asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can state the present approximate aggregate amount of the Board's liability in respect of guarantees under the Export Credit Guarantees Act; and what proportion of this sum is in respect of guarantees given in respect of the sale of cotton textile goods?

At 30th September, 1938, the aggregate liability outstanding in respect of guarantees given under the Export Guarantees Act and enactments repealed by that Act was approximately £20,000,000. It is not the practice to state the amount of the Department's commitments in respect of any particular trade or industry, although, as my right hon. Friend stated on 15th December, the cotton textile trade is one of the biggest customers of the Export Guarantees Department.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will state the details of the proposal that is before his Department to assist by export credits the sale of lorries to China?

Certain proposals for guarantees in connection with exports to China are receiving consideration, but there are obvious objections to giving detailed information of such matters while they are under negotiation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what exports of coal to foreign countries have been exported from each of the North-east ports of Blyth, the Tyne, Sunderland, Seaham, and West Hartlepool during the period from 1931 to 1937, respectively?

The desired information is not readily available and I am afraid it could not be compiled without a considerable expenditure of time and labour, but particulars of the amount of coal exported from individual ports of the United Kingdom to British and foreign countries in the aggregate are published in Volume IV of the "Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom." The issue of this Volume for 1937, which will contain figures for each of the years 1933 to 1937, will be published, I hope, in the course of a week or two.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the chief ports in this country used for the purposes of purely coastal trade and the numbers of vessels, respectively, using such ports in any given recent period?

I am not quite clear what my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but Table 6 in the Annual Statement of the Navigation and Shipping of the United Kingdom for the year 1937 gives particulars of coastwise traffic at individual ports. If my hon. and gallant Friend should desire any further information, perhaps he will communicate with me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships are now engaged in the coastal trade of this country compared with the figures for each of the last three years; and whether there has been any increase in the number of foreign ships carrying on a coastal trade in this country?

The number of British vessels engaged in the coasting trade is ascertained only in connection with the census of seamen taken annually on the 15th June. On that date in 1937, the latest for which information is available, 904 steam, motor and sailing vessels registered in the United Kingdom were employed, as compared with 931 in 1936 and 913 in 1935. Corresponding particulars of foreign vessels are not available but, according to the navigation returns, which include the repeated voyages of the vessels concerned, foreign vessels represented 1.3 per cent. of the aggregate tonnage that arrived and departed with cargo coastwise at United Kingdom ports during the period January-November, 1938; this compares with 1.4 per cent. in each of the years 1937 and 1936.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can arrange for an office of the Employment Exchange to be established at Syston, Leicestershire?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he could not feel justified in providing separate Exchange facilities at Syston.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions are registered at Employment Exchanges as unemployed; whether he will state the number of such men in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit, unemployment assistance, and the number with no entitlements to benefit or assistance; the number of such men who have been unemployed for 12 months or longer; and the number of men ruled unable to follow their usual occupations under ordinary industrial conditions?

At 3rd October, 1938, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 30,204 unemployed disabled ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. Of these 28,439 were applicants for unemployment insurance benefit or unemployment assistance allowances and 1,765 had no application for benefit or allowances. Figures are not available showing separately the number of applicants for benefit and allowances respectively. The total of 30,204 included 12,798 persons who were considered to be fit for light work only and 315 whose disability rendered it difficult for them to be employed under ordinary industrial or com- mercial conditions, except in some institution specially designed for ex-service men suffering from very severe occupational disability. An analysis according to duration of unemployment is not available for any date since 3rd January, 1938, when out of a total of 31,812 unemployed disabled ex-service men applying for benefit or allowances, 11,192 had been on the register for 12 months or more.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of persons in receipt of unemployment assistance in the district covered by the Pontefract area office, the number in receipt of winter allowances, and the approximate weekly cost of the same?

The number of persons in the Unemployment Assistance Board's administrative area of Pontefract in respect of whom assessments were current on 21st November last for payment of unemployment allowances was 3,049, and the number of such assessments which included an additional allowance under the Unemployment Assistance (Winter Adjustments) Regulations, 1938, was 1,595, of an average weekly value of approximately 2s. 2d.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is intended that the bridges in Burma from railhead to the Chinese head of the Burma-Yunnan road are to be strengthened so as to carry 10 tons, and whether this work is now being carried out?

My Noble Friend is informed that all the bridges on the Burma side of the Burma-Yunnan road are already able to carry loads up to the loaded weight of the lorries which it is understood that the Chinese authorities at present propose to use.

asked the Minister of Labour what were, on 1st November, 1938, the principal retail prices of English and imported food, respectively, compared with those prevailing on 1st November, 1937, and 1st November, 1929?

The following statement shows the average retail prices of food, at the three dates specified, as calculated from the returns collected for the purpose of the official cost of living index number. As regards articles of food the supplies of which are in part imported, separate

Article.		—	1st Nov., 1938.		1st Nov., 1937.		1st Nov., 1929.
			s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Beef, British—Ribs	…	per lb.	1	2¼	1	2½	1	4¾
Beef British—Thin Flank	…	per lb.		7½		7¾		9¼
Beef, Chilled or Frozen—Ribs	…	per lb.		9½		9¾		10¾
Beef Chilled or Frozen—Thin Flank	…	per lb.		5		5		5¾
Mutton, British—Legs	…	per lb.	1	3¼	1	4¼	1	6
Mutton, Frozen—Breast	…	per lb.		7½		8¼		10
Mutton, Frozen—Legs	…	per lb.		10½		10½		11½
Mutton Frozen—Breast	…	per lb.		4		4¼		5¼
Bacon (Streaky)*	…	per lb.	1	3½	1	3½	1	5½
Flour	…	per 7-lb.	1	2¼	1	4¼	1	4¼
Bread	…	per 4-lb.		8½		9½		9
Tea	…	per lb.	2	4¼	2	2½	2	0¼
Sugar (granulated)	…	per lb.		2½		2½		2¾
Milk	…	per quart		7		7		6½
Butter—Fresh	…	per lb.	1	4½	1	6½	2	0¼
Butter—Salt	…	per lb.	1	4½	1	6½	2	0¼
Cheese†	…	per lb.		10¾		11	1	1¾
Margarine	…	per lb.		6½		6¾		7½
Eggs (Fresh)	…	each		2½		2½		3¼
Potatoes	…	per 7-lbs.		5½		6¼		5¾
*In some localities where streaky bacon is rarely bought by working-class households, the returns quote the prices of another cut, more locally representative.
† The prices quoted are in most cases for Canadian or New Zealand cheese, but in some districts the returns quote the prices of another kind locally representative.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the uncertainty as to the different spheres of responsibility for air-raid precautions work, he will lay down exactly what matters should come under the local police and what under the local authorities?

This matter is already engaging my attention and the various memoranda now in course of preparation should remove any ambiguity about the respective duties of local authorities and of the police.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that large numbers of industrialists are awaiting information concerning the financial co-operation which the Government is willing to give before committing themselves to air-raid precautions schemes; and whether he can make any announcement that will obviate this delay?

I am not at present in a position to add to the answer given to

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can do anything to expedite delivery of fire-fighting apparatus urgently required by auxiliary fire services; and whether he will endeavour to secure priority for some of these implements vital to the safety of our great cities?

The steps which have been taken to build up the large-scale manufacture of fire-fighting appliances necessarily take some time to mature, but I am advised that deliveries of trailer pumps are now being effected at the rate of about 130 a week and considerably larger deliveries are expected early next year. If in the second part of the question the hon. Member has in mind the desirability of preventing competitive orders by different Departments for such appliances, I may say that steps have already been taken to avoid such competition.

asked the First Commission of Works what arrangements are being made to provide adequate protection against air-raids to workmen employed in armament factories owned by the Government; and whether, in preparing the plans of new Government factories, provision is being made for underground shelters?

I can only answer as regards certain munition factories which are being built by my Department for the War Office. In these cases I act on instructions received from that Department, who are including measures of a specialised protective character suitable for munition factories. Certain portions of the refuge accommodation will be underground.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what action he desires local authorities should take as regards the strengthening of their buildings to create satisfactory underground shelters for use in the event of war?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made after Questions to-day.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will represent to the Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation the importance, not only of hearing evidence in public, but of printing and placing it on sale?

My right hon. Friend has no doubt that these matters will be considered by the Commission and he does not consider it necessary for him to make any representations to them on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation will be authorised to incur such expenditure as may be necessary to enable them to hold meetings elsewhere than in London and to employ sub-commissioners to investigate a representative sample of settled cases in order to ascertain the relative merits of lump sum and weekly payments or similar matters upon which reliable direct evidence is not available?

Where their meetings should be held and what methods they should adopt for inquiring into such questions as the merits of lump-sum compensation will be questions for the Commission, and my right hon. Friend has no doubt that any recommendations by the chairman as to incurring reasonable expenditure for such purposes would be sympathetically considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has arrived at any conclusion as to the advisability of making regulations under the Factories Act for the elimination of shuttle kissing in weaving sheds?

A committee of representatives of employers and operatives, with a member from the Cotton Industry Research Association, was set up by agreement, under the chairmanship of the Superintending Inspector of Factories at Manchester, to go into this matter. They considered that in the first instance further experiments with hand-threaded shuttles were desirable, and such experiments have since been proceeding. I understand that a further meeting of the committee is proposed for next month, to consider results. It would thus be premature at present for my right hon. Friend to reach any conclusion as to the issue of regulations on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many distilleries are engaged solely in the production of industrial and power alcohol; and what special Customs supervision is necessary in such distilleries?

There are seven distilleries engaged solely in the production of industrial and power alcohol. All distilleries require the same Revenue supervision for the same purpose—that is, to ensure that a product which, whatever its intended use, is a potable intoxicant does not enter into consumption as a beverage unless the spirit duty is paid on it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to state the cost to the revenue of the allowance of 8¾d. per gallon on industrial and power alcohol produced in the distilleries which do not make potable alcohol?

As the allowance in question is payable, not to distillers as such, but to methylators and to persons authorised to receive undenatured alcohol free of duty, a precise figure cannot be given. An estimate is £850,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Customs restrictions imposed on distilleries producing both potable and non-potable alcohol are also necessary in distilleries producing only non-potable alcohol; arid, if not, whether he proposes to abolish the allowance of 8¾d. per gallon in respect of the latter?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer which I have given to a previous question by the hon. Member. It follows that the answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring before Parliament in the near future legislation to deal on a national basis with the insurance of property against the risks of bombardment from the air, or what are the Government's intentions in regard to that matter?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which I gave on Monday to my hon. Friend the Member for Chester (Sir C. Cayzer).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the absence of any State insurance scheme against war risks is having a detrimental effect, not merely on property values, but also in the transaction of a large volume of business appertaining to property, such as buying and selling and the raising of mortgages; and whether, with the object of stimulating public confidence, he can now make any statement as to the intentions of the Government on this matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on Monday to my hon. Friend the Member for Chester (Sir C. Cayzer).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the resolution, passed unanimously by the Circuit Quarterly Board of the Methodist churches in Greenock on 14th December, 1938, regarding further steps to be taken by the Government on behalf of Jews exiled from Germany, a copy of which has been communicated to him by the hon. Member for Greenock; and what action he proposes to take in connection therewith?

I cannot at present add anything to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Mr. E. Harvey) and the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 24th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement concerning the settlement of refugees in Tanganyika?

The Government of Tanganyika has ordered surveys to be carried out of the areas which offer the best possibility of settlement, and I am awaiting the results of those surveys. It will necessarily be some little time before the reports are received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement as to the loan proposed to be made for the reconstruction of Czechoslovakia, of which the £100,000,000 already given or promised was described by him and by the Foreign Secretary as an advance for urgent needs; whether the final amount of the loan has now been fixed; and whether any part of this loan is likely to be available for the migration and settlement outside Czechoslovakia of refugees other than those who are now nationals of Czechoslovakia?

Discussions are at present taking place between His Majesty's Government and the French Government on the one hand and the Czechoslovak Government on the other hand. Pending the outcome of these discussions I am not in a position to make any statement on the matters referred to in the question. I may, however, say that His Majesty's Government agree that it is desirable that part of the financial assistance accorded to the Czechoslovak Government should be used to make adequate provision in foreign exchange for all refugees from Czechoslovakia emigrating to other countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are still in Czechoslovakia a large number of refugees of Sudeten German or German origin who cannot safely return to their country of origin who have not been permitted to opt for Czechoslovakian nationality, and for whom there is no prospect of permanent absorption in Czechoslovakia; and, since the problem of the migration of these refugees exceeds the resources of the voluntary refugee funds, will His Majesty's Government consider making some special provision for them by loan or otherwise?

As regards the first part of the question, I understand that there are a large number of refugees of German origin in Czechoslovakia who desire to emigrate to other countries, but the precise consequences of the German-Czechoslovak Optants Agreement of the 20th November last will not be clear until legislative or administrative effect has been given to it by the Czechoslovak Government. The second part of the question is, I think, covered by the reply to the hon. Member's last question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what portion of the contemplated loan to Czechoslovakia has as yet been given; and whether any conditions as to its expenditure have been laid down?

The whole of the advance of £10,000,000 has been placed at the disposal of the Czechoslovak Government. The conditions as to its expenditure are being discussed with that Government, but I am not yet in a position to make any detailed statement. The question of the issue of a guaranteed loan is also under discussion with the Czechoslovak Government and no statement can be made pending the outcome of these discussions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious slump in prices of horses; whether he has considered the resolution from the Carmarthenshire United Shire Horse Society; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that the countryside will not go short of horses in the near future?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware that in recent months the price of heavy horses has shown a downward tendency while the price of light horses has been maintained; he has received and is considering the resolution mentioned in the second part of the question; as regards the third part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 14th November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, owing to the flooding of the River Gwendraeth, Carmarthenshire, 3,000 acres of land has deteriorated from good land to bog; that houses in Pontyates, as well as the public hall, regularly are flooded by water from this river; and will he send an officer to the county to advise the local authorities of the best means of bringing back this derelict land to production, and of preventing the flooding?

My right hon. Friend has no recent information about the conditions prevailing in the valley of the River Gwendraeth. The matter is not one for which he is responsible, but he is giving instructions for an early inspection to be made by one of his officers in order to discover whether there is any action which might usefully be taken by his Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that stocks of agricultural fertilisers in this country are normally unduly low in May, June, and July each year; and what steps have been taken by his Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, to ensure that at least 12 months' supplies of the necessary fertilisers will be available in the country at any period of the year henceforward?

I am aware that stocks of fertilisers are normally at their lowest at late spring and early summer. Authority was obtained in the Essential Commodities Reserves Act to accumulate reserves of certain commodities. This power has been used in regard to a number of them, including fertilisers and raw materials therefor, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that it would be undesirable to disclose details.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will consult with the Departments concerned with the establishment and working of Government factories in connection with the rearmament programme, with a view to securing that all the labour required at those factories shall be recruited through the Employment Exchanges, and that a proportion of the vacancies notified shall be filled by unemployed persons 45 years of age and over?

I am informed that it is the practice that all Government factories should obtain their labour requirements through the medium of the local Employment Exchanges. Heads of establishments have power to engage men over 45 years of age if considered suitable, hut, while I have every sympathy with the hon. Member's solicitude for unemployed persons over that age, it is not practicable to lay down any such rules as he suggests. The primary consideration must necessarily be the ability of the persons concerned to do the work required of them.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether his attention has been drawn to the closing down of steel works on Tees-side; and, as this is contrary to the Government policy for the speeding up of rearmament, what steps he is taking to have these works reopened?

I am not aware of the closing down of any steel works on Teesside, apart from the temporary suspension of production due to fluctuation in demand for certain products. There is ample production of steel to meet the requirements of the rearmament programme and the second part of the hon. Member's question does not therefore arise

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether there is any central machinery of administration for securing the efficient distribution of private and Government shipbuilding contracts, in the light of special considerations, such as maintenance of plants and skilled workmen not now fully employed, but of urgent national importance in the event of war, of the provisions of the Special Areas Act, of geographical defence considerations, and other factors governing the distribution of such contracts; and whether he can make a statement?

I am not aware of any such central machinery of administration applicable to private contracts, the placing of which is doubtless governed by commercial considerations. In the allocation of Government contracts all the matters mentioned by the hon. Member are fully considered as well as other relevant matters, though the prices quoted must have an important influence on the actual allocation of contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done or what is contemplated as essential in respect of the completion of the defences in East Africa?

As regards the land forces, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question by him on 23rd November. What I then said about the forces in Kenya applies equally to the forces in the other East African Dependencies. In addition, measures have been taken for the reorganisation of coast defence, for the formation of mine-sweeping units, and for the development of passive defence measures where these are necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the small amount paid annually for armorial bearings licences indicates that the tax is not demanded universally by local authorities to whom operation of the law is entrusted; and will he therefore either take steps for the abolition of the tax or draw the attention of all the responsible authorities to their non-observance of demand and collection of the tax from the large number of persons liable?

My right hon. Friend has no information in regard to the number of persons who are liable to pay this licence duty, which is collected and retained by the local authorities concerned and applied in reduction of rates. My right hon. Friend has received no representations from the authorities in regard to its abolition.

asked the Minister of Health whether, under the existing regulations, a person who is now a compulsory contributor for National Health Insurance benefits and becomes an established civil servant within the next 12 months will be permitted to become a voluntary contributor and be entitled to all benefits?

A person who has been insured as an employed contributor for at least 104 weeks and who becomes an established civil servant is entitled to become a voluntary contributor, either for health insurance or for pensions insurance or for both, if he gives notice of his desire to become such a contributor before the expiration of his free period of insurance, which is a period of 21 months on average from the date on which he ceases to be insurably employed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that ambulance services of certain local authorities are not allowed to attend accidents or to render other services outside their authority area, and that in consequence much unnecessary delay and pain is caused; and whether he will consider setting up a national ambulance service under which the nearest available ambulance must attend an accident or other disaster when called for?

I have no reason to suppose that there is in general any lack of co-operation between the various bodies, including local authorities, which provide a service of ambulances, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases which he has in mind, I will gladly make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health whether, taking the different boroughs and counties in Wales, the Midwives Act of 1936 is fully operative in each of them; and whether any material improvement in the records of maternal mortality is being noticed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, this is the first full year during which the service set up by the Midwives Act has been in operation, but my hon. and learned Friend will be aware that the maternal mortality rate for Wales in 1937 showed a welcome improvement over that in 1936, and it is to be hoped that the new service will contribute to the maintenance of that improvement.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will take steps to ascertain the number of war-disabled pensioners who are not in employment, and the extent to which this may he attributed to the industrial handicap arising from the war disability, bearing in mind that 30,000 are registered at the Labour Exchanges as unemployed; that a substantial number deemed unfit for employment are in receipt of public assistance; that a further substantial number are deriving no benefit from public assistance; and that 10,400 whose incomes are below £160 per annum are known to have lapsed from benefit under the National Health Insurance Scheme?

From the figures supplied to me by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, I do not think that the results obtained from the measures already in existence to secure suitable employment for war-disabled pensioners can be regarded as unsatisfactory. The figure of 30,000 represents 7.8 per cent. of the estimated number of men in receipt of disability pensions and allowances in October, 1938, whilst the percentage rate of unemployment among all insured men in Great Britain at approximately the same date was 14.The hon. Member is no doubt aware that as recently as 5th December the Minister of Labour received a deputation from the British Legion on the subject of the employment of ex-service men when various proposals were considered. As regards war-disabled pensioners, I am constantly in touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, and their interests in the employment field are being carefully watched.With regard to the last part of the question, I am equally alive to the necessity of safeguarding a pensioner's position under the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937, and in this connection I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply on this subject which I gave in the House on 21st November, 1938.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. A. Connatty, of 61, Canonbury Avenue, N. 1, is in possession of a further medical certificate from the Ministry of Health supporting the views of his own doctor that his present condition is due to shell-shock; and whether he is prepared to give further consideration to this case?

As the hon. Member is probably aware, Mr. Connatty was pensioned for some years in respect of neurasthenia, which was not considered directly due to his war service but was held to have been aggravated thereby. In 1926 the disablement fell to a degree for which pension was no longer appropriate, and a terminal grant was made in final settlement of compensation for the effects of war service.Ten years later, Mr. Connatty was reported to be suffering from neurasthenia in a more acute form, but after carefully considering the history of the case, my medical advisers were unable to regard the worsening of the trouble as having any connection with war service and it was, therefore, not possible for my Department to accept further liability. This decision was reviewed several times without any grounds being found for departing from it. Finally, I remitted the case to a specialist nominated by the Royal College of Physicians for an independent opinion, and after personally examining Mr. Connatty and reviewing all the documentary evidence in the possession of the Ministry, the specialist fully endorsed the decision.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the advisability of notifying disability pensioners that, in cases where there is unemployment with no entitlement to unemployment insurance benefit or unemployment assistance, there may be entitlement to local public assistance, and that, under the Poor Law Act of 1934, the first 20s. of the disability pension must be disregarded by public assistance committees in determining the amount of the pensioner's resources for the purpose of assistance?

I have no reason to think that disability pensioners are not as well aware as other persons of the general conditions governing the grant of public assistance. In any event it would not be appropriate that for the sake of the small number affected I should make an announcement on this subject to all pensioners irrespective of their circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the chief justice of Ceylon has been attacked by Sinhalese politicians, both in and out of the State Council, with regard to his impartiality; that the judges of the Supreme Court of Ceylon have lodged a protest against attacks on the chief justice by Sinhalese politicians and have stated that they will never again function on a non-judicial commission; and whether he will take these facts into consideration when considering the revision of the constitution of the Colony?

I have seen reports to this effect in the Press, but have not yet received any report from the Governor on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider including in the Order in Council governing Ceylon a provision that bankrupts and judgment-debtors should not be eligible for membership of the State Council?

It will be seen in the despatches between the Governor and myself which are being published that proposals of this nature have been under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state, in the cases of Tanganyika and Kenya, respectively, how much the intending settler has to deposit on entry and the additional sum he is expected to possess for maintenance until he can establish himself; whether any increase of the landing deposit is under consideration; and how many would-be entrants have, within the last six months, been refused admission on the grounds either that they have not the landing deposit or that, if they have such deposit, they have insufficient money to maintain themselves afterwards?

Under the existing legislation any European immigrant who is unable to satisfy the Immigration Officer in Kenya or Tanganyika Territory as to his financial position must be prepared, if required, to give security either in cash or by bond for a sum not exceeding, in the case of Kenya, £50, or, in the case of Tanganyika Territory, £100. As regards the amount he is expected to possess for maintenance, no specific sum is prescribed and clearly it will vary according to circumstances.As regards the second part of the question, a Bill has been introduced into the Legislative Council of Kenya to amend the Immigration Restriction Ordinance by providing, inter alia, that a conditional permit to enter the Colony may be granted to an intending immigrant upon his depositing with the Immigration Officer the sum of £50 or such other sum as the Governor-in-Council may from time to time by order determine; provided that the Immigration Officer may, in lieu of requiring such deposit, require the intending immigrant to give security by bond in such form as may be prescribed and to such amount (not exceeding £500) as the Immigration Officer may consider necessary. I am not aware that similar proposals are under consideration in Tanganyika Territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the custom of governors in the Crown Colonies to hold levées on the King's Birthday, and equally to ensure a public holiday on which no estate work will be done; and whether, if this is not the case, he will consider suggesting to the governors concerned the desirability of adopting this procedure?

Yes, Sir. Levees are held in some Dependencies where circumstances permit. In certain places the day is declared a public holiday, but in this respect practice differs in different Colonies. I am satisfied that every effort is made to associate all classes of the community with the celebration, and I do not think it necessary to make such representations as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will be able to make a statement regarding the finances and incidence of liability as between the Imperial and Kenya Governments in respect to the Uganda-Kenya railway?

The matter is under active consideration and I hope shortly to be in a position to inform the House of the decision reached.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the number of cases overdue for trial in the King's Bench Division, notwithstanding the efforts of two extra Lords Justices, constitute a denial of justice; and will he, as present arrangements have failed, terminate within the next three months the existing methods which give rise to confusion and delay and the waste of time and money of every person concerned?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, it is proposed, as soon as opportunity permits, to submit to both Houses of Parliament a Resolution authorising the appointment of two additional Judges to the King's Bench Division. In addition, it is hoped to arrange that, shortly after the beginning of next Term, the Division should have the assistance of three Lords Justices.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the shadow aircraft firms are paid on a basis of the number of men employed or of hours worked; or, alternatively, on what basis they are paid?

The firms managing the shadow aircraft factories are repaid all costs properly incurred by them in the production of aircraft and they receive management fees calculated at the rate of £225 or £200 per aircraft according to type. Provision is also made whereby a percentage of any savings in manufacturing costs below a figure to be determined after a period of initial working should accrue to the firms concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the estimated comparative cost of taking water to Lossiemouth aerodrome from the proposed Elgin and Lossiemouth sources?

It is contrary to practice to give such particulars but I can assure the hon. Member that the question of cost has been fully considered under the arrangement recently made for the supply of water to Lossiemouth aerodrome from the supply controlled by the Lossiemouth Town Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the number of locally-entered industrial employés of his Department in Egypt; whether these full-time employés are all British-born subjects; whether they enjoy any annual leave privileges; and, if not, whether he will consider granting them at least a week's holiday of the kind in question?

The number of locally-entered Air Ministry industrial employés in Egypt, according to latest returns available, is 1,639, not all of whom are British-born subjects. The regulations do not provide for annual leave with pay in the case of such employés, but they are eligible for eight public holidays with pay.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give the number of industrial locally-entered employés of his Department at all stations with which he has to do other than Egypt; and whether these enjoy an annual holiday?

According to the latest information available there are 7,932 locally-entered industrial employés of all grades at Royal Air Force stations abroad other than Egypt. The regulations do not provide for annual leave with pay in the case of such employés, but they are eligible for eight public holidays with pay, and in Iraq, as a result of local legislation, this has been increased to 10 days.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the precise functions and powers of the Air Ministry Supply Committee, and the work accomplished by the committee since its inception?

The Air Ministry Supply Committee was set up to expedite the approval of orders required to fulfil the expansion programme and to recommend for approval any financial assistance needed for further manufacturing extensions and plant. The committee's recommendations are subject to the final approval of the Air Council and the Treasury. The activities of the committee have now been extended to cover matters of general organisation of production to meet the further needs of expansion. Since its inception, as a consequence of the work of the committee, a large number of orders have been placed for aircraft and large additions have been authorised for buildings and plant.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as the Departmental Committee on Courts-martial Procedure reported some months ago, he can state the cause of the delay in informing the House of the conclusions arrived at; whether it is the intention of his Department to publish the report; and will he also say if and when he proposes to take action to carry out the recommendations of the committee?

The report has required careful consideration and consultation between the Departments concerned, and my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to announce a decision on the committee's recommendations, or as to the publication of the report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the numbers of persons unemployed in North-East Cheshire, the following approved road schemes could not be expedited: proposed Hyde-Romiley Road, Bennett Street to Manchester Road by-pass road, road from Mottram old road to Godley Arches, so as to provide more work in this district and to improve road communications?

I understand that the Cheshire County Council and Hyde Borough Council have under consideration the line for a new road between Hyde and Romiley. When the details have been settled, any application which may be made for a grant from the Road Fund will have my immediate attention. I have no information as to the town council's intentions in regard to the other two roads to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken to consider the position of British coastwise shipping in connection with the investi-

—		Capital employed	Net Revenue.	Return on Capital employed.
		£	£	Per cent.
London Midland and Scottish	…	10,136,410	26,921	0.27
London and North Eastern	…	26,009,040	292,447	1.12
Great Western	…	21,895,511	190,240	0.87
Southern	…	13,738,965	474,925	3.46

There are two representatives of coastwise shipping on the Transport Advisory Council and both these members have been appointed to the committee which is considering my remit in connection with the existing statutory regulation of charges for the conveyance of merchandise traffic by railway.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the railways, in their new appeal for unfettered control of rates, have given any detailed indication of the policy they would adopt in that case; and whether he proposes to ask for detailed information on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The matter is now before the Transport Advisory Council, who will no doubt elicit from the railway companies such further information as they may consider necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage return on capital expenditure on docks, harbours, and wharves is earned by the four main line railway companies; and whether, as the port of Aberdeen is bound to meet its obligations on capital charges yearly and this results in the users of the port of Aberdeen and the railways subsidising in part the users of railway-owned docks and the railways, he will take this into consideration when reviewing the question of railway rates?

The latest year for which I have figures enabling me to state the percentage return earned on the capital of railway-owned docks, harbours and wharves is 1936 when the position was as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport whether the railway companies, in presenting their proposals to his Department, informed the canal companies of their intention to do so; and what steps are being taken to ensure that the point of view of canal interests is adequately taken into consideration?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered representations from the canal companies concerning the railway companies' proposals on rate fixing; what was the nature of the representations; and can he make a statement?

The canal interests are represented on the committee of the Transport Advisory Council which is considering the railway companies' proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the terms of reference under which the Transport Advisory Council is considering the proposals of the railway companies regarding rate fixing; and whether the council has met and what procedure it is adopting?

The terms of reference under which I have remitted the proposals of the railway companies to the Transport Advisory Council are as follows:

"To consider the memoranda which have been submitted to the Minister of Transport by the Railway Companies' Association in connection with the proposal of the main fine railway companies that the existing statutory regulation of the charges for the conveyance of merchandise traffic by railway together with the requirements attached thereto, including such matters as classification, publication and undue preference, should be repealed and to make recommendations."

The council met on 15th December and appointed a committee to deal with the matter: I understand that this committee proposes to sit to-day and tomorrow and to take all possible steps to expedite its work.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an assurance that in the negotiations resulting from the representations made to him by the railway companies, or their representatives, he will not agree to any modifications of existing arrangements which might have the result of raising freight charges on agricultural produce?

I am not in a position to make any statement until I have received and considered the report of the Transport Advisory Council, to whom the railway companies' proposals have been referred. I would remind the hon. Member that trading interests (including agriculture) are represented on the council.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to secure the provision of suitable shelters, and other public accommodation, on the main omnibus routes in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, Fenton and Longton?

While I appreciate that the provision of adequate shelters is desirable, it is not a matter within my control.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the railway companies' tariff is on the same basis for weight for the transport of fish from Aberdeen, Hull, Grimsby, and Fleetwood; whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of accepting computed weights at the three last-named ports; and whether, as this practice gives an advantage of 10 per cent, or more over the actual weights as charged in Aberdeen, he will confer with the companies concerned with a view to devising a remedy?

I understand that the railway companies have already made arrangements as from 2nd January to accept computed weights of fish packed in boxes of standard sizes at Aberdeen, as is the practice at other large ports. With reference to the last part of the question I am informed that this arrangement offers no advantage as regards charges and its object is the facilitation of despatch of large quantities in limited time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been directed to the large number of motor accidents which occur during inclement weather when drivers are turning corners and their vision is blurred by the presence of moisture and dirt on the windscreen; and will he, as a contribution to greater safety, issue regulations requiring each vehicle to be equipped with dual windscreen wipers?

I have no evidence which supports the suggestion made in the first part of the question, and therefore I could not justify amending the present Regulation in the way proposed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state in miles the proportion of new roads to reconditioned roads in the plan of highway development announced in 1935 and the same details for Scotland?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the particulars asked for by the hon. Member. The programmes submitted by highway authorities do not give the information.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the five years' highway development plan, anounced in 1935, has been completed, and the amount expended to date?

The total expenditure, to 30th November, 1938, on schemes included in the five years programmes of highway authorities amounts to about £28¼ millions which represents about 27½ per cent. of the total estimated cost of schemes approved up to that date.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware that during the hearing of a case against the Gibson Road Transport Company, Limited, Clayton Street, Newport, Monmouthshire, for tampering with a driver's log, the defence attempted to discredit the driver by suggesting that he had been dismissed for the alleged theft of oil and for being involved in accidents and that his evidence was a deliberate attempt to get his former employers into trouble; whether he is aware that this line of defence is frequently pursued; whether the examiners for the Traffic Commissioners have experienced any difficulty in obtaining evidence because of the intimidation of drivers in this and other ways; and whether he will therefore consider increasing the number of examiners;(2) Whether he is aware of the case in which the Gibson Road Transport Company, Limited, Clayton Street, Newport, Monmouthshire, were fined £15, and £2 2s. costs, after having tampered with a driver's log, so as to make it appear that he had had the rest prescribed by law; that the driver gave evidence that nine out of ten logs are altered in this company's office, and that the Baillie Committee regarded such falsification as a very serious offence; whether cases of this kind are on the increase; and whether he is satisfied that the scale of penalties under the present law is commensurate with the serious nature of the offence, as suggested by the Baillie Committee;(3) Whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence given by a lorry driver during the hearing of a case against the Gibson Road Transport Company, Limited, Clayton Street, Newport, Monmouthshire, to the effect that drivers are expected to make six trips a week from Newport to Brentford with lorries limited to a speed of 20 miles per hour, which could not be done with lorries allowed to travel at 30 miles per hour; and whether the schedules for such journeys are examined with a view to preventing speeding and allowing drivers to secure the rest prescribed by the Road Traffic Act in the interests of public safety?

I have caused inquiries to be made into this case and I am informed that the defence to the action was on the lines indicated by the hon. Member, and that the Court found the case proved and inflicted the penalty which he describes. Licensing Authorities in their annual reports have expressed the view that falsification of driving records is prevalent and that drivers are reluctant to give evidence about their records for fear of dismissal. I fully share the hon. Member's desire to stamp out this practice and I have recently taken steps to augment the number of examiners whose duty it is to scrutinise the records with a view to seeing if the law as to speeding and hours of driving and rest are complied with. I am satisfied that the maximum penalty of revocation or suspension of a licence is adequate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents that have occurred in the Commercial Road, London, E.1, during the years 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1937, and to the nearest available date of 1938, respectively?

Annual figures for 1934 and 1935 cannot be given without considerable research. Comparable statistics of road accidents in Commercial Road, East (from Gardiners' Corner, Whitechapel High Street, to the junction with Burdett Road) for the six months ended 30th September in each of the years 1934 to 1938 are as follow:

Six months ended 30th September.	Accidents involving Fatality	Accidents involving Personal Injury	Total.
1934	7	136	143
1935	6	148	154
1936	3	145	148
1937	5	129	134
1938	1	133	134

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a large part of the East Lancashire road, Manchester to Liverpool, is unlighted; that recently there have been a number of accidents during the hours of darkness; that several local authorities are anxious to get a scheme to have it lighted; and will he give advice and assistance towards this purpose?

I am aware that sections of this road are unlighted, and I have informed the responsible lighting authorities that I am prepared to make agreements with them whereby I would contribute 50 per cent. of the capital and maintenance costs of approved installations. So far I have not received any application from the lighting authorities, but I should be glad to do so, preferably for some comprehensive scheme providing for the lighting of a substantial length of the road.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give any information in connection with the Albert Road, Woolwich, being blocked for more than nine hours, owing to the fall of a 36-ton boiler from a lorry?

I understand that proceedings may be taken as a result of this incident, and I should therefore prefer not to comment upon it at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered a communication from the Solihull Urban District Council requesting the reimposition of the speed limit along a section of Route A34 and the extension of the restricted section so as to cover that part of Route A34 which lies between Union Road, Shirley, and Creynolds Lane, Monkspath; and whether he has any statement to make?

I recently considered whether the speed limit should be reimposed on the part of this trunk road in Solihull north of Marshall Lake Road, but came to the conclusion that it should not. I think that accidents on this section might be reduced by the improvement of some of the junctions and other remedial measures which are being put in hand. As a result of the representations made by the Solihull Urban District Council I am calling for a report on the other section of the road.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now approved of the scheme of road-widening East Hill on the Dover—London road; and, if so, to what extent the scheme will qualify for grant under the Road Fund?

I understand that a scheme for widening East Hill from Darenth Road for 250 yards eastwards at an estimated cost of £12,800 is being considered by the Dartford Town Council. Before any application for a grant can be entertained the approval of the Kent County Council will be required. If a grant were made the rate would be 50 per cent. of the approved cost.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there is in existence, or in preparation, any scheme to by-pass St. Albans, Redbourne, Markyate, and Dunstable, or any of them; and, if so, when the work is likely to be commenced and when completed?

I propose in the spring to hold a local inquiry into the route of a comprehensive by-pass to St. Albans, Redbourne and Luton; the route for a by-pass to Markyate has been settled and the preparation of the necessary plans is proceeding; proposals for a by-pass to Dunstable are still in preliminary stages.

asked the Minister of Transport what reports he has received of the efficiency and wearing qualities of the non-skid roughened surfaces as laid down in recent years in Westminster and many Metropolitan boroughs; whether he has made any recommendations about their extension to other streets where the tramway lines are being taken up or covered over; and, if not, will he consider doing so?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to the surface treatment of worn rock asphalt carried out in Great George Street, Victoria Street, Kingsway, and other streets in the Metropolitan boroughs. Specific reports on these surfaces have not been received but my engineers are fully conversant with the results obtained.In Memorandum 483 (Roads) all local authorities were informed that "the provision and maintenance of an adequate non-skid surface is of primary importance" and mention was made of the surfaces referred to by my hon. Friend in the reports of the Experimental Work on Highways (Technical) Committee for 1934 and subsequent years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the result of experimental work carried out at Harms-worth by his Department; and if he can add anything to the Report on Experimental Work on Roads with regard to the use of cotton fabric in road construction?

The results of research and experimental work are published in the annual reports of the Experimental Work on Highways (Technical) Committee. I have not received any advice modifying the conclusion that the use of cotton cloth for road making in this country is of doubtful value.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statement to make with regard to the proposed order removing barrow-men from the London streets, in view of the great hardship which would thus be caused to these hardworking men?

The proposed restrictions on the use of certain important thoroughfares by itinerant tradesmen are part of the proposed "no-waiting" regulations which are intended to alleviate traffic congestion in those thoroughfares. The regulations will not affect the ordinary rounds-men delivering goods or street traders occupying pitches licensed by local authorities.I have given notice that I shall be prepared to receive representations concerning the proposed regulations up to the 31st January, 1939. All representations received by that date will be carefully considered before I reach any decision as to the precise nature and scope of the regulations and as to the date when they shall come into effect.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners are now imposing mooring charges for small private boats on an annual basis, but that tugs, barges, dredgers, and other commercial craft are not charged; that the actual moorings are privately-owned; and that the part of the harbour used for mooring is not suitable for commercial usage owing to shallow water; and if he will take steps to ensure that there shall be equality of treatment for all craft, and that any charges shall be proportionate to the period of use and the facilities provided?

I am making inquiries and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will undertake a tour of inspection of the sea and road transport system in the Western Isles this winter, covering especially the second-class and unclassified roads referred to in his correspondence with the hon. Member for the Western Isles; and if he will agree to be accompanied by a deputation of mainland county councillors of Ross and Cromarty and Inverness-shire?

While I am personally familiar with the Western Isles and transport conditions in them, I will, consistently with my other engagements, take a suitable opportunity of paying an early visit of inspection and on such visit will pay special attention to the road connections there.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has now been made with the Benbecula ford bridge; how many men will be employed; whether local men are being employed; and to what proportion of the total number working on the scheme?

I understand that the contractors will be on the site this week making preliminary arrangements for labour and materials. They hope to send the first consignment of plant and supervisory staff to the island early in January. The conditions of contract require the contractors to take 90 per cent. of the labour from local Employment Exchanges. It is not yet possible to say how many men will be required.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the names of the 36 public authorities and the 30 companies supplying electricity to the public in Scotland and the normal rate per unit of electricity for light and power, respectively, charged by each?

As I informed the hon. and learned Member in reply to his question of 17th November, I am not in possession of the information for which he asks in regard to the rates of charge. A complete list of the public authorities and companies supplying in Scotland under statutory powers will be found clearly set out in separate sections of the Electricity Commissioners' Returns of Engineering and Financial Statistics together with various particulars relating to them and including the average revenue per unit which they receive for various classes of supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the house at 9, Park Lane, Glasgow, has no lavatory accommodation within 50 yards of it; and what steps he intends to take to get matters put right for the tenants of the house?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am informed by the Corporation of Glasgow that it is not possible to provide a lavatory inside the house, which consists of a single apartment, and that there is no place outside the house where a lavatory more conveniently situated than the existing one could be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the condition of piers in the Western Isles used by the MacBrayne Outer Isles steamer service?

The piers at Tarbert (Harris), Soalpay, and Lochboisdale have been reconstructed or repaired in recent years by their owners and, so far as my right hon. Friend is aware, they are in good condition. The pier at Lochmaddy is in private ownership and he is not in possession of detailed information about its condition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what has been the practice of granting leave to locally-entered full-time industrial employés of his Department engaged at various stations outside this country?

Locally-entered industrial employés at naval establishments abroad, with the exception of Singapore, are granted five public holidays with pay per annum; at Singapore only three such holidays a year are allowed. At Malta, Gibraltar, Bermuda and Simonstown, in addition to the five holidays, three extra public holidays with pay are granted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state for the last three years the number of prosecutions initiated by football pool pro- moters on the charge that attempts have been made to defraud them through the medium of the Post Office services?

During the last three years, the firms who promote football pools are known to have instituted 21 prosecutions on charges of fraud or attempted fraud through the medium of the Post Office services in connection with betting including football and jockey pools. There may also have been a few such prosecutions which did not come to the notice of the Post Office.