asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average annual cost of obtaining information under the Census of Production Act, 1906; and if he can give any information as to whether producers in this country find the information of value?

The expenditure on the Third Census of Production is expected to be about £100,000. The average annual expenditure on such censuses depends upon the frequency with which they are taken. There is no doubt, judging by the requests which come to my Department for information such as the Census will provide, that its results will be of very great value to the nation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many firms regard the filling in of these forms as a nuisance, and that many object to the cost entailed in preparing the figures?

I am convinced that although these firms may have objections to the cost or even to the trouble entailed in filling up these forms, the returns will in the long run be of great value to the mercantile community as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the automatic counter scales which are being rapidly adopted by retail shopkeepers comply with the 1907 regulations made under Section 5 of the Weights and Measures Act; whether it is regular for inspectors to stamp them; and whether he will amend the regulations and introduce additional safeguards against fraud?

The answer is rather long, and the hon. Member will perhaps not object to my having it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The machines referred to can be stamped by an Inspector of Weights and Measures only when the Board of Trade have issued a certificate under Section 6 of the Weights and Measures Act, 1904, that the pattern is not such as to facilitate the perpetration of fraud. Apart from any special features of design which may be covered by the Board's certificate in any particular case, all such machines are required to conform to the general requirements of the Weights and Measures Act, 1907, particularly as regards accuracy. It is considered that the present procedure is adequate to prevent the use of machines whose design would facilitate fraud, but it is recognised that there is need for making additional Regulations for the guidance of makers and users of this type of machine, and the preparation of such Regulations is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the numbers and original nationalities of all persons convicted of fraudulent trading during the past two years?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that the information asked for is not available. It may, however, be of interest to my hon. Friend to know that, according to the published Criminal Statistics for 1924, out of 1,867 persons received into prison during that year on convictions for various kind of fraud, 52 (2.7 per cent.) were born in foreign countries. Corresponding figures for 1925 are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of

the adverse trade balance for the year 1925, it is proposed to do anything further to discourage imports other than food and necessaries?

Presumably my hon. Friend has in mind the imposition of Customs Duties, and, if so, the answer given to him by the Prime Minister on the 3rd December last, a copy of which I am sending him, will give him the information he desires.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has returns showing the actual quantity of iron and steel and manufactures thereof produced in the South Wales district and in the United Kingdom as a whole each month from August, 1925, until January, 1926, compared with the figures of the corresponding months of the previous year, and the decline in the price of coal since August of last year?

The answer contains a long table of figures. Accordingly, subject to my hon. Friend's concurrence, I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

According to statistics published by the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers the production of iron and steel in the United Kingdom and in the South Wales district in each month from August, 1925, to January, 1926, compared with figures of the corresponding months of the previous year was as follows:

Particulars of the production of manufactures of iron and steel in South Wales are not available. As regards the price of coal, I would refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I am giving to-day to another question he has addressed to me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce the Merchandise Marks Bill during the present Session; and whether the provisions of the Bill will cover all imported agricultural produce that is capable of identification up to the time that it reaches the consumer?

The President of the Board of Trade has already given notice of his intention to introduce a Merchandise Marks Bill this Session, but pending its introduction he is not prepared to anticipate its provisions.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the Bill will be introduced?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which two European countries have the highest customs tariff and which two the lowest, excluding in either case Great Britain and Russia; and if he can state, approximately or otherwise, what the respective tariffs would be expressed as percentages?

My hon. and gallant Friend will find a note on the relative ad valorem incidence of Customs Tariffs as affecting British trade on pages 542–5 of the volume entitled "Survey of Overseas Markets," which was published last year by the Committee on Trade and Industry. This note, however, deals only with the seven European countries which are of principal importance to our trade. I am afraid I could not undertake to extend the inquiry, since the labour and expense would be very heavy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the countries of Latvia, Esthonia, and Lithuania are in one Customs union, or if they have separate tariffs; and, if so, I what is the nominal height, approximate or otherwise, of their respective tariffs?

There is no Custom union between Latvia, Esthonia and Lithuania. As regards the second part of the question, I have no estimate, and here again the labour and expense involved in framing an estimate would be very considerable. I should, however, be happy to show my hon. and gallant Friend copies of the tariffs of these countries, if that course would be of help to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if Albania is joined to Jugoslavia in a Customs union, or if these two countries have separate tariffs; and, if so, if he can state, approximately or otherwise, how these two tariffs compare?

Jugoslavia and Albania have distinct Customs regimes. It would be impossible to establish any general comparison between the two tariffs without an amount of labour and expense that could not be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now allow coloured foreign chalks and crayons to be imported without a licence from the Dyestuffs Advisory Licensing Committee in view of the fact that goods of a similar standard cannot be produced in this country?

I have been asked to reply. The importation of foreign chalks and crayons is prohibited under the Dye-stuffs (Import Regulation) Act only if they are of synthetic organic origin. A large variety of these materials is available from British sources, and consequently there is no reason for any departure from the practice usually followed in the administration of the Act.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that British manufacturers have repeatedly told the importers that they cannot get a British product of the same use and value?

I hope the hon. Gentleman will let me have the details, and I will look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that retail bread prices have not for some weeks been in accordance with the scale laid down by the Food Council, a black list will be published as originally intended, by the Council in this eventuality?

It is not the case that retail bread prices have not for some weeks been in accordance with the scale laid down by the Food Council, nor was it ever the intention of the Council to publish a black list. My Noble Friend will have observed that the price of bread in London was reduced to 9½d. on 22nd February. This price is in accordance with the Food Council's scale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, from the details from which the Royal Commission on Food Prices gave their Report last year, he can give the percentage of increase of retail shop rents since 1913?

No, Sir. I am unable to supplement the information contained in the Report of the Royal Commission.

In view of the enormous increase of rents being passed on to the consumer, are the Board of Trade taking no interest in the matter?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Food Commission have had this matter before them. They did find that rents had not risen in the same proportion as food prices, but they did not make any report on it. I suppose they did not consider it a part of their duty.

Was it so small that the Food Commission considered it was not worth making a report upon, or are we to take it that the Commission want to hide what has taken place in this continued increase of rent?

I am sure the Food Commission did not want to hide anything. The hon. Gentleman has their Report, and they say, "We have not attempted to estimate what effect such increases may have in the retail cost of food."

In view of what has taken place and of cases which are now on in the City of London, where men are being done to death, so far as their business and their work are concerned, by the continued increases in rent, are the Board of Trade taking no action, as someone is bound to suffer?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of imports and exports of cotton lace and net for the six months preceding and the six months following the imposition of the Safeguarding Duties?

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

Following is the reply :

The aggregate value of the imports and exports of cotton lace and net during the periods specified has been as follows: — Jan.-June, 1925. July-Dec. 1925. £ £ Total Imports 809,100 253,000 Re-exports 629,500 87,600 Net Imports Retained 179,600 165,400 Exports of United Kingdom Manufacture. 1,247,200 1,002,000 The figures of imports and of re-exports include, for the period prior to the imposition of the duty, goods in transit on through bills of lading. Since the imposition of the duty, such transit goods have been, for the most part, transhipped under bond. It has long been the practice to exclude goods transhipped under bond from the general figures of imports and re-exports. Transhipments of lace and lace goods under bond in the period since the imposition of the duty account for a large part of the decreases in recorded imports and re-exports of such goods.

It may be added that the value of any cotton lace imported in postal parcels would appear in the trade accounts under the heading "Parcels Post" prior to the duty and under the heading "Cotton Lace" after that article became subject to duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the case of industries subordinate or allied to the iron and steel trades which make application for safeguarding under the provisions of the Board of Trade White Paper, such applications will be treated on their merits and without reference to the decision of His Majesty's Government on the application made by the iron and steel industries?

I am not sure that I understand the meaning of my hon. Friend's question; but I do not think that it would be possible to give a general answer about a number of unspecified industries which might be governed by different considerations.

Has the Board of Trade received any application from any of the subordinate industries connected with steel in accordance with the provisions of the White Paper with regard to safeguarding?

My hon. Friend knows that I could not possibly give him an answer on that point.

Which industry is not subordinate?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the committee appointed to inquire into and report upon an application which has been made under the safeguarding of industries procedure by the National Joint Industrial Council of the Hosiery and Knitwear of Cotton or Wool will be instructed to take into account the effect of any duty upon the retail price of those articles, in view of the importance that they should be procured as cheaply as possible by the poorer members of the community?

No, Sir. The instructions to the Committee appointed to inquire into this particular application will be the same as those given to other committees appointed under the Safeguarding of Industries procedure, and are set out in Part II. of the White Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Swedish Government have recently bought 875 British-made Imperial typewriters, and that they have expressed themselves as being completely satisfied; and will he place trial orders with this and other British firms forthwith?

I have no information of such an order, nor of the opinion of the Swedish Government of this machine, beyond the statement of the company. As I stated yesterday in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Basingstoke (Colonel Sir A. Holbrook), trial orders have been placed with this and other British firms.

May I get an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that in our Embassy in Sweden, at any rate, British typewriters will be used?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the number of civil servants who receive over four weeks' holiday each year; and what would be the reduction of staff, and the consequent annual saving on salaries, if the maximum annual leave were reduced to four weeks?

The number of civil servants, exclusive of those on foreign service, who are eligible for more than four weeks' holiday each year is estimated to be approximately 23,000. I am unable to conjecture the saving which might result if my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion were adopted, but it would certainly be insignificant, as the duties of officers of the grades in question who are on leave are normally covered by extra attendance on the part of their colleagues, who are not entitled to any additional payment on this account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received representations from the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee with regard to the carrying of timber as deck cargo; and whether he proposes to give effect to these suggestions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given to the hon. Members for Kilmarnock (Major MacAndrew) and Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne) on 16th February,a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the steamer "Brighton," which was recently in difficulties on the cross-Channel service, she fully complied with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; if not, in what respect she did not; whether the vessel was fitted with direction-finding apparatus; whether this apparatus was brought into use; how many passengers and crew were aboard: and whether they suffered any inconvenience?

I am informed that the steamer "Brighton," which was recently in difficulties in the Channel, fully complied with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. The vessel is not fitted with direction-finding apparatus. There were 35 passengers and 51 crew on board, and they experienced, I am informed, no inconvenience.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the steamer "Darlington," which was recently in collision, he will give particulars whether she fully com plied with the Merchant Shipping (Wire less Telegrapy) Act, 1919, and, if not, in what respect she did not; whether she was fitted with wireless direction- finding apparatus; whether this was brought into use, and, if not, for what reason; and how many persons were aboard?

The steamer "Darlington" is a small vessel of less than 1,600 tons gross tonnage, and, not being a passenger ship, is not subject to the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. She was not fitted with direction-finding apparatus. The total number of persons on board at the time of the casualty was 32.

Did this ship carry any valuable cargo at all?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the steamer "Antwerp" which was recently in difficulties, he will give particulars whether she fully com plied with the Merchant Shipping (Wire less Telegraphy) Act, 1919, and, if not, in what respect she did not; whether she was fitted with wireless direction-finding apparatus; whether this was brought into use; and how many persons were aboard?

The steamer "Antwerp," which was recently in difficulties, fully complied with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. She is not fitted with direction-finding apparatus. The total number of persons on board at the time was 138.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships, normally subject to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, have been reported overdue since 26th November, 1925; how many have failed so far to reach their destinations; and will he name the vessel or vessels?

The number of vessels normally subject to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, which were reported overdue since 26th November is six. All these vessels have arrived safely in port.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamer "Essex Chase," carrying passengers, was due at Philadelphia on the 29th January; whether she has yet arrived; if not, whether she is presumed lost; whether she fully complied with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; if not, in what respect she did not; and what was the total number of persons aboard?

It is reported that the steamer "Essex Chase" reached the Azores on the 20th February, short of coal. I am informed that she did not carry any passengers. No wireless operator was engaged prior to the vessel's departure from the United Kingdom on the 9th January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the German steamer "Poseidon" recently collided with and sank the French steamer "Deputé Henri Durre"; whether any British steamers in the vicinity were able to answer the call; and how many persons were involved in the collision?

I am aware that a collision occurred near Antwerp on the 13th February between the German steamer "Poseidon" and the French steamer "Deputé Henri Durre," and that the latter vessel sank. I have no information as to whether any wireless signals were sent out by these vessels, nor as to the number of persons involved in the collision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that wireless-operator Fraser was recently sent from Hull to Newcastle to join the steamer "Silverpine," while steamers in Hull were unable to secure operators and were allowed to proceed to sea without complying with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; whether the "Silverpine" is owned by a company subsidised by the Government; and whether Government subsidised companies are receiving any preferential treatment in the matter of the supply of operators during the marine wireless dispute?

I am informed by the Marconi International Marine Communication Company that a wireless operator was sent from Hull to Newcastle to join the s.s. "Silverpine." This vessel was proceeding on foreign service for an indefinite period, and it was, therefore, deemed advisable to appoint an operator who was willing to accept duty on this particular ship. The s.s. "Silverpine" does not, at the moment, belong to a company in respect of which a guarantee has been given under the Trade Facilities Act, but is in course of transfer to such a company. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the steam trawler "Tenby Castle" recently sent out a distress call; whether the call was picked up by any vessel in the vicinity; whether the "Tenby Castle" and her crew are lost; and will he give full particulars?

Distress signals sent out by the "Tenby Castle" at 5.14 a.m. on 14th February, were picked up by Valentia Wireless Station and by several ships which were too far away to be of assistance. A general message to trawlers in the vicinity was sent out by Valentia at 8 a.m., when the operators on the trawlers came on watch, and it was picked up (by the steam trawler "Cardigan Castle" and others. The crew of the "Tenby Castle" were saved in their lifeboat, reaching the shore at 10 a.m. I regret to say that in searching for the "Tenby Castle" the "Cardigan Castle" was lost, and, so far as reported, only one of her crew has been saved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that wireless operators A. G. White, late of the steamer "Marlock," and E. J. Cook, late of the steamer "Ranchi," have been available at the revised rates of pay since 7th February; whether he permitted the steamers "Trevalgan," "Albany," "Portloe," "Phyllis-seed," "Archmell," "Pensilva," "Blythmoor," "Ronda," "Bencorlic," "King- guffydd," "Ladykirk," "Ladyastley," and "Parkhill," to sail without operators contrary to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; and, if so, on what grounds?

The answer is a long one, and, if the hon. Member sees no objection, I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

I am informed that Mr. White was serving on board the s.s. "Marloch" when that vessel was in collision with the s.s. "Whimbrel" on the 2nd February, and that when the "Marloch's" lifeboat was launched he joined in the search party for the crew of the "Whimbrel." In consequence of this he suffered from severe exposure, but maintained a continuous wireless watch on board the "Marloch." until her arrival at Southampton, and in view of the very long hours of duty and the trying ordeal experienced by this operator, he was granted fourteen days' special leave in which to recuperate. As regards Mr. Cook, I am informed that the steamer "Ranchi" arrived, in London on the 4th February and was booked to sail, and did sail, on the 19th February. During the time the ship was in port Mr. Cook had certain duties to perform, and owing to the state of his health it was necessary to give him a few days' rest. Of the other steamers mentioned, two left carrying operators. The reasons why the Board of Trade, during the late dispute, allowed vessels to sail without operators have been frequently stated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the lang agent of his Department at Durrington threatens to withdraw allotment land from the parish council of Ludgershall, Wiltshire, unless they agree to terms which would necessitate a doubling of the allotment holders' rent; how the present rent compares per acre with that of the farm land of which it has been a part; whether he is aware that the reversion of the allotment land to the farm would mean less revenue to the State as well as less food for the people; and whether he will give an assurance that no higher rent will be asked for allotment land than for ordinary farm land of the same district, quality, and character?

The position is that at present a tenant of the War Department at Ludgershall has sublet about 13 acres of his farm on yearly tenancies for allotments, partly to the parish council at £1 an acre exclusive of rates, and partly to the allotment holders direct at £2 6s. 8d. an acre inclusive of rates. The War Department have been asked by their tenant to resume this portion of his farm, and he has given notice to the parish council and the allotment holders to quit. When the present tenancies expire the War Department have offered to let the whole 13 acres to the parish council on a yearly tenancy, or a seven years' lease, as may be preferred, at a rent of £1 10s. an acre. They are advised that this is a very reasonable rent; though higher than the rent for the whole farm of which it now forms part and which contains a good deal of permanent pasture: it is considerably less than the average for allotments in the neighbourhood. I cannot give any undertaking which is inconsistent with the War Department's obligation to charge not less than a fair rent based on the user of the land.

Then may we take it that no higher rent will be asked for allotment land than for ordinary farm land of the same district, quality and character?

That is the same question to which I have replied in the rather long answer I have given.

May I ask why the War Department have put obstacles in the way of intensive cultivation of land by the raising of rents?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is quite wrong. The War Department are not putting obstacles in the way. On the contrary, they are offering to let land to the parish council for the very purpose of providing allotments.

asked (1) the Secretary of State for War what is the number of commissioned officers employed on administration duties at the headquarters of the 1st Division at Aldershot;

(2) what is the number of commissioned officers employed on administrative duties at the headquarters of the Aldershot command?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the information given on pages 18 and 19 of the current Monthly Army List.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present cost of the cavalry of His Majesty's Army; what was the cost in 1913; and what reduction in the number of cavalry soldiers has taken place since that year?

The effective cost of the cavalry on the British establishment in the present year's Estimates is £1,909,000; in 1913–14 Estimates it was £1,559,000, but the basis of the figures for the two years is not quite the same. The cavalry on the British establishment has been reduced from 14,716 in 1913–14 to 9,105 in the present year.

If any further reductions in the cavalry are contemplated, will there be an increase in the Air Force available for the Army?

Not at this moment.

Is not this expenditure on cavalry largely a sheer waste of public money?

We do not think so.

May I ask whether the whole experience of the War in France was not that cavalry have ceased to be a necessary element as an eye of the Army, or of any use for mass attack?

No, Sir; and France was not the only seat of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can make any statement as to the pay of those Woolwich cadets who passed the examinations and began their course before the new rates of pay came into force, and are now being given commissions; and if it is still proposed to pay these gentlemen less than those cavalry and line officers now commissioned who entered Sandhurst at the same date and after the same examination as the Woolwich cadets?

This matter is still under consideration, and I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me, if I put down a question in a fortnight's time?

I hope I may be able to tell my hon. and gallant Friend in a fortnight or three weeks. Perhaps he will communicate with me.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the troops recruited during the past year were unemployed at the time of their recruitment?

Records are only available in respect of the London area, where 60 per cent. of the recruits were unemployed at the time of their enlistment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information to the effect that German chemists are still being employed by Chinese militarists for the manufacture of poison gas, as stated in his reply to the hon. Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. Foot Mitchell) on 15th July, 1925?

As the result of further inquiries, I do not think that the previous information in regard to this matter can be relied upon. The German Government deny that any German chemists are in the employment of the Chinese militarists. I accept the denial unreservedly.

asked the Prime Minister when an opportunity will be afforded for a full statement to be made to the House regarding the present position of affairs in China and the policy which is being adopted by the Government to safeguard British interests, in view of the results to British trade of the existing conditions?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East Essex on the 10th February. No material change has yet taken place in the situation in China, and I do not think a further statement would serve any useful purpose at present.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen, or has he any knowledge of some news that appears in the Press this morning to the effect that the Commissioner of Customs has closed the port of Canton, and does he not consider that that shows that the people on the spot are doing their best to uphold the interests of British trade?

I have seen the statement referred to by my hon. Friend. The Foreign Secretary is unable to be here to-day. Doubtless any hon. Member putting down a question would hear what my right hon. Friend has to say.

Was the closing of the port of Canton done without consultation with the Government?

I should want notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now prepared to provide the access roads which were promised several years ago by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland to the holders in the township of Reef, in the Island of Lewis?

As I stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) on the 2nd July last, what was promised to the Reef holders was a grant towards the construction or repair of certain roads. The contribution offered was originally £520, but this was subsequently increased to £810. This offer is still open for acceptance by the holders.

Does not the Minister now realise quite clearly that the money offered is quite insufficient in the view of anyone who has knowledge of the subject?

No, Sir. That is not my opinion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries?

I have given very careful consideration to this question, and in my opinion and that of my Board, it is sufficient.

Has the right hon. Gentleman never thought it worth his while to visit the Island of Lewis, so as to see for himself the terrible state of affairs there?

Yes, Sir, I was there last August.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the possibility of completing the South Loch Erisort Road, which was left unfinished by the Board of Agricul ture for Scotland in the autumn of 1924?

I am unable to hold out any hope of an additional grant being made at the present time towards the cost of constructing the part of this road which was not covered by the previous scheme.

Are the Minister and the Government aware that it is an extremely foolish thing, after spending thousands of pounds, to leave the work unfinished?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the prospective demand for the new steel houses erected on the authority of the Government, any arrangements are being made regarding the process of selection of the occupiers; and whether it is intended to give the tenants any option of purchase?

The selection of tenants for the houses in question is a matter for the Second Scottish National Housing Company (Housing Trust) Limited, who are building the houses, and any applications by prospective occupiers should be addressed to the secretary of the company at 63, Frederick Street, Edinburgh. The company will be prepared to consider any proposals by tenants or others for the purchase of the houses.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that in the selection of tenants those with the largest families get the first choice?

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland to have no control over the question of the occupiers? Was not the statement made, when the building of these houses was first mentioned, that it was for the relief of people in necessitous areas, and are the Government going to keep their promise that those who require houses most are to get them?

If I were to answer all these questions, it would be a Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it has yet been decided what are to be the respective sizes of the new steel houses to be built on the selected sites in Glasgow; and if any arrangements are being made to build any of these houses of two or more storeys on the tenement principle?

The accommodation of the houses referred to will consist of three and four apartments and, in addition, a scullery, bathroom and larder to each house. The houses will be of three types, the bungalow, the two-storey cottage and the two-storey flat. No building will be more than two storeys in height and no one block will consist of more than four houses.

What will be the rent?

It will vary in each case.

Is it possible to get anything definite in pounds, shillings and pence, because our people have only so much money to spend each week, and we have a right to know what is to be the "rent of these houses?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies—

The hon. Member should put down a question as to the type of houses to which he refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the people of Stornoway adopted a no-licence resolution under the Temperance (Scotland) Act in 1920 and again in 1923; and, in view of the fact that these decisions have been frustrated by the issue of excise licences, what steps does he propose to take in order that the will of the people shall prevail?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not prepared at the present time to give any undertaking as to legislation to amend the law with regard to the issue of excise licences in areas in which a no-licence resolution is in force. I may add that I am informed by the Customs and Excise that there is only one excise licence in force in the burgh of Stornoway.

Are supplies not available under the Act apart from these excise licences altogether, even though "no licence" is carried?

Is it not so: that they are not necessarily available, and only if a special licence for restaurants and hotels is granted?

There is only one licence in Stornoway under the Act.

Cannot an Englishman get a drink if he goes to Stornoway?

He does not deserve it!

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the new regulations for the training of midwives coming into force in May of this year and the difficulty of meeting the full extra costs by increased fees to pupil nurses in the Scottish maternity hospitals, if he will try to secure for Scotland the same grants-in-aid which are promised for similar hospitals in England and Wales?

I regret that I am unable to take the action proposed for the reason stated in my answer to the question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith on 15th February. In view of the interest of Members in this subject and the difficulty of dealing adequately with it by the method of question and answer, I have had an explanatory Memorandum prepared which I am forwarding to the hon. Member and which I should be glad to make available to Members interested. At the same time I fully appreciate the special difficulty with which the maternity hospitals may be faced, and am keeping it in view in considering the Report of the Departmental Committee on the hospital position in Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that maternity mortality in Scotland is much heavier than in England, that these pupil nurses mostly come from the working classes, and that this increase of fees is probably going to have a serious effect upon maternity nursing in Scotland?

We are watching the position very closely.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that for two or three years past about 1,000 people have taken up their residence on private property on or about the shore between Cardross and Helensburgh, and more especially between Ardmore Bay and Helensburgh; that they live in wooden structures and in bell tents, some staying all the winter, others only during summer months; that these people are householders in neighbouring towns; that at the spot in question there are no sanitary arrangements, drains, or water supply other than polluted burn water, and that, accordingly, there is risk to public health; that the structures erected for occupation do not conform to the regulations of the County Council of Dumbarton; and what proceedings he is prepared to adopt to put an end to this menace to public health?

In reply to the first two parts of the question, I am informed that in 1924, 667 persons, including 194 children, took up residence on the shore between Cardross and Craigendoran under the conditions indicated. In 1925 the number so in residence was 391, including 149 children. I understand that the majority of these people usually reside in neighbouring towns. I am informed that the local authority have issued special instructions as to the sanitary accommodation, and that there is no ground for complaint under this head, the necessary conveniences having been provided. The main water supply is suitable for domestic purposes; the local authority have from time to time directed attention to the risk of taking Water from certain places and the Scottish Board of Health are at present keeping the matter under close observation. With reference to the penultimate part of the question, only two quasi-permanent structures come within the scope of the local authority's building byelaws, the other coming under the byelaws for tents, vans and similar structures. Convictions for contravention of the building byelaws have been obtained in the case of the two quasi-permanent structures and the Board of Health are at present in communication with the local authority with reference to the demolition of these structures. With regard to the last part of the question I am informed that the local authority's byelaws for tents, vans and similar structures are being reasonably enforced. I may point out that the local authority have no power to prohibit the use of such structures unless coming within the ambit of the building byelaws and also that the occupation of private land is not a question with which the local authority have power to deal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the manner and the extent to which Scotland will participate in the Government schemes for land drainage?

The Government propose to ask Parliament to vote for the purpose of grants towards the cost of agricultural drainage schemes a sum equal to 11/80ths of the provision to be made for such grants in England and Wales. The sum included for such grants in Scotland in the coming financial year is £20,625. I am sending to the hon. Member a statement containing a summary of the main terms and conditions which will be applicable to the grants.

asked the Prime Minister when and where the Legitimacy Bill will be introduced this Session?

This Bill will be introduced in another place as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to make any allowance in the calculation of Income Tax in respect of dependants; over the age of 16 who have not been employed since leaving school?

I regret that I do not see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. The Income Tax allowance in respect of a child over the age of 16 years is in my view properly limited to cases where the child's education is being continued.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of Super-tax is now in arrear, and what is the number of taxpayers concerned?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on the 18th February. I am sending him a copy of that reply.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say he sent me a reply?

indicated assent.

No, Sir.

Yes, I gave my hon. Friend a reply on 18th February, and I am now sending him a copy of that reply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I have not raised this question before?

I have in my hand questions and answers in the OFFICIAL REPORT of the 18th February, in which it appears that there was a question on the Order Paper by my hon. Friend relating to Super-tax—but perhaps I had better read it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of Super-tax is now in arrear and what is the number of taxpayers concerned."

That was never put.

There is an answer reported. In view of the fact that the main collection of the current year's tax is now proceeding, I am unable, without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour, to state the amount of Super-tax in arrear at the present date. If my hon. Friend would repeat his question after 31st March I should hope to be in a position to give a figure at that time."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 18th February; col. 2164, Vol. 191.]

That question was never put.

It was answered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that interest accrued on deposits in banks is not subject to Income Tax in the year in which it has accrued, but in the year following; whether he is aware that, if any such deposit is withdrawn and the asset no longer in existence in the bank at the period in the year following when the assessment papers are completed, the interest which had in fact been paid to the depositor escapes Income Tax altogether; and if he can give any estimate of the amount of interest income which thus escapes taxation?

I find on inquiry that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. While it is generally true that a recipient of bank deposit interest is charged on the preceding year basis, he is chargeable under Section 17 of the Finance Act, 1922, for the year in: which the interest first arises on the amount arising in that year. The particular leakage apprehended by the hon. Member does not, therefore, exist.

Is it not the case that the Government in the 1915 Finance Bill itself brought forward an Amendment to stop this leakage, and that Amendment was withdrawn after considerable pressure had been put on the Government by the bankers; and does the right hon. Gentleman propose to reintroduce that Clause in the forthcoming Budget?

So many things have happened since 1915 that I am afraid I cannot carry all the proceedings of the Budget in my head. I will look into the matter.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of the deduction of the tax at the source, as in the case of dividends?

Well, Sir, I really must have notice of these Income Tax questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the pressure which is being made by the Special Commissioners of Income Tax for the payment of Super-tax for 1925–26,he will consider extending to the payers of Super-tax the same privileges enjoyed by payers of Income Tax, to allow payments to be made in two instalments, the second not later than June?

I fear that I could not contemplate the alteration in the law which my hon. Friend suggests, which I am advised would cost in the year of change £16,000,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total number of persons assessed for Income Tax and the number assessed for Supertax, repectively, for the years 1922–23, 1923–24, and 1924–25?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

The estimated number of individuals with total incomes above the effective exemption limit of the Income Tax is as follows: Number of Individuals. Total. Year. Entirely relieved from tax by the operation of abatements and allowances. Chargeable with tax. 1922–23 … 2,700,000 2,375,000 5,075,000 1923–24 … 2,350,000 2,45,000 4,800,000 1924–25 … 2,300,000 2,400,000 4,700,000 The figures for the year 1924–25 are provisional only.

The following estimates have been made of the number of persons liable to Super-tax for the years named: Year. Number of persons liable. 1922–23 … … … 89,000 1923–24 … … … 91,000 1924–25 … … … 90,000

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that a guarantee for £2,000,000 has been granted under the Trade Facilities Act for developing the Kent coalfield, he will assure the House that no further guarantee of this kind will be made until after the Coal Commission has made its Report on the mining industry as a whole?

I do not feel able to give so sweeping an undertaking. But the hon. Member can rest assured that in future as in the past the Mines Department will be consulted before any guarantee is given for any colliery undertaking, and my right hon. Friend doubtless has fully in mind the possible effects of the Report of the Coal Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, seeing that under the Trade Facilities Act a sum of over £5,000,000 has been guaranteed by the British Government to a shipping company called the Silver Line, trading between New York and Eastern ports, that the capital of the said company is limited to £500,000, and that this company is partially under American control and is in direct competition with all British shipping companies trading direct from the British Isles to the same ports, if he will be prepared to extend the same facilities to them?

The guarantee given to the Silver Line, Limited, as reported to Parliament in House of Commons Paper No. 174 of 1925, covers a sum of £1,107,000 for the construction of six vessels to be built in British yards. As the ships do not touch the British Isles in their trading route, I do not see how they can be in direct competition with British shipping companies trading direct from the British Isles to the same ports. The Advisory Committee would, of course, consider on its merits any application from any British shipping company.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the same sort of produce is carried from New York to the Eastern ports by our own ships as is now carried by the ships of this line? And is he also aware that the principle directors are domiciled in Brooklyn, in the United States of America, and that most of the capital of the line is American?

Yes, Sir, I am quite aware of what is mentioned in the last part of the supplementary question, but it was one of the objects of the Trade Facilities Act to foster employment in this country, and to encourage the starting of enterprises in this country, not only by British capital but by foreign capital, in order to give more employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that everybody employed by this company is an American citizen and not a British citizen?

It is a question of getting ships built in the shipyards.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that only British subjects are employed upon these ships?

I think that would be inconsistent with the policy the House has adopted in regard to Trade Facilities, which has undoubtedly been to direct enterprises to this country which would otherwise be located in some other country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that by subsidising this line he is, as a matter of fact, seriously interfering with the trade of a number of British shipowners?

Of course all these interferences, which are favourable in one direction, very often have unfavourable reactions in another direction. The whole question was debated very fully last night, and I suggest that an occasion like that is the best on which to explore this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will allow any rebate on the £28 18s. 10d. import duty in respect of a sofa covered with silk, and as such assessed as a made-up article containing silk?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question of 15th December last on this subject. If he will be good enough to furnish me with sufficient particulars to identify the case he has in mind I will endeavour to give him an answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the method adopted to check the claims for drawback on exports of goods containing silk?

The revenue cheeks on drawback claims, in respect of silk goods exported, are of the same kind as those in respect of other classes of drawback goods. It would not be in the public interest to describe them in detail, but I may say that they include, in varying percentages, inspections of the goods, analysis of samples, examination of exporters' records, and verification of actual shipment.

Is it correct to assume that it is at least a two days' task for the officials to check these goods on each export?

I will look into that, as I think that would be excessive.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not say whether the statement is or is not correct?

There will be many opportunities of discussing these matters on the Budget where the Silk Duties will come up.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the method of working the Silk Duties in Manchester is quite satisfactory to the exporters?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now state when he expects to be able to resume negotiations with the French Government with a view to completing a debt settlement with France?

The French Minister of Finance has informed me that he hopes to come to London before the end of February, but necessarily his movements depend upon the course of the financial discussions now proceeding in the French Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to date of the credit of $100,000,000 in New York; the total estimated cost for the first year; and how long it is expected that this unused credit will be required?

The cost to date is $1,125,000, being the commission payable in respect of the first year; unless the credit is used there will be no further payment for that year. I cannot at present say whether the credit will be prolonged beyond the end of the year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will in future dispense with four pages of exact quadruplication in Return No. 9 of this month relative to advances to the Government by the Bank of England?

This Return is presented under Statute. I have no power to dispense with it, and I do not think it would be in the public interest to suppress the publication annually of this correspondence, the cost of which is trifling and which under certain circumstances might be an important safeguard of sound relations between the Bank and the Treasury.

Could not the later copies of the letter be simply recorded as being the same as the first letter?

If my Noble Friend will tell me privately what he thinks is the advantage, I will consider it.

It will save four pages.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many fatal accidents occurred in the coal and iron mines of the United Kingdom during the year 1925; and how many persons lost their lives?

The number of fatal accidents at such mines in 1925 was 1,048, and the number of persons who lost their lives was 1,134.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that at least one of those accidents occurred in a mine through a man being ordered to go into a place where timber had been knocked out by accident and not replaced?