asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he will give the number of schoolchildren medically examined in the city of Leicester at the most recent date; the number of medical examiners then employed; and the number of children then found to need medical treatment?

During the year ended 31st December, 1937, 11,820 school-children in the city of Leicester were examined at routine medical inspections, and 16,813 at special inspections. There were also 24,673 reinspections.The number of children found at routine medical inspections to require treatment for defects other than defects of nutrition, uncleanliness and dental diseases, was 1,630. Information is not available to show the number of children found to require treatment at special inspections, but 11,205 defects requiring treatment were found.On 31st December, 1937, nine medical officers (giving the equivalent of six whole-time officers) were employed by the local education authority in the work of medical inspection and treatment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can indicate the recent development in the utilisation of radio in schools to date and the present number of listening schools in England and Wales?

The development in the use of radio in schools in England and

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number of classes in the public elementary schools in the city of Leicester with more than 40 pupils on the rolls at the last convenient date, and the progress that has been made in the reduction of this number?

The information for which the hon. Member asks is given in the following table:

LEICESTER C.B.
Number of classes in public elementary schools with over 40 pupils on registers.
—	Total number of classes.	Over 40 but not over 50.	Over 50	Total over 40.
31st March, 1936	912	320	40	360
31st March, 1937.	914	302	48	350
31st March, 1938.	920	289	12	301

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what grants have been paid to the local education authorities in the distressed areas of South Wales from 1930 to 1937, giving each authority and years separately; and what is the reduction in the number of children attending elementary schools?

Following is the information:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what was the number of black-listed schools in Wales, provided and non-provided, sepa-

Number of provided and non-provided public elementary schools in Wales on the Black List in the years 1930, 1935 and 1937.
Local Education Authorities.			31st December, 1930.				31st December, 1935.				31st December, 1937.
			Provided.		Non-provided.		Provided.		Non-provided.		Provided.		Non-provided.
Anglesey	…	…		2		—		—		—		—		—
Brecknockshire	…	…		3		3		2		2		2		2
Caernarvonshire	…	…		—		8		—		3		—		3
Cardiganshire	…	…		5		8		5		7		5		7
Carmarthenshire	…	…	5		7		5		6		5		5
Carmarthen	…	…	1		—		1		—		1		—
Llanelly	…	…	2		—		2		—		2		—
			—	8	—	7	—	8	—	6	—	8	—	5
Denbighshire	…	…		2		7		2		6		2		6
Flintshire	…	…		3		8		3		5		3		5
Glamorgan	…	…	9		1		6		1		6		1
Neath	…	…	4		1		4		1		4		1
Aberdare	…	…	2		3		2		—		2		—
Pontypridd	…	…	—		1		—		1		—		1
Rhondda	…	…	7		—		7		—		5		—
Cardiff	…	…	—		3		—		1		—		1
Merthyr Tydfil	…	…	1		—		1		—		—		—
Swansea	…	…	14		3		9		1		9		1
			—	37	—	12	—	29	—	5	—	26	—	5
Merionethshire	…	…		1		—		—		—		—		—
Monmouthshire	…	…	18		14		16		10		15		9
Abertillery	…	…	5		1		4		1		4		1
Ebbw Vale	…	…	4		1		4		1		4		1
Newport	…	…	1		1		—		1		—		—
			—	28	—	17	—	24	—	13	—	23	—	11
Montgomeryshire	…	…		—		2		—		1		—		1
Pembrokeshire	…	…		5		16		4		14		3		13
Radnorshire	…	…		—		2		—		2		—		2
Totals	…	…		94		90		77		64		72		60
NOTES.
(a) In the case of 14 Provided Schools and 1 Non-provided School plans have been approved for improvements which will—on completion of the work—enable the Schools to be removed from the List.
(b) In some cases the most urgently needed improvements have been carried out, but the schools have been retained on the List until the outstanding defects have been remedied.
(c) In many cases conditions have been improved considerably by substantial decreases in the number of children in attendance.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will give the number of applicants for assistance under the Unemployment Assistance Board in the Aberdare area for each week during 1937 and to date, with the total weekly cost of the assistance given;(2) the number of applicants for assistance under the Unemployment Assistance Board in the Cardiff district for each week rately, in 1930, 1935, and 1937, and in each county, separately?

Following is the information:during 1937 and to date, with the total weekly cost of the assistance given?

I am having the information extracted and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured men and women, respectively, between the ages of 55 and 65 at January, 1938, and the number unemployed between these ages?

At 28th February, 1938, there were 240,099 insured men and 24,004 insured women, aged 55 and under 65, registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. Statistics showing the total number of insured men and women of these ages are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of men and boys, between the ages of 18 and 64, that are unemployed in the administrative county of Durham, and the duration of their unemployment?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th My, 1938; Vol. 336, col. 1063) supplied the following statement:At 4th April, 1938, there were 36,600 unemployed males aged 18 years and over on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the administrative county of Durham. This total included 35,328 applicants for unemployment benefit or allowances and the table below gives an analysis of these cases according to the length of the last spell of registered unemployment. Among the persons who had been on the register for extended periods, a proportion which will increase as the period on the register increases, will have had one or more short spells of employment lasting not more than three days each during those periods.

Length of last spell of unemployment.	Number.
Less than 3 months	11,338
3 months but less than 6 months	4,939
6 months but less than 9 months	2,853
9 months but less than 12 months	1,846
12 months or more	14,352
Total	35,328

Corresponding figures are not available in respect of persons registered as unemployed but not applying for benefit or allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the Employment Exchanges and the total insured population where the unemployment rate at the last count exceeded 40 per cent. in the case of males or females?

I am having the required information extracted and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the case of persons who daily travel from home to one or more business premises and to one or more places where they render public service, they will be supplied with a gas mask for each place, or whether they must take their one mask from place to place as has to be done by children attending school?

Civilian duty and service respirators for those engaged upon airraid precautions services will be retained at the depots of those services and will be issued when duty is taken up and returned when it is completed. As regards civilian respirators, it is not proposed to supply more than one to each person and a person leaving home will have to carry it with him.

asked the Home Secretary what is meant by the words in emergency in relation to schoolchildren carrying respirators to and from school?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. C. Wilson) on 26th May. What I meant was that if in a time of war a situation arose in which it was thought desirable for children to continue to attend school but nevertheless there was a risk of gas attack, school children, like other members of the community, would carry respirators.

asked the Home Secretary whether he contemplates making special arrangements for fire-brigade services for the local authorities in close proximity to the Bridgend munition works; and, if so, what progress has been made?

I understand that steps will be taken by the War Office to provide ample fire protection on the premises of the new munitions factory, when erected. In addition, arrangements will be made with the fire brigades within reach to respond to calls if their assistance should be required. As regards emergency fire brigade measures, the fact that this establishment is to be erected in the vicinity will be borne in mind in the allocation of appliances for emergency purposes.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent meeting of the Anti-Imperialist Conference in London, at which one speaker advocated the use of sabotage by the workers; whether a verbatim report of these proceedings was taken by the police; and what steps he is taking to prevent further incitements to a breach of the peace?

I understand that this meeting was not open to the public. The police were not present, and, apart from my hon. Friend's statement, I have no information that a speech advocating sabotage was made.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government will consider introducing legislation to license guides who escort parties of visitors from overseas to places of interest in London and the country, in order to ensure greater efficiency and satisfaction to our overseas guests?

I am not in possession of any information which leads me to think that legislation for the purpose suggested by my hon. Friend is required.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps the Government are taking, in consultation with the British Trade Association, to ensure the improvement in the present standard of guide services for visitors from overseas throughout this country, in order that visitors may be attracted to this country by improved arrangements to ensure their welfare and enjoyment?

As regards historic places and ancient monuments under the control of the Office of Works, guides are available to give information to visitors. As regards the Palace of Westminster, permission is given by the Lord Great Chamberlain's Department to approved persons to act as guides. As to other places of interest, I understand that classes have been instituted for guide lecturers and that an association has recently been formed of qualified guides. The Travel and Industrial Development Association, which is naturally interested in the provision of an efficient guide service, as a corollary to its work of attracting visitors to this country from overseas, is in touch with this association and is collaborating with it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of officially informing magistrates by circular throughout the country of the validity and value of blood tests?

I think that the courts are aware of the possibilities and value of these tests, to which full publicity has already been given, and I do not think that any further action on my part is called for.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. E. L. Malpass, 28, Lichfield Road, Little Bloxwich, Walsall, a caster, 28 years of age, has been totally incapacitated by silicosis contracted during his occupation and, owing to casting being a trade not specified in the Silicosis Act, he is not entitled to any compensation and is compelled to draw relief from the public assistance committee; that this is but one of many similar cases in Walsall; and if he will take early steps for the amendment of the Act to cover all genuine cases of silicosis however contracted?

I am always ready to consider evidence that silicosis is being caused by an occupation not now covered by the compensation schemes, but as regards the case of Mr. Malpass, I understand that he was examined last February by the Medical Board who found no evidence of the disease, and accordingly refused a certificate under the scheme on medical grounds.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that public enjoyment of many of the pictures in the new room of the National Gallery is greatly hindered by excessive reflections; and whether experiments are being made to remedy this defect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but if the hon. Member will let me know more specifically what he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the cost to the taxpayer to continue the double pension of blind persons which they enjoy at present until they reach the age of 70, when it is reduced to one single old age pension of 10s.?

The cost of continuing the double pension to blind persons after 70 (including the restoration of the double pension to those over 70 who were in receipt of two pensions when they attained 70) would be about £170,000 a year, rising in ten years' time to £250,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has under consideration any proposals or schemes for public works to be ready for initiation by the Government and the municipalities if and when there are definite signs of a coming depression in trade; and whether such schemes or proposals are being considered by a special committee?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has recently circularised local authorities inviting them to furnish him with their contemplated programme of capital works over the next five years. These programmes as received will be considered by the Government Departments concerned. A general review of the capital works programmes of various Government Departments is in progress and suitable arrangements have been made for liaison between the Ministers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the report of the committee of inquiry appointed to examine the request submitted by the Scottish Universities for a grant from the Education (Scotland) Fund; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is at present considering the report and he hopes to be able to announce a decision at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consult with the Herring Industry Board, with a view to meeting the industry by agreeing to fix the 9th June as the starting date for curing in Shetland, in the interests of the fishermen and fish-curers of Shetland?

My right hon. Friend has conveyed the hon. Member's suggestion to the Herring Industry Board and he is informed that as their decision not to permit curing in Shetland before 14th June was arrived at after the fullest consideration of representations made on the question from all points of view, they regret that they do not feel justified in altering their decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the kind of employment in Kenya Colony for children who appear to be not less than 10 years of age; what is the nature of the contract entered into for such children; and what arrangements are made for their welfare when the place of employment is at some distance from their homes?

The contract of service entered into by juveniles is similar to that governing the employment of adult workers: but it requires a District Officer's certificate which cannot legally be given unless the parent or guardian of the juvenile consents. The contract normally provides for thirty days' work.The arrangements for the welfare of juvenile labour include the provision of schools and hospitals. The services of welfare workers are also available. The general conditions of employment are safeguarded by special supervision by the District Officer and also by the Medical Officer and Labour Officer who have wide powers of control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information as to the number of Abyssinian refugees in Kenya?

I have no very recent information, but I am making inquiries of the Governor. The latest figure in my possession is 6,184.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the frequency of drunkenness among young children employed for wages in Kenya; whether he will take steps to prevent such serious effects upon Native family life of unregulated child labour which takes the children many miles away from their homes; and whether he will inquire closely into the methods by which such children are recruited, with a view to preventing misrepresentation and other undesirable pressure by recruiters?

I called for a report from the Governor of Kenya on the allegations recently made in the Press about the employment of children in picking tea. The Governor has now reported that the conditions under which juveniles are employed on tea estates are admirable. Both schools and hospitals are accessible from the estates, where the services of welfare workers are also available. The children's conditions are in such circumstances much better than in their homes. I am informed that the cases of juvenile drunkenness which have occurred on tea estates have been rare. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question of 1st June, from which he will see that I am inquiring into these matters.

asked the Secretary for Mines the approximate number of tons of coal consumed for domestic purposes for the year 1937 and the average price per ton of coal sold for domestic purposes?

The consumption of coal for domestic purposes in private houses, public buildings and institutions, including coal for domestic industries and miners' coal, was estimated after the War at 40 million tons a year. I have no information enabling me to say to what extent this figure would now need variation, nor can I give the average price per ton of coal sold for domestic purposes.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give any information in connection with the new petrol-from-coal plant of high-grade petrol set up at Tipton, Staffordshire, by the National Coke and Oil Company?

I have no information in regard to this matter beyond what has appeared in the Press.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he is aware of the practice of raising credit on land through the concealment of equitable charges which are often only disclosed when the question of insolvency arises; and whether, to avoid this practice, he will introduce legislation withholding recognition from equitable charges unless they are registered;(2) whether he is aware of the number of bad debts arising out of speculative building; and whether he will so amend the bankruptcy laws that, where land is developed for building purposes, the vendor of the land should be treated as a partner with the builder, and should not be allowed to have any charge on the land until the creditors have been paid for the building materials or, alternatively, that the vendor should be treated as a trade creditor?

Both these questions suggest changes in the law relating to securities on land based on suggested evils which arise in the case of insolvency. I could not, without further time for investigation and consideration, make any definite statement on the matter, but I will communicate with my hon. and learned Friend when I have had time to do so.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that when a war widow re-marries an uninsured man she loses her rights to a pension; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable such war widows to resume their pension rights on the death of their second husbands?

The effect of my hon. Friend's suggestion would be to place widows in the circumstances indicated in a better position than if the second husband had been insured. I would suggest to my hon. Friend that the appropriate safeguard for the widow in such cases would be voluntary insurance under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937.

asked the Minister of Health the number of men and women, respectively, between the ages of 55 and 65 insured under national health insurance at January, 1938, and the number drawing disablement benefit between these ages?

I regret that the complete statistics for which the hon. Member asks are not available. It is, however, estimated that the numbers of insured men and women in Great Britain between the ages of 55 and 65 at the date mentioned were about 1,500,000 and 400,000 respectively, and that of these about 105,000 men and 50,000 women were then in receipt of disablement benefit.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state, for each of the last three years, the working hours and remuneration lost by persons insured under the National Health Insurance Acts owing to rheumatic diseases?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether consideration is being given to the proposals of the British Medical Association in connection with National Health Insurance, including increases in medical and surgical benefits; and what is the attitude of the Ministry to these proposals?

Yes, Sir. I am not yet in a position to indicate the attitude of the Government in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health what would be the additional cost involved in providing artificial limbs for all insured civilians in need of them?

I regret that I have not the necessary material to enable me to form any reliable estimate of the cost.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total number of dwelling-houses of all types and sizes erected in the years 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1937, and, if it is possible, to assess them as between houses up to £1,000 in value, £1,000 to £2,000, and £2,000 and above?

The following statement shows the number of dwelling-houses provided in England and Wales during each year ended 30th September, from 1933 to 1937 inclusive.

Year ended 30th September—				Number of houses provided.
1933	…	…	…	218,313
1934	…	…	…	313,669
1935	…	…	…	318,644
1936	…	…	…	339,528
1937	…	…	…	337,196

These numbers exclude houses of a rateable value exceeding £78 (£105 in greater London).Information as to the number of these houses which fall within the several ranges of capital value specified in the question is not available in my Department, but in the series of half-yearly Stationery Office publications entitled "Housing, House Production, Slum Clearance, etc." first issued in 1934, particulars are given of the numbers of houses within certain ranges of rateable values provided by private enterprise without State assistance during each half-year from 1st October, 1933, to 30th September, 1937.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of houses demolished during the years 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1937, and the number of houses and blocks of flats which have been built to replace them; and whether he will state the total accommodation of the new houses and new blocks of flats?

I regret that the particulars desired by the hon. Member are not available. The records in my Department as regards houses demolished relate only to houses demolished in connection with the slum clearance programmes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total number of blocks of flats erected and the total accommodation made available; the approximate number of office blocks; the approximate number of factories of all sizes and descriptions and the approximate number of occupants or workers who will normally be employed therein in each case for the years 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936. and 1937?

I regret that the particulars desired by the hon. Member are not available in my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of families with incomes of less than £2 10s. per week which were accommodated in London County Council dwelling-houses during the year ended 31st March, 1938?

I understand that the number is 1,679.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider issuing a special pamphlet explaining in simple language the various features of the Housing (Rural Workers) Amendment Bill as soon as it reaches the Statute Book, in order that not only local authorities but all persons interested in rural housing may be informed of the appropriate steps that should be taken to deal with the special types of house affected by the Bill, and that this publication should be on sale at bookstalls in places easily accessible to the public?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a booklet which has already been widely used for a similar purpose and which is now being revised to take account of the changes proposed in the new Bill. This pamphlet will be distributed free of charge through local authorities. As regards the last part of the question I shall give the suggestion my consideration.

asked the Minister of Health the number of public and private hospitals erected during the years 1933, 1934. 1935' 1936, and 1937; and the approximate bed accommodation provided in each of those years?

Only one new municipal general hospital was erected during the period referred to. It has accommodation for 354 beds. I am making inquiries with regard to voluntary hospitals and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the new maternity services in the country are in full working order, and can he state any defective areas?

According to the information in my possession, the service of salaried midwives under the Midwives Act, 1936, may now be said to be in effective operation throughout England and Wales, though there is a small number of areas in which the local authorities have not yet finally completed their arrangements with other bodies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that remuneration of medical officers in attendance at venereal disease clinics in London is fixed on the basis of the number of attendances per medical officer; and, as this practice is calculated to lead to abuses, will he cause the salary basis to be altered?

I am informed by the London County Council that the remuneration of medical officers at clinics at present participating in the Venereal Diseases Scheme for London is not determined on the basis indicated. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Health what is the rate per £ for the current year in the six highest public

Six Administrative Counties or County Boroughs having for public assistance in 1938–39
Highest requirements.			Lowest requirements.
Name of administrative county or county borough.	Rate in £.		Name of administrative county or county borough.	Rate in £.
	s.	d.		s.	d.
* Merthyr Tydfil County Borough	15	8.7	Blackpool County Borough	0	7
Glamorgan Administrative County.	10	4	Bournemouth County Borough	0	10.5
			Surrey Administrative County	1	1.6
Monmouth Administrative County.	9	4	Southport County Borough	1	1.9
			Westmorland Administrative country	1	3.6
*West Ham County Borough	8	5
Gateshead County Borough	8	0.5	Middlesex Administrative country	1	3.8
Sunderland County Borough	8	0.2
The rate poundages shown do not take into account the block grants which are applicable in aid of local government services generally and cannot be apportioned to individual services.
* In these two areas rates are levied half-yearly: the rate in the £ for Public Assistance in 1938-39 has been taken as double that shown for the first half of the year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many instruments of accession have to be signed by Indian princes before the inauguration of federation in India; and how many have up to now been signed or agreed to?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to Section 5 of the Government of India Act, 1935. No Instruments of Accession have yet been signed or agreed to.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any date or approximate date has been fixed for the inauguration of federation in India?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will, separately,

The following statement shows the estimated requirements for public assistance, expressed as a rate in £, of the six administrative counties or county boroughs in England and Wales having in the year 1938–39 (a) the highest and (6) the lowest estimated requirements for that service.give the numbers of officers of Europeans and Indians in the Indian Police Force as at the last convenient date?

According to the latest return, which relates to the 1st January, 1937, there were 485 European and 192 Indian officers in the Indian Police.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that some British mails to South Africa are being forwarded by Dutch liners; and whether he will take steps to transfer this service to British liners?

Dutch ships are not used for the conveyance of mails from this country for South Africa; and the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will state the total number of new railway stations constructed for all companies in Great Britain for the years 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937, respectively;(2) the number of railway stations reconditioned and modernised during the years 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937, respectively?

I am endeavouring to obtain the information asked for in these two questions, and will communicate the result of my inquiries to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the Great Western Railway Company, in agreement with the Ministry, has decided to defer schemes of development involving the expenditure of between £2,250,000 and £3,000,000, his Department has arranged to defer other schemes of capital expenditure till employment is less general; and will he state the nature and extent of the same?

There has been no general postponement of the works to be carried out under the Railways (Agreement) Act, 1935. My decision to allow an extension till 1st January, 1945, of the date for completing certain schemes of the Great Western Railway Company was taken after careful consideration of the circumstances relating to the particular works in question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider arming British merchantmen with anti-aircraft guns to protect them against air attack when they are engaged on lawful errands in Spanish waters?

I do not consider that such a measure would be expedient. Clearly it would be difficult to ensure any protection unless ships fired at any bombing aircraft which came near enough to attack them; and in that case it would inevitably be claimed by the attackers that the ships virtually constituted part of the defences of the port and were a legitimate object of attack.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is aware that 1,000 tons of power alcohol were used at Gretna Munition Works every week during the War, and very large quantities were used at other places in the production of munitions; and what arrangements are being made for the supply thereof, in view of the tax now proposed?

I assume that my hon. and learned Friend refers to industrial alcohol and not to power alcohol, as no quantities of the latter were authorised to be used in munition factories during the War. On this assumption I am aware of the facts stated by my hon. and learned Friend in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I am informed that adequate arrangements have been made to cover the defence requirements of industrial alcohol, which is not affected by the new tax.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he is aware that, in the case of the Bellingham Rural District Council, Northumberland, where the Forestry Commissioners' property is extensive, the loss of rateable value, due to the fact that the Forestry Commission is not liable for rates on sporting rights which are let, is considerable; under what authority this property is exempted from rates; and if he will make inquiries into the matter, with a view to reducing the loss to the district council affected?

The Forestry Commissioners have recently agreed with the County Valuation Officer for Northumberland assessments on sporting rights over their property in the Parish of Bellingham. In common with other Government Departments they make donations in lieu of rates in all circumstances in which a private owner would be assessable.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider appointing Sir John Salmond as a full-time chairman of Imperial Airways, Limited?

As stated by my right hon. Friend in the House on Tuesday last, the question of the appointment of a chairman is receiving the active consideration of the board of Imperial Airways and it is hoped that it will be possible shortly to announce the decision arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether Imperial Airways, Limited, have completed negotiations with the captains' committee at Hythe with regard to either a rise in pay or an additional allowance; and, if not, for what reason?

Negotiations between Imperial Airways and the captains' committee at Hythe have not yet been completed. I am informed that a meeting took place on the afternoon of Monday, 30th May, between the officials of the company and the captains' committee, at which the latter presented their case. It was agreed between the parties

Country to which consigned.	Description of vehicles.	1934	1935	I936	1937
		Number.	Number.	Number.	Number.
Union of South Africa	1	6,139	6,886	6,153	5,898
	2	272	361	416	464
	3	304	342	423	414
New Zealand	1	5,226	8,225	13,691	16,537
	2	77	34	163	87
	3	293	438	1,092	1,409
Australia	1	439	634	1,631	2,830
	2	92	121	118	87
	3	45	70	134	108
British India and Burma	1	4,647	5,565	4.544	4,698
	2	170	105	442	637
	3	843	1,211	1,593	1,477
Sweden	1	734	1,141	2,050	1,077
	2	28	58	167	133
	3	(b)	(b)	(b)	(b)
Norway	1	295	345	324	272
	2	77	108	139	103
	3	(b)	157	314	679
Denmark	1	1,236	1,785	2,097	2,190
	2	217	151	72	137
	3	(b)	12	13	18
Netherlands	1	483	459	525	293
	2	57	29	47	41
	3	(b)	(b)	(b)	(b)
Belgium	1	813	643	256	246
	2	68	116	48	36
	3	(b)	(b)	(b)	(b)
NOTE.—Exports of second-hand commercial vehicles have been recorded separately only since 1935.Particulars of such exports to each of the countries shown in the above table are not readily available, but these are known to be small. Exports to all countries amounted in the aggregate to 126 in 1935 and 220 in 1936.
(a) 1 signifies Private cars (including cabs)—New.
2 signifies Commercial vehicles (including motor omnibuses, motor fire engines and motor ambulances, but not including tractors)—New.
3 signifies Private cars (including cabs)-—Second-hand. The figures shown for 1934 also include exports of second-hand commercial vehicles in that year (if any).
(b) Not readily available; probably insignificant.

at this meeting that the company should consider the representations made on that occasion and prepare their view of the case put forward, and this is now being done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the numbers of motor vehicles, including commercial vehicles and second-hand vehicles, exported from this country and from Germany, respectively, in the years 1934, 1935. 1936, and 1937 to South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, British India, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, and Belgium?

The following table shows the number of motor cars (private and commercial) of United Kingdom manufacture exported during each year 1934 to 1937 and consigned to the undermentioned countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the canned crabs and pilchards imported into the United Kingdom from Japan are in fact the species generally known in this country as crab and pilchard, respectively; and, if not, whether he can say exactly to what kind of fish these terms are applied by the Japanese canners?

My information is that the pilchards imported into this country from Japan, while not of the same species as the pilchards found in European waters, are zoologically of the same family and have broadly the same characteristics. As regards Japanese canned crabs, however, the crustacean known as the "Japanese Crab" (Paralithodes) differs zoologically from the European Edible Crab (Cancer) which is the crustacean commonly known as crab in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of imports into the United Kingdom from Japan in 1936 and 1937 of chilled and frozen salmon, of canned

I regret that it has not been possible to compile the desired information in the time available, but, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any Customs duties payable on Japanese fish, whether canned or chilled or frozen, imported into the United Kingdom, and, if so, what is the amount of such duties; whether there are any quota restrictions on the landing of these products; and whether the cans are labelled so as to disclose the country of origin?

A duty of 10 per cent. ad valorem is charged on the importation into the United Kingdom of Japanese fish, whether canned or chilled or frozen, except oysters, canned pilchards (other than the canned fish commonly known as "sardines") and chilled or frozen salmon, the duties on which are 30 per cent. ad valorem, 10s. per cwt. and i£d. per lb. respectively. Imports of sea fish of certain descriptions (whether fresh or cured, but excluding canned fish) from Japan are subject to restriction under the Sea Fishing Industry (Regulation of Landing) Order, 1936. I understand that imported tinned fish is usually sold under names or trade marks which require to be qualified by an indication of origin under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, but I have no information whether that indication usually consists of the word "foreign" or "Empire," as the case may be, or a definite indication of the country of origin.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to prevent German importers of goods into this country making conditions that payments must be either in cash or raw materials?

The Anglo-German Payments Agreement does not make any provision as to the manner in which pay-

Description.	Quantity.			Declared Value.
	1936.	1937.	January to April, 1938 (a).	1936.	1937	January to April, 1938 (a).
	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.	£	£	£
Grape fruit	189,308	206,413	—	186,972	227,263	—
Oranges	1,359,535	2,092,845	—	1,491,680	2,055,136	—
Lemons, limes and other citrus fruits, not elsewhere specified.	25,023	26,136	52	31,335	26,602	53
(a) Owing to the seasonal character of the trade in citrus fruits from the Union of South Africa imports during this period are normally insignificant.
Note.—The 1937 and 1938 figures are provisional.

With regard to the second part of the question, I would point out that the present preferences in respect of oranges and grape fruit are guaranteed under the Agreement made with the Union of South Africa at Ottawa in 1932, and cannot be reduced or removed while that Agreement is in force without the consent of the South African Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume and value of the imports of citrus fruits from South Africa in the years 1936 and 1937 and the first four months of the present year; and whether His Majesty's Government will undertake to continue the existing preference which this fruit now enjoys in the United Kingdom?

The following table shows the total quantity and declared value of imports of citrus fruits into the United Kingdom during the periods specified consigned from the Union of South Africa.the figures of the total German imports for the first quarter of this year and for 1937, respectively?

The total value of imports of merchandise (including silver) into Germany in the first quarter of this year amounted to 1,399 million Reichsmarks, as compared with 1,093 million Reichsmarks in the corresponding period of 1937.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the delay in announcing the personnel of the Cinematograph Films Council to be set up under the Cinematograph Act is causing serious concern in the film industry and impeding a return to normal activity; and when will he be able to make a complete announcement?

I regret that there has been some unavoidable delay in completing the composition of the Council, but I hope to be able to make an announcement very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the total gas sold for domestic purposes for the years 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively; the total number of domestic gas consumers to date; and the average receipts per domestic consumer in pence per therm and the average number of therms sold per consumer for the year 1937?

Domestic consumers and sales of gas for domestic purposes are not separately distinguished in the statistics collected regarding gas undertakings.