asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any information as to the trading profit or loss incurred by Imperial Airways, Limited, since the Government assumed control as compared with a similar period last year?

I have no information as to the trading results of Imperial Airways Limited since the preparation of the last audited accounts up to the 31st March, 1938. After this date and until the proposed appointed day under the British Overseas Airways Bill, the Company continues to operate under contracts for various services. Accounts for this period will in due course be received by the Corporation, but complete trading results cannot be ascertained until the amount of the subsidy payments due to the Company under the various agreements have been calculated and agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what air operating companies were represented at the opening of the new airport for Edinburgh and Glasgow on 1st July; whether Imperial Airways. Limited, were represented; and whether they sent any machines?

The following companies took part: North Eastern Airways, Railway Air Services, Scottish Airways, Allied Airways (Gandar Dower), Isle of Man Air Services, K.L.M., S.A.B.E.N.A., A. B. Aerotransport (Stockholm), Air France. North Eastern Airways, Scottish Airways and K.L.M. sent aircraft. Imperial Airways, Limited, were not represented.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the conditions in the two-part tariff of the Central London Electricity, Limited, especially the surcharge of 7½ per cent. on an already increased primary charge, and the impossibilty of the tenant securing a contract to last for a year without change; and whether he will inquire into the justice of such conditions?

I am making inquiries on this matter, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether the departmental committee which is considering rating and valuation has yet drafted its report; and whether he can give any indication when publication can be expected?

I understand that the departmental committee are now considering their report but I am not yet in a position to indicate when publication may be expected.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that three years ago his Department agreed to carry out the necessary alterations to the office of the inspector of taxes, Exchange Buildings, 20, Market Street, Llanelly, but that these have not yet been done; whether he can give the reason for this long delay; whether he is aware that there is no fire-escape attached to the building although the structure is mainly wooden with a wooden staircase, and that the local air-raid wardens have refused to accept responsibility for the safety of the staff or of the building until these repairs have been made; and will he expedite these alterations?

Although it was agreed in principle in 1937 that the Llanelly Tax District should be transferred from the 2nd and 3rd floors of Exchange Buildings to the 1st and 2nd, other alternatives were considered in the interval and a final decision was taken last year. It is hoped to carry out the proposed move shortly. The delay, which I regret, has been caused partly by the consideration of an abortive scheme to rehouse the staff concerned in a new building, and partly by the general pressure of work on my Department. It is proposed to supply a new fire escape when the alterations are made, and every effort will be made to expedite their completion.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government has decided to ratify the International Convention on Workmen's Compensation of 1925; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

The two main factors which have been found by successive Governments to prevent ratification of the Draft Convention of 1925 concerning Workmen's Compensation for Accidents were, first that it would involve some comprehensive scheme of compulsory insurance with a State guarantee or some other system for providing complete security for the payment of compensation, and secondly that the provisions of the Draft Convention giving the workman a legal right to medical and surgical aid would involve substantial modifications in the hospital and other medical arrangements in this country. There has been no material change in these respects since 1925, but both matters will now be coming under investigation by the Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, distinct from the present activity on armaments, the Government are considering taking further steps to maintain the volume of industry, trade, and commerce of this country; and whether, in this connection, they are considering the further expansion of barter trade arrangements between Great Britain and the United States?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to a question by the hon. Member for Leyton, West (Mr. Sorensen) on 4th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the amount and value, respectively, of non-ferrous metals, rubber, leather, ores, asbestos and mica exported from this country to Japan in each of the last three years?

The following statement shows, in respect of the commodities specified in the question, particulars of exports from the United Kingdom consigned to Japan (including Formorsa) during the years 1936, 1937 and 1938. The statement is not quite complete, but such items as are omitted are relatively unimportant in our trade with Japan.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any information as to the price of the locomotives and tenders which have been ordered by the Egyptian State railways from Poland; whether there was any British tender; and, if so, how the latter compares with the Polish tender?

I understand that the price of the locomotives and tenders ordered by the Egyptian State railways from Poland to which my hon. Friend refers was £E7,580 per unit. British firms quoted for this business but their prices were higher.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Florence McDonald, aged 21 years, sentenced, within three weeks of her third confinement, to three months imprisonment for theft from a gas-meter; and whether he will see that this sentence is postponed until it can be served without involving the child accompanying its mother to gaol?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to Questions on this subject by the hon. Member for Fulham West (Dr. Summerskill). As regards the second part of the Question, Mrs. McDonald accompanied by her child was taken to prison on being sentenced. I have no power to order the postponement of a sentence of imprisonment.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will now issue a visa to Frau Gisela Hoefler, applied for as a domestic servant by the wife of Rev. D. E. Auty, of Castle Douglas, in view of the letters submitted to him?

In the selection of cases for admission to this country experience has shown that it is undesirable to make arrangements which involve the separation of married couples. In this case there is no proposal that the husband should come here, and my right hon. Friend is informed that he does not wish to apply for permission. In these circumstances it has not been possible to select the wife as one of the applicants to be admitted for domestic service.

asked the Minister of Labour, whether he will state the number of men who have registered for military training under the Military Service Act in Manchester; the number who have registered as conscientious objectors; and how many of the latter have duly sent in their forms of application to the tribunal, Form M.R. 14?.

The numbers are 3,923, 58 and 56 respectively.