asked the Minister of Health what number of houses have been approved for slum clearance and overcrowding in the county districts of Wales since the 1st April, 1933?

:The total number is 14,779. I am sending the hon. Member a list giving the figures for each district.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the number of post-war houses completed in May was approximately half the total of houses in existence in England and Wales in 1918, he can state whether this proportion applies to Lancashire as a whole?

:The corresponding proportion in the Administrative County of Lancaster (together with the 17 associated county boroughs) was approximately 40 percent.

County.		Number of applications from county districts in Wales for consent to loan, decided since 1stApril, 1933, or at present under consideration in respect of
		Water supply			Sewerage and sewage disposal.
		Sanctioned	Refused.	Under consideration.	Sanctioned.	Refused.	Under consideration.
Anglesey	…	17	—	9	4	—	3
Brecknock	…	13	—	3	8	—	8
Cærnarvon	…	68	—	13	27	—	10
Cardigan	…	50	1	14	3	—	—
Carmarthen	…	44	1	10	14	1	1
Denbigh	…	42	—	7	34	—	4
Flint	…	29	—	1	21	—	3
Glamorgan	…	108	—	13	49	2	18
Merioneth	…	25	—	7	6	—	4
Monmouth	…	19	—	8	27	—	11
Montgomery	…	7	—	10	1	—	—
Pembroke	…	53	1	14	6	—	3
Radnor	…	3	—	5	2	—	—
Totals	…	478	3	114	202	3	65

A complete record of the cases in which applications were withdrawn is not readily available in the Department, but it is estimated that the number withdrawn since 1st April, 1933, does not exceed 12 in all.The figures in the above table relate to separate applications for consent to loans; these figures will exceed the number of schemes of water supply and sewerage approved, as, in a number of cases, more than one application for loan will have been received in respect of the same scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether an adequate sewage scheme for the Forydd district of the Abergele urban district area has yet been completed, and a complete cessation made of the practice of depositing sewage on the foreshore?

asked the Minister of Health what number of applications from county districts in Wales for consent to loans has been decided since the 1st April, 1933, in respect of water supply and sewerage; what number has been sanctioned and what number refused, and in what cases applications were withdrawn?

:Following is a statement showing the particulars required.

The urban district council have prepared a scheme for dealing with sewage disposal which, it is anticipated, will shortly be submitted to me for approval.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that women who are totally unfitted, either from advanced age, ill health, or lack of morals, are able to take foster-children provided notice is given to a local authority; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to Section 212 of the Public Health Act, 1936, under which the welfare authority have power to apply to a court of summary jurisdiction for an order To be made for the removal,to a place of safety of a foster-child about to be received by a person who, for such reasons as are stated in the question, is unfit to have the care of the child. The notice which under the Act is required to be given to the welfare authority before a foster-child is received for reward should afford the welfare authority opportunity for action to prevent the reception of foster-children by unsuitable women.

asked the Minister of Health when the Annual Report of the Ministry for 1938 will be published; also when can Members expect to have the Report of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for 1938?

I hope it may be possible to publish the Annual Report of the Ministry for the year ended 31st March, 1939, before the end of August, and the Report of the Chief Medical Officer for the year 1938 before the end of October.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a statement concerning the proposals to erect a steelworks at Edale, Derbyshire, and his negotiations thereon?

I understand that the firm in question have now definitely abandoned their proposal to establish a steelworks at Edale.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the estimated population of Rhondda for the years 1921 and 1938, respectively, giving also the rates levied and the total amount collected, showing separately the amount due to poor rate or public assistance for each of the years mentioned?

The estimated population of Rhondda at mid–1921 was 166,600 and at mid–1938 121,940. The rate pound- age (poor and general district rate) levied in the area for the year 1921–22 amounted to 26s. 6d. while the general rate for 1938–39 was 25s. 6d. The estimated rate incomes for the two periods were £ 672,792 and £421,736, respectively. Owing to changes in local government the figures are not readily comparable, but in 1921–22 9s. 4⅜d. of the above rate poundage was to meet the expenses of the Poor Law Guardians of Pontypridd Union (including vaccination, valuation, registration of births, deaths and marriages, and other expenses) while in 1938–39 the precept of the county council in respect of public assistance entailed a gross poundage of 10s. 4d. The latter figure takes no account of the block grant, which is applicable in relief of local government services generally. The block grant payable to the county council was equal to a rate relief of 9s. and the grant paid to the district council was equal to a further rate relief of 4s. 5d.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now state the exact situation of the new evacuation camps so far as they have been fixed?

The following sites for camps to be built in England and Wales under the provisions of the Camps Act, 1939, have so far been fixed:

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the number of gas masks delivered to the County of Carmarthenshire; and whether he can explain the delay in supplying the county with the number required?

169,840 civilian respirators were despatched to Carmarthenshire to-day, delivery having been deferred in accordance with the policy explained in the answer which I gave on the 6th April to a question by the hon. Member for Cumberland, North (Mr. W. Roberts). In addition, the county council received some time ago 329 service respirators and 455 civilian duty respirators towards the requirements of air-raid precautions services in the county, and other issues have also been made to the police forces in the county.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what decision has been taken regarding certain Thames-side areas which are at present being treated both as danger zones and reception areas?

The Dartford rural district is the only area on the Thames estuary which has been specified for the purposes of Part III of the Civil Defence Bill and also classified as a reception area under the evacuation scheme. For the reasons stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on the 18th May, I should not regard the removal of this area from the list of reception areas as justified. If my hon. Friend has any other district in mind, perhaps he will send me particulars.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can say approximately what percentage of those entitled to receive Anderson steel shelters have refused them; and what action, if any, it is proposed to take?

No, Sir. There is still a large unsatisfied demand for these shelters on the part of people living in vulnerable areas; and, so long as that is the case, I see no reason to take any action as regards the small minority who have declined for one reason or another to avail themselves of this opportunity to provide themselves with shelter free of cost.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether delivery of shelters has commenced in the Maesteg, Ogmore and Garw, Bridgend and Penybont local government areas; and what will be the approximate date when the needs are met?

Of the districts mentioned by the hon. Member, Bridgend is the only one which has been included among the areas to which these shelters are being supplied. Distribution will be extended to Bridgend as further supplies of the shelters become available, but I cannot say precisely when it may become possible to begin delivery there.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether a practice blackout has been arranged for the whole country during the month of July?

There is no present proposal for a blackout to cover the whole country at one time. In connection with the two Royal Air Force exercises to be held in July, which will between them cover the greater part of England, the local authorities have been given the opportunity of co-operating by arranging blackouts if they so desire. Further, in connection with the main Royal Air Force exercise to be held in August, it is hoped to arrange a complete blackout over an area including the Eastern, Midland and Southern Counties as well as London.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement as to the extent to which in time of war it would be proposed to utilise the services of women in the public transport services?

I have been asked to reply. I am not in a position to make a statement as to the extent to which the services of women might be utilised in public transport services in the event of war. The decision whether to employ women to replace men called up for service with the Armed Forces is one which would rest with the individual undertakings.

Under the existing Schedule of Reserved Occupations provision is made for the reservation of drivers of road passenger vehicles but not of conductors, who could no doubt be replaced, if neces- sity should arise, by men not of military age or by women.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the representations of the Association of County Councils in Scotland for an adjustment of telephone charges, whereby in the case of additional telephone lines required for air-raid precautions plans the lines only should be laid at present, as the cost of time and material, leaving the instruments to be installed if and when an emergency arrives, and if, in order to avoid further delays in the completion of air-raid precautions preparations, he will adopt the proposals of the association and make the necessary arrangements with the Post Office?

I have considered the representations of the Association of County Councils in Scotland, but I regret that there are serious objections to the adoption of the proposal. Even if telephone instruments were not installed at present, they must be held in readiness together with the line plant and exchange equipment, and since the actual work of connecting the instruments represents only a small part of the total cost of providing a telephone circuit there would be little saving in deferring this part of the work. Furthermore, it is very desirable that the installations should be completed now since in an emergency the resources of the Post Office would be severely taxed and it could not guarantee the prompt installation of a number of telephone instruments during a state of emergency. So far as I am aware, no delays in the completion of air-raid precautions preparations are being caused on this account. My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal has made it quite clear to local authorities that telephones required for air-raid precautions must be subject to normal rentals, which in approved circumstances will rank for Home Office grant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that it is much easier for farmers to plough up their grassland during the winter period than at present, especially in view of the existing shortage of farm labour, he will consider extending the Government scheme for granting the special subsidy of £2, per acre to the 31st December next?

No, Sir. The primary object of the grants for ploughing up grassland is to secure that more land will be in a position to grow arable crops next year should the need arise during the autumn of this year. It is for this reason that farmers are being offered some inducement to plough their land during the present summer. If a state of emergency arose during the late summer or autumn, it is contemplated that the necessary powers would be entrusted to the Government for securing that land suitable for the production of arable crops was made available for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres in Leicestershire have up to the present been ploughed up to qualify for the £2 subsidy?

Up to and including the 4th July, notifications of intention to plough up 1,172 acres of grassland under the Government scheme had been received from farmers in Leicestershire. I am unable to say what proportion of this acreage has already been ploughed up.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what representations he has received with regard to the inclusion of wool in a price insurance scheme; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?

No proposals in favour of price insurance for wool were received during the discussions with representatives of the agricultural industry earlier this year, and my right hon. Friend does not at present contemplate taking any steps in this direction. I would, however, remind my hon. and gallant Friend that in so far as the price of fat sheep is depressed by low prices for skins (including the wool thereon), the sheep farmer will in future be safeguarded by the provisions of Part 111 of the Agricultural Development Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the total of smallholdings in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and how many are supplied with electricity?

Agricultural holdings of over one acre but not exceeding 50 acres in extent in the West Riding of Yorkshire numbered 13,117 in June, 1938. I regret that information is not available to enable me to answer the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the sheep population of the United Kingdom at 4th June last or at the last convenient date?

Particulars are not yet available of the total number of sheep in the United Kingdom in June of this year, but the figure for June, 1938, was 26,775,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentages of the persons eligible are participating in each of the existing Special Area schemes for the supply of milk at a reduced price to nursing and expectant mothers and children under school age; and whether the price per pint is the same in each case?

My right hon. Friend is informed by the Milk Marketing Board that, of the persons eligible to participate in the experimental schemes for the supply of milk at reduced prices to nursing and expectant mothers and children in the Special Areas, the proportions that have availed themselves of the facilities are 60 per cent. in Jarrow, 61 per cent. in Rhondda and Walker-on-Tyne and 65 per cent. in Whitehaven. The milk is supplied at 2d. a pint, but in Whitehaven a special grant is made from the funds of the Whitehaven Council of Social Service and the Cumberland Friends' Unemployment Committee to enable certain applicants to be supplied with the milk at½ a pint.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements are being made in rural areas for the accommoda- tion of women land workers in case of emergency?

In the event of war, it is proposed that the Women's Land Army Committees should be responsible for the local arrangements for the accommodation of members of the Women's Land Army. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, has suggested to local authorities that they should bear this question in mind in preparing plans for reception under the evacuation schemes, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is considering with him the question whether any further steps are necessary or desirable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the estimated market price per pound paid for home-produced mutton and lamb, dressed car-case weight, for each of the months January to June, 1939, inclusive?

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

Month.		Fat Sheep.	Fat Lambs.
1939.	…	d.	d.
January	…	9½	—
February	…	10¼	—
March	…	10¾	16½
April	…	11	15¼
May	…	10¾	13½
June	…	9½	11½

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average price at the principal centres of fish for the fish-frying trade; and what is the average price of the same fish ex-ship?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that the comparative figures desired by the hon. Member cannot be given, as no average prices at the principal centres of fish for the fish-frying trade are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the average value per hundredweight of fish of British taking landed in 1929 and in each of the last five years?

The following are the figures desired by the hon. member:

				s.	d.
1929	…	…	…	18	2
1934	…	…	…	16	8
1935	…	…	…	15	11
1936	…	…	…	15	1
1937	…	…	…	14	2
1938	…	…	…	15	5

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will investigate, with a view to remedying, the decline of the Medway fishing industry, including the effect of oil pollution?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the shellfish industry in the River Medway. The condition of the shellfish beds in this area is well known, and the Ministry of Health have found it necessary to prohibit the sale of shellfish there from for human consumption unless they are first subjected to purification. No further investigation is therefore required.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether companies and societies engaged in industrial assurance have been asked to submit proposals with a view to amending the Order-in-Council under the Military Training Act, and with what result?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the procedure he intends to adopt with respect to persons whose application to postpone their liability to be called up for military training under the Military Training Act has been granted where the grounds of postponement are seasonal or other recurring incidence of employment; and whether it is intended to call up such persons for training immediately at the expiration of their postponed period to avoid hardship in the following year or in the ordinary way which may be many months after their temporary exemption has expired?

Yes, Sir. The endeavour will be to arrange that the period of training of such persons may coincide as far as possible with the period of seasonal slackness.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the militiamen now being called up will be required for service by the Navy and Air Force, respectively?

This question should be addressed to my right hon. Friends the First Lord of the Admiralty and to the Secretary of State for Air.

asked the Minister of Labour whether permission is given to the hardship committees set up under the Military Training Act to suggest an alternative date which, in their opinion, would be best calculated to suit the interests of both employer and employed instead of simply postponing the liability to the same season next year when the same difficulties are likely to arise?

The statutory powers of the Hardship Committees are limited to determining the period of 12 months during which the liability to be called up arises and in exercising these powers they may postpone the liability to start from any date during the year that they consider desirable. They are not empowered to fix the date of calling up but if they choose to make any recommendation on this point effect will be given to it as far as is practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider what steps can be taken to expedite the dealing with claims for the repayment of Income Tax?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Board of Inland Revenue are fully alive to the importance of dealing promptly with claims for repayment of Income Tax and that all possible steps are taken to secure that this object is achieved. If my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind and will send me details of them I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Home Secretary when he anticipates it will be possible to take action with regard to the pension-ability of assistant magistrates' clerks?

This is one of the matters which is being considered by the Departmental Committee appointed to me to inquire into the conditions of service of justices' clerks and their assistants and I am not in a position to make any statement until I have received and considered the report of the committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the unprecedented profits now being made by some of the big chain stores and multiple shops, and the fact that such profits are to a substantial extent due to the increased purchasing power of the public owing to the rearmament expenditure, he will consider the desirability of forthwith calling upon such businesses to make some special contribution to the urgent financial needs of the country?

The concerns to which my hon. Friend refers are liable to the same taxation on their profits as other businesses and I see no reason for singling them out for any special taxation.

asked the Home Secretary whether citizens born in Eire are to be enlisted and enrolled in the British police forces in future; and whether he can give the number of such men in the British police forces at present supplementary to the figures supplied for London, Liverpool and Manchester?

Appointments to the police forces are made by the police authority or the chief constable, as the case may be. There is nothing to prevent the appointment of a person who was born in Eire, provided, of course, that the appointing authority is satisfied as to his suitability. As regards the last part of the question I regret that I would not feel justified in adding to the labours of chief constables generally in asking them to obtain and supply this information.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will authorise visas to be issued quickly to William Pressburg and his wife and daughter, of Vienna, all of whose papers are in order save a letter stating when they can re-emigrate legally to Palestine, in view of the fact that the ladies, aged 43 and 17, are being held in prison and the man must go back to Dachau on 27th July and that it was in February last that the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme wrote to the Home Office about this fully guaranteed case?

My right hon. Friend is informed by the German Jewish Aid Committee, who were asked to investigate the case, that no evidence is forthcoming that this family would be able to re-emigrate and that the guarantee given was only in respect of temporary residence here pending re-emigration. Consequently it has not been possible to prefer this case to others but it could be further considered if an unconditional guarantee with regard to the family's maintenance in this country is forthcoming.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will authorise a visa to Frau Betty Loewenstein, and her son, Heinz, Nurenberg, guarantee and application for whom was made by Walter Block, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent, on 10th May, in view of the fact that the boy, aged 16 years, is under expulsion orders for 10th July?

A visa has been authorised to enable Mrs. Betty Loewenstein and her son to proceed to the United Kingdom.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that considerable discontent has been caused in the neighbourhood of the Roneo factory, Romford, by continuous noise, day and night, and the unpleasant odours given out from time to time; and whether he will take some action to remedy this nuisance?

In view of the hon. Member's question I arranged of a special visit by a Factory Inspector, but his report shows that no complaints have been received in recent years and that he could find no ground for any action under the Factories Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to convening a conference between European countries which are at present in danger of alienation, he will consider putting forward some proposals to form the basis for discussion at the conference?

As I informed the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 3rd July, the general aims of the foreign policy of His Majesty's Government were stated in a speech made by my Noble Friend on 29th June, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by elaborating that statement at the present juncture.

ENGLAND AND WALES.
Statement showing the number of new schools completed and/or opened during each year 1936 to 1938 (inclusive) with their accommodation and the estimated cost of construction of the buildings.
Public Elementary School
Year.		Provided schools.					Non-provided schools. *
		Number.	Accomodation.	Estimated cost of construction.	Average cost per place.		Number	Accomodation.
				£	£	s.
1936	…	118	46,640	1,792,082	38	8	16	4,060
1937	…	143	55.977	2,374,312	42	8	17	5,392
1938	…	133	63,515	3,159,535	49	14	16	4,062
* Information as to the cost of construction is not available.

Secondary Schools provided or maintained by Local Education- Authorities.
Year.			Number.	Accommodation.	Estimated cost of construction.	Average cost per place.
					£	£	s.
1936	…	…	3	1,350	112,851	83	12
1937	…	…	4	1,773	154,491	87	3
1938	…	…	12	5,298	483,823	91	6

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the number

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education with regard to the plans for school buildings sanctioned during 1938, whether he will state the estimated cost of the building per school-child provided for and the estimated cost per class-room, together with comparable figures for the years 1936 and 1937?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to public elementary and secondary schools. Following is a statement giving the numbers and accommodation and the average cost per place of new schools of each type completed or opened during the years in question. It is not possible to give the average cost per class-room, since class-rooms are not a separable item in the cost of the provision of a complete school, which, as the hon. Member knows, includes in most cases a hall, a gymnasium, rooms for special subjects and various other amenities, in addition to class-rooms.of elementary school buildings in this country still in use which are over 40 years of age; and whether he is satisfied as to the suitability of such buildings for modern educational work?

The Board have no statistics on this matter, and it would involve much labour to compile them. Many school buildings now in use are not well suited to modem educational practice, being deficient particularly in free space for physical training and in the larger rooms needed for the more practical forms of instruction. Unsuitable buildings are being replaced, enlarged or improved as circumstances permit: in 1938 151 schools were closed and plans were approved for the enlargement or improvement of 835 other schools in addition to 190 new schools.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what progress has been made with the scheme for staggering school holidays with the object of facilitating the holidays with pay movement; what is the general opinion of local authorities on this matter; and whether there is any likelihood of staggered holidays being enforced in schools throughout the country in 1940?

I regret that I have no information as to the progress which has been made in the direction of adjusting school holidays to fit in with industrial holidays with pay. As my hon. Friend is aware such adjustment is a matter for consideration by local education authorities in the light of the circumstances of their areas, and I have reason to believe that generally speaking they are prepared to co-operate where local circumstances require it. As regards the last part of the question, any general measure of enforcement would, in my view, be inappropriate, and not in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Holidays with Pay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British ships have been chartered this year for the Kara sea trade; and how many were chartered for that trade in 1938, and the corresponding tonnage?

From inquiries I have made I understand that chartering for the Kara Sea trade does not usually begin until the end of June and that some four or five British ships have been chartered for this season. I am also informed that for the whole of the 1938 season at least 25 British vessels, of over 142,000 tons deadweight, were chartered for the trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many idle ships were laid up in the Clyde waterways including the Gareloch on 24th June, 1939, and the corresponding tonnage, and what were the comparable figures for 17th June, 1939, 31st December, 1938, 30th June, 1937, and 30th June, 1936?

The most recent figures of laid-up tonnage in my possession relate to the 1st April, 1939. According to the quarterly returns published by the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, vessels laid up in the Clyde on the undermentioned dates were as follow:

Date.	Vessels.	Thousand tons net.
1st July, 1936:
British	8	31
Foreign	1	3
1st July, 1937
British	2	*
Foreign	—	—
1st July, 1938:
British	7	20
Foreign	2	9
1st January, 1939:
British	11	27
Foreign	1	5
1st April, 1939:
British	12	35
Foreign	2	11
*Less than 500 tons net

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total number and value of horses imported into this country during 1938, and from what countries they were supplied?

The following statement shows the total number and declared value of horses, including ponies, imported into the United Kingdom during 1938, distinguishing the principal countries of consignment:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Catterick Camp is sufficiently modernised to justify the extensive use made of it; and whether he will call for a special report as to the arrangements for housing and feeding the Territorial and other troops which are sent there?

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes, Sir." Territorials go to Catterick only for annual camp, and, as elsewhere, are accommodated under canvas during such training. The messing arrangements are the same as at other Territorial camps.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that Cuba stores large quantities of raw sugar for periods upwards of three years with polarisation well maintained; and, in view of the fact that permanent storage accommodation can be erected in Jamaica and other West Indian islands at a cost of £1 per ton of sugar stored, he will arrange for raw sugar supplies to be available in the Colonies for immediate shipment in case of national emergency as well as in this country, as such a policy will materially assist the Colonies in their present economic plight and in no way departs from the terms of the International Sugar Agreement?

I do not consider that my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal is justified on defence grounds. He will appreciate the advantage of holding reserves in this country against the contingency of war. I should add that I have ascertained that all sugar available for export from the West Indies has been sold and that none is likely to be available for storage in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what prison Miss Habusch will spend her life sentence; will confinement be solitary; are the wardresses white or coloured; and will she be permitted to see the rabbi and to read books?

The High Commissioner for Palestine reports that Miss Habusch is confined in the women's prison, which, for security reasons, is at present in temporary premises in Jerusalem. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Miss Habusch is under the charge of a British matron, who is assisted by Palestinian wardresses, some of them Jewesses and some of them Arabs. The answers to the last part of the question are in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether Chinese artisans are employed in His Majesty's Ship "Medway," Hong Kong; if so, will he state the terms and conditions of their employment; and whether engine-room artificers work with them and are in charge of and responsible for the work done?

Chinese civilian artisans who are volunteers drawn from His Majesty's Dockyard, Hong Kong, are at present employed in His Majesty's Ship "Medway" under agreement, the terms of which are as follow:

(i) Engagement for one year in the first instance, with option if suitable of re-engaging for further periods of one year.

(ii) Wages at ordinary dockyard rates for a six-day week, plus 40 per cent, thereof, to cover all time worked.

(iii) Accommodation on board and medical attendance free of charge.

(iv) Victualling allowance of 11 dollars a month.

(v) Free issue of uniform.

(vi) Employment to be on China Station only. If in certain circumstances the ship has to move to another station, the men would be required to go with the ship and remain in her until such time as arrangements could be made for reliefs.

Their work is supervised by engine room artificers as foremen or chargemen.These men are treated as dockyard workmen detached for duty afloat. On satisfactory completion of their engagement they may, if they so desire, return to their former dockyard service and time served in His Majesty's Ship "Medway" will count for all purposes as dockyard service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, regarding the 100,000 men under 30 years of age who are in receipt of Unemployment Assistance Board allowances, he will supply approximate percentages of the four groups into which the Board divides those in receipt of allowances, namely, those who are handicapped by physical defects; are victims of blind-alley employments; are found by the advisory committees to be unemployed of their own will; or who have fallen into such a condition that they make no personal effort to obtain work; and what remedial action he proposes in this matter?

I regret that more precise information than is given on pages 46–49 of the Board's Annual Report for 1938 respecting the various categories mentioned by the hon. Member is not available. So far as the second part of the question is concerned, I would, as regards physical disabilities, refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the question he put to me on 29th June, and, as regards blind-alley employment, to the reply to a question put to me by the hon. Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Brooke) on 5th June. As regards the remaining category I cannot add to what is said on page 48 of the Board's last Annual Report.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of adults engaged in insurable occupations in the United Kingdom; and, separately, the number whose conditions of work are governed by wages agreements or awards?

The total number of persons, aged 21 years and over, insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in the United Kingdom at July, 1938 (the latest date for which statistics are at present available), was approximately 12,000,000. I regret that statistics are not available showing the number of these workers whose conditions of employment are governed by wages agreements or awards.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there is an immediate prospect of the erection of a new factory at Maesteg, Glamorgan?

Negotiations are proceeding for the provision of a factory at Maesteg under the powers conferred upon the Commissioner for the Special Areas, but I am not yet in a position to indicate their probable outcome.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the introduction of a short Bill to declare the Irish Republican Army an illegal organisation in England?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the pleas made recently by those convicted of complicity in bomb outrages that they were acting as members of the Irish Republican Army, he will consider the introduction of legislation making it illegal for anyone residing in this country to be a member of this organisation?

The Government is fully alive to the urgency of this matter and is prepared, if necessary, to ask Parliament for further powers to deal with it. The question of what powers might be required is receiving immediate attention and is being carefully examined in all its aspects.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of children from distressed areas who have attended' camp schools in South Wales, and the probable number to the end of the season; how does that compare with the years 1937–38; and what steps have been taken to erect a new camp, or camps, in place of the large one closed down?

The number of children from the Special Areas who attended school camps provided or assisted by the Commissioner was 13,654 in 1937 and 11,618 in 1938. It is estimated that 13,000 will be able to attend in 1939. The Commissioner does not propose to provide a camp in replacement of that closed last year.