asked the Minister of Labour when he expects to receive the report of the Unemployment Assistance Board?

I am informed that the board hope to forward their report in May.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the licensed victuallng trade people transferred from South Wales and other dstressed areas

The information asked for is not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total imports of silk and artificial silk hose, respectively, for each of the years 1933 and 1938, came from Czecho-Slovakia and Germany, respectively, into this country?

The following table shows the quantity and declared value of imports into the United Kingdom of silk and artificial silk stockings and hose during the years 1933 and 1938, together with the proportions consigned from Czechoslovakia and Germany, respectively.are being worked for 70 to 80 hours a week for a very low wage; and whether he will introduce amending legislation to ensure that the hours of employment in this trade shall be governed by the Shops Act?

I am not aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers and I shall be glad if he would be good enough to let me have the particulars of the cases he has in mind. As regards the amendment of the Shops Acts, this is a matter which primarily concerns my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the purpose and scope of the special section, to be set up in the municipal council at Shanghai under the control of the Japanese?

My Noble Friend has no information regarding the actual details of what is proposed in regard to the functions of the special section, but he is assured that the working understanding come to with the Japanese authorities is not of a nature to impair the authority of the council.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the reason given by the Japanese for their refusal to evacuate British-owned mills at Shanghai?

The British-owned mills and other works at Shanghai which are at present occupied by the Japanese are the former Chun Tah mill and the adjacent China Dyeing Works, the Sung Sing No. 7 Cotton Mill, and the Hume Pipe (Far East) Limited. The Japanese authorities at Shanghai, despite the explanations furnished to them by His Majesty's Consulate-General, still profess to doubt the British ownership of the first three mills. The fourth is situated on Point Island, which has for some months been in the occupation of the Japanese military authorities, who have established there the headquarters of their Transport Unit. Further representations were recently made by His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo, and His Majesty's Government will continue to do their utmost to secure speedy evacuation of the mills in question by the Japanese.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a series of wireless and Press attacks has recently been launched in Iraq directed against the Sheikh of Koweit and the independence of his territory; and as Koweit is under the protection of His Majesty's Government; what action they propose to take in the matter?

My Noble Friend's attention has been drawn to the occurrence of attacks of the nature indicated against the Sheikh of Koweit. In accordance with the terms of a letter written to the Sheikh in November, 1914, the British Government recognise the Sheikhdom of Koweit as an independent Government under British protection. His Majesty's Government have accordingly made urgent representations to the Iraqi Government to secure the cessation of this propaganda against the Sheikh.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the extent to which it has been the practice of the Foreign Office during the last two years to hold communications, either by telephone or by personal interview, with representatives of the British Board of Film Censors in connection with requests for guidance or advice concerning individual films; and on how many occasions this has taken place?

No requests for guidance or advice have been made to the Foreign Office by the British Board of Film Censors during the period in question and consequently no such communications have been held with members of the board, either by letter, telephone, or personal interview.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what were the causes of the delays in the 12 late arrivals out of 22 scheduled services at Singapore from this country by Imperial Airways, Limited, between 1st January and 22nd February, 1939; what steps have been taken to eliminate late arrivals; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chippenham (Captain Cazalet) on 1st March, four of the delays were due to engine trouble, six to bad weather which must be expected at this time of year, and two to missed connections with other aircraft which were carrying mails. In one of the four cases in which delay occurred on account of engine trouble, weather also contributed to some extent to the delay. Experts from the makers' works have been attached to Imperial Airways to assist in investigating and eliminating the causes of engine trouble.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that considerable annoyance has been caused to residents in Ilford by aircraft from Chigwell aerodrome engaged in Civil Air Guard instruction flying over New North Road, Hainault, and by low flying; and whether he will inquire into these complaints, and take steps to mitigate the present nuisance?

I am not aware of the annoyance referred to by my hon. Friend, but if he will be good enough to furnish me with particulars I will have inquiries made into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many stations from which daily observations of weather conditions are reported are stationed in Scotland; how these are distributed regionally; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

Daily observations of weather conditions were received regularly during the year 1938 from 87 stations in Scotland. Seventeen of these stations are situated in the Meteorological district known as North Scotland, 40 in East Scotland and 30 in West Scotland. During 1938 monthly summaries were published of the observations from 79 of these stations and this number will be increased to 83 as from January of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report on labour conditions in the West Indies and neighbouring Colonies by Major Orde Browne will be published?

Major Orde Browne has not yet completed his inquiries. When his report is received, I will consider the question of publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction expressed by the Port-of-Spain Municipality at the action of the Government in forcing through a measure granting an extension of 20 years on the lease of the telephone service; whether he is aware that the municipality requested that the Bill be suspended, pending further consideration; and whether he will take action now to postpone the measure coming into force until the question has been reviewed?

I am aware of the representations made by the Port-of-Spain City Council on the subject of the extension of the franchise for the telephone service in Trinidad. The attitude of the city council was fully stated in the Legislative Council when the Bill was under discussion but was not generally supported by the unofficial members of that council, a majority of whom voted for it. The Ordinance came into force in December last and after full consideration of all the circumstances I saw no grounds to intervene in the matter.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that there is a strong demand in Dagenham for the provision of steel shelters, in view of the town's exposed position; and when he hopes to be able to supply them?

Yes, Sir. A circular on the subject will be addressed to the Dagenham Council during the present week, requesting them to forward a preliminary estimate of their requirements, and deliveries will commence very shortly after the receipt of that estimate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will inquire from the London Passenger Transport Board as to the possibility and desirability of using automatic traffic signals on their omnibuses; whether there is any objection to such a policy; and if, in that case, he will ascertain the nature of such objection?

Following a report by the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs it was decided not to make the fitting of direction indicators and stop lights compulsory on any class of motor vehicles. I should not feel justified in asking the London Passenger Transport Board to accept an obligation not binding on operators of public service vehicles generally.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information as to whether other countries, and particularly the United States, have regulations controlling the erection of illuminated advertisements on motor roads; and can he made a statement on the experience derived from the adoption of such regulations?

I am not aware of any regulations in foreign countries relating to the control of illuminated advertisements on motor roads, but I understand that in Belgium and Germany the erection of advertisements liable to confuse road-users or to impair the efficiency or visibility of signals is forbidden. I have no information as regards the United States of America. I am not in a position to make the statement asked for in the latter part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health when he will be able to reach a decision about the revision of the list of neutral areas so as to include Dagenham as an evacuation area, in view of its dangerous position on the route to London?

As I announced in the Debate on the 2nd March, I am proposing to consider all the representations made to me by individual local authorities on the subject of their classification when the survey of accommodation is complete. I hope that the survey will be substantially complete by about the middle of this month but the assessment of its results and of the possibilities for review which it may present may take some little time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will place in the Library a copy of the evidence given to the Inter-departmental Committee on Cabs and Private-hire Vehicles?

I recognise that as regards many inquiries it is desirable to make the evidence public for the reasons which have been urged by my hon. and gallant Friend; but as regards this particular inquiry, I cannot think that the advantages warrant the labour that would be involved. The published report contains a detailed summary of the evidence.