asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is permanent as well as seasonal employment with satisfactory wages and conditions awaiting female domestic workers in residences, hotels, and boarding houses all over England, and skilled and unskilled employment at trade union rates in the West Riding clothing trade; whether he is consulting with trade union leaders and employers with a view to transferring and/or training some of the 400,000 women and girls now in receipt of un employment benefits; and what other plans he is initiating to reduce the total of unemployed unskilled women workers for whom there is well-paid work and so avoid employing foreigners?

I am aware of the opportunities for employment as female domestics in residential hotels and boarding houses. These opportunities are brought to the notice of all unemployed women on the Employment Exchange registers who appear suitable. Training is provided through the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment for women who might be suitable but lack the necessary experience. As my hon. Friend will no doubt appreciate, however, the great majority of the women registered as unemployed are ordinarily engaged in industrial occupations to which they look for their livelihood or are un-suited by reason of their age, training, or other circumstances for such employment.As regards the shortage of labour in the West Riding clothing trade, there is nothing to add to my reply of nth May last to my hon. Friend, the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, N. (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle).On the general question of the employment of foreigners in this country, it has always been the consistent policy of my Department to refuse to issue permits to employers to bring in foreign workers except where it is abundantly clear that the employer, after making all reasonable efforts, cannot get suitable British workers. Female workers, equally with other workers, share in the benefits of the present welcome reduction in unemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of men skilled in shipbuilding, ship repairing, and general engineering, unemployed in Sunderland and South Shields up to the latest available date?

I am having the avail able figures extracted and I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour why a number of men from Castleford and district have been stopped from working at the camp at Harrogate; and to what extent labour from Ireland is employed on this work?

I am informed that of 30 Castleford men who started work on the militia camp at Harrogate, 20 were suspended after one day and that they were told that this was owing to a short age of material. As regards the second part of the question, it is estimated that approximately 250 of the 1,500 men at present employed on this contract are Irishmen, a number of whom had previously been employed by the contractor in other parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of disabled ex-service men registered as unemployed at the middle of January, 1939, and 15th May, 1939; and how these figures compare with those of others registered as unemployed at the same date?

Figures relating to the numbers of unemployed disabled ex-service men are available in respect of 9th January and 3rd April, 1939. The numbers on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at these two dates were 33,350 and 29,700 respectively. The total numbers of unemployed men, aged 18 and over, on the registers, of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain for the nearest corresponding dates were 1,509,947 at 16th January and 1,217,085 at 17th April, 1939.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled ex-service men were registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges in the city of Birmingham at any convenient day in May last; how many were considered to be unable to follow their usual occupation but are fit for light work only; how many of these have been on the register for over 12 months; and what special steps are being taken to improve the situation?

On 15th May, the total number of disabled ex-service men registered as unemployed at the six Employment Exchanges in the city of Birmingham was 295. I regret that information is not available as to the number of these who were fit for light work only. On 9th June, however, when the total on the registers was 278, there were 165 who were classified as fit for light work only, and of these, 47 had been on the register for over 12 months. The Greater Birmingham King's Roll Committee make constant efforts, in co-operation with the Employment Exchanges, to interest employers in the King's Roll scheme and to induce them to make openings for disabled ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Labour how the retail price of sugar per fixed for Rome by the competent authorities. For the other countries, the figures represent average retail prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the average price

At 1st May, 1939, the average retail price of granulated sugar in Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 2 ¾ d. per lb., as compared with 2 ¾ d. per lb. at 1st April, before the increase of ¼d. per lb. in the sugar dutys. As regards oversea countries, the only information in my possession is that contained in the official statistical publications of the countries concerned. The latest particulars given in these publications are summarised below, in so far as the particulars are available for dates on or after 1st April, 1939. For Italy, the figure is the maximum retail prices.per lb. of mutton and lamb for each of the last six years?

The following statement gives the average prices per lb., estimated dressed carcase weight, of first and second quality fat sheep and lambs at representative markets in England and Wales during the years mentioned:

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps, if any, the Bacon Development Board has taken, or is taking, to counteract the drop in the pig population to ensure an immediate and rapid rise necessary in the number of bacon pigs in the country?

I have been asked to reply. Although the Development

asked the Secretary of state for Scotland what response has so far been made in each country in Scotland to the offer 2£ per acre subsidy for the ploughing up of old grassland?

The following table compiled up to and including 9th June contains the information desired by the hon. member

asked the Minister of Labour whether the medical examination of military trainees is to be different from that on the occasion of the last War; whether it is to be conducted by five doctors, each examining some part of the trainees' anatomy, instead of one doctor making the entire examination; and whether the chairman is to examine at all, or only to base his final recommendation upon the report of the other medical men?

The medical examination of militiamen will be conducted by a board consisting normally of five doctors, one of whom will act as chairman. Each of the four members will separately carry out certain specified parts of the examination and will recommend the appropriate medical grade in respect of his part of the examination. The chairman will see each man stripped and will consider the recommendations, but will not re-examine each man unless there is a doubtful condition which may affect the grading. In this case he will himself make an examination and consult with the members of the board.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider making an intensive examination of militiamen at one or two selected Army depots with a view to eliminating the nervously unstable youth who would be liable to suffer from shell-shock in the event of emergency?

I have been asked to reply. In view of the fact that the medical examination carried out under Section 4 of the Military Training Act is specially designed to prevent men who are unfit for military training owing to nervous instability from entering the Militia, it is considered that a subsequent medical examination in this connection is not necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps the Government are taking to grade recruits accepted as militiamen in the same manner as was done by the American Army in the European War, 1914–18?

The process of inter viewing and posting militiamen in the first instance, and of subsequently placing them in squads according to their capacity, resembles the system referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause full inquiries to be made into the cases of gunners Angus Heggie and P. Thornton of the 1st Regiment, Royal Artillery, now awaiting court martial at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield?

These cases are subjudice, and full inquiries will be made at the trial by District Court Martial which will take place very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many women in Liverpool have volunteered for service in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Force; whether there are any vacancies in Liver-pool units and, if so, in what categories recruits are required; and what are the qualifications, etc., needed?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available, but 318 applications for enrolment in the companies of the Auxiliary Territorial Service raised in Liverpool have been accepted. As regards the second and third parts, there are still vacancies for 112 women. All the Liverpool companies are general duties companies, and the personnel are required for duty as clerks, cooks, store-women and orderlies. Previous experience is necessary in the case of clerical personnel and cooks. All personnel are required to provide two references as to character and must be medically fit and within the age limits laid down.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that the failure of Messrs. E. D. Winn and Company will not cause any delay in the completion of the anti-aircraft establishment at a cost of £500,000; and whether he can state the date the contract was entered into, and what inquiries were made to ascertain the financial ability of the firm to carry out the work?

A certain amount of delay in completion of the service is inevitable in the circumstances. This will, however, be kept to a minimum, as instructions have already been given to another firm to proceed with the remainder of the work. The contract was entered into on 3rd October, 1938. Inquiries as to the financial standing of Messrs. E. D. Winn and Company, Limited, were made in the usual quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will have inquiries made regarding a certain percentage added to tenders submitted for the erection of Territorial Army buildings in London, a portion of which is for the benefit of a body known as the London Builders' Conference?

This matter is already the subject of inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the references, on pages 46 and 47 of the report of the Unemployment Assistance Board to the fact that the employability of some of their applicants is impaired by remediable physical defects; that many of the applicants were unable to obtain through their approved societies the appropriate medical treatment; and if he will take steps to ensure that such treatment and, in particular, dental and optical benefits are made available to all persons covered by the Health Insurance Acts?

I am aware of the passage in the report of the Unemployment Assistance Board to which the hon. Member draws attention. As regards the last part of the question I am not in a position to add anything to the replies given to the hon. Members for Pontypool (Mr. A. Jenkins) and Royton (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 16th March last.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men, women, boys and girls, are now employed at the ordnance factory at Euxton, Lanes; and how many of such workers are employed on purely clerical and administrative duties?

I regret it would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will state the highest number of sub-contractors engaged at any one time on the construction of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton, Chorley, stating the number of sub-contractors engaged at the present time?

The answer to the first part of the question is 55 and to the second 22.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will state the highest number of persons employed at any one time on the construction of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton, Chorley; and the approximate number of persons who will be employed at the works when they are completed?

The answer to the first part of the question is 13,998. I regret that I am not in a position to answer the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as a result of the recent drought, any probable shortage of water has been reported in this country; and whether he has received any reports indicating more extended use of chlorine than usual?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the important British strategic interests that are involved in the Eastern Mediterranean, he will arrange for the Secretary of State for War to attend the meeting of the Permanent Mandates Commission at Geneva in order to deal with this matter in so far as it is affected by the White Paper proposals of the Government with regard to Palestine?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consult with the hon. Member for West Swansea, as representing the Charity Commissioners, and with other Departments concerned, in order to consider whether arrangements can be made for the Minister of Pensions to have authority to make, or recommend the making of, grants from the United Services Fund?

I am glad to assure the hon. Member that the King's Fund, of which I am trustee, and the United Services Fund freely co-operate in the grant of special assistance in exceptional circumstances outside the provisions of the Royal Warrant. Recommendations to the United Services Fund are regularly made for individual cases requiring educational assistance and to the United Ser vices Fund Benevolent Department which, jointly with the British Legion, assists a large variety of other cases. I gladly acknowledge the material help which is always readily rendered by the United Services Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether there is available for Government uses an adequate supply of optical glass and optical lenses necessary for instruments required by the Fighting Services?

Supplies are sufficient for current requirements and arrangements are being made for the increased supplies required on account of the expansion of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many companies in Scotland and England, respectively, have contracts with his Department for the construction of aircraft; and what were the corresponding figures for 6, 12 and 18 months ago, respectively?

At the present time there are 26 firms holding aircraft contracts in England and two in Scotland. The figures for 6, 12 and 18 months ago were respectively 24 and 1. 21 and 1, and 20 and 1. These figures exclude the very large number of firms engaged on sub-contract work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before issuing the Order in Council affecting the Kenya Highlands, he consulted the Law Officers of the Crown as to the bearing of the Convention of St. Germain upon discrimination affecting the signatories to that Convention?

No, Sir. The Kenya Highlands Order in Council does not contain any discriminatory provisions and the Convention of St. Germain has no bearing on the Order. Therefore there was no purpose in consulting the Law Officers of the Crown.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has be come of the 906 refugees on board the steamer "Liesel" captured north of Jaffa on 31st May?

These illegal immigrants, who were 921 in number, were permitted to land at Haifa, and after remaining in quarantine for a few days were released on the 5th June. Deportation orders have been issued in each case and the number of those whom it is found impossible to deport will be deducted from the immigration quota in the next quota period.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the House any information as to the extent and success or otherwise of borings for oil made by the D'Arcy Exploration Company in the Formby district of Lancashire?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 9th June to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Sir T. Rosbotham), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Post-master-General whether his attention has been called to the new German radio station at Herzberg in Saxony; and whether he will consider the advisability of constructing another radio station of equivalent power in this country?

By international agreement this country and Germany are each entitled to only one long-wave broadcasting station. The new long-wave station at Herzberg in Saxony replaces the older long-wave station at Zeesen, near Berlin, and like the Droitwich station it is at present entitled by international agreement to use power of 150 kilowatts. I understand this is the power at present being used. From March, 1940, both the Droitwich and the Herzberg stations will be entitled to use power of 200 kilo watts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increasing volume of legislation providing for the rationalisation of the principal industries of this country, he will consider the desirability of rearranging the organisation of his own Department so as to ensure that an adequate number of higher officials shall be able to specialise in the problems of each of these industries; and of arranging for sub divisions of his Department to deal with the problems of the principal industries with which his Department has to deal, such as iron and steel, shipping, coal, cotton, etc.?

The Board of Trade is already organised generally on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. The Secretary for Mines is in charge of a separate Department dealing with coal mines, with a sub-department for petroleum; the Mercantile Marine Department deals with all matters relating to shipping; and other industries are dealt with in the Industries and Manufactures Department. In all these Departments provision is made for an adequate staff of administrative and specialist officers, and the numbers and gradings are adjusted from time to time to meet the varying requirements of the work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the number, and location, of site companies set up under the provisions of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937; how many factories have been built by such companies, and the number employed thereat; and whether it is proposed in the near future to amend the provisions of this Act?

One site company, namely the Lancashire Industrial Sites Company, has been assisted under the provisions of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, but I am in formed by the company that so far it has built no factories. So far as the last part of the question is concerned, I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the legislation to which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour referred in his answer to the hon. Member on the 25th May, to which I have nothing to add.