asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in relation to a national policy of natural re-fertilisation of soil, he is developing an increase of humus by bacterial methods by the addition of urban domestic dust-bin refuse to farmyard manure; and, if so, in which agricultural districts?

Town refuse, with and without admixture of farmyard manure, has been used to a limited extent by farmers particularly in the South-East of England. The lack of demand from farmers has led to the closing down of most of the special plants established by local authorities for the preparation of the refuse for use on the land. Further consideration, is however, now being given to this important matter by my Department in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and the Agricultural Research Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that great damage is done every year to the hides of cattle by the use of heavy barbed wire for fencing; if he has considered the elimination of such loss by the substitution of a light wire electrified to a low voltage of about 12 volts; and whether he will take the appropriate steps to make the use of such electrified wire obligatory with a view to increasing the quality and value of hides produced in this country?

I am aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the use of heavy barbed wire as fencing. It is a matter for individual farmers to decide what type of fencing is most appropriate for their needs, and I am not prepared to take steps to make the use of any particular kind of fencing compulsory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that Mr. J. A. Thomas, of Wisbech, has, for a technical breach of contract, been deprived of his business and livelihood and been made bankrupt by the Milk Marketing Board, and, in view of the comments of the registrar of King's Lynn Bankruptcy Court on the actions of the board, he will refer this case to a committee of investigation under Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, for inquiry into the conduct of the board and its officers?

I can only refer to the committee of investigation a formal complaint made under Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931. No such complaint has been submitted to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can provide any recent statistics showing how the home production of canned fish compares with the imports of such products; and whether, with a view to assisting the fishing industry, he can now arrange to stimulate plans for canning larger quantities of British fish so that adequate reserve supplies are available in the event of an emergency?

The latest census of production figures, which relate to 1935, show the total output of canned fish in the United Kingdom in that year to have been approximately 173,000 cwt., consisting mainly of herring. Retained imports of canned fish in 1935 amounted to 1,410,000 cwt., including 1,034,000 cwt. of salmon. Negotiations are at present in progress with British canners with a view to the acquisition of a reserve of canned herring, which are the class of fish considered most suitable for the Government's storage scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with his proposed visit to Hull and Grimsby for the purpose of studying the fishing industry, he is arranging to meet representatives of the trade unions with members engaged in the industry?

Yes Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) how many young men between the ages of 17 and 20 could work be found for during the next three years on a comprehensive plan for the prevention of coast erosion, particularly in those parts of the country where the inroads of the sea are rapid and serious;

(2) how many young men between the ages of 17 and 20 could work be found for during the next three years on the major flood-precautions schemes in the Great Ouse Catchment Board area under the contemplated £5,000,000 scheme and other schemes now in progress?

I have no information available as to the number of men who could be employed on the schemes to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will state the number of men and of women magistrates in each county and each county borough in England and Wales?

I regret the precise figures asked for are not available. Figures are available, however, of the number of appointments of men and women in counties and boroughs, respectively, in England and Wales during the last three years and these figures were given in a written answer to the Noble Lady, the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on 2nd March last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the percentage figures of direct and indirect taxation in respect of the financial year 1939–40; and whether he will state in what category taxation of motor-vehicles and the petrol tax are included?

Of the taxation included in the Budget Estimates for 1939–40, 62.5 per cent. is attributable to direct taxes and 37.5 per cent. to indirect taxes. The motor vehicle duties are included among the direct taxes and the duty on petrol among the indirect taxes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet received, or intends to receive, personally, a representative deputation from the film industry regarding the new tax proposals contained in the recent Budget statement?

I hope to receive a representative deputation from the film industry this afternoon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the retail price of tobacco in its various forms has been increased strictly in accordance with the increase in the tobacco duties?

It would involve an elaborate investigation, which I am not prepared to undertake, to ascertain even in the majority of cases whether the retail prices of tobacco have been increased strictly in accordance with the increase in the tobacco duties. I have no reason to doubt, however, that when the trade has had time to adjust itself fully to the new duties competition will ensure that the consumer is not unfairly treated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the approximate yield of the Entertainments Duty of 1½d. in respect of payments for admission exceeding 6d. and not exceeding 7½d., for the 12 months ended 30th June, 1936, 1937 and 1938?

I regret that the particulars asked for by the hon. Member are not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Elgin marbles have now been safely transferred to their new gallery at the British Museum; and whether any have suffered by removal or any cleaning process?

The marbles are in process of transference to the new gallery, but none of those so far transferred have suffered in any way by the removal. So far as cleaning is concerned, I am informed by the trustees of the British Museum that there has been some unauthorised cleaning of some of the marbles, but that it is not yet possible to determine precisely what the effect has been. I am assured, however, that the effects are imperceptible to anyone but an expert, and I think it follows that the intrinsic beauty of the marbles has not been impaired.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will take measures to replenish both the cash reserves of the banks and the volume of tender bills available to the market in order to restore conditions favourable to the task of successfully financing the Government's needs now impending;

(2) Whether he is aware that the joint stock banks try to maintain a liquidity position of at least 30 per cent., in which is included cash, money at call, and bills discounted, and that their liquidity has now been reduced to 25.3 per cent., which is the lowest figure touched since the beginning of the cheap money policy adopted in 1932; and what steps does he propose to take to strengthen the banking position?

As regards the volume of Treasury Bills which are in circulation, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on the 30th March and in which I indicated that the amount of Treasury Bills in circulation would be likely to increase. Bankers' deposits at the Bank of England showed a temporary reduction between March and April though the total deposits at the bank remained virtually unchanged, but I am not aware that the banks experienced any such shortage of cash as would embarrass them in fulfilling any of their normal functions. For the reason which I gave in my reply to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 16th May, in matters of this type it is not possible to lay down in advance possible courses of action without regard to the particular circumstances which may at any time be present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what charges are falling upon public funds for advertising, in connection with appeals to recruit in various forms of Civil Defence and the Defence services?

For the five Departments principally concerned, namely, the three Service Departments, the Home Office and the Ministry of Labour, the approximate total expenditure on advertising during the six months ended 31st March, 1939, was £119,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty's Government have been consulted about the proposed loan to Spain by a group of international banking houses?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that attempts are being made by the Spanish Government to obtain extensive long-term credits, unsecured on any assets, from this country; and whether he will take steps in the proper quarter to indicate the undesirability of such transactions?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any approach has been made to the Loans Advisory Committee of the Treasury regarding proposed credits to the Spanish Government?

So far as I am aware, it is not the case that the Spanish Government have expressed any desire to borrow from this country and no approach on the matter has been made to the Foreign Transactions Advisory Committee. There is no probability, owing to present conditions, of it being found possible to issue foreign loans of any substantial amount in this market, and accordingly the question of giving consent to the raising of any loan by or on behalf of the Spanish Government does not arise. In these circumstances, on being consulted as to British financial institutions associating themselves with an inquiry into the financial and economic position of Spain, His Majesty's Government expressed the view that this would be inappropriate for the reasons above stated and no British financial institution has associated itself with the proposal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now obtained sufficient particulars of the assets covered by the Czecho-Slovakia (Restrictions on Banking Accounts, etc.) Act, 1939, and of claims against such assets, for an approximate estimate to be made of the amounts involved?

No, Sir. The particulars obtained are, I understand, still too incomplete to enable an approximate estimate to be made of the amounts involved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amount of foreign gold held on deposit by the Bank of England for each of the five years ended 15th April, 1939?

I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in connection with food storage plans for this country, he is arranging for the storage of British canned meats or fish in addition to similar goods coming from abroad?

Certain stocks of canned beef, which is the most suitable kind of canned meat for the purpose of the Government's storage scheme, have been obtained from Dominion and foreign sources, there being no production of canned beef in this country. No canned fish has been obtained from abroad. Negotiations are now proceeding with canners in this country with a view to the acquisition of a reserve of canned herring.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any statement regarding the classification of areas in Scotland under the Government evacuation scheme?

Yes, Sir. In consultation with the Lord Privy Seal I have reviewed the whole position in the light of the representations which I have received and of the information as to available accommodation disclosed by the survey.

The existing sending areas are Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, and I have decided to add to them the burgh of Clydebank and the Rosyth area of the burgh of Dunfermline. The town councils of Clydebank and Dunfermline have been informed and the detailed arrangements for these new areas are well advanced.

When local authorities were asked to make the survey of accommodation certain areas were excluded on the ground that they were unsuitable for reception. Those areas comprised the counties of Orkney and Zetland, together with the Island Districts of the counties of Ross and Cromarty, Inverness and Argyll; the burghs of Aberdeen, Airdrie, Bo'ness, Buckhaven and Methil, Burntisland, Clydebank, Coatbridge, Cromarty, Dumbarton, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Gourock, Grangemouth, Greenock, Hamilton, Invergordon, Inverkeithing, Irvine, Johnstone, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Motherwell and Wishaw, Musselburgh, Paisley, Port Glasgow, Queensferry, Renfrew and Rutherglen; and certain landward areas in north Ayrshire, in those parts of the counties of Dunbarton, Lanark and Renfrew which are near to Glasgow and in those parts of the counties of Fife, Stirling and West Lothian which border on the Forth. After further consideration of the position I have decided that the following areas the local authorities of which were asked to carry out the survey of accommodation should not be required under present conditions to act as receiving areas; the burghs of Ardrossan, Barrhead, Cowden beath, Culross, Kilwinning, Leven, Linlithgow, Milngavie and Saltcoats together with the landward districts of Bearsden in the county of Dumbarton, Bishopbriggs in the county of Lanark, the parish of Cathcart and the northern part of the parish of Eastwood in the county of Renfrew, and the villages of Throsk and Fallin in the county of Stirling.

I also propose, in view of their relative inaccessibility, to hold in reserve for the present the receiving areas in the counties of Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, and in the north western portion of the county of Inverness.

The remaining areas in Scotland will be receiving areas.

I should like to take the opportunity of expressing the thanks of His Majesty's Government to all those who, both in sending and receiving areas, are co-operating so admirably in the working out of the evacuation scheme.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, owing to the unexpectedly rapid development of the work of the air-raid precautions, the expenditure resulting from the emergency of September last, and the anticipated expenditure under the Civil Defence Bill, he will consider an early investigation into the working of the financial provisions of the Air-Raid Precautions Act, 1937, as set out in Section 10 of that Act?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement on this subject which I made in the course of the Debate on the Second Reading of the Civil Defence Bill on 4th April, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. E. Smith). I am not at present in a position to add to that statement.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can now give the House an approximate date when those persons who will not receive shelters free of charge will be able to obtain them from the manufac- turers at the same cost as that charged to the Government?

It has always been my intention that these shelters should be placed on sale as soon as a substantial portion of the free distribution had been completed. I am at present considering various proposals for accelerating the rate of production, and as soon as it is possible to fix a date on which the shelters can be made available for purchase without prejudicing the progress of the free distribution I will make a further announcement regarding the price and method of sale. I cannot at present give any indication of the date when these arrangements may be brought into force.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the manufacturing cost of the steel shelters; what is the average contract price paid by the Government for these shelters; and at what price are they available to the general public desiring to purchase them singly?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 16th May to a question by the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes). As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I have just given to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Balham and Tooting (Mr. Doland).

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many steel shelters had been delivered to the end of April; how many had been distributed; and the names of the firm, or firms, who had made deliveries up to that date?

These shelters are being distributed as rapidly as the component parts are delivered by the manufacturers. The total number distributed to the end of April was 357,000. The Home Office contract is with the British Iron and Steel Corporation, and about 90 different firms are engaged in making one or more of the components of the shelters.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what estimate has been made by his Department of the average probable cost to local authorities of erecting an Anderson shelter?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the cost of erecting a steel shelter differs very widely according to place and circumstances, and I doubt whether it would be useful to attempt to frame an estimate of the average cost.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that in the area comprised by the parishes of Chasetown, Chase Terrace, and Burntwood, Staffordshire, comprising a population of 10,000, there are 100 air-raid wardens, none of whom have any equipment whatsoever; what is the reason for this; and what steps does he propose to take to amend matters?

It is not intended that air-raid wardens should themselves hold the equipment which they would require in war. This is held for them in peace by the local authority. The Rural District Council of Lichfield already has a considerable proportion of the equipment required for wardens in its area.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that American citizens and other friendly aliens, some of whom have resided in this country for a considerable time, have offered their services for civilian defence and have been rejected; and whether this is in accordance with his instructons?

I am not aware of the cases to which my hon. Friend may refer. As regards the general question of the enrolment of persons other than British subjects for the Civil Defence services, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the nth May to a question by the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss).

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has established or proposes to set up any organisation to determine the order of priority of issue of the decontamination suits to the Civil Defence organisations of essential industries?

It has been found impracticable to undertake the supply of protective clothing centrally; but I hope to be able to make arrangements with the manufacturers to give priority of supply to firms in the areas specified for the purposes of Part III of the Civil Defence Bill.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can give any indication as to the date when distribution of the respirators for babies will be made?

I hope that distribution to local authorities will begin in the course of July and proceed rapidly thereafter.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the inquiry recently undertaken by the Leyton Borough Council in order to form an estimate of the number of people likely to avail themselves of shelters during an air raid; how many other authorities have undertaken a similar investigation; and whether he will publish the results for general guidance in air-raid precautions?

In a circular issued on the 28th March, 1938, local authorities were advised to make a careful survey of the accommodation in their area that could be made available as public shelter, in relation to the numbers of persons likely to need it. A considerable number of authorities, of which the borough of Leyton was one, acted on this recommendation, though I cannot state the precise number without some research. The information obtained from these surveys was carefully reviewed and, as a result a further circular was issued on the 25th April, 1939, recommending that local authorities in certain areas judged to be most exposed to the risk of attack should aim at providing public shelter for about 10 per cent. of the population in mainly residential areas and for about 15 per cent. of the day population in business centres.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will ensure that all local authorities whose buildings have to be prepared at Government request for air-raid precautions service, or for other purposes relative to a war emergency, shall receive the full Government grant or shall be fully reimbursed from Government funds?

I am afraid I am not clear as to what the hon. Member has in mind. Expenditure by local authorities upon their buildings in so far as it is approved for the purposes of the Air-Raid Precautions Act, 1937, ranks for the grant provided for by that Act. Grants in respect of other matters will be available under the terms of the Civil Defence Bill when that Bill has received Royal Assent.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can give reasons for the many anomalies in connection with the Government proposals for total disablement and in cases of death; whether he is aware that the compensation for total disablement is the same whether the injured man be an auxiliary fireman or a member of another air-raid precautions service, but in case of death the compensation varies considerably in the case of widows with dependent children?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the scheme of compensation, of which I gave particulars on the 2nd March last, when I announced that compensation would in future be paid by the Government in respect of injuries sustained by members of the Civil Defence services during peace-time training. The object of this change was to introduce one comprehensive scheme covering all the Civil Defence services, in substitution for a system under which policies of insurance were taken out by local authorities and different arrangements were made for different services and in different localities. The Government's scheme has thus removed many anomalies inherent in the system previously in force. It is true that there is a lack of uniformity in the one case to which the hon. Member refers, and the reason for that is that it was not considered right to reduce the death benefits to which many existing members of the Auxiliary Fire Service were already entitled.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps are being taken by his Department to ascertain as to whether colliery undertakings in vulnerable areas in the country are seeking to put into effect the recommendations contained in the memorandum issued to colliery owners in connection with air-raid precautions?

Apart from the specific obligations to be imposed upon employers under the Civil Defence Bill the initiative in this matter must rest primarily with the industry, but my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines has made arrangements for a conference of mines inspectors to be held next week in order that they may be instructed as to the advice and guidance they should give.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the highest and lowest cost for erecting individual Anderson shelters in the borough of Southwark by the local authority?

I am informed by the borough council that in a straightforward case the cost involved has been about 37s. 6d. a shelter. Their records have not been kept in such detail as to allow them easily to state the highest cost in any individual case.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information of the sale of munitions to China by Germany and Italy and the extent to which such transactions have taken place?

The arms and munitions imported by the Chinese Government have not all passed through British territory, but of those which have, war material of German origin has exceeded in quantity that from any other country, since the opening of hostilities.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Council of Foreign Bondholders were unable to recommend the acceptance of the Greek Government's offer to pay 40 per cent. on the coupons of their external loans falling due within the last financial year; and whether advantage will be taken of Sir Frederick Leith-Ross's presence in Athens to press for a more reasonable offer?

Yes, Sir, and in reply to the second part of the question, Sir F. Leith-Ross will, in the course of his discussions in Athens, impress on the Greek Government the importance which His Majesty's Government attach to a satisfactory settlement of the debt problem.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the total quantity of coal exported from this country during 1930, 1937 and 1938, respectively; and the amount of such exports produced in the Yorkshire coalfield?

The information is as follows: Year. Quantity of Coal Exported either as cargo or bunkers from United Kingdom. Humber Ports.* Tons. Tons. 1930 … 70,490,756 8,866,245 1937 … 52,041,033 6,740,708 1938 … 46,349,857 5,786,223 * Separate particulars of the quantity of coal exported from Yorkshire are not available.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that Mr. Peter Doonan, 560, Old Shettleston Road, Glasgow, who was charged by his wife with assault, was asked to accompany two police constables to Shettleston police station, and on his refusal was attacked by the constables, his head being beaten by a police lamp and baton; that his father of over 70 years of age was thrown and held on the bed; that Peter Doonan was dragged by the hair from the house and further beaten in the police cell; that he had to be removed to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, was unconscious for a long time, and had not regained consciousness when visited by the hon. Member for Shettleston; and whether he will in the meantime suspend these constables from duty and order an inquiry into the whole circumstances surrounding this arrest?

The alleged incidents have been reported to me and the case is at present under investigation, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been sent to the request of the Jewish Agency that a decision of the Permanent Court of International Justice should be obtained as to the legality of the British Government's decision to restrict immigration into Palestine on grounds other than the economic absorptive capacity of that country?

The reply sent to the Jewish Agency was to the effect that the grounds on which His Majesty's Government consider the present restrictions on Jewish immigration, which are temporary pending the promulgation of policy, to be justified, have been publicly explained on various occasions and that His Majesty's Government have nothing to add to their previous statements; that the arguments recently put forward by the Jewish Agency do not lead His Majesty's Government to alter their views,

Industry. 17th April, 1939. 4th April, 1938. Number. Per cent. Number. Per cent. Building … 209 15.0 269 17.9 Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing … 1,881 3326 1,586 30.9 General Engineering, etc. … 117 4.4 88 3.0 Marine Engineering, etc. … 400 9.4 367 8.8 Shipping Service … 223 19.2 312 27.4 Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing Industries … 99 10.0 103 10.5 Distributive Trades. … 773 18.1 773 18.2 Dock, Harbour, River, Canal, etc., Service … 367 37.8 337 35.5 All other industries and Services … 1.623 19.1 1,800 22.3 Total, all industries and Services … 5,692 19.1 5,635 19.4 NOTE.—The figures given in the Table above are exclusive of unemployed insured persons within the agricultural scheme numbering 42 at 17th April, 1939, and 46 at 4th April, 1938. The total for April, 1939, also excludes 47 unemployed insured persons in the class of domestic employments which were brought into insurance in April, 1938.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of cases in which insurance benefit was supplemented by the Unemployment Assistance Board, and the total number of persons on the live register in each of the districts of the Unemployment Assistance Board at the most recent date possible?

I am having the figures extracted and will send them to the hon. Member as soon as they are available.

and that they do not feel able to adopt the suggestion that the Council of the League of Nations should be asked to obtain an advisory opinion from the Hague Court.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the state of employment as represented by trades, numbers and percentages, for the Greenock area, as at the last available date, and for the corresponding date a year ago, respectively?

The table below shows for the area served by the Greenock Employment Exchange the numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64 years, in the principal industries, recorded as unemployed at 17th April, 1939, and 4th April, 1938, respectively, and these numbers expressed as percentages of the estimated numbers insured at the previous July.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of cases in the past year in which Unemployment Assistance Board assessments have been increased by reference to the 1936 unemployment insurance benefit rate?

It is regretted that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of changed cir- cumstances since the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee recommended by a majority the raising of the income limit for unemployment insurance, he will ask the Statutory Committee to re-examine the question and make fresh recommendations?

In any further examination of this question it would be desirable that all relevant circumstances should be taken into account and I should be glad to have particulars of the circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement on the success or otherwise of the encampment of young unemployed from the distressed areas set up at St. Germans in connection with work on the middle level drainage operations from 1929 to 1934?

Inquiries are being made and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the extent to which wages and conditions of employment are regulated by trade union agreements between football pool promoters and their employés?

I have no record of any such agreements.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the heavy additional burdens now being placed upon local authorities, he will take steps to amend the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, and the Rating and Valuation Act, 1928, in so far as they relate to the exemption of process-machinery from rating?

I do not contemplate taking any such steps.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the centenary of the Board of Education and the Department which preceded it falls in this year; and whether he can state what is proposed to be done to mark and celebrate this event?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The extent and quality of the present public system of education and the existing measure of assistance from public funds—£100,000,000 as compared with the original grant of £20,000—are, in my Noble Friend's view, the best panegyric of the accomplishments of the last 100 years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that newly commissioned officers in the London units are not allowed to go to their own tailors for their uniforms but have to go to a tailor appointed by the unit; and whether he will take the necessary steps to enable such officers to go to a tailor selected by themselves and thereby obtain the benefit of competitive prices instead of being compelled to pay whatever prices the tailor appointed by the unit chooses or is permitted to make?

I am informed that in certain units officers are advised to make their purchases from particular sources in order to ensure that all officers' uniforms in the unit are of the same shade and cut. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, and will send me details, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the establishment of the West Lancashire Territorial Army and Air Force Association; what was its strength on 1st April this year; and what is its strength now?

The establishment and strength of the West Lancashire Territorial Army and Air Force Association on 1st April, 1939, were 65 and 62, respectively, as compared with 70 and 63, respectively, on 16th May.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government that all Territorial non-commissioned officers called up for militia training will be reinstated in the appropriate rank on rejoining their Territorial unit on the completion of the six months' compulsory training?

Yes, Sir, it would be normal for their commanding officers to reinstate them provided their conduct during training in the militia has been satisfactory. In the event of there being no immediate vacancy in the appropriate rank when a non-commissioned officer rejoins, he can be held supernumerary until he can be absorbed.

asked the Secretatry of State for War whether he can give an assurance that no Territorial will be expected to attend camp without being issued with at least one suit of service dress?

As my right hon. Friend stated in answer to a question on 16th May, it is hoped that all Territorials will have uniform before camp, but in the event of any Territorial going to camp without uniform he will be compensated for the use of his civilian dress.

asked the Secretary of State for War what compensation has been paid, and under what conditions, to Boy C. I. Griffin of the Training Battalion, Military College of Science, Woolwich, for the loss of vision of one eye as the result of an injury received on duty?

Compensation for injuries received on duty is not payable to military personnel while still serving with the Colours and in receipt of Army pay and allowances, as Boy Griffin is at present. He is now on sick leave, and it has not yet been determined whether his injury will necessitate his being invalided from the Army. If and when he is discharged or transferred to the Reserve, the award of disability pension will be governed by the normal regulations, and will depend on the degree of disablement then obtaining.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is intended to extend the recruiting of men with scientific training for the meteorological section of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve to centres outside London; and, if so, when?

No, Sir. It is not intended, at any rate at present, to extend the recruiting for the meteorological section of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve to centres outside London. Training facilities are already available in London and I am pleased to say that the applications so far received exceed the total number at present required for this branch of the Volunteer Reserve.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether alien refugees or aliens other than refugees are being accepted into any of the Defence forces; if so, into what form of service and on what conditions; and how many aliens have been so accepted?

Certain approved aliens have been accepted into the Regular Army, the Territorial Army, the Army Supplementary Reserve, the Air Force, and the Air Force Volunteer Reserve, on the normal conditions of service. In reply to the last part of the question eight aliens have been accepted for the above Services in the last six months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the numbers of wives, mothers, and other dependants, respectively, of ratings serving on board His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour," who during the last two years have been informed by the Accounts Branch of the Admiralty that their separation and other allowances have been stopped owing to the desertion of ratings making the allotments, and the branches and ranks of the ratings?

It has been necessary in the last two years to stop the allotments of eight ratings of His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour" owing to their desertion; the allotments in question were being paid to three wives, two mothers, and three other dependants. The ratings concerned were one Stoker Petty Officer, two Stokers 1st Class and five Able Seamen.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the nature of the inquiry ordered by the commodore commanding, New Zealand station, into the discontent, desertions, leavebreaking, and excessive punishment on board His Majesty's ship "Endeavour"; the rank of the officer conducting the inquiry; what safeguards were given to ratings to state the facts without further prejudice to themselves; what is the report of the committee, and what action is to be taken to remedy the two years unsatisfactory state of affairs?

His Majesty's ship "Endeavour" is at present on surveying duties and is not due to return to Auckland from the survey grounds until the 3rd June when the Commodore Commanding, New Zealand station, intends to order a full confidential inquiry. The rank of the officer or officers who will conduct the inquiry has not been reported, but the hon. Member may rest assured that investigation will be thorough and that no rating who makes representations in the proper Service manner will be penalised in any way.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the quarterly returns of Punishments, with Warrants and other offences have been regularly received at the Admiralty from His Majesty's ship "Endeavour" during the two years that the ship has been on the New Zealand station; why the large number of warrant and other offences for a small ship's company was not discovered long ago and steps taken to remove the causes of discontent and check the excessive punishments; and whether action is to be, or has been, taken by the Admiralty against the persons who should have kept the board informed on important matters of discipline?

The punishment returns have been regularly received at the Admiralty from His Majesty's ship "Endeavour." Early in 1938, in view of the comparatively large number of punishments in the ship, steps were taken by the Admiralty to improve the dis- cipline, including changes in certain personnel and the grant of additional leave. In view of recent allegations of which the hon. Member is aware, the Commodore Commanding the New Zealand Squadron has been asked to hold an inquiry.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that at the munitions factory at Bishopton two boilers of the heater-tube type are being erected; that boilermakers as a rule are employed at erecting these boilers at a wage rate of is. 6½d. per hour; that instead of employing boilermakers, labourers at a lower rate of wages are being employed on this job; and will he make inquiries and take what steps are necessary?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that the boilers are being erected in accordance with the usual practice; that the work being done is not such as calls for the services of boilermakers, but of skilled water tube erectors with the assistance of unskilled and semi-skilled labour. As at present informed, my right hon. Friend is not in a position to call upon the contractors to employ other types of labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of claimants to old age contributory pensions in the Western Isles and in the counties of Ross-shire and Inverness-shire, respectively, in 1938?

As such statistics are not kept on a geographical basis, I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of police pensioners that will be available for the reserve of police established by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis; and whether and under what circumstances these men will be utilised for patrol and ceremonial duties?

The number is now 3,275. Members of the reserve will, if employed, assist the regular police in any of their duties.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total number of aliens, men, women, and children, respectively, in Great Britain at the latest date for which figures are available; how many of the aliens had permits to take paid employment or to engage in occupations for gain, and what are the principal categories of occupation at which they are employed?

The total number of aliens registered in, the United Kingdom on 30th May, 1938, was: Men … … 99,030 Women … … 97,822 Total … … 196,852 Foreign children under the age of 16 are not required to register with the police and no figures are available for them.

No current figures are available of the number of aliens who are employed or engaged in gainful occupations in this country, but the occupational tables of the 1931 Census show that at that date there were 77,177 male and 25,676 female aliens aged 14 and over occupied in England and Wales. These tables also give considerable information as to the nature of the occupations and the nationality of the aliens.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total amount of fines levied on the 4,717 motorists convicted in the city of Birmingham in 1938 of offences of obstruction under the Road Traffic Acts?

There were in Birmingham during 1938, 4,835 convictions on charges of obstruction of highway or road, and the fines imposed for these offences (excluding costs) amounted to £5,552 2s. 6d.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will authorise the issue of a visa to Mrs. Necha Schmerzier, of Chemnitz, guaranteed by her son-in-law who has a well-known factory at Leek, and applied for the visa as long ago as 10th January?

My right hon. Friend understands, after inquiring of the German Jewish Aid Committee to which the application was referred in accordance with the usual practice, that their recommendation in the case may be expected in the course of the next few days. As soon as it is received there will be no avoidable delay in reaching a decision.