asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of registered unemployed at Cockfield and Stanhope, respectively, for the years ending the 30th June in 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939?

The table below shows the average numbers of unemployed persons, aged 18 and over, on the registers of the Cockfield and Stanhope Employment Exchanges in the years ended June, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939. The figures are based on a count taken on one day in each month. Separate figures are not available in respect of unemployed juveniles aged 14–17 in these areas.

Period.	Cockfield.	Stanhope.
Year ended June, 1936	792	519
Year ended June,1937	685	379
Year ended June,1938	523	311
Year ended June,1939	806	353

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of unemployed persons that in each year, separately, since 1930 have left Wales to take up employment; also showing, separately, those placed by the Employment Exchanges, and those having themselves found work?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the number of insured persons in employment in Wales in 1929, 1930, 1931, and at the present time?

The estimated numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64, in employment in Wales and Monmouthshire in June of 1929, 1930 and 1931 were 477,000, 443,000 and 414,000 respectively. The figure for June, 1939, will not be available until November next, but at June, 1938, the latest date for

Estate.					Where Situated.				Acreage.	Purchase Price.
										£
Crofton	…	…	…	…	Cumberland		…	…	716	18,400
Broadwath		…	…	…	,,		…	…	2,52	5,680
Dalston	…	…	…	…	,,		…	…	816	13.500
Jenkins Cross		…	…	…	,,		…	…	352	9,500
Stannington		…	…	…	Northumberland		…	…	299	10,500
Broad law		…	…	…	,,		…	…	316	7,000
Fen Drayton		…	…	…	Cambridgeshire		…	…	302	I3.091
Abington		…	…	…	,,		…	…	686	12,000
Fulney	…	…	…	…	Lincolnshire		…	…	122	II,000
Harrowby		…	…	…	,,		…	…	826	11,000
Snaith	…	…	…	…	Yorkshire	…	…	…	300	15,400
Sidlesham		…	…	…	Sussex	…	…	…	812	36,070
Foxash	…	…	…	…	Essex	…	…	…	744	19.124
Yeldham		…	…	…		…	…	…	660	11,053
Newbourne		…	…	…	Suffolk	…	…	…	431	7,250
Denham	…	…	…	…	,,	…	…	…	56l	II,400
Elmesthorpe		…	…	…	Leicestershire		…	…	344	I0,500
Chawston		…	…	…	Bedfordshire		…	…	454	l6,000
Newent	…	…	…	…	Gloucestershire		…	…	570	15,675
Pauntley		…	…	…	,,		…	…	234	4.500
Boverton		…	…	…	Glamorgan	…	…	…	747	22,150
Pennine	…	…	…	…	,,	…	…	…	210	7.450
Llanfair Discoed			…	…	Monmouthshire		…	…	280	9,575
Sealand	…	…	…	…	Flintshire	…	…	…	851	32.750
Rosemarket		…	…	…	Pembrokeshire		…	…	378	8,000

asked the Minister of Transport when he anticipates that work in the vicinity of Whipps Cross, Leyton, in connection with the new trolley omnibus system will be finished; whether more adequate shelter for waiting passengers will be erected; whether he is aware of the position of a stopping place involving the crossing of a busy roadway; and whether traffic lights are likely to be erected at the junctions of Lea which figures are available, the number was 460,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, with respect to the .25 estates that have been purchased from the Special Areas Fund for land settlement in England and Wales, where these estates are; the area of each; the price paid for each; and the net rateable value of each previous to acquisition?

The answers to the first three parts of this question are given in the statement below. I have no information about the rateable value of these estates; since they are agricultural they are not subject to rates except in respect of houses and cottages thereon.Bridge Road, Whipps Cross Road, Wood Street, and Raglan Road, in view of the great increase in traffic and the awkward convergence of these roadways?

I am informed that the London Passenger Transport Board anticipate that the trolley bus service between Leyton and Aldgate via Whipps Cross will commence in October next, and that they are negotiating with the Epping Forest Conservators concerning a site for a passenger shelter near the hospital. The stopping places will be reviewed before the trolley bus service is commenced.It is proposed to defer consideration of the question whether light control signals should be provided at the junction of Lea Bridge Road, Whipps Cross Road, Wood Street and Raglan Road until experience has been gained of the effect of the roundabout now under construction.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position of the negotiations with regard to the Kilmarnock and Ayr by-pass road; and whether he anticipates any decision will be reached before the Summer Recess?

I am considering a line for a by-pass to the Stranraer— Glasgow trunk road at Ayr and Prestwick, but I shall not be in a position to reach a decision on the proposal before the Summer Recess. A trunk road by-pass to Kilmarnock is not at present in contemplation. A proposal of the Burgh Council to construct a diversion of the main road within the burgh boundary was approved in August, 1936, and work on the northern sections of this diversion is proceeding.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to a fatal accident on the East Lancashire road at Carr Mill, near St. Helens, on Sunday last, when a lady named Miss Jessie Cropper was fatally injured; and will he make inquiries, with a view to making more safe this road junction which is locally known as a danger spot?

I understand that Miss Cropper was cycling along the East Lancashire road when, without making any sign, she turned to the right into Green Leach lane and was struck by a following car. The jury's verdict at the inquest on the 18th July was "Death by Misadventure." The county borough of St. Helens are the highway authority for the road and I will bring the matter to their notice; but it would appear that this regrettable accident cannot be attributed to road conditions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the danger to pedestrians caused by traffic conditions at the Viaduct and Station Road sections of the Vauxhall traffic roundabout; and will he take steps to see that adequate police protection and a refuge for tramcar passengers is provided?

I am aware of the difficulties experienced by pedestrians in the Vauxhall Cross area. Arrangements have been made for the provision of a tramway loading island on the new road alongside the station, and for the construction of islands at the junctions of Kennington Lane and Harleyford Road, South Lambeth Road and Parry Street, and Kennington Lane and Albert Embankment. When these works are completed, any necessary alterations and additions will be made to the pedestrian crossings.The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, in determining the present system of police protection, has taken fully into account the existing difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the acreage of land for the acquisition of which negotiations have been completed for the purposes of trunk-road improvements and new construction since he became the highway authority for trunk roads, distinguishing the land used or to be used for widening and improvement from the land to be used for by-passes and road diversions, and the maximum, minimum and average price paid or payable for such land for each of those purposes?

To supply the information desired by my hon. Friend would necessitate a special review of more than 10,000 cases, in which over 17,000 interests are involved. - I regret that in present circumstances I cannot feel that the large amount of time and labour thus involved could be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of A, B and C road transport vehicles, respectively, licensed on 30th September, 1935. as compared with those licensed on the last available date of computation?

The figures are:

—	Number of vehicles authorised at: —
	30th September, 1935.	30th June, 1938.
A licences (including A Contract).	100,182	I05,950
B licences	55.558	56,561
C licences	303,886	384.695
	459,626	547,206

asked the Minister of Transport what schemes for the general widening of the Great North Road have been approved; and on which of them work is likely to be started shortly?

Twenty-six schemes of major importance for the improvement of the London-Edinburgh-Thurso Road have been approved, and following is a list of these schemes. On 14 of them work has already been started and others will be put in hand within the next few months.In addition to these major schemes a large number of minor schemes have been, or are being, carried out.

London—Edinburgh—Thurso Trunk Road. Schemes on which work has been started.
County and Description.	Estimated Cost.
	£
Middlesex: Widening Barnet Bypass from Finchley Lane to Page Street	38.302
Bedfordshire: Widening from the Hertfordshire County Boundary to Newspring Farm	161,633
Huntingdonshire: Improvement from Alconbury Weston to Wool-pack Cross Roads	261,125
West Riding of Yorkshire: Don-caster — Tadcaster Section. Widening near Darrinton Cross Roads	29,660
North Riding of Yorkshire: Improvement from junction with A.61 to Tally Ho! Farm	355,127
Durham: Bridging of the Traveller's Rest Level Crossing at Aycliffe	71,798

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that negotiations are proceeding with a view to establishing a ferry service for motor vehicles between Gourock and Dunoon; what structural alterations are required in connection therewith in the piers at each terminus, and the probable cost thereof; and whether he will take the appropriate steps to expedite the initiation of this service for the purpose of making Argyllshire readily accessible to motor users in Greenock and neighbourhood?

I am informed by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company that negotiations initiated by the Company are proceeding with a view to establishing a ferry service for motor vehicles between Gourock and Dunoon, which will involve the preparation of a specially designed ferry-boat to enable cars to be handled at all states of the tide. Ramps will be required at each terminal and the question of cost is under examination. The negotiations are being directed with a view to having the service in operation at the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the platform of the Rishton Railway Station is so low as to be a danger to passengers and, in spite of requests by the Rishton Urban District Council, the Railway Company refuses to take any action at the present time; and whether he will take steps to compel the Railway Company to make the platform safe?

The Railway Company state that they have under active consideration a scheme for raising the height of the platforms to three feet and for extending both platforms.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether in view of the British agreements with Turkey, Greece and Rumania and our friendship with Russia and Bulgaria, it is proposed to send units of the Mediterranean fleet on a courtesy visit to Athens, Istanbul, Varna, Constantza and Odessa?

Certain of His Majesty's ships visited Athens earlier this month, and visits to other Greek ports will take place shortly. The Commander- in-Chief, Mediterranean, will be visiting Istanbul in his flagship early in August, and another battleship will at the same time visit Smyrna.No arrangements have yet been made for visits to Rumanian, Russian or Bulgarian ports, but visits to these countries will be considered when future programmes are arranged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that one of the most efficient shipyards in the country is at present only on maintenance staff and has not received any orders from the Admiralty; and whether he can state the reason that no Admiralty orders have been placed with the shipyard of Harland and Wolff at Govan?

An order has been placed with Harland and Wolff within the last few days for two mine-sweepers of the 1939 programme. These ships will be built at the company's Govan yard. Opportunities for tendering for other Admiralty auxiliary vessels will continue to be afforded as occasion arises.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are being taken by the Naval General Staff to meet the situation created by Germany having legitimately launched and laid down cruisers superior in fighting qualities to any cruisers we have afloat or under construction?

No new ships have been projected as a direct reply to these German cruisers. I would remind the hon. Member that the British Commonwealth of Nations already possesses 15 efficient 8-inch gun cruisers and our material margin is therefore considerable. I would also point out that in ships of the same classes even though of different ages superiority in battle depends on the training and efficiency of personnel as well as on the more material factors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, owing to the fact that the summer herring fishing is at its height during July and August, he will make arrangements that those Naval Reservists who are engaged in this fishing will not be called up until 31st August?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to reservists who are being called out for service in ships of the Reserve Fleet on 31st July. Men of the Royal Naval Reserve to be called out for this period of service are those belonging to the General Service section, which consists primarily of foreign-going seamen. Herring fishermen enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve are allocated to the Patrol Service section and will not in general be affected.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any of the 42 apprentices from North of the Midlands, sent to His Majesty's ship "Caledonia" during 1938, were drawn from the Glasgow district, and, if so how many; and will he give the total number of such apprentices from North of the Midlands this year and the number from the Glasgow district sent to Rosyth?

None of the 42 apprentices mentioned in the first part of the question came from Glasgow. Three apprentices from the North of the Midlands have been appointed to His Majesty's Ship "Caledonia" this year, but none of these came from Glasgow.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been reached with regard to the granting of official recognition to the naval brigades at Slough and Hampstead?

It has been decided to grant official recognition to these two associations. The regulations governing the grant of recognition are being drawn up and will shortly be issued. Recognition will carry with it a grant of public stores not exceeding £100 in value to each brigade, and in addition a per capita grant will be made of £1 per year within a limit of £100 for each brigade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to receive increased help for defence loans, he will develop National Savings Certificate schemes to attract fresh small subscribers; and, also, in such a way as will permit those whose holdings already reach the allowed limits to increase their holdings on appropriate conditions?

My right hon. Friend has taken due note of my hon. Friend's suggestions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state the approximate annual value of pensions terminated from all causes for the three years ended the last convenient date?

The gross value of the pensions and allowances terminating from various causes (of which death is by far the biggest) was for each of the years referred to, £1,161,657 for the year ended in March, 1937, £1,076,995 in 1938, and £1,065,850 in 1939. The net reduction in the Ministry's expenditure is of course substantially less owing to new or increased grants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will import such quantities of those essential raw materials which can be easily stored without deterioration, as will enable ships to be switched in war time from the conveyance of those materials to the transport of food?

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Aberdeen, Eastern (Mr. Boothby) yesterday, substantial reserves of many essential commodities are already assured. The considerations to which my hon. Friend refers have been and will be borne in mind in connection with all such arrangements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any representa- tions have been made to the Governments of Poland, Rumania, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, with a view to increasing the purchase of British herring by these countries?

Concessions in respect of herring were obtained in the Anglo-Polish Trade Agreement. No representations have been made to the Polish Government in the sense suggested, but some purely administrative questions are at present under discussion with them. The Rumanian Government were recently asked to give facilities for the importation of cured herring and the matter is under consideration. Representations were made to the Soviet Government last May but without success, and will be renewed in the event of negotiations for a new or revised trade agreement.

asked the Minister of Health how many men are in receipt of contributory pensions in Wales, giving, separately, the number that qualified during the year 1938?

The number of men in receipt of contributory pensions in Wales as at the 30th June, 1939, was 68,344. The number of contributory pensions awarded to men during the year 1938 was 7,832.

asked the Minister of Health how many nuisances and defects were discovered in crews' accommodation in the port of Plymouth during 1937 and 1938; and how many of them were remedied?

In 1937, 52 structural defects and 52 nuisances were discovered in crews' accommodation in vessels in the port of Plymouth; and I am informed that 44 of the defects and 51 of the nuisances were remedied. In 1938, 162 structural defects and 213 nuisances were discovered, and I am informed that 113 of the defects and all the nuisances were remedied.

asked the Minister of Health how many nuisances and defects were discovered in crews' accommodation in the port of Harwich during 1937 and 1938; and how many of them were remedied?

In 1937, 97 structural defects and three nuisances were discovered in crews' accommodation in vessels in the port of Harwich. The corresponding figures for 1938 are 30 and five. I am informed that all these defects and nuisances have been remedied.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Departmental Committee set up last year to inquire into the working of the Rag Flock Acts, 1911 and 1928, and regulations made there under, has yet completed its deliberations; and when the committee's report will be available?

No, Sir; I understand, however, that the committee hope to be able to report within the next two or three months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information to give the House respecting housing reconstruction in Accra consequent on the earthquake in June; and what steps are being taken to meet the housing and other needs of those affected?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. de Rothschild) yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the temporary settlement of the recent strike of railway artisans and workmen connected with the Gold Coast Railway has left these men with extremely inadequate wages and other grievances; and, in view of the discontent that prevails in this respect, what action he proposes to take to remove these grievances, and thus minimise the likelihood of another strike?

The wages grievance on which the men struck was completely met, and the strike ended, when they were assured that the 1929 rates of pay would be restored. Certain other concessions were also made, and I am informed that the only important grievance now outstanding is the question of an increase in the number of pensionable posts. That question is receiving attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the grounds upon which 70 certificates to enter Palestine are granted to rabbis, 1,020 to capitalists, and only 600 to working men; and whether the dependants include parents, fiances, brothers and sisters as well as children?

The High Commissioner is satisfied that economic absorptive capacity does not permit the allocation of more than 600 labour certificates, 400 for skilled ordinary immigrants, and 200 for refugees. Jewish unemployment is steadily growing and a large proportion of the unemployed have been under-employed for two years. The number of certificates for rabbis under the current quota is 35 and not 70; all of them are refugees.Besides wives and minor children, the category of dependants includes parents, some elderly brothers and sisters, and fiances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of Jewish villages from which rifles were withdrawn; whether the withdrawal met with any resistance; whether the rifles have now been restored in all cases; whether the action taken was by way of a test of the practicability of disarming the Jews; and why no such action was taken at the German village of Sarona?

At the end of April last it was decided, on the suggestion of the Jewish Agency, to revise the establishment of rifles issued to Jewish settlements in order that arms might be redistributed to new settlements. 213 rifles were withdrawn from 124 settlements. These rifles were released voluntarily and there was no resistance. 150 of the rifles in question have been re- leased to five new settlements recently established with the Government's consent, and the remaining 63, which are stored at police headquarters, are available for issue to future new settlements. The withdrawals were not in any way a test of the practicability of disarming Jews. There were no Government rifles in the German village of Sarona.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Permanent Mandates Commission agreed to the limitation of immigration into Palestine on the basis laid down in the White Paper; and, if not, on what grounds has immigration been stopped for the next six months?

Pending the publication of the report of the Permanent Mandates Commission I am not in a position to make any statement regarding the views of its members. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Royton (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 12th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to establish an educational system in Kenya which will provide free education for all children of school age; and what steps are being taken towards that end?

At the present stage in the development of Kenya it is not possible to contemplate a system of free education for all children of school age. It is the Government's policy, however, to increase the facilities available for education as resources permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money has been spent during the last two years on the supply of water and the improvement of communications and harbours in the West African colonies; and how much of this was borne by local taxes and how much by the Colonial Development Fund or by private enterprise?

The amounts provided from local revenue (either actual or estimated) are as follow:

—	Waterworks.	Improvement of Communications.	Improvement of Harbours.
	£	£	£
Gambia	3,976	6,499	500
Gold Coast	133.757	490,831	20,330
Nigeria	175,200	488,335	37.910
Sierra Leone	4,904	64,230	1,100

In addition, considerable sums are spent in Nigeria on waterworks and road improvements by the native administrations. These amounts are in the neighbourhood of £118,000 and £200,000 respectively over the two-year period. Corresponding figures for Gambia, the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone are not available.The above figures are necessarily approximate, since they do not include any proportion of the salaries of the officers employed on these works.No information is available regarding sums spent by private enterprise.Issues from the Colonial Development Fund during the period 1st July, 1937, to 30th June, 1939, which are not included in the totals above, were:

	£
Gambia.
Water supply, Bathurst	4.500
Gold Coast.
Air Services Ground Organisation	54,85O
Nigeria.
Air Services Ground Organisation	51,000
Sierra Leone.
Canalisation of Streams and improvement of Street Drainage, Freetown	4,860
Circular Road round Peninsula	13,675

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that facilities will not be given to the Italian Government to enrol natives usually residing in the Sudan, Kenya and British Somaliland for military purposes or for labour corps work in Ethiopia; and to what extent hospital accommodation has had to be provided for sick and injured natives returned from Ethiopia?

The Sudan aspect of this question is a matter for my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.As regards the recruitment by the Italian East African authorities of British protected Somalis and natives of Kenya for their local military forces, the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have received no request from the Italian authorities for facilities to be granted for the recruitment of native labour from either of these territories.As regards the second part of the question, so far as I am aware no sick and wounded have returned from Italian East Africa to Kenya or Somaliland, for whom it has been necessary to provide hospital accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports have been received from the local authorities as to the number of films that have been banned from exhibition in any of His Majesty's Colonies during the three years ended the last convenient date; whether his reports show that the system of censorship existing in the Colonies appears to be working satisfactorily; and whether any alterations are contemplated or have taken place during the same period?

The censorship of films in the Colonies is necessarily a matter for the local authorities and cases in which films are banned are not generally reported to me. The only Colony with regard to which the figures desired by the hon. Member are available is Trinidad, where in the years 1936, 1937 and 1938 the number of films rejected was 13, 36 and 31, respectively, representing between 1 and 4 percent. of all the films submitted.The system of censorship seems to be working satisfactorily. No changes in the system have taken place in the last three years and, so far as I am aware, none is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, with reference to the Royal Air Force technical training establishment at St. Athan, of which the total estimated cost is £780,000, what is the area of land that has been taken for the erection of this establishment; what price was paid for that land; and what was its rateable value previous to acquisition?

As I informed the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White) on 29th March last, the total area of land acquired at St. Athan, which covers requirements for the school of technical training and other units, is 895 acres at a total estimated cost of £58,300. I regret that information is not available in my Department as to the rateable value prior to acquisition of such land as was not agricultural.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the concern existing amongst the employes of the De Havilland aircraft works, Hatfield, at the continued dismissals of good workpeople; and, in view of the uncertainty that exists, will he take steps to improve the conditions and relationships at the factory?

I understand that, between 30 and 40 workers are being discharged this week as certain work in progress in the factory has reached a stage at which their services are no longer required. This number represents only a very small proportion of the total labour strength and there is no intention of

North Staffordshire.
Year.			Average Number of Persons Employed (including Clerks and Salaried Persons).	Number of Coal-cutting Machines in use.	Number of Conveyors in use.	Output of Saleable Coal.	Quantity of Coal cut by Machinery.
						Tons.	Tons.
1920	…	…	36,897	240	10 *	5,594,602	1,53, 07
1925	…	…	35,335	280	41*	5,916,453	1,61,25
1930	…	…	26,396	292	237	5,601,710	2,43,04
1935	…	…	22,843	279	349	6,679,719	5,28,14
1938	…	…	23,796	303	402	6,940,895	6,06,27
* In these years, the particulars relate to Conveyors in use at the coal face only.
Note. — In 1920, the particulars of Persons Employed relate to those "ordinarily employed", and in the subsequent years, to the average number of Persons on Colliery Books, based upon four selected dates.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the average output per person employed in the North Staffordshire coal-mining area each year from 1920 to 1938; how many persons effecting discharges on a large scale and in fact further work is being given to the company.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a further report on the complaints made about offensive odours, etc., in connection with the Roneo factory, Romford?

As the matters of complaint appear to be outside the provisions of the Factories Act there is no case for a further visit by a Factory Inspector, but I am communicating such information as we have to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he can give the average number of persons employed in the North Staffordshire area and the number of conveyors and coal-cutting machines in use, for the years, respectively, of 1920, 1925, 1930, 1935, and 1938;(2) whether he can give the total amount of coal mined in the North Staffordshire area; and the amount of coal mined by machinery for the years, respectively, 1920, 1925, 193o, 1935 and 1938?

The information is as follows:were employed; and the average wages paid per person during the same period?

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the numbers of mines engaged in the production of coal, together with the numbers of persons employed in the North Staffordshire area, above and below ground, during the

Number of Coal Mines at work, and the number of Persons Employed above and below ground in Great Britain and North Staffordshire in the years1920, 1925, 1930, 1935 and1938.
Year.		Great Britain.				North Staffordshire.
		Number of Coal Mines at work during the year.	Number of Persons Employed.			Number of Coal Mines at work during the year.	Number of Persons Employed
			Below-ground.	Above-ground (including Clerks and Salaried Persons.	Total.		Below-ground	Above- ground Below- (including ground. Clerks and Salaried Persons).	Total.
1920	…	2,677	972,838	253,091	1,225,929	71	28,725	8,172	36,897
1925	…	2,586	878,679	223,763	1,102,442	78	27,630	7,705	35,335
1930	…	2,186	739,056	192,320	931,376	67	20,113	6,283	26,396
1935	…	1,930	600,336	169,138	769,474	74	16,872	5,971	22,843
1938	…	1,976	614,478	176,410	790,888	59	I7.325	6,471	23,796
Note. —In 1920, the particulars of Persons Employed relate to those "ordinarily employed", and in subsequent years, to the average number of Persons on Colliery Books, based upon four selected dates,

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the average output per person employed in the North Staffordshire coalfield each year from 1913 to 1938, inclusive?

The information is as follows:

Average output of coal per person employed at mines in North Staffordshire.
Year.	Tons.
1913	235
1014	223
1915	231
1916	224
1917	219
1918	197
1919	173
1920	165
1922	169
1923	190
1924	186
1925	171
1927	188
1928	193
1929	214
1930	319
1931	233
1932	252
1933	260
1934	279
1935	302
1936	316
1937	314
1938	300
Note. —The years 1921 and 1926 have been omitted as they were affected by prolonged national disputes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any difficulty in the supply of picks and shovels; and whether a more generous allowance than 100 per doubled brigade could be made to the Territorial Army?

There is no difficulty in the supply of picks and shovels. Territorial Army? battalions at present hold 10 picks and 10 shovels, and are allowed an additional 10 of each in standing camps. A further 8 picks and 10 shovels have recently been authorised for pioneer platoons, and these will be issued very shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the total production of wheat and the total number of cattle in this country in 1914 and in the latest year for which information is available, respectively; and to what extent the importation of fertilisers and feeding stuffs has increased between these two dates?

The production of wheat in the United Kingdom in 1938 is estimated at 1,965,000 tons as compared with 1,713,000 tons in 1914 in the same area. The cattle population of the United Kingdom in June, 1938, was estimated at 8,762,000 as against 7,908,000 for the corresponding area in 1914. I regret that a precise comparison between 1914 and recent years cannot be made in respect of the importation of feeding stuffs and fertilisers, but, after making certain assumptions, it is estimated thatthe quantity of feeding stuffs imported in 1938 was about 20 per cent. greater than in 1913, and that there was a slight increase in 1937 as compared with the quantity of fertilisers imported in 1913.

asked the Prime Minister on what occasions, and with what results, the Far East Committee of the League of Nations has met since the 1938 Assembly?

The Far East Advisory Committee has not met during this period.

asked the Prime Minister whether any report has been received from Dr. M. D. McKenzie regarding collaboration between the League of Nations and the Chinese health authorities with reference to the control of epidemics?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the arrangements of the Royal Navy to give summer leave in July this year instead of August as in previous years are also being followed by the other defence services; and whether this matter has been dealt with by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence?

In connection with the combined Fleet and Air exercises in August and September, special arrangements have been made in regard to the summer leave of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The leave arrangements in the Army are framed so that leave and furlough are not normally taken during the period covered by the training season, and no special arrangements are therefore necessary. In regard to the last part of the question, the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence was consulted as to the arrangements made.