asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the losses sustained this year in comparison with last year in both sheep and wool by the farmers of Lincolnshire; and whether he proposes to take any action?

I am aware that prices of sheep and wool in Lincolnshire are lower than a year ago. As regards the second part of the question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 9th May to my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Buckrose (Major Braithwaite) and for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte), and to my remarks during the Debate on the Motion for the Adjournment on 11th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has completed his inquiries into the administration of the Land Drainage Act, 1931, and when the introduction of the promised amending legislation of its financial provisions may be expected?

No, Sir. I am at present awaiting the views of the associations representing the Catchment Boards and other drainage authorities and I shall also, at a later stage, have to consult other local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that some of the lime sold under the land fertility scheme has been of low quality; and what steps are taken to ensure that supplies are of correct weight and analysis before distribution?

I am informed by the Land Fertility Committee that certain cases of lime of unsatisfactory quality being sold under the scheme have been brought to their notice, and that these are being investigated. As regards the latter part of the question, it is open to the farmer to take steps to ensure that he is supplied with lime of the correct weight and grade, and the Land Fertility Committee are drawing the attention of farmers individually to the provisions of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926, which enable them to have samples taken and analysed. In addition, the committee have arranged for approved producers of lime under the scheme to be visited periodically and for the quality and grade of their products to be investigated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the serious position of many branches of the fruit trade in this country owing to the drought and the cold weather in April; and whether he can make any statement as to the position of the fruit growers thus affected?

I am aware that weather conditions during April were unfavourable to fruit growers, and that crops were damaged in several areas, but it is too early to determine accurately the extent of this damage or the loss to growers which may ultimately accrue.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will publish at a reasonable cost, through the Stationery Office, a summary of the Returns that are received by his Department from those local authorities to whom powers under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act of 1919 have been delegated, so that the proved effective methods of destruction can be made known to the public and greater efficiency exercised in the elimination of these pests?

The literature issued by my Department for the assistance of Local Authorities and others gives full information as to proved effective methods of rat destruction. This literature includes a comprehensive illustrated Bulletin entitled "Rats and How to Exterminate Them," an Advisory Leaflet entitled "The Destruction of Rats and Mice," a pamphlet containing some simple suggestions for rat destruction and references to poisons and appliances suitable for the purpose, and a Memorandum on the use of red squill poison baits. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of these publications. In the circumstances, I do not think it necessary to adopt the suggestion contained in the first part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions, who are not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme, received general practitioner treatment in respect of their pensionable disabilities at the cost of the Ministry of Pensions during each of the 12 months ended 31st March, 1936, 1937, and 1938?

The total numbers of "Other Ranks" who, not being covered by the National Health Insurance Acts, received general practitioner treatment at the expense of the Ministry of Pensions in respect of their pensionable disabilities, were as follow:

Year ending 31st March:
1936	…	…	…	750
1937	…	…	…	769
1938	…	…	…	781

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions surrendered their pension order books to chief area officers, in accordance with the instruction contained in that book, consequent upon their becoming eligible for the payment of treatment allowances, and what proportion does this number represent of the total of disability pensioners who received treatment at the hands of the Ministry during each of the 12 months ended 31st March, 1936, 1937, and 1938?

The numbers of ex-service men receiving in-patient treatment in 1936, 1937, 1938, were respectively 8,635, 8,045 and 7,888. All recipients of pension admitted to in-patient treatment by this Ministry are required to hand their order books to the Chief Area Officer and in return the appropriate allowances are granted. As regards out-patient and home treatment provided, the numbers of pensioners who surrendered their books are not recorded.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions returned their pension order book to the pension issue office, in accordance with the instruction contained in that book, consequent upon their admission to a mental hospital, public assistance hospital, Poor Law hospital, workhouse, poorhouse, county home, or other Poor Law institution, during each of the 12 months ended 31st March, 1936, 1937 and 1938?

No record is maintained of these cases which would enable the information required to be furnished.

asked the Minister of Health how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions, who are not covered by the national health insurance scheme and whose total income does not exceed £160 per year, are availing themselves of the privilege of free medical treatment as non-insured persons; and how many applications have been received for this privilege during recent periods for which figures are available?

The number of uninsured war pensioners entitled to medical benefit at 31st December, 1937, was 10,883. One thousand and fifty men were admitted to title to the benefit in the year 1936 and 86o in the year 1937.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed in the county of Denbigh on the last available figures; and what was the corresponding figure a year ago?

At 4th April, 1938, there were 7,127 unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the county of Denbigh; the figure for 19th April, 1937, was 7,133.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons in receipt of unemployment assistance at Castleford, Normanton, and Pontefract at the latest available date, and the comparable figures for 1937 and 1936?

The following table shows the numbers of payments of unemployment assistance allowances (exclusive of payments in supplementation of insurance benefit) made at the Castle-ford, Normanton, and Pontefract Employment Exchanges during one week at the end of April in each of the years 1938, 1937 and 1936:

Week ended.		Castle-ford.	Normanton.	Pontefract.
29th April, 1938	…	1,551	371	432
30th April, 1937	…	1,912	475	1,241
1st May, 1936	…	2,320	572	1,224

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that employers and premium insurance companies are in some cases using undue influence to force incapacitated persons in receipt of full workmen's compensation to declare themselves fit for light work, so that the amount of workmen's compensation may be thus reduced, and the liability which ought to fall on insurance companies may come ultimately on unemployment insurance funds; and whether he will take steps to avoid the funds of the unemployment insurance scheme being thus exploited?

I was not aware of this practice. I should be grateful if the hon. Member would send me any details he may have.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has taken any steps to provide the children of the South Wales distressed areas with an alternative school camp, in lieu of the Pembrey camp taken over by the Government in connection with rearmament work?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I have already given on this subject, and in particular to those on the 2nd May and 14th April.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total capital of the North-Eastern Housing Association, Limited; the total amount in housing subsidies paid to the company by the Treasury; the total amount of interest paid by the company on borrowed capital; the total number of houses built to date by the company; and the total sum received in rents from tenants of houses built by the company?

The North-Eastern Housing Association, Limited, was formed at the instance of the Commissioner for the Special Areas as a means of assisting local authorities, without expense to the rates, to provide the houses necessary to deal with the slum clearance and overcrowding problems in their areas. It is a company not having a share capital, and is financed by means of loans from the Public Works Loan Board and loans and grants from the Special Areas Fund. Under the normal arrangements laid down in the Housing Acts for houses built by Housing Associations on behalf of local authorities, the local authority undertakes to pass on to the Housing Association a sum not less than the statutory housing subsidy for each house so erected which the local authority receives from the Exchequer. The rents of the houses are fixed by the Housing Association in consultation with the local authority concerned, having regard to rents of similar accommodation in the area of the local authority. In so far as these rents together with the housing subsidy are insufficient to meet the loan charges, management expenses, etc., grants are made from the Special Areas Fund to meet the deficiency provided that these grants shall not in the aggregate exceed the capitalised equivalent of the rate contribution which the local authority would have had to provide if they had built the houses themselves. In contradistinction to Exchequer subsidies which, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, are paid annually over a period of 40 years, the grant from the Special Areas Fund is a capital grant paid to the Housing Association as soon as the houses are completed.The details of the information required by the hon. Member are:

Period ended 4th May, 1938.
Share Capital	Nil.
Exchequer subsidies handed over to the Housing Association by Local Authorities	£9,423
Interest paid by the Housing Association to the Public Works Loan Board	£23,509
Total number of houses built	2,839
Total amount of rents received from tenants (exclusive of rates)	£15,189

The Association, which is, I understand, erecting houses in the hon. Member's own constituency, is prepared to supply him with any further information which he may require.

asked the Minister of Health whether there is any regulation by which control and inspection of food offered for sale in a room of a dwelling-house can be carried out in the same way as perishable foodstuffs are supervised in shops?

Food offered for sale in a room of a dwelling-house is subject to the same public health control as that sold in shops. It may be inspected and condemned if unsound or unwholesome, and it may be sampled for analysis.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what so far has been the cost to the Government and the local authorities of the national fitness campaign; how much has been spent on its publicity in the Press and elsewhere; and what has been the cost of the purchase of recreation grounds?

The total expenditure in connection with the national fitness campaign in England and Wales chargeable to the vote of the Board of Education up to 11th May, 1938, is £59,140. Of this amount £14,517 is in respect of publicity. Expenditure has also been incurred by the Stationery Office in respect of printing and stationery and by the Office of Works for office accommodation and equipment.Information as to the expenditure of local authorities in connection with the campaign is not available. Grants in aid of the provision, lay-out and equipment of playing fields and recreation grounds are made through the National Playing Fields Association. For this purpose a sum of 150,000 has already been allocated and the allocation of a further sum is now under consideration. My hon. Friend will realise that grants which have already been paid form a very small proportion compared with those which have been recommended and approved.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider suggesting to the British Broadcasting Corporation the entire elimination of all reports of political speeches and demonstrations from Sunday broadcasting, on the ground that no party should make political capital out of Sunday secular activities?

The compilation of broadcast news bulletins is a matter of day-to-day management, and such matters have, with the approval of this House, been left within the responsibility of the governors of the corporation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the practice of business transfer agencies advertising businesses with sub-post offices attached; and, in view of the abuses arising therefrom, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware that this practice exists, but I am advised that no action can be taken, unless the advertisement appears in terms which solicit some consideration in respect of the Post Office appointment. Prospective candidates are warned that it is illegal to pay any sum as a consideration for the post office being on the premises, and that should any such payment be made, the candidate may lose his chance of being appointed as sub-postmaster, and both parties render themselves liable to legal proceedings.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India on what grounds the Government of India have cancelled the presidency town's compensatory allowances to Civil servants and others who have hitherto received these payments; and what reply has been given to the strong protests made against this decision?

I understand that the Government of India have withdrawn these allowances from officers of their central departments serving in Bombay and Calcutta on the ground that they are no longer compensatory but have become a source of profit. My Noble Friend is aware that protests have been made and is expecting to receive the views of the Government of India on such of these protests as have been made by officers who were appointed by the Secretary of State in Council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give information to the House concerning the conversations between the Governor-General and Mr. Gandhi and, in particular, if the questions of federation, release of political prisoners, and the appointment of civilian Governors were discussed; and whether it is now proposed to enter into negotiations with the Princes respecting possible amendments of the Government of India Act?

At the invitation of the Governor-General, Mr. Gandhi had an interview with Lord Linlithgow on r5th April. The meeting, as stated in the Press announcement, dealt with general topics. It was essentially of a private nature and I have nothing to add to the announcement. No question arises of a change in the work of preparation for Federation.

asked the Attorney-General whether he can state the costs of proceeding to judgment in default of appearance in the County Court and High Court, respectively, for sums under£20, for sums over £20 but under £40, and for sums over £40 but under £100; and whether, to enable orders for payment by instalments to be made by the court having knowledge of the defendant's circumstances and nearest the defendant's home,. he will introduce legislation giving exclusive jurisdiction in all actions under £200 to the County Court?

The following table shows the scale of costs for which the hon. Member asks in the County Court and High Court, respectively.

Judgment for a sum	Costs in County Court.	Costs in High Court.
Under £20	From £2 6s. 5d. to £2 19s. 11d.	No costs, except by special order.
Over £20 but under 40.	From £4 7s. 9d. to £4 19s. 9d.	£5 18s. 6d. or in country cases £6 14s. 6d.
Over £40 but under £100.	From £4 19s. 9d. to £6 6s. 10d.	Generally indorsed writs £5 18s. 6d. or in country cases £6 14s. 6d. Specially indorsed writs £6 19s. 6d. or in country cases £7 15s. 6d.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any decision has yet been reached as to when, and at whose expense, High Street, Romford, is to be widened?

I have served notice on the Essex County Council of my intention to make an Order under Section 1 (3) of the Trunk Roads Act whereby the Eastern Avenue from High Road, Leyton, to Gallows Corner would become a trunk road in substitution for the existing section of the London-Great Yarmouth trunk road from the East Ham County Borough boundary to Gallows Corner, including that section of trunk road at Romford High Street. At the same time I have indicated to the council my willingness to undertake as soon as possible the improvement of High Street, Romford, if they are prepared to make a suitable contribution under Section 6 (8) of the Act.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when it is proposed to proceed with further experimental trans-Atlantic flights in connection with the forthcoming regular mail service; and what is the latest information with regard to the Inception of this service?

It is proposed to resume the experimental flights over the North Atlantic in July but it is not yet possible to give any date for the Inception of a regular mail service.

asked the Home Secretary whether the police in any county are being equipped with aeroplanes to keep a watch on unauthorised civil machines from abroad?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such case.

asked the Home Secretary what proportion of the principal factories in this country have been fitted up to date with wireless broadcasting sound-amplifying equipment; and whether, in view of the increased productivity which has followed the introduction of such equipment in some factories, he will take steps to investigate the whole subject?

I am afraid that no statistics on the first point are available. As regards the second, the matter has already been the subject of inquiry by the Industrial Health Research Board, and I would refer my hon. Friend to pages 31 and 73 of their recent report on Fatigue and Boredom in Repetitive Work, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health whether vendors on cycles selling ice cream are required to take out hawkers' licences?

I have been asked to reply. I am advised that the answer is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of private motor cars used by the police of the United Kingdom for road patrol work and the mileage covered, together with the cost, for the years 1935, 1936 and 1937, respectively?

For the years 1935 and 1936 respectively the numbers of motor patrol vehicles (including cars, cycle-combinations and cycles) were 977 and 1,028, the mileages covered were 21,488,961 and 23,744,044, and the Road Fund mileage grants paid were £148,880 and £166,240. Approximately 65 per cent. of the vehicles were cars. Similar information for 1937 is not yet available.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as the Japanese Government has declined to recognise the Chinese internal loans, which are secured on the Customs and as there are a large number of British shareholders of such loans, he will state what action he proposes to take to protect their interests?

As far as I am aware there has not been up to the present any default on the service of these loans.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the formal representations containing detailed information presented by the Chinese representative at Geneva to the Secretary of the Council stating that the Japanese are preparing to use gas in China; and whether he will represent to the Japanese Government the serious injury that would be done to Japanese prestige throughout the world by such action?

Yes, Sir. I have seen these representations. The Council of the League adopted a resolution on 14th May expressing the reprobation of Member States of such action and His Majesty's Government consider that their support of this resolution should be sufficient to make clear their views on this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give figures showing the numbers of pairs of shoes imported into New Zealand from the United Kingdom in the years 1931, 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively, together with their landed value?

Imports of shoes are not separately recorded in the trade returns of New Zealand, but the following statement shows the quantity and value of footwear of United Kingdom origin imported into New Zealand in each of the years specified:

Year.		Quantity.	Value (a).
		Dozen pairs.	£ sterling.
1931	…	93.522	306,514
1935	…	64,701	203,689 (b)
1936	…	69,669	221,975 (b)
1937	…	Not yet available	339,278 (b)
(a) In the New Zealand trade returns, imports are valued on the basis of prices in the exporting country plus 10 per cent. to cover freight, etc.
(b) Values for these years have been converted from New Zealand currency.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether steps are being considered to reform the patent system in this country, either in the direction of compulsory dedication of scientific discoveries to the public, or otherwise, so as to ensure to the public the benefits of discoveries made in scientific laboratories and to prevent the undesirable exploitation, inter alia, of patent drugs?

Section 38A of the Patents and Designs Acts, 1907 to 1932, already contains special provisions designed to make medical patents more readily available to the public. Proposals for the amendment of the law by making compulsory the "dedication" of medical patents were fully considered by a Departmental Committee on the Patents and Designs Acts in 1931, who reported against any such amendment. The reasons for their conclusion are stated in paragraphs 185–201 of their report (Cmd. 3829), to which I would refer the hon. Member, and there appears to be no sufficient grounds for re-opening the question of amending the Patent Law in this respect.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the total expenditure on the Metropolitan police service for the year ended 31st March, 1913, and for the year ended 31st March, 1937, respectively?

The figures which the hon. Member asks for are, in round numbers, £2,700,000 and £8,700,000.