asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement on the survey by the International Refugee Conference of the possibilities of refugee settlement in San Domingo; and the proposed consultations between the late President of San Domingo with the refugee organisations?

The report of the Commission of Inquiry which was sent to San Domingo by President Roosevelt's Advisory Committee on Refugee Settlement is now being prepared and will be issued as soon as possible. Pending its receipt I regret that I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Inter-Governmental Committee on Refugees proposes to issue a report on its activities and, if so, when; and whether, in the meantime, by way of an interim report, a statement could be made of the total number of refugees who have been enabled to emigrate from Germany through the efforts of this committee?

The reports of the Inter-Governmental Committee are prepared for the confidential information of the Governments represented on it and, while it is for the committee itself to take a decision on this point, I understand that a report is not likely to be published at present. Descriptions of the committee's work are published after its periodical meetings.

The committee's task is one of negotiation to improve the conditions of emigration from the country of origin and to develop opportunities for permanent settlement. The committee does not deal with individual cases. I am unable to state the number of refugees who have already benefited from its activities, but there has been a considerable increase in the entry of refugees into various countries since the committee was formed. While the arrangements contemplated for the improvement of the conditions of emigration from the country of origin have not yet been put into force, substantial progress has been made towards the development of opportunities for settlement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that anti-British propaganda from Germany continues in Arabic, and that similar propaganda in Afrikaans has been recently started for South African consumption; and whether he will make representations to the German authorities to stop this?

I am aware of the recently initiated German broadcasts in Arabic and Afrikaans, which my hon. and gallant Friend doubtless has in mind, but I doubt whether his suggestion is the best way of preventing propaganda of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the British Steel Makers' Association have laid down conditions by which stockholders may not do business with Government Departments, railway companies, public bodies, etc., excepting with their approval; and whether the Government buying Departments have agreed to conform to this principle?

I have been asked to reply. In reply to the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 9th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. A. Reed) by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider introducing legislation to alter the 12 years residence condition for receipt of old age pensions, at least for claimants who have lived for this period in any part of the British Empire to a period of five years?

My right hon. Friend does not consider that the residence condition is unreasonable, particularly having regard to the provisions of sub-section (2) of Section 2 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1936, and I am afraid he cannot undertake to introduce amending legislation as suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the number of claims for old age pension refused last year because of the failure of the claimants to satisfy the conditions relating to residence in the British Isles?

The information desired is not available as the number of claims rejected on account of the residence condition is not recorded separately.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing usurpation of the powers and authority of the local authorities by the central Departments at Whitehall; and whether he will issue a circular to the Departments concerned urging on them the necessity to consult more fully the local authorities in all matters which affect the public health, education, and social services?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any circumstances which would give grounds for this suggestion, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind perhaps he will communicate with him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether expenditure on simply-constructed trenches and sand-bag ramparts which is a deductible expense in computing trading profits for Income Tax purposes will also apply to the type of trenches recommended as air-raid shelters in the provisional code issued by the Lord Privy Seal as a guidance to occupiers of factories under Clause 10 of the Civil Defence Bill?

The question whether expenditure incurred by trading concerns on air-raid precautions is allowable as a deduction in computing profits for Income Tax purposes is one for determination by the appropriate body of Income Tax Commissioners by reference to the facts of each particular case. While, as my right hon. Friend has previously stated, the Board of Inland Revenue, so far as they are concerned, would offer no objection to the allowance of expenditure on simply constructed trenches and sand-bag ramparts, trench shelters of the kind contemplated by the provisional code to which my hon. Friend refers would commonly involve expenditure which in the Board's view would fall to be regarded as capital expenditure.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the full effectiveness of test black-outs is reduced by the lack of co-operation with the local authorities by private individuals; and whether it is proposed to seek powers in the Civil Defence Bill or otherwise to enforce such co-operation?

I am not aware of any need for such powers. The experience of my Department has been that the public co-operate very readily in these exercises, and I have no reason to suppose that they will not continue to do so.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can issue a statement showing in the industrial areas in Scotland the factory buildings or commercial buildings where basement shelter protection has been provided for their employés in the event of any enemy air-raiding?

There is at present no obligation on the occupiers of factory premises or the owners of commercial buildings to report the measures they have taken to provide air-raid shelter for persons working or living in such premises or buildings; and I am not in a position to give the information desired.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will issue a report on the work of the Hardman Lever Committee and any other similar committee acting between Government Departments and contractors to the Government; and will he have included the disputes that have arisen and on what basis they have been settled?

The Hardman Lever Committee act as arbitrators on the prices in aircraft contracts, an arrangement which has no exact counterpart in other Contracts Departments. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air regards the proceedings of this Committee as confidential and cannot see his way to issue a report on them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will have published the McLintock agreements concerning contracts between the Air Ministry and its contractors and include any similar agreements between other Government Departments and contractors, manufacturers' associations, or individual contractors?

The (so-called) McLintock Agreement was circulated last year in confidence to the Estimates Committee and there is no objection to disclosure in confidence of Government contract procedure or of any particular agreement to the Select Committees appointed by this House to examine public expenditure. The hon. Member will appreciate the possibility that his suggestion would have the general effect of hampering the free negotiation of agreements of the kind in question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will have issued a White Paper on the existing costing machinery employed by all Government Departments; will he state what steps have been taken to deal with the disclosures contained in the Air Services Appropriation Account, 1937; and is he satisfied with the costing and checking system of all Government Departments?

In reply to the first part of the question, I do not think I can usefully add to the statements which have been made from time to time on the Government costing machinery. In reply to the second part, the Air Services Appropriation Account is being considered in the normal way by the Public Accounts Committee. In reply to the third part, I have no reason to doubt that in general the system employed (which is kept under constant review) is efficacious.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what rate of pension is awarded to the widows and dependants of men who are killed during service with the Royal Air Force; and whether any-means test is applied in the award of such pensions?

The rates and conditions governing the award of pensions to widows and other dependants of Royal Air Force personnel who die in the Service, and whose death is attributable to service, are laid down in Chapter 43 of King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

With regard to the second part of the question, means are entirely disregarded in the case of awards, other than awards of education allowance, to widows and children. The award of allowances to other dependants is, however, subject to the Air Council being satisfied that the pecuniary circumstances of the applicant are such as to justify an award.

I may add that the conditions governing awards are common to the three fighting Services.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will reconsider the terms of circular letter E 5,913/10 from the Treasury, dated 17th April, 1939, dealing with the pay of civil servants serving with His Majesty's forces, including Civil Defence forces, which provides that while a civil servant will be entitled to the benefit of increments on his substantive civil scale of salary while called up for service with His Majesty's forces, he will not be entitled to the benefit of any promotion to a superior civil grade which he may gain; whether he is aware that this latter provision is causing serious dissatisfaction among civil servants who have already joined the Territorial forces, or were on the point of offering themselves for service in His Majesty's fighting forces; and, as the continuance of this regulation will have the effect of causing such persons to withdraw from voluntary service, whether he will amend or cancel the latter provision?

I am not aware that the provision referred to has given rise to dissatisfaction. It has been discussed with, and accepted by, the accredited representatives of the staff, and I see no reason to think it requires modification. While I recognise that civil servants absent with the forces will have a claim to be considered for promotion to vacancies which occur during their absence, and provision has been made accordingly, it would be clearly wrong that an officer promoted in his absence should receive the pay of the higher post before he actually takes up the duties of that post.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the ventilation of the Debating Chamber is out of date since air is drawn from the level of the River Thames, and not as in the London County Council buildings from higher up; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this?

I have been asked to reply. In view of the fact that the air is thoroughly washed and, if necessary, passed through a fog filter, my right hon. Friend cannot accept the contention that the ventilation system is out of date because the air is drawn in from river level. On the general question of the ventilation of the Chamber, he would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies to questions put by the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day) on the 9th May and 14th November, 1938.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can indicate what steps have been taken in connection with the food defence plan to encourage the British canning industry to increase their activities during the current year with a view to enlarging the reserves of preserved foodstuffs held in the country?

I would refer my learned Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant friend the Member for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans) on 27th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many intentions to marry notified at the offices of registrars in Scotland were objected to during the year 1938; how many of said objections were followed by proceedings in court; and how these were disposed of;

(2) how many intentions to marry announced by proclamation of banns were objected to during the year 1938; how many of the said objections were followed by proceedings in court; and how these proceedings were disposed of?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the replies given to questions on this subject on the 18th and 27th April.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that despite the Japanese occupation of many towns in China, the Chinese Government has been able to increase substantially the industrial potential of the provinces and districts still under its control; and whether he can state what steps are being taken to ensure that British industry co-operates to the fullest possible extent in this new type of development in China?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, while it is impossible to give details of private firms' business transactions, I can assure my hon. Friend that all proper assistance is given to United Kingdom firms desiring to cooperate with Chinese development.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of trawlers registered under the Merchant Shipping Act in the United Kingdom on the 1st January, 1930, 1935, 1938 and 1939?

The number of steam and motor trawlers included in the number of fishing vessels registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, at ports in the United Kingdom on the 1st January in each of the years 1930, 1935 and 1938 was 1,619, 1,699 and 1,578, respectively. The figure for the 1st January, 1939, will not be available for some time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of trawlers at present under construction in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom owners?

According to information supplied by Lloyd's Register of Shipping, there are four trawlers under construction in United Kingdom yards for United Kingdom owners.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the special importance in times of emergency of the law relating to frustration of contracts, the Government will give early consideration to the recommendations of the Law Revision Committee upon this subject contained in Command Paper 6009?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the resolution carried unanimously, at the recent annual conference of the National Chambers of Trade calling for an inquiry into the moral, social, and economic consequences of football pools; and whether he will consider instituting such an inquiry?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) on 1st November last.

asked the Home Secretary whether the General Council of the Trades Union Congress have yet submitted their evidence to the Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation?

My right hon. Friend understands that the council have submitted to the Commission a written Memorandum of Evidence and that their representatives were to have given oral evidence in support of the memorandum this week, but that owing to a special conference which the council has thought it necessary to call in connection with Defence questions the date has unfortunately had to be postponed.

asked the Home Secretary whether in connection with the legislation he intends to introduce regarding the licensing of clubs and other similar premises, he will review the present circumstances under which licences are granted and confirmed in respect of the opening of new restaurants in this country?

The question raised by my hon. Friend is somewhat different from those which are involved in legislation for dealing with the evils of bogus clubs, but if he will be good enough to submit particulars of the difficulties which he has in mind, my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the reduction of the period of service abroad to four years applies to the officers of the Army as well as to the men?

This matter is under consideration with the other Departments concerned, and a decision will be given as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of officers from the Territorial Army who have been appointed by selection, to regular commissions in the Royal Army Service Corps; and whether an extension of this system of transfer for selected applicants has yet been decided upon for other arms of the service?

Nine officers of the Territorial Army have been selected for appointment to regular commissions in the Royal Army Service Corps. No decision has yet been reached as regards the extension of the scheme to other arms of the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many victims of foreign persecution are desirous of fighting for Great Britain if she is involved in war; and whether he will now consider the establishment in this country of a foreign legion in which foreign nationals could enlist for service under the British Crown?

The subject has again been carefully considered, and it has been decided that in present circumstances the establishment of a foreign legion is not practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that every opportunity will be afforded to the new militia to attend such religious services as they individually desire?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Norwich Corporation has obtained confirmation of a compulsory purchase order in respect of lands needed for the improvement of Hay Hill and St. Peter's Street from the junction with the Haymarket to Bethel Street; what is the area of land involved; what price it is proposed to pay for it; and what was the rateable value of any properties that previously stood thereon?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Norwich Corporation was informed in February last that the Minister of Transport would be prepared to confirm, subject to certain modifications, the Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of lands needed for the improvement of Hay Hill and St. Peter's Street, Norwich. The corporation have not yet indicated whether they desire to proceed with the Order on that basis, and I am therefore unable to state precisely what area of land will be involved.

The hon. Member will appreciate that in any case I could not make any statement in regard to price since in default of agreement the question will have to go to arbitration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any and which streets in the city of Leicester have yet been scheduled under the Street Playgrounds Act, 1938?

No application has been received from the Leicester City Council for the confirmation of an Order under the Act.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now state the estimated total cost of pulling down Waterloo Bridge and erecting a new bridge in its place, including the cost of the proposed roundabout where the traffic from the new bridge enters the Strand; what is the amount of the total sum involved which is to be provided by the Government and what by the London County Council; and how do these figures compare with the original estimates submitted to Parliament?

The estimated total cost of the works referred to by my hon. Friend is £3,116,330, made up of £285,000 for the demolition of the old bridge, £902,330 for the erection of the new bridge and £1,929,000 for the roundabout. Of this total £1,929,798 is to be provided by the Government and £1,186,532 by the London County Council.

When the London County Council (Money) Bill was before Parliament in the Session 1934–35, the estimated cost of pulling down Waterloo Bridge and erecting a new bridge in its place was given as £1,295,000, with an indication that the actual expenditure would probably be £100,000 less than that sum.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he would consider setting up a new sub-post office near Birch Lane and adjacent to Dewsnap Lane, in Dukinfield, Cheshire, so that people who live in this neighbourhood may have increased postal facilities?

It has recently been decided to establish a sub-post office in the Birch Lane District of Dukinfield. Applications will shortly be invited for the new sub-postmastership, and it is hoped that it will be possible to open the office by the 1st July next.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the work of cleaning the River Ogmore has been finished; and, if not, the mileage proposed to do and the mileage completed to date?

The scheme of improvement works on the River Ogmore approved for a grant under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, has not yet been completed. As my predecessor indicated in reply to the question asked by the hon. Member on 21st November last, the scheme covers a total length of eight miles; of this, 2¾ miles has been completed with the exception of certain alterations to a weir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the price of mutton and lamb, estimated dressed weight, per pound, on 1st May, 1928, and the same date this year, and the price of wool for the same dates?

The average price of first and second quality fat sheep during the week ended 2nd May, 1928, at representative markets in England and Wales was 15¼d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight, and the corresponding price of fat lambs was 19¼. per lb. For the week ended 3rd May, 1939, the corresponding prices were 11¼d. and 14⅝d. per lb. respectively. The average prices of washed and classed wools from Lincoln, Hampshire and Shropshire hoggs and ewes and wethers at Bradford Wool Exchange during the two weeks in question were, respectively, 22¼d. and 11⅞d. per 1b.