asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of United Kingdom produce exported to Russia during 1913, and how much of that total was represented by wholly and partly manufactured goods and how much by unmanufactured?

The declared value of exports of United Kingdom produce and manufactures registered in the year 1913, as consigned to the Russia of that date, was £18,102,683. This amount includes £10,255,028, the value of articles classed as wholly or mainly manufactured, and £5,424,048, the value of articles classed as raw materials or mainly unmanufactured.

Is it thought that the restoration of our Russian export trade in manufactured goods to the figure for 1913, about £10,000,000, is really going to have any effect upon unemployment in this country?

I am sorry that I cannot give any opinion as to what people may think. I, myself, have not been able to form any judgment on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister what guarantee will be forthcoming, in the case of the extension of the Trade Facilities Act to Russia, that money advanced will be repaid to the British Treasury; and whether any limit will be fixed governing the extent of such advances?

No money is advanced by the British Government under the Trade Facilities Acts. These Acts provide for a guarantee of the service of loans raised by applicants in the market in the ordinary way. Before giving such guarantee, either in the case of Russia or in any other case, the Treasury has to receive a recommendation from the Advisory Committee, appointed under the Act, in whose discretion full confidence may be placed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has ascertained the reasons why recent British tenders for the supply of five locomotives to the Indian State railways, and thereby to the Egyptian State railways, were higher in price than those of German and Italian firms?

I have no information on this matter beyond that which has appeared in the public Press.

Will the right hon. Gentleman institute inquiries as to why British manufacturers are unable to compete with German goods?

I am afraid that that would be a rather wide inquiry, but I will consult the Secretary of State for India on the subject as he deals with the Indian State railways. At present I have no knowledge of what the tenders were or by what amount the British prices exceeded those of any other country.

May I press my right hon. Friend that the point is that British manufacturers are unable to compete in India and Egypt with foreign manufacturers, and that, if so, this is a distinct question for the Board of Trade

I do not at present see any reason for supposing that British manufacturers on the whole are unable to compete with foreign manufacturers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the recent increase in the price of petrol; and whether, in view of the necessity of supplies being available at reasonable prices, he will introduce legislation to prevent the exploitation of the public by the companies possessing a monopoly of the supply of petrol?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Mid Bedford on 14th February, a copy of which I am sending him.

Will the right hon. Gentleman meantime do all that he can to encourage the manufacture of motor spirit from British coal?

I shall be very glad to do all I can to encourage capital to develop British industry.

Seeing that we have in this country all the knowledge and facilities necessary to produce industrial alcohol which would compete with petrol, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that this is done at once as there is no need for investigation?

I am afraid that that would involve the use of Parliamentary powers, and I cannot at the moment say anything about Parliamentry powers.

May I point out that Parliamentary powers are not required?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action was taken by his Department in the case of the SAS. "Hartington," from which cargo was discharged last year in the port of London without any declaration being made that diseased animals and fittings and fodder had been jettisoned during the voyage from Buenos Ayres; and what action has been taken by the Board to prevent the recurrence of such cases?

The matter to which the hon. Member refers is not one in which the Board of Trade have any jurisdiction, and no action has been taken by them with regard to it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the exports of plantation rubber from the Netherlands East Indies and from British Malaya (the produce of British Malaya only) for the years ending 31st October, 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923.

The answer contains a number of figures, and perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain clerical positions have recently been declared vacant at Trinity House and clerical officers brought in from the Civil Service to replace the temporary staff, who are thus being superseded by persons who have never been in the Trinity House service; and whether he will make inquiries into the matter and see whether it is possible to give temporary staff at Trinity House similar treatment to that which has been given to temporary clerks in the Civil Service, namely, that the vacancies in the clerical positions should be open for competition to the temporary staff actually filling such positions at the time?

I am informed by the Corporation of Trinity House that vacancies for clerical officers are filled strictly in accordance with the terms of the Order-in-Council dated 14th December, 1922, dealing with the re-organisation of the Trinity House staff. This Order provides that all persons appointed to clerical and other posts at Trinity House "shall pass such examination as may be arranged, and such examination shall be held under conditions which arc similar to those for candidates sitting for examinations for similar posts in the Civil Service." Every temporary clerk at Trinity House has been given the opportunity of corn peting at one of the examinations held by the Civil Service Commissioners, but those who have offered themselves for examination have failed to qualify.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the per- manent joint secretary to the War Office on the financial side is retiring from that position on or about the 31st March next; and, if so, if it is proposed to replace this gentleman by another civil servant or will the Secretary to the War Office consider the advisability of filling this position by the appointment of a chartered accountant and throw the appointment open to competition at the salary enjoyed by the present occupant?

The temporary arrangement referred to in the question terminates on the 2nd proximo, and the Department will thenceforth be organised on normal lines, the Permanent Under-Secretary of State being assisted on the financial side by a deputy with special experience of Army finance. The necessary appointments have been made and announced.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made himself acquainted with the evidence tendered over a series of years before the Public Accounts Committee, whereby it has been revealed that many millions have been lost to the public through the administration of the financial side of the War Office and—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

This is not the time for a speech.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what basis the differentiation between the salaries of civil servants in London, Edinburgh, and the provinces, respectively, was calculated?

If the hon. Member is referring to the case of recruits to the general Treasury Classes outside London, the differentiation was the result of agreement on the Reorganisation Committee of the Civil Service National Whitley Council. The Committee were of the opinion that the lower cost of living and other conditions of service outside London justify rates generally lower than in London. I ought to add, however, that this matter, with others, is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the large trade hitherto carried on in the sale of T cloths by the Lancashire mills with Tunis has been entirely cut off owing to the French Government placing a high protective tariff on such goods; and whether, seeing that the result has been to seriously curtail production in this country, which is likely to lead to more unemployment, the Government will consider what steps can be taken in the matter?

I have not received any specific complaints as to the effect of the modification of the Tunisian tariff on British exports of cotton cloth. I shall be happy to consider any information which may be brought to my notice, although I doubt whether anything can be done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the average number of workpeople employed in the British fabric-glove making industry during the year preceding the imposition of the Safeguarding of Industries Act duty and during the year 1923; and whether he can state the number of British firms engaged in the industry for the two respective periods indicated?

I regret that the Board of Trade are not in possession of the particulars asked for. Enquiry is being made to see if the particulars can be obtained, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the highest and the lowest prices of British and foreign cement in this country for each half-year since 1919, or for such periods as the figures are available?

The answer contains tables of figures, and perhaps the hon. Member will permit me to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who are the authorities responsible for incurring and for checking expenditure in connection with the British Empire Exhibition?

The responsibility for incurring expenditure in connection with the British Empire Exhibition rests with the Board of Management, assisted by the Finance and Estimates Committees. The expenditure is checked by the Accounts Sub-Committee, and audited by a firm of chartered accountants.

Is it not a fact that the accounts have been in perfect order up to the present moment?

I have no information upon the matter.

Is there any Clause like the Fair Wages Clause governing the conditions of labour employed?

That does not arise out of the original question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the percentage preference allowed by each of the Dominions and Colonies on imports from Great Britain; what was the total amount of exports of manufactured and semi-manufactured articles from this country to the Dominions and Colonies, and to the different countries in Europe, respectively, (luring the last three years for which the Returns are ascertainable; and the amount per head of the population in each instance?

The answer will be a somewhat lengthy one and involve a detailed statistical statement. I will arrange to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it can be compiled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, to stimulate recruiting, the Army Council has considered the desirability of guaranteeing security to both officers and men who accept the published terms of enlistment or engagement; whether the present Ministry adheres to the contrary policy, which ruined the careers of a large number of non-commissioned officers and men by curtailing re-engagements for pension; and whether he will consider the extension of pensions to men who are discharged against their will on reduction of establishment?

The hon. and gallant Member raises questions of policy which I cannot deal with within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, but the general answer is that whilst neither the Army nor any other public service is recruited on a basis of absolute security of tenure irrespective of the public interest, curtailment of service would only be resorted to with great reluctance and to meet a public necessity. I may add that, at present, men who complete 12 years' service with the Colours are allowed, if fit and satisfactory, to reengage and serve on for pension, and also that the Royal Warrant for pay makes provision for pensions for men discharged on reduction of establishment after 14 years' service.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many X-ray operators were working, directly or indirectly, under his Department during the War; how many of them contracted forms of dermatitis and similar complaints as a result of their work; what has been the policy of his Department in regard to these cases in general and to each individual case; and whether it accepts any responsibility for their condition?

I regret that the figures asked for are not available. As regards the latter part of the question, in the case of soldiers the general policy has been to treat disease resulting from the working of X-ray apparatus as a disability attributable to service, but in the case of civilians, the Department's powers are subject to the statutory restriction that the disease of X-ray dermitatis is not one of the industrial diseases scheduled under the Workmen's Compensation Act as entitling to compensation. I am looking sympathetically into this question, and I have already under consideration a particular case which the hon. Member has brought to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now publish the Report of the Committee which investigated the question of accountancy in the Army?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which gave on the 14th instant, which my hon. Friend has doubtless seen.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this House has been promised this report for over a year, that many needed reforms have been kept back pending this report, and that this House ought not to be kept without its contents?

I cannot say what promises were made 12 months ago, as that is a date of which I have no official record. The report was completed in the Department on 23rd October last.

Five months ago.

Many things have happened in those five months. First of all, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, the Committee is entirely an Interdepartmental Committee. The Army Council has not yet considered the report. At the earliest opportunity, I will get the Army Council to consider it, and as soon as that is done, which, I hope, will be within a very short time, the whole matter will come up for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in March last Lance-Sergeant G. E. Palim, of the Royal Corps of Signals, received his discharge, after 12 years' service with an exemplary record, and his accounts paid 4o the 31st March; that Mr. Palim, who had obtained civil employment, was arrested seven months later for desertion, subjected to the degradation of being moved about the country in handcuffs, and kept under close arrest for nearly three weeks; that this man, after suffering this public degradation, lost his civil employment, and was then informed that the case against him was quashed; and what steps His Majesty's Government proposes to take to compensate Mr. Palim for the degradation and loss of employment he has suffered?

I am making full enquiries into the question asked by the hon. Gentleman, and if he will be good enough to put it down again next week, I hope to be in a position to give a full reply.

On a point of Order. Is not this a question which could be settled by the War Office without putting it on the Paper and wasting Parliamentary time?

I would suggest to hon. Members that questions dealing with individual cases might be sent to the Departments concerned.

On a point of Order. Is not this a question dealing with the liberty of the subject?

I cannot lay down any rule, but I ask hon. Members to have consideration for their colleagues

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office le still in possession of Deptford Market; what rate is paid per annum; why is possession retained; and is he aware that a large number of men could be employed there if possession were given up by the War Office?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House as to the use which is at present being made by the War Office of Deptford Market; and whether, in view of the expense involved in the proposed purchase of the site by the War Office, and seeing that the market formerly provided employment for between 1,500 and 2,000 persons who might again be so employed, and that the loss of this market in London has an adverse effect on the price of meat in London and on certain trades in the surrounding districts of Deptford, he will reconsider the matter?

I will answer these questions together. Deptford Market is still in the possession of the Department, and it has been decided to exercise the option of purchasing it. The market is used mainly as a depot for the storage and handling of reserve and other stocks of food and forage and for purposes incidental thereto. I regret that I cannot reconsider the decision to purchase. The whole matter received most careful examination before that decision was arrived at. When the purchase has been completed I will give my best consideration to the question of selling or letting any part of the property not required for military purposes. The effect of the release of the depot on private employment is hypothetical, but I would point out that the place had been practically closed for some time when originally taken over in 1914. The rent pending purchase is £10,000 a year.

Was this market bought specially in order that it might be sold to the War Office, or was it bought from the original owners who had the tenure before 1914?

What was the capital sum paid out for this market; and would it not have been possible to get cheaper land elsewhere which would have been equally efficacious?

I do not see that these questions arise out of the question on the Paper. If categorical answers are required to them, the questions had better be put down.

Is it not really far more economical to purchase, and is it not the fact that, by this means, we shall avoid a very heavy bill for reinstatement?

That is really the gist of my answer. The matter has undergone most careful consideration. I myself have done a great deal in going through the papers, and I am fully satisfied that more careful consideration could not have been given to the matter than has been given.

Is it not most unfair, Mr. Speaker, that men who were in the Government until a month ago should put questions of that kind?

I thought the right hon. and gallant Gentleman on my left was offering support to the Minister?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Major-General Wauchope has been making investigations in South Africa, on instruction from the War Office into the problem of empire migration; and whether it is proposed to publish his Report?

Major-General Wauchope went to Australia as War Office representative on the British Oversea Settlement Delegation. He is now on his way home via South Africa, but I am not aware that he has been making any investigations in the latter country. I have not yet received his Report, and I am, therefore, not in a position to give an undertaking as to its publication.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes, in the immediate future, to take steps to remedy the grievance of ranker officers in respect of their assessment for pension on the basis of non-commissioned rank?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies which I gave on the 12th instant, to which I have nothing to add.

Will the Minister receive a deputation of Members of all parties in the House, and enable us to put reasons to him why this matter should be re-considered?

Is the Minister aware that officers in this category are receiving, after 24 years' service, pensions of 15s. 9d., and does he consider that they can live on that sum?

Is the Minister aware that the Prime Minister and this party are pledged to the hilt in this matter? I have a letter here to that effect by the Prime Minister, offering to accept the four points of the ranker officers' claim.

Has the Minister given full consideration to the real hardships suffered by officers of this class, and will he take into consideration some improvement in their present position?

Apart from the fact that the matter has been, in at least two distinct phases, before this House for over four years—I need not say anything about the awful hullaballoo raised at the moment—the Prime Minister himself promised last week that he would again go into it. It is not within my competence to go against a pledge given by the Prime Minister himself in this House. As he himself has promised to go fully into the matter, I cannot carry it any further.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office has received representations from War Department workmen and their associations in relation to a scheme for the establishment of a pension fund; and whether he will give the matter his favourable consideration?

Yes, Sir, representations have been received at the War Office, and T will give them careful consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive a small deputation of Members of this House who are interested in this subject?

The considerations arising out of a question such as this are not really matters for a deputation, but matters to be gone into more carefully on actuarial lines.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to proceed with the Street Trading Bill?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am looking into this matter, but am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware there is very strong opposition to this Measure by the street traders of this country, and before coming to a decision will he receive further representations?

I am prepared to consider any representations made on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to set up a national employment committee to investigate and recommend employment schemes of public utility on a scale commensurate with the present unemployment problem, such committee to be non-party and as small as possible consistent with its representative character?

The Government have set up a Committee of the Cabinet the function of which is to formulate schemes to the greatest practicable extent for the relief of unemployment. This Committee is in a position to obtain the best expert advice on any question coming before it. There are already a large number of schemes before the Committee, which is, however, prepared to examine any further proposals that may be put forward.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that important matters of principle involved in the administrative work of the Unemployed Grants Committee must have the authority of the Government of the day, the condition imposed on local authorities of purchasing all materials for relief works in this country, which was the decision of the late Government, will now be reconsidered?

This question is at present under consideration and I am not in a position to make any statement.

In view of the nature of the answer, and the urgency of this question to local authorities, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the. Adjournment to-morrow night.

asked the Prime Minister when the Debate will be taken on the resolutions of the Imperial Conference and the Imperial Economic Conference; what arrangements will be made for submitting the various resolutions for the decision of this House; and will the resolutions of each conference be submitted as a whole, or will the Government submit the various resolutions seriatim?

The whole question is now under the consideration of the Government, and they will take an early opportunity of informing the House of the procedure which they propose.

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that the resolutions of the Imperial Economic Conference will be brought before the House at an early date?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce legislation repealing Section 2 of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the intentions of the Treasury with regard to the suggested increase in pre-War pensions; and whether, in that case, the Government proposals will include the pensions now paid to Army chaplains?

The Government proposes at an early date to promote legislation to deal with pre-War pensions. As regards details, I must ask hon. Members to await the introduction of the Bill.

Does that include police pensions as well as pre-War pensions?

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that manu- facturers of motor cars and motor accessories find themselves in considerable difficulty in completing their business arrangements for the trade of the current year consequent upon the doubt which prevails that the duties imposed by The Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, as continued by Section 6 of The Finance Act, 1923, in relation to motor cars, parts and accessories, may not be continued; and whether he can assure the House that these duties which have provided constant employment for large numbers of skilled workmen will be embodied in the Finance Bill of the forthcoming financial year?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have taken note of the statement contained in the first part of the question, but I regret that I am unable to anticipate the Budget statement.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise the difficult position in which all these business men find themselves, and how important it is to make business arrangements for the coming season, so that—

Speech!

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Great Britain has paid her silver indebtedness (Pitman) to the United States of America; and, if so, what is the amount?

The debt amounted to $122,017,633, and has been repaid, the last payment having been made in September last.

May I ask if that amount is debited to what is called the "Baldwin Sinking Fund?"

It has always been regarded as outside the ordinary War Debt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated approximate cost of removing the means disqualification of old age pensions; the estimated cost of lowering the age limit of old age pensioners to 60 and 65 years of age, respectively; whether he can give the estimated cost of granting allowances to poor widowed mothers with young children; and, if so, at what rate of allowance?

The charge for old age pensions on the existing basis is £24 millions a year, which will automatically increase, owing to the longer life of pensioners, to about £40 millions a year. If the means disqualification were abolished, it is estimated that the present charges would become, for the existing pension at the age of 70, £42 millions; at 65, £73 millions; at 60, £114 millions. I hope to be able to give some information as to the cost of pensions for widows to-morrow on the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington (Mr. Dukes).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the original cost of the Avonmouth controlled factory, near Bristol; whether it has been sold; if so, at what price; and who bought it?

His Majesty's Factory Avonmouth, the original cost of which was approximately one and a half million pounds, has been transferred to the National Smelting Company, Limited. The transfer formed part of a general settlement which disposed of a number of claims and counterclaims outstanding between the company and Government Departments. Under that settlement the Government has received a net sum of £115,000.

But what sum did the factory represent as against the other claims?

I should require notice of that question. The claim is very complicated, but if the hon. and gallant Member will give further notice, or will consult me personally, I think I can give him the information for which he asks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total annual amount received from the tax levied upon the subscriptions to welfare clubs?

No information is available as to the total annual amount received from Entertainments Duty on the membership subscriptions of welfare clubs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the enormous profits recently disclosed by the Imperial Tobacco Company; and, in view of the necessity of reducing the price of tobacco, if he will, in the event of any reduction in the Tobacco Duty being contemplated in the Budget, negotiate with the companies, as was done in the case of the brewers last year, that they reduce the price of tobacco to the public?

I am aware of the profits shown by this company, and have noted the suggestion made in the last part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can see his way to dispense with the necessity for revenue stamping all documents now required to be stamped by entrants into certain of the professions, such as the £80 stamp now required to be affixed on articles of clerkship entered into with a solicitor, etc.?

I am not able to entertain the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the necessity for paying these stamps and similar duties acts as a direct Government penalty on the sons of poor parents?

I am afraid that all taxation is a hardship in some cases, but there has been, I understand, hardly any demand at all for either the reduction or the abolition of this tax.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that taxation is at the worst part of a man's career, at the very outset, and that—

The hon. and gallant Member is making a speech.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that there is a bonus allowance from public funds of 3d. per proof gallon of exported spirits; what is the estimated annual cost of the excise supervision and administration of this bonus; what the bonus amounted to during the last financial year; if the exporters to Canada and the United States of America share in the bonuses; and how they supply evidence of landing at foreign destinations?

I am aware that an allowance of 3d. per proof gallon is paid on British plain spirits exported, the allowance being made as compensation for the enhanced cost of manufacture due to Revenue restrictions. The control and payment of this allowance forms a very minor part of the work of the Customs and Excise Department. No estimate of its cost can be given, but it must he negligible. The total amount paid during the financial year ended 31st March, 1923, was £63,428. The allowance is payable by law in respect of all exported home-made spirits on an official certificate of due shipment of the spirits, and evidence of landing abroad is not required unless there is suspicion that the spirits have, in fact, not been exported.

May I ask if this bonus to whisky exporters, which amounted last year to £63,000, has been paid since the year 1860?

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the balance of arrears of Income Tax and Super-tax to 31st January, 1923, and the amount collected of the arrears for previous years to date?

As the answer is a long one, and contains a number of figures, I will, with the bon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government, is going to restore the gold standard at an early date?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which the Prime Minister gave yesterday to the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. T. Johnston).

Will the Committee which the right hon. Gentleman is going to set up deal with the gold standard?

I would like to ask whether the hon. Member who puts that question, if he find the gold standard, would bring it into the House, so that we might see it?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the accounts and balance sheet of the British Phosphate Commission have been or will be presented to Parliament?

The accounts of the British Phosphate Commission will be included in the annual volume of Trading Accounts of Government Departments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that we shall have that in our hands before we are asked to pass the Colonial Office Supplementary Estimate; does he realise that in that Estimate he is asking the taxpayer to put up another £100,000 for this adventure; and cannot we have the accounts before we are asked to deal with them?

I will inquire into that, and if it be possible it will be done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the advisability of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the best means of liquidating in whole or in greater part the National Debt?

I propose to appoint a Treasury Committee, with the following terms of reference:

"To consider and report on the National Debt and on the incidence of existing taxation, with special reference to their effect on trade, industry, employment and national credit."

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet decided who the members of this Committee shall be, and, if so, will he give the House the names?

Of course, as the House will realise, it takes considerable time to communicate with the various people, and some whom I have invited to join are out of the country at present. But I can assure the House that there will be no avoidable delay, and when the Committee has been constituted, I will communicate the names to the House at once.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman—I do not want to press him if he does not care to answer now—if the Government intend to abide by the Report made by that Committee?

asked the Prime Minister if he has invited the leader of the Hungarian Socialist Democratic party to come to London to discuss the Hungarian situation with him?