asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of accidents on the roads of South Wales and Monmouthshire for each year from 1930 to the most recent date, showing fatal and non-fatal accidents separately?

The particulars are as follow:

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of pedestrian crossings from which the pedestrian is unable to see the changing of the traffic lights; whether full consideration has now been given by his Department to the advantages resulting from the adoption at certain crossings of the system in use in Paris where a number of studs can be illuminated alternately with green or red lights, these studs being either placed across the roadway or in the curbstones at pedestrian crossings; and if he proposes to adopt this method in suitable cases?

At an ordinary cross roads provided with light signals a pedestrian is not fully protected from turning traffic when the green light is showing towards him. Pedestrians are therefore advised in the Highway Code that unless there are"Cross Now" signals they should not rely solely on light signals, but should pay attention to the movements of traffic, and particularly of turning traffic.Where conditions justify them, signals are provided so that they are visible to the pedestrian, and I do not think the studs to which my hon. Friend refers offer any material advantages over such signals. I understand that these studs are much larger than the type of stud used for pedestrian crossings and that they project nearly 1¾ inches above the surface of the carriageway or footway. As at present advised, I should not feel justified in encouraging highway authorities to use them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the nature of the representations made by the French Government to His Majesty's Government in respect of the transfer of the Czech gold held by the Bank of International Settlements to German account?

I understand that an oral communication was received from the French Government asking His Majesty's Government to consider whether any effective steps could be taken to prevent any such transfer. For the reasons which have already been stated in the House, His Majesty's Government were obliged to point out that the matter was one which fell to be decided by the Bank for International Settlements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can specify the composition of the Czech assets in London subject to the Czecho-slovakia (Restrictions on Banking, etc.) Act; and whether the estimated total of £14.000,000 to £15,000,000, or any section of it, has been materially reduced since the assets were first declared in March?

The assets subject to the Act may be classified as follows as at 5th June, 1939:

	£
Cash and gold	16,000,000
Securities	1,000,000
	17,000,000
Less assets pledged orearmarked	1,000,000
Net total	16,000,000

The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has fully considered the resolution submitted to him by the National Spinsters Pension Association; and, if so, has he any statement to make?

The Resolution in question has been considered but it appears to ignore the fact that the whole question of pensions for unmarried women has recently formed the subject of full consideration by an important and impartial Committee whose report was published in April of this year. This report did not endorse the main contentions which have been advanced by the National Spinsters Pensions Association in support of their case and which are reiterated in their recent Resolution.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what progress is made with the new aluminium works at Resolven, Neath?

I am making inquiries and will communicate further with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will give the quantities of British spirits distilled in each division of the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1939;(2) the quantity of spirits in respect of which a rebate was allowed under the Finance Act, 1918, Section 4, as amended, during the financial years 1937–38 and 1938–39, respectively;(3) the quantities of rum, brandy, geneva, and other potable spirits, and of beer and wine, imported during the year ended 31st March, 1939, and the quantities of home-made beer and spirits exported during the same year?

IMPORTS.
Year ended31st March, 1939.
Description.	Unit of Quantity.	Quantity.
Spirits:
Enumerated spirits:
Brandy	Proof gallons	518,732
Rum	Proof gallons	1,547,220
Geneva	Proof gallons	69,836
Unenumerated spirits (including imitation rum)	Proof gallons	329,912
Liqueurs, cordials, mixtures and other preparations containing spirits in bottle, entered in such a manner as to indicate that the strength is not to be tested.	Liquid gallons	2,440
Beer	Bulk barrels of 36 gallons.	872,565
	Equivalent to *standard barrels.	835,049
Wine	Gallons	15,420,894
* The standard barrellage shown is the calculated equivalent to the recorded bulk barrellage.

EXPORTS.
Year ended 31st March,1939.
Description.	Unit of Quantity.	Quantity.
Beer	Bulk barrels of 36 gallons.	276,757
	Equivalent to *standard barrels.	266,634
Spirits—home made:
Methyl alcohol, purified so as to be potable	Proof gallons	4,129
Whisky, Scotch or Irish (certified as Scotch or Irish Whisky).	Proof gallons	7,702,112
Other sorts	Proof gallons	1,252,517
*The standard barrellage shown is the calculated equivalent to the recorded bulk barrellage.

The quantity of home-made spirits distilled in each division of the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1939, was as follows:

—	Ethyl Alcohol.	Methyl Alcohol.	Total.
	Proof gallons.	Proof gallons.	Proof gallons.
England and Northern Ireland.	14,5925,433	6,200,684	52,126,117
Scotland	32,581,352	—	32,581,352
Total	78,506,785	6,200,684	84,707,469

The quantity of spirits in respect of which a rebate was allowed under the Finance Act, 1918, Section 4, as amended, during the financial years 1937–38 and 1938–39, was as follows:

			Proof gallons.
1937–38	…	…	617,000
1938–39	…	…	590,000

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present rate of interest charged by the Public Works Loan Board for advances to local authorities for housing purposes, how many increases have been made in this rate by the Treasury since 1st January, 1937; and whether he can state the reasons for the continuous variation in the rate?

It is the statutory duty of the Treasury to fix such rates of interest to be charged upon loans from the Local Loans Fund as are in their opinion sufficient to enable the loans to be made without loss to the Fund. In accordance with this principle the rates in force on 1st January, 1937, have since been raised on five occasions and the rate now applying to advances for housing purposes is 4 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total payments to date, under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, made by the Treasury to the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation; what is the total amount of issue expenses for the debentures raised by the corporation through Whitehall Trust, Limited; what is the amount, if any, of these debentures held by the Treasury on Government account; what is the amount of debentures at present held by Whitehall Trust, Limited; and what was the dividend paid on capital in each of the last three years by Whitehall Trust, Limited?

During the years 1928 and 1929 £650,000 was issued from the Consolidated Fund in respect of the guarantee fund of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and £62,500 in respect of the cost of underwriting debentures of the corporation. During the 10 years 1929 to 1938, sums amounting to £100,000 in all were issued from the Vote for the Ministry of Agriculture as contributions towards the cost of administration of the corporation. No debentures of the corporation are held by the Treasury.Whitehall Trust, Limited, are the trustees for the debenture holders. No debentures were issued through them, and I understand that none are held by them. I have no information as to the dividends paid by them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what response has so far been made in Lincolnshire to the offer of £2 per acre subsidy for the ploughing up of old grassland; and how many acres in Lincolnshire have already been ploughed up in the hope of qualifying for subsidy under the Government's scheme?

Up to and including 13th June 174 notifications of intention to plough up grassland in Lincolnshire had been received, representing an area of 4,478 acres. I am not in a position to say what proportion of this acreage has already been ploughed up.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many notifications of intention to plough up grassland in Glamorgan have been received under the Government scheme and which will qualify for the subsidy of £2per acre?

Up to 13th June the number of notifications of intention to plough up grassland received from Glamorgan was 54, representing 611 acres. The hon. Member will appreciate, however, that this area will only qualify for grants of £2 per acre under the Agricultural Development Bill if the conditions laid down are fulfilled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the low prices of sheep pelts for the current year; whether he will state the cause; and what action is being taken?

I am aware of the decline in the price of sheep pelts during the current year, which would appear to be due to the weakness of the market for sheep leather in this country, and to the continued contraction of the export market. In so far as this factor affects the price received for fat sheep, I would remind my hon. Friend that the Agricultural Development Bill contains provisions for ensuring producers against low prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the steps to be taken under the Agricultural Marketing Order No. 588 of 1939 relating to processed milk will ensure that the manufacturers of processed milk in this country will now be able to obtain prices that are economic in relation to the price which they have to pay to the Milk Marketing Board for the necessary supplies of milk; and what action it is proposed to take to ensure that the imports of processed milk, now to be subject to quota, will not be sold in this country at lower prices than home-produced commodities of the same type?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Members for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan) and the City of Chester (Sir C Cayzer) on 13th June.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the volume and value of shipments to the United Kingdom from Tientsin, Tsingtao and Chefoo, for the three years ended 1st June, 1939, 1st June, 1938, and 1st June, 3937; and the proportion of the cargoes in each year carried in British ships and Japanese bottoms, respectively?

I regret that the desired information is not available, as particulars of trade in respect of the individual ports mentioned in the question are not given in either the United Kingdom or the Chinese trade returns.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the extended licences issued or to be issued to broadcast relay exchanges embody the same terms and conditions as the original licences, except in regard to their duration?

The terms and conditions of the present licences will for the most part be embodied without alteration in the new licences; but, as stated by my right hon. Friend in reply to a question on the 30th of March by the hon. Member for West Willesden (Mr. Viant) certain modifications will be made in the conditions regarding the programmes to be supplied and the arrangements to be made for the service in time of emergency.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the present number of broadcast relay exchanges licensed by the Post Office, and the approximate number of subscribers?

The present number of licensed relay exchanges is 324 and the total number of subscribers to these exchanges is about 257,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to complaints in various Dominion Government publications to the effect that their control over the sale of harmful or worthless drugs is hampered by the ineffective state of the law on this subject in Britain; and whether in his consideration of measures to deal with this evil he will undertake to include consideration of the more effective measures now in force in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the United States of America?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the second part is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the nuisance from fumes, smells and dust created by the Wharncliffe chemical works, Frizinghall, Shipley; why, as this nuisance is under his supervision and not that of the local authority, no previous action was taken by his predecessors when their notice was drawn to it; and what he now proposes to do to remove the grounds for the complaints made to him by local residents?

The attention of my Department was first called to this matter in August, 1938. Following investigation by one of my inspectors the operation of that part of the works which was giving rise to the complaint and was registrable under the Alkali, etc. Works Regulation Act, 1906, was stopped from October, 1938, to February, 1939. In the meantime new plant was installed and the works were registered. A further complaint was made on 16th May last and investigated by one of my inspectors. A defect in the plant has been discovered and is being remedied.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. H. L. Webb purchased for £90 a plot of building land in Wolverton Road, Newport Pagnell, in November, 1934; that early in 1938 his building plans were rejected under the Public Health and Restriction of Ribbon Development Acts; that building is now forbidden unless Mr. Webb agrees to pay half the cost of extending the water supply and sewers which would amount to about £65 and secures the agreement of adjoining owners for a joint plan for development of their property which they refuse; and whether some compensation can be paid to Mr. Webb in view of the impossibility of using this property?

My attention has not previously been drawn to this case and it is not clear, on the facts stated, that the matter is one in which I have any power to intervene. I am, however, making inquiries into the position and will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the report of the Unemployment Assistance Board calls attention to the high rents of working-class accommodation in the London area; and, as the complaints in the report are on account of decontrolled premises, will he be prepared to take such steps as may be necessary to bring about a reduction of these rents?

I am aware of the statements in the report referred to. The fact that rents are higher in London than in other parts of the country is recognised in the Housing Acts and the Rent Restriction Acts. If the suggestion of the hon. Member is that the Rent Acts should be amended to bring back into control houses which have become decontrolled, I would point out that this course has been consistently reported against by the committees inquiring into the operation of the Acts. The Acts were amended and extended only last year, and I see no reason for further legislation at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the grave discontent amongst a large number of decontrolled tenants in the East End of London, not only at the increase in their rents, but their inability to obtain habitable repairs; and if he will consider appointing a committee of inquiry to investigate the whole situation, particularly in London?

I would point: out that the housing situation in London, particularly in the East End, was carefully examined by Lord Ridley's Committee, on whose report the Rent Restrictions Act of last year was based; and provisions were made in that Act to meet the exceptional situation that admittedly exists there. I cannot agree that any further investigation is called for at the present time.The Housing Acts contain provisions enabling local authorities to deal with houses in a state of disrepair, and I shall be happy to communicate with the local authority concerned on any particular case which the hon. Member brings to my notice.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases institutions for the care of mentally defective children are being used simultaneously for the care of normal children; whether, in these cases, normal and mentally defective children are segregated from each other; and how many children of normal mental development are involved?

There is only one institution for mentally defective children which is used simultaneously for the care of normal children. This institution is certified by the Board of Control for 24 mentally defective children and the accommodation for these children is quite separate from that provided for the normal children, of whom there are, approximately, 1,300.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total number of patients receiving treatment for tuberculosis at the last convenient date and the number of persons who have been awaiting treatment for more than 10 days on that date from local authorities in England and Wales?

The number of patients who, on 1st April, 1939, were receiving treatment in residential institutions under the arrangements made by local authorities in England and Wales for the institutional treatment of tuberculosis was 27,676, and the number of persons who had been awaiting such treatment for more than 10 days was1,772.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the circumstances regarding the precautions taken last week to ensure the purity of the water supply of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire; and whether he is satisfied that this water supply is now free from any danger to health?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total number of men and women, respectively, of 65 years and over in receipt of public out-assistance in the Borough of Leyton; the amount expended in such assistance in cash and food tickets; the number of such old people in public institutions; and the approximate weekly cost per head?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the failure of the Town Planning Act to prevent the further destruction of agricultural land through unrestricted development, whether he will consider introducing legislation at an early date with a view to achieving the threefold object of surveying the whole rural and coastal landscape, the compilation of a register of those portions deemed necessary to be protected from disfigurement, and the setting up of an authority in the national interest, with full powers to frustrate all interference likely to have such deplorable consequences?

The question of the preservation of the countryside has recently been under the consideration of the Town and Country Planning Advisory Committee, and in their report they expressed the view, with which I agree, that the existing statutory powers are adequate if they are skilfully and firmly administered. I have issued a circular to planning authorities in the light of the report of the Advisory Committee, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the necessity of instructing all local authorities to give a clear intimation to all tenants of houses scheduled for demolition as unfit dwellings that the local authority will accept responsibility for the provision of alternative accommodation for such tenants?

I have no reason to think that the re-housing obligations imposed by statute upon local authorities are not sufficiently well known. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I should of course, be happy to inquire into it, if he will send me details.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that volunteers for the Civil Nursing Reserve who send in their application forms to Romney House as directed are liable to be left for many weeks without receiving any communication whatever in reply; and whether he will secure that in the future all volunteers for this service receive, at any rate, an early formal acknowledgment of the receipt of their application, with a promise that they will be sent a further communication when their application has been examined?

I am informed by the Central Emergency Committee for the nursing profession that all applications are sent within 48 hours of receipt to their local representatives to arrange the necessary interviews. In some places there may have been a little delay in getting into touch with the candidates, but every effort is made to avoid this and in London alone some 2,000 candidates have been interviewed and accepted for training during the last month. I am asking the committee to consider issuing acknowledgments as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total number of houses in the Weardale rural district, the Barnard Castle rural district, and the Barnard Castle urban district, respectively, and the total number of persons to be received in each district as recorded by the survey on billeting during an emergency?

The approximate numbers of houses in the Weardale rural, the Barnard Castle rural, and the Barnard Castle urban districts respectively are 3,450, 5,440 and 1,190. Under present plans the numbers of persons to be received in these districts in an emergency under the Government Evacuation Scheme are 1,800, 2,800 and 700 respectively.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many gas-masks suitable for the use of children between the ages of two and five years has been issued by his Department to date?

None as yet, but it is hoped that issues to local authorities will begin next month.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the sale of miniature air-raid precautions badges; whether any official authority is given to manufacturers and distributors of such badges; and whether he will make a statement with regard to this matter?

I am aware that miniatures of the A.R.P. badge are on sale in various quarters. No official permission has been given for such reproductions of the badge, but I am advised that their manufacture or sale does not contravene the law as it at present stands. In those instances which have come to notice, steps have been taken to enlist the co-operation of the vendors with a view to ensuring as far as practicable that miniatures are supplied only to persons who can furnish evidence that they are entitled to wear the official badge. I am considering whether any further action is desirable.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what provisions have been made by the Government by which members of the civilian population will be able to protect themselves against vesicants in liquid form in the case of air raids; and whether it is proposed to issue protective clothing to the civilian population at public expense?

It is not proposed to issue protective clothing to the civilian population at the public expense. Members of the public need run little risk of coming into contact with vesicants in liquid form if they take cover when an air-raid warning is given and do not emerge, if gas has been used, until the air-raid wardens have either signalled that the particular area is clear or have indicated which parts of it are contaminated.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many of the Home Office type of steel shelter, the weight of which is approximately 800 lbs., have been ordered by his Department, and at what price per shelter?

Arrangements are being made to order a further quantity of steel shelters, bringing the total ordered to 2½ millions. As regards the price, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question which he addressed to me on 8th June.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that, although the census of shelter requirements in the Consett area was completed by the local authority two or three weeks ago, no deliveries of steel shelters have been made owing to the lack of the forms requisite for preparing the abstracts upon which the shelters may be delivered; and whether this delay is due to the intention of the Government to make other and better air-raid protection for these inhabitants?

Steel shelters will be delivered in due course, as further supplies become available, to all the areas (including Consett) scheduled in the Home Office circular of the 25th April last. The first deliveries are being sent, however, to those of these areas which are considered most exposed to risk; and Consett has not been included in the first priority lists. The forms to which the hon. Member refers are not issued until shortly before the time at which delivery of the shelters is to begin.

the Lord Privy Seal whether he can give particulars and make a statement concerning the organisation of auxiliary fire services formed in districts other than the London area; and is it understood that these services should work in close association with the professional fire brigades in their districts?

The organisation of the auxiliary fire services was explained in a memorandum issued by the Home Office in February, 1937, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that memorandum. These emergency fire services are designed specifically to supplement the existing peace-time services, and it is of course fundamental to the scheme that there should be close association with the professional fire brigades in the district.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can hasten the supply of the necessary equipment for the Auxiliary Fire Service in Birmingham; and is he aware that delivery of allocations placed as far back as 24th August, 1937, is still incomplete?

:Arrangements were made some time ago with a view to speeding up the supply of fire equipment for all important towns in the country, including Birmingham. Birmingham has for some time past had all the equipment needed for training purposes. It is not the case that any items of equipment allocated as long ago as August, 1937, are still outstanding.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship likely to arise in time of war if the occupiers of factories not engaged in work included in the Reserved Schedule of Occupations or on work of national importance are compelled to provide air-raid shelters for every 50 persons in their employment at the date of the passing of the Civil Defence Bill; and if he is prepared to consider proposals to meet the probability of reductions in the number of persons not so employed in war time by limiting the compulsory provisions of the amending legislation to the provision of shelters adequate to meet the war-time requirements of the diminished number of employés retained in any factory?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on this point in the course of the Debate on the Report stage of the Civil Defence Bill on Monday last. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the relevant extract from the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that an important scheme, costing £25,000, for the construction of a 24–inch water-main in Birmingham, essential for the provision of an adequate supply of water in war time, is awaiting sanction by his Department; and will he grant permission with the least possible delay?

I have had this proposal under consideration and have indicated to the council the terms upon which as at present advised I should be prepared to approve it for grant.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to difficulties experienced by the Press in obtaining authoritative information concerning the loss of the"Thetis" and the unnecessary suffering caused by conflicting reports which gained currency in consequence; and whether he is satisfied that an adequate organisation exists at the Admiralty for handling Press relations?

The Admiralty Press Section freely gave to the Press all material information available regarding the disaster and the progress of the attempts to save the lives of those in the"Thetis." This information was received at the Admiralty by wireless direct from His Majesty's ships on the scene of the disaster. Fuller information could only have been obtained by making further inquiries from those on the scene, and it was clearly desirable to avoid any action which might have interfered with their concentration on their urgent task. The adequacy of the organisation at the Admiralty for handling Press relations is under examination.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that men employed for periods from 6 to 11 months during the past year at the Royal Naval Armaments Depot, Crombie, have been informed that they will not be given holidays with pay owing to the fact that they have not been a full year employed; and will he arrange for holiday pay for these men in proportion to the period they have been employed?

Instructions are about to be issued that workpeople in His Majesty's dockyards and other Admiralty establishments at Home, and workpeople appointed from Home establishments under agreement for service at His Majesty's naval yards, etc., abroad, are to be allowed annual leave with pay at the rate of one half-day for each completed calendar month of service within the leave year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any alterations are contemplated in the scale of allowances for the widows and dependants of naval ratings whose deaths are attributable to the Service?

It has been decided to increase the pensions payable to the widows of all ratings and marines of the Royal Navy, entered in the United Kingdom and the Dominions, whose deaths are attributable to the Service. Under the new scale which will apply to existing and future awards, as from the 1st June this year, the minimum pension for a widow under 40 years of age without children will in future be 15s. 6d. a week instead of 10s. 6d.; the minimum pension for a widow over 40 years of age or under that age with children will be 22s. 6d. a week instead of 17s. 6d. Children's allowances will remain at 5s. a week for each child and additions for rank, ranging from Is. 6d. to 7s. 6d. a week, will also remain unchanged. Those already in receipt of pensions will receive the increased rates without further application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the machine-gun protection which was allotted last year to four exposed Jewish settlements in Upper Galilee has been withdrawn; and what alternative protection is to be afforded to the settlers during the harvest period?

My right hon. Friend has no information about this matter. If the hon. Member will furnish me with the names of the settlements in question, the High Commissioner for Palestine will be asked for a report on the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps, in the event of war, will be taken in Kenya to safeguard the interests of farmers and settlers who might be called to the colours; and what action it is proposed to take to maintain the economic and financial structure of the Colony?

Arrangements are being made by the Government of Kenya, in particular as regards the allotment of available man-power, to ensure that in time of war the economic activities of the Colony (including essential agricultural production) are continued to the maximum degree practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a report from the Governor of Sierra Leone on the case of George Pratt who, after a long period of imprisonment, was unanimously found not guilty by a mixed jury; and whether he will cause an independent inquiry to be made into the conditions of Mr. Pratt's imprisonment in view of the serious charges he makes against the administration?

My right hon. Friend has received a report on this case from the Governor and the facts are as follows:

asked the Home Secretary whether he will authorise the issue of a visa, by cable, to Rudi Rosenthal, Za Lipova, Prague 2, whose permit to stay in Prague expires on 15th instant, in spite of the fact that the guarantor, Mr. J. C. Coatman, cannot be guaranteed by his London bank in time, and that the photostat of his registered number and of his affidavit have been mislaid by the German Jewish Aid Com- mittee, as facts about Mr. Coatman are within his knowledge, and that further copies of the mislaid documents have been cabled for?

My right hon. Friend is causing inquiries to be made and will communicate with the right hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the increase during 1938–39 of summonses and distress warrants for non-payment of rates as compared with 1932–33, amounting in many areas to over 100 per cent.; and whether, in view of the social significance of these figures, he will include them in future annual reports of criminal statistics in connection with the tables relating to non-indictable offences?

I know of no figures relating either to recent years or to earlier years, and it seems doubtful whether the collection of such figures would be of value for the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind. I understand there are many people who postpone payment till a summons or distress warrant is issued, and figures showing the number of such cases would not be a reliable index of comparative ability or inability to meet the demands.

asked the Home Secretary whether foreign hides imported are required to be registered on entering this country; whether he is aware that a man working at Messrs. Waring, Warrington, died after contracting anthrax from skins that he had been handling which were known as water-buffalo but their source could not be given; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the case of a woman named Lydia Clive. I understand that she had shortly before contracting the disease been handling hides of various kinds, including water buffalo hide from Siam. It is recognised that hides from numerous parts of the world are often infected, and my right hon. Friend is advised that there would be no practical advantage, from the point of view of preventing the disease, in establishing the precise origin of each consignment of hides imported into the country.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. A. E. Browne, 33, Harrow Road, Gidea Park, Romford, who was imprisoned when convicted by the Stratford Police Court of an offence against the Dentists Act, 1921; and, as he was not allowed the time to pay the fine applicable to the offence although he wished to find the necessary money, will he consider remitting the sentence?

The hon. Member has been good enough to send to me particulars of this case. I have caused inquiries to be made and am informed that the defendant pleaded guilty and had been twice previously convicted of similar offences. The justices took a very serious view of the case and, in the exercise of their discretion, refused to allow time for the payment of the fine. I regret that, having reviewed all the circumstances of the case, I can find no grounds which would justify me in advising any interference.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the accident: at a warehouse at Newington Butts, S.E., when a wall 30 feet high collapsed, a man was killed, and many injured; and what was the cause of the accident?

I understand from a preliminary report that last Monday a wall and arch about 10 feet high, forming part of a building which was being demolished, collapsed, killing one man and injuring five others who were engaged in loading a lorry nearby. The circumstances are being further investigated.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that numbers of aliens have found their way to England without permits; and what counter measures are being taken by the police?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Mr. Petherick) on 12th June.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the activities of the Peace Pledge Union whose representatives exerted every effort to deter young men from registering under the Military Training Act; and whether any official action is contemplated to deal with this breach of the law?

I am aware of the general attitude of the Peace Pledge Union to the Military Training Act, but no evidence of direct attempts by representatives of the Union to dissuade young men from registering as required by the Act has been brought to my notice. Any such attempt may expose the persons concerned to the risk of proceedings at law.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the representations made to him by organisations representing employers in the printing and bookbinding industry seeking exemption from the provisions in the Factory Act of 1937 which limit the hours of overtime of young persons; what was the nature of the proposals submitted; whether the views of the Joint Industrial Council of the industry or of the workers' organisations have been sought upon such proposals; whether any decision relating thereto has been reached; and, if so, the date of the communication of such decision to the employers' organisation?

The employers asked for regulations to allow a longer working day, and more than six hours' overtime in a week, for women over 18 in not more than eight weeks in the year, to increase, for women only, the maximum overtime allowed in a year from 100 to 150 hours, and to allow overtime to take place in a factory in 40 weeks in a year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether there has been any increase in recent years in the incidence of rheumatism among school children; whether such increase is pronounced in any parts of Wales; and whether any special attention is being given to the problem?

There does not appear to be any reliable statistical evidence of an increase in the incidence of rheumatism in school children either in England or in Wales. Owing to the difficulty of diagnosis the returns of school medical officers vary considerably from one area to another. The percentages of children with organic heart disease, which is in the main due to rheumatism, are higher in Wales than in England but have remained practically stationary during the last four years, and there is no evidence of an increase in mortality due to this cause. I am glad to say that, following the pioneer example in Wales of Cardiff, some other authorities in Wales are providing special hospital schools for rheumatic children, and supervisory rheumatic centres. Provision of this kind is very desirable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware of the growing feeling of the desirability of providing free milk meals for all children at school to avoid the invidious distinction which the present practice makes between children; and if he will take steps to provide free milk for all the children?

The provision of free milk meals for all school children would not be practicable under the existing law, and in view of the fact that over 2½ million children are paying for milk my Noble Friend is not satisfied that there is a sufficient case for amending the law. Local education authorities have power to provide free milk for all necessitous undernourished children and are being urged by the Board to make fuller use of this power.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the annual cost of conveying Somerset children to council schools?

The estimated expenditure incurred by the Somersetshire County Council during the year ended 31stMarch, 1939, on the conveyance of children to public elementary schools was £17,024. The expenditure estimated by the authority for the current year is £18,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what council schools have been erected in Frome during the last three years; and what the cost of the building, equipment, and upkeep of such schools has amounted to?

No council school has been erected in Frome in the last three years. Plans for a senior school were

Public Elementary Schools in Wales in Category A of the Black List, June, 1939.
Local Education Authority.			Provided.	Non-provided.	Total.	Number of children on registers 31st March. 1939.
Brecknockshire	…	…	—	1	1	20
Carmarthenshire	…	…	3	4	7	821
Llanelly	…	…	2	—	2	660
Denbighshire	…	…	—	2	2	157
Glamorgan	…	…	1	—	1	167
Rhondda	…	…	1	—	1	224
Cardiff	…	…	—	1	1	372
Monmouthshire	…	…	3	—	3	495
Ebbw Vale	…	…	1	—	1	407
Pembrokeshire	…	…	1	2	3	228
Total	…	…	12	10	22	3,551

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the children of English airmen serving in Wales are obliged to receive their education half in Welsh and half in English; and whether he will take steps to avoid imposing this handicap upon such children?

If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the case he has in mind I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number of school buildings condemned as unsuitable, and the number of children in attendance at such schools, in the area of each local education authority in Wales?

When the list of schools with defective premises was drawn up it included 81 schools in Wales, the buildings of which were regarded as unsuitable for continued use as soon as other accommodation could be provided. Fifty-nine of these schools have already been removed from the list and active steps are being taken to secure the removal of the remaining 22 schools as soon as possible. The areas in which these schools are situated and the number of children on the registers are given in the following table:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has now received the report about the unhealthy school at Mantons St. Lawrence, Extra Church of England School, Ramsgate; and what action he has taken about the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 25th May. The authority's proposals have not yet been received by the Board, but I am making further inquiries in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of persons engaged during the construction of the Royal Ordnance Factory, Euxton, Chorley, who have been recruited from the following Employment Exchanges: Preston, Chorley, Wigan, Burscough, Bolton and Leyland, giving separate figures for each?

During the period March, 1937, to 6th June, 1939, the numbers of persons employed at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton, Chorley, engaged through the Employment Exchanges named in the hon. Member's question are as follows:

Employment Exchanges.		Numbers Placed.
Preston	…	763
Chorley	…	2,226
Wigan	…	1,206
Burscough	…	1
Bolton	…	127
Leyland	…	30

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. F. G. Harris was dismissed by Messrs. Woodlands Laundry, 86, Bartholomew Street, Newbury, for refusing to work overtime when he wished to attend a National Service lecture organised by the Red Cross Society; that his appeal was disallowed by the court of referees; and whether any action can be taken to prevent similar discharges in future?

Inquiries are being made into this case and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make with reference to the proposed revision of the House of Commons Fair Wages Resolution.

The Committee that I appointed to consider the working of the Fair Wages Resolution and to advise whether any changes are desirable and practicable has not yet finished its inquiry. Under arrangements made by the Committee discussions are taking place between the national organisation's representative of employers and trade unions with a view to arriving, if possible, at some basis of agreement.

asked the Minister of Labour how many university students, who are in receipt of State assistance in their studies, have registered as conscientious objectors; and, having regard to the fact that at some universities more than half the students are in receipt of such subsidies, what steps he proposes to take to prevent such young men accepting State assistance on the one hand and refusing to fulfil their obligations to the State on the other hand?

I have no information on this subject and in view of the terms of the Military Training Act, I do not consider that it would be either possible or proper for me to give different treatment to such persons according to whether or not they hold State scholarships.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that undergraduates, who had provisionally registered in the register of conscientious objectors, had been supplied with forms of application to a local tribunal, returnable on Saturday, 17th June, 1939; and as such undergraduates may now make their applications within a period, not later than one month after the conclusion of their courses of study as approved by the university, intimation will be made to such undergraduates of such extension of the period for making said applications?

Steps have already been taken to bring the decision to the notice of all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the sentences on certain African gunners of the Sierra Leone Heavy Battery, Royal Artillery, of upwards of 15 years' penal servitude were imposed for failure to attend parade because of dissatisfaction with their conditions of engagement and their rates of pay; and whether he will cause these sentences to be reviewed?

Eleven African gunners of the Sierra Leone Heavy Battery, Royal Artillery, were tried by general court-martial for joining in a mutiny and were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. In the case of the ringleader, the sentence was 15 years' penal servitude and discharge with ignominy. The sentences have been reviewed and will continue to be reviewed at intervals of six months.

asked the Secretary of State for War what increases he proposes to make in the rates of pension for widows of soldiers whose deaths are attributable to military service?

I am glad to say that it has been decided to increase the pensions of soldiers' widows with effect from 1st June. Under the new scale, the minimum pension under Article 1175 of the Pay Warrant, 1931, for a widow under age 40 without children will be 15s. 6d. a week as against 10s. 6d. at present, and for a widow over 40, or under that age with children, 22s. 6d. a week, as against the present rates of 17s. 6d., or 20s. in the case of a widow over 60. There will be the usual additions for rank and children. The increased rates will be payable to all soldiers' widows already in receipt of pensions at the lower scale mentioned above, and arrangements will be made to revise such pensions without application from the pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that large numbers of Army reservists axe being called up for further service on Thursday, 15th June; what decision has been reached regarding the payment of marriage allowance to those who are under 26 years of age; and what provision will be made for reservists' dependants, other than wives?

Reservists who are being called up for service will be eligible for family allowance under the usual conditions except that there will be no lower age limit.As regards dependants, I would refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Mitchell) on 25th May last, and to information on the subject contained in the White Paper which is being circulated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the circumstances in which a drummer boy of the Brigade of Guards fainted at drill at Wellington Barracks on 12th June; and whether, as this incident was witnessed by the public, he will in the public interest direct an inquiry into the matter, and publish the findings?

I presume my hon. and learned Friend is referring to an incident reported in a section of the Press on 13th June, and he may have seen that the statements made were subsequently corrected. The facts are that the boy felt dizzy and stumbled towards the serjeant in charge who caught him and thus prevented him from falling. Both the serjeant and the boy have expressed resentment at the manner in which the incident has been misrepresented.

asked the Secretary o State for War whether he will state for what purpose he is trying to buy land near Andoversford, Gloucestershire?

The acquisition of land for storage purposes is under consideration and preliminary inquiries have been made with regard to the area mentioned in the question, but no decision has yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any alterations are contemplated in the rates of pension payable to the widows of airmen whose death is attributable to service?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to say that it has been decided to increase, with effect from the first of this month, the rates of pension payable to airmen's widows. Pensions for widows not above the age of 40 and without children will now range from 15s. 6d to 23s. a week, according to the rank held by the husband, and for widows above the age of 40, or not above that age but with children, from 22s. 6d. to 30s. In addition, allowances will be granted for children as provided for by the existing regulations. The increased rates will be payable to all widows already in receipt of pensions under Royal Air Force regulations, and arrangements will be made for awards to be adjusted, with effect from the first of this month, without application from the pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give an explanation of the reason for the increase of 130 adults and 220 dependants in the number of poor adults on the books of the public assistance department of the corporation of Greenock at the 31st May, 1939, over the corresponding totals for the 31st May, 1938, seeing that for the corresponding period there has been a decrease in the total number of registered unemployed at the labour exchange, Greenock, of 112?

I am informed by the Corporation of Greenock that the increases referred to are accounted for by normal fluctuations in the numbers of all classes of the poor persons for whom they are responsible