asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the method by which reparation dyestuffs are distributed in this country?

Reparation dyestuffs are distributed by the British Dyestuffs Corporation as agents, and under the direction of the Board of Trade, which fixes the prices, with the assistance of an informal committee on which the consumers of dyestuffs are represented. Details as to the quantities of dyestuffs received from time to time are immediately notified to the Colour Users' Association, and such quantities are reserved for a period of seven days for actual users; afterwards they are available to all buyers.

Did the Dominions participate in this dyestuffs' distribution?

I am afraid I must ask for notice. Of course, they come in after some seven days anyhow. The question is whether they are notified as users. I doubt it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to make a company formed to take over another company publish in the articles of association an auditor's statement of the value of the assets taken over and the paid-up capital of the old company?

The question of requiring publication of the particulars to which the hon. Member refers has been noted for consideration when the next revision of the Companies Acts is undertaken.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there ought to be an investigation into the working of the Company Acts in view of the revelations of capital lost in certain companies recently under protection of limited liability, and is it not time that we should do something to amend the Company Acts so as to protect the shareholders as well as creditors?

That suggestion has already been considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider appointing a Departmental Committee?

That has to be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that thousands of tons of steel bars from Belgium are being sent to Birmingham, Darlaston, Cradley and Old Hill districts, while rolling mills in the Black Country are closing down for lack of orders; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs?

I am aware that there has been a considerable importation of steel blooms, slabs and billets from Belgium in recent months, but inasmuch as these require to be re-rolled into plates, sheets and other forms, I am unable to follow the argument that this importation is a substantial cause of unemployment in rolling mills generally.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that thousands of tons of steel joists for building purposes have been sent into this country, thus creating unemployment?

Who ordered this steel that is causing unemployment?

I cannot reply to my hon. Friend's question. With regard to the question of the hon. Member for Barrow (Mr. D. G. Somerville), that must relate to a different article. I have answered the question on the Paper accurately. I cannot answer any other question without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the Returns in his possession indicate the probability of an early revival of trade?

I do not think I can usefully add to the statements on this subject which I made in the course of the discussion of the Board of Trade Estimates on the 19th June, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

In view of the interest which the right hon. Gentleman takes in the trade affairs of the country, will he establish a Commission to make further inquiries?

Has the right hon. Gentleman studied the Minister of Labour's figures during the last fortnight?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having issued their Final Report, the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage continues to function; if so, whether they will issue a supplementary Report on the conclusion of their work; if not, whether all outstanding claims have been delegated for decision to the Reparation Claims Department; and whether a Report will be issued in due course by that department?

As to the first part of the question, the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action has reported upon all the matters referred to it and has ceased to meet; consequently the second part of the question does not arise. As to the third part, the Reparation Claims Department is dealing with outstanding claims; and with regard to the last part, a further Report in some form or other will certainly be made in due course.

Does not this all go to show how poorly a great British department compares with a great British insurance company in arriving at results?

I am prepared to contradict that suggestion entirely. I consider as a matter of fact that these 78,000 claims have been dealt with, in view of the fact that they had to be examined and decided, with remarkable success.

Have not many years passed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether claims for suffering and damage from enemy action which have been adjudicated by the Royal Commission in respect of the five millions voted by Parliament are finally closed; or whether they will receive further consideration if and when further sums have been recovered from Germany in respect of reparations?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for the Aston Division on the 26th June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what articles or materials entering this country are now taxed under the Safeguarding of Industries Act; and when it is proposed to drop these taxes or to repeal the Act?

The classes of commodities dutiable under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act are set out in the Schedule to the Act, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member. The duties are operative until the 19th August, 1926. The commodities of German manufactures dutiable under Part II of the Act, by virtue of Orders of which I am also sending him copies, are fabric gloves and glove fabric, domestic and illuminating glassware, domestic hollow-ware of aluminium and of enamelled iron or steel, and incandescent gas mantles; these duties and the provisions under which they are levied will cease to be operative on the 19th August of the present year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, where I suggest the repeal of the Act?

Has not the operation of these duties been of great advantage to manufacturers in key industries?

The last part of the question raises an extremely controversial point on which it would not become me to give a definite opinion in a brief answer. With regard to the end of the question, the hon. and gallant Gentleman asks when it is proposed to drop these taxes or to repeal the Act. I have answered that the duties under Part I are operative until 19th August, 1926. There is no intention at present to introduce new legislation.

Would it be consistent with the right hon. Gentleman's policy up to now to make a clean sweep of the duties?

We cannot argue that now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the third Mixed Arbitral Tribunal has been set up; if not, how long it will be before it is established; and whether he can take any additional steps to secure a speedy and satisfactory settlement of all outstanding claims?

As a result of discussions which have taken place during the past week with representatives of the German Government, I am glad to be able to say that it has been agreed to appoint a third division of the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal. This additional division will be set up as soon as the necessary formalities can be complied with. I may add that opportunity was taken of these meetings to discuss various other matters, with a view to expediting the Clearing Office procedure, and agree- meets on the subject have been arrived at from which I anticipate very happy results.

Does that mean that the German Government has now, at length, undertaken to pay to the Clearing Office the full contributions under its obligations of the Treaty?

I am afraid I can add nothing to this complicated matter without notice.

Will this third mixed arbitral tribunal sit continuously and not intermittently?

I am afraid that no tribunal can sit continuously. I hope it will sit on as many days as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many inquiries, and to what amount in money, have been received from British manufacturers for application of the Trade Facilities Act to transactions with Soviet Russia?

No applications for guarantees of loans under the Trade Facilities Acts for transactions with Soviet Russia have been made by British manufacturers.

Has any application been made under the Overseas Trade Facilities Act by British manufacturers?

I could not reply to that question without notice. That is another Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has authorised the Royal Mint to strike silver coins for the Russian Soviet Government, in large bulk, of a fineness of 80 per cent. pure silver to 20 per cent alloy; whether he proposes to continue to strike the British fractional currency of a fineness of only 50 per cent. pure silver; and whether any complaints have been received during the last four years as to this debased currency?

The "poltinnik" coins now being struck by the Royal Mint for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are 900 fine. No change in the present fineness of British token silver is contemplated. In the early stages some complaints were received, but none have been brought to my notice recently.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it dignified that the British Government should become the paid handicraftsmen of a foreign Government with which we have not yet been able to enter into any satisfactory relations?

The question of dignity is a matter of opinion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any cost is chargeable to the State in connection with the Anglo-Russian Conference in London; and, if so, what is the estimated cost to date?

Apart from the expenditure referred to in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on the 14th of May, and some minor expenditure on entertainment which falls on the Government Hospitality Fund, no extra cost if chargeable to the State up to date in connection with the Anglo-Russian Conference.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what, approximately, is the total cost involved to date?

I require notice of that question.

Will the hon. Gentleman say that the money devoted to hospitality is received with greater approbation than the hospitality meted out by private Members?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the exports credit scheme has been extended to Russia; and, if so, upon what terms?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 25th June to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for the Central Division of Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken worthy).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the loss of the s. s. "Clan Macmillan"; whether it is intended to hold an inquiry; if so, whether at the port of sailing, or in India, with special reference as to the adequacy or otherwise of all the life-saving fittings and equipment on board; and whether he will undertake that the proceedings of any inquiry will be available to any Member desiring to study them?

My attention has been drawn to the case of the "Clan Macmillan," but it is too early yet to say whether an inquiry will be held by the authorities in India or whether it will be necessary to hold one here. If an inquiry is held, all the circumstances relevant to the casualty will be gone into, and the Report of the Court will be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many prosecutions have been undertaken for offences against the Oil in Navigable Waters Act; how many have succeeded; and what steps have been taken by his Department to secure the agreement and conformity of other countries with this Act?

Three prosecutions by local harbour authorities for offences against the Oil in Navigable Waters Act have come to my notice. In two cases fines were imposed, and in the third the summons was dismissed, the defendants paying costs. The Act applies to all ships, British and foreign, within the territorial waters of Great Britain aid Northern Ireland. The regulation of shipping outside territorial waters is a matter for international agreement, and steps are being taken to ascertain whether there is a probability of an international conference being convened by one of the leading maritime Powers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether the Irish Free State is coming to an agreement with us upon this very important matter? Have they been approached?

There are two questions involved. One is the question of discharging oil in navigable waters within the three-mile limit, and the other is question about the outside. The Irish Free State has been communicated with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports and imports between Canada and the United States of America in the years 1913 and 1923, respectively; the corresponding figures for Canada and Great

asked the Secretary of State for War what is to be the composition of the mission and the object of the visit which is to be made to England in the near future by the Turkish military mission?

The mission consists of General Naji Pasha, Colonel Kernel Bey, Lieut.-Colonel Reouf Bey, Lieut.-Colonel Djemil Bey, Major Fouad Britain for the same years; the foreign investments in Canada in 1913 and 1923, and the proportion held in those years by the United States of America and Great Britain, respectively; and whether, in arriving at the computation of British holdings in Canada in 1923, the holdings in the Grand Trunk Railway are taken at par or market value?

The answer contains a number of figures and, with the permission of the hon. Member, I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the claim of Mr. David Griffiths, Llwyndewi, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, for payment in respect of a mare hired out for the Territorial camp at Porthcawl last August; whether he is aware that the mare was returned on 27th August suffering from acute strangles, and that Mr. Griffiths refused to take possession of her in that condition; that the mare was eventually returned on 3rd October, and that Mr. Griffiths is claiming 50s. a week from 12th August to 3rd October, being the agreed rate for the duration of the camp, and £10 damages, as the mare was not available for sale at the end of the summer; whether he is aware that repeated claims for settlement have been made; and whether immediate steps will be taken to investigate and settle the matter?

I regret that no information regarding this case is available at the War Office, but I have asked the hon. Member to inform me which Territorial association is concerned, and, on hearing from him, I will make inquiries and communicate with him further.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that War Office Regulations at present provide that a Territorial unit must undergo its training at its war station on two out of every three successive years, and that in the numerous cases where the war station is the same as the peace station this Regulation means that such Territorial units in effect undergo their annual training in the locality where the members of such units reside the remainder of the year; and whether, in view of the fact that service in the Territorial Force in most instances implies the sacrifice of a man's annual holiday, he will consider meeting the wishes of such units and encourage recruiting for the Territorial Force by altering the Regulations so as to give such units the opportunity of undergoing their training away from their home station, at any rate, two years out of three instead of only one as at present?

The provision referred to applies only to Coast Defence Units of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers. It is essential that the personnel of these units should be familiar with the armament and lay-out of the defences to which they are allotted in war, and it is only by frequently carrying out their annual training on the spot that the necessary familiarity can be acquired and retained.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that boys of 17 years of age are being retained in the Army against their parents' wishes, and in defiance of the Regulation which states that a youth on enlistment must be 18 years of age, and that one boy of 17 years and six months, whose parents made unavailing efforts to have him released from the Army, has now been in prison for desertion; and if he will give instructions that no boy under 18 is to be retained without the consent of his parents or guardians?

I have no information as to the particular case mentioned, but I am aware that recruits who have enlisted as men, and who are subsequently found to be between 17 and 18 years of age, are normally, and in accordance with the Reguations, held to serve. The point has been frequently raised in the House, and I can hold out no prospect that the present rule will be varied.

asked the Secretary of State for War if complaints have reached him as to the slowness with which applications for pensions are dealt with by the Royal Chelsea Hospital authorities; whether he is satisfied that the existing machinery is adequate for the purpose; and what is the direct control over such machinery exercised by his Department?

No complaints have reached me, and I have no reason to think that the existing arrangements for expediting business are inadequate. The working of the office arrangements is controlled by the Commissioners, and not directly by the Army Council, but the War Office is largely represented on the Board. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any case in which he thinks there has been undue delay, I will inquire into it, and will communicate with him further.

Will the hon. Member let us know exactly what type of pensioners are actually dealt with by the Chelsea authorities, as there is public misconception on the point?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will endeavour to answer him.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of appli- cations made since the beginning of the year for the release of men serving in the Army; how many such applications have been granted; what is the loss to the State in respect to the partial training of such men; whether the releases have been made in all cases on the understanding that these men have work to go to; and why, in view of the large measure of existing unemployment, such work cannot be undertaken by ex-service men, who are often dependent on Poor Law assistance?

Excluding cases of purchase of discharge, the number of free discharges granted from 1st January to 31st May, 1924, is 420. I am not in a position to state the number of rejected applications. Practically all these men were discharged on compassionate grounds, that is to say, because the soldier was required at home as a family wage-earner. A guarantee of employment is necessary in all cases. As the Army is open to take an extra recruit in place of each man discharged, the effect of these releases on the labour market should not be appreciable, and, in any case, the retention of the man in the Army in order to enable an ex-service man to do his work in civil life would not benefit his family. The loss to the State in respect of the partial training of these men would depend on the length of their service and other considerations, but I have no data on which to frame an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for War how often the Inter-Allied Military Committee at Versailles met during the month of May; and what questions were dealt with by it or referred to it?

The Committee met in plenary session twice in May and dealt with such matters as the State factories in Austria and Hungary, the working of the military control in those countries, the organisation of the Bulgarian gendarmerie and the enrolment of cadet officers at the Military Academy at Sofia. I would, however, add that it is impossible to measure the volume of work of the Committee by the number of sessions held. Most of its work lies in the preliminary study of the questions to be brought before it in session.

Is not this the class of work that is being carried out by the Ambassadors' Conference, and is it necessary to keep on this Committee?

Does the hon. Member think that we derive any benefit by the maintenance of this body, which is not under our own General Staff nor under the French General Staff, but under the orders of Marshal Foch, whose views on military questions are well known?

As these questions raise a matter of policy, I cannot answer.

asked the Prime Minister what is the reason for the delay on the part of His Majesty's Government in ratifying the Treaty of Lausanne?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy).

Are we to understand that this Treaty cannot be ratified until the Free State Government has notified its adherence to it?

Until all the Dominions have ratified it, the Treaty cannot be fully ratified.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the delay is open to very mischievous misconstruction?

Is there any Dominion except the Free State which has not ratified?

No, there is no other.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has now considered the request from the Fife Education. Authority for a grant towards their scheme for acquiring an experimental farm; if so, is there any fund available from which a grant may be made; and what amount, if any, does he propose granting to assist the aforesaid authority?

The request by the Fife Education Authority has been under my consideration, but at present I have no funds available. I may add that I expect to receive some guidance in regard to this matter from the Report of the Committee on Agricultural Education and Research in Scotland, which I expect to receive shortly.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is prepared to introduce legislation on the same lines as the Poor Litigants (Scotland) Bill, which was passed by this House in 1920, and which was not returned from another place?

The Bill to which my hon. Friend refers deals with a matter which is regulated by Standing Order of the House of Lords, made under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act, 1876. When the Bill was considered in another place, the view taken was that, if the matter was to be dealt with at all, it ought to be by amendment of the Standing Order and not by Bill. In these circumstances, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the re-introduction of the Bill.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many fishermen have applied for the Government loan; how many have been approved; and how many nets have been really ordered or supplied?

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of nets issued to date under the scheme for the assistance of Scottish fishermen, the number of men who have availed themselves of the scheme, and the extent of the liability incurred by the Government?

I propose to answer this question together with that put by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland. During the short time that has elapsed since the scheme was adopted, nine applications for loans have been received at the head office of the Fishery Board for Scotland, and eight of these have been approved. I anticipate that further applications will be made in increasing numbers when the fishermen begin to make their preparations for the autumn fishing.

Can the Secretary for Scotland see his way to let these fishermen have their loans free of interest, instead of charging 5 per cent?

Has my right hon. Friend taken steps to make the provisions of these loans known to the fishermen in the various ports?

Steps have been taken to make the provisions of the loans known to the fishermen in the various ports. I am not in a position to carry out the suggestion made by the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood).

Can the right hon. Gentleman say the amount of the loans applied for?

How is it that in this House Irishmen can get a loan of money, free of interest, for building houses when they required them? How is it that my fellow-countrymen cannot get a loan of money free in order to purchase their gear and to carry on their usual occupation?

We cannot discuss that now.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of prosecutions sanctioned by the Board of Agriculture under Section 6 of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1906, in Scotland during 1923?

No application for the Board's consent to a prosecution under Section 6 of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1906, was received or dealt with by them during 1923.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Report of the Land Court for 1923 will be available for Members before the Debate on the Scottish Estimates on Thursday?

I am informed that the Report is now ready for the printers, but cannot be issued by Thursday.

Why has this delay occurred, seeing how necessary it is that the Report should be in the hands of Members before the Debate?

I am informed that no delay has taken place, but that the matter has been expedited as much as possible.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the official name of the new statutory officer to whom the duties previously performed by the Deputy Clerk Register have been assigned; who is the person now performing these duties; and whose duty it is to reply to communications addressed to the Deputy Clerk Register?

The official title of the new statutory officer to whom, as I stated on Tuesday last, most of the duties performed by Sir James Patten MacDougall and his predecessor have been assigned is the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Scotland. The person who now holds that office and performs its duties is Dr. J. C. Dunlop. Any communication addressed to the Deputy Clerk Register at the present time would fall to be answered by the head of the Department to which its contents related, for example, by the Deputy Keeper of the Records if it concerned the work of the Record Office. If necessity arose, any such communication would be referred to the Secretary for Scotland as the Minister to whom the Deputy Clerk Register was responsible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that questions addressed to the Deputy Clerk Register do not receive any acknowledgment?

I am unaware of any communications received which have been treated in this way. Communications are sent to the Scottish Office, and I reply to them.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that the Aberlady public school buildings are in an unsatisfactory condition; that after repeated deductions from the Government grants the Aberlady School Board gave an undertaking that plans for a new school would be submitted within six months of the conclusion of the War and that work would be commenced within one year of the conclusion of the War; that in 1918 the East Lothian education authority took over all the liabilities of the school boards; and that the education authority has done nothing to fulfil its obligations towards the school; and what steps are being taken by the Department to ensure that the undertaking given by the school board is to be carried out?

The facts are as stated by my hon. Friend. The education authority have been reminded of the condition of the premises, and I fully expect that they will take steps to fulfil their obligations at an early date without the necessity of further action by the Department.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has now given further consideration to the question of Petersport Pier, Benbecula, in the Western Isles; and, in view of the recent aggravation of conditions in these islands by the closure of Lochboisdale Pier, whether he is now prepared to take steps to provide the necessary lights?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It does not appear that the Board of Agriculture, or any of the Departments for which I am responsible, would have statutory power to provide the lights which would apparently be necessary as a minimum for the purpose suggested. Moreover, apart from that difficulty it is not clear from my present information that the provision of those lights by any authority or person would in itself be a sufficient inducement for shipping companies to undertake to give new services, or more frequent services, than exist at present.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the hardship and loss sustained by the 5,000 people in the Point district of the island of Lewis owing to the lack of a pier and breakwater; and, in view of the fact that this population is dependent on the fishing industry, that such a pier and breakwater is essential to the develop- ment of their staple industry, and also, in view of the small expenditure on relief works in that district, whether he is prepared to make a grant towards this project?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question on the 27th March, and in which I indicated the reasons why the Board of Agriculture could not offer assistance in this case. I regret that I am unable at the present time to add to that answer.

Could not this be done if it were in Iraq?

Or in Egypt?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the dock constructed at St. Kilda over 20 years ago is now, as the result of heavy seas, in such a state of disrepair, and so filled up with boulders, as to render it useless for the purpose for which it was intended; and, in view of the hardships which the inhabitants of the island have to encounter, what steps he proposes to take in order to put the dock into a serviceable condition?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland gave a small grant two years ago for the repair of the pier at St. Kilda, which is presumably the work to which the hon. Member refers. No further representations with regard to the condition of this work have been received. If information on the subject is sent to the Board of Agriculture it will be considered.

As these people live so far away that they have only limited means of sending information, will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries at St. Kilda?

If the hon. Member who, I understand, represents St. Kilda, has any information, perhaps he will pass it on.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps once again to go on the fishery cruiser "Minna"?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us a guarantee that if the information is sent on to him he will put his ideas into operation?

I think that the House will bear me out when I say that the Secretary for Scotland always does that.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he proposes to include the Scottish shale industry in the Bill shortly to be introduced amending the present Coal Mines Seven Hours Act; and, if not, will he say what are his intentions with regard to their being included at a future date?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the Bill recently introduced by me to explain (not to amend) one Subsection of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908. Both apply to shale mines as well as to coal mines. But the Bill is merely explanatory, and no alteration of the length of the normal working day, as fixed for shale mines by the Act of 1908 and for coal mines by the amending Act of 1919, could possibly be included within its scope.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the prospectus of the United Anthracite Collieries shows an output of 600,000 tons of anthracite and an estimate of £250,000 profits, which is equal to 8s. per ton; and whether he will include such published profits when dealing with the miners' wage?

I have read this prospectus. I gather that the output expected by the promoters is larger than 600,000 tons per annum, and that the estimated profits do not relate solely to the business of coal mining. But, however this may be, I have no responsibility for the figures upon which the miners' wages are determined. The calculations for this purpose are made by the independent accountants appointed by the mineowners and the miners respectively in each district, and the figures to be taken into account are settled by them in accordance with the principles laid down under the National Agreement.

Am I to understand that the principle which governs the Depart- ment is that it is not the profits which the colliery owner makes which is to decide the wages, and that profits have no relation to wages? If the profits of a colliery are to have no relation to wages, what is to be the basis on which wages are to be settled?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend did not listen very carefully to my answer, in which I pointed out that the Department has nothing to do with the miners' wage agreement.

Is it not a sad fact that the high hopes held out in prospectuses are not always borne out in the performance?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to report upon the water danger in No. 23 Redding Pit?

I have had special inquiry made into this matter. I find that the Redding Ball coal workings are not under the old Meadowbank workings, as my hon. Friend stated in his question on the 18th June. They are at present 500 feet from the fault that separates the two collieries. The water in Meadowbank is to be lowered, and, until this is done, no workings from Redding will be allowed to approach within 120 feet of the fault. What my hon. Friend described as a heavy flow of water from the coal face is stated by the inspector to be a trickle amounting to about a pint a minute, which cannot possibly come from the Meadowbank workings. I am advised that in these circumstances there is no such danger, as my hon. Friend fears; nor can I find that any alarm has been felt by the men. The Stirlingshire Miners' Union inform me that they have no knowledge of any complaint by them on the subject. The manager has invited the men to appoint two of their number to make an inspection under Section 16 of the Coal Mines Act.

Is it not a fact that before the recent disaster the miners, we were informed, had no apprehension; and if there is only a trickle of water, why is a thousand gallon power pump being used for a pint of water? Will any engineers give a guarantee that, no matter where the water is lying in reference to where the miners are working, the strata between them and the water, over which they have no control, will not break, and that the men may not be flooded at any time?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the mineowners in the Bristol district have refused to accept the national agreement entered into between the mineowners of Great Britain and the Miners' Federation; and, seeing that such action is leading to grave industrial unrest and dislocation, what steps is he prepared to take to bring the Bristol mineowners into line with those in other parts of the country?

A meeting has been arranged for Thursday next between representatives of the Mining Association, the Miners' Federation and the mineowners and miners in the Bristol district to consider the situation in that coalfield. I hope that this meeting may be able to dispose of the question.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the condition of unemployment among the miners in the area of Blaina, Monmouthshire, and that four mines have been closed since 1921; has he any prospects of getting these collieries re-opened; and can he give any information on the present situation?

I am aware of the position at Blaina. I regret to say that there appears to be little prospect of any of these collieries being re-opened; most of the seams formerly worked from them are, I understand, now being worked from other pits. Negotiations are, however, in progress for the further development of another seam in the neighbourhood, but are not yet completed.

asked the Prime Minister who are the representatives of His Majesty's Government on the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations this year; and what instructions have been given to the British representative with regard to the recruiting of native troops in mandated areas and the control of the liquor traffic?

Sir F. Lugard is a member of the Permanent Mandates Commission and Mr. Ormsby-Gore, M.P., will be present as representing His Majesty's Government when the Reports from British Mandated Territories are under consideration. It has been decided that natives of British mandated territories are not to be recruited for service outside the territories, while within them they may only be recruited for police or local defence. As regards the liquor traffic, I would refer to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Camborne (Mr. L. Jones) on the 7th May. The accredited British representative has been in close touch with the Colonial Office and is fully aware of the position with regard to these subjects.

Do those instructions include the surrender of the claim by the late Government of the British right to accept in all forces in British territories volunteers from mandated territory?

I would like to have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the representatives of His Majesty's Government in Morocco have been approached by accredited representatives of the Rifian Republic, with a view to securing the good offices of His Majesty's Government in bringing before the League of Nations the state of war which exists between Governments friendly to Great Britain, in order that further bloodshed may be averted; and what action, if any, does he propose to take in the matter?

His Majesty's Government finds it impossible to intervene in this matter or to receive communications which make it party to what is going on.

Is it a fact or not that representations have been made to His Majesty's Government that they should intervene to prevent bloodshed?

I require notice of that question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that during the War the Rifians were very good Allies of ours in the Mediterranean? Cannot he reconsider the proposal and exercise our good offices to bring about peace?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that no statue of either Sir John Eliot or John Pym has been erected within the precinets of the House; and whether, having regard to the eminence of these two statesmen and their outstanding contribution in the struggle for the liberties of Parliament, he will take the steps necessary to commemorate their services by the erection of worthy memorials in some prominent position?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, the Government cannot see their way to adopt the hon. Member's proposal, but they would be prepared to consider any other suggestions that might be made to perpetuate the memory of these statesmen.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the erection of statues to Lord Strafford and Archbishop Laud?

Can the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the House what other course can be taken, so that there may be some proper commemoration of the services of one who is described, I think, as "the greatest confessor in the cause of liberty in those times"?

If the right hon. Gentleman is taking into consideration a matter of this character, will he be prepared to consider the erection of statues to Muir, of Huntershill; Baird and Hardie, the Stirling Martyrs; John Ball, Wat Tyler, and others?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the cost of the new Government proposals, in respect of old age pensions, if the age limit were lowered from 70 to 65; and whether the abolition of the thrift penalty will cause any diminution in the cost of the machinery of investigation?

So far as can be estimated, in the absence of knowledge as to the operation of the means limit in the case of persons between the ages of 65 and 70, the cost of pensions, if the age limit were reduced to 65 and if the new proposal as to means were applied, would be £42,000,000 against the present expenditure of £24,000,000; the cost would grow continuously with the increase of the aged population, and in 20 years' time would be over £70,000,000. It is not anticipated that the present proposals will on balance have any substantial effect on the cost of administration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that regimental benevolent associations are being served with notices that they are liable to Income Tax on their incomes; whether he can state the reasons on which this notification is based; and why this new policy is now for the first time being introduced?

I am not aware of the existence of the new policy to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. If the hon. and gallant Member has in mind any case in which he considers that Income Tax is being wrongly charged and will let me have the necessary particulars, I will gladly have the matter investigated and will communicate the result to him in due course.

Several of these aid societies already have received letters saying that they will not receive the rebate on Income Tax this year because they do not come under the heading of charitable institutions. At the same time, is it not a fact that the Public Trustee has refused to be trustee to these various aid societies because they are exclusively charitable institutions, and does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the Public Trustee knows his own business?

I asked the hon. and gallant Gentleman in my main reply to submit to me particulars of cases, and I promised in that event to give them consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in February, 1920, the Government sold its entire stock of foreign soft woods to the Timber Trade Federation; if he can say how much money was received on the sale and what was the cost of the wood so sold; and whether prices rose or fell after the sale?

I have been asked to reply. The stock of foreign soft woods held by the Timber Disposal Department was sold in February, 1920, to Associated Importers, Limited, a company in which importers of foreign timber were largely represented. The amount ultimately recovered from the sale was approximately £4,000,000; the estimated cost which was incurred during the years 1917–19 was about £5,800,000. Prices fell considerably during 1920 and there was a partial recovery in 1922.

Is the right hen. Gentleman aware that the company to which he has referred lost the whole of its share capital in this transaction?

I believe that the company found the venture not very profitable.

Is that the reason why this company is so wealthy?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the continued unemployment of large numbers of people and the need for additional transport facilities between the Midlands and the Bristol Channel, he has any statement to make as to the progress of the negotiations between the city of Birmingham and other local authorities with regard to the development of the canal system between Birmingham and Sharpness; and whether he can usefully inter- vene in any way, either by assistance at conferences between the bodies concerned or by the sympathetic consideration of grants, to facilitate the promotion of this addition to our national transport system?

I am in touch with the local authorities interested in the improvement of the waterway between Birmingham and the Bristol Channel and recently discussed the scheme with their representatives. I asked the Birmingham Corporation for further information on certain aspects of the proposals, some of which affect other local authorities, and I desire to give any assistance I can in connection with the consideration of this project.

Does the hon. Gentleman know that there is grave need for expediting the decision of the authorities in this matter, owing to the fact that there is a heavy handicap on goods coming from the Midlands to the Bristol Channel, due to the heavy railway freights?

Has the City of Bristol offered to put up any money for this purpose?

As a matter of fact, the local authorities are co-operating, and the matter is going on very well. I am awaiting further information from Birmingham.

May I have an answer to my question? Has the City of Bristol offered to put up any money—or has the City of Birmingham done so?

Let me put it another way. The money has not yet been refused.

Does the Minister know of any sums which have been put up by any of the authorities concerned?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to prevent accidents, he will secure that every cyclist shall carry either a rear light or an efficient reflector?

The proposal would require legislation. Should it be decided to introduce a Bill dealing with lights on road vehicles, the points referred to by the hon. Member shall receive full consideration.

Has the Minister obtained opinions from benches of magistrates and county councils, to find out how strong is the feeling in favour of this proposal?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that such a proposal is bound to be resisted by cyclists throughout the country?

Approximately, how many petitions has the Minister received in favour of legislation such as is indicated in the question?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that by-pass roads from Eltham to Welling, which were partially completed two years ago, are still uncompleted; and will be expedite their completion?

The completion of the Shooters Hill By-Pass and the South Circular Road, which will connect Eltham to Welling, has been delayed by the impossibility of securing vacant possession of buildings obstructing the line of road. Some progress has already been made in clearing the line, and it is hoped that means are now in sight for overcoming the housing difficulty, which is the principal obstacle to progress.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the bad service now operating between Bexley, Heath and Charing Cross, involving two changes in a journey of 10 miles; and whether he will make representations to the Southern Railway Company of the great need for improvement by checking London destination in the daily bookings and as a result, convey passengers with a minimum of change and delay?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter. I am making inquiries, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the public dissatisfaction at the overcrowding of trains, he will appoint a Committee to make inquiries with a view to providing a remedy for this state of things?

The general question of overcrowding on trains is not one that could usefully be investigated by a Committee. I would remind my hon. Friend that it is open to the local authorities and representative bodies to apply to the Railway and Canal Commission for orders requiring railway companies to afford reasonable services and facilities.

Will the hon. Gentleman indicate that decision to the local authorities; and is he aware, so great is the grievance upon this question, that if he can do anything the whole travelling British public will rise up and call him blessed?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in trains running in the north of England sometimes as many as from 50 to 100 people have to stand throughout long jouurneys?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that travellers from London to Glasgow, for instance, are not necessarily residents of London or of other places served by the train and, therefore, the local authorities have nothing to do with them; and will he make inquiries into the case of a train which recently carried Sabbath School delegates from London to Glasgow which was grossly overcrowded and was an insult to the travelling public.

If the feeling is as described by the hon. Member for South Eastern Essex (Mr. Hoffman) and if the public are outraged, then they will know that the remedy is either by organisation or through the local authorities, to go to the tribunual I have mentioned.

I give notice that I intend to raise this question on the first available opportunity.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give any further information as to the proposals to transfer the incidence of motor taxation from horse-power to petrol or other motor spirit?

asked the Minister of Transport when the Report on the taxation of motor vehicles will be issued?

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Committee on the Taxation of Motor Vehicles has as yet reported; and, if so, what is the nature of its Report and do the Government intend to adopt its recommendations?

The Report of the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles, dealing with the existing system of motor taxation, has been presented to me. It is being printed as expeditiously as possible and will be available shortly. The report covers several points, but on the main question of a duty on motor spirit seven members are against, two in favour, the remaining member has presented a separate memorandum. The five members who sign the main Report, while recommending certain modifications of the existing system of taxation, arrive at the following general conclusion:

"It is in these circumstances that we have again reluctantly come to the conclusion, that no method of administering a motor spirit duty can be contrived which would not inflict grace inconvenience and additional expense upon considerable numbers of consumers of motor spirit (and of some kerosenes) used for purposes other than the propulsion of road vehicles, or which could be relied upon to yield a certain revenue at a reasonable cost."

Two other members of the Committee concur with the main Report, so far as it concerns the Motor Spirit Duty, though they consider that the proceedings of the Committee have established an even stronger case against it than that set out in the main Report.

In view of the important statement made by the Minister of Transport, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the House will have some opportunity of discussing this important Report before the Adjournment?

I must have time to consider the matter. This is the first I have heard of it.

Does the Minister of Transport consider that the results of this Committee justify its three years' work?

I have only been responsible for the Committee for a very short time. They have kept their promise made to me and have delivered the Report in June.

Could not the hon. Gentleman bring in some of these recommendations during the Autumn Session, so that they could be enforced on 1st January, 1925, instead of waiting until January, 1926?

Will the hon. Gentleman publish this Report as soon as possible?

I am having it printed for that purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will place a copy of the licence granted to the Great Northern Telegraph Company of Denmark upon the Table of the House, in order that the House may be acquainted with its terms?

I do not think that these licences, which are on the point of expiry, are of sufficient general interest to warrant their being laid before Parliament.

Having regard to the precedent set by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor, will he agree that all such licences should become public property so that the decisions of his Department may be scrutinised?

The question is not with reference to all similar licences, but with reference to these particular licences, and I have said in relation to them that they expire in the course of the next few months.