asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of warships and naval armaments for which export licences were granted during 1937?

Delivery licences for a total of so vessels of war were issued by the Admiralty in 1937 under the Treaties of Washington Act, 1922, but the values of the vessels are not known. The Board of Trade issued export licences during the same period for war material for foreign countries identifiable as naval equipment to a total value of £603,219.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can state the countries to which the facilities of the export credits scheme have been extended; and whether difficulties have occurred in any instance?

Guarantees have been given by the Export Credits Guarantee Department for the benefit of United Kingdom exporters in connection with exports all over the world. No insuperable difficulty has been met with in the administration of the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state by counties, the distribution of the bulk of the last Australian wool clip and the price of sale, as compared with 1937, 1936, and 1935?

—					1st July—30th April.
					1934–5.	1935–6.	1936–7.	1937–8.
					In Million lbs.
United Kingdom	…	…	…	…	302.5	258.6	293.4	284.8
Japan	…	…	…	…	151.1	214.2	71.1	57.3
Belgium	…	…	…	…	113.8	104.7	126.8	82.4
France	…	…	…	…	69.6	71.3	76.7	111.7
Germany	…	…	…	…	24.7	27.1	36.4	47.7
United States	…	…	…	…	4.4	25.0	73.4	4.5
Netherlands	…	…	…	…	14.8	15.1	9.7	6.7
Canada	…	…	…	…	1.2	2.3	3.6	3.1
Austria	…	…	…	…	2.3	3.7	5.3	2.6
Italy	…	…	…	…	21.4	3.2	30.0	28.5
Other Countries	…	…	…	…	27.3	32.3	32.8	40.9
					733.1	757.5	759.2	670.2

Figures issued by the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia show that the average prices realized during the above periods were as follow:—

						Pence (Australian)
July-April.						per lb.
1934–5	…	…	…	…	…	9.60
1935–6	…	…	…	…	…	14.25
1936–7	…	…	…	…	…	16.64
1937–8	…	…	…	…	…	12.85

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether an inquiry is to be held before Parliamentary authority is sought for the increased powers for which the Potato Marketing Board have recently asked in the proposed amendments of its marketing scheme?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver) on Tuesday last. The inquiry into objections to the proposed amendments, which will be conducted by Mr. C. T. Le Quesne, K.C., will begin in London on nth July, and will be adjourned to Edinburgh on 18th July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the result of the consultations he has been conducting with the representatives of the Govern-

The following statement, compiled from information supplied by the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics, shows the distribution, by countries, of Australian wool during the period 1st July, 1937, to 30th April, 1938, with figures for the corresponding periods of the three previous seasons.ments of the Commonwealth of Australia and of New Zealand in regard to the supplies of mutton and lamb from those Dominions during the current year?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the latter part of the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert) on 14th June, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a London firm of fruit importers has recently offered to British jam makers a supply of 3,000 tons of Bulgarian strawberries at a price approximately 4d. a pound less than the average cost of production in this country; and whether he is satisfied that British growers are adequately protected against such imports?

I am aware of the offer of Bulgarian strawberries to jam manufacturers at a price of approximately 4d. per pound, and that this price has been stated to be lower than the cost of production of strawberries in this country. I should explain, however, that most of the strawberries grown in this country are needed for the requirements of the consumers of fresh fruit and of the canners. I understand that imported strawberries and strawberry pulp are normally used to a considerable extent by jam makers who aim at putting on the market a strawberry jam at a popular price. As regards the last part of the question, growers are already protected by import duties both on fresh strawberries and on strawberry pulp, but if they are dissatisfied with the protection so afforded, it is open to them to make representations to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for increases in the rates of duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of houses required in Scotland to replace unfit houses and to put an end to overcrowding; and how many houses were built for these purposes during 1937?

It is estimated that the total number of houses required in Scotland to replace unfit houses and to put an end to overcrowding is about 250,000. The number of houses built by local authorities specifically for these purposes in 1937 was 12,857.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many types of timber houses are being built by local authorities in Scotland; and how many local authorities have decided to build timber houses?

I understand that local authorities are considering the use of both the solid timber wall and the timber framed wall types of construction. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 14th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of houses in Scotland without separate water-closets or baths?

It is estimated that there are about 350,000 houses in Scotland without separate water-closets and about 400,000 without baths.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the economic results being attained by the colonies of smallholders recently settled in the Stirlingshire and Dumbartonshire areas?

As the result of inquiries recently made on this subject I am now able to give a general indication of the position.

During the last four years the Department of Agriculture for Scotland have formed nine groups consisting of 151 small holdings in Stirlingshire and Dumbartonshire as part of a general scheme to provide holdings capable of development on intensive lines and, in the main, capable of becoming self-supporting under suitable management. The Department had in view that the possibility of such development being spread over a period of years could not be excluded and that in the initial stages a certain amount of ancillary employment might be necessary as part of the process of development. Keeping these considerations in view and also that the prospects of success are largely dependent on the varying character, experience and resources of the holders concerned, it is gratifying to note that even at this early stage the majority of the holders are already earning a living from their holdings and are making satisfactory progress and that as regards the reminder the Department have reason to believe that save in exceptional cases the holders' efforts will ultimately be attended with a reasonable measure of success.

asked the Secretary of State for War what anti-aircraft armaments are available for the defence of Greenock?

I would refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence on 1st June to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Major Macnamara) a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health, when the investigation and examination in connection with the levy of the liberty rate in the parish of Ring-would will be completed; whether it is now known who makes the rate; how the money collected is expended; and whether the accounts are subject to the audit of the Ministry?

This matter has been investigated. The liberty rate is made by the Dover Rural District Council in pursuance of a precept issued to them by the Dover Town Council. The money collected is applied in defraying expenses in the borough and liberties of Dover in connection with the administration of justice and of legislation relating to weights and measures. The accounts of the town council and of the rural district council are subject to audit by the district auditor.I may add that a refund in respect of expenses defrayed by the county council in the rest of the area in these matters is duly credited in relief of the rates leviable in the liberties.

asked the Postmaster-General at what number of the 261 telephone exchanges in London and the 3,286 in the country established telephonist staff is now employed; and how many of these exchanges, when converted to automatic working, will dispense with established staff?

There are 253 exchanges in the London Telecommunications Region and 5,410 in the rest of the country, of which 190 and 3,071 respectively have operating staff. Established telephonist staff is now employed at about 175 exchanges in the London Region and 1,230 other exchanges; and when conversion to automatic working has been completed established telephonist staff will have been dispensed with at some 75 and 950 of these exchanges respectively. This staff will be absorbed in other exchanges with the growth of the system.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state, after taking all foreign transmission of messages business conducted by his Department, the percentage carried by cable, telephones, and wireless?

The percentages of these three classes of messages in the overseas services conducted by the Post Office are:

Cable telegrams	…	57½
Telephone calls	…	26½
Wireless telegrams	…	16

asked the Minister of Health which local authorities are co-operating in and what sum is being contributed by each for acquiring 61½ acres of land adjoining the Thames between Bourne End and Marlow at a total cost of £6,069; how much is being contributed by public subscription; what party or parties will receive this money; and what is the present rateable value of the land in question?

The local authorities cooperating in the matter are the County Councils of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, the Town Council of Chepping Wycombe and the Rural District Councils of Cookham and Wycombe. The price to be paid for the land has not yet been finally settled. The vendors are Mr. D. R. Randall and Messrs. Burroughs of Bourne End, and the land, being agricultural, is de-rated.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will ascertain when the London and North Eastern Railway Company proposes to abolish the dangerous level crossing at Park Lane, Tottenham?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the level crossing at the country end of Northumberland Park Station. I am informed by the London and North Eastern Railway that no serious accident has taken place at this crossing and that there appears to be no reason why it should be described as dangerous. I am, of course, prepared to consider an application from the responsible highway authority for a grant from the Road Fund towards the cost of its abolition.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the dangerous and dilapidated condition of the buildings, he will consider the possibility of having Corfe Castle, Dorset, scheduled and cared for by the Office of Works?

Corfe Castle is already scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Acts, but is not in the guardianship of my Department. I have no information that the structure is in a dangerous condition, but I will certainly make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the wages paid to gold miners in Kenya, Government labourers in Nyasaland, and labourers in Rhodesian tobacco plantations?

According to my latest information, which referred to 1936, the average monthly wage of native gold miners in Kenya was then 10s. and of Government labourers in Nyasaland 8s. 6d. The average monthly wage of labourers in Northern Rhodesia tobacco plantations is about 7s. 6d.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are taken by his Department to control foreign propaganda in British possessions in Africa?

The Governments of the African Dependencies have the position under constant observation and they have powers to control propaganda which is of a seditious or subversive nature.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the recent international conference to review the working of the convention for the protection of fauna and flora which met in London on 24th May?

The report of the proceedings of the Conference will be published shortly. This will incorporate the Final Act of the Conference and its appendices which include the statements made by the various delegates to the Conference and the report of the committee of experts appointed to consider what further species should be recommended for special protection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the composition of the committee appointed by the Governor of Kenya Colony to inquire into the conditions of child labour in the Colony, and the terms of reference of the committee?

I have not yet been informed by the Governor of the composition of this committee, nor of its precise terms of reference. The purpose for which the committee is being appointed is, however, to review and report upon the question of child labour in Kenya, particularly as regards the minimum age and the application of penal sanctions for the enforcement of contracts entered into by juveniles.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the default on Brazilian bonds, he will consider approaching the Government of Portugal for the purpose of making a joint request to the Government of Brazil to arrange for a conference with representatives of British and Portuguese bondholders, with a view to arriving at a satisfactory settlement of this default?

The Council of Foreign Bondholders, who are recognised by His Majesty's Government as the authorised representatives of the bondholders, have been in consultation with the representatives of the Portuguese bondholders and His Majesty's Ambassador at Rio de Janeiro is in close touch with his Portuguese colleague. In these circumstances I do not consider that any further action on the part of His Majesty's Government is necessary.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Japanese authorities are encouraging the cultivation of poppy in China and are stimulating the consumption of drugs by the Chinese; and whether, in view of the demoralisation of the population resulting from a policy of this nature, he will protest against it?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher).

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the result of the negotiations between the consular body in Shanghai and the Japanese authorities for the resumption of dredging by the Whangpo Conservancy Board and for the return of their vessels and other property; and whether, as the conservancy vessels are still detained, he will inquire whether there are any surplus dredgers now available at Singapore which could be loaned for this service?

According to our latest information the negotiations on this subject are continuing. The Japanese requirements are that the conservancy work shall be carried on under Japanese naval and military control and that the more important members of the personnel shall be nominated by the Japanese authorities. In these circumstances there are obvious objections to the proposal to lend dredgers from Singapore.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the report of the League Opium Board of Geneva that a Japanese dope offensive in China is being vigorously carried on; and whether the Government will support the League of Nations in ensuring exposure and reprobation of this policy?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher); as regards the second part, I can assure him that it is the definite policy of His Majesty's Government to give the fullest support in their power to the League of Nations in their efforts to expose and suppress the illicit drug traffic in the Far East.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement on the present situation in the Sanjak of Alexandretta?

The settlement reached at Geneva in March, 1937, regarding the future status of the Sanjak of Alexandretta provided that elections should be held under the supervision of a Commission appointed by the Council of the League. The first stage of these elections, namely, the registration of electors under one of seven communities, is at present proceeding. This registration, which will determine the number of electors in each community, represents a very important stage in the elections themselves. Owing to local disturbances between the different communities, registrations were suspended on the 30th May, but were resumed on the 9th June. Under present arrangements the elections must he finished at latest by the 15th July. The Sanjak has now been put under martial law and the newly appointed delegate of the French High Commissioner has been given combined civil and military authority. Conversations have been taking place between the French and Turkish authorities, and the Turkish Government have suggested that a certain number of Turkish troops should enter the Sanjak in order to cooperate with the French in the maintenance of order during the elections.

asked the Prime Minister the reason for the resignation of Commander Hillhouse, British member of the international commission appointed by the League of Nations to supervise the arrangements for the first elections in the Sanjak?

Appointments to the Electoral Commission are made by the President of the Council in office. Resignations from it are consequently dealt with by the same authority from whom no communication on this subject has been received by His Majesty's Government. I am, therefore, not in a position to give the reasons for Commander Hillhouse's resignation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has now received the views of the Government of India on protests made against the cancellation of the presidency town's compensatory allowances by officers who were appointed by the Secretary of State in Council?

The views of the Government of India on this matter have not yet been received, but they are expected early next month.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to make any further order under Section 3 (3) of the Public Order Act, 1936, prohibiting the holding of political processions in the East End of London?

The previous order prohibiting the holding of political processions in certain areas in East London expired at midnight on Monday last, the 13th June. After consultation with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, my right hon. Friend came to the conclusion that it was necessary, for the preservation of public order in East London, to continue this prohibition for a further period; and he therefore gave his consent to a fresh order under Section 3 (3) of the Public Order Act, 1936, prohibiting the holding of political processions in that area for a further period of three months from the 13th June.

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?

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd June, 1938; Vol. 336, col. 2437) supplied the following statement:The statistical returns giving the figures desired are compiled at the end of June and December each year and statistics are therefore not available in respect of the summer season taken separately. The following table shows the numbers of vacancies notified and filled in hotel, boarding house, etc., service during the year ended December, 1937, in respect of the undermentioned Employment Exchanges:

—		Vacancies notified.	Vacancies filed.
Blackpool	…	8,875	6,093
Lytham St. Anne's	…	799	569
Fleetwood	…	373	295
Margate	…	6,691	5,147
Ramsgate	…	797	546
Scarborough	…	4,679	3,717
Whitby	…	443	242
Colwyn Bay	…	660	421
Llandudno	…	2,863	2,115
Ryl	…	1,048	812
Clacton	…	1,090	709
Walton-on-the-Naze	…	47	29
Southend-on-Sea	…	1,486	907
Morecambe	…	1,778	1,026
Southport	…	4,997	4,369
Wallasey	…	739	585
Brighton and Hove	…	7,844	6,142
Hastings	…	1,353	1,173
Bournemouth	…	4,254	2,407
Torquay	…	3,838	2,348
Skegness	…	1,537	1,031
Weston-super-Mare	…	2,044	1,597
Total	…	58,235	42,280

Separate statistics are not available in respect of Thornton Cleveleys, Broadstairs, Frinton and New Brighton.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increased savings habit in this country, which resulted in deposits with national savings banks of £1,433,629,000 during the past year, mainly the savings of the workpeople of this country, he will consider the advisability of paying a higher interest than the rate of 2½ per cent. now paid, with a view to encouraging further working-class savings?

The ordinary deposits in the Post Office and Trustee Savings Banks represent about £620 millions in the aggregate; the figure quoted by the hon. Member includes Savings Certificates, Government Stock on the Post Office Register and the Special Investment Department of Trustee Savings Banks to which the Savings Bank rate of interest does not apply. My right hon. Friend does not think the circumstances justify an increase in the Savings Bank rate of interest, which has remained at 2½ per cent. for a very long period and has, as the figures of deposits in the banks indicate, proved sufficient to encourage a very great volume of saving.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of owner-occupiers who have been dispossessed in England and Wales in the past five years, under the Housing Acts; and the number of owner-occupiers who will be affected under existing slum-clearance schemes which have been approved by him?

I regret that the records in my Department do not enable me to give the information desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, in regard to the military pension of ex-prison officer J. S. Maslen, Bristol, the pensioner was asked to refund the whole of his military pension in order that his full period in the prison service may count for civil pension, including the war years during which Mr. Maslen served with the Colours; whether he is aware that a part of the military pension, representing 12 years, was due to Army service prior to the Great War and before he entered the prison service; and whether he will withdraw the request to the man to refund the whole of the military pension?

I would refer the hon. Member to my predecessor's replies to him of 13th July, 1937, and 24th March, 1938, which explained fully the facts of this case. No request was made to Mr. Maslen to refund his military pension for the purpose stated: he was merely informed that he could do so if he wished.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many persons are in receipt of increased pensions as holders of the distinguished conduct medal; and how many awards have been made since 1st June, 1920 and 1930, respectively?

No special record is kept of these awards which are merged in the pensions of the men concerned. To furnish the required information would involve the examination of at least 100,000 records, an expenditure of time and labour which I regret I am unwilling to impose on my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give the House any information as to whether the Railway Clearing House have removed the booking ban on Channel Air Ferries, Limited, on services between London and Le Touquet, London and Luxembourg, and London and Deauville?

The booking ban referred to has been removed.