asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the quantity and value of merchandise carried by coastwise liner shipping and coastwise tramp shipping, respectively, in each of the last five years?

I regret that the desired information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the amount of the imports from Great Britain into Japan and of the exports from Japan to this country up to the latest available date?

According to official Japanese statistics, during the first nine months of this year imports from the United Kingdom were valued at 56,002,000 yen, and exports to the United Kingdom at 96,903,000 yen.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that exporters of soya beans from Manchuria have to pay 1s. 2d. per yen to the Japanese authorities in order to secure the necessary exchange for payments in this important trade and that the Japanese Mitsui combine are sold exchange by the Japanese authorities at a much lower rate; and whether he will direct the attention of the Japanese Government to this discrepancy?

My Noble Friend has received no report on the subject, but if my hon. Friend would care to supply him with particulars, he will make inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the amounts of wheat and raw sugar imported in the first 10 months of this year exceed the average amounts imported in the corresponding period of the three preceding years by no more than 140,000 and 260,000 tons, respectively, costing about £1,100,000 and £2,000,000, and representing roughly 2 per cent. and 10 per cent., respectively, of the combined imports and home production of these commodities on the average of recent years, he will give an assurance that storage has already been carried out in this country of the wheat and sugar, of which the purchase by His Majesty's Government was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 26th April, in amounts sufficient to ensure that the stocks in this country should be maintained at a level sufficient for the needs of the civil population during the early months of an emergency?

My right hon. Friend can certainly give the assurance for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will give particulars, up to the latest convenient date, with regard to those guarantees which have been given under the Export Guarantees Act, 1937, and earlier enactments, showing the total amount of such guarantees, the total sum received by way of premiums, the total amount paid in claims, the total administrative expenses, and the total amount of unpaid claims which were overdue and still outstanding on the date in question?

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is published annually in the Department's Trading Accounts. The accounts for the last completed financial year are under audit and should be presented to the House in a short time. I may add that up to the 30th September last, the Department had issued policies and contracts covering a total of £180,627,000. About £45,000 is expected to result in claims from the amounts notified to the Department as overdue and still outstanding on 3oth September last; but it does not follow that the final loss will be as great as this.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Japanese Government allege as an obstacle to the resumption of foreign shipping on the Yangtze, that there is at present no room for more than one ship at a time to pass through the Kiangin boom, and that they have not had the time in which to remove this obstruction; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to direct His Majesty's ships to remove the boom across this international highway?

The Japanese Government claim that the Kiangyin boom has been opened only sufficiently to provide for passage of Japanese warships and military transports. The difficulties arising from the position are at present under review.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Japanese authorities at Tsingtao have placed an embargo on the export of cotton yarns as from 6th December; and what steps he is taking to stop this interference with British trade?

An embargo on the export of cotton (not specifically cotton yarns) from Tientsin was promulgated on 6th December. The matter is now under consideration, and I shall be glad to examine any information which my hon. Friend can give me on the particular position at Tsingtao.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the unanimous recommendation of the International Labour Conference in 1936 that, in case of permanent incapacity, periodical payments under Workmen's Compensation Acts should be equivalent to 66⅔ per cent. of the workmen's annual basis earnings, and in case of temporary total incapacity weekly payments equivalent to this percentage, which is in force in almost all industrial countries in Europe except Italy; and what steps he proposes to take in anticipation of the labours of the proposed Royal Commission to give effect to this recommendation?

I am informed that there was no such recommendation. My hon. and gallant Friend is probably thinking of a recommendation adopted by the conference in 1925 by a majority vote. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply given to him on Wednesday last.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in connection with the formation of a National Register, it is proposed to offer training in ambulance driving to women motorists who would wish to undertake this duty, but who have had no experience of handling heavier vehicles?

Yes, Sir; and this will be made clear in the National Service Guide.

asked the Attorney-General whether the order for the compulsory registration of the title of land sold in the county borough of Croydon can be extended within the next few months so as to deal with the increased number of houses in other residential districts of Surrey; and will he state the difficulty, if any?

It is hoped to extend the compulsory registration of the title of land sold in the county of Surrey outside Croydon on the 1st January, 1940. It was thought expedient that the Registry should have a year's experience of work in Croydon before taking over the rest of the county.

asked the Attorney General when he proposes to introduce the Bill which he has announced that the Law Society had, in July last, decided to support for the purpose of obtaining legislative powers to protect the public against fraudulent conversion by solicitors of clients' properties?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 23rd November. The Bill to which I then referred was a Bill to be promoted by the Law Society to enable them to take more effective and prompter action in cases where defaults by solicitors are reported. I understand that the Law Society at the moment have the draft of a Bill under consideration. I have no doubt that when they have completed this task they will take the necessary steps to have the Bill introduced.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will state, in relation to those towns on the Midland circuit where civil business is taken at all assizes, the number and percentage of occasions in the last three years that business has been sent from assize to assize on account of it not being reached; in relation to the same towns, how many cases in the lists for hearing on the present circuit have been not reached at the termination of the respective assizes; and, in view of the public inconvenience thereby entailed, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The number and percentage of occasions during the years 1936, 1937 and 1938 on which civil business has been sent from one assize to the next on account of it not being reached are:

			Number of Percentage occasions.	Percentage of occasions.
Town.				Per cent.
Leicester	…	…	2	22.2
Nottingham	…	…	4	44.4
Birmingham	…	…	2	25

The number of cases for hearing during the present assizes which have not been reached is:

Nottingham

…

…

14

I am authorised by my Noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, to state that steps are being taken to submit a resolution to this House and to another place praying that two pew Judges shall be appointed to the King's Bench Division, and it is hoped that such appointments will afford relief both to the work in London and upon the circuit.

asked the Attorney-General on what principle are juries granted in actions in the High Court for damages for negligence and breach of Factory Act Regulations; whether this depends solely on the discretion of a judge or master; and why it is not possible to obtain a jury in actions of the same nature in the county courts?

In the classes of action to which the hon. Member refers, both the High Court and the county court are given by Statute a discretion whether to order the trial to be with a jury or without. No principles are laid down for the exercise of the discretion, and each case is decided on its own facts. The discretion is exercised in the High Court by a master, and in the county court by the registrar, unless the judge has directed the application for a jury to be heard by the judge. A party dissatisfied with the order of a master or registrar has a right of appeal to a judge.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the number of ships' companies of sea-going ships of His Majesty who have now agreed to put into operation the scheme prepared for supplying them with a regular interchange of films; will he give particulars of the weekly amount per head agreed to be paid by the ships' companies and officers for the use of such films; and also what arrangements have been made for a regular interchange of films during the period the ships are at sea?

As a result of the inquiries which we have been making, I think that it will be found that almost the entire number of ships which are being fitted for Service purposes with cinematograph equipment will want to take advantage of the opportunity of using the equipment for recreational sound films. Films will be supplied at a weekly charge of 1½d. a head of the ship's company, with higher rates for officers. Arrangements are being made to provide a regular interchange of films, the programmes exhibited being ordinarily changed each week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that only eight of the 16 leading seamen candidates for commissions passed the educational examination after the first course of nine months' special tuition on board His Majesty's Ship "Ramillies"; whether any inquiry is being held regarding these educational results in order to find out whether the tuition was insufficient or the examination standard unnecessarily high; and what steps are to be taken to produce better results in the future?

I am aware that 16 out of the 31 lower deck candidates for commissions were required to take the educational examination and that of these eight were regarded as having attained the necessary standard for commissioned rank. This result is being examined in detail and, of course, experience may suggest improvements in the course of instruction. Having in mind what is expected of officers in the Royal Navy I do not think the standard of the examination was unnecessarily high, and I would remind the hon. Member that all the 31 candidates were allowed to appear before the final selection board, which considered each man on his general merits.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of recent developments in Italy, it is proposed to strengthen the Mediterranean Fleet?

No, Sir, but the strength of the Mediterranean Fleet is, of course, at all times subject to review in the light of the situation obtaining.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what changes have been made in the naval officers' marriage allowance scheme since the House rose last July?

I am glad to have this opportunity of informing the House that it has recently been decided to include colonels Royal Marine in the marriage allowance scheme. This will involve the concession to them of removal allowances. Though flag officers are not included in the marriage allowance scheme, it has been found possible to concede to them removal allowances in respect of home shore appointments; and also to allow them free passages for their wives and families when proceeding to commands abroad, where official residences are provided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that, in an announcement of forthcoming Italian mercantile marine construction by the Societa Finanziara Marittima, it is stated that the 44 projected vessels will have facilities for the mounting of 6.1-inch guns; and whether since the ships are to be engaged in worldwide trade, he has any statement to make on the matter?

His Majesty's Government is aware of this announcement. By Article 9 of the London Naval Treaty of 1936 to which Italy has recently acceded, the stiffening of decks of merchant ships for the mounting of guns not exceeding 6.1 inch in calibre is permitted, and there is nothing unusual in the incorporation of such stiffening in modern merchant vessels of all nations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Arab papers in Palestine, on 2nd December, threatened Fakhri Bey Nashashibi for his avowed opposition to the Mufti; why such were allowed to be printed and published; and when will these papers be suppressed?

I am informed by the High Commissioner that it is not a fact that the Arabic newspapers of 2nd December threatened Fakhri Nashashibi. The remainder of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the Grand Mufti is regarded by the majority of the Muslim people of Palestine not only as a leader but a prophet, he will reconsider the desirability of inviting him to the forthcoming conference?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the withdrawal of the partition scheme, action can now be taken to rearrange the boundaries between the cities of Tel Aviv and Jaffa so as to enable the Jewish quarters of Jaffa to be brought under Tel Aviv municipal control in accordance with the desires frequently expressed by the inhabitants of those quarters?

To a large extent this matter must depend for its solution upon co-operation between the Jews and Arabs of Tel Aviv and Jaffa. I doubt whether there would be advantage in reopening the question at the present juncture, but if a favourable opportunity offers it will be raised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the fact, as stated in the Report of the Director of Education in Kenya that only 12 per cent. of the children of school age in Kenya attend schools of any kind, any steps are under consideration to encourage the development of further native education?

I have been unable to trace the statement mentioned by the hon. Member. But I agree with him that the percentage of children for whom it is possible to provide educational facilities in Kenya, as indeed in most of the Tropical African Dependencies, is regrettably low and the matter is one which is engaging my active attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the result of the debate in the State Council of Ceylon on the Report of the Commission which considered the Bracegirdle case; how many Ministers supported the findings of the Commission; how many Sinhalese members supported the findings; and how many members of other communities supported the findings of the Commission?

A motion condemning and rejecting the Report of the Commission was carried by 34 votes to 14. The majority consisted of 32 Sinhalese, including six Ministers, and two Tamils, while the minority comprised all the other non-Sinhalese members who were present. One Minister and one other Sinhalese declined to vote.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received information as to the number of deserters from General Franco's army who have entered Gibraltar for the last month for which figures are available; and the comparable figures for six and 12 months previous?

No, Sir. I am still awaiting the report for which I have asked the Governor. I will communicate with the hon. Member when I receive it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the strength of the Army in India on 1st December, or last convenient date; and what was the strength on the corresponding date in 1936?

The strength of the Army in India on 1st April, 1938, was 196,302 officers and men (excluding Burma), and on 1st April, 1936, was 206,773 officers and men (including Burma).

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Guy Sangter Phillips, of Leas, Eastern Avenue, Gidea Park, made considerable progress in the Royal Air Force, passing all his examinations, but has now been discharged in the mistaken belief that he had formerly suffered from an illness which he has never had; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

My inquiries into this case are not yet complete, and if the hon. Member will allow me, I will communicate with him later on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether prospective tenants for the premises in Berkeley Square House under those occupied by the Air Ministry are subjected to any form of scrutiny, with a view to the safety of the Air Ministry in time of war or emergency?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the railway companies have yet freed all the internal air lines, including the service between London and Dublin, from the booking ban?

Booking facilities at railway agencies are now available for all existing air services, including the service between London and Dublin.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is taking any steps to ascertain the views of the trade unions representing workers employed on the railways and in the road transport, inland waterway, and coastwise shipping services, regarding the proposals made by the railway companies for the removal of statutory regulations;(2) whether he has considered the representations from the road transport interests on the subject of railway rates; what was the nature of the representations; and can he make a statement;(3) whether he has considered representations from the coastwise shipping companies concerning the railway companies proposals on rate-fixing; what was the nature of the representations; and can he make a statement?

I have received a circular on this matter from the Coastal Trade Development Council. I have referred the railway companies' proposals to the Transport Advisory Council on which labour, coastwise shipping and road transport interests are represented.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will indicate the results of his further consultations with the representatives of the railway companies with regard to the claims made by them for the withdrawal of legal restrictions on freightage rates?

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to remove the present statutory disabilities under which the railway companies are now suffering?

I have referred the proposals of the railway companies to the Transport Advisory Council for very early consideration and advice.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now considered a resolution passed at a large public meeting held in Horbury near Wakefield regarding the death of a school girl caused by a lorry in one of the narrow streets in Horbury, which has been sent him by the hon. Member for Rothwell; and what abservations he has to make on the points in this resolution?

I have now seen this resolution and have made a large number of inquiries. According to my information, the measures which it proposes are not feasible and appear to have no relevance to the cause of this unfortunate and regrettable accident.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the frequent alterations made in connection with traffic regulations and the difficulty that drivers of vehicles have in knowing of the changes that are made, he will consider issuing to drivers when they renew their driving licences details of the changes made during the previous 12 months?

Regulations imposing new general obligations on drivers are infrequent, and adequate public notice of them is given in the Press. I will, however, bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many of the men transferred from local authorities to the London Passenger Transport Board at the time of its formation, were transferred with rights of superannuation, whilst others had no such superannuation rights; and whether it is proposed to give an opportunity to all employés of the board to come within the scheme of superannuation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on 23rd February, to which I am not in a position to add.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the reasons for the delay in proceeding with the scheme for a new bridge and road diversion between Tumble and Pontyberem in the county of Carmarthen; and if he will expedite the approval of this scheme in view of its urgency and the unemployment now prevailing in the area?

The scheme was approved and a grant promised by my Department on the 23rd February, 1937. I understand that the Council were unable to proceed with the work owing to the difficulty of acquiring land for the purpose. It became necessary for them to make a Compulsory Purchase Order and parties named in the Order exercised their right of objection. The objection was only withdrawn on 23rd November last and I confirmed the Order on 8th December.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that frequently on the underground lines the doors of compartments are left open between stations, thereby causing discomfort, and even danger, to passengers; and whether he will consult with the London Passenger Transport Board with a view to introducing without delay, throughout its whole system, automatic-closing doors which have just been experimentally tested?

I was not aware of this practice but I am in communication with the London Passenger Transport Board on the matter and will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is satisfied that proper arrangements have now been made to ensure that adequate fuel supplies for road transport can be maintained in this country in an emergency, either from reserves already in existence or from the numerous alternative sources of supply overseas; and whether he will make a statement on this subject?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 16th November by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Accrington (Major Procter), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that the parishes of Bigby, Grasby, Somerby, and Searby-cum-Owmby, are still without an electricity supply, although it has arrived at Caistor; and whether, in view of the usefulness of electricity for agricultural and domestic purposes, he will take any steps in the matter?

I have asked the Electricity Commissioners to make inquiries and I will advise my hon. and gallant Friend of the outcome.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the continued delay on the part of the Government in failing to introduce legislation for the reorganisation of electricity distribution is seriously hampering local authorities because of the refusal of the Electricity Commissioners to sanction loans for the normal development and extension of publicly-owned undertakings; and whether he is now in a position to make a definite statement as to the Government's intentions?

I am not aware of any grounds for the suggestion that the Electricity Commissioners are refusing to sanction loans for the normal development and extension of publicly owned electricity undertakings. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will give me the facts of any case where it is alleged there has been such refusal. As regards the last part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister on the 10th November to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede).

asked the Minister of Transport how many local authorities and companies, respectively, in Scotland supply electricity to the public; and what is the lowest normal charge per unit for lighting and for heat, respectively, by such local authorities and companies, respectively?

Thirty-six public authorities and 30 companies are supplying electricity to the public in Scotland under statutory powers. With regard to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of my answer to his question of the 29th November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the total planted acreage of loganberries under cultivation in this country?

The area in England and Wales under loganberries, including cultivated blackberries, as returned on 4th June last by the occupiers of agricultural holdings of over one acre was 2,333 acres. I regret that no information is available regarding the acreage under loganberries alone.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the number of farms and horticultural premises in England and Wales?

The number of agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in extent in England and Wales, as returned by the occupiers on the 4th June, 1938, was 374,246. This figure does not, however, represent the number of farms and horticultural premises, because farms sometimes comprise two or more holdings which, unless they are farmed as one unit, are enumerated separately. Holdings of one acre or less area are also excluded.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the average interest charged by the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation for long-term mortgage loans, on agricultural land by the Lands Improvement Company for improvement loans, and by the Public Works Loans Board for long-term mortgage loans advanced under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923?

The rate of interest charged by the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation since April, 1934, on long-term mortgage loans has been 4¼ per cent. and on improvement loans 4 per cent.As regards improvement loans made by the Lands Improvement Company, the rate of interest charged since May, 1934, has been an amount which, after the deduction from such interest of Income Tax thereon from time to time in force, will yield to the Company a net rate of 3¼ per cent. With Income Tax at the present rate this figure of 3¼ per cent. is thus raised to £4 9s. 8d. per cent.The long-term mortgage loans advanced under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, by the Public Works Loans Board were made at 5 per cent. In the case of both the Corporation and the Company certain loans are still in course of repayment which were made at other rates prior to the dates mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action the Government propose to take to meet the critical position of oats and sheep producers, as set out in the telegram of protest from the National Farmers' Union of Scotland, dated 10th December?

With regard to oats I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on 9th December, in which he indicated the Government's intention to review the degree of assistance afforded to oats under the Agriculture Act, 1937.With regard to sheep, as my hon. Friend knows from recent replies in the House, my right hon. Friends the Minister and the Secretary of State have the situation closely in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what further steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to assist the oat growers?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the last part of my right hon. Friend's statement on Friday last, to which there is at present nothing to add.