asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider increasing the present age limit for officers of the Territorial Army?

It is not intended to alter the Regulations, but the age limits laid down are not strictly enforced, exceptions being made in suitable cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of persons already accepted on the Officers' Emergency Reserve; the number of applicants declined only on account of the closing of the list; and whether and when it is proposed to reopen that list?

The number of persons now enrolled in the Officers' Emergency Reserve is 7,639, and 4,384 applications have been declined owing to the closing of the list. There is still a large number of outstanding applications to be dealt with, and it is not proposed to reopen the list until these have been considered, which is likely to take at least two months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements during this summer for facilities for training for members of the Officers' Emergency Reserve?

Yes, Sir. In addition to the training with Supplementary Reserve or Territorial Army units, which members of the Officers' Emergency Reserve may perform, courses of instruction are being arranged for members who have been selected for immediate appointments on mobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now give any more definite indication when legislation dealing with the establishment of an overseas air transport corporation will be brought before the House; and whether he is in a position to give an assurance that it will be introduced sufficiently early to reach the Statute Book before the Summer Recess?

I hope to be able to present the legislation referred to in the course of this month but I regret that I cannot give a precise date at the moment. With regard to the second part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware of the congested state of the Parliamentary programme but every effort will be made to pass the Bill into law during the present Session.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will reconsider the case of V. W. Trevor Blocksidge, of Wynnstay, Maxwelton Avenue, Mill Hill, N.W.7, who was dismissed on medical grounds, after 20 years' service in the Air Ministry, having regard to the certificate dated 4th March, 1939, by Mr. G. W. James, M.D., etc., physician for mental diseases, St. Mary's Hospital, London, W.2, that he found Mr. Blocksidge to be highly intelligent, well-informed about current events, quick at figures, and in terms of an intelligence test, would show a result at 100 plus?

Mr. Blocksidge was invalided from the Air Ministry after having been certified as suffering from serious nervous disorder which was likely to become progressively worse. Between August and November, 1938, four different specialists in nervous diseases expressed the same opinion as to his condition; but on the 4th March he submitted a medical certificate which conflicted with these opinions and the matter was therefore submitted to the Treasury Medical Referee. The Medical Referee after examining Mr. Blocksidge and reviewing the history of the case upheld the decision that he was mentally unfit for further service. In the circumstances I regret that there are no grounds for reopening the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the unrest in the counties of Northumberland and Cumberland owing to the intensification of busmen's schedules; and whether he will set up an inquiry to deal with this matter?

I understand that a question has arisen with regard to the duty schedules of busmen in the area, but that this is being dealt with by the trade unions of which the busmen concerned are members.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to inform the House as to the result of the road and rail conversations and agreements?

I regret that I cannot yet add to the reply which I gave to questions on this subject last Wednesday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the memorandum from the Trinidad Workers' United Front Committee with regard to constitutional reform in the Colony; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the request for the institution of self-government there?

I have not yet received the memorandum referred to. The memorandum will no doubt be forwarded to me in due course by the acting Governor with his comments. Pending their receipt, I can make no statement regarding the attitude of His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to secure for the country the retention of redundant or obsolete British tonnage for which higher prices are obtainable from foreigners than from buyers in this country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in the House on 28th March, and to the reply he gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Jarrow (Miss Wilkinson) and Middleton and Prestwich (Sir N. Sandeman).

asked the Prime Minister whether he will name the countries with which agreements have been arrived at on the understanding that compulsory military service would be introduced in this country?

His Majesty's Government have made no agreement with any foreign Government on the understanding that compulsory military service would be introduced in this country.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered an invitation from the Netherlands Government to send representatives to an international conference, to be held in the autumn, dealing with the subject of the protection of historic buildings and works of art in wartime; and whether such an invitation has been accepted?

The invitation from the Netherlands Government to attend an international conference on the subject of the protection of historic buildings and works of art in war time is at present under consideration by His Majesty's Government, who expect very shortly to be in a position to send a reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the feeding system for children in all State-aided schools is specifically investigated by representatives of his Department; whether he is satisfied with the system; and how many representations have been made to local education authorities on this subject by his Department?

The arrangements for the provision of meals for children attending State-aided schools are investigated from time to time by the inspectors and medical officers of the Board, including their inspector of provision of meals arrangements. I am unable to give a specific answer to the second part of the question as there is no one feeding system; the arrangements are satisfactory in some places and unsatisfactory in others. Representations on this subject have been made to local education authorities for many years past, but as the arrangements have in some areas been in existence for over 30 years it would not be possible to state the total number of representations made during that period. As I have stated in reply to previous questions, the Board are at present investigating the position in all areas and making representations to the local education authorities when these are found to be necessary.