asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the continued heavy excess of imports over exports has had the consideration of the Government; and, if so, whether any remedial measures are in contemplation?

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the estimate of invisible exports and of the net trade balance published in the Board of Trade Journal on the 29th January. It is the policy of the Government to assist the revival of our export trade in every way practicable: but it would not be possible to discuss all the aspects of policy within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the recommendations made by the committee 'which the Board of Trade appointed to consider and report what amendments of the Bankruptcy Act, 1914, recent experience has shown to be desirable whether he proposes to introduce the necessary legislation in the present Session to carry out these recommendations; and, if not, what course he proposes to pursue regarding them?

Subject to consideration of details, I am in general agreement with the recommendations of the Bankruptcy Committee, and I have given instructions for a Bill to be drafted, based on their Report. I cannot, however, say at present whether it will be possible to introduce the Bill during the present Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to amend the law dealing with registration of joint stock companies, to compel such companies to furnish proof of essential financial terms detailed in prospectus of registration, and to have actuarial certificates included before coming to the public for subscription in any new company?

If my hon. Friend cares to let me have a note of the proposals which he has in mind, I will see that they are brought to the attention of the Departmental Committee which has recently been appointed to consider what Amendments are necessary in the Companies Acts.

In view of the large number of the working classes who are affected at the present time by reason of the slackness of the law regarding joint stock companies, will the right hon. Gentleman take action immediately if I give him full details?

My hon. Friend has, perhaps, seen that I appointed a Committee to go into all the questions concerning these companies. The most practical course I can suggest is that my hon. Friend should send me the points he has in mind, and I will send them to the Committee.

When is the Committee likely to report?

It has only just set to work. I cannot say.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the modifications recently made in the French customs tariff under which English needles will pay a much higher duty than has previously been the case, whereas German needles, which have hitherto been paying the maximum tariff, will in reality be more favoured on importation into France than similar needles from this country; and whether he will make representations to the French Government on this subject?

My attention has already been drawn to the proposed increases in the French duties on needles, and particulars have been forwarded to His Majesty's Embassy at Paris, with a view to such action as may be practicable if the Tariff Revision Bill is proceded with. There is no reason to anticipate that German needles imported into France will receive more favourable tariff treatment than similar goods of United Kingdom manufacture.

Is it not the fact that German needles are receiving snore favourable treatment under the conditions set out in the question?

No, Sir, I think not. At the present time we are receiving most-favoured-nation treatment and the lowest possible rate of duty.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made representations that we also propose to put on duties against these articles?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the procedure set out in the White Paper [Cmd. 2327], will he state what steps it is intended to take to prevent any industry in this country being prejudiced by abnormal importation of competing goods during the time occupied by the Committee appointed by the Board of Trade and until any duty of customs recommended by such Committee is approved by Parliament; and whether he will consider limiting the importation of such competing goods during this period to the average volume of the monthly import of such goods during the preceding five years?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer of the 17th February to the hon. Member for Penrith and Cockermouth, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the strength of the Committees he intends to appoint under the Safeguarding of Industries proposals; and what quorum he intends to fix?

It is intended that Committees should not consist of less than three or more than five members. I do not think it would be advisable to fetter them with elaborate rules relating to matters which they can be trusted to determine for themselves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me an answer to the last part of the question, as to the quorum he intends to fix?

I have given that information in the second part of my answer. If the hon. Member looks at the White Paper he will see that it is intended that the Committee should regulate their own procedure. That has been done in the past and it was the most practical course to adopt.

I want to make this quite clear. Will the Minister tell us upon what quorum he will act; what is the minimum number of members on whose advice he will act?

I was quite well aware what was the meaning of the question, and I think that my answer is plain. I am going to appoint the Committee and leave the detailed questions of procedure in their hands, relying on the fact that there are competent members on that Committee.

Would it be competent for the President to report alone?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, before deciding whether to grant an inquiry under the new Safeguarding of Industries proposals, he will be prepared to give notice to and receive representations from all parties interested and not only those who are applying for the imposition of the duty?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on the 19th February to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland, of which I am sending him a copy.

Would it not be fairer that all parties interested either in the imposition of, or the refusal to impose, a duty should receive notice at the same time?

No; I think not. I think that, following the precedent laid down on previous occasions, it would be very undesirable that T should publish the fact that certain industries were contemplating asking for an inquiry until I have decided whether or not there is a prima facie case. When there is a prima facie I will bring it to the notice of all concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what countries are now suffering from depreciated exchanges; and in what countries the wages of labour and conditions of employment are inferior to those prevailing in this country?

The answer is somewhat long, and the hon. Member will perhaps allow me to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The countries whose currencies have a lower value relative to sterling than corresponds to their nominal gold equivalents, include the following: France, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Czechslovakia, Turkey, Greece, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania, Argentine, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Japan. It is perhaps unnecessary for me to enumerate all the minor States in the same category.

With reference to the second part of the question, the international statistical data are insufficient to make possible the compilation of such a table as the hon. Member desires. Moreover, it will be readily appreciated that wages and other conditions vary considerably in different industries, so that even if it were possible to obtain a general average over a number of trades in each country, the figures so arrived at might afford little guide to the comparative wages and conditions in a particular industry in different countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, under the safeguarding of industries proposals, the right of cross-examination will be confined to members of the Committee; or whether it will be extended to counsel and representatives of the industries affected;

(2) whether an industry opposing an application for a duty under the safeguarding of industries proposals must be represented by counsel?

It is not proposed to require that industries either making or opposing applications shall be represented before the Committees by counsel. It is intended that counsel or other representatives of the parties; appearing before the Committee shall be allowed to cross-examine witnesses, subject to such rules of procedure as may be laid clown by the Committee in each particular case.

Will parties be given the right of combining together and of being jointly represented by counsel?

Yes, certainly. The hon. Member will remember that in the Debate I suggested that it would be very convenient if the chairman of the committee would so arrange.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade by what method the public will be notified that an industry has applied for an inquiry under the safeguarding of industries proposals?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton) on the 19th February, of which I am sending him a copy. Announcement of the reference of any particular application to a Committee will be made in the Board of Trade Journal and the public Press.

May we know whether, and if so at what stage, this announcement will be made public?

Yes, Sir, when it has been decided to refer the case to a Committee.

If a question is put in this House as to whether any applications have been received, will an answer to such question be refused?

Yes, Sir, certainly, for the reasons which I have already given in answer to questions in this House and in answer to supplementary questions to-day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the suffering and loss of life to our wild sea and migratory birds and to fish by oil discharge from ships; whether he will, in conjunction with other Departments, consider what steps can be taken to remedy these conditions; and whether he will consider passing regulations for the compulsory installation of oil separators in all oil-driven vessels in the future?

Attention has for some time past been directed to the problems caused by the discharge of waste oil, and a special Act was passed in 1922. Owing to the operation of this Act conditions are better than they were. The British Act is necessarily limited to territorial waters, and the regulation or shipping outside those waters is a matter for international agreement. I hope that arrangements will be made for convoking an international conference to deal with this matter in the near future, and in these circumstances I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by considering proposals for further legislation of a purely national character.

May I ask whether any effective oil separator has been approved by the Board of Trade?

There has been a difference of opinion, which I dare say my hon. Friend knows, as to whether that is the best way of dealing with it, although there have been a number of cases where oil separators have been installed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state if the German Republic is subsidising the German shipbuilding; and, if so, to what extent?

I am informed that out of moneys provided for the relief of unemployment, 50 million marks have been set aside for the relief of unemployment in shipbuilding yards and for the maintenance of the German merchant marine, and from this fund loans will be granted to shipping companies for the purpose of building new sea-going vessels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the hardship experienced by various merchant seamen, who were detained in Germany prior to the out-break of war, in obtaining a decision as to their claims for compensation in this respect; whether he is in a position to state when such claims are likely to be decided; and will he explain the reason for the delay in settling these claims?

The claims referred to are assessed by an arbitrator, and in the case of merchant seamen whose claims are of a complicated character, the Controller of the Clearing Office has arranged, with a view to assisting the claimants, to bring a number of test cases and to conduct the proceedings before the arbitrator on their behalf. Delay has been caused by the resignation of the arbitrator, who is a neutral jurist, but immediately his successor has been appointed every possible step will be taken by the Clearing Office within the limit of its powers to expedite a settlement of these claims.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, taking the whole of the reparations claims, he will state the aggregate amount claimed and the net amount admitted by the Commission as applicable to the system of awards; and what is the average percentage received by each such claimant of the amount originally claimed by him or her?

It is not possible to state, even approximately, the total of the amounts claimed, since a large number of cases no sum is specified, while in other cases sums are claimed in respect of inadmissible items. The total of the assessment's of claims admitted against the £5,000,000 is approximately £12,500,000. It follows that an average percentage received by claimants of the amount originally claimed cannot be ascertained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many claimants to the Reparations Claims Department have, on the one hand, received nothing at all and, on the other, have received less than £10?

10,348 claims, as distinguished from claimants, have been rejected, in addition to which 5,987 claims have not been proceeded with by the claimants. It would not be possible to prepare a statement of the number of claimants who have received less than £10, without an examination of all the claims involving much time and labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of belated cases now being dealt with by the Reparations Claims Department; the number decided; and the percentage of award hitherto made in respect of each such admitted claim?

The total number of belated claims at present being dealt with is 28,989, of which 23,587 have been admitted for payment and 3,810 have been rejected provisionally, making a total of 27,397 decided cases. In answer to the last part of the question, I have just explained that it is not possible to give the percentage which the amounts awarded to claimants bear to the amounts claimed.

Am I to understand that all these cases are definitely closed and that no more will be admitted in any circumstances?

Yes, Sir; that is so, with this exception—in the answer it will be seen that there is a certain number of claims out of the 28,900 which are still being gone into, and for which further information is required. But those that have been decided have been decided.

Has the claimant no right to appeal against this Committee's decision, although he may be able to prove a mistake on the part of the Committee while assessing the claim, either in regard to indemnifying the wrong man,——

The hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent, if any, were the firms exporting war material of all descriptions registered as exported from the United Kingdom to Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, including Danzig, during the period from the 1st May, 1923, to 31st January, 1925, assisted under the Trade Facilities Act, and/or was payment guaranteed and, if so, the nature of the guarantee; and what was the proportion of the said material exported that was manufactured in the United Kingdom and abroad, respectively?

No assistance or guarantee of any kind is ever given under the Trade Facilities Acts for the manufacture or export of munitions of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether any further reduction is contemplated in the pay of Army officers;

(2) whether any reduction or readjustment is contemplated in the pay of the other ranks of the Army?

It is not intended to apply the 5½ per cent. reduction of officers' pay to any other classes of pay than those already announced. As to the possibility of any reduction in the future, apart from this automatic reduction, I am not in a position to make any statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the explanation given of the recent reduction was that the cost of living had fallen, whereas it has now risen, and will he consider a further readjustment?

I hope the rise is temporary.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now prepared to comply with the proposal which has been under his consideration for some considerable time that the Dundee City Council should be made a definite offer of Broughty Ferry Castle and Green to facilitate the negotiations being conducted by correspondence and personal representations?

I am advised that Broughty Ferry Castle and Green are still required for military purposes, and I regret, therefore, that I cannot authorise their being disposed of to the Dundee City Council.

Is this due to a change of policy; and, if so, why has the Dundee City Council been so discreditably treated in these negotiations?

I could not deal with that question within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

I may be able to get some further information otherwise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the heavy demands made by Catterick Camp extensions in building labour and materials, to the detriment of civil building, he will use the Weir type of steel construction for part of the camp extensions, and so liberate building labour and materials for ordinary dwelling-houses which are so badly needed?

No new houses of the standard of accommodation provided by the Weir type of steel construction are being built at Catterick; the houses of this size required at Catterick are being provided by utilising and converting existing concrete huts, a considerable saving in building materials and labour being thereby effected.

Could not the form of construction employed in the Weir and other houses be applied to the erection of barracks, so as to relieve houses for civilians from the additional competition in regard to materials?

No, Sir, I believe not.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any reports of the mission which was, shortly after the Armistice, sent to Oppau to inquire into German methods of fixing nitrogen from the air are available, and whether it is intended to publish them?

A report was made by the British mission which visited the chemical works at. Oppau shortly after the Armistice. It is not proposed to publish the report.

Does that report contain formulas of the German methods?

I have told the hon. Member it is not proposed to publish the report. Perhaps I should add "or any part of it."

asked the Secretary of State for War why pay documents, showing amounts paid and due to be paid to men serving in the Army during the great War, have been destroyed, with the consequence that, in the absence of such records, his Department is unable to give any satisfactory reply to the claims of a number of excessive men who state that they have not received their war gratuity and other sums due to them; and whether, in view of this destruction of all pay records so soon after the War and during the lifetime of ex-service men and their dependants, and the consequent possible injustice to claimants, he will authorise payment of the sums claimed in all cases where his Department has no record to prove that payment has already been made?

On demobilisation or discharge soldiers had full liberty to question the accuracy of their accounts, and, where they did so, steps were taken to agree the balances with them. In July, 1920, a poster was exhibited in post offices and other places informing demobilised and discharged soldiers that if they had any questions to raise about their pay they should bring their claims to notice without delay. It was not until more than two years after the issue of the poster that instructions were given for the pay documents to be destroyed after having been kept for the prescribed period under the provisions of the Public Records Office Act, 1877. No documents were destroyed showing amounts due to be paid to men who served during the War. In the circumstances, I do not think any injustice is involved in refusing to entertain claims submitted at this late date. The docu- ments relating to the great War were very voluminous, and it was not possible to keep them indefinitely with duo regard to economy.

asked the Secretary of State for War the present position of the negotiations for the purchase by the Department of the Deptford Cattle Market area; whether it is intended to purchase the entire site; and, if not, the extent of the area to be left under the control of the Markets Committee of the Corporation of London!

The question of the purchase price has to be referred to arbitration. The preparation of the case is proceeding, but there are important and difficult questions which require to be examined before the arbitration can take place. It is proposed to purchase the entire site of the cattle market; the last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the decision of the Army Council to replace certain ex-service storeholders at ordnance depots by pre-War employés from Woolwich, they will discharge all over-age staff at. Wool-wish before posting them to other ordnance-depots where they turn an ex-service man out of a job?

There are only two storeholders at the Army Ordnance Depot, Woolwich, over 60 years of age, and the position of temporary storeholders elsewhere is not affected by their retention or discharge because their vacancies would be filled by pre-War employés who have a prior claim to the temporary ex-service men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Departmental Committee set up last July to consider the revision of Army accounting methods, as recommended by the Lawrence Committee, has yet reported; and whether the further Committee indicated on 25th July by his predecessor has yet been appointed?

The Committee on Processes of Accounting in the Army is about to submit an Interim Report, which will receive my early consideration. The further Committee on the questions of personnel connected with the amalgamation of the Royal Army Pay Corps and the Corps of Military Accountants has held several sittings, but cannot formulate conclusions until decisions have been given as to certain matters arising out of the Report of the first Committee.

When the Lawrence Report is considered with reference to its application, will the requirements of the Territorial Army be kept in mind, in view of the fact that the Lawrence Committee overlooked the Territorial Army?

I shall never overlook the Territorial Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any record of officers qualified for service with the Flying Corps was available on the outbreak of War in 1914; and how many officers were recorded as being available?

Yes. Sir; the number so recorded for the military wing of the Royal Flying Corps was 212.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to reopen the school of camouflage in order to train officers and men in this special branch of life saving?

The study of methods of concealment is part of the normal military training of all arms. I do not consider that a special school is necessary.

Is this work of camouflage carried on jointly with the authorities of the Air Force?

Of that question I must have notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Royal Academy?

asked the Secretary for Scotland at whose instance two additional members for the Cowal district have been added to the Argyll education authority; were the education authority themselves consulted, and was any public intimation given to the constituency as a whole before authorising the addition of the two members?

The Order of the 5th February, 1925, which increased by two the representation of the Cowal County District Electorial Division of the education area of the County of Argyll followed upon a representation made in December last by the town council of Dunoon. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the affirmative.

Do I gather that the other parts of Argyllshire got notice?

The usual procedure was followed of publishing in the papers a provisional order and everybody had an opportunity of seeing it.

asked the Secretary for Scotland with regard to the funds which were allocated for draining farms in Scotland, on what principle was the allocation of the grants out of these funds made; and why was it that Glenreasdell farm, in Kintyre, Tullich farm, in Kilmelford, and Low Ranaclean, near Campbelltown, Argyll, have all been refused grants?

In the allocation of grants from the limited funds available for land drainage preference was given to applications from areas where unemployment was reported to be most acute, and also, as far as possible, to cases in which two or more parties combined to carry out co-ordinated schemes. Apart from such preference, grants were distributed in such a way that as many districts as possible should receive such a share of the remaining funds as could be fully utilised in the employment of men out of work. It is regretted that these con- siderations prevented grants being made in the cases referred to by my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the total grant authorised this year for the land improvement and drainage unemployment relief scheme in Scotland; what was the total authorised in each of the past three years; what is the total of the amount already applied for this year; and how much of this has been refused

The total grant available for the winter of 1924–5 for the purpose of the scheme referred to by the hon. and gallant Member is £43,500. The grants authorised for the three previous winters were £21,850, £62,540 and £45,125 respectively. The total amount applied for this winter is £109,543. So far, applications for sums amounting to £56,903 have been refused.

In view of the large number of applications that have had to be refused will the right hon. Gentleman consider the necessity of obtaining more funds by which this work can be extended?

That is a matter which will have to be very carefully considered.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the Lerwick district caused by the activities of alcoholic liquor dealers who have procured wholesale licences, although the town has by an overwhelming majority voted no licence; that one wholesaler convicted of shebeening has applied for and secured another licence in his wife's name; and will he consider an alteration of the Law to prevent such occurrences?

I have received from the Commissioners of Customs and Excise details of a case which is probably that referred to in the question. The issue or withdrawal of wholesale excise licences is not a matter in which I have any powers. I cannot give any undertaking as to legislation to amend the licensing laws.

Are we to understand that it is now the policy of His Majesty's Government to agree that democratic decisions should be flouted by an oligarchy?

Do not the circumstances set forth in the question demonstrate the futility of local option, and will not the right hon. Gentleman consider steps to repeal it?

Is it possible to prevent drink being supplied in Scotland or anywhere else, without Prohibition?

asked the Secretary for Scotland the amount that has been expended in grants and relief towards the harbours, motor boats, etc., for the purpose of developing the fishing industry in Scotland in each of the years 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924?

As the answer to the question comprises a tabular statement of figures, I propose, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the particulars desired

(2) Loans to fishermen for the purchase of boats and motor engines:

No payments were made in other years covered by the question.

(3) Herring guarantee, 1920. Purchase of cured herrings:

Total expenditure by the Government, £1,281,562; proceeds of sale of herrings, £640,425; net expenditure by the Government, £641,137.

(4) Loans to fishermen for the purchase of drift nets:

The above figures represent the actual expenditure in the calendar years in question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will cause an inquiry to be made as to the possibility of securing a reduction in the price of nets and other gear supplied to the Scottish herring fishermen; and whether he is prepared to devote a proportion of the money granted by the last Parliament as a loan for these fishermen to this purpose:?

I do not at present consider that any good purpose would be served by an inquiry such as is suggested. I am not satisfied that the price of nets is excessive at the present time. The money granted by the last Parliament was for a scheme of loans to assist Scottish herring fishermen to purchase nets and gear, and I am not prepared to recommend that any of that money should be diverted into a subsidy for the purpose of reducing the price of nets and gear.

Is the right hon. gentleman aware that many of the fishermen at the present time cannot replace their gear owing to the high prices charged, also that the terms of the loan are such as to render it perfectly useless from a practical point of view, and does he not think that this money, which was granted to assist the fishermen, had better be used in some way so as to be of some benefit to the fishermen?

I am afraid I cannot reconsider the answer that I have given.

How much of this grant has been expended to date?

I think that will arise on a subsequent question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how much of the credit voted by Parliament for assisting fishermen to replace their lost and damaged gear has been used; whether it is proposed to continue it after the 31st March of this year; and whether he will waive the condition that the fishermen must themselves pay a proportion of the purchase price of the nets in cash?

Loans amounting t, £3,670 have been sanctioned for the purchase of herring drift nets. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the decision in the Court of Session, Edinburgh, of the 8th August last, in the action of suspension and interdict at the instance of the Etna Iron and Steel Company, Limited, v. Alexander Bryden, collector of parish council rates for the Parish of Dalziel, and where the Court decerned that under the 37th Section of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act, 1845, the complainer's works entered in the valuation roll at an annual rental of £1,396 were entitled to a deduction from the said rental of £4,653 13s. 6d., or, in other words, had no assessable value and were not liable to be rated for the support of the poor, education, and other charges leviable by the parish council of the parish, and of the Lord Ordinary's remarks, in giving the decision, to the effect that the conclusion to which he felt bound to come resulted in a reductio ad absurdum; and what steps he proposes to take to have this section of the Poor Law (Scotland) Act repealed or amended, so that the burden of Poor Law relief and charges for education may not be thrown back on the owners and occupiers of house property only?

My attention has been called to the case referred to, in which the conclusion of the Court was substantially as stated. The question of the repeal or amendment of Section 37 of the Act of 1845 will require to be considered in connection with any general measure of rating reform. I am hopeful that the present difficulty may be surmounted by negotiations following on My recent meeting with a deputation from the Association of Parish Councils.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what instructions have been given to fishery cruisers when a poaching trawler refuses to disclose its identity, seeing the cruiser is not allowed to take any steps which is liable to damage the trawler?

It would not be expedient in the public interest to publish instructions given to the fishery cruisers. As stated in my reply to my hon. and learned Friend on the 17th of this month, I am examining the problem of securing identification of trawlers which are detected trawling illegally.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the case of Trawler No. 7, which was photographed on both sides within 20 feet of the Fishery Cruiser "Vigilant," and then, when it was brought to trial, they brought a sufficient number of gentlemen to satisfy the Sheriff Substitute of an alibi, notwithstanding the photograph? Is there any way, short of giving the trawler a gun that will knock a bit of a hole in her, to enable this poaching to be stopped?

I am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers, and I am looking into the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has given consideration to the continuance of the prohibition to British trawlers to trawl in the Moray Firth while foreign fishermen are still permitted to trawl outside the 3-mile limit; if he is aware that the original reasons for the prohibition are no longer valid; and, under the circumstances, will he instruct that prompt measures be taken to remove this discrimination against British fishery interests?

The question of the continuance of the prohibition of British trawlers to trawl in the Moray Firth was considered by the recent Trawling (Scotland) Committee, which recommended that the prohibition should be maintained, but that measures should be taken to secure international recognition of the closure. The question of taking action on the Committee's recommendation is receiving my attention.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps the Government are now taking to have Lochboisdale pier reopened?

I regret that at the present time I can add nothing to the answers which I gave to the hon. Member on the 17th of this month.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I shall repeatedly raise this question in this House until he does something?

Are we to take it that the Secretary for Scotland and his Department will do nothing in a case where the people cannot leave the island or get on the island other than by this pier, which has been closed by the proprietor, and will the Government not take some action to build either a pier or a jetty, to enable the people to get on and off?

This is a privately-owned pier, and I have made certain offers, as I explained in a previous answer, to indemnify the proprietor against any damage to persons or property. That is as far as I have felt able to go.

In the meantime, is the Department not determined to take some action to protect these people from the arbitrary action of the proprietor closing this pier?

Will not the right hon. Gentleman take early into consideration the whole question of the piers in the Highlands, as it is impossible for the people to carry on life under the present circumstances?

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that there are at present 28 prisoners in His Majesty's prison at Peterhead who have been sent from the Northern Government of Ireland; and if he will take steps to have them transferred to their own country, in order that friends may be allowed the privilege granted to all prisoners of visitation?

Thirty-five prisoners are at present detained at Peterhead on behalf of the Government of Northern Ireland. Any question regarding the future disposal of these prisoners is a matter for the Government and Parliament of Northern Ireland.

Seeing that these prisoners are under his jurisdiction, and that all prisoners in Scotland are entitled to have visitors at certain periods, and that these prisoners are refused that privilege owing to the distance between Ireland and this prison, will the right hon. Gentleman consider having negotiations with a view to the transfer of these prisoners, and the right of visitation being granted to them?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of having these 35 prisoners drafted into the Special Constabulary in Northern Ireland?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care not to send prisoners out of British prisons into Ireland, for the last time we did it, it landed us into heavy damages?

Did not the reply of the right hon. Gentleman state that prisoners who are in Great Britain are not under the jurisdiction of this House and this Government, but only under that of Northern Ireland?

No. I said that any question with reference to these prisoners must be addressed to the Government of Northern Ireland.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman, in his official position, answerable to this House for prisons and the inmates of prisons in Scotland?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in the case of death happening to these prisoners, and they had a complaint to lodge—[ Laughter ]— I will say, in the event of anything happening in the way of bad treatment to those men, and they had a complaint, as every prisoner is entitled to have, to lodge against the Governor and afterwards to the Prison Commission, and if any hon. Member cared, after that, to raise it in this House, are we to assume that those prisoners in a Scotch prison, in the case of bad treatment, are not to have the right of having their grievances raised in the ordinary way?

That is a, very important question—so important that I think it should be put on the Order Paper.

I want to put this to you, Sir. I put down a definite question. The answer raises an entirely new point. With all due deference, the Secretary for Scotland has raised a question of urgent importance, upon which a pronouncement ought to be made at once.

That is the very reason why I am suggesting that a question on this point should be put down on the Order Paper, so that an answer, other than a supplementary answer, may be given.

I understand that there is one of these prisoners ill, and anything may happen between this and the date an answer is received. I think, on a question of urgency, it is the duty of Parliament to decide whether we have any control over those prisoners, and, in view of the answer, I want to raise the question now.

I am quite sure I am right. It is a matter of extreme importance. A formal question should be put down and a considered answer given. I recognise the importance of the matter.

May I have an answer to my question?

The hon. Member's question was on the same point, which has arisen since the question was put, and must appear on the Order Paper. I suggest that the hon. Member should put it down in order to get a proper answer.

On the real point of substance, did the right hon. Gentleman's reply amount to this, that he has got prisoners in Scottish prisons for whose treatment and control not he, but some other Government is responsible? That is the point I should like to have cleared up.

These are the prisoners sent to Scotland, and taken charge of during their term of sentence. I am responsible, no doubt, for their health and general management, but I have nothing to do with regard to the length of sentence, or anything of that kind.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared either to recommend the extension of the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, or, alternatively, to set up a separate Commission with a view to a comprehensive inquiry being made into all forms of social insurance, and into the possibilities of fuller co-ordination?

No, Sir, it is not proposed to extend the terms of reference of a Commission constituted to deal with the particular question of National Health Insurance. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to what I said in reply to questions on this subject on the 16th February last.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Secretary of State for India last Tuesday, in which he said that the British Note to France on the subject of their debt to us had not been received as it ought to have been, represents the views of the Government?

My Noble Friend's speech is quite inaccurately represented in the question. His answer was a general one, not dealing with France individually, or even particularly, but covering the reception of the Balfour proposal by all the allied and associated nations.

May I ask whether the last Note to France represents the final attempt of the Government to collect these debts, and, if not, when will some other steps be taken to convince France that the Government is in earnest that we want some of this money paid?

That is a most interesting point, but has nothing to do with this question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Italian Government has informed him what the obstacle is which prevents her from carrying out at once, instead of in the course of the next few months, her stated intention to initiate discussions with the British Government on the subject of her debt of £550,000,000 to this country?

I think it is natural that the Italian Government should require a reasonable time, after the recent discussion, to consider what proposals it should make.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to raise the status of the Secretary for Scotland to that of a Secretary of State?

I received a deputation on this subject yesterday from the Convention of Royal Burghs, and have promised that I will examine the question without delay.

In the meantime, can the Prime Minister give the House an assurance that he does, at any rate, consider that Scotland is worthy of a Secretary of State

asked the Prime Minister what action, if any, he proposes to take to amend the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1924?

I will answer this question when I answer Question No. 50 and other questions at the same time.

My question does not deal with the Old Age Pensions Act in any shape or form.

On a point of Order. When any Minister is called upon to answer a question, is he entitled t3 defer his reply to a later question? Is it not the custom of this House that when an answer is given to several questions, the Minister takes the first question called upon?

I hope we need not make a point of principle. Apparently, by an error, notice of this question had riot reached me from the Prime Minister's Office. If the hon. Member will put it clown again, I will give him an answer, although I think the question is covered by the answer to the other questions.

We accept your apology.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that under the Old Age Pensions Acts a pensioner after three months' treatment in an institution infirmary becomes disqualified for pension; and whether he is prepared to amend the Acts so as to remove this disqualification?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty's Government will amend the Old Age Pensions Acts in order to remove the disqualification of a pensioner in respect of the receipt of a pension after treatment in an institution infirmary for three months where such patient continues an inmate of such institution, and that such pension be paid to the guardians so long as the pensioner is chargeable?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider an amendment of the Old Age Pensions Act to remove the disqualification of a pensioner from the receipt of a pension after treatment in an institution for three months in the case where such patient continues as an inmate of the institution and to enable the pension to be paid to the guardians for so long as the pensioner is chargeable?

I will answer these questions and, if I may, No. 45, and I would refer the hon. Members to the answer given on the 12th February to similar questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Leicester South (Captain Waterhouse) and the hon. Member for the Bedwellty Division (Mr. C. Edwards).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the recent proposals were introduced by the previous Government, they were very strongly criticised by members of the Conservative party as inadequate, and as being a breach of pledges given by all parties?

That is a matter of argument.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that over 90,000 cases of alcoholic liquor were landed at St. John's, Newfoundland, during the two months following 12th November last, most of which was of British origin and destined for the American market; and will he take steps to control the ultimate destination of exports of whisky as a condition of granting the rebate of 3d. a gallon?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the nega- tive, I am not prepared to take the action suggested.

Do not the circumstances disclosed in the hon. Member's question demonstrate that prohibition in America is as futile as local option in Scotland?

rose ——

Prohibition seems in the air to-day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what position he takes as to the immediate or near acceptance of the gold standard; and if, before finally coming to a decision, he will give opportunities for traders and manufacturers to lay their views before him as also for the House of Commons to discuss the same?

I do not think it would be in the public interest for me to add at present to what I have already said on this subject.

Will facilities be given for the consideration of this matter before any definite action is taken?

I think, on the whole, the House will be well advised to leave the initiative in this difficult matter to the Government, and to reserve to itself all the rights and opportunities of criticism.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will institute legislation to enable the easier distribution to beneficiaries in small estates, especially in respect of cottage property, as by the terms of the Rent Restrictions Act the uncertainty of possession makes the sale of such property extremely difficult by executors?

It is not at present contemplated that the Rent Restriction Acts should be amended in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend, but my right hon. Friend will give the matter further consideration.

If I bring to the hon. Gentleman's notice details of the great difficulties which are arising at the present time, as a result of the tardiness of the distribution of these estates, will he take immediate action in respect of the matter?

I shall be very glad to consider any information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any progress is being made with regard to the plan for designing a new and more artistic set of reverses for the silver coins of the realm?

No change has been decided on, nor could any new design be introduced until after the issue of an Order-in-Council. It is the normal practice of the Mint to experiment with new designs from time to time, and these are submitted for consideration to a standing Committee which acts in an advisory capacity in connection with the artistic side of the work of the Mint.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether that form of words means that the question is to be taken into consideration or whether it is not? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer !"]

Apart from the point of the æstlietic and artistic value of the coins will the right hon. Gentleman consider having the portrait of himself in profile on the reverse side? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order !"]

In reply to the first supplementary question, I do not think I could clarify the words that have been read. It is the perfectly normal practice for the Mint to experiment in designs, and I have no doubt they will take all suggestions into consideration. Nothing has been decided upon up to the present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of gold imported into Great Britain from the United States in December and January, respectively; and, if there was any importation, who received the credit for this gold?

The amount imported in December was £2,623,103, and in January £1,328,301. Of these consignments £2,055,839 and £997,607 respectively were in transit. I have no information as to the last part of the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us where it is going in transit?

I have no information as to where it is going.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Income Tax received through quarterly assessments for the financial year ending 5th April, 1924, and the approximate cost of assessment and collection of such tax?

The approximate amount of Income Tax collected in the year 1923–24 from manual wage-earners assessed quarterly was £1,300,000. The cost of assessment and collection in the case of these taxpayers is necessarily high, and in the year in question it is estimated that it amounted to about one-third of the yield.