asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the nature of his reply to the Manchester Association of Importers, and Exporters regarding their suggestions for a more systematic investigation of Empire problems?

The Association were informed that the letter and memorandum setting out their views on Imperial trade would receive careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state, since the 24th March, 1930, what additional countries have signed the final Act resulting from the recent International Commercial Convention discussed at Geneva?

The final Act of the Preliminary Conference with a view to concerted economic action which was signed at. Geneva by 17 countries on the 24th March last, remained open for signature to the 15th April, 1930. During that period it was signed by Czechoslovakia.

May I ask whether the position of His Majesty's Government has changed towards this conference as there are so few additional signatories forth-coming?

No. Later questions will, I think, give the hon. Member additional information regarding the number of countries which have ratified the Convention and the next steps that are to be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make concerning the operations of the tariff truce; and whether any of the British Dominions have now signified their acceptance of the same, or if he is taking any further steps to secure the reduction of tariff?

As regards the first and third parts of the question, the Com- mercial Convention concluded at Geneva in March last has up to the present been ratified by eight countries; the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The Questionnaire attached to Article 1 of the Protocol regarding the programme for future negotiations has been circulated to all the Governments represented at that Conference, the great majority of whom have now sent their replies to the Secretariat of the League of Nations. These replies were studied at a meeting of the Economic Committee of the League, held last week. In accordance with Article 13 of the Commercial Convention a meeting has been arranged for 17th November, to consider the bringing into force of the Convention and at this meeting the replies to the Questionnaire will also be considered with a view to framing a programme for a further Conference at which the possibility of securing reduction in tariffs will be examined. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his full answer, does he not consider that the attitude of the Dominions in this matter is much more important than the attitude of any foreign country, and will he, in view of the new situation which has developed, give notice in February to denounce the Truce until such time as the Dominions have been consulted?

I cannot give any such undertaking. I do not disguise for a moment the importance of any representations that the Dominions may make, but that does not preclude us from doing our best to secure a downward movement in European tariffs.

Is it the policy of His Majesty's Government to refuse any opportunity that is open to them; to close the doors?

On the contrary. I did my best to explain yesterday afternoon the attitude we adopted in that matter. It is not a question of closing doors at all

Has the right hon. Gentleman explained this dangerous and futile course to the Imperial Conference?

Order!

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have been successful in arranging a tariff truce with the Dominions?

No, Sir; the question has not arisen.

Does not my right hon. Friend feel that it is more urgently desirable to have a tariff truce with the Dominions than with foreign countries?

We had better await the outcome of the proceedings of the economic side of the Imperial Conference.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the ratification of the Tariff Truce by the Government at Geneva will be submitted to Parliament for endorsement?

The Commercial Convention has been ratified by His Majesty the King in respect of the United Kingdom. No question of endorsement arises. I would point out that the Convention was laid before Parliament before ratification and was fully debated in this House.

Then this House has nothing further to say or do in connection with this Treaty until next year, when we can denounce it?

Not at all. Hon. Members opposite can avail themselves of the opportunity of debate, and I should hope that that opportunity will be used to support this movement.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that a wholly new situation has been created by the Imperial Conference?

No, Sir. That is where I quite differ from the right hon. Gentleman. I do not think that any new situation has been created. As I have pointed out before, there is no prejudice whatever in this Treaty to any decision which might be taken on the economic side of the Imperial Conference.

Is the right hon. Gentleman still prepared to go on and ignore the desires and wishes of our Dominions?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of pig-iron imported into the United Kingdom in 1880 and in 1929; what was the quantity of pig-iron produced in this country in the same two years; and whether it would have been possible for this country to have produced that pig-iron without imported iron-ore?

The quantity of pig-iron and ferro-alloys imported and retained in the United Kingdom in 1880 was 58,000 tons, and in 1929 153,000 tons; the production in the United Kingdom in the same years was 7,749,000 tons and 7,580,000 tons respectively. The metal equivalent of the unexhausted iron-ore deposits of the United Kingdom exceeded the total of production and imports in these years; but, of course, many other factors enter into a consideration of the practicability of the exclusive use of home-produced ore.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what Mr. Gladstone said about this in 1880?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated average amount of coal used in the production of one ton of pig iron and of one ton of steel, respectively

I understand that, according to the estimates of the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers, on the average, about two tons of coal are consumed in the production of a ton of pig iron and three tons in the production of a ton of finished steel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Russian goods are being dumped into this country; whether he has any information as to the action that has been taken by Belgium and other countries in connection with similar matters; and what action is he taking on behalf of this country?

I am aware that some classes of Russian goods are being sold to this country at low prices. I understand that in France and Belgium the importation of certain Russian goods is prohibited except under licence. With regard to the third part of the question I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Department of Overseas Trade gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Sir G. Penny).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as regards that reply, it was stated then that the British Government did not propose to take any action, and I now desire to ask him, as President of the Board of Trade, whether he agrees with that statement or whether anything is going to be done on behalf of this country?

The only way in which we can take action is by tariffs, prohibition, or licences. We are perfectly satisfied that the loss to our trade from any action of that kind would be greater than any gain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the quantity of wheat imported in each month since June, 1930, from ports of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?

The total quantity of wheat imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the month of June, 1930, as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) was 7,890 cwts. The corresponding figures for July, August and September, 1930, were given yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kingston-on Thames.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any record of the amount of grain imported into this country from Russian sources during the months of July, August and September?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given him yesterday on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, apart from grain, many other products are being dumped into this country to the injury of our trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate the nature and quantity of the chief exports to Russia during 1930 to the latest convenient date?

During the first nine months of this year the quantities of the principal exports from the United Kingdom registered as consigned to the Soviet Union (Russia) were as follow:

British Produce and Manufactures.—Machinery and parts thereof, 20,348 tons; refined sugar, 126,513 tons; iron and steel and manufactures thereof, 5,254 tons; ammonium sulphate, 30,058 tons; and wool tops, other than merino, 725 tons.

Imported Merchandise.—Pig lead, 28,848 tons; tin blocks, ingots, etc., 2,472 tons; tea, 2,763 tons; and crude rubber, 3,624 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much wheat has been imported from Russia during 1930 to the latest convenient date?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Thirsk and Mahon (Mr. Turton), of which I am sending him a copy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Co-operative Wholesale Society have been large purchasers of this grain?

The hon. Member must put that question on the Paper.

How much more of this dumping will we tolerate?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of agricultural machinery exported to Russia since January, 1930, from Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

The total declared value of the exports of agricultural machinery and parts thereof manufactured in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the nine months ended 30th September, 1930, as consigned to the Soviet Union (Russia) amounted to £41,943.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to make any statement about the intention of the Government to carry part of the insurance on one or both of the ships to he built for the Cunard Company, subject to the payment of a premium; and will he state whether he will accept further marine insurance business of a similar nature?

The nature of the proposals for assisting the Cunard Company in the matter of insurance will, I hope, be explained to the House very shortly. They apply only to one or at the most two ships of a specially high value.

Will this cover be continued when the vessels go to sea or only when they are building?

I shall be very grateful to my hon. Friend if he will defer these questions because I propose to give a detailed explanation to the House when this matter comes before it.

As this is a departure from the usual practice, will the right hon. Gentleman produce a White Paper before the debate showing exactly what we are doing?

I am not sure whether a White Paper will accompany the Financial Resolution, but I will bear it in mind. In any case, hon. Members will have full and exact information.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see the advantage of all these statements being made to the House before the discussion begins?

I am not responsible for any discussions which have taken place in the newspapers and outside. I have to conduct the negotiations.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while this company has been seeking Government assistance, it has at the same time been discharging its workers of 65 years and over and will he also bear that fact in mind?

I was not aware of that fact.

May I ask whether it has been decided that one of these new Cunarders is to come to the Tyne?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the recent loss of the steamship "Radyr" with all bands was ascribed by the court of inquiry in part to the breaking in of the hatches owing to the quality and condition of some of the hatch covers; and whether he will now require that steel shall be used for exposed hatch covers on sea-going vessels and carry out more frequent surveys of the hatch covers of such vessels?

The report of the court of inquiry in this case raises several important questions which require and are receiving very careful consideration. It will also be necessary to discuss them with those concerned before it is possible to decide what action should be taken.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman been warned repeatedly from these benches during the last twelve months that unless the Board of Trade insists upon strong action in the case of vessels going to sea with a low freeboard loss of life must occur as it has in this case.

I am aware that my hon. Friend has raised that question, but I have explained in a previous reply that on particular proposals there was a great division of technical opinion. This point is raised in one of the last paragraphs in this report, and it will be carefully considered.

But here we have a loss of valuable lives—

Order!

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the new German ships "Bremen" and "Europa" have had their fog sirens fitted to the foremast instead of on the forepart of the funnel or funnels amidships; and whether the Board have considered the desirability of adopting this practice where possible in future in the case of passenger ships in the British mercantile marine?

No, Sir. The question of the adoption of a fog siren arrangement of the kind indicated by the hon. Member is a matter primarily for the shipowner. If an application were made by the owner of a passenger steamer coming under Board of Trade survey for the fitting of an arrangement of the kind indicated the Board would give it careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the desires of the shipping industry of this country for the early ratification of the Maritime Conventions relating to the load line, the limitation of liability, maritime mortgages, and liens and immunity; and whether it is intended to introduce legislation for this purpose other than that for the ratification of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention referred to in the gracious Speech?

Yes, Sir. Legislation to give effect to the Conventions relative to the Load Line, the Limitation of Shipowners' Liability, and Maritime Mortgages and Liens will be introduced as soon as possible. The Immunity of State-owned Ships Convention requires before legislation can be undertaken a supplementary agreement which has not yet been signed by the Powers concerned.

Would it not be convenient if all these Conventions, which are now ready for ratification, were included in a single Bill?

No, Sir. I have considered that point, but, as regards several of them, as the right hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware, there is still a certain amount of ground to be covered, and I am now quite satisfied that it would be better to proceed in the order laid down by the Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the alteration in helm orders will come into these ratifications?

No, Sir. That point is covered by the Safety of Life at Sea. Convention, which was included in the Speech from the Throne and which will be taken in another place at a very early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at a joint meeting of representatives of the National Union of Ship Joiners, Furnishers, and Allied Trades and the Government Workers Industrial Union, urging that a joint committee be formed to press for immediate recognition of these two trade unions for representation on any existing bodies recognised for negotiating purposes by the Admiralty, War Office, or other Government Departments; and if he intends to take any action to facilitate their aspirations?

Yes, Sir. The Joint Committee in question has been informed that the composition of the employés sides of the bodies referred to is primarily the concern of the employés sides themselves.

Can the hon. Gentleman say for what reason these unions are denied the usual and proper discussion of their grievances?

Is it not a fact that this organisation is not a trade union, but a goose club?

The representation of unions in connection with negotiating bodies is a matter of national agreement and to include bodies other than those on national lines would be a breach of the agreement.

Would my hon. Friend say what he means by national agreement? Is he aware that the first of these unions concerned represents over 90 per cent. of the people engaged in the trade?

A national agreement means an agreement between the Government and the national body that represents the trade union movement of the country, and I cannot go beyond that.

As regards the Government Workers' Industrial Union, is it not a fact that that is the chief union in Woolwich Arsenal; and did not the right hon. Gentleman undertake to have an investigation as to the rival claims of the two unions there, and what is the result?

Before my hon. Friend answers that question—

Answer!

I have had an investigation into the question raised by the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood). I have personally investigated the matter, and so has my right bon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, and we have come to the conclusion that a local unit is not a national body, and, although it is a discussable matter as to whether the particular union referred to has the majority of unskilled men in the Arsenal in its membership, nevertheless the men who are in the national union are properly represented, and, if the men in the local union desire to have representation, their right course is to negotiate with the national union.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that the supplementary question just addressed to him is based on what is known as a terminological inexactitude?

May we know if it is now the principle that the workers of this country are not to be permitted to be represented by the unions which they themselves desire?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, as the result of the recent reduction in the Civil Service bonus, girls are employed in certain Departments of the Civil Service on a full-time basis on rates of pay as low as 12s. 2d. per week; and what steps he proposes to take to stop such sweating in Government establishments?

I understand that the girls employed at this rate of pay are newly entered learners aged 15 years conditioned to a 39-hour week. As the hon. Member is aware, their wages will automatically increase with age; and at the age of 18, subject to satisfactory service, they will pass into a grade rising, at current rates, from 26s. 3d. to 41s. per week.

Does the Financial Secretary regard this rate of 12s. 2d. a week as in any way a justifiable and defensible rate for a Labour Government to pay for full-time labour?

Answer!

Sir William Davison.

May I have an answer to my supplementary question?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of civil servants of all grades, excluding the Post Office, employed at the latest convenient date in 1913, and the total cost in wages and salaries; the corresponding numbers and cost at the latest convenient current date; and the average percentage increase in cost per head as compared with the latest cost-of-living index figure?

Excluding the Post Office, the number of civil servants of all grades employed in 1929-30 was 209,268 with salaries and wages amounting to £48,676,766. The comparable figures for 1913-14 were 156,600 and £20,020,000, respectively. This shows an average increase in cost per head of

An answer did not seem to be forthcoming, so I called the next question.

Will it be in order to prompt the Minister a bit?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what additions have been made to the personnel of those engaged in collecting taxes from the public since the beginning of the year; and what is the total number of additional civil servants employed in all Departments and the total cost involved by such additions?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I propose, subject to the consent of the hon. Member, to circulate a reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

approximately 82 per cent. as compared with an average cost-of-living index figure of 63.4 for the year 1929-30.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the recent agreement, concerning no loss on promotion for ex-service permanent non-pensionable clerks in the Civil Service, has resulted in an anomaly as far as concerns ex-service men appointed to established clerical rank from the South-borough examinations.; that these clerks are candidates who were appointed between the 1st July, 1926, and the 1st October, 1927; that they are now in receipt of salaries in default of those granted to promoted permanent non pensionable clerks since that date by amounts varying from £12 to £36 per annum; and will he cause further inquiry to be made into the matter?

I am not aware of any anomaly arising from the agreement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but if he will send me particulars of the cases which he has in mind, I will have inquiry made.

Will the hon. Gentleman receive a representation in regard to these ex-service men?

I think that I ought first to have the point brought before me in writing; and I will consider what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has suggested.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these men who passed their examinations and were accepted into the service as established clerks are in a worse position than those who were rightly made permanent, because they were able to carry out their duties

I have looked into this carefully; it is a complicated matter, and until I know exactly what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in mind, I am not in a position to answer the question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the anomaly to which the question draws attention has been further increased this week by an award of the Industrial Court dealing with increases and promotions, and will the hon. Gentleman re-examine the whole subject in the light of the question and the award of the Court?

I do not think that I can add anything to the answer which I have given. This is a very complicated question, and, if the anomaly, which the hon. and gallant Gentleman and the hon. Member feel exists, is clearly expressed, I will endeavour to investigate it and see what can be done.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the possibility of devising means whereby properly constituted organisations of boys, such as cadet corps, can be assisted to carry on the non-military side of their work, observing that official recognition of the cadet corps movement ceased on 31st October?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the War Office has now no direct concern in, or responsibility for, cadet units. But my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is in communication with the President of the Board of Education to see whether a scheme can be devised for the loan, on terms, through the medium of the Board of Education, of certain limited quantities of camp equipment to approved organisations concerned in the welfare of juveniles. I need hardly add that a scheme of this kind, if it is practicable, would have the warmest sympathy of the Secretary of State.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for War promised to make a statement on this point, and when will he be in a position to give a definite statement as promised?

I will remind my right hon. Friend of that promise, and perhaps he himself will give a direct answer to the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

If I put this question down in one week's time, shall we be allowed to have an answer then?

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the annual amount of money paid as pensions to retired Army officers during the years 1925. 1926, 1927, 1928 and 1929, respectively?

I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of old horses which are unfit for further service and are at present being used for 'the purpose of poison gas research at Hampshire station; and whether the experiments include the cultivation of bacteria for spreading plague?

As my right hon. Friend stated in his reply to similar questions yesterday, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, during the period 1921 to 1930 only 25 horses have been used in connection with experiments at Porton. None of the experiments included the cultivation of bacteria for spreading plague.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Army were granted commissions during the 12 months ended 30th June, 1930, and the comparative figures for the preceding 12 months?

I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the figures for which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps, if any, he has taken to increase the number of commissions granted to warrant officers, noncommissioned officers, and men of the Army, and to increase the proportion of such commissions to the total number of commissions granted?

My right hon. Friend has this question under his personal consideration and hopes to be able to deal with it in his speech on the introduction of next year's Army Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Army schoolmistresses in each grade, respectively, on the last available date?

The number of Queen's Army schoolmistresses serving at the present time at home and abroad, including India, is 335, of whom 285 are certificated and 50 uncertificated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress, if any, he has made in putting into operation the provisions of the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to bring into operation the provisions of Part I of the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929?

Active negotiations have been proceeding, and the position now is that two alternative methods of meeting the difficulties are in an advanced stage of discussion. I hope, to be in a position ere long to announce that one or other of these will be adopted.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that two years ago an English Act corresponding to this one was passed, and has been in active operation for over a year; and is he aware that, while the English farmers are getting credit, the Scottish farmers are not?

I am well aware of that fact, but I would remind my right hon. and learned Friend that the difficulty, so far as Scotland is concerned, has been in getting the banks to take up the schemes as freely as the English banks did.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House that the Scottish banks are now prepared to take them up?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the latest available costs incurred in the acquisition and development of the estate of Lushentyre for smallholdings; the cost likely to be incurred in the development of the estate by the Government; and the date when the settlement is likely to become effective?

The costs of acquisition have yet to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919. The costs incurred to date in connection with the development of the property (including the purchase of sheep stock) amount to approximately £2,600; the total cost of development, exclusive of acquisition but including the equipment of the new holdings is estimated at £8,650. During the development period some of the prospective new holders have been and will be given temporary lets for grazing and small cultivations and are being employed by the Department on development works; they are also being given facilities for the erection of dwelling-houses and steading buildings, and will be given effective occupation of their holdings at the earliest possible date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the proportion of the total grant credited to the county council of Ross and Cromarty which is allocated in respect of each of the various services to the Island of Lewis and the mainland part of the county, respectively, as specified in the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929?

I am making inquiry and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received any complaints respecting the operation of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, especially the portion dealing with public assistance; and if any steps have been taken to ensure a better working of the Act?

I cannot within the limits of a Parliamentary reply deal with the various representa- tions my right hon. Friend has received regarding the Act, but he is presently considering various representations which have been made to him on the lines indicated in the hon. Member's question, and he would be glad if the hon. Member could give him any additional information which may have come to his notice.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us whether the conference has been arranged between himself and the local authorities with regard to public assistance?

No conference has been arranged between me and the local authorities, but I understand that there is to be an informal conference arranged for this purpose. I do not know whether it has been held or not.

Did not the hon. Gentleman give a promise that he would arrange to hold a conference with the local authorities?

No, Sir, a friendly discussion with some authorities, but it has not yet been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that members of the Dumbarton County Council who are unemployed are refused payment for attending meetings of the council because they have not lost time, and that they are refused unemployment insurance benefit for the days engaged on council work on the ground that they are not available for work; and whether he will take steps to enable them to be paid for attendance at council meetings?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Part III of the Fourth Schedule of the Local Government (Scotland) Act of 1929 provides for the payment of allowances in respect of time necessarily lost from ordinary employment. I am informed by the Minister of Labour that one member to whom the allowance was refused has claimed benefit in respect of the days on which he attended meetings, but has not yet taken the requisite steps to prove that he was unemployed on these days. My right hon. Friend is, however, further consulting the Minister of Labour and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his inspectors have taken steps to test the quality and weight of foodstuffs supplied to Scottish poor-houses; whether any separate record of reports on this matter is kept by his Department; and whether departmental action has been rendered necessary by the nature of such reports?

The responsibility for testing the quality and weight of food supplied to Scottish poor-houses rests entirely with the local authorities concerned. If deficiencies, either in weight or quality were discovered in any particular case, it would be for the local authority to take such action as might be necessary having regard to the terms of their contract with the supplier. The Department of Health for Scotland has poor-house dietaries submitted to it and considers complaints as to adequacy or quality. No complaints as to dietaries have been recently received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of paupers at present in the poor-houses of Scotland; the number of casuals being relieved in those institutions; and the number of beds in such institutions other than for casuals?

As the reply is long, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland tion is available, was 243, including 19 dependants.

The returns received by the Department of Health for Scotland do not discriminate between casuals receiving indoor and outdoor relief respectively. Casuals who apply to public assistance authorities are relieved by the granting of a line to a lodging house, by admission to a casual, sick or shelter house, or by admission to a poorhouse. The numbers admitted to poorhouses are, however, understood to be considerably less than the numbers dealt with by the other methods.

As regards the last part of the question, the total sanctioned accommodation in Scottish poorhouses is approximately 18,000 beds, but it is not possible to say how many of these are available for cases other than casuals, as accommodation is not specifically allocated for the reception of casual cases. Where casuals are admitted to a poorhouse, such arrangements are made for their accommodation as are convenient in the individual institution, regard being had to the number to be admitted and the vacant accommodation available at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the separate death rates among men, women and children in Scotland in the years 1927, 1928 and 1929?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I propose, 'with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have made orders dismissing one and allowing three of the appeals, and copies of the orders were sent to the parties concerned on the 31st October.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now considered the Report of the advisory committee appointed to consider what steps should be taken to give effect to the findings of the Deer Forest Commission of 1921; and whether he proposes to introduce any legislation on the subject?

Some time ago I arranged a joint conference of the interests concerned with this problem and three weeks ago I received a report outlining proposals for legislation. These are now under my consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered any proposals for assisting the Scottish fishermen in the replacement of the herring drifters which have become unseaworthy and for the provision of a new and less costly type of vessel capable of being run at a lower cost; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

As stated in my reply to the hon. and learned Member on the 15th April, this matter is within the scope of the inquiries of the Committee of the Economic Advisory Council on the Fishing Industry; but pending the report of that Committee I have made it my business to obtain information on the subject, particularly as regards the experiments which are being made in devising new types of vessel and the hon. and learned Member may be assured that the question will receive the Government's careful consideration in the light of the Committee's Report.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman prepared to take action in this very urgent matter without waiting for the committee's report, as he has all the facts before him and is aware of the situation?