asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the quantities of foreign hay and straw and the quantities of materials made from foreign straw, such as straw rope, straw envelopes and other straw packing imported into this country during the past year; and, in allowing these importations, what precautions he is taking to prevent the transmission of disease, such as foot-and-mouth, and pests so dangerous as the Colorado beetle?

The following quantities of the undermentioned materials were imported into the United Kingdom during 1938:

Hay and straw as feedingstuffs for animals	33,740	tons.
Straw, grass, rush, etc., manufactures imported as —
(a) Plaiting straw, etc.	391,222	lbs.
(b) Straw envelopes for bottles	475,363	gross.
(c) Mats and matting	77,381	cwt.
(d) Other descriptions (value given only)	£63,902.

As a precaution against the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease the Foreign Hay and Straw Order of 1912 prohibits the importation from countries where foot-and-mouth disease exists, of hay and straw for use as fodder or litter for animals. Other Orders require the destruction of hay and straw from any source ("home" or "Imported") after its use for packing merchandise. The Departmental Committee on foot-and-mouth disease in 1925 expressed the opinion that prohibition of the importation of packing straw could not be justified and subsequent experience corroborates this view. I am further advised that the possibility of the accidental introduction of a Colorado Beetle with hay or straw is very remote and would not justify the imposition of special restrictions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the progress made by the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany with regard to research in connection with the potato-growing industry; what advancement has been accomplished in the introduction of new varieties of potatoes free from wart and other diseases; and whether the efforts made will be of national benefit in the form of encouraging more home-grown foodstuffs from this valuable product?

Several lines of research ranging from questions of disease to methods of cultivation are being actively pursued at a number of centres with satisfactory results. New varieties of potatoes are introduced each year by breeders. To encourage this very desirable activity the Ministry has organised a scheme for practical tests, with particular regard to relative resistance to disease, to be carried out at the Potato Testing Station at Ormskirk. The measure of the success of these efforts from the national point of view is the extent to which new varieties of potatoes tested at the station at Ormskirk, and shown to be successful in the light of the experience thereby gained, are taken up by the industry to displace older, inferior kinds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, when formulating his long-term policy for agriculture, he will favourably consider the making of grants, either in money or in kind, to suitable applicants to enable approved persons to settle on statutory small holdings?

For the reasons explained by my predecessor to my hon. Friend, I can hold out no hope of introducing legislation to carry out the object he has in view.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the practice now prevailing in certain pin-table saloons in South London of offering prizes comprising various household commodities, or coupon vouchers entitling the bearer to goods of a certain cash value, obtainable only at shops named in a list supplied; and, in view of the inducement to gamble thus offered to married women on their way to market, with its inevitable loss to the larger number, and the consequent interference with legitimate trade, will he take steps to put an end to the practice before it becomes more general?

I am aware that prizes of the kind mentioned are offered, but the question whether there has been any breach of the laws relating to lotteries, gaming, or betting, depends upon other considerations than the nature of the prize offered. The Commissioner of Police informs me that action is taken in respect of breaches of the law when the element of betting or gaming is more than trivial, irrespective of the nature of the prize offered. Since the 1st January, 1939, criminal proceedings have been instituted in 39 such cases in the Metropolitan Police district

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the names of the present members of the Departmental Committee appointed in 1937, under the chairmanship of Sir David Ross, to consider whether an equitable and workable scheme can be devised to provide compensation in the case of persons who, after employment for a substantial period in card-rooms and dusty parts of cotton-spinning mills, have become disabled by respiratory illness?

This Committee has completed its inquiry, and its report was presented to Parliament on the 12th of January last and has been published by His Majesty's Stationery Office. The names of the members will be found on page 3 of the report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, and, if so, when it is intended to introduce the legislation foreshadowed in the Gracious Speech from the Throne to amend the Assurance Companies Acts?

It is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to the carrying on of the business of insurance. Owing, however, to the pressure of many other urgent matters, I am not in a position to say when it will be possible to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that students of the Royal Dockyard schools have filled, and are filling, important posts in technical education establishments and in non-government undertakings; how many, if any, fourth-year dockyard students, engine-fitter apprentices, were recruited during 1937 and 1938 as engineer officers; and whether, seeing the recruited number of university graduates is not up to expectations, he will create facilities for suitable candidates trained at these schools for recruitment as engineer officers?

This matter has already received consideration and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Portsmouth Central (Mr. R. Beaumont) on 12th December last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the reasons why the increase from eight to 10 per cent. of lieutenancies for engineer warrant-officers was delayed until the end of March, seeing that the increase in the other nine branches took place early in January, and why the seniority of the nine new lieutenants (E) was not ante-dated to 1st December, 1938, as was done in the case of the 26 officers in the other branches?

As I made clear in the reply given to the, hon. Member on l0th March, the increase from eight to 10 per cent. of promotions to lieutenant from warrant officer is not automatic but is based on requirements. It was intended that the percentage of 10 per cent. should be worked up to in those branches where immediate promotion of the whole additional percentage was not justified.