asked the Secretary OF State for the Home Department (1) the number of licences issued to Germans for employment in the various German textile firms that have received permission to open factories in this country, and their duration;

(2) the number of German textile firms that have been granted permission to establish factories in Great Britain during the past six months, the numbers of British and foreigners employed, respectively, and where the factories are situated?

As I explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bolton (Mr. Entwistle) on the 30th July last, there has been no case during the current year in which permission has been granted to German nationals to establish textile factories in this country. In 29 cases during this period permission has been granted for the establishment of making-up factories by Germans. The number of permits issued for the employment of Germans by these firms is 23, in each case for a period of 12 months. I have no precise information as to the number of British subjects employed at present and it must be remembered that many of these enterprises have not yet, or have only recently, started, but I have no reason to doubt that they will ultimately give employment to a substantial number of British subjects. As regards the situation of the factories, I regret that, as explained in my answer on the 30th July, this information cannot be furnished.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that machinery is being removed from idle cotton mills in order to escape the payment of rates, with the result that there is little likelihood of such mills ever being restarted; and whether he will consider the remission of rates on idle cotton mills in order to assist attempts which are now being made to restart these idle mills?

The remission of rates as suggested, and any alteration of the basis of rating an assessment, would require legislation, and I am not in a posi- tion to promise legislation altering the position established by the Local Government Act, 1929, at the present time.

Will the Minister consider introducing the necessary legislation to bring about some obviation of this state of affairs which is causing great distress in Lancashire Can he not see his way to introduce a Measure to make it possible for us to restart these mills instead of allowing the machinery to be removed?

The general aspects of the matter are, of course, under consideration. With regard to the particular suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend, I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer which I have just given.

Would the Minister consider introducing a short Measure to allow rates to be removed where the machinery is not actually working, in order that the machinery may be left in the mills?

If the Minister does consider any further relief from rates of factories of this kind, will he bear in mind that it only means an increase in the rates on other property, including small cottage property?

Does this not show that high taxation causes permanent unemployment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee of 16th May relative to duties on silk and artificial silk?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to Command Paper 4633 in which he will find the position fully explained.

Is it not a fact that since that Command Paper was issued, several months have elapsed; and is my right hon. Friend aware that during those months the imports of artificial silk in competition with Midland towns has increased tremendously, and is now some 100 per cent. both in value and in volume above that of 1932; and what is he going to do about it?