in view of the continued difficulties of the poultry keepers to obtain a living?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 20th December last.

Will the Government not consider taking steps, apart from these committees, to do something to aid the poultry industry of this country? Time marches on, and nothing is done at all.

The Government are closely considering the whole poultry situation, but I would point out that the supply of fish meal is a very small matter in the budget of a poultry keeper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that one of the largest fish-meal factories can be found in the City of Hull?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now consider facilitating an increased acreage of potatoes with a view to earmarking the increased acreage specifically for supplying potatoes to a suitable factory for the manufacture of feeding-meal for pigs, and to providing a suitable supply of homegrown feeding-stuffs?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 18th November last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make a statement on the Government's policy towards the pig industry?

Satisfactory progress has been made in the discussions with the marketing boards regarding the future of the schemes, and I hope shortly to be able to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Bill in connection with electricity distribution is to be introduced?

Perhaps the hon. Member would await the reply to be given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a similar question by the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede).

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether conversations with the various interested parties are concluded?

They are continuing.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to give a First Reading to the Bill for the reorganisation of the distribution of electricity?

As the hon. Member is aware, the time of this House will be very fully occupied in the coming weeks, and I am not yet in a position to say when this Bill will be presented. Perhaps the hon. Member will repeat his question in a month's time.

Is this an indication that the Government do not expect to pass this Bill this Session?

No, Sir. The answer does not say that, and it does not mean it.

asked the Minister of Transport when the report of Sir Charles Bressey on the road communications of the Metropolis will be published?

The letterpress of the report is already in the hands of the printers, but the reproduction of the maps, which are an essential part of the report, may take a little time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any further statement to make in respect of the lighting of trunk roads?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular dated 21st January which I have addressed to local authorities on the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the contribution from the Road Fund to the cost of building the new Waterloo Bridge, he will now consider making a substantial grant to the construction of an up-to-date bridge over the River Tyne with the object of by-passing Newcastle-on-Tyne?

The local authorities concerned were invited some months ago to examine the question of the construction of a by-pass road on the west side of Newcastle and of the provision of a new bridge in the neighbourhood of Scots-wood. I am awaiting their reply. If a suitable scheme is agreed upon I shall be ready to consider making the appropriate grant from the Road Fund.

Would that apply also to the Forth Road Bridge?

That is quite a different question.

Are we to understand that the Minister has given up trying to find an eastern by-pass of Newcastle?

I think that that is quite another matter. The particular by-pass which is under examination is on the west side.

Before the right hon. Gentleman gives any further grants for the west of Newcastle, which is already well supplied with bridges, will he consider the east where there are no bridges between Newcastle and the sea?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Transport the grants made in 1937 for the construction of roads in Lancashire?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister taking any safeguards in the great reconstruction of roads which he has in mind to see that no exploitation is going on and that certain contractors are not making fortunes out of the public?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any statement to make regarding the position of affairs in India?

I have been asked to reply; and perhaps it might be to the general convenience of the House if I stated that during the temporary absence of the Under-Secretary I shall be representing the Secretary of State and the India Office in this House. No, Sir; there is no general statement I could appropriately make within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to introduce a Bill to limit the hours of young persons in unregulated trades?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the projected Bill to give effect to certain recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Hours of Employment of Young Persons in Certain Unregulated Occupations. As I have stated in reply to previous questions, I am anxious 10 see this legislation passed, and hope that there may be time for the Bill during the present Session. I am afraid that I am not in a position to make any further statement at the moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the general European negotiations started by the visit of Lord Halifax to Berlin?

The matter is under the active consideration of His Majesty's Government, but I have no statement to make at present.

Can the Prime Minister say whether any progress has been made and when he expects to be able to make a statement?

I have already said that the matter is under active consideration, which may be interpreted to mean that progress is being made. I am not in a position to make any prophecies.

Is it not time we got to know what passed between Lord Halifax and Herr Hitler?

Would it not be a great mistake to assume, as the question might suggest, that no general European negotiations were being held before the visit of Lord Halifax to Berlin?

It would be a mistake to assume anything.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the Report received from M. van Zeeland?

The proposals in M. van Zeeland's Report raise many complicated issues—financial, economic and political—which will require careful study by His Majesty's Government and by the other Governments concerned; and it would be premature to expect me to make any considered statement about them until this study has been completed. But I should like to take this opportunity of expressing publicly our warmest gratitude to M. van Zeeland for the energy and public spirit with which he has carried through this delicate and difficult inquiry. I feel that all who read the Report will recognise in it a constructive effort to restore international economic co-operation, and I hope that its proposals will be examined everywhere in the same objective spirit as inspired its compilation.

In view of the gravity of the international situation, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance to this House that consideration of the van Zeeland Report will be treated as a matter of urgency in order that definite action may be taken as soon as possible?

The hon. Member will see that there is no question of definite action by one Government alone. This is a matter which requires co-operation. I think I can assure him that the Report will be taken as being an urgent matter, and I have no doubt that it will be followed up by steps to bring about the co-operation.

May I ask whether, when the Government have had time to consider the van Zeeland Report, there will be an opportunity for the Government to state their conclusions and for a discussion in the House on the whole of the issues raised?

If the right hon. Gentleman has read the van Zeeland Report he will see that M. van Zeeland does indicate what, in his view, would be the best method of procedure. He calls it, I think, "methods of realisation," and he contemplates some preparatory soundings of the ground in various directions in respect of the various Governments. I think that it would be a pity for His Majesty's Government or any other Government to express their own views publicly before they had heard the views of others who are concerned. For that reason I should prefer to await the result of the preliminary soundings referred to, but there will, no doubt, be opportunities for discussion at a later stage.

Would it not be useful if-there were some preliminary soundings in this House in order to get the views of the House upon the report? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, further, whether we may take it that the Government will not in the meanwhile take action that would run counter to the broad lines suggested for bringing about greater economic co-operation?

I cannot think of any action which the Government have in mind which would be contrary to the suggestions and recommendations of the report. I think there will probably be an opportunity for discussion, and I suggest that one of the days on which we are discussing the Civil Vote on Account might be an occasion.

May I ask whether, during the time when preliminary soundings are taking place, there will be a halt called in regard in the imposition of further Customs duties?

In considering these questions will the Government have before them the extreme urgency of the position and the fact that the public is most concerned that there should not be a long-drawn-out delay in bringing these matters to a head?

Again I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that there are several Governments concerned in this matter.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to take into account that there are two Governments who invited M. van Zeeland to undertake these inquiries, and that therefore these two Governments have a little more responsibility in urging other Governments to come to a decision, and in themselves coming to a decision, at the earliest possible moment?

Yes, I agree with the right hon. Gentleman there. I think that the primary responsibility for the next move lies with the French and British Governments, who commissioned M. van Zeeland to undertake this inquiry, and that, no doubt, will be the course taken.

May we be assured that no action will be taken in the direction of pledging the advance of money to the dictatorship Governments?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a measure of redistribution during the period of the present Parliament?

The programme for the present Session, as the hon. Member is aware, has already been announced; I cannot anticipate the work of future Sessions.

Does the Prime Minister regard this matter as one which calls for action before the next General Election?

That is obviously a repetition of the question in another form.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the special terms under which the Government cinematograph officer is employed?

There are no special terms attaching to the post of Government Cinematograph Adviser. The officer in question is an established civil servant and is subject to normal service conditions.

Had this officer had any technical or practical experience of the business before his appointment?

I believe this officer is giving every satisfaction in his appointment; and he has been doing the work for some years.

Cannot the Minister answer my question? Is it not a fact that the previous officer in charge of cinematograph work for the Government was an officer of the fire department?

In view of the very divergent views that are held, may I ask to whom this particular officer is giving satisfaction?

The Government. The hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day) did not raise the question of this officer's duties. If he wishes to do so, I can let him have information about them. I can say that in carrying out these duties the officer is giving every satisfaction.

Is it not a fact that he obtains a proportion of his salary from a percentage of the profits?

indicated dissent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any decision has yet been reached as to whether National Defence Contribution will be levied upon profits resulting from the business of estate agents; and as to what part of such business will be regarded as professional and non-taxable for this purpose?

As explained in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 16th December last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge), the ultimate decision in cases of doubt whether any particular business is or is not within the charge or whether any part of the business can be regarded as non-taxable does not rest with the Board of Inland Revenue who are the assessing authority, but is a matter for determination on appeal. No such determination has yet been given in the case of the business of estate agents, but, in the view of the Board, such a business would appear to be within the charge to the National Defence Contribution.

Does that mean that all estate agents' profits under Schedule D will be liable to National Defence Contribution?

I have given the views of the Department, but, as I pointed out, the matter may yet have to be determined by appeal, if there is any doubt. As I say, the Department do hold the view that they are liable, but the determination may rest with the Commissioners or with the Courts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the committees set up in England and Scotland to formulate schemes for the better organisation of the baking industry have yet reported?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. In view of these reports I have decided to publish a draft Special Order applying the Trade Boards Acts, and the necessary preliminary steps are now being taken. I should add that in Scotland there are grounds for hoping that it will be possible by voluntary agreements as to wages and conditions to limit the field for statutory rates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his very best to hurry this matter, so that no undue delay may occur before a beginning is made with this reform?

There will be no undue delay, save in complying with the normal provisions relating to the giving of 40 days' notice, and consultations taking place, and the holding of an inquiry if there is any disagreement.

asked the Home Secretary what was the cause of the accident at Ebury Bridge Road, Victoria, on Tuesday, 21st December; how many men were killed; and whether the overhead cradle was defective?

This accident, which I understand occurred on Monday, 20th December, was due to the breaking of a pole supporting a painters' cradle. One man was killed and another injured. The cradle does not appear to have been defective, but subsequent investigations indicated that the pole had deteriorated.

asked the Home Secretary how many workmen were injured in the demolition of the disused railway arches in East Ferry Road, Millwall, on Wednesday, 22nd December; whether he is aware that a workman was killed four weeks previously when an adjoining arch fell; and whether he can give the House further information on the subject?

I understand that one man was injured on the date in question, being struck by a small piece of brickwork thrown from above, and that he was treated at hospital for a minor scalp injury but not detained there. No collapse of an arch occurred, as reported in certain newspapers. As regards the accident on 12th November, I would refer to the reply given to a question by the hon. Member on the 18th of that month.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the accident at the Apollo Cinema, Ardwick, Manchester; and how many workmen were injured?

I presume the hon. Member refers to an accident on 20th December during the construction of this building, when a steel erector named Monks received fatal injuries. I understand that he walked along a board for shuttering which had been temporarily left on some joists by joiners who had gone to fetch tools. Monks, apparently, did not realise that the board was not fixed, and when he reached the end it tilted up and he fell to the ground. No other workman was injured.

asked the Home Secretary when the Government intend to introduce the promised Bill dealing with clubs; and whether ample time will be allowed for the discussion of the proposals by those mainly interested before the Second Reading is taken?

As regards the first part of the question, I am afraid that I can add nothing at the moment to my statements in answer to previous questions on this subject. I will certainly bear in mind the suggestion in the second part, and in this connection I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister to a question by the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Mr. Acland) on 11th November last.

asked the Home Secretary what further representations he has received from holiday resorts in regard to the Shops (Sunday Trading Restrictions) Act, 1936; and whether any steps are being taken to mitigate the serious inconvenience caused in holiday resorts by certain provisions of this Act?

During the past two months I have received representations on this matter from certain organisations and from a few individual local authorities. These representations are being considered, but so far as the Government are concerned, I cannot hold out any immediate prospect of amending legislation on this controversial subject.

If the Home Secretary finds that there is a unanimous desire on the part of the local authorities concerned to have a change in the law, will he try to meet that case?

Before the right hon. Gentlemen proceeds any further with this issue, is he willing to take into account the case of the assistants who will be employed under amending legislation by this House?

I should certainly have to take into account all interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour the industries and the numbers of employés affected in agreements now completed for giving annual paid holidays for 1938; and whether he has yet received the report of the committee which inquired into the question generally?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement on the present position of holidays with pay in industry; and whether the report of the committee on this subject has yet been received?

A list of the industries in which collective agreements between organisations of employers and workpeople providing for holidays with pay known to my Department was published as part of the evidence taken before the Committee on Holidays with Pay on 27th April, 1937. I am sending my hon. Friends a list of similar agreements which have been reported since that date. I estimate that the number of workpeople now covered by collective agreements on this subject is about 2,750,000. The answer to the second part of both questions is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he expects to receive and to consider this report in the immediate future?

I imagine that I shall receive the report at an early date.

Do the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has given relate to mutual agreements?

They are collective agreements.

Has my right hon. Friend yet decided to publish the report?

I must receive it first, of course.

Are the 2,750,000 people who are mentioned as having holidays with pay wage-earners?

These are the wage-earners who are covered by the collective agreements recorded by my Department.