asked the Minister of Health whether, in the new Housing Bill, in view of the dissatisfaction on the subject, he will consider incorporating a Clause under which local authorities shall publish a list of those candidates who are accepted as tenants for council houses, with the considerations in each case which justify such treatment?

A Clause for the purpose indicated by my hon. Friend would not be within the scope of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to expedite the erection of new houses to alleviate overcrowding and to recognise the prompt action taken by those local authorities who are at present erecting houses for this purpose, he will consider making an Exchequer contribution for all such houses completed after 31st March instead of after 31st December, 1938?

I would refer the hon. Member to my observations on this subject during the Debate on the Second Reading of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases in which certificates have been given in connection with slum clearance schemes that condemned properties have been well maintained; and whether in all cases the local authorities have acted upon these recommendations in accordance with the terms of the Housing Acts?

Up to 31st January, 1938, I had given directions to local authorities to make good maintenance payments in respect of 3,782 houses involved in slum clearance schemes. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of any particular case he has in mind I will gladly look into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that cottages of natural beauty are being destroyed instead of being reconditioned; and whether, in sanctioning slum-clearance schemes ordering the demolition of residential buildings of any sort, he invariably takes into consideration the possibility of reconditioning instead of destroying?

It is my invariable practice, when considering Clearance Orders and Compulsory Purchase Orders which are submitted to me by local authorities for my confirmation, to examine carefully all proposals for the reconditioning of houses. As I stated in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 15th November last, I have frequently urged, and will continue to urge, upon local authorities the desirability of taking all practicable steps by way of publicity and proper survey to secure the reconditioning of cottages which can be made fit for human habitation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give particulars of the number of houses in Bradford and Sheffield in which reconditioning under the Housing Acts has been sanctioned by the local authority and his Department?

I regret that the information desired is not in my possession. Proposals to recondition houses, other than houses included in clearance and compulsory purchase orders, are dealt with by local authorities and do not require my sanction.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons in the United Kingdom are living in dwellings which have been condemned as insanitary; how many in basement or underground dwellings; and what proportion of these are children under 15 years?

I regret that I am not in possession of the information asked for but I estimate that in England and Wales approximately 1,000,000 persons remain to be rehoused from houses included in the slum clearance programmes of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the building by-laws in Greater London are such as to permit the erection of large-scale flats intended to economise the use of available land for building; and, if not, whether he will suggest to the local authorities concerned that they should be remodelled?

I am not aware that the building by-laws in force in the local government districts comprising Greater London preclude the erection of buildings of the type to which my hon. Friend refers. If he has in mind any particular case of difficulty I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the fullest possible use of the subsidies for flats is being made by local authorities in London and Greater London; and, if not, whether he will suggest to those authorities concerned the desirability of utilising all available ground to greater advantage than by the exclusive erection of houses?

I have no reason to consider that local authorities who find themselves obliged to purchase expensive sites are not fully alive to the possibilities of development by means of flats.

asked the Minister of Health the number of requests which have been addressed to different local authorities for compensation by shopkeepers who, owing to slum-clearance schemes, have been entirely or practically dispossessed of their livelihood; how many of such applications have been approved; and what is the aggregate sum paid in connection with all of them?

I regret that I have no complete information on this subject, but up to 31st March, 1937, 3,670 claims had been received by urban authorities in England and Wales, in respect of 2,660 of which £126,194 had been paid. In 269 cases alternative accommodation, in lieu of compensation, was provided.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what sums are allocated yearly to the Industrial Health Research Board, and what part of these is spent on research; and whether this Board has undertaken, or encouraged financially, any researches into the causation or treatment of rheumatism, and, if so, with what results?

The Industrial Health Research Board forms part of the organisation of the Medical Research Council, and has no independent financial provision. The cost of the research work at present directed by the Board is approximately £9,500 per annum. The programme has not included any research into rheumatism.

asked the Minister of Health the number of voluntary patients applying for treatment at public mental hospitals in each year since the passing of the Mental Treatment Act, 1930; and the number of these patients who were subsequently certified?

Following are the statistics for each year 1931 to 1936:

Voluntary Patients.
Year.	Admissions.	Subsequently Certified.
1931	1,495	65
1932	2,295	108
1933	2,961	131
1934	4,078	129
1935	5,834	181
1936	6,904	177

Figures for 1937 are not available.

asked the Minister of Health (1) the number of deaths attributable to vaccination in England, Scotland and Wales in the years 1933 to 1937, inclusive;(2) the percentage to births of vaccinations of children under one year of age in England, Scotland and Wales in the years 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937, respectively?

Following is a tabular statement containing the information so far as it relates to England and Wales. As regards Scotland, questions should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Hereford City Council sanitary inspector that in a private omnibus carrying persons, food, and clean bed-clothing between hospitals, there were found ashbins containing pigwash, kitchen refuse, and a coffin in which a woman's body was enclosed; and what steps his Department propose to take to put an end to this?

I have asked the Visiting Committee to furnish me with a report on this matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of old-age pensioners in Liverpool who are in receipt of public assistance, and the cost per annum for each of the last five years to the ratepayers of Liverpool?

On the 1st January, 1938, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 7,719 old-age pensioners in the City of Liverpool who were in receipt of poor relief. As regards the last part of the question the returns received in my Department do not distinguish the cost of poor relief to old-age pensioners.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Departmental Circular No. 1662, has now been issued to all local authorities responsible for the administration of outdoor relief; whether he can state, in relation to paragraph 6 of the Circular relating to consideration of the rise in the cost of living, what action has been taken by the Liverpool Public Assistance Committee to implement his recommendations thereon and increase the amount of relief by reason of the known increase in the cost of foodstuffs and other commodities?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part of the question, I understand that after reviewing the position of recipients of relief the Liverpool Public Assistance Committee are satisfied that it is unnecessary to make any general increases in the rates of relief granted in the city.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give a list of new urban and rural districts which have been formed and those which have been abolished since his reply to a similar question on 10th December, 1936; and whether, when the Yorkshire West Riding changes are completed, there are likely toList of (

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the failure of the Crystal Palace trustees to comply with the provisions of the Crystal Palace Act, 1914, which requires that certain lands shall be open to the public free of charge on certain days as specified in the Act, he will take action to secure to the public the rights conferred by the said Act and

The following statement gives the desired particulars:As regards the second part of the question, there are usually in each year changes in area effected by local Acts, Provisional Orders confirmed by Parliament and County Council Orders confirmed by me. Consideration is now being given to a number of such proposals.compel the trustees to carry out their statutory obligations?

I have no authority to decide whether or not there has been failure to comply with this Act, or to take the action suggested by the hon. Member. I understand that the whole question of the future of the Crystal Palace is at present under the consideration of the trustees.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the letter, signed by the residents of Harlington Road, Hillingdon, requesting his cooperation and assistance in persuading the local authority to cease from using a disused gravel pit as a dump for house refuse, and thereby causing apprehension concerning the effect on their health; and is it his intention to take any action in regard thereto?

Yes, Sir, and I have communicated with the local authority in the matter. I understand that it is with the object of removing the nuisance caused by the existing gravel pit that the council are filling it, and I am assured that they are supervising these operations, so as to avoid complaint.

asked the Minister of Health the amount in the pound levied for Poor Law purposes by the county councils, county by county, in England and Wales for the years 1931 to 1937?

The revenue expenditure on poor relief of each county council in England and Wales falling to be met out of rates and the block grants for each of the years 1930–31 to 1933–34 inclusive, and the equivalent of that expenditure expressed as a rate in the pound, will be found in Part I of the relevant Annual Local Taxation Returns, and the corresponding figures for the two following years in Part I of the Local Government Financial Statistics for 1934–35 and 1935–36. I will send the hon. Member a statement giving the estimated corresponding figures for the year 1936–37.The hon. Member will appreciate that the figures shown in the returns take no account of the block grants under the Local Government Act, 1929, which are applicable to local government expenses generally and cannot be apportioned to individual services.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the growing apprehension that serious hardship may be caused by the revaluation for local taxation purposes which will come into effect next year; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. I have received, as have my colleagues, a number of communications in this matter. It has also been, naturally, under consideration by the Central Valuation Committee appointed under the Act of 1925, and I have had the advantage of consultation with that body on the subject of possible courses of action. I have now received from the Committee the suggestion that, in all the circumstances, the best course will be to provide, by a postponement of the making of the new lists, an opportunity for the further consideration of the allegations of hardship which have been made and of the remedy, if any, which it may be appropriate to adopt. The postponement contemplated is for a period of two years, and the new lists would, it is contemplated, come into operation in 1941. The Government propose at an early date to introduce the necessary legislation for this purpose.Following is a copy of the Committee's letter:Central Valuation Committee,New Public Offices,Whitehall,S.W.I.12th February, 1938.Sir,

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

Thirty-six cases, of which the last 10 are secondary, have been confirmed, and six, I regret to say, were fatal. The cause of the outbreak has not yet been determined. I will let my hon. Friend know when he can put down another question on this point.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the county medical officer of Somersetshire that typhoid fever can be conveyed by eggs; and whether he will take steps to prohibit the importation of Chinese liquid eggs to prevent the risk of infection from this source?

I am not aware of the report mentioned in the question. I have seen a statement in the Press, attributed to an unnamed doctor, that ducks' eggs may transmit typhoid bacilli, but I am advised that there is no evidence to this effect. I see no reason, therefore, for the steps suggested in the second part of the question, especially as laboratory examinations of Chinese eggs have not revealed the presence of any disease-producing organisms.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state, as on the last convenient date, the number of applications received under the Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937, and the number of applicants who will be able to qualify for the benefits of the Act?

On 2nd February the number of applications received in England, Scotland and Wales was 250,013 of which 105,653 have been admitted and 120,483 are at present under examination.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of registered unemployed in Great Britain for the years ending January, 1935 and 1938, respectively?

The average numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain for the years ended January, 1935, and January, 1938, were 2,153,923 and 1,495,931, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the continued increase of malnutrition amongst juveniles attending instruction centres situate in Rhondda, in that out of 226 girls examined at the Ynyswen centre 42.5 are certified as requiring additional nourishment, of 128 boys examined at the Trealaw centre 43.4, and of 172 boys at Pontygwarth 24.4 are respectively certified; and whether, in view of the facts disclosed, he is prepared to authorise the provision of a midday meal for those attending?

I am aware that the latest figures of juveniles in attendance at the three Junior Instruction Centres conducted by the Rhondda Local Education Authority who have been certified as in need of supplementary nourishment have shown an increase on earlier figures. Under the legislation now before Parliament, it will be open to the Rhondda Authority to make proposals for the provision of meals in their centres.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there is any standard poster for exhibition in Employment Exchanges notifying unemployed persons on statutory benefit of their right under cerain circumstances to draw supplementary allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board; whether he is aware that at a number of Employment Exchanges in Glasgow no notification of such a right exists; and whether he will issue instructions for a notice instructing the unemployed of their rights in this matter to be posted in a prominent position at all Employment Exchanges?

A standard poster, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, is exhibited at all Employment Exchanges indicating that it is open to all persons who are in need and are within the scope of the Act to apply for unemployment assistance, and explaining how applications may be made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, as on the first convenient date, the number of recipients of statutory benefit who are in receipt of supplementary allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board?

In the week ended 21st January, 1938, allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board were paid to 8,202 persons in supplementation of payments of unemployment benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, as on the last convenient date, the number of applications received by the Unemployment Assistance Board for supplementary allowances in respect of the waiting period, and the number of cases in which such allowances have been granted?

During the week ended 4th February the number of applications made in respect only of the waiting period for unemployment benefit was 3,347. In 2,242 cases allowances were granted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department is experiencing any special difficulty in transferring labour from the depressed districts; and, if so, what steps he is taking to overcome it?

My Department is not experiencing any special difficulty in connection with this part of its work but perhaps my hon. Friend would let one know of any particular point he may have in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet come to a decision as to the opening of a non-residential training centre in Sunderland?

The anticipated number of applicants for training from Sunderland is not sufficient at present to justify the provision of a non-residential centre at that place in addition to the existing centre at Spennymoor and the new centres to be opened shortly in the Team Valley Trading Estate and near Wallsend. The matter will, however, be kept under review.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the expenditure in respect of the agricultural section of the unemployment insurance scheme since its inception on administration and benefit, respectively; how much of the expenditure on administration is due to initial operations and how much is recurrent; and what proportion of the contribution revenue per head is absorbed by these administrative costs?

The total expenditure up to 5th February, 1938, charged to the Agricultural Account of the Unemployment Fund in respect of benefit (65 weeks) and administration (92 weeks) was £630,000 and £350,000, respectively. The Agricultural Scheme is administered jointly with the General Scheme of Unemployment Insurance; there is no separation of staff, offices, etc., as between the two Schemes and separate records of administrative costs have not been maintained. It is, therefore, not practicable to identify the cost of the initial operations in setting up the Agricultural Scheme. The cost of administering the Scheme is met by a charge on the Agricultural Account, calculated on the basis of one-eighth of the contribution revenue of that account. This method is in accordance with the recommendations of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee in their report on the insurance against unemployment of persons employed

——			Sutton-in-Ashfield.		Mansfield.
			Men.	Women.	Men.	Women.
13th September, 1937:
Wholly unemployed	…	…	32	34	13	11
Temporarily stopped	…	…	46	83	44	54
17th January, 1938:	…	…
Wholly unemployed	…	…	42	66	9	16
Temporarily stopped	…	…	74	159	56	79

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how long the League of Nations has had under consideration the solution of the problem caused by oil pollution of coastal waters; and when it is anticipated that international action will be suggested by the League to deal with this matter?

As my hon. Friend will be aware, in September, 1934, His Majesty's Government took the initiative in placing this matter on the agenda of the Assembly of the League of Nations. An expert committee was appointed which studied the matter and reported to the in agriculture and there is no reason to suppose that it is disadvantageous to the Agricultural Scheme. The Committee proposed that this course should be followed for at least five years, after which it would be possible to determine whether a detailed allocation of costs is desirable.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of hosiery workers, both men and women, temporarily stopped and totally unemployed, on the registers of the Employment Exchanges at Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield, respectively, at the end of September, 1937, and January, 1938?

The following table shows the numbers of insured men and women, aged 18–64, in the hosiery industry, recorded as unemployed at the Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield Employment Exchanges at 13th September, 1937, and 17th January, 1938, distinguishing those wholly unemployed and those temporarily stopped:Council of the League. In 1935 the Assembly decided that the problem was one suitable for solution by an international convention. A draft convention was drawn up by the expert committee in that year and circulated to governments. Sufficient replies had been received from governments by October, 1936, to enable the Council to decide on the convocation of an international conference on the subject at a date to be fixed later. It has not, however, been possible so far to fix the date of this conference, as certain of the principal maritime countries, whose participation is essential, have not as yet signified their willingness to take part in it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue regulations requiring that the captain and at least 50 per cent. of the crew of a ship must Be of British origin before that ship can be registered as a British one?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southampton (Sir C. Barrie) on the 28th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state when the report of the Special Committee on Holidays with Pay is likely to be available to Members of this House?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the refusal of the Japanese Government to give any assurance regarding her battleship construction, he will call a new naval limitation conference or, alternatively, take steps to regain for this country complete freedom of action regarding naval construction?

The question of future procedure is under close consideration by His Majesty's Government and I have nothing at present to add to the second part of the reply which I made to the hon. Member for Chester (Sir C. Cayzer) on 14th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that there are ample supplies of timber and skilled labour available in Scotland to construct timber houses without delay; and whether, in these circumstances, he will undertake that all orders for timber houses shall be confined to Scottish firms?

I believe that there are supplies of timber and of skilled labour in Scotland which would enable timber houses to be constructed there. I very much hope that in these circumstances early arrangements to this end will be entered into between the local authorities and the timber trade. The last part of the question, as my hon. Friend will realise, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the unsatisfactory condition of the present statutory law relating to lunacy and mental deficiency in Scotland; and whether he proposes to take any steps with a view to its revision and consolidation?

Yes, Sir. I have appointed a committee, of which the Hon. Lord Russell has consented to be chairman, to review the law of Scotland relating to lunacy and mental deficiency.The members of the committee are:The Hon. Lord Russell (Chairman).The Hon. Mrs. J. E. Hamilton.Professor David Kennedy Henderson, M.D., F.R.F.P. & S., F.R.C.P.E.Sir James Colquhoun Irvine, C.B.E., LL.D., F.R.S.William Leonard, Esq., M.P.Major Basil Hamilton Hebden Neven Spence, M.P.William Donald Patrick, Esq., K.C.Lord Provost John Phin.Bailie Violet M. C. Roberton, C.B.E.Professor Thomas Murray Taylor, M.A., LL.B.Aidan Gordon Wemyss Thomson, Esq., M.B., Ch.B.The terms of reference are:To inquire into the existing law of Scotland relating to (

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities there are in his jurisdiction empowered to frame schemes for the protection of the population within their areas against air-raid attacks; how many of these have prepared such schemes; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

Under the Air-Raid Precautions Act, 1937, the duty of submitting air-raid general precautions schemes and air-raid fire precautions schemes in Scotland rests upon 55 and 228 local authorities, respectively. As regards the second part of the question I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to a question addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Maryhill Division (Mr. Davidson) on 15th February.

asked the Postmaster-General when building on the new Brentwood, Essex, post office is to start?

I understand that building will begin in a few weeks, the first stage being the erection of a garage, which is to serve as a temporary office during reconstruction of the main building.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of postmasters and postmistresses in charge of post offices in the Shetland Isles and their respective salaries, also their hours of labour and general duties?

There are 60 scale payment sub-offices throughout the Shetland Isles under the control of the head postmaster of Lerwick. These sub-offices are conducted by sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses, whose duties are those normally performed at sub-post offices and whose hours of attendance normally extend over the period 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The scale payment attaching to the majority of the sub-offices would be the minimum for the particular class of office, varying from £30 to £52 a year, plus payment for telephone call office work where performed. The amount of post office business transacted daily is, of course, generally very small and calls for occasional attention only.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he has considered the desirability of stipulating that all men engaged in the slaughtering of animals affected by foot-and-mouth disease should be confined to the farms concerned in tents or caravans until their work is finished, with the object of avoiding the risk of their carrying the infection with which they have been in contact?

It is not considered practicable to require the farmer compulsorily to provide accommodation on the farms where outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease occur for the men engaged in slaughtering the animals. The men are required to wear suitable overall clothing and this and their boots and hands are thoroughly disinfected immediately before the men leave the premises, the overalls being left on the farm. These precautions have been found adequate to prevent the conveyance of infection to other farms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make a statement regarding the flooding in the area between Winterton and Waxham, Norfolk?

I much regret to say that a large breach was made by the sea, during the storm on 12th February, in the sand-dune barrier on the part of the Norfolk coast referred to in the question, with the result that a large area has been flooded by sea water. The responsible local authority, the East Norfolk Rivers Catchment Board, have, I understand, instructed their consulting engineer in the matter and are actively considering remedial measures.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any estimate has been formed of the net loss to agriculture caused by the floods in the Fens in 1936–37?

No, Sir. I am not aware of any such estimate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) how long ago the Ouse Catchment Board first informed his Department that necessary flood precaution work in the Fens could not be undertaken owing to the board's inability to raise the 25 per cent. of the cost which would be necessary if the Ministry's offer of a 75 per cent. grant were accepted.(2) in view of the announcement by the Ouse Catchment Board, after prolonged reconsideration of the matter, that it is unable to proceed with the flood prevention scheme in the Fens favoured by the Ministry owing to the impossibility in a thinly-populated area of raising the required sum of about £1,250,000 so long as the Government grant is limited to 75 per cent., whether he will reconsider the possibility of increasing the Government offer so that this urgent work may be proceeded with?

Certain resolutions adopted by the Ouse Catchment Board at a meeting on 27th January appeared to suggest that it was from lack of necessary finance that the board felt unable to proceed with the Outfall Scheme, and that what they sought was an increase in the rate of Government grant for this scheme. At a subsequent discussion, however, on the 11th February, between officers of my Department and representatives of the board, it emerged that the board had decided on the advice of their engineer not to carry out any further capital work other than that on the Marsh Cut, which had already been decided upon, until that work had been completed and the result could be seen. In these circumstances no question arises as to an increased rate of Government grant.I should add that, as at present advised, I do not consider that works confined to the Marsh Cut will provide adequately for the drainage of and prevention of flooding in the area. The decision as to what works shall be undertaken rests, however, entirely with the Catchment Board who are charged by the Land Drainage Act, 1930, with the responsibility for the drainage of the area under their jurisdiction; and I have no doubt that the board are acting with a full sense of their responsibilities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the serious difficulties for large consumers of milk, like hospitals, which have arisen from the regulations and fixed prices of the Milk Marketing Board; whether he is aware that in the case of the Sheffield Royal Hospital the average price per gallon has risen since September, 1933, from 1s. to 1s. 5¼d., and that on a smaller consumption the total cost has risen from £1,190 to £1,732; and whether any steps are contemplated to secure a reduction in the price of milk for hospitals and similar institutions?

I appreciate that large consumers of milk, such as hospitals, who derived advantage from the disorganised market conditions prevailing before the Milk Marketing Scheme came into force, have now to pay more for milk than formerly; and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this subject to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 22nd November last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, taking the figures available for the last four weeks, he will state the amount of milk which has been allocated to cheese and butter makers, and the amount allocated to other manufacturers using milk; and what complaints he has received during this period?

The following are the quantities of milk sold under the Milk Marketing Scheme for manufacturers in the month of January. These are the most recent figures available:

	Gallons.
Butter	897,073
Cheese	1,826,744
Other manufacture	12,220,764
Total	14,944,581

No new complaints have been made to me by manufacturers since the beginning of January, but I have received additional representations in respect of two complaints made previously.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the ravages of disease among poultry, he proposes to give the earliest possible consideration to the report of the Poultry Technical Committee; and what steps he is taking to consult the different interests affected?

I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave on 10th February and 14th February in answer to questions on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is aware that the Agricultural Research Council has issued no report on its proceedings for any period since September, 1935; and whether and, if so, when a further report may be expected?

Shortly after the constitution of the Agricultural Research Council it was decided that, having regard to the content of other Government publications dealing with agricultural research, the report of the Council could most usefully take the form of a critical review of research in progress, to be published at intervals of two years. The Report of the Council for the two years ending the 30th September, 1937, is in the Press.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he, in consultation with the Secretary of State for Scotland, has completed his examination of the questions raised at their meeting with the deputation regarding the herring fishing industry at the Scottish Office on 8th November, 1937; whether it has now been decided to provide grants to fishermen on no less favourable terms than those given to tramp shipping; and whether he has any further statement to make?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, on 7th February to the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that colour-sergeants at infantry brigade headquarters and orderly-room sergeants at battalion headquarters are denied promotion to warrant rank, permitted to the clerical staffs of headquarters of divisions; and whether he will consider the desirability of amending the regulations in order to end the existing differentiation, and to ensure that the conditions, appointments, and promotions in the Territorial Army may coincide with those in the Regular Army?

Territorial Army clerks at the headquarters of divisions, brigades or battalions are not interchangeable between one headquarters and another and so cannot be put on a common roster for promotion like the Royal Army Service Corps clerks of the Regular Army. They hold ranks appropriate to the formations in which they serve and being Territorial soldiers they cannot be moved from their residential areas. Territorial Army Associations are responsible for the actual conditions of employment and rates of pay of clerks employed, and a grant is drawn which covers the cost of providing clerical assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the report of the Commission set up in 1937 to inquire into the disturbances in Mauritius; and whether the report will be published?

I have not yet received the report of the Commission. The Governor of Mauritius informs me that he expects that it will be presented to him about the middle of March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay a White Paper before Parliament giving particulars of the seizures of arms and munitions in Palestine during the last three years, and showing, where possible, the names of the manufacturers of these arms and the country of origin?

I do not think that the publication of a White Paper would serve any useful purpose. Statistics of firearms and ammunition confiscated are published each year in the Annual Report on Palestine. Following is a table showing the figures for the last three years. The arms consist very largely of old weapons used or distributed by both sides in the Great War; and I understand that it is impossible to state the countries of origin, since the arms are frequently rusty and the marks are usually illegible.Following is a list of firearms and ammunition seized during 1935, 1936 and 1937:

—	1935.	1936.	1937.
Rifles	178	328	1,246
Revolvers and pistols	264	319	1,456
Shotguns	103	81	133
Bombs and grenades	45	443	113
Rifle ammunition (Rounds).	4,171	13,903	15,623
Revolver and pistol ammunition (Rounds).	3,194	3,087	4,443

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the retirement of Mr. A. W. Dowers, manager of the Government cotton ginnery, of Kingstown, St. Vincent, British West Indies, from the service of the Government on the 31st December, 1936, without gratuity or pension, after a period of 14 years and 11 months service; and why he was not allowed to continue in the service until the 31st January, 1937, so as to enable him to become eligible for a gratuity and pension for which the necessary provisions had been made in the year's estimate of expenditure for that Colony?

I am making inquiries into this case and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the estimated number of naval cadets to be entered at Dartmouth College at 13½ years, of executive special-entry cadets from public schools at 17 to 18 years, and of commissions to be granted to seamen ratings, also the number of paymaster cadets to be entered; and whether it is intended to appeal for more civilians in the Reserves to enter as accountant officers this year?

It is anticipated that the following numbers of cadets will be entered during the period 1st January to 31st December, 1938:

Into Royal Naval College, Dartmouth	135
Special entry from public schools, etc., ages 17–18 years, 8 months:
Executive	100
Paymaster	40

The number of commissions to be granted to candidates from the lower deck depends upon the number of suitable candidates. In this connection I would remind the hon. Member that a special course of instruction was introduced last year for candidates in the seaman branch, and if this innovation is successful the number of promotions should be higher than has normally been the case in recent years.The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the total capital and the latest annual income of Greenwich Hospital; the cost of the new Royal Hospital School; whether the 850 acres site was given free; what was the value of the estate left in trust in 1929 by the late Mr. Reade to complete the school and the probable value of this estate when available in 1940; and what are the reasons for the appeal to the public for £23,000 to build one of the missing hostels as a memorial to Admiral Jellicoe?

The total capital of Greenwich Hospital is worth about £6,000,000, including lands and house property and the Royal Hospital School, whose capital cost was £1,077,000, exclusive of the site which was given free by the late Mr. Reade. The total estimated income of the hospital for the current year is £217,153. The value of the estate left in trust by the late Mr. Reade in 1929 for accumulation for the ultimate benefit of the hospital was then about £425,000. From the rate of accumulation its value in 1940 may be estimated at upwards of £750,000. Under Mr. Reade's will the trustees may decide to continue the accumulation until 1950. The appeal for funds to build a new Boys' House at the Royal Hospital School as a memorial to the late Admiral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe is being made by the British Legion, with the concurrence of the Admiralty, as the most appropriate form for such a memorial to take.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the mate scheme of promotion to commissioned rank was extended to the accountant branch in the Australian Navy; the numbers of such officers and years in which commissioned and their present ranks; and what are the difficulties in introducing an early promotion to commissioned rank scheme for accountant branch ratings in the British Navy, observing that such promotion schemes were introduced for the executive and engineering branches and the Royal Marines in 1912 to 1914, and that last year 30 civilians from the reserves were entered as accountant officers, although 20 accountant ratings, between the ages laid down, had qualified for officers' rank and 308 had passed the necessary higher educational test?

I understand that the scheme for direct promotion to commissioned rank was extended to the accountant branch of the Royal Australian Navy in 1923 and that two ratings were promoted in 1923 and are now paymaster lieutenant-commanders, one in 1927 who is now retired and one in 1937 who is still an acting paymaster sub-lieutenant.I regret that I am not yet in a position to make an announcement as to the possibility of increasing promotion amongst account branch ratings to commissioned rank.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of cases in which the consent of his Department has been given during each of the last three years to the signposting of footpaths and bridleways; and in how many cases financial grants have been made?

My consent is not required for the signposting of footpaths and bridle-ways, except where it is proposed to use some new type of sign on the highway itself. The expenditure on signposting of footpaths is not distinguished in the records of my Department from other expenditure covered by "classification grants."

asked the Minister of Transport how many Orders limiting the speed of motor vehicles on specified roads have been made by highways authorities under Section 29 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, for the period ending 31st December, 1937; how many of the Orders have been confirmed; how many have been refused; and, of those refused, in how many cases has the Minister not held a public inquiry?

Following is the information. Orders for special speed limits under Section 29 (4) of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, submitted to the Minister of Transport up to 31st December, 1937:

Confirmed	14
Still under consideration of Minister	13
Withdrawn	2
Confirmation refused, after public inquiry	10
Confirmation refused, without public inquiry	18
Total	57

asked the Minister of Transport (1) when it is proposed to abolish the Menai suspension bridge tolls;(2) how long a period of time it will take to carry out the work of reconstructing the Menai suspension bridge;(3) when it is proposed to start the work of reconstructing Menai suspension bridge; and what provision is to be made during the period of reconstruction for dealing with the heavy traffic which constantly uses this bridge?

I hope that reconstruction of the Menai bridge will begin towards the end of April of this year, and be completed in about two and a-half years time. No serious inconvenience should be caused to traffic wishing to use the bridge during reconstruction. I cannot at present consider abolishing the bridge tolls.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to assist visitors to the British Industries Fair, he will arrange during its run for the special marking of all roads around Birmingham and London with special direction signs?

The provision of signs for this purpose is primarily a matter for the appropriate highway authorities who may allow approved organisations to put up temporary direction signs of certain types. If signs of any new type are desired. I will consider any application for their authorisation under Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can arrange in the near future for a uniform system of signposting of all first- and second-class roads?

In accordance with the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs in 1933, a new and uniform system of directional sign-posting on classified roads was authorised, and substantial progress has been, and is being, made by the highway authorities in its adoption. Pending its completion there must unfortunately remain some lack of uniformity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what percentage of children attending elementary schools in each of the boroughs of Bournemouth, Bath, Bristol, Birmingham, Bolton, Blackburn, and Bury were found at the last routine nutrition inspection to be excellent, normal, slightly sub-normal, and bad, respectively?

The information is as follows:

Classification of the Nutrition of Children inspected during the year 1937.
Local Education Authority.	Excellent.	Normal.	Slightly Sub-normal	Bad.
	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
Bath	13.9	77.4	8.5	0.2
Birmingham*	3.2	81.0	12.6	3.2
Blackburn*	12.3	72.6	13.4	1.7
Bolton	8.24	80.08	11.11	0.56
Bournemouth	17.24	69.74	11.94	1.08
Bristol	23.2	64.2	12.2	0.4
Bury	4.3	81.5	13.6	0.6
*Figures relate to the year 1936.