asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution from Dumbarton urging the Government to abolish birching as a punishment for juvenile offenders; and when the Government intend to introduce legislation to prohibit this method of dealing with youthful delinquents?

I have received a number of representations against the birching of juvenile offenders, one of which came from the Dumbarton Branch of the Scottish Co-operative Women's Guild. Pending consideration of the forthcoming report of the Departmental Committee on Corporal Punishment I am not in a position to make any statement regarding legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that luxury building in Greenock, and elsewhere in Scotland, is diverting both labour and material from the building of houses urgently required by local authorities for the people; and whether the Government has any plans for the control of luxury building in the meantime?

I consider that the diversion of labour and material from the building of houses to other forms of building is not of sufficient extent to be a major factor and that the control of supplies of labour and material suggested would delay rather than accelerate the completion of houses in Scotland. I therefore do not propose to recommend such a scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the representations from Glasgow Corporation and other local authorities and organisations suggesting that the Rent Restrictions Acts should be amended so that the permitted increase of 47½ per cent. in the post-war rents of pre-war houses might be reduced by 25 per cent.; and what action he intends to take to give effect to these representations?

I have received no representations to the effect suggested in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the whole question of rent restriction is, as the hon. Member is aware, at present under consideration in the light of the report of the Interdepartmental Committee which inquired into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the memorandum from the Scottish Herring Producers' Association, Limited, drawing attention to the failure of the Herring Industry Board and asking for its reorganisation; and what steps, if any, he intends to take to secure more effective working of the board?

The views of the Scottish Herring Producers' Association, Limited, were heard by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and myself, when we received a deputation on 3rd February. In reply to the second part of the question I would refer to the reply which I gave yesterday to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeenshire (Mr. Boothby).

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a boy of 16 years of age who appeared before Baillie Mclnness at Southern Police Court on Monday, 31st January, charged with stealing an orange; that he had been held in custody over the week-end; and whether some method can be devised whereby persons charged with trivial offences can be liberated after being cautioned or dealt with at a night court?

No boy of 16 appeared before the Southern Police Court, Glasgow, on Monday, the 31st January, on a complaint of the theft of an orange. It may be that the hon. Member is referring to the case of Thomas Gallacher, aged 34, who was arrested on the night of Saturday, the 29th January, on a similar complaint. The accused, who was under the influence of drink, had no fixed abode, and could give the name of no friends or relations, and as he was destitute and unable to find even nominal bail, it was decided to keep him in custody pending further inquiry. He was brought before a Magistrate on the Monday morning, when he pled "not guilty" and was then liberated without bail. On 4th February, he was found "guilty" and sentence was deferred for six months. In the circumstances, the detention of the accused could not, I think, have been obviated by any practicable system of night courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he has recently asked the British representatives in General Franco's zone whether there is any reason why the Basque children now in this country should not be returned to their parents; and, if not, whether he will instruct them to make such an inquiry;(2) whether he will inquire through the British representatives whether the Basque children who have been returned to the districts whence they originally came have been subjected to ill-treatment of any sort; and whether he will make a full statement as to the facts;(3) whether he has received any recent information with regard to the situation in Bilbao and district, particularly as to whether peace and order have been reestablished; and whether the majority of parents of the Basque children now in this country are still living in the district in question?

My information is to the effect that the situation in Bilbao and district is orderly, and that one or both of the parents of about half of the 4,000 children evacuated to this country are residing in that area or elsewhere in the territory under the control of General Franco. The National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief, who are responsible for the repatriation arrangements are satisfied that the parents of about 1,100 children have applied for their children's return, and nearly all the children thus applied for have been sent back. I understand that the National Joint Committee are making further inquiries with a view to verifying other applications received and that they are also considering the possibility of returning some of the 700 children of parents who are known or believed to be in Bilbao but who have submitted no applications. I have received no evidence that the children have been ill-treated on their return, and the Assistant Agent at Bilbao has reported that he is satisfied that the repatriation arrangements are being properly carried out by the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has yet been received from General Franco to the representations made regarding the bombing of civilians in towns behind the fighting lines?

As I informed the House on 7th February, His Majesty's Government have taken certain initiatives with regard to the general question of aerial bombardments in Spain. Until I know the result of these initiatives, which I hope to do very shortly, I have no further statement to make.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will adopt the system of convoy for all British ships carrying legitimate cargoes to Spanish Government territory in order to protect the lives of British seamen?

No, Sir, not at present. It is hoped that the measures which are now being taken for the protection of shipping will prove sufficient.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state, giving dates, what international disputes have been brought for consideration and settlement before the League of Nations since 1st January, 1931; which of these have been satisfactorily settled; what was the total number of such disputes brought before the League prior to 1st January, 1931; and how many of these were satisfactorily settled?

The information requested by the hon. Member in the first part of his question covers 15 international disputes of a political character. Of these 15 disputes, eight have been settled either by the Council itself or by direct negotiations between the parties. As regards the second part of his question, 25 international disputes of a political character were referred to the League prior to 1st January, 1931. A settlement was reached in 24 of these either by the Council itself or by direct negotiations between the parties.

List of International Disputes of a Political Character referred to the League of Nations since 1st January, 1931
1. Finnish ships. (Dispute between the United Kingdom and Finland)	1931–35
2. Sino-Japanese conflic	1931–33
3. Dispute between the United Kingdom and Iran with regard to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company	1932–33
4. Leticia dispute between Colombia and Peru	1933–35
5. Incidents on Hungarian-Yugo-slav Frontier	1934
6. Yugoslav Government's appeal (Marseilles crime)	1934–35
7. French Government's appeal (German re-armament)	1934–35
8. Italo-Ethiopian dispute	1935–36
9. Frontier between Iran and Irak	1934
10. Burma-Yunnan frontier delimitation	1935
11. Soviet-Uruguayan dispute	1936
12. Treaty of Locarno. (Reoccupation by Germany of the Rhine land demilitarised zone)	1936
13. Appeal by the Spanish Government	1936
14. Alexandretta dispute between the French and Turkish Governments	1937–38
15. Sino-Japanese conflict	1937–38

Of the above-mentioned cases, those numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 14 were settled either by the Council itself or by direct negotiation between the parties.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received the Report on the inquiry into the recent outbreak of typhoid fever at Croydon; and whether, in view of the public anxiety occasioned by the outbreak, he proposes to publish the Report?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has received the Report to-day and he is satisfied that it is in the public interest that the findings of the inquiry should be published, and he hopes to be in a position to present the Report to Parliament at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated total of Government grants brought into the accounts of local authorities in England and Wales in the year 1936–37?

The total amount of Government grants brought into the accounts of local authorities in England and Wales was £135,435,419 in the year 1935–36, the latest year for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to enable adopted children to have certificates similar to ordinary birth certificates which, in the interests of the children, would avoid disclosure of the fact of adoption or natural birth which the foster-parents have always concealed?

I have been asked to reply. The provisions on the subject in the Adoption of Children Act, 1926, seem to go as far as is practicable in the way of enabling an adopted person to prove his date of birth without disclosing his parentage, and I am afraid there would be objections both in principle and in practice to amending legislation such as would be necessary to give effect to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now considered the report of the departmental committee on Child Adoption Societies; and whether he is prepared to take action with regard to the recommendations therein contained?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 4th February to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson).

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider introducing legislation for the amendment of the Government of India Act, 1935, to grant wider powers to the proposed federal government of India; and, if so, at what date it is intended to submit the necessary amending Bill to Parliament?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what was the total number of passengers carried and the ton-mileage of the principal British airlines during 1937; and how these figures compare with these of France, Germany, and Holland?

The comparative figures for which the hon. Member asks are not yet available, but I will inform the hon. Member as soon as they are.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when it is anticipated the inquiry into civil aviation is likely to be completed; and whether it will be possible for the report of the committee to be debated upon the Air Estimates for the forthcoming financial year?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet received the Cadman Report on civil aviation?

My Noble Friend has just received the report of the Cadman Committee. The report contains a number of recommendations requiring Government decision. The Government will at once consider these recommendations and will publish the report together with their decisions when the necessary decisions have been taken. I cannot at present name a date by which publication will take place, but in any case opportunity will be given to the House for the discussion of the report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Report on Civil Aviation for 1936 has only just been published, in December, 1937; and whether, in view of the fact that the statistics contained therein have now little more than historical value, he can arrange that in future this report is more up to date and shall not be held up on account of the delay in connection with inquiries into air accidents?

The Report on the Progress of Civil Aviation for 1936, which was published on the 20th December last, was delayed mainly through a reorganisation of the Civil Aviation Department that was in the process of being carried out last year. It is hoped that it will be possible to publish the report for 1937 within the next four months.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to allow the Royal Netherlands Indies Air Lines to extend their Amsterdam-Batavia service to Australia; and, if so, when?

This is a matter for His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia, who, I understand, have granted permission to the K.N.I.L.M. to operate services to Australia during the course of this year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many different types of aircraft are at present under construction for the Royal Air Force?

The number for all purposes, including training and the Fleet Air Arm, at present under construction is 26. This excludes types of a purely experimental nature.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for what purpose members of the Observer Corps are sworn in as special constables; to what extent this practice prevails; and whether such members when on duty are under the orders of the Air Ministry or of the Home Office?

The duties of the Observer Corps require that its members must be recruited locally, and give some guarantee ensuring that they will take up their duties quickly in an emergency. Experience shows that the status of special constable provides the most convenient method of meeting these requirements. With the exception of the officer personnel, who are appointed by the Air Ministry, all members of the Observer Corps are, therefore, enrolled as special constables. They are under the chief constables and, consequently, the Home Office so far as concerns their attendance at duty and general routine matters, but for operational purposes they come under the appropriate Royal Air Force Command.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the loss of three eight-ton bombers at the Evanton armament training camp owing to insufficient hangars; and why it was necessary to expose these bombers in bad weather by sending them to an aerodrome where there is no accommodation?

At armament training camps such as Evanton the provision of hangar accommodation is limited in order that squadrons sent to the camps for exercise in the practical use of their armament, may at the same time, gain experience of operating and maintaining their aircraft in the open in conditions similar to those likely to be encountered in war. In the case referred to, the gales, of which due warning had been received, proved so exceptionally severe that despite all possible precautions two aircraft were damaged beyond repair and six others badly damaged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why the vacancies for pilots in the Royal Air Force should be restricted to candidates who have been able to secure the school certificate; and whether he will consider opening the service to all between 18 and 25 years of age who are suitable for pilots or who can be trained to become efficient pilots?

It is not essential for a candidate for appointment as pilot to possess a school certificate, but the educational standard required to enable a candidate to perform his work satisfactorily at a training unit is best indicated by that of the school certificate examination. The object of regulations embodying the essential requirement of a certain educational standard is to secure the services of persons within the prescribed age limits who are likely to become efficient pilots.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been directed to the declaration by Air-Marshal W. G. S. Mitchell of the Air Council, at the Royal United Service Institution, that the Air Ministry are rather hampered by the lack of the necessary instruments coming through; and what are the prospects of remedying the lack of supply?

In reply to the first part of the question, during 1937 certain aircraft were on grounds of prudence required to refrain from flying in bad weather conditions because they could not immediately be fitted with cloud flying instruments or because the actuating mechanism required modification, I understand that this was the point which Air-Marshal Mitchell had in mind when, in response to a suggestion that the Royal Air Force might be given more training in bad weather conditions, he made the remarks to which the hon. Member refers. As regards the second part the production and supply of instruments is now satisfactory and I expect that the position I have referred to above will be fully rectified within the next few months.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether new aircraft being delivered from the manufacturers to squadrons of the Royal Air Force are fully equipped with all navigation instruments and radio?

New aircraft being delivered from contractors are fully equipped with all essential navigation instruments but not with wireless, the installation and testing of which before delivery would present many difficulties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what complaints have been received from any sections of the aircraft manufacturing industry of delays or complications or unnecessary expense involved in the placing and completion of orders due to departmental procedure at the Air Ministry?

In the course of carrying out the present programme there has naturally been close collaboration and frequent conversations between members of the aircraft industry and officers of the Air Ministry, in the course of which points concerning organisation and procedure on both sides have not infrequently been raised, and both sides, I think, have welcomed the opportunity afforded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he expects the Speke aircraft shadow factory will begin production?

It is not yet possible to give a definite date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is intended to increase the number of vacancies at Cranwell for cadets from the Dominions and Colonies?

No, Sir. There is no such present intention. A considerable margin has existed in recent years between the number of vacancies available to Dominion and Colonial cadets and the number of nominations received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement on the holding of Empire Air Day this year?

Empire Air Day will be held on Saturday, 28th May. A larger number of Royal Air Force stations and civil aerodromes will be open to the public than hitherto, and consideration is being given to the possibility of opening certain selected stations to the public on one additional day in the same week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at Hendon recently a young aircraftman named Ratcliffe, sorting through old papers in the orderly room, put into the waste-paper basket a copy of a foreign training course in the belief that this was useless and unwanted; that for this mistake he was summarily sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment; that Ratcliffe is 19 years of age with an unblemished record of nearly two and a-half years' service to his credit; that after his completion of the 14 days' imprisonment he was in a state of great mental unrest and has since been reported as missing from his unit; and will he take steps to ensure that punishment of this kind shall not in future be inflicted on young members of the Royal Air Force for a mistake of judgment of this nature?

The airman referred to was sentenced to 14 days' detention for destroying a quantity of official correspondence which had been specifically given to him by a superior officer for filing. He was also charged with making an extract from an official document but this charge was dismissed. The airman is not missing from his unit; he was absent without leave from 31st January to 2nd February when he returned to duty. On the facts as at present disclosed I see no reason for taking any special action such as is suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it was with the knowledge and approval of the Secretary of State that Sir Charles Bruce Gardner was appointed chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors; and whether he will state what are the relations between the officials of the Air Ministry and the society?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part the relations are in general those that normally exist between a trade association and a Government Department that has contractual dealings with members of the association. They are, of course, of a particularly close nature at the present time in view of the requirements of the expansion programme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the number of Royal Air Force units now established in Scotland for the defence of important docks, works and towns of national importance?

The provision of squadrons for the defence of urban areas in all parts of the United Kingdom is not based upon local allotments for the protection of specific areas but on plans designed to permit the deployment of large forces which can be adjusted at short notice in accordance with the requirements of the situation. The hon. Member will appreciate that it would not be in the public interest to give further details.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in the case of Royal Air Force stations such as Mansion, where insufficient married quarters exist and the station is inaccessible, he will consider making allowances to non-commissioned officers and airmen who are entitled to these quarters but are unable to obtain them, for the purpose of assisting the cost of transport by public or private vehicle from lodgings to the station and return after duty?

Temporary emergency arrangements for the conveyance of Royal Air Force personnel at isolated stations between home and place of duty are made where there is a shortage of local housing facilities and when public transport presents difficulties. The case of Manston was not considered to fulfil the necessary conditions for this special treatment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is contemplated to make additional married quarters for non-commissioned officers and airmen at Royal Air Force stations?

The provision of married quarters for non-commissioned officers and airmen up to the entitlement of the permanent establishment at all Royal Air Force stations has been and is being given first priority.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will arrange for a demonstration of the balloon barrage air defence to be held in order that representatives of local authorities may have an opportunity of witnessing the effectiveness of the system; and, if so, at what aerodrome will it take place?

The hon. Member's suggestion will receive due consideration when further progress has been made in the organisation and recruitment of personnel of the balloon barrage scheme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the total number of Royal Air Force Reserve training centres in existence or contemplated; and how many of these are in or will be in Scotland?

Thirty-three, of which two are in Scotland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of typewriters purchased by the Stationery Office for all Departments of State for 1937; and the number of British manufacture so purchased?

The total number of typewriters purchased by the Stationery Office for all Departments of State during the year 1937 was 5,357, of which 5,323 are of British manufacture.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men were enlisted for the Royal Navy on an average each month during 1935, 1936, and 1937; and how many of these at each recruiting station?

Excluding recruits entered as a result of competitive examination, the average numbers recruited monthly during the financial years 1935, 1936 and 1937 are:

1935	624
1936	871
1937 (to 31st December 1937)	1,154

I am sending the hon. Member a table of figures containing the reply to the last part of his question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the date on which construction on His Majesty's Ship "Warspite" was commenced and the date on which she was completed, and the cost of her construction; and the date on which her reconstruction refit was commenced, the date on which it was completed, and the cost of the refit?

The vessel was ordered in July, 1912, and construction was completed in April, 1915, at a cost of £2,524,148. Reconstruction commenced in April, 1934, and was completed in June, 1937, the cost being £2,362,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of leading seaman candidates for commissioned rank now undergoing the special course of tuition in the training ship, and the schools or training ships in which they were educated prior to joining the Navy?

Candidates for commissioned rank at present under special training number 31. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the establishments at which they were educated before entering the Royal Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of occasions in 1937 on which vacancies for engineer officers were offered to the universities; the number of commissions offered and the number of graduates entered; and why these commissions could not be offered to artificers under the sub-lieutenant (E) scheme, seeing the number of officers entered direct as such under the special entry cadet scheme has been greatly increased?

Twenty commissions as engineer officers were offered to university candidates on two occasions in 1937, and four appointments were made. Recourse to this method of entry, which produces qualified officers in a minimum of time, has been found necessary in order to meet the urgent requirements resulting from the rapid expansion of the Fleet. As the hon. Member is aware, no limit is placed on the number of commissions offered to artificers of the required standard, and the actual number who obtained commissions during 1937 was greater than for some years previously.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the total number of anti-aircraft units now established in Scotland?

Five, Sir. The provision of further anti-aircraft units in Scotland is under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government have now secured supplies of the new anti-aircraft gun capable of bringing down an aeroplane at 30,000 feet; and, if these new guns are not available, on what are the units at present relying?

As has been previously stated, it is not in the public interest to give information of this character.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to facilitate better postal arrangements from Evesham for letters posted after 6.30 p.m., since letters posted late in Evesham arrive in London and other parts of the country at various times; and, since this is caused to a large extent by lack of any late mail trains on local lines and Evesham district letters have to go round by Gloucester and Cheltenham, whether he would urge on the railway companies concerned the necessity of better facilities in this respect?

Letters for first delivery in London, Birmingham and a number of Midland counties can at present be posted at Evesham up to 7.45 p.m. (8.30 p.m. at the head office). I am glad to inform the hon. Member that arrangements are in hand to improve the facilities by means of a motor road service so that letters posted up to 8.45 p.m. (9.30 p.m. in certain boxes) will secure first delivery in the West of England, South Wales and the greater part of the southern counties, and at Liverpool, Manchester, and other important towns.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state, for the year 1937, the number of parcels carried on the cash-on-delivery service, and the number returned as undeliverable during that period?

The number of cash-on-delivery parcels carried during 1937 was 2,858,000. The number returned as undeliverable, including those refused, was 74,900.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the progressive decline in British exports to China since July, 1937?

Exports to China in the third quarter of 1937 were only slightly less than in the corresponding period of 1936, but in the fourth quarter they declined to about one-third of their value a year earlier. This decline was accompanied by a large increase in exports to Hong Kong, but it is not possible to say to what extent the increase was due to the diversion to Hong Kong of shipments which might normally have been consigned to Chinese ports. The following tables show (1) the total declared value of the exports of United Kingdom goods consigned to China, excluding Hong Kong, Macao, Manchuria and leased territories, during recent periods, and (2) corresponding information in regard to Hong Kong.

(1) To China.
——	1936.	1937.
Quarter ended—	£'000	£'000
31st March	1,265	1,901
30th June	1,462	1,933
30th September	1,462	1,454
31st December	1,592	511

(2) To Hong Kong.
——	1936.	1937.
Quarter ended—	£'000.	£'000.
31st March	511	621
30th June	476	778
30th September	545	888
31st December	580	1,227

asked the Minister of Transport how many local authorities, in pursuance of their powers under Section 17 of the Ribbon Development Act, 1935, have succeeded in inducing firms to construct underground garages?

There is nothing in the Act which requires local authorities to report to me the action taken by them under Section 17 and I regret that I am not in possession of the information asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport how many local authorities have asked him for assistance for the creation of underground garages under public squares in London?

None, Sir—perhaps the reason being that they know that I have no power to make grants for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the general question of the parking of motorcars in the London streets?

I am not in a position to make any useful addition to the statements made by my predecessor in this House on 8th and 10th March, 1937.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that certain provincial omnibus companies work their conductors for as long as 17 hours a day; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the hours of work for a conductor are the same as the hours of work for a driver?

Under Section 93 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, the conditions of a bus conductor's employment shall not be less favourable than those which would have to be observed under the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons. On representations being made by an organisation representative of persons engaged in the Road Transport industry, machinery is provided by the Statute for securing the observance of this provision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to limit the number of parcels carried at any one time on motor omnibuses, in view of the fact that delivery of such parcels makes it impossible for omnibus drivers to keep to schedule without greatly exceeding the 30-miles-per-hour limit?

It is a condition of all road service licences granted by the Traffic Commissioners that the vehicles should not exceed legal speed limits, and the time-tables, which also normally form part of the conditions of the licence, are examined by the Commissioners with this in view before approval. I do not doubt that the Commissioners concerned would take any necessary action if their attention were drawn to a specific instance in which parcels delivery work involved breach of the conditions of a licence.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have taken place on the railways during the last 12 months through a moving train coming in contact with a stationary one, and how many lives have been lost?

Provisional figures for 1937 show that there were 77 accidents of this nature. In 75 of these accidents no one was killed. In the remaining two, which occurred at Battersea and Castlecary, the fatalities were 10 and 35 respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the difficulties experienced by road hauliers using "A" licences in their efforts to expand their activities in accordance with the improvement of trade; whether he is aware of the heavy costs entailed even by successful appearances before the Traffic Commissioners; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the way in which the Road and Rail Traffic Act is being worked?

The Statute requires the licensing authority, in considering applications for carriers' licences, to "have regard primarily to the interests of the public generally," a term which includes those who require as well as those who provide transport facilities. The amount of costs incurred by an applicant is very largely a matter within his own discretion. I am always ready to consider any suggestion for simplifying procedure, provided that it is compatible with carrying out the requirements of the Statute.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider removing the studs from all pedestrian crossings where the traffic is light-controlled, in order to emphasise the fact that pedestrians have no extra rights at these crossings and that their duty is to watch the lights in the same way as the drivers of vehicles must do?

Marked crossings at light-controlled junctions indicate the proper place for pedestrians to cross, to the advantage of both pedestrians and drivers. Pedestrians using such crossings who have begun to cross the road while the appropriate line of traffic is held up have precedence over traffic released by the signals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to induce pedestrians to take more notice of traffic lights, he will consider experimenting with small red, amber and green pedestrian lights attached to the columns of the main traffic lights, these pedestrian lights working in conjunction with the main lights but in the opposite sense?

I do not consider that additional signals of the type my hon. and gallant Friend suggests are necessary, and indeed they might be confusing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider withholding road grants from local authorities in cases where roads do not conform to a reasonable standard of efficiency, especially with regard to surfacing?

It is a condition of all grants made by my Department that the works shall be executed to my satisfaction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give particulars of any negotiations that are in progress for the extension of and/or construction of further tube services in South-East London?

I have made inquiries of the London Passenger Transport Board and understand that no such negotiations are in progress.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to announce the Government's intentions in respect of the recommendations of the Transport Advisory Council in their report on rates and services?

Yes, Sir. The Government accept the broad principles of the report of the Transport Advisory Council on Rates and Services, and propose in due course to introduce legislation accordingly. I intend to take an early opportunity of consulting interested organisations on points of detail.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the grants made in 1937 for the construction of roads in Worcestershire?

Yes, Sir. In 1937, grants amounting to £217,619 were made to the County of Worcestershire and £42,588 to the County Boroughs of Dudley and Worcester for new roads and bridges and major improvements to existing roads and bridges. In addition, grants amounting to £116,858 were made to the county council for minor improvement and maintenance of Class I and Class II roads and bridges.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, since 23rd December last, a large number of additional notice boards have been erected bordering the Watford by-pass road and offering extensive lengths of land for factories; and whether, in view of these further threatened extensions of ribbon development which has already taken place along this highway, he will indicate what steps he is now prepared to take to prevent this?

Yes, Sir. I am considering whether I can make any useful suggestion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view to popularising among the inhabitants of Edinburgh and district the forthcoming Empire Exhibition in Glasgow, which will close each night not earlier than 10 p.m., he will represent to the two railway companies operating between Glasgow and Edinburgh the desirability of putting on trains to run from Glasgow to Edinburgh at 10.45 p.m. or later, there being no train at present leaving Glasgow for Edinburgh after 10 p.m., at which time the Empire Exhibition will still be open?

I have communicated the hon. Member's suggestion to the railway companies concerned, and will inform him of the result.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will revert to the practice of isuing the figures of road accidents weekly instead of monthly, as experience has shown that by the issue of weekly figures the question of road safety was more succesfully brought to the notice of the public?

No, Sir. I take the view that the fuller information which it is possible to publish at monthly intervals is more useful, and more effective for the purpose of informing the public, than the previous weekly statement, which was of necessity much less detailed.

asked the Minister of Transport in which cases since the Road Traffic Act, 1930, became law he has authorised local authorities to raise loans to enable them to purchase toll bridges or toll roads in the arear under their control, with a view to freeing them in due course; and whether, in view of the desirability of making use of these facilities provided by this Act for this purpose and the good security provided, he will encourage more local authorities to raise loans for such purpose?

In the following cases since 1930 local authorities have been authorised to raise loans, in conjunction with a grant from the Road Fund, for the purchase of toll bridges or roads:

	£
Newcastle C.B.—High Level and Redheugh Bridges	112,500
Southampton C.B.—Bursledon Road —(land still outstanding)	10,300
Stoke-on-Trent C.B.—Weston Coyney Road	8,700
Isle of Wight C.C.—Yar Bridge	8,000
Salisbury T.C.—Nelson Road	6,800
Oakworth and Haworth U.D.C.— Providence Lane, Vale Mill Road and Ebor Lane	4,000
Northumberland C.C.—Wylam Bridge	3,600
Denbigh C.C.—Voryd Bridge	300

In a number or other cases grants have been made from the Road Fund, but the authority has not found it necessary to raise a loan. Without considerable research I cannot say whether any authority has raised a loan for these purposes with no assistance from the Road Fund.I am always ready to consider on its merits an application from a local authority for financial assistance towards the purchase of a toll undertaking, but my

Year.				Number of pigs in Great Britain on 4th June	Quantity of bacon produced in Great Britain (a).
					From home-produced pigs only.	From all Pigs, (b)
				Thousands.	Thousand cwt.	Thousand cwt.
1933	…	…	…	3,236	(c)	(c)
1934	…	…	…	3,526	1,491	1,742
1935	…	…	…	4,074	2,023	2,370
1936	…	…	…	4,040	2,323	2,756
1937	…	…	…	3,883	1,944	2,452
(a) Production by curers registered under the Bacon Marketing Scheme.
(b) Includes pigs, carcases, etc., imported from Northern Ireland, the Dominions and elsewhere and cured in Great Britain.
(c) Corresponding figures not available. The Re-organisation Commission for Pigs and Pig Products estimated that the output of bacon and hams in Great Britain in 1930 (from home-produced and imported pigs, carcases, etc.) was approximately 1,350,000 cwt.

asked the Minister of Transport what official information he has indicating that local authorities in the Greater London area are voluntarily discussing the amalgamation of their electricity undertakings, and can he give details?

I understand that various authorities, in London as well as in other parts of the country, have been discussing with one another the possibilities of future grouping of electricity undertakings. Such discussions have been informal and I am not in a position to give any details. hon. Friend will appreciate that the question whether the balance of the purchase price can be raised by means of a loan must necessarily depend on a variety of considerations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the number of pigs in this country at the June census of 1933 and for each succeeding year, and the approximate quantity of home-produced bacon for each year of the last five years?

The number of pigs in Great Britain as returned in June in each of the last five years, and the approximate quantity of bacon produced in Great Britain in each of the last four years, are as follow:

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is now able to say if he intends to publish the Falmouth Report; and, if so, when it will be available to Members?

In my reply to a question by the hon. Member on 22nd December, 1937, I stated that consideration was being given to the possibility of publishing the substance of the report in such a way as not to disclose confidential information contained in the report. A report has been prepared on these lines and will be published as a Parliamentary Paper.