asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state for February, 1938, for each of the main groups of Special Areas in Great Britain and for each of the industrial regions of which they form part, the number of insured persons, the percentages of insured unemployed, the numbers of registered unemployed, distinguishing between wholly and other unemployed and between men, women, and juveniles, and their periods of registered unemployment, on the lines of the table for Great Britain given in the Ministry of Labour Gazette?

pursuant to his reply(OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th April, 1938; cols. 552–3, Vol. 334), supplied the following statement:The Table below shows for each of the main groups of Special Areas and for each of the administrative divisions in which they are situated:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state for February, 1938, for each of the main groups of Special Areas in Great Britain and for each of the industrial regions of which they form part, the numbers of insured persons attached to each of the main industries and employments; and the numbers and percentages of unemployed insured persons therein?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th April, 1938; col.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, in respect of each of the coal-mining, iron and steel, shipbuilding, docks and harbours, and shipping industries in South Wales, West Cumberland, Durham and Tyneside, Lancashire and Merseyside, the West of SE6tland and Great Britain, the numbers of insured workers attached to the industry in July, 1923, 1936, and 1937; and the number and percentages of insured workers employed and unemployed, respectively, in June, 1923, 1936, and 1937, and in February, 1938?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th April, 1938; cols. 552-3, Vol. 334),supplied the following statement:The following Table gives the information desired so far as it is available. The figures for 1923 relate to insured persons aged 16 and over, while for the other dates mentioned they relate to insured persons aged 16 to 64. The only information available as to the numbers of insured persons in employment in the industries and areas in question is that obtained by deducting the numbers recorded as unemployed from the estimated numbers insured. Estimates of the numbers insured are not available in respect of February, 1938.

asked the Minister of Labour when it is intended to take steps to increase the scope of unemployment insurance so as to include a larger number of black-coated workers?

My right hon. Friend cannot at present add anything to his previous statements on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the numbers of persons employed, on the registers of the Chatham and Gravesend Employment Exchanges, at the latest convenient date, and give corresponding figures for the years 1935, 1936, and 1937?

The available figures relate to the total numbers of insured persons whose unemployment books were exchanged at the Chatham and Gravesend Employment Exchanges (including the Juvenile Employment Bureaux) at the exchange of books beginning in July of each year, and the numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed at those offices. The following table shows, fort he Chatham and Gravesend Exchanges, the numbers of books exchanged by insured persons aged 16–64 (exclusive of persons within the agricultural scheme) at the exchange of books in each of the years 1937, 1936, 1935 and 1934, and the numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed at a date in April of the years 1938, 1937, 1936 and 1935:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will have a copy of the minutes of evidence of the committee on holidays with pay placed in the Library for the information of Members?

The minutes of evidence of the committee on holidays with pay have been published by the Stationery Office and copies are available to Members in the ordinary way and have also been placed in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number and names of the representatives who are to represent the various interests on international regulation of miners' hours at the International Labour Office tripartite conference at Geneva; and what instructions have been given to the Government representatives?

The British delegates to the technical tripartite meeting on the coal mining industry are Mr. H. W. Cole, Deputy Under-Secretary for Mines, Mr. W. A. Lee, director of the Mining Association, and Mr. W. Lawther, vice-president of the Mine-worker's Federation. Mr. Cole has three advisers and each of the other delegates four advisers. As regards the last part of the question it is not the practice to publish the instructions given to delegates.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether arrangements can now be made for the transfer of the National Stud to this country?

There is no present intention of transferring the National Stud to this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether it is proposed to extend the special milk schemes for mothers and children under five years of age to areas other than those in which they are at present operating;

I understand that the Milk Marketing Board do not, at present., contemplate any extension of their experimental schemes in the Special Areas, but as was stated in the White Paper on Milk Policy, the Government propose to bring forward proposals for securing, in co-operation with the industry, a reduction in the price of liquid milk to local authorities generally for the purpose of their Maternity and Child Welfare arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of those entitled to participate in the various special milk schemes at present operating in the Rhondda, Jarrow, and other similar areas, have availed themselves of them?

I am informed by the Milk Marketing Board that, of the persons eligible to participate in the four experimental schemes for the supply of cheap milk to nursing mothers and children under five years of age in the Special Areas, the proportions that have availed themselves of the facilities vary between 60 per cent. in Jarrow and 65 per cent. in Whitehaven.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Potato Marketing Board has made any estimate of the present cost of transporting a standard quantity of potatoes for a standard distance from producing areas to distributing centres; and whether any information is available as to the proportion of such cost which is represented by the taxation of motor vehicles involved and the fuel they use?

The reply to the first part of the question is, I understand, in the negative, and the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the wholesale and retail interests in the potato trade, together with the fish friers, were consulted by the Potato Marketing Board before the drafting of the amendments now proposed to the potato marketing scheme; and what arrangements will be made to ensure that all interested parties are properly consulted before these amendments are approved?

I understand that consultations with regard to the proposed amendments to the Potato Marketing Scheme were conducted with wholesale distributors through their representative organisation, and with retail distributors, including fish friers, through the medium of the board's advisory committee of retailers. The amendments having been formally submitted by the board to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself, notice was published on 25th March last stating that any objections and representations with respect to the amendments should be lodged not later than 7th May. The Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, makes provision for the holding of a public inquiry, if necessary, into such objections.

asked the Minister of Agriculture under what authority the Potato Marketing Board buy and sell surplus potatoes at the present time; whether he is aware of the complaints in the trade that these powers have been used to speculate in the buying and selling of potatoes which are not necessarily surplus with a view to forcing up the prices; and whether he can take any steps to discourage this practice?

I would refer my hon. Friend to recent replies on this subject, and in particular to the replies given to my hon. Friends the Members for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans), St. Pancras, South-West (Sir G. Mitcheson) and Manchester, Moss Side (Mr. W. R. Duckworth) on the 11th, 13th and 14th April respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether adequate supplies of fertilisers are now obtainable by Welsh farmers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 14th April.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of increasing unemployment in the Hull fishing industry; and will he reconsider the decision of his Department and grant licences for regulated summer fishing on the Bear Island fishing grounds?

I am aware that there has been increased unemployment in the fishing industry since December last, With regard to the second part of the question, I am at present discussing the subject of the Northern Waters Order, to which, I presume, the hon. Member is referring, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and representatives of the various branches of the fishing industry and fish trade, and hope shortly to be able to make a statement as to whether the existing Order will be modified.

asked the Prime Minister whether the arrangements for co-operation between the French and British armies in the events of war under the command of a French officer will include a provision such as governed the relations between the French and British armies at Salonika during the late War, that the commander of the subordinate army will have the right of appeal to his own government should be consider the orders he receives would compromise its safety?

No arrangements of the nature described by my hon. and gallant Friend have been made. The question therefore does not arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the recent bombing of a League of Nations hospital by Japanese aircraft?

I understand that during a Japanese air raid on Hankow on 29th April the Hankow branch of the League's English-speaking anti-epidemic unit was destroyed, and that two of the Chinese members of the unit were killed.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to propose to the Council of the League of Nations that such obstacles as may at present be held to impede the freedom of member States as regards recognition of Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia should be removed?

I can only refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on this subject yesterday, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement as to the position of British Jews owning property in Germany; and what steps have been taken to protect their interests?

A German decree of 26th April lays down that foreign nationals who are regarded under German law as Jews shall furnish the authorities with a notification and valuation of their property in Germany when that property exceeds 5,000 marks in value. My Noble Friend is in communication with the German Government on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether the International Convention concerning the use of broadcasting in the cause of peace, which was signed on 23rd September, 1936, has yet been ratified, and, if so, when, by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

The Soviet Government have not ratified this Convention.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the present position of any negotiations which have followed Mr. Cordell Hull's appeal for international action in the direction of absorbing the Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria?

The following is a list of the 26 countries which, according to the latest information available, have replied favourably to the United States Government's invitation:

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are made for refresher courses for officers on the Reserve; and whether he considers them adequate for maintaining the Reserve at a satisfactory standard of efficiency?

An officer on the Regular Army Reserve of Officers is liable to be called up in the event of a national emergency, but is not liable to undergo training in peace. There are no facilities at present for the voluntary attendance of such officers at instructional courses.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the subsidies which are paid on goods exported to this country from Germany, he has reviewed the rates of duty agreed upon in the schedule of the trade agreement of 13th April, 1933, Cmd. 4297; and, if not, whether he will take immediate steps to re-assess the value of that agreement to Great Britain?

The agreement referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend accords substantial benefits to the United Kingdom as well as to Germany. The working of the agreement is kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been drawn to the contracts for £4,200,000 worth of railway material placed by the Turkish Government with a German firm; whether inquiries will be made as to possibilities of similar orders coming, in the future, to British firms; and whether British firms were able to offer railway material at prices comparing favourably with those of the German firm, or whether credit and other similar facilities were granted by the German firm to an extent which was not found practicable under British exports credits arrangements?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The particular contract was dealt with by the Turkish Railways Administration which, I am informed, feels obliged to purchase in countries in which Turkey holds blocked balances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the questions of the reconditioning of house property considered as suitable by the local authority concerned, and of taking steps to introduce legislation for the granting of a subsidy for this purpose; and whether he has any statement to make in connection therewith?

As stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) on 5th April, my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any representations on this subject which local authorities may make during the forthcoming negotiations with regard to the revision of housing subsidies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, despite the serious shortage of water in the rural districts of Wiltshire during the year 1921 and again in 1936, and that, while many surrounding villages are already suffering this year from a shortage, the new Royal Air Force station at Hullavington, Chippenham, is being supplied with 30,000 gallons of water a day from the local supply; and what steps does he propose to take in this matter?

I am aware that the Calne and Chippenham Rural District Council are supplying this aerodrome. I understand from the responsible local authorities that there are no special difficulties at present in the surrounding villages, but I am arranging for an inspector to visit the area.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Westerham Council have been negotiating for the purchase of land for the proposed Wester-ham Recreation Ground but would not accept the owner's price; if he will state the area and present rateable value of the land in question; and whether, as the result of steps taken by the Kent County Council, the land will now be acquired and at what price?

Yes, Sir. The area is nearly 12 acres and the land, being agricultural, is derated. I am informed that the Westerham Parish Council are considering an offer of an alternative site, and that it is not possible to say whether the land will be acquired, or at what price it can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Health what is the area of the land being acquired by the Godstone Rural District Council, Surrey, for its housing scheme at Blindley Heath; and what is its price and previous rateable value, and who is the vendor?

No application for sanction to a loan has yet been submitted but I will make inquiries and let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Health what was the price paid for each of the three areas of land, namely, 17½ acres, 2½acres, and 3½ acres, recently acquired by the Fleetwood Corporation from the Fleetwood Estate Company for purposes of promenade extensions, gardens, and open spaces; and what was the rateable value previous to purchase?

I am informed that this land has not yet been acquired by the corporation. The land is agricultural and therefore derated.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a Birmingham mental home in which two drunken attendants were fined for attacking and beating an inmate while a third stood by and encouraged them; and whether he will call for a report on the conduct of that institution?

Yes, Sir, the prosecution in this case was instituted at the instance of the Board of Control, the persons in question having previously been instantly dismissed. I have had before me a report made by two Commissioners of the Board who inspected the institution on 23rd and 24th March. They reported favourably upon its administration and upon the care and treatment of the patients.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the total number of deaths from diphtheria in England and Wales between the ages of 0–15 for each of the years 1933 to 1936, and the death rate per thousand children living between those ages?

The following is the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend:

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has now been reached with regard to the desirability of curtailing the continued increase in local expenditure; and whether he will set up a committee to review the whole question?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Lyons).

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the possible difficulty of visiting spas in Central Europe, he will consider the possibility of popularising the advantages of Welsh health resorts which are equally efficacious?

The opportunity has already been taken in the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department for the year 1935, to draw attention to the excellent work of British Spa Hospitals and to the value of British Spas. I am sending my hon. Friend an extract from this report. I may add that the British Spas Federation, working in co-operation with the Travel and Industrial Development Association of Great Britain and Ireland which has been approved by me under the Local Authorities (Publicity) Act, 1931, is making every effort to popularise British Spas at home and abroad, and information regarding British Spas and pleasure resorts is available at the Information Bureau recently opened by the association in London.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is within the discretion of the local authority financially to assist persons dispossessed under a slum clearance scheme, or any others whose economic conditions warrant it, by accommodating the rental of the council-owned houses to the economic conditions of such dispossessed persons or others?

Yes, Sir. Local authorities have power to grant rent rebates to their tenants in suitable cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is customary for him to advise or require the local authority to see that no tenants dispossessed under a slum clearance order are thereby reduced to seek accommodation in a Poor Law institution?

I have had no occasion to take such action, but I should be glad to inquire into any cases which my hon. Friend may wish to bring to my notice.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of children who are, under the Legitimacy Act, 1926, legitimated by the subsequent marriage of the parents, the altered birth certificate of such children is so worded as to indicate that they were originally illegitimate; and, if so, will he arrange for a new form of birth certificate to avoid placing any stigma upon the child in question?

No, Sir. The birth of a legitimated child is re-registered in the form appropriate to the registration of a child who was originally legitimate, and contains no indication of previous illegitimacy.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can state the date when orders were first placed for the following types of military aeroplanes: Vickers Wellington 200 plus, Vickers Wellesley 200 plus, and Hawker Hurricane 340 plus; how many of these aeroplanes, respectively, were delivered by the end of 1937; and how many have been delivered to date?

The answer to the first part of the question is that orders were first placed for the Vickers Wellington on 15th August, 1936, for the Vickers Wellesley on 10th September, 1935, and for the Hawker Hurricane on 3rd June, 1936. It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the second and last parts of the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any steps to remedy the unfair incidence of the cost of air-raid precautions, in view of the fact that the expense to be borne will vary according to the number of persons employed and the extent of the premises occupied, and will accordingly be a heavy charge on productive enterprises employing large numbers of persons and making small profits when compared with banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions employing small numbers and making large profits?

The Government have not in contemplation any grant to industry in respect of precautions which all good employers are expected to take. Employers whose expenditure is heavy in this. respect will, of course, benefit from the Income Tax concessions announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18th March with regard to expenditure on air-raid precautions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider adding to the number of existing anti-gas schools in order to provide additional qualified instructors to train the growing number of air-raid precautions volunteers?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 27th April to a question by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson).

asked the Home Secretary when the Government intends to introduce a Workmen's Compensation Bill in keeping with the proposals of the Trade Union Congress?

I am afraid I cannot add anything at present to recent answers on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the meeting held at Stoke Newington Town Hall, on 27th April, by the Labour party, at which the police had to turn out 50 men and women Fascists?

On 27th April a meeting was held in the Stoke Newington Town Hall under the auspices of the Stoke Newington Labour party. At about 9.20 p.m., police officers stationed outside the hall were asked by the chairman of the meeting to go inside as about 30 people among the audience were creating a disturbance by singing and shouting Fascist slogans. A sergeant and two constables entered the building and on their appearance inside the interrupters left the hall and dispersed without incident. The meeting then continued in an orderly manner and ended at about 11 p.m.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that retail traders' associations and meetings of shop assistants are protesting at the agitation against the administration of the Sunday Trading (Restrictions) Act by wholesale firms whose members enjoy Sunday rest; and what action, if any, he intends taking?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 7th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to state when he will introduce legislation to cover young persons employed in unregulated occupations?

I hope to arrange for the introduction of this legislation before or immediately after the Whitsuntide Recess.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, arising under orders issued by his Department in declaring Upper Street, Islington, a banned area, responsible local organisations are unable to obtain information from the police authorities as to the legality or otherwise of poster parades by one or more persons, slogan-shouting by one or more persons, door-to-door canvassing by groups of persons, public meetings, outdoor and indoor, collections and literature selling, and the use of mobile loudspeakers in a banned area; and whether he will inform the House on these matters?

I have seen the correspondence to which the hon. Member refers. Whether the various methods of demonstration which he mentions would contravene either the Order prohibiting in a specified area all processions of a political character, or other legal provisions relating to the preservation of order in the streets, is a question which can only be determined by reference to all the facts and circumstances of a particular case; and neither the police nor I are able to give any general assurance in advance that a particular method of demonstration would in no circumstances involve contravention of the law; but, as indicated in the correspondence, if the police are given beforehand particulars about any proposed demonstration, they will do their best to assist the promoters by advising them as to the relevant provisions of the law.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the recent rise in the cost of living, there is any prospect for a reconsideration of the rates of pension of officers of the Indian Army, which were consolidated in August, 1934?

I would refer to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Paddington South (Vice-Admiral Taylor) on 22nd November last. As I then stated, any question of departing from the consolidation of pensions, both civil and military, which took place in 1935 would raise larger issues than concern the Indian Army alone.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether under the treaty with Eire any arrangement has been made whereby the personnel of the British Navy shall be called in to assist the Government of Eire in their effort to defend the Irish coasts?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, arising out of the Igbosere road expropriation scheme in Lagos, the provision as to costs in Section 19 of the Local Lands Acquisition Ordinance can be made as generous as those in Section 34 of the Lands Clauses Act, 1845; and, in view of the fact that the whole area is in a built-up urban plot of land and it is difficult for 52 houses to prove their titles within a limited period, whether he will see that no land is taken without compensation?

The Nigerian Law follows the ordinary Colonial practice, and I regret that I see no sufficient reason for altering it. With regard to the second part of the question, the Public Lands Acquisition Ordinance provides for the payment of compensation, and compensation will, of course, be paid in all proper cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decisions have been taken as to the com- parative rates of pay of Africans of higher educational qualifications in the Civil Service of Nigeria?

Certain proposals made by the Governor of Nigeria are to be put into effect provisionally, pending a comprehensive review of conditions of service as a whole for locally recruited officers in West Africa.A Sessional Paper giving detailed information on the subject has been laid before the Legislative Council, and I will see that a copy, when available, is placed in the Library of the House.