asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that in 1935 68½ per cent. of English wheat was sold before February, he will encourage farmers to hold off their wheat from the market by a small bonus for each month of the cereal year until the following harvest in order to increase the amount of wheat stored in this country?

Various schemes of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend are being considered in connection with food storage proposals generally. There are, however, disadvantages in any such plan, including the uncertainty whether the object in view would be achieved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers in Norfolk are unable to take advantage of the Government's offer of a 25 per cent. grant towards the cost of basic slag since merchants are unable to procure any further supplies of it; whether this state of affairs applies to the whole country and, if so, how long it is likely to last?

My right hon. Friend is aware that there is difficulty at present in obtaining supplies of basic slag. The figures given yesterday by my right hon. Friend in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Yeovil (Sir G. Davies) show that approximately twice as much basic slag will be available during the year ending 31st May next as was delivered during the previous 12 months. It is evident that basic slag producers are doing all they can to make available as much as possible of this byproduct, the supply of which is, of course, dependent on the output of certain types of steel. There is good reason to believe that the supply of basic slag in the next fertiliser year will be even greater than during the current season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that chilled beef is being advertised as a traditional British dish; and what steps he is taking to prevent this foreign product from being advertised as British?

The attention of my right hon. Friend has been drawn to the advertisements referred to. Orders in force under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, relating to the marking of meat require that imported chilled beef must be marked with an indication of origin when sold or exposed for sale, and Section 5 (2) of the Act provides that, where goods that are the subject of a Marking Order are advertised as being goods of a particular brand or make, or otherwise under a specific designation, an indication of origin must be included in the advertisement. My right hon. Friend is advised, however, that the terms of the advertisements in question do not constitute an infringement of these requirements.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to negotiate with the various interests concerned as to the terms of the draft Food and Drugs Consolidation Bill; and whether he will give an undertaking that all the interested bodies will be consulted before the Bill is presented to Parliament?

The draft Bill has been published and placed on sale, and my right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider representations from any interested bodies before the Bill is presented to Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health whether, before drafting and presenting a Bill based upon the recent report of the Departmental Committee upon rent restriction, he will consult with the various property-owning organisations with a view to ensuring that the proposed legislation will not interfere with the rebuilding programme?

My right hon. Friend received yesterday a deputation on this matter from the National Federation of Property Owners.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that local government debt has increased from £555,000,000 in 1920 to over £1,421,000,000 in 1935; and whether he proposes to take any steps to review

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what has been the result of the public inquiry into the proposals of the county education authority for compulsory purchase from the Penglaise estate in Aberystwyth of a site for the new girls' secondary school; what is the area of this land and the increase of local government financial obligation or to endeavour to limit the increase in any way?

Yes, Sir. About £682,000,000 of the total increase was incurred in respect of housing including small dwellings acquisition) and trading services. At the same time the net increase in expenditure since 1920 falling on rate funds in respect of these services, which are, of course, largely reproductive, was £2,100,000. As regards the last part of the question every application by a local authority in England and Wales for my right hon. Friend's sanction to the borrowing of moneys for the purposes of carrying out capital works is carefully scrutinised, full consideration being given to the need for the works, the amount of expenditure involved, the financial position of the authority, and all other relevant factors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what percentage of children attending elementary schools under the Durham County Council were found, at the annual routine nutrition inspections in the years 1932 to 1937, to be normal, sub-normal, or bad, respectively?

Following is the answer:if compulsory powers have been granted; what price is being paid; and what has been the rateable value of the land for local taxation?

After consideration of the report of the public inquiry, the Board confirmed an Order for Compulsory Purchase of the site in question. I understand that the price to be paid for this site, which measures about 4⅓ acres, is not yet settled. The site has not been assessed for rating purposes as it is agricultural land.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Japan has created a small pseudo independent State in Northern China, he can state whether any British diplomatic representatives remain in Peking; and, in that case, what instructions are being sent to them?

Yes, Sir. The Embassy in Peking remains in the charge of a diplomatic secretary. He has been instructed to avoid any action or attitude which might imply recognition by His Majesty's Government of any Government other than the National Government of the Republic of China.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the total number of persons employed at the new Government factory in Nottingham to the latest available date; and how many of those employed were resident in Nottingham at the date of their engagement?

At the beginning of this month there were 1,945 employés at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Nottingham, of whom 1,485 were resident in Nottingham at the date of their engagement.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the statement at page 108 of the Fifth Report on the work of the children's branch of his Department that sleeping in hammocks is definitely bad for growing boys, he will make inquiries as to the number of boys sleeping in hammocks in training ships and under the orders of the Admiralty, and make further investigations as to the effect on health before condemning this practice?

The statement in question is an expression of opinion by the Chief Inspector of the Children's Branch of the Home Office. As a result of experience he has formed the view that there are special considerations in regard to approved schools which make it desirable that beds should be used instead of hammocks in schools where the requisite accommodation is available. I understand that it is already the practice in His Majesty's Naval Training Services to provide beds where space permits.

asked the Postmaster-General whether letters to China and Japan should be endorsed via Siberia or whether they should be left without any markings of destination?

Letters for China and Japan intended for transmission via Siberia must be superscribed "via Siberia," otherwise they are sent by the sea routes via Suez or North America for China and via North America for Japan.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider raising beyond 40 years the age limit for entry into established service in the Post Office of able-bodied ex-service men with war service?

The normal maximum age limit for appointment as postman is 30, but this has been extended to 40 in the case of able-bodied men who served during the War, and to 45 in the case of pensioners, both disability and long service. Experience has shown that it is not desirable, having regard to the nature of the work, to engage a higher proportion of older ex-service men than at present; and I regret that I do not see my way to authorise any further extension.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the total number of re-applications for pension or for increase of pension he received during 1937; and the number of pensions that ceased otherwise than through the decease of the pensioner?

The records of my Department do not enable me to give the total number of re-applications received, but the cases in which pensions were increased during the year in question numbered 2,008. I may say that in a majority of the cases, the increases were made by the Ministry of its own motion, and not as the result of application or re-application. The number of pensions that ceased otherwise than through the decease of the pensioner was 1,177, and were due mainly to remarriage or omission to draw the pension.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the representations from men recently on strike at Harworth (Nottinghamshire) alleging victimisation contrary to the terms of the strike settlement; whether he has looked into the allegation; and what steps he is taking to prevent victimisation continuing?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the complaints made by men formerly employed at Harworth, and who have served sentences in connection with disturbances which occurred at Harworth last year, alleging that they are being refused permission to work in collieries at which they have made application,

asked the secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, during each of the three years to boys of 17 years of age or less employed underground;

The answer to the first part of each question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I understand, on inquiry, that officials of the Nottinghamshire and District Federated Miners' Union are actively engaged in investigating the grounds for these complaints, with a view, if necessary, to taking the matter up with the employers' representatives. I think it would be best, at this stage, to leave the matter in the hands of the representative organisations of employers and employed.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the cost per ton of distribution and selling direct to the consumers without a merchant's intervention by the selling organisations of the Lancashire associated collieries for household coal and for industrial coal, respectively?

This information is not available in my Department.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of accidents, fatal and non-fatal, of boys under 16 years of age in the coal mines of Durham County for the years 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively?

The information is as follows:and the separate figures for west and south Yorks, respectively?

The infarmation is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents to persons employed belowground during 1937 and the causes of the accidents; and

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can now state the result of the Mining Association competition to secure the best automatic detector which would also serve as the best illuminant for use in coal mines?

I am informed that the investigations considered necessary for the adjudication of the entries are still in progress and that no award has yet been made.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the public concern recently expressed in the North Staffordshire area over the effect of subsidence; and if he will reconsider the

The information is as follows:Government's policy on the question and take some steps to ease the burden on people caused by the effect of subsidence?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I am afraid that there is no statement that I can usefully make at present.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the amount and percentage of the annual funds of the Safety in Mines Research Board expended during each of the last three years directly on investigating methods of avoiding accidents caused by the use of electricity, coal-dust explosions, haulage and winding, by falls of roofs and sides; and the amount so expended on inquiring into accidents to boys?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the undercutting of coal by machines in many instances exceeds the regulation distance for roof supports and when the coal is released the workers are exposed to greater dangers through this; and will he have this matter looked into so as to prevent the undercut exceeding the distance laid down for roof supports?

I am aware that the depth of the undercut usually exceeds the distance between the last row of props and the coal face, but there are other important factors to be considered, and this one could hardly be dealt with except as part of a general revision of the law governing roof support. That is one of the subjects now under investigation by the Royal Commission on Safety in Coal Mines, and I must await the Commission's report.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has noted the decline in the export of Welsh anthracite coal to Canada; and whether, in the negotiations for renewing the trade agreement, he will endeavour to secure sufficient safeguards for the anthracite trade which has been built up between South Wales and Canada?

The information is as follows:

Yes, Sir. I have recently received a deputation from South Wales on this subject, and I can assure the hon. Member that the representations made to me in the interests of South Wales are receiving the fullest consideration by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the report recently issued of a survey by mineralogical experts in the South-West Durham district; and can he state whether any steps will be taken to work these minerals?

I have seen the report by Professor Granville Poole to the Technical Advisory Committee of the North-East Development Board. It does not suggest any steps that could usefully be taken by my Department, and I would remind the hon. Member that in any case I have no funds from which I could provide financial assistance.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the fact that Form CR. 24, under the Coal (Registration of Ownership) Act, 1937, being Further notes as to completion of forms, was not issued by the Registrar until the 29th November, 1937, three and a-half months after the publication on the 17th August, 1937, of the notice in the "London Gazette," by virtue of which the prescribed period expires in the middle of February, 1938, and that only two and a-half months was left for the preparation and completion of the registration forms, and in view of the wording of Clause 31 of the Coal Bill, he will extend the period within which registration can be effected and the costs thereof defrayed by the Board of Trade for a further period of three months from the middle of February, 1938?

General notes for guidance in regard to applications for registration and notes as to the completion of the forms were issued by the Registrar on the 17th August, 1937. The further notes, issued on the 29th November, 1937, embody the information which had been given by the Registrar in response to general inquiries, mainly on matters of detail, made during the previous three months. These further notes were issued as a matter of convenience and were not essential for the purposes of applying for registration. A number of applications for registration were made before these notes were issued.I am unable to anticipate the decision of Parliament on the Coal Bill by making any general extension of the time limit on applications for registration in respect of which costs are payable by the Board of Trade, but the Registrar has my authority to exercise sympathetically his discretion in particular cases.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made with the inquiries regarding the proposals to be embodied in a Wireless Telegraphy Bill to deal with the question of electrical interference with broadcast reception in this country, as considerable inconvenience is still being experienced by wireless listeners from local interference?

Consultations are proceeding with commercial and other interests which would be affected by the introduction of a Wireless Telegraphy Bill to deal with the question of electrical interference with broadcast reception. The questions involved are, however, of considerable complexity and the relative inquiries must of necessity take some time to complete.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that, despite the fact that the office of His Majesty's Inspector of Taxes, Northampton 2nd District, Barclay's Bank Chambers, St. Giles' Square, Northampton, was condemned as unsuitable as long ago as 1931, no rehousing has yet taken place; and whether, in view of the fact that the Post Office has acquired a site for the erection of a Crown building, he can take steps to see whether their proposed accommodation can be replanned to provide fresh offices for the staff of His Majesty's inspector of taxes?

I am aware of the drawbacks of the premises referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, and of the fact that it has not yet been possible to rehouse the staffs in occupation. Owing to the present and future needs of the Post Office it is considered inadvisable to provide for the staffs of other Departments in Northampton in the building to be erected on the site recently acquired. The acquisition of another site and the erection of a building to house the Inland Revenue staffs is however in contemplation, and provision has been made in the estimates for the next financial year for the purchase of a site.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he contemplates any reorganisation of divisional artillery from a six-gun to an eight-gun battery basis?

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to await my presentation of Army Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the difference in cost of the present walking-out dress blue patrol jacket and the old scarlet tunic or a scarlet patrol jacket?

A scarlet patrol jacket of similar material to that used for the blue jacket supplied by the War Office for use at the Coronation ceremonies would cost about 4s. more, and a scarlet tunic about 31s. more. The cost of upkeep would also be greater.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. B. Pinnington, of Southampton, who was sued for libel as a result of his statement as to the reason for the discharge of an employé given on the Ministry of Labour Form U.I. 85, which has resulted in Mr. Pinnington having to file his petition in bankruptcy; and will he take steps to make it impossible for an employer to be so sued where the reason given for dismissal is found by the Ministry of Labour to be justified?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to this case by my hon. Friend and by Mr. Pinnington. My right hon. Friend is naturally anxious to do all that is in his power to protect employers who give him correct replies to the inquiries made by his Department on the Form U.I. 85; he regrets however that he does not see his way to propose the legislation which would be necessary to give effect to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that where the question of the payment of unemployment benefit to persons affected but not a party to an industrial dispute is a matter for the decision of a court of referees, no special court is summoned, thus involving cases being held over until the regular court is held; and whether he will consider making other arrangements?

My right hon. Friend is always anxious to make such administrative arrangements as to ensure that no avoidable delay arises in reaching decisions on claims to benefit. The existing arrangements are that sittings of courts of referees are arranged in the light of the number and character of the cases arising for decision. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any case in which she thinks there has been undue delay, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of ex-service men who have availed themselves of the facilities for training at the Ministry of Labour training centres at Southampton and Leeds?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the scheme for giving vocational training to soldiers before their return to civilian life. On the 3rd February there were in training under this scheme 81 soldiers at Leeds and 233 at Southampton.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of women that have obtained domestic situations through the medium of the Employment Exchanges of Great Britain for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and what charges for expenses have been paid by either the employer or employé in any of these instances?

The total number of vacancies in private domestic service filled by women through Employment Exchanges in Great Britain during the year ended 21st June, 1937, was 50,629. No charges are made to any persons who use the Employment Exchanges.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement as to the Arab attack on Sakhmata, near Acre, on 30th January, when eight Arab supernumerary policemen surrendered and the corporal is alleged to have been murdered; and, in particular, if he has any record of the corporal having been implicated in the outrages at Safed in 1929?

On 29th January a supernumerary police post at Suhmata was surprised and overpowered by some 40 to 50 armed Arabs. After being stripped and disarmed the corporal and eight men were marched to a place some three kilometres away, where the corporal was shot dead and the others were then released. Active measures have been taken against villagers believed to be implicated. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that the murdered corporal was sentenced by a District Court in connection with the 1929 disturbances at Safed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to support Nyasaland tobacco growers in their efforts, by means of local legislation, to organise a market for their tobacco free from the disadvantages of a tobacco-purchasing ring operating either in Nyasaland or in England?

My hon. and gallant Friend is not, I think, correct in implying by his question that any difficulties which may in the past have been experienced in disposing of Nyasaland tobacco have been due to the operation of a purchasing ring. However, with my full concurrence a new system of tobacco auctions is to the introduced in Nyasaland for the sale of the present crop, and I am hopeful that it will help those growers who in the past have had difficulty in marketing their tobacco to obtain full prices for it in future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement as to the reasons for, and the results of, recent British military action against tribal units in the hinterland of Aden?

It is part of the settled policy of His Majesty's Government in the Aden Protectorate that intertribal quarrels should be checked and the trade routes kept open and protected from violence and interference. To secure these objects it has been found necessary from time to time in past years to take air action against the recalcitrant tribesmen. Such measures are undertaken only in the last resort when other means of pacification have failed. Adequate warning is always given to the inhabitants so that they may remove themselves from the area affected, and as a result the number of casualties has been very small. I am convinced that in all the circumstances this is the most effective and humane method of dealing with the situation. I may add that air action, when taken, is carried out in collaboration with, and on occasion at the request of, the local rulers whose authority it is our policy to support.I am aware that there have been rumours of unrest in the Protectorate and of the despatch of considerable bodies of Imperial troops to the area. These rumours are wholly without foundation. On the contrary, as a result of the measures taken, there has been a marked and steady improvement in the general tranquillity, especially in the outlying parts of the Protectorate where intertribal raids and quarrels have been rife in the past.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what, if any, legal qualifications are possessed by judges in British Somaliland who have power, respectively, to pass, and to hear appeals against, death sentences on defendants who are not permitted to be heard by counsel; and whether he has now reviewed the question of judicial arrangements in this protectorate and has in hand the issue of rules of procedure under Article 36 of the Somaliland Order in Council, 1929;(2) whether he has now reviewed the practice of the protectorate court in Somaliland, established under the Somali-land Orders in Council, 1929, to refuse to persons accused of criminal offences, who might on conviction be sentenced to death, leave to be heard by counsel; and, if so, what is the present position?

At present the members of the courts empowered to pass death sentences, and to hear appeals against such sentences, in British Somaliland are not required to possess legal qualifications. My hon. and gallant Friend is aware that the question of amending the judicial arrangements in the protectorate, including the question of the representation of accused persons by counsel, has been engaging my attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state in what Crown colonies, protectorates, and mandated territories persons accused of criminal offences who might, on conviction, be sentenced to death are refused leave to be heard by counsel, distinguishing between those in which the rule is statutory and a matter of practice, respectively; and in what Crown colonies, protectorates, and mandated territories any provision exists whereby legal advice or practical assistance of any sort is afforded under poor persons rules to defendants to assist them in preparing their defence against charges brought under Crown indictments?

As a result of inquiries made since my hon. Friend asked a question on this subject in April, 1936, I have ascertained that persons on trial on a capital charge may be represented by counsel in all territories throughout the Colonial Empire with the exception of the Somaliland Protectorate, certain native courts in the protectorate of Nigeria and in the State of Perlis in the Malay Peninsula. In the two first cases the position is governed by native practice and custom; in the third case it is a matter of law. With regard to the second part of the question, it is the practice in all territories that free legal advice and assistance should be made available, wherever possible, in cases such as my hon. Friend contemplates. The only exception is the State of Kelantan, Malaya, where the necessary provision has not been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, during the trade negotiations with India for the replacement of the Ottawa pact by a new agreement, steps are being taken to keep in touch with the non-official advisers who were present at the earlier negotiations?

The non-official advisers who were here last autumn in connection with the negotiations in question were appointed to advise the Government of India in these circumstances, it is not for me to keep in touch with them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, approximately, the number of persons in London and adjacent areas whose main food supplies are imported at the Port of London?

The desired information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total numbers of aero-engines exported from the United Kingdom in 1935, 1936 and 1937, respectively?

The total numbers of aeroplane engines exported from the United Kingdom during the years 1935, 1936 and 1937 amounted to 656, 637 and 607, respectively, of which 4, 12 and 19, respectively, were not of United Kingdom manufacture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total numbers of completed aircraft exported from the United Kingdom in 1935, 1936 and 1937, respectively?

The total numbers of complete aeroplanes exported from the United Kingdom during the years 1935, 1936 and 1937 amounted to 456, 449 and 524, respectively, of which 3, 1 and 11, respectively, were not of United Kingdom manufacture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of aircraft and aero engines exported from the United Kingdom in 1935, 1936 and 1937, respectively?

Exports from the United Kingdom of complete aeroplanes and aeroplane engines during the years 1935, 1936 and 1937 were valued at £1,918,000, £2,033,000 and £2,641,000, respectively; of these totals £7,000, £6,000 and £94,000, respectively, represented the value of exports not of United Kingdom manufacture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names and nationality of the directors of the company owning the "Endymion"; when and where it was built; whether and, if so, when registered at Lloyd's; what was its previous registry; and what is the amount of the fully-paid-up capital of the owning company?

The "Endymion" was owned not by a company but jointly by two British subjects. She was built at Paisley in 1909, and has always been on the British register. Her port of registry was Glasgow until October, 1934, and Gibraltar since that date. She was classed 100 A. rat Lloyd's Register, on which she has appeared since built.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the cause of the fatalities to the crew of the steamship "Sea Rambler"; whether he is in a position to state that Board of Trade regulations were in any way infringed during this voyage; and whether a Board of Trade inquiry is to be held?

Certain members of the crew of the steamship "Sea Rambler" were taken ill while the vessel was at sea during August, 1936. On putting into Funchal, Madeira, for medical assistance, the disease was diagnosed by the local Port Medical Authorities as food poisoning in two cases and botulism in five cases and an entry in the log was made to that effect. Two of the men died on board and five men died in hospital at Funchal. Upon arrival at North Shields the usual statutory inquiry was held by the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office on 14th and 15th September, 1936. The Superintendent endorsed the entry in the log. Since the inquiry was held, examination of blood samples from surviving members of the crew has shown that they had suffered from yellow fever. I have no reason to think that Board of Trade Regulations were infringed during the voyage.I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my deep sympathy with the relatives of the men who died.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many merchant navy officers took advantage during 1937 of the facilities for training in gunnery and naval co-operation other than through their service in the Royal Naval Reserve or the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; and whether it is proposed to extend these facilities during 1938?

Up to the 31st December last, the Merchant Navy Defence courses had been attended by 1,857 officers, of whom 1,488 had completed the course of instruction. Since the courses were started on 30th August last, certain sessions of the lectures have been thrown open to additional classes of mercantile marine officers, and the distance in respect of which officers attending the courses may receive travelling expenses has been considerably increased. Further extensions of the scheme are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to introduce legislation following on the findings of the Joint Committee on Gas Prices?

The matter is still under consideration but I hope to be able to make a statement before long.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position with regard to the inquiry which it was proposed to carry out into the formulation of a scheme for providing insurance against war-risk damage to property in this country?

I have nothing to add to the answers I gave on the 2nd and 9th November to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any statement on the case which came before Sheriff More, at Banff on 25th January, when Georgina Isabella Logan was charged with beating a dumb woman patient at Lady bridge Asylum, Banff, with a shoe, when in defence she stated that she had seen other nurses do the same thing; what steps are being taken to safeguard these patients against treatment of this kind in future; and whether inquiry will be held into the alleged brutalities in this institution?

Georgina Isabella Logan, aged 18, joined the Banff District Asylum staff as a nurse probationer on 2nd January, 1938. The assault on the patient was committed on the 10th January. The matter was reported to the Medical Superintendent next day and he immediately suspended Nurse Logan and reported the matter to the Procurator-Fiscal. On 25th January Nurse Logan pleaded guilty and the Sheriff deferred sentence till the 11th May. Nurse Logan has since been dismissed from the asylum service.The asylum authorities have inquired into Nurse Logan's statement that she had seen other nurses do the same thing. The inquiries were made at the asylum by the County Clerk and his depute, and they reported that they were satisfied that there was no ground for the allegation. Any asylum nurse striking a patient is liable to instant suspension followed by dismissal, and all such offences are reported to the Procurator-Fiscal in order that criminal proceedings may be considered. The General Board of Control have considered this case and are satisfied that it is an isolated one, but I have asked the board to furnish me with a fuller report on the whole matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that untried prisoners at Glasgow central police headquarters are housed in the same building as the criminal investigation department; that numerous cases have come to light in courts where prisoners were taken from their cells and put through cross-examinations without the presence of solicitors, and that a large number of boys have been interviewed in this manner at all hours and advised to plead guilty, failing which they would be kept in the cells for an indefinite period; and will he take steps to see that prisoners are housed in a separate building or have them sent to Barlinnie prison after being charged?

I am informed that the Criminal Investigation Department is stationed in part of the Glasgow Central Police Office, and that the cells are in another part of the building and under the control of another branch of the force. I am not myself aware of any cases of the kind referred to in the second part of the question, and I am informed that the Chief Constable has no knowledge of any such cases. The cells are used only for persons aged 17 or over, and, under Section 23 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act, 1908, persons detained in them must, wherever practicable, be brought before the Court not later than the day following arrest. In the circumstances I do not think it would be desirable to take action on the lines suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when a complaint was made to the Ayrshire police regarding the disappearance of goods from the premises of Messrs. J. Findlay and Company's bleach works, Catrine; the number of warrants issued to search houses in Catrine; the number of houses searched; the number where goods were found; the number of arrests effected and the number convicted; and whether steps will be taken to put an end to this form of police terror and ensure that the only houses to be searched will be those houses where some form of evidence has been obtained as to the stolen goods being on the premises?

Complaints of the disappearance of goods from these premises were made to the Ayr County Police Force on the 19th November, 1937, and the 4th December, 1937. The number of search warrants issued to the force was 24 for Catrine, I for Auchinleck, and I for Mauchline; 26 houses were searched under these warrants, and stolen goods were found in 6 of the Catrine houses, and in the house at Auchinleck. One person was arrested, and 7 persons in all were convicted, 2 of reset and 5 of theft. As the hon. Member will be aware it is for magistrates to consider whether the information available when applications are made to them for search warrants is such as to justify the issue of warrants, and I have no power to interfere with the exercise of their discretion.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the hardship that exists at present when a man dies intestate leaving no widow, no descendants, and no brothers or sisters but relatives on both the father's side and the mother's side, in the relatives on the father's side taking all the estate of the deceased intestate and the relatives on the mother's side taking nothing, whether he will consider amending the law anent intestate succession in Scotland to remove this hardship?

This matter, and certain other aspects of the Scottish law of intestate succession, are at present under examination with a view to the possibility of amendment.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is in a position to make any further statement in respect of the default of the Government of Alberta?

So far as I am aware, no further developments have taken place since the reply which I made to my hon. Friend on 4th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make any further statement on the financial position of the Province of Alberta?

It is understood that the public accounts for the year ending 31st March, 1937, show an actual net surplus on ordinary account of nearly $78,000 but an actual excess of capital expenditure over capital revenue of $2,583,000. According to the interim report of the acting provincial auditor, the figures for the first six months of the present financial year, including expenditure on unemployment relief, show a surplus on ordinary account of $2,664,000 but an excess of capital payments over capital receipts of $2,289,000, resulting in a net cash surplus of $375,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the proposed negotiations with, the Australian authorities on the subject of migration?

I understand that the resumption of certain forms of assisted migration is at present receiving consideration by His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are very ready to discuss with the Commonwealth Government any proposals which they may make.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what numbers of emigrants from this country were admitted into each self-governing Dominion, respectively, during 1937 to the latest convenient date; and the numbers of returning emigrants from the same during the like period?

The number of British subjects who were recorded in the passenger lists furnished to the Board of Trade as leaving permanent residence in the United Kingdom (by which is understood residence for a year or more) to take up permanent residence in the under-mentioned Dominions in the nine months ending 30th September, 1937, and the number of such persons who were recorded as leaving permanent residence in those countries to take up permanent residence in the United Kingdom in the same period are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Industrial Conciliation Amendment Bill, which has been gazetted in Southern Rhodesia, was submitted to him for his approval; and, if so, on what grounds he agreed to the deletion of the provisions for the engagement of native workers in industry at wages neither so low as to defeat the object of the agreement nor so high as to deprive natives of such employment as they would have had without the agreement, thus enabling wages to be fixed which would exclude natives from any employment in the industries concerned?

The Bill in question was referred to me before it was introduced and I discussed it with the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia when he was in London last summer. It was represented to me that the provision to which the hon. Member refers had been found in practice not to be workable and that the amending Bill was necessary in order to avoid the object of the original Act of 1934 being defeated. That object was that skilled labour in the townships, including apprentices, should be protected from competition from low-paid, unskilled labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal by the Bulawayo Master Builders and Allied Trades Association in Southern Rhodesia to admit to membership the Bulawayo Timber Industries, on the grounds that they had employed natives on screwing or nailing, and that there was an agreement within the association that no natives should be employed in skilled work; whether this agreement is in line with His Majesty's Government's policy in Southern Rhodesia; and will he make a statement on the subject?

I have seen a reference to this matter in the Southern Rhodesia Press, but the exact facts of the case are not clear from the report. I understand that representations on behalf of the Bulawayo Timber Industries have been made to the Government of Southern Rhodesia. This is not a matter on which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have any right to intervene under the Constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of Irish men and women, respectively, who emigrated from the Irish Free State to Great Britain during 1937?

According to such figures as are available the total net immigration into Great Britain direct from Eire in 1937 was probably between 20,000 and 22,000. Separate particulars of men and women are not recorded.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what recent purchases of land have been made by the Forestry Commissioners in the Lake District, and what use will be made of this land?

Since the 1st October, 1936, the Forestry Commissioners have purchased 4,522 acres of land in the Lake District. The plantable land will be planted, the agricultural land will be used for agriculture and the existing woodlands will be treated silviculturally.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men were injured at the Royal Naval Cordite Factory, Holton Heath, Dorset, on Monday, 31st January?

The explosion at Holton Heath to which the hon. Member evidently refers, took place on 2nd February and not on 31st January. I am happy to say that no one was injured.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Singapore naval base can accommodate three 50,000-ton battleships at the same time?

So far as I am aware no vessels of the type referred to by the hon. Member exist. While it would not be in the public interest to publish details, His Majesty's Government are satisfied that the accommodation at Singapore is sufficient for the demands that are likely to be made of it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the increased tendency to provide variety entertainments in licensed premises; and whether, in view of the competition of these entertainments with theatres, music halls, and cinemas, he will take steps to render these entertainments liable to Entertainments Duty?

I am aware of the position referred to in the first part of the question; the position is being watched, with a view to appropriate action if necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the approximate not revenue from duties on home-made and imported beer, and home-made and imported spirits, respectively, and imported wine, British wines, sweets, and hops, for the year 1937?

The approximate net revenue derived from the specified articles during the calendar year ended 31st December, 1937, was as follows:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the youngest age at which persons, male and female, may be employed in any branch of the Civil Service?

The youngest age at which persons, male and female, may be employed in any branch of the Civil Service is when they are legally exempt from attendance at school, i.e. at the end of the term in which they reach the age of 14.