asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department provides all training centres training men in welding with protective glass conforming to the specification laid down by the British Standards Institution.

Yes, Sir

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the cost of obtaining a legal decision in favour of presumption of death and the consequent inability to the poor ever to avail themselves of this legal action, he will consider whether it is possible to cheapen the fees to those widows who are anxious to establish the death of their husbands after long periods of disappearance?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to a petition under Section 8 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, 1937, praying for the dissolution of a marriage on the ground that the other party is dead. In such a case a petitioner whose means fall below the limits established by the Poor Persons Rules can apply for the certificate under those Rules, and, if such a certificate is granted, can proceed without the payment of any court fee.If, however, my hon. Friend refers to a petition for presumption of death in a probate matter, where the gross estate in respect of which the appli

asked the Attorney-General whether the terms of reference of the Poor Persons Rules Committee will enable them to consider such amendments to the Insurers' Act, 1930, as may be necessary to cover the case of Smith versus Pearl Assurance Company, Limited, on 12th January, 1939, and the opinion expressed thereon by Mr. Justice Clauson as to the need of amending the law so as to prevent injustice?

The question of making amendments to the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act, 1030, of the kind desired by the hon. Member is being considered by the Lord Chancellor independently of the Committee to which he refers, and it is not in my noble Friend's opinion a suitable subject for inquiry by that Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state for each of the Part II education authorities of England and Wales how many pupils in secondary schools pay no fees; how many pay one-quarter fees or less; how many pay more than one-quarter but not more than half fees; how many pay more than half fees but less than three-quarter fees; and how many pay over three-quarter fees, distinguishing between those in this group who secure some remission and those who pay full fees?

As the answer contains a very large amount of statistical material I am sending the hon. Member the information direct. I regret that it is not possible to analyse the figures of pupils paying partial fees in the form asked for in the question.

asked the Home Secretary whether factory inspectors have instructions to insist upon the use in factories of protective glass which conform to specifications laid down by the British Standards Institution?

I presume my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the British Standard Specification for protective glass for welding and other industrial operations. The inspectors have no authority to insist on the use of goggles fitted with glass according to that specification, and I understand that this specification has been subject to criticism in various respects both from the employers' and the workers' point of view and is now being reconsidered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give the percentage of miners killed and injured of the total number of industrial accidents in the country during 1938, or the latest year for which figures are available?

I regret that the figure asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the practice of many electricity supply undertakings of making a charge in respect of rent for domestic meters, notwithstanding the fact that the cost of such meters frequently has been met many times over by the consumer; that protests by renters at this practice have been met in some cases by threats to discontinue the supply of current unless the consumer continues to pay the meter rent; and whether, in view of the hardship which this practice involves in the case of consumers of limited means, he will consider the introduction of legislation designed to eliminate domestic meter rents entirely?

The principle of a charge for meter rent has been recognised by Parliament. The charge is normally a matter for agreement between the consumer and the undertakers or, in case of difference, to be determined by the Electricity Commissioners. I do not think it would be reasonable to prohibit separate charges for meters irrespective of circumstances.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many electricity supply undertakings make a recurring charge over long periods in respect of the wiring of premises by them, despite the fact that the cost of such wiring may have been more than covered; that frequently consumers have the utmost difficulty in ascertaining how much has been paid in wiring charges and for how much they are still liable; and whether he will take powers by which the consumer may be protected against further demands once the cost of the wiring has been met?

The question of the provision of facilities for assisted wiring and of the rates or terms to be offered by authorised undertakers is one of the matters which the Government have under consideration in connection with legislation for the re-organisation of distribution.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the traffic conditions in Eastern Avenue, II-ford; and whether he will take steps to meet the local demand for traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and a speed limit on this road?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's question is in the affirmative. Steps are being taken to provide dual carriageways throughout the length in question; a footbridge is to be constructed at the junction with Lancing Road and a subway will be provided at Newbury Park Station. A proposal for traffic lights at the junction with Beehive Lane is being examined.Pedestrian crossings already exist at the junctions provided with traffic lights or roundabouts, and I do not think it advisable to add to their number. I am, however, prepared to consider any suggestions which may be made for additional subways or footbridges.The case for a speed limit has been fully considered but I see no justification for it except where it is already in force on the short section between Cranley Drive and Brook Road, which has a single carriageway.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps the Government are taking to combat the rising adverse balance of international payment, and whether the future aim of Government policy will be to establish a permanent managed currency?

While the adverse balance of payments was higher in 1937 and 1938 than for some years previously, the debit balance in respect of imports of merchandise during the first four months of the year was, in fact, less in 1939 than in 1938. On this subject I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made on the 9th June in the course of the Debate on the Board of Trade Vote by my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade.In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer to the Declaration by Delegations of the British Common wealth (Command Paper 4403) issued after the Monetary and Economic Conference in 1933. That Declaration still stands.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any special steps are being taken to secure the strict observance of the House of Commons fair wages resolution by contractors and subcontractors engaged on armament work; and whether he is satisfied that proper precautions are taken by contractors, when entering into arrangements with sub-contractors, to secure that the work passed on is carried out under the same fair conditions?

All contracts let by Government Departments to contractors in this country for the supply of stores and the execution of services include a clause embodying the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons of 10th March, 1909, which provides that the contractor, in addition to himself observing the obligations specified in the Resolution, shall be responsible for its observance by subcontractors. I have no reason to think that the present arrangements are not satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Health how many applicants for leave to be insured as a special voluntary contributor under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts, 1936–37, have been refused up to date on the ground of non-residence for not less than 10 years as required by paragraph (c) (1) of Section 1 (1) of the Act of 1937; and whether he will consider amending the Act to facilitate its application to bona fide students and other persons whose domicile during the identical period would, for income tax purposes, have often been regarded as the United Kingdom, who were not earning money abroad and who were engaged in professional or other studies of public or professional importance?

Out of the 560,467 applications for admission to insurance as special voluntary contributors under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937, which have already been decided in England, approximately 4,850 have been rejected because of the non-satisfaction of the residence test laid down in the Act. As regards the second part of the question, I am afraid that I could not undertake to introduce amending legislation for the purpose of giving preferential treatment to particular applicants, but I would point out that absence abroad in the circumstances indicated in the question would not ordinarily render the applicant ineligible for admission. The question of eligibility depends upon the facts of the particular case.