asked the Prime Minister whether he now has any further information as to the action of the German authorities in detaining the acting president of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain at Aachen and compelling him to strip?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend much regrets the circumstances of the detention of Mr. Lawther at Aachen. His Majesty's Consul-General at Cologne reported that as a result of inquiries which he had made he concluded that Mr. Lawther was picked at random from among his fellow travellers for examination.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the result of the investigation recently made into the harbour facilities at St. Ives; and whether he will give the results of the promised consultation with other Departments concerned?

I am not yet in a position to indicate the result of these investigations, which are at present under discussion with the other Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the price of full-cream spray milk-powder which was fixed at 90s. per cwt. in April, 1938, was reduced to 85s. per cwt. in November last, despite the fact that the manufacturer of such powder is obliged to pay a higher price for the milk he uses in manufacturing than when prices were at their peak; and whether he will take these circumstances into account with a view to urgent action as regards stabilising prices in the milk industry of this country?

I am aware of the change in the price of full-cream spray milk-powder, to which my hon. Friend refers, although I would mention that there has been no increase during the period in question in the contract price for milk sold for manufacture into this commodity. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer him to the reply which I gave on 9th March to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Accrington (Major Procter).

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British vessels were transferred to ports of foreign registry during each of the last three years; and how many of these vessels, respectively, were also transferred to foreign owners?

The numbers of vessels of 100 tons gross and over registered at ports in the United Kingdom which were reported to the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen as having their register closed on account of transfer to foreign flags were as follows: 143 in 1936, 222 in 1937 and 149 in 1938. All these ships were reported as sold to foreign owners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken, and if so, of what nature, to liquidate the trade debts due from Spain to British firms?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which was given on the 14th March to a similar question by the hon. Member for Basset-law (Mr. Bellenger).

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements his Department has for inspectors under the Factory Act visiting ships that have premises to which the Factories Act applies; what sort of premises were, and are, visited; and is he satisfied with the number and sufficiency of such visits?

My right hon. Friend understands that the hon. Member has in mind parts of ships such as laundries, or places where meat is minced, in which there may be machinery of types used in factories. It has not been the practice of the Department to regard such places as subject to the Factory Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that when recruits are found to have unsound teeth recruiting sergeants are recommending them to join approved societies who supply dentures as an additional benefit; and whether he is prepared to stop this unfair form of canvassing?

The suggestion made is difficult to reconcile with the fact that dentures are now supplied at the public expense to recruits who need them; but, if specific instances can be given, investigations will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the object of the offer of the Governor of Seychelles to exchange land on Mahé for Felicité Island; and what use is to be made of this island if acquired?

I have been asked to reply. The hon. Member no doubt refers to the invitation recently published by the Governor for tenders of land on Mahé in exchange for the lease of Felicit6 Island, which is the property of the Government. Amongst other purposes, land on Mahé is required by the Government for settlement schemes.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider the desirability of providing better accommodation for the staffs of the smoking rooms, kitchens and restaurants in the House of Commons when off duty; and whether he is aware of the present inadequate facilities provided for them in this respect?

I will consult the appropriate authorities of the House on the question raised by my hon. Friend, with a view to seeing whether any improvement can be made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will expedite inquiries connected with the application for a pension of Arthur Robinson, 2, Livingstone Road, Stratford, E.15, No. 09,447,690?

The average number of persons employed on the administration of unemployment insurance and unemployment assistance and the total cost of such administration in Wales and Monmouthshire were approximately as follow:

I have been asked to reply. Mr. Robinson's claim for old age pension was not received until 2nd March, although he attained the age of 65 on the 18th February. The necessary inquiries have been completed and Mr. Robinson is being notified that he has been awarded an old age pension and he will be able to secure payment of the pension, including arrears, at the post office he has selected.

asked the Minister of Health what considerations govern him in deciding to hold a public inquiry when a borough or county borough submits an application for permission to borrow money for the purchase of land?

Broadly speaking, apart from cases in which an inquiry is required by Statute, inquiries are held in cases in which opposition is known or expected, and in cases in which public interest is likely to be, or ought to be, manifested, whether because of the amount of the loan involved or because of the importance or nature of the proposal.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the total quantities of coal imported by France from Germany for the years 1936, 1937, and 1938, and similar information for imports of coal from Great Britain to Fiance?

The information is as follows: