asked the Prime Minister whether the recent decisions to send the British Ambassador back to Berlin, and that the British Ambassador should attend the victory march in Madrid were taken after consultation with, and had the prior approval of, the French Government?

As regards the return of His Majesty's Ambassador to Berlin, the answer is in the affirmative. It was not thought necessary to consult the French Government beforehand about the attendance of His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid at the victory march. But that the French Government were in agreement in this matter with His Majesty's Government is shown by the fact that the French Ambassador at Madrid was also present at the parade, as the House was informed in the Debate on 19th May.

asked the Prime Minister whether, at the present session of the League of Nations Council, the British Government propose to report recent measures taken to secure the peace of Europe with Poland, Rumania, Greece, and Turkey with a view to their recognition as a contribution to the collective security contemplated under the Covenant?

My Noble Friend made a statement to the Council of the League of Nations yesterday, as follows:

Text of Statement by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to Council of League of Nations. May 23rd.

I have asked permission to make a short statement on the general political situation because I desired to explain briefly the view which His Majesty's Government take of recent events in Europe and of their future attitude to the League of Nations.

The changes which have taken place in Europe since last September are present to all our minds. It is not necessary for the representative of His Majesty's Government to restate their attitude towards these events, nor is this the occasion to discuss them in detail.

But they have imposed upon His Majesty's Government a certain course of action, on which I ought to say a word or two. We have in consequence of what has passed felt obliged to undertake certain obligations of a particular character directed towards specific and well-defined ends. One principle is common to all these obligations that we have assumed; namely, resistance to the imposition of solutions by the method of force, which if continued, must result in reducing civilisation to anarchy and destruction.

The particular action which His Majesty's Government have taken has not been carried out through the League. This was in the circumstances impossible. But everything that His Majesty's Government have done is in strict conformity with the spirit of the League Covenant. The negotiations on which His Majesty's Government are engaged are not yet completed. When they are, His Majesty's Government will propose to take an appropriate opportunity for communicating their result to the League.

This is not the occasion for detailed discussion of the events to which I have alluded, but there will, I think, be general agreement that they have inevitably affected the political influence and activity of the League. It could not be otherwise, and we should be less than frank with ourselves and with the world if we refused to acknowledge the fact. But I should like to make it clear that His Majesty's Government hold no less strongly than they have ever done to the ideals of international collaboration of which the League has been and is the symbol. I am glad to think that many nations who are not members of the League are still fully alive to the great value of all the work that is done for the welfare of humanity through the labour, health, social or other technical organisations of the League. Moreover, the great end and purpose, in loyalty to which the League was founded, and to which it has sought to give expression, transcends any organisation or outward form. That purpose can never fade or die, whatever may be the practical methods adopted for giving to it at any particular moment practical expression. All members of the League will look forward to the day when all nations may be able and willing to work together in the ways of peace for the common good of all. His Majesty's Government will in the meantime so far as possible frame their policy, not only to defend our present order against forcible disruption, but more positively to revive those elements on which the re-establishment of international co-operation in a comprehensive, vigorous and practical form depends.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement on the membership of the Permanent Mandates Commission since the resignation of three members; and whether he is prepared to support the election of new members in the place of those resigned?

The Rapporteur to the Council of the League of Nations for the questions relating to mandates recently requested the Council to study the problem of the present composition of the Permanent Mandates Commission. Pending the completion of this study I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has any further statement to make as to the Governments policy in regard to reparation of damage done to premises and to machinery as a result of war?

I cannot add anything to the statements made on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what have been the rates of Income Tax and Surtax in each of the last 10 years; to what gross income figures the taxes have each been applied in each year; and what have been the respective annual yields?

I would refer the hon. Member to the tables on pages 43, 44, 48, 60 and 61 of the 81st annual report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cmd. 5865 of 1939) which give the particulars required for the 10 years to 1937–38, the last year available. The rates of Income Tax and Surtax in force in 1938–39 are shown on page 21, and the yield of these taxes in 1938–39 on page 3 of the Budget "Financial Statement (1939–40)." (House of Commons Paper No. 104.)

asked the Home Secretary whether any permits to enter this country have been recently given in respect of adult Spaniards now in concentration camps at Perpignan or elsewhere, and, if so, in what circumstances; whether he has satisfied himself that such persons if admitted will not associate themselves with movements or persons unfriendly to the Spanish Government; and whether, having regard to the fact that their lives are not in danger, he will refuse any further such permits?

Arrangements have been made to admit a limited number of Spaniards who have been residing temporarily in France to the care of the British Committee for Refugees from Spain who have guaranteed their maintenance while in the United Kingdom. The committee is actively engaged in securing the emigration of these people to different countries and some have already left. The committee have obtained an undertaking from the refugees admitted to this country that they will not take part in any form of political activity while they are here, and on this understanding my right hon. Friend does not think objection can properly be taken to the temporary residence here of persons who propose to emigrate as soon as arrangements can be made for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has drawn the attention of the Edinburgh authorities to the fact that, according to the Return for 1938, one person per 8,608 of the population was killed in road accidents in 1938; that in Aberdeen one in 16,725; in Dundee one in 12,542; in Glasgow one in 9,465; and whether he is satisfied that adequate and reasonable arrangements are made in Edinburgh by way of islands, pedestrian crossings, and automatic signals for the safety of the population?

I have not considered it necessary formally to draw the attention of the Edinburgh Corporation to the accident figures quoted by my hon. Friend. I am advised that the safety measures now being taken by the corporation should be adequate to deal with the existing traffic conditions.

I may add that I recently approved a scheme, which is now being completed, for the provision of a further 41 pedestrian crossings in Edinburgh and I understand that the corporation are at present considering the provision of additional traffic signals, pedestrian crossings and islands.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the total expenditure on the improvement of trunk roads in Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire, stated for each county separately, from the time when the liability was undertaken by the State, to the most recent date?

From 1st April, 1937, to 30th April, 1939, the expenditure on major improvement schemes on trunk roads in Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire amounted respectively to £15,645 and £8,233. In addition, approximately £66,000 was spent in Monmouthshire and £68,000 in Glamorganshire during the same period on the maintenance and minor improvement of trunk roads.

In the County of Monmouth schemes to a value of approximately £143,000 on the London-Fishguard trunk road and £13,500 on the Newport-Shrewsbury trunk road have been approved for commencement so soon as the necessary preliminary works, including the acquisition of land, have been settled. Further schemes estimated to cost approximately £250,000 are also in course of preparation.

In the County of Glamorgan schemes to a value of approximately £27,000 on the London-Fishguard trunk road and £15,000 on the Swansea-Manchester trunk road have been approved for commencement and further schemes estimated to cost £323,000 are in course of preparation.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he has consulted the London County Council with reference to the extension of the Western Avenue from Wood Lane to the Harrow Road; and whether any difficulties stand in the way of this improvement being commenced;

(2) whether, in view of the proposed plans for the evacuation of the population of London in the event of an emergency and the setting aside of certain routes for the use of those who will make their own arrangements and of the general traffic needs of the Metropolis, he will consider putting in hand plans for the extension of the Western Avenue eastwards from Wood Lane to the Harrow Road?

The road referred to is part of one of the most important projects—the East-West connection—recommended by Sir Charles Bressey in his report. The authority responsible for the construction of the road is the London County Council. I regret that the negotiations which have been proceeding between the council and my Department concerning the financial terms on which certain selected schemes in the report, agreed as to priority should be put in hand, have not yet resulted in agreement being reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether he will state on what dates the Burma legislature agreed to expenditure on the road linking China and Burma; which Shan Chiefs were consulted; and in what terms they gave their assent; and what communications were addressed to, or received by, the hill tribes through whose lands the road passes?

The question of expenditure on improvements of the Lashio-Kyuhkok road has not come before the Burma Legislature since the general revenues of Burma have not been concerned. I understand that the expenditure involved would, in the nature of the case, be open to discussion by the Federal Council of Shan Chiefs in the course of consideration of proposed expenditure from the Federal Fund; but I am seeking further information in regard to the relevant proceedings. The hill tribes through whose land the road runs are entirely in the Shan State of North Hsenwi, the Sawbwa of which is a member of the Federal Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that a circular has been issued by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation offering to barter cotton with certain European countries for a range of goods which this country is already in a position to supply to the maximum requirements; and whether he proposes to take any steps thereon;

(2) Whether, in view of the circular issued by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation offering to barter cotton goods for a range of supplies of which this country can already supply full requirements, he will take steps to protect such trades by a quota?

I am aware that a circular of the kind to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was issued some months ago, but I have no information that any business of this kind has been done. If imports under any such arrangements were having an adverse effect on the sale of corresponding articles of home production, it would be, of course, open to the United Kingdom interests concerned to make representations to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for an increase of the import duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that many of our agricultural industries, iron and steel, etc., are protected by a quota against foreign subsidised goods, he will give other trades similar protection, so far as they are in a position to supply the full needs of this country at an equitable price?

The special circumstances which led to quotas on certain agricultural products and to the special duty arrangements for iron and steel do not arise in the case of manufactured goods generally; and I think that our tariff system is adequate to deal with competition of the kind to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many berths in the Greenock area were occupied with merchant shipping under construction, and how many berths there were vacant as at the 1st January, 1939; how many of the merchant ships then under construction have since been launched; how many keels for new ships have been laid in this area since the 1st January, 1939; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the prospects of shipbuilding in this area during the current year?

I understand that the position in the Port Glasgow and Greenock area on the 1st January, 1939, was substantially the same as at the end of February last, when the hon. and learned Member was informed that there were 18 ocean-going ships under construction and that berths with capacity for 19 such vessels were vacant. Since the beginning of the year 14 vessels have been launched, but my right hon. Friend has no information as to the number of keels laid, though he understands that orders for 22 new merchant ships have been placed. This clearly points to a substantial improvement in the prospects of the shipbuilding industry in the area during the current year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any further statement as to the procedure to be adopted in giving effect to the suggested barter arrangements with the United States?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given yesterday to the hon. Members for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) and for Oldham (Mr. Dodd).

asked the Attorney-General whether he is in a position to indicate whether it has yet been decided to appoint a committee to inquire into the giving of legal advice to poor persons; and, if so, can he say how the committee is to be constituted and when it will commence its deliberations?

No, Sir, but the matter is still under the consideration of my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the appellant, Mrs. Borders, in the case of the Bradford Third Equitable Building Society versus Borders, has, in accordance with the regulations of the Lord Chancellor's Department to pay for a shorthand note of the proceedings in the lower court before she can go on with her appeal and that the cost of the note is £226; that the judge before whom the case was heard has refused to sanction the cost of the note being borne by public funds, and that in consequence Mrs. Borders cannot appeal; and whether, in view of the general importance of this case, he will have provision made for payment from the public funds of the cost of the note?

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the inability of Mrs. Florence Elsie Borders to prosecute her appeal in the action brought against her by the Bradford Third Equitable Building Society owing to the necessity of furnishing a transcript of the earlier proceedings at a cost of £226, the court having refused to allow such transcript to be supplied at public cost; and whether, to prevent any poor person unable to bear this cost being denied the opportunity of appeal, he will consider initiating a change in the law to safeguard the interests of poor litigants?

My Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is looking with sympathy into the points raised in these questions. I cannot say at the moment whether he will be in a position to take any action with regard to this case but he appreciates the importance of the points raised to litigants generally.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the number of selections made of executive warrant officers for the rank of lieutenant under the new scheme announced on 9th March; their ages on selection; branch of warrant rank, seniority as such; and whether from ship or shore appointment and home or foreign service, respectively?

Ages on promotion to Acting Sub.-Lieutenant on 1st September, 1937. Class of Certificate obtained in: Marks. Time to serve as Sub.-Lieutenant. Seniority as Lieutenant. Ages on promotion. Seamanship. War Course. Navigation. Gunnery. Torpedo. Signals. Years. Months. Years. Months. Years. Months. 21 4 2 2 1 2 2 1 16 1 8 1–9–1939 23 4 20 10 2 2 2 1 2 3 12 1 10 1–11–1939 23 - 22 9 1 2 3 — 3 2 * — — — 21 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 14 1 9 1–10–1939 23 3 21 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 8 2 - 1–1–1940 23 7 21 6 1 3 2 2 1 2 14 1 9 1–10–1939 23 7 22 - 1 2 2 2 3 3 10 1 11 1–12–1939 24 3 20 9 1 2 2 2 2 1 16 1 8 1–9–1939 22 9 21 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 20 1 6 1–7–1939 22 11 21 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 14 1 9 1–10–1939 23 3 23 8 1 2 2 2 1 1 18 1 7 1–8–1939 25 7 23 - 2 2 2 2 1 2 14 1 9 1–10–1939 25 1 24 5 1 2 2 2 2 3 12 1 10 1–11–1939 26 7 Officers have to serve afloat for six months to obtain Watch-Keeping Certificates before promotion to Lieutnant. * Has not completed his courses owing to sickness.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present approximate number of officers and men in the Mercantile Marine who are between the ages of 20 and 21 years; and what proportion of these will be able to perform their training under the Military Training Bill in branches of the Royal Naval Special Reserve?

The information asked for by the hon. Member is not yet available as the selection of warrant officers for promotion to lieutenant under the scheme promulgated last March has not yet been completed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the ages, on the date of their promotion to acting sub-lieutenant, of the 13 ratings commissioned on 1st September, 1937; the certificates obtained in their various examinations; the accelerated promotion obtained; the dates they are due for promotion to lieutenant; and their ages on that date?

The information is as follows:

I have ascertained from my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, that the present number of officers and men in the Mercantile Marine between the ages of 20 and 21 is estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000. I hope that it will be possible to arrange for almost all of these officers and men to perform their training in the Royal Naval Special Reserve if they express a preference for naval training.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give a list of ports at which training facilities for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve are now available; and to what extent it is proposed to add to this list during the current year?

Training facilities are now available at the following ports: London—London Division. Glasgow and Greenock—Clyde Division. Dundee and Leith—East Scottish Division. Bristol—Severn Division. Liverpool and Birkenhead—Mersey Division. Hove and Newhaven—Sussex Division. Newcastle and South Shields—Tyne Division. Belfast—Ulster Division.

In addition, the Humber Division has begun recruiting and the drill ship is expected to berth at Hull shortly.

A division will be opened at Southampton (Solent Division) during the latter part of the year and another at Cardiff (South Wales Division) at the end of the year or the early part of 1940.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the number of the 722 recruits between the ages of 20 and 21 who were entered in the Navy during the year ended 31st March, 1939, who joined for long service of 12 years, and short service of seven years, respectively?

Five hundred and seven of these recruits entered for 12 years continuous service and 215 entered on Special Service engagements.

asked the Minister of Labour whether estimates have been made of the numbers of skilled and unskilled workers, respectively, who will be required in view of the increased programme of remarmament and arrangements made whereby they will be available and where necessary trained when they are required?

It has been found by experience that such estimates cannot be made with sufficient precision of detail to be of practical value and moreover are liable to be falsified by changes in the many factors on which they depend. More satisfactory results are obtained by maintaining close contact with the producing establishments and taking such steps as seem most suitable in the particular case for meeting their actual or impending requirements. I have no reason to suppose that the needs of the situation cannot be met in this way.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Cement Marketing Board, Limited, have agreed to purchase the goodwill and liquid assets of the Warren Cement Works, Limited, Hartlepool, with a view to closing down the works; that the effect of such closing down would be to deprive 107 men of employment in a town which already has over 40 per cent. of its insured population receiving unemployment benefit; that the works could be operated at a profit; that capital can be raised locally to maintain the works in existence; and whether he is prepared, in furtherance of the Government's policy to assist the special areas, to use his influence to ensure that the works shall not be closed down?

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of unemployed persons on statutory benefit at the Employment Exchanges of Pontypool, Blaenavon and Pontnewydd whose benefit is supplemented by grants from the Unemployment Assistance Board; and the total expenditure incurred by such grants during the present year?

During the week ended 12th May, 1939, the numbers of persons receiving payments of unemployment assistance allowances in supplementation of insurance benefit were seven at Pontypool, four at Blaenavon, and three at Pontnewydd. The total amounts so paid at these three Employment Exchanges between 31st December, 1938, and 12th May, 1939, were £101, £34 and £47, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dispute involving stoppage of work at the cabinet works of Messrs. H. Schuman, Limited, Tottenham; and in view of the fact that 130 persons have been involved since the 24th April, will his conciliation officer approach the firm with a view to the opening of negotiations to terminate the stoppage?

This dispute was reported to my Department at an early stage and arrangements were made for meetings between the parties concerned. These meetings failed to produce a complete settlement of the matters in dispute and a stoppage of work took place on 24th April. Efforts have since been made to terminate the stoppage and are being continued.

asked the Minister of Labour which Vote will carry the charges to be incurred by him in connection with the calling up of recruits, and the services of courts of referees as proposed in the Military Training Bill?

These expenses will be borne on the Vote for the Ministry of Labour (Class V.8) and the necessary Supplementary Estimate will be presented to the House in due course.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some public assistance committees are ignoring the Act of 1934 and are still reckoning as income in assessing an applicant's needs the first 20s. of his disability pension; whether, in view of this, and in order to show how assessments are arrived at, he will take the necessary steps to ensure that this information is available by request of the applicant as is already done in similar circumstances in the cases of those applying to the Unemployment Assistance Board?

My right hon. Friend has no information to suggest that public assistance authorities are hot giving effect to the statutory provisions relating to wounds or disability pensions, but I should be glad to look into any cases of which my hon. Friend may be aware. The suggestion made in the second part of the question is not one which could suitably be adopted in relation to public assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Sierra Leone Government have been asked to institute an inquiry into the charges made to them of flogging and the administration of pepper employed to induce the prompt payment of Government taxes in the Colony and, in particular, at Bunumbu; or what steps have been taken to refute them?

The Governor informs me that while there has been no specific demand for an inquiry, he was asked "for any report or information which the Government would be in a position to supply" on the matter. An incident at Bunumbu had already been reported, and an investigation begun on 6th February revealed that four persons had been tied up by Chiefdom Messengers, who rubbed pepper on them. These messengers have been dismissed and are liable to action for assault, while a Court Messenger who was present but took no active part has been punished by reduction in rank. No chief or member of the tribal authority was involved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement about the arrest, imprisonment, and trial of George Pratt, the secretary of a trade union, in Sierra Leone; how long he waited trial and how he was treated in prison; and, in view of the fact that this African was unanimously acquitted by a mixed jury last week, is he satisfied that he was lawfully arrested on a bona fide charge?

Mr. Pratt was arrested at the beginning of February when bail was refused by the magistrate. He was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on the charge of false imprisonment and admitted to bail on the 7th March. As regards his treatment in prison I would invite attention to the reply given on the 29th March to the question by the hon. Member for West Fife. I am awaiting a report from the Governor upon this case, but on the information before me I see no grounds for supposing that Mr. Pratt was not lawfully arrested on a bona fide charge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Mr. George Pratt, general secretary of the Amalgamated Workers' Union, of Sierra Leone, was acquitted of the charges against him by a mixed jury, on 17th May, and that Mr. Pratt denies having told any members of the Leverhulme Trust Commission that he was satisfied with his treatment while awaiting trial; and whether he will cause investigation to be made of the charges brought by Mr. Pratt against the administration of Sierra Leone?

As regards the first part of the question, I am awaiting a report from the Governor on this case. As regards the second part, I am aware of Mr. Pratt's repudiation of the account of their interview with him given by two hon. Members of this House. I have no doubt as to the reliability of their account. I am not clear what specific charges by Mr. Pratt are referred to in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that mass demonstrations have been held in Sierra Leone protesting against the great physical strain upon workers due to the prevailing long hours of work in the Colony, and demanding a 48-hour week for all classes of labour; and whether he is taking steps to secure this reform?

I am aware that dissatisfaction exists among certain workers in connection with hours of labour, and that meetings on the subject have been held. I have asked the Governor for his observations on the matter. An experienced Labour Secretary has been appointed to Sierra Leone and will take up his duties in July. He will no doubt review the whole question of wages and conditions of labour, and I shall await the Governor's recommendations in the light of that review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the public protests made in the Protectorate of Sierra Leone that contrary to the provisions of the Native Administrative Ordinance poll taxes instead of hut taxes are being collected in every province upon children from six years of age and upwards and that as a result parents are willing to sell their children to pay these taxes; and what action he proposes in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but I am asking the Governor for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a statement regarding his intentions to implement the terms of the Gold Coast Commission?

I am informed by the Governor of the Gold Coast that although he is not yet in a position to submit his considered opinion on the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, the reports of the local Examining Committees having only recently been received, preliminary examination of those reports makes it clear to him that no modification of the marketing system is possible in respect of the 1939–40 crop.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will recommend to the Governor of the Gold Coast the payment of some ex gratia sum to the 70 Oloto fishermen who, because of the construction of a public causeway, have been deprived of their fishing?

I have received no information on this matter but will ask the Governor for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the growing usefulness of the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture at Trinidad, he will consider either the extension of this college in order that it should be enabled to train an increased number of officers, or, if this is not possible, the creation of another college with similar aims in view?

I am advised that the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture is able to provide the training in tropical agriculture and agricultural sciences for all such officers as are required by Colonial Dependencies at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken with regard to the irrigation scheme in Cyprus; and when is it thought that the scheme will be completed?

I have approved the beginning of work on irrigation schemes estimated to cost about £64,000. It is estimated that these schemes will take about four years to complete. In the meantime, the further investigations of the water engineer continue to make satisfactory progress, and he has recently reported the discovery of an abundant shallow underground supply in the Eastern Mesaoria area, which has hitherto had to rely on winter flood waters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, in pursuance of Section 49 of the Native Lands Trust Ordinance, 1938, active steps are now being taken to extinguish native rights in land in the Highlands and natives are being evicted from their ancestral lands and the farms on which they are now residing; and whether adequate, fertile and suitable land equal to that vacated can be offered to the natives now under notice?

The rights of natives in the Highlands have been extinguished by Section 70 of the Native Lands Trust Ordinance, 1938, and steps are now being taken with a view to the transfer of such natives to alternative land. It is, however, provided in the Ordinance that pending transfer the enjoyment of these rights—which have been formally extinguished—shall not be restricted. With regard to the procedure to be followed regarding the provision of suitable alternative land, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on the 21st of December last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the amount of grant paid by the Government for the education of African children in elementary schools each year in Kenya?

I assume that by "elementary schools" the hon. Member means all schools covering the first six years of normal school life. On that assumption, the answer, in round figures, is £55,000 in 1937, £62,000 in 1938, and an estimated sum of £65,000 in 1939. These figures do not include the expenses of direction and inspection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount paid by the average able-bodied African in direct taxation each year in Kenya?

The rate of direct native taxation in Kenya is prescribed annually by the Governor. In 1939 the normal rate has been fixed at 12s., although in certain areas a lower rate is fixed varying from 3s. to 10s.

In addition a local native council may, with the approval of the Governor, impose a rate on adult male natives living within its area. The latest figures available are in respect of 1937, when such rates varied from 50 cents to 2s. per head.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number of children of school age, European and African, respectively, attending elementary schools in Kenya, and the number of children of school age in each case?

The latest figures available are those for 1937. In that year 121,577 African children attended elementary schools. I have no figures to show the total of African children of elementary school age. As regards European children 1,681 is the answer to both parts of the question.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will take steps to obtain and display in selected enclosures at the east end of St. James's Park, or near the lake, a few out-of-door metal or stone garden ornaments, such as those placed in private pleasure grounds?

I have been asked to reply. The charm of St. James's Park lies largely in its natural beauty, and I do not think that garden ornaments would be a desirable or appropriate addition to it.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the fact that housing schemes and normal building construction are being held up in order to give precedence to buildings for rearmament purposes, and that as a result there is growing depression in the slate industry, he will give instructions for the inclusion of slates in all specifications relating to such buildings?

I have been asked to reply. The roofing of all buildings in munition factories is governed by special safety considerations, and the use of slates for the roofing of such buildings is not practicable. They are, however, used in suitable cases, such as housing estates in connection with armament works, in districts where slate is readily available.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many sandbags have been ordered from India for use in this country; and how many have been delivered?

Two hundred million have been ordered and forty-one million delivered to date.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the latest price that is being charged for sandbags; and whether he will give the comparative prices for three months ago and one year ago?

As compared with the price a year ago, the price of sandbags bought by the Government in Dundee three months ago was about 7½ per cent. higher and the price now is about 17 per cent. higher. The contract provides for the price to vary with the price of jute.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the proved value of the ordnance factories to the Army and the naval dockyards to the Navy, he will consider establishing national factories for aircraft production for the Air Ministry?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on this matter on the 9th March last in the Debate on Air Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how much of the estimated £763,000 required in 1939 for experimental and research establishments is to be spent on the search for new defence weapons, as against improving existing methods and weapons?

I regret that it is not possible to sub-divide as suggested the sub-head of Air Vote 3 to which the hon. Member refers. He may rest assured, however, that the development of new equipment is in the forefront of the programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Civil Air Guard is primarily intended to augment our air strength in time of war; and, if so, whether it is kept under review by the Air Staff or is planned for by the Department of Civil Aviation?

The Civil Air Guard is designed to provide a body of men and women physically fit and with a knowledge of flying who have pledged themselves to give their services at once in a national emergency either to the Royal Air Force or otherwise in support of our air effort. It is a civilian organisation run under the auspices of the light aeroplane clubs and centrally administered by a commission, which is at all times in the closest contact with the Civil Aviation Department of the Air Ministry. There is also close consultation with the Service authorities in my Department in regard to the duties which members of the Civil Air Guard will perform in an emergency.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to issue lapel badges to members of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and, if so, at what date; and whether the issue of the badges promised for the Auxiliary Air Force, in answer to a question, on 20th July, 1938, by the hon. Member for North St. Pancras has yet begun?

Yes, Sir. It is proposed to issue lapel badges to members of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Deliveries of badges for the Auxiliary Air Force are expected to commence about the end of this month and to be completed during June. This also applies to the badges for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to see that the parents or grandparents of conscripts who have to seek assistance at the public assistance committee to supplement their old age pensions will receive an allowance sufficient to relieve them of the necessity of going to the public assistance committee while the son or grandson is serving in the Army?

Details of the scheme for the provision of allowances for dependants, other than wives and children, of militiamen are still under consideration, and I cannot at present add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on Wednesday, 17th May last.

Process. Refined Motor Spirit. Other Refined Light Oils. Creosote and Heavy Oils. Million Gallons. Million Gallons. Million Gallons. Hydrogenation … … 42.3 — — High temperature carbonization … … 54.7 13.9 105.0* Low temperature carbonization … … 1.3 — * Some proportion of these heavy oils are hydrogenated to obtain the quantity of motor spirit shown.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the percentage of horses and mules, respectively, belonging to the Army at home, which were cast from the Service, apart from those destroyed for veterinary reasons, during each of the financial years, 1935–36, 1936–37 and 1937–38?

The percentages are as follow: Financial year. Horses. Mules. Per cent. Per cent. 1935–36 … … 7.43 82.54 1936–37 … … 25.13 68.97 1937–38 … … 42.83 40.00

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the urgent necessity to assist now the producers of mutton and lamb in Wales, he will arrange for the scheme recently announced by him to be put into immediate operation?

I am unable to anticipate the legislation which I hope to introduce at an early date.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the amount of light and heavy oils, respectively, produced from British coal during 1938; and how these amounts were divided amongst the various processes?

The quantities of light oils and of creosote and heavy oils respectively produced from coal in Great Britain in 1938 were as follow: