asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many flag officers on the active list of the Royal Navy were on full pay on 1st December, 1938; and, of these, how many were, respectively, in appointments afloat, in shore appointments, and unemployed?

The numbers are as follow:

Number of flag officers on the active list on full pay on the 1st December, 1938	57
Number of these in appointments afloat	21
Number of these in shore appointments (Included in this number are three officers undergoing courses and two serving as commodores (second class) and on full pay as such in continuation of the appointments which they held prior to promotion.)	31
Number of these unemployed (This includes one officer sick.)	5

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the dates on which the four sub-lieutenants, commissioned from the lower deck in 1936, went to sea; what should be their seniority as lieutenants; the dates on which any have been promoted; the dates on which the others are to be promoted; and the reasons for the delay?

These four officers were given sea-going appointments as sub-lieutenants on the

• 21st April,
• 25th April,
• 3rd May,
• 24th May,

respectively. The promotion of one of them to lieutenant was promulgated on 22nd November, and that of the other three will be promulgated shortly. Sub-lieutenants are not promoted to lieutenant until they have served six months at sea, and been recommended by their commanding officers. There has been no delay in the present instance.Their seniority on promotion depends on the results of the course which they undergo prior to promotion, and is often some months earlier than the actual date of promotion. In this case the seniority of the four officers are the

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, observing that the Admiralty has twice published the public appeal in Admiralty Fleet Orders for £23,000 as a Jellicoe Memorial Fund to build one of the missing hostels at the £1,000,000 Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, he will obtain and state the amount collected from the public and the Navy after two and a half years of the appeal and the amount collected during the last six months; the amount required to build the two missing hostels; the date on which the school was opened; and when it is anticipated that the missing hostels will be built and so provide the accommodation for the further 160 orphans of naval ratings who have been denied admission for over five years?

From information supplied by the British Legion I have learnt with regret that the fund has made little progress since the hon. Member's previous question on 29th June last. For the rest I would refer him to the replies given to his previous questions on this subject, to which I have nothing to add, except to emphasise that no eligible orphan has been refused admission to the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, since it opened in April, 1933.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total output of oats and barley in Scotland for the year 1937?

The estimated total produce of oats in Scotland in 1937 was 666,000 tons and that of barley 79,000 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the very serious position of farmers in the North-East of Scotland owing to the serious fall in the price of oats?

I am aware of the difficulties with which Scottish farmers are contending at the present time. With regard to oats I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on 9th December, to which I cannot at present add.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the gross valuation of agricultural subjects in the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, Kincardine, Moray and Nairn, respectively, in the year 1936–37?

Following is the reply:

Gross Valuation of Agricultural subjects in Counties of North-East Scotland, 1936–37.
—		Landward Areas.	Small Burghs.	Total.
		£	£	£
Aberdeen	…	561,106	5,009	566,115
Banff	…	122,925	2,329	125,254
Kincardine	…	115,484	1,301	116,785
Moray	…	91,065	2,666	93,731
Nairn	…	22,215	207	22,422

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of farms and horticultural premises in Scotland?

The number of agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in extent as returned on 4th June, 1937, is shown in the following table:

Statement showing number of Agricultural Holdings in Scotland, classified according to acreage under crops and permanent grass, as returned on 4th June, 1937.
	Number
Above 1 and not exceeding 5 acres	15,430
Above 5 and not exceeding 15 acres	58,741
Above 15 and not exceeding 30 acres	8,244
Above 30 and not exceeding 50 acres	6,440
Above 1 and not exceeding 50 acres	48,855
Above 50 and not exceeding 75 acres	5,702
Above 75 and not exceeding 100 acres	4,390
Above 100 and not exceeding 150 acres	5,891
Above 150 and not exceeding 300 acres	6,726
Above 300 acres	2,352
Above 50 acres	25,061
Total	73,916

Besides these, there are 1,438 holdings, consisting only of "mountain and heath land," or "rough grazings."The number of horticultural holdings in respect of which returns are not required to be made under the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1925, is, so far as can be ascertained, 879.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when it is proposed to start building operations at the Glasgow, South Side, Exchange; and how long the Ministry have been the owners of the site on which it is proposed to build?

It is expected that building operations will commence in February, 1939; vacant possession of the site was obtained in February, 1937.

asked the Minister of Transport what contributions are being made from the Road Fund during the current year in respect of road works in the county of Cornwall; and whether, in view of the report of the district auditor on the accounts of the county council, he is satisfied that these contributions are properly computed?

Payments made to the County Council of Cornwall during the current financial year in respect of grants from the Road Fund amount to £129,765. I can assure my hon. Friend that before the account relating to any grant is closed a proper computation is made of the amount due from the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in their conversations with him, the representatives of the railway companies indicated that they wish to maintain the existing voluntary agreement between the railway companies and the coastwise liner companies on the subject of rate control and that they would support the extension of this agreement to the road-haulage and canal companies, as recommended in the report of the Transport Advisory Council presented in July of this year?

No, Sir. The matters mentioned in the question, which as the hon. Member indicates, have already been the subject of recommendations by the Transport Advisory Council, will doubtless be taken into account by the council in their consideration of the railway companies' proposals.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increase in the number of building trade workers who are now unemployed, he will take steps to expedite the building of houses for the working class where schemes for such building are in course of preparation; and will he take steps to compel local authorities in whose area there is a known shortage of houses and where no schemes for building to meet the shortage has been prepared, at once to prepare and submit such schemes for his approval?

I think that local authorities are, generally speaking, fulfilling their duties under the Housing Acts with energy and efficiency. The number of houses now being completed by them month by month is higher than for many years. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulties of workmen who, because of accident, illness, etc., are making claims for workmen's compensation, but who are unable to draw National Health Insurance meanwhile; and whether he will make it compulsory in future for approved societies to provide for such people until their claims are settled?

A society may, under Section 52 (1) of the National Health Insurance Act, pay benefit by way of advance pending the settlement of a claim for workmen's compensation. Societies use this power freely but I have noted the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend for examination when amending legislation is being considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some public assistance committees are not in practice carrying out the definite instructions whereby disabled ex-service men who apply for assistance, are entitled to have the first 20S. of their disability pension ignored or disregarded in assessing the income of the applicants; and whether he will have these public assistance authorities reminded of their duties under the Act?

I have myself no information which would suggest that public assistance authorities are not giving effect to the statutory provisions relating to wounds or disability pensions, but I should be happy to inquire into any specific cases which my hon. Friend may bring to my notice.

asked the Minister of Health when the reports of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Nursing Services will be forthcoming?

I understand that this committee are likely to submit an Interim Report in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is taking any steps to ascertain what effect the continued unemployment in West Wales, from Port Talbot to Burry Port, will have upon the local authorities in these areas?

If the hon. Member will let me know whether he considers that any particular services of the local authorities are likely to be adversely affected, and in what area, I will make inquiries. I would remind him that Port Talbot and the Rural District of Neath are included in a Special Area and are therefore eligible for assistance from the Commissioner.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the pollution of the River Skerne; and what action he intends taking for the purification of effluents?

No, Sir, but I am making inquiries and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement showing the quantity and the value of exports of tinplate, steel, and galvanised sheets, separately, for each year from 1929 to 1938, and also particulars of the principal markets for each year?

The particulars for the years 1929 to 1933 are given on pages 87 to 91 of Volume III of the "Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom," 1933, and for the years 1934 to 1937 on pages 101 to 106 of the 1937 issue of this Volume; the latest information, relating to the first 11 months of 1938, is given on pages 145 to 147 of the issue of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for November.

asked the Minister of Pensions when a decision is to be reached about the case of Mr. Watkins, of 83, First Avenue, Manor Park, who applied for a war pension over six months ago?

A decision has now been reached in this case, and has already been communicated to the hon. Member. Some delay arose from the persistent endeavour of the Ministry to obtain evidence in support of the claim in directions indicated by the claimant.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether any decision has been reached regarding the case of Mrs. Gladys Richard, referred to in reply to a question on the 5th October?

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that a pension has been awarded in this case under special sanction and that payment is being authorised without delay.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Special Areas Commissioners provide funds and employment for clearing the land of ruined buildings, etc., left behind by vanished industrial companies; and, if so, whether he will increase this form of useful public work?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the forthcoming report of the Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) for the year ending 30th September, 1938, from which it will be found that the Commissioner is assisting the carrying out of extensive schemes of site clearance. He would be prepared to consider on their merits further suitable schemes. All these schemes have been and will be promoted with a view to the general economic improvement of the areas and not for the sake of the immediate employment afforded.In addition to these large schemes of site clearance the Commissioner is assisting a number of minor schemes of improvement carried out on a voluntary basis. Particulars of these schemes will also be found in the forthcoming report, but I would also refer by hon. Friend to paragraphs 404–409 of the Report for the year ending 30th September, 1937 (Cmd. 5595).

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the statement in the Report of the Commissioner for the Special Areas in England and Wales, 1937, he can state the number of unemployed of 45 years and over who are suffering from diseases contracted through working in the mines, and also the nature of the various diseases?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the information desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges at Llanelly, Ammanford, Garnant, and Tumble on the last convenient date; and comparative figures for each Exchange for 1937?

The following table shows the numbers of unemployed persons, aged 14 and over, on the registers of the Llanelly, Ammanford, Garnant, and Tumble Employment Exchanges at 14th November, 1938, with comparative figures for 15th November, 1937:

Employment Exchange.		14th November, 1938.	15th November, 1937.
Llanelly	…	5,535	3,018
Ammanford	…	1,027	740
Garnant	…	1,062	1,104
Tumble	…	864	2,341

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of persons employed at the Bridgend Royal Arsenal; the number recruited from the locality; the name of the Exchange; and the number drawn from each Exchange?

The number of persons engaged at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Bridgend at 8th December was 3,893. Of these 2,320 were engaged through eight local Exchanges, of which the following are particulars:

			Numbers engaged.
Bridgend	…	…	750
Aberkenfig	…	…	325
Ogmore Vale	…	…	285
Maesteg	…	…	490
Pontycymmer	…	…	300
Pontyclun	…	…	60
Porthcawl	…	…	60
Kenfig Hill	…	…	50

In addition, there were engagements through Exchanges in the Rhondda, Port Talbot, and Neath areas.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to consider increasing the number of signing-on stations for registered unemployed in Weardale and Teesdale, county of Durham, in order to obviate the necessity of long-distance travelling by persons ill-equipped, in warm clothing, sound footwear, and general physique, owing to lack of sufficient finance?

There are already three branch offices in Weardale and four in Teesdale and I regret that on my present information I should not feel justified in opening other offices.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of new industries set up in the Barnard Castle division of the county of Durham with financial aid from the Commissioner of Special Areas; the situation of such industries; the amount of financial aid given; and the number of persons, adult and young persons, respectively, employed?

No application has so far been made to the Commissioner for financial assistance by any persons considering the setting up of new industrial undertakings in this area. Any such proposal would, however, receive sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an estimate of the increased cost involved if the continuity period for unemployment benefit, was amended to two days in six being substituted for three days in six; and whether he is prepared to give favourable consideration to such an amendment?

The additional cost to the Unemployment Fund of such a change in the continuity rule cannot be calculated with any accuracy, but on such assumptions as can be made it is estimated that the cost would be of the order of £1,000,000 a year. On present information I know of no ground for making such a change and I should not contemplate proposing any change involving expenditure of this order without consulting the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that payments received from the Gresford Colliery Disaster Relief Fund by injured workmen or survivors of men killed are being subjected to the means test by the Unemployment Assistance Board on the same basis as ordinary workmen's compensation, although voluntary gifts are not supposed to come under the means test; and whether he will take steps to stop this practice?

I am informed by the Board that in dealing with the cases in question no part of any payments from the Gresford Colliery Relief Fund has been regarded as available to meet the needs of any member of the household, other than the person to or in respect of whom the payment is being made. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and cares to let me have the details, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of persons on the unemployment register in receipt of benefit and allow- ances, respectively, at Maesteg, Pontycymmer, Ogmore Vale, Aberkenfig, and Bridgend exchanges for the year 1932 and each year to date?

The table below shows the numbers of payments of unemploy-

—		Maesteg.	Pontycymmer.	Ogmore Vale.	Aberkenfig.	Bridgend.
Week ended 2nd December, 1932:
Insurance Benefit	…	596	908	1,211	228	323
Transitional Payments	…	3,109	767	493	527	707
Week ended 1st December, 1933:
Insurance Benefit	…	325	680	183	153	296
Transitional Payments	…	2,764	1,005	733	569	685
Week ended 30th November, 1934:
Insurance Benefit	…	361	342	956	165	327
Transitional Payments	…	2,176	870	690	518	663
Week ended 29th November, 1935:
Insurance Benefit	…	553	147	200	183	464
Unemployment Allowances	…	2,137	791	643	545	754
Week ended 4th December, 1936:
Insurance Benefit	…	395	161	508	152	361
Unemployment Allowances	…	1,954	663	617	524	697
Week ended 3rd December, 1937:
Insurance Benefit	…	243	88	108	99	290
Unemployment Allowances	…	858	436	424	373	497
Week ended 2nd December, 1938:
Insurance Benefit	…	320	880	819	183	314
Unemployment Allowances	…	662	379	281	186	216

NOTE.—The figures for the weeks ended 4th December, 1936, 3rd December, 1937 and 2nd December, 1938, include payments of agricultural benefit. The numbers of such payments, however, were very small.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that many of the Special Areas are not nearly so distressed as Middlesbrough, he will, in his forthcoming legislation, consider extending to Middlesbrough the benefits enjoyed by the Special Areas?

I have at present nothing to add to the statement which I made on 14th November.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Aerated Water Trade Board for England and Wales has made repeated requests during the last 10 years for an inquiry into the conditions of employment of those engaged in bottling alcoholic drinks who were at present outside the ambit of the Aerated Water Trade Board; and whether he will now accede to this request or, as an alternative, see to it that trade board conditions shall apply to those engaged in bottling cider, ale,

As a result of information recently laid before me by the board, I propose to put an investigation in hand in due course, but owing to exceptional pressure of work this investigation cannot be commenced at present.

asked the Prime Minister what is the present situation in Lithuania; and what steps the Government are taking to safeguard British trading interests with that country, particularly through the port of Memel?

As regards the situation in the Memelland, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister on Monday to the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker). As regards the rest of Lithuania, I understand that the Government have taken certain precautionary measures as a result of the popular feeling aroused by the recent developments at Memel.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number of non-provided public elementary schools in existence in England and Wales on 31st March last; and the numbers managed by each religious denomination?

The particulars asked for are as follow:

Voluntary Public Elementary Schools maintained by Local Education Authorities in England and Wales.
31st March, 1938.
(Provisional figures.)
Denomination.	…	…	Number.
Church of England	…	…	8,977
Methodist	…	…	119
Roman Catholic	…	…	1,265
Jewish	…	…	13
Other Voluntary	…	…	176
Total	…	…	10,550

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement on the financial position of the Colony of Hong Kong, whose trade has largely collapsed as a result of the war in China and which is none the less compelled to support a very large number of Chinese refugees?

While the recent interruption of the rail and river communications between Hong Kong and Canton has temporarily stopped trade along those channels, there is no indication of a drastic deterioration in the Colonial Government's financial position in the immediate future. The estimates of expenditure have nevertheless been pruned as a necessary measure of caution. The influx of refugees from the area of hostilities in South Kwantung attained a considerable volume in the latter part of November, but numbers have now been able to return to their homes with the cessation of active fighting in the neighbouring Chinese territory. Those refugees who were destitute have been given food and accommodation not only at the cost of the public funds of the Colony but, to a large extent, by very generous voluntary contributions to an emergency refugee fund raised by the residents of the Colony.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the low-price level of agricultural products on the Yorkshire Wolds; and whether any special measures are in contemplation to give some additional help?

I am aware of the low price level of sheep and barley, the chief products of the Yorkshire Wolds. The position of the former is under examination, and as regards barley, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the announcement I made on 9th December.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the cost of milk to the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Corporation for the 12 months now current, as compared with the cost for the 12 months immediately preceding the commencement of the activities of the Milk Marketing Board, shows an increase of 5.275d. per gallon, or 45.5 per cent., or approximately £3,000 per annum, representing almost the product of one-third of a 1d. rate; and, as the diversion of so great a proportion of a local authority's income for the purchase of milk places a strain on other social services, particularly in the depressed areas, he will consider, in the new Milk Bill, taking steps to eliminate these hardships?

I have no precise information as to the first part of the question, but I appreciate that large purchasers of milk who were able to take advantage of the disorganised market conditions prevailing before the Milk Marketing Scheme came into force, have now to pay more for milk than formerly. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable at the moment to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 1st December.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that accredited milk may at the present time be produced from cattle suffering from tuberculosis, whilst the public is under the impression that such milk is entirely pure, he will now give an assurance that in any future legislation dealing with this matter he will seek to provide that such milk will be equally subject to the provisions of pasteurisation schemes?

As the hon. Member will be aware from the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 1st December, the whole milk problem is to be re-examined, and pending the completion of that re-examination I am not in a position to give any assurance in regard to the form that further legislative proposals on the subject of milk may take.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether having regard to the serious plight of the farmers of East Anglia and other districts, he will now reconsider the desirability of applying a system of guaranteed prices for the principal agricultural products?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in order to restore confidence in the agricultural policy of the Government, he can now announce his intention to lay before the House a comprehensive policy, including price insurance, calculated to ensure fair returns and adequate wages for all branches of agriculture?

The question of the wider application of the principle of price insurance is raised in the recommendations issued a short time ago by the National Farmers' Union. The questions involved are still under examination and I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the number of sheep that have been offered for sale on representative markets in the United Kingdom during the last six months for which records are available?

The number of sheep, including lambs, which were offered for sale at certain representative markets in the United Kingdom during the six months June to November, 1938, was 3,399,000. This is an increase of 210,000 over the total in the corresponding period in 1937.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the revision of the regulations for grants under Part III of the Agriculture Act, 1937, so as to provide for 50 per cent. grants for drainage work done by machinery at all seasons of the year, and so as to enable grants to be paid for work done during the summer months where the waterlogged condition of the land makes drainage work during the winter months impracticable?

I have considered the revision of the regulations for grants under Part III of the Agriculture Act, 1937, and, while I am unable to vary the rate of grant, I am prepared to grant aid throughout the year to schemes consisting mainly of structural work and schemes carried out mainly by machinery. Circular letters are being addressed to the authorities concerned intimating this amendment of one of the conditions attaching to these grants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will bring in legislation to make it possible for the agricultural producer to receive the subsidy on all the three cereal crops instead of having to choose one of them, with the addition of such subsidy per acre for barley and oats as may be fixed after consultation with the farming interests, including the National Farmers' Union?

Under the Agriculture Act, 1937, a farmer can receive subsidy on both barley and oats or on wheat. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the announcement that I made on 9th December, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the milk equivalent of the volume of milk products imported into this country during 1937 and during the first 10 months of 1938, respectively?

The fresh milk equivalent of all milk products imported into the United Kingdom in 1937 is estimated at approximately 2,850 million gallons, and the corresponding figure for the 10 months January to October, 1938, is 2,430 million gallons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the alarming increase of short-term credits to farmers; what is the reason for this increase; if it is being obtained at reasonable rates of interest; and whether he has any proposals for granting additional credits from His Majesty's Government at cheaper rates of interest?

I am not aware that there has recently been any substantial increase in farmers' short-term credits. The second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise. As regards the last part, I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery) on 8th December.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider extending the temporary assistance now offered to barley growers to include those barley growers on the Yorkshire Wolds who have obtained a subsidy on wheat, in view of their losses on this crop and on sheep during this year?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that Norfolk, which grows a fifth of the national barley crop, is one of the areas that should receive the emergency assistance for barley, he will reconsider the condition which makes it impossible for a barley grower who is in receipt of wheat deficiency payments to claim for the £1 per acre barley subsidy, as the great majority of Norfolk barley growers are also wheat growers?

The considerations mentioned in these questions were fully present in the minds of the Government when the question of special assistance to barley growers in respect of this year's crop was under examination. In view of the substantial measure of assistance receivable under the Wheat Act in respect of this year's wheat crop, the yield of which is well above average, the Government felt that financial assistance should be concentrated for the benefit of those barley growers who have not grown appreciable quantities of wheat on their land and whose need therefore was greatest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a farmer growing both barley and wheat will have to have grown, approximately, five times as many acres of barley as of wheat before it would be worth his while this year to apply for the Government offer of £1 per acre on his barley in preference to accepting deficiency payments on his wheat; and what percentage of barley growers in Norfolk and Great Britain, respectively, grew more than five times as many acres of barley as of wheat this year?

So far as can be foreseen at present, it is probably true that a farmer should have about five times as much barley as wheat to make the barley subsidy at £1 per acre preferable to wheat deficiency payments. Regard must, however, also be had to the acreage under oats as well as to the yield of wheat on the farm concerned.I regret that the information desired in the second part of the question could not be obtained without a long and expensive examination of the agricultural returns.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the annual profits of the brewing trade amount to £31,500,000 and have doubled since the 1933 Budget; and whether, in framing proposals to be put before the conference of brewers and farmers, he will consider if some part of these profits can be diverted for the assistance of the barley growers?

I am aware that the annual profits of the brewing trade have increased substantially in recent years and were £31½ millions in the last financial year. The question whether higher prices than those ruling for this season's crop can be paid for barley by brewers and other users of malting barley is obviously one of the considerations that will arise during the deliberations of the conference.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the inability of his Department to obtain or supply separate official statistics with regard to the increased importation of draught horses into this country is a severe handicap to British horse-breeding interests; and whether he will arrange for separate statistics to be obtained and published in the future?

I have not received representations from horse-breeding interests that the absence of the figures to which my hon. Friend refers has been a severe handicap to them. I understand that there are difficulties in differentiating between the various types of horses upon importation, but I will explore the matter further to see whether there is any way by which these difficulties can be over-come.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the wholesale and retail prices of bacon in this country compare with the prices, expressed in sterling, which rule at the present time in Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Germany, and the United States of America, respectively?

I regret that comparable prices either wholesale or retail are not available in respect of the countries to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether K.L.M. have yet started a night-mail service between Amsterdam and Croydon; and whether there is a similar British service?

A mail and freight service between Amsterdam and Croydon was started by the Royal Dutch Air Line on 2nd October last. British Airways, Limited, no longer call at Amsterdam on their Scandinavian service, but it is hoped to include Amsterdam in the itinerary of the proposed London—Oslo service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a passenger flying to Singapore by K.L.M. arrives on the sixth day and a passenger flying by Imperial Airways, Limited, arrives on the seventh day; and whether any steps are being taken to expedite the British service?

Yes, Sir, and the reasons for this difference are that the aircraft of Imperial Airways carry a heavier load and make more stops than those of the Royal Dutch Air Line. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to accept this difference in the schedule as permanent and steps are being taken to expedite the British service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the Royal Air Force Flying Training Manual, Part I, Land-planes, has been withdrawn from sale?

As a result of a recent review of Air Ministry publications the Flying Training Manual, Part I, Land-planes, was re-classified as "For Official Use Only," and has consequently been withdrawn from public sale.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when methyl alcohol, produced from coal, is used for admixture with petrol, it is subjected to tax?

I would refer to the answer given on the 6th December to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Accrington (Major Procter).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the reasons for continuing the allowance of 5d. per proof gallon on the production of power alcohol from imported molasses; and whether any similar allowances are paid on the home production of petrol from imported crude oil?

The allowance in respect of power and industrial methylated spirits and of spirits used duty-free in arts and manufactures is paid because of the restrictions which in the interests of the Revenue the Excise law places upon distillers. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the communication from the Monmouth County Council, sent him by the hon. Member for Ogmore, urging the necessity of such an increase of the amount of old age pensions as will release recipients from the necessity of applying for public assistance to supplement their incomes; and what steps the Government proposes to take in this vital matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In answer to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 3rd November to the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give the total amount of customs duty estimated to be collected on foodstuffs for the financial year ending 31st March next?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the agreed allocation of seats on the Board of the Suez Canal to Egyptian subjects will reduce the total number of seats now available for representatives of British interests; and, if so, to what extent?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department Department whether he will state the amount of the annual propaganda grant from the Exchequer to the Travel and Industrial Development Association, and the reasons for increasing the grant?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Mr. J. R. Robinson) on 12th December. The grant has been increased in order to assist the association to expand its important work of promoting travel to and industrial development in the United Kingdom, and in order to encourage wider support of this work by commercial interests at home.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the large number of shops and arcades in the Metropolitan Police area where the sole or main business carried on is the provision of gambling machines of various kinds, where prizes are given by the proprietors to lucky competitors on the machines; and why, as police proceedings have been taken and convictions obtained in the cases of cafes, tobacconists, and other shops where similar machines have been installed, on the ground that the transactions on such machines are offences against the Gaming and Betting Acts, action is not taken where the gaming machines are the sole or main attraction?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that action is taken by the police in respect of games played for prizes at amusement arcades and fun fairs, whenever the element of gambling in such games is found to be more than trivial. It is usual in such cases to warn the proprietor in the first place and to take proceedings if the warning is not heeded. During recent months action has been taken by the police in a number of cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether any regulations have been made, and, if not, whether he intends to make any regulations, under Section 27 of the Factory Act, 1937, to deal with work to be done inside any chamber, tank, vat, or pit, in which dangerous fumes are liable to be present, and which involve risk to persons of being overcome thereby; and whether the Factory Department has made any regulations dealing with industrial alcohol factories?

My right hon. Friend has no power to make regulations under the Section referred to which itself lays down detailed precautions for work of this kind. There is no special code of safety regulations for industrial alcohol factories.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the woodworkers in the Sheffield area are concerned regarding the use of a discus and sanding machine for smoothing doors during manufacture; that complaints have been made that the wood dust arises with injurious effects; that a visit was recently paid to the factory of the Rother Vale Manufacturing Company by the inspector of factories, but the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers cannot get any information as to the result: and whether he will arrange for the woodworkers' representatives to be consulted regarding the suitability of any safety devices?

I am aware that complaint has been made regarding a particular portable machine used in the factory mentioned, and it is agreed that steps should be taken to reduce the dust. I am informed that the firm have decided to try some new exhaust plant, to be installed during the Christmas holidays. The problem is, I understand, a very technical one. An inspector will visit again after Christmas, and will ascertain from the workers' representatives whether they have received any complaint of the new installation.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increase during recent years in the number of theatres in the London area which, through operating a club system, with a membership fee often as low as is., are able to evade censorship and other obligations of theatres; and whether any steps are taken by his Department to investigate the types of entertainment provided at these places and to ensure that they are conducted in a proper manner?

My right hon. Friend has no reason to think that there has been any noteworthy increase in the number of these theatres. Any complaint in respect of any such theatre is investigated.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to state the names of the members of the Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I have given to-day in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Stoke Division (Mr. E. Smith).

asked the Postmaster-General whether postmasters have instructions to be acquainted with the name of the Parliamentary Representative of their respective districts and the name of the Parliamentary Division in which such post office is situated?

The reply is in the negative; but I have no reasons for supposing that postmasters do not know the names of the Parliamentary Representatives and the names of the Parliamentary Divisions of their respective districts.