asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many hours of advertising flying for commercial firms took place over the London built-up area in 1937; and how many aeroplanes came down elsewhere than on recognised landing grounds during the same period?

No records are kept which would enable me to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, information was received of one in 1937.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what happens to the Puss-Moth instructional aeroplanes when they are discarded by his Department; and whether private flying clubs are permitted to purchase these machines for private flying practice?

All Moth aircraft are required for flying training up to the full extent of their useful life. Up to the present no serviceable Moth instructional aircraft have become available for disposal as surplus to Royal Air Force requirements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement with regard to the proposed re-organisation of certain departments in the Air Ministry?

No, Sir, I have no statement to make beyond saying that the organisation of the Air Ministry is kept under careful review in connection with the increased demands made upon it by the Expansion Programme. No major re-organisation is contemplated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total contributions made by the State, the employers, and the workers, respectively, under the agricultural workers unemployment insurance scheme; the total benefits paid; the cost of administration; the amount of the surplus; and whether the statutory committee have made any recommendations?

Up to 31st December, 1937, the approximate contribution income and expenditure of the Agricultural Account of the Unemployment Fund and the balance of the account on that date, were as follow:—

	£
Contributions from employers (20 months)	880,000
Contributions from employed persons (20 months)	880,000
Exchequer contributions (20 months)	880,000
Benefit paid (14 months)	501,000
Appropriation for administration (20 months)	330,000
Balance (including Interest)	1,825,000

Contributions became payable in respect of the insurance of persons employed in agriculture as from 4th May, 1936, and benefit as from 5th November, 1936. The scheme was extended to include private gardeners as from 1st February, 1937.The Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee have not yet made their report on the financial condition of the Unemployment Fund (Agricultural Account) as at 31st December, 1937, but the report is due to be made before the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the result of the inquiry into the conditions of employment of cinema workers?

Of the 4,828 cinemas to which inquiry forms were sent in October, 1937, over 4,300 have now furnished returns giving particulars of the wages and hours of the workers employed. Personal visits are being paid to the remaining cinemas from which no reply has been received to three applications for the desired information.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received any report from the National Joint Council of Dock Labour on the requirement that dock workers should sign twice daily?

The National Joint Council has recommended that the experiment should be made in the Hartlepools of requiring one attendance only each day, and this is being done.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the decline in employment is in any way due to the effect of the hostilities in China on any branches of our export trade?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to-day to an oral question on this point by the hon. Member for the Consett Division (Mr. D. Adams).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of cases in which Unemployment Assistance Board officials have granted allowances specifically to cover reasonable renewals of clothing; and, if he has not the figures for the country as a whole, whether he would take the operations of any six typical local areas?

I am informed by the Board that during the six months ended 31st December last there were about 8,500 cases in which, owing to the exceptional circumstances, special payments were made to enable applicants to make immediate purchases of clothing. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that normal replacements of clothing are among the needs which the Board's ordinary allowances are intended to cover.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the one-sided operation of the so-called new Peking tariff; how this will affect competitive British trade; and whether it is proposed to make any representations to Japan on the subject?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has been instructed to protest to the Japanese Government on the ground that the measure is contrary to the treaty provision for a uniform tariff for all China and is prejudicial to the integrity of the customs administration. Full particulars of the new tariff have not yet been received and it is not clear to what extent it will adversely affect British trade. This aspect of the matter will, however, be carefully examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the exact nature of any Japanese promise or undertaking to compensate British owners for losses in Shanghai and elsewhere as a result of the current hostilities?

The Japanese Government have as yet given no general promise or undertaking to compensate British property owners at Shanghai. In regard to the bombing of two British ships at Wuhu the Japanese Government stated that they were prepared to take into consideration damages sustained by British subjects as may be found necessary. In regard to the events of 12th December on the Yangtse the Japanese Government stated in a Note to His Majesty's Ambassador that they were also prepared to pay the necessary compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the announcement on 1st December last that the Japanese authorities at Shanghai were not censoring or claiming to censor messages from this country to the British newspapers in Shanghai, he can state the present position, indicating whether this attitude on the part of the Japanese has been altered; and, if so, whether the British Government is taking or has taken any action?

Yes, Sir. The Japanese authorities at Shanghai are claiming to censor messages from this country to the British newspapers in Shanghai. I am not aware of any such telegrams having been censored. On the other hand His Majesty's Consul-General in Shanghai has handed a written protest to the Japanese Consul-General against the unreasonable exercise of censorship against two Press telegrams from Shanghai.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of His Majesty's diplomatic or consular agents are at present stationed in Nanking; and, if so, how many?

His Majesty's Consul at Nanking and the Military Attaché to His Majesty's Embassy returned to Nanking on 9th January. His Majesty's Consul is shortly returning home on leave of absence, and the question of further representation at Nanking is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps His Majesty's Government intends to take to implement the promises made to our Assyrian allies in the Great War by Britain and other Powers that their country should be restored, or, alternatively, will he approach the special sub-committee of the League of Nations dealing with this problem to endeavour to find a home for the 30,000 Assyrians now homeless?

It is hardly correct to describe the Assyrians as the allies of His Majesty's Government during the War. In view, however, of their sympathy for this unhappy people, His Majesty's Government did everything in their power to secure the inclusion within Iraq of the territory formerly occupied by the Assyrians, and it was the Council of the League of Nations which decided in 1925 upon a frontier line which left that territory in Turkey. This decision was accepted by His Majesty's Government with the approval of Parliament, and the matter clearly cannot be reopened now.As regards the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government have been represented from the first on the Committee of the League Council set up in 1933 to deal with the Assyrian problem, and have done everything in their power to facilitate the task of the committee. It has unfortunately proved impossible, however, to find a suitable area where all the Assyrians can be settled together, and the Council of the League decided in September last to adopt a scheme for the reorganisation on a self-supporting basis of the existing temporary settlement on the river Khabur in Syria, which contains about 9,000 Assyrians. The Council decided at the same time that the committee must terminate such functions as it possessed in respect of the Assyrians remaining in Iraq, and invited the Iraqi Government to take steps to ensure that this section of the Assyrians should be given every assistance to settle down as a prosperous and contented section of the Iraqi people. I understand that the Iraqi Government have intimated their willingness to do this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can see his way to initiate representations to both sides in the civil war in Spain with a view to the mutual abandonment of the bombardment of unfortified places, having regard to the suffering and loss of life amongst non-combatants; and whether he will seek the good offices of the Vatican for this purpose?

As I informed the House yesterday, His Majesty's Government took the initiative in this matter a few clays ago, and I would prefer to await the result of that step before making any further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the patrol in the Mediterranean has detected the presence of any pirate submarines in extra-territorial waters since the date of the Nyon Agreement; and, if so, what happened to the submarines so detected?

No such submarine has been detected by the British patrol nor, so far as I am aware, by the French or Italian patrols. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any recent information as to whether munitions are still being sent from Italy and Germany to the Spanish insurgents; and whether the Non-intervention Committee intend to take any action to prevent the violation of the Non-intervention Agreement?

I understand that no reports regarding the despatch of war material to Spain have been recently submitted to the Non-intervention Committee. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member will be aware that the committee have under consideration a plan for restoring and strengthening the system of observation on the land and sot frontiers of Spain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of His Majesty's consular agents are at present stationed in the island of Majorca; and, if so, how many and in what places their offices are situated?

There is one British Consul in Majorca, whose office is at Palma.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received any complaints in regard to the difficulty in obtaining delivery in London of newspapers posted daily from that part of Spain controlled by General Franco; and what steps he is taking to remedy this state of affairs?

My hon. Friend himself wrote to the Postmaster-General on this subject on 18th January, but my right hon. Friend has received no other complaints about the difficulty of obtaining delivery in London of newspapers from that part of Spain controlled by General Franco. I am having inquiry made in the matter and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the water supply of New Zealanders, Australians and South Africans in rural and semi-rural areas is derived from rain stored in large corrugated tanks attached to each house; that such water is purer than that that comes from the earth, is free from all typhoid or other germs, and when boiled makes the best tea; and that those that drink it after boiling are never afflicted with rheumatism; and whether he will take steps to provide similar tanks for rural areas in this country in order that those districts which experience droughts may be provided with a pure and adequate supply?

I am aware that rain water stored in properly constructed tanks may provide an adequate supply of pure water for rural houses, but I was not aware of its peculiar dietetic and medicinal qualities to which my hon. Friend refers. It is the duty of a local authority to require that every house in its district has, within reasonable distance, a sufficient supply of wholesome water, and this requirement may be satisfied by adequate storage of rain water in tanks constructed in accordance with the local authority's by-laws. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of a circular on the use of rain water for domestic supplies issued by my Department in 1934, and of a model by-law on the construction of rain water tanks.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of local authorities which have adopted Section 2 of the Slaughter of Animals Act making obligatory the use of humane instruments on sheep and lambs in their areas, and the number who have not done so?

The numbers are 799 and 426, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has yet been arrived at by his Department which is considering the granting of a widow's pension to the widow of the late Alfred John Kemp; what are the causes which have delayed the decision in the matter; why have investigations into the case necessitated a delay of six months; and whether he will give an undertaking that the case shall receive prompt investigation and an early decision, in view of the poverty of the applicant?

On the information at present available, Mrs. Kemp is not entitled to a widow's pension, because the statutory conditions are not satisfied. A formal decision has not, however, been issued owing to the contention that there were periods of employment for which there is at present no record of the payment of contributions. So far it has not been possible to substantiate the statement of employment, the position being complicated by the fact that one of the employers concerned is dead and another has changed his address, but every step is being taken to complete the investigation as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the number of cases and deaths hitherto notified in the present outbreak of typhoid fever in the county of Somerset; and will he state whether the cause has vet been traced?

Twenty-four cases, three of them fatal, of the disease have been confirmed. The source of infection has not yet been established, and investigations, in which a medical officer of my Department is assisting, are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the possibility of introducing legislation to enable old age pensions to be granted to helpless cripples at the same age and under the same conditions as they are granted to blind persons?

I am afraid I cannot undertake to introduce legislation such as my hon. Friend suggests. Apart from other considerations, there would be obvious difficulties in defining the special class of persons which he has in mind. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, I am taking all steps open to me to encourage the development of orthopaedic clinics with a view to prevention of crippling.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a demand for payment of a tax known as liberty rate is being levied upon certain people in the Dover Rural District Council area; and under what act or authority such demand is made?

This had not previously been brought to my notice. I understand that the Parish of Ringwould in the Rural District of Dover is one of the limbs of the liberties of the Cinque Port of Dover and that this rate has been levied from time immemorial to meet expenses incurred in the administration of justice. The statutory basis is now Section 248 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882.

asked the Minister of Health how many slum clearance schemes have been approved by his Department for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; in what areas they are situated; what is the amount of expenditure involved; and what is the number of persons so affected?

During the last calendar year I approved 4,235 Orders for the clearance of slum areas. The Orders were made by 409 local authorities in all parts of England and Wales and affected 192,000 persons. As regards expenditure, the amount of the loans sanctioned by me during 1937 for land, buildings, roads and sewers in connection with slum clearance was about £40,000,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can furnish a list of the principal privately and publicly managed institutions for the treatment and care of epileptics, and the approximate number of patients provided for in 1930 and 1936 at each place and their age groups?

I will send my hon. and gallant Friend statements containing the information desired, so far as it is available in my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether any organised special research into the causes and treatment of epilepsy is proceeding under the auspices of his Department in conjunction with the Medical Research Council; whether the British Government is officially represented on the Council of the International League against Epilepsy; and what subvention, if any, it gives towards its activities?

I understand that the Medical Research Council are carrying out certain investigations which have a bearing upon epilepsy and related conditions. With regard to the two last parts of the question His Majesty's Government is not officially represented on the Council of the International League against Epilepsy, nor does it make a contribution in aid of the Council's work.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Messrs. Lever Brothers and Unilevers, Limited, are making arrangements whereby State voluntary contributory pensions of employees will be deducted from the amount of superannuation already provided by the employing firm; and whether he will make it clear to employers in general that State pensions should be kept clear and quite apart from any voluntary arrangements for superannuation or pension entered into between employers and employed?

I am not aware of the arrangements referred to in the first part of the question; as regards the second part it would not be competent for me to give a ruling on the lines suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain employés of Lever Brothers and Unilever, Limited, who are eligible to contribute to the State voluntary pensions scheme have been notified by their employers that an arrangement has been entered into between the firm and the Ministry whereby all administrative matters connected with this business is to be transacted by the employers; that this arrangement is not welcomed by the employés concerned; and whether this has been sanctioned by the Ministry and he is satisfied that such an arrangement is in accordance with the law and any regulations issued there-under and especially Section 36 of the Act of 1936?

There appears to be some misapprehension in this matter. I understand that the position is that Messrs. Lever Brothers and Unilever, Limited, have undertaken to pay the contributions of certain of their employés who become special voluntary contributors, and the extent of the arrangement between the company and my Department is that the contribution cards of these special voluntary contributors will be issued to and returned from the head office of the company instead of to and from the private addresses of the contributors. I am satisfied that such an arrangement is in accordance with the law.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the inequitable working of the Voluntary Pensions Act as represented by the cases of two men, one with a salary of £410 a year, who would be excluded from the provisions of the Act, and the other with a salary of £190 a year and an unearned income of £195 a year, who would be included; and what steps he proposes to take to overcome this inequality?

The Act to which my hon. Friend refers has only recently come into operation and I do not think it would be possible to arrive at a general conclusion from a comparison of extreme cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a number of families are to be evicted from Shaftesbury Lane, Glasgow; whether these tenants entered as squatters or had the houses let to them by the owner; whether he can state the date of entry; whether the owner was prosecuted for letting condemned houses with a closing order; how long the tenants were in occupation before the owner was prosecuted; whether steps are to be taken in future to see that houses are pulled down when tenants vacate the premises; and what steps are being taken to rehouse these tenants?

I am aware that Glasgow Corporation has asked the Sheriff to grant an eviction order against certain families in Shaftesbury Lane, but as this question is now before the Court the hon. Member will realise that I can express no opinion on the matters there under discussion. I have, however, been informed by the Corporation that the houses were first re-occupied in November, 1936, and that the occupiers have stated that they were unaware of the fact that the property had been made the subject of a clearance order in November, 1935. The owner was prosecuted for allowing the reoccupation of the houses and was fined on 15th February, 1937.With regard to the last two parts of the question, it is not possible in all cases to demolish houses closed as unfit, as they may, for instance, form part of an otherwise fit building; but the Corporation is, I understand, taking steps to prevent the reoccupation of such houses in future.The Department of Health for Scotland indicated to the Corporation on the 4th November last that, if the Corporation is satisfied that the tenants took up residence at Shaftesbury Lane with the express permission of the proprietrix and in ignorance of the fact that a clearance order in respect of the property had become operative, and if the Corporation is further satisfied that it would be justified in rehousing them, the Department of Health would be prepared to allow grant under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1935, in respect of such new houses as the Corporation might require to accommodate, on an uncrowded basis, those who were living under overcrowded conditions before taking up residence in Shaftesbury Lane. The Department has since been informed by the Corporation that they are not satisfied that the families took up residence in ignorance of the fact that a clearance order had become operative, but I understand that this whole matter is presently under discussion in the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the hardship caused to district councillors in county areas who are not allowed any payment for lost time from work or business in carrying out their duties; and that a large majority of these district councils have expressed their desire to have payment similar to members of county councils; and will he take steps to make provision for payment?

I am aware that there is no authority for the payment of allowances to district councillors in respect of time lost from work in carrying out their duties, and I have received representations from a number of district councils on the subject. Legislation would be required before such allowances could be paid, and as at present advised I am not in a position to make any promise on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed to introduce legislation giving effect to the recommendations of Lord Morrison's Committee to prohibit runaway marriages at Gretna Green and to adopt reforms which would prevent the exploitation of marriage by commercialists who are permitted to do so as the law now stands?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to give legislative effect to the recommendations of the committee which recently investigated the marriage laws of Scotland, with particular regard to the irregular unions contracted at Gretna Green?

This matter is receiving active consideration but I am not yet in a position to make any statement regarding legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the arrest and conviction of a civilised native in Southern Rhodesia because this native was not carrying a pass; whether he is aware that for many years natives who had reached such a civilised standard that they were placed on the voters' roll were not obliged to carry passes; that the native in question, named James Mfasi, in pursuit of his having been placed on the voters' roll, was accorded a certificate of exemption; and that the chief native commissioner confirmed to the police that there was no such need and retained the certificate of exemption; whether he can say under what instrument these civilised British subjects have lost this right; and whether the instrument withdrawing the right from them received the approval of His Majesty's Government?

My attention has recently been called to this case. I have made inquiries regarding it through the Governor, but am not yet in possession of further information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider issuing special campaign pensions to militiamen and members of volunteer companies attached to Regular units, together with members of the St. John's Ambulance Corps, who served in South Africa during the war of 1899–1902?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 29th November last to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Salisbury (Major Despencer-Robertson).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider a grant of special campaign pensions to militiamen, i.e. members of volunteer companies attached to Regular units, and also to members of the St. John's Ambulance Association, who served in the war in South Africa, 1899 to 1902?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 29th November last to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Salisbury (Major Despencer-Robertson).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the war film made under the auspices of the National War Aims Committee in 1917, the scenario being the work of Mr. Hall-Caine and the production that of Mr. Herbert Brenon, is still in existence; if so, where it is preserved; and whether he will arrange for it to be shown to Members in one of the committee rooms?

This film is not in the War Office, nor is it in the Imperial War Museum collection of official war films. I have made inquiries, but have been unable to obtain information as to the manner in which it was disposed of after the War.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the amount of Government grants for roads and bridges on the north-east coast comprising the East Riding of Yorkshire and the counties of Northumberland and Durham; and how the amount compares with the grants to Middlesex, Surrey and Essex?

The information required is given in Appendix I of the Annual Reports on the Administration of the Road Fund. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the relevant extracts from the report for 1936–37.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any agreement has yet been reached as to the date and at whose expense High Street, Romford, is to be widened?

No agreement has been reached as to the date when this street will be widened. The expense will be borne by the Road Fund and the appropriate highway authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport what authority is responsible for the upkeep of Lee Gardens Avenue, Hornchurch; and when it is going to be put in a satisfactory condition?

No authority is responsible for the upkeep of Lee Gardens Avenue, Hornchurch. Any road constructed would be a purely private road.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men were promoted from the lower deck to the rank of officer during the past year?

During the year ended 31st January, 1937, 13 ratings were promoted to the rank of Acting Sub-Lieutenant in the Executive Branch and eight in the Engineering Branch. During the same period 202 ratings were promoted to Warrant rank in the various branches of the Royal Navy; existing officers in the Warrant Officer Branches were also promoted as follow:

To Commander	1
To Lieut.-Commander	1
To Lieutenant	68
To Commissioned Officer from Warrant rank	135

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether consideration can be given to an appointment of a senior surgery assistant and surgery assistants at Singapore naval base, the personnel to be recruited from men serving in these capacities at Home dockyards?

The existing medical organisation at His Majesty's Naval Base, Singapore, is staffed with naval personnel, supplemented by a number of Asiatic nurses and dressers. Similar staffing arrangements are contemplated when the various improvements in the Medical Services, including the provision of a permanent combined Dockyard Surgery and Sick Quarters, are completed. In these circumstances, the necessity for the employment of Home Dockyard personnel of the grades of senior surgery assistant and surgery assistant is not likely to arise.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the consideration given last year to the question of erecting State explosives factories has led to the formulation of any definite conclusions; and, if so, will he make a statement?

I would inform my hon. Friend that as a result of the consideration that has been given to the question, plans for the erection of State explosives factories have been developed, and that six such factories are either in the course of erection, or about to be erected. Plans for other factories are under active consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Government is allowing large shipments of munitions and other materials to be exported to foreign countries at a time when Great Britain is presumed to be in need of all the supplies and equipment essential for national defence; and if, during this time, he will prohibit the export of munitions to foreign countries?

I would assure the hon. Member that before a licence is granted for the export of war material to any foreign country, the order is considered on its merits by all the Departments concerned to ensure that the exigencies of the British rearmament programme will not be prejudiced by its acceptance.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what part of the profits of the business of an auctioneer, estate agent, or surveyor are held to be liable to National Defence Contribution, and what parts are held to be not so eligible?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me on 1st February to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis). The reply then given in regard to the business of an estate agent applies also to the business of an auctioneer or surveyor.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether National Defence Contribution is being levied on the profits of football pools companies?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider taking steps to increase old age and widows' pensions to 15s. a week?

No, Sir. As previously stated, the Government cannot undertake to introduce legislation to authorise the all-round increase of pensions suggested in the question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, what is the present cost of old age and widows' pensions to persons over 65; what it is estimated to be in 15 years time; and what is the estimated population, now and in 15 years time, in the age groups 16 to 64 and 65 and over, respectively?

The present cost of old age and widows' pensions to persons over 65 is £71 millions a year. It is estimated that in 15 years time it will be about £97 millions a year. The estimated number of persons in Great Britain at the present time in the age group 16 to 64 is nearly 31¼ millions and that of persons of 65 and over is 3,900,000. On the basis of the mortality experienced in recent years and ignoring the effect of possible migration, the corresponding numbers in 15 years time are 31½ millions and 5 millions respectively. My hon. Friend will observe that whereas the adult population aged 16 to 64 inclusive shows only a small increase, the population of 65 and over will, it is estimated, have grown by more than a million persons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total number of staff employed and the amount of salaries paid in the Surveyor of Taxes Department in 1914, 1929, and 1937?

The figures are as follow:

Year.	Staff.	Cost.
		£
1913–14	1,828	304,520
1928–29	12,326	3,843,548
1936–37	14,141	4,540,787

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the normal time required by the revenue authorities for winding up the estate of deceased persons; and whether it is possible to speed up this work in the interests of widows and others, who are often put to inconvenience?

The responsibility for winding up the estate of a deceased person rests with the executors or administrators and not with the Revenue authorities, who are concerned only with the assessment and collection of the death duties which become payable on the death. The settlement of liability involves the obtaining of all necessary information and the determination of any legal or other points of difficulty that may arise, and the time required must of necessity vary in different cases. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that, so far as the Revenue authorities are concerned, every effort is already being made to ensure that all cases are dealt with without avoidable delay.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to the possibilities of increasing the output of English pit props owing to the high prices now obtaining for such goods; and whether he proposes to take any steps to encourage landowners to assist in this matter?

The Forestry Commissioners are aware of the desirability of increasing the output of home-grown pit props and issued in July last a leaflet on the subject. They encourage landowners by giving planting grants and they have convened a conference on the 4th instant of the various interests concerned with private forestry for the purpose of discussing the problem of improving private woodlands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the resolution passed by the borough of Tottenham and other local authorities expressing concern at the unchecked increase in the prices of materials required by local authorities; and whether he proposes to take any action?

My attention has been called to the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. I have no reason to suppose that the rise in price of materials required by local authorities is due in general to any other causes than an increase in manufacturing costs. If, however, he has any specific cases in mind, I would be prepared to look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to apply Section 5 (1) of the Aliens Restriction Act, 1919, which provides that no alien shall act as master, chief officer, or chief engineer of a British merchant ship to ships registered as British ships at foreign ports or in British colonies and to ships granted British registry elsewhere than in the United Kingdom?

The provision to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers applies only to ships registered in the United Kingdom. British ships cannot be permanently registered at any foreign port, except Shanghai. Provisions as to the nationality of officers of British ships registered in parts of His Majesty's Dominions other than the United Kingdom are primarily matters for the Governments concerned. As at present advised I see no reason to take any steps which might lead to the application of provisions of the kind referred to by the hon. and gallant Member to British ships registered outside the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the cost-of-living resolution sent to him by the Eastpark branch of the Scottish Women's Co-operative Guild; and whether he has any statement to make?

The resolution referred to has been considered. The questions involved do not readily lend themselves to discussion by question and answer; and I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement made by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary in the Debate which took place in this House on the 22nd December last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the South Metropolitan Gas Company will again change the gas meter recording which was altered for increasing the charge for gas; and will the readings of check meters be taken that such users may not have to continue paying the higher charges?

I am informed by the South Metropolitan Gas Company that, when in October, 1936, the company reverted to the flat rate method of charge, meters for which the company are responsible were re-rated. This was completed by 21st December, 1936, except in very few cases where consumers for personal reasons made special requests that the higher rating should remain unaltered or where access could not at the time be obtained. In the latter case the re-rating was made at the earliest opportunity of inspecting the meter. I understand that the rating of check meters which are installed at the order of the hirer of the main meter for the purpose of checking the consumption taken by a sub-tenant or for any other purpose is not the responsibility of the company.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the recommendations of the commission of inquiry into the disturbances in Trinidad; whether he proposes to take immediate steps to give effect to them; and whether it is proposed that the regular troops stationed in Trinidad since the departure of the London members of the commission from the colony should be withdrawn?

While I accept the report and its recommendations generally I must await the views of the Government of Trinidad on many matters of detail before coming to final decisions. I have already implemented one of the most important recommendations by the appointment as Industrial Adviser of Mr. Lindon, of the Ministry of Labour, who is leaving for Trinidad in the near future. I would take this opportunity of expressing my deep gratitude to the five members of the Commission for their services and for their full and clear report.With regard to the last part of the question I would refer to my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Cardiff (Captain A. Evans) yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is his intention to pubish the report of the commission which investigated the recent disturbances in Barbados; and when this report will be made available to Members of this House and to the public of this country?

The report to which the hon. Member refers was printed and published in Barbados in December last, and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. It is not at present on sale in this country, but I am asking the Government of Barbados to supply the Crown Agents for the Colonies with a sufficient number of copies for sale here.

asked the Secretary of State for the. Colonies whether in view of the grave developments in Ceylon, he has considered, or will so consider, the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the working of the constitution and to report thereon?

I have asked the Governor of Ceylon to report fully to me on the working of the Constitution. On receipt of his report, I shall consider whether the appointment of a commission of inquiry is the best procedure for considering the various proposals for amendment that I have received from Ceylon

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, for purposes of classification, he will issue a White Paper constituting a summary of the events in Ceylon culminating in the recent despatch to the Governor?

I doubt whether such a summary would serve any useful purpose. The despatch itself has been published in Ceylon, and I will have a copy placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the many heavy surcharges that are made on letters from the United Kingdom to South Africa, owing to the fact that all first-class mail is now sent by air at the rate of three-halfpence for the first half-ounce; and whether he will arrange either for an alternative mail for letters by steamer at the former charges or a corresponding reduction in charges by air mail?

Yes, Sir, and I have endeavoured by every means at my disposal and with the valuable co-operation of the Press, the Federation of British Industries, the Chambers of Commerce and others, to bring to the notice of the posting public the correct rate of postage for letters to South Africa.As regards the second part of the question, as the hon. Member will see from the White Paper (Command 5414) relating to the Empire Air Mail Scheme, the whole of the financial and other arrangements in connection with the Scheme are based on conveyance by air as the normal means of transmission of all first-class mail (letters, letter packets and postcards) at the rate of l½d, per half-ounce for letters and 1d. for postcards. I regret I am not in a position to sanction arrangements for the despatch of particular items of first-class mail by surface route at the option of the sender or to reduce the letter postage rate of 1½d. per half-ounce which, as shown in the White Paper, entails a substantial loss to the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General what particular difficulties are being experienced in providing an efficient and reliable telephone service in the neighbourhood of St. Germans, Cornwall; what steps have been, or are being, taken to overcome these difficulties; and from what date subscribers on the St. Germans exchange may expect reasonable continuity of service?

The difficulties at St. Germans exchange are due to the exceptionally exposed nature of part of the exchange area. In order to remedy this a new exchange is to be provided for part of the area and this will enable the present lengthy subscribers' lines to be shortened. I am afraid that the new exchange is not likely to be ready for service before the end of the year, but in the meantime every effort is being made to reduce faults to a minimum.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the maintenance of efficient and reliable service on existing lines has suffered as a result of the in-crease in demand from new subscribers to the telephone?

The great demand for telephone service in recent years led to some plant congestion, but the comprehensive records which are taken regularly show that the standard of service suffered very little and is now returning to normal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the decision of the Great Ouse Catchment Board that the financial position of the board, both present and prospective, precluded them from proceeding further with the comprehensive scheme for the improvement of the main river, unless the Government were prepared to give a larger measure of assistance than had so far been promised; and whether he will enter into consultation with the board with a view to devising a scheme of finance which will enable the board to proceed with this essential work?

I have received this morning from the River Great Ouse Catchment Board a copy of the resolution relating to the outfall scheme passed at the meeting of the board held on 27th January, and referred to in the hon. Member's question. The matter will receive my consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Bradford Public Assistance Committee, having placed a contract for milk at an agreed price with a firm of non-producers, were obliged by the Milk Marketing Board to increase the price by ¼d. per gallon in accordance with a new regulation; and whether he will take action to allow original agreed contracts to go through in all such cases?

I assume that the dairyman in question contracted to supply milk to the Bradford Public Assistance Committee before he was aware of the terms, including those governing re-sale, on which milk could be sold to him by registered milk producers. The terms prescribed by the Milk Marketing Board, after consultation with the Central Milk Distributive Committee, for the sale of milk by registered milk producers during the year October, 1937, to September, 1938, provided for a re-sale price of ¼d. a gallon more than the price at which the dairyman contracted to sell to the Public Assistance Committee. As to the last part of the question, I have no power to intervene.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the Potato Marketing Board is seeking to put up the price of potatoes to the consumer by purchasing from farmers at prices ranging from 5s. to 15s. per ton above ruling market rates?

I understand that the Potato Marketing Board have recently offered to purchase from registered producers a limited quantity of potatoes with a view to preventing market prices from falling to unduly low levels. The prices offered by the board for immediate delivery are little above prevailing market rates. I should add that the average retail price of potatoes in January of this year was the same as in November last, before the board indicated their readiness to enter the market, and was about 14 per cent. lower than in January, 1937.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that dogs are not liable to foot-and-mouth disease and can be disinfected, he can give an assurance that strict instructions will be given to his inspectors charged with the slaughter of infected stock that no dogs are to be thus slaughtered?

The inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture have no authority to slaughter dogs in connection with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and I am not aware of any instance in which a dog has been so slaughtered. The inspectors of the Ministry are aware that they have no authority to slaughter animals of any class without special instructions from the Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the alarming spread of foot-and-mouth disease, he will see that every precaution is taken by his Department with regard to the importation from the Continent into this country of straw, whether in the form of packing or otherwise, that would be likely to carry the infection?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Short) on this subject on 13th December last, of which I am sending him a copy, and to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give the House any information regarding the spread of the ravages of the Colorado beetle on the Continent; and will his Department take every possible precaution to safeguard the potato-growing industry of this country from the invasion of the pest?

During 1937 the position remained materially unchanged, except that three small outbreaks were discovered for the first time in Holland and a larger number in Switzerland. The position is constantly under review by my Department and I am satisfied that all practicable precautions are taken to prevent the introduction and establishment of the pest in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, since the introduction of the scheme for supplying lime and basic slag to farmers at reduced prices, there has been any shortage of supplies; and, if so, what steps have been taken to remedy such shortage?

The large response to the scheme has made it difficult in some cases for producers and distributors to meet the exceptional demands made upon them for supplies of lime and basic slag. I understand that the Land Fertility Committee have the matter under constant review and have received assurances from the principal producers of lime and slag that all practicable steps are being taken to increase the supplies available. I gather that the Committee are now receiving very few complaints from farmers of failure to obtain supplies, and as the rate at which applications for contributions are being received in respect of actual deliveries is steadily increasing, there is reason to believe that the supply position is improving.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will prepare schemes for extending the areas over which the Land Registry works so as to provide black-coat employment in times of recession of trade and at the same time give service which is of considerable value to the public without the cost falling upon the taxpayer?

On 24th November last my hon. and learned Friend endeavoured to explain, in answer to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend, the principles applicable to the question of the extension of the compulsory registration of land on sale, so far as it was possible to do so within the limits of a Parliamentary question. I can only refer him to the answer which my hon. and learned Friend then gave and reassure him that there is no unnecessary delay in extending the provisions of the Act when this is practicable. I might add that the amount of employment involved would I am afraid in any case be very small.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Lord Chancellor, with the approval of the Treasury, has recently increased the salaries of certain Masters of the High Court, namely those of the King's Bench Division, without increasing the salaries of the Masters of the Chancery Division, and that those two classes of public officers have hitherto been remunerated on the same scale; and what the grounds are upon which this differentiation has been made?

The Masters of the King's Bench Division are required to possess substantially the same qualifications as those who are appointed County Court Judges and Metropolitan Police Magistrates. As the salaries attached to these latter appointments were raised under the Statutory Salaries Act, 1937, it became desirable to raise the maximum salaries of the King's Bench Masters to the same figure in order that the standard of the appointment might not suffer. The same considerations do not apply to the Masters of the Chancery Division.