asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the case of two boys from Singapore who volunteered for the Royal Air Force, and though possessing fine sporting and scholastic records, were rejected because they were not of pure British descent on both sides; whether there is a colour bar for recruitment of commissioned and non-commissioned officers in the Royal Air Force; and, if so, whether he is prepared to remove such a barrier in the case of English children of mixed marriage?

It has not been possible to identify the two cases mentioned from the particulars given, but the regulation is that applicants for enlistment in the Royal Air Force must be of pure European descent and must also be British subjects and the sons of parents who are both British subjects. I do not think it would be desirable to modify the regulation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether a man aged 20 will be able to do his six months compulsory training with the Royal Air Force?

Arrangements are contemplated under which a number of men will carry out Air Force training, but in considering application for such training regard will have to be paid to the particular requirements of the Force at the time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has made, or will make, an offer to Germany to guarantee at all times adequate access to raw materials which she lacks, and which are available only within the British Empire, on condition that Germany reaffirms her obligation under the Kellogg pact?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Members for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) and St. Ives (Mr. Beechman) on 26th April, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the long delay in coming to an agreement with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, he is now prepared to accept the invitation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to a Six Power Conference?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the reply which the Prime Minister will be giving at the end of Questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will call the attention of the Japanese Government to the difficulties experienced by the Shanghai Municipal Council in preserving law and order in the International Settlement owing to the chaotic conditions and lawlessness prevailing in the districts controlled by the Japanese Government surrounding the International Settlement?

The attention of the Japanese authorities has already been drawn to the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Health what was the food found to be responsible for the recent outbreak of typhoid in the city of Nottingham?

I understand that several kinds of food may have been involved, but that it is not possible to identify any particular foodstuff as responsible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Nottingham Corporation have refused to give any information to the injured parties with reference to the recent typhoid outbreak; and whether he will consider directing a public inquiry to be held in order that persons interested may have before them all relevant information on which to consider their position, and not be prevented from claiming compensation if such be due?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, as the outbreak did not present any special features of public health interest and the measures taken by the local authority to deal with it were speedily effective, my right hon. Friend does not consider that there are any grounds for holding a public local inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department has any knowledge of a new drug known as M. and B. 693; whether it has been effectual in the treatment and cure of pneumonia and pneumococcal meningitis; and is this drug available in quantities sufficient to meet the requirements of the public hospitals of the country?

The drug referred to has recently been placed on the market and very encouraging results have been reported in the treatment of certain cases of pneumonia and pneumococcal meningitis. I understand that the drug is manufactured in this country and I have no reason to doubt that adequate supplies are available.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the serious damage to Ullswater arising from the waste products of the Glenridding lead mines being discharged into the lake; and whether he can take steps to prevent further damage from this source?

The primary responsibility for preventing pollution rests with the local authorities concerned and my right hon. Friend has no power himself to initiate proceedings, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present net rateable value of the residence and 4.66 acres of land on Magna Carta island which the Bucks County Council have covenanted to purchase at £9,500 if they are required to do so, this being part of the agreement whereby the council is now securing 34.5 acres of the Magna Carta Estate, Wraysbury, at a price of £3,000; and what is the net rateable value of these 34½acres?

I am informed that the net rateable value of the first-mentioned property is £163, and that the other is derated.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether supplies of cod liver oil have been bought for use in the event of an emergency; whether such supplies represent pure cod liver oil which is fully tested and guaranteed; and whether, in view of the necessary curtail- ment of deep-sea fishing in the event of war, which would seriously diminish the present yearly production in the United Kingdom of approximately 16,000 tons, he is satisfied that existing stocks of cod liver oil are sufficient to make up any deficiency which may be expected in the national diet in war time?

The question of a Government purchase of cod liver oil was carefully considered some time ago and it was decided that such a purchase was not called for. The desired insurance against shortage in the event of emergency has been provided by a commercial firm who have undertaken to maintain in this country a reserve of cod liver oil of medicinal quality which, with the normal commercial stocks, should be adequate for requirements.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the section responsible for conducting investigations into the problems of camouflage includes in its membership any person of recognised standing in the specialised department of biology concerned; and whether, in addition to being available for consultation by those responsible for carrying out camouflage in the various services, the section in question is empowered to give guidance and direction when, in its opinion, this would be conducive to increased efficiency?

The Camouflage Experimental Section for which I am now responsible does not include a biologist; but, as my hon. Friend has already been informed, it is in a position to obtain advice from biologists. The section is available to give guidance to the Service Departments on problems they may put to it, but it is an advisory section and is not in a position to give them directions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the purchase by the Norfolk County Council of six acres of land at Loddon as a site for a central school has now been completed; and, if so, what price has been agreed upon or paid, to what use the land was previously put, and what was its rateable value?

A Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of this site was confirmed by the Board in October, 1938. The land has since been acquired for £600, which covered also a small addition to the site. The site was previously arable land, and was not assessed for rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that for three weeks before the provisions of the Budget were known wholesale merchants were refusing to supply sugar to Portsmouth shopkeepers; and will he look into such an anticipation of his Budget proposals?

I have no information as to the action to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am not prepared to accept the assumption that such action was necessarily due to anticipation of the Budget proposals. I would remind him that it was found necessary this year for the Treasury to exercise their statutory powers to restrict clearances of sugar for some weeks before the Budget date, and this action may have resulted in some disturbance of the flow of sugar supplies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any change is now to be made in the age at which marriage allowances are paid in the three Services?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in this House on 4th May. The age of entitlement to family allowance in the Regular and Auxiliary Forces will be reduced to 20 from a date later in the year which will be announced.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether women members of the Civil Service are eligible for service with the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service?

It is considered that it will be more in the public interest that women civil servants should remain in their civil posts than volunteer for service with the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, but for fuller details as to the general position I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I am giving to his other question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what instructions have been issued for the guidance of male and female members of the Civil Service who desire to join any of the voluntary services for which they may be eligible by virtue of their age?

The position in this matter must vary somewhat as between Departments and no general instructions have been issued to civil servants. Broadly, the basis on which Departments have been asked to proceed is as follows.

Subject to the retention of the staff necessary to meet the responsibilities which would fall on the Department concerned in an emergency, male civil servants, without regard to age, will on application be given permission to volunteer for service in any of the Territorial and other Auxiliary Services set out in the National Service Guide, and women civil servants will be allowed to volunteer for nursing and first-aid services.

As regards Civil Defence Services, civil servants can frequently render most useful service in connection with air-raid precautions in the office in which they are employed. Civil servants are, however, permitted to enrol for part-time Civil Defence duties, subject to the Department reserving the first claim on their services in war. To a restricted extent they are allowed to volunteer for full-time Civil Defence duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of persons, administrative and otherwise, on the pay roll of his Department, including Territorials and any other similar units, at the last available date and two years ago?

The number of persons serving under the War Office on 1st April last was approximately 655,000, as compared with approximately 495,000 on the corresponding date in 1937. These figures include the Regular Army (excluding India and Burma), Army Reserve, Supplementary Reserve, Territorial Army and similar units, and civilian employés.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended that those persons who have qualified for certificates A and B in a school training corps will be required to undergo compulsory military training?

It is not intended that the possession of certificates A and B shall secure exemption from compulsory military training, but, as I stated on 8th May, special knowledge will be taken into account in the course of the training.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether instructions have been given to refuse applications to join the Territorial forces or other forces made by youths between the ages of 20 and 21 years; and, if so, on what authority these instructions have been given in anticipation of legislation not yet passed?

In view of the proposal to introduce universal military training for men between the ages of 20 and 21, it was at first considered undesirable to continue to accept for the Territorial Army men of this category, and instructions accordingly were issued by the War Office in the exercise of its administrative authority. Shortly afterwards, it being proposed that their service in the Terirtorial Army should count in diminution of their subsequent period of service after the completion of the six months' training, it was decided that men, who on the passing of the Military Training Bill become liable to compulsory military training, should nevertheless be accepted for the Territorial Army. The instructions previously issued were then cancelled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been reached by his Department as to the future use of the buildings of the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich; if so, will he inform the House of the nature of such decision?

No, Sir. The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that aliens permitted to enter on a written guarantee that they will engage only in domestic service do not leave it to practise any profession or trade?

Every alien admitted to this country to engage in domestic work in a private household is given leave to land on condition that she remains in this occupation and an endorsement to this effect is placed on her passport and police certificate of registration. Instructions have been issued to the police that any breach of a condition on the grant of an alien's leave to land is immediately brought to the attention of the Home Office.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the total number of foreigners, including refugees, who are now in this country and who were domiciled abroad prior to June of last year; how many are men of military age, and how many women have children under 10 years of age?

As regards refugees I would refer to the figures of men, women and children given in my answer of 24th March, 1939. In addition to refugees there have been some foreign women admitted for domestic service. Apart from these two classes, the number of foreigners who have become domiciled in this country since June of last year is very small—but to obtain exact figures much labour in the examination of records would be necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport when the sub-committee appointed by the London Traffic Advisory Committee will commence their public hearing of the representations against the proposed no-waiting regulations in London?

The London Traffic Advisory Committee have received a request from certain local authorities that, in view of the present pressure upon their staffs in connection with the Government decision that Civil Defence work should have priority, the Public Sittings of the Sub-Committee should be postponed for six months. After consultation with me, the London Traffic Advisory Committee have decided to accede to this request.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, taking the four chief railway systems, he can state in each case the proportion of passenger carriages still lighted by gas?

Excluding electrically-operated stock, all of which is lighted by electricity, the number and proportion of railway passenger vehicles of all descriptions owned by each of the four amalgamated railway companies and lighted by gas was, at 31st December, 1938, as follows: Number. Per cent. of total. Southern Railway None — Great Western Railway (provisional figures) 1,083 18.14 London Midland and Scottish Railway 709 4.22 London and North Eastern Railway 2,781 22.68

asked the Minister of Transport if the arrangement permitting Green Line omnibus passengers to make their return journey by rail includes the London Midland and Scottish and the London and North Eastern Railway Companies; and whether similar facilities exist in Scotland for omnibus travellers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Similar arrangements exist in a number of localities in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Transport whether plans are being prepared to improve the Swansea-Manchester trunk road between Pontardulais and Llandilo, and when those schemes will be commenced; and whether he can state the cause of the delay in completing the Pontardulais bridge on the same road?

Six schemes, estimated to cost £41,335, for the improvement of the Swansea-Manchester Trunk Road between Pontardulais and Llandilo are under consideration and I anticipate that it will be possible to start work on four of these schemes during the current year.

The negotiations for the acquisition by agreement of the land required for the construction and widening of the approach road to the Pontardulais bridge on the Carmarthen side have been protracted by reason of interference with shop property. A Compulsory Purchase Order has now been made, and I hope shortly to be in possession of all the necessary land for the completion of the scheme. In the meantime, negotiations are proceeding with the Railway Company for the widening of the level crossing on the Glamorgan side.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the nature of the matters considered by the Standing Joint Committee for Ex-Service Questions; the composition of the Committee; and the date of its last meeting?

This body (of which, I understand my hon. Friend is himself a member) is a Standing Committee of representatives of the three Service Departments, and the Ministries of Labour and Pensions, together with representatives of ex-service officers and men. The Committee, which was formed originally in 1920, provided a means of discussing matters affecting ex-service officers and men and their dependants. Meetings of the Committee have been held at intervals whenever matters of difficulty or grievance were submitted by the ex-service representatives which called for common discussion. The last meeting was held in 1932.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will arrange for 25 pieces of modern sculpture, suitable for open-air positions, at present stored at the Tate Gallery, to be disposed about the Queen Mary Garden and St. John's Lodge Garden and other public open spaces in Regent's Park under his control?

I have been asked to reply. The exhibition of further pieces of sculpture in Regent's Park would require very careful consideration. In any case, my right hon. Friend understands that certain re-arrangements of the sculpture at the Tate Gallery are being carried out and that nothing suitable for out-door exhibition is likely to be available.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what progress has been made in implementing the Resolution of the House that a memorial be erected to the late Earl of Oxford and Asquith?

I have been asked to reply. It is proposed that the memorial shall take the form of a life-size figure in a suitable stone or marble, to be erected on the vacant plinth in the Inner Lobby on the opposite side of the doorway to the statue of Sir William Harcourt. My right hon. Friend has commissioned Mr. Leonard S. Merrifield to be the sculptor.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will give the details of the various branches, systems of entry, namely, long service or special short service, and the numbers of each branch and entry of the 722 recruits between the ages of 20 and 21 who were entered in the Navy during the year ended 31st March, 1939?

I regret that this information is not readily available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty which persons who have served as officers in the Royal Navy are at present regarded as under liability to be called out for service and which come within the scope of His Majesty's Reserve and Auxiliary Forces for the purposes of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill and whether these include all officers on the retired and emergency lists or only officers on that list below a certain age?

All officers, irrespective of age, belonging to the Naval Reserves and to the Retired and Emergency Lists of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines come within the scope of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill. The Bill does not increase the classes of officer liable for service in emergency. Under existing conditions the working rule is adopted of making the first selection for service from those under the age of 60. It is the intention to apply this rule also to any officers who may be called out for service under the machinery proposed in the Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the concern of parents, relations and guardians of sons serving on board His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour" about the harsh conditions of service and the large numbers of punishments awarded, and as this ship commissioned at Chatham two years and four months ago, he will state the approximate dates on which either the ship or the crew will leave the New Zealand station and return to England?

It is anticipated that the present ship's company of His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour" will leave the New Zealand station in September of this year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the causes of the large number of serious offences and heavy punishments on board the surveying vessel His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour"; whether the Admiralty are satisfied with this position; and, as the 15 desertions, 11 breakings out of the ship, and 128 offences of absence over leave, with only 80 seamen and stokers in the first 18 months in New Zealand waters is not a normal state of affairs for a small ship on this station, whether a thorough investigation will be held by a superior court of inquiry with a view to the removal of the causes of discontent?

The Commodore Commanding, New Zealand Station, has already been asked to investigate the hon. Member's allegations, and until this report is received I am not prepared to comment on the state of discipline in this ship.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many trawlers are at present being converted into minesweepers within the Port of Liverpool; and whether, when the conversion has been completed, these boats will be manned by naval ratings or otherwise?

Six trawlers are being converted into minesweepers within the Port of Liverpool. It has not yet been decided how these vessels shall be manned, or on what port these ships will be based.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any steps are being taken to encourage bee-keeping in this country, in view of the importance of honey as a substitute for sugar in the event of an emergency, and the value of bees in increasing the productivity of orchards and fruit crops generally?

I fully appreciate the importance of the bee-keeping industry. Most local education authorities make provision for instruction in beekeeping, and in 32 counties in England and Wales grants are made to the local Bee-Keepers' Associations. A Technical Officer of my Department is also available for advisory and educational work. In addition, the demand for home-produced honey of good quality is being encouraged by means of the National Mark Honey Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the advisability of granting to Glamorgan the right to erect and establish a farm institute in the county; and will he state the number of agricultural workers in Glamorgan in 1919, 1926, 1930, 1935, 1938, and latest date in 1939?

I regret that in existing financial circumstances I am unable to authorise expenditure on the erection of a farm institute for grant-aid under the Ministry's educational grant regulations. As regards the second part of the question, I regret that information is not available for 1919, but the number of workers (excluding occupiers, then wives and domestic servants) employed on agricultural holdings in Glamorgan in 1921 was 6,374. The corresponding figures for 1926, 1930, 1935 and 1938 are respectively 5,840, 5,698, 5,004 and 4,274. No figures are yet available for 1939.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what number of farm institutes and county demonstration farms have been established in each year from 1931; in what counties in England, Scotland, and Wales, separately; what has been the expenditure in each year up to date; and what expenditure is contemplated during the current financial year?

No new farm institutes or county demonstration farms were established in the years 1931 to 1935 with the aid of Government funds.

The following schemes have since been approved as being eligible for grant-aid under the Ministry's regulations for grant in aid of agricultural education in England and Wales: 1935–36. £ Yorkshire Farm Institute 85,000 1936–37. Essex Institute farm purchase. 25,000 Durham Farm Institute 59,000 Bucks Demonstration farm purchase. 8,000 1937–38. Bucks Demonstration farm extension. 2,900 Essex Farm Institute 100,000 1939–39 Yorkshire Farm Institute 15,000 (additional.)

In each case a loan is raised by the local authority concerned on which charges are paid over a period of years. These charges are aided by the Ministry. Approval has been given to no new scheme of the kind in the current financial years. There are no farm institutes or county demonstration farms in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the emoluments paid to the members of the Herring Industry Board, and will he give individual particulars?

The Chairman of the Herring Industry Board receives a salary of £1,600 per annum and each of the other two members a salary of £400 per annum, together with reasonable travelling expenses and subsistence allowances in each case in respect of journeys undertaken on the service of the board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the exchange of materials between Great Britain and the United States of America is to be carried out; and whether it will involve the purchase by the British Government of such commodities as rubber and their subsequent redistribution to America in exchange for goods from that country?

My right hon. Friend is not at present able to add to the statement made by the Prime Minister on the subject on 4th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the present total productive capacity of blast furnaces, and the present working capacity, giving the number of blast furnaces idle?

The capacity of blast furnaces in this country at the present time is about 10,000,000 tons of pig iron a year. The production of pig iron last month was at the rate of about 7,300,000 tons a year. Of the total number of effective furnaces in existence, 35 were idle at the end of last month.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Government will, for the protection of the public against fraud by solicitors, add such a Clause to the Law Society's forthcoming Solicitors Bill as will prohibit the creation of newly constituted firms of solicitors with only one principal or partner?

It is not the intention of the Government to introduce an Amendment to deal with the point which the hon. Member raises. In this connection I would refer him to an answer given to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 23rd November, 1938, in which I stated that my Noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor had been in communication with the Law Society and that he understood from them that this proposal had received their very careful consideration and was considered inexpedient.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the public complaint of telephonists that the uncomfortable operating chairs are the chief cause of bad service; and whether he will look into the matter, with particular regard to the Putney exchange?

The standard pattern of chair was agreed a few years ago with the staff representatives. Suggestions were recently received for minor modifications, and these are being examined. At some exchanges, including Putney, chairs of our earlier pattern are still in use, but the type of chair in use has little, if any, effect on the quality of the telephone service.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, with what trees it is proposed to replant the lands recently acquired by the Commission on the downs at Cocking, near Mid-hurst?

Over the greater part of the area beech will be the final crop which will be raised with or under European larch and Scots pine nurses. Oak and ash may be used on suitable small areas.