asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make representations to the Government of India to the effect that a 20 per cent. tariff on British cotton goods entering India is unnecessary for the protection of Indian industry, in view of the fact that Indian cotton goods are competing with British cotton goods in the Colonial markets without special protection or concessions?

My Noble Friend regrets that he is unable to act as suggested. As stated by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade last Tuesday, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. Duckworth), the point will be borne in mind in the negotiations for a new trade agreement between this country and India.

Now that the unilateral fiscal convention is out of the way, surely something can be done to get this tariff reduced, so that Lancashire may have a chance of getting back some of the trade of which we were deprived by the fiscal convention?

As was said by my hon. Friend, there will be an opportunity for negotiation this summer.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any figures showing an increase or a reduction in the wages paid in cotton mills in India during the last two years?

I will ask the Government of India whether they have any statistics such as my hon. Friend requires.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what further action has been taken by the Milk Marketing Board in the case of William Mitcheson, of Burnhope Flatts farm, Burnhope, County Durham, whose three cows were sold for 7s. under a county court order; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the whole circumstances under Section 15 (2) of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931?

I am informed that the Milk Marketing Board are taking further action under the procedure authorised by rules of the court for the recovery of the amount due from Mr. Mitcheson. With regard to the second part of the question, I am advised that the matter is not one appropriate for investigation by an Agricultural Marketing Reorganisation Commission under the provisions of Section 15 (2) of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Milk Marketing Board to use their clemency in this case, as the man, I believe, is not unreasonable in the matter?

The hon. Member will appreciate that in connection with these levies, the board must operate justly between all the producers, those who pay and those who do not.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have this Section 15 (2) looked into, to see whether or not the Milk Marketing Board have the power to take the steps which they have taken quite recently?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any research has been carried out to ascertain whether it is possible to carry on the poultry industry in this country on the basis of the present prices of eggs and foodstuffs, respectively; and, if not, whether he will arrange for research to be carried out in this respect forthwith?

Research into the costs and returns of commercial egg and poultry farming has been in progress for some years at various advisory centres, and the results are published from time to time. The hon. Baronet will appreciate that prices of eggs and feeding-stuffs are only two of the factors which govern the economic position of the industry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the wholesale price of feeding-stuffs has gone up nearly 50 per cent. in the last 12 months and that the price of eggs has gone down compared with 12 months ago, and that the whole industry is faced with bankruptcy?

As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I am glad to say that the cost of feeding-stuffs was slightly easier recently, and as regards the second part of his supplementary question, the answer to my hon. Friend is in the negative. The price of National Mark Standard eggs on 19th February, in London, was 16s. 6d. per long hundred, against 15s. per long hundred last year and 13s. per long hundred at the same date in the two previous years.

Will my right hon. Friend tell us how many recruits from the labour-training centres are flowing into this egg business?

I could not say that without notice.

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's previous answer, is it not a fact that the foreigner is always paying for tariffs instead of the British trading interests?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will introduce legislation to secure for poultry producers a stable price commensurate with the cost of production for their products?

The costs of production of poultry products are influenced by many factors, such as weather and world movements in feeding stuff prices, for which the Government are not responsible, and they also vary considerably from one type of producer to another. I am not clear, therefore, how my right hon. Friend would propose to attain the objective to which he refers, but if he would care to let me have any concrete proposals I will, of course, consider them.

Is it not the duty of the Government to submit concrete proposals to secure a stable price commensurate with the cost of production in the poultry industry?

Would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to introduce legislation to produce a stable price to the egg producers exclusively, and to the farmers?

What about the coal people?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the number of eggs imported in 1936 from countries from which imports are not controlled by trade agreements; and whether, in view of the serious plight of the poultry industry, he will take steps to secure the prohibition or reduction of such imports?

I have been asked to reply. With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the countries from which eggs were imported last year and with whom we have no trade agreements in which eggs are specifically mentioned, together with the quantities of eggs imported from such countries. I would point out, however, that we have commercial treaties with most of these countries under which they are accorded most-favoured-nation rights. As regards the second part of the question, there is nothing that I can usefully add to the replies that have been given by my right hon. Friends, the Minister of Agriculture and the President of the Board of Trade, to recent questions on the subject.

Are the Government then going to let this whole industry go bankrupt?

Could not the hon. and gallant Gentleman add to the report which he has indicated that he will be able to make anything about the subsidisation of egg exportation from the countries concerned?

If the right hon. Gentleman wants any other information and puts down a request for it on the Paper, I will see what can be done in the matter.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman answer my question?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what organisations exist in Great Britain for the co-operative grading and marketing of eggs, and how many poultry farming concerns are members of such organisations?

I am collecting the information desired by my hon. Friend and hope to have it ready to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information asked for in these questions is continually altering because of the fact that a very large number of people engaged in poultry farming are going out of business?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many poultry-farming concerns there are in Great Britain; and what has been their annual egg production during the past three years.

As the reply includes a table of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my right hon. Friend, in circulating that report, designate the number of poultry keepers who are very small men, men in receipt of a total income lower than that of many wage-earners?

The question on the Paper does not ask for that particular information, but if the Noble Lord desires it, I shall be glad to furnish it as far as I can.

Is it not the case that many ex-service men were persuaded to put their gratuities into this industry and are now being ruined?

Will the Government act now that the Communist party has taken this matter up?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the course of the price of poultry feeding stuffs in Great Britain during the past three years?

As the reply involves a table of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Danish and so-called fresh Rumanian eggs are on offer at 6s. per 120 free on rail to London; and whether he can expedite the report of the Import Duties Advisory Committee so as to save from ruin the many small poultry-rearers who have embarked their whole capital in the industry?

I have been asked to reply. I do not know the source from which the figures quoted by my right hon. and gallant Friend have been obtained. Prices of imported eggs in the early part of this year were low, but they have recently risen to more normal levels. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my right hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. and gallant Member for the New Forest and Christchurch (Major Mills) and the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Touche) on 16th February.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the large increase in the imports of eggs since the standstill arrangement was terminated, he will consider a renewal of such an arrangement in order that the poultry industry may be saved from bankruptcy?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer to the reply which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave on 9th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Captain Heilgers).

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that I asked this question last Tuesday of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, who said that it was a question that should be addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, and that now that I have put it to the Minister of Agriculture he refers me to the Minister of Mines, and the Minister of Mines refers me to the previous answer?

Does this indicate the addled state of the Government?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements exist in this country for placing home-laid eggs in cold storage?

I am not clear as to the exact nature of the information regarding the cold storage of eggs which my hon. Friend desires, but if he will be good enough to give me details of his requirements, I shall be happy to supply him with such information as is available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average price per cwt. of "King Edward" seed potatoes in the important markets; whether there is any shortage; and, if so, have there been any imports of seed potatoes recently?

Average prices of "King Edward" seed potatoes are not readily available, but I am not not aware of any shortage of supplies. I understand that during the months of December and January licences were issued for the importation of about 2,100 tons of seed potatoes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain areas of this country would-be buyers of seed potatoes find extreme difficulty in obtaining them?

I am not aware of that, but if the hon. Gentleman will give me the information, I shall be very grateful.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now considered the second report of the Sea Fish Commission dealing with white fish; and whether he has any statement to make as to the Government's intentions with regard to it?

The Government have now given full consideration to the second report of the Sea Fish Commission—of which Sir Andrew Duncan was chairman—dealing with the white fish industry.

The Commission summed up the present circumstances of the industry in the following terms:

"It is clear that, on the whole, there is not in this important food product a remunerative return to the producer, or a satisfactory result in quality and price to the consumer; and that, while those engaged, in the distributive sections are not gaining undue profits, intermediate marketing expenses are, in total, a heavy burden."

From its survey of the facts, the Commission drew the conclusion that considerably improved organisation, distributive as well as productive, was an indispensable condition for the prosperity of the industry, and that such improved organisation could not be achieved without legislative sanction and they made recommendations with that end in view. These recommendations have been discussed with representatives of the main body of producers and of various sections of distributors, including wholesale fish merchants, fishmongers, and fish friers. The distributors have expressed general approval of the recommendations. The producers, through the British Trawlers' Federation, have represented that their case is too urgent to await the issue of the necessarily lengthy process of organising the distributive trades. They have, accordingly, submitted to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself a scheme for the regulation of production and marketing which is based on the principles embodied in the Agricultural Marketing Acts, and have asked for the necessary powers to give effect to it.

The Government regard this as reasonable and propose to introduce legislation which will enable such a scheme to be brought forward as early as possible. This scheme would, however, be only the first step towards an effort at reorganisation of the whole industry. The legislation will, therefore, provide for the constitution of an impartial body analagous to the Commission recommended by the Sea Fish Commission. It would be the duty of the Commission to assist in the organisation of the distributors, to consider and recommend to the Ministers schemes for the improvement of distribution, to supervise the operation of such schemes as well as of the producers' scheme, and generally to promote co-operation among all sections of the industry. Provision will also be made for the constitution of a representative Central Board or Joint Council, somewhat similar to that recommended by the Sea Fish Commission, to consider matters of common interest to the industry and trade as a whole. The Government's proposals, as will be seen, are based on the same general principles as those underlying the recommendations of the Sea Fish Commission, and the discussions we have had with representatives of the various sections of the industry lead us to believe they will be generally acceptable to them.

The recommendations of the Sea Fish Commission included important proposals regarding the inspection and safety of fishing vessels and the conditions of service of the crews of trawlers, with special reference to methods of payment. The first of these two points is being dealt with by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, partly by administrative action, and partly by legislation at present before the House. The second point we propose to deal with in the Bill which we are now preparing. We shall submit the Bill to the House as soon as possible.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the producer's scheme will not be presented as a whole to take or to leave, but that it will be susceptible of such Amendments as commend themselves to the House as a whole?

The producer's scheme will follow, as I am at present advised, the same method of presentation to the House as was embodied in the Agricultural Marketing Act.

May we have an assurance that we shall not find ourselves offered a scheme to take or to leave in its original form, but that the Minister will be empowered to accept any Amendments which commend themselves to the House?

The hon. Member had better wait until the Bill comes forward. I will bear all these points in mind. There will have to be a great deal of consultation before the Bill reaches its final form.

In preparing the Measure, will the hon. Gentleman endeavour to do as my hon. Friend suggests and produce a scheme that is susceptible of Amendment, especially since apparently some independent Commission is going to help to prepare it?

I will bear all these considerations in mind, but I would rather not give an assurance at present.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the shortage of accommodation in the post office at Brentwood, Essex; whether any plans have been drawn up for its extension; and, if so, when work is likely to start?

The deficiencies in the accommodation at the Brentwood post office are fully appreciated. Plans providing for a new post office on the site of the present building and adjoining property have been settled, and it is expected that building work will commence in the autumn.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the telephone kiosk promised to Livingston Station village, West Lothian, on 15th December last, has not yet been set up; what is the cause of the delay; and when will the erection of the kiosk be carried through?

A site has been selected and when this has been approved by the county council, the kiosk will be provided as soon as possible. As regards the question of delay, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of 15th December last.

May I ask when application was made to the county council for authority to erect this kiosk?

As soon as our plans were prepared, we applied to the county council for their permission, but I think my hon. Friend should be well satisfied now that he is going to get his kiosk.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this delay reflects unfavourably on both the Post Office and the county council?

I do not agree with my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he has taken or proposes to take to accelerate the installation of telephones in those districts of the county of Warwickshire which adjoin the city of Birmingham?

The difficulty to which the hon. Member refers has been experienced at eight exchanges in the area. At half of these exchanges the public demand for service, which has followed the recent tariff concessions, has outrun the capacity of the exchange equipment. In the remaining areas there is shortage of external plant. I have the matter very carefully under review, and I will do my utmost to minimise the inconvenience caused by the delay in obtaining the necessary plant.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, is he aware that in my constituency there are a number of subscribers who have been waiting well over six months for service, and that in many cases their names have been in the Telephone Directory since last October, and they are still without service?

This is one of the penalties of success. The concessions made have been so popular that we have had an overwhelming number of new orders. I can assure my hon. Friend that we are doing our level best for all concerned.

Is not this state of affairs one of the penalties of the Government's rearmament programme?

The answer is decidedly no.

asked the Postmaster-General how many of the 1,051 rejected applicants for employment with the Post Office Engineering Department were accorded a personal interview?

Forty-four of these applicants were accorded a personal interview. The remaining applications received careful consideration but as they contained no evidence of suitability for employment in the engineering department no useful purpose would have been served by calling these applicants up for personal interview.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of employés in the Money Order Department who were absent through illness, and the average duration of such illness, for the years 1934, 1935, and 1936, and the number of employés employed for each of the aforementioned years?

As the information asked for contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the information give the number of employés who have received six months' sick pay and those who have received half pay?

The information will show how many have been absent and the number of days of sick absence, which is what the hon. Member who put the question asked.

Following is the information:
Year		Number of employes.	Number who were absent at any time during the year on sick leave.	Average sick absence per person employed (in days).
1934	…	2,926	2,186	10·2
1935	…	2,768	2,129	11·1
1936	…	2,734	2,155	11·3

asked the Postmaster-General when it is proposed to open the new broadcasting stations at Stagshaw, Newcastle-on-Tyne; and whether he has received any information as to when the new broadcasting stations at South Devon and in the neighbourhood of the Bristol Channel will be commenced?

I am informed by the British Broadcasting Corporation that the new station at Stagshaw, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, will be opened in the autumn. Negotiations for the purchase of a site in South Devon are approaching completion. Tests of several possible sites for the proposed relay station in the neighbourhood of the Bristol Channel are proceeding.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any idea when this station will be begun?

I think I have given my hon. Friend all the information which is available.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it takes the north a long time to see day?

asked the Postmaster-General whether recent television experiments have revealed a wider radius of reception; whether he can state the maximum radius now found to be possible; and how this compares with similar experiments in other countries?

I am informed by the British Broadcasting Corporation that the maximum range of the London television station varies with direction; but experience so far suggests that the average range for good reception is of the order mentioned in the Television Committee's report, namely, about 25 miles. Owing to differences in conditions it is difficult to make precise comparisons; but in general the results obtained in other countries are understood to be somewhat similar to those obtained here.

asked the Postmaster-General when he last exercised his powers under Sub-section (3) of Clause 4 of the Licence and Agreement between His Majesty's Postmaster-General and the British Broadcasting Corporation?

The sub-Clause in question empowers the Postmaster-General to issue a "Notice" requiring the Corporation to refrain from sending any specified broadcast matter. It may be drawn in general terms or may be related to a particular subject. A "Notice" of the former type has been issued desiring the Corporation to abstain from broadcasting any expression of its own opinion in regard to matters of public policy, etc. No "Notice" of the latter type has been issued.

Prevention being better than cure, will the Postmaster-General now exercise his powers under this Clause and prevent the broadcasting of any subject-matter which is subversive to the British Constitution and British interests?

My right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General has at all times exercised the powers conferred upon him by this House and cannot go beyond those powers.

I understood the hon. Gentleman to say that under this Clause the Postmaster-General had power to do what I asked.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will ask the British Broadcasting Corporation to supply to the House of Commons Library verbatim copies of all broadcasts of a political or controversial nature?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 17th February to my hon. and learned Friend, the Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons).

Cannot the hon. Gentleman do something to soothe the jagged nerves of his supporters?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will obtain from the British Broadcasting Corporation a list of the members of the Central Council for School Broadcasting appointed by the Corporation under paragraph 9 of the Charter of the British Broadcasting Corporation?

As requested by my hon. and gallant Friend, I have obtained from the British Broadcasting Corporation a list of the members of the Central Council for School Broadcasting. As this list contains over 50 names, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not on account of the fact that there are 50 names that so much matter gets through which it were better should not get through?

I was asked whether I would supply these names.

In putting this question may I raise a point of Order? This question, which concerns two Departments of State, was addressed to the Prime Minister, and I observe that on the Order Paper it is addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The transfer was made without my knowledge.

The question was transferred to the Department which has the information.

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by such an inquiry as my hon. Friend suggests. Commercial treaties between the United Kingdom and foreign countries are in appropriate cases applied to Palestine, with the concurrence of the Palestine Government, in virtue of the fact that under the Mandate His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are entrusted with the control of the foreign relations of that Territory. This circumstance does not, however, affect the juridical difficulties which, as has been explained on previous occasions, stand in the way of the extension to Palestine of the benefits of Imperial preference.

(for Lieut.-Colonel Sir William Allen) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that outrages have broken out again and are of daily occurrence in Palestine; and whether, as this is partly due to the disarming of the police in certain districts, he will say what steps are being taken to prevent the recurrence of crime?

The situation in Palestine remains generally as described in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 19th January, of which I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. On the information at my disposal I see no grounds whatever for the suggestion that any recurrence of crime in Palestine is due to the disarming of the police in certain limited areas.

Are members of the civil population allowed to carry arms?

Only those specifically authorised to do so by the Government.