asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will cause to be erected at the Hartlepools breakwater a suitable foghorn, on account of the many vessels which have lately gone ashore endeavouring to enter the port at this point?

I have received no representations urging the establishment of a fog horn at this point, but the Hartlepool Port and Harbour Commissioners, who, as local lighthouse authority, are primarily concerned, have power to erect such a signal, with the approval of Trinity House, if they consider it necessary in the interests of navigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of trade placed in this country by the Dominions in the first half-year ending May, 1923, 1924 and 1925, and the amount of raw materials and manufactured imports, separately, sent by them into this country during the same period?

The answer contains in tabular form such particulars as I can give, and my hon. Friend will perhaps permit me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

— January-June, 1923.* January-June, 1924. January-March, 1925. £ £ £ Declared values of the exports of U.K. Produce and Manufactures consigned to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Union of South Africa and Newfoundland. 65,901,381 66,793,322 36,604,180 Declared values of the total imports of merchandise consigned from the same Dominions. 92,530,780 96,112,557 57,656,332 In the year 1923* the declared value of the total imports of merchandise from these Dominions was £162,823,867 of which £55,792,144 represented raw materials and articles mainly un-manufactured, and £11,625,805 represented articles wholly or mainly manufactured. * NOTE.—For January-March, 1923, these figures include the direct trade of the Irish Free State with the Dominions named in the table.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Ministry Regulations as applicable to the Liverpool Port Sanitary Hospital name the diseases for which seamen are required to be admitted to this hospital; and, if so, whether these particulars are available for public information?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Liverpool Port Sanitary Authority are required by official published Regulations to make provision for the isolation of any seaborne cases of cholera, yellow fever or plague which may arrive in the port, but my right hon. Friend is not aware of any Regulations preventing the authority from admitting cases of other diseases at their discretion to the Port Sanitary Hospital.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the original purposes for which the hospital was established are not being violated by having within the hospital diseases that are not in the schedule?

I think I must ask the hon. Member to put that question down.

Following is the answer:

I regret that the particulars asked for are not available, but perhaps the following information will be of service to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the death rate in the mercantile marine service during the past five years; and whether the figures refer to occupied and retired merchant seamen or to occupied merchant seamen only?

The percentage death rate among the first crews of the British merchant vessels which engaged in trading at some time during the years specified was: in 1919, 0.87; in 1920, 0.64; in 1921, 0.56; in 1922, 0.62; and in 1923, 0.59. These figures do not include retired merchant seamen; and later information is not at present available.

In view of the fact that these figures are not now published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," will the right hon. Gentleman consider resuming what was the practice until a few years ago?

Yes, Sir. I am afraid I was not aware of that, but I will have the suggestion brought to the attention of the Minister of Labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what means he has to propose for remedying the present depression in the iron and steel trades?

I have at present nothing to add to previous statements on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increasing unemployment in the heavy iron and steel trades, he will institute an inquiry into the effect on the price of steel of wayleaves and royalties on minerals entering into the production of iron and steel; and whether he will communicate the result of such inquiry to Parliament as early as possible?

No, Sir. Such an inquiry would be laborious, and I do not think it could possibly lead to any useful result. The burden of royalties cannot be a serious factor in the causes of the present depression in the iron and steel trades; and, in any case, it could not be removed without provision for compensation that would impose an equivalent burden.

Is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is estimated that these royalties amount to at least 10s. per ton of manufactured steel, and that this forms a very serious factor in our competition with Germany, where the royalties are nationalised and the amount is not more than 2 per cent., according to answers that have been given to questions in this House?

Is it not the case that four tons of coal are required to produce one ton of steel, and that the average royalty per ton of coal is 6d.?

I do not accept those figures as accurate, certainly not as regards the royalties on every ton of steel produced. If the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Miss Wilkinson) has any figures that she would like to lay before me, I shall be very glad to consider them.

Is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, owing to royalties and wayleaves, in Cumberland we had, when we were working ore, to work about 50 per cent. more shafts than we need have done, thus adding to the cost of fuel, because of this stupid system of wayleaves?

That has nothing to do with the question on the Paper.

Does not the Minister think, with such a conflict of opinion as to what the amounts are, it is desirable that we should have official information as to what the facts really are on this most important question to industries which are so terribly depressed?

I do not think it requires such an inquiry as is asked for.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the royalties are on ore as well as on coal?

Are not the Government seriously considering the question of the ascertainment of all these mining royalties?

This is becoming a Debate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether representations have been made to him urging the calling of an early conference of parties interested in the trade of the Tees to discuss how far work could be expedited for the relief of unemployment by the scheme proposed for increasing dock facilities at the mouth of the river Tees; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received representations from the Middlesbrough Chamber of Commerce urging the necessity of the Government initiating further public works for the unemployed, and particularly the construction of new docks for the lower reaches of the Tees; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have been asked to answer these questions.

I have received representations from the Middlesbrough Chamber of Commerce with regard to the desirability of constructing new docks in the lower reaches of the Tees. This is a matter which I have already discussed with representatives of the Tees Conservancy Commission and the London and North Eastern Railway Company. I understand that the whole question is at present under consideration by the Commissioners, and I should be quite ready to discuss the matter further with them if any points should arise on which I could be of assistance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the five local authorities are in favour of this scheme, with a view to preserving the Tees as a port in the future?

I believe that is so, but the Tees Conservancy Commissioners are the people with whom I primarily deal, and I am awaiting representations from them.

In view of the delay which has occurred in this matter, could not the Government see their way to taking the initiative and stirring up these local authorities, so that something may be done without waiting much longer?

The hon. Member informed me that the local authorities did not need stirring up.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable to increase our dock accommodation at a time when we are doing our best to decrease our imports?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the countries imposing duties on silk and artificial silk and which base those duties upon the domestic prices of those products in the country of origin?

Of the countries to which any substantial quantity of silk and artificial silk goods is exported from the United Kingdom, only the following, namely, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and the United States of America, levy on such goods, or some classes of them, ad valorem Customs duties based upon the value of the goods for home consumption in the country of origin. I should add that, in estimating the dutiable value on this basis, Australia, New Zealand and probably also South Africa, make allowance for any drawback of internal duty granted in the country of origin.

Does this mean that the United States will impose their duty on the value of the silk manufactured in this country, plus the Excise duty on it?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must take the answer which I have given. If he wants to put a further question, I shall be glad if he will put it down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of British and foreign artificial silk yarn, respectively, is used in the manufacture of cotton and woollen cloths in this country?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the respective quantities for home and foreign trade of the manufacture of cotton and woollen cloths containing silk or artificial silk?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Members is not available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already given us an estimate of the amount of revenue that he proposes to raise from this tax?

That does not seem to me to bear any relation to the Questions on the Paper.

If it is not possible to state how much of a dutiable article comes in, how can the Chancellor of the Exchequer tell us what the yield of the duty will be?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will consult with his hon. friends. That is not the question on the Paper. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is asking for a detailed analysis of a particular fraction of a particular section of a portion of the trade of the country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the new duties on silk and artificial silk, he has any information as to the employment of foreign capital in this country for the production of the same?

I have no special information on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has formed any estimate of the annual amount of drawback to which the Treasury will be liable under the Silk Duties?

It is not possible to estimate accurately the total amount of drawback that will be payable. But the estimates of revenue contained a margin in order to cover the drawbacks on such goods as well as other factors that could not be definitely measured.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the anxiety caused by instructions issued that claimants for repayment of over-paid Income Tax may be called upon to appear in person, he will institute some other process of identification, e.g., a sworn statement before a justice of the peace or some other person acceptable to him and his Department?

I would invite the attention of my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made on this subject in the course of the Debate on the Finance Bill in Committee and to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Guildford on Friday last. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the statement and of the reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount received by the Furness Railway Company and the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company from the light duties levied on ships loading and unloading in Barrow-in-Furness Harbour since 1894; whether the Board of Trade has at any time reduced the amount of such dues since 1897; and if he will consider their reduction in the interests of the port of Barrow?

I am informed by the Commissioners of the Port of Lancaster that the total amount paid to the railway company during the last 31 years is £17,593 12s. 2d. The dues have not been reduced since the passing of the Act, and the question of reducing them is now being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the present high price of rubber, it is intended to make any change in the rubber production restriction policy?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Penny) on the 7th May, to which I have nothing to add.

Are the British Government, through the Colonial Office or otherwise, in any way responsible for the restriction of the production of rubber in the British Empire?

Yes; for some time past there has been in operation what we call the Stevenson scheme, which has been carefully reviewed from time to time. It is not proposed to make any drastic or sudden alterations in what has been the settled policy for the last two or three years.

Is it not the case that the policy of restriction was definitely undertaken for the express purpose of increasing the price of rubber?

No, it was to prevent the destruction of a large number of rubber estates in Malaya, which otherwise would have become derelict and gone out of cultivation altogether, and to maintain them in existence so that production might, in the long run, be increased. Otherwise, the industry would have been destroyed at that particular moment.

Are we to take it that the instructions to these people in Malaya and to this Government, to restrict the production of rubber, come from Moscow?

Certainly not. The matter has been frequently discussed in this House. It was carried cut by the late Government as well as the previous Government, and has been the consistent policy all along, in order to maintain in existence a very important British rubber-producing industry in Malaya.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when was the last occasion on which the policy of restriction was reviewed by the Colonial Office?

Almost within the last few weeks or months. The Special Rubber Committee, which is concerned with the working of the Stevenson scheme, reviews the situation and gives consideration to it from time to time. It has been under consideration quite recently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give a return of the number of tons of coal that have been taken from mines in China and India and sent to markets formerly supplied with British coal during the last six months for which returns are available?

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

Following is the answer:

The latest information available regarding exports from China is for the year 1923. The Straits Settlements and Hong Kong are the only markets of any importance which took British coal before the War to which Chinese coal was exported in 1923. The exports of coal from Chinese ports to the Straits Settlements and Hong Kong were, respectively, 112,000 tons and 200,000 tons in 1913, and 35,000 tons and 308,000 tons in 1923. The exports of coal from the United Kingdom to these markets were, respectively, 30,000 tons and 52,000 tons in 1913, and 20,000 tons and 17,000 tons in 1923. As regards Indian coal, the only export market of any importance to-day is Ceylon, to which 425,000 tons were exported in the year 1913, and 124,000 tons in the six months ending April, 1925. The exports of coal to Ceylon from the United Kingdom during these periods were 240,000 tons and 65,000 tons.

( for Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY) asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what were the quantities and value of cinematograph films imported into Great Britain during last year, and what proportion of these films had been produced by British companies working abroad or overseas;

(2) what was the total length and value of British-produced cinematograph films, positive and negative, respectively, exported from this country during the first four months of this year; and what were the corresponding figures for the first four-months of 1924?

As the replies contain tables of figures, I propose, with the permission of the hon. and gallant Member, to have them circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the replies:

The quantities and values of cinematograph film imported into the United. Kingdom during 1924 were as follows: Linear feet. £ Blank film 71,500,000 230,000 Positive film 36,500,000 246,000 Negative film 6,700,000 683,000

During the first seven months of the year, when the duties were in force, 85,000 feet of negative film were imported at reduced rates of duty as being the product of British producers domiciled in the United Kingdom. The total quantity of negative film imported during that period was 3,660,000 feet. No particulars distinguishing film produced by British companies are available for the remainder of the year.

The quantities and declared values of positive and negative cinematograph films (United Kingdom manufacture), registered as exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the first four months of 1924 and the correspond

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the recent incident in which a soldier belonging to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was compelled to discard his uniform by the Civic Guard of the Irish Free State when he crossed the border of Northern Ireland to the Irish Free State; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a young recruit of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers stationed at their depot at Omagh, who went in uniform to Bundoran in the Irish Free State, was arrested by the Civic Guard because he wore the uniform of the British Army; and whether any representations have been made to the Irish Free State authorities in the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a young soldier of the 4th battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was arrested by the Civic Guard of the Irish Free State in Bundoran, where he had gone in uniform with some members of his family; if he is aware that this soldier was informed by the police that he had committed an offence by entering the Free State in British military uniform; that his military cap and tunic were taken from him; that he was provided with a civilian cap and coat; and that his uniform was handed back to him when he left to return to Northern Ireland; if wearing British military uniform is prohibited by authority in the Irish Free State; and what action he proposes to take in regard to this incident?

This

ing period of the current year were as follows:

incident has been greatly misrepresented. The soldier was not arrested for wearing the uniform of the British Army, nor was he compelled to discard his uniform. The facts are that the soldier, who was a recruit on leave from the depot of his regiment, had gone in uniform with a party of excursionists from Enniskillen to Bundoran, where it was noticed by the Civic Guard that he was being followed by a rowdy element in the crowd and was is danger of being molested. He was, accordingly, asked to go to the barracks of the Civic Guard, where he was advised to remain for his own safety until his return train left for Enniskillen, but at his father's suggestion he was allowed to put on civilian clothes and return to the town. I am informed that there is no law or Regulation in force in the Irish Free State forbidding the wearing of uniform by members of His Majesty's forces; but it is still considered advisable by the British military authorities in Ireland that soldiers should not wear their uniform while on leave in the Irish Free State.

If that is a misrepresentation, what is an untruth?

Is there any other part of the British Empire where the War Office consider it inadvisable for British soldiers to wear the King's uniform?

I think there is no other part.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many gardeners or caretakers of British nationality are employed in France and Belgium tending the graves of British soldiers; how many of those so employed have their wives and children with them; how many of the children are under 14 years of age; and what educational facilities are provided for such children?

The number of gardeners and caretakers employed in France and Belguim under the Imperial War Graves Commission at the present time is approximately 940, of whom 483 have their wives and children with them. 557 of the children are under 14 years of age, and they are admitted both in France and Belgium to the local State schools or to the schools conducted by the Church, at either of which an exceedingly good general education is given

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a workman employed in the Royal Army Clothing Department, and held by the Tailors' and Garment Workers' Trade Union to be a stock cutter in the sense of the definition of the trade board, is in receipt of a weekly wage of 51s., whereas the wage fixed for stock cutters by the trade board is 69s.; that men in the Royal Army Clothing Department, held by the trade union to be engaged in work which entitles them to rank as warehousemen and receive the minimum rate of wages for that grade, are classified by the Department as box porters and paid the minimum rate applicable to labourers; that stock cutters employed by the Department do not receive the special additional payment of 4s. weekly which all manufacturers of military clothing in the London area pay to men of this grade; and that employés of the Department in question do not receive wages for an annual week's holiday, as do the employés of the other manufacturers of military clothing in the London area; and whether, in order to allay discontent, he will refer the questions at issue to the Wholesale Tailoring Trade Board, the Industrial Court, or some other competent authority for settlement?

I am informed that there is a case of a workman employed at the Royal Army Clothing Department paid at 56s. a week, not 51s. as stated, on whose behalf it is claimed that he should be paid as a stock cutter. Both this case and that of the box porters referred to in the second part of the question have been considered, and the War Office have no reason to think that the men concerned are in receipt of less favourable wages than would be paid for similar duties by outside firms. The box porters are paid a shilling above the minimum, and not as stated in the question. The War Office are prepared to submit to the Trade Board an agreed definition of their duties in order to satisfy the trade union as to whether the men in question are correctly graded, but it has not yet been possible to secure the agreement of the trade union to the definition of duties. With regard to the third part of the question, the 4s. has now been paid to the stock and measure cutters entitled to it. With regard to the fourth part, the Government found it necessary to refuse an application for paid leave for Government industrial employés generally so recently as last March, and an exception could not well be made in the case of the Royal Army Clothing Department. With regard to the fifth part, as all the points at issue are either under discussion or decided, I see no reason for the procedure suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the instructions in regard to vaccination, under which medical officers on duty with troops in India were required to satisfy themselves once in each year that every man, woman and child under their care was sufficiently protected by vaccination, are still in force; and, if so, what explanation have the Army medical authorities to make in regard to the cases of small-pox amongst British troops in India during the years 1920, 1921 and 1922, which are stated to have been vaccinated, or to have been vaccinated unsuccessfully, as recorded in the annual Reports of the Public Health Commissioner with the Government of India for the years in question?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the current Regulation, which shows that the instructions apply only in regard to persons who consent to be vaccinated. As regards the second part, I have no detailed information beyond that contained in the Reports referred to, which is supplied to the Public Health Commissioner by the Army Medical authorities.

Can the Noble Lord assure the House that nothing will be done to deprive our men, women and children of this protection?

I have not the slightest intention of altering the Regulation in any way.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House what officers of His Majesty's Regular Army and of the auxiliary forces have the right to retain and use their Army rank when no longer serving; and what steps are taken to prevent the improper use of military titles by those who have no longer the right to them?

Under the Regulations, only retired officers of the Regular Army and officers retiring from the auxiliary forces with 15 years' commissioned service have the privilege of retaining their rank. There are special rules for the retention of rank held during the great War, which are contained in Army Order 376 of 1918. It is not in itself a legal offence for an officer to call himself by a military title after he has ceased to have a right to it by the rules and custom of the Service, and I have no power to prevent it. It is a question of honour and good taste.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that the principal water reservoir on the Eglinton estate, Skelmorlie, burst on 18th April; that, as a result, five persons were drowned; and that the estate has been in receipt of an annual income of £600 in water rates from feuars on the estate for the maintenance of the reservoir and water supply; and whether steps have been taken to repair the reservoir so as to secure an adequate water supply for the people of the district?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I have no knowledge, since the water supply in question is purely a private one. In connection with the last part of the question, I may say that remedial steps were immediately taken, and completed four days after the accident, with the result that a temporary water supply has been available since that time. As to the question of the permanent supply, I am informed that the local authority are pressing the proprietors to execute the necessary repairs, and that the proprietors are obtaining a report from an engineer on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the offence alleged to have been committed by the two constables in Kilmarnock for which they were dismissed by the Chief Constable; what was the record of these men when in the force; what positions these men held in the local branch of the Scottish Police Federation; and whether, in view of the indignation which their dismissal has created among all sections of the citizens of Kilmarnock, he will hold a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the case?

I am informed by the Chief Constable that one constable was dismissed for insubordination and disobedience to lawful orders, and the other for a breach of discipline in soliciting subscriptions to pay a fine imposed on the first-mentioned constable. The records of both men were unsatisfactory, one having been previously fined for neglect of duty, and the other having been repeatedly cautioned for misconduct. One was chairman and the other secretary of the Kilmarnock Constables' Branch Board of the Scottish Police Federation. I have no authority to review the decisions of a Chief Constable in dealing with offences against discipline. The answer to the last part of the question is therefore in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the first part of my question—"whether he will state the offence?" Does he think merely stating insubordination, without stating what was the act of insubordination, is a sufficient answer to the question?

Yes, Sir. Matters of discipline are matters that concern the Chief Constable alone.

Are we to take it that, under the police regulations, a Chief Constable can himself state what constitutes insubordination? Is he to be in the position of becoming a tyrant and the sole judge as to what is insubordination? Will you have an inquiry? That is what the people of Kilmarnock want?

No, Sir. I see no reason for holding an inquiry into a matter in which I have no jurisdiction.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made inquiry to ascertain whether the usual procedure for inquiring into disciplinary offences was observed by the Chief Constable in this case? Were the constables, in fact, supplied with information as to the offences with which they were charged? Was the usual procedure adopted, and is there a strong feeling in the force that holding a position in the local police federation is regarded unfavourably by the Chief Constable?

No, Sir. I called for a report from the Chief Constable, and I am satisfied that every necessary proper legal step was taken by him in making this examination.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the offer of the Government to accept liability for any damage to persons or property if the proprietrix would agree to the re-opening of Lochboisdale Pier is still open; and whether the owner of the pier gives any good reason for refusing the offer?

The Government are still prepared to give such a guarantee against liability in respect of the eastern part of the pier if there is reason to believe that that course would secure its re-opening. The owner's reasons for refusing the previous offer of a guarantee were indicated in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 18th December, and in the previous answer to which I then referred.

In view of the great loss which the people of that island are now sustaining through the closing of this pier, will the right hon. Gentle- man say now what steps they can take in order to get a reduction of their rents?

I am aware of the great inconvenience caused to the inhabitants of this district, and I still hope that some accommodation in regard to the opening of the pier may yet be reached.

May I have an answer to my question, as to what steps the people can take to have the rents of their holdings reduced, in order to make up for the loss caused by the closing of the pier by the owner?

That is not a matter which arises out of the original question, nor is it one which is relevant to that question.

Are the Government unwilling to help these people to get the pier re-opened?

I have indicated that the Government are prepared to renew the offer they previously made, and are making full investigations.

This means that the Government are helpless in the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will arrange for the publication of the evidence submitted to the Rent Commission which recently sat in Scotland; and whether he intends to introduce legislation at an early date on the lines of the Report of the Committee?

On account of the expense involved I am not prepared to arrange for the printing of the evidence given before the Committee referred to, which amounts to some 500,000 words. I am, however, prepared to place a typewritten copy of the evidence in the Library which, I trust, will serve the purposes of hon. Members interested. The question of introducing legislation is at present under the consideration of the Government.

In view of the mass of evidence submitted, and in order that Members of this House may have the evidence before them, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter? Surely Scotland is entitled to have some money spent upon it.

I am very anxious to meet any reasonable request of hon. Members of this House; but I would point out that the cost of printing this would be far beyond any benefit that, so for as I can see, would be derived. I will place a copy in the Library, and it will be available for hon. Members.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in addition to the interest of Members of this House, there is a very wide public interest in the matter, and that it has been anticipated all along that the Report would be fully published and be available for public information? Will he consider that there might be a possible revenue to meet the cost?

I have examined the question of cost. To print 250 copies would cost over £500, and the selling price would be over £3 per copy. I do not believe that the demand for it would in any way recoup us for the cost of printing.

Considering the many statements which have appeared in the Press affecting the good faith of the tenants of Clydebank, should not the public have the right to know what are the actual facts, as revealed by this rent inquiry?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication when he will be able to tell us what steps the Government are going to take in connection with legislation on this subject?

I hope very shortly to be able to make an announcement.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many coal mines have been totally closed since 1st November, 1924; at how many mines 50 or more persons, normally employed, have received notice to cease work since that date; and in how many cases mines are totally or partially under notice at the present time?

361 coal mines, normally employing 71,700 wage-earners, have been closed since 1st November, 1924, and not reopened, while 122, at present employing 12,900 wage-earners, have been opened or re- opened. I regret that I have not the information asked for in the second and third parts of the question; but the total net reduction in numbers employed during the period is 67,100.

Can the hon. Member say whether his Department or the Government have any policy whatever for dealing with the serious position in the mining industry which is growing daily?

There is a question to be asked later on that subject.

Why is it impossible for the Department to supply the information asked for in the question? It is quite simple.

We have not got it.

Will the hon. and gallant Member undertake to get it?

I will try to get it.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the danger to the national mineral resources involved by the widespread closing down of collieries at the present time, and in view of the fact that certain of these collieries have shown profits at the last ascertainment, and that in many cases profits have been made on bye-products, he will institute a public inquiry into all the circumstances of the closing down with the object of formulating a Government policy which will stop the destruction of our mineral resources by the closing down of temporarily unprofitable pits?

I do not know what evidence the hon. Member can have for his statement that collieries now closed showed profits at the last ascertainment. I cannot believe that any colliery owners would willingly face the heavy loss of closing down unless keeping open meant an even greater loss, and no inquiry could produce more convincing proof that a pit is unprofitable than the fact of its being closed. The only way in which the Government could keep open such a pit would be by a subsidy. That is not a course which the Government would be justified in asking the taxpayer to undertake.

Can the hon. and gallant Member tell me how many of the proprietors have gone into bankruptcy?

Not without notice.

Does the hon. and gallant Member not think that a public inquiry ought to be made, in view of the fact that so many mines have been closed, according to the information given by the Mines Department recently?

Does the hon. and gallant Member not realise that although these mines in many cases may be closed because they are unprofitable for the moment, owing to the tendency of collieries which are closed becoming waterlogged and that the coal reserves themselves may be destroyed, it is in the national interest of the greatest importance that they should not be closed down, but kept in such a condition that they may be reopened at any time when trade improves?

It is obvious that such facts must be present to the minds of the owners, who have spent very large sums of money in sinking the mines and are, therefore, loath to lose them.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that there is a very strong impression in mining circles among the miners that all these pits are not closed down because they are paying at the moment, but that it is part of the economic pressure that is being put upon the men?

asked the Secretary for Mines the daily output of coal per man working in this country now; what it was in pre-War days; and what it is for the corresponding periods in Belgium and France?

The output per manshift in Great Britain was 20¼ cwts. in June, 1914, and 18 cwts. in the first quarter of 1925. In France it was 13¾ cwts. in 1913 and 11 cwts. in 1924. In Belgium it was 10½ cwts. in 1913 and 9¼ cwts. in the first quarter of 1925.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say how the average is arrived at? Is it calculated on the men actually engaged at the face, or does the estimate include all the workers about the mine, including the surface men?

That question had better be put down on the Paper.

Are the same number of hours per week calculated?

The answer refers to the output per manshift. As the hon. Member knows, the hours are different.

Is it not a fact that the average hours on the Continent, in France, Belgium and Germany, are nearly two hours per shift more than here?

I am not sure whether the figure is two hours, but, certainly, the hours are longer.

Is he aware that the mines in France and Belgium are more scientifically equipped than the British mines for output, and in spite of the fact that we are not up-to-date in the scientific getting of coal we compare very favourably in output with these Continental mines?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered any proposal to construct an underground road from Berkeley Square to the Mall, or to construct any underground road scheme in any other part of London; and, if so, what is the nature of the proposal and his conclusion, if any, with regard to it?

The suggested subway for road vehicles between Berkeley Square and the Mall is still under consideration by the London Traffic Advisory Committee, but I understand they consider that, on traffic grounds, other important schemes which they now have under consideration should take priority. They do not, therefore, propose to report on the Berkeley Square subway until they have dealt with these other schemes, which they consider of greater urgency. I am not at present considering any definite proposals for the construction of any other underground roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the practice carried out elsewhere as to leaving roads in a rough condition at points of danger, or, alternatively, of creating depressions in the surface at such points to secure reduction of speed; and whether he proposes to experiment in this direction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the second part in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the condition of the road surface of Bridge Street, Westminster, abutting on Palace Yard; and if he will state the material used in surfacing this portion of the street, and the date that the work was carried out?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The surface generally is in fair condition, though minor repairs are required in a few places. The material is asphalte on concrete, and the work was carried out in 1917 and 1918

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of bitument was included in the mixture?

I cannot carry my memory back to 1918.

asked the Minister of Transport whether research is bringing forth any new material to render the surface of the new trunk roads less dangerous after a shower of rain?

I have every reason to hope that the process of surface dressing and gritting which is being applied to slippery road surfaces will effect the desired purpose. Should the Roads Improvement Bill become law, it is my intention to pursue further experiments.

Seeing that we have now the very best roads in the world, will the right hon. Gentleman expedite the removal of the only remaining defect, the slipperiness of the trunk roads which are being provided.

We are doing that.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that the school-leaving age is 14, he will take steps to make it obligatory on the railway companies of Britain to convey children at half fares until they reach the age of 14?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply, of which I am sending him a copy, to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Southwark on the 9th March last.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interest of all other road-users and the roads themselves, he will put a limit to the weight of the destructive heavy metal-wheeled steam-propelled traction engines which break up and injure the surface of the roads?

The weights of road locomotives are limited to the maxima laid down in paragraph 34 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1924, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the danger to Members of this House and other pedestrians crossing from the Abbey to the Palace of Westminster due to the excessive speed of motor traffic through Old Palace Yard; and if he will issue Regulations for a speed limit through these precincts of the House?

I am informed that, mainly owing to the close police supervision of traffic in the precincts of this House, the danger to pedestrians is negligible. As regards the suggestion that a speed limit be imposed, I am of opinion that the traffic conditions in this neighbourhood render it unnecessary, and that the enforcement of a speed limit might in fact aggravate the existing traffic congestion without adding to the safety of pedestrians.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he intends to introduce legislation to ensure that persons or companies intending to operate mechanical road vehicles to carry pas- sengers shall prove to the satisfaction of a competent licensing authority that not only will the vehicles be of sufficient strength and design to ensure reasonable safety on any ordinary road with gradients, which are not abnormal, but that in the event of an accident the company or individual shall have sufficient capital to pay for damages to passengers or property?

I have now under consideration the desirability of promoting legislation which would cover the two points raised in my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents to mechanical road vehicles, licensed to carry passengers, have been reported to his Department from the 1st January to the 1st June, 1925, and how does this compare with 1924; how many passengers were injured in these accidents and how many were killed or died of their injuries; and what proportion of these accidents happened in the Metropolitan area, these figures in every case to exclude persons killed or injured who were not passengers in the vehicles involved in these accidents?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that I am not able to give the information specified. I have no later figures for the country generally than those published in the Return of Accidents for 1924, which shows the street accidents in each police district. I will send the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the recent char-a-banc accident at Castle Hill, Dover, in connection with which two deaths have occurred; whether he is aware that the jury expressed an opinion that the state of the road was a contributory cause of the accident; and whether he will cause immediate inquiry in order to effect the necessary road improvements?

The answers to the first and second parts of the question are in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I am awaiting a report from one of my officers whom I instructed to investigate the road conditions.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the many motor omnibus and char-a-banc accidents taking place throughout the country, whether he proposes to introduce legislation during the present Session giving local authorities powers of inspection of these vehicles?

I am now considering the recommendations made in the First Interim Report of the Departmental Committee on the Licensing and Regulation of Public Service Vehicles with a view to introducing legislation as indicated in the Gracious Speech from the Throne, but I am unable at this stage, to give the hon. Member information regarding either the precise terms of the proposed Measure or the date on which it will be possible to introduce the Bill.

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate whether it will be in this Session or the Autumn?

That question would be appropriately addressed to my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give county and rural district road authorities powers to close any of their unclassified roads which get no grant from Government road funds against heavy motor traffic without having first to obtain permission from the Ministry of Transport, with a view to saving waste of ratepayers' money on roads that have no proper foundation for lorries over three tons weight?

I am not disposed to introduce legislation to alter the existing law relating to the closing of highways to certain classes of traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of his offer to make grants in certain cases up to 50 per cent, of the cost of work necessary for reconditioning and making fit for heavy motor traffic important district roads which are neither in Class I nor II, he can state what applications he has received in connection therewith; and what grants have hitherto been made?

To tabulate the information sought by the hon. and gallant Member in the first part of his question would involve a great amount of labour, and I trust therefore that he will not press for it. With regard to the last part, I would state that up to 31st March, 1925, grants amounting to £1,508,193 (£1,426,878 England and Wales and £81,315 Scotland) had been made or offered in respect of works on roads not scheduled in Class I or II.

In view of the large numbers who are out of work, would not this be a reasonable opportunity of giving general employment?

I do not agree with the principle of having work done simply for the sake of having it done.

asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government propose to take to deal with the serious increase in unemployment?

This is not a matter which can be dealt with by question and answer. A full statement, however, will be made of the Government's proposals when the Ministry of Labour Vote is taken.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman remember that no question of legislation can be discussed on such a Vote; and does not the alarming increase in the number of unemployed during the past fortnight justify us in expecting from him some statement as to what steps are being considered by the Government?

The whole question demands a Debate in this House and you shall have it.

In view of the seriousness of the situation, will the Government give us a day next week for a Vote of Censure on the subject?

That must be asked for through usual channels.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to pass into law before the House rises for the autumn Adjournment the Legitimacy Bill brought down from the House of Lords last month?

In the present state of public business I cannot give any definite undertaking in regard to this Bill.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say anything as to what may happen after the Adjournment for the Autumn?

I think, perhaps, that that question can be put down again.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the national importance of the matter, he can see his way clear to give the House an opportunity of directing that maternity centres provided at the cost of public funds should be free to give information on birth control to such married women as may desire it?

In the present state of public business it will be impossible to find time for this, unless an opportunity should arise on the Estimates of the Ministry of Health.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very general desire in all parts of the House that this question should be discussed at an early date. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]

Is the Prime Minister aware that this is a most controversial subject?

The matter cannot now be debated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received by His Majesty's Government from Germany as reparation payments; the cost of the Army of Occupation; the number and amount of claims paid out of the £5,000,000 fund in respect of loss or damage by enemy action; and similar information with respect to the supplementary £300,000 fund?

The amount of reparation payments received by the United Kingdom (apart from payments for cost of occupation, etc.) is approximately £20,000,000; the cost of the British Army of Occupation in the six years since the Armistice has been about £59,000,000, practically all in the earlier years; up to the present date £4,576,057 has been paid out of the £5,000,000 grant in respect of 44,961 claims and £264,128 out of the £300,000 in respect of 23,105 claims.

Are the Government prepared to consider the question of the disposal of the surplus, approximately £350,000?

If there is any saving it would, in the normal course, revert to the Exchequer, but the money has been assigned to a particular purpose, and we must carefully consider its future destination.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he anticipates that the first £10,000,000 of reduction in the Supply Services will take effect in respect of the Estimates for the current year?