asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to make his statement on the trade policy of the Government; and whether arrangements will be made for a full discussion of his proposals in the House before the Adjournment?

I am not in a position to add to previous answers on this question, except to say that the statement will not be made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, but by the Prime Minister.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a statement has appeared in the Press that this statement will be made on Wednesday week; is that accurate?

I had not observed it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what decision the Government has arrived in regard to the protest of the Nottingham Embroidery Manufacturers' Association against the decision of the Control of Imports Department of the Board of Trade to allow the ration of embroidery imports to be increased by 30 per cent. upon the figures of 1916 and to extend the period of such ration by two months?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave last Thursday to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Nottingham.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this question is to ask what action has been taken on the protest. I do not understand that my hon. Friend's previous question dealt with that point?

I do not know what action, or that any action, has been taken.

Will my hon. Friend take action in the matter, which is of considerable importance to Nottingham?

My hon. Friend knows that the whole of these matters have been under review, and that a statement will be made in a few days of the whole trade policy of the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in deciding the question of restricting the import of any individual article, the effect of such restriction on trade as a whole is considered; and, if so, what bodies are consulted to this end?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The existing list of restrictions is due almost entirely to the recommendations of the Imports Consultative Council.

Does the Imports Consultative Council represent the consumers as a whole, or a few interested parties?

It represents a very large number of people, not all consumers, not all manufacturers, not all merchants—some of every kind.

Would the hon. Gentleman say what representation the consumers have?

I answered the whole of that some days ago when the hon. and gallant Gentleman raised the question in Debate, and following the formation of the Council. He did not-pursue the question any further then.

Have not considerable modifications been made in that Council since its formation, and who are responsible for these?

I cannot remember the exact date of the formation—

Did not the Council come to an end about two months ago?

About that date.

Have considerable modifications not been made since the Committee went out of existence?

I cannot say off-hand.

On whose advice or recommendation were these modifications made? Have they not been made since the Committee went out of existence?

I cannot give a list of the particular modifications made; my hon. Friend bad better put down a question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say on whose advice the modifications have been made since that date?

I cannot possibly say off-hand.

Were they on the recommendations of individual manufacturers?

My hon. and gallant Friend must give notice of that.

Of course they were.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what principle he decides which of several competing applicants with equal claims shall be permitted to import goods requiring a special licence?

Competing applicants with equal claims would all receive licences. Licences are issued equitably to all those who establish their title to a ration.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean to say that import is restricted entirely, or that licences are granted to all applicants?

They are based on a certain fixed ration.

That is not the question.

Whether the claimants are equal or not?

We decide by the amount imported in the given year for which the calculation is made.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Board of Trade have considered the advisability of limiting the amount of profit which these fortunate licensees have made?

That is all part of the main question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether traders who have been refused a full import licence for certain articles have been invited to purchase the same goods from others who had been granted a licence, and thus to become middlemen dealing in articles imported by their trade rivals?

It is possible that applicants for permission to import restricted articles who are not entitled to participate in the ration, and who have alleged that they must have the articles, may have been recommended to procure them from a ration holder.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, after the Inter-Allied Commission in Constantinople has sanctioned the export of goods to England, import licences are also needed; and, if so, what happens to such goods when they arrive in England if the licence is refused?

If the goods are on the restricted list, an import licence is needed, as the permission to export, which is granted by a body in Constantinople, does not include permission to import into the United Kingdom. If the licences could not be granted in accordance with the usual practice, or within the limits of authorised rations, the goods, if imported, would have to be held under bond until the operative restriction was removed or the rations were renewed.

Will the hon. Gentleman give us the value of the goods at present in the London docks, and—

Notice must be given of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present rule respecting the import of upper leather, which was until recently forbidden; whether he has seen the resolution passed by the committee of the Northampton Manufacturers' Association protesting against the increased cost of upper leather; and whether he is aware of the present cost of boots?

The importation of upper leather has been free of restrictions since the 15th of June.

asked whether the import of any articles from France and Italy is prohibited; and what steps he is taking to encourage British exports to those countries?

As regards France, by virtue of an international agreement, goods on the prohibited list are with few exceptions freely licensed for import into the United Kingdom. As regards Italy, with very few exceptions, the restrictions are the same as those applied to similar goods from other countries. I am satisfied that British exports to these two countries, so far from being prejudiced by the British import restrictions have been considerably assisted by the basis on which the import restrictions are administered.

If the exports to Italy are encouraged by import restrictions why are the exports to America not encouraged by import restrictions?

That question can be raised when it arises in Debate.

asked whether there is any substantial import from America of the following articles: ladies' apparel, baskets, bulbs (flower), carpets, cloisonné ware, cotton duck, cotton embroidery, feathers for bedding, furniture, gin, granite, hops, hosiery, cotton, matches, mouldings, plants and trees, saccharine, toys, and woollen goods; and, if not, why are they included in the import restriction list?

But for the import restrictions the answer to the first part of the question would be in the affirmative. This was a factor in the considerations which weighed with the Government in adopting the policy of import restriction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state in money values the total amount of our exports during the first six months of 1912, 1913, and 1914, and the total amount of our exports during the first six months of this year?

Exports from the United Kingdom during the first six months of 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1919, respectively, were as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state in money values the total amount of our imports during the first six months of 1912, 1913, and 1914, and the total amount of our imports during the first six months of this year?

Imports into the United Kingdom during the first six months of 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1919, respectively, were as follows:

Is my hon. Friend aware that, owing to the great excess of imports over exports, we are rapidly travelling along the road to ruin?

I know that the position is very serious.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the import of glass bottles is prohibited; and whether, seeing that this constitutes a direct check on our exports of jam, confectionery, and many other articles, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is: The import of glass bottles is restricted to one-half of the imports of 1913. While my right hon. Friend cannot agree that the suggestion in the second part of the question has substantial foundation a larger ration of glass bottles will be permitted at an early date.

Is the ration decided upon the money value or the total quantity as compared with pre-war years?

I am not quite sure.

How can we keep up our export trade if we cannot get the bottles?

It would be better if these questions were reserved. We cannot debate every question.

asked the Prime Minister what is the reason for continuing the import restrictions after 1st September?

asked whether the import restrictions after 1st September will be the same as those at present existing; if not, on whose advice changes will be made; and whether the reason for each change, if any, will be made public?

A full statement on this subject will be made before the Recess.

Have the reasons for restricting imports been published?

They have been discussed in this House.

When the Government makes its statement will the House have an opportunity of saying by its vote in the Division Lobby whether it agrees with the Government policy?

In regard to this particular matter I cannot give a promise. The statement may very likely be made on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have taken the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown on the question of restricting imports under the powers of Section 43 of the Customs Laws Consolidation Act of 1876?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the affirmative.

Is the Government acting in accordance with the advice of its Law Officers?

Yes, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that except for the two Law Officers no legal opinion supports the legality of these restrictions?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether witnesses before the Imports Consultative Committee gave evidence at to the prices and sources of their supplies to those who were, or might be, their competitors in business?

If any witness before the Imports Consultative Council gave such information to the members of the Council he did so quite voluntarily, and doubtless with full knowledge of what he was doing.

Is it the fact that the witnesses before the Committee did in fact give evidence to the members of the Committee who were their trade rivals?

They may have done that, for all I know, but they knew who-the members were.

Were they invited by the Board of Trade to give evidence?

They, and others, were invited to give evidence, but not of necessity evidence which they considered private.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will cause an estimate to be prepared showing the percentage increase of cost in production and distribution due to the inquiries, correspondence, and other labour incidental to compliance with the-requirements of the Board of Trade?

No, Sir. I am afraid I cannot estimate the cost to business undertakings of answering the Board of Trade's inquiries, as among other things, I am not in a position to prophesy what questions or what number of questions will be asked by Members of this House.

Supposing traders in the North of England desire an interview have they to come all the way to London?

Are not the inquiries infinitesimal compared with the cost?

If the Board of Trade instituted such an inquiry, I am afraid it would only add to the evil complained of.

Will the hon. Gentleman give me a rough figure—anything, even a million?

Has any trader been asked to interview twenty-two separate officials?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the interest that is being taken in questions of foreign trade and the constitution of the Department of Oversea Trade, he will publish the Report on the Department of the Subcommittee of the Treasury Committee on Staffs?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewisham East (Lieut.- Colonel Pownall) on the 2nd April last.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has decided to set aside £25,000,000 to provide long-term credits in foreign countries which cannot pay for essential imports by exports?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have nothing to add to the answers which have already been given to the hon. Member on this subject. This matter will be fully explained in the forthcoming statement on trade policy.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the statement in a leading newspaper a few days ago to the effect that £25,000,000 has been set aside for this purpose is correct or not?

I have not seen that paper.

asked the Prime Minister when the Report of Lord Cave's Committee on the question of Government machinery for dealing with trade and commerce will be published; and whether, in view of the importance of the subject to the business community, he will take all possible steps to expedite its publication before the Recess?

I cannot give the exact date, but it will be published as soon as possible.

Can we take it that it will be published before the Recess?

It will be published as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware it was intended to bring this matter up on the Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill, but there was no opportunity? Will he give us a day or part of a day for the discussion of this question?

I am afraid I cannot promise. But it might be raised on the Third Reading of the Bill.

Shall we have it before the announcement of the Trade Policy of the Government?

I hope it will be published before the Prime Minister makes his statement on that policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government recognise the importance for the trade of this country of the early recognition of the independence and of the de facto Governments of Esthonia, Lithuania, and Lattvia?

(Department of Oversea Trade): This is a question affecting Allied policy as a whole, and a decision could only be reached at Paris in concert with our Allies.

asked the Prime Minister what nations are now represented on the Supreme Economic Council; who are the British representatives; whether a Report of its work will be laid upon the Table of the House; if so, when and how often; and to what Votes will the expenses of the British section be charged?

For the first, second, and last part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given him on the 21st ultimo. The question of laying a Report of the Council's work upon the Table of the House will be considered.

May I have an answer to the last part of the question?

I have said it arises on the Diplomatic and Consular Vote.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that our national existence depends upon our export trade, he will state what the Government is doing or is going to do, by propaganda or otherwise, to bring this fact home to the people of this country with a view to obtaining greater output?

I have been asked to reply. The Government fully realise the importance of increasing output in every direction, and Ministers have repeatedly emphasised the necessity for this. The Government would welcome any help from hon. Members in bringing the urgency of the matter home to their constituents.

But what are the Government going to do? My hon. Friend has not answered my question.

Wait and see !

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that, owing to the dumping of tomatoes from Holland, the price of our home growers has been reduced from 10s. and 12s. 6d. perdozea pounds to 6s. and 7s., and that, owing to the increased agricultural wages, the cost of production amounts to about Vs. per dozen pounds, which leaves no profit for the grower; whether market gardeners will be compelled to largely reduce their staff if this competition continues; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the decrease in home production of "tomatoes which will follow?

The Board are watching carefully the effect of foreign imports on the prices of home-grown vegetables, and have no evidence to show that there is any decrease in the production of tomatoes due to imports from Holland. The interests of market gardeners will be borne in mind when the Government's general trade policy is developed.

Is it part of the Government's policy to restrict imports of food into this country?

I did not say so.

In view of the fact that tomatoes are being restricted from Spain, will the hon. Gentleman see that the restriction is applied to Holland?

The whole question is being considered in relation to the general trade policy of the country.

Are tomatoes from Spain restricted in import?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me notice of that question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, unless some steps are taken in this matter, thousands of men will be thrown out of work; and will he give some consideration to the employment of men in this country?

I have already said that the matter is under the observation of the Board, and that the whole matter is being considered in connection with the general trade policy of the country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he-is aware of the difficulty that has arisen with regard to building on small holdings-in Scotland and of the fact that cement shows a 100 per cent. rise in price and other building materials similar or greater increases; and whether he will now permit the free import of cement and other building materials?

I am informed by the Secretary for Scotland that the facts as to prices of materials given in the hon. and gallant Member's question appear to be correct. With reference to the latter part of the question, the maintenance or modification of the restrictions is under consideration.

Is the Board of Trade-preventing the import of cement which is urgently needed for small holdings in. Scotland?

That is under consideration.

Is not cement being prevented from coming to this country in the interests of the shareholders in cement companies?

As a matter of fact the increase in price is not greater in regard to this article than in regard to other materials.

Would it not be lower if more were allowed to come in free?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that cement has gone up 3s. per ton during the last three days?

Is he aware that such a policy would put people out of employment in the cement works of this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large number of seamen whose experiences during the War have shattered their nerves and have rendered them incapable of further work; and whether any steps are being taken to come to the financial assistance of these men and their dependants?

Compensation has been granted under the war risks compensation scheme for the Mercantile Marine in a number of cases similar to those referred to in the question. If the right hon. Gentleman has any special case or cases in mind and will send me particulars, I will inquire into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has yet been come to by the Railway Executive Committee as to re-opening the stations on and working the Victoria to City line on the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway?

I understand that it has not been found practicable to re-open the closed stations on this line, but I am making further inquiries on the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now seen the letter from the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce and the Town Clerk of Nottingham upon the subject of the inconvenience caused to the travelling public of Nottingham by the closure of the entrance to the Midland Station opposite Trent Street; whether he is aware that a petition was sent to the Midland Railway Company on 24th February, 191V, signed by over 1,000 season-ticket holders and endorsed by many citizens testifying to the inconvenience caused by the closure of this entrance; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused by the existing state of affairs, he will make such representations to the Railway Executive Committee as will at once meet the demand for the re-opening of the entrance in question?

The letter to which I understand the hon. Gentleman refers has been brought to the notice of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways, who, as stated in the reply given on the subject on the 4th August, will visit the station as soon as his duties permit. Until his report has been received and considered, my right hon. Friend does not propose to take any further action in the matter.

Will my hon. Friend please give some approximate date when this inspector will go down, and will he bear in mind that every day, during the interval, there are thousands of people suffering a very keen sense of irritation?

I think I can rely on the hon. Member keeping the matter before me.

I will put a further question next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether passenger fares or goods rates on railways have been increased since 1914 in France, Holland, Belgium, and Switzerland; and, if so, can he state what the increases have been and from what dates they have been put in force?

I have not full information on these matters, but I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy of the "Board of Trade Journal" for the 7th November last, which contains, on pages 577–8, some information regarding recent increases in railway charges abroad.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from what date passenger train goods rates have been increased in this country; what the percentage of increase has been on pre-war rates; what is the estimated increased receipts expected from the advances during this year; and will he state if these increases were recommended by the Railway Executive Committee, or by what authority the various railway companies made these increased charges?

A revised scale of charges for the conveyance of parcels by passenger train was introduced on the 1st November last on the recommendation of the Railway Executive Committee, and with the concurrence of the Board of Tirade. The revision was made primarily with the view of maintaining the relation- ship between the charges made by the Post Office and those made by the Railway Companies for the conveyance of parcels. Under this scale the charges are in most cases higher than the charges in force before the War, but there is no uniform percentage increase, and I cannot give an estimate of the increased railway revenue likely to be obtained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it has been the practice for years that season-ticket holders on railways were allowed to deposit their tickets during holidays when they were not used, and were allowed an extension or rebate for such periods of time; whether any order has been issued by the Railway Executive Committee, or by the railway companies, cancelling this practice during the year; and whether, in view of the increased price of season tickets, he will give instructions that the old practice be continued?

I am asking for the observations of the Railway Executive Committee on this matter, and I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman on their receipt.

asked whether the sum of 1s. per ton is all that is allowed to be added to the price of coal for washing; and whether the effect of this is to reduce the amount of coal-washing now done?

The price of coal washed at collieries is controlled by the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, and must not exceed by more than the standard amount the price of the same fuel sold in similar quantities and under similar conditions affecting the sale on or about the same date in the twelve months ended the 30th June, 1914.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the addition of the same increases in price to all classes of coal, which has raised the cost of fine slack from about 6d. or 1s. per ton to about 19s. per ton, is having the effect of stopping the sales of fine slack and thus increasing the consumption of better classes of coal; and whether, seeing that much use has been made of coal wagons to remove slack which is now unsaleable on to dumps, in order to remedy this he will reduce the price of slack?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question put by the hon. Member for Woolwich on the 7th instant. I may add that it is not the fact that difficulty is being experienced at the present time in disposing of slacks.

Is it not a fact that there is a vast amount of slack at present dumped outside the collieries as unsaleable?

That is not my information, but I will make inquiries.

Is it not a fact that slack is being delivered as the best house coal, and will the hon. Gentleman see that this is stopped?

If the hon. Member will give me any information in his possession I will inquire.

asked what is the present weekly output of coal of the various coalfields in the United Kingdom at the present date in comparison with the weekly output of last June; what are the approximate figures of the weekly consumption of coal for the same period in the country; and what are the approximate figures of coal exported from British ports also for those periods?

The last week for which particulars of output are available is that ended 26th July,1919, during which the estimated output of coal in Great Britain was 2,537,954 tons, the figure for the corresponding week in June being 4,806,933 tons. Apart from the effect of the reduction in miners' hours which took place on the 16th July the output during the week ended the 26th July was abnormally reduced through strikes and holidays. In reply to the second part of the question, no records are available of the weekly consumption of coal. As regards exports, the figures are only compiled monthly and the full effect of the reduction in output in July will only be reflected in the August figures.