asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can report any pro- gress in the settlement of the dispute at Hull and other ports between the wireless telegraphy operators and the shipping companies?

I have been asked to reply. My Department is in touch with the parties to the dispute, but I regret that it has not yet been possible to make any advance towards a settlement.

When did the right hon. Gentleman take over the negotiations for the settlement of this dispute?

So far as the dispute is concerned. it has never been taken over, and has always been subject to my Department, being a question of a dispute.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any steps have been taken to give effect to the recommendations contained in the Report, dated 10th April, 1024, of the informal committee on coal-carrying vessels, set up by the Board of Trade, and also of those contained in the second Report of this committee, which was issued on 15th May of the present year?

The recommendations contained in the First Report of the informal committee on coal-carrying vessels were given effect to in instructions issued in January, 1925 (Circular 1651). The- Second Report was referred to the Classification Societies, as they were interested in the matter, and, on receipt of their replies, instructions were drafted and placed before the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee. The Report of this Committee has now been received and is being considered by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the White Paper [Cmd. 2538] dealing with the Scottish shale industry does not give the capital of the industry prior to its absorption by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Limited; and will he procure the figures to make the Report complete?

The paid up capital of the Scottish shale oil companies before the formation of Scottish Oils, Limited, on 3rd September, 1919, was that given on page 14 of the White Paper, no change having taken .place between that date and the 30th September, 1925, except in the case of the Scottish Oil Agency, Limited, of which the paid up capital was increased from £100,000 to £125,000 during the year 1920.

What is the intention of a White Paper if it does not go back far enough to give a comparison of the earnings of these companies?

It does go back. As I have already pointed out the hon. Member did not ask me about earnings, but about capital. It gives the capital both before and after amalgamation.

It does not give the capital of single companies showing the earnings on the actual capital.

If the hon. Member will look at the last page of the White Paper, he will see the capital of each of these companies.

But that is not the actual capital used in the production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Dyestuffs Development Committee, constituted under Section 6, Article 2, of the Dyestuffs Import Regulation Act, was consulted before the decision was taken in respect of the surrender by the Government of its right to veto and control the actions of the British Dye-stuffs Corporation?

No, Sir, but His Majesty's Government were satisfied, before coming to a decision on the matter in question, that they were fully apprised of the views of the various interests represented on the Committee.

Does my right hon. Friend think it is fair or wise to come to this decision without consulting this Committee?

Yes, Sir. The Government, upon whom the responsibility rests, investigated the whole matter extremely closely, and satisfied themselves that they took into consideration all the relevant facts.

Is not the Dyestuffs Corporation absolutely free to give up dye manufacturing and simply do the work of distributing German dyestuffs?

I have an answer on this point in regard to another question, but if the hon. and learned Member refers to the statement of the chairman, made at the general meeting, he will see that nothing is further from their intention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Government has surrendered to the British Dyestuffs Corporation capital of the nominal value of £1,100,000; and whether he is aware that this sum relieves the corporation of all depreciation and thereby prejudices the interests of the other competing dye-making companies and firms in the country?

; I regret that I am unable to accept the premise advanced by my hon. Friend, or the conclusion which he draws from it.

Does my right hon. Friend think it is fair that the whole of the depreciation of the British Dyestuffs Corporation should be wiped out, and that these firms, by this action, should practically be closed down?

I think it is eminently desirable that any company should write down its capital to a figure which corresponds to the actual position of the business.

; The outside firms have no chance of doing that, and it, is only owing to this gift of £1,100,000 by the Government to the Dyestuffs Corporation that this is possible.

Was not the money called Government money to be used for research purposes and are not the companies now taking over that research work free whereas other companies have to pay for their own research work?

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation?

I think every company engages in. research work.

But these companies are getting Government money and the others are not.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation on this matter?

That is my question.

At the proper time the action of the Government can be challenged, and they will reply.

Will it be possible to challenge this action after the transaction has been completed or before?

I answered that question a fortnight ago in the House when I stated that there would be an end to all administrative responsibility if the Government was not entitled to carry on this administrative business.

I will raise the matter on the motion for the adjournment of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the intended amalgamation of interests between the British Dyestuffs Corporation and the German Interessen Gemeinschaft, it is his intention to introduce a Bill to repeal the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act?

I am not aware of any such scheme of amalgamation as my hon. Friend suggests. In this connection, I would ask my hon. Friend to refer to the assurance given in Lord Ashfield's speech at the general meeting of the shareholders of the British Dyestuffs Corporation, both as regards the future manufacture of dyes and the interests of the colour users. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Ashfield stated in Manchester that this pact between the Interessen Gemeinschaft in Germany might come in, and, if that is the case, does he not see that the British Dyestuffs Corporation will simply become agents for this German firm? Will he make inquiries to see whether the research chemists of the British Dyestuffs Corporation are being discharged?

My answer deals with both those points, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will see from what Lord Ashfield said at the general meeting that he is wrong in both those respects.

Has the transaction to which reference has been made between the Government and this corporation actually been completed, or is it still under discussion?

No. The Government have made a firm offer and it was put before the shareholders and it has been accepted by them at the extraordinary general meeting subject to confirmation at the adjourned general meeting.

Do I understand that it is not within the power of this House to express any useful opinion on the action of the Government?

As I said when this matter was first raised the Government have taken, by administrative action, what they consider to be the right and proper steps, and it will be open on the proper occasion for the right hon. Gentleman to criticise the administrative action of the Government.

When will it be open to us?

What is the relation of the market value of the shares to the amount of money which the Government have received for those shares?

That does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total cum of money paid or payable down to date by the Government to the British Dye-stuffs Corporation by way of commission on the sales of reparation dyes?

The amount paid or payable to the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, for commission on sales of reparation dyestuffs to the end of October, 1925, is £81,800.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing a Select Committee to inquire into this disastrous adventure in State interference?

No, Sir. The Government consider it most desirable that they should cease to be a shareholder in this company and should be in the same position, vis-a-vis all dye making companies, and for that reason it was our view that it is undesirable that the Government should be directly associated with any one of them.

Does he not think that the whole history of this unfortunate affair should be a warning to the Government not to engage in State trading?

When will the House have an opportunity of discussing this matter?

What is the total loss in this respect to the British taxpayer?

I cannot answer that question without notice. I think it is a question which should be addressed either to the Prime Minister or to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury.

Y: May we have an answer? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"]

At end of questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is intended that next year's British Industries Fair, which hitherto has been purely an exhibition of goods, is to be converted into a trading concern by permitting exhibiting manufacturers to Hell their goods to private buyers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it is proposed, at the British Industries Fair of 1926 to permit exhibiting manufacturers to sell their goods direct to private buyers; and what is the reason for this innovation?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, at the forthcoming British Industries Fair, exhibiting manufacturers will be permitted to sell their goods direct to the private buyer; and whether he is aware of the strong feeling among retailers against the proposal?

(Secretary, Overseas Trade Department): I am in consultation with the interests concerned, and am at present unable to add anything to the answer which I gave yesterday to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Lieut.-Colonel Moore). I am sending a, copy of that answer to the lion. Members.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the British Industries Fair is to be a temporary or a permanent institution?

It depends on the success it meets with on the present occasion. We hope to make it a great success, and then we shall reconsider the whole matter.

Is it intended to subsidise it continually to the unnecessary extent of £25,000 a year?

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend that it is unnecessary expenditure. It is necessary to carry on the Fair, and if, by giving £20,000 or £25,000, we can make a success of it, I think it will be thoroughly justified.

Has it been considered whether some of these exhibitions might be held at a place which belongs to the public, namely, the Crystal Palace, and could any assistance be given with regard to that?

That is another question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in computing the national trade balance for the year, regard is had to the volmue of invisible imports represented by the interest on capital invested in this country by Americans and other foreigners; at what figure he estimates this figure for the present year; and what were the comparative figures for 1924 and 1913?

In the article regarding the Balance of Trade in 1924, printed in the " Board of Trade Journal " for 29th January, 1925, under the heading " Net Income from Overseas Investments," the answer to my hon. Friend's question is given, namely:

"Under this heading is included the income from investments in Empire and foreign countries remitted to the United Kingdom, less the income remitted overseas on account of the investments of other countries in the United Kingdom."

asked the President of the Board of Trade when, in view of the urgency of maintaining a key industry and providing work for unemployed, a definite decision may be expected upon the safeguarding of the steel industry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Flint (Mr. Goodman Roberts), of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last year 2,500,000 tons of steel and iron were imported into this country which could have been made here, and that had that been done 100,000 men would have been employed who are now unemployed?

That is a different question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the full capacity in tons per annum of British steelworks, together with the quantity now being produced, and the approximate number of men who would find employment directly and indirectly by a revival in the steel production industry to the extent of a million tons per annum?

It is estimated that the productive capacity of steel plants in Great Britain is about 12,000,000 tons per annum. The quantity of steel produced in October was 647,000 tons. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Short) on 1st December, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 100,000 men would have been employed had it been possible to make this iron and steel in this country?

That is a matter of argument.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that foreign steel manufacturers are selling steel imported into this country at a lower price than they are charging consumers in their own country in order to capture our markets; and if he will state what is the approximate difference in price?

I have no direct evidence of the practice suggested in the question. It has, however, been reported that various associations of manufacturers in Germany allow rebates on home prices of iron and steel in respect of material used in the manufacture of goods for export. The amounts of the rebates vary, but a figure of 6 marks per ton has been mentioned in the case of pig iron.

May I ask what that amounts to per ton? I did not quite catch the figure.

It is 6 marks per ton in the case of pig iron.

That is a preferential rate for home consumption?

It is a rebate on home prices.

That practically amounts to a preferential rate for home consumption.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us if any of this steel was made from iron ore produced in the British Empire by long hours and short wages?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any difficulty has been experienced in recruiting suitable men in the Army following the recent pay cuts affecting junior officers and men now joining the Colours?

No, Sir. The numbers enlisted since the lower rates have been in force are slightly in excess of the numbers for the corresponding period last year, although November shows a falling off as compared with October.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that prescriptions containing dangerous drugs and poisons may be dispensed in the Royal Army Medical Corps by persons other than medical officers or pharmacists, he will give instructions that such prescriptions shall in future only be dispensed by a medical officer or pharmacist, or under the direct supervision of a medical officer or pharmacist by whom the quantity of the dangerous drugs or poisons shall be checked?

All Army dispensaries are under the direct supervision of a medical officer. The only persons, other than medical officers, who may make up prescriptions in these dispenssaries are qualified Army dispensers, and they may only make up prescriptions signed by a medical officer. I am not aware of any reason for considering that the present procedure is not satisfactory.

Has a qualified Army dispenser qualifications equal to those of a chemist's assistant?

I believe that "qualified dispenser" is a well-recognised description.

Has any attention been called to the unanimous Report of the Committee on the Payment and Status of Pharmacists in the Army?

Oh, yes.

Does not that Report state that pharmacists should be employed by the War Office?

In one of the recommendations of the Report certain duties were allotted to pharmacists.

Is it the case that such a man in the. Army would not be allowed to dispense under the National Health Insurance Act for the civil population, and does my hon. and gallant Friend think that the Army should be in a different position from the civil population?

I am not aware that a qualified dispenser is not allowed to make up prescriptions in ordinary civil life.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to Recommendation 3 of the committee appointed by the Army Council to consider the employment of pharmacists in the Army; and if a superintending pharmacist is now in subordinate charge of the dispensary in each and every military hospital of 100 teds and over?

I am aware of the recommendation referred to. The Army Council Instruction was cancelled in April, 1922. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, as a result of representations made by the Army Council, pharmacists who volunteer for service in the British Red Cross units are no longer regarded as officers; and whether he can state the grounds on which these representations were made?

The War Office have advised the Central Voluntary Aid Detachment Council, who consulted them on the subject, that the status of pharmacists in their detachments should not fee higher than that of non-commissioned officers in the Army. The reason is that the status of members of voluntary aid detachments should be appropriate to the duties they may be required to perform in war. There are no appointments of officer's rank for pharmacists in the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that units of the British Red Cross Society are regarded as being in the nature of a reserve to the Royal Army Medical Corps in time of war, he will give instructions that quartermasters, whose duty it will be to order and superintend the distribution of medical supplies, shall be qualified pharmacists?

No, Sir, I should not be justified in giving such instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the allowance of coal both for officers and other ranks of the Army is very inadequate during the winter months; and whether he will take steps to increase this allowance?

Fuel is issued to the troops as required within annual limits fixed by the scales laid down in regulations. These scales have been found generally adequate, and there is power under the regulations to increase them in exceptional cases. Certain minor adjustments, mainly of personal issues to officers and others, are under consideration.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in some cases officers' messes have to spend over £100 during the winter on the purchase of fuel, and also that the men have to buy fuel in order to keep their barrack rooms reasonably warm?

I do not think that that affects my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the officers in the Corps of Military Accountants were led to believe that they would receive permanent commissions and that their appointments have been terminated by three months' notice, he will consider the desirability of awarding a gratuity based on the length of service as compensation for the loss of position and to enable the officers to live while seeking employment in civil life?

I am unable to assent to the opening statement in this question. The case of these temporary officers of the Corps of Military Accountants does not differ from that of other officers who are demobilised from time to time as their services cease to be required, and I regret that no gratuity can be granted to them on the termination of their temporary employment.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what assistance is being given to these men with a. view to finding them work?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the Report of the Imperial Economic Committee, which shows that the self- governing Dominions purchase British goods per capita to the extent of £6 17s. 3d. as against Europe 12s. Id., South America 18s., and the United States of America 8s. 6d., he is prepared to arrange for the use of Dominion supplies in the Army in preference to foreign supplies?

It, is the practice of the War Office, in purchasing supplies for the Army, to give effective preference to Dominion products over those of foreign origin.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many marriages have taken place between non-commissioned officers and men of the British Army on the Rhine with Germans during the last six years'?

The total number of such marriages from the commencement. of the occupation up to the end of June, 1925, recorded in the Army Register of Marriages, was 619.

Arising out of that, may we have the number of children?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the married quarters at Wiesbaden are of equal comfort and convenience to those at Cologne; whether he can say for how long the occupation of Wiesbaden is contemplated; and if any reduction of the Army of Occupation is likely to take place in the near future?

There has not been time enough yet to judge how the married quarters at Wiesbaden compare with those at Cologne as regards comfort and convenience. As regards the second part of the question, I cannot add anything to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to a question by the hon. Member on the 18th November. As regards the third part, a reduction of the British Army of Occupation by one infantry battalion and a battery of medium artillery is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of his assurance that the proposal to discontinue the cost accounts of combatant units was to be subject to the approval of the Committee of Public Accounts, under what authority the preparation of these accounts has already been discontinued and notices of dismissal issued to the accounting staff engaged upon them; and whether, in view of the decision of the Public Accounts Committee not to give this approval until they have heard further evidence on both sides of the question, he will arrange to suspend these notices of dismissal pending the Report of the Committee?

My right hon. Friend is at this moment discussing the whole question with the Public Accounts Committee.

asked the Secretary -of State for War, if he is aware that the-tenants of 16 houses owned by his Department situated at Abbot's Field Lane, Sutton, St. Helen's, Lancashire, have received notice to quit; and if, in view of the fact that these people at the end of the week's notice will be rendered homeless owing to the, great shortage of houses in the district, he will consider it advisable to provide adequate housing accommodation or suspend the notice until such time as such accommodation is procurable?

I am aware that these notices have been given. Owing to their situation the cottages cannot continue to be occupied without risk. The tenants have had long warning of the Department's intention and I regret that in the circumstances I could not consent to the suspension of the notices.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman state the nature of the risk, and in view of the fact that these 16 houses are habitable, what is the reason these people are being removed? What is the danger?

I cannot agree that the houses are in a habitable condition. They are in a very dilapidated condition. The risk, as the hon. Member is probable very well aware, is that they actually adjoin the experimental factory of poison gas and we do not think it is right to subject the inhabitants of these cottages and their children to any possible risk.

N: Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that some of these people have lived there for 50 years, and that the innovation of the poison gas factory was a war emergency, and now that the emergency for poisoning people has gone, will he remove the poison gas factory and leave these people in the houses?

I cannot give that undertaking.

Are these cottages being removed so that the poison gas factory can be extended?

No, that is not the intention. I have stated the true facts. We do not consider it is fair to let these people take any risk.

They have nowhere to go.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Wembley Tattoo had any result on recruiting for the Army; and whether he has been consulted regarding unofficial tattoos to be manned next year by ex-service men?

I think it is probable that tattoos have a beneficial effect on recruiting, and the Army Council hope that tattoos may be organised next year by the military authorities in commands on the lines of those at Aldershot and Tidworth. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, but I would like to take this opportunity of saying that the War Office could not give facilities for unofficial displays of this kind.

Do the Government consider the tattoo had had the effect of fostering the spirit of militarism?

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the uncomfortable conditions in which the troops in South Ireland, especially at Spike Island and Berehaven, exist; if he is aware that sufficient married quarters are not provided; and if he will take steps to ameliorate these conditions?

Yes, Sir. The matter is receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men have been discharged from the Army in each of the last three years, including 1925, for ill-health; in how many of these cases the men have claimed that their disability was due to service; in how many 'cases these claims have been admitted and in how many rejected; and whether, in any case, the said applicants have had the right to appeal and, if so, to whom?

The number of men invalided from the Army in each of the last three years ending on 30th September have been 2,920, 2,673 and 2,606 respectively. No statistics are available showing in how many of these cases the men claimed that their disability was attributable to service, but the number of cases in which disability was accepted as due to service were 373, 419 and 347 respectively. Applicants have no right of appeal against the decision of the Chelsea Commissioners. The Chelsea Commissioners are an independent body who adjudicate upon the soldier's claim and are not subject to the control of any Government Department in administering the pension regulations.

Would the War Office consider the desirability of setting up some machinery of appeal in these cases?

I think really the Chelsea Commissioners give such very careful and sympathetic consideration to all cases that such a court of appeal is not necessary.

Are these cases referred to a medical referee in the case of the matter being pressed by the ex-service man?

The Chelsea Commissioners have their own medical advisers whom they consult in all these cases.

A medical referee, not a medical adviser.

There is no appeal from the decision of the Chelsea Commissioners.

How many of these men were discharged as medically unfit in the first three months of their service?

I could not give the figures. I should require notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress had been made by the Imperial War Graves Commission in respect of the national memorial to commemorate those members of the mercantile marine who fell during the War owing to enemy action?

A great number of different interests have had to be consulted with regard to the best form of memorial to the in men of the mercantile marine who lost their lives in the War, but I am glad to be able to say that agreement has now been obtained and I hope that arrangements will shortly be completed which will enable my right hon. Friend to make an announcement on the subject.

Where is the Thames Embankment memorial to be?

I can give no further information.

Where is this monument going to be erected?

That is the question to which I have replied.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the reduction in the civil staff in the War Office is keeping pace with the reduction in the military staff; and what is the percentage reduction in each case since 1918?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The civil staff has been reduced by 88 per cent, since November, 1918, and the military staff by 89 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will explain the delay in the fixing of the civilian clerical complements for the Royal Military College, Woolwich, and the application to that office of the terms of the Report of the reorganisation sub-committee of the National Whitley Council, which were published over five years ago?

The complements for this office are in an advance stage of preparation. I do not think there has been any undue delay, having regard to the difficulty of carrying out a large scheme of reorganisation, which involves the fixing of permanent establishments on a new basis for all War Department out-station offices.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the scheme of clerical reorganisation approved by the Treasury in May, 1925, has not yet been applied to the department of the chief inspector of armaments at Woolwich; that an official examination of the work in this establishment was carried out as far back as 1st July, 1925: and will he state the reason for the delay, which is causing dissatisfaction among the members of the staff?

Complements have now been fixed, and will be put into force at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is cognisant of the fact that certain members of the civilian clerical staff of the Artillery College, Woolwich, with many years of approved and satisfactory service in the department to their credit, are still in receipt of a maximum basic rate of pay of 32s. per week; and whether he will say what action he proposes to take to bring these men within the ægis of the Report of the reorganisation sub-committee of the National Whitley Council?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and as regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer on 7th instant to a question by the hon. Member for Portsmouth North regarding the scheme of reorganisation which is being applied to all War Department out-station offices'.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the widespread discontent prevalent in the out-station offices consequent upon the delay in applying the clerical reorganisation scheme in these offices; and whether he can now state the exact date on which the new scheme will be introduced?

The reorganisation involves the fixing of establishments for every out-station office and the re-grading of every individual clerk therein. Complements have been fixed and re-grading carried out in several offices, and every effort is being made to expedite progress in the case of the offices which still remain to be dealt with; but in view of the many considerations involved in fixing complements on a permanent basis, I regret that I cannot yet fix a definite date for the completion of the work.

asked (1) the Secretary of State for War what are the duties of the technical adviser on cinematography to the War Office; and how long has this post been in existence;

There is a technical adviser whose duty it is to assist Government Departments generally in questions relating to cinematography and to supervise the preservation and use of films in the possession of the Government. He was first engaged in October, 1915, by the Customs and Excise Department as a part-time expert adviser in connection with the import duty on films. Since that date he has served under various Departments, and his present appointment under the Stationery Office dates from 1st April, 1924. His salary, on a scale of £600-£800, plus cost of living bonus, is included in the Vote for Stationery and Printing. His staff consists of one operator and two women assistants.

Have the duties of this official been added to recently, and was he responsible for making the arrangements for filming the Locarno Pact ceremony?

I cannot answer that without, notice. I have no knowledge.

What previous experience has this technical adviser had of the film industry?

The hon. Member must put down a question.

Is it not a fact that previous to his present position he was in the employ of the London County Council Fire Department?

Is not this official, besides being a technical expert, acting as a kind of liaison officer between the Government and the cinema industry?

Not so far as I am aware.

asked the Prime Minister if the committee set up to examine the privations existing in such necessitous areas as West Hartlepool has yet reported; if such Report can be made available to the Members of the House; and what are the Government's proposals to relieve the distress obtaining in the Hartlepools?

The Committee recently appointed to examine and report on any scheme which may be submitted to them for Exchequer assistance to local authorities in necessitous urban areas have not yet issued a report. As regards the list part of the question, if my hon. Friend is referring to individual cases of distress, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that adequate provision for relief is available through existing channels.

When will the Committee be able to report?

I cannot say.

Will the hon. Member refer this inquiry to the Prime Minister and ask the Prime Minister to give it immediate attention, in view of the great dissatisfaction and distress in the necessitous areas, owing to the poverty which exists there?

I do not think there is any justification for that statement. The Committee has been appointed, and it is getting on with its work.

Can the hon. Member inform me whether this Committee is only considering necessitous areas in England, or does its functions extend to Scotland? Is any action being taken in regard to necessitous areas in Scotland?

The hon. Member had better put his quest on to the Scottish Office.

Can the hon. Member not inform me what is the area covered by this Committee? Does it apply only to England or to the whole of Great Britain?

I must ask the hon. Member to put down a question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the investigation of this Committee regarding necessitous areas is related to the investigation of the Committee of Inquiry into unemployment insurance; and, if not, will steps be taken to co-relate the two?

It is a special inquiry. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend the terms of reference.

asked the Prime Minister who is the Member in this House to whom questions for the Lord President of the Council should be addressed?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull. In cases where hon. Members are in any doubt, I would suggest that they should address their questions to me and I will arrange for an answer to be given.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a. member of the medical profession who is struck off the list by the General Medical Council has no redress or appeal against such decision; and whether he is prepared to set up a committee to investigate the procedure of the council in its relation to modern methods and usage of the medical profession regarding the Medical Act of 1858?

I am asked by the Lord President of the Council to say that there is no appeal from the General Medical Council to another Court, but a medical practitioner struck off the register may at any future session bring up his case for revision, and his name may be, and often is, restored to the register. In all inquiries the Medical Council is assisted by a lawyer of great experience and ability. Since its creation in 1858, it has performed the duties entrusted to it without serious criticism, and as at present advised my Noble Friend does not think that sufficient reason has been shown for setting up a committee of inquiry.

Is the hon. and gallant Member not aware that members of the Bar, solicitors, and members of all professions except the medical profession have an independent court of appeal, and will he take steps in this case to try to get one?

Is it not a fact that practitioners struck off the Roll have a right of appeal to the Privy Council, if they care to exercise it?

I will see that the observations of my hon. Friends are conveyed to my Noble Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the sum which, as a result of his inquiries, it is estimated would result in a normal fiscal year from a percentage impost levied on the hotel bills of foreign visitors to this country pro rata to the degree of luxury or economy observed by them?

The answer is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Government have been so behindhand in making these inquiries in a year of a probable Budget deficit?

Whoever said or admitted that we have been behindhand?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether goods held up pending the decision of the Customs officers as to whether they are dutiable or not are chargeable for warehouse rent?

Warehouses and sheds for the accommodation of imported goods are provided by dock companies, wharfingers, etc., and not by the Crown. Any question of a charge for warehouse rent is therefore a matter for settlement between the warehouse proprietor and the importer concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if British companies and individual traders who lost property or money as a result of the nationalisation of property in Russia were allowed to write oft in full the amount of such losses before arriving at the amount of Excess Profits Duty or Income Tax due to the Exchequer; and, if so, whether he can state the amount so written off as bad debts since 1917?

The losses to which I gather the hon. Member refers would be largely capital losses not allowable for purposes of Excess Profits Duty and Income Tax. For the rest, the question of allowance depends so much upon the facts of individual cases and involves such a variety of considerations that it is not possible to deal with the point within the limits of an answer to a question. No statistics are available which would enable me to reply to the second part of the question.

Am I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the trading losses of British firms in Russia would be available for allowances for writing off; that in regard to factories owned by British firms in Russia the capital value is allowed to be written off in calculating the Excess Profits Duty?

I have to be very careful in answering questions which may have a legal consequence. The effect of my answer was that the losses referred to would be largely capital losses and not-allowable for the purpose of Excess Profits Duty and Income Tax.

May I press for a reply as to whether in regard to the losses of industrial undertakings in Russia belonging to British firms, the value of these losses was allowed to be written off before the Excess Profits Duty was arrived at?

I have given an answer which would indicate that, as a general rule, such losses would not be allowable for the purpose of Excess Profits Duty and Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that there are 13 different bases of assessment in force for Income Tax purposes, which makes the compilation of Super-tax returns extremely complicated, generally requiring the services of professional assistance; that this could be obviated if incomes under Schedule A, No. 3, B, D, and E, falling to be directly assessed were assessed to Income Tax on the basis of the profits of the year preceding the year of assessment, then many of the various bases of Income Tax assessment could be abolished and the assessment of the preceding year be adopted for Super-tax purposes; and will he, in these circumstances, arrange for' taxpayers to make only one return for Income Tax and Super-tax, so that in the majority of cases the Super-tax assessment could be made locally by the inspector of taxes and sent to the special commissioners for approval and allowance as in the case of Income Tax payers who elect to be assessed by them instead of the local commissioners?

I am aware of the variety of bases to which my hon. and gallant Friend refer? although I do not follow his calculation of their number. A remedy for the inherent difficulties of the subject is not easily found but the matter is one which has my constant study.

Has the right hon. Gentleman personally been able to understand Income Tax returns without assistance?

I have for many years employed the services of an expert.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he could make considerable economies if he would amalgamate Income Tax and Super-tax?

Yes, Sir. These are extremely difficult matters and require very careful consideration. I have been devoting a great deal of time and thought to the subject, but whether anything will come of it or not is a question which I cannot answer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the possibility of making the north door of the British Museum available for public use so as to facilitate access to the Print Room and serve the general convenience of visitors and students approaching from the north?

I understand that the extra cost of the staff that would be required to give these improved facilities would be between. £800 and £900 per annum, and I regret that in present financial circumstances I do not feel justified in incurring it.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that so long as the north door is closed the expensive lift near it is practically useless, also that the Print Room and other galleries at the north end of the Museum are very far away from the main entrance and can only be reached from it by a complicated route, and that in consequence the special exhibitions from time to time held and changed in the north galleries are little visited by strangers ignorant of the intricate geography of the Museum?

I thoroughly appreciate all that, but I also appreciate the cost of the removal.

asked the Secretary for Scotland who are the contractors for ferrying between Lochalsh and Kyleakin and the contract price for the said ferry services; whether he is satisfied that the ferry charges are reasonable; and would he be prepared to consider the offer of ex-service men to provide a better and cheaper service than now exists?

I have been asked to reply. The arrangements with regard to this ferry are not under my control, but I have communicated with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company, who own the ferry rights, and am informed that the contractor for ferrying is Mr. John Clark of Kyleakin, Skye, and that he pays an annual rent of £100 to the company under a lease which expires in about two years. In the circumstances, it would not appear to be practicable for the company to make arrangements on the lines indicated in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great dissatisfaction among the farming community with regard to the fees charged for the use of the ferry, and does he think it wise? Will he make inquiries?

I will make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Registrar-General for Scotland classified the deaths from small-pox in Scotland in the years 1870 to 1875 into vaccinated, unvaccinated, and doubtful; and, if so, will he state how many deaths were registered in each of those classes in each of those years, stating also the age classification of each class?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Such classification was not introduced in the Registrar-General's Reports until a later period. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce the Government's decisions on the recommendations of the Scottish Agricultural Conference, and to indicate when a day will be given for discussion?

I regret that I cannot at present add substantially to the reply which I gave to the question put by the hon. and gallant Baronet a fortnight ago. I am not in a position to say whether a day can be given for discussion.

Seeing that the farmers of Scotland were asked by the Government to attach great importance to the proceedings of this Conference, seeing that this Conference reported over four months ago, and recommended, in the first instance, that drainage was the first necessity of Scottish land, and seeing that the only action of the Government since has been to cut down the grants hitherto given, will the right hon. Gentleman not undertake to come to a decision before Christmas?