asked the President of the Board of Trade the production, actual or estimated, of cotton lace and net manufactures in this country for the six months before and the six months after the imposition of the safeguarding duties?

I regret that the particulars for which the hon. Member asks are not available.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a safeguarding duty of 33⅓ per cent. has been imposed on imports of calcium molybdate into this country from America; whether such imports are in unfair competition with any manufacture of the article in this country; whether he is aware that such an imposition is penalising British steel manufacturers in this country, as the use of this material shows a distinct saving in steel-production costs as compared with the use of ferro-molybdenum; and if this duty was taken into account in the recent safeguarding inquiry into the cutlery industry?

Calcium molybdate has been liable to duty, on importation under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, since the let October, 1921. I have received no complaints that imports of this material compete unfairly with any manufacture in this country. I am informed that Molybdenum steel is not used by the cutlery industry, and the existence of the duty has consequently no bearing whatever on the questions considered in the cutlery inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in regard to other steels manufactured in Sheffield this substance is being used in order to reduce costs of production, and having regard to the statement of his Department that the position of the steel industry gives cause for anxiety, will he revise a decision which prevents a reduction in costs of production?

No, Sir, I think it is vitally important, if a particular constituent part is essential to the production of highly finished steel, to have it produced in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can inform the House what are the recommendations of the safeguarding inquiry on worsted?

In accordance with the general practice, which I explained to the House in an answer that I gave on the 16th November last, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member, I am unable to make any statement on this matter at present.

In view of the great importance of this question and the very large and numerous interests involved, can the right hon. Gentleman name an approximate date when he will be in a position to make a statement to the House?

No, Sir. All those considerations were before the Government when they decided on the general policy.

As the matter is being considerably delayed, and as there has been no statement by the right hon. Gentleman since the Report of the Committee, will he, unless there is some real and necessary reason for the delay, make a statement to the House?

Is it not a fact that the Committee concluded its labours some time ago?

That is quite true.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the Report himself?

Yes, Sir.

Why should not the House of Commons see it also?

The House of Commons will see it in due course. The reason why it has not been published at present is the reason which has been already given.

further asked the production, actual or estimated, of silk and artificial silk manufactures in this country for the six months before and the six months after the imposition of the safeguarding duties?

I am sorry I cannot give the particulars desired by the hon. Gentleman. I can only say that in the second half of 1925 about 14,100,000 lbs. of artificial silk were charged with Excise Duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the Weights and Measures Acts are being strictly administered in every respect?

So far as I am aware the Weights and Measures Acts are, generally speaking, strictly administered by the local authorities under those Acts. There are, however, a large number of authorities concerned operating under very diverse conditions and it is inevitable that there should be some variation in local procedure. Every effort is made by the Board within the limits of their powers to secure effective uniformity in administration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Companies Acts; if so, whether he intends to publish it; and whether and when he intends to give effect to its recommendations?

I have not yet received the Report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that on this important matter there will be an early decision?

I think the hon. and gallant Member had better wait until he and I have seen the Report.

I am asking the right hon. Gentleman whether he can hold out any hope that we ever shall see it.

Yes, certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount and value of American films imported into this country during the year 1925, together with the amount in linear feet, and value for the year 1924?

As the answer contains a table of figures, I propose, with the concurrence of the hon. Member, to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any Clause in any commercial treaty between this country and any foreign country which would prevent the imposition of an import duty on foreign films imported into this country based upon their exhibition value as distinct from the value of the material of which they are composed?

There is no treaty impediment to the imposition of an import duty on foreign films on any basis whatever, provided that it is such that the amount of duty leviable is definitely ascertainable at the time of importation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any Clause in any treaty between this country and the United States of America which would preclude the imposition of a tax on films imported from the United States of America based on the hiring fees charged for their exhibition in this country?

As Great Britain is one of the largest importers of these films, will he say what step is contemplated by the Government to safeguard British interests?

That is not the question which the hon. and gallant Gentleman asked. He asked for a table of figures, which, as I have said, I propose to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the table of figures promised:

The following statement shows the quantity and value of the various descriptions of cinematograph films imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered as consigned from the United States during the years in question:

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for a Return to be prepared and laid upon the Table giving particulars of the trade done between this country and Russia, and between France, Italy, Germany, and Russia during the period which has passed since the Anglo-Soviet Trading Agreement was entered into?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports, exports, and re-exports in respect of British trade with Russia last year, showing separately the total value of each principal commodity?

I will have statements prepared and printed, when ready, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that many steel works, equipped with the most modern and up-to-date rolling mills, are working short time, the Government will reconsider the decision of the Trade Facilities Act Committee to grant assistance for the extension of similar plant, seeing that such action will have a detrimental effect on employment at existing works in other districts?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the productive capacity of iron and steel is approximately 50 per cent. above pre-War; and why the Government has made a grant of £650,000 for extension of plant to the Appleby Iron Company, where there is ample modern steel-productive plant idle?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer(1) whether the Trade Facilities Committee, in considering guarantees, takes account of the productive capacity of modern plant in the trade concerned in relation to the actual or estimated demand;

(2) whether, with reference to the recent decision of the Trade Facilities Committee to provide a guarantee of £650,000 for the extension of works of the Appleby Iron Company, the Committee took any advice from or consulted in anyway the firms at present owning complete and modern rolling-mill plant;

(3) whether he has received the protest of the Tees Conservancy Commissioners against the recent decision of the Trade Facilities Committee to provide a guarantee of £650,000 for the extension of the works of the Appleby Iron Company; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

With the permission of hon. Members, I will answer these questions together. The Trade Facilities Act Advisory Committee, in considering whether they shall recommend a guarantee to a particular undertaking, take into account the productive capacity of the modern plant in the trade concerned: and they did so before recommending the guarantee to the Appleby Iron Company. It is not the practice of the Committee to consult or take advice from other firms engaged in the same business, nor are such firms generally in a position to express an impartial judgment on the merits of applications for guarantees. The decision to give a guarantee to the Appleby Iron Company was arrived at after very full consideration of all relevant circumstances, and I see no ground for reconsidering it. It must not be assumed that the effect of the guarantee will necessarily be detrimental to employment at existing works in other districts; on the contrary, I hope that the completion of the new works will result in the securing of orders for this country which at present do not come here, and in a diminution in imports of foreign steel.

later : Captain Macmillan.

May I have an answer to Question 51?

Question 51 has been answered.

On a point of Order. May I inquire to whom questions should be addressed. If I put a question relating to trade, it is answered by the Treasury; and if I address a question to the Treasury, it is answered by the Board of Trade?

That is a matter, I think, to be settled among Ministers themselves.

My reply applies to 51, 52 and 53, which were answered with No. 5.

On a point of Order. As a specific reference is made in this question to a question put by me in December last, am I in order in asking that the President of the Board of Trade should be allowed to give his answer?

I am afraid I have no power in the matter. Perhaps the hon. and learned Member for the Exchange Division (Sir L. Scott) will be hero before the end of Questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of Class I vessels in the mercantile marine subject to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, of tonnages 1,600 tons to 3,000 tons, 3,001 to 6,000 tons, 6,001 tons to 10,000 tons, 10,001 tons to 15,000 tons, 15,001 tons to 21,000 tons, 21,000 tons and over, respectively; the number of Class II vessels of similar tonnages; and the number of Class III vessels of similar tonnages?

The total number of ships registered in the United Kingdom which were at the beginning of February required to carry wireless apparatus under the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, was 3,156. The classification of the ships depends on the number of persons carried, and it is not possible to give the exact number of ships in each class without examining all the ships' papers; but it is estimated that there are about 350 ships in Class I, about 800 in Class II, and about 2,000 in Class III.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was approximately the loss sustained by British shipping owing to the late strike in Australia, involving British ships alone; and, seeing that owing to this strike a large amount of freight from Australia was transferred to foreign ships manned by crews receiving rates of pay some 50 per cent. lower than those paid on British ships, does the Government propose to take any action against the persons in this country who were concerned in the organising of this strike?

I am afraid it would not be possible to frame any useful official estimate of the loss sustained by British shipping owing to the late strike in Australia. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is it not the case that a lot of these goods were eventually brought by ships which were paying much lower rates to the men employed than the rates paid under the British flag?

Yes; I think that is quite true.

Can that be to the advantage of the working men of this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that in connection with disputed claims on the part of British citizens for damage done by enemy action, there is at present no arbitrator, he can state how long the vacancy has existed; and whether the appointment of an arbitrator is being expedited, in view of the delay in dealing with these claims?

I presume that the question refers to claims under Clause 4 of the Annex to Section IV of Part X of the Treaty of Versailles. The arbitrator appointed to assess these claims resigned in October, 1924, and under an agreement which was come to in May, 1925, the majority of the outstanding claims have already been amicably settled. It appears, however, that certain claims will have to be referred to arbitration, and steps are, therefore, being taken with a view to the appointment, as soon as possible, of a new arbitrator.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the arbitrator's office was closed no notification was sent to those having claims outstanding, and that there is a general feeling among the outstanding claimants that the claims of big business having been satisfied these other claims are not receiving attention?

I think the impression is, and rightly is, exactly the opposite to that indicated by the hon. Member. The result of the agreement which was made by the late Controller of the Clearing Office, was to expedite the settlement of the small claims on agreed terms, which were, I think, in the interest of the claimants. I understand that the bulk of the claims are being settled on those lines, and that arbitration will only be necessary in comparatively few cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that £422,500 is being spent on improving the barrack accommodation for the regiments of the Brigade of Guards, including the provision of lounges, armchairs, lawns, fountains, and bars de luxe, it is proposed to do anything to improve the conditions of Bordon camp?

The suggestion in my hon. and gallant Friend's question is unwarranted. Schemes for the replacement of hutted camps by permanent barracks will be proceeded with as opportunity occurs; the present conditions at Bordon Camp are equal to those in any other hutted camp in the United Kingdom. With regard to the expenditure on London barracks, no public money is being spent on armchairs or lounges; they are provided by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes without cost to the public. The fountain is an old war memorial originally provided from private funds and all that has been done is to place it in a more suitable position, with grass plots round it, at a cost of about £400. The new regimental institute is part of a block containing barrack rooms, dining rooms, and adult school; the approximate cost is about £15,000 out of the £371,500 being spent on accommodation for the Guards Brigade in London. I cannot identify the £422,500 referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

The right hon. Gentleman has omitted to deal with the question of bars de luxe.

Is it not only fair that the Brigade of Guards should in this respect enjoy the same facilities as the House of Commons?

I am not sure I know what a "bar de luxe" is, but if it be a similar one to that in the House of Commons, I do not think it is unduly favourable.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in placing contracts for supplying bread and flour, he will insert a clause that will ensure a proportion of English-grown wheat being used?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar question on the 11th ultimo, and to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate quantities of imported beef and home-fed beef consumed by the troops stationed in this country for the year 1925?

The approximate quantity of imported beef consumed by the troops in this country during the year 1925 was 10,000 tons (exclusive of some 400 tons of preserved meat). The amount of home-fed beef was negligible.

What is Imperial beef?

Why is home-fed beef negligible?

I have already, on various occasions, explained that the price of home-fed beef is so great that we cannot afford it.

Is it not a fact that home-fed beef suitable for troops is not more than and. or 2d. a lb. more?

We have obtained tenders for home-fed beef right up to the present year, and they have always been considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the percentage (value) of all foodstuffs, and of all other materials and stores purchased by his Department during the last financial year, which were of foreign origin?

Expressed as a percentage of the total value of War Office headquarter purchases during 1924–25, the values of purchases of articles of foreign origin are: foodstuffs 1.29 per cent.; all other materials and stores 2.42 per cent., 92 per cent. of which related to copper, timber and lead. If petrol and oils, which are to a great extent refined in this country although the crude oil is almost entirely produced in foreign countries, are regarded as of foreign origin, the percentage of 2.42 would be increased to 3.68 per cent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in connection with the "Buy British Goods" campaign now in progress, he will reconsider the previous decision of his Department not to give an effective preference to fresh meat of home production in any contracts issued by his Department for the supply of the Army at home stations?

I regret that, in view of the very large extra cost involved, it would not be possible to give an effective preference to fresh meat of home production. Practically all the frozen meat bought for the Army at home is of Dominion origin.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why the preference that is given to other articles bought for the use of the troops cannot be extended to agriculture?

It certainly is extended to agriculturists. We always give a preference to home and, following that, to Dominion produce.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us of any English produce that is not asked for in this country?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary or State for War whether any of the £1,655,000 to be spent at Catterick Camp for the purchase of additional land and development is for the extension of the agricultural training centre there or whether it is the intention of the War Office to close down agricultural training at the camp; and, if so, when this is to take place?

No portion of this sum is provided for the purposes mentioned. There is no present intention of closing down agricultural training at Catterick Camp.

Is the War Office aware of the excellent reports that are now coming from Western Australia, from the group settlements there, of the men who have been trained at this agricultural camp, and of the satisfaction there is among all who have gone, and is the Department prepared to consider extending the work that is done so usefully at Catterick?

The Department is fully aware of the appreciative reports received from the countries to which the men have gone.

Could we not train them for work on the land in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the agricultural training at Catterick Camp has been curtailed during the past 12 months or whether it is intended to limit it in the near future?

The development of the camp during the past 12 months has reduced the amount of arable land available for agricultural training. There is no intention of reducing it further at present.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman remember promising me, on the occasion of the Estimates, that there would be no reduction of agricultural land for the purpose of training in this camp?

I do not remember that, but I am very anxious to continue the training at Catterick. Some of the agricultural land has had to go for building there, but I am going to do what I can to replace it.

In view of the work that is being done in this camp, to which tribute has been paid on every hand, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps, not only to continue it as it has been in operation before, but to extend the work?

Of course, that is all bound up with the question of expense. I should very much like to extend it, but I am not sure that I would be able to get the money.

Would it not be better to be training these men who are finishing their service in the Army for work on the land, either at home or overseas, than let them join the unemployed army, as to-day?

Certainly. That is the policy of the Government, and that is why vocational training has been carried on.

But why not extend it?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there are a number of men belonging to the Royal Army Service Corps who have been stationed at Abassia, Cairo, for more than five years; and whether, seeing that the usual term of service at this station is four years, he can hold out any hope of these men being brought back to this country in the near future?

The normal period of service in Egypt is five years, not four. The men of the Royal Army Service Corps referred to, who, owing to special circumstances, have been kept beyond the normal period, will be brought home during the present trooping season. Reliefs have already been sent out.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the constant complaints which have been made against the pollution of the air and the stench caused by the smoke coming from Dixon's works on the south side of Glasgow, and the effect this is having on the health of the local residents; if he is aware that nothing has been done by the local authority to have any improvements carried out; and if he will take steps to see that this grievance is removed?

I am aware that complaints of offensive odours from Messrs. Dixon's works have been made. These complaints have been carefully investigated and remedies sought by the local authority. Messrs. Dixon have, I am informed, recently taken certain steps, though it is still too early to say whether these will succeed in removing the cause of complaint. The matter is engaging the active attention of the local authority, and the Board of Health are keeping the position under close observation.

Does my right hon. Friend not think there is more pollution of the air of Glasgow by some of the speeches made there than by the smoke coming from Dixon's works?

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether, if that question had been asked by one of the members here, he would not have been suspended?

I think humour is regarded as allowable.

May I ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for how many generations Dixon's works, commonly known as "Dixon's Blazes" all over the world, have existed, and whether the grievance has been added to in recent years?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

I want to know from the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can tell us whether, owing to the new processes that have been adopted in recent years, unknown to the last hon. Member who put a question, in connection with by-products, the nuisance may not be caused by the setting free of noxious gases, causing a bad atmosphere?

I understand the local authorities are taking every precaution to see that that matter is remedied.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the claim of the staffs of the three Scottish agricultural colleges, based upon the Report of Lord Constable's Committee, to salaries equal to those paid to corresponding officers in England has been considered; what is the amount of the sum involved; and whether provision will be made in the Estimates for the year 1926–27 for establishing equality of remuneration as between Scottish and English staffs?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the revised scale of salaries of the staffs of the Scottish agricultural colleges, as proposed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, has been approved of by the Treasury; and, if so, is the increased cost thereby entailed to be provided by the Treasury or from additional local contributions?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the approval in principle of the Treasury to the revised scale of salaries of the staffs of the agricultural colleges in Scotland, if he will recommend that the condition which qualifies the approval, namely, that the colleges should find the increased cost thereby entailed, be withdrawn, and thus place the Scottish agricultural colleges on an equal footing with those in England?

The Treasury have agreed in principle to the proposal that the salaries of the staffs of the Scottish agricultural colleges should be revised, subject to the colleges being able to find the increased cost thereby entailed from additional local contributions in view of the fact that approximately 86 per cent. of the net expenditure on the colleges is already being met by Exchequer grants. The system of organisation and finance of agricultural education in Scotland differs from that in England, so that it is not possible to make a satisfactory comparison between the two countries. I regret that I can hold out no hope of the withdrawal of the condition that the increased cost of salaries should be met from local contributions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of question 31, and say whether the Treasury will accept the responsibility for paying the Scottish instructors in these colleges at the same rates as they pay similar instructors working in English colleges?

No, Sir. The Treasury make it quite clear that as the contributions are so high in Scotland to the general work of the colleges, this must be met out of the resources.

Surely that is extremely unfair to the instructors concerned?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) under what powers the farm of Eriboll is to be sold by the Board of Agriculture, seeing that they bought it under the authority received from Parliament for the purpose of land settlement?

(2) whether, seeing that the farm of Eriboll, which the Board of Agriculture proposes to sell, marches with the estate of Melness, where there are about 100 crofters paying an average rent of approximately £2, he will consider, before finally deciding to sell Eriboll, the possibility of a scheme for the relief of the congestion in Melness by the settlement of some of the Melness crofters on Eriboll farm at rents representing, not a return on the inflated price paid by the Board of Agriculture for Eriboll at the time of purchase, but fair rents at the present value of the subjects?

The possibility of using Eriboll farm for granting enlargements to Melness crofters has been considered, but it was deemed impracticable, and for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member's question a week ago, the settlement of new holders on Eriboll cannot be achieved. The rents at which the proposed holdings were offered by advertisement and otherwise were fair rents fixed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, and were not based on the price paid for the estate. Statutory authority for the sale will he found in Section 7 of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919.

Was it not a fact that this estate was bought mainly to relieve the congestion, and was it supposed that men who were paying £2 rent in these congested areas would be able to advance £400 or £500?

I think it is quite evident that all the efforts of the Board with regard to settlement have failed.

Is it not the case that a great many of the big Liberal land owners in this part of the country are quite prepared to dispense with bog land, while retaining the best parts of their estates?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why contracts for steel houses for Scotland have not been allocated to the three firms selected upon the basis of an equal number to each?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement on this point made by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health for Scotland in the course of the Debate on the Supplementary Estimates on the 11th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Campbeltown Town Council have selected a site for the erection of houses, under a housing scheme, which involves the building over of an open space in that congested town; that this open space is the only playground for the school children and the young people of the working classes, is the ground also of the Campbeltown and District Football Club, and is also the only practicable show ground for the farmers in Kintyre, as well as the drying ground of a small laundry business employing several people; that protests have been made against this site being built upon by or on behalf of all these parties, and have been disregarded; and that there are at least three other sites, especially a site in Bread Street, which can be obtained for a small feu duty, where there are the ruins of old buildings which disfigure the town and the material wherefrom would tend to reduce the cost of building; and will he exercise his powers under the Housing Acts to prevent the destruction of this open space?

My attention has been directed to the action of the town council in selecting this site, and I have had under consideration protests on behalf of the various parties named in the question. I have caused special inquiry to be made, and I do not consider that the circumstances are such as to justify me in interfering with the decision of the town council, but I am prepared to discuss the matter with my hon. and learned Friend.

In view of the gravity of covering over open spaces, I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not a fact that the official of his office who originally went down to make an inquiry was the same official who, after the complaint was made, went down to revise his own report; and was that not a big strain to put on human nature? Will the right hon. Gentleman take some outside man altogether unconnected with the Scottish Office?

I cannot, of course, accept any reflection upon the official concerned. But, as I said, I am willing to discuss this with the hon. and learned Gentleman.

There is no imputation. I am only treating him as an ordinary being.

asked the Lord Advocate why no proceedings under the Trespass (Scotland) Act, 1865, Section 3, have been taken by the Procurator-Fiscal against the concourse of people who, without the consent or permission of the owner or legal occupier of the land, camp on private property on or about the shore between Cardross and Helensburgh, more especially between Ardmore and Helensburgh; and will he now instruct or permit the Procurator-Fiscal to take the necessary proceedings under the said Act?

Before this question is answered, seeing that it contains a suggestion to the Secretary of State for Scotland instructing him to interfere with the course of the Procurator-Fiscal, may I ask if the question is in order?

I would point out that the question is to the Lord Advocate.

I am afraid I am not sufficiently versed in Scottish law. The hon. Member had better hear what the Lord Advocate says.

As on many occasions such questions have been refused, I want to have a precedent for the future.

I do not think the latter part of the question, in that case, really is in order, if the Procurator-Fiscal is independent of any Government.

Further on the point of Order. I want to bring to your memory, if I can, that the same question was put to the Secretary of State for Scotland last week, and the right hon. Gentleman distinctly stated he was going to take no action on the matter. Yet here is the question down again. Can you give any explanation?

Whether the question was the same or not, I cannot say.

It is not the same question. It is a question about the same matter, but it is an entirely different question.

If this question is to be answered, I want to protest, because we were told in this House by you, Mr. Speaker, with all respect, that whenever justice is in suspension, we are not qualified in this House to interfere with it. It is interfering with the course of justice for anyone to answer on the legal side.

Perhaps the Lord Advocate will say that in his answer.

With regard to the first part of the question, my right hon. Friend, after careful consideration of the whole circumstances, was of opinion that criminal proceedings for contravention of the Day Trespass Act were inappropriate. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are nearly a dozen distilleries in the island of Islay which collect for the Treasury several millions of revenue per annum; and whether, as it would greatly facilitate the conduct of the business of these distilleries if telephone communication was established with Islay, to and from which such shipping sails in connection with the said distilleries, and seeing that as a condition of establishing telephone communication the Postmaster-General has demanded a guarantee of £2,300 a year, and that the Treasury has by far the largest interest in the distilling industry in Islay, he will give the said guarantee to the Post Office?

I do not consider that the advantage to the public service of having telephone communication with the island is sufficient to justify the Treasury giving a guarantee to the Post Office as suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a lot of shipping and occasional shipwrecks, and that it is a great hardship and danger to passengers to be unable to communicate with the mainland, and that, generally, on occasions of this sort when there is a call for the life-boat, the telegraphic arrangements are broken down; and does he not see the necessity for telephonic communication?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether he would not consider the laying down of a pipe connection between the mainland and the island?

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will re-consider the matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines who are the expert advisers to the Coal Commission to whom the fees of £3,650 were paid as stated in page 43 of the Supplementary Estimates before the House on 1st March, 1926; and the name of the economist who received £185?

The expert advisers are the Independent Accountants employed under the National Wages Agreements, and one other firm of accountants who undertook special investigation work for the Royal Commission. I will circulate a list of them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The economist is Mr. E. A. C. Robinson, Fellow and Lecturer on Economics at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Following is the list of firms of accountants employed: D. W. Coates, West, Grimwood and Company, 72–74, Victoria Street, S.W.1. Deloitte, Plender, Griffiths and Company, 5, London Wall Buildings, E.C.2. Gough and Wright, 267–8, Castle Street, Dudley, Worcs. Haswell Brothers, St. John's Chambers, Love Street, Chester. Holmes and Son, 33, Paternoster Row, E.C. 2091 Walter Hunter and Company, 24, Bridge Street, Newport, Mon. W. B. Keen and Company, 25, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.4. J. C. Kirk and Son, 38–39, Park Row, Leeds. Mann, Judd, Gordon and Company, 8, Frederick's Place, E.C.2. R. F. Miller and Company, Ramsden Square, Barrow-in-Furness. Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company (W. B. Peat and Company), 11, Ironmonger Lane, E.C.2. Price, Waterhouse and Company, 31, Mosley Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Edward Sparks and Son, 24, Grainger Street West, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Thomson McLintock and Company, 71, Queen Street, E.C.4. Tribe, Clarke and Company, Albion Chambers, Bristol. John A. Walbank and Company, 34, Grey Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Watling, Parker and Company, 40, Broad Street, Bristol.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will consult with the Safety in Mines Research Board, so that every possible effort can be made to clear up the circumstances surrounding the explosion of firedamp at No. 3 Colliery, Clock Face, St. Helens, Lancashire, on 3rd March, 1925, resulting in injuries to two workmen?

The Board was consulted at an early stage in the investigation and carried out experiments, but the evidence available is insufficient to enable my advisers to draw any definite conclusion as to the cause of this explosion.

Does that mean to say that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is not pressing forward an inquiry after such a disaster as this?

No, Sir. That is not the answer at all. The matter has come before the Board, and they have been conducting a full investigation. Up to now they have not achieved any definite result, but the investigation is not abandoned.

May I ask whether those making the investigation have made quite sure that there was no firedamp in the place, and, if so, have they made any investigations as to whether the explosion was due to a defective lamp or any cause of friction?

That the cause of the disaster was due to a lamp has been disproved. As to firedamp, that has been one of the subjects of investigation.

Since the lamp has been held not to be defective, the explosion must have come from some form of friction. Have they investigated that?

Yes, Sir; all such obvious things have been investigated.

Then are these results positive or negative?

I have already told the hon. Gentleman they are so far negative.

asked the Secretary for Mines how much coal was used by the steam road vehicles in the United Kingdom last year; and the employment of how many miners does this represent?

I regret that the information is not available.

Is the Minister not aware that the real answer is, approximately, one million tons per annum and the employment of from 2,000 to 3,000 miners?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) the number of days the Court of the Tribunal has sat since it was established under the Railways Act, 1921; and the approximate date when the schedules of standard charges under the same Act are to take effect;

(2) what progress has been made by the Railway Rates Tribunal under the Railways Act, 1921, in dealing with the standard revenue of the railway companies, and the schedule of standard charges for goods and passengers under the Railways Act, 1921?

The Court of the Railway Rates Tribunal has sat in public on 139 days. The members of the Tribunal have also had many private meetings and have acted as members of the Bates Advisory Committee in determining the future classification of merchandise and for other purposes. I understand that the Tribunal has practically completed the determination of the standard revenue of the amalgamated railway companies, but they have not yet fixed the date when the schedules of standard charges, which have yet to be settled, will come into operation. Full particulars of the Tribunal proceedings are given in the annual reports which are laid before this House.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that about 100 million gallons of foreign petrol would be required to be imported annually to do the work at present done by steam road wagons, using British coal, without allowing for their expanding business, he will see that steps are taken to secure the maintenance of this industry when the coal situation and road transport taxation are reviewed?

All relevant considerations will be duly weighed before a decision is taken on this subject. I cannot, however, accept my noble Friend's estimate of the amount of petrol that would be required as an equivalent to the work performed by steam road wagons.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department stands committed to a scheme of road improvement which will absorb all the anticipated receipts of the Road Fund up to the year 1930; and whether, in the administration of the Road Fund, he will accept the principle that, until largely increased grants are made towards the cost of maintaining existing roads, no further sums shall be allocated for the construction of new arterial roads?

As regards future commitments, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to paragraph 3 of the Annual Report on the Administration of the Road Fund for the year 1924–1925. As regards the second part of the question, in view of the continuous growth of traffic, a reasonable expenditure on the widening of existing roads, the construction of new bridges, and of by-pass and other new roads is necessary to prevent the overloading and congestion of existing roads. Local authorities require assistance in carrying out these necessary works as well as in maintenance.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether that means that there is, in fact, no real surplus to the Road Fund until 1930?

That has always been a matter of opinion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as there are now 39,258 miles of classified roads in England and Wales out of a total road mileage of 178,205, he will consider the advantage of having more detailed information regarding the character of the unclassified roads under the administration of rural district councils, since a good many miles of grass roads and others of a character quite unsuited for motor traffic are, under the existing Regulations, included in the local authorities' returns as part of the unclassified road mileage of the area?

The figures quoted my my hon. and gallant Friend relate to Great Britain. I have not got the information he asks for in the form suggested, and I am sure he would not desire that local authorities should be asked to make a special return. I will certainly consider his suggestions in connection with any revision of the general returns which are made, with a view to increasing the information available.

May I ask whether, as a matter of fact, the circular which is being issued to-morrow will not call for this in formation as to the character of the roads from the rural district councils?

No, I do not think it will ask for this particular information.

It will show what proportion of the roads are really capable of carrying motor traffic.

If the information does come in we shall get it, and be able to supply it to the hon. and gallant Member for Abingdon (Major Glyn).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the repair and maintenance of 90,000 miles of unclassified roads cost rural district councils between £5,000,000 and £6,000,000 last year; and whether, in view of the increased revenue from motor taxation this year, he will allot the whole of this increase, in addition to the £750,000 already promised, to these roads?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I am unable to accept the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member in the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Committee which is to consider the possibility of the Severn Barrage Scheme will also be instructed to go into the possibilities of smaller power stations by harnessing the stream of the Severn at various points nearer its source in preference to the possible heavy expenditure on a great barrage at the mouth of the river?

On the recommendation of the Severn Barrage Sub-Committee of the Committee of Civil Research the Government have decided to carry out certain preliminary investigations. When these have been completed the whole subject, including the points raised in my hon. Friend's question, will be further considered.

Do I understand that this matter has been sent to the Committee?

Yes, I think they are considering it.

Your answer read as if it was the other way round.

Perhaps the hon. Member will read over the question and the answer together.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the secretary of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee has written to each proprietor operating omnibuses in the metropolitan area suggesting that they should contribute to a voluntary fund to provide compensation for those proprietors who have to withdraw their vehicles from service as a result of regulations made by the Minister, whether such a proposal has been made on his authority, and under whose control would such a fund be?

The suggestion referred to, namely, that the omnibus proprietors should themselves consider the question of setting up a voluntary compensation fund, was made with my concurrence. If such a fund is formed, its control would obviously be a matter for determination by the proprietors concerned. At my request, however, the Committee and its officers have offered, if the suggestion is acceptable, to render any assistance they can in connection with the matter.

Does not this policy suggest that we are reducing the facilities for travel at the very time when there is this terrible difficulty—when at certain times of the day it is difficult to get seating accommodation when travelling home?

May I ask whether the public are being considered at all in these arrangements that are being made?

Yes, the public are being considered, because probably if nothing is done there will be no tramways left, and the public will then have no trams to travel in.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any response, favourable or unfavourable, has been made to that offer?

No official answer has been received, but I understand the majority of omnibus owners are willing to come into the arrangements.

Is the right hon. Gentleman willing to consider provincial tramway undertakings in a similar manner?

also asked the Minister of Transport how many omnibus proprietors there were in the London traffic area in December, 1924, and how many there are now?

The number of omnibus proprietors licensed to ply for hire in the Metropolitan Police District at 31st December, 1924, was 188, while the number at the present time is 212.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the reorganisation of the traffic problem on the main Uxbridge Road and elsewhere, the convenience of the travelling public will be considered as the first essential?

The proposed limitations of journeys which may be made by omnibuses plying for hire in the Uxbridge Road and elsewhere are being made solely in the public interest. I am fully satisfied that if no such limitations were imposed, essential public passenger transport services would have to be discontinued, with serious results to the travelling public, particularly to the working classes, who are largely dependent on the tramways for getting to and from their places of work.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is considerable apprehension in Greater London with regard to this move, and can he assure me and the House that he will continue to do all he can to see that the people have the same travelling facilities in the future?

Certainly I will give that assurance.

Would it not be equally reasonable to reduce the number of private cars, which equally with the omnibuses, add to the congestion?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that all this restriction of the number of omnibuses is beginning at the wrong end, and that he ought to restrict the number of passengers—coupon them—that is the way to get out of it?

asked the Minister of Transport how many authorities who run their own tramway service, plus a linking-up omnibus service, have lost money during the year 1925; how many authorities who own their tramways but no omnibus service have lost money; and how many of both sections have made profits during the same year?

No official return of omnibus services run by local authorities is issued, but the hon. Member will find information as to the financial position of tramway undertakings, which, in some cases, include omnibus or trolley vehicle undertakings, in the Annual Tramway Return for 1924–25. Figures for 1925 are not yet available, and the financial year of local authorities is in most cases not complete until the 31st March in England and 15th May in Scotland.

also asked the Minister of Transport how many inquiries have been held during the year 1925 where local authorities have refused to grant licences to omnibus companies who desired to run a competitive service over the tramway routes; in how many cases has he upheld the action of local authorities; in how many cases has he granted the appeal of the omnibus companies; and how many cases are working on a compromise?