asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men stopped from work as being diphtheria carriers or contacts are being denied unemployment benefit; and, as such denial encourages avoidance of precautions necessary to prevent the spread of infection, will he review this question?

I regret that the necessary inquiries in this matter are not yet complete. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of ex-service men suffering from disability in consequence of their service who are receiving Unemployment Assistance Board allowances; and how many of such men are 50 years of age or over?

The only available statistics, which were obtained in April, 1937, show that 20,233 disabled ex-service men then registered at Employment Exchanges were applicants for Unemployment Assistance allowances. I am afraid it is not possible to divide the figures into age groups.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to see that all persons not of British citizenship registered at the Employment Exchanges are registered as such, with a view to discovering the number of such people involved?

I regret that this is not practicable. As my hon. Friend will appreciate it would involve obtaining evidence of nationality for all persons on the register.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled ex-service men are employed under the King's National Roll Scheme in the following districts: Greater London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, Leeds, Bradford, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Salford, Burnley, Wigan, Southport, Blackpool, Stoke-on-Trent, and Halifax?

The following is the information desired:

Greater London	79,126
Birmingham	10,740
Liverpool (including Bootle)	5,272
Manchester	10,350
Hull	1,829
Leeds	3,734
Bradford	2,772
Oldham	1,427
Ashton-under-Lyne	429
Salford	1,568
Burnley	504
Wigan	306
Southport	202
Blackpool	392
Stoke-on-Trent	503
Halifax	935

In certain cases where firms give comprehensive undertakings covering all their branches the figures for the whole undertakings are given under the district in which the enrolment is recorded by the Local King's Roll Committee.Disabled ex-Service men employed by Government Departments and the four great railways who are engaged in various districts throughout the country are not included in the figures quoted.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of local authorities are not members of the King's National Roll and the number this represents; how many of the authorities might reasonably be expected to enrol; what steps are actually being taken in the matter at present; and can he suggest any further powers that might be granted to him to complete the enrolment of all local authorities?

About half the total number of local authorities are members of the King's National Roll. The great majority of those not enrolled have very few employés and the number of authorities not enrolled who might reasonably be expected to enrol is considered to be about 9 per cent. of this total.Local King's Roll Committees in the areas of these authorities have the question of securing enrolment constantly under review and the matter is raised with the authorities at favourable opportunities. The position is also reviewed by the King's Roll National Council from time to time and action is taken whenever appropriate. In the circumstances, I think that all practicable steps are being taken in the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many disabled ex-service men are employed by Government Departments under the King's National Roll Scheme; and how many of the men are employed in the Greater London area?

The latest figures in my possession are those for 1st April, 1938, when the number of disabled men employed by Government Departments, exclusive of industrial staff, was 47,766. I regret that I have no information readily available as to the location of their employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total catch of herring and the total number of drifters employed during the summer and autumn fishings in each of the years 1931, 1936, 1937 and 1938?

The total catch and numbers of drifters were approximately as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the recent official estimate by the Government of the United States of America of the relative strength of European air forces is in accordance with the estimate made by His Majesty's Government?

I beg to refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given yesterday by the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the survey flight along the route to West Africa was not undertaken in a British machine?

This survey flight was carried out in a foreign-built aircraft comprising one of the standard air liners of British Airways, the Company responsible for the flight. The Company had no suitable British aircraft available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date the Southern Railway sought Air Ministry advice as to the surface of the proposed aerodrome site at Lullingstone; when the advice was given; and if it contained any figures showing the mechanical and economic aspects of the use of hard runways?

The Southern Railway sought the advice of my Department on 28th April, 1937, and a reply was sent on 30th June, 1937. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any action to prohibit the sale of the card game in which prominent members of the British aristocracy and members of the Royal Family are brought into ridicule?

My right hon. Friend has no power to prohibit the sale of this game.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Nanking-Shanghai Railway is still running, and, if so, whether foreigners are allowed to use it?

Yes, Sir, but foreigners must obtain permits to travel on it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any appeals from China for credit guarantees; and whether such credits are connected with the League of Nations resolution in favour of the grant of all measures of possible assistance to China?

Certain proposals for guarantees in relation to exports to China are under consideration, and in this connection all the various circumstances governing the situation are naturally being examined.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what statutory authority the Hong Kong Government requires passengers arriving in Hong Kong to be quarantined at their own expense if they refuse to undergo vaccination as prescribed in the vaccination regulations?

The statutory authority is given by Section 17 (1) and (2) and Section 18 of the Hong Kong Vaccination Ordinance No. 12 of 1923.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of considerable dissatisfaction in Nigeria owing to the policy of restriction applied to tin mining without a corresponding reduction in rentals; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have not received any representations on this subject, and the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the report of the Registrar of Births and Deaths of the Gold Coast that pulmonary diseases accounted for 165 out of every 1,000 deaths in that territory, and that a quarter of the total deaths registered occur between the ages of 24 and 25, he will ask for a report on the causes of this position?

The figure mentioned by the hon. Member in the first part of the question refers only to non-tubercular diseases of the respiratory system. With regard to the second part, the age-group appears to be 25–45, not 24–25. This age-group includes practically all immigrant labourers, many of whom are said to have little resistance to pulmonary infections. The serious nature of the pulmonary disease problem is recognised, and is discussed in the Report of the Medical Department for 1937, a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now prepared to implement the findings set forth in the Report of the Commission to the Gold Coast with a view to improving the position of cotton exports to that area?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) and to the hon. Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 1st February, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will assure the House that His Majesty's Government have no intention of departing from the policy of a Jewish kingdom in Palestine?

I am not aware that such a policy has ever been adopted by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to issue in Palestine the new road transport ordinance and highway code for that country?

I have no information regarding this; but I am making inquiries of the High Commissioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number of houses and huts in Palestine destroyed by order of the Government in towns and villages belonging to Jews and Arabs since May, 1936, to December, 1938?

I have not the figures for which the hon. Member asks, but I will endeavour to obtain them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number of Jews and Arabs charged in Palestine with, and convicted of offences for which the usual penalty is death; also the number of Jews and Arabs so convicted who were executed since May, 1936, until January, 1939?

I have not the figures for which the hon. Member asks, but I will endeavour to obtain them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the low wages and bad conditions prevalent in the distributive trades in Trinidad; and whether he can take steps to get a trade board or trade boards established in the island?

I understand that the Acting Governor in opening the new Session of the Legislative Council stated that trade boards were proposed in certain industries. I am making an inquiry of the Acting Governor with regard to this particular trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to bring shop assistants in Trinidad under the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act?

I am aware that persons employed as shop assistants are not at present covered by the Trinidad Workmen's Compensation Ordinance. I am in communication with the Officer Administering the Government of the Colony regarding the extension of the scope of the Ordinance, and will call his attention to the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the examination made by Major Orde-Browne into the recruitment of labour in Northern Rhodesia for work in Tanganyika, any steps have yet been taken to give effect to his recommendations in paragraph 168 of his recent Report?

A Senior Officer of the Northern Rhodesia Government visited Dar-es-Salaam last year to discuss with the Tanganyika authorities certain recommendations in Major Orde-Browne's Report, including those in paragraph 168. These matters are still, I understand, being considered by the Tanganyika Government. Meanwhile, no new arrangements have been made for facilitating the employment of Northern Rhodesia natives in Tanganyika. The Governor of Northern Rhodesia has promised me an early further report on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement regarding the recent disturbances in British Guiana, and the loss of life on one of the sugar plantations?

The Governor of British Guiana has reported that, on the 15th February, there was a stoppage of work on several plantations in various areas, and that on the 16th February, police reinforcements were sent to one of the estates, in consequence of a report from the manager that serious trouble was likely. The police arrested five persons for disorderly behaviour on this estate, but they were heavily pelted with bricks, bottles and sticks. A number of police were struck and injured, the manager of the estate was assaulted and a car with wireless telephone was attacked. In the afternoon the crowd, with cutlasses and sticks, attempted to rush the factory and the police opened fire after repeatedly warning the crowd to disperse. I regret to say that three persons were killed and four received gun shot wounds, one of these has since died. Twenty-three police were injured in the course of the day. The situation is now reported quiet and the Governor proposes to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the incidents at the estate with the least possible delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange that the annual Colonial Office Report on Cyprus for 1938 is ready, and available for the use of members, before the Colonial Office vote is taken?

The Annual Colonial Reports contain much statistical and other information which cannot become available until after the close of the year with which they deal. Some months must necessarily elapse before they can be published. Colonial Governments have already been asked to forward their reports as early as possible each year. I will do my best to expedite the publication of the Cyprus Report, but I am afraid that I can give no definite undertaking as to the date by which it will be available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the restriction imposed by Shipbuilding Securities, Limited, has wiped out the entire shipbuilding industry in Middlesbrough; and whether, in view of the expansion of the naval shipbuilding programme, he intends to make use of the berths on the south bank of the Tees where, in the past, so many ships have been built?

I am aware that certain shipyards on the Tees have been purchased by National Shipbuilders Security, Limited. The two remaining yards in the district are mainly concerned with the building of commercial vessels, but on all suitable occasions they are given opportunities of tendering for the different types of auxiliary naval vessels within their capacity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the number of Admirals of the Fleet and the regulations for their retirement; the present age, date of last employment, and date due for retirement; and age on retirement of the present Admirals of the Fleet?

There are three Admirals of the Fleet on the Active List. One is 68 years of age, was last employed in 1933 and will retire during 1939; another is 65 years of age, was employed until 1939 and will retire during 1940; the third is 65 years of age, still serving and will retire in 1943. For the regulations as to retirement I would refer the hon. Member to page 69 of the appendix to the Navy List.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the estimated cost of Dartmouth College for this year; the number of cadets now borne; the present total number of staff, civilian and naval, including ratings; the number of vacancies offered for Dartmouth cadets at the last entry and date; and the number of applicants and those rejected for medical, educational, and other reasons, respectively?

The estimated cost to Navy Votes of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in the current financial year, is £117,000. The number of cadets at present training is 497, and the total staff, civilian and naval, including ratings, is 339.For the last entry into the college in January, 1939, about 45 vacancies were offered. Applicants totalled 108, of whom 73 were selected by the Interview Committee to sit for the examination, but of this number 10 were found to be medically unfit, so that 63 took the examination. 43 were declared successful. Of the 35 not selected for the examination three were medically unfit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the arrangements for kitting up, in payment or in clothing, of the various classes of reserves called up for the Fleet mobilisation in September last; and whether more equitable arrangements are to be made in future?

Men in certain classes of reserves are provided with kits in peace time and when mobilised are required to bring their kits with them. If they are then called upon to provide themselves with articles not in their peace kit they are given a gratuity sufficient to cover the cost. Men in other classes are not provided with kits in peace time and when they report at their depot on mobilisation, they are paid a gratuity sufficient to cover the cost of the articles with which they are required to provide themselves. This is the routine procedure and was followed in September last. I am unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion that these arrangements were not equitable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any all-round revision of electricity tariffs is under consideration; whether such revision will be aimed at standardisation of charges and the removal of the anomalies which at present exist; and whether he will use his good offices in such direction?

I have no information which would lead me to believe that electricity undertakers generally are considering any all-round revision of tariffs.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the growing indignation among the consumers served by Central London Electricity, Limited, at the very heavy increase in charges now being made by them under their recently introduced commercial two-part tariff; that consumers for lighting only are being penalised as against those who use current for both lighting and

Year				Monmouth County.		Newport County Borough.
				Fatal Accidents.	Non-fatal Accidents.	Fatal Accidents.	Non-fatal Accidents.
1930	…	…	…	42	629	8	216
1931	…	…	…	43	910	13	235
1932	…	…	…	35	914	5	353
1933	…	…	…	52	855	5	341
1934	…	…	…	30	1,105	12	454
1935	…	…	…	44	1,110	4	397
1936	…	…	…	41	983	11	401
1937	…	…	…	34	991	10	444
1938	…	…	…	42	901	11	443

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in any legislation introduced into Parliament to co-ordinate rail and road interworking, he will ensure that the powers of the Traffic Commissioners are not fettered in the direction of permitting new haulage operations when the public interest requires them?

The point to which my hon. Friend refers is one which I shall certainly bear in mind.

I understand that this company has recently introduced a revised two-part tariff; I have no control over the terms of this tariff, Consumers who take a supply for lighting only have the option of being charged on a flat rate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of accidents, fatal and non-fatal, respectively, on the roads of Monmouthshire, for the years 1930–38?

The numbers of road accidents involving personal injury on the roads of Monmouthshire for the years 1930 to 1938 were:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any statement on the nature of the legislation which will be required to give effect to any rail-road agreement?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter, which is at present under consideration by the Transport Advisory Council.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can provide a list of approved by-pass schemes not yet commenced, on which it is proposed to commence work during 1939?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on 16th February to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver).

asked the Minister of Transport how many level crossings and toll bridges still exist on the trunk roads under his control; where these are situated; and when he anticipates they will be removed and freed, respectively?

There are 82 railway level crossings on trunk roads and 30 colliery crossings. The elimination of these crossings will proceed concurrently with the improvement of the sections of road concerned.There are three toll bridges on trunk roads—Menai Bridge, Conway Bridge and Selby Bridge. I have no proposal for freeing the Menai Bridge which is at present under reconstruction; Selby Bridge will cease to be on a trunk road upon the completion of the Selby By-pass which will provide an alternative route. Proposals in relation to Conway Bridge are under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of road accidents in the city and county of Leicester, respectively, both fatal and non-fatal for the year 1938?

The number of road accidents involving personal injury in the city and county of Leicester respectively during the year 1938, were:

		Fatal. Accidents.	Non-Fatal. Accidents.
City of Leicester	…	36	1,400
Leicestershire	…	57	976

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will undertake to carry through the scheme of new roads as recommended by the Bressey Report?

I am proceeding with those schemes in the Bressey Report which affect trunk roads for which I am the highway authority.The other schemes are under consideration by the highway authorities concerned. I have indicated to them my readiness to assist with grants from the Road Fund. On several of these schemes works have either already begun or are about to begin. On some the provisions of the Restriction of Ribbon Development Act are being applied in order to safeguard the routes. On others, however, the highway authorities, to my regret, have not yet indicated their willingness to proceed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the danger of destruction of essential food supplies and shipping, he will take steps to stop the further extension of London docks, proposed by the Port of London Authority to spend many millions of pounds, and to use the money for the proper development of dock facilities on other rivers more suitably located?

No, Sir. The policy of the Port of London Authority in regard to the extension of the London docks is a matter solely within the discretion of that body.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is arranging with the local authorities for the widening of roads and streets leading out of towns as safety exits for the people in the event of air raids?

This is one of the considerations I keep prominently in mind when examining the proposals of highway authorities for road improvements.