asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to state his proposals for assisting potato growers in Scotland?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and learned Member for East Fife (Mr. Millar) on the 17th December. I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if he will be able to make a definite pronouncement after the Recess in regard to this very important question?

Have the Secretary of State for Scotland or his Department considered the question of using surplus potatoes for the purpose of producing potato spirit, as they do in Germany?

Cannot we have an answer from the right hon. Gentleman to my hon. and gallant Friend's question as to whether he is going to make a definite pronouncement after the Christmas Recess? It is an elementary question.

I have already replied to the question, that I will give an answer as quickly as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, having regard to the fact that 13 persons belonging to Vidlin, Shetland, who have enjoyed blind pensions for a number of years, have recently been deprived of them on the ground of not being so blind as to be unable to perform any work for which eyesight is essential, he is satisfied with the method under which these pensions were first awarded and with the manner in which they have been withdrawn; and if he proposes to make any change in the system of awarding blind pensions?

Until recently the Department of Health for Scotland were of opinion that the very heavy expense of sending fully qualified experts to Shetland was not necessary, and that blind pensions could safely be awarded on the advice of medical officers who were not specialists. The results of the visits by specialists to Shetland, and also to the Western Isles show that expert examination is necessary in certain cases. As regards the second part of the question, I am satisfied that every consideration was shown to the pensioners, and that the benefit of the doubt was awarded in borderline cases. As regards the last part, the Department are of opinion that, save in cases of total blindness, pension should not as a rule be awarded in future except on the advice of an eye expert, and I am consulting the other authorities involved with a view to arrangements being made towards this end.

Does the right hon. Gentleman understand what a serious thing it is to withdraw a blind pension that has been enjoyed for six or seven years, and will he take steps to see that in future blind pensions are awarded to people whose blindness prevents them from carrying on the ordinary affairs of life?

I am well aware of the seriousness of withdrawing a pension once it is granted, but I would suggest to the hon. Member that I would have been no party to withdrawing any pension unless there was good ground for doing so. I have already said, in reply to the main question, that so far as the future is concerned every possible care will be taken.

Will these people from whom pensions have been withdrawn have the right of an appeal, because it is obvious that there is a difference of opinion with regard to some of these cases?

If there are any of the cases that think they have been hardly treated, I am quite prepared to accept representations from them.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it fair to ask the local people to judge in such cases?

So far as I am personally concerned, I was not responsible for that arrangement.

Does the right hon. Gentleman take the attitude that it requires a specialist to decide whether a man can see or not?

There are certain cases where I think my hon. Friend will admit that it would require a specialist to judge.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the difficulty which fishermen now have in replacing worn-out drifters; and if he will state what proposals, if any, he has for assisting them out of that difficulty?

As indicated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Banff (Major Wood) on the 17th December, I have had no representations from fishermen requesting assistance for replacing worn-out drifters. At the same time, I am aware that fishermen will have to face the question at some future time and I have been investigating the possibilities of a new type of boat which could be built and run at a lower cost than the types now in use.

Is the right hon. Gentleman investigating the question of the necessary credit for the replacement of these boats, as well as the question of a new type of boats, and is he inquiring into that question of credit on a different basis from that suggested by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland the other day in his speech at Aberdeen?

I have already replied to that question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of that supplementary question?

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure this House that in any such arrangement made for the fishermen of Scotland the point of view expressed by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland that party politics should come in will not be the point of view of the right hon. Gentleman? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"] In view of the very strange speech of the Under-Secretary at Aberdeen last Thursday, surely we are entitled to have from the Government an assurance that party politics will not come into the matter?

That supplementary question has nothing to do with the question on the Paper.

On a point of Order. Surely I am entitled to ask for an assurance, seeing that the Under-Secretary is a Member of the Government and has made a speech in Aberdeen suggesting that fishermen who do not vote Labour are not entitled to make applications?

That does not arise on this question.

Further to that point of Order. Surely, I am entitled to your protection in this matter. Here is a very serious statement made by a Minister in the country. We have his Chief here now, and surely the House is entitled to an assurance on this matter.

The question does not arise.

With all respect, it is precisely about these matters that the speech was made. It was made about arrangements for credit and applications made for the aid of distressed fishermen, and surely we are entitled to use this House at Question Time to elicit from the Secretary of State for Scotland an assurance that party politics will not be considered by the Government in this matter.

I do not see how that arises on this question.

May I suggest that the Under-Secretary should make a personal explanation after questions?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that at the outbreak of the War steam drifters which were commandeered by the Government were commandeered with their nets and gear; that while the fishermen were paid only 30s. for their nets they had to re-equip themselves at about £9 per net; and whether the Government has taken these facts into consideration in refusing the fishermen's request for a Government contribution to the relief fund?

I am unable to answer the first two parts of the question without further time for inquiry, but I am doubtful whether the statements are wholly accurate and they do not appear to me to be relevant to the subject of the recent disaster off the East Anglian Coast. I refer to my answer yesterday to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair) as regards the assistance which the Government are prepared to offer in connection with the losses suffered in that disaster.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that, if these facts are only partially true, it shows that there is a real obli- gation on the part of the Government to come to the assistance of these fishermen; and will he inquire how much truth there is in it, because it will be a great surprise to me if it is not true, as I have had it on first hand authority?

These are questions which require careful inquiry. As to the second part of the supplementary question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness in which I stated the assistance which the Government are prepared to give.

Has the Secretary of State and his Department come to any definition as to what is the exact amount of money when the sum is mentioned as being "about £9"?

The right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Scotland made a somewhat meagre statement on this subject yesterday, and perhaps he will amplify it to-day?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I gave yesterday in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Leith (Mr. E. Brown) and for Lanark (Mr. Dickson).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that many young men and women residing with their parents have a parliamentary vote but do not possess the right to vote in local Government elections, owing to the practice of only allowing one municipal lodger vote where the rent of a house is under £20; and can he state approximately the number of parliamentary voters in Glasgow who do not possess the right to vote in town council elections?

I am aware that the statutory qualification for the lodgers franchise, which requires that the lodgings shall be of a yearly value, if let unfurnished, of not less than £10, will in certain circumstances have the effect suggested in the first part of the question. The estimated number of parliamentary voters in Glasgow who possess no municipal vote is 100,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of emigrants from Scotland during the past six months, indicating the chief countries to which they have gone, whether within or without the Empire?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will with the hon. and gallant Member's permission circulate a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has now sanctioned any work for the relief of unemployment this winter in the borough of Southwark; and will he give particulars?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on the 10th December.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the sum total of Government expenditure that he has sanctioned by way of grants of all kinds to assist schemes to provide work for the unemployed since 3rd June, 1929; and what is the total increase in the number of unemployed persons during the same period?

As regards the first part of the question, I propose to issue a further statement amplifying the White Paper recently issued, at a convenient date after the re-assembly of the House. As regards the second part of the question, the increase in the number of unemployed persons registered at Employment Exchanges within the period named was 203,575.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how long he thinks that it is going to take him to solve the unemployment problem at that rate of progress?

Do the Government intend to fix any time limit for grants, and is there any likelihood of an increased percentage of grants in the near future?

That does not arise out of the reply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman receiving co-operation from the local authorities or otherwise in connection with the men who have been transferred from other areas?

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, if you will kindly allow my question to be answered for the guidance of local authorities?

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to issue the Paper before the re-assembly of the House, so as to give us an opportunity of examining it?

Certainly we will consider that, but the difficulty is that the White Paper issued was limited to schemes under the Development Act. I propose to issue a statement setting out the other particulars.

In that same White Paper, will the right hon. Gentleman kindly revise the statements which were made concerning my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition and his pledges with regard to unemployment?

I am quite willing, if the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition puts a question to me, to answer it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say in his White Paper how he justifies the statement which he made in his speech last week that there is a loss from £2,000,000 to £8,000,000 in overseas trade by the disuse of 22 trade Commissioners?

Certainly I will.

May I have my question answered?

The question was: Is there a time limit? No. We do all that we can to encourage local authorities to send in their schemes. With regard to the latter part of the question, I cannot conceive of any circumstances that will warrant an alteration in the terms. It is true that certain municipalities are hanging back with a view to that, and it is fair that they should know that I do not contemplate altering the terms.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has any additional statement to make since the publication of Command Paper 3449?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to-day to the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. O. Lewis).

Cannot the Lord Privy Seal really tell the country in round figures what is the sum total in- volved in all his schemes, for it is very important; further, is it not a fact that it is the duty of this House to keep a careful watch on public expenditure?

I know that it is the duty of the House to keep a watch on public expenditure, and I have indicated that repeatedly. With regard to the other part of the question, I would welcome being able to do it, but the House must know that no Government Department could possibly have at its disposal the precise day or the number of men employed by all the authorities in the country. It is impossible to get that figure.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he has taken to provide work for unemployed women, and with what result?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on the 26th November, of which I will send the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received an application for assistance from the Southern Heights Railway Company; if so, what is the amount of money or credit required; and how many man years are involved?

No formal application for assistance under Part I of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, has been received from the Southern Heights Railway.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the scheme under consideration by the port authority at Ardrossan for improvements to present facilities and their extension; and whether, seeing that the estimated cost of the total is about £90,000, the Government proposes, in view of the measures for relief of unemployment, to give any assistance towards carrying out the work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No application in regard to the particular scheme to which the hon. Member appears to refer has yet been made so far as I am aware. It would be open to the Ardrossan Harbour Company to apply for assistance under Part I of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, and any such application would receive the careful consideration of the Committee, though I cannot anticipate their, decision.

Is the Minister not aware that the terms offered to port authorities to carry out such schemes are not sufficiently attractive to encourage them to proceed with these schemes; and, in view of the fact that there are many such schemes waiting, will he consider whether rather better terms could be offered, in order to get men to work on such schemes?

For the purpose of this Act the Government have appointed an Advisory Committee, and the principal responsibility as to the terms offered must rest upon that Committee. There are limits to the extent to which Ministers can go in interfering with the discretion of such a Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the cases of those unemployed persons who have been disqualified from receipt of benefit as not genuinely seeking work will be at once reviewed if the Insurance Bill passes into law in its present form?

Yes, Sir, so far as the persons concerned have kept their names on the registers, or make fresh claims.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that a number of wool textile operatives, until recently employed by Messrs. G. Lund and Sons, worsted spinners of Bolton Woods, Bradford, who left their employment because they refused to accept a reduction of wages, were given their Unemployment Insurance Books and National Health Insurance cards marked in the spaces for 2nd and 9th December, with the word "strike" in red ink, thereby rendering it practically impossible for them to get work elsewhere; whether this is not a serious breach of the Collection of Contributions Regulations, 1920 (S.R.O. 1920 No. 2014 as amended by S.R.O. 1925 No. 975) and if on being satisfied as to the facts she will take such steps as may be necessary to rectify this breach of the law?

I will make inquiry at once into the cases mentioned. If the facts are as stated, there would be a clear infringement of the Regulations.

What does the right hon. Lady intend doing with the person who made such a blunder?

The necessary processes of the law will be undertaken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his experts consider that the use of loose wooden covers and tarpaulins as covers of hatchways in cargo vessels endanger the safety of the vessels in heavy weather; and, if such is the case, will he take steps to compel the use of watertight steel hatchway covers?

I am advised that wooden hatch covers of sufficient strength and properly fitted and secured are quite safe.

Apart from tankers, in which the hatches are small, there is very little experience of the use of steel hatchway covers. They are known to have certain disadvantages, and their compulsory use could not wisely be required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the committee set up by his predecessor a year ago to advise the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Health on matters affecting the health of the mercantile marine has yet reported; whether the report will be published; and what action has been, or will be, taken to improve the conditions affecting the health of the crews and passengers concerned?

As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPOET.

May we take it that the matter is really in hand now, and that an improvement is being made?

Without replying to the last specific point, I think the hon. and gallant Member will find a great deal of encouragement in the account of what is being done in this long reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what report has been made by the deputy chief inspector of lifeboats as to the use of the Schermulz pistol-rocket apparatus; whether further experiment is being made as to any advantages the Schermulz pistol possesses for the firing of a stronger rope-line for the saving of life at sea?

The deputy chief inspector of lifeboats is an officer not of the Board of Trade, but of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and I cannot say what report he may have made to the Institution on the subject of line-throwing appliances, or what experiments are being made by the Institution on this subject. In pursuance of the Rules made under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Line-Throwing Appliance) Act, 1928, the Board of Trade have tested and approved the Schermulz and other line-throwing apparatus for use in sea-going ships, but it would be improper for me to express opinions as to the comparative merits of particular devices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a communication from the Associations of British Chambers of Commerce protesting against the proposed tariff truce on the grounds that it would stabilise the handicaps under which British industry labours; and, if so, if he will undertake to have this view carefully examined before any such convention is signed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As I have already explained to the association, however, the proposed tariff truce does not involve the stabilisation of existing duties, but contemplates that during the period of the truce these shall be treated as a maximum without prejudice to any action that may be taken for their reduction.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any proof that his suggestion, good as it may be, has been received with any favour by those countries which are now continuously raising their tariffs against us?

The difficulties are very great indeed, but I still think that it is well worth while making this effort, and I have every reason to believe that from a very fair number of countries there will be at least a sympathetic response to the request that a conference of this kind should be held.

I am not contesting the view of the right hon. Gentleman, but has he made representations with any result, to those countries that are continuously putting their tariffs up against us that they should, at any rate, stop until we have this consultation?

In reply to recent questions in the House, I have informed hon. Members that, in cases where tariffs have been raised, the very fullest representations have been made.

Is it true that Australia and South Africa have refused to take part?

There is a question dealing with that point a little later on the Paper.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into very careful consideration representations made toy bodies such as the one I have mentioned, representing as they do trade and industry all over the country?

Yes; the House knows that I have received a very large number of representations, and I can say with a fair measure of truth that I read them all very carefully.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that India, Australia and South Africa have refused to take part in the Tariff Truce-Conference at Geneva, whether the Government will endeavour to postpone the consideration of those proposals until after the Imperial Conference has been held?

I have been asked to-take this question. The answer is that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are not prepared to adopt the-suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member.

Is it true, as stated in the question, that India, Australia, and South Africa have refused to taker part in the Conference?

I understand that so far that is the position.

In view of the great importance of co-operating with the Dominions and India in order to-develop the trade of the Empire, and particularly in view of the coming Economic Conference, does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it advisable for the Empire as a whole to enter into this, truce or not at all?

We shall do everything in our power to encourage Empire trade, but it would be quite impossible to hold up a conference of this kind merely because one or two refusals have been received.

Would it not be possible in that case to expedite the Imperial Economic Conference, seeing that we are initiating these proceedings which are intended to lead up to a truce?

That is a very large question, and it is not one into which I can go now.

Are we to understand that no consultation took place with the Dominions before the Government proposed this tariff truce?

I think the Noble Lord would be in error in taking that view, but I would much rather questions on that point were directed to the Dominions Office.

Will the Government. see that this question comes before Parliament in the form of a Resolution before confirming anything done at the Tariff Truce Conference?

As I have already indicated, if any kind of agreement is reached that would form the basis of a Convention, there will be abundant opportunity for discussion before ratification by this Chamber.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what imported articles it is usual to require a certificate that they are produced by workers earning trade union rates of wages?

No such certificates are required on the importation of any articles into this country.

Is not any sort of certificate required in the case of imported doors?

Not to my knowledge. It may be that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to what may be required under Clauses in the Fair Wages Clauses Act. According to the information at my disposal, no certificate of this kind is required in the case of any goods reaching this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the conviction, under the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1926, with reference to woven wire at Tower Bridge Police Court on 18th December; if he is aware that this was a private prosecution after the Board of Trade had refused to prose- cute; and if he will undertake in future that the Board will insist that the provisions of this Act are obeyed?

I have seen a report of this case in which the summons t was dismissed on payment of costs. Certain evidence was submitted to the Board 3 of Trade, but they were advised that it was not sufficient to justify them in taking proceedings. I cannot admit the im— plication in the last part of the question s that the Board have failed to take any steps which it was their duty to take.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value and 5 tonnage of potatoes imported into Great Britain in the period 1st January, 1929, to 1st July, 1929, and the value and tonnage of seed potatoes exported to Spain for the period between 1st July, 1928, and 30th June, 1929?

The total imports of potatoes into Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered daring the period from 1st January to 30th June, 1929, amounted to 179,100 tons, of a declared value of £2,471,800. The exports of potatoes, the produce of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, registered as consigned to Spain during the period from 1st July, 1928, to 30th June, 1929, amounted to 29,400 tons, valued at £136,800. Separate particulars in respect of seed potatoes are not available from the official trade records.

May I ask whether the figures of imports cover the potatoes of the Channel Islands?

I am afraid that point does not arise out of this question. If my hon. Friend will put his question down I will give him the information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the text of the de claration of Government policy which is to be made to the Argentine Government, especially in respect of any restriction of any kind, except as affects disease, on the importation of foreign food stuffs into this country?

Discussions with the Argentine Government are still proceeding, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.

May I ask whether, before a declaration of British policy is made, an opportunity will be given to this House of expressing an opinion, especially in view of the Imperial Economic Conference?

I am quite sure that that point really does not arise, because the only declaration of policy in this case would be one to the effect that we do not propose to put taxes on imported foodstuffs in this country, and that, I imagine, does not require any discussion in this House, since I understand it is not proposed by any political party.

May I ask whether the declaration, according to the words of the British Ambassador, does not also include an inhibition of any restrictions of any kind?

There is certainly a reference to that. I could not to-day go into details, but, broadly, the declaration is one in the sense I indicated in reply to the first supplementary question.

May we understand that there is nothing in this declaration which would prevent this country placing under national control its imports of wheat and meat?

That raises a much larger issue, of which I should require notice, but I can say this, that there is nothing in this declaration or in what is proposed which, in my view, prevents this House or this country taking action in any direction it chooses.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many guarantees under the export credit scheme have been given in the case of exports to Poland during this year; and the liability of the British Government under these guarantees?

Seventy-three contracts of a face value of £127,517, in respect of exports to Poland, were entered into under the exports credits guarantee scheme between the 1st January and the 21st December. The Department's maximum liability under these contracts amounts to £74,316.

In view of the treatment which British traders have received recently in Poland, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that those credits are discontinued for the present?

I have no doubt that the facts referred to are known to the authorities and will be borne in mind when they are considering these matters.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the adoption of distinctive air-post stamps for letters despatched by air mail from Great Britain; and whether any decision has been arrived at in this matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Macclesfield Division (Mr. Remer) on 12th November. I have considered the adoption of a distinctive air-mail stamp, and in view of the inherent objections I have decided against its introduction.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how it is that the Dominions are able to adopt an air mail stamp, and why it is not possible in this country?

The hon. Member is mistaken; not all the Dominions have adopted the air mail stamp, and the reports which we have investigated do not encourage us to repeat the experiment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the cost of postage on paper used by blind persons for writing in Braille and of the poor circumstances of the majority of blind persons, he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend the Post Office Act in order to enable this paper to be carried by parcel post at a special rate corresponding to the special rate now charged for paper already impressed with Braille type?

I regret that I cannot see my way to introduce legislation on the lines suggested.

Will the hon. Member receive representations on this subject from those interested in the blind?

We have received representations from the National Institute, and I should be very glad to consider any further suggestions that they may make.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is continuing the policy announced in the last Budget of increasing telephone facilities in rural areas; and how many new public call-offices have been established in villages and at rural railway stations in Devonshire since that date, and how many he expects to establish in the next six months?

An active policy of increasing telephone facilities in rural areas is being followed. Since April last, 76 call offices have been opened at post offices and railway stations in Devonshire, and 34 more have been authorised but not yet opened. Other cases are under consideration.

How many rural exchanges have been opened?

I am afraid I could not give a reply with regard to rural exchanges without notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a petition from a number of in- dustrial establishments in West Drayton and Yiewsley asking that names of telephone subscribers in that area be included in the London Telephone Directory; and whether, in view of the fact that names of subscribers in places further from the centre of London than West Drayton are already so included, he will take steps to have subscribers in that area included in future editions of the London Telephone Directory?

The petition has been received and a reply sent. It is imperative that entries in the London-Telephone Directory—which is already unduly large—ishould be strictly confined to subscribers who are in the London area; and I regret that it is impracticable to make exceptions.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary not realise that firms-whose names are in the London Telephone Directory have a considerable advantage over similar firms whose names are not in the Directory, and will he consider the advisability, in order to-reduce the bulk of the Telephone Directory, of issuing a toll directory to include all toll numbers?

I should be glad to consider that suggestion, but I have not yet any ideas of my own upon it. With regard to the suggestion that firms nearer London have an advantage because their names are in the London Telephone Directory, I may explain that the London area is not taken by making a circle around a certain place, but is plotted out according to certain technical and administrative considerations.

Does the hon. Member realise that the great number of entries in the Telephone Directory causes great inconvenience owing to the smallness of the type?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advancing years of telephone subscribers, and issue a microscope with every Telephone Directory?

asked the hon. Member for Gorton, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, if all the eggs used in the kitchens of the House of Commons are national-mark eggs?

Yes, Sir.

Is there any possibility of the Liberal party requiring eggs in view of an early General Election?

asked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, if all the ingredients of the Christmas pudding produced in the kitchens of the House of Commons are of Empire origin?

Yes, Sir.

asked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee why Colchester oysters are not supplied in the Members' Dining Room?

Owing to what we consider the excessive wholesale rate charged for Colchester oysters, the Kitchen Committee find it impossible to supply same to hon. Members at a reasonable price.

May I ask how the hon. Gentleman knows that Members of this House would not be prepared to pay a better price for a better article if he never puts the better article before them?

Colchester medium oysters cost 6s. 3d. per dozen, without any allowance for throw-outs. The Kitchen Committee are placing on the tables of the House to-day Whitstable oysters of similar size, which are supplied to Members at the tables at 5s. 6d. per dozen, and, believe me, that is just about as much as we can squeeze out of oyster consumers.

Is the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee aware that Colchester oysters come from Brightlingsea, which I represent, and not from Colchester; and, in view of the prominence that is given to the problems of Scottish fishermen, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware of the desperate plight in which the Brightlingsea fishermen have been placed by their inability to get their oysters on the tables of the House of Commons?

Arising out of my hon. Friend's original reply, may I ask if the inflated prices for these extraordinary dishes do not in fact have the effect of inflating the prices of the normal dishes which ordinary Members want?

No, Sir, the opposite is the effect.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to ask this. House to appoint a Select Committee to review the Standing Orders relating to Private Business; and, if so, when will such Committee be set up?

Since the Resolution of the House on the 13th November last, the review of Standing Orders relating to-Private Business has been under consideration, and I hope it may be possible-to consider the appointment of a Select Committee soon after the House reassembles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the lowest denominations in which Treasury Bills are offered for sale?

Five-thousand pounds.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1), whether he will take steps to issue Treasury bills in the denominations of £10, £50, and £100, in view of the increase which has taken place in the numbers of small investors in this country, so that they can secure the fullest advantage from their thrift;

(2) whether he will increase the rate of interest on Post Office deposits should it be found impossible to issue Treasury Bills of small denomination, so that the small investor will not be placed in a less advantageous position than the investor of large sums?

The matter does not lend itself to agrument within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question, but I fear the hon. Member's suggestion would be quite impracticable. The question of the fixed rate of interest on Post Office deposits is under consideration, but at present I am not in a position to make any statement about it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of revenue derived from the Petrol Duty

asked the Ministry of Transport whether he has made representations to secure a connection between the new Charing Cross station and Waterloo Station sufficient to ensure through running from the Kentish to the Surrey suburban electric services and the avoidance of terminal congestion?