asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, calcium molydate is treated as an analytical reagent or a crude commercial product?

Calcium molybdate is included without qualification in the list of articles issued under Section 1 (5) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, and all forms of this chemical are, therefore, treated alike under the Act.

May I ask whether in the Order to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred the list does not include simply analytical and synthetic organic chemicals and analytical reagents and refined chemicals, and how a chemical compound of this kind, used for trade purposes, can be included under any one of those heads?

No, Sir. I think if the hon. Member reads the answer I have given him, he will see that it is included, and rightly included, under Section 1 (5).

May I ask how it is that a chemical compound which in the United States is being very largely used, and the use of which results in reducing the price of steel, should in this country be so treated that it increases the price of steel by £4 a ton?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what industry it was proposed to protect by listing calcium molybdate in the articles under The Safeguarding of Key Industries Act, 1921?

The industry in question is the one manufacturing the commodities specified in the last heading of the Schedule to the Act.

Does that mean that it was done in order to protect the synthetic chemical industry?

Yes, Sir; it was in order to protect the synthetic chemical industry that the House passed the Safeguarding of Industries Act.

Are we to assume that a crude compound used for the manufacture of steel is being treated by the Government as a synthetic chemical?

The hon. Gentleman must understand just exactly what I have said in my answer

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the expenses incurred by firms applying for a safeguarding duty under the Safeguarding of Industries procedure are being allowed by the Inland Revenue authorities to be taken into account for the purposes of assessment of liability to Income Tax?

The Inland revenue authorities are advised that the expenditure to which the hon. Member refers is of the nature of capital outlay, and, therefore, inadmissible as a deduction for Income Tax purposes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the matter, because, obviously, it is a great expense to the people in the industry?

I have stated the position with regard to the law and practice. I do not require any further inquiry to fortify the answer which I have given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will prohibit the importation of larks into this country for purposes of food, so as to discourage the destruction of these birds either abroad or in this country?

I have been asked to reply to this question. There is no power under the Wild Birds Protection Acts to prohibit the importation of larks, and the Home Secretary cannot, therefore, take any action in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the prevailing high retail prices of meat; and will the attention of the Food Council be drawn to this matter?

The Food Council are already inquiring into retail meat prices.

Is it not the fact that the Food Council have already expressed the opinion that the price of meat should be made 2d. or 3d. a pound cheaper?

If nothing be done to bring down meat prices to the level suggested by the Food Council, is it the-intention of the right hon. Gentleman to give further powers to the Council in order to compel this to be done?

It really would be impossible for me to give an answer to that purely hypothetical question. I have not received any Report from the Food Council on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the loss of the flat-bottomed barge "Lord Kitchener," at Redlan Cove, near Dartmouth, on the 17th January, when Herbert Ambrose, 21 years of age, and Charles M'Cann, aged 15, were drowned; if he is aware that this barge was sent out empty on a deep-sea voyage in the depth of winter, in the charge of a captain of 22 years of age and the two young men who lost their lives; and will he have a formal investigation made as to why three inexperienced young men were sent out to sea in such a boat in winter weather?

My attention has been called to this case. I am informed that the master, though young, had had eight years' experience of this type of craft, and was specially recommended by masters under whom he had previously served; also, that the barge was specially built to navigate safely without cargo. On the information available, the Board of Trade do not regard the case as one in which it is necessary, in the public interest, to order a formal investigation.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made up his mind that it is really fit that three young men, the eldest of whom is 22, should be sent out in midwinter in a flat-bottomed barge of this, kind?

I have answered the hon. Member's question about the age of the man who was master of this vessel, and he certainly had from the captains under whom he had served the very strongest recommendations for the post to which he was appointed.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think this is a case which would enable his Department to go into the whole of this question very closely to see whether new regulations are not required in some of these cases?

No, that really would not be the result of such an. inquiry. I think my hon. and gallant Friend has a certain confusion of thought as to what an inquiry of this kind is for. An inquiry of the kind suggested is to elucidate the particular facts with regard to a particular accident. As to that, I think there is no dispute, and therefore there is no case for a further inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the finest ships that ever put to sea have been commanded by men of 22 years of age?

I am sure both the hon. and gallant Member and myself would be far from saying that comparative youth is a bar.

But were those finest ships flat-bottomed barges?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Food Department of the Board of Trade engaged in the liquidation of old Ministry of Food transactions has been entirely disbanded; if not, how many officials are still retained on this work; and when it is contemplated their services will be dispensed with?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given on 15th March by the Parliamentary Secretary, a copy of which I am sending him. As to the last part, it is anticipated that the services of the remaining 10 officers will be required for about six months longer.

May I ask whether any of the officials whom the Food Liquidation Department employed are now employed in other Departments?

I really should want notice of that question.

Could not the work be carried on with the staff of the Board of Trade?

No, Sir. I think if the hon. and gallant Gentleman had the responsibility of these enormous claims, for instance, those dealing with American purchases, he would find it very necessary, until these claims were satisfactorily settled, to keep the present staff of accountants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can arrange, without undue work being thrown on his Department, to publish monthly instead of quarterly in the Board of Trade Journal the valuation of the preceding month's exports and imports in terms of the prices of 1913?

I fear that the expense involved would be too heavy. I think also that quarterly figures give a better standard of comparison than monthly figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of ships in the mercantile marine carrying one or more lifeboats fitted with wireless apparatus; and the number of lifeboats fitted with wireless apparatus

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of ships in the mercantile marine carrying one or more lifeboats fitted with wireless apparatus; and the number of lifeboats fitted with wireless apparatus

I will answer these questions together. The number of ships carrying lifeboats fitted with wireless apparatus is about 185, and the number of lifeboats fitted with the apparatus is about 275.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the announcement, which was made on the eve of the recent by-election in Dumbartonshire, to the effect that the Government had disposed of the old Argyle Motor Works at Alexandria to a firm of manufacturers of artificial silk, was made on the authority of the Government?

I have been asked to answer this question. The reply is in the negative

Arising out of that. very comical answer, is it not the fact that. they put it out at that by-election that an artificial silk manufacturing firm had bought these works, and were going to employ thousands of people who were unemployed in this locality?

If any such statement a as made, it, was not made on the authority of the Government.

The fact remains that the present Tory Member for Dumbartonshire was returned on the ground that they were going to find work for the unemployed there.

The answer has been given to the question on the Paper, and it; is in the negative—it was not authorised.

But, is the Minister aware that when this statement was made members of the Government were present on the platform, that no denial of that statement was made on their behalf, that. it was left to the constituency to judge that it was a Government pronouncement; and if that be the fact, will not the right hon. Gentleman take up the question again?

I have no knowledge of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, but no statement of the sort was made by or authorised by the Government.

But is not the fact that the people of the constituency were led to believe that, through a member of the Government being on the platform, a sufficient reason why further inquiry ought to be made into it?

On a point of Order. The fact is—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] The point of Order is that members of the Government were on the platform. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] You are all getting excited about your honour.

That is not a point of Order. Sir Douglas Newton.

asked the. President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 2 of the Report of the Food Council, dated 5th February, 1926, on Short Weight and Measure, in which the Council point out that consideration of the accuracy and relative merits of the various types of weighing and measuring instruments at present in use do not fall within their terms of reference; and, if so, whether he is prepared to amend the terms of reference to enable the Food Council to consider such matters?

I am aware of the paragraph to which my hon. Friend refers. The question of the construction and accuracy of weighing and measuring instruments in use in trade is a matter which is dealt with under the Weights and Measures Act by the Board of Trade—

We cannot hear!

—and is of so wide a scope that I do not think it could appropriately be referred to the Food Council.

We could not hear. [HON. MEMBERS:" Order!"]

If hon. Members interrupt —

Why does the Minister turn his back on us?

I must ask for that answer to be given again.

The only reason I turned, Mr. Speaker, was because otherwise the hon. Member who asked the question could not possibly have heard the answer: [Answer repeated. ]

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that while certain classes of weighing machines may be accurate in themselves, they may yet lend themselves to misuse; and may I ask whether he will consider setting up an independent ad hoc Committee to inquire into the whole question?

That is not the question on the Paper, and if my hon. Friend wants to ask whether I think it desirable to have some further inquiry into the Weights and Measures Acts, and the administration of them, I would like to see the question on the Paper, and give him my considered reply.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in connection with his proposal he is giving consideration to accelerating counter-machines?

I would like to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate number of horses maintained for all purposes, including cavalry horses, by His Majesty's Army; and what is the total approximate number of mechanically-driven vehicles, including tanks and armoured cars, maintained by His Majesty's Army?

In answer to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the particulars on page 13 of the Army Estimates, 1926, and to the second part I would refer him to the answer given on the 8th instant by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Reading.

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of British-grown oats, hay, and straw was issued to the Army in Great Britain during the past year; and what is the value of foreign forage supplied during the same period?

All the hay and straw issued to the Army in Great Britain was homegrown. For the year ending 30th April, 1926, about 30 per cent. of the oats issued or to be isued are home-grown, the balance being practically all Canadian. The value of the latter is approximately £146,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War if a civilian who has never held His Majesty's commission, but has held the appointment of honorary cadet colonel to a cadet battalion, is entitled to describe himself as colonel after having relinquished that appointment; and what action the War Office takes in cases where a military rank is used by a civilian without any qualification or authority?

The answer to the first part of the question is that he has no right to describe himself as colonel. As regards the second part, it is an offence against good taste for a person to call himself by a military rank to which he is not entitled, but it is not in itself a legal offence, and the War Office is not in a position to take any action.

Are we to understand that it is not an illegal offence in the case of an officer who has been deprived of his rank by a court-martial to still use that rank without the War Office taking any action in the matter

I am not quite so sure of that, but I think I must have notice of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether members of the National Reserve who travelled to Jersey in charge of prisoners of war, and who had to risk a journey of 120 miles over water infested by enemy submarines, can be awarded a war medal for this service as some acknowledgment for their services?

No, Sir. As the personnel in question did not enter on duty a theatre of war, nor proceed outside the waters dividing the different parts of the United Kingdom, they are not eligible for the grant of the British war medal. I regret that I cannot undertake to revise the conditions governing the grant of the medal in question, which were only settled after very full consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a warrant officer, Class II., in possession of the Military Cross and eligible for the grant of 6d. a day additional pension under Article 1,157 of the Royal Warrant, 1914, as amended by Army Order 45, of 1917, is deprived of the additional pension because the Military Cross was awarded for services rendered as an officer; and whether he will consider a revision of the regulation under which the warrant officer has not only been deprived of his commissioned rank on retirement, but also of the additional pension he would have received if he had not accepted commissioned rank?

I should be glad if my hon. and gallant Friend would give me full particulars of the case he has in mind. I will then give it my consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the proportion of the Royal Tank Corps personnel, officers and men, separately, now serving with the corps who have seen active service with the tanks during the European War, 1914 to 1918?

There are at present 344 officers serving in the Royal Tank Corps, of whom 64 have served on active service with the corps. I regret that similar information in respect of other ranks is not available.

In view of the necessity of conserving our practical experience of tanks, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of impressing on his Department the fact that seniority of both branches of the Service is not necessarily a qualification for the Tank Corps personnel?

Yes, Sir. I do not, however, think that they need to have that impressed upon them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of fighting tanks that were available for active service on 11th November, 1918; the number of fighting tanks which are now available for active service; and, in respect to the latter number, will he discriminate between tanks of post-war design and otherwise?

The number of fighting tanks that were available for active service on 11th November, 1918, cannot be given without considerable research. There are 120 tanks of post-War design now available and 199 of War design, many of which would require repair before they would be fit for active service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with regard to his proposal to re-form on a modified scale the Machine Gun Corps. he will state what is the estimated cost and how will recruits be obtained?

I am not sure what my hon. and gallant Friend refers to. There is no proposal under consideration for the re-formation of the Machine Gun Corps.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no regiments will be disbanded without discussion in the House?

That is quite a different question, and I shall be glad to confer with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the earliest date on which troops will this year be under canvas for musketry courses; and whether a rum ration is issuable when considered necessary by commanding officers?

The earliest date on which troops went under canvas this year was the 27th March. The Allowance Regulations provide that a free ration of rum may be issued under the authority of the General Officer Commanding when certified by the senior medical officer to be absolutely necessary for safeguarding the health of the troops.

Do the men who do not take the rum ration get money compensation as in the case of the Navy?

I do not think so. Money compensation is not absolutely necessary for health.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of changing the authority from the senior medical officer to the regimental officer, who is on the spot?

I will consider that.

If this rum is issued for medicinal purposes, are the men forced to drink it?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that dispensers will be invited to join the Military Hospitals Reserve, he can say what distinction, if any, will be drawn in this Reserve between a dispenser holding the qualification of pharmacist. and one not holding this qualification?

No distinction is drawn between a pharmacist and a dispenser of the Military Hospitals Reserve on enrolment, but for purposes of selecting members of the Reserve for promotion their qualifications, as well as their service and merit, are taken into consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the exceptionally heavy losses of gear to herring fishermen during the East Anglian fishing last autumn and during the recent winter fishing, the Government will consider giving them credits for the replacement of their lost and damaged gear; and what losses, if any, were suffered by the Government as a result of the scheme for this purpose which was in operation during the financial year 1924–25?

I am informed that the loss of gear by Scottish herring fishermen during the last East Anglian fishing was not exceptionally heavy, and that the loss during the recent winter fishing was comparatively light. In these circumstances, the necessity for considering such a scheme has not arisen. The period for repayment of loans under the scheme which was in operation in 1924–25 is three years, and until that period has expired the information asked for in the second part of the question will not be available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, when the houses at present being built in Gaingad are completed, they are to be let only to residents in present congested areas; who will control the letting; what the rents are to be; and whether collected weekly, monthly, or yearly?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Second Scottish National Housing Company (Housing Trust), Limited, will control the letting of the houses. With regard to the last two parts of the question, I am making it quiry, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Is it the case, as stated in the Glasgow "Forward," that the Government have paid £3,125 for the land on which these houses are to be built, and that the landowners only pay £1 a year to the assessors in the City of Glasgow?

That question has been answered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce the Government's decision upon the several recommendations of the Scottish National Conference on Agriculture?

Definite action has already been taken with regard to a number of the subjects dealt with by the Conference, and other recommendations are having the consideration of the Government. I hope to be able to make in due course a statement as to the decisions reached on the various points.

How soon will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make that statement if I put a question down after Easter?

Some of these matters require very careful consideration, and I am afraid that I cannot give any definite date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to introduce legislation during the present Session in order to carry out the fifth and sixth recommendations of Lord Mackenzie's Committee prohibiting the carrying of otter boards on small vessels, and requiring trawlers when in closed waters to have their trawling gear stowed away?

The recommendations referred to are receiving my consideration, but the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 16th March with regard to recommendations 8 and 9 of the Committee applies to recommendations 5 and 6 also.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when he will be able to come to a decision on any of the outstanding recommendations, because it is now three years since the Report of this Committee was issued?

I am investigating the matter as rapidly as I can, but honestly it is not an easy thing to come to a definite decision.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has anything to report regarding the further negotiations between the Consett collieries' workmen and the Consett Coal and Iron Company: and what steps he proposes to take to bring the dispute to an end?

I understand that a further meeting was held on 23rd March between the company and the local representatives of the workmen, at which a full discussion t of all questions at issue took place. and that it was arranged that the company's final offer should be submitted to the miners' lodges concerned. I have not yet heard what decision any of the lodges have reached, but in any case I cannot intervene except at the wish of both the Durham Miners' County Union and of the company, and, in view of the full discussions which have already taken place, it does not seem likely that any useful purpose could be served by my doing so.

Are we to understand that the Minister proposes to do nothing, remembering that there are about 7,000 men who are still locked out by this company for a monstrous proposal of the company?

Can the Minister say how many points there are at issue between the owners and the men? Is it not the fact that there is only one point, namely, the want of an assurance that the men will not be victimised?

No, Sir, I do not think that that is quite accurate. There is only one point at issue. A general assurance has been given that there will be no victimisation, but I understand that the men are not quite satisfied with the form of that. That is the only point, and I still hope that a settlement may be arrived at.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us some sort of assurance, because this dispute has been going on for 40 weeks, that, if there is no settlement within the next few days, he will endeavour to see that some form of definite guarantee is given?

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, I have no power to enforce on either side, on either the men or the owners, any particular form of settlement. It must be a settlement arrived at by themselves. I can certainly help if they want help in arriving at a settlement, but I cannot enforce any particular form of settlement on either side.

Is the Minister right in saying that the men have been given an assurance that there will be no victimisation, when all that the men are asking for is that the men who have been working there shall be started before strangers?

I am perfectly accurate in saying that a general assurance has been given that there will be no victimisation.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that agreement up to a point has been come to, but that the very fact that the owners will not guarantee that these men shall be started before strangers is leading to the holding up of a settlement?

No, Sir; I said a further point had arisen afterwards, but a general assurance had been given, with which the men are not quite satisfied. Whatever the circumstances, I cannot intervene unless both sides ask me to do so.

rose—

Colonel Day.

On a point of Order. This question very greatly affects several thousand—

Any further questions should be put down.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the number of copies of the Report of the Coal Commission that have been sold by His Majesty's Stationery Office to the last convenient date?

The number of copies of the Report of the Coal Commission that have been sold by His Majesty's Stationery Office up to 10 a.m. this morning is 48,037.

asked the Minister of Transport what action is to be taken as to the adequate lighting of level-crossing gates, in view of the expressed opinion of the jury at the inquest on the persons killed at Fenny Stratford?

The inspecting officer of railways, who inquired into this accident on my behalf, came to the con clusion that the lighting of the level-crossing gates was adequate, and I do not propose to take any action with a view to securing an alteration in the existing lighting arrangements.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider it possibly fitting that he should see that drivers of road vehicles carrying passengers should also know the road, equally with the engine driver, who has to know the road before he is trusted to drive?

I understand, from the Report of my inspecting officer, that in this case the driver of the motor which had this unfortunate accident did know the road, and was well acquainted with it.

Does not the Minister think, in view of the fact that there is now so much extra road traffic, that the gates at level crossings should be stronger and more efficient?

I do not think we are obliged to have the gates strong enough to prevent a motor from going through, which has got out of control.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the amount of motor taxes collected and paid into the Road Fund Account in 1924–25 and 1925–26 by the counties of Berkshire and West Sussex, respectively?

I can only refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Brigadier-General Warner), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the amount of Road Fund money paid in 1924–25 and 1925–26 to the construction, maintenance, and repair of roads in the counties of Berkshire and West Sussex, respectively?

As the answer contains a number figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Transport when the total number of omnibuses in use in London was stabilised in May, 1925, what percentage of the whole were operated by the combine and what percentage of them by the independent proprietors; since that time how many omnibuses have been ordered to cease running on their accustomed routes, and of these latter, what percentage are controlled by the combine and what percentage by the independent proprietors; and how many omnibuses are likely to be affected by orders which it is contemplated issuing almost immediately, and of these, how many are controlled by the combine and how many by the independent proprietors?

The figures for May, 1925, are not available, but on the 1st July, 1925, approximately 89 per cent. of the total number of omnibuses licensed to ply for hire in the Metropolitan Police District were operated by the London General Omnibus Company, Limited, and associated companies, the remaining 11 per cent. being operated by independent proprietors. As regards the remaining part of the question, the number of omnibuses which will be affected by the restrictions which it is proposed to enforce will not be known until the various proprietors have deposited fresh schedules with the Commissioner of Police showing how they pro pose to operate the journeys permitted under the restrictions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that., apart from the independent proprietors and their employés, a very large number of the travelling public are dissatisfied with the curtailment of overground facilities, and with the method by which such curtailment has been made, and will he, in view of these circumstances, give further consideration to these Orders before he puts them into effect?

No, Sir, I cannot do that. This matter has been most fully considered. I have acted on the unanimous advice of a most representative Committee, namely, the London Traffic Advisory Committee, and I could not depart from that.

In view of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, following the restrictions of independent omnibuses announced by his Department to take place at the end of the month, he can say what efforts, if any, are being made to see that any cases of hardship are being adequately dealt with, and that every possible step is being taken so as to prevent unemployment?

In order to avoid hardship, I asked the independent proprietors to allocate among themselves the number of journeys allotted to them, but this they did not do. I also suggested that they should join with the other omnibus proprietors in London in forming a voluntary compensation fund to deal with any cases of hardship that might arise. I am, further, willing favourably to consider any concrete proposals for the operation of any vehicles that may be displaced by these restrictions upon new routes for summer services or otherwise. The question of unemployment has always been present in my mind, and it was in order to ensure continued employment for the large number of men engaged in the tramway industry that the restrictions became, in my opinion, absolutely essential. The date on which the first restrictions became effective was advisedly fixed, when summer services were about to commence, as these services always have the effect of absorbing additional vehicles.

Is it not impossible for the independent omnibuses to make these restricted services pay?

That is not quite as I see it, though I agree it is a matter of opinion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that it is the business of the Government to abate monopolies not to encourage them?

Has anything transpired with regard to the proposal for a compensation fund to which the London General Omnibus Company might contribute?

I could not say officially what is the answer, but I apprehend that proprietors, representing about 90 per cent of the omnibuses operating in the London streets are prepared to come into a fund.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that such compensation as has been offered, or could reasonably be offered, would be of no use to these men, whose living has been taken away from them; and, in view of the fact that the loss to the Combine on a few omnibuses would be a gain to the trams and the Underground, will be he consider going further into the matter to see if he cannot meet the public views?

That seems to be an argument on the question previously asked.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that independent omnibus companies outside the traffic combine have carried 500,000 persons to Enfield in the last 12 months; that in the same period local tradesmen have increased their takings by 14 per cent. as the result of these improvements in local transport: and whether, before finally assenting to the curtailment of these services, he will take into account the adverse effect that is likely to be produced on the local trade of Enfield and the convenience of the inhabitants of Enfield and the surrounding districts?

No proposals for the curtailment of the omnibus services to Enfield have so far been made to me by the London Traffic Advisory Committee. My hon. and gallant Friend may be assured that all relevant facts will receive full and careful consideration before any decision is taken in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if, during the month of March, he has received any complaints from railway engine drivers and firemen or from their local representatives of excessive hours worked by drivers and firemen; if so, will he say how many complaints he has received; how many cases of excessive hours are referred to in such complaints; the number of cases in excess of nine hours, in excess of 10 hours, and in excess of 11 hours on duty; will he specify any cases exceeding 12 or 13 hours on duly; and what steps he has taken with regard thereto?

I have received a considerable number of complaints of this kind from various branches of the association with which the hon. Member is connected. These complaints are being investigated, and until my investigations are complete, I am not prepared to say-how far the complaints indicate that long hours are actually being worked by engine drivers and firemen.

Seeing that the right hon. Gentleman has been pressed, both by myself and by the members of my organisation, for so long, will he hurry up this; matter, lest the men refuse to work these long hours, and cause some dislocation of the railway service, having tried every other method for redress?

I will certainly try to get the investigation completed as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the danger to passengers at Lime Street Station, Liverpool, caused by the practice of wheeling on the platform trucks with iron projections in front; and whether, in view of the accidents which have already happened, he will make representations to the railway company with a view to minimising the risk either by the removal of these iron projections or by prohibiting the wheeling of these trucks on the platforms?

I am aware that a passenger has complained that he sustained injury in October last through coming into contact with a barrow in the charge of a postman at Lime Street Station, and that he has alleged that the truck was being negligently used. The barrow in question was, I understand, of the ordinary station type. I do not propose to take any action.

asked the Minister of Transport the total cost of the new sea wall at Sidmouth, Devon; what road works were undertaken specifically in connection with this scheme; how much of the total expenditure was incurred in respect of such works; whether, in view of the provisions of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act. 1909, as amended by the Roads Act, 1920, that advances from the Road Fund shall be made in respect of the construction of new roads or the maintenance and improvement of existing roads, a grant was made from the Road Fund in this case; and, if so, what was the amount of such grant?

Particulars of the actual cost are not yet in my possession. I have offered a grant of £15,935 towards an estimated expenditure of £35,974 to be incurred by the Sidmouth Urban District Council in the restoration of the sea wall, which supports a classified road and is necessary for its maintenance.

Can my right hon. Friend state the length of the road in respect of which the grant has been given, and whether it only rims from one end of the sea wall to the other?

No, Sir, I could not tell my hon. Friend that without notice.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dangerous state of the approach road to Roa Island, Barrow-in-Furness, running between Rampside and the island, which, due to a conflict between two interested parties as to which is responsible for its repair and upkeep, is a menace to the inhabitants of Roa Island and other people having to use the road; and will he take such steps as will ensure this road being put in a safe condition?

I understand that in the opinion of the highway authority the road to which the hon. Member refers is not repairable by the public, and in these circumstances I appear to have no grounds of intervention. Should, however, the interested parties so desire, an officer of my Department would be instructed to enter into consultation with them.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the workmen's train running between Grays, Tilbury, and Thames Haven daily is shortly to be discontinued; that there are over 400 workers who travel to and from Thames Haven by this means alone from London, Gravesend and other places, and that the discontinuance of this service will handicap these workmen in getting to and from their work; and will he make representations to the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company with a view to getting them to reconsider the decision to discontinue the train?

The railway company inform me that this workmen's train service is run under an agreement between the company and certain traders, who have given notice to terminate the present arrangement. I understand, however, that the matter is still the subject of negotiations between the parties.

Have the workmen no protection against the removal of trains of this description?

I should not like to answer very definitely without notice on a legal point like that, but undoubtedly where the companies have to carry people at workmen's fares a certain number of trains should be provided.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can supply any estimate of the total profits made on the production of rubber in British territory during the year 1924–25 or 1925–26 which may be liable to British Income Tax?

I regret that I am net in a position to furnish the desired estimate.

Has there been a very large increase this year? Is it twice as much or five times as much?

There has been a substantial increase, I am glad to say, but I could not, without very great labour, give an approximate figure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amounts of Income Tax collected from companies engaged in productive industries, the business of import and export merchants and warehousemen, shipping and transport, banking, stock, and bill broking and finance, retail distribution, and from private individuals, respectively; and, if not, whether he will arrange that in the coming financial year receipts of Income Tax shall be so tabulated and recorded?

I regret that I cannot earmark the receipt of the Income Tax according to trades and industries, and that in view of the considerable accounting work, which I am advised it involves, I cannot see my way to undertake such a classification for the coming year.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this would be a most valuable index of the course of trade and the profits derived from different branches of trade in the country

No doubt it would be of value and interest, but I am advised that 24 categories would be necessary to give a representative picture, and the work of dividing all the Income Tax returns received from all the different taxpayers into different 'categories would need an amount of labour disproportionate even to the value of the return.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is prepared, after 1st April, to arrange for the weekly Exchequer returns to show separately the expenditure in respect of the fighting Services, Civil Services and the Revenue Departments?

This analysis is made in the quarterly returns, but, as I informed the hon. Member on 19th March, 1925, to carry it into the weekly returns would be misleading. Issues from the Exchequer to the Paymaster-General in respect of the different Departments over short periods do not give any real indication of the actual expenditure of those Departments.

Is not that equally true of the summary already published?

Of course, the monthly returns suffer from the same defects as would attach to the detailed return for which the hon. Member has asked.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the interest taken in the question of the imposition of a duty on malting barley, he will reconsider his decision, and either publish the Report of the Falcon Committee or else place a copy of it in the Library?

No, Sir. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the answer which I gave on this matter on the 24th November, 1925, explaining the grounds upon which this decision was taken.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give a list of the birds the plumage of which has been illegally imported and confiscated under the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act, 1921, by the customs officials, together with the approximate quantity of plumage involved in each case?

As the answer is long, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.