asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will indicate the civil airports of Great Britain which are privately owned and which are municipal, respectively, and showing those through which regular services operate and at what periods, and distinguishing those which are summer services only?

The information asked for is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Ministry's specification for aviation fuel permits the use of power-alcohol blended with petrol; and, if so, to what extent it is used for aviation purposes in Great Britain?

The Air Ministry specification for aviation fuel does not permit of the use of power-alcohol blended with petrol.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress is being made in the programme of the experimental trans-Atlantic flights to be undertaken this year?

It is hoped to carry out experimental trans-Atlantic flights with the Mayo composite aircraft, with flying boats and with land-planes during the course of the year. The programme is under active consideration with Imperial Airways.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the American aircraft recently ordered by British Airways, Limited, are to be equipped with American or British engines; and whether the same difficulties apply in relation to the supply of British engines for civil aircraft as apply in relation to air frames?

I am informed that the American aircraft referred to will be equipped with American engines. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, but the modification of the air frames to enable British engines to be fitted to them would have presented difficulties and would cause considerable delay in delivery.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the numbers of aircraft of different types ordered by Imperial Airways, Limited, since the beginning of 1935 to supplement or replace their former fleet, together with the approximate cost of these aircraft complete with engines?

I am informed that since the begining of 1935, 66 aircraft of the following types have been ordered by Imperial Airways:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, as a result of the Cadman Report, it is proposed to make any additions or alterations to the board of Imperial Airways, Limited?

Yes, Sir, but I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet arrived at a decision with regard to Langstone Harbour as a base for the Empire services of Imperial Airways, Limited?

This matter is under active consideration, but I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which was given to my hon. and learned Friend on 30th March last.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many persons visited Royal Air Force stations on Empire Air Day; and what amount has been handed over to Royal Air Force charities as a result thereof?

The answer to the first part of the question is 420,319; the information asked for in the last part of the question is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, before Lord Nuffield, or any other person on behalf of the Air Ministry, negotiates with the Birmingham Corporation for the acquisition of a site for the erection of a new aircraft factory, he will take into consideration the fact that the city of Birmingham and the area surrounding it is relatively prosperous with only a low percentage of unemployment, whereas the city of Liverpool has suffered from heavy unemployment for many years and has first-class facilities to offer aircraft manufacturers in the way of sites, transport, and other services, together with a plentiful supply of labour of all classes and the advantage of a modern airport?

In selecting a site at Birmingham for the erection of the new aircraft factory, due consideration was given to all material factors, in particular the length of time required before production could commence.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now state the result of the visit of the commission of experts to America and Canada to investigate the potentialities of those countries for the supply of aircraft for the Royal Air Force?

No, Sir, I am not yet in a position to make any statement regarding the result of the visit referred to.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the towns of Chelmsford and Brentwood are now efficiently organised in air-raid precautions; and whether there is adequate protection for their populations in the event of air attack?

The County Council of Essex, which is the statutory scheme making authority, has not yet submitted a general precautions scheme under the Act; but I am informed that in Chelmsford, where an Air-Raid Precautions Organiser was appointed some two months ago, the training of volunteers is making good progress and that a similar appointment is just about to be made in Brentwood. As regards the fire brigade schemes, the statutory scheme making authorities are the Borough Council of Chelmsford and the Urban District Council of Brentford. Neither of these authorities has yet submitted a fire brigade scheme but in the case of Chelmsford I understand that a scheme will be submitted shortly and meanwhile a number of men are being recruited.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the main differences between a civilian respirator, a civilian-duty respirator, and a service respirator; and give a list showing which gases each kind will or will not keep out?

The differences between the three types of respirator arise from the fact that they have been designed to meet varying requirements. The civilian respirator protects the wearer against breathing any of the known war gases, and is intended to be used on occasions when gas is present and a gas-protected room or refuge is not available or has to be evacuated. The civilian duty respirator has been designed for members of civil air-raid precautions services and others who might be called upon to carry out their normal duties in the presence of gas but are not likely to be continuously exposed to the highest concentrations. The service respirator is the pattern of respirator issued to the fighting services: the protection it affords is of the same kind as in the case of the civilian and civilian duty respirators, but the duration of its efficiency is longer and it has been designed to allow the wearer the greatest possible freedom of movement and the maximum use of his faculties.All these respirators will give protection against all types of gas which are likely to be used as war gases.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can explain how it is that the civilian respirator, which has been designed to give fully satisfactory protection against all types of gas which are likely to be used as war gases, does not protect against coal gas, exhaust gases from motor cars, gases from sewers or drains, petrol vapour in confined spaces, ammonia, or similar toxic and noxious gases and vapours?

The civilian respirator has not been designed to give protection against gases other than those likely to be used in war. Industrial respirators of special design and construction are needed against the other cases referred to and in many cases such respirators are limited to use against the particular gas for which they have been designed.

asked the Home Secretary whether each person having a gas mask is to be provided with an anti-dim outfit free of charge or, if not, by what means is the anti-dimming to be secured?

The recommended method of preventing the misting over of the eyepiece of the civilian respirator is by the use of ordinary toilet soap rubbed over the inside of the eye-piece with a wet finger.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what steps he is taking to provide, wherever possible, adequate shelter for the artistic treasures of the nation in picture galleries, museums, and elsewhere, against the effect of incendiary or high-explosive bombs from enemy aircraft, and against their being looted in a panic so created?

Schemes for the protection of exhibits in various National Museums and Galleries have been prepared. Accommodation in the buildings offering the best security against air attack has been selected and various works to strengthen the structure of this selected accommodation have either been carried out, or will shortly be put in hand. A scheme has also been worked out whereby, if circumstances permit, part of the contents would be removed and dispersed elsewhere. The fire-fighting facilities in all museums and galleries have been reviewed, and steps are being taken to supply additional equipment.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention to bring in legislation to abolish the antiquated custom of locking up juries until the trial is over?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Monday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Accrington (Major Procter).

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce a Bill to amend the licensing law during the present Session?

If the hon. Member has in mind a comprehensive Bill to amend the licensing law, I am afraid that there is no prospect of any such legislation being undertaken at present. If he is referring to the proposed legislation to deal with bogus clubs, my right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement on this subject shortly after Whitsuntide.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make regarding the accident in Southwark in which many children were burned by sulphuric acid from a carboy which fell from a lorry; and is he satisfied that the present regulations for the loading of goods vehicles are adequate for the safety of the public?

This accident occurred on the 27th May. I understand that sulphuric acid was spilt on the roadway from a lorry in which it was being conveyed and that 12 children who stepped or fell in it suffered burns for which they received hospital treatment. Only two of them were detained in hospital, and I am glad to say that their injuries are reported not to be serious. I understand that the question whether there was failure to comply with the existing regulations as to the use of motor vehicles is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of street accidents, fatal and otherwise, in the borough of Willesden during the year 1937 and since 1st January last, respectively?

During 1937 the number of street accidents in Willesden was 1,066, including 18 fatal accidents; and in the four months ended 30th April, 1938, the corresponding number was 347, of which seven were fatal.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider making provision for the deaf and dumb on analogous lines to the provision made for the blind?

The conditions of the deaf and dumb are admittedly very different from those of the blind, and my right hon. Friend is not satisfied, therefore, that the hon. Member's suggestion is the best way of dealing with the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the number of injured persons in the county of Glamorgan who are receiving public assistance in addition to receiving workmen's compensation; and will he give the weekly cost of this assistance paid by the public assistance committee?

I regret that the statistics available in my Department do not include the information desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Gas Light and Coke Com-

Epidemics of Milk-borne Disease 1933–1937.
Place.	Year.	Disease.	Notifications.	Deaths.
Hyde	1933	Scarlet Fever	43	4
W. Hartlepool	1933	Paratyphoid B.	24	1
Epping U.D. and R.D.	1933	Paratyphoid B.	22	None.
Chelmsford B. and R.D.	1935	Scarlet Fever	487	6
Eton R.D.	1935	Scarlet Fever	100	2
Kettering U.D. and surrounding district.	1936	Enteric (Cream cakes thought to be vehicle).	9 cases in U.D. and 23 in District.	1 death among the 9 U.D. cases. Deaths in District not stated.
Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.	1936	Enteric	718	51 among the residents. No information as to visitors.
Doncaster	1936	Scarlet Fever and Tonsilitis.	135 cases of Scarlet Fever, 229 "Sore throat ".	2 deaths "definitely associated with the outbreak ".
Wilton (Wilts.)	1936	Gastro-enteritis	About 100 (disease not notifiable).	None.

With regard to the last part of the question, it would not, I fear, be possible to give a full reply within the limits of a Parliamentary question and answer, but I would call my hon. Friend's attention to various measures such as the Agriculture Act, 1937, and the vigorous supervision of milk supplies by medical officers of health.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the pany have dropped the vaccination regulations applied to men in the gas sales department, and what the present regulations are?

My right hon. Friend is not aware whether this company now requires vaccination as a condition of employment. He has no power to give any directions in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health what epidemics of infectious disease have been attributed to spread by milk during the five years 1933–37 in England and Wales; how many cases were involved and how many deaths resulted; and what steps he has taken to prevent a recurrence of such milk-borne outbreaks?

Following is the answer to the first and second parts of the question:Monmouth Rural District Council proposes to appoint a junior male clerk who will be unpaid for a probationary period of six months; that this condition not only limits the field of choice but is unfair to possible applicants whose economic circumstances are unfavourable; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the district council will pay appropriate remuneration during the probationary period?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, but I have no authority to intervene in the manner suggested.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of smallpox and how many deaths from that disease have been notified in England and Wales since 1st January, 1938?

Six cases of smallpox were notified in England and Wales up to and including the week ended the 21st May, 1938. During the quarter ended the 31st March, 1938, one death was assigned to smallpox.

asked the Minister of Health how many children in the city of Liverpool have been inoculated against diphtheria; what was the extent of the recent outbreak of that disease among children in the city; and whether he is satisfied that inoculation entirely prevents or minimises infection?

I am informed by the local authority that the number of persons inoculated against diphtheria in Liverpool to the end of 1937 was 46,175, the majority of whom were children at the time of inoculation, and that 821 cases of diphtheria in children under 15 years of age were notified during the first quarter of 1938. I am advised that the value of artificial immunisation against diphtheria has received world-wide recognition and in communities in which the practice has been systematically followed until the majority of otherwise susceptible children have been immunised the incidence of the disease has fallen substantially.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give, in terms of sterling, the appropriate amount of taxation per head of population in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and the United States of America, respectively, on the latest available date?

In giving the following figures, I must remind my hon. Friend that calculations of taxation per head cannot be considered a reliable guide to the true burden of taxation owing to the differences between the financial systems of the countries concerned. The results are given in the currency of each country and not in sterling because rates of exchange do not in all cases give a significant comparison.

Estimated Taxation per head.
Country.		Year.	Taxation per head.
United Kingdom	…	1938–9	£19 7s. 8d.
France*	…	1938	Francs 1238.
Germany †	…	1937–8	Rms. 206.
Italy‡	…	1938–9	Lire 532.
United States†§	…	1937–8	$42.74.
* Net receipts of sinking fund revenues have been taken at the actual total for 1937.
† Federal revenues only.
‡ Including net receipts from lottery.
§ Exclusive of Social Security Taxes equivalent to $4.40 per head.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that it will not be possible to deal with the question of bottle parties under the forthcoming clubs legislation, he will take an early opportunity of reviewing the present freedom which the operators of bottle parties enjoy from the obligation to make contributions to the Excise in respect of the sale of alcohol?

The activities in question are receiving close attention. The existing law provides penalties for the sale of liquor without licence, and as at present advised my right hon. Friend is not satisfied that further measures are necessary. The situation will continue to be carefully watched, but he could not undertake to include legislation in this year's Finance Bill.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the total annual sums spent by the Central Government and local authorities, respectively, at the latest available date, on all the social services, specifying the amount allocated to each main group of services?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Command Paper 5609, in which he will find comprehensive statistics of Government and rate expenditure on social services to the latest available date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the number of excise staff employed during the year in the supervision of distilleries in Great Britain?

The number of Customs and Excise officials employed in the supervision of distilleries varies during the course of each year on account of the seasonal nature and extent of distillery operations. The average number of officials employed during 1937 at distilleries was 147 whole-time and 65 part-time.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the attitude of his Department towards members of the staff who wish to join the Territorial Army?

Every encouragement is given to Post Office servants who wish to join the Territorial Army.

—	1930.	1931.	1932.	1933.	1934.	1935.	1936.	1937.
	Quantity.
	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
Total imports	32,149	33.561	28,277	19,298	20,429	18,723	6,771	20,120
of which assigned from Italy	27,459	28,921	24,251	17,251	18,593	17,138	5,366	18,562
	Declared Value.
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Total imports	714	708	599	417	433	378	140	367
of which consigned from Italy	615	606	512	368	393	345	108	333
NOTE.—The 1937 figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Depart-

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can now make a statement as to the contemplated opening of a branch office of the Export Credits Department at Newcastle-on-Tyne?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to say when a decision will be reached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the quantities and values of imports of carved and worked marbles into this country from Italy for each of the years 1930 to 1937 and the total quantities and values of carved and worked marbles imported into this country for each of the years 1930 to 1937?

The following table shows the total quantity and declared value of marble, wholly or mainly manufactured (other than works of art), imported into the United Kingdom during each of the years 1930 to 1937, distinguishing imports consigned from Italy. Particulars of the imports of marble works of art are not separately recorded.ment when he expects to include provisions with regard to the re-export trade in an agreement with Italy?

The interests of the re-export trade are always kept in mind, but I regret that in present circumstances it would not be possible to contemplate making provision for payment for re-exports through the Clearing machinery, having regard to the severe restrictions on the export trade in United Kingdom goods which it has been found necessary to accept in order to maintain the solvency of the Clearing. It is, however, open to the Italian Government to authorise the purchase of re-exports from this country with such free exchange as they may have.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Maltese are now employed in the British shipping industry; how this compares with the number employed a year ago; and how many coloured seamen are unemployed in Britain and have been unemployed for 12 months or more?

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available. The latest date for which information concerning nationality of seamen has been ascertained is 15th June, 1936. On that date 1,079 Maltese seamen were employed on sea trading vessels registered at ports in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who have been unemployed for three, five, and seven years, respectively, registering at the Hindley and Westhoughton Employment Exchanges?

At 4th April, 1938, the numbers of applicants for unemployment benefit or allowances who had been continuously on the registers of Employment Exchanges for three years or more were 339 at Hindley and 21 at Westhoughton, of whom 148 at Hindley and nine at Westhoughton had been continuously on the registers for five years or more. Figures showing the numbers who had been on the registers for seven years or more are not available. A proportion of the persons on the registers for long periods will have had one or more spells of employment lasting not more than three days each during those periods. Corresponding figures are not available in respect of persons registered as unemployed who were not applying for benefit or allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies were filled by the Employment Exchanges at the Empire Exhibition in Glasgow for employés other than those engaged on the construction of the exhibition?

Excluding persons placed in employment in connection with work on the site and on the construction of buildings, 2,767 vacancies have been filled by the Employment Exchange at the exhibition.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department were responsible for filling the vacancies at the Empire Exhibition for lavatory attendants; whether he can state the wages paid and the hours worked by these employees; and whether these were submitted to each applicant?

Vacancies for women and boys as lavatory attendants notified by contractors have been filled by the Employment Exchange at the exhibition. The weekly wage offered by the contractors was 17s. 6d. and the hours of work were stated to be from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. or from 4.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The women applicants were informed by the Exchange of the rate of wages and hours of work. The boys were informed only of the rate of wages as there was uncertainty at the time as to the hours to be worked.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployed insured workers at Dewsbury, Batley and Morley, respectively, for April, 1937 and April, 1938?

The following Table shows the percentage rates of unemployment among insured persons, aged 16–64 (exclusive of persons within the agricultural scheme) at Dewsbury, Batley and Morley at 19th April, 1937 and 4th April, 1938:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which of the Colonies of the West Indies machinery for the determination of cost-of-living indices exists?

No regular machinery exists at present in the West Indian Colonies for the compilation of cost-of-living indices, but in some of them a considerable body of information on the subject has been accumulated as a result of special investigations from time to time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the interest taken by Poland in the Polish minority in Czechoslovakia, the opportunity will be taken to represent to Poland that she should accord similar rights to the Ukrainian minority in Poland?

My Noble Friend is not prepared to take this course of action.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Chinese at Tsingtao have been ordered by the Japanese authorities to withdraw their deposits from British banks in that town and to place them in a Japanese bank; and whether he will take action to prevent this?

I have received a report to the effect that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at Tsingtao has issued instructions to all its members that unless their accounts which up to the present have been kept with British banks are transferred to either the Bank of China, or the Federal Reserve Bank, or the Yokohama Specie Bank they will be given no facilities to export produce. This order has occasioned large withdrawals from the British banks. My Noble Friend is now consulting His Majesty's Consul-General at Tsingtao urgently in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether any assurance was given to British investors in Mexican oil companies that the diplomatic machinery of His Majesty's Government would be used in support of their claims?

It is not the practice of His Majesty's Government to give definite assurances of diplomatic support in advance of the case arising and no such assurances were given in the present instance.

asked the Prime Minister on what grounds His Majesty's Government is demanding the return of the properties of the oil companies in Mexico, while the United States Government has admitted the right of the Mexican Government to expropriate such properties and is only demanding compensation; and whether he will take steps to avoid this divergence of policy in a matter in which the interests of the two Governments are identical?

Although the United States Government have so far concentrated upon an attempt to secure adequate compensation for the United States interests concerned, they have nevertheless fully understood the somewhat different attitude adopted by His Majesty's Government and have accorded a sympathetic reception to the explanations from time to time imparted to them by His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington of the reasons which have prompted them to request the restoration of the properties of the Mexican Eagle Company. These reasons are fully set out in the White Paper which will be published in the course of the next few days containing the text of the correspondence on the subject between His Majesty's Government and the Mexican Government up to date.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Mexican Eagle oil companies have yet given any guarantees satisfactory to the Mexican Government that they would deal reasonably and liberally with their employés;s?

On the information supplied by His Majesty's Minister in Mexico, His Majesty's Government are satisfied that the working conditions and wages prevailing in the foreign-owned oil fields in Mexico compared very favourably with those obtaining in other Mexican industries, including the Government-owned oil industry, and that in the negotiations which were proceeding before the expropriation of their properties the companies were prepared to go to the fullest limits in order to meet any reasonable claims of the labour organisations for a further improvement in the treatment of their employés. The position in this respect was perfectly clear to the Mexican Government.

asked the Prime Minister what new measures are included in the present British proposals for the evacuation of foreign troops from Spain for the purpose of establishing an effective control over arms and munitions arriving in Spain by sea?

In advance of a public statement by the Non-Intervention Committee, I am not in a position to give details of the plans which are at present under the Committee's consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will order a White Paper to be prepared setting out the reasons which caused His Majesty's Government to establish by Order in Council, issued in March, 1937, a British Protectorate over extensive territory in Southern Arabia known as Hadhramaut, and also give an account of military and aerial operations which have been undertaken before and since the Protectorate was proclaimed; the number of casualties and, in particular, whether any children and women were killed on both sides and the destruction of property; and will he also have a map prepared and placed in the Library of the House showing the situation and extent of the territories involved?

His Majesty's Government have been for many years in treaty relations with the Rulers in the Aden Protectorate, which includes the Hadhramaut. So long as Aden was a part of the Indian Empire, jurisdiction in the adjacent areas under the protection of His Majesty's Government was exercised under the Indian (Foreign Jurisdiction) Order in Council; but when Aden became a Colony it was necessary to provide otherwise for jurisdiction in the Protectorate, and the Aden Protectorate Order, 1937, was accordingly issued. I see no reason for the issue of a White Paper to explain this normal administrative change.The air operations which have been found necessary from time to time in the Protectorate have no connection whatever with the issue of the Aden Protectorate Order, and have been directed solely to the maintenance of law and order, in co-operation with the local Rulers. I would refer the right hon. Gentleman in this connection to the statements made in the House on the 8th and 23rd February last in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson) and Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson). The total number of casualties from air operations in the years 1936 and 1937 amounted, according to the information furnished to me by the Governor, to three killed and four slightly injured. These included two women who had returned to a proscribed area contrary to warnings after it had been evacuated. One was killed and the other slightly injured. In addition two Tribal Guards and one tribesman were killed in ground fighting.No map is available showing in detail the boundaries of the Protectorate, which have not yet all been finally determined.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the difficulties standing in the way of negotiations between the postal authorities of this country and Eire with regard to the establishment of an air-mail service; what steps is he taking to surmount these difficulties; and what are the prospects for the establishment of such a service?

It is hoped that negotiations with the postal authorities of Eire as regards this matter will begin shortly. Pending the result of those negotiations I am unable to forecast the prospects of a service, but the matter will be pressed forward as rapidly as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the maximum weight a postman is supposed to carry; and what steps are taken to ensure that a postman does not carry a burden beyond his capacity?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is 35 lbs. As to the second part preferential duties are arranged for postmen with physical disabilities, and any postman who considers that the weight of his delivery load is excessive is under standing instructions to report the matter, in order that assistance may be provided if necessary.

asked the Attorney-General how many solicitors were convicted in the criminal courts of fraudulent conversion of clients' property for the two separate periods June, 1931, to December, 1934, and January, 1935, to June, 1938?

I have made inquiries and am informed that between the 1st June, 1931, and the 31st December, 1934, 33 solicitors were convicted in the criminal courts of fraudulent conversion; and during the period from the 1st January, 1935, to the 1st June, 1938, 23 solicitors were convicted in the criminal courts of fraudulent conversion.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that the balance remaining in the King's Fund, of which he is the sole trustee, is now so low as to cause concern for the future of the fund, steps will be taken to stimulate donations and bequests to the fund in view of its importance in providing for ex-service men and their dependants financial assistance in special circumstances which cannot be provided for otherwise?

It is the case, I am sorry to say, that the resources of the King's Fund are greatly reduced. While I have from time to time taken such steps as I consider open to me to bring the Fund and its needs to public notice, I shall be grateful for any hell) in the same direction that hon. Members—particularly those who have had experience of the work of the Fund—can give me.I may add that I caused a pamphlet describing the history of the Fund to be issued last year and I shall be happy to send any hon. Member a copy of it, together with information as to the present financial position of the fund.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make representations to the London Passenger Transport Board on the inconvenience to the public caused by reducing the number of carriages of Underground trains between the hours of 11 and four; and whether he will suggest to the board the reconsideration of this policy?

I am advised by the London Passenger Transport Board that they would not be justified in increasing the length of the trains between the hours mentioned, during which there is a much reduced user of their railways.

asked the Minister of Transport how many inquiries within the last 12 months have been made into accidents on the underground systems of the London Passenger Transport Board; and whether he can state their nature and findings?

During the last 12 months, the inspecting officers of railways have held inquiries into two train accidents on the railway system of the London Passenger Transport Board. The nature and findings in each case will be published in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet acquired the land for the new main trunk road in the neighbourhood of Hatlwhistle, Northumberland; and when work will be commenced?

Negotiations for the acquisition of the land are in hand, but I am not able to give any date for the commencement of constructional works.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, during the course of his journey on the London to Birmingham main road on the night of Friday, 20th May, he observed the dangerous character of the road, A5, between Loughton and Stony Stratford and through Loughton village; and when this state of affairs is likely to be remedied?

The necessary preliminary arrangements, including the acquisition of the land required for the reconstruction and widening of the trunk road between Loughton and Stony Stratford, are proceeding and as soon as they have been completed the constructional works will be put in hand. A public inquiry has recently been held into my proposal to make an Order under the Trunk Roads Act in respect of a diversion at Loughton and the report of the inquiry is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to carry out his intention of making regulations under the Road Traffic Act, 1937, extending the periods of currency of goods-vehicle licences?

These are already in draft and I am about to consult representative organisations as to the form and terms of the regulations.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of engineer-commanders commissioned from artificers who are, respectively, in the zone for promotion to engineer-captain in the midsummer promotion list, in that portion of the zone from which officers are usually selected and in first-class ships or other appointments from which promotion is probable; and when the first of these officers is likely to be promoted, observing that three executive officers commissioned from the lower deck have been promoted to captain, the first one five years ago?

There are seven engineer-commanders commissioned from artificers in the zone for promotion to engineer-captain at midsummer. Of these two will have been in the zone one and a-half years, one half year, and the remaining four in it for the first time. Experience in recent years has shown that outstanding candidates for promotion have been available amongst officers who were within one year of the top of the zone, which at present means about three years after entering it. Selection for promotion is based upon the whole of the officer's service and not upon that in any particular appointment.I would remind the hon. Member that the Mate Scheme in the Engineering Branch began about a year later than in the Executive Branch, and also that promotions to captain are made at some five years more seniority in the former than in the latter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the diversity of arrangements for the supply of milk in schools and of the unsatisfactory nature in many cases of the bottling provisions, with particular reference to the capping thereof to prevent contamination of the milk; and what action he is prepared to take to ensure that only the best and safest form of bottle capping is employed by those supplying milk to schools?

I am not aware of any complaints regarding the type of cap or bottles used for the supply of milk in schools, but if my hon. Friend will communicate to me any information he has on the matter, I will certainly consider it.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many of the 200,000 acres, extra to normal planting, have been definitely occupied under the afforestation scheme for the Special Areas authorized in February, 1936; whether he will give the number of acres in or within 15 miles of each scheduled Special Area, respectively; and the number of unemployed men set to work from each Special Area, respectively, with the average number of days of employment given to each man?

The following acreage, extra to normal acquisitions, has been occupied under the scheme of afforestation in and within 15 miles of each of the Special Areas:

		Plantable acres.	Total acres.
South Wales	…	8,236	10,000
West Cumberland	…	8,482	9,855
Durham and Tyneside	…	15,900	21,500