asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to take any further steps for the more effective protection of the Home motor-car industry?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the representations which have been made to me. I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that the rate of duty on foreign motor cars is 33⅓ per cent. and that imports of motor cars last year were equal to 4½ per cent. of the domestic output.

asked the President of the. Board of Trade whether in view of the limitation, in accordance with the Ottawa Agreement, of Dominion supplies of mutton and lamb to approximately 65 per cent. of the standard year July 1931 to June 1932, he will, taking the statistics of such imports during the last 12 months for which figures are available, state what has been the exact percentage during that period?

The Agreements made at Ottawa with Australia and New Zealand did not provide for a reduction of Dominion shipments. They did, however, provide for progressive reductions in the quantities of frozen mutton and lamb to be imported into the United Kingdom from foreign countries in each quarter, of the period the 1st January, 1933, to the 30th June, 1934, as compared with imports in the corresponding quarters of the 12 months ended the 30th June, 1932, and for the continuance after the 30th June, 1934, unless otherwise agreed by the respective Governments of the regulation of foreign supplies at the level agreed for the period April-June 1934, namely, 65 per cent. of the imports in the basic period. Imports of mutton and lamb from foreign countries in the year 1937 represented 67 per cent. of such imports in the Ottawa standard year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any schemes of school reorganisation under the Hadow plan have been held up owing to the refusal of the Public Works Loans Board to loan the necessary money?

My Noble Friend is aware that in one case a local education authority has been unable to secure a loan from the Public Works Loans Board; but he has received no intimation from the authority that any proposed scheme of reorganisation has been delayed on that account. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many education authorities in Wales have completed the reorganisation of schools in accordance with the Hadow plan?

No local education authority in Wales has yet completed reorganisation in accordance with the recommendations of the Hadow Report. Several authorities have made substantial progress in this direction, but a good deal still remains to be done.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total number of persons in the City of Kingston-upon-Hull in receipt of public assistance during the years 1936–37 to the present date, and the amount spent for the periods, respectively?

During the year ended 31st March, 1937, the average number of persons in receipt of out-relief in money and kind in the City of Kingston-upon-Hull was 20,462 and the cost of the relief afforded was £401,033. The corresponding

Pay and Allowances of Married Officers of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force living with their families but not victualled or accommodated.
Royal Navy (Executive).
Rank.	Pay per diem.			Provision allowance per annum.	Marriage allowance for wife and one child per diem.		Servants allowance per annum.	Total per annum.
	£	s.	d.	£	s	d.	£	£
Captain*	2	12	4	47	7	6	60	1,199
		to						to
	3	5	10					1,445
Commander*	1	14	2	47	6	6	†	790
		to						to
	2	5	0					987
Lieut.-Commander	1	5	2	47	6	6	†	625
		to						to
	1	12	10					765
Lieutenant,* over 30 years of age.	0	18	2	47	6	6	†	498

Army.‡
Rank.	Pay per diem.			Ration allowance per diem.		Lodging allowance per diem.		Fuel and light allowance per diem (average).		Furniture allowance per diem.		Servant allowance per diem.		Total per annum.
	£	s	d	s	d	s	d	s	d	s	d	s	d	£
Colonel	2	9	10	1	8	5	6	4	0	2	0	2	0	1,186
Lieut.-Colonel	2	3	0	1	8	4	6	3	0	2	0	2	0	1,026
Major	1	8	6	1	8	4	6	3	0	2	0	2	0	760
		to												to
	1	13	6											851
Captain, over 30 years of age.	0	19	0	1	8	4	6	2	10	2	0	2	0	584
		to												to
	1	3	6											667

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the pay of equivalent ranks, below rank of admiral, of officers in the Navy, Army and Air Force, with the marriage allowances, on the same lines as the answer given to a similar question on 9th April, 1924?

The following statement gives the information my hon. and gallant Friend requires:

asked the Minister of Health whether the Bebington Town Council has completed the acquisition of Plymyard, Eastham, and its estate of 48 acres for a cemetery; at what price this property was acquired; and what was its previous rateable value?

Yes, Sir. The purchase price was £25,000 and the previous rateable value £196.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the total area acquired and the total price paid for the site of the Ringway Airport, in Cheshire,

The total area, including the three individual properties mentioned, is approximately 636 acres and the price paid £53,300. The arbitrator's award for Grange Farm (203 acres) was £11,850, and for the other two properties as stated in the question. The remaining portion of the site comprising 179 acres consisted of a number of small properties which were acquired altogether for £15,115. The whole of the land purchased was formerly agricultural land and therefore de-rated.

asked the Minister of Health with reference to the Brent Valley Golf Course, comprising 75¾ acres of land freehold, premises known as The Grove, leasehold interests in approximately six acres of land, and the freehold of Dublin House, recently acquired by the Middlesex County Council at a price of £51,696 decided at arbitration, what was the previous aggregate net rateable value of all these properties?

The figure is £691.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Theobald's Park, Waltham Cross, former home of Sir George Collins, has been purchased by the Middlesex County Council for addition to London's Green Belt, the estate consisting of the mansion and about 76 acres and having been withdrawn at an auction sale in April at £50,000; and whether he will state the price paid for this land and its previous rateable value?

I am aware of the purchase referred to, which I understand to be in the first instance for hospital purposes. I understand the purchase price to be £47,000 and that the annual rateable value of the property when last occupied was £500.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will provide a statement showing, for the years 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937, the results of arbitrations pursuant to compulsory purchase orders for the acquisition of land for public purposes; the name of the acquiring authority; the area and description of the land purchased in each case; for what purpose required; the amount asked by the claimant; the amount awarded by the arbitrator; and, where known, the rateable value previous to purchase?

In the years mentioned there have been some 1,600 arbitrations of the kind referred to, but the information asked for with regard to those transactions is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total amount of Government grant to county and borough councils during the past seven years for the purpose of research into the cause and treatment of mental disorder?

No such grants have been made to local authorities for the purpose mentioned in the hon. Member's question. An Advisory Committee has been set up with my approval by the Board of Control to consider the general question of research into mental disorders.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has sanctioned an application from the Hull City Corporation for permission to borrow the sum of £185,000 to build a dust destructor and plant?

No, Sir. The site of the destructor was in close proximity to a food factory and my predecessor was not satisfied, after public inquiry, that the proposal could be justified in view of the risk of emission of dust and grit.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fraternisation in Shanghai of British military officers and Japanese military officers; and whether, in view of the unfortunate impressions which may thereby be caused to the Chinese, he will suggest the avoidance of any such mutual entertainment?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the recent visit to Shanghai of the British Military Attaché at His Majesty's Embassy, Tokyo, one of whose normal functions, of course, is to serve as a channel of communication with the Japanese military authorities. British authorities in Shanghai must keep in touch with the Japanese authorities, if only in regard to the maintenance of our interests there, and on this and other grounds it is important that their relations should be kept on the best footing possible in the circumstances.

asked the Prime Minister what is the present position concerning the attack made by Japanese soldiers upon Mr. H. W. Wilkinson?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington South (Sir W. Davison) on 1st June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he can state the result of his inquiries into the question of the nuisance arising from the burning pit-heap at Craghead, county Durham;(2) what action he proposes as a result of the inspection recently of the burning pit-heap at Cragside, county Durham, by one of the Ministry's alkali inspectors?

My inspector reports that certain remedial measures taken by the colliery company during the last three months have effected some improvement. The company are considering the practicability of adopting measures for further improvement on lines discussed with the inspector, who is keeping in close touch with the company in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will inform the German Government that any resumed discussion on German and Austrian obligations to British subjects must provide for a restoration of the defaulted sinking fund contract on the German Government International 5½ per cent. 1930 (Young) Loan; and will he make it clear that there will be no hesitation in transforming the Anglo-German payments agreement into an exchange clearing arrangement if a solution cannot be otherwise arrived at acceptable to the British negotiators?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend may rest assured that every effort will be made, in consultation with the representatives of the bondholders, to secure satisfaction of British interests in these matters. I do not consider that it would be desirable for me to say more at present.

asked the Prime Minister what is the system of auditing applied to the accounts and balance-sheet of the Non-Intervention Committee; and what financial control is exercised over the expenditure made on its behalf?

The funds provided by the participating Governments for financing the Observation Scheme are vested in a company registered in London under the Companies Acts of the United Kingdom, and its accounts are kept in accordance with the provisions of those Acts. I understand that at the request of the International Board arrangements were made at the outset of the scheme for the accounts to be audited on a fee basis by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty's Treasury were consulted before the assets held by the Bank of England on account of the Austrian Central Bank were released?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Members for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) and West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 22nd March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the negotiations now proceeding with Germany regarding the Austrian loans have been extended so as to include the Dawes and Young loans?

The negotiations include all the matters dealt with in the Anglo-German Payments Agreement of 1st November, 1934 (Command Paper 4963).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any reply has been received from the German Government to the protest sent by the guarantors of the Austrian loans?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the British liability for the payment of interest on Austrian loans is definite and unaffected by whether other States do or do not default; and, if the full interest on the loans is not met, can he give priority to certain categories of bondholders, depending on the price paid for the bonds by the bondholders?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) on 17th March, to which I cannot add at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any further statement to make regarding the attitude of the German Government in respect of the Austrian loans?

No, Sir, not at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to ensure that Government directors on subsidised companies maintain effective contact with the Treasury?

As was explained on 16th May in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) responsibility for the appointment of Government directors rests with the Minister concerned in each case. The directors report to the appropriate Minister upon such matters as are of concern to the Government, and the Minister would, through his Department, maintain the necessary contact with the Treasury. In cases where the appointment of Government directors rests with the Board of Treasury the reports are rendered direct to that Department. The steps by which contact is maintained naturally vary in different cases, but I am fully satisfied as to the efficacy of the present arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury will obtain from the professors of economics who advise His Majesty's Government an explanation as to why the cheap money rates, under the present system of managed money, have not prevented the fall in prices coupled with the trade recession now being experienced; and whether the economists recommend a further cheapening of money rates?

Wholesale commodity prices in this country are about 21 per cent. higher and the prices of primary commodities about 48 per cent. higher than in September, 1931. As however has repeatedly been made clear in the declarations issued by this Government and by the Governments of the other parts of the British Commonwealth, it is not possible to ensure a satisfactory price level by monetary policy alone in the absence of the international action necessary to remove the non-monetary factors which from time to time depress prices severely.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give a list of those industries which, during the past few years, have been assisted by subsidies, such as the herring industry, tramp shipping, sugar-beet, etc.?

Since 1934 subsidies have been payable from public funds in respect of the following industries and branches of industry:

• Beet Sugar.
• Agriculture.
• Herring Fishing.
• Tramp Shipping.
• Civil Aviation.
• Light Horse Breeding.
• Mechanical Transport.

The assistance to the agricultural industry covers payments in respect of livestock, milk, oats and barley production, and land fertility improvement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the adverse criticisms of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, he will consider taking steps, legislative or otherwise, to see that the accounts of all friendly societies shall be audited by competent auditors?

The subject has been noted for consideration when an opportunity arises for legislation relating to Friendly Societies. In the meantime such other steps as are possible have been taken and I understand that the necessity for competent audit is being increasingly recognised.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the proposal of the Agricultural Research Council to create a central institute in the Lea Valley district for glasshouse crops, he will advise the council that this institute should also embrace outdoor flowers and vegetables?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will be considered, together with all other relevant matters by the committee appointed by the Agricultural Research Council, in consultation with the Agricultural Departments for England and Wales and Scotland, to study the question of the organisation of research into flower and vegetable crops.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the composition of the departmental committee which he is establishing to inquire into the powers of marketing boards to recover penalties for contravention of marketing schemes?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject, but I hope to be able to do so in the near future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the low rate of wages and poor employment conditions of nursery agricultural workers, particularly in Hertfordshire, Middlesex, and Essex, and the refusal of the owners through such organisations as the Lea Valley Growers' Association to meet the men's representatives or improve conditions; and whether, in view of the tariff and other Government help given to the industry and its relatively prosperous state, he will take steps to bring pressure to bear on the owners to secure a much needed improvement?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that despite the assistance rendered to the nursery industry by means of import duties and quotas, the employers therein refuse to meet the representatives of the National Union of Agricultural Workers to discuss proposals to improve sanitation and water supplies on the premises of many firms and to raise the wage rates now existing in the industry; and whether he will take action to bring about a change of attitude on the part of these employers?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the organised employers in the nursery fruit and market garden industry of the Lea Valley persistently refuse to negotiate with the trade union representatives on wages and working conditions; that skilled workmen receive lower wages than unskilled workers in other industries; and, as these employers have the benefit of protection, will he insist on fair wages and conditions for their employees?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to induce the Lea Valley Growers' Association to meet the National Union of Agricultural Workers with a view to negotiations on the restoration of the wage rates formerly payable under a decision of the Hertfordshire wages committee, which were cut during the depression, and which are now below those of unskilled workers in other industries in that district?

I have no detailed information as to the precise wages or conditions of employment of the class of workers concerned, but I understand that the wages paid to such workers are generally somewhat higher than the minimum rates prescribed by the Orders made under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act. I have been informed by the National Union of Agricultural Workers that an organisation representing employers in the Lea Valley has declined to meet the union for the purpose of discussing wages and conditions of employment, but it is open to the workers' oganisations to make representations to the statutory authorities, namely, the Agricultural Wages Committees, which are in existence for the purpose of regulating wages for all classes of agricultural workers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give the

Statement showing for 1936 and 1937, the potato acreage in Scotland, England and Wales; the estimated total crop and average yield per acre in Great Britain; the estimated average price per ton of potatoes at certain wholesale markets in England and Wales; and the tonnage and declared value of foreign potatoes imported into, and of home-grown potatoes exported from, the United Kingdom.
—	1936		1937.
Potato Acreage:
England	Acres	439, 052	437,799
Wales	Acres	17,517	17,497
Scotland	Acres	133,057	135,396
Great Britain	Acres	589,626	590,692
Total Crop in Great Britain	Tons	3,0804,000	4,048,000
Average yield per acre in Great Britain	Tons	6.5	6.9
Average price per ton at certain wholesale markets in England and Wales (a).	153s. 6d.	1152.0d.
Imports of potatoes from foreign countries into the United Kingdom:
Quantity	Tons	215,486	132,357
Declared Value	£	1,812,291	1,226,518
Exports of home-grown potatoes from the United Kingdom:
Quantity	Tons	32,030	55,714
Declared Value	£	213,891	388,460
(a)Prices of King Edward and Majestic potates, average of first and second qualities—1st September to 31st May, 1936–37 and 1937–38 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to instances in which cattle graded for subsidy under the provisions of the Livestock Industry Act, and in respect of which a subsidy has been paid to the farmers from public funds on the sale of such graded cattle, have been found on slaughter to be unfit for human food, with the result that the butchers have had to lose the value of such carcases; and whether arrangements can be made to pay compensation to butchers in respect of such carcases?

I am aware that a certain number of fat cattle are condemned in whole or in part, after slaughter, as being unfit for human consumption. As regards the second part

Particulars of the acreage and production of potatoes in 1938 are not yet available. The answer in respect of the years 1936 and 1937 is as follows:of the question, the subject of compensation in respect of carcases condemned on grounds of public health is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet informed the Milk Board of his intention to release them from their liability to repay £26,320 for milk used in manufacture in 1937; and whether he will now consider a levy subsidy on imported milk products, as recommended by the Milk Board and endorsed by milk producers at their annual general meeting last week?

The Milk Marketing Boards will be aware from the White Paper on Milk Policy, issued in July last, of the Government's intention to release them from any liability accruing after the 30th September, 1937, for the repayment of advances under the Milk Acts, 1934 to 1937; but it is not intended to release the boards from the liability which accrued up to that date. As regards the second part of the question, before formulating their milk policy the Government gave very careful consideration to the question of a levy subsidy system for the milk industry, but reached the conclusion that the method of direct Exchequer assistance, coupled with a price insurance plan, as announced in the White Paper, was preferable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn.to the recommendation of the Joint Committee on the Food and Drugs Bill that substantial amendment of the law relating to milk would be more suitably effected in the coming Milk Bill; and whether he intends to do so?

I am aware of the reference of the Joint Committee on the Food and Drugs Bill to which my hon. Friend refers. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I are considering, in connection with the forthcoming milk legislation, the proposals which were made to the Committee for amending the law relating to milk.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many distributors have raised the price of milk to the public during the month of May?

I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the effect of drought on the cost of winter keep, he can state what measures he proposes to take to ensure the production of winter-fed bullocks and arable sheep?

It is impossible to determine with any precision what effect the drought during the spring will have on the cost of the keep of livestock during next winter. Whilst the hay crop is likely to be below average, roots have generally been sown under satisfactory conditions, and it is premature to form an estimate of the final outturn of the root crops, which are an important element in winter feeding. Further, the general level of costs of feeding stuffs is governed by world prices rather than by climatic conditions in this country. In these circumstances, and having regard to the increase in numbers of cattle and sheep as estimated in December last, there would appear to be no reason to contemplate the special measures suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order that the effects of the policy of increasing the fertility of the soil by fostering the use of lime and basic slag may not be seriously lessened, he will consider, as an emergency measure, temporarily subsidising livestock, thereby enabling farmers to preserve their animals in the face of increased winter maintenance costs due to drought?

With regard to the question of winter maintenance costs, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the immediately preceding question. My hon. Friend will be aware that there are already in operation measures providing substantial financial assistance to the cattle industry, and I am unable to contemplate any additional assistance on the lines proposed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the drought and the lessons to be derived therefrom, he will appoint experts from the Ministry to study the differing systems of farming and methods of fertilisation responsible for the dissimilar manner in which crops in different counties but in neighbouring fields have withstood the drought?

Experts whose function is to study problems of farming in all its aspects are already employed at research stations and advisory centres and by county councils; and I have no doubt that they will give careful attention to any special lessons to be learned from the current season's drought.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the entries for fat sheep and lambs at the most representative markets of Wales and the border counties in the last week for which figures are available and for three months and six months previously, respectively?

The following statement shows the numbers of fat sheep and lambs offered for sale at certain representative markets in Wales and the

Market.				Week ended 15th June, 1938.	Week ended 16th March, 1938.	Week ended 15th December, 1937.
Llandilo	…	…	…	900	284	245
Menai Bridge	…	…	…	1,234	226	206
Mold	…	…	…	706	280	—†
Monmouth	…	…	…	816*	760	640*
Montgomery	…	…	…	50*	56*	730*
Usk	…	…	…	1,121	871*	956
Welshpool	…	…	…	2,300	750	1,200
Crewe	…	…	…	1,601	894	937
Gloucester	…	…	…	1,992	1,228	1,429
Hereford	…	…	…	2,963	1,883	910
Oswestry	…	…	…	2,819	1,081	1,314
Shrewsbury	…	…	…	2,830	1,315	1,074
* Figure for previous week (Fortnightly market).
†No entry, owing to Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the anxiety felt by those engaged in the sea fish industry, he is now in a position to make a statement on the Northern Waters (Restriction) Order.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions to questions by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) and my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Hull (Mr. Law) on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the Crown Lands Department now possess a surplus of some £3,000,000, arrangements can be made to use this sum for the making of advances at reasonably low interest to those Regent Street tenants who would be prepared to capitalise part of the ground rents which they now pay and which are so excessive as to damage their business?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the value of the securities held by the Crown Lands Department at the 31st March, 1937, was estimated at £2,942,631; what is the object of retaining this large

By Act of Parliament the Commissioners of Crown Lands are required to invest in land all sums received in respect of capital, though they may expend portions of the capital upon improvements and are directed to invest in trustee securities when suitable investments in land are not available. The Statute does not include provisions enabling the Commissioners to make advances from the capital for the purpose suggested by my hon. Friend. As and when suitable opportunities occur, portions of the sum mentioned will be reinvested in land or spent in improvements as suggested by the hon. Member, but under the terms of the Statute any improvements made must be in connection with and for the benefit of the Crown Lands and must be such works as are specified in the Third Schedule to the Settled Land Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increased use of strychnine in keeping down vermin in agricultural districts; and whether he will take steps to restrict the free use of this poison?

I am not aware of any increase in the use of strychnine for the purpose of the destruction of vermin. On the contrary, the sale of strychnine, except as an ingredient in a medicine, has been prohibited since 1st May, 1936.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Committee on Rehabilitation of Injured Workmen has yet made its report; if not, when it is likely to do so; and whether the chairman of the committee has yet decided whether the evidence given before this committee will he published?

The committee has not yet made its final report but the chairman hopes that the report may be completed before the end of the year. As regards the last part of the question it is not proposed to make a decision at this stage.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will request the departmental committee which will investigate the rise of 90 per cent. in coal prices to estimate the effect of the rise upon domestic fuelling, transport, lighting, and other public utility services, and upon the cost of the production of food, of building materials, and essential manufactured articles included in the wage earners' cost-of-living index for 1937 as compared with July, 1914?

I am bringing my hon. Friend's suggestion to the notice of the committee, but I must leave it to the committee to deal with its wide terms of reference in such manner as it thinks fit.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will include in the terms of reference to the committee dealing with the high cost of coal to the public the question as to what extent the increases in pithead prices have put up the cost of living of wage earners not employed in the mining industry, apart from increasing the cost felt by all wage earners?

No, Sir. As my hon. Friend will see from the reply I gave on Tuesday to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) the terms of reference to the committee deal with distributive costs and not pithead prices.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of accidents, fatal and non-fatal, which happened to boys under 16 years of age employed at the mines in Great Britain during the years 1936 and 1937?

During 1936, 29 boys under 16 years of age were killed and 5,932 injured and disabled for more than three days by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911. The comparable figures for 1937 were 28 killed and 5,750 injured.

asked the Secretary of Mines whether he will state the number of workmen injured in the mines of South Wales and Monmouthshire during 1937?

During the year 1937, 27,345 persons were injured and disabled for more than three days by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, in South Wales and Monmouthshire.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will amplify the statistical summary of output, etc., of the coal-mining industry issued by his Department by giving separately the figures for the following coalfields: Lancashire and Cheshire, North Staffordshire, Cumberland, North Wales, South Staffordshire and Worcestershire, Forest of Dean, Somerset, and Kent?

As the answer involves a lengthy statistical statement, I will forward the information to my hon. Friend, and put copies in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons at the most recent date for which the figures are available had been registered for employment for a continuous period of not less than 12 months?

At 16th May, 1938, out of a total of 1,637,275 applicants for insurance benefit or unemployment allowances 278,810 had been continuously on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain for 12 months or more. A proportion of the persons who had been unemployed for a year or more will have had one or more short spells of employment lasting not more than three days each during that period. Corresponding particulars are not available in respect of persons not applying for benefit or allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour how many applicants for unemployment assistance allowance in Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire are receiving full-scale determinations and how many reduced determinations?

I regret that information in the precise form desired by the hon. Member is not available. As regards cases in which there are resources it is estimated that in December last in about one-quarter of the 72,428 assessments current in the Board's administrative districts of Cardiff, Newport and Swansea (which include, though they are not coterminous with, the two counties) the applicant or a member of his household possessed resources which were partly taken into account to meet the applicant's needs. This does not include applicants whose allowances were adjusted solely by reason of casual earnings declared at the time of payment, nor does it include applicants who, on the basis of household resources available, were adjudged not to be in need.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total number of men, women and young persons in receipt of Unemployment Assistance Board's benefit in the city of Kingston-upon-Hull during the period of 1936–37 to the present date, and the total amounts paid?

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

asked the Minister of Labour under what conditions are foreign musicians, actors and other artists granted permits to take up professional contracts in this country?

Applications for permits in respect of foreign nationals in the classes mentioned present widely differing circumstances and each case is considered on its individual merits. In the case of foreign concert artists and actors of international repute or who have special attainments, permits are granted freely for specific engagements. The admission of foreign music-hall artists is regulated by special rules including a minimum salary standard designed to protect the legitimate interests of British artists.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the present practice of allowing residential roads to be used by public service vehicles without any notice to those concerned prior to the granting of the licence by the Traffic Commissioners, he will issue a regulation making it obligatory on local authorities to cause notice to be published of all proposals for the use of any additional roads by public service vehicles, as provided under Part 4, Section 90, Sub-section (4), of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, so that persons affected may lodge an objection if they so desire?

The Sub-section mentioned by my hon. Friend refers to orders made by local authorities and has no reference to the grant of licences by the Traffic Commissioners. Parliament has given me no power to make the regulation which I understand my hon. Friend to desire.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the London Passenger Transport Board exempts itself from liability at common law in respect of accidents to persons travelling with cheap tickets?

The London Passenger Transport Board has informed me that it will not in future, in respect of any of its services, seek to exempt itself by special contract from its liability at common law in respect of injury—fatal or otherwise—to passengers (other than those holding privilege tickets or free passes) when travelling in the board's vehicles or whilst in the act of entering or alighting from such vehicles. Where in the case of passengers holding workmen's tickets who may be injured in such circumstances the board's liability at common law is limited by special Act the board will not plead such limitation.I am glad to say that the board has decided to apply this concession to accidents which occurred on or after 1st May, 1938.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the total amount of expenditure in 1937 on road construction and major improvements, respectively; and whether he will give the figure for the total expenditure on roads?

The total expenditure incurred by highway authorities on roads and bridges during the year ended 31st March, 1937, amounted to £58½ millions, of which £13½ millions was incurred on road and bridge construction and major improvements. Figures for the calendar year 1937 and for the financial year 1937–38 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in considering the programmes of prospective works involving capital expenditure to be submitted by the local authorities in response to Circular No. 1687, he will bear in mind the need for considering the proposals for new roads and road improvements in the area of each authority in relation to a general plan of road construction and improvement in the surrounding areas; and whether, with this object in view, he will take steps to make available to the local authorities information as to the priority of works in the programme of trunk road improvements and in the road schemes of county councils which have been approved for grants from the Road Fund?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, information is always given to the county council and to the planning authorities regarding schemes involving the construction of trunk road by-passes or diversions. In addition my officers discuss with the local authorities concerned trunk road improvements in contemplation and I am sure that county councils and other highway authorities would be ready to adopt a similar course.

asked the Minister of Transport when the decision to re-impose the 30-miles-per-hour speed limit on the Glasgow-Edinburgh road at Carntyne is to take effect?

I made an Order, reimposing the 30 miles per hour speed limit on the Glasgow-Edinburgh Road at Carntyne on 16th May, from which date the Order takes effect. Owing to an extension of the city boundaries on the same day a question has arisen as to the correct siting of the signs required in connection with the Order. This will be disposed of in the next few days.

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

There is no Dutch air service to South Africa, and the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War what contracts have been awarded by his Department to Messrs. H. J. Heinz and Company, Limited, food producers, Harlesden, London, showing what are the articles supplied to the War Department by this firm; and whether he has inquired as to whether the firm conforms to the practice of good employers in this country by recognising a trade union as a medium of negotiation for the workpeople?

No contracts have been placed with this firm by the War Department during the past 10 years.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present deficiency in the establishment of the Regular Army; and how this compares with the position at a similar date last year?

On 1st June the Regular Army was deficient of 25,693 officers and men compared with 28,476 on the corresponding date last year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, under the present arrangements, a non-commissioned officer re-enlisting from the Army Reserve must revert to sapper, private or equivalent rank, which means losing the beneficial results of his previous promotion and the accrued seniority necessary for further promotion; and, if so, whether, when he next reviews this matter, he will consider some alteration to assist this type of man?

Army reservists who voluntarily rejoin the colours to complete their current engagements do so on the understanding that they rejoin in the rank of private or equivalent rank. After they have rejoined they are eligible for promotion on an establishment basis, as vacancies occur, save in a minority of cases where promotion is on a time basis. Any departure from this arrangement would be liable to cause an excess over establishment in the non-commissioned ranks of the unit concerned, and block the promotion of serving soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the importance of the subject, he will give his immediate consideration to the complaint of medical officers attached to the Royal Air Force recruiting depots of the insufficiency of their remuneration and of the insecurity of their engagement?

Consideration has been given to the representations made by the officers referred to but it has not been possible to modify their conditions of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give any estimate of the total number of civilians likely to be permanently employed on Minchinhampton aerodrome; and whether he will consider employing local men, as far as possible, with the object of preventing overcrowding in the district?

The answer to the first part of the question is approximately 250. As regards the last part of the question, the claims of local men will be taken into account, but it will be essential to import a proportion of skilled workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can supply figures showing how the salaries of pilots on British subsidised air-transport undertakings compare with salaries paid to pilots in the Royal Air Force?

The nature of employment and conditions of service as between pilots of the Royal Air Force and those engaged in civil aviation differ so widely that comparative figures of their emoluments would necessarily be misleading.