asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement on the progress of the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Govern- ment of the Argentine Republic for the completion of a trade agreement with special reciprocal advantages between the two countries?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the terms of the declaration of British policy as made, or to be made, to the Argentine Government in pursuance of the British Ambassador's assurance that this country would not place any duties or any restriction of any kind on foreign imports into Great Britain?

Arising out of conversations with the D'Abernon Mission, the Argentine Government expressed their willingness to reduce the duties on certain goods of artificial silk in return for a declaration as to the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to duties and restrictions upon the importation of certain Argentine products into this country. Before any such declaration had been made, the Argentine Government issued a decree reducing by 50 per cent. the duties on yarn and piece goods of pure artificial silk as from 1st January, 1930. As, however, goods of artificial silk mixed with cotton are of much greater importance to our trade than goods of pure artificial silk, the Argentine Government were asked to consider whether the concession could be extended to cover such mixtures. This request is now being considered by the Argentine Government, and, in the meanwhile, the operation of the decree dealing with pure artificial silk goods has been suspended. No declaration has yet been made on behalf of His Majesty's Government.

In point of fact, does not the concession which is promised, or already declared by the Argentine Government as due to commence on 1st January last, apply to every other country having trade relations with the Argentine?

I would prefer my hon. Friend to give me notice of that question.

Does the British Government confirm the statement made by the British Ambassador as to the character of British policy?

I would prefer to see that statement again.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of dried condensed skimmed milk which has been imported from abroad in each of the last three years?

The particulars available in respect of imports of milk powder in the years 1927 and 1928 were stated in a reply on 16th December last to the Noble Lord the Member for Aldershot (Viscount Wolmer), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The quantity recorded for the year 1929 was 279,463 cwts., including 16,475 cwts. of sweetened milk powder. These quantities for 1929 are inclusive of milk powder to which other matter than sugar has been added (not less than 70 per cent. being dried milk), while the figures for earlier years did not include such products with milk powder. No information is available to show what proportion of the imported milk powder was prepared from skimmed milk.

Has any complaint been made to the Board of Trade of the spread of tuberculosis in this country consequent on the importation of skimmed milk?

No, Sir, not within my knowledge. I do not remember having such a complaint brought to my notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the unemployment in the cotton trade, arising in great part from the depression in the export branches, he will bring in a Bill on the lines of the Government's Coal Bill for a minimum price of cotton goods, a quota of production, and the amalgamation of cotton mills;

(2) whether, in view of the unemployment in the woollen textile industry, arising in great part from the depression in the export branches, he will bring in a Bill, on the lines of the Government's Coal Bill to provide for a minimum price for woollen goods, a quota of production, and the amalgamation of woollen mills;

(3) whether, in view of the unemployment in the iron and steel trades, he will bring in a Bill, on the lines of the Government's Coal Bill, to provide for a minimum price for iron and steel, a quota of production, and the amalgamation of firms in the iron and steel trades?

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestions, in regard to which I can only point out that action to improve the condition of particular industries, whether taken by the Government or the industries themselves, must vary according to their respective needs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every argument which he used on the Second Reading of the Coal Bill applies equally to these three trades in my question and to agriculture; and how does he justify favouritism to the coal trade against those three other depressed industries?

There can be no complaint of favouritism. We must in these matters deal with one industry at a time. In any case, inquiries are in progress into the position of the iron and steel industry and the cotton industry. I cannot anticipate the results of those inquiries, but they will be considered when the reports are presented.

How does the right hon. Gentleman justify his statement that there is no favouritism when the extra cost of coal will fall on these three depressed industries and agriculture?

I do not agree with that for a moment. If the hon. Gentleman awaits the Committee stage of the Coal Mines Bill, he will hear what I at all events regard as powerful arguments on that point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we can hear no more powerful arguments against the coal proposals than were put up when the Coal Mines Bill was before us on Second Reading?

Before any such proposals as outlined in these questions are adopted, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ascertain whether the questioner and his friends will support them?

Will opportunity be afforded at the Inquiry for evidence to be given with regard to the probable effect on the iron and steel industry of the Coal Mines Bill?

I have already made it perfectly plain in this House that all relevant matters are in order before that Committee. If any witness wishes to tender evidence on that point, he will have a full opportunity of doing so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the state of the cotton industry is more serious than the coal industry?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if steps will be taken to ensure that in the renewal of the Anglo-German commercial treaty provision is made to prevent export bounties or their equivalent on German wheat sent to Great Britain?

The treaty does not require renewal, but remains in force continuously unless or until either party gives notice of its intention to terminate it, in which event one year's notice is required. So far as I am aware, there is no immediate prospect of any such denunciation, and the hon. Member's question therefore does not arise.

Seeing that his colleagues in the Government have declared this to be most unfair competition, will the right hon. Gentleman intimate to Germany that it is difficult to retain this Treaty, to continue it, if this unfair competition continues?

No. I am quite willing to consider the general question with my colleagues, but I cannot give an undertaking at this Box to intervene in a way that would lead up to the denunciation of the Treaty.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman really mean that, as usual, the Government intend to do absolutely nothing for British industry?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the result of his inquiries as to the extent to which prison labour and compulsory labour of detention camps has been entering into the timber subsequently exported to this country by the Russian Soviet Government; and what steps he proposes to take to stop imports of this character?

I regret that I cannot undertake to make inquiries of the kind suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the current number of the "Timber Trades Journal" in reference to this question? He will see there quotations from the Finnish Press on the employment of slave labour in that country.

Without in any way accepting what my hon. and gallant Friend said on the last point, I will certainly consult that journal; but I ought to point out that I have not received a single representation on this point from any section of any industry in this country vitally affected.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the aggregate total face value of the bills current on 11th January, 1930, drawn by British exporters of goods to Russia and bearing the acceptance of the Russian Government or its agents and guaranteed by the British Government under the exports credits scheme?

It has not been the practice to disclose the amount of liabilities outstanding under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme in respect of individual countries, and I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give the information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member.

Are we to understand, therefore, from the reply of the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government are standing by their undertaking not to guarantee credit facilities to the Soviet Government?

As I explained previous to the rising of this House this scheme is an insurance for the payment of goods exported from England, and a certain amount of that business is being done with Russia.

Does not that mean that His Majesty's Government are guaranteeing the credit of Russia and are, therefore, going back on the undertaking given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs?

Is it not a fact that under the hon. Member's administration they lost money in countries like Poland?

I think that it is a technical point which the hon. Member raises. What the Export Credits Scheme is doing is to guarantee the goods, some of which are exported to Russia.

Will the hon. Member say what he means by guaranteeing the goods? We are not guaranteeing the goods. We are guaranteeing that the Russian Government will pay for the goods. That is giving the British Government's credit to the Soviet Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has completed his investigations into the question of a comprehensive scheme of insurance for fishermen; and whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's proposals in the matter?

Inquiries into this question are still proceeding. The question, as the hon. Mem- ber is aware, is necessarily a complicated and difficult one, but there will be no avoidable delay. I am not at the moment in a position to make any further statement on the subject.

Can the hon. Gentleman give me any idea of how long it will take to conduct this inquiry?

It all depends on the reports that we get from the responsible insurance interests, with whom we are in consultation.

Does the inquiry include English as well as Scottish fishermen?

No, Sir; in this particular inquiry we are only considering, from the Scottish Office point of view, the question of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state the terms, including the rate of interest, upon which credits will be offered to Scottish fishermen for the replacement of their nets lost off the East Anglian coast on the 11th November; and in what manner it is intended that the voluntary fund should be utilised for the assistance of these fishermen?

The rate of interest to be charged will be 3 per cent. The other terms upon which loans will be granted are under consideration. The relief funds raised by the Lord Provosts will be pooled to form a national fund and distributed by the central committee with the assistance of local committees among the Scottish fishermen referred to for the purpose of assisting them to replace their nets.

Are we to understand that the loans are to be confined only to those who lost their nets on 11th November, or to all fishermen?

I have another question on that point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are going to be separate applications, or, as before, he is going to ask the two classes of fishermen to fill up the same form?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the needs of share fishermen, other than those who suffered in the East Anglian disaster, for credits to replace lost and worn-out boats and gear, will be provided for in the Government's credit scheme for the Scottish fishing industry?

I regret that it is not practicable to utilise the Loans Fund except for the purpose stated in my reply to the hon. Baronet's question on the 23rd of December.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for some time there has been a strong demand from the fishing industry for these credits, a demand which he himself supported in the last Parliament; and is he not also aware that a great many men in much poorer circumstances than some of those who lost their nets in the East Anglian disaster urgently require assistance, which some of us would give them?

I am quite as well aware of the difficulties of the subject as my hon. and gallant Friend, but, when an appeal was made for the fund, its purpose was stated to be to replace the nets which had been lost in the gale off the East Anglian coast on 11th November.

My question referred, not to the voluntary fund, but, as the right hon. Gentleman will see, if he is good enough to refer to the question, to the Government's credit scheme. It is that credit scheme which I wish to see extended to those who were not concerned in the East Anglian disaster.

I think my hon. and gallant Friend forgets that all the appeals that were made for help, and for the help that the Government might give, were based on the loss that had been sustained by the fishermen on the 11th November.

Is there a credit scheme and the voluntary fund, or is there only one scheme?

I think I have already explained that the voluntary fund will be distributed by the committee that has been set up, and that there will be a loan of £50,000 to the fishermen at the rate of 3 per cent., the conditions of which are now being considered by the Fishery Board.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the credits mentioned in this question were promised by the right hon. Gentleman and his friends in their election campaign and that they are a part of their election programme? When is the right hon. Gentleman going to carry out this definite pledge?

Whatever may have been in the election programme, I want my hon. and gallant Friend to realise that since this Government came into office some seven months ago, or thereabouts, a considerable amount of relief has been granted to the fishermen on whose behalf he is appealing and that other forms of assistance are now under consideration by the Government.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement as to the policy of the Government with regard to the fishing industry; and if he will assure the House that no consideration of party polities will influence his estimate of its needs?

An Interim Report of the Fishing Industry Sub-Committee of the Committee of Civil Research is about to be published, and the hon. Member may accept my assurance that this Government at any rate will not allow party politics to determine its interest in the present hardships of the fishermen.

Will the right hon. Gentleman cause that answer to be circulated to the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland?

Yes, and to members of the Opposition as well.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the situation which exists in the farming industry in Scotland owing to the inability of producers to obtain a reasonable price for their produce: and if he will state his proposals for helping that industry?

I am aware of the difficulties which at present confront agriculture in Scotland. It is not possible for me, however, within the limits of question and answer to discuss what the Government have done and are doing and have in view for the purpose of assisting the industry.

Does the hon. Gentleman understand that we have not had an answer at all as to what the Government are prepared to do in regard to Scottish agriculture?

In the closing days of the last Session my right hon. Friend made a very considerable and long answer on that subject, and I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's consent, to send him a copy of it.

Will the hon. Member consider that the only possible means of giving help is to exclude new foreign potatoes for a definite period?

What about oats?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now make any statement regarding the Report on the Royal Veterinary College?

I am fully aware of the need for urgency in this matter, and discussion between the Government Departments and other bodies concerned are being pressed forward. I am not in a position to make any further statement on this subject, but the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that a decision will be reached and made public as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will announce the Government's agricultural policy?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville) on 16th December.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman had time to reconsider the matter during the Recess?

I think the reply to the question on the Paper is fully given in the answer to which I have referred the hon. Gentleman.

Is the Government's agricultural policy being placed before the Agricultural Conference that is now sitting?

That question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he proposes to introduce a Bill to stabilise the prices of corn and meat produced in Britain?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the Noble Lord, the Member for Horsham and Worthing (Earl Winterton) on 23rd December, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Government propose to introduce a Probation Act for Scotland to further the probationary method of dealing with juvenile delinquents?

A Probation Bill for Scotland has been prepared. The date of its introduction must, however, depend upon the exigencies of Parliamentary business.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that in this instance Scotland is behind England, and will he take steps to push on this legislation?

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that any delay in that Bill being brought forward was due to the party opposite?

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds the crofters of Strathnaver, who have been suffering from the depredations of deer, have been refused by their proprietor, the Department of Agricul- ture for Scotland, the materials for a deer fence which they are willing themselves to erect; and whether he is now prepared to sanction the grant of these materials?

I am advised by the Department of Agriculture that the responsibility for the erection of the deer fence at Strathnaver to which the hon. Baronet refers should be borne by the landlord from whose lands the deer come, and against whom damages have been awarded by the Land Court in respect of the depredations in question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that this matter is dealt with, because in the meantime the crofters are suffering, and they are willing to put up the fence?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if it is correct, as stated in this question, that the Department of Agriculture is the proprietor of this land, or whether it is some private owner?

The Department of Agriculture is not the proprietor of the land from which the deer came. Steps have been taken to obtain damages from the proprietor.

Are steps being taken to get the fence put up? That is the important point.

If these landlords do not pay, is there not power to send them to prison?

I have no power of that kind.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government has any new measures or plans for reducing unemployment?

I am continuing steadily to expand and develop the policy I have already explained to the House. In particular, the policy of aiding and encouraging the revival of industry, especially the export trades, is being actively pursued, and in this connection I have recently been able to make an authoritative pronouncement upon the relations between the City and industry which makes it plain that proposals put forward for assisting the reorganisation of industry on sound lines will receive the sympathetic consideration and the cooperation of the City in working out plans and finding the necessary finance.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to give any further details, particularly in relation to his statement at Manchester with reference, for instance, to the City and industry and matters of that kind?

Certainly, at the most convenient opportunity; but the House will appreciate that, when negotiations are going on affecting the reorganisation of certain industries, for the purpose of which millions of pounds have to be found, it would be undesirable and unwise on my part to make such announcements, because the firms concerned would resent them more than anyone else. At the first convenient opportunity, however, I shall be delighted to elaborate my views.

Would the right hon. Gentleman in the interval, because an opportunity may not occur for a week or two, issue a White Paper or give further particulars, so that those engaged in the industries concerned may know exactly what it is proposed to do and take their course accordingly?

The issue of a White Paper is entirely unnecessary fur the purpose that the right hon. Gentleman suggests. There are already thousands of schemes and applications. The difficulty is not that people do not know, but to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do us the favour of explaining here and now what he means by the word "City"?

It would take too long to answer that question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the total amount of money spent on unemployment schemes since he assumed office, and the estimated number of people who have thereby received employment?

asked the Lord Privy Seal the amount of the guarantees which have been approved under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, for undertakings which will provide additional employment in the case of municipalities and public utility companies, respectively; and the numbers now employed on projects which have been brought into operation during the latter half of 1928?

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) the value of the schemes sanctioned by the Unemployment Grants Committee since 28th November, 1929; the amount of Government guarantees on their account; and the estimated number of man-months of employment to be provided by these schemes during the current year;

(2), what is the value of schemes approved under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, since 29th November, 1929, the value of Government grants on their account, and the estimated number of man-months of employment they will provide during the coming year in Great Britain?

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many schemes have been approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee since the House adjourned; and how many men and women it is estimated will be employed under these schemes?

asked the Lord Privy Seal the total amount of expenditure sanctioned by him for providing work for the unemployed, both in grants to local authorities and grants for other schemes, up to 31st December, 1929?

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many local authorities, county councils, or corporations have submitted schemes for internal improvements; and, with a view to easing the local problem of unemployment, how many have been examined and how many have been approved?

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many people are at work as a result of the new schemes put forward since the present Government came into office?

While it is not convenient within the limits of a Parliamentary answer to give the information asked for hon. Members are clearly en- titled to it, and, as stated on the 24th December, I propose to issue very shortly a further statement amplifying the White Paper recently issued.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only two figures are asked for in my question; and, further, that during the last Session I put a similar question to him week by week and never got a reply?

I do not know about the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, but, if he will look at the whole of the questions to which I have referred in one answer, he will see that they all ask for information which it is difficult to give by question and answer. As I have said, I will deal with it in a further statement.

When the right hon. Gentleman presents his White Paper, will he take pains to show how much of the employment is fresh employment, and how much is only in replacement of schemes which are terminating?

I do not know that that will be possible, but I will endeavour to do it. I have in my mind a dock which is being finished now. A new contract has been given, probably to the same contractor, but the Government cannot say, "You must employ certain men." It may easily be that some of those who are now finishing will get new work, but the Government cannot particularise.

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether any of these schemes are going to deal with the thousands of unemployed women in the country?

Only in so far as they are related to the general unemployment problem; but the Ministry of Labour, as the Noble Lady will know, is considering the question of special schemes of training for women.

In regard to special schemes of training for women, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that the late Government did that, but that we were always pressing them to do more; and will he take a step forward, and not backwards?

It is a very modest request to make to ask us to do more than they did. I think that that would be easy.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that the present Government, although they have been in office for seven months, have done less than the last Government did in this matter?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take an opportunity of making some statement during the forthcoming Debate when the Government will be asking for many more millions of pounds for the relief of unemployment?

I have to meet a number of deputations, and, although it would be a disappointment to me to miss the hon. and gallant Gentleman's speech, and I shall be here if I can, it is only fair to say that it may not be possible. The hon. and gallant Gentleman gave me notice of the questions that he is going to raise, and someone will be here to deal with the situation. If I am absent, it will only be due to certain conferences which I am attending.

Will someone be here on behalf of the Lord Privy Seal?

Yes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman include in the White Paper figures bearing on the effect on employment of the measures which are being taken for the revival of the export trade?

It is impossible for anyone to do that. It is true that certain schemes of rationalisation, which I am encouraging because they are in the interest of the country, must have the effect of adding to the number of unemployed, and not decreasing it. It is of no use to run away from that fact.

On a point of Order. I desire to ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker. I have a question on the Paper which involves merely two figures. The right hon. Gentleman, in reply to this and other questions, has made many statements and given many answers, but on previous occasions I have found it practically impossible to get a direct answer. I desire to ask you, Sir, whether it would be in order to raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House?

It would be in order to raise a question of that kind on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, with reference to Question No. 33? That question has nothing whatever to do with the points raised in the other questions. It deals with the Unemployment Grants Committee, which is an old Committee, and it merely asks how many schemes have been approved during the Recess and for how many men and women they have found employment?

If I may say so, this is not a different position. There are three Committees, namely, the Unemployment Grants Committee, the Development Committee, and the Colonial Development Committee, and the Government in various ways are giving financial assistance to each of these Committees. In my answer I merely stated that I anticipated that the House would like a full statement of all the grants made by each of these bodies, and that in the White Paper I would give that information.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can make any statement on the schemes for electrification of railways which have been definitely completed or which will be completed at an early date: and when operations on these schemes will be commenced?

Grants were approved by the Development (Public Utility) Advisory Committee in November towards schemes for electrifying the London Midland and Scottish Railway between Dagenham and Upminster, and also the Wirral Section (Birkenhead to West Kirby and Bidston Junction to New Brighton). It is anticipated that an early start will be made on both these works. The Company have also undertaken to electrify the track between Barking and Dagenham. Following upon the remission of the Railway Passenger Duty, the Southern Railway Company propose to electrify their line between Coulsdon and Brighton: Bedhill and Guildford; and Preston Park and Worthing. Contracts for a considerable amount of this work are expected to be let shortly. The Company have also announced their intention to electrify by next summer their lines between Hounslow Junction, "Whit-ton Junction and Windsor; Dartford and Gravesend; and Wimbledon and West Croydon. In addition the Railway Companies are understood to be considering further schemes of electrification.

Is any progress being made with the London and North Eastern Railway scheme in relation to Liverpool Street?

The difficulty of the London and North Eastern Railway in relation to Liverpool Street is the problem of the whole of London traffic. You cannot disconnect one from the other. Negotiations on those lines are taking place at present.

Is it not a fact that two or three years ago a scheme for the electrification of the London and North Eastern Railway relating to Liverpool Street had actually been completed? Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to ascertain how soon it can be given effect to?

It is true that certain engineers submitted a scheme, but the railway company turned it down then, and they have turned it down to-day. The Government are not in a position to say to a private company. "You must adopt this particular scheme." That is their business and not the Government's.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the electrification of Liverpool Street is to be held up pending agreement with the combine?

I did not say it was to be held up. I said negotiations were taking place, because it could not be separated from the general question of London traffic.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any contracts have yet been placed in this country on account of work in connection with the Zambesi Bridge scheme?

Orders have been placed for a certain amount of material in connection with the approach railways. It is hoped that the main contract will be placed at the beginning of May.

Have the final plans been approved and passed for the construction of the bridge?

I believe that is so, and the tenders, we anticipate, will be let in May.

Seeing that the Zambesi Bridge will be in Portuguese territory, will the Lord Privy Seal take steps to provide for the employment of as much British labour as possible?

The aspect of the question that we are mainly concerned with is that the very important contracts for the steel should be given in this country. It is rather in that direction that I am concentrating.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is in a position to state what progress he has made with his negotiations with the motor industry?

I am not in a position to make any further statement at the present time on the matter to which the hon. Member refers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement in a fortnight's time?

I could not commit myself to a day. The hon. Member may take it that those engaged in the industry themselves are the best judges.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what proposals have been placed before the Government for the revival of the tin industry in Cornwall; and has he considered the Report of the Cornish mining engineers as to the good prospects of development in this industry throughout the whole county of Cornwall?

No definite proposals have been made to me, but if the hon. Member is in a position to submit information or proposals, I shall be glad to examine them in conjunction with my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Government will be in a position to announce their policy in regard to the Severn barrage scheme; and whether full information as to the Shannon enterprise has been placed at the disposal of the Commissioners who have been investigating this question?

I have been asked to reply. The preliminary investigation undertaken on the recommendation of the Sub-Committee of the Committee of Civil Research was completed last year. The results disclosed were considered to justify more detailed investigations which are in progress. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has had schemes to deal

My hon. Friend will be pleased to learn that, in addition to important road schemes submitted by the county council, 30 schemes have been submitted by 17 local authorities in the county of Derby. As the details involve a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to ascertain the number of unemployed agricultural workers at the present time in England and Wales?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what machinery exists to provide a record of unemployed farm workers; and, if not, what steps can be taken to ascertain them?

Owing to the non-inclusion of agricultural workers in schemes for insurance against unemployment, no machinery exists for obtaining exact statistics of the number of unemployed in the industry.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give an approximate estimate of the number of unemployed agricultural workers?

I am obtaining the information that can be obtained from the unions concerned, but exact statistics are not available.

When does the right hon. Gentleman think that this information will be available to Members?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question.

Has the right hon. Gentleman decided to take crofters into the Unemployment Insurance Scheme?

That should be the subject of another question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Unemployment Insurance Bill for farm workers will be introduced?

I have been asked to reply. The Departments concerned have this matter under consideration, but I cannot at present say when it will be possible to lay proposals before the House.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons registered at the Employment Exchange, Quality Street, Leith, on the 15th January, 1928, 15th January, 1929, and 15th January, 1930, respectively?

The number of persons on the registers of the Employment Exchange at Quality Street, Leith, on 6th January, 1930, was 4,886, as compared with 5,193 at 7th January, 1929, and 3,889 at 9th January, 1928.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of un employed persons registered at the Ex changes in Scotland on 15th January, 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively?

The number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Scotland at 6th January, 1930, was 193,238, as compared with 187,305 at 7th January, 1929, and 146,675 at 9th January, 1928.

asked the Prime Minister what facilities he proposes now to afford for slum-clearance legislation?

It is hoped that the Bill may be introduced at an early date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate a little more precisely what he means by that? Would it be within the next two or three weeks?