asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons in Greenock who were in receipt of old age pensions on 30th April, 1938, or last avail- able date, were also in receipt of public assistance; and what was the number at the corresponding date of the previous year?

The number of old age pensioners in Greenock who were in receipt of public assistance at 15th May, 1938, was 760. The number at the corresponding date of the previous year was 736.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to control the outbreak of typhoid fever at Hawick, in Roxburghshire; and whether the cause of the outbreak has yet been ascertained?

From the beginning of the outbreak the local public health authorities, in co-operation with the Department of Health for Scotland, and the local practitioners, have used every means of dealing with the outbreak, of preventing its spread, and of ascertaining its cause. Ample hospital accommodation for typhoid patients has been secured by bringing into use two buildings not normally utilised for cases of infectious disease. The necessary bacteriological work involved in such an outbreak has been carried out, first in the bacteriological department of Edinburgh University, and later in a special laboratory established in Hawick.As a measure of precaution the local water supply is being chlorinated, though it has been established that the water supply was not the vehicle of infection. Inhabitants of Hawick have also been advised to boil all milk and water All contacts have been forbidden to handle foodstuffs. The lending library and the public swimming pool have been closed, and for a short time the public baths were also closed. In the course of the examination into the cause of the infection, exhaustive tests of the milk supply and of the source and distribution of all foods in common use were made, and all employ▿s engaged in production and distribution were where necessary subjected to special tests. As a result, the cause of the outbreak has been narrowed down to certain foodstuffs and it is believed that most, if not all, of the sources of infection have been cut off.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now a position to make any statement with regard to the action it is proposed to take with regard to the Cotton Industry (Enabling) Bill?

No, Sir; but I hope to be able to communicate to the Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations in a few days' time the result of the Government's consideration of their proposals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the proportion of Opel cars imported into Great Britain during the first three months of 1938 as compared with the production of British cars of similar horse power during the same period, with the comparative figures for the first three months of 1937?

STATUTORY GAS UNDERTAKINGS.
Companies.
Year.		Total Capital (Share and Stock paid up).	Total Loan Capital (including debenture stock) issued.	Revenue Account.
				Receipts.	Expenditure.	Profit.
		£	£	£	£	£
1934	…	95,304,807	39,970.536	44,298,829	37,013,510	7,285,319
1935	…	96,221,711	43,877,559	45,029,940	37,508,247	7,521,693
1936	…	97,878,916	45,670,301	47,601,326	39,963,528	7,637,798

Local Authorities.*
Year.		Total amount of money borrowed.	Total amount of loans repaid and balance in Sinking Fund.	Revenue Account.			Interest paid on loans, amount of loans repaid and amount placed to Sinking Fund.	Net Profit.
				Receipts.	Expenditure.	Gross Profit.
		£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1934–35	…	79,421,964	51,800,112	21,014,933	17,067,905	3,947,028	3,298,838	648,190
I935–36.	…	80,558,245	53,747,376	21,607,015	17,579,561	4,027,454	3,228,676	798,778
I936–37.	…	82,300,351	56,080,953†	22,165,171	18,379,015	3,786,156	3,108,759	677,397
* The financial year of the Local Authorities Undertakings runs from 1st April to 31st March.
†Corrected figure.

As I explained in a reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry) on Tuesday last, the trade returns of the United Kingdom do not distinguish the horse power of motor cars imported. I regret therefore that I cannot make the desired comparison with the production of British motor cars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what value is placed on the Opel motor car for import duty purposes?

It would be contrary to Revenue practice to disclose information showing the payments made by an individual taxpayer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the profits of gas undertakings for the year 1934 and up to the latest available year?

The information asked for is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is proposing to institute an inquiry into the disappearance of the "Anglo-Australian" steamship; and, if so, can he give the name of the chairman?

Yes, Sir. A public formal investigation into the circumstances attending the disappearance of the steamship "Anglo-Australian" has been ordered, and Mr. Kenneth S. Carpmael, K.C., has been appointed as Wreck Commissioner to preside over the inquiry. The inquiry will be opened as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the prosecution by the London County Council of Mrs. Linda Davis, of Amersham Vale, for selling newly-baked rolls of bread after 8 p.m.; whether he will inquire as to the cost to the ratepayers of this abortive prosecution; and whether he will promote legislation which will prevent such actions in future?

I have seen reports of the judgment in the case referred to, the cost of which to the ratepayers, I am informed, is estimated at £50 As regards the second part of the question the point will be noted for consideration when any amending legislation is being undertaken.

asked the Home Secretary who decides to make an arrest when it is alleged that a journalist has committed an offence against the Official Secrets Act and who is the authority who decides that the secret in question is official?

A prosecution for an offence against the Official Secrets Acts cannot be instituted in England and Wales except by or with the consent of the Attorney-General. When such a prosecution is instituted, it is for the Court to decide whether such information as has been improperly obtained or disclosed is information of the kind covered by the Acts. If the circumstances are such as to make it necessary to arrest rather than to summon a suspect and there is no time for prior consultation with the Attorney-General, the police officer who makes the arrest must forthwith charge the suspect before a Court. The Court may then if it thinks fit remand the accused, but no further proceedings can be taken until the consent of the Attorney-General is obtained.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of volunteers needed for air-raid precautions in each Metropolitan borough, and the latest available information as to the numbers actually enrolled?

On the basis of the calculations adopted for this year, nearly I00,000 volunteers will be wanted for the borough Air-Raid Precautions Services in London. Complete information as to the numbers enrolled, trained, or under training, in each borough is not at present available, but as the House has been informed, my right hon. Friend has arranged that regular returns, beginning next month, shall be obtained in respect of all scheme-making authorities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of their provision as part of the national scheme of air-raid defence, it is now the intention of the Government to introduce legislation exempting air-raid shelters from additional rating?

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deal with this matter in the Debate later this afternoon.

asked the Home Secretary what balance of the million recruits required for air-raid precautions services remains to be found before the summer holidays?

My right hon. Friend is about to obtain from local authorities particulars of the personnel they have recruited and trained up to the end of the current month, and if my hon. Friend will repeat his question in three weeks' time I hope to be able to give him an answer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Elsie Hesse, a German Jewess, was convicted of attempting to avoid payment of customs duties at Croydon Airport; and whether he has made a Deportation Order in this case?

Yes, Sir. I have received a report of the case. Mrs. Hesse is the wife of a German manufacturer who has permission to remain in this country for the purpose of his business; the Court made no recommendation for the deportation of Mrs. Hesse and I do not consider that it is a case in which I should be justified in making a Deportation Order which would involve the separation of a wife from her husband.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to announce the chairman of the new advisory committee to be set up under the terms of the Cinematograph Act, 1909; and when ho will be in a position to state the names of the members of that committee?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for West Willesden (Mr. Viant) on 5th May.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the representations of the County Councils' Association urging amending legislation to the Cinematograph Act, 1909, to secure statutory recognition of the present practice prevailing among licensing authorities in respect of the granting of licences for new cinemas before they are built; and what action he proposes to take in view thereof?

The matter has been noted for consideration in the event of legislation to amend the Cinematograph Act. 1909, but I cannot at present make any promise of the early introduction of such legislation.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the Returns relating to crime, it is possible to indicate in the case of non-indictable offences the age groups of persons charged rather than whether the offender is under or over 17 years of age?

I do not think it would be practicable to include in the statistics the information asked for in respect of all non-indictable offences, but information is being collected and will be published as to the age groups of persons under 21 convicted of certain non-indictable offences.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of petitions addressed to him by convicts undergoing sentences in Maidstone, Dartmoor, Parkhurst and Chelmsford prisons during the year 1937, and the number in which the convict's petition was granted in its entirety and in part, respectively?

During the year 1937 the number of petitions received from convicts undergoing sentences in these prisons was 131, 304, 467 and 54, respectively.These petitions are of a varied character. Many of them relate to matters which are outside the province of the Home Secretary or contain requests which he has no power to grant. Many of them contain representations (sometimes unaccompanied by any specific request) about the proceedings of the courts, about the nature or length of the sentences, about the prison system, about the conduct of other prisoners, about the conduct of prison officials, about the decisions of the boards of visitors. Each of these petitions is examined with a view both to further inquiries about any point which requires investigation and to any other action which may be appropriate. Sometimes the appropriate action is to give the prisoner some information or explanation, e.g., an explanation as to how the length of his sentence is calculated. It would be impracticable to analyse the miscellaneous contents of these documents in such a way as to produce the information asked for in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain approved societies refuse to exercise the power given to them by Section 55 (2) (b) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1936, of paying benefits to a local authority which is maintaining an insured person in a hospital or institution when the insured person has no dependants; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have no information to the effect that any societies fail to exercise due discretion in this matter. Their attention was specially drawn to their duty to exercise such discretion in a circular which was issued last year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the amounts paid in Poor Law relief in the city of Cardiff for the year 1931 and the last year for which he has information, respectively?

The total amount expended during the year ended December, 1931, was £105,748. The corresponding figure for the year ended December, 1937, was £166,736.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that young children are detained at the mental hospital, Carmarthen; and will he urge on the board of control the necessity to issue the suitable certificate as soon as possible; so that children may be removed to Pantglas at the earliest possible moment?

The West Wales Joint Board on l0th May applied for an amendment of the certificate to authorise the reception of patients under the age of seven into the Pantglas Certified Institution, but the Board of Control are in communication with them upon the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the deputy town clerk of the New Mills Urban District Council has informed the Stockport and District Master Butchers' Association that, although the council are aware that 76 sheep and lambs were slaughtered on a farm in the council's area in a period of 12 months, they are unable to take any action in the direction of requiring that such slaughter shall take place only in a registered or licensed slaughter-house; and whether he will take steps, either by the issue of new regulations or by an amendment of the law, to prevent the slaughter of animals taking place in future under such conditions?

A place may not be used for the slaughter of animals for human consumption unless it is registered or licensed, but I am advised that this must be construed as referring to some regular user. I will make inquiries with regard to the particular case referred to by my hon. Friend and communicate with him later.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increasing burden of rates, particularly on small property owners of very limited incomes, an investigation can be made with a view to fixing some limit beyond which local rates cannot be increased?

As my hon. Friend is aware, I am already arranging for an investigation into certain allegations of hardships in the present law of assessments. Beyond that I fear it is not possible for me to go.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the circumstances in which Dr. P. G. Sawmy, who was for 10 years assistant medical superintendent of the Whiston Institute, Lancashire, has been dismissed?

The action taken by the county council has been brought to my notice, but the matter is one within their sole discretion and not one in which I have any power to intervene or on which I could usefully offer any expression of opinion.

asked the Minister of Health whether his inspectors have reported any diminution in the number and extent of burning pit-heaps; and what steps his Department have taken with colliery owners to deal with them?

My Chief Alkali Inspector has reported some improvement in the pit-heads visited last year and details are given in his annual report shortly to be published. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his earlier question to-day.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of old age pensioners in England and Wales receiving assistance from the local authorities for the years 1936 and 1937 and the first quarter of 1938?

The returns made to my Department show the numbers on 1st January in each year. These were 202,438, 214,901 and 230,652 on the 1st January in the years 1936, 1937 and 1938, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that officers of the agricultural and rural workers' health insurance section of the Prudential approved society are elected from among the clerical staff employed by that organisation; and will he take steps to see that agricultural and rural workers membership of that society have a voice in its government in future?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Although the society in question was set up primarily for agricultural and rural workers, the committee of management are entitled under the rules to admit to membership insured persons engaged in other occupations. All members of the society are entitled to be present at the general meetings at which the officers are elected, but I understand that agricultural and rural worker members do not avail themselves to any great extent of this opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health which six of the counties or county boroughs have the highest and which six have the lowest public assistance rates, calculated as pence in the £ for the current year?

The six administrative counties or county boroughs in England and Wales which, in 1938–39, have the highest estimated requirements for public assistance, expressed as a rate in the £, are:

• ^*Merthyr Tydfil County Borough.
• Glamorgan Administrative County.
• Monmouth Administrative County.
• ^*West Ham County Borough.
• Gateshead County Borough.
• Sunderland County Borough.

The six administrative counties and county boroughs in England and Wales which, in 1938–39, have the lowest estimated requirements for public assistance, expressed as a rate in the £ are:

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain planning authorities are including in their planning schemes provisions with respect to agricultural zones under which the erection and use of all buildings other than purely agricultural buildings would be prohibited altogether except with the consent of the planning authority, and this without payment or compensation in respect of such prohibition; under what authority such provisions are included in such schemes; and whether (in order to avoid the expense which would otherwise be involved to many owners of land in objecting to schemes containing such provisions) he will inform authorities that he will not confirm schemes including such provisions?

I am aware that some planning authorities propose to include in their schemes provisions intended to save land for agricultural uses and to preserve the amenities of the countryside. These objects are, in my opinion, within the scope of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, and Section 19 of that Act authorises the exclusion of compensation in respect of zoning provisions, provided that I am satisfied that the provisions are reasonable. Every scheme submitted to me will be carefully considered from that point of view; but until I have had an opportunity of considering the views of all parties upon a scheme, I could not, I think, properly act as suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of acres of land acquired by local authorities under the various Housing Acts for the five years ended at the last convenient date; and the approximate total capital cost thereof?

The figures for the five years ended the 3rst March last for local authorities in England and Wales outside London are 35,000 acres acquired at a cost of £8,000,000. I have not the information for London.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the hardships inflicted on some people by the Slum Clearance Act, hardships which are particularly numerous in Ipswich where the original owners have in many cases sold their property to working-class people often through building societies; whether he would be prepared in cases where the owners of slum property are poor people, who are owner-occupiers or dependent for their whole livelihood on the income derived therefore, to allow local authorities to make ex-gratia payments by way of compensation on grounds of hardship over and above the legal site value?

The basis on which payment should be made by local authorities acquiring houses unfit for human habitation under the slum clearance procedure was decided many years ago and Parliament has since frequently debated and confirmed the decision, that the proper basis is site value only. I cannot, therefore, adopt the suggestion in the latter part of the question. Provision was, however, included in the Housing Act, 1935, to enable me to direct local authorities to make special payments to owner-occupiers and others in cases in which unfit houses have, notwithstanding their sanitary defects, been well maintained, and this power has been exercised in a considerable number of cases in Ipswich.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case of bankruptcy in which the bankrupt's statement of affairs shows a sum of £45,717 as owing for Income Tax and Surtax; that at the public examination it was stated that this sum had been owing since 1934; and why no steps were taken to recover the sum owing to the Exchequer in this case?

In the case to which the hon. Member refers, the taxpayer had' been assessed and had paid tax year by year, and the assessments accounting for the tax referred to in the question were additional assessments covering several past years that were recently made as a result of an inquiry into the adequacy of the original assessments. The liability under these assessments was not determined till November last, and proceedings by the Inland Revenue Department for recovery of the tax due thereunder were about to be instituted at the time when the Receiving Order was made at the instance of another creditor.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Defence Departments employ a smaller percentage of disabled and other ex-service men than any other Government Department; and whether there is any explanation for this?

I presume the hon. Member has in mind the figures given in the statement relating to the employment of ex-service men in Government Departments on the 1st April, 1937 (Command Paper No. 5536). These figures show that the percentages of disabled ex-service men of total staff were in the case of the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry 5.92, 10.61 and 12.50 respectively. So far as the two latter Departments are concerned, the percentage is not out of scale with that obtaining in many other Departments. The fact that a substantial proportion of the Admiralty staff belong to the shipbuilding, engineering and allied industries, members employed in which were during the War largely retained on work of national importance, chiefly accounts for the smaller proportion of disabled men employed under the Admiralty. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the normal percentage fixed for the purpose of the King's National Roll is 5 per cent.As regards ex-service, as distinct from disabled, men, similar considerations apply in the case of the Admiralty. In the case of the War Office and Air Ministry, there are appended to the main statement footnotes explaining that it does not include some 7,200 and 6,200 staff employed at the respective out-stations of the two Departments. If these staffs are included, the percentage of ex-service men of total staff is in the case of the War Office 59 per cent. and of the Air Ministry 53½. per cent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the reduction of 25 per cent. in the horse-power duty, which was accorded to private car owners, was not extended to commercial vehicles; and whether any consideration can now be given to this possible extension in view of the increased difficulty of commercial road transport following the recent increase in the tax on the fuel used?

The reasons which led the then Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce the horse-power tax on private cars in 1934 were fully explained by him in his Budget speech for that year, to which I would refer my hon. Friend. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer him to the answer given on 24th May by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bére).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the ordinary meaning of the word housekeeper means a woman managing the affairs of a household, Income Tax allowance may be made under Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1920, to an unmarried man who employs such a housekeeper?

If my hon. Friend will refer again to Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1920, he will see that the allowance for a housekeeper in that Section is limited to widowers and widows.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the interest taken at the present time in the question of the taxation of patent medicines, he will arrange for the Report of the Select Committee on Patent Medicines, published in 1914, to be reprinted, in order that Members of Parliament and the public may be fully informed on this subject before legislation on this matter is brought forward in next year's Finance Bill?

A copy of this Report, which was reprinted in 1936, is available to hon. Members in the Library, and a stock remains available through the Stationery Office.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Members requiring small quantities of House of Commons stationery are always furnished with bills from the Stationery Office for the amounts due and at which office the accounts have to be paid; and would he consider making arrangements whereby Members could pay cash on the spot?

Arrangements are being made to meet the wishes of hon. Members in this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give, for 1937, the numbers of men and women employed during the summer months in hotels and boarding houses at seaside resorts who, in the following winter, were in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit; and whether he can supply separate figures for England and Scotland?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make available for Members of this House a blank copy of the form on which was entered the statement referred to in his letter U.I. 7268/1938, of the 28th April, addressed to the hon. Member for South Shields, to the effect that an applicant to the Unemployment Assistance Board was a person who holds extremist views and not the type to be encouraged?

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to-day to oral questions on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that considerable numbers of employés in London and other firms have been dismissed and offered re-engagement under a new contract as a result of a recent case, involving an appeal which is yet to be heard, arising out of the Truck Act, 1831; and whether he will keep this matter under close observation, with a view to ensuring that neither the letter nor the spirit of the law, which requires that work-people shall be paid in coin, shall be infringed or evaded?

I am aware of this dispute. My Department is in touch with the parties and will take any steps that may be practicable to assist a settlement. In so far as the differences between the parties involve questions of law the matter does not fall within my jurisdiction.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total number of insured persons served by Cockfield (County Durham) Employment Exchange and the number signing on there as unemployed on or about 20th May, 1938?

At the July, 1937, exchange of unemployment books, approximately 1,900 books were exchanged by insured persons, aged 16–64 (exclusive of persons within the agricultural scheme), at the Cockfield Employment Exchange. The number of such persons recorded as unemployed at that exchange at 4th April, 1938, the latest date for which figures are available, was 523.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of insured persons in the district served by the Stanhope (County Durham) Employment Exchange and the number signing on as unemployed at Stanhope, St. John's Chapel, and Rookhope, respectively, on or about 20th May, 1938?

At the July, 1937, exchange of unemployment books, approximately 1,330 books were exchanged by insured persons aged 16–64 (exclusive of those within the agricultural scheme) at the Stanhope Branch Employment Office. The number of such persons recorded as unemployed at that office at 4th April, 1938, the latest date for which figures are available, was 308. Separate figures are not available for St. John's Chapel or Rookhope.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he has considered the report of the committee on the firedamp-detector regulations; and whether he is yet in a position to state what action he proposes to take on the recommendations contained therein;(2) what action he proposes to take with regard to the report of the commit tee set up to consider the question of the use of automatic gas-detectors underground?

I have decided to accept the unanimous recommendations of the committee with regard to the better utilisation by the workmen of the flame safety lamp as a firedamp detector, and draft General Regulations to implement this decision will be published in the course of the next few days. I am not yet in a position to announce my decision regarding the majority recommendations.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make any statement on the technical tripartite conference on the coal-mining industry which has just taken place at Geneva?

I would refer the hon. Member to the second part of the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 24th May, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions how often the Special Grants Committee has met as a full committee during the present year?

It has not been necessary for the committee to meet in full session more than once since 1st January. The several sub-commitees by which the current work of the committee is transacted have met on 22 occasions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the total quantity of potatoes recently sold by the Potato Marketing Board to Spain; to which part of Spain they went; and what was the price realised?

I understand that the Potato Marketing Board sold 5,000 tons of potatoes for export to Spain at prices ranging from 45s. 3d. to 48s. per ton, it is believed that the potatoes were bought for delivery in Catalonia.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements he intends to make for the setting up of a committee to review the standard price of wheat; and whether he can make any statement with regard to this matter?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of dissatisfaction with respect to the present guaranteed price under the Wheat Act; and does he propose to amend this Act?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend and my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 19th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any further statement to make concerning the present prices for mutton and lamb?

Prices of fat sheep and lambs have declined during recent weeks, but during the week ended 25th May, a firmer tendency has prevailed in the markets and there has been no further reduction in average prices in England and Wales. The average price of fat lambs at representative markets is in fact ¼d. per lb. higher than in the previous week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the continued anxiety and apprehension of the agriculturists in West 'Wales about the increasing menace to their crops from the rabbit industry; and whether he can say what steps he proposes to take to deal with this problem?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As the hon. Member is aware I have under consideration the question of legislation to deal with the control of rabbits, but I can hold out no hope of the introduction of a Bill during the present Session.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the difference in the subsidy on cattle produced at home and on those imported from Eire is to be maintained?

No change is in contemplation with regard to the payment at differential rates of subsidy on homebred and imported cattle.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Russian matches were sold to officers on His Majesty's Ship "Revenge" while at Gibraltar last March; whether he will state the price charged for a dozen boxes; and whether Russian matches are supplied to all ships?

As regards the first and second parts of the question I understand that some Naval ratings when they were ashore at Gibraltar purchased Russian matches from local dealers at the rate of 2s. a gross.As regards the third part, matches are not supplied to His Majesty's Ships and Establishments by the Admiralty but are stocked in the canteens, which, except on the China and New Zealand Stations, are conducted by the N.A.A.F.I. Officers Messes obtain their supplies either from the canteens or through their messman.I understand that at the present time only British matches are stocked by the N.A.A.F.I. in ships of the Home Fleet, but in ships on the Mediterranean Station both British and foreign matches are stocked.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the practice of hare-worrying by Naval cadets and to the fact that in the last two years the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, imported and put down 6o hares for this purpose; whether any part of the cost of this practice is borne by public funds; and whether he will take steps to stop this practice?

The Britannia Beagles are entirely maintained by private funds. Fifty hares have been imported during the last two years. The cadets do not worry hares but follow Beagles on foot in the customary manner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken for the provision of welfare and maternity work in Northern Rhodesia, in accordance with the demands of the Economic and Financial Commission?

I have nothing to add at present to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Paling) on 18th May, regarding other recommendations of the Financial and Economic Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make with regard to the labour disturbances in Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday, 23rd May, when troops fired on the demonstrators, wounding two women, and 200 cases, chiefly bruises caused by police batons, were treated at the hospitals?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made yesterday in answer to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans). I am now able to supplement this as a result of further information received from the Governor:I regret to state that a woman and a boy were killed and a woman seriously wounded as a result of firing by the police on the 23rd May. These are the deaths to which I referred in my statement yesterday. Reports that the troops have been called upon to fire are incorrect. The other casualties over a period of three days total 77 injured, of whom 17 were detained in hospital. Of these latter, two are persons assaulted by the mob, four are police constables, and two special constables. The firing by the police was necessitated by the refusal of the mob to disperse, and by stoning and other serious attacks on the police by the rioters. The police generally exercised great restraint.The latest report received from the Governor indicates that though there is a slight improvement, the situation in Kingston is still serious. He has, therefore, considered it desirable to enact a Bill on the lines of the United Kingdom Emergency Powers Act, 1920. The market and the majority of the stores and business houses opened yesterday. Scavenging work and the tramway services were resumed, though some of the tram drivers and conductors are still on strike. The gasworks employés, after striking, have resumed work on the understanding that their demands will be considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of railway accidents since 1930 which, in the opinion of the inspectors, might have been prevented if some system of automatic train control had been in operation, as recommended in 1930 by the committee appointed to consider this question?

In the eight years 1930 to 1937 inclusive, 112 inquiries were held into train accidents. In the opinion of the inspecting officers, automatic train control in one form or another might have prevented, or mitigated the effects of, 31 of these accidents and automatic train control of the warning type might have prevented 13 of these.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of engine-drivers on the Great Western Railway who were reported for passing home signals at danger when working trains fitted with an automatic continuous brake during the years 1930 and 1937, respectively?

I am in communication with the Great Western Railway Company and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action, if any, has been taken on the recommendation of paragraph 54 of the report of the Commission on Disturbances in Barbados, namely, that a Royal Commission be appointed to investigate the whole question of emigration throughout the West Indian Colonies?

The question of emigration from Barbados is bound up with the general situation in the West Indies which, as I stated yesterday, is receiving my very careful consideration. As regards a Royal Commission on this particular subject I would refer to the reply which my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Clay Cross (Mr. Ridley) on 23rd February. As I have stated, a scheme for the settlement of some 475 Barbadian families in St. Lucia is on the point of completion and, on the advice of the Colonial Government, it is proposed to await the response to this scheme before embarking on further emigration schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information indicating the extent of the increase in the native population of the British West Indies during the past 10 years and the rate at which that increase is still continuing; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that this increasing population will be absorbed into employment?

No separate figures are available for the period in question, but the following table shows the estimated total population of the various West Indian Dependencies in 1926 and 1936, respectively, with the percentage increase: