asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of unemployed men, women and juveniles registered at each of the Employment Ex changes within the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth in June, September, December and March, 1936, 1937, and 1938, and for each of the three months of the present year?

The table below shows for the Tooting Employment Exchange, the only Exchange in the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth, the numbers of unemployed men, women and juveniles on the registers at the dates in question, except March, 1939, for which figures are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the districts where are situated the 20 camps known as reconditioning centres formed with the object of providing occupation without technical training for the unemployed;

asked the Minister of Labour how many applicants in the Stoke,

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the Instructional Centres. The following table gives the required information.Fenton, and Longton areas, respectively, are in receipt of extra winter relief; what is the percentage of the total applicants for assistance; and what is the average percentage throughout the country?

The latest date in respect of which information is available is 21st November last. On that date in the Unemployment Assistance Board's administrative area of Stoke-on-Trent, which covers the towns of Fenton and Longton, the number of winter additions authorised was 1,656, equivalent to 51½ per cent, of the number of assessments for unemployment allowances then cur rent. The corresponding percentage for the whole country was 501½.

Smith asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the percentage of applicants in the country for assistance who receive more than the scales and the percentage in the Hanley administrative area and the Stoke, Fenton and Longton areas, respectively; and what is the average paid nationally and the average in the Hanley administrative area and the Stoke, Fenton and Longton areas, respectively?

Such information as is available is based on a sample of cases current at the beginning of October, 1938. This sample indicates that in the Board's administrative district of Hanley, which includes the Hanley and Stoke-on-Trent administrative areas (the latter covering the towns of Fenton and Longton) approximately 431½per cent, of assessments included a discretionary addition of an average value of 3s. 9d. a week. The corresponding figures for the whole country were 43 per cent, and 3s. 5d. respectively. While the sample gives reasonably accurate results in relation to a district as a whole, it is not sufficiently large to be used as a basis for separate statistics for individual areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what price is charged by British steel manufacturers to shipbuilders in this country and comparative prices charged to foreign shipbuilders?

The current net price for plates to shipbuilders in this country is £9 15s. 6d. per ton. I am informed that, in general, higher prices are charged by the British steelmakers to shipbuilders in foreign countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that manufacturers of auxiliary ship's machinery in this country are being seriously prejudiced in obtaining orders agaist foreign competition by reason of the high price now being charged for steel; and that the price of steel bars has risen from £8 15s. per ton to £14 5s.; whether this is due, wholly or in part, to the existence of a ring of steel manufacturers in this country; how prices, in this country, of steel compare with the American export price; and whether any, and what, steps are proposed to be taken to prevent this prejudice to machinery manufacturers?

Apart from a case to which my hon. and learned Friend has drawn his attention, my right hon. Friend has received no complaints regarding the effect of the price of steel upon the competitive position of manufacturers of ships' auxiliary machinery. The price of steel bars varies according to quality. The present price of Siemens Martin acid steel bars (0.25 carbon) is £14 4s. per ton, subject to a loyalty rebate of 15s. per ton, giving a net price of £13 9s. per ton, which compares with a net price of £10 10s. per ton in 1933. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the American export price of these bars. The net price of ordinary mild steel bars is £10 17s. per ton, which compares with a net price of £8 per ton in 1933. He is informed that the c.i.f. price of similar bars of American origin is about £11 5s. per ton. As my hon. and learned Friend will be aware, changes in the prices of the principal iron and steel products are made only after consultation with the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that shopkeepers are complaining at the increasing loss of legitimate retail trade because manufacturers of soap and other household commodities are giving away in return for coupons, free of charge, goods not of their own manufacture that are ordinarily sold in shops; and will he take steps to see that those manufacturers make free gifts of their own productions, or, as an alternative, reduce the price of their commodities to the public?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the gift coupon system has at times led to complaints, but he is not aware that these complaints have latterly increased. The Departmental Committee "which, in 1933, investigated the matter, came to the conclusion (Cmd. 4385) that the practices which formed the subject of its inquiry were not detrimental to the public interest and did not call for any legislative intervention. He sees no reason to disagree with that view.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the value of fish imported into the United Kingdom from Russia in 1937 and 1938, respectively; what was the value of British fish exported to Russia in each of the two years in question; and whether, in view of the state of the British herring industry, he will use his best efforts to secure that Russia, especially in any new trade agreement, agrees to take a greater proportion of our salted herring?

During the years 1937 and 1938, the value of fish of all kinds imported into the United Kingdom and con signed from the Soviet Union amounted to£1,313,000 and £1,442,000, respectively, while exports of fish from the United Kingdom to the Soviet Union were valued at £7,000 and £28,000 respectively. It should be noted that a large proportion of the imports of fish consigned from the Soviet Union consists of salmon from Japanese canneries situated in Soviet territory.As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 28th February to questions on the subject of the herring trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many large ocean-going British ships do not carry the latest proved drugs for combating sepsis; and whether he will consider some alteration in the regulations so that these are carried, with instructions for their use?

My right hon. Friend is causing full inquiries to be made into this matter and he will consider whether the existing Regulations need to be amended.

asked the Postmaster-General whether arrangements have yet been completed for accounts between British. ships and colonial land stations in respect of wireless messages sent from such ships to such stations to be based on sterling; whether the surcharge on such messages sent to Gibraltar and stations of Cable and Wireless, Limited, has been abolished; and, if not, at what date it is proposed in the case of such stations and, in particular, Gibraltar, to introduce the reduced rate of 8d. per word?

Sterling accounting for wireless messages exchanged between British ships and Aden, Gibraltar and the colonial stations of Cable and Wireless Limited, was brought into operation on the 1st January, 1939; and the surcharge was then abolished. Sterling accounting for this class of traffic was already in operation in Gambia, Gold Coast and the British Solomon Islands. It will be extended to British North Borneo and Hong Kong on the 1st April next. The question of approaching other Colonies on the subject is under consideration.The effect of the abolition of the surcharge in the case of Gibraltar was to reduce the wireless charges from is. 1d. a word to 10d. a word, to which a penny a word has to be added for the delivery charge in Gibraltar. A rate of 8d. a word would only result in cases where specially reduced wireless charges are in operation, as in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Trans port whether he is aware that many thousands of motorists are still uninsured against third-party risks; that frequently, injured cyclists and pedestrians are victimised arising from this fact; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am unable from official sources to estimate the number of uninsured motorists, but according to the evidence given to the Committee on Compulsory Insurance the cases where third parties fail to receive compensation are not numerous. Legislation to implement the committee's recommendations is under consideration.

on asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the amount of money spent during 1937–1938 on making new roads, widening, straightening, and generally adapting roads to modern requirements in Lancashire, giving separate figures for each year?Mr. Burgin: Expenditure on major improvements and new construction of roads in Lancashire amounted during the year ended 31st March, 1937, to £862,000 and during the year ended 31st March, 1938, to £1,506,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement regarding the condition and proposals for early improvements of roads in Benbecula Island?

The existing Class I road in Benbecula is surfaced with gravel and is maintained by the county council in a reasonable condition having regard to traffic requirements and the funds avail able for the purpose. I understand that the county council are preparing a scheme for resurfacing with bituminous material the existing Class I roads in South Uist and Benbecula. I am prepared to consider an application for a grant should the county council submit detailed proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the very bad condition of the Milbost and Branahuie road, Point, Isle of Lewis; and can he state what action he is taking, in consultation with the local authority, for its reconstruction?

I am advised that the county council maintain this road in a reasonable condition, having regard to traffic requirements and the limited funds available for the purpose. The initiation of a scheme for its reconstruction rests upon the county council. In the event of their applying for a grant I should be prepared to give the matter consideration.

asked the Minister of Trans port what is the reason for the delay by his Department in coming to a decision to approve, or otherwise, the widening of the North Circular Road between the Cambridge Arterial Road and Pymmes Park, Edmonton; whether he is aware that provisional approval was given to the general lines of this improvement nearly two years ago, and that full details of plans and estimates were submitted to him on 21st June, 1938, since when no reply has been given; that again on 5th January, 1939, at an interview with the county representatives, a final decision was promised within a few weeks; and will he expedite his decision?

I have informed the county council that the scheme is approved for grant. The delay in announcing a decision has been due to a number of factors including the high proportion of the cost of property acquisition to that of the pro posed road works. Estimates of the cost of the works were not received until the 14th January, 1939, and further explanatory details which were then asked for were only received last month.

Brown asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the litter, tins, and broken bottles- thrown out daily and at night by lorry drivers and motorists along the sides of all our country roads to the detriment of people living in the country side and damage to their cattle in fields alongside the roads; and whether he will, by legislation or otherwise, make this a punishable offence?

The throwing of litter from vehicles is a most objectionable and indeed dangerous practice. County councils have power to make by-laws under which this type of conduct is made an offence, and many councils have in fact done so. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular case in mind perhaps he will be good enough to bring it to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the complaints from contractors regarding delay in receiving payments for work completed, and already passed for payment, by the various aerodromes; and whether he is satisfied that the Accounts Departments are adequately staffed to deal with the increasing volume of work?

I am not aware of com plaints from contractors regarding delay in receiving payment of their claims in cases where they have been passed for payment. The procedure in my Department normally provides for payment of such claims within a few days and the staffs concerned are adequate. Some delay is inevitable in the settlement of claims in which any matters are in dispute, for such claims may involve discussion of technical, contractual, financial or legal matters. With the very heavy programme of building which has had to be carried out at great speed some delay in these claims has been inevitable.I have, however, examined the general question of dealing with this heavy volume of work and steps have been taken to accelerate the handling of the existing volume of work and also the disposal of the very large number of claims which must arise in the future. The matter is being kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many balloons belonging to his Department have been destroyed by fire in the air in the years 1937–38 and 1938–39?

Ten balloons were destroyed by fire in the air during 1937–38 as a result of being struck by lightning, and three in 1938-39 from the same cause.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the exact allowances, at both the higher and lower rate, now paid in the Royal Air Force in lieu of rations?

Following is the answer:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can state, in the case of lives lost through accidents to military aircraft during each of the last three years, what relationship such losses bear to the number of machines used, and miles flown?

It would not be in the public interest for me to make the comparison for which the hon. Member asks, but I would refer him to the statement I made in regard to accidents, in the course of the Debate on Air Estimates on the 9th March.