asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that, in the case of one local education authority in England, teachers holding two or more part-time posts in grant-earning schools and who regularly complete the aggregate number of hours required for a full-time teacher, are not allowed a fixed salary or increments or superannuation or pay during school holidays; that such conditions of service operate oppressively in the cases of such teachers and affect their ability to offer themselves in the present emergency for various forms of National Service owing to the pecuniary loss involved; and what action does he propose to take to remedy this position?

I am not aware of the case to which my hon. Friend refers, but I will look into it if he will send me particulars.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has reached any further decision about the pensions payable to supplementary schoolteachers, part of whose service has been in a non-provided school, other than that in which they are now employed?

I am not in a position to add to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelmsford on the 15th June last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether it is the practice to take disability pensions into account when education committees ascertain the means of fathers anxious to send their children to till special places in secondary schools; and, if so, whether he will discontinue this practice?

I have no information as to the practice of local education authorities generally in this matter. In cases where authorities have expressed a desire to exclude disability pensions in assessing the amount of aid to be given to a scholarship-holder the board have given their approval to this course. The matter is one which falls within the discretion of the authorities.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the representations made by the hon. Member for Stourbridge, on 27th March last, as to the inadequacy of the staff accommodation in the House of Commons and to the undertaking then given by his predecessor; and what steps have been taken to remedy the position?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a question put by the hon. Member for Fulham, West (Dr. Edith Summerskill), yesterday.

asked the Attorney-General what undertaking he has given to the Law Society that he will implement by legislation the proposals of that body for compulsory contributions by solicitors to a clients indemnity fund; and whether he will discuss such proposals with all concerned prior to the introduction of legislation?

No such undertaking has been given by me to the Law Society. This subject has, I understand, been raised before the Joint Select Committee to which the Solicitors Bill was referred. The report of that committee is expected shortly, but, pending the publication of that report, it would be premature to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of the committee appointed to investigate hardship arising out of the-preparation of the valuation lists for the current quinquennial revaluation?

I understand that the committee hope to be able to submit their report very shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has noted that according to the report of the Port Medical Officer for Portsmouth for 1938, no defects in crews' accommodation and no dirt, vermin or other conditions prejudicial to health were detected in the vessels inspected at that port; whether he will inquire into the reason for this; and if an equal standard of inspection obtains at all ports and in all vessels visiting them?

I am informed by the Portsmouth port health authority that the number of conditions prejudicial to health in the vessels inspected in the port in 1938 was misreported to me owing to a clerical error and was in fact 18, and that all these conditions were remedied.

asked the Minister of Health why only 142 vessels out of 960 which visited the port of Portsmouth during 1938 were inspected by the port sanitary inspectors?

I am informed by the Portsmouth port health authority that the great majority of the vessels entering the port during 1938 were regular coast-wise vessels, many of them having no sleeping accommodation, which were well known to the authority.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have sent to his Department their observations upon the report on Anti-Tuberculosis Services in Wales; which authorities have so communicated with him; what proposals have been submitted by them for dealing with the evils revealed in the report; and what steps are being taken by his Department in the matter?

Of the 17 local authorities whose observations on the report were invited, two have sent me comprehensive replies, four have submitted replies covering a substantial part of the issues in question, and the rest still have the report under consideration. I hope to have the remaining observations soon, but the stage has not yet been reached at which the views of the local authorities can usefully be analysed by me. As soon as that position is reached, I propose to call a conference of all the interested authorities at which all the issues may be fully discussed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the representation of the Sunbury Council that they have refused consent to Mr. Stanley Turpin to keep and breed lions at Shepperton, but that he intends to proceed with the project without their consent; and if he will take steps to prohibit the scheme?

I have received no such representation.

asked the Minister of Health what areas have been visited by his inspectors in the course of their special investigation into housing conditions in rural Wales, and if he can indicate the results of their investigations; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the position?

Thirty-five districts, of which I am sending the hon. Member a list, have been visited in the counties of Anglesey, Brecon, Cardigan, Pembroke and Radnor and I have received twenty-six reports.With regard to the second part of the question it has been apparent in the majority of cases that the existing housing programmes are inadequate and I have communicated with the local authorities concerned asking them to submit to me revised programmes based on a fresh survey of the housing needs of their districts, together with proposals for the erection of the necessary houses.The question of further action on my part will be considered in the light of the replies received from these authorities and of the further reports received from my inspectors.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that reductions in staff are being made in a number of sections of his Department, in cluding those concerned in dealing with old age pensions as well as widows' and orphans' pensions; that the staff side of the Ministry of Health department, Whitley Council, have protested against these reductions, because of the effect on the carrying on of the work of the department; that in some of these sections there is considerable delay in cases; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to his similar question on the 36th June.

asked the Minister of Health what is the position in regard to the proposed drainage scheme at Pensby, Heswall, Cheshire; and whether he will take special steps to expedite matters to prevent harm to health due to the present inadequate arrangements?

This scheme cannot be carried out except by agreement between the Wirral Urban District Council and the Birkenhead Corporation for the use of the corporation's sewers and I regret that agreement has not been reached. I am communicating with the district council regarding the possibilities of an alternative scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of local authorities providing a municipal midwifery service who are training mid-wives in the administration of analgesics; and how many are refraining from using their powers?

According to the returns made to me by local supervising authorities, up to 31st December, 1938, 29 of the 188 authorities concerned had made arrangements approved by the Central Mid wives Board for the instruction of midwives in the administration of analgesics.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the reasons why approved societies are advised, in paragraph 17 of Circular 320, not to make up any of the pay of their employés who are called up for the Militia, whilst at the same time advising that they should do so in the case of any of their employés called out for service under the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act?

The advice given to approved societies in paragraph 17 of Circular A.S. 320 is in conformity with the general policy of the Government in the matter referred to by the hon. Member, the reasons for which were stated in the debate on the 21st June.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, as the result of investigations, it has been revealed that there are a large number of medical insurance practitioners who hesitate to prescribe M and B 693 for fear they will not be reimbursed; and if he will reconsider putting this drug on the special list in order to dispel these doubts?

I hope that the emphatic statement which I was able to make last week on this subject will have dispelled any such hesitation, but I should be glad to know of any specific cases of which the hon. Member may wish to give me particulars.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious incidence of rheumatism amongst insured persons, he will cause treatment at recognised spas to rank for payment by approved societies, giving additional benefit No. 16, under the Third Schedule to the National Health Insurance Act of 1936?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on the 29th June to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver).

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain keep-fit classes for unemployed men are unsatisfactory because members of the class become hungrier than usual as the result of exercise and they cannot afford any extra food; and will he state what steps are being taken to remove this disability?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the minute of a meeting of the National Fitness Committee of the West Riding of Yorkshire held at Leeds, on 17th July, at which a report was dealt with containing a complaint that the attendance at keep-fit classes was unsatisfactory on account of the fact that the members of the classes became hungrier than usual as a result of exercise; that the district committee could not afford the extra food; and whether he can state the quantity, nature, and cost of the food supplied per person in the district in question, and what administrative action he proposes to take?

I have no information about the matters referred to, but they do not appear to fall within the province of my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the names of those local authorities who have no women on their housing committees?

I am unable to give the information for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the Minister of Health what are the professional or other qualifications required for the appointments of district auditor and inspector under the Ministry; and how and by whom are they appointed?

The district audit staff is recruited through the Civil Service Commission in the same way as other civil servants. Promotion to the rank of district auditor and other senior grades is normally dependent on the passing of a special qualifying examination. A number of these senior officers have in fact diplomas of accountancy from recognised outside bodies.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the burden of local rates in the country is steadily increasing, and, in particular, that in certain small and distressed authorities these rates have now reached a level of 20s. in the£ and even more; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy these unjust local burdens?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Pancras, South-West (Sir G. Mitcheson) by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, on the 12th July.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the infantile, general and maternal mortality rates for the last quinquennial period for England and Wales, and the urban districts of Aspull, Blackrod, Hindley and Westhoughton, respectively?

The total mortality per 1,000 population and the infantile mortality per 1,000 births experienced during the quinquennial period 1934-38 in England and Wales as a whole and in the four urban districts in question were as follow:

—	Total mortality per 1,000 population.	Infantile mortality per 1,000 live births.
England and Wales	11.9	57
Aspull U.D.	13.3	92
Blackrod U.D.	12.4	63
Hindley U.D.	13.6	79
Westhoughton U.D.	12.2	57

The numbers of maternal deaths during the period in the four urban areas were 1, 1. 7 and 6, respectively. These numbers are too small to be made the basis of satisfactory rate comparisons with the maternal mortality rate for the country as a whole, which was 3.61 per 1,000 births (live and still).

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the figures for the preventive inoculation against diphtheria in children of school age living in the constituency of Stalybridge and Hyde; and whether this form of health protection has been proved to be of value?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether approval has been given to the sale on lease for 999 years at a peppercorn rent to Messrs. H. Littlewood, Limited, by the Liverpool Corporation of a strip of land of about 227⅓ square yards, situate on the east side of Messrs. Littlewood's premises in Edge Lane, at the price of 25s. per square yard; whether the sale has been effected; if so, what was the actual area and price; for what was the land used before; and what was its rateable value?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The area is 227⅓ square yards, and the price £284 3s. 4d. The land was previously part of the site of the corporation's tramway depot: it was not separately assessed and the rateable value cannot, therefore, be stated.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet entered into any agreement with any company recognised for the purposes of the Camps Act; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to inform the House of the terms of the agreement?

Yes, Sir. I have entered into an agreement with the National Camps Corporation, Limited, and I have placed a copy of the agreement in the Library.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the strong objection in the Borough of Leyton to the proposal to evacuate children from special schools in the borough and adjacent districts to the Suffolk coast during a time of national emergency; and whether, in view of the vulnerability and unsuitable situation of that area he will cause this proposal to be reconsidered?

For the reason I gave in my reply to the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on 18th May, we cannot rule out the Suffolk coast as unsuitable for the reception of evacuated persons. We have to recognise that in this small and industrialised country absolute safety for the large numbers to be transferred is unattainable; the main consideration on which decisions must be based is whether the receiving areas do not offer a better chance of safety than the districts in which the children now live.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that many persons who have received steel shelters without payment no longer require them, and have, in fact, not erected them; and whether he intends to take any action with regard to these shelters?

The efforts of my Department have hitherto been directed to securing as rapid a distribution of these shelters as possible in those vulnerable areas for which they are suitable; and, as the House is aware, immediate erection has not been required, in view of the ease and rapidity with which they could be erected in emergency. I have no evidence showing that any substantial proportion of recipients no longer require the shelters with which they have been provided, but I propose to review the position during the course of the next few weeks.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of Anderson corrugated-iron shelters issued gratuitously and upon payment, respectively; how many have been erected; and whether there is any supervision as to erection and use?

The number of standard steel shelters allocated from contractors' works to date is 978,152, all of which are for supply to householders without payment. No issue has yet been made upon payment, but I hope to make a statement next week regarding the conditions on which these shelters will be put on sale. The distribution is made through local authorities, who under Section 26 of the Civil Defence Act have definite powers and duties with respect to their erection. I cannot state the numbers so far erected.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that air-raid wardens' badges can be purchased by the public without the production of any proof that the purchaser is entitled to wear the badge; and whether he will take steps to prevent a practice which is discouraging to those who have really earned the right to wear them?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to Section 68 of the Civil Defence Act which makes it an offence punishable with a fine not exceeding £20, for an unauthorised person to wear the official A.R.P. badge.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has considered the desirabilty of preparing adequately packed emergency food rations for issue to poor persons similar to those recommended to families able to purchase and facilities to store same?

The Government's plans for the maintenance of adequate supplies of foodstuffs and for their proper distribution are being framed generally and for all sections of the community alike, and I do not think that particular arrangements on the lines suggested by the hon. Member are necessary. I would refer him in this connection to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) on the 12th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the result of the poll taken on the proposed extension of the purchasing powers of the Spindles Board?

Over 90 per cent, of the cotton spinning industry voted in the poll to which my hon. Friend refers, 230 firms with 30,159,000 spindles being in favour of the extension of the purchasing powers and 81 firms with 8,237,000 spindles being against. Of those voting, the proportion in favour was, therefore, 74 per cent, by number of firms and 79 per cent, by productive capacity.If the Cotton Industry (Reorganisation) Bill becomes law, I shall regard this approval of the proposal as justifying an Order which will extend the purchasing powers of the Spindles Board for a further period of two years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the precise steps to be taken to carry out the barter deal in rubber and in cotton with the United States of America?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave on 4th July to a question by the hon. Member for Leyton, West (Mr. Sorensen). His Majesty's Government have not yet been notified that the legislation empowering the United States Government to acquire the cotton has been passed. Meanwhile, considerable progress has been made, in consultation with various trade interests concerned, in the working out of arrangements for implementing the agreement.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, what is the contribution of the Government towards the cost of the British Industries Fair and the cost of the particular section of his Department which deals with it?

The British Industries Fair is organised on a self-supporting basis, and normally there is no contribution from public funds towards its cost. His Majesty's Government have decided, however, as a special case, to make a grant limited to £8,600 for additional publicity in connection with the fair to be held next year. The yearly cost of administration of the London section, which is organised by the Department of Overseas Trade, is approximately £20,000. This sum does not fall on public funds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take, pending the Report of the inquiry into war risks insurance for property, to protect the public against unsound insurance schemes which may be offered to them?

I understand that most responsible bodies carrying on the business of insurance take the view that the risks to which the hon. Member refers are not risks which can be properly covered by insurance, and they have therefore declined to undertake this class of insurance. There are, however, certain organisations which offer by means of mutual schemes some form of protection against war damage to property. I can only advise all who are invited to insure their property in this way to consider whether an undue proportion of contributions may not be appropriated to management expenses, and also to consider the severe limitation which events may impose on the amounts which may be available for compensation in individual cases.As I informed the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Hillsborough (Mr. Alexander) on the 25th July, I am advised that this class of business does not fall within the ambit of the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, and I have no power at present to take any action in regard to it. The question of what action may be necessary should, in my view, await the outcome of the inquiry which will be made by the committee which is being set up by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to announce the names of the gentlemen invited by the Government to examine the practicability of evolving a scheme for mutual protection against risk of war damage to fixed property in private ownership?

I am glad to be able to say that the following gentlemen have agreed to assist the Government by forming the Conference which was announced in the House on the 17th July:The Right Hon. Viscount Weir, G.C.B.Sir Ernest Harvey, Bart., K.B.E.Sir Walter Benton Jones, Bart., LL.D.Sir William Clare Lees, Bart., O.B.E., J.P.Sir Alan Rae Smith, O.B.E.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been directed to paragraph 44 of the Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts this year and to paragraph 35 of the 1938 Report; is he satisfied with the settlement arrived at; and, if so, why was it not submitted at once to the Public Accounts Committee?

I have studied the paragraphs mentioned by the hon. Member. As regards the second part of the question, I am of course satisfied with the settlement arrived at on behalf of His Majesty's Government. As regards the third part, the agreement with the Machine Tool Trades Association was reported in detail to the House by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on the 14th June, 1939, and, as stated by the Public Accounts Committee in their report, this information became available after the committee had taken evidence on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been directed to paragraph 32 of the Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, 4th July, 1939, and, in particular, to the passage in which the committee calls attention to the special care called for in the supervision of costs of production in factories operated by firms acting as agents, and expressing the opinion that full account should be taken of any gain which the firm, or its associates, may derive from supplies furnished to the Government factory which it operates, as well as of the absence of financial risk and of the provision of capital assets out of public funds; and what steps have been taken, or are to be taken, to deal with this matter?

Yes, Sir. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee is already under consideration and the recommendations to which the hon. Member refers will be borne in mind in any negotiations on management fees. The conclusions reached will be communicated to the committee in due course by Treasury Minute under the usual procedure.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the prospective serious decline in the population, he will consider the removal of the womens' marriage bar in the Civil Service in the interests of the country?

It is not proposed to modify the existing arrangements with regard to the employment of married women in established posts in the Civil Service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make a statement on the proposed £500,000,000 loan; the rate of interest intended; and what measures he is taking for the control of the capital market so as to facilitate the financial needs of the Government by maintaining the policy of cheap money?

I do not propose to make any statement on these matters at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many representations he has received as to the serious effect of the restrictions imposed upon the fish landings on the popular sales of fried fish which is a widespread article of consumption; whether he is now aware that the new potato regulations will also produce a very serious effect upon the sale of this commodity; and whether, in both cases, he will arrange for further investigation as to the possibilities of relief to the industry?

With regard to restrictions of fish landings I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given to my hon. Friends the Members, for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn), Middleton and Prestwich (Sir N. Stewart Sandeman), and Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander). As regards the effect of the proposed amendments to the Potato Marketing Scheme I would refer him to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to questions put on 24th July by my hon. Friends the Members for South-West St. Pancras (Sir G. Mitcheson) and Deritend (Sir J. Smedley Crooke).

asked the Minister of Agriculture what sums have been expended by the Potato Marketing Board in each year since its inception on advertising potatoes and potato products in this country; and whether he can give statistics of what has been the consumption of British potatoes in this country during each of those years?

I am informed that the amounts spent by the Potato Marketing Board in each year or part of a year since its inception on advertising potatoes and potato products have been as follow:

		£
1933–34	(20th December to 31st August)	152
1934–35	(1st September to 31st August)	6,794
I935–36	(1st September to 31st August)	8,560
1936–37	(1st September to 31st August)	8,070
1937–38	(1st September to 31st August)	10,232
1938–39	(1st September to 26th July)	8,056

I am not aware of any reliable statistics showing the actual consumption of British potatoes in each year, but the total production of potatoes in Great Britain on holdings exceeding one acre in extent for the years in question have been as follow:

	Tons.
1933	4,555,000
1934	4,464,000
1935	3,765,000
1936	3,804,000
1937	4,048,000
I938	4,404,000

Some of these potatoes are used for purposes other than human consumption, but the precise proportion is not known.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the National Farmers' Union, in setting up the Potato Marketing Board, made it clear that the functions of the board with regard to the purchase and sale of potatoes would be limited to keeping from sale for human consumption such potatoes as were regarded as surplus to the requirements of the nation in any one year; that before taking such action there would be the fullest investigation and consultation with Government Departments; and if he can state by what means it is proposed to ensure the continuance of these safeguards under the amended powers which it is now proposed to grant to this board?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any statement was made or any undertaking given on the lines indicated in the first and second parts of the question; and consequently the third part does not arise. In any event I would remind my hon. Friend that under the Agricultural Marketing Acts safeguards for consumers and other interested parties are expressly provided, in the form of consumers' committees and committees of investigation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the recent increase in potato prices in New Zealand from £7 to £16 per ton as compared with the same time last year; and whether he will inquire if this increase is due to any undue holding of stock off the market by any of the interests involved in order that this matter can be considered in connection with the proposal to extend to the Potato Marketing Board of this country power to buy up, or hold off the market large stocks of potatoes?

My right hon. Friend has no official confirmation of the figures mentioned by my hon. Friend; nor is he sure that if they are correct the fact has any bearing on the question of the power of the Potato Marketing Board to buy and sell surplus potatoes. He will, however, be pleased to consider any information that my hon. Friend is able to give him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what representations he has received from the distributors and consumers of potatoes with regard to the increased powers which it is proposed to give to the Potato Marketing Board; and whether he is prepared to consult with those interests before reaching a final decision in this matter?

Since the proposed amendments to the Potato Marketing Scheme were laid before Parliament, the only representations which my right hon. Friend has receievd have come from the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades, Limited, which is the national organisation of wholesale potato merchants. The arguments used are similar to those urged by the National Federation at the public inquiry held by Mr. C. T. Le Quesne, K.C., into objections to the amendments to the form in which they were originally submitted by the Potato Marketing Board.The decisions of my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland regarding the proposed amendments to the scheme are set out in the document already before Parliament. As the transcript of evidence given at the very full public inquiry, as well as the report of the Commissioner, have been at my right hon. Friends' disposal, I think my hon. Friend will agree that they have already-had ample opportunity to learn the views of all the interests concerned, and that no useful purpose would be served by further consultation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state if any propaganda or advertising has been carried on by the Bacon Marketing Board; what methods have been adopted; and the expenditure on such activities to date?

The advertising and propaganda work carried out by the Bacon Marketing Board has consisted of exhibits and films at agricultural and trade shows and the preparation and publication of literature designed to interest retailers and the public in British bacon. The board is also preparng a scheme for distributing to consumers through the retail trade charts giving information as to the various cuts of bacon. The amount expended on these purposes to date is £5.577 12s. 2d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board is now proposing to grant facilities for the erection of a milk condensery in this country to those firms which, until the introduction of the Processed Milk Order, have undermined the position of the British milk manufacturing industry by importing large quantities of milk products into this country, and failing to comply with price agreements; and whether he proposes to take steps to prevent such a development?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that milk manufacturing establishments in England and Wales are already experiencing considerable difficulty in obtaining supplies of milk for their requirements, he will take steps to prevent the erection in this country of a new milk condensery to be operated by interests which have previously imported milk products into this country and who now wish to circumvent the provisions of the Processed Milk Order which has recently been brought into force to protect the British market for milk products?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given on 13th July to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge).

asked the Minister of Agriculture what breeds of cattle were included in the 326 attested herds in Scotland as at the end of June, 1939, that were not wholly or mainly composed of animals of the Ayrshire breed at the time of entry in the register of attested herds?

The 326 attested herds in Scotland to which the hon. Member refers included cattle of most of the principal breeds, the Aberdeen Angus breed being represented in a large proportion of the herds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any approximate figure of the average profit of a smallholder?

:I regret that it is impossible to give even an approximate figure. My hon. and gallant Friend will, of course, appreciate that a smallholder may occupy any area from one to 50 acres, and that types of land, methods of cultivation and so on differ widely.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take action to prevent the Hove Dairy Company from pouring into the Brighton outfall sewers 1,500 gallons per day of milk which is the residue from the manufacture of icecream; and whether he is aware that the borough engineer stated at the council meeting that this milk is perfectly good?

I understand that an application was made to the Brighton Sewers Board by the dairy company in question for permission to discharge separated milk into the outfall sewer up to a maximum of the quantity stated in the question, in order to cover the contingency of the company not being able to handle or dispose of such supplies in the ordinary course of trade. My information is that at no time have the company poured 1,500 gallons of separated milk into the sewer, that no milk is at present being disposed of in this way, and that in the past only comparatively small quantities have been so dealt with. The Milk Marketing Board is in touch with the company with a view to the avoidance of any waste of separated milk in future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider proposing to this House measures for the formation of a nucleus fund for the improvement of old age pensions by paying only third-class fares for Members of this House?

I do not propose to adopt this suggestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many petitions he has received from consumers of fried-fish regarding restrictions on fish landings which have raised fish prices and is increasing, to many people, the cost of living; and what he proposes to do in the matter?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, seeing that the restrictions which have recently been imposed on the landing of fish have led to a rise in the price, whether steps can be taken to keep the price more static?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he proposes to take with reference to the petition forwarded to him from consumers of fish in Wolverhampton protesting against the present restrictions on fish landings which have raised fish prices to such an extent that the further supply of this valuable food to the public at a reasonable price is becoming impossible?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has received representations from the National Federation of Fish Friers regarding restrictions on fish landings, and also 70 petitions, on forms supplied by the Federation, signed by about 30,000 consumers of fish. So far as the question of action by my right hon. Friend's Department is concerned, I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to similar questions put by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Warrington (Mr. Goldie) and the hon. Members for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) and Doncaster (Mr. J. Morgan) on 24th July.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the nature of the regulations under the Military Training Act at the disposal of young men in categories liable to military service who desire to appeal against the decision of the medical boards?

; The Military Training Act makes no provision for appeals against decisions of the medical boards. If, however, fresh medical evidence is produced which suggests that a man has been wrongly graded that evidence is placed before the chairman, and where necessary the man is re-examined.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the discontent prevailing among medical practitioners generally at the personnel of the medical boards; and whether he will state how and by which body the panel is appointed and arrange that the panels be changed in composition yearly in order that all available medical men get the opportunity to serve; and whether he will give consideration to any medical men who apply to serve in this capacity?

I am not aware that there is any general discontent among practitioners at the personnel of the medical boards. The panels from which the doctors are drawn consist of practitioners whose names are supplied by the British Medical Association to the medical officers of the Ministry of Health. Any practitioner who desires to offer his services should communicate with the secretary of the local emergency committee of the British Medical Association so that he may be considered in the event of any further appointment being made to the panel. I do not think that it would be in the public interest to change the composition of the panels in the manner suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the fees paid to the medical men under the Military Training Act; whether there is a fixed minimum fee or whether there is a per capita scale; how many men each doctor inspects per day; and what period of time is spent on each man?

; The medical boards each consist of a chairman and four members. Each of the four members carries out a part of the examination and the chairman supervises the whole. The members are paid two guineas per session (normally about 2½ hours) for the first five sessions in a week, and one and a half guineas for any subsequent session in the week. The chairman receives an additional half guinea; 25 to 30 men are examined at a session and the average time taken per man is about 25 to 30 minutes.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men who were in employment in the coalmines of South Wales and Monmouthshire who have been called up under the Military Training Act; and, also, the number of mineworkers whose service under the Act has been deferred?

The answer to the first part of the question is 446; as regards the second part, the additional number of mineworkers in South Wales and Monmouthshire, liable, subject to fitness, to be called up before June, 1940, is 1,925.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Nahum Abu, aged 16, of Tiberias, sentenced to life imprisonment by the military court at Haifa for killing an Arab on the 7th May, has a brother who was wounded on the same day by an Arab; and whether, in consequence, he will reduce the sentence?

I have no information about this incident, but I see no grounds for intervening in the manner proposed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that on an average 530 persons were prosecuted weekly by the Metropolitan police in the year 1938 for obstruction of the highway, under the Highways Act of 1835, he will consider the introduction of a Bill at an early date to deal with the parking of modern vehicles instead of relying upon an Act which only envisaged horse-drawn vehicles?

I am advised that the majority of the prosecutions for obstruction by motor vehicles in the Metropolitan police district are taken under the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1937. The question whether, and if so to what extent, it is still necessary to rely on the 1835 Act is one of the many questions which fall to be considered by the Highway Law Consolidation Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the cost of salvaging the 26,000-ton German warship scuttled at Scapa Flow, 1919; whether Metal Industries, Limited, had difficulty in bringing the ship to the surface; whether the ship will be repaired or broken up; and whether tenders will be invited?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for West Walthamstow (Mr. McEntee). All the vessels raised are broken up by the salvage firms concerned.

asked the Secretary for Mines the reasons for the fall in our exports of coal to France from 4,500,000 tons in the first six months of 1937, to 2,500,000 tons in the corresponding period of this year; and what steps are being taken to restore our exports to France to the former level?

The main reason for the decline since 1937 is the increase in French home production, with a consequent decrease in total imports. In the first half of this year there was also a preponderance of imported coal of a kind not usually supplied by this country. My Department is in frequent touch with the French Mines Department with a view to securing our agreed share of the market.

asked the Secretary for Mines what are the reasons for the reduction in the export of coal from this country to Spain from 594,000 tons in the first six months of 1938 to 35,000 tons in the corresponding period of the present year: to what extent this loss is accounted for by increased shipments of coal to Spain from other countries; and whether he will give particulars?

I am advised that Spanish requirements of coal during the first half of this year have been substantially met from the production of the Asturian coalfields and that the importation of coal from all sources has been negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that resentment has been aroused in a London Territorial unit by the attendance of one of its officers in uniform at a recent Fascist meeting organised by Sir Oswald Mosley: and whether this officer is to be relieved of his command?

I am informed that the officer in question was not in uniform when he attended the meeting, and that he took no active part in it. No breach of regulations is, therefore, involved.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that battle dress tunics supplied to militiamen are often several sizes too large; and whether future supplies will be more suitable to the requirements of men 20 years of age?

A supply of uniforms of various sizes, with 10 per cent, spare, has been sent to each station, and no reports have been received indicating any general inadequacy in these arrangements, though there are some men for whom special sizes have had to be ordered. We are considering, for the future, a scheme for noting the size of uniform required when the militiaman is medically examined.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the immoderate amount of foul language used by some non-commissioned officers during instruction in certain Militia units; and whether he will take steps to secure its discontinuance?

The answer to the first part of the question is "No, Sir." Instructions as to the methods and attitude to be adopted in training militiamen have already been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War by what date every man in the London Division, Territorial Army, will be issued with at least one suit of khaki service or battle dress?

This issue will be complete by the end of this week, with the possible exception of a few caps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is considerable resentment among members of the Officers' Emergency Reserve owing to the indefinite nature of their status and the absence of opportunities for training; and whether he will give instructions that members of the reserve who have previously held commissions, and particularly those who may be called upon to take up military duties immediately on general mobilisation, should be gazetted forthwith as reserve officers, should be given opportunities for refreshing their, military knowledge, not necessarily at public expense, and should receive some appropriate uniform allowance, so that they may be adequately prepared for emergency?

The object of the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve was that it should be a register of individuals who were ready to serve in war, but not to undertake liability for training in peace. As, however, has previously been stated, arrangements are in force for training a number of the members of this reserve. There is no reason why those who are eligible, and willing to accept the obligations involved, should not apply for transfer to the Regular or the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the shortage of agricultural labour, due to military training and Government work, he will consider allowing troops situated in farming districts to assist in gathering in the harvest, on the application of farmers to the appropriate military authority?

Even if the suggestion were otherwise considered desirable, the exigencies of military training during the period in question would render it impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 48th Hants Searchlight Battalion (Anti-Aircraft), which has hitherto been part of the Royal Engineers, is now to become part of the Royal Artillery, and that as the pay and prospects of the Royal Artillery are inferior to those of the Royal Engineers, those who re-engage will have to do so at lower rates than, and without the same opportunities for advancement as, they have enjoyed hitherto; and whether he will state what steps he proposes to take to remedy a situation which is very disheartening for the men concerned?

I am not aware of any proposal to transfer this unit from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Artillery.

asked the Secretary of State for War what complaints he has received regarding the conditions at the Oswestry camp; and especially on the subject of poor and insufficient food?

Certain initial difficulties have been experienced at this camp, largely due to the exceptional weather conditions. The camp is being visited almost daily by staff officers from the War Office or the Command, and steps are being taken to remedy any deficiencies as they become apparent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the smallholders at Borrodale, Isle of Harris, are without any suitable roads or means of transport for themselves and their stocks or goods; and when he intends to take action for the provision of a road that will link them with steamer and road transport at Lever-burgh?

A section of a road to link the townships of Borrodale and Strond with Leverburgh has recently been completed with the aid of grants from the Ministry of Transport and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. I shall be ready to consider sympathetically any request by the county council for further assistance, as funds become available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement regarding the question of a water supply for the district of Sandwick, Isle of Lewis?

I am informed that Ross and Cromarty County Council intend to provide a piped water supply for Sandwick School and propose to lay down a water main of sufficient size to enable a supply of water to be made available for the township. I understand that the question of any arrangements that may be necessary to make the water available to the inhabitants of the township is to be discussed locally

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the urgent need of the re-fencing of the boundaries of the Luskentyre estate of the Department of Agriculture, in view of the fact that cattle and sheep from both sides frequently break through the boundaries into the neighbouring pastures; and when the Department is to undertake this work?

I am aware of the necessity for repairs to the estate boundary fence at Luskentyre, South Harris. Difficulties are being experienced in the negotiations between the Department of Agriculture and the adjoining estate regarding their respective liabilities, but arrangements for repair of the fence will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary how many workers in Scotland out with the coal mining industry were certified to be suffering from silicosis in each of the years 1935 to 1939?

The Silicosis Medical Board inform my right hon. Friend that they issued 14 such certificates in 1935, 17 in 1936, 18 in 1937, 28 in 1938, and 7 in the first six months of 1939.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that local authorities are enforcing the provisions of the Shops Acts?

Very few complaints of non-enforcement have been received recently. My right hon. Friend has no reason to suppose that generally speaking the Shops Acts are not being properly enforced.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of James Bastow, aged 17, of 9, Sidmouth Street, London, W.C.I, who was injured by an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion in Piccadilly, on the 24th June, as a result of which he lost his left eye and is now lying in the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital; and whether he is prepared to grant some compensation to the innocent victims of this outrage?

While my right hon. Friend has the deepest sympathy for Mr. Bastow, he regrets that there are no funds at his disposal out of which he could authorise any payment to Mr. Bastow in respect of his injury.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on Saturday afternoon, 22nd July, after a collision between three cars on the Kingston bypass, the removal of the debris was postponed for two and a-half hours, and prolonged delay was caused to traffic, in order to allow the Press to take photographs; and whether he will instruct the police not to hold up the clearing of debris for the benefit of the Press in future?

The question refers, no doubt, to a serious accident which took place on the 15th, not on the 22nd, July. It took the police over half-an-hour to attend to the injured. After that it was necessary for police purposes to take measurements and photographs, and for expert officers to examine the cars concerned, the condition of the brakes and so on. As a result, two and a-half hours elapsed before removal of the debris started, but there is no foundation at all for the suggestion that there was delay to enable the Press to take photographs.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether it is intended to lay before Parliament a copy of the Final Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Rehabilitation of Injured Persons before the summer Recess, as a Command Paper;(2) whether he is aware of the great delay that has occurred in the publication of the final report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Rehabilitation of Injured Persons, which was appointed over three years ago; how many meetings this committee has held during the past 12 months; and how many of these meetings were for the purpose of hearing evidence?

The final report was received at the end of last month. It is being published, though not as a Command Paper, and I hope copies will be available at the Vote Office in the usual way before the House rises next week. The committee held four full meetings during the past year to consider reports of sub-committees and their final report.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of accidents in which the motor patrol police service of the Metropolis have been involved during the two years ended to the last convenient date; and will he state the length of time the police drivers employed on this service have to attend driving schools for the purpose of taking instruction?

The number of accidents in which Metropolitan police traffic patrols have been involved in the two years ending 31st May, 1939, was 242. The courses of instruction at the driving school are:

(1)The elementary course, which lasts for five weeks;

(2)The advanced course—four weeks;

(3)The motor cycle course—two weeks; and

(4)An occasional refresher course— two weeks.

Members of the traffic patrols may take any or all of these courses according to circumstances,

asked the Home Secretary what considerations are taken into account by the Commissioner of Police in deciding whether a driver alleged to have exceeded 30 miles an hour in a built-up area shall be given a written warning or prosecuted; and whether this decision is left to the local police superintendent or referred to the Commissioner's Department?

It is not the usual practice of the Metropolitan police to give written warnings to drivers alleged to have exceeded the speed limit of 30 miles per hour in a built-up area. The decision as to whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution has been delegated by the Commissioner of Police to the superintendents of divisions.

asked the Home Secretary whether an officer at Scotland Yard or a local officer is responsible for the selection of roads in the Metropolitan area over which to operate the static traps with two plain-clothes officers and one in uniform to time drivers to exceed 30 miles an hour; and why only straight wide roads are selected for this purpose?

The situation of these controls is determined by the Traffic Department at New Scotland Yard after consideration of the recommendations of the local officers. Straight wide roads are not the only roads selected for this purpose, but it will be appreciated that the two ends of the control must be well in view of each oher.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to state when the report of the Home Office Advisory Committee on Sub-Standard Films is to be published?

My right hon. Friend regrets that as a result of extreme pressure of work on the Stationery Office, it has not yet been possible to publish this report, but he understands that it will now be out within a fortnight.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the fact that the number of refugees from Central Europe, whom he has repeatedly assured the House were here in transit only, continues to increase while only a fraction of their number leave the country; and what prospect there is of accelerating the departure to their ultimate destination of these people?

My right hon. Friend fully recognises the importance of doing all that is possible to develop without delay schemes for the ultimate settlement of refugees, and as my hon. Friend is aware close and active attention is being given by the Goverment to various methods of attaining this object.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that during the time that Parliament is not sitting he will not continue to authorise an acceleration of the number of refugees from Central Europe coming into this country until their ultimate destination is assured beyond doubt?

As already stated, the policy of the Government is not to refuse temporary asylum in this country to refugees who have prospects of emigration within a reasonable period and whose maintenance while here is assured. My right hon. Friend does not anticipate any change in that policy during the Recess.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to insist on the police headquarters at Lewes being rebuilt in the immediate future, the cost of which it is estimated will amount to at least £45,000?

My right hon. Friend is advised that the existing headquarters of the East Sussex Constabulary at Lewes are seriously defective. The question of providing more suitable accommodation has been under the consideration of the Standing Joint Committee for several years, and, having regard to the reports my right hon. Friend has received from His Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary, he would not feel justified in agreeing to any further delay.

asked the Home Secretary whether any cases have been reported to him of the non-observance of Sub-section (1) of Section 71 of the Factories Act, 1937?

The inspectors would not ordinarily report such cases to my right hon. Friend, and my right hon. Friend has not, I think, had any instances brought specially to his notice; the Factory Department would, however, take appropriate action where breaches of the Act are discovered, and if they were reported to my right hon. Friend from other quarters he would of course have inquiry made. My right hon. Friend is sure the Department is fully alive to the importance of this particular requirement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the provisions of Section 98 of the Factories Act, 1937, are being properly observed in all cases; and what special steps he is taking to ensure their observance?

The hon. Member will recognise that my right hon. Friend is not in a position to say that all the provisions of the Section are universally observed; but its enforcement is a recognised duty of the factory inspectorate and he knows of no grounds for reminding them specially of it's provisions. If the hon. Member has any special point or case in mind and will send my right hon. Friend particulars he will have inquiry made into it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has made any regulations under Sub-section (4) of Section 71 of the Factories Act, 1937; in connection with what industries they have been made; how many young persons they cover; and what is the nature of the regulations?

Draft regulations under this Sub-section have been published. They arc not for particular industries but for all factories in which the maximum weekly hours for young persons under 16 arc less than 48. Their purpose is to facilitate the fixing of shorter periods of employment for those under 16 and to provide safeguards in connection with their division into different sets. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Home Secretary on what date Police-constable Cowden was dismissed from the Bootle police force; for what reason he was dismissed; and whether he is satisfied that Mr. Cowden was fairly treated?

Constable Cowden was certified in 1938 by the police surgeon to be medically unfit for police duty. He exercised his right of appeal to an independent medical referee under the provisions of Section 12 (8) of the Police Pensions Act, 1921. The medical referee confirmed the opinion that he was unfit for police service. The constable has been granted the appropriate pension under the Police Pensions Act, and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the Watch Committee have treated him fairly and sympathetically.

asked the Home Secretary when he expects to receive and to publish the report of the chief inspector of factories?

My right hon. Friend has just received the report and it is being sent for publication.

asked the Home Secretary how many children who had been inoculated against diphtheria in Guernsey, over eight weeks, have contracted diphtheria since the immunisation scheme was started; and how many inoculated children, less than eight weeks after the inoculation, have contracted diphtheria since immunisation started?

; I am informed that the numbers are 23 and 17 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Ministry's arrangements with firms engaged on aircraft production provide for the payment of full district rates of wages on the basis of trade union agreements; and whether, in particular, the clerical staffs in such establishments may, without fear of victimisation, become members of their appropriate trade union in accordance with the terms of the existing agreement between the National Engineering Employers' Federation and the National Union of Clerks and Administrative Workers?

All firms manufacturing aircraft for or on behalf of my Department are required to pay rates of wages and observe hours of labour not less favourable than those commonly recognised by employers and trade societies (or in the absence of such recognised wages and hours, those which in practice prevail amongst good employers) in the trade in the district where the work is carried out. The arrangements made with contractors do not make any specific provision for trade union membership.

asked the hon. Member for Dulwich, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he will state the amount of money left by Mr. Jacoby, a former Member of this House, for the benefit of the staff of the House of Commons, and the ways in which this sum is employed at the present time for that purpose?

The amount of money left by Sir James Alfred Jacoby for the benefit of members of the staff of the Refreshment Department was £1,000. The income is employed in providing pensions and grants to aged, ill or disabled members of the staff. The total income from all sources is £60 7s. 10 d. In 1938 a pension of 15s. a week was granted to Mr. G. Double and a grant of £40 was made to Miss King on retirement at age of 65.