asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the estimated cost of customs and excise supervision over the production of power alcohol in this country when the present rebate of 8¾d. per absolute gallon was granted; and what is the estimated cost to-day?

Records are not available to show what was the estimated cost in 1921, when the allowance of 5d. per proof gallon was enacted. An estimate of the cost to-day could only be made after prolonged enquiry.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been reconditioned under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act during the past two years; in which counties the local authorities have made most use of this Act; and whether, to bring some of these cottages to a higher standard, it is necessary to await the passage of present legislative proposals?

During the two years ended 31st December, 1937, 4,211 houses were reconditioned in England and Wales under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act: the counties in which most use has been made of the Act since 1926 are Devon, East Suffolk, Essex and Salop: there is no reason to defer proposals for recon- ditioning pending the passage of the Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health whether his latest statistics show any increase in the granting of dental benefit by approved societies; how many such societies do give such benefit; and how many do not?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In Great Britain 5,400 approved societies and branches, with a membership of 13,070,000, have included the benefit in their current additional benefit schemes; 350 societies and branches, with a membership of 1,730,000, have additional benefit schemes which do not include dental benefit, while 1,150 societies and branches, with 1,960,000 members, have no disposable surplus from which additional benefits may be provided.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the resolution, unanimously passed at the quarterly

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I gave to him on 29th April last in regard to a Resolution in identical terms passed by another branch of the Co-operative Society in Greenock.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he will give figures showing the number of pairs of shoes imported into the United Kingdom from Canada and imported into Canada from the United Kingdom in the years 1931, 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively?

The following table shows the quantity of boots and shoes (a) imported into the United Kingdom and consigned from Canada, and (b) imported into Canada and consigned from the United Kingdom during the under-mentioned years, distinguishing shoes so far as separately recorded.

asked the Home Secretary how many permits have, within the last six months, been granted to Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria wishing to visit this Country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 28th April to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker).

asked the Home Secretary what action it is intended to take to implement the Report of the committee which investigated the question of corporal punishment?

I regret I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.