asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to give effect to the Buy British Goods Campaign?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what have been the concrete results of the Ministerial appeal to buy British goods?

A large number of local authorities have expressed their intention of supporting the proposal to hold a British Shopping Week before Christmas, and I have heard that at Glasgow and Birmingham, among other places, a British Shopping Week will be held during the next three weeks. It is obviously impossible to state what the concrete results will be, but I have every reason to hope that a considerable impetus will be given to British trade.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether any notification has been sent to Government Departments who are continually buying American and German goods?

Yes. I do not think the statement about habitually buying German and American goods is altogether accurate. At any rate, it is not accurate as regards the present Government since it came into office, because the Government Departments have been most strongly pressed on this question from time to time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, when the last contract was made for upholstering the benches of the House of Lords, foreign materials were used?

Would it not be better to have a census prepared as to the extent to which foreign goods are used?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the instruments used by the Post Office to stamp the words "Buy British Goods" on letters were manufactured abroad?

I am aware of that, because no such instrument could be procured in this country.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that the switchboards supplied to the Post Office have been supplied from Germany?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many foreign firms have established works in this country since the beginning of July for the purpose of manufacturing articles protected by the reimposed McKenna Duties and the Safeguarding of Industries Act: and if he can give any indication of the numbers of persons to whom employment is being or will be given?

I presume my hon. Friend has in mind the reimposed McKenna Duties and the Lace and Silk Duties. I have seen newspaper reports regarding the establishment or proposed establishment in this country by foreign interests of silk and artificial silk under- takings, and the opening of a new works by a foreign motor manufacturer, but the period since the passing of the Finance Act has obviously been too short for any such schemes to become effective, and I am not able to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of manufacturers of garments have had to close down on account of these duties.

No. My information is exactly the opposite.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether duty is still chargeable on oxalic acid imported into this country from foreign sources; and whether this commodity is being manufactured in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I understand that two separate proposals for the manufacture of the product named are under examination, but so far as I know it is not at present being made here.

Is it not a fact that four years have elapsed, and the result desired has not been achieved?

The result achieved is that thousands of articles not formerly manufactured in this country are now manufactured.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I got the same answer a year age?

I told the hon. Member the truth on both occasions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to introduce a new Bankruptcy Bill?

I hope that it will be possible to introduce a Bill next Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a committee has been appointed to investigate the question of directional wireless; and, if so, when will their Report be issued?

A Committee was appointed on the 8th July last to

"advise the Board of Trade regarding the development in the United Kingdom of the service of wireless direction finding stations wireless beacons and similar aids to navigation, and the location and types of such stations to be maintained."

The Committee, which consists of representatives of the Departments concerned and of the shipping industry, is a Standing Advisory Committee dealing with concrete cases, and its conclusions or reports would not ordinarily be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a differentiation is made between compensation to the owners of vessels and the members of the crew in cases where the vessels were seized by the German Government on the outbreak of war?

The economic clauses of the Treaty of Versailles, which enable individuals to claim compensation from the German Government relate only to certain classes of damage to property, and the Mixed Arbitral Tribunals have repeatedly held that injury to the person, whether arising from internment or otherwise, will not support claims under these clauses. Payments in respect of such claims have been made in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission out of the funds provided by Parliament. Claims arising from acts committed by the German Government or German authorities between the 31st July, 1914, and the outbreak of the War, which include the claims by seamen referred to in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Pontefract on the 17th instant, are expressly provided for under the economic clauses of the Treaty, and have been submitted to an arbitrator appointed adhoc. Similar principles to those stated above regarding damage to property and injury to the person have been applied by such arbitrator in the assessment of these claims.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean, in short, that it is much easier to get compensation for loss of property than it is for seamen to get compensation for the damage they have suffered?

Had I given a short answer I could not have supplied the information for which the hon. and gallant Gentleman asked. The answer means that we are carrying out. as we are bound to do, the terms of the Treaty.

That means that the seamen come second to the owners of ships.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with payment by Germany of property rights and interest claims, a large sum has accrued, or will accrue, to the Treasury in connection with shipping losses and loss of shipping profits; what is the Government estimate of sums received under this head; and whether he is prepared to allocate from the receipts in question an additional sum from which further payments can be made to seamen whose claims for damage by enemy action have not yet been satisfactorily met?

In certain cases the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal has awarded compensation under Article 297 (e) of the Treaty of Versailles to owners of ships detained by the German Government at the outbreak of war. These ships having been insured under the War Risks Insurance scheme, part of the awards received have accrued to His Majesty's Government, which participated to the extent of 80 per cent. in war risks insurance. No close estimate can yet be made of the amount of such receipts, but they will be in the neighbourhood of £500,000. Such receipts are payable to the Exchequer as Vote of Credit assets, and are not available for payments in respect of claims for damage by enemy action. Moreover, as has been repeatedly stated, the amounts already allocated from the Exchequer to the latter claims must be regarded as final.

Is it a fact that large sums have accrued to the Treasury in connection with shipping losses and loss of shipping profits, and that there is therefore a case for asking for further grants for people who have suffered from enemy damage?

I am afraid that it is quite impossible again to go into the question of enemy damage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for an annual report to be issued regarding the health of merchant seamen, giving a scientific analysis of diseases in the statistics published in the Return of the Shipping Casualties to and Deaths on Vessels Registered in the United Kingdom: give information as to the total number of men serving amongst whom the deaths occurred; and, in view of the apparent absence of medical advisers in the Department, will he consider whether the health of seamen is a responsibility which might with advantage be transferred to the Ministry of Health?

I will consider whether the statistics for which the hon. Member now asks can be prepared, but I would call his attention to the replies given him on 3rd March last, of which I am sending him copies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statistics now published as to the health of seamen afloat sailing under the British flag in no way reflect the actual conditions?

On the 3rd March, when I answered the hon. Member last, I said that if he would send me particulars I would consider them.

I did.

I will inquire further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the life-saving appliances on the vessels of the Northern Lights Commissioners are surveyed by Board of Trade surveyors; if those vessels are exempt from carrying lifeboats; and if it is intended to fit them with wireless installations?

The life-saving appliances on the tenders of the Northern Lights Commissioners are not regularly inspected by Board of Trade surveyors. The tenders are not specifically exempted from the life-saving appliances rules, and, while they do not comply exactly with those rules, they carry more boat accommodation than is required by the rules, although of a different character. The tenders, being under 1,600 tons gross, are not required to be fitted with wireless.

Is it not the fact that the vessels of Trinity House do carry life-boats and have wireless, and is it not desirable that, in the case of these vessels of the Northern Lights Commissioners, which have more exposed voyages, the life-saving appliances should be equally as good as those of the Trinity House vessels?

I could not answer the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question without notice. I think the practice of the Board of Trade under successive Governments has been that they have not seen any reason to interfere with the competence and powers of Trinity House and of the Commissioners.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to look into the question of the life-saving appliances in these vessels, and their inspection?

Of course, I paid the hon. Member the compliment of looking into it when he put down a question, and the answer T have just given him is the result of researches extending back for a number of years.

You should go forward, and not backward.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the latest position in regard to labour in Australia and elsewhere due to the shipping strike; and whether he has received any estimate of the total losses incurred by British shipping companies owing to the strike?

I have no information to add to the reports which have appeared in the Press as to the position of the shipping strike in Australia and elsewhere. I have received no estimate of the total losses incurred by British shipping companies owing to the strike.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the present method of basing the cost of living on wholesale prices is reliable; and, if not, whether he will be prepared to consider the alteration of the method to basing the cost of living upon retail prices?

I have boon asked to reply. The official statistics relating to changes in the cost of living are based on retail prices. The Board of Trade index number of wholesale prices is a different compilation. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a reprint from the "Ministry of Labour" Gazette for July, 1923, explanatory of the method of compiling the cost of living index number.

The question I asked is about the Board of Trade method of compiling the figures which the Parliamentary Secretary has admitted are based on wholesale prices. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] The Ministry of Labour figures are based upon retail prices, but the Board of Trade figures are based on wholesale prices. I am asking if the President of the Board of Trade is satisfied that the method adopted by the Board of Trade in fixing the cost of living by the wholesale prices is satisfactory?

I am satisfied that the Board of Trade figure based on the wholesale prices is as nearly accurate as any figure can be.

Is there any intention of introducing a new method of estimating the cost of living?

That question was dealt with by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, who replied that the cost of living is necessarily based on the retail prices. But it is also very important that the wholesale prices should be dealt with (and they are dealt with by the Board of Trade) in comparison with the figures of the "Economist," the "Times," the "Statist," and others. I think economists are generally agreed that the figures are as accurate as they can be.

May I ask whether there would not be obvious advantages in having the retail and the wholesale prices made out by the same department?

We cannot argue that now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the sale of the Government shares in the British Dyestuffs Corporation to that company gave that company a free hand to make what arrangements they chose with the German combine, even though those arrangements involved the restriction of production in this country and the enhancement of prices, or whether it was made a condition of the sale that any such agreement should be published and should be subject to the approval of this House and that the obstacles in the way of the importation of foreign dyes should be continued if the agreement based on it was found to injure the dyeing industry?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before disposing of Government shares in the British Dyestuffs Corporation, the House will have an opportunity to discuss the proposal and express its opinion thereon?

I would refer the hon. Members to the answers which I gave yesterday. I have consulted the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to whether any Papers could usefully be laid, as suggested by the Leader of the Opposition. Before coining to a decision, the matter was very fully considered by the Committee of Civil Research and the Cabinet; but it would of course be contrary to all precedent to lay Papers with regard to these deliberations. The Treasury will, however, prepare a White Paper setting out the letter written to the company, the substance of which I gave in my answer yesterday, the reply of the company, and the reconstruction proposals which the company have submitted to the shareholders.

Will there be any restriction on the profits of the new company and of the dividends paid to the shareholders; and, if not, will there be any relaxation in the regulations as to the importation of dyes from abroad?

No, Sir. The company will be in exactly the same position in regard to its dividends as any other dyestuffs company or industry.

Has this company not had the advantage of having Government money behind it?

No. It has hitherto had the considerable disadvantage of having to suffer from Government interference.

Is it not the case that this particular firm have had the advantage of Government money to pursue research work?

That would be a very incomplete and inaccurate statement of the facts.

Have the dye-users made any representations in connection with this question?

I have received representations of one kind and another from a very large number of people. If the right hon. and gallant Member wants further information, he had better ask me a specific question.

Have any arrangements been made with the German combine?

No arrangements of any sort or kind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will invite the Food Council to consider whether the compulsory wrapping of bread would have any effect in the ultimate cost, to the consumer, of bread and, if so, what, and whether its universal introduction might, in practice, result in the abolition of night baking?

The Night Baking Committee of the Royal Commission on Food Prices reported last April that if the wrapping of bread became universal, the cost must ultimately be reflected in the price of the loaf, but I am unable to give an estimate of the increase in price, or to anticipate what, if any, effect it might have on night baking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total ascertained cost to date of inquiries which have been, or are being, conducted under the Government's Safeguarding of Industry proposals; what is the total estimated cost of such inquiries for the financial year 1925–26; and whether it will be necessary to submit Supplementary Estimates?

The total ascertained cost to date, chargeable to Board of Trade Votes, of inquiries under the Safeguarding of Industry proposals, is £737. The total cost of such inquiries for the financial year 1925–26 cannot be estimated, since the number and nature of the committees which may be set up before the close of the year cannot be foreseen; but it is not expected that they will necessitate the submission of a Supplementary Estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any complaints as to the constitution of the committees set up to consider applications for the imposition of duties in connection with the Government's safeguarding of industry proposals; whether any of the persons appointed for this purpose are known to hold definite views in favour of the Government's policy; and whether the Government has laid down any definite procedure to be fallowed in the selection of the personnel of such committees?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the remainder of the question, the policy of the Government is to safeguard such industries as are shown by a full and impartial inquiry to have a good case, and the committees are constituted of such persons as appear to me to be suited to conduct such inquiry. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the thanks of the Government to the committees for the thorough manner in which they have conducted these inquiries. No more definite procedure has been laid down than is indicated in Section III of the White Paper.

On what principle is the right hon. Gentleman proceeding in excluding witnesses from the right of giving evidence before these committees?

I have not proceeded on any principle, because the hearing or not hearing of witnesses is left, very wisely, to the discretion of these impartial committees. They have admitted such evidence as they considered relevant, and excluded that which they considered irrelevant.

Does that mean that no Regulations have been laid down by the right hon. Gentleman's Department for their guidance as to the exclusion of witnesses?

None other than the general indication which I gave in Debate in this House.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is possible to get an impartial inquiry by a committee which includes persons who have expressed themselves in favour of safeguarding schemes?

I think that that is a most improper suggestion to make. I have not concerned myself with the political opinion of any single person on a committee, and the committees have included, not only people who may be Protectionist in their policy, but members attached to the hon. Gentleman's own party.

May I ask—[HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw!"]— does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that inquiries of this kind, having so important an effect upon the whole community, ought to be of a judicial character?

I think they are of a judicial character, but if by that the hon. Member means that no one should take part in them who may ever have expressed any opinion, one way or another, on a fiscal matter, he might find it very difficult even to set up one committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the evidence given during the proceedings of the inquiries under the Safeguarding of Industries applications?

For reasons of economy, the evidence given at these inquiries is not printed but is only in typescript, and only sufficient copies have been made hitherto for the use of the parties appearing before the committees and the members of the committees. The evidence is usually very voluminous, and I doubt if any very useful purpose would be served by taking the course proposed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us how Members of this House can make up their minds on such a very important subject without seeing the evidence?

Yes, Sir; in the way in which they did under the previous Safeguarding of Industries Act and in the most recent cases—on the Report of the Committee.

May I put the question again? I am asking for the Reports of the Committee, and, if the President of the Board of Trade is refusing the Reports of the Committees, how can—

No, I am not.

when I speak of the Reports, I mean the evidence—how is it possible for the House to make up its mind without getting the evidence?

I propose to follow the precedent which has been followed under the previous Acts, and publish the Reports of the Committees. That was done under the Safeguarding of Industries Act of the Coalition Government, and I do not see any reason to alter it.

Is it not a fact that this House must make up its mind upon evidence, and, if we are not to have the evidence, how can we make up our minds?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce any fresh legislation in the present Session; and, if so, what?

It is proposed to introduce and pass into law before the adjournment a Finance Bill to give effect to any recommendation of the Committees appointed under the Safeguarding of Industries procedure. If time permit, other small Bills will be taken.

Is it intended to wait until all the Committees have reported before introducing; the Finance Bill?

I am afraid that I must ask for notice of that question. It is quite obvious that by the time the Bill is introduced there could only be included those on which the Committees have reported.

Can this House have the evidence which has been submitted to the Committees before we consider the Bill?

Is the Prime Minister able to state that there is going to be any legislation with regard to the excessive rents that people are paying for hovels in Scotland?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the Russian commissariat for foreign trade has recently ratified a number of large import agreements with the German firm of Krupp, Sask, Linz and Fletter, for the supply of agricultural implements, and that these firms are being assisted by German banks to grant credits for a period of three harvests: and whether, in view of the depressed condition of the agricultural machine industry in Great Britain, he is now prepared to extend the Trade Facilities Act to Anglo-Russian trade: 57. the Chancellor of the Exchequer (2) if the Trade Facilities Committee is now prepared to consider applications under the Trade Facilities Acts for financing the development of Anglo-Russian trade; and whether he can state the total sum at present available under the Trade Facilities Act?

I am informed that a credit has been arranged between a group of German banks, in conjunction with certain German industrial concerns and the Russian State Bank, for the purpose indicated by the hon. Member, but I have no knowledge of the special import agreements to which be refers. As regards applications for guarantees by the Soviet Government and its agencies, I would refer to the reply given by my predecessor to the hon. and gallant Member for the Chertsey Division (Sir P. Richardson) on the 12th May last. In reply to the last part of Question No. 57, the Treasury have up to date undertaken to give guarantees to a total of £58,827,241, against the statutory maximum of £70,000,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the money to finance these transactions has not been found in the London money market?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British Government assisted the German Government to secure a loan in this country, and that German firms, through the German Government, are giving credit facilities to Russia; and does he not think it would be just as well to do it direct as to give, facilities indirectly through other people?

rose—

We have only reached Question No. 11 out of a total of more than 100.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Anglo-Russian Trading Agreement of 1921 is being used to enable the produce of Russian oilfields in the Baku and Grozni districts to be sold in this country through the Russian Oil Produce, Limited, and that, approximately, £75,000,000 sterling of British capital invested in the development of these Russian oilfields was confiscated by the Soviet Government, the Government will appoint a Committee to examine and amend the Anglo-Russian Trading Agreement in order to limit the facilities under it to goods that are not produced from confiscated British property?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government cannot modify the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement without the concurrence of the other party to that agreement.

Does not the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement, in effect, operate to enable the produce of British capital stolen by the Soviet Government to be merchanted in this country?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think the British Government should be a party in any form of agreement which is used for the distribution in this country of stolen property?

On a point of Order. Are hon. Members in order in casting reflections upon a friendly Power?

I understood that the hon. Member was attacking an agreement which had been approved by this House some time ago.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that, nothwith-standing the terms of the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement, British companies are barred from all trading in Russia while Russian trading organisations are given a free hand in establishing themselves in this country to push the disposal of Russian products, he will state what action will be taken to put a stop to this one-sided operation of the Agreement?

What my hon. and gallant Friend desires could only be achieved by negotiating a new Agreement, and on that point I would refer him to the answer which I have to-day given to the hon. Member for Barnstaple, and to the answer given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Brightside on the 27th May.

Is not this such a one-sided Agreement that Russia can have all the advantages, and we have to put up with all the disadvantages?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is arguing the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to spend, within the current financial year, any of the £1,000,000 sterling allotted, in accordance with the recommendation of the Imperial Economic Committee, for the stimulation of Empire produce; and, if so, how?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgency of an active policy of Empore development in order to provide employment at home and openings for settlers overseas, he will inform the House as to what action he proposes to take on the first Report of the Imperial Economic Committee?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given by the Prime Minister yesterday to the hon. Members for Devizes (Mr. Hurd) and Ashford (Major Steel).

Can the right hon. Gentleman now indicate to the House when the Government's recommendations will be given, as the result of the important Committee which has now been sitting for four months?

I cannot add anything to the answer of the Prime Minister yesterday, when he said that as soon as he was in a position to do so he would make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain firms are circularising the public and sending round the country experienced salesmen to sell securities which have no ascertainable value; and will he bring the matter be-bore the Departmental Committee now sitting to consider the amending of the Companies' Act with a view to protecting unsuspecting persons who are parting with their money for worthless securities or for securities at a price considerably over their market value?

My attention has been drawn to statements in the Press relating to this matter. If the facts are as stated in the warnings published in the Press, investors would be well advised to exercise extreme caution. Persons invited to purchase these shares will no doubt consider how far the standing of the firms concerned and the method adopted for offering the shares are calculated to inspire confidence in the value of the shares. I will bring my hon. Friend's question to the notice of the Departmental Committee, who have already had some evidence before them bearing on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite the inquiry, and consider what immediate steps can betaken to warn people of the methods of these persons?

With regard to expediting the inquiry, it is being conducted by very busy and very able people, and I would rather go a little more slowly, and get a considered judgment from the ablest and most experienced people than that there should be a hurried Report.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the meantime the public are being approached in a questionable way?

I rather hoped that the answer I have given would be as good a warning to the public as anything that could be done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the output of blast furnaces in America, France, Belgium, Germany, and this country in 1924 and 1913?

As the answer involves a table of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether in view of the fact that the people of the Highlands and Islands generally are excluded from the benefits of the recent Housing Acts and are in urgent need of favourable facilities for the improvement of their housing conditions, he will take steps to set up a carefully-chosen Committee to inquire into this matter and report their recommendations to this House?

I cannot admit the first contention of the hon. Member and therefore do not see my way to agree to the suggestion in the latter part of the question. I am writing him personally on the matter and I should be pleased to discuss it with him.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can make any statement as to the policy of the Government in respect of assistance to Scottish allotment holders?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to my reply to the question put by the hon. and gallant Member on the 28th July, except that I am prepared to consider the question of the application to Scotland of the main provisions of the Allotments Act recently passed, if such consideration is desired by the allotment holders and local authorities.

In framing the Estimates for next year will not the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the determination of Parliament that certain sums of money should be allotted to Scottish allotments?

No.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say he is not going tr. spend any of the £4,000 per annum contemplated under the previous Act?

Yes, that is materially so.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has instituted a survey of small harbours round the coast; and, if so, whether he will communicate to this House any plans which he may have formed for their repair and improvement?

I have not instituted any such survey as is suggested in the question. In the circumstances the point referred to in the second part of the question does not arise.

Was it not stated by the right hon. Gentleman's Department that he was having this inspection made, and personally by himself, and that he was sending an inspector round to make a regular inspection of these harbours?

I certainly will have inquiry made into the ordinary condition of certain main piers and the main appointments but not of the general appointments.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce the decision of His Majesty's Government with regard to the recommendations of the Scottish Agricultural Conference?

I am not at present in a position to make an announcement on this subject, but I hope to be able to make a statement respecting certain of the matters dealt with in the Report on the completion of discussions which are in progress.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that the first two of these recommendations were with regard to drainage and lime, and that it is essential to get a decision from the Government on this point in time to put in an application?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he intends to put into effect the recommendations of the last Deer Forest Commission; and, if so, when?

This subject is receiving my consideration in relation to other questions of agricultural policy, but I am not at present prepared to make a statement with regard to the prospects of legislation which would be necessary to give effect to the main proposals of the Committee. Under the Agricultural Returns Act recently passed the Board of Agriculture propose to take steps to obtain returns of stock in respect of land used as a deer forest.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement before the close of the Session?

I am not able to make a definite promise, but I hope to do so.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when the Appendix to the Report of the Land Court for 1024 will be available; what the cost of the volume will be to the public; how many copies of the Appendix to the 1923 Report wore sold; and whether he is aware that the present system of cyclostyling the Appendix results in an unwieldly volume that is inconvenient for use by the Court and priced at a figure beyond the means of the ordinary public?

It is hoped that the Appendix to the Report of the Land Court for 1924 will be available in the first week of next month. The price of the Appendix will be 30s. Sixteen copies of the Appendix to the 1923 Report were sold. I am aware that the cyclostyled Appendix is somewhat larger than a corresponding printed volume would be, but I do not consider that any inconvenience thereby caused is such as to warrant the imposition on the taxpayer of the considerable additional cost of printing the volume, for which there is a very small public demand.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is only a very small public demand for a volume costing 30s., and is it not false economy that the information contained in this Appendix should be kept from the people who are most concerned with it?

That is argument.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if the Committee to inquire into the question of Juvenile Unemployment and its co-relation to education has yet been set up for Scotland: and, if so, will he state the terms of reference and the names of the Committee?

The answer is in the affirmative. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the announcement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction in Scotland with the composition of this Committee, and will he state the names of the Committee in order that the House may know the bias on which the Committee has been formed?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a public announcement has appeared in the Press, and ought not an answer to be given here without his merely saying that he is going to send me a copy? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is grave dissatisfaction because of the unrepresentative character of the Committee, and that there is not a representative of the educational administrators nor of those interested in juvenile employment?

I am not aware of general dissatisfaction. As both hon. Members have stated, this has been made public in the Press, and there does not appear to be any necessity for announcing it to-day, although I am perfectly willing to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my question was put on the Order Paper before any public announcement was made in the Press? Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names?

The names have appeared in the Press. The Chairman of the Committee is the Right Hon. Lord Salvesen, and the Committee consists of Mr. R. S. Allan, LL.D., Professor T. Hudson Beare, Mrs. Charles Douglas, of Auchlochan, Mr. James Elder, of Athelstone Ford, Mains, Mr. William Lorimer, J. P., general secretary of the Society of Associated Blacksmiths and Ironworkers, and Mr. D. J. Macdonald, of Dundee.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Board of Health has come to any new decision regarding the construction of houses in Scotland in steel or other alternative method; whether any pressure is to be brought to bear on Scottish local authorities to undertake such construction in order to participate in the special additional subsidy recently announced by the Prime Minister in Scotland; and, if so, what policy is to be adopted in the regulation of wages for the operatives concerned?

In reply to the first part of the question, I take it that my right hon. Friend is referring to the proposals outlined by the Prime Minister on 1st October and set out in the circular of 3rd October which the Scottish Board of Health addressed to all local authorities in Scotland regarding the allowance of an additional subsidy of £40 per house, subject to conditions detailed in the circular. The Board have now issued to local authorities a list of firms who have been approved for the purposes of that circular, and have invited local authorities to submit by 14th December their proposals for participation in the subsidy. In reply to the second part of the question, I am most anxious that local authorities should take advantage of the offer of the additional subsidy and shall do everything I can to persuade them to do so. With regard to the third part, in order to qualify for subsidy, contracts must contain the Fair Wages Clause as provided in Government contracts. The Government has already intimated its acceptance of the Bradbury Committee's Report on this subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who was included in the list?

The list will, I think, be in the public Press. There are four firms whose names have been submitted to the local authority.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the four firms?

Corolite Construction, Limited, Cowie, Sons, Limited, James Jones and Sons, and G. and J. Weir, Limited.

asked the Prime Minister, if he has considered the protest of the National Building and Engineering Federation against the promise recently given of an increased subsidy to Scotland on houses of a particular construction; whether an opportunity of Parliamentary discussion will be afforded this Session of the financial and other consequences of this increased subsidy; if it is proposed that the increased subsidy shall under any circumstances apply to other forms of house construction; and, if not, whether consideration has been given to the effect that this increased subsidy will have on the general building industry?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The protest referred to has been considered. An opportunity for Parliamentary discussion will be given when the Vote of the Scottish Board of Health is presented. The increased subsidy was proposed for houses of any alternative construction which did not require more than 10 per cent. of skilled building trade labour; and the houses now approved by the Scottish Board of Health are of various types including concrete, timber and "steel." This increased subsidy is for a limited number of houses forming only a small fraction of the Scottish needs, and I am quite unable to see that it will have any prejudicial effect on the general building industry.

Has the Prime Minister considered the proprietry of these payments being made without Parliamentary approval?

I do not think that question arises.

Will the right hon. Gentleman stop this practice of making impromptu speeches in which he commits the House of Commons to definite policies without us knowing anything about them?

asked the Secretary of State for War if there has been further evidence of attempts to promote dissatisfaction in the Army?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any evidence of a growth of Communist opinions among members of His Majesty's Army?

It would not be proper for me to make any statement on these matters while the trial of certain persons is proceeding at the Central Criminal Court.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the report on Pay in the Army, which has created extreme discontent?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that decisions of the Commissioners of the Chelsea Hospital, with respect to soldiers' pensions, do not carry with them any right of appeal as in the case of the decisions of the Ministry of Pensions; what reason there is for such differentiation; what are the grounds upon which Governments have decided that no such appeal is necessary; and whether he will consider the desirability of giving to soldiers the same rights as are enjoyed by men who served in the Great War?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in respect of soldiers detained in mental homes, for whose condition the authorities accept no responsibility, there is no appeal whatever against the decision of the military authorities that their condition is not attributable to war service; and why there is a right of appeal in regard to similar cases coming under the Ministry of Pensions but no right of appeal in cases dealt with by the War Office?

I am aware that there is no right of appeal against the decisions of the Chelsea Commissioners. The Chelsea Commissioners are not subject to the control of any Government Department in their administration of the pension regulations; they are, in fact, an independent body who adjudicate upon the soldier's claim.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it-has been decided to appoint an Assistant Military Attaché at Washington?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the year 1923–24 the net cost per prisoner per day in military prisons and detention barracks was 8s. 11d., and that of this sum approximately 6s. 1d. went to the staff, 2s. 1d. to standing charges, and 9d. to prisoners' maintenance; and whether he can state the reason for the disparity of these amounts?

The figures referred to are presumably those on page 110 of the Army Account for 1923–24. The cost per brad of prisoners in 1923–24 is greater than in 1922–23 because the number of prisoners is fortunately less.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 68 discharged workers from the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield and Waltham Abbey are receiving relief from the Edmonton Board of Guardians to the amount of approximately £70 per week; that all of these workers have had over 15 years' Government service and 15 of them over 40 years' service; and whether he is prepared to make any special provision for these old employés in order that they may not have to seek further Poor Law relief?

I regret to hear of the distress existing among workers discharged from the Royal Small Arms Factories at Waltham and Enfield, but it is not possible for me to make any payments to them beyond those to which they are entitled under the conditions of their service, and which they have already received.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it very unfair that a poor district should be saddled with a cost of £70 a week to maintain people some of whom have given 40 years' service to the Government?

Why is it that the Government set such a bad example to private employers in these matters?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give any figures regarding the recruiting for the Territorial Army in each of the preceding 12 months; and whether he is satisfied with the progress made?

With the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the number of recruits who have enlisted in the Territorial Army during each of the preceding 12 months. The progress is fairly satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the feeling aroused in Germany by the recrudescence of the rumours of the so-called corpse conversion factory behind the German lines in the late War, he can give any information as to the source of the original rumour and the extent to which it was accepted by the War Office at the time?

At this distance of time I do not think that the source of the original rumour can be traced with any certainty. The statement that the Germans had set up a factory for the conversion of dead bodies first appeared on the 10th April, 1917, in the "Lokalanzeiger," published in Berlin, and in the "Independance Beige" and "La Belgique," two Belgian newspapers published in France and Holland. The statements were reproduced in the Press here, with the comment that it was the first German admission concerning the way in which the Germans used their dead bodies.

Questions were asked in the House of Commons on the 30th April, 1917, and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs replied on behalf of the Government that he had then no information beyond that contained in the extract from the German Press. But shortly afterwards a German Army Order containing instructions for the delivery of dead bodies to the establishments described in the "Lokalanzeiger" was captured in France, and forwarded to the War Office, who, after careful consideration, permitted it to be published.

The terms of this Order were such that, taken in conjunction with the articles in the "Lokalanzeiger" and in the two Belgian papers and the previously existing rumours, it appeared to the War Office to afford corroborative evidence of the story. Evidence that the word "Kadaver" was used to mean human bodies, and not only carcases of animals, was found in German dictionaries and German anatomical and other works, and the German assertion that the story was disposed of by reference to the meaning of the word "Kadaver" was not accepted. On the information before them at the time, the War Office appear to have seen no reason to disbelieve the truth of the story.

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentle man for his very full answer. Does he not think it desirable now that the War Office should finally disavow the story and their present belief in it?

I cannot believe any public interest is served by further questions on this story. I have given the House the fullest information that is in my possession in the hope that the hon. Members will be satisfied with what I have said, [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable, even now, to finally admit the inaccuracy of the original story in view of Locarno and other things?

It is not a question of whether it was accurate or inaccurate. What I was concerned with was the information upon which the War Office acted at the time. Of course, the fact that there has been no corroboration since necessarily alters the complexion of the case, but I was dealing with the information in the possession of the authorities at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present strength of the regular and subsidiary land forces, each separately, of the following countries: the United States of America, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, Poland, and the British Empire?

I am having the figures prepared and, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he could say what quantity of coal was produced at a profit in the South Wales coalfield during the months of August, September, and October, 1925. respectively; and the amount of subsidy paid in respect of that output?

I regret that this information is not available. On average there were debit balances of 5s. 4¾d. and 3s. 9½d. in South Wales in August and September, respectively, before crediting subvention. After crediting subvention the debit balances were 2s. 5id. and 1s. 0¼d., respectively.

May I ask why this information is not available? Is not the right hon. Gentleman's Department obtaining from each colliery company this actual information. Why cannot we get the information?

I do not say that the information is not obtainable, but I have not got it now. The money is being paid to bridge the gap between two different scales of wages in the collieries. The point whether the collieries are making a profit or loss does not come into the matter.

Is it not a fact that in respect of every individual colliery company a return is made to the hon. Member's Department, and that this information can be supplied it he cares to do so. It is very important that we should have this information?

I will certainly inquire whether much labour will be involved in obtaining it, but can only repeat that I have not got this information now.

If I repeat the question next week, will the hon. and gallant Member be able to get it?

I will inquire, and see what can be done.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the intimidation frequently resorted to in industrial disputes to restrain people willing and wishful to work, he will consider the advisability of amending the Trade Union Act in regard to peaceful picketing?