asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can initiate a plan whereby the value of rabbits offered for sale in the Home market could be maintained at such a level as to encourage occupiers of land to deal with them, and yet not sufficiently high as to justify land being devoted to their production, in view of the serious damage already being done to growing crops, and the unrestricted importation of frozen and fresh rabbits from overseas which tends to still further decrease market prices obtainable for those produced in this Country?

Imports of rabbits have steadily declined from 490,000 cwts. in 1933 to 218,000 cwts. in 1937, and during the first four months of the current year there has been a further small decline as compared with the corresponding period of last year. On the other hand, the price of English rabbits has increased during the last two years. I am unable to estimate what should be the value of rabbits in order to satisfy the conditions postulated by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what price has been determined for basic slag supplied under the land fertility scheme after 31st May of this year?

The Ministers concerned have determined that the maximum prices in respect of basic slag supplied under the Land Fertility Scheme for the year ending 31st May, 1939, shall be the prices ruling on 1st May, 1937 (i.e., before the Scheme came into force) less the following reductions:

• On grades up to and including 12 per cent. of 13205—eightpence per ton;
• On grades above 12 per cent. up to and including 154 per cent. of P205 one shilling and sixpence per ton; and
• On grades over 154 per cent. of P505—two shillings and sixpence per ton.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the acreage of potatoes planted in Great Britain for the two years prior to the commencement of the Potato Marketing Board and for each subsequent year; and the average price per ton for the same years, imports and value, and the duties for each year since 1932?

The following is a statement showing the acreage of potatoes in Great Britain on agricultural holdings over one acre, the average price per ton at certain grower's markets in England and Wales and the total quantity and declared value of imports into the United Kingdom during the years 1932 to 1937.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many small farmers in Suffolk and other parts of the country are being summoned for non-payment of tithe when, owing to a bad year in 1937 and the prospects of a bad year in 1938, they are on the verge of bankruptcy; and whether, in view of the fact that their consequent failure to farm the land would be a serious loss to agriculture, he will take steps to assist them by the alleviation of tithe payments?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that applications have been made to the County Court for the recovery of the arrears referred to. The Tithe Act, 1936, provided a considerable measure of alleviation for land-owners liable for arrears of tithe rentcharge or for redemption annuities. There is no power to grant any further measure of alleviation in respect of those payments.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what local authorities in Scotland have, during the current year, made alterations in the hours of work per week for the nursing staffs of mental institutions in their respective jurisdictions; what institutions are affected and what is the nature of the respective alterations; and what local authorities still have a working week of over 55 hours for such workers and what are the institutions affected?

, pursuant to his reply(OFFICIAL REPORT; 17th May, 1938, Col, 195)supplied the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of days of sick-leave on full pay granted during the four years prior to 1st April, 1938, to each of the officers holding the rank of chief clerk in the Department of the Registers and Records of Scotland at that date?

Of the five officers referred to, two were not on sick-leave during the period in question and three were on sick-leave on full pay for periods of two days, five days and 310 days respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether instructions have been issued to chief constables that prosecutions for speeding offences in built-up areas should not be undertaken unless motorists are travelling in excess of 35 miles per hour; and whether effective action will be taken by police authorities to ensure the strict observance of the 30 miles per hour speed limit in built-up areas?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is for the Chief Constable of each district, subject to the cost being approved by the Police Authority and the Secretary of State, to decide upon the police action to be taken to ensure observance of the speed limits in his district.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of charges made against officers by convicts in His Majesty's prisons of Dartmoor, Maidstone, Parkhurst, and Chelmsford; the number of cases in which the charge was found to be substantiated; the number of charges made by officers against convicts; and the number found to be substantiated?

It is the duty of a prison officer to report any cases in which a prisoner under his supervision behaves in a manner appearing to involve a breach of prison rules. The charge is then heard by the Governor or the Board of Visitors. The number of charges brought in pursuance of this procedure and the number upheld in 1937 after investigation were as follows:—

If a prisoner complains of the conduct of an officer, such complaint is investigated, and if it is substantiated, a disciplinary charge may be brought against the officer. Such a charge would be brought not by a prisoner but by a senior officer. The complaints against officers by prisoners In 1937 were 3 at Chelmsford, 2 at Dartmoor, none at Maidstone and 1 at Parkhurst. None of these complaints was found on investigation to be substantiated.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can explain the terms true gas, persistent gas and contaminating gas, and give a list of each?

The term "gas" in warfare means any chemical substance, whether solid, liquid or vapour, which is used because it produces poisonous or irritant effects upon the human body. A "true gas" is a substance which is gaseous at ordinary temperatures. A "persistent gas" is usually a liquid at ordinary temperatures but evaporates slowly, giving off dangerous vapour. A "contaminating gas" is one which remains on an object or person and necessitates special treatment for the removal of it.The best known examples are:True gases—chlorine. phosgene.Persistent gases—mustard gas. many lachrymatory gases.Contaminating gases—mustard gas. lewisite.Particulars regarding each of these gases will be found in the Air-Raid Precautions Handbook No. 1.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a communication from the town of Bury submitting a scheme for converting premises for an air-raid precautions instructional centre; whether he has agreed to this scheme; and, if not, will he state the reasons, as the non-completion of this centre is delaying the whole scheme?

The communication to which my hon. Friend refers was received on 23rd May and my right hon. Friend has indicated to the council that the proposal appears to be one which he can approve in principle. A detailed estimate of cost, however, which was stated to be enclosed was omitted from the communication and until this has been received and certain details discussed with officers of the Department it is not possible for my right hon. Friend to give his final approval.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the serious effect on tobacco-growers in India of a recent decision of the Board of Customs and Excise under which tobacco imported as of 10 per cent. or more moisture but found on departmental test to be of less than 10 per cent. moisture will have to be returned to India to take up additional moisture as the only economic way of dealing with the tobacco; and, as this procedure will involve shipping freight to India and back and other costs and delay, will he direct the Board of Customs and Excise to revert to their original practice of permitting the bales to be opened in warehouse in this country and so to take up moisture which would enable the tobacco to be marketed here at a minimum of extra cost to the Indian growers?

I am informed that certain bales of tobacco recently imported from India which were entered as containing 10 per cent. or more of moisture have been found on test to contain less than 10 per cent. of moisture and to have been subject accordingly to a higher rate of duty than that at which they were entered. Under Section 67 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, these bales are liable to forfeiture, but the Board of Customs and Excise have offered to waive forfeiture on condition either that the tobacco is re-exported or that duty is paid on it at the rate for tobacco containing less than 10 per cent. of moisture. I do not think that in the circumstances there is any case for making the further concession suggested.

asked the Minister of Transport, what is the approximate capacity of boiler and turbo-generating plant and its approximate cost ordered for generating stations extensions for the years 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937?

The approximate capacity of the turbo-generating plant and boilers sanctioned for selected generating stations and the approximate cost was as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he will state the number of showrooms owned by authorised electricity authorities in Great Britain, and the number of such authorities possessing showrooms and those not possessing showrooms?

Out of the 625 authorised undertakings supplying electricity at the end of 1936–37, 508 possessed 943 showrooms and the remaining 117 did not possess any.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he can state the approximate proportions of direct current distributing networks and alternating current distributing networks to date of authorised electricity undertakings; at what date completion of conversion is expected; and if he is satisfied with the progress of conversion?

In 1936–37 about 87 per cent. of the consumers and about 87 per cent. of the units sold (excluding traction supplies) were supplied from alternating current systems, the remainder being supplied from direct current systems; but information is not available as to the approximate proportion of the respective networks. Many undertakers have already obtained consent to change over to the alternating current system and are in process of doing so, but it is not possible to indicate by what date the complete conversion is likely to be achieved. I am not dissatisfied with the progress which is being made.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he will state the number of domestic electricity consumers to date; the number of domestic electricity consumers participating in two-part tariffs; the average receipts per domestic consumer in pence per unit and the average number of units sold per consumer for the year 1937; and the total number of units sold for domestic purposes for the years 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937?

The following are approximate figures for the year 1936–37:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the widespread demand on the part of industrial and commercial concerns and of the agricultural community for more standardised conditions of electricity supplies, and of the similarly strong desires of the private consumers of the Country, of whom many thousands are signatories to a national petition to Parliament; and whether he is prepared to give the House a statement of his intentions in the matter?

The desirability of securing more standardised conditions of supply was emphasised by the McGowan Committee, who pointed out that their proposals for the reorganisation of electricity distribution should facilitate and expedite such standardisation. The Government have already announced their intention to introduce legislation to give effect in principle to the recommendations of that Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that copies of the new Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act were not available this week at the Stationery Office although the Act had come into force; and whether, for the convenience of the public, arrangements can be made to ensure the earlier printing of Acts of Parliament before they become operative?

The Royal Assent to this Bill was given on 26th May and copies of the Act are available to the public today. Every effort is made to expedite the printing of Acts of Parliament, but a lapse of some days after the Royal Assent has been given is inevitable before copies are available for issue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he will be able to issue the White Paper showing the financial concessions made to Northern Ireland at the time of the conclusion of the Eire agreement?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) on 12th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make a statement on the question of whether or not the German Government intend to default on their external debt?

So far as I am aware there is no foundation for the rumour referred to recently in certain newspapers that the German Government intend to default on their external debt as it existed prior to the incorporation of Austria into the German Reich. As regards Austrian Loans I have nothing to add to the communique published in the Press yesterday, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the desirability of instituting the registration of births in Kenya Colony in the same way as in Uganda where it has been found very useful?

The provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinances in Kenya and in Uganda are similar. In neither Ordinance is the registration of native births (to which I presume that the hon. Member is referring) made compulsory, though in both Ordinances the Governor is given power to make it so for any group of persons or for any area he may think fit. This power has not, as far as my present information goes, ever been used in either Dependency. In parts of Uganda native laws are in force which provide for compulsory registration of births. Similar arrangements are not, however, practicable in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the dependence of the three defence services in time of war upon the oil wells, machinery reservoirs, and anciliary labour of Trinidad, he is satisfied with the existing provision in that island of both anti-aircraft and general security defences; and whether he will consider if some further provision is urgently necessary?

The defences of all British possessions overseas including the island mentioned in the question are kept constantly under review by the appropriate sub-committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence, on which all three Services are represented.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the drill-hall of the 5th battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (Territorial) is inadequate for its purpose; that the battalion commander, adjutant, quartermaster, two company officers, and signal officer have to share one office; that, on training nights, the main hall has to accommodate miniature-range practice, company rifle training and machine-gun training all at the same time; and that the clothing store and armoury have both been condemned as unsatisfactory by past inspecting officers; and whether he will take special steps to provide an up-to-date and ade- quate building to enable the high standard of the battalion to be maintained?

This drill hall is a substantial building which affords considerably more space than that normally allowed for a unit of the size which occupies it. Suggestions have been made to the Territorial Association concerned with a view to adapting it to existing requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what is the present total capacity of cold meat-storage plants for mutton and lamb sold on the home market and how far these properties are owned by companies engaged in the import of meat from overseas; and what chilled and frozen storage is there available for home-produced meat?

According to the Institute of London Underwriters' Approved List of Cold Stores (of 30,000 cubic feet capacity or over) there is in the United Kingdom approximately 34 million cubic feet of cold-storage accommodation suitable for frozen meat which has been inspected and satisfactorily reported upon by the Surveyors to Lloyd's Register. Approximately 21 million cubic feet of this space is directly owned by companies engaged in the import of meat from overseas. It is not usual to place home-produced meat in cold store.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Stanhope Steamship Company was registered; and whether Messrs. J. A. Billmeir and Company, Limited, have had previous associations with the Board of Trade as managers of shipping companies?

The Stanhope Steamship Company was incorporated on the 1st October, 1934, and the ships owned by the Company are managed by Mr. J. A. Billmeir, who has acted as a manager of ships for many years. Messrs. J. A. Billmeir & Co., Ltd., have not acted as managers of ships.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of vacancies in the catering industry notified to each of the employment exchanges in Blackpool, Lytham St. Anne's, Fleetwood, Thornton Cleveleys, Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Scarborough, Whitby, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Rhyl, Frinton, Clacton, Walton-on-the-Naze, Southend-on-Sea, Morecambe, Southport, Wallasey, New Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Hastings, Bournemouth, Torquay, Skegness, and Weston-super-Mare, during the summer season of 1937; and what was the number of these vacancies filled by the exchanges, giving the figures separately in each case and the total number of the vacancies?

This information is being compiled, so far as available, and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of registered unemployed in Bradford, Huddersfield, Halifax, Batley, Morley, and Dewsbury, respectively, in March, 1937, and April, 1938?

The following table shows the numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of the undermentioned Employment Exchanges at 15th March, 1937, and 4th April, 1938.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate annual cost of the salaries paid to those customs and excise officers charged with the supervision of undertakings using alcohol in the manufacture of power methylated spirits or industrial methylated spirits, or in connection with any arts and manufactures under Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1902?

The work in question forms only a part and generally a small part, of the duties of the Officers of Customs and Excise to whom it is assigned and I am not in a position to furnish an estimate of the cost in salaries of these particular items.