asked the Secretary of State for War why stipulations have been made by his Department that the timber required for new military hutments and similar buildings must be supplied by a particular firm?

I am not aware that any such stipulations have been made by my Department, but, if the hon. Member will be good enough to give me particulars of the case he has in mind, I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the published threats of sabotage made by the Irish Republican Army, he will discontinue the enlistment of Irish citizens in the British Army?

No, Sir. It is not proposed to take this course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consult the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Transport with a view to ensuring that there are adequate supplies of horses in this country, not only for the Army, but also for other purposes in an emergency?

The War Office will keep in touch with other Government Departments concerned in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Territorial officers will attend the course which is to be held at the staff college during the first fortnight in August; and what subjects it is proposed to include in the syllabus of instruction?

Three courses are being held for Territorial officers at the Staff College in August, as follow:

(1)Course "A" from 30th July to 12th August. This is the practical portion of the Territorial Officers' Staff Course, the earlier work in which has been carried out by correspondence.

(2) Course "B" from 30th July to 12th August. First Territorial Company Commanders' Course.

(3) Course "C" from 13th August to 26th August. Second Territorial Company Commanders' Course.

Fifty-five Territorial Army officers, including two officers of the Officers Training Corps, will attend Course "A." Twenty-nine officers have applied for Course "B." The number for Course "C" is not yet available.The object of Course "A" is to train officers up to the standard required for occupants of third grade or intermediate staff appointments in war. It includes instruction in organisation, staff duties, tactics and training.The object of Courses "B" and "C" is to give instruction in training an infantry battalion and commanding it in the field. The syllabus is the same for both these courses, and includes instruction in organisation, tactics and training.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the number of persons in receipt of pensions and allowances in Scotland, in the various categories under the Contributory Pensions Acts and the Old Age Pension Act, 1936, at the latest available date?

At 31st March, 1939, the numbers of persons in Scotland in receipt of pensions and allowances were as follow:

Under the Contributory Pensions Act.
Widows' pensions	85,847
Children's allowances	36,045
Orphans' pensions	2,390
Old age pensions (age 65–70)	86,327
Under the Old Age Pensions Act, by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Act.
Old age pensions (age over 70)	133,043
Non-contributory pensions, under the Old Age Pensions Act.
Old age pensions (age over 70)	56,109
Blind pensions (age under 70)	3,575

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government proposes in the near future to introduce any measures with a view to raising the wages of farm workers?

Agricultural wages are subject to the minimum rates fixed by the Agricultural Wages Committees established under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, and the committees have full power to increase such rates if they consider that the circumstances of the agricultural industry within their particular area warrant it. In these circumstances the introduction of further legislative measures is unnecessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statement to make on the proposal of the British Federation of Trawler Owners to lay up or scrap 400 trawlers?

I have no in formation as to the present position regarding this proposal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what protests he has received, from whom, and of what nature, regarding the recent large purchases of tinned salmon from Japan?

Apart from questions addressed to me in the House, five pro tests from private individuals have reached me. None of them appears to be based on special knowledge. According to my information, recent purchases have not been abnormal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the quantity of canned foodstuffs imported into this country in the past 12 months, and the quantity produced here in the same period; and whether he has any proposals for an expansion of the home food-canning industry?

Following is a statement which shows the quantity of certain canned foodstuffs imported into the United Kingdom during the 12 months ended June, 1939:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the decision taken by the Stock Exchange Committee to ban dealings in the shares of eight Australian gold mining companies; and, in view of the many millions of pounds sterling of the general public's money which is in vested in these companies, represented by some 28,000 shareholders, will he consider holding an official inquiry?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have now received applications in respect of seven of these companies for the appointment of inspectors under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 1929, and these applications are being considered. The eighth company is in liquidation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there has been a progressive importation of Canadian salmon during the present year; whether Canada has any advantage over Japan in connection with import duties; whether all tins of Canadian salmon are labelled with the country of origin; and whether the price of Japanese salmon is cheaper than that of Canadian salmon?

Imports of canned salmon from Canada in the first six months of the present year showed an increase com pared with the previous three years. These imports are duty free; those from Japan pay a duty of 10 percent, ad valorem. I understand that all tins of Canadian salmon are stamped "Canada" and that there is no appreciable difference between the prices of the best Canadian and Japanese salmon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered, or will consider, the desirability of revising the Ottawa Agreements in consultation with the Dominions with a view to stimulating world trade and the negotiating of freer trading agreements with countries prepared to join?

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to take whatever action is open to them to co-operate in the removal of undue barriers to inter national trade. The Ottawa Agreements of 1932 were negotiated in this spirit and certain revisions of them, including those made to give effect to the Anglo-American Trade Agreement of last year, afford a practical illustration of this policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the prospective increase in the cost of those imported raw materials which are required in great quantities in war-time, he will take steps to encourage the purchase and storage of large stocks of such materials while prices are at a comparatively low level?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the considerations to which he refers have been, and will continue to be, very much in the mind of the Government in considering proposals for the acquisition of reserves of essential commodities. As was stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Northern Lanark (Mr. Anstruther-Gray) on 12th July last, substantial reserves of many essential commodities are already assured.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the approximate earliest date on which it will be possible for any price or redundancy scheme thereunder to be put into actual operation?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the schemes that are to be submitted under the Cotton Industry (Reorganisation) Bill. Until there has been experience of the working of the machinery provided in the Bill, it will not be possible to say what period will be required for the examination of such schemes by all the various bodies concerned before they can be approved for operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since wheat has touched the lowest price ever re corded, he will take steps to ensure that bread is correspondingly reduced in price to all consumers throughout the country?

I have no control over the price of bread, but as my hon. Friend is aware, the price of bread in London is regulated voluntarily in accordance with the Food Council's scale, and this scale sets a standard which is followed in many other parts of the country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been able to make any fresh agreement with the International Sugar Council for a further release of sugar for this country?

As was announced by the International Sugar Council on the 13th July, a further release of 100,000 metric tons of sugar has been authorised for shipment to the United Kingdom during the current quota year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can arrange that in future statistics with regard to the imports of horses into this country and the exports of horses from this country are categorised according to the type of horse, that is to say, whether it is a heavy or light draught-horse, hunter, race-horse, polo-pony, pit-pony, or other kind, and not according to the present classification which merely divides horses according to whether they are mares, stallions, or geldings; and whether he is aware that the present classification is regarded as very unsatisfactory to the interests concerned?

I have received no representations on this subject from the interests concerned, but I will consider the advisability of amending the classification on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. No amendment could in any case be made before 1st January next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the value of the manufactured goods imported by the United Kingdom from Germany since the signing of the Anglo-German trading agreement of 1934?

During the period November, 1934, to June, 1939, inclusive, the declared value of imports into the United Kingdom from Germany of goods classified as "Wholly or mainly manufactured" amounted to about £138,000,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the decision of the Government to send a deputation to arrange for the building of ships in Canada, he will now curtail the activities of National Shipping Securities, Limited, in closing British shipyards, and declare the ban on British yards for ship building imposed by National Shipping Securities, Limited, as being against the public interest?

—				Total.	South Wales excluding Anthracite Mines.	Anthracite Mines.
Disablement or Suspension:
Number of applications for certificates		…	…	1,306	521	470
Number of certificates granted	…	…	…	678	275	324
Number of certificates refused	…	…	…	628	246	146
Deaths:
Number of applications for certificates		…	…	173	89	48
Number certified as due to the disease		…	…	109	53	28
Number of certificates refused	…	…	…	64	36	20
The particulars asked for in the last part of the question are not available.

No such decision on the part of the Government as the lion. Member suggests has been reached. As regards National Shipbuilders Security, Limited, I have nothing to add to My reply to the hon. Member on the 2nd May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now ascertained the views of the Dominion Governments on the report of the Imperial Shipping Committee on British Shipping in the Orient?

I am not in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 9th May.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of applications received, and the number of certificates granted for total and partial disablement, and certificates that death was due to silicosis among coalminers in the United Kingdom in the 18 months ended to the last convenient date, under the Various Industries (Silicosis) Schemes; and if he will give separate figures for the anthracite coalfield and the rest of the South Wales coalfield; and if he will also give particulars of the grade of employments, and the number of certificates in each grade, respectively?

Applications to the Medical Board for certificates under the Various Industries (Silicosis) Schemes from Coal-miners, (1st January, 1938— 30th June, 1939.)

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to report satisfactory progress in the conversations relative to coal exports from this country into France?

Conversations are proceeding satisfactorily between the Mines Department and the French Mines Department.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has information to show whether the variation in the amount of coal obtained by France from exporting countries is due to changes in prices or to other factors; and, if the latter, could he give some indication of their nature?

Imports of Coal into France.
—					1935.*	1936.	1937.	1938.
					1,000 Metric Tons.
Total		…	…	…	18,454	18,637	24,630	18,685
Of which from:
Great Britain		…	…	…	7,431	7,199	9,418	6,347
Germany		…	…	…	5,628	5,879	7,996	5,519
Belgium/Luxemburg			…	…	2,977	2,945	3,420	3,553
Holland	…	…	…	…	956	1,058	1,602	1,200
Poland †		…	…	…	1,027	1,114	1,616	1,570
Czecho-Slovakia			…	…	—	—	—	—
*As from 18th February, 1935, the Saar has been included in the German Customs Union, and due allowance has been made for imports into France from the Saar for the period 1st-17th February, 1935.
† Including the Karwin coalfield as from 1st October, 1938.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now completed his review of those vulnerable areas now classified as neutral with a view to their inclusion within the evacuation zones; and whether he can make a statement on the matter?

I assume the hon. Lady has in mind those areas on Thames-side and the borders of the metropolitan evacuation area which were not mentioned by name in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on the 18th May. My right hon. Friend has been in consultation with representatives of the following local authorities on the question of a measure of evacuation from their areas and hopes

The import of coal into France is governed by a number of factors, both economic and political, and it is impossible to say to what extent each of these factors operates to affect the import of coal from particular countries.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the amount of coal imported into France in each year since, and including, 1935; and the quantity obtained from Britain, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Poland, and Czecho slovakia, respectively?

Following is the information:shortly to be in a position to indicate in all cases the exact portions of the districts concerned from which evacuation is to take place. The districts in question are the County Borough of Croydon, the Boroughs of Barnes, Bexley, Brentford and Chiswick, Chingford, Dagenham, Dartford, Ealing, Enfield, Erith, Graves-end, Mitcham, Wanstead and Woodford, Wimbledon and Wood Green and the Urban Districts of Crayford, Hornchurch, Merton and Morden, North fleet, Swans-combe, Thurrock and Waltham Holy Cross.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will circulate a detailed statement as to which Ministers are responsible for different aspects of food defence plans?

I see no occasion to circulate a statement on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is responsible for the Food Defence Plans) Department, including the storage of food reserves. My right hon. Friends, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland are responsible for preparations for home food production in time of war in England and Wales and Scot land, respectively. The arrangements for the co-ordination of Food Defence Plans with other Defecse arrangements are dealt with through the organisation of the Committee of Imperial Defence.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state The number of flats that have been completed by the corporation of Birmingham on the site known as Emily Street; the total cost and the annual charges; the number of flats occupied; the rents that are being charged; and why so few have been let?

I am informed that the number of completed flats on this site is 266, their total cost is £211,604, and the annual charges in respect of them £10,507 18s. Fifty-eight are occupied. The inclusive rents of the one, two and three-bedroom flats are 9s., 12s. 6d. and 16s. 6d. per week, respectively. These flats have been provided in connection with slum clearance orders, the majority of which have not yet become operative. The question of the use of the flats in the interim is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has sanctioned the acquisition by the Surrey County Council of an acre of land fronting the Pilgrim's Way, Chaldon, for £340; for what purpose had the land previously been used, and what was its rateable value previous to acquisition?

No, Sir; my right hon. Friend's sanction was not required. I am informed that the price paid was £300 and that the land was agricultural and, therefore, derated.

asked the Minister of Health whether authority has been given to Wellington, Salop, Rural District Council to buy land to be held available for housing, namely, nine acres on the east side of School Road, Donnington Wood, and 55.359 acres of land adjoining the present housing scheme at Donning ton; if so, whether these areas have been acquired, and what price was paid in each case; also, for what purpose were the areas formerly used, and what was the rateable value in each case previous to acquisition?

The council have not submitted to my right hon. Friend any proposal for the acquisition of the smaller site mentioned. As regards the larger site, I understand that the local authority have not yet completed their negotiations.

asked the Minister of Health how many old age pensioners there are residing in Gateshead and Edgbaston, respectively; how many of them are in each case in receipt of assistance from other public funds; and what is the average payment per week from such additional sources?

I regret that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not avail able as the records of old age pensioners are not kept on a territorial basis, and returns relating to public assistance are made to me only for counties and county boroughs.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the number of persons in receipt of pensions and allowances in England and Wales in the various categories under the Contributory Pensions Acts and the Old Age Pension Act, 1936, at the latest available date?

The numbers on the 31st March, 1939, were as follow:

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals formerly maintained and managed by Poor Law authorities have been appropriated as public health institutions under the powers contained in the Local Government Act, 1929; and how many of such hospitals are under the control of public assistance committees?

Out of a total of 79 hospitals in England and Wales, recognised as Poor Law hospitals under the terms of the Public Assistance Order, 1930, 61 have been appropriated to public health purposes, and 18 remain under the control of the public assistance committees.

asked the Home Secretary whether in all cases in which prosecutions are conducted against drivers of motor cars who are not able to produce a licence the police ascertain whether in such cases there is equally no third party insurance in existence; and whether he is satisfied that the penalties usually imposed for driving without a third party insurance are adequate?

I understand that it is the usual practice of the police to require the production of the insurance certificate in all cases where they require the production of a driving licence. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Table I of the annual return of offences relating to motor vehicles. I have no reason to think that the courts are not fully aware of the gravity of the offence referred to or that the penalties imposed are generally inadequate.

asked the Postmaster-General why, during the past two weeks 40 parcels of the "Wolfe Tone Weekly" on their way to agents in England have been held up?

I have been asked to reply. As this paper encourages the commission in this country of crimes of violence, I have given directions for the detention of any copies observed in the post or in the course of importation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the estimated cost of increasing the old age pension for male contributors from 10s. to 15s. per week at 65 years of age?

The additional cost of increasing the pension from 10s. to 15s. a week in the case of men aged 65 –70 in receipt of contributory pensions and male contributory pensioners over age 70 is estimated to be about £15,000,000 a year at the present time, rising to about £18,000,000 a year in 10 years' time. I should observe that the above figures do not include men receiving pensions at the age of 70 on a non-contributory basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the total volume of deposits in the five joint stock banks is approximately £2,000,000,000, whereas the volume of money in circulation is approximately £500,000,000; and what measures he pro poses to take, in case of emergency, to prevent depositors demanding their de posits in cash?

The resources of the joint stock banks are adequate for all purposes and there will not be the remotest difficulty in supplying currency to meet any probable or improbable demand in case of emergency.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements have been made for bringing to his notice the grounds on which individual militiamen apply for an extension of the time limit during which they may apply for a post ponement of calling up, in order that he may exercise the discretionary powers conferred on him by the Act; and in how many cases has an extension of the time-limit been granted?

Men are asked if necessary to state the reasons for any delay in making their applications; there are no available statistics to answer the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information as to what preparations are being made in Scotland by firms engaged in munition or emergency production, to retain their staffs when pressure for such requirements ends?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the numbers of disabled ex-service men registered as un employed at Employment Exchanges in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, and Bristol, at July, 1938, and July, 1939?

The numbers of disabled ex-service men registered as un employed, at Employment Exchanges in the places mentioned on the dates in question were as follow. (The figures given are those for county borough areas except in the case of London, where all exchanges in the Greater London area are included.)

	4th July,1938.	3rd July,1939.
London	2,526	2,042
Birmingham	496	276
Manchester	1,157	997
Sheffield	276	256
Leeds	415	491
Bristol	240	133

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the adverse vote of the Mandates Commission on the policy contained in the Palestine White Paper, he proposes to suspend the instructions issued to the High Commissioner in Palestine relative to Jewish immigration and the sale of land?

Pending the publication of the Report of the Permanent Mandates Commission I am not in a position to make any statement regarding it. But I see no reason to suspend the instructions which have been issued to the High Commissioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information of the destination of the 26 German-Jewish persons who, up to February, 1938, had been deported from Palestine since 1934, and of the reason of their deportation; and how many, for what reasons and to what countries, German-Jewish persons have been deported since February, 1938?

I have not the in formation for which the hon. Member asks, but am asking the High Commissioner for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are under consideration by the Government of the Gold Coast for the assistance in the rebuilding of their homes of those persons whose dwellings were destroyed in the recent earthquake and are unable to meet the cost of such rebuilding unaided?

A comprehensive rehousing scheme, to be undertaken at Government expense, is under consideration. In view of the urgency of the task the scheme provides for temporary houses to be built at once, to be followed as soon as may be practicable by the construction of permanent buildings in replacement to the extent that may be necessary. A local supervisory committee has been appointed and is already at work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to state the respects in which the Sedition Ordinance and Undesirable Publications Ordinance, as passed by the Legislative Council of Sierra Leone, differ from the model Ordinances sent by him to the Governor of the Colony; and whether it is his intention to approve the Ordinances in their present form?

In Section 3 of the Undesirable Publications Ordinance a closer definition is given of the type of publication the importation of which may be prohibited.In the Sedition Ordinances the maximum penalties on second or subsequent convictions have been increased, and pro vision has been added enabling imprisonment to be awarded with hard labour.There are also local adaptations in both Ordinances. Hon. Members will be able to compare the differences in detail when copies of the model Ordinances are placed in the Library of the House, where copies of the Ordinances as passed are already.With regard to the second part of the question, my examination of the Ordinances is deferred for the receipt of the report of the discussions in the Legislative Council and of a report on the subject from the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total annual expenditure on salaries, allowances and pensions to British officials in each of the West African Colonies; and is any portion of leave expenses or pensions to Government officers charged to the local revenue?

The information available in the Colonial Office is not in a form which enables expenditure on-British European officials to be readily distinguished from expenditure on African officials. But I will make inquiries of the Colonial Governments.As to the second part of the question, each of the West African Dependencies is self-supporting, and the whole -of the expenditure borne by Government in respect of leave and pensions is charged to local revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many tons of iron ore have been ex ported from Newfoundland to Germany during the past 12 months, and the approximate value?

I am informed that in the 12 months ending on the 30th June last exports of iron ore from Newfound land to Germany, which has for many years been the principal foreign market for Newfoundland ore, amounted to approximately 1,250,000 tons, with a declared value at the point of export of approximately $3,200,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state what were the main recommendations of the Television Advisory Committee with regard to the extension of the television services to the provinces and especially to East Anglia; and when he expects to be able to make a statement on this subject?

My right hon. Friend has received a report from the Television Advisory Committee dealing, among other matters, with the question of extending the television service to the Provinces. Hess has given careful consideration to the report and is in communication with the Treasury on the matter. My right hon. Friend is, however, not yet in a position to announce the Government's decision or to give an approximate date when a statement will be made; and in the meantime it is not his intention to make any statement about the recommendations of the committee.

asked the Minister of Trans port what progress has been made with the electrification of the line from Liver pool Street to Shenfield; and when it is likely to be in operation?

I am informed by the London and North Eastern Railway Company that they are working to schedule on this line, and that they are keeping to this schedule. It is hoped that the new services will be introduced early in 1941.

asked the Minister of Trans port what progress has been made with the extension of the Central London line to Stratford and Newbury Park; and when it is likely to be open?

I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that of the 19½miles of single track forming the extension of the Central London Line from Liverpool Street to Newbury Park, 15 miles have been completed apart from equipment. The board propose to open the extension in two sections in conjunction with the electrification of the existing lines of the London and North Eastern Railway, as follows:

(a)to Loughton and Grange Hill via Woodford Junction in April, 1940;

(b)to Grange Hill via Newbury Park and to Epping and Ongar later in 1940.

asked the Minister of Transport what power is produced by the hydro-electric plant at Rannoch tunnel, in North Perthshire; to what extent have monopoly rights been granted in its distribution; and how long such contracts can continue?

The Rannoch Generating Station of the Grampian Electricity Supply Company generated during the year ended December, 1938, nearly 102 million units of electricity. The company can use the electricity generated at this station for any of the authorised purposes of its undertaking, comprising supply in bulk to other undertakers, including the Central Electricity Board, supply for power purposes, and general supply in their distribution areas in which they have a monopoly. The powers of supply are given under Statute, not by contract, and are in perpetuity except that certain powers of general distribution are subject to purchase after 42 years from the grant of the powers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any survey has been made in Scotland of the potential hydro electric power that may exist, and plans discussed for its use?

Yes, Sir. A survey was made in 1918–20 by the Water Power Resources Committee of the Board of Trade. The results of that survey and of other investigations are referred to in the report, issued last year, of the sub-committee of the Scottish Economic Committee on the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will call the attention of the German Government to the fact that Mr. Lennox, who was arrested in Vienna by the secret police on 26th March, has not been allowed to communicate with his wife since that date and request that he may be given permission to do so?

His Majesty's Consul-General at Vienna obtained from the local authorities a promise that Mr. Lennox would be allowed to communicate with his family, and on learning that Mrs. Lennox was not, in fact, receiving any letters, repeatedly reminded the local authorities of their promise.Instructions were recently sent to His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin to pro test against the delay in ending the period of close arrest.