asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider introducing the necessary legislation to enable him to erect suitable factories in the mining areas to absorb ex-miners who are victims of silicosis and hence unable to continue their employment in the pits; and will he approach the owners with a view to allotting a proportion of the profits of the industry for the erection of such factories?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give a complete list of those coal-producing countries with which the producing interests of this country, or the Government, have entered into effective agreement, or are in process of negotiating such agreement with respect to a division of markets and/or prices?

The answer is Belgium, France, Germany, Holland and Poland.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the total number of promotions from other ranks becoming officers during the past year, giving the figures for all avenues separately?

During the year ended 31st December, 1938, 29 other ranks were promoted to commissioned rank from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and 176 warrant officers were commissioned to quartermaster. Total, 205.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the exact allowances now paid in the Army in lieu of rations; giving figures for higher rate, personal rate and lower rate separately?

Rates of money allowance in lieu of rations in the Home Commands for the messing period 25th February to 31st March, 1939, were:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the great feeling of disappointment in the north-west area, which includes Manchester and Liverpool, at the exclusion of that area from the itinerary of the tour to be undertaken by the mechanised units of the Army; and whether he will consider favourably revising the itinerary, in order that this area shall be given an opportunity of viewing the units?

Owing to increased training commitments during 1939, it has only been found possible to arrange for a tour of one comprehensive mechanised demonstration column, and its itinerary embraces those areas which have not so far had the opportunity of seeing a mechanised demonstration. The northwest area, including both Manchester and Liverpool, was visited by a similar column as recently as July and August of last year, and I wish I could comply this year again with their desire, of which I am gratified to learn.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men were invalided out of the Army in 1937 and 1938; in how many cases was the disability attributable to the service; and to what final appeal has an aggrieved soldier the right of recourse?

The number of men discharged from the Regular Army and the Army Reserve as invalids was 1,450 during 1937 and 1,284 during 1938. During the two years referred to, 2,847 new applications for disability pension awards were received, and pensions or gratuities were awarded in 1,819 cases. Appeals are made to the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, or to the War Office, and receive the fullest consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether in the recent ballot in connection with the Cotton Enabling Scheme, the Scottish Flax Spinners Association were asked to ballot?

The ballot was confined to producing firms whose activities came within the scope of the proposals for legislation and trade associations were not invited to take part in it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the amount of duty on British-made sports goods entering India, and the duty on Indian-made sports goods entering Great Britain; and will he make representations to India on this matter?

British-made sports goods are subject to a preferential revenue duty of 40 per cent. ad valorem on importation into India. Indian sports goods qualifying for Imperial preference are not liable to duties under the Import Duties Act but they may in certain circumstances be liable to the silk or artificial silk duties which are chargeable on Empire goods under other enactments. As regards the last part of the question, I can only say that this matter has been kept in mind in the negotiations with the Government of India.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Iron and Steel Federation have advised him that the present stocks of pig-iron are adequate for any emergency?

As the hon. Member was informed by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on the 8th February, my Department is in constant touch with the British Iron and Steel Federation on the whole subject of supplies of iron and steel in an emergency. The question of the adequacy of stocks for this purpose-is a matter for the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will contemplate bringing in legislation to enforce the use of steel hatches for all vessels navigating in the North Atlantic in the winter months?

As at present advised, I am not satisfied that there is sufficient justification for so enforcing the use of steel hatches.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with regard to the loss of the steam trawler "Lady Jeanette," with nine of her crew, which took place in the River Humber on Wednesday last, he is aware that in 1935 a disaster, involving the loss of the trawler "Edgar Wallace," with 15 men, occurred at the same place and in almost the same circumstances, namely, contact with a sandbank and subsequent heeling over; and whether, in view of the fact that the recurrence of a major disaster throws doubts on the efficiency of the dredging and the maintenance of maximum navigation protective measures in the River Humber, he will institute an immediate and searching inquiry into the matter?

First, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my deep sympathy with the relatives of those lost in the casualty to the trawler "Lady Jeanette" The causes of the loss are being investigated by Board of Trade officers, and in this connection the circumstances of the loss of the "Edgar Wallace" in 1935 will also be taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, at the prices asked by British shipbuilders, it would be wholly uneconomic to build the ships which the Lamport and Holt line wanted in Great Britain, and are therefore being pressed to place these orders in foreign yards; and what steps are being taken, or are contemplated, by the Government to remedy these conditions?

I have seen a report in the Press to the effect of the statements in the question. As the House is aware, the whole position of the shipping and shipbuilding industries is receiving the urgent consideration of the Government; and a statement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date the maximum salary for drawing office staff in the Air Ministry directorate of works was raised from £350 to £450 per annum; whether any members of the staff recruited prior to that date are still on the old rate; what complaints have been received on this score; and whether it is proposed that a promotion board should sit to consider the complaints and when?

There are three subordinate grades in the drawing office of the directorate of works whose maximum salaries were raised at the end of 1936 from £277, £373 and £515 per annum respectively to £320, £420 and £550. There has at no time been a maximum salary of either £350 or £450 for this staff, but a number of officers were engaged on temporary appointments at fixed rates within this range in the circumstances described in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member of the 13th February last. The promotion of officers with graded scales depends on the existence of vacancies in the grade above and the fitness of individuals for promotion. The promotions from Grade III to Grade II to which I referred in my reply of the 13th February have now been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what grounds qualified architects who are Grade II or III Assistants in the Air Ministry Directorate of Works, are graded as sergeants if detailed for service abroad; and what representations concerning this have been received from professional bodies concerned?

No instructions have been issued for Grade II or Grade III Architectural Assistants in the Directorate of Works to be graded as sergeants if detailed for service abroad. I am unable to trace any representations on this matter from professional bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what has been the result of the consideration given during the past 12 months to the possibility of establishing a new base for the Empire services of Imperial Airways, Limited?

As I indicated to my hon. Friend the Member of Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) on 29th July last, a decision has been taken to establish the base at Southampon.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the necessity for airmen to know definitely what routes are officially recognised air routes and traffic routes in common use, etc., within the meaning of the Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923, a definition of such routes will be promulgated?

Information as to officially recognised air routes, including the necessary particulars for their geographical determination, is promulgated in the "Air Pilot" and "Notices to Airmen"; rules in regard to their observance are contained in the Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923, Schedule IV, Article 33.