asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed at the last annual conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Paris dealing with Parliamentary disqualifications and employment among intellectual workers; and whether he will have these resolutions examined by the appropriate Government Departments?

I have received the resolutions to which the hon. Member refers and, while I am doubtful whether some of the proposals are apt to the circumstances of this country, I am asking the appropriate Department to consider them.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received full particulars of the new tariff in North China; whether he has observed its one-sided operation in favour of Japan; and what reply he has received to his protest to the Japanese Government?

Full particulars of the revised tariff applicable in North China have been received and were published in the Board of Trade Journal of 3rd March.As has already been stated in this House, the new rates, which consist entirely of reductions on the rates previously in force, appear to tend to favour Japanese trade. Apart, however, from a general complaint received from a trade organisation as to the prejudice caused to British trade by present conditions in North China, no specific instances of hardship resulting from the revised tariff have so far been brought to notice.The reply of the Japanese Government to the protest which was made to them has just been received. The Japanese Government disclaim responsibility for the revision of the Customs rates enacted by the Peking Provisional Government; and contend that a reduction of duties on a few commodities needed for rehabilitation or relief or as daily necessities was unavoidable. The reply also states that there has been no discrimination against third Powers and that the revision has had the effect of doing away with the special trade in East Hopel The reply is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to publish the correspondence which has passed between the British diplomatic representatives in the Far East, the British Government, and the Japanese Government with regard to the origin, conduct, and aims of the hostilities now in progress between Japan and China?

Very full information has been given to the House from time to time on all that has passed, and I do not think it necessary to go further.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to the numbers of civilians who have lost their lives or been injured in the hostilities in the Far East since the commencement of the present Sino-Japanese conflict?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the negotiations with the Japanese Government on the subject of maintaining the integrity of the Chinese Customs and uniform treatment of all nations?

These negotiations are being actively pursued, but I have no statement to make at this stage.

asked the Prime Minister what has been the result of his representations to the Japanese Government on the irregular situation which exists in the collection of customs duties in Shanghai to the prejudice of non-Japanese trade and of the security for foreign loans?

The Japanese Government have promised an early consideration of the reprsentations made to them, but I regret that I cannot report any improvement in the situation as yet. His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo is continuing to press the matter.

asked the Prime Minister what information is in the possession of His Majesty's Government as to the help in men, aeroplanes, and artillery, received from German and Italian sources by the Spanish insurgents, specifying separately help received during 1937 and since 1st January, 1938?

The Government naturally receive information of this character in various ways. As I have stated already, it is extremely difficult to obtain confirmation of all reports received and it is therefore impossible to give particulars for the accuracy of which I could not vouch.

asked the Prime Minister whether instructions have been given and, if not, whether he will give immediate instructions to the British representative at Barcelona to cause inquiry to be made into the nationality of the airmen who have been, or may be, captured or killed when taking part on behalf of the insurgents in the bombardment of civilian objectives?

Instructions in this sense have already been sent to His Majesty's Minister at Barcelona.

asked the Prime Minister whether the protest recently addressed to General Franco was despatched on the understanding that there are no military objectives in Barcelona; and whether he will make it clear that this country, while abhorring any attack directed purely against the civilian population, recognises that there are at least 10 military objectives in that town, including munition dumps and stores, railway and shipping centres, oil tanks, Government offices, and power stations?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. W. P. Greene), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any claims for damage done to British merchant vessels by attack from Spanish insurgent forces; if so, what is the total of such claims; and whether he has received from the Spanish insurgents any and, if so, what sums in respect of these claims?

Certain claims of this nature have been received. Further claims in respect of these and other forms of damage have not yet been submitted to or considered by the Government, and I cannot therefore say what will be the aggregate amount of the claims to be presented to the insurgent authorities. It follows that no sums have been received from the latter.

asked the Prime Minister what steps His Majesty's Government is taking with regard to protecting British interests in view of the expropriation by the Mexican Government of the properties of the Mexican Eagle Oil Company?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Mr. Robinson) to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the approximate value of British investments in Mexican mining and industrial undertakings operating in Mexico and, in particular, in the oil companies which have recently been expropriated by the Mexican Government?

I am not sure what basis of value my hon. Friend has in mind; but if he will communicate with me I will see whether it is possible to obtain the information he desires.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the names of any local authorities which have provided hostels, stating the type of accommodation provided; and whether it is for men, women, girls or boys?

I will send the hon. Member a statement containing the information which he desires.

asked the Minister of Health how many old age pensioners who received a contributory pension and have gone to Australia are in receipt of the old age pension?

277 persons who were in receipt of contributory pensions before they left Great Britain are receiving their old age pensions in Australia. In addition 116 persons who were not receiving pensions when they emigrated are now receiving old age pensions in Australia" under the British contributory pensions scheme, insurance having been maintained on a voluntary basis until pensions became payable.

asked the Minister of Health whether, taking the normal practice with regard to trained nurses and nurse probationers, he can state in each case the pay, the arrangements for the provision of uniforms and board, the usual bathroom accommodation, the number of paid holidays, and the days off and week-ends enjoyed by each class?

I regret that the information available in my Department does not enable me to give the particulars desired by my hon. Friend. These are, however, among the matters which are under investigation by the Inter-Departmental Committee sitting under the Chairmanship of the Earl of Athlone, and I have no doubt that they will be fully dealt with in the Committee's report.

asked the Home Secretary whether Austrian refugees who have friends in this country willing to give them temporary hospitality are being permitted to land in Great Britain?

As I indicated in my statement on Tuesday, each case must be considered with regard to all the circumstances, and the fact that hospitality is available to an applicant is certainly one of the circumstances of which account is taken

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the approved pattern of decontamination clothing for air-raid precautions fire services is in seven pieces instead of one, as in the French approved pattern, leaving the most vital parts of the body liable to attack, because there are ventilators under the arms, and because the upper part tucks into the breeches, thus rendering the body vulnerable to splashes of mustard gas, and that, following contamination, a man could not remove one of these suits without extraneous assistance because of its many buttons and hooks; and what steps he is taking to remedy these defects?

The approved decontamination clothing for Air-Raid Precautions Fire Services consists of jacket, trousers, hood and gloves, in addition to boots and respirator. According to my information the French outfit is similar, except that the hood is attached to the jacket and that in one model sabots were attached to the trousers. The jacket, which is of a pattern used for other purposes in time of peace, has ventilation holes under the arms; these will be closed with gas proof patching in time of war. It can be worn alternatively inside or outside the trousers to meet the risks of vapour or splashing. Assistance in removing the suit is necessary and is a normal part of the routine. The total number of buttons is 10. There are no hooks. Additional designs of protective clothing are under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether any badge is to be given to be worn with civilian clothes to people who have volunteered and been trained for service in air-raid precautions?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has informed the local authorities that a badge has been instituted for distribution to air-raid precautions volunteers who have completed their training, and His Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve my right hon. Friend's recommendation that the Royal Crown should be incorporated in the design of the badge. Approximately 140,000 badges have been issued to local authorities for distribution, and a further 6,000 have been presented to volunteers in air-raid precautions services other than those organised by the local authorities. A badge for Auxiliary Fire Services is also to be issued.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has considered plans for the construction of underground bomb-proof shelters adjacent to schools; and what would be the approximate cost of such construction?

The question of structural precautions in schools is referred to in Circular 1461, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As stated in that circular, the board's view is that in areas where there is such a risk of air raids as would necessitate expensive safety provision if the schools should be kept open, the schools should be closed so long as that risk continues. My Noble Friend has no information with regard to the last part of the question.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether an order for 1,000 trailer-pumps for air-raid precaution purposes has been placed, at £30 each, with the Czechoslovakian firm of Sigismund; and what opportunities were afforded to British manufacturers to carry out this work either individually or collectively?

An order has been placed with Messrs. Sigmund Pumps (Great Britain), Limited, who are domiciled in this country, for 1,000 motor pump units of the smallest of several types required for air-raid protection. The price is lower than that mentioned in the question. The units, with the exception of one small component, will be made in this country. Tenders were invited by public advertisement, giving all interested firms the opportunity of submitting offers, and firms have been selected to receive orders for a total of 3410 units of this type, this number being only a part of the ultimate requirements. The factors governing the selection were suitability, price, and rate of delivery. The remaining 2,410 units will be entirely of British manufacture.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the proposal to set up a Borstal institution, eventually capable of holding 300 boys, at Hollesley Bay, Suffolk, and of the consequent apprehension of residents in the neighbourhood, he will state the nature of the discipline and supervision to which those under treatment will be subjected; and whether adequate steps will be taken to prevent them from visiting adjacent villages and roaming at large over the countryside?

I am glad to have an opportunity of reassuring my hon. Friend on this matter. There are already seven Borstal Institutions for young men in various parts of the country, and experience has shown not only that any apprehensions which may have been felt when the institutions were opened have quickly disappeared, but that the people in the neighbourhood have come to appreciate the work that is being done and are helping the staffs by co-operating in many of the schemes of social service connected with these institutions. The system of Borstal discipline is based on the principle that if youths are kept under such close control that they have no opportunity to misbehave they will also have no opportunity to learn how to behave. Accordingly, selected inmates who have proved their trustworthiness and have earned privileges are on occasions allowed a measure of freedom outside the institution, but there is no system of giving indiscriminate freedom to inmates to roam about the country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an analysis of the general nature of the offences for which the young persons under 21 years of age committed to prison in the year 1936 were convicted?

I would refer the hon. Member to pages 21 and 22 of the Report of the Prison Commissioners for the year 1936 which has just been published (Cmd. 5675).

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements are being made for Austrians now in Great Britain who do not desire to become German subjects?

The question what is to be the national status of such persons under the law of their own country is not a matter which can be regulated by His Majesty's Government; but if the hon. Member's suggestion is that special arrangements should be made to enable such persons to acquire British nationality, I would refer him to the statement which I made at the end of questions on Tuesday last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the police authorities in Lincolnshire have successfully prosecuted the owners and have confiscated their gaming machines; and, if so, will he take steps to see that the law in this respect is implemented likewise in other parts of the country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Brigg Division of Lindsey (Mr. Quibell) on 24th February, 1938.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state approximately the number of words recorded by the constable who noted the speeches at the Fascist meeting held at Rioher Road, Stratford, on 27th February; and whether he will make the notes available to the hon. Member for Stratford?

If the object of the hon. Member is to see for himself whether the notes of what was said would in his opinion warrant the institution of proceedings against the speakers, I must ask him to accept my assurance that the shorthand notes bear out the statement I have already made—that so far as the police were able to hear the speakers amid much interruption, they heard nothing to warrant the institution of proceedings against them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the injuries sustained by the sergeant of police at the Fascist meeting held at Rioher Road, Stratford, on 27th February; how many days of sick leave were taken; whether medical treatment was necessary at any time; and where the injured sergeant rested during his sick-leave period?

I am informed that the sergeant was kicked on the foot and shin and received a blow on the neck. He finished his tour of duty on that day, but on the next day the divisional surgeon placed him on the sick list as suffering from a strained neck, and gave him advice as to fomentations. The officer was off duty for three days, but his condition was not such as to confine him to the house.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in giving an opportunity to ex-prison officer J. S. Maslen, Bristol, to refund his military pension, in consequence of the operation of Section 5 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, in order to give him the full advantage of the civil pension for the war years, the offer to refund the military pension covered any period in operation prior to J. S. Maslen joining the prison service?

The answer is in the affirmative. Mr. Maslen would not have been qualified for any military pension unless his Colour and Reserve service both prior and subsequent to his joining the prison service had been taken into account for the purpose of such pension. Accordingly, as I explained in my reply to the hon. Member of 13th July last, since Mr. Maslen has elected that this award should stand, it is not possible to reckon his service prior to I2th June, 1918, for civil pension also.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Mrs. Ada Hunt, aged 65, of 60, Park Road. N.W.I, was retired from the Ministry of Pensions in December, 1937, without pension, and after 20 years' Government service is entirely dependent upon the old age pension; and whether, in view of the fact that the Treasury has the power to allow the counting of temporary service for pension, purposes, he will agree to allow Mrs. Hunt's service to be counted to enable her to obtain a pension?

This officer was awarded on retirement the maximum gratuity for which as an unestablished officer she was eligible under the Superannuation Acts. As regards the last part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. The Treasury have no power under the Superannuation Acts to reckon temporary service for pension unless it is followed by established service.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the return of visible world supplies of wheat is now the lowest for the past 10 years; and what steps he proposes to take to increase the production of wheat in this country?

I am aware that the estimated visible world supplies of wheat were lower on 1st February last than at the same date during each of the past 10 years. It is estimated, however, that when requirements of the importing countries have been met, there will be available at the end of the current cereal year substantially larger stocks than in August, 1937. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the quantity of wheat eligible for full deficiency payments was increased under the Agriculture Act, 1937. From returns received from farmers in December last, it is estimated that the area sown to wheat in England and Wales this season will exceed that of last year by 100,000 acres.