asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can supply particulars as to the average increase m the price of coal to the consumers; and whether the increase corresponds with the rise in pithead prices?

Information with regard to the average pithead proceeds of all grades of coal is given in the quarterly statistical summaries published by my Department. I have no corresponding information with regard to prices to the consumers.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the names of any countries where women are employed underground in coal mines?

I understand that women are not employed underground in any mines in Europe with the exception of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. As regards Asia, it was stated during the International Labour Conference at Geneva in 1935 that women were employed below ground in mines in India and Japan, but that both countries had taken steps to secure a progressive reduction in the numbers so employed. I have no information as to the progress made in this respect in Japan, but in the case of India it is understood that the process is virtually, if not entirely, completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamship "Endymion" cleared with cargo from Newport with instructions to obtain further orders from Gibraltar; whether he will ascertain by inspection how the cargo is described in the books of the Mid-Atlantic Shipping Company to which the "Endymion" belongs; whether the company's books show the cargo to have been insured and, if so, by whom; under what description and to and by whom the "Endymion" was on charter; and to whom the cargo was consigned?

According to the Customs records at Newport, the steamship "Endymion" sailed from that port on 13th January last for Cartagena with a cargo of 921 tons of coke. The vessel was not owned by the Mid-Atlantic Shipping Company, Limited, but was chartered by that company, as agents for the Spanish Government, from the owners (Mr. A. C. Verano and Mr. F. E. Verano, of Gibraltar). The charter provided for the carriage of a cargo of coke from Newport to "Almeria-Barcelona Range one port only as ordered on or off Gibraltar." While the Board of Trade have no power to inspect the company's books or documents, the company have placed them at my disposal and I have been able to ascertain from inspection that the entries therein relate only to a cargo of 921 tons of coke. The cargo, which was not insured, was consigned to Messrs. Campsa Gentibus.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the officers or crew of the steamship "Endymion" were British-born subjects; and whether the manning of the ship was in conformity with the Aliens Restriction Act, 1919, and the Merchant Shipping Acts?

Yes, Sir, the master, mate and first and second engineers were British-born subjects. The vessel accordingly complied with the provisions of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, relating to the carriage of British officers, though this Act did not apply to her, as she was registered at Gibraltar and not in the United Kingdom. When the vessel sailed from Newport on 12th January, the manning requirements of the Merchant Shipping Acts were complied with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that timber now being imported into this country from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is produced by workers who are compelled to work long hours and under forced labour conditions, he will prohibit the importation from this source?

I regret that I have no information regarding the conditions of work in the timber industry in Russia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the balance of payments between the United Kingdom and Russia for the year 1937?

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the balance of payments prescribed in the temporary Commercial Agreement with the Soviet Union. The particulars for 1937 cannot be furnished at present as I am not yet in receipt of the information due to be supplied by the Soviet authorities under the provisions of the Schedule to the Agreement, but there is every reason to believe that in 1937, as in previous years, this obligation has been fulfilled.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the amount spent to date upon the re-construction and improvement of the main roads taken over by the Ministry under the Trunk Roads Act, 1936; and whether he will specify on which roads any such improvements have been carried out?

During the 10 months ended 31st January, 1938, payments for the acquisition of land and advances to local authorities acting as my agents in respect of works of construction or improvement of trunk roads amounted to £1,087,000. Work was proceeding during this period at many different points on most of the trunk roads, and if there are any particular sections of road in regard to which the hon. Member would like to have specific information, I shall be happy to furnish it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take action with a view to securing, in future, the construction of railway coal-trucks with a greater capacity, and an increase in trucks available?

I have no powers to require the Railway Companies or private owners to provide a greater number of railway wagons. The average capacity of wagons used for the conveyance of coal has increased appreciably in recent years and as at present advised I see no necessity for action on my part.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the figures for 1937 for fatal and of non-fatal road accidents per unit of the population in the cities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow?

During the year 1937 the numbers of road accidents involving personal injuries per 10,000 population in the cities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow were:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the figures for 1937 of fatal and of non-fatal road accidents involving pedestrians per unit of the population in the cities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow; and the number of pedestrian crossings in these cities per unit of the population at the end of 1937?

The numbers of pedestrians killed or injured during the year 1937 and the number of pedestrian crossings at the end of 1937 per 10,000 population in the cities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow were:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has anything further to report in relation to his promised negotiations with the railway companies concerning their liability in respect of their common law liability in respect of claims for damages on the issue of cheap excursion tickets?

I hope to make a statement on this subject at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make inquiries to ascertain whether Members of this House are fully covered in respect of common law liability for loss, injury, and damage suffered whilst engaged in rail travel with railway vouchers issued to Members.

I am now discussing with the railway companies the question of the limitation of liability which they attach to cheap day, half day and evening tickets and workmen's tickets. Hon. Members are as fully covered as travellers purchasing their tickets in the ordinary way.

asked the Minister of Transport in how many instances do authorised electricity undertakings, being municipal authorities, supply light and power outside the jurisdiction of the municipality; and whether, in the case of a city corporation being appointed an authorised undertaker, that body would normally have permission to supply consumers outside the boundaries of that city?

Of the 229 municipal corporations who are authorised undertakers, 122 have power to supply electricity outside their own administrative boundaries.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to receive, and act upon, the report of the Willingdon Committee on the Army promotion system; and whether this committee is dealing with the present stagnation in promotion amongst junior officers?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 1st February to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the continuing physical cruelties that are being perpetrated on Jews in Rumania, and particularly on Jewish women students as well as men at Bucharest University with the connivance of the authorities; and whether he will make representations to the Rumanian Government on the subject?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that brutalities are alleged to have occurred, and His Majesty's Minister in Bucharest recently drew the attention of the President of the Council to them. The Rumanian Government has now resigned, but I will bear the matter in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the bombardment of Algiers in 1836 was successful in ending piracy. His Majesty's Government will consider adopting some similar form of action against Palma, in Majorca, which houses at present both the submarines and aeroplanes which carry on the present piracy?

I am confident that the measures taken by His Majesty's Government in conjunction with certain other Governments for preventing attacks on shipping in the Mediterranean, as explained in my statement on 7th February, will prove effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an expression of thanks is being conveyed to the Spanish Government in respect of Spanish aid rendered on the occasion of the sinking of the steamship "Alcira"?

The reports received of the sinking of the "Alcira" mention that the ship's boat was assisted to reach Barcelona, where it arrived about 4½ hours after the bombing, by local fishermen. I feel sure that the House will join me in expressing our appreciation of the timely help thus rendered to the crew of the sunk vessel.