asked ahe Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the success achieved by the Irish Folklore Commission in collecting and preserving folklore through the agency of teachers and senior pupils, he will consult with the Educational Institute of Scotland as to the desirability of organising a similar collection in Scotland?

Yes, Sir. I should add, however, that in present circumstances I cannot make any promise of a grant from public funds towards the cost of any such collection.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered resolutions from the Markinch Town Council raising the question of a subsidy for reconditioning of houses within the burgh and the further question of a subsidy for houses for occupation by tenants other than those who come within the scope of the Housing Acts relating to slum-clearance and overcrowding; and will he expedite inquiries into these matters in order to satisfy the demands of this and other local authorities?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on this subject on 27th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the housing needs of Glasgow, and of Scotland as a whole, as estimated in 1935, have been met?

The needs for slum clearance and the relief of overcrowding as estimated in 1935 have been met to the extent of 12 per cent. in Glasgow and 23 per cent. in Scotland as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of working-class houses completed by the Glasgow Corporation during each of the last 10 years and in the first five months of 1939?

Following is the answer:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of local authority houses built per 1,000 of the population during the last three years in Glasgow and in the whole of Scotland, respectively?

The numbers are six per thousand in Glasgow and ten in Scotland as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of local authorities in Scotland make use of the powers contained in the Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Acts to make advances to purchasers of houses?

According to returns received from local authorities 10 county councils and II town councils make use of the powers referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the report of Mr. Andrew Anderson on his recent tour of herring ports on the Continent; and what action it is proposed to take to meet the serious criticisms contained therein?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The report referred to was made to the Herring Industry Board who inform me that they have issued copies to curers and exporters and called their attention to the points mentioned in it. The board will, through their inspectors and local officers, exercise a strict supervision with a view to eliminating practices detrimental to the trade and maintaining the high standards and reputation of British cured herring.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, and when, action is to be taken by the Herring Industry Board for the improvement of the methods of distribution in the herring industry?

I am informed by the Herring Industry Board that they are directing attention in the first place to the questions of increasing the demand for herring and of ensuring that the quality placed on the market is satisfactory. They are also considering measures for improving the organisation for selling to markets overseas and have certain experiments in view to test the possibilities in certain countries where trade is at present small.As regards the home market the Board believe that an increase in the consumption of herring is possible and they are satisfied that the various propaganda measures instituted by them are having a definite effect in that direction. When their examination of the marketing position is further advanced the Board will be prepared to consider the carrying out of such experiments as seem justified and are within their powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been received from Scottish ports for grants for the building of new motor boats under the Herring Industry Act, 1938; and how many grants have been authorised?

Thirty-two applications have been received from Scottish ports and up to the end of June grants had been provisionally approved by the Ministers in 12 of these cases. In five cases the applications were withdrawn and in seven cases the applicants did not fulfil the conditions of eligibility. Eight cases are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the high incidence of incapacitating rheumatism among the insured population in the industrial belt in Scotland; whether the insurance committee for the county of Stirling have yet submitted their proposals to him for the inauguration of clinics for the treatment of rheumatism on lines similar to the clinics now operating in London; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the alarming incidence of rheumatism amongst insured workers as revealed by the preliminary study of this problem by the Department of Health; that the highest frequency, resulting in incapacity for work, namely, 39.77 per 1,000, is in the county of Stirling; that to meet this situation the insurance committee of Stirlingshire desire to see clinics set up in Scotland for the treatment of rheumatism similar to those operating in London; and what action does he propose to meet this request of the insurance committee?

I have received a resolution on this subject from the Stirlingshire Insurance Committee. I understand that the London clinics referred to have been set up by voluntary agencies. There are already certain voluntary institutions in Scotland which provide facilities for the treatment of rheumatism and to which payments are made by approved societies out of surplus funds. I am prepared to encourage approved societies to contribute to the funds of any new clinics which may be established.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the rioting that took place at the Albion Greyhound Racecourse, Glasgow, on Saturday evening 24th June, and whether he can state the reason for such rioting; whether any damage was done to life and property or money stolen; whether he is aware that frequent trouble has taken place on this greyhound racecourse, and that frequent allegations have been made of the award of the race to dogs that had not really won the races; and whether he will inquire into the conduct of affairs on this course?

According to my information serious disturbances have accurred at this racecourse on two occasions, the last taking place on the date named by the hon. Member. Damage to property has taken place and money has been stolen but no person has been injured. The occurrences of 24th June are under examination by my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and a person alleged to be implicated in offences then committed will be brought before the Court to-morrow. As regards the last part of the question the management of dog race tracks is a matter for the licensing authority. I would add that the police are taking all possible steps to prevent a recurrence of the trouble.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the steamers which sail between Glasgow, Lochranza, Pirnmill, Carradale and Campbeltown, will be discontinued at the end of September; and as there has been a continuous regular service between Glasgow and Campbeltown since 1826, and the 140 miles of mountainous roads which separate Campbeltown from Glasgow are, in winter, frequently impassable during periods of fog and snow, particularly the ascent and descent of the Rest and Be Thankful, he will take all possible steps to see that this steamer service which has always been the main link with Kintyre in winter time, is maintained?

I am informed that the Clyde and Campbeltown Shipping Company propose to discontinue their existing mail, passenger and cargo service at the end of September but to provide a cargo service in its place. I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport about the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that at the recent Highland and agricultural show there were 16 exhibits of Wiltshire bacon and none of the Ayrshire type; and whether he will reconsider his attitude to the Scottish deputation who pressed upon him the desirability of a separate marketing scheme for Scotland so as to protect, among other features, the economic advantages of Scottish-cured bacon?

I am informed by the Pigs Marketing Board, by whom the exhibit referred to was arranged, that its purpose was to illustrate to Scottish producers the type of cure known as Wiltshire, 55 per cent. of Scottish bacon is already so cured.As regards the last part of the question, a separate Scottish Scheme is not at present in contemplation and I have received no representations from Scottish pig and bacon producers in favour of such a proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what enlargement of the Cupar sugar-beet factory for the purpose of increasing its capacity has taken place since the Sugar Industry Reorganisation Act or is now contemplated.

I am informed by the British Sugar Corporation Limited that no extension of their Cupar factory has taken place during the period mentioned and that none is contemplated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a firm in Lerwick, trading by the name of Sandison under a wholesale licence to sell intoxicants, was heavily fined for the illicit retail of liquor on its premises in October, 1937, and again in May, 1939; that two members of the firm were sentenced to three months' hard labour for assaulting the chief witness against them in 1937; that a third member who now holds the wholesale licence from the excise authorities was declared by the sheriff on conviction to be prepared to disregard entirely the law; and whether he will instruct the excise authorities to decline to re-issue any wholesale licence to the firm of Sandison or any convicted member thereof?

I understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the first two parts of the Question, though I have no information as to the third.With regard to the last part of the Question, under Section 46 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act, 1903, a person convicted of illicit retail forfeits his licence and cannot obtain another for two years, but I am advised that I have no power to suspend the issue of a licence to a convicted person for a longer period nor to refuse the issue of a licence to an unconvicted person who is a member of a firm, other members of which may have been convicted.

asked the Secretary of State for War which units of the Welsh Territorial Army formations are now up to strength?

In Wales and Mon-mouthshire, there are 13 units which are required to duplicate. All of these have exceeded the establishment for one unit, and two of them have completed duplication. There are 15 units which are not required to duplicate, and, of these, 10 have reached their establishment.Following are the 12 units which are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for War which armament firms at present have contracts for the supply of Bofors guns?

It is not the practice, nor would it be in the public interest, to disclose the allocation of munitions contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the situation of the munitions factory to be established near Leeds; the total area of land to be occupied; the price of the land, and the number of persons it is estimated will be employed; and the nature of the work which will be carried out in such factory³

I am not yet in a position to make an announcement on this matter.

:asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent herring are included in the dietary of the Army?

At home stations, herring are bought out of the messing cash allowance in accordance with the wishes of the troops. At many stations abroad, where fish has to some extent to be supplied in tins, tinned herring are issued in considerable quantity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Territorial light tank regiments are not only unequipped with tanks but are going to camp for their annual training with inadequate supply of Morris trucks issued as token vehicles to represent tanks; that the recently formed second regiments have been issued with no vehicles of any description with which to train before attending camp; and what is being done to remedy these deficiencies?

All the original light tank units of the Territorial Army have received a preliminary issue of light tanks and also of vehicles of various types including Morris trucks to assist in training. Some of the equipment has been made available for use by duplicate units. Arrangements have been made for original and duplicate units to share equipment at camp. Authority has also been given to units to hire additional vehicles for camp. Production is proceeding at an increasing rate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of any militiamen wishing to transfer to the Regular Army on completion of their service, they will be accepted without further medical inspection?

No, Sir. Such a man will again be medically examined to determine his fitness for the particular branch of the service to which he wishes to transfer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the hardship committees are empowered to consider applications from the owners of one-man businesses for a grant to enable them to employ an experienced man to keep their business running while they are serving under the Military Training Act and to advise in favour of such grants?

The Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee is empowered to consider such an application, and to recommend in favour of a grant in a suitable case, if it is satisfied that the person concerned requires such assistance in consequence of his service under the Military Training Act, 1939, and that without it serious hardship would result. Any such recommendation will be subject to the conditions indicated in the White Paper (Cmd. 6043) recently issued on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements are being made to supply militiamen with caps or hats to wear with their plain-clothes outfit, if not, will he remedy this deficiency?

Berets will be issued for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War when all Territorial Army units will have their complement of rifles?

Ample stocks are available to meet all requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the one contract for the manufacture of 3.45 inch shell made from bar, placed during the latter half of 1936, was above £1 per shell; and whether he will state the name of the firm with which it was placed?

It would be contrary to practice to give the information asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many contracts for 3.45-inch shell made from forgings were placed during the latter half of 1936; how many of them were above the price of £1 per shell; and how many of those contracts have since been renewed under the renewal clause at a price above £1 per shell?

Seven contracts for 3.45-inch (25-pdr.) shell from forgings were placed in the second half of 1936. Two only contained a renewal clause, and, in both cases, the further orders placed were not for complete shell-bodies, but for machining and finishing forgings supplied by the Department. It would be contrary to practice to disclose contract prices.

:asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the reservists in Bordon Camp state that at meal times they have to rush to get served at all; that the food is very indifferent in quality; that until recently they have been sleeping on the ground with only a sheet under them but have now been issued with boards; whether he will have immediate inquiry made into these complaints; and has he received any other complaints regarding the conditions prevailing in this camp?

I have no information as to deficiencies in the messing arrangements such as are suggested in the question, but it is the case that for the first few days there were not enough tent boards and paillasses for all reservists. I am not aware of any complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Territorial anti-aircraft units are to receive this year their full bounties, which are normally given according to the number of drills done throughout the year, or whether they are not to receive those bounties because they have been embodied for a month compulsorily and have therefore received the correct extra emolument due on embodiment?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer on this subject which was given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 12th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War what differences exist between the status, training, and equipment of the first and second or any other battalions of a Territorial infantry regiment?

As soon as a duplicate battalion has recruited and organised itself sufficiently to assume a separate identity, its status becomes in every respect equal to that of the original unit, and its training and equipment will ultimately be the same.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the percentage of medical rejects on entry into the Regular Army?

Of the applicants for enlistment from 1st October, 1938, to 31st May, 1939, who underwent medical examination, 12.447 percent. were rejected.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that wives of reservists called up for training are being forced to apply for relief to the public assistance committees in Nottinghamshire; and whether His Majesty's Government have any proposals to obviate this undesirable position?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to send me particulars of the cases he refers to, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the policy adopted during certain years of the post-war period of purchasing a proportion of remounts for the British Army from sources other than Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Eire, has now definitely been abandoned; whether he is satisfied that under present conditions it will be possible to obtain all the necessary remounts from Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Eire; and whether he is taking any steps to ensure that there is a sufficient reserve of horses available in this country for the Army and Yeomanry in the event of an emergency?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is, "Yes, Sir," except for requirements at certain stations abroad, which are either purchased locally or from the nearest Dominion. As regards the last part, it sufficient reserve is available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that land owned or controlled by the War Office in the West Indies is in some cases not being used and is impeding housing and other development; and whether, where possible, he will consider handing over this land to the local government?

:It is not desirable, at the present time, to authorise any large-scale alienation of War Department property, in view of possible future requirements, but consideration would be given to any request from the Colonial Government to purchase any particular property at a fair valuation, or to take a tenancy at a fair rental.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any further information respecting the recent bartering arrangement of rubber and cotton between Great Britain and the United States of America; and whether he contemplates further arrangements of this character either with the United States of America and other Governments, and for other commodities?

The hon. Member will no doubt have seen that the United States Senate has ratified the agreement and I understand that legislation empowering the United States Government to acquire the necessary stocks of cotton is under consideration. It is hoped to put the agreement into force as soon as these powers have been obtained and as soon as the Ministry of Supply has been constituted. I am in consultation with the trade interests concerned regarding the detailed agreements which will be necessary when the agreement comes into effect. No further arrangements of this kind are at present in contemplation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the total amount of Japanese merchandise imported into this country for the first six months of this year; and whether he will give the House the information in his possession as to the conditions under which this merchandise is produced, and the hours of work and the wages of the workers in the Japanese factories?

The aggregate value of merchandise imported into this country from Japan during the first six months of this year is not yet available, but will be published in the monthly trade accounts for July. During the first quarter, these imports were valued at £2,419,000. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to an article on wages and working hours of industrial workers in Japan which appeared in the Ministry of Labour Gazette for May last. I am informed that the average daily earnings of industrial workers in Japan are at present somewhat higher than the figures quoted in that article.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government scheme for war insurance of hulls and cargoes of merchant shipping will make provision for insuring the personal belongings of officers and men including professional equipment of officers and carpenters' tool-chests, etc., up to a total value sufficient to cover full replacement value?

No, Sir. The experience of the last War showed that it was not practicable to deal with this matter by a scheme of Government insurance, and compensation for loss of personal effects of officers and seamen was given on a non-contributory basis. In the event of an emergency, the Government would propose to seek Parliamentary authority to proceed on similar lines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the announcement by the Union Castle Company that they propose to withdraw, and presumably to scrap, three liners hitherto running on the Cape route; whether he will consider the desirability of representing to the company and to other shipping companies the advisability of not, at the present time, scrapping any vessels of the kind and whether he will make a statement as to the wishes of the Government in this matter?

I am aware that the Union Castle Mail Steamship Company, Limited, have recently withdrawn certain passenger liners from service and are selling them for scrapping in the United Kingdom. These were old vessels which have been replaced by modern ships. The Merchant Ship Reserve Advisory Committee has not recommended the purchase of these ships for the Merchant Ship Reserve. In these circumstances, I have no objection to the sale of the vessels for scrapping in this country.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the cost of printing work done for the Government in England, Wales and Scotland, giving the total for each country separately?

The expenditure from the Stationery Office Vote in 1938-39 in respect of printing work in England, Wales and Scotland for the Government was:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make a statement indicating what progress has been made concerning the proposed legislation relating to the insurance of stocks of essential commodities?

I have been asked to reply. A Bill dealing with the matter is in course of preparation and will be introduced at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a considerable number of local authorities pay to their employés who are members of the Reserve or Auxiliary Forces their full civil pay in addition to their service pay and allowances during the period of their annual training; and whether he will make provision, in any further or amending order made under the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act, 1939, whereby local authorities may make similar payments during a period equivalent to that of such annual training in the case of employés who are members of the Reserve or Auxiliary Forces and are called out under that Act?

I understand that the practice of local authorities in regard to the matter mentioned in the first part of the question varies. As regards the second part, my right hon. Friend is not prepared to accept the hon. Member's suggestion that the Order-in-Council should be amended, but I may point out that there is nothing in the Order to prevent a local authority, in the exercise of its discretion, paying full civil pay in respect of so much of the period of calling out for service as is to be regarded as part of the man's normal annual leave.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the large number of parishes in England and Wales without a piped water-supply, and that in the main, they are rural parishes whose rate resources are inadequate to provide such a supply, he will provide financial assistance for this purpose?

My right hon. Friend is afraid that he can at present hold out no prospect of legislation authorising further grants for rural water supply.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some officers of the Loughborough Council have had their motor cars cleaned in the time and at the expense of the local authority; that, as a result of strong protests, this practice has been discontinued and charges for such cleaning are now being imposed; and whether, in the interests of good government, he will take steps to ensure that the Loughborough Council cease the practice of cleaning private motor cars, whether payment is received or not?

The matter is not one in which I have any authority to intervene. I have, however, made inquiries from the Loughborough Town Council and I understand that the arrangements for the cleaning of cars which are used for official business were made with the express consent of the responsible committees of the council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the number of State, municipal and voluntary hospitals, respectively, and the annual amount expended on each category in this country?

There are only two State Hospitals, namely institutions for mental defectives, under my control, the expenditure upon them in 1937–38 being £80,047.In 1938, the total number of hospitals owned by local authorities in England and Wales, including sanatoria, maternity homes, mental hospitals and institutions for mental defectives was 1,432. The approximate expenditure thereon in the year ended 31st March, 1937, the latest year for which figures are available, was £25,631,000, including £1,932,594 for loan charges in respect of capital expenditure.In 1937 (the latest year for which figures are available), the number of voluntary hospitals in England and Wales, including sanatoria and mental hospitals, was 984, but I have no information as to the total annual expenditure.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered a communication from the secretary of the County Councils' Association, and from the Secretary of the Association of Municipal Corporations, informing him that a conference of representatives of the public assistance committees of England and Wales unanimously carried a resolution in favour of increasing the rate of old age pensions, and in favour of making representations to the Government on that subject; whether he has been asked to receive a deputation from the associations mentioned; and what decision he has reached in regard thereto?

Yes, Sir, I propose to receive the deputation referred to, and my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will accompany me.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in 1938, 168 new factories were opened in the Greater London area. and 44 extensions, giving employment to 18,750 persons; that in the North-Eastern area, comprising Durham, Northumberland and the North Riding of Yorkshire there were 28 new factories opened and eight extensions, giving employment to 2,450 persons; and can he say what is being done to prevent the movement of industry to the South?

Yes, Sir, but I understand that of the 168 new factories opened in the Greater London area, 51 were transfers of existing businessses and of these, 46 were transfers from within the London region itself. Only two of the 28 new factories opened in the North-East area were transfers. As regards the last part of the question I would remind the hon. Member that the increasing concentration of the industrial population and the development of new private businesses in London and the Home Counties is a problem now engaging the attention of the Royal Commission on the Geographical Distribution of the Industrial Population. In the case of Government establishments required in connection with the Defence programme it is the Government's policy to place them in areas of heavy unemployment so far as practical considerations permit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can provide a list of industries wherein wage agreements or awards with respect to wages exist, ensuring to adult labour rates lower than 40s. per week, together with the number of men and women, respectively, affected in each case?

As the hon. Member will be aware, rates of wages in most industries vary for different classes of workers and in different districts. I regret that the information in my possession is not sufficiently comprehensive to enable me to enumerate the industries, occupations and districts in which the rates of wages fixed by wage agreements awards for adult men and women, respectively, provide a wage of less than 40s. a week. In general, it may be said that for adult men the rates of wages fixed by collective agreements, awards, etc. are rarely below 40s. a week, except in agriculture, and for certain classes of unskilled workers in some of the smaller towns and rural dis- tricts. For women, the rates of wages of manual workers are mostly below 40s. a week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any explanation of the great divergence between the results of medical examinations for the Regular Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Militia?

The medical examinations for the Regular Forces have in view the requirements of the particular units in which the men wish to enlist, and cover a much wider age-range than that for the militia. Moreover, it is a common practice for an intending recruit who is rejected at one centre to try again at other centres or for other units and in this way the figure for rejections is to some degree inflated. For these reasons the real divergence between the results for the Regular Forces and those for the Militia is considerably less than that represented by the crude figures.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the recent observations of the Common Serjeant with regard to the facilities that exist in prison libraries of learning methods of coining; and whether he will take the necessary steps to secure that books containing such information are not made available to prisoners?

In the arrangement's for the control of prison libraries special attention is given to the point mentioned by my hon. Friend and care is taken not to supply prisoners with books which are likely to facilitate or encourage the commission of crime. The Standing Order on the subject mentions as an obvious illustration of the general principle that a book on engraving should not be allowed to a forger.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Weits disease, denned as an infectious disease in which the presence or the activity of the microorganism spirochaete, leptospira, ictero-haemorrhagiae has been demonstrated, has been scheduled as an industrial disease in Queensland under the Workmen's Compensation Acts (Amendment) Act of 1936; and if he will consider similar action in Britain under the same definition?

I am aware that the infection in question has been made the subject of compensation under Queensland law. As regards this country, I would refer to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 25th May. My right hon. Friend's inquiries are not quite complete, but he contemplates making the Order very shortly.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can supply particulars of the number of men employed in the mining industry, and the total coal output for each year from 1936 to the most recent date?

The following is the information:

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he will give the area of land now held by the Forestry Commissioners in the county of Carmarthen, the number of small holdings attached to the forests, and the number of men employed thereon?

I have been asked to reply. The Forestry Commissioners now hold 22,722 acres of land in the county of Carmarthen on which 36 forest workers' holdings have been created. The number of persons employed on the land during the last 12 months varied from 74 to 169.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education, in how many local authorities nutrition surveys of school children arc carried out each six months as recommended in his report for 1938; whether he is aware that many local education authorities are not in a financial position to carry out this recommendation; what progress has been made by the survey now being carried out by the Board as to the adequacy of the provision of free meals and milk in England and Wales; whether this survey has begun in the most necessitous areas; and what is the number of cases in which the Board have made suggestions to the local education authorities as to the necessity of improving their provision of free meals and milk?

According to the information in the possession of the Board, which is, however, not altogether complete, nutrition surveys of all children in public elementary schools are carried out at intervals of six months or less in the areas of at least 50 local education authorities. There are also a large number of areas where such surveys are carried out at longer intervals. I am aware of the financial difficulties of certain authorities, but the conduct of nutrition surveys is so important a part of the School Medical Service that financial considerations should not make it impossible to incur the comparatively small expenditure involved, which is aided to the extent of 50 per cent. by the Board's grants. The survey by the Board of the adequacy of the provision of free meals and milk has now covered nearly half of the local education authorities in England and Wales, including 23 of the 29 Special Areas. As stated in my reply of 29th June to the Noble Lady the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth, the Board have communicated with about 130 local education authorities making suggestions for the improvement of their arrangements, and in a number of cases these suggestions have already been adopted by the authorities.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Sirena Company, of Milan, have secured from the Spanish Government a concession for re-floating all merchant vessels sunk in Spanish waters during the civil war; and whether he will immediately make it clear to the Spanish Government that His Majesty's Government expect that all salved British ships shall be placed at the disposal of the owners concerned?

My Noble Friend is calling for a report from His Majesty's Ambassador at San Sebastian.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take all possible steps to induce the Soviet Government to make the autonomous Jewish State of Birobidjan available for Jewish refugees and, in particular, will he ask the British Ambassador in Moscow to inquire from the Soviet authorities what progress is being made with the development of this State; how many Jewish refugees have been accepted into the territory during the last 12 months; and will the Soviet Government co-operate with the refugee organisation under the League of Nations?

I have at present nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on 27th June.