asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total weight of cotton yarn exported to Germany in the month ending 31st July, 1922; and what was the corresponding figure for the month ending 31st October?

The quantities of cotton yarn of United Kingdom manufacture registered during July and October, 1922, respectively, as exported from this country, consigned to Germany, are shown in the published monthly Trade and Navigation Accounts to have been as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the figures showing the quantities and values of the exports from the United Kingdom of cotton piece goods and yarn, distinguishing between grey and white unbleached and bleached, bleached and dyed, and manufactures wholly or partly of dyed yarn, for the two periods of 10 months ending 31st October, 1920 and 1922?

Detailed particulars respecting the exports of cotton yarn, piece goods, etc., of the United Kingdom manufacture during the periods specified in the question are shown on pages 122 to 150 of the monthly Trade and Navigation Accounts for October, and I am sending to the hon. Member a marked copy of Part III of these accounts in which these pages are included.

Is there not a considerable reduction in the export of dyed yarns, whereas there is a considerable increase in the export of grey yarns, and does not the same thing apply to cotton piece goods; and will the President of the Board of Trade take stepe to repeal the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920, and remove all restrictions on the import of dyes?

There will be an opportunity of discussing that matter this afternoon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish the official information in his possession purporting to show the benefits of the Safeguarding of Industries Act and the information on which he bases his statement that no loss of employment has been caused by that Act?

I propose to deal fully with this matter in the course of the Debate later to-day on an Amendment to the Address.

Does the right hon. Gentleman now say that, when he made the statement that no one had been thrown out of work through this Act, he was making a partisan statement, not based on official information?

No, Sir. I was making what I still believe to be an accurate statement.

Was it based on official information; and, if so, why cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us the official information?

I understand the object of the Debate which is to follow this afternoon is in order to enable the hon. and gallant Gentleman and other Members of the House to receive that information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the minimum degree of purity of imported sodium hyposulphite above which the chemical is liable, to duty under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

Sodium hyposulphite is dutiable when it ie of photographic quality, or of still higher quality. Photographic quality hyposul- phite is a well-known trade quality, but there is no fixed quantitative standard to which it must conform, and any hyposulphite which would be good delivery against an order for sodium hyposulphite, "photographic quality," is dutiable.

Is it the case then that the importer cannot know in advance whether he is liable to the duty and the imposition of the duty depends on the analysis?

Everybody engaged in the trade knows perfectly well what this trade term means.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that 80 drums of permanganate of potash, which arrived at the Salford Docks, Manchester, ex steamship "Stad Utrecht," on the 2nd October, 1922, are still held by the Customs pending decision as to liability under the above Act; that repeated requests have been made to the Customs for this matter to be decided, but no reply of a satisfactory nature can be obtained; whether he is aware that the heavy delay in these cases hampers or prevents trade; and will he endeavour to make arrangements at the Customs to have this Act, until it is repealed, carried out in a businesslike manner?

I am informed that the consignment of permanganate of potash referred to in the question was declared on importation to be of commercial quality, and, as such, free of duty. As there was reason to doubt the accuracy of the declaration, tests of representative samples were taken and, as a result, the goods were found to be of "R" quality and liable to Key Industry Duty. Instructions have now been given as to the conditions under which release of the consignment may be obtained.

Is it not possible to arrange that these long delays should be avoided?

Quite easily. It depends on the quality of the goods.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the analysis laid upon the Table?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that under the item R potassium permanganate, scheduled in the list of articles liable to duty under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, the Customs are levying the duty on importations of potassium permanganate of commercial quality that is for use for industrial purposes and, in view of the fact that the R quality is only meant to refer to the pure quality, will he instruct the Customs accordingly?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Duty is not charged by the Customs on permanganate of potash unless of R quality. I may remind the hon. Member that if a claim for duty on a specific consignment is disputed on the ground that the goods are not of dutiable quality, it is open to the importer to apply to have the matter referred to a referee under Section 11 of the Safeguarding of Industries Act.

What does this letter "R" stand for—an English word?

I have nothing to do with the Act now.

Has the cost of the reference to which the right hon. Gentleman refers to be borne by the trader who is making the complaint?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, though on the 6th of April last aluminium sulphocyanide, barium sulphocyanide, and copper sulphocyanide were stated to be deleted from the list of articles scheduled as liable to duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, potassium sulphocyanide and sodium sulphocyanide are still retained in the list of scheduled products; and, if so, can he say for what reason the latter two have not been removed from the list and from liability to duty on importation?

The items aluminium sulphocyanide, barium sulphocyanide and copper sulphocyanide were removed from the lists because certain observations made by the referee in his decision in the cream of tartar case indicated that he would probably regard the three chemicals in question as heavy chemicals. These observations do not apply to potassium sulphocyanide and sodium sulphocyanide, and accordingly the lists were not amended in respect of these two substances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many allegations of dumping have been received by his Department in support of applications for Orders under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act; how many of these have been investigated by Committees appointed under the Act; and what has been the result of these investigations?

About 140 trades or branches of trades have communicated with the Board since the coming into force of Part II of the Act in August, 1921, but the majority of these have not progressed beyond the stage of inquiry relating to the formulation of complaints. Fifteen complaints have been referred to Committees for inquiry, and of these five have been the subject of Orders made by the Board of Trade under Part II of the Act; eight have been adversely reported upon by the Committees; and in the two remaining cases the Reports of the Committees have been received and are under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long they have been under consideration? Would two months be about the period?

No, I do not think so. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware that there has been a General Election and that it was rather difficult, with a change of Government, to avoid some sort of interregnum, but there was no avoidable delay.

Is there any reason why the right hon. Gentleman should not answer the question on the Paper as to how many of these complaints have been raised on the ground of dumping? That is the question.

I think, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read my answer, he will see that I have dealt with that completely, but, speaking from memory, I think two cases of dumping in the ordinary sense were referred to I Committees.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that that justifies this Act?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will doubtless have a chance of expressing his opinion on that, but he knows perfectly well that the Act deals with a great many other things.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the oil production of Great Britain, Trinidad, Egypt and Mexico, and cost per ton of production in each case, for the year 1921?

Exact information with regard to the production in Great Britain in 1921 is not available, but it is computed that the total production of crude petroleum was approximately 140,000 tons. The quantity produced in Trinidad was 334,000 tons, in Egypt 190,000 tons, and in Mexico 38,000,000 tons. I regret that I am unable to state the cost of production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total volume of imports received from foreign countries during the last 12 months and also the total volume of exports to such foreign countries; and the value, respectively, of such imports and exports?

The value of the trade between the United Kingdom and foreign countries during the 12 months ended 30th September, 1922, was as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government has received repre- sentations from the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia on the subject of preferential treatment of Australian dried and canned fruit exported from that Dominion to this country; whether the fruit-drying and fruit-canning industries of the Australian Commonwealth present great possibilities of development; and whether favourable consideration will be given to the extension of preferential treatment to these articles?

A communication on this subject was received some time ago from the Australian Government who stated that the industries in question were capable of great development. Australian preserved fruit liable to duty already receives a preference of one-sixth, and His Majesty's Government after careful consideration came to the conclusion that it was not possible to make the substantial increase in the amount of the preference which was suggested by the Australian Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reason the Central Import Agency, which had acted as Government agents for the disposal of dyes received from Germany under reparations, closed down; and can he state what profit and loss was made by this agency on the sale of these dyes?

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reason the British Dyestuffs Corporation were appointed Government agents for the disposal of dyes received from Germany as reparation; why the notice of such appointment was not issued until well over a month after the appointment had been made; how long the agreement for the agency is for; what remuneration is being paid to the British Dyestuffs-Corporation for their services; and whether he is aware that the trade information they secure from this agency in the matter of consumers is being used for the benefit of their own business connected with the making of British dyes?

I will answer these questions together, and as the answer is somewhat long, will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Read it.

I shall be glad to do whatever Mr. Speaker may suggest, but I think it conforms to the general convenience of the House, when a large number of questions appear on the Paper, that long answers should be circulated. As a mater of fact, the practice is always carried out by my Department of sending round the answer to the hon. Member who puts the question immediately after Question time.

On a point of Order. I put a supplementary question to the last question on the Paper, quite plainly, and it was not answered.

A Minister cannot be compelled to answer supplementary questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in reference to the export credits scheme, he cansay in respect of what classes and amounts of goods exported to what countries assistance has been given?

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the permission of the House, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large consignments of timber of Russian origin have, for some time past, been landed and exposed for sale in the porta of London, Hull, etc.; that, in many instances, this timber was originally the property of English timber merchants, was seized by the agents of the Soviet Republic, who overprinted the private brands of these firms with the hammer and sickle brand of the Soviet Republic, and was thus sent to the English markets for sale to customers of the timber firms at prices with which it has been almost impossible for the timber merchants to compete; and that, owing to the fact that the timber merchants and their agents have received no compensation whatsoever for the timber seized from them, this competition is prejudicial; and whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter and protect British interests?

I understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the question, though I have no information as to the prices secured for the timber in this country. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, arrangements have been made for recording claims against the Russian Government, and His Majesty's Government will not fail to take all practicable steps to secure an equitable settlement.

Does the course adopted by the Russian Government here differ at all in principle from the policy of His Majesty's Government in dealing with German property in this country?

Yes, it differs in every possible respect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation from English firms, stating their various hardships?

I am certainly ready to see anyone at any time, if it can serve any useful purpose, but it is not possible, I think, at the present time to do more than tabulate these claims and press them when the time comes.

If there is the sale of timber at very low prices, as is alleged, is it not to the advantage of the building trade in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government intends to carry out the promise given by its predecessor to re-enact those clauses of the repealed Profiteering Act which dealt with trade rings and combines?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the legislation promised by the late Government and the various inquiries which have been held into rings and trusts, the Government will deal with the evil next year; and whether they will consider proposals to compel trusts to trade under a single name and so prevent the device by which a certain dairy company is enabled to trade under over 50 different names, representing firms which once competed with each other but are now completely merged?

The Government are not in a position to give any undertaking as to legislation on this matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that he is bound by the pledges given by the last Government, seeing that the majority of the Members of the present Government were Members of the last Government?

I do not wish to engage in an interesting discussion on the doctrine of successive responsibility, but obviously this is a question that must be considered on its merits. If there is anything involved which would seriously dislocate trade and cause general disturbance without compensating advantages, it is a matter for very careful consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these pledges were given by Conservative Ministers, and that a great many expensive Committees have inquired into it, and is all that evidence to be valueless?

No, I do not think their evidence is to be valueless at all, and one of the results, if I remember, of these Committees was that the evil was found to be much smaller than was commonly supposed. But it may well be that it is not a good thing to set up a large Dumber of Committees in the future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state which foreign countries impose a tax upon visiting British commercial travellers; and whether he will consider making representations on this subject?

I have been asked to reply. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the countries which impose taxes on British commercial travellers. I do not think, however, that the imposition of these taxes would of itself constitute a ground for representations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider reciprocating or retaliating?

That question was discussed in the House last Session. The difficulty is this: Where there is most favoured nation treatment you cannot adopt what is equivalent to retaliation against one country, unless you apply the same treatment to most of the others, and so lose much more than you gain.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether arrangements have been made by his Department to ensure that British manufacturers axe aware at the very earliest moment of all openings in foreign countries for British trade; whether, in the case of need, the facts are telegraphed home for distribution to the manufacturers interested; and whether, in every instance, the support of the Foreign Office is available where desirable to promote the success of British enterprise?

The overseas officers of the Department of Overseas Trade have been instructed to supply the Department at the earliest possible moment with all information obtainable by them in regard to openings in foreign countries for British trade. Arrangements have been made in the Department for the prompt dissemination of this information to British firms. It would be of assistance if all firms desiring to receive such information would enrol on the Department's special register, in order to ensure that the goods and markets in which each firm is interested are readily on record. The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the affirmative.

Have the Consular officers abroad been instructed to make inquiries about British trade and are they sufficiently business men to understand?

Yes, Sir; the Consuls are specially instructed to look after commercial interests and to report upon commercial openings, and, in considering promotions in the Consular service, the efficiency of a Consul in his commercial work is always taken into consideration.

Is there anything in the way the right hon. Gentleman suggests in the Consular service in Russia at the present time?

There is a trading mission in Russia which is functioning at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount in sterling of private and personal property belonging to German subjects in this country which has been sequestrated, and the amount it is proposed to remit, out of the total, to British-born wives of Germans and to other individuals in special cases?

Assuming that the question refers to the property in the United Kingdom of Germans, wherever resident, the sum of £33,600,000 has already been paid to the Controller of the Clearing Office in respect of realisations, in addition to which reserves in the hands of the Custodian amount to approximately £1,500,000, and a sum of approximately £6,000,000 has been released to non-Germans. Certain further assets are still available for realisation, but it is not possible to state the realisable value. No estimate can be made as to the proportion of this sum which will eventually be released to British-born German women and to other individuals in special cases. Each of such cases is dealt with on its merits by Lord Justice Younger's Committee, and the Committee's recommendations are given effect to by the Custodian.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Hungarian Government and the municipality of Budapest have not yet admitted to the British administrator of Hungarian property liability for War period interest upon securities issued to British subjects before the War by the. Hungarian Government and the municipality of Budapest; and whether he will request His Majesty's representative at Budapest to take the matter up with the Hungarian authorities so as to render unnecessary litigation under the Treaty of Trianon before the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal?

The answer to this question is rather long, and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the desirability of a percentage preference being given to all persons who tender for Government contracts, and who undertake to use British Empire materials and employ British Empire labour; whether his Department will use its influence with public bodies to make similar concessions subject to the same conditions; and whether he is aware that the London County Council already gives a 10 per cent, preference on contracts where British material and British labour are employed?

The Board of Trade is not a contracting Department. But I have no doubt that the contracting Departments and public bodies recognise the desirability and importance of giving preference wherever practicable to contractors who undertake to employ British labour and British materials. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not aware that the London County Council has made any general rule of the kind mentioned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if any Russian vessels, either owned by the Russian Government or by Russian subjects, have entered British home ports during the present year; if so, how many vessels: and what is their total and average tonnage;

During the period from 1st January to 27th November of the current year, 31 Russian vessels, of an aggregate net tonnage of 49,522 tons, entered at ports of the United Kingdom. The corresponding figures respecting German vessels are 3,044 and 1,615,606 tons. net. On the basis of these figures the average tonnage of such Russian vessels was 1,600 tons, and of German vessels 530 tons.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is usual to measure the local rates levied upon mining companies according to the amount of coal or minerals produced, thus acting as a tax on output which must tend to restrict the output; whether under this system a remission of charge follows upon the closing down of any mine, and an increase of charge has to be met if a mine is reopened; and whether he has considered the effect of this system upon trade and unemployment?

I have been asked to answer this question. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is advised that a mine, like other rateable property, is assessable to local rates upon an estimate of the annual rent which a tenant might be expected to give for it, and the output which may reasonably be anticipated is obviously an important factor in estimating the rent which a tenant would be likely to give. It follows that the closing and subsequent reopening of a mine must affect its rateable value. As regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend will be happy to consider any suggestions which the hon. and gallant Gentleman may have to make.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make inquiries, when he will find that this question is correct in stating that the rates are levied on the output, and not on the value of the mines?

I will convey my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

Do I understand the hon. and gallant Member to say that local rates are levied on mining royalties?

That does not arise.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been called to the increased number of fatal and non-fatal accidents in recent years on the haulage roads of the mines; and whether he intends to take any steps, to ensure greater safety?

The number of accidents of this kind reported has, I am glad to say, decreased, and not increased, during recent years, but it is still very high, and I am anxious to see it reduced further. Many haulage accidents are attributable every year to forgetfulness and the taking of unnecessary risks, due, in some cases, no doubt, to over-keenneess. I am very hopeful that the safety first campaign in the mining industry, which my Department has been endeavouring to promote, and which now seems to be getting well under way, will, in time, if it is energetically pursued, do a great deal to reduce the number of avoidable accidents in this and other mining operations. I am not so hopeful as to the possibility of bringing about any substantial reduction in the number of haulage accidents by further legislation or administrative action, but the matter is receiving consideration, and I am always glad to receive any definite suggestions.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that when this question was under discussion in July last year, his predecessor in office, looking at the alarming number of accidents on haulage ways, practically admitted that there would be some inquiry into this matter?

Yes, Sir; there has been a considerable amount of inquiry.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that the best and most efficient means of reducing the number of accidents in mines will be when deputies are paid by the State, and are free to exercise their best judgment in the mines?

That is a new question, which ought to be put down.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that there have been several colliery explosions in the Cumberland coalfields during recent years, and that the loss of life has been considerable through those explosions; and will he take steps to appoint a Committee to investigate and report on the causes of such explosions, with a view? of legislation being brought forward to prevent repetition of similar occurrences?

The facts, are, unfortunately, as stated in the question. As the hon. Member is aware, the study of the causes and methods of prevention of explosions in coal mines is among the most important of the duties of my Department, and has long engaged its constant attention. A stringent code of precautionary Regulations is in force, and is periodically revised in the light of experience and research. Every explosion is the subject of careful investigation; and, while I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion, I doubt whether a further general inquiry into recent explosions in the Cumberland coalfield would add anything to our knowledge.

What action is taken by the Department when the Mining Regulations are broken, and men are allowed to work among gas?

That is constantly a matter of investigation and inquiry, and where any allegation of that kind is proved, there are ample powers.

Are people who are found to be responsible punished?

Yes, Sir, constantly.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines has not yet given his Report on the Whitehaven Haig Pit explosion inquiry; and will he take steps to see that the Report is circulated at an early date?

Yes, Sir. I will do everything in my power to expedite publication. The Report is now with the printers, and I hope it will be issued this month. The reproduction of the plans, which are an essential part of the Report, is a lengthy process, and it is on this account only that publication is delayed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are to be any proceedings taken in Whitehaven as a result of the disaster?

I think I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the inquiry addressed by his Department to five big banks concerning facilities for the banking accounts in connection with the Miners' Welfare Fund has been interpreted in many localities as meaning that only those banks are approved by the Mines Department for the purpose of this business; and whether he will give instructions that immediate steps should be taken to advise local miners' welfare committees that they are free to open accounts with other banks which provide satisfactory terms?

I was not aware that the circular issued by the Welfare Fund Committee was being interpreted in the sense suggested by the hon. Member, but I am arranging for a further communication to be addressed to the district committees, in order to remove any possible misapprehension.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Customs Department are demanding payment of duty, under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, on packages of no commercial value arriving in this country from Germany; that recently a package of free samples of photographic plates seized by the Customs was only released by the importers naming a fictitious value of the goods and paying the duty thereon; that as the importers are not paying the German firm for these goods they are unable to recover the amount demanded by the Customs; and, if so, whether he will see that the Act which was to obtain money from Germany and not from British firms is not violated in future, and order the refund of the money paid in such cases?

The particular instance to which the hon. and gallant Member refers has not been brought to my notice, but I may point out that the German Reparation (Recovery) Act applies generally to all goods, first consigned from Germany to the United Kingdom, and that samples can only be exempted if they comply with the terms of the German Reparation (Recovery) No. 6 Order of 1922, made by the Board of Trade on the recommendation of the Statutory Committee under Section 5 (1) of the Act. That Order confines the exemption to bonâ fide trade samples or patterns of no commercial value for which no payment is made and which are imported in quantities of not more than a single article of any one variety.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a temporary reduction of rates for the carriage of potatoes from Scotland to England is again to be granted by the railway companies from 1st December, 1922, to 31st May, 1923; that the English railway companies have refused to grant similar concessions in favour of English producers for potatoes consigned to southern counties, which are large consuming areas; and whether he proposes to take any action with a view to averting the unfair competition which must result?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative, and as regards the second part, although the Minister has now no power of directing the railway companies as to their charges, I am communicating with them, and will advise the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the arrangements he is making with the railway companies to forward the construction and extension of railways, steps can be taken to push forward the construction of the Derwent Valley, Calver and Grindleford Railway, which was originally included in the North Western, Midland and Scottish Group in the Railway Bill of 1921; and whether he is aware that by the construction of this railway a great public service would be rendered to the community, a district rich in minerals opened up, which would provide permanent employment for a large number of men, and the construction of which would also find immediate-employment for the large number at present unemployed in that district?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that the Derwent Valley, Calver and Bakewell Railway was originally included in the North Western and Midland Group proposed in the Railways Bill, 1921, but it was struck out in Committee. I am afraid I can give the hon. Member no information with regard to the intentions of the promoters of this scheme.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that this railway would provide work for the unemployed,, about whom the Government appear to be so anxious?

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate the fact that this scheme was struck out by a Committee of this House.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the inequitable nature of the present system of motor taxation and to the heavy increase of ouside motor traffic-upon certain county roads, he will consider the advisability of appointing a-Committee to consider the substitution of taxation by motor spirit for the present system and to inquire into the incidence-of taxation as between the Imperial: Exchequer and local authorities?

I have been, asked to answer this question. In reply, to the first part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which: I gave on 30th November to the hon. Member for the Chippenham Division, (Mr. Bonwick), of which I am sending him a copy. The second part raises the-wide question of the relative incidence of imperial and local taxation which cannot be regarded merely from the point of: view of highway administration.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the matter from the point of view of setting up a Commission or Committee to consider the subject?

There is a Committee—a Departmental Committee— already sitting which is reviewing the incidence of the tax as imposed from 1st January, and they will in due course report whether or not any modification is desirable.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in his endeavour to find work for the unemployed, he will make representations to the North British Railway Company to double the line from Bo'ness to the main line and to the Caledonian Railway Company to extend the line from Barnton viâ Bo'ness to Grangemouth, both of which extensions will assist the industrial development of the district?

I have been asked to reply. The question of doubling these lines is one for the consideration of the railway companies respectively concerned, and I am bringing the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to the notice of the companies.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with the view of providing for skilled labour in the schemes of reproductive work provided and also with the object of increasing the safety of the travelling public, he will suggest to the railway companies that it is now the time to take in hand an extensive scheme of remodelling the present compartment carriages on corridor lines, thereby providing work on a considerable scale either in the direction of reconstructing the railway carriages which exist or in constructing new ones entirely?

I have been asked to answer this question. I think that railway companies are alive to the desirability of replacing compartment carriages by corridor carriages so far as this can be done with advantage, and are adopting this policy. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, corridor carriages are not necessarily the most suitable for short distance traffic, and I am not prepared to press the companies in the matter.

Will the Prime Minister make representations in favour of third-class sleeping carriages on the journey to Scotland?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any other country besides Great Britain has withdrawn the representative Minister from Athens; and, if so, will he specify the names of these countries?

I am not aware that any but the British Minister has been withdrawn. The Italian Minister is actually attending the Conference at Lausanne, but the Italian Chargé d'Affaires at Athens has been instructed to refrain from all relations with the Greek Government.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to an allegation in the Press that before the British Minister was withdrawn, and after the arrest of M. Gournaris, a representative of the British Legation demanded from the Greek authorities the return of certain documents, said to be correspondence between M. Gournaris and the British Legation, which had been seized at his house?

A question of that kind should be put on the Notice Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the British Minister has been withdrawn from Athens, the Government considers it advisable, as a further protest against the action of the Greek Government, to with draw also the British naval and military missions in Athens?

The question of the withdrawal of the British naval mission is still under consideration. There is no British military mission at Athens.

Does the withdrawal of this mission signify a rupture of diplomatic relations, or merely a suspension of diplomatic relations?

As I have already told the House, the question of the withdrawal of the mission has not been decided. It is under consideration.

May we take it that the Consulate Service is still functioning in Greece, and will continue to do so?

As far as I am aware, that is so.

asked the Prime Minister whether the decision to withdraw our Minister from Athens was taken in accordance with the policy of common action with our European Allies; and, if so, whether the French and Italian Ministers have now been withdrawn?

In regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject on the 30th November. In regard to the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply already given to my hon. and gallant Friend by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the reinstatement of our representative in Greece after the General Election there?

This matter will be considered when the time comes.

Is not the withdrawal of our Minister from Athens a vote of censure on the Greek Government?

asked the Prime Minister, whether the instruction to Mr. Lindley to threaten the breaking off of relations with Greece was sent as a result of a Cabinet decision or was part of the normal routine of the Foreign Office; and what were the special reasons which induced such action?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on 30th November to the hon. Member for Springburn (Mr. Hardie).

But I did not get an answer on that date. The question I put on the Paper is as to whether the instruction sent to Mr. Lindley was the result of a Cabinet decision, or by the Foreign Office without such decision?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has been long enough a Member of the House to know that the action of the Government is a corporate responsibility. I might say now, that this was before the Cabinet and it was a Cabinet decision. But we cannot always give an answer of that kind at the time.

asked the Prime Minister whether any influence, direct or indirect, has been brought to bear by His Majesty's Government upon the Government, Provisional Government, or Revolutionary Government of Greece to prevent a Republic being set up or to retain the present dynasty upon the throne Of Greece; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the question of possible changes in the system of government in Greece?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the negative. As regards the second part, this is hypothetical and I am not in a position to reply to it.

asked the Prime Minister whether any evidence exists in any Government Department, or whether he has knowledge, that any British Minister gave any encouragement to the Greeks to pursue a policy in Asia Minor which led to their defeat and for which Greek Ministers have been shot?

The policy or policies which led to the defeat of the Greek Army are very obscure and controversial, and it is impossible to deal with it by question and answer.

Will the Prime Minister give a definite answer to the definite question—whether any British Minister gave any encouragement to the Greeks to pursue a policy in Asia Minor which led to their defeat and for which Greek Ministers have been shot?

In so far as this is a definite question, I have no knowledge of anything of the kind to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred, except what has appeared in public statements.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiries in any Government Department?

Surely the right hon. Gentleman does not think that we are going to go back through all the files for some years in order to find out something which is quite indefinite?

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask for papers?

We do not know exactly what papers.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Members of the late Government gave any encouragement in any way to the Greek Government to pursue their policy of aggression before the retreat of the Greek Army; and if he will take action in the matter?

I know nothing beyond what was contained in the public statements which have been made from time to time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of newspapers have recently definitely stated that the late Government backed up the Greeks in their policy?

It is no use referring to possible papers until we know what those papers are.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been stated in the Press that a certain packet of papers was asked for by the British representative in Athens, and will he publish those papers?

But did we get them?

Yes, I understand that we did get them.

Has the Prime Minister's attention been drawn to the fact that the Press report that the ex-Prime Minister has stated that Greeks had been sent into Turkey and that the present Prime Minister was one of those equally responsible with the other members of the Cabinet?

This is the first I have heard of it.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the publication of a despatch from M. Venizelos to the Greek Foreign Minister, dated London, 15th June, 1920, in which the former is made to remind the British Prime Minister that the Greek morale was shaken and the Government did not dare to call up the reserve classes, but he thought that when the Greek people knew of the favourable arrangements of the British Premier it would agree to make the necessary military effort; and will he state the nature of the favourable arrangements alluded to in this despatch?

I have been unable to obtain the text of the despatch which M. Venizelos is stated to have sent to his Government on 15th June, 1920, and as we have no knowledge of the despatch I cannot make any statement about it.

Is it not a fact that documents have been published showing that the Greek advance was encouraged by the late British Prime Minister, and is that right hon. Gentleman therefore not responsible?

asked the Minister of Agriculture when it is the intention of the Government to re-introduce the Salmon and Fresh Water Fisheries Bill?

I have been asked to reply. I hope that it will be possible to reintroduce this Bill next Session.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any figures showing the amount of unemployment among agricultural workers at the present time, and distinguishing between the several corn-growing counties?

I have been asked to reply. No exact figures are available of the amount of unemployment among agricultural workers either in the country generally or in particular counties. Such information as the Ministry possesses, which is based on the general impression of competent observers, does not suggest that there is any abnormal unemployment among regular agricultural workers, but, on the other hand, there is a considerable amount of unemployment in rural districts mainly among unskilled and casual labourers, who in normal times are occasionally and temporarily employed on the land.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet Committee on Unemployment has considered the suggested extension northwards of the Tube from Finsbury Park as a means of finding useful employment for a very large number of the unemployed in the northern metropolitan area, besides relieving the serious traffic congestion at Finsbury Park; and, if not, will the Committee do so?

I have been asked to answer this question. So far as I am aware, no detailed scheme for such an extension has been prepared, and the matter has not been before the Committee on Unemployment. As the hon. Member is aware, considerable extensions and reconstructions are in progress on the London electric railways, and notice has been given of Bills to authorise further extensions. The companies concerned, however, have not included this scheme, and I am not prepared to press them to do so.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the discomfort and inconvenience which is caused to a large number of residents in suburban North London who travel to and from the City from day to day, and is he aware that from recent statements in the Press—

The Noble Lord is giving information.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the fact that certain Metropolitan Boards of Guardians have given a number of unemployed men resident in workhouses, and other institutions under their charge, notice to leave, these notices to expire almost immediately; and whether he is aware that at least 90 per cent, of these men form part of the living wall which divided the British people from their enemies during the late War; that their presence in London is entirely due to their desire to lay their grievances before the Prime Minister and the House of Commons; also that all of them are home-loss and penniless and in many cases are very badly clothed and without boots, except such as are badly in need of repair; and whether, in order to avoid the inevitable hardship and suffering and possible disorder which may follow this action of the guardians, the Minister of Health will exercise the authority vested in him by Statute and issue an Order instructing the guardians concerned to relieve these- men according to law until such time as their place of settlement is determined and their removal to such place of settlement has either been agreed upon or ordered by a Court of law?

My right hon. Friend is aware that in certain cases men have received notices of their discharge from Poor Law institutions in London. The guardians are required by law to relieve destitute persons within their union, but the manner in which relief is to be given is within the discretion of the guardians, and my right hon. Friend has no authority to issue any Order purporting to interfere with such discretion.

The question does not refer to the method by which relief shall be given, but asks that relief shall be given. The question of how it shall be given is not raised in the question. I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Poor Law does not vest in the Minister of Health authority to see that boards of guardians relieve people within their union who are destitute, and, as these men are destitute, I want to know by what authority do the guardians turn them out of the institution?

Cannot the Government do something to get these poor misguided men home, and let it be a lesson to those who brought them here?

Did not the Prime Minister bring them here?

May I say, in answer to the hon. Gentleman opposite—and no one can, I suppose, claim to be more familiar with the Poor Law than he— that surely he must be aware of the fact that the Minister of Health is forbidden by law to interfere with the discretion of the guardians in cases like this?

I am sorry I am not allowed to argue this matter, but the question I put to the right hon. Gentleman is this: Is he not aware of the fact that, according to the law, if a board of guardians does not do its duty, then the Minister of Health has authority to compel them to do it?

I am perfectly aware of that. If I may say so, my hon. Friend is rather purposely evading the point. He suggests that the Minister of Health shall interfere, as I understand it, with the discretion of the guardians in particular cases. By law he is expressly forbidden to do that.

As the right hon. Gentleman seems unable to give a satisfactory answer, I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the action of certain boards of guardians in refusing to continue public assistance to a large number of unemployed men who are at present charger able to the Poor Law according to Act of Parliament, and the refusal of the Minister of Health to take such action as would prevent the hardship and suffering, and possibly public disorder, that this action of boards of guardians may involve."

On the information before me, this is not a question which can come under Standing Order No. 10. It is clear that the guardians, in the first place, have the responsibility. That has been stated and admitted, and a question under the Standing Order can only be raised in regard to a matter of Government responsibility.

May I very respectfully ask how I can raise the question of the starvation of those men and the responsibility of the Minister of Health, who is at the head of the Poor Law in this country, and who has tremendous powers over boards of guardians about which there can be no dispute on the other side of the House?

I take it that, if a board of guardians are not carrying out the law, they can be dealt with by the Courts of the Realm.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, can he tell the House, in the event of all the Metropolitan boards of guardians turning out all these men whom they have under their charge, and putting them on the streets, since they have no money at all to get them back to their homes, what does he intend to do?

That is a hypothetical question with which it is rather difficult to deal.

No, no!

We have all of us great sympathy with these men—

They cannot live on sympathy. They want food, not sympathy.

My hon. Friend's question is based on the supposition that certain boards of guardians do certain things. That is a hypothetical suggestion, but I say frankly, in spite of dissent on the other side, that there is real sympathy in all quarters of the House with these men. What I would suggest, if it meets with the approval of the House, is that we undertake to make inquiry into the circumstances, and, if the question is put down again to-morrow or next day, I shall be glad to give the best answer in my power in view of the further suggestions that have been made.

Is it not the case that the responsibility for seeing that boards of guardians carry out their duties is vested in the Minister of Health, and that, if a board of guardians fails to carry out its duty, then the responsibility must rest upon a Government Department; and does not that, therefore, bring the Motion of the hon. Member for Bow (Mr. Lansbury) within the Standing Order?

The whole point is that there is a misunderstanding on the part of the right hon. Gentleman who is answering. I am certain that if the Minister of Health had been here he could not possibly have answered as the right hon. Gentleman has done. The Minister of Health continually issues Orders to boards of guardians instructing them what to do, and those Orders we have to carry out. How it can be said that the Minister is not responsible, and his conduct cannot be called in question, is to me quite hopeless. [Interruption.] A number of these men are in London, and there is nowhere for them to go. If they break windows, you will be the first to say that they ought not to do so, but you are driving them to it.

Is it not the case that there is a misunderstanding between the Minister and the hon. Member? The hon. Member has put a question asking whether it is proposed to discontinue the relief that is being given to these men, and the right hon. Gentleman has replied that it is in the power of the guardians to give relief in various alternative forms, but he did not answer the specific point raised by the hon. Member, which was whether boards of guardians have the power to discontinue relief. Is it not a case of misunderstanding between the right hon. Gentleman, who is answering for another Department, and the hon. Member for Bow?

The matter is much too serious a one to have any misunderstanding about. I have already suggested, and I hope the suggestion meets with the approval of the House, that, in view of this possible misunderstanding, my hon. Friend should put his question down again to-morrow or next day. Meanwhile, the facts shall be inquired into, and I hope to give him an answer that will be satisfactory to him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 160 of these men are to be turned out from Edmonton oh Wednesday?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the sum of £850,000, placed in the hands of the Development Commissioners under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, for the purpose of developing agriculture, has been expended?

I have been asked to reply. The fund to which the hon. Member refers will, as at present arranged, be expended over a period of not less than five years from the 1st April last. It is estimated that during the current year, approximately, £140,000 will be spent from the fund, and next year, approximately, £275,000. The purposes to which the money is being devoted are, in general, schemes of agricultural education and research. The programme on which the Ministry of Agriculture is working includes schemes for such purposes as the improvement and extension of the accommodation at research institutes and agricultural colleges; increases of staff and the development of the work of existing re-search institutes, the establishment in one or two cases of new centres of research, such as a Professorship of Animal Diseases at Cambridge; and the establishment of a system of scholarships for the sons and daughters of agricultural workmen and others, as directed by the Act constituting the fund. If the hon. Member would like detailed information concerning any scheme or class of schemes in which he is particularly interested, and will communicate with me, I shall be happy to furnish it.

Where does the accumulated unexpended portion of this money go to—back to the Fund or is it kept in the hands of the Commissioners?

I could not answer that off-hand.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in regard to the revival of rural industries; and what further steps are being taken in connection therewith?

The problem of the revival and development of rural industries is now being dealt with by the Rural Industries Intelligence Bureau, which was set up some time ago under a Trust Deed and is supported out of public funds. I am sending the hon. Member some particulars with regard to the functions of this body, from which it will be seen that the Committee of the Bureau comprises representatives of this Ministry and other Ministries interested in the subject. There are various other institutions, such as the National Federation of Women's Institutes, who are also dealing with this subject as part of their general activities.

Will Papers be laid showing whether the officers of the Rural Industries Bureau are whole-time officers paid by the State, or whether they split their time between the bureau and the co-operative societies?