asked the Secretary of State for War whether university students beginning a period of military training at the end of the university year will be given reasonable facilities during their training to enable them to apply for posts which may be available on completion of their training?

All militiamen will be given due consideration in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reasons he has appointed an Army officer to take charge of Press publicity for the Army in Scotland, while in four English districts he has appointed trained journalists to perform the duties of Press publicity; and whether this officer is being paid a public relations officer's salary of £600 in addition to his Army emoluments?

Condidature for the appointment of Public Relations Officers to the various commands was not confined to trained journalists, the object being to secure, in the case of each command, the person whose qualifications and experience were best suited to the particular post. Appointments were made on the recommendations of selection boards, and, in the case of the Scottish Command, 15 candidates were interviewed. The officer appointed to that command is a retired officer who is in receipt of retired pay in addition to his salary as Public Relations Officer.

asked the Secretary of State for War what duty was being done by the drummer-boy who fainted or stumbled at Wellington Barracks on 12th June; whether it is customary for this duty to be done in public; and whether, in view of a statutory declaration made by onlookers with reference to the treatment about which they complained, he will now order a public inquiry into the matter?

The General Officer Commanding London District is ordering a court of inquiry to be assembled, at which it will be open to civilian witnesses to give evidence if they so desire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any modifications are contemplated in the proposals for Federal Constitution as a result of the recent expression of views by the Chamber of Princes?

My Noble Friend has so far only seen the accounts of the Princes' and Ministers' Meeting at Bombay which have appeared in the Press. The proposed terms of accession to Federation which His Excellency the Viceroy communicated to the States in January were the result of prolonged and careful consideration, and no prospect was held out of any substantial variation of the terms proposed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement as to the attitude of the Princes' Conference to the revised draft instrument of accession to the Federation; and whether any steps are being taken to effect a settlement?

In regard to the first part of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to my answer to the hon. Member for Middleton (Sir N. Stewart Sandeman), and as regards the second part, to what I have just said in reply to the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. White) and to what I said on 8th June in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give a list of the Indian States represented at the conference of Indian Princes held in Bombay this month?

My Noble Friend has received no list of the Indian States represented at the conference, but he is informed that in an official communiqué from the conference it was stated to have been attended by over 50 Princes and about 50 representatives of Rulers who were unavoidably absent, as well as by about 100 other Ministers and Secretaries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give the figures of Japanese subjects settled in India, and the estimated value of their possessions in such territory?

In the census returns for 1931 the total number of Japanese in India, excluding Burma, is given as 1,764. No later figures are available. As regards the second part of the question I have no information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, when legislation for the assistance of the British mercantile marine will be introduced?

My right hon. Friend is unable, at present, to add to the reply he gave to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne) and other Members on this point on Tuesday, 13th June.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the number of commissions and departmental committees that have been appointed since the present Government took office to date; and in how many cases to date have the Government taken no action on same?

Since November, 1931, 152 Commissions and Committees (excluding Standing and Statutory Committees) have been appointed, of which 119 have reported finally and 4 have presented interim reports. It would be impossible for me without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour to ascertain precisely where and to what extent action has been taken over this wide field, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind he should address a question to the Minister concerned.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that when the managing director of the Special Areas Re-Construction Association, Limited, was approached by representatives of the Hartlepool Corporation regarding the provision of assistance to enable a new company to be formed to take over the business of the Warren Cement Works, Limited, Hartlepool, to avoid the works being closed and so increasing the number of unemployed in Hartlepool by another 100 men, he discouraged the proposal, holding out no hope of an application to his directors for financial assistance being granted, because the company had not been able to work at a profit for some years although it was in a sound financial position and had not lost money, and it was the definite opinion of the directors that with new capital and plant there was every prospect of profits being made; why the association, established with the express object of assisting companies which could not raise the necessary capital through the ordinary financial channels, is not prepared to assist undertakings which are not certain of success from the commencement; and, as this policy is unlikely to be of any assistance to the Special Areas, what steps he proposes to give better assistance?

I am informed that the Managing Director of the Special Areas Reconstruction Association met representatives of the Hartlepool Corporation on the 21st April last and discussed with them the possibility of keeping in operation the Warren Cement Works, Limited, so as to prevent the unemployment that would result in the event of the works being permanently closed. I understand that the Managing Director indicated that, if alternative arrangements could not be made, the Association would be prepared to consider any reasonable application from the Company for financial assistance. The Company, have, however, now arranged to close their works. I understand that every effort is being made by the firm which is acquiring their assets and by the Ministry of Labour to find alternative work for the employés.In reply to the second part of the question, I am satisfied that the object for which the Association was established is being adequately fulfilled and that the Association has proved of real assistance in the expansion of industry in the Special Areas.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the totalisator on horse racecourses in this country is not operating to the satisfaction of the public; that the odds obtainable are not comparable with the odds obtainable from the totalisator on greyhound-racing tracks; and will he, in order to remove this anomaly, amend the Racecourse Betting Act so as to compel the Racecourse Betting Board to employ independent accountants to certify dividends on horse racecourses?

My right hon. Friend has no knowledge of any complaints in this matter or of any justification for the suggestion in the last part of the question. The board's accounts are audited by an independent firm of chartered accountants. As my hon. Friend is aware, various factors determine the dividends paid by a totalisator on any particular race and I do not see how it is possible to make any useful comparison between betting results on different classes of races.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total number of Jewish refugees from Central Europe who have been admitted into this country; what conditions have been attached to their admission; and how many are engaged in paid employment?

It is not the practice to distinguish refugees by their religion or racial origin, and I am therefore unable to give figures showing how many of the refugees are Jewish. The number of German, Austrian and Czech refugees in the United Kingdom on the 20th May was 15,548 men, 12,760 women, and 6,601 children and young persons under the age of 18. The majority of refugees have been allowed to come here on a temporary basis, pending emigration to another country. The great majority of those authorised to take employment are employed in domestic work or are in temporary employment as trainees with a. view to emigration.

asked the Prime Minister whether British-owned or controlled com- mercial undertakings in Spain have now-been able to resume their activities after the close of the civil war, and, if this is not so, what is the nature of the difficulties in the way?

Such concerns in so far as they were not able to maintain their activities in Spain during the civil war are resuming them as quickly as circumstances allow, but, as my hon. Friend will realise, it is inevitable that there should be a certain amount of dislocation at the close of a civil war owing to administrative and financial difficulties.

asked the Prime Minister whether the new information department at the Foreign Office is to take over the work of the Vansittart Committee?

The purpose of the Vansittart Committee was to co-ordinate the work of foreign publicity undertaken by such bodies as the British Council, the B.B.C. and the Travel Association and to bring together such Government Departments as were concerned in this work. The Foreign Publicity Department of the Foreign Office will henceforth be responsible for co-ordinating these activities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended that the large dairy combines, multiples, and cooperative societies shall be subject to the regulations to be imposed on wholesalers under the Government's Poultry Industry Bill; and whether the proposed regulations for grading and packing home-produced eggs apply to imported eggs?

Under the Poultry Industry Bill as drafted, organisations of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers in the first part of the question will not be subject to the regulations governing wholesalers if, in fact, they effect no sales of poultry products otherwise than by retail. As regards the latter part of the question, the primary object of the measures of standardisation contemplated is to assist the home poultry industry, and it is not proposed that the commission's regulations as to grades shall apply to imported products.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many farmers in the West Riding of Yorkshire have applied for the £2 an acre grant for the ploughing-up of grassland; and what acreage is involved?

Up to and including 16th June notice of intention to plough up grassland has been received from 152 occupiers of agricultural holdings in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the acreage involved being 2,138.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Barry Training College for Girls were informed that the third-year course in physical training could not be held unless a swimming bath is provided; and whether, in view of the depression in the county, he will secure a grant from the Physical Training Council or from any other source which will equip the college with the necessary facilities?

The Barry Training College have not been informed by the Board that a third-year course in physical training could not be held unless a swimming bath was provided. No proposal for a third-year course in physical training has been received by the Board.As regards the second part of the question, the college is a full-time institution, recognised and in receipt of grant under the Board's regulations, and, as such, would be ineligible on the principle of the avoidance of duplication of Exchequer grants, for grant aid under the Physical Training and Recreation Act. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the object of the capital grants available under that Act is to secure the provision of new and extended facilities for those who are no longer in attendance at full-time schools and colleges.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that a scheme was recently submitted to the Essex National Fitness Committee asking their approval for a sports and social centre to serve Leytonstone, Leyton, Wanstead, Walthamstow and Woodford; and if he can make an inquiry as to why this approval has been withheld and the scheme held up despite the strong support it has received locally?

Yes, Sir. I understand that the application was submitted to the Essex National Fitness Committee in incomplete form, as the promoter supplied no information as to whether, and, if so, in what terms, he would be able to obtain the site in contemplation, which is understood to be part of Epping Forest. The committee have therefore felt unable to forward the application with their observations to the National Fitness Council until the relevant information about the site is available.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will state the number of factories erected on the Treforest Trading Estate; the total cost met out of public funds; and the number of persons employed;

—	Number of factories erected.	Number of factories occupied.	Number of persons employed.	Factories in course of construction.
Treforest Trading Estate	54	43	1,518	13
Other sites in South Wales Special Areas.	6	6	1,190	2
Total	60	49	2,708	15

Factories are not provided by the Special Areas Reconstruction Association, Limited, and it is not possible to state to what extent the proceeds of loans made by the association or by the Treasury under Section 6 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, have been used for the provision of factories.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken locally to inform registered militiamen of the procedure for application for postponement

pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, nth May, 1939, column 664, Vol. 347) supplied the following statement:At the 30th April, 1939, advances had been made from the Special Areas fund amounting to £949,272 in respect of the Treforest Trading Estate and £387,900 in respect of the other sites in South Wales and Monmouthshire. These advances cover not only the construction of factories but also the acquisition of sites, general development, the provision of services, and the cost of clearances which in some instances has been undertaken partly for improving amenities and partly for the provision of cleared sites for factories. The expenditure on general development and on the provision of services in connection with the trading estate has been on a scale which has regard not only to the factories already provided but also to the number to be provided at a later stage.The other information desired by the hon. Member is as follows:of service on the ground of hardship; whether there is any appeal from his decision if postponement of service under the above heading is refused; if any Military Training (Hardship) Committee or Committees have been set up for or in the county of Denbigh; and will he furnish the names of the members of such committee or committees?

Posters have been exhibited locally giving instructions as to the procedure for application for postponement of the liability for military training on grounds of hardship. Any such application, if made on grounds of hardship, must be referred to a Hardship Committee unless the Minister grants postponement. The members of the Hardship Committees will be the present chairman of the courts of referees and the members of the panels in so far as they are willing to serve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the event of war, Kenya would be provided with artillery, armoured cars and other arms, and what arrangements, if any, would be made for the reinforcement of the local forces?

Plans have been considered for the reinforcement of Kenya (in common with other Colonial territories) with men and materials in time of war; but it would not be in the public interest to give any details.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that there is a strong feeling of discontent among non-manual workers earning a little over £250 a year at having to pay for their air-raid shelter; and whether he will reconsider his decision on the subject?

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hertford (Sir M. Sueter) on the 16th February, and to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on the 20th March.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the total amounts expended on roads in the year ended the 31st March, 1938, comparable with the expenditure of £13,500,000 on road and bridge construction and major improvements and £45,000,000 on maintenance and minor improvements in the year ended the 31st March, 1937?

The comparable figures for the year ended the 31st March, 1938, are £17,600,000 for new construction and major improvements, and £47,100,000 for maintenance, minor improvements, and certain other purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make statutory regulations or orders requiring electricity supply undertakings to provide all applicants for service facilities or current with a clear statement of their rights in respect of the provision of those services or, alternatively, consider taking steps to ask Parliament for such powers?

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the provision by statutory undertakers to consumers of a statement setting out the terms on which they can requisition for a supply of electricity. These are contained in Sections 24, 25 and 27 of the Schedule to the Electric Lighting (Clauses) Act, 1899. I have no power to make regulations or orders to this end, and even if electricity-undertakers were required by statute to draw the attention of prospective consumers to these provisions it would, in my opinion, be of little practical value in view of the number of cases, particularly in rural areas, where the provisions would not assist prospective consumers.In view of these facts I should not feel justified in asking Parliament for the powers to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in regard to the number of empty cotton mills and unused factories still in good condition, and to the numbers of unemployed skilled workers in North-East Cheshire, he will consider the possibility of making use of such facilities, in view of the necessity of expanding the defence programme?

Considerable use is already being made of the facilities available in North-East Cheshire in connection with the Royal Air Force expansion programme, and there are 14 firms in this area now engaged on sub-contract work on airframes and engines, in addition to two of the main aircraft firms. I regret that there are at present no requirements for which any of the vacant cotton mills or factories referred to by my hon. Friend would be suitable or could be readily adapted without considerable expenditure.