asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Board has given its approval to the acquisition by the Torquay Borough Council under compulsory powers, of 700 square yards, with house and garden, for school purposes in Garden Road, Ellacombe; whether this site has been acquired and, if so, what was the price paid; for what purpose the land had been used; and what was its rateable value previous to acquisition?

The Board confirmed in July, 1937, a compulsory purchase order for the acquisition of this land, which was acquired by the Council in April, 1938, for the sum of £425. The property appears to have been previously used as a private dwelling-house and garden, and its rateable value was £16 gross and £10 net.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what number of school children in England and Wales were medically examined during the latest recorded 12 months; and what was the percentage found to be suffering from defective vision?

During the year 1937, the latest year for which figures are available, 1,700,078 elementary school children were examined at routine medical inspections. Of these, 571,082 were in the first age-group (entrants to school), and the vision of such young children is not usually tested unless there are obvious signs of defects. 85,424 children examined at routine inspections during the year were found to be suffering from defective vision (excluding squint) which required treatment, and a further 46,141 were referred for observations. The total of 131,565 represents 11.66 per cent. of the number of routine medical inspections, excluding the first age-group. In addition, 68,180 children were referred for treatment for defective vision, and 16,267 for observation, as the result of special inspections.The number of children found in 1937 to be suffering from squint was 21,606 at routine inspections and 16,169 at special inspections.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Board has given its approval to the acquisition by the Surrey County Council, under compulsory powers, of 3.66 acres for school purposes on the northern boundary of West Molesey Central School; whether the site has been acquired and, if so, what was the price paid; for what purpose the land had been used; and what was its rateable value previous to acquisition?

An order for the compulsory acquisition of this land was confirmed by the Board in December, 1936; and the property was acquired by the local education authority on 30th July, 1937, at a price of £2,800. The land previously was a gravel pit. Its rateable value was£6.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the Board has given its approval to the acquisition by the Breconshire County Council under compulsory powers of the site of 2.046 acres for school purposes adjoining Brecon Boys' County School; whether the site has been acquired and, if so, what was the price paid; for what purpose the land had been used; and what was its rateable value previous to acquisition?

The Board confirmed a compulsory purchase order for the acquisition of this land which was, how- ever, subsequently acquired by agreement, the price paid being £400. The land had previously been used for agricultural purposes and was not assessed for rates.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated number of miles of overhead telephone wires that remain to be replaced by underground trunk telephone cables; and when is it expected this conversion will be completed?

Only 103,000 miles out of a total of 2,300,000 miles of trunk telephone wires, or less than 5 per cent., are overhead. While it is the policy of the Post Office to provide telephone communications by underground cables in preference to overhead wires wherever financial considerations permit, there are many instances in which connections with rural communities over widely scattered areas cannot be provided economically other than by the use of overhead wires.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the approximate proportion of the industrial staff at the Post Office whose services are pensionable?

Approximately 40 per cent. of the industrial staff employed in the Post Office are borne on the pensionable establishment.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present approximate number of licences in force in respect of television receivers; what is the approximate annual revenue there form; what has been the annual cost of the television ser vice since its introduction; and who has borne the difference between this cost and the revenue from television licences?

The reception of television is at present regarded as covered by the ordinary wireless receiving licences and no special television licence is required. I am informed by the British Broadcasting Corporation that the annual revenue costs of the television service, together with depreciation on capital expenditure, were: in 1936, £111,500; in 1937, £277,149; and in 1938, £352,846. The proportion of the revenue from wire less licence fees paid to the Corporation during these years was increased to take account of the estimated cost of the television service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the political affiliations of the 33 hon. Members, in opposition to the Government, who broad cast between 31st January, 1938, and 31st January, 1939?

I am informed by the British Broadcasting Corporation that of the 33 broadcasts given between the 31st January, 1938, and the 31st January, 1939, by hon. Members in opposition to the Government, 22 were given by seven Labour Members, eight were given by three Liberal Members and three by two Independent Members.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps, if necessary by legislation, to enable the Treasury to make the same contribution to local authorities in lieu of rates for property occupied by the Territorial Army as in the case of the Regular Army?

In view of the general settlements in recent years of the financial relations of the State and local authorities, my right hon. Friend does not see his way to make the concession suggested in this question.

asked the Home Secretary how many police telephone boxes there are in the Metropolitan Police area; and will he consider installing loud speaker equipment in these boxes to facilitate the dissemination of information to the public in times of emergency?

There are 662 police telephone boxes in the Metropolitan Police district. The question of equipping the boxes with loud speakers has been con- sidered, but my right hon. Friend is advised that the objects in view can be more effectively secured by other means.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will instruct the police to prohibit any demonstration or procession in London that is calculated to prevent law-abiding citizens from pursuing their peaceful avocations?

It is the duty of the police to take such steps as are necessary for the prevention of breaches of the peace and of serious public disorder, but subject to this consideration the policy is to give wide facilities for lawful demonstrations and processions. The question was fully debated when the Public Order Act of 1936 was under consideration, and the decision of Parliament was that the powers of the police should be closely limited to what is necessary for the prevention of serious public disorder.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider appointing more industrial advisers to assist the Commissioner for Special Areas, with a view to expediting industrial development and reducing unemployment?

The industrial advisers to the Commissioner perform most valuable service, and I am happy to be able to express my appreciation of them, but I do not think there would be any ad vantage in adding to their numbers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the strength of public opinion he will re consider the policy of the Government with regard to labour camps for the young, with the object of greatly extending their activities?

The functions of the Ministry of Labour Instructional Centres and the part which they can play in the general scheme of social services are kept under constant review.

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of road transferred to the Ministry of Transport under the Trunk Roads Act have no footpath; and how many of these trunk roads with out footpaths are not subject to a speed limit?

On the 1st April, 1938, 2,055 miles of trunk road had no foot-path. I regret that information is not available as to the part of this mileage which is not subject to a speed limit.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the proposed loop-road south of Keswick; whether he is aware that this proposal is condemned by all persons and bodies especially concerned with the beauty of the Lake District; and whether he will refuse to sanction the scheme as such an area should not be permanently injured for the purpose of avoiding seasonal traffic congestion?

I am aware of the proposal to which the hon. Member refers. I caused a public inquiry to be held recently at Keswick and the inspector's report is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the percentage in crease or decrease in the price of building materials, and of building trade workers' wages, from the date of the passing of the Act permitting house-owners to charge 25 per cent. extra on house rent, to the latest date for which figures are available?

Since the Rent Restriction Act of July, 1920, the price of building materials and the wages of labour used in the construction of working-class houses are estimated to have fallen by 40 per cent. and 32 per cent. respectively. Compared, however, with the year of the standard rents, that is 1914, these prices and wages show increases of 62 per cent. and 100 per cent. respectively.

asked the Minister of Health when he intends to publish the reports of the Price of Building Materials Committee?

My right hon. Friend has received a report by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Prices of Building Materials which is at present receiving his consideration.

asked the Minister of Health when he anticipates that he will have sufficient information to show the results of the census of billeting accommodation in the different counties; and whether the response so far received comes up to expectations?

In view of the need for examining the returns it may be some little time before my right hon. Friend can make a complete statement as to the results of the survey, but he hopes to be in a position to make some reference to this matter during the Debate on the Supplementary Estimates for Air-Raid Pre cautionary Services.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to assure that water supplies and sewage, in evacuation reception areas, will be adequate to deal with the considerably increased demand upon them, and in particular, whether it is proposed to increase and extend piped supplies in such reception areas?

In the evacuation arrangements, steps will be taken to avoid areas where insuperable difficulties are likely to arise on account of water supply or drainage. It is not considered that the number of such areas will be large. My right hon. Friend is not at present satisfied that there is a case for grant from national funds for the purpose of improving water supply or drainage in rural areas as part of the evacuation scheme. Representations, however, have been made to my right hon. Friend in the matter by the county councils and rural district councils associations, and he is seeing a deputation from them on 7th March.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to prohibit, under Clause 4 of the Cancer Bill, registered medical practitioners referring to any article calculated to lead to the use of that article in the treatment of cancer when speaking to audiences or writing for groups of people composed of persons other than those mentioned in Sub-section (4) (a) and (b)?

In so far as such statements as the hon. Member has in mind could be held to be advertisements, I am advised that, subject to the exceptions contained in Sub-section (5), the effect of the Clause is as stated by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that the success of the British Industries Fair greatly depends upon the individual selling abilities of those in charge of trade exhibits; and will he annually circularise firms proposing to exhibit to remind them that it is prefer able that their exhibits should be under the charge of persons skilled in salesman ship rather than of those who are merely representatives of the exhibitors?

I have been asked to reply. As my right hon. Friend is quite sure that the exhibitors are in full agreement with the suggestion made in the first part of the question, he thinks an annual reminder of the nature suggested is unnecessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that his present powers are sufficient to require that all foreign goods should be marked with the name of the country of origin instead of merely the word foreign; and, if not, whether he will introduce legislation to make marking with the name of the country of origin compulsory?

No, Sir. The question whether a definite indication of the country of origin should be required was fully considered during the passage through Parliament of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, and in view of the wide divergence of opinion on the matter among industrial and commercial interests provision was made in the Act for an option. If, how ever, my right hon. Friend were satisfied that there is now a really substantial body of opinion in favour of a change in the law, he would be prepared to give fresh consideration to this question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give figures showing how the numbers of established and non-established men in Admiralty industrial establishments have varied during the past five years?

I assume the hon. Member refers to workmen in Admiralty Establishments at home. The numbers of established and unestablished workmen borne in these Admiralty industrial establishments in each of the past five years are as follow:

			Established.	Non-established.
1934	…	…	10,341	31,52
1935	…	…	9,846	34,058
1936	…	…	9,332	38,625
1937	…	…	9,051	45,600
1938	…	…	9,412	48,328

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present number of employ és from Admiralty industrial establishments in receipt of pensions; what is the approximate annual aggregate sum paid out in such pensions; and how these statistics compare with those of 1930 and 1935, respectively?

The number of persons who on the 31st January, 1939, were in receipt of pensions awarded in virtue of service as industrial employ és in Admiralty establishments was 7,813, and the approximate annual cost of such pensions was £443,425.The figures at the corresponding date in 1930 and 1935 were as follow:

Year.		Number.	Annual Cost.
1930	…	6,017	£339,870
1935	…	7,101	£384,275

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the present numbers of established and non-established men in Admiralty industrial establishments; what is the estimated annual cost of their wages arid salaries; and how these statistics compare with those of 1930 and 1935, respectively?

I presume the hon. Member refers to workmen in Admiralty establishments at home. The information in the exact form required is not readily available. The number of Established and Unestablished men borne in the years shown are as follow:

			Established.	Unestablished.
1938	…	…	9,412	48,328
1935	…	…	9,846	34,058
1930	…	…	12,200	32,387

The wages paid to these men cannot be readily ascertained, but the following figures show the total numbers of work people, including women and boys, and the wages for the years in question:

			No. of Workpeople (at commencement (for preceding of financial year).	Cost of Wages financial year).
				£
1938	…	…	61,935	10,582,117
1935	…	…	46,165	6,993,575
1930	…	…	46,324	7,291,804

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether provision has been made for the protection of workmen in His Majesty's Dockyards in the event of an air raid; and, in particular, whether deep shelters have been pro vided on lines similar to those provided by factory owners in various parts of the country?

Provision is being made for the protection of workers in the Royal Dockyards in accordance with approved Government policy; the construction of deep shelters is not as a rule practicable and they are not being pro vided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many trawlers there are in the naval service?

The present number of Royal Navy trawlers is 38, but this number is being augmented by the addition of the 16 vessels mentioned in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 7th February, and by a further four which, since that date, it has been found necessary to acquire by way of increase in the 1938 new construction programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the conditions under which aircraft manufacturing companies have been entrusted with the management of factories provided by the Government, including the remunerations to directors and managers; and whether any profit accruing from operations in such factories are allocated other than to the Exchequer?

The value of any ex tensions of the manufacturing capacity of aircraft manufacturers that are provided at the cost of the Exchequer will be taken into account in settling the prices of any products supplied by the manufacturer to the Air Ministry or other Departments of State. If and to the extent that these State-owned assets are employed in the manufacture of products sold to other customers, a commercial rent will be charged. No direct remuneration is paid to the directors or the companies concerned in respect of management.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the name and the details of the experience of an official he proposes to negotiate disputes between employers and employes in Jamaica?

I am not in a position at present to make any announcement as to the selection of a labour officer for Jamaica.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the petition of the British Virgin Islands Pro-Legislative Committee of America urging that an elective legislative government be granted to the people of the Presidency of the British Virgin Islands in the Leeward Islands Colony; and what answer has been returned?

I am sending the petition to the Governor of the Leeward Islands for consideration in conjunction with a petition from the British Virgin Islands Civic League to which it refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered a petition asking for the setting up of an elective legislative government in the British Virgin Islands of the Leeward Islands; and what reply has he given to the petitioners?

I am considering the petition in consultation with the Governor of the Leeward Islands.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will arrange that all county courts shall publish their telephone numbers in the directory so that counsel, solicitors, litigants and witnesses are no longer compelled to waste time and money by the difficulty of obtaining information to which they are entitled, except by attending at, or sending to, the court?

I am aware that there are county courts whose telephone numbers do not appear in the directory. It has been found that the publication of the numbers led to continuous calls about irrelevant matters and other matters which could not be dealt with over the telephone. I understand that steps are taken to ensure that those who might properly require to telephone to the court are informed of the number and my Noble Friend is drawing the attention of Registrars to the importance of seeing that this is done.