asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the age of cadets for engineering duties at Dartmouth College is 13½ and from public schools 17 years; and will he state the number of such cadets to be entered at the college from public schools this year?

The age limits for entry as cadet into the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, are 13 years 4 months to 13 years 8 months. On completion of a training period of three years eight months at the College cadets serve for one term in the training cruiser. At the end of that time those who wish may volunteer for transfer to the engineer branch as midshipmen (E). As the hon. Member will appreciate, it is not possible to predict how many cadets will so volunteer. The age limits for the special entry examination are 17 years to 18 years 8 months. It is anticipated that between 55 and 60 cadets will be entered during 1938 from this source for engineering duties.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of artificer candidates for sub-lieutenant (E) who sat for the educational test in 1937, and the number who passed; the number who appeared before the selection boards; where these boards were held; the number recommended for promotion; and the number actually commissioned?

The number of engine-room artificers who sat at the qualifying examination for commissioned rank in 1937 was 29; of this number 12 passed, and if otherwise eligible will come before the Selection Boards during the first half of 1938. Of engine-room artificers who had passed in previous examinations, nine appeared before Fleet Selection Boards which were held in the Nore, Plymouth and Portsmouth Commands at home, and on the Mediterranean station abroad. The final Selection Board was held at the Admiralty. The number recommended for promotion by the Fleet Selection Boards in 1937 was eight and this was the number of commissions actually granted.

asked the Secretary for Mines, having regard to the Dumbreck Colliery disaster, whether he is aware that the procedure at fatal accident inquiries in Scotland is summary and not exhaustive; and whether he is prepared to order a public inquiry by his Department into the whole facts of the said disaster?

I am advised that the procedure at a fatal accident inquiry is such as to require that this accident will be fully investigated to the satisfaction of a jury. I therefore propose to await the result of that inquiry before deciding whether a formal investigation should be held.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that there is a stoppage of work at Millhaw Colliery, Stirlingshire; whether he can state the number of men involved; the cause of the stoppage; has his attention been drawn to the action of the management in trying to compel men to break the law re hours of employment in mines; and what action does he propose to maintain the law?

I understand that a stoppage of work involving 880 workpeople at Polmaise Nos. 1 and 2 pits locally known at Millhall, commenced on the 24th January. The dispute appears to have arisen out of the alleged wrongful dismissal of a machineman; but I am not yet in possession of full information.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the total amount of coal raised during 1937?

It is estimated that the total production of saleable coal in Great Britain in 1937 was 241,183,000 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now say what reinforcements have recently been despatched to Abyssinia by the Italian Government through the Suez Canal?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the information desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as there was in 1937 an adequate Anglo-German trade balance in Germany's favour, he will, on behalf of British holders of German-defaulted medium and long-term post-war debts, set up an Anglo-German clearing in place of the German proposal to prolong the default scheme of 1934, unless these German obligations are met in cash in accordance with the contract by which the loans were obtained from British investors?

The Anglo-German Payments Agreement has operated not unsatisfactorily as regards Anglo-German trade and, so long as this remains the case, my right hon. Friend would be reluctant to terminate it except for strong reasons. At the same time he thinks that some revision of the existing arrangements in regard to British holders of German long term and medium term obligations appears desirable, and, as he informed my hon. Friend yesterday, if the committee of British long and medium term creditors of Germany recommend a suitable scheme, it will have the support of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the report of the committee regarding the codification of Income Tax regulations?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply to a question on this subject which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Wandsworth (Colonel Nathan) on 28th October last. I am not yet in a position to add to the information given on that occasion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the number of light-keepers and assistant light-keepers in the service of the Northern Lights Commissioners?

From informaation supplied by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses, I understand that the numbers employed are as follow:

Lighthouses:
Principal Keepers	86
Assistant Keepers, including Supernumerary Keepers	141

In addition, there are 82 "Occasional" Keepers and 40 Keepers of Minor Lights, all of whom are employed part-time only.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the number of officers and crews employed on the lightships and steamboats in the service of Trinity House?

From information supplied by Trinity House, I understand that the numbers employed are as follow:

Grades, etc.
Light Vessels:
Senior masters	…	43
Junior masters	…	43
Ratings	…	369
Steam and Motor Vessels.
Masters	…	9
Navigating officers	…	21
Engineers	…	22
Ratings	…	214

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state upon what date the prototypes of the Spitfire, Blenheim, and Battle aeroplanes were originally prepared; and when the desired deliveries will be made of the finished classes of machine?

The Spitfire and Battle prototypes were first flown in March, 1936, but it will be appreciated that, as a result of trials of the prototype aircraft, various changes of design are usually necessary to secure that production aircraft will meet Service requirements. The Blenheim was re-designed as a military aircraft from a civil aeroplane which was first flown by the Royal Air Force in July, 1935. I cannot undertake to forecast when delivery of the full number of aircraft now on order will be completed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the numbers and the locations of central schools in each of the six North Wales counties; the number of boys attending each school and also the number of girls; the names of the schools in which provision is made for drying the clothes of the children; and the names of the schools in which hot mid-day meals are provided; whether they are free; if not, what is the price charged in each case and the names of the schools in which

Senior Departments of Public Elementary Schools in the Six Counties in North Wales.
Name of School.	Number of pupils on registers on 31st March, 1937.		Number of children provided with milk on 1st October, 1937.
	Boys.	Girls.	Free.	For Payment.
Anglesey:
Holyhead St. Cybi Council	98	107	69	12
Caernarvonshire:
*Bangor Central Council	203	210	11	155
*Caernarvon Central Council	187	196	30	60
*Conway Central Council	131	131	40	56
*Dolgarrog Council	Reorganised. 24th August, 1937.		—	—
*Llandudno Central Council	211	222	14	186
Llanfairfechan Central Council	62	52	23	48
Llanllyfni, Penygroes Central Council	109	119	—	120
Portmadoc, Snowdon Street Council	86	73	18	110
Pwllheli Central Council	158	145	50	28
Denbighshire:
Bersham, Penygelli Council	80	96	37	41
Broughton, Brynteg Council	119	123	23	37
Brymbo Council	88	94	1	80
Cefn Acrefair Central Council	152	145	34	100
Colwyn Bay Central Council	161	169	—	—
*Esclusham Below, Rhostyllen Senior Council.	55	49	16	44
Llangollen Council	48	41	2	38
*Llay Central Council	91	89	24	78
*Rhosllanerchrugog Higher Standard Council.	184	217	18	124
Wrexham Borough:
Wrexham, Alexandra Council	—	273	13	74
Wrexham, Victoria Council	304	—	56	94
Flintshire:
Connah's Quay, Custom House Lane Council.	107	102	—	60
*Flint Central School	181	180	—	161
*Hawarden, Shotton, The Deeside Central Council.	184	198	—	150
West Saltney, Queen's Ferry Council	112	131	—	35
Merionethshire:
Festiniog Central Council	134	132	—	—
Montgomeryshire:
Machynlleth Church of England	Reorganised 1st October, 1937.		—	—
* Provision is made for drying children's clothes in these schools. No information is available-with regard to the other schools.

According to the Board's information arrangements are made for providing mid-day meals at school canteens in many senior schools in the area of the Caernarvonshire local education authority, the average charge being about 10d. a week. The Board are not able to say whether such arrangements are in operation in all milk is provided; and in how many cases is milk supplied free?

Following is the information:the departments of Caernarvonshire schools included in the above list. No-information is available to show that arrangements are at present made in the other counties, but I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member. So far as the Board are aware no free solid meals are provided for pupils at the above schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet taken steps to appoint the consumers' committee for which provision is made in the Second Schedule of the Herring Industry Act of 1935?

Owing to the fact that the Herring Industry Act, 1935, did not provide for expenses in connection with this committee it has not been practicable to appoint it. The question will be reconsidered as soon as an opportunity for amending legislation occurs.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of persons at the latest available date upon the unemployment register at each of the following exchanges: Ferndale, Porth, Tonypandy and Treorchy?

The numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of these Employment Exchanges at 17th January, 1938, were:

Ferndale	2,798
Porth	2,731
Tonypandy	4,013
Treorchy (including Ton Pentre)	3,063

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the average amount of unemployment assistance granted per claimant at each of the following area offices: Ferndale, Porth, Tonypandy and Treorchy during the month of January, 1936, 1937 and 1938, respectively?

The only figures available relate to the payments of unemployment assistance made at Employment Exchanges which serve the areas in question.The following table shows the average amount of each payment of unemployment assistance made at the Ferndale, Porth (including Tonyrefail), Tonypandy and Treorchy Employment Exchanges during the months of January, 1936, 1937 and 1938.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of unemployed persons transferred from, together with those known to have left having found work for themselves, the following Employment Exchanges, respectively, Ferndale, Porth, Tonypandy, and Treorchy, and for each year since 1927?

The following table gives the information asked for, in so far as it is available.

District.	Year.	Number of Persons Placed by the Employ-meat Exchanges in other districts	Number of Persons who left the district to take up employment which they had found on their own account.
Ferndale	1931	122	193
	1932	145	144
	1933	126	213
	1934	140	249
	1935	252	379
	1936	623	580
	1937	421	611
Porth	1931	119	181
	1932	141	174
	1933	195	265
	1934	185	342
	1935	292	429
	1936	563	470
	1937	496	597
Tonypandy	1931	342	553
	1932	304	479
	1933	361	536
	1934	400	594
	1935	452	666
	1936	538	901
	1937	610	1,049
Treorchy	1931	251	244
	1932	216	196
	1933	92	244
	1934	103	319
	1935	76	392
	1936	267	533
	1937	312	667

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that poster BPS, which is displayed in Employment Exchanges and purports to inform unemployed persons who are in need how they can obtain unemployment assistance, fails to point out that under certain circumstances persons in receipt of statutory benefit may draw supplementary benefit from the Unemployment Assistance Board; and whether he will cause the wording of the notice to be altered to make this point clear to all unemployed persons?

The poster makes it clear that all persons who are in need and within the scope of the Act, may apply for unemployment assistance. No amendment appears to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Report of the London Regional Advisory Council will be published; and when the annual Report of the Ministry of Labour will be published?

—			Estimated Numbers insured at July, 1937.	Numbers of Insured Persons Recorded as Unemployed at 17th January, 1938.
Men (aged 21–64)	…	…	128,210	25,388
Young Men (aged 18–20)	…	…	7,130	1,016
Boys (aged 14–17)	…	…	15,940	815
Women (aged 21–64)	…	…	222,170	49,899
Young Women (aged 18–20)	…	…	20,670	3,028
Girls (aged 14–17)	…	…	38,440	2,378
Total (aged 14–64)	…	…	432,560	82,524

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether His Majesty's Government has decided to adopt the whole of the recommendations, apart from those dealing with confidential matters, in the report of the sub-committee on oil from coal?

The recommendations of the sub-committee on oil from coal are still under consideration by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why two

Arrangements have been made for the publication of the report of the London Regional Advisory Council for juvenile employment but I am not yet able to state the date. I anticipate that the annual Report of the Ministry of Labour will be published towards the end of April.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of men, women, and young persons registered as employed in the cotton trade in January, 1938, and the number of workpeople unemployed from the cotton trade in January, 1938?

The total number of insured persons classified as belonging to the cotton industry are ascertained for one date only in each year, namely, the beginning of July. The table below gives for the cotton industry in Great Britain the estimated numbers insured at July, 1937, and the numbers recorded as unemployed at 17th January, 1938:Jews, Yakoub and Brunn, aged 17 and 20, were tried by a military court and sentenced on 21st January to five years' imprisonment; and what action he has taken in the matter?

The prisoners to whom the right hon. and gallant Member refers were charged with carrying and being in possession of firearms and ammunition, and each was sentenced by the military court to five years' imprisonment. The sentences were later reduced by the General Officer Commanding, that of Brunn to imprisonment for six months, and that of Yakoub to imprisonment for three months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jews are now detained in prison or concentration camps in Palestine for illegal immigration and for suspected reprisals, respectively, distinguishing between men, women, and children?

On 16th February there were 31 Jewish illegal immigrants under detention in Palestine, of whom 15 were men, eight women and eight children. At the same date there were 21 Jews, all of whom were men, under detention for suspected reprisals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total value of Palestine exports and imports for the year 1937; and whether these figures have been exceeded in any previous year?

The figures at present available cover only the first 11 months of the year 1937. In round numbers exports during those 11 months amounted to £5,000,000 and imports to rather more than £14,500,000. It does not seem probable that the total value of imports for 1937 will be so high as in 1935, when the figure was £17,900,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether satisfactory arrangements have now been made to enable passengers to disembark at the new port of Tel Aviv; and whether embarkation and disembarkation of passengers will be able to proceed on a regular basis from henceforward?

I have no information as to the arrangements that have been made, but I am asking for a report on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General what were the six telephone systems in Scotland that had the highest telephone density, namely, number of telephones per 100 of population, for the years 1936 and 1937, respectively?

The six telephone systems in Scotland with the highest telephone density, namely, number of telephones per 100 of population, for the years 1936 and 1937, are as follow:

asked the Postmaster-General the amount deposited at the Post Office Savings Bank for the year ended 31st December, 1937, and the total sums on deposit with the Post Office Bank?

The amount deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank during the year ended 31st December, 1937, was £136,000,000, and sums amounting to £109,000,000 were withdrawn. The aggregate amount of deposits with accrued interest at 31st December, 1937, was £470,500,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the advisability of authorising and instructing the erection of notice boards on the roadside at the entrances to every town and city showing, in each case, the numbers of persons killed and injured, respectively, during the preceding year in motor accidents in the town or city concerned; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

I am not at present convinced of the value of notices of this kind, and I am not in favour of encouraging local authorities to erect them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the question of whether undue risks of accident are added to the normal contingencies of road traffic by omnibus stopping-places, especially in country districts, being fixed at or near road junctions; and whether he will consider issuing regulations requiring such stopping-places to be fixed some distance away from road junctions?

Where it is necessary to fix stopping places for public service vehicles, the most suitable sites are selected by the Traffic Commissioners in conjunction with the Police and Local Authorities, who take into consideration all the local circumstances, including the risk of accidents. In the more rural districts it is not generally necessary to fix stopping places and the driver of the vehicle should not stop where his vehicle will cause danger to other road users.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the grants made from the Road Fund to each scheme for the construction of roads in Lancashire?

The following statement shows the grants made in 1937 for the construction of roads in Lancashire:

Scheme.	Grant.
COUNTY AREA.	£
Great Eccleston By-Pass—from South Slope to Raikes Hall	23,189
Construction of new road from Heysham Road (A.589) to near junction of Middleton Lane with Tomlinson Road	21,121
Liverpool-East Lancs Road (A.580) —construction of service road from Eccles Road to near Worsley Road	1,873
Liverpool-East Lanes Road (A.580) —construction of service roads from Arthur Street to Broadbent Street	1,189
Stockport Road, Mossley—construction of service road north of Quick Road	584
	£47,956
COUNTY BOROUGH AREAS.
Liverpool.—Speke Road and Dodds Lane—construction of second carriageway from Meredith Street to Speke Hall Avenue	20,920
Liverpool.—Construction of new road from Speke Hall to Wood-end Lane	19,592
Bootle.—Construction of new section of Liverpool-Southport Road from Aintree Road to Northfield Road	7,429
Warrington.—Construction of new road from junction of Bold Street with Wilson Patten Street to Barbauld Street	3,444
Rochdale.—Forming embankment to carry new road from Roch Mills Lane to Bury Road (B.6222)	2,183
	£53,568

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the widening operations which are now being carried on for the improvement of the Kingston by-pass, adequate space will still be left to enable riders to be accommodated without using the metalled highway itself, to the danger of themselves and motor traffic; and whether, in view of the large number of riders who use this road to approach Richmond Park, he will give an assurance that their interests will be safeguarded?

The width available is insufficient to permit of the provision of these special facilities.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the estimated cost of freeing the toll bridges remaining on the trunk roads which are now under his direct control?

I regret that I have not the information necessary to enable me to furnish the figure for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks.

asked the Minister of Transport when the House will have a definite statement from his Department following on the promised negotiations with the railway companies concerned regarding the issue of cheap excursion tickets and legal liability for damages attachable thereto?

I hope soon to be able to make such a statement. Discussions are continuing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of persons injured in the Castlecary railway accident who were holders of cheap daily travel tickets?

One of the passengers killed and thirteen of those injured were holders of cheap-day tickets

asked the Minister of Transport when he will be in a position to make a statement regarding the proposed Selby by-pass?

I hope shortly to make a full statement.