asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what grants have been awarded so far to each area committee by the National Fitness Council, under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937; and what has been the expenditure in each area on offices, staff and administration?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to capital grants under the Act awarded to the various applicants in the areas of each of the Area Committees. I append a statement showing the amount of the capital grants awarded in each area up to date, and also the expenditure in each area on offices, staff and administration.My hon. Friend will realise that the examination and transmission of all grant applications made under Section 3 (1) (

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what percentage of the elementary schools in England and Wales are provided and non-provided, respectively; and what is the total number of children in each system?

On 31st March, 1938, 49.6 per cent. of the public elementary schools maintained by local education authorities in England and Wales were council schools and 50.4 per cent. were voluntary schools. The numbers of pupils on the registers of council and

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he can bring down to the latest convenient date the figures indicating the extent of public ownership of the land in England and Wales, supplied by his predecessor to the House on 19th November, 1936;(2) whether he can give figures, to the latest convenient date, showing the extent of public ownership of the land in Scotland on the lines of the statement supplied by his predecessor to the House on 19th November, 1936?

Land in the ownership of local public authorities, the Forestry Commission, and other Departments of State:

England and Wales.
	Acres.
Local Public Authorities:
County Councils and County Borough Councils:
For purposes of small holdings at 31st December, 1937)	411,180
Local Authorities:
For purposes of allotments:
Urban areas (at 31st December, 1937)	14,598
Rural areas (at 31st December, 1934)	8,289
(In addition, 7,192 acres of land owned by urban local authorities for other public purposes were in use at 31st December, 1937, as allotments, and 227 acres of land owned by rural local authorities for other public purposes were in use at December, 1934, as allotments.)
County Councils:
For purposes of agricultural education—in respect of which grant is paid from Ministry	6,800
(Excluding certain small demonstration plots, sites of houses, etc., which in the aggregate would not total more than 100 acres.)
Admiralty	9,780
(Does not include foreshores, nor land which, though held for naval purposes, is vested in other Departments.)
Air Ministry	59,000
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries	8,951
Crown Lands	224,000
Royal Parks (Office of Works)	5,620
Home Office	3,797
Forestry Commission	584,000
Commissioner for Special Areas (England and Wales)	1,284
War Office	223,336
Total	1,560,635
Scotland.
Admiralty	2,740
Department of Agriculture	450,249
Air Ministry	9,000
Crown Lands	116,000
Forestry Commission	514,000
Prisons	920
Commissioner for Special Areas (Scotland)	1,894
War Office	13,266
Royal Parks (Office of Works)	775
Total	1,108,844

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what percentage of dues, levied in the Suez Canal last year, was paid for British ships and the percentage paid by Italian ships; and when will the present control expire?

About 46 per cent. of the Suez Canal dues last year was paid for British ships and about 17 per cent. for Italian ships. The existing concession expires in 1968.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the varying widths of stretchers issued by his own Department, by the War Office, and by various manufacturers; that there is also a variation in the width of stretcher-runs in ambulances and ambulance trailers; that local air-raid precautions committees using more than one kind are finding that stretchers are not inter-changeable; and will he endeavour to secure a standard width in stretchers and ambulance runs, so as to avoid the danger caused by varying sizes?

The stretchers issued by Government Departments for air-raid casualty work are uniform in width with those of the War Office, and there is corresponding uniformity in the ambulance fittings. There may be a certain divergence on the part of some of the local ambulance authorities; but in the plans now being made for emergency ambulance services every effort is being made to secure complete uniformity in these matters.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will obtain a statistical return of the number of motorists still in possession of driving licences who have been responsible for the deaths of one, two, three, or more persons on the highways?

I have made inquiries, but I regret that no statistics are available from which this information could be extracted.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the recent fatal accident at the Park Gate Iron and Steel Company, at Rotherham?

I understand that a fitter was engaged in carrying out some adjustments on an overhead crane and somehow fell off the platform on which he was working, sustaining fatal injuries. There did not appear to be any breach of the Factory Acts involved and the verdict at the inquest was accidental death.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the dangerous and humiliating position of British-born women in Germany, married to non-Aryans, and their virtual incarceration in the country owing to the confiscation of their passports, he will now take steps to allow them to resume, should they desire it, their British nationality, which would restore to them their passports and liberty to return to their native land, a privilege long since enjoyed by American women in the same position?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply I gave when the Noble Lady, the Member for Sutton (Viscountess Astor) asked a similar question on 15th November last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give permission to Margaret Steiner to enter this country for the purpose of taking the position of schoolroom maid to Mrs. Jackson, of Archway House, Kirklington, Notts?

I have been asked to reply. The necessary forms of application for permission to employ the foreign national referred to by the hon. Member were forwarded to Mrs. Jackson on 2nd December. They have not yet been returned and in case for some reason they were not received by Mrs. Jackson, further forms have been sent to her. On their return her application will receive consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the cable from the chairman of the British Associated Committee at Tientsin, dated 16th November, 1938, in which specific attention is directed to the pressure being exerted by the Japanese to secure control of Chinese silver reserves; whether he is aware that part of these silver reserves are deposited in British banks; and what action does he propose to take?

Yes, Sir, but as far as my Noble Friend is aware none of the silver in question is deposited in British banks.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the terms of the official protest made by the Government to Japan upon the invasion of China; and the date of the same, with the reply received?

My Noble Friend is in some doubt as to what communication the hon. Member is alluding to, for, although His Majesty's Government by subscribing to the report of the Brussels Conference and to the Geneva resolutions have left the Japanese Government in no doubt as to their views in the matter of the operations in China, there has not been any single formal protest.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will suggest to the German Government that they should arrange for one of the leading German daily newspapers to be published with an English translation for external circulation; and, similarly, will he take steps with a view to the daily issue of a verbatim German translation of a leading British newspaper which the German Government will admit for circulation in Germany, and thus enable the two nations to be acquainted with events in both countries?

While His Majesty's Government have every desire that the British and German peoples should be more closely acquainted, my Noble Friend considers that the difficulties inherent in my hon. Friend's suggestion are too great to enable him to accept it.

asked the Prime Minister whether the substance of the conversations between the French Government and Herr von Ribbentrop has been communicated to His Majesty's Government; and whether His Majesty's Government is in consultation with the French Government in regard to Italian claims to Tunisia, Corsica and Nice, which would upset the status quo in the Mediterranean referred to in the Anglo-Italian Agreement?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the present quota method of protecting the pig and bacon industries in this country results in the exporters of foreign bacon receiving from us larger sums of money for smaller quantities of bacon than before; and whether he will take steps to rearrange matters so that this additional payment is diverted to the profit of the British pig and bacon industries instead of to our foreign competitors?

The existing level of bacon prices, whilst showing an increase on the abnormally low levels of 1932, is comparable with that ruling in earlier years. The regulation of imported supplies of bacon has secured stable conditions for producers both at home and overseas. There is no guarantee that adequate supplies of bacon would continue to be forthcoming from the principal supplying countries if prices were allowed to fall to a substantially lower level.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that local authorities can afford to pay milk producers a higher price for milk than they receive from the Milk Board and still show a saving as against the board's prices; and whether steps will be taken in the new Milk Bill to remedy this disability?

I assume the hon. Member refers to the difference between the wholesale prices at which milk is sold for liquid consumption and the pool prices received by the producers. It is not proposed to alter the pooling system, which is a fundamental principle of the Milk Marketing Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the approximate value of agricultural land in England and Wales; and the approximate annual rent-roll?

The last comprehensive inquiry into the capital value and gross rental value of agricultural land in this country was undertaken in 1931, when the aggregate capital value of agricultural land, including rough grazings, in England and Wales was estimated, on the basis of average selling values, at £645,000,000, and the aggregate gross rental value at £36,700,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether his medical advisers are aware of any human or animal disease germs which have been caught direct from the atmosphere on to nutritive media and, after cultivation on such media, have produced a specific disease in experimental animals; and, if so, what is the name of the disease or diseases?

I am not aware that any experiment of the kind described by the hon. Member has been carried out.

asked the Minister of Health whether the emergency register of nurses, which it is proposed to set up, will include persons who have a knowledge of nursing but who do not normally practise it and whose services would be useful at times when the professional nurses are required for institutional work?

Yes, Sir. One of the main objects of the register is to secure the services in a national emergency of women with nursing experience who are no longer practising and who would be a valuable reinforcement to nurses already attached to hospitals and other institutions.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the growing difficulty experienced by members of local government councils in dealing with the business of such authorities in view of some financial interest they may have as property-owners or as members of co-operative societies; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the whole matter?

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the case where public business may be impeded by reason of the disability for voting imposed on members of a local authority financially interested in a contract or other matter. I would remind him that I have power to remove this disability, in proper circumstances, on application by the authority. In the circumstances I do not consider that any special inquiry is called for.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give statistics showing the number of houses which have been constructed in each of the Welsh counties in the last five years for the benefit and use of agricultural workers; and what is the existing unsatisfied demand in each case?

I am sending my hon Friend a statement, relating to the five years ended 30th September last, on the lines of that which I sent him in connection with my answer to his similar question on the 6th of this month.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the additional news service, provided by Reuters at the time of the recent international crisis, is to be permanently maintained or to be of temporary duration only?

I have been asked to reply. All matters connected with the question of British news services abroad are still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British seamen are employed on the 15 non-British ships chartered by the Government for the carriage of wheat from the Danube to British ports?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the difference in the cost of chartering between British ships and Greek ships in respect of the wheat bought in Rumania and carried to this country by Greek ships?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the last part of the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel) on 6th December. I will circulate a statement of the rates and terms agreed for all ships chartered on behalf of the Government for the carriage of Rumanian wheat when the chartering is completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the abnormal amount of unemployment in the plate-glass trade owing to the excessive importation of glass which comes into this country bevelled and silvered; and whether he will, in order to protect the British workers, prohibit the importation of this glass?

I am aware that there has been some increase in unemployment in the glass industry as a whole. The Board of Trade have no powers to prohibit imports, but it is open to the industry, if they feel that the present duty is insufficient, to apply to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for additional protection.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed in the Thorne area at the latest date for which figures are available; how many persons were in receipt of unemployment allowances on the same date; and what percentage these combined figures represent of the insured population in the area?

At 14th November, 1938, the number of unemployed persons, aged 14 years and over, on the registers of Thorne Employment Exchange was 1,328, including 716 persons with applications authorised for unemployment allowances (other than applications for allowances in supplementation of insurance benefit). These figures include uninsured as well as insured persons. The percentage rate of unemployment among insured persons, aged 16–64 at the same date was 17.2 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that unemployed people in Hendon are compelled to travel to Wood Green when they come under the Unemployment Assistance Board; and whether he will consider arranging for their attendance at a nearer office, in view of the great hardship they suffer?

I am in communication with the Board on this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the number of engineer officers entered from public schools in 1937 and 1938; the number of commissions as engineer officers offered to university entrants and the number entered in those years; the number of commissions as sublieutenant (E) awarded to artificers in the same period; and, observing the number of commissions which have not been taken up by university graduates, the reasons why a larger number of commissions are not awarded to artificers instead of the number this year being less than last year?

The number of engineer officers entered from the Special Entry examination in 1937 was 52 (including two who were transferred from the executive); the number in 1938 was 60. As regards the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by the late First Lord on the 9th February and the 21st July last. Eight artificers were promoted to acting sub-lieutenant (E) in 1937 and seven in 1938. The number of promotions from the lower deck depends on the numbers recommended by the Selection Boards.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the number of engineer officers of commander's rank, cadet-entry and commissioned from artificers, in the zone for promotion to captain's rank; the number of promotions to be made on the 31st December, the ages of the two senior artificer-entry officers; and when the Admiralty intend to promote the first engineer commander commissioned from artificer, observing that these officers have a longer service and experience of engineering than their cadet contemporaries, and that three executive officers commissioned from the lower deck have been promoted to captain during the last five years?

Engineer Officers of Commander's rank in zone for promotion On 31st December, 1938:

Engineer Commanders and Commanders (E) (ex-Cadet)	38
Engineer Commanders (ex-Artificer)	11

It is proposed to make four promotions to Captain's rank in the Engineering Branch on 31st December, 1938.The ages of the two Senior Engineer Commanders ex-Artificer are shown by the following dates of birth7th June, 1889.2nd August, 1889.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that while apprentices in certain trades who have completed four years in the dockyard schools are given the opportunity of special advancement in their respective branches, this privilege is not accorded to engine fitter apprentices; and whether he will consider restoring to them the opportunity of becoming engineer officers in the Royal Navy?

Since the entry to the Dockyard and the Naval Mechanical Training Establishments takes place from a common examination list, those boys who desire to become Naval Officers can enter the Naval Mechanical Training Establishment from which promising candidates are selected twice a year for cadetships. Should they, however, decide to enter the dockyard as apprentices it is still open to them to enlist in the Navy as Engine Room Artificers with the object of getting direct promotion to Sub-Lieutenant (E) before the age of 24½ Failing this, the Engine Room Artificer may still reach commissioned rank through warrant rank. In view of the existence of these avenues of promotion, I do not think it necessary to introduce yet a further method of entry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to secure as far as possible that British newspapers going to continental countries should be conveyed by air rather than by rail in order that editorial writers in other parts of Europe should not get two days' start in putting forward views over the editorial writers in London?

Letters prepaid at the ordinary international rate of postage are conveyed by air to most European countries when, by this means, useful acceleration in delivery can be secured, and newspapers prepaid at that rate (namely 2½d. for the first ounce and l½d. for each additional ounce), would similarly be sent by air

asked the First Commissioner of Works what progress has been made in construction of the ordnance factory at Chorley; and whether it is intended to complete it whilst the labour is available in the area?

The construction of the factory is proceeding in accordance with the programme. As I said in the answer to the previous question, the number of men employed may be expected to decrease from now on until the factory is completed, but no difficulty is anticipated in retaining the necessary labour.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what fuel is being burned in the fires in the Library; and why coal is not used?

Gas coke is burnt in one of the grates in the Library, which has been specially adapted for the purpose. Elsewhere in the Library, and generally throughout the House, Coalite is burnt, except in the Division Lobbies, where gas coke is used. I am sure that hon. Members will agree that all possible steps should be taken to reduce the smoke nuisance in London. It is as a contribution towards this desirable object that I have made arrangements for Coalite to be used generally this winter in open fires, not only in this House, but in all Government offices in the Whitehall area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause inquiries to be made at once in regard to urgent matters relating to the London and North Eastern carriage and wagon works at Dukinfield?

I am in communication with the London and North Eastern Railway Company and will let my hon. Friend know the result in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, at Blakeney, Forest of Dean, recently, a runaway lorry did damage to the house of Mrs. R. Bennett; that no compensation is payable to the injured party because liability to insure against damage to third-party property is not included in the Road Traffic Act, 1930; and whether, in view of this and similar cases, he is considering taking any steps to amend the Act in this sense?

I was not aware of this accident. I do not think that there is any sufficient case for legislation to provide that insurance against damage to property by motor vehicles should be made compulsory.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give approximately the extent, measured in acreage, of the land in England, Wales and Scotland, respectively, covered by publicly owned roads and footpaths?

The mileage of roads which are publicly maintained is set out in Column 1 below; I have no precise information about the average widths of all roads but on the assumption which is necessarily very rough that the average width between fences is 30 feet, the approximate acreage would be that in Column 2 below:

		Column 1 Approximate mileage.	Column 2 Approximate acreage.
England	…	134,840	490,327
Wales	…	18,920	68,800
Scotland	…	23,870	94,073
Total	…	179,630	653,200

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the existing danger at the London Midland and Scottish Railway station at Stone, Staffordshire, where the only access from the booking office to the platforms for passengers travelling North or South is by way of open crossings with no protection from passing trains; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to the provision of an adequate footbridge or other protection for the public?

The London Midland and Scottish Railway Company inform me that they are giving further consideration to the question of providing a footbridge or other protection at Stone station. I will let my hon. Friend know, the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of tracks, constructed alongside roads, which are reserved exclusively for cyclists; what is the total mileage; whether police or other reports on them received by his Department tend to show that the construction of such tracks is welcomed or not by cyclists' organisation; and whether or not the use of such tracks appear to have effected a reduction in the number of road accidents in which cyclists have been involved?

At the 31st March, 1938, the latest date for which figures are available, approximately 38 miles of road were provided with cycle tracks for traffic in both directions and three miles with single tracks only. I understand that the tracks are freely used by cyclists, but certain organisations representing cyclists are opposed in principle to their use.With regard to the last part of the question, no figures are at present available showing the number of casualties occurring to cyclists on specified roads before and after the provision of cycle tracks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the progress that has been made with the electrification of the East London railways where work is proceeding, he can now favourably consider the electrification of the Liverpool Street-Ching-ford line?

This is a matter primarily for the consideration of the undertakings concerned. I am informed that until further progress has been made with the programme of railway improvements at present being carried out in the London Passenger Transport area, at a cost of some £40,000,000, it is not possible for the undertakers to envisage the scope of the next programme of works to be undertaken. Transport facilities in the London area are, however, being examined and the priority determined of works to be considered when the present programme is completed.

asked the Minister of Transport what action is being taken to prevent the erection of illuminated advertisement signs in positions likely to increase the danger of night driving on motor roads?

Highway authorities are empowered to require the removal of any object which so closely resembles a traffic sign that it might reasonably be taken for such a sign. But neither the local authorities nor I have any general power to prohibit the use of illuminated advertisements on the grounds that they may cause danger at night, and I would add that I have not hitherto received any evidence that such signs are an appreciable cause of accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give details, under appropriate headings, of the cost of administration of the Licensing Commissioners and of the Road and Rail Appeal Tribunal; the receipts, indicating the sources from which they were obtained, for the years 1930 to 1937, inclusive, respectively; and what proportion of these expenses and receipts are apportioned to goods vehicles only?

Details of the staff of the Traffic Area Offices are printed in the Annual Estimates for my Department, the details for the current financial year being given under Class VI, Vote 15, subhead A, pages 140 and 141, totalling £266,000, and those of the Road and Rail Appeal Tribunal under subhead F, page 143, totalling some £6,000. In addition, £165,000 is borne upon other Votes or subheads for accommodation, travelling, stationery and printing, and general administration charges, including pension liability, making a grand total of £437,000. After the closest apportionment between passenger and goods services of expenditure common to both, the total estimated cost of goods licensing for this year is £276,000, and the amount recoverable by way of goods licence fees and miscellaneous receipts is £201,000 (of which £400 is in respect of the Appeal Tribunal) showing a deficit of £75,000 for the current financial year ending 31st March, 1939. Receipts in the first year after the passing of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, exceeded expenditure (owing to fees paid in advance) but the cumulative net deficit to the end of the current financial year will be approximately £60,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that in the recent crisis supplies of petrol were found to be very much short of the requirements for road transport; and what steps are being taken to remedy this defect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. During the recent crisis I issued through the Press on 29th September an announcement which stated that there were very substantial stocks of petrol in the country for all purposes, and that arrangements were being made for the maintenance of supplies. An appeal for economy was added, as in view of the large requirements for essential purposes it was necessary in the national interest to reduce the use of motor fuels for non-essential purposes. I would also refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 16th November by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Accrington (Major Procter), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state for each of the last five years the percentages which military, educational, health, and other services, respectively, are of the budget of the Indian Government?

—	1934–5*.	1935–6*.	1936–7*.	1937–8†	1938–9‡
	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
1. Defence	24.0	23.9	24.0	25.4	24.3
2. Education	5.8	5.9	6.0	5.8	6.0
3. Medical and Public Health	2.7	2.7	2.8	2.7	2.9
4. Agriculture, Industries, and Scientific Department.	2.0	2.2	2.3	1.9	2.3
5. All other services	65.5	65.3	64.9	64.2	64.5
* Figures include Burma.	† Revised Estimates.		‡ Budget Estimates.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the amount of the annual subsidy paid by the Indian Government to Reuters and for what services?

No payment by way of subsidy is made to Reuters from

The following table exhibits the percentage relationship of the aggregate gross expenditure on revenue account upon certain services of the Central and Provincial Governments in India to the aggregate total gross expenditure on revenue account of these Governments in the years indicated:Indian revenues, but certain payments are made in return for special services rendered such as the supply of Reuters foreign news to a number of officials in India. The amount paid to Reuters by the Government of India is not available in this country, but an inquiry is being addressed to them.