asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in reference to the advertisement last month for persons, with a knowledge of the herring industry to act as local port officers, how many applications were received, the names of those appointed, and the conditions of service applicable in each case?

I am informed by the Herring Industry Board that 163 applications were received and that nine appointments have so far been made, namely:

• Peterhead, Mr. W. B. Sutherland.
• Fraserburgh, Mr. R. H. Johnston.
• Macduff, Mr. Stanley Paterson.
• Lerwick, Mr. George McGee.
• Stornoway, Mr. William Donaldson.
• Castlebay, Mr. F. Smith.
• Mallaig, Mr. A. N. Cunningham.
• Clyde Area, Mr. A. Thomson.
• North Shields, Mr. L. Thomson.

I understand that the appointments are temporary and that these officers will, under the direction of the Board and with the assistance of local Consultative Committees, carry out the duties of regulation which in previous years were delegated to area committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Barr Farm Bungalow Colony Association, Skelmorlie, Ayrshire, have been warned off their ground at May, 1940; that there is accommodation on this site for 1,000 women and children; that the estimated cost of the property on this site is between £4,000 and £5,000; and what steps he intends to take to prevent the eviction of these people from their huts, and the destruction of this scheme which has been so successful in ministering to national fitness?

I understand that the agreements between the members of the association and the proprietors of the site are due to expire in May, 1940. I am informed that the county council are in communication with the proprietors on the subject of an extension of the agreements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland under what authority the Scottish local education authorities exercise powers with respect to the provision of clothing and footwear for necessitous schoolchildren, which cannot be exercised by the English and Welsh local education authorities?

The powers of education authorities in Scotland to provide clothing (including footwear) for necessitous school children in certain circumstances are derived from Section 6 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further steps the Government are taking to implement their promise as regards the limitation of profits by firms engaged on armament work?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of gold held by the Bank of England on account of the Bank for International Settlement; and is this amount included in the bank's weekly return?

I have no power to obtain the information asked for in the first part of the question and I would remind the hon. Member that banks are precluded from disclosing the state of the accounts of their customers. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to enable the views of His Majesty's Government to be reflected in the financial policy of the Bank of England in its foreign relations?

The financial policy of the Bank of England in its relations with foreign central banks is always guided, so far as political questions are concerned, by the views of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what arrangements are made by the Inland Revenue authorities to permit persons such as actors, who may earn a substantial sum in one financial year and very little in others, to pay Income Tax on their average earnings over a number of years?

The profits of all trades, professions, vocations and employments are chargeable to Income Tax on the general basis of the preceding year, and there is no provision permitting tax to be accepted on the basis of average earnings over a number of years.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury for what reason certain hotels and restaurants in the West-end of London have been asked to pay entertainment tax in respect of floor shows which they provide; and whether he proposes to take any action in this connection so far as night-clubs and bottle-parties where floor shows are also given?

With regard to the first part of the question, Entertainments Duty has been claimed from hotels and restaurants where legal liability to the duty arises; with regard to the second part, the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether, since as the result of an analysis white bread made by a large London bakery was found to contain 37.6 per cent, of water, he will have an analysis made of bread from various districts throughout the country and consider introducing legislation to prohibit such a high percentage of water in bread sold throughout this country?

The percentage of moisture content referred to is not, as I am advised, so high as to call for the action suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the survey of the housing problems of the rural areas of Wales recently undertaken by his housing inspectors; and whether he can now announce what measures are to be adopted to deal with the problem?

The survey of housing conditions in rural Wales which, as I informed the House last month, the housing inspectors of my Department are carrying out, is proceeding with expedition. Eleven districts have now been visited. I have already received two reports and have communicated with the local authorities concerned on points raised in these reports. The remaining reports are in course of preparation and will be ready very shortly.The programme involves visits to a large number of local authorities and each visit entails a thorough inspection of the area and consultation with members and officers of the local authority. The hon. Member will, I am sure, appreciate that at this stage I am not in a position to make any general pronouncement of the kind to which he refers.

asked the Minister of Health what sites have been chosen for the proposed hutted hospitals to be erected in Wales in consultation with the Welsh National Memorial Association; and when it is proposed to proceed with their construction?

As stated in the reply which I gave on the nth May to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cardiff, South (Captain Evans), the districts in which the hutted accommodation is to be erected are North Wales, Central Wales, possibly in the Shrewsbury area, and South Wales. As regards North Wales, the building of huts for 200 beds as an extension of the North Wales Sanatorium near Denbigh is to begin immediately, and I am personally cutting the first sod on Saturday next. My officers are visiting a number of sites in South Wales in order to select one which will meet the requirements of a complete hospital. As regards the third district, I am in communication with the local authorities with a view to attaching huts to an existing institution. Construction in these two cases will commence as soon as the final selection has been made and the necessary estimates obtained.

asked the Minister of Health when community centres are to be built for the new housing estates in Huyton near Liverpool?

I am informed that the Liverpool Corporation have before them proposals for a community centre to serve their Norris Green Housing Estate and intend to consider plans for other centres, one of which will serve their estate at Huyton. It cannot at present be stated when that centre will be built.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now state what action he proposes to take to remedy the unsatisfactory conditions to which reference is made in the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Anti-Tuberculosis Service in Wales and Monmouthshire, especially as regards the low salaries paid to sanitary inspectors and inadequate travelling allowances; the appointment of unqualified persons as sanitary inspectors; the failure on the part of local authorities to accept the advice of their officers; the holding of multiple appointments by sanitary inspectors; the registration of cow-keepers and dairymen without regard to the condition of their premises; and the inadequacy of staff for the purposes of meat inspection and other duties?

As I have stated in answer to previous questions, I have asked for the observations of the local authorities in Wales on these and other issues arising out of the report; and as soon as I have received their observations, I propose to arrange a conference at which these matters will be fully discussed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation to provide that parish meetings or parish councils shall be empowered to provide a parish pound for straying sheep or cattle?

Under the existing law I can confer the necessary powers on rural district councils in respect of the whole or part of their districts. I have no evidence which suggests that parish councils or parish meetings themselves desire these powers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can report the progress made in supplying those villages that were short of water during the last drought, and to which assistance was to be provided under the special grant made?

Since the drought, schemes have been sanctioned for 2,700 parishes at an estimated cost of £9,000,000, and approximately 80 per cent, of the schemes have been completed.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the inter-connection of water supply mains of the various authorities as a safeguard against drought and the effects of an air attack?

The mains of numerous water undertakings are interconnected as a safeguard against drought and the effects of an air attack.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered a communication from the Ashton-in-Makerfield Urban District Council relating to the burning pitheap at Garswood Hall Colliery, Bryn, near Wigan; whether he is aware that there has been no improvement since he visited the colliery last year; and whether he is prepared to take such action with this colliery company, as will bring about an immediate improvement?

The district council have sent me a copy of a letter they have sent to the colliery company. As regards the two latter parts of the question I am informed that the remedial works referred to in the reply to the hon. Member on the 20th April will be operating this month.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have suspended work on slum clearance and overcrowding schemes to concentrate on Civil Defence needs?

As my hon. Friend is aware my right hon. Friend, the Lord Privy Seal, issued on 18th April last a circular to local authorities requesting them to give priority to Civil Defence matters over other business for the ensuing three months. Seven cases have come to my notice in which local authorities have decided to suspend housing operations for the time being as a result of this request.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make any statement with regard to the inquiry which he addressed to local authorities concerning their plans for public works and development in the next five years; and if authorities have now completed their returns?

By 31st May returns showing provisional programmes of capital expenditure covering the five years commencing 1st April, 1938, had been received from 1,791 local authorities, representing nearly three-quarters of the whole. The estimated capital cost of the works provisionally included in these programmes would be about £827.000,000. The completion of outstanding returns has been delayed by the pressure of work at present falling upon local authorities with respect to Civil Defence and other matters.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the Report of the Departmental Committee on Distress for Rent; and whether it is the intention of the Government to publish the Report along with the evidence submitted to the committee?

I am informed that it is unlikely that the committee will be in a position to submit their Report before the autumn. It would be premature to consider the point raised in the second part of the question until the Report is received.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in his present consideration of whether further control should be imposed on the sale of proprietary medicines, he will extend his examination to the control of drug sales in general and pay due regard to the desirability, in the interests of public health, of regulating the growing volume of sales of numerous kinds of drugs and packed medicines by persons of no training or qualification to the increasing commercial detriment of qualified pharmacists who have an essential place in our public health system?

I will consider the question whether in the interests of public health any further special control is necessary in regard to the sale of drugs by persons other than qualified pharmacists.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a considerable number of amendments to the model form of building by-laws submitted by local authorities have been refused by his Department; that in the case of certain authorities such refusal will relax the existing standards of building in the areas concerned; and whether he is prepared to allow amendments in the case of authorities whose existing by-laws secure higher standards of building than those prescribed by the model clauses?

Under the Public Health Act, 1936, building by-laws throughout the country made prior to the passing of the Act will lapse in July next. Owing to the shortness of time available to make new by-laws, I have found it necessary to inform local authorities that I cannot now undertake to examine any proposals for new by-laws which involve modifications of the model series unless these suggestions are of a minor character and are fully justified by local circumstances.As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the model series was prepared with the assistance of an expert advisory committee. Whilst it may be true that some existing series of by-laws contain provisions in respect of certain matters more onerous than those which are incorporated in the model, I have no reason to think that the standards of building prescribed in the model are not as high as can reasonably be required.

asked the Minister of Health how many able-bodied persons were in receipt of public assistance from the London County Council on 31st March 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939, or nearest convenient date?

Statistical information in the exact form desired by the right hon. Gentleman is not available, but the average number of persons (excluding dependants) ordinarily engaged in some regular occupation who were in receipt of out-relief on account of unemployment from the London County Council in March 1939, was 1,204. The corresponding figure for March, 1938, was 1,126. I regret that the information for the earlier years is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will ascertain how many aliens are in receipt of poor relief; and when he will be able to state what the number is?

I do not think I should be justified in imposing on local authorities the labour and expense which the compilation of a special return giving the information desired would involve.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were in receipt of assistance from the Unemployment Assistance Board dealing with the East London district from East India Dock Road on 31st March 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939, or nearest convenient date?

I regret that I am unable to identify the precise area in respect of which figures are required. If the right hon. Member will furnish me with further details I will supply him with the available statistics.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the booklet prepared by and for use at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in connection with air-raid precautions scheme; and whether his Department can use it as the basis of its recommendations to other large hospitals in our great cities?

I have seen the booklet and consider it most useful. Its object is, however, to instruct members of the infirmary staff in their duties in the event of air raids, and it would not be suitable for general use, in view of the wide variations between the different hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Government to purchase sites for the erection of camps in Teesdale or Weardale, in County Durham, for evacuation and educational purposes so as to give a measure of protection to our school population in the event of war?

The choice of sites for camps in England and Wales lies in the first instance with the National Camps Corporation. I am not aware that sites in either of the dales mentioned by the hon. Member are under consideration, but I understand that it is proposed to erect two camps within reach of the evacuation areas of Northumberland and Durham, and that sites are being selected for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to give any assurance that those householders living in reception areas who wish to take in friends and relatives in the event of the evacuation scheme being put into force, will be permitted to do so; and whether he can take steps to allay the anxiety which exists in many counties in regard to this matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made in the House during the Debate on the Civil Defence Bill on 24th May.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in Lancashire for evolving schemes for the evacuation of schoolchildren and other appropriate sections of the community; and whether registration has yet been instituted?

Schemes have been worked out for members of the priority classes living in congested zones in Lancashire (i) around the Merseyside, i.e. in Liverpool, Bootle and Crosby; (2) around Manchester, i.e. zones in Manchester, Salford and Stretford.The latest figures in my possession show that in the case of Liverpool and Bootle 154,344 members of the priority classes have already registered for evacuation and in the case of Manchester 133,000.In the case of both groups railway timetables have been drawn up for the conveyance of the numbers anticipated, to the allocated reception areas. The service is mainly covered in two days but in certain cases extends to the third and fourth days.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken up to date to enrol a number of women experienced in domestic service and the care of children to assist in dealing with evacuees in the case of emergency; and, in view of the fact that the normal occupiers and staffs of the premises concerned are inadequate for the purpose, he will regard this matter as one of urgency?

I have requested all local authorities for areas which will be receiving unaccompanied school children to make sure that sufficient volunteers are enrolled in their districts to give domestic help in houses where the number of children to be received is greater than could be cared for under the ordinary domestic arrangements. I have every reason to suppose that a sufficient number of helpers will be forthcoming in case of need.

asked the Lord Privy seal what is to be the position as regards compensation for injury or death sustained by persons engaged on air-raid precautions work in a voluntary capacity in their own time for their employers, in view of the fact that they would presum- ably not be included under the provisions of the Employers' Liability Act and that, as they are not working for local councils, compensation would not be made out of public funds?

Any volunteers training or being trained in industry in the circumstances stated by the hon. Member will come within the scope of the scheme which the Treasury are to make under Clause 63 of the Civil Defence Bill when it has passed into law. The fact that they are not members of a local authority service will not exclude them from the scheme.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many gas-masks have been issued under the Air-Raid Precautions Act; whether those that were issued last September are still considered as an efficient protection; and the period for which those masks may be considered to retain their protective efficiency?

The number of civilian respirators issued to local authorities up to the 31st May, 1939, is over 46,000,000. Unless they have been damaged by ill-usage, the civilian respirators issued in September, 1938, will still provide complete protection against gas. The period for which they may be expected to retain their protective efficiency naturally depends upon the care with which they are kept; but, if they are handled in accordance with the instructions issued, and stored in a cool, dark and dry place, the face pieces should retain their efficiency for a number of years and the filters for an indefinite period.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can explain the position of Great Western Railway employés under the National Service scheme, seeing that they have been told by the company that, though they are free to enrol for purposes of Civil Defence the company retains the first call on their services in the event of an emergency?

I understand that the company have advised their employés that although they are free to enrol for part-time service in Civil Defence, such enrolment must be subject, in the event of emergency, to the overriding claims of the requirements of the railway service in which they are employed. As my hon. Friend will appreciate, in time of emergency the continued operation of the railways would be of vital importance, and it is essential that their staffs should not be unduly depleted. Employés, therefore, who volunteer for part-time service will only be able to render such service at such times as they may not be required for essential duty on the railway.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that men who have been enrolled as and appointed air-raid wardens in Felixstowe have been persuaded to join the special constabulary of the county, and in cases where the air-raid wardens have been unwilling to do this they have been informed that the authorities have no further use for their services as wardens; whether this is the general practice in the area covered by the Suffolk Constabulary and in other areas; and has it received his approval?

In East Suffolk the wardens' service is under the control of the Chief Constable, and he has formed it from his special constabulary by seconding those who are to be wardens for duty as such and not giving them training as police. This is not a general practice, but it appears to operate satisfactorily in this county. I am informed that the Chief Constable has dispensed with the services of certain of the wardens at Felixstowe who have failed to attend the course of instruction for wardens.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the cost of fabrication included in the price of £7 charged to the Government for each of the 1,400,000 standard unit shelters so far ordered?

It has been a longstanding practice to regard the details of contract prices as confidential. I should add that the price to which the hon. Member refers relates to the first order for 400,000 shelters, and that, as I explained to the hon. Member in reply to his question on 16th May, it has always been a part of the arrangements with the industry that the prices for subsequent orders would be fixed in the light of an investigation into the costs incurred in executing the initial order.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is satisfied that it is in the public interest that the Import Duties Advisory Committee, who themselves are largely responsible for fixing the price of steel, should be the sole advisers to his Department on the cost of steel shelters?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will provide a list of the names of firms supplying his Department with standard unit shelters and the quantity ordered from each?

No single firm is making complete unit shelters. The components are being made by about 90 different firms in various parts of the country.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has yet decided upon the steps he will take to make burning pit-heaps invisible during air-raid practice manoeuvres or in an emergency?

The responsibility for dealing with burning pitheaps rests with their owners; but, as I have explained in reply to previous questions, steps are being taken by my Department, in cooperation with the Alkali Inspectors of the Ministry of Health and with the assistance of the Mining Association, to bring the problem to the attention of colliery owners and to suggest the measures to be taken to deal with it. As the hon. Member will be aware, the Civil Defence Bill contains a provision which will enable me to require necessary measures to be taken. The nature of the solution will depend in each case on the circumstances of the particular pitheap.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the circular issued by the Air-Raid Precautions Department on the 25th April regarding the development of shelter policy was addressed only to certain local authorities; and, as the regulations made under the Air-Raid Precautions Act, 1937, impose a duty on all scheme-making authorities under that Act to provide such shelter for the public as is necessary, what action he expects to be taken by those authorities to whom the circular of the 25th April was not sent?

If rapid and satisfactory progress is to be made with the provision of air-raid shelter, it is essential that in the immediate future attention shall be concentrated primarily on the areas most exposed to risk. Among other considerations, it is necessary that the available resources of professional skill and material shall be applied to the fullest possible extent towards the provision of the shelters required in those areas. The Government have therefore decided that the measures described in the circular to which the hon. Member refers shall be limited to those areas. Scheme-making authorities in other areas remain, however, under the obligation to which the hon. Member has referred; and when the Civil Defence Bill has passed into law they should proceed, on a scale related to their needs, with the designation of premises for use as public shelter and with plans for their adaptation. If such authorities have other schemes for public shelter which have already been brought to an advanced stage of preparation, I shall be prepared to consider them; but I must make it plain that my Department also must give priority to the work which is urgently required in the areas which are to be specified for the purposes of Part III of the Civil Defence Bill.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has completed his arrangements for the darkening of London in the event of an air-raid; and whether it is intended to stage a trial black-out?

I am taking steps to bring to the notice of all concerned the measures which they should take in advance to enable them to comply at short notice with the lighting restrictions which would be imposed from the outset of an emergency. I am hoping to arrange for a trial black-out in London in August.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the failure of the provisions of the present law to deal with industrial depression in areas now in a worse plight than some of those that are scheduled as such, when he proposes to introduce amending legislation?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 25th May.

asked the Minister of Labour how many young persons and men and women were registered as unemployed at the Poplar, Stepney, Stratford and Hackney Employment Exchanges on 31st March, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939, or nearest convenient date?

The table below shows the numbers of unemployed men and women, aged 18 and over, and juveniles under 18, on the registers of the Poplar, Stepney, Stratford and Hackney Employment Exchanges at a date in March of the years 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939:

—		23rd March, 1936.	15th March, 1937.	14th March, 1938.	13th March, 1939.
Poplar:
Men	…	5,940	4,996	5,325	5,116
Women	…	1,022	767	950	957
Juveniles	…	112	74	128	205
Total	…	7,074	5,837	6,403	6,278
Stepney:
Men	…	6,621	5,527	6,757	6,895
Women	…	909	700	1,216	956
Juveniles	…	111	88	168	153
Total	…	7,721	6,315	8,141	8,004
Stratford:
Men	…	4,363	3,772	3,928	3,919
Women	…	980	666	1,088	918
Juveniles	…	97	73	119	109
Total	…	5,440	4,511	5,135	4,946
Hackney:
Men	…	6,042	5,173	6,281	6,478
Women	…	1,857	1,641	2,085	2,173
Juveniles	…	94	72	113	106
Total	…	7,993	6,886	8,479	8,757

Comparison of the figures for 1936 and 1937, with those for 1938 and 1939, given in the above table, is affected by introduction in September, 1937, of the revised procedure for counting the unemployed, under which- persons subsequently found to be in employment at the date of the count are excluded from the figures.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, as on the last convenient date, the number of recipients of statutory benefit who are in receipt of supplementary allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board?

At 15th May, 1939, there were 9,808 claimants for insurance benefit at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain in receipt of unemployment assistance allowances in supplementation of benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total number of unemployed males or. the registers of the Employment Exchanges of Great Britain in May, 1937, February, 1938, and May, 1939?

The total numbers of unemployed males, aged 14 and over, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain were 1,188,287 at 24th May, 1937; 1,361,558 at 14th February, 1938; and 1,145,228 at 15th May, 1939.Comparison of the figure for May, 1937, with those for February, 1938, and May, 1939, is affected by the introduction, in September, 1937, of the revised procedure for counting the unemployed, under which persons on the registers, subsequently found to have been in employment on the day of the count are excluded from the figures.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that unemployment totals include 500,000 persons whose wages and normal conditions of employment provide for short temporary periods of unemployment, 100,000 retired persons not seeking employment, 250,000 persons unemployable for physical or other reasons, and 100,000 who refuse training and/or transfer into employments awaiting them with satisfactory conditions and wages, he will in future show that the total for whom there is no employment is 1,000,000 less than the published total?

Most of the points raised by my hon. Friend have been dealt with in a reply which I gave earlier to-day to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Somerville) and in replies on 4th and nth May, 1939, and 19th May, 1936, to the hon. Members for Leicester, East (Mr. Lyons), Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) and Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) respectively, of which I am sending him copies. On the subject generally I would observe that the unemployment statistics purport to give merely the number of persons who registered themselves as unemployed and seeking employment on particular dates and, I believe, do this quite accurately.

asked the Minister of Labour how it is proposed to deal with the clauses in the Military Training Act and the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act regarding the reservation of employment for military trainees and reservists; who is to set the law in motion in cases of infringement; and who will defray the cost of doing so?

The relevant sections of the Military Training Act and the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act place a duty upon any employer to reinstate his employé at the termination of his training or service. The Acts provide for action to be taken against an employer who fails in this duty. It is assumed that action will normally be initiated by the complainant, or his representative.

asked the Minister of Labour how many medical boards are being set up to carry out the medical inspection of the militiamen under the Military Training Act; and how many men each medical board may be expected to examine each day?

One hundred and forty-nine medical boards have been set up. They will hold one or two sessions a day, each session lasting about two and a-half hours. About 30 men will normally be examined at each session.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state how far the holidays with pay scheme extends to the building construction trades?

An agreement providing for a week's holiday with pay has been concluded between trade unions and an organisation of employers in the Liverpool, Birkenhead and Wirral districts; and proposals for a scheme applicable to workers in the building industry in Scotland are at present under consideration by the Scottish National Joint Council for the Building Industry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps have been taken by his Department to deal with the problems of unsuitable school buildings and the unsatisfactory arrangements for meals in schools, disclosed in the Report of Inquiry into Anti-Tuberculosis Services in Wales?

As I have already stated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Neath (Sir W. Jenkins) on nth May, the Board have asked local education authorities in Wales to supply them with their comments on the matters dealt with in Chapter VIII of this report. Authorities which have not yet replied have been pressed to do so at an early date.The Board are continuing their endeavours to secure the improvement, replacement or closure of the schools which are still on the Black List, and my Noble Friend has made it clear that he is prepared to take the strongest possible action if this is found to be necessary in any particular case.As regards the provision of midday meals in schools, the Board encourage authorities and managers to make such provision wherever practicable, and it is customary in senior schools for a room for dining, and a kitchen, to be provided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the system now universally in operation in Sweden and Norway whereby all schoolchildren, provided they arrive half-an-hour before instruction commences, are given breakfast free of charge; and will he consider introducing a similar system in this country?

According to the information in the possession of the Board, a system of free breakfasts for schoolchildren is not in universal operation in Norway or Sweden. My Noble Friend is aware of the valuable results obtained from the Oslo breakfast and is considering the practicability of encouraging its adoption in this country in suitable circumstances but he is at present awaiting the results of an experiment recently conducted in London. The giving of the meal free of charge to all children would not, however, be possible under existing legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, rather than allow skilled workers to leave the Dukinfield wagon works, Cheshire, to become unemployed, at a time when their services are needed for rearmament work, he will consider the placing of sub-contract orders with this plant?

In view of the recent decision of the railway company to transfer the carriage repair work formerly done at Dukinfield to other works, the possibility of arranging for sub-contract work to be given to these works is now being considered. Should this prove impracticable, there are a number of firms in the neighbourhood engaged on aircraft work with whom suitable men will probably be able to find employment. I am informed that one such firm has already taken on between 80 and 100 men from these works.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made by the Livestock Commission in the matter of the establishment of centralised slaughterhouses?

I have been asked to reply. As my right hon. Friend indicated in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 9th February, 12 specific proposals for the establishment of central slaughterhouses were submitted to the Commission within the time allowed for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is his intention to proceed with the Poultry Bill before the summer Recess?

The hon. Member is, of course, aware of the heavy pressure on Parliamentary time this Session. My right hon. Friend, however, is still hopeful that it may be possible to make progress with the Poultry Industry Bill before the summer Recess.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the approximate number of samples of blood for the agglutination test for pullorum infection in poultry estimated to be submitted to the laboratory at Weybridge for free examination under the Accredited Poultry Breeding Scheme during the period 1st August, 1939, to 29th February, 1940; whether he can give any estimate of the cost which will fall on public funds in connection with this free testing; whether he can state the capital sum involved in providing any additional equipment for the purposes; and whether he is satisfied that this extension of free service is in the best interests of the poultry industry?

It is estimated that the number of samples of blood for the agglutination test for pullorum infection in poultry to be submitted to the Weybridge Laboratory for free examination under the Accredited Poultry Breeding Stations Scheme during the present testing season, which began on 1st June. 1939, will be about 400,000. Excluding the cost of permanent equipment, it is esti- mated that the cost that will fall on public funds in respect of tests during the season will be about £2,000. The additional cost of permanent equipment for the purpose of the free blood tests is estimated at £300. In addition a new block of buildings at Weybridge is to be used partly for blood tests but it is not possible to allocate the capital cost between this and other work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will relieve anxiety which exists among sheep breeders and farmers by stating whether the standard price of 10d. per 1b. for sheep under the proposed price insurance scheme is related to bare mutton, exclusive of offals; or whether the standard price is an all-in price?

The standard price of 10d. per lb. represents the price per lb. of the estimated dressed carcase weight, disregarding the offals, of the live sheep. That is to say the Market Reporter divides the price realised by the live animal by the estimated weight of the dressed carcase, and it is to the price per lb. so expressed that the standard price of 10d. corresponds. It is contemplated that the deficiency payments will be based on the difference between the monthly standard price equivalent to an annual price of 10d. per lb. and the average market prices ascertained in the same manner.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the present sheep population approximates closely to 27,000,000; will he make provision under his sheep-insurance scheme for allowing a small increase in that figure without lowering the standard price; and will he reconsider his proposal to scale down the standard price in the event of the market price being lower than the standard price for two successive years which is unreasonable having regard to the actual cost of production?

The Government's proposals for assisting the sheep industry were framed after full consideration of all relevant factors, including the sheep population in June last, and my right hon. Friend can hold out no hope of any change in the directions suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture for how many acres of permanent pasture have applications been received to plough up and qualify for the subsidy of £2 per acre; and how many of those acres have already been got ready?

:Up to the present date notifications of intention to plough up grassland under the Government's scheme have been received in respect of approximately 104,000 acres. I am unable to say what proportion of this acreage has already been ploughed up, but it is evident from the notifications received that a substantial proportion has already been, or is now being ploughed. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that ploughing up alone will not necessarily render the land eligible for the proposed Government grant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the amendments which were recently put forward to the Potato Marketing Scheme by the Potato Marketing Board; and whether the interests which objected to certain of these amendments have now been satisfied?

My right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland hope to submit these amendments for the approval of Parliament before the summer Recess. They propose to modify the amendments in certain respects before submission, to Parliament, but I cannot, of course, say how far the various interests which objected to the amendments in the original form will feel that the modifications, when published, have met their views.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give an assurance that everything possible is being done by his Department to prevent the invasion of this country by the Colorado beetle?

I am satisfied that all practicable precautions are taken by my Department to prevent the introduction of the Colorado beetle into this country. The position is constantly under review and special watch is kept in all districts which, by reason of their proximity to infested countries, may be regarded as susceptible to invasion by direct flight.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet reached a decision on the application by the followers of Dr. Frank Buchman for a licence to register a limited company under the name "Oxford Group," with the privileges and exemptions granted by Section 18 of the Companies Act, 1929?

After full consideration of all the circumstances, I have decided to grant to the association a licence under Section 18 of the Companies Act, 1929, to be registered by the name "Oxford Group."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to report progress in regard to the installation of radio-telephonic communication between the mainland and lighthouses and lightships off West Cornwall, with special reference to the Wolf, Bishop, and Longships lighthouses and the Seven Stones lightship?

The question of equipping all off-lying lighthouses and light vessels with radio telephones has been under consideration; but as such action is not essential to the efficiency of the lighthouse service, the expenditure involved could not be sanctioned. Trinity House have, however, been informed that the Board of Trade are prepared to consider sanctioning the expenditure involved in the equipment of any station (or stations) where this is required for life-saving or for the needs of the service and is a matter of urgency. Trinity House have accordingly submitted to my Department a proposal to equip the Seven Stones light vessel, and this proposal is being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories were opened and how many were closed, respectively, in Scotland during each of the last six years; how many persons were taken into employment and how many thrown out of employment, assuming maximum employment, thereby; and what are the corresponding figures for the Greater London area?

The following statement shows the desired information, so far as it is available from the reports obtained for

Region and Year.				Number of factories.*			Employment provided by factories opened.
				Opened.	Extended.	Closed.
Scotland:
1933	…	…	…	15	4	31	900
1934	…	…	…	18	4	21	1,350
1935	…	…	…	23	10	15	2,150
1936	…	…	…	29	9	15	2,200
1937	…	…	…	20	2	14	1,500
Greater London:
1933	…	…	…	218	29	107	14,650
1934	…	…	…	235	50	164	19,400
1935	…	…	…	215	54	185	19,650
1936	…	…	…	256	61	164	22,500
1937	…	…	…	204	58	152	17,100
* Establishments in which 25 or more workpeople are, or have been, employed.
Note.—Particulars for 1938 are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether statistics are available over a series of years showing the volume of British trade with those Chinese ports now under Japanese control, both before and since the Japanese occupation; and, if so, whether he will publish them?

I regret that the desired information is not available; but I am sending to my hon. Friend such relevant statistics as are available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the legislation with regard to war risks insurance is to be introduced during the current Session or not?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 5th June to the hon. and gallant Member for Handsworth (Commander Locker-Lampson).

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the British announcement at the last meeting of the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva affirming inability to assist China further, he can state exactly what effect His Majesty's Government has given to the various resolutions of the League urging sympathetic measures of help to the Nanking Government?

I think that my hon. Friend is under some misapprehension. I am therefore sending him an extract from the minutes of the meeting of the Council at which my Noble Friend made it clear that His Majesty's Government have not departed from the policy prescribed for members of the League in previous resolutions, and mentioned the lines on which they have taken action in recognition of their obligations under those resolutions.

asked the Prime Minister what action is being taken with the Japanese Government relative to the arrest of Lieut.-Colonel C. R. Spear?

The matter has been taken up urgently with the appropriate Japanese authorities with a view to securing the early release of Colonel Spear.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the statement of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at Geneva, the Government proposes to continue to give effect to the resolutions of the League of Nations in favour of the maximum of sympathetic aid to China?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether at the recent meeting at Shanghai of British, French and United States Ambassadors to China, accompanied by their respective naval officers commanding in Chinese waters, the question of restoring the freedom of transit on the Yangtze to the shipping of all nations was discussed; what conclusions were reached; and what action is being taken?

By a coincidence the French, United States and British Ambassadors and the naval commanders-in-chief of these three countries recently found themselves at Shanghai at the same time, and no doubt they took the opportunity of exchanging views on various matters of common concern. My Noble Friend knows of no formal meeting having taken place. Further representations on the subject of British trade in the Yangtse Delta were made to the Japanese Government by Sir R. Craigie on the 6th June.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to recent official declarations in Germany that Great Britain is planning the destruction of German trade and of all the bases of German existence with a view to achieving the political and physical extinction of the German people; and whether, in the interests of good relations between the two countries, he will arrange for an expression of the aims of British policy to be broadcast in German which makes it clear that such statements are in every way incorrect and misleading?

Yes Sir. I have observed with great regret that such allegations continue to be made, in spite of many positive declarations by myself and my Noble Friend to the contrary. In my speech at the Albert Hall on May 12th and in my speech during the Debate on the 19th May I stated that any suggestions that we wished to isolate Germany or to stand in the way of the natural and legitimate extension of her trade in Central and South-Eastern Europe or to plan some combination against her with the idea of making war upon her were fantastic.On 12th May I made it clear that it was still our firm desire that our two peoples should never go to war with one another again and that we did not desire to enter into unbridled competition with Germany either in armaments or economics.On 19th May I said that we would not refuse to discuss any methods by which reasonable aspirations on the part of other nations could be satisfied, even if this meant some adjustment of the existing state of things, but I insisted that such discussion could only take place in an atmosphere of mutual confidence. I can only repeat my regret that declarations, whether official or otherwise, should be made in Germany which do nothing to assist in creating such an atmosphere.I understand that the B.B.C. normally include in their German news bulletins any important statement of. the policy of His Majesty's Government towards Germany and I have no doubt that they will do so in the case of my present reply.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the facts in a case heard in Dublin police court, on Thursday, 25th May, which indicates that a company with offices in London and Dublin, have been taking advantage of the provisions of the poisons legislation of Eire to sell freely to the public in Great Britain dangerous drugs, the sale of which is strictly controlled in this country; and to ask what steps he proposes to take to deal with this abuse?

Habit forming drugs which are within the scope of the Dangerous Drugs Act are subject to restriction whether sold in the United Kingdom or sent into the United Kingdom as the result of a sale effected outside the United Kingdom. But the Pharmacy and Poisons Act applies only to sales in this country, and in the case to which my hon. Friend refers the drug was one which is subject to the Pharmacy Act but not to the Dangerous Drugs Act. To control the importation of all substances which are subject to the Pharmacy Act would, I think, cause much inconvenience to legitimate trade, and experience hitherto does not suggest that legislation for this purpose would be warranted.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any action to prevent the careless throwing of litter on the English countryside and seashore; and whether any steps can be taken to prevent this nuisance?

Good rule by-laws against the deposit of litter are already widely in force; their enforcement is a matter for the local authorities. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the latest form of this by-law.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will reconsider his refusal of a visa for transitory residence in this country to Dr. Norbert Schick, Vienna, because documentary evidence regarding definite permission of immigration to the States was lacking, although photostats of three affidavits and the American consulate's confirmation of their receipt were attached to the application; and whether he is aware that quota numbers are not issued by the American consulate-general in Vienna?

A visa was authorised in this case on 2nd June.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue a visa to Hans Trost, Leopoldsgasse 51, Vienna, 27, who is transmigrant to the United States of America, and has been guaranteed hospitality prior to re-emigration by Ernest Howard Smith, Grimshaw Hill, Henley-in-Arden, the documents relative to the application having gone forward on 4th May?

I am having inquiries made with regard to Hans Trost and will communicate with the right hon. and gallant Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue a visa to Adolf Neiss, and son Herbert, Tandel-marktgasse 12, Vienna, 27, who are transmigrants to the United States of America, and have been guaranteed hospitality prior to re-emigration by Mr. Henry Beadle, Cambridge?

I am having inquiries made with regard to Adolf Neiss and his son Herbert and will communicate with the right hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will grant a visa to Peter Schanzer, Vienna, aged 21, who has been offered a trainee post by Cook and Company, Limited, Manchester, at the required wages although no guarantee is available for the £100 required as deposit for future re-emigration?

I am having inquiries made with regard to Peter Schanzer and will communicate with the right hon. and gallant Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to say what is the result of the Government's consideration of the protests against the projected chemical factory at Morecambe; and whether, in the interests of employment in the depressed areas in South Lancashire, a change of site can be made?

My right hon. Friend received a deputation on this matter from the Morecambe and Heysham Council on Tuesday last. He explained to them that an exhaustive survey of the West coast had been made with a view to finding a site which would not interfere with amenities and would if possible be in a special area. There are, however, a number of technical and strategic factors which seriously limit the choice of suitable sites for plant of this character, and it has not, I regret to say, been possible to find any other site which meets all the requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with the object of taking such action as may be necessary to remedy shortcomings next year, he will consider obtaining from Territorial soldiers at their annual camps a statement as to whether they have in any cases suffered any loss through the refusal of their employers to grant pay or normal holidays?

Such cases are reported to the War Office from time to time, but, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, there is no statutory power to compel employers to grant extra leave for Territorial annual camps. Employers are relied on to do everything in their power to facilitate Territorial recruiting and training.

asked the Postmaster-General on whose authority and for what reason the royal monogram G.R. VI on the two, three, and five shilling books of stamps issued by his Department has been replaced by G.P.O.?

This change has no constitutional significance whatever. The essential elements, the stamps, bear a representation of the sovereign; and there was no advantage in placing the royal monogram on the cover, which is merely a wrapper for the stamps. Here it was in close proximity to commercial advertisements, which were not always consonant with its dignity; and, having received some public criticisms which he felt to be justified, my right hon. Friend authorised the change, which came into force in April, 1938.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India when the proposed terms of accession to the Federation of India communicated to the Rulers of Indian States will be published and by what date Rulers have been asked to give their replies?

The proposed terms of accession were communicated to Rulers of Indian States at the end of January and they were asked to say within six months whether they would be prepared to accede to the Federation on the terms proposed. After the Rulers' replies have been received, His Majesty's Government contemplate the publication of a White Paper on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health when his alkali inspectors last visited the burning pit-heaps in Northumberland; and whether they reported any improvements as to the extinguishment?

The last visits were paid in April and my inspector has been in conference with the owners concerned. There are as yet no improvements to report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the resentment felt by office, factory, and other workers who are compelled to travel from Leyton and suburban Essex at the imminent 5 per cent, increase in fares proposed by the Railway Rates Tribunal, and that the interests and burdens of the travelling public have not been and cannot be adequately considered by that tribunal; and whether he will initiate a comprehensive survey of the whole question with a view to preventing this and any other increase in fares either by a pooling of all transport revenue in the London Passenger Transport Board area or otherwise?

The revision of the fares of the London Passenger Transport Board and on the London suburban passenger services of the main line railway companies is governed by the provisions of the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933. I see no reason for proposing to Parliament that those provisions, which were the subject of careful and exhaustive examination during the passage of the Act, should be altered. I would remind the hon. Member that the receipts of the board and of the suburban passenger services of the main line companies are already pooled, as required by the Act.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has given further consideration to the recommendations of the Select Committee on the Prevention of Road Accidents; and whether he can inform the House what action he proposes to take to implement some of them and to what degree he is in agreement with others?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this subject to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Garro Jones) on the 6th June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many women have volunteered up to date for the Women's Royal Naval Service; how many have been accepted; what numbers can be trained annually at each of the three principal dockyard ports; and whether training facilities will also be provided in the London area?

In response to the appeal in the National Service Handbook, approximately 20,000 inquiries have been received. Enrolment has not yet started but will commence shortly. The numbers to be trained initially will be about 1,500 spread over the three home ports and Rosyth, the majority being enrolled and trained at Portsmouth and Plymouth. For the present, training facilities will not be provided in the London area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a decision has yet been made as to the details of a scheme of promotion similar to that of executive warrant rank officers between 25 and 36 years of age to lieutenant's rank, for engineer warrant officers and the numbers to be promoted; and if not, can he say what are the difficulties, seeing that the executive scheme was announced three months ago?

A scheme has been prepared and it is hoped to announce it in a few days.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the number of engineer-commanders commissioned from engine-room artificers and mechanicians, respectively, who have been placed on the retired List; the number at present in the zone for promotion to engineer-captain; the seniority of the last commanders (E) promoted; the seniority of the senior engineer-commanders, ex-artificer; and when one or more of the latter officers are likely to be promoted to engineer-captain, seeing that the promotion of executive commanders, ex-mate, commenced over five years ago?

The number of engineer commanders promoted from engine-room artificers and mechanicians who have been placed on the retired list is 14 and 1 respectively.The number at present in the zone for promotion to engineer captain is 12.Two of the commanders (E) last promoted were of seniority 31st December, 1926, and the remaining two of seniority 30th June, 1927.The seniority of the most senior engineer commander ex-artificer is 30th June, 1928, the next 30th June, 1939, followed by a batch of seniority 31st December, 1929The claims of the above officers for promotion to the rank of engineer captain, together with those of other officers similarly eligible by rank and seniority, will be reviewed twice yearly in accordance with the usual practice. In addition to the zone of promotion for executive commanders being some four years lower than for commanders of the engineering branch the mate (E) scheme was brought into being about a year and a-half later than that for the executive mate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, when established or unestablished employés in His Majesty's naval establishments are called up for reserve training or as militiamen, it is the intention of the Admiralty to make up the difference between their military pay and their normal wages?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury gave to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. McEntee) on the 25th of May this year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether arrangements have now been made for the submission to arbitration of the claim of foremen's writers in His Majesty's dockyards for improved conditions of service?

It is the settled policy of the Admiralty to agree to the reference of an issue to arbitration only where it can be properly regarded as being in the nature of a straight-wage claim on behalf of a well-defined class of employé. The employés now in question form part of the general body of mechanics in the dockyards, and the Admiralty are not prepared to recognise them as constituting a separate class. They are accordingly unable to agree to the claim made on their behalf being referred to arbitration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, when the victims of the submarine "Thetis" are recovered, the Government will grant to relatives desiring it rail facilities to attend the inquest and make arrangements for the removal at the public cost of the remains to their home towns?

The relatives of the naval personnel and Admiralty civilian personnel who died in His Majesty's Submarine "Thetis" will be granted travelling expenses should they desire to attend the inquest. Where the relatives desire a private funeral, the cost of conveyance to the home of the deceased will be met from public funds. I have ascertained that the relatives of those employed by the contractor's firms, who died in the submarine, will receive similar treatment.