asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department will take steps under the Trade Facilities Acts, the revised Export Credits Scheme, or otherwise by which there may be facilitated, the placing of orders in Great Britain by the Russian Commission now in this country, and empowered to purchase electrical equipment to the value of £2,500,000 for Russian electrical power stations?

The answer is in the negative. The policy of His Majesty's Government towards credits for transactions with the Soviet Government, which was very fully explained to the House on the 10th March by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of. Trade, remains unchanged.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that there is still in this country a Commission with quite definite powers to place orders for machinery, and that this machinery is made by an industry which at the present time is suffering very severely from unemployment?

That may be so; but the hon. Gentleman is wider an entire misapprehension of the position. There is no reason whatever why manufacturers of machinery should not take orders from the Soviet. Commission, if they care to do so. There is nothing to prevent them.

How much of the £75,000,000 has been allotted?

I do not recall to what sum my hon. Friend refers.

The Trade Facilities money

That question should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It does not come under my Department.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the reason why British manufacturers cannot give extended credits like their competitors on the Continent is the uncertainty of the Government's policy?

I totally disagree with that view.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that foreigners are issuing loans in this country to which millions of pounds are being subscribed, and that thereby Continental governments can give these credits to Russia?

No, Sir, and I think the hon. Gentleman also is under a misapprehension if he imagines that foreign governments are giving these millions of pounds of credits to Russia.

Would it not he better for the Government to encourage trade facilities within our own Empire?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any further information with regard to the proposals of the members of the cinematograph industry for the encouragement of the production and exhibition of British cinematograph films; whether he has yet received any Report from the industry; if so, what is its nature; and whether he has any proposals to make himself for such encouragement to British cinemas?

I have just received this morning the Report of the Joint Trade Committee, and have not yet been able to consider it in detail. I regret, however, that the Report shows that the various sections in the cinema trade are unable to put forward agreed proposals. As already stated in the House, it is proposed that the whole question should be discussed at the Imperial Conference.

Will the right lion. Gentleman place a copy of the Report on the Table of the House, and can he say whether he will be in a position, when we reassemble in November, to state his intentions?

I do not think it would be in accordance with precedent to lay the Report on the Table of the House, but I am quite willing to have a copy placed in the Library. Obviously it will be quite impossible for me to make a statement of policy until we have discussed the matter at the Imperial Conference, but I think I should, perhaps, say this: All sections of the trade have known for months past that the Government would have to consider the desirability of legislation, either if the trade recommended agreed proposals; or in default of such agreement. That being so, I think it right to say that in the event of the Government introducing legislation they must not be held to be precluded from making that legislation effective, notwithstanding any trade arrangements which might have been made with a view to nullifying its effect.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to make any effort to get the trade to come to an agreement before the Imperial Conference?

No, Sir. I have been trying for six months to get the three sections of this trade to come to an agreement, and there arc a number of people in it who have made every effort to get agreement. They have now made a, report saying they have failed to come to an agreement, and I do not think I can usefully stimulate them further.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is not a fact that in his public utterances recently he has promised to bring in legislation to govern this industry?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the approximate proportion of British films per hundred shown on the screens in this country; and what proportion of the remainder are productions of America?

I have no exact information, but I think the trade estimates that about 3 per cent. to 5 per cent. of the films shown in this country are British, and about 95 per cent. of the remainder American.

Is not this question serious enough to take immediate action?

Can the right lion. Gentleman say what proportion come from France, Italy and Germany?

Perhaps if I had notice I might be able to make some inquiries, but obviously I could not say without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give figures showing the total exports and re-exports of British goods for each of the past three years; the countries, Dominions and Protectorates to which these exports have been sent; and the values in cumulo and per head of the population sent to each?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the countries to which British goods are exported, the population of each foreign country, Dominion, or Colony, and also the value of the produce per head of the population in each of them?

I will answer these questions together, and as the reply is rather long, the hon. Members will, perhaps, agree to it being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman find it convenient to discriminate between raw materials exported and manufactured goods exported, since it is obvious that our exports to the United States are very largely made up of raw materials, such as rubber, which gives a fictitious appearance to our exports?

No, I do not think I could. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will look at the answer I am circulating. I could not give the information up to date, and I rather disagree with him in his deductions as to exports to the United States.

Following is the information promised:

Particulars of our exports and re-exports to the several Empire and foreign countries for each of the past three years are given in Tables IX and X of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation" for January last. There is also published quarterly in the "Board of Trade Journal" the distribution of the export, re-export and import trade of this country by markets showing the relative percentages pre-War and at the most recent date available. The last of these Tables was published in the "Board of Trade Journal" of the 20th May.

The populations of the principal Empire and foreign countries, together with the value of our trade with them in 1923, are shown at the head of the articles on those countries in the "Survey of Overseas Markets," published last year by the Committee on Industry and Trade.

I think it would be of interest to show approximately the value per head of the importing country of the exports from this country; and I will see if I can publish a table giving this information when the next Market Distribution Table is published in the Journal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) under what authority does the Shipping Federation make a levy of 6d. per gross ton upon British shipping; for what purposes is this levy made; how much has already been spent on these objects what percentage of the amount is absorbed in expenses; and how much does the reserve fund arising from this levy amount to;

(2) whether the Shipping Federation gave any assistance to the Port of London authority or to shipowners by providing labour for the discharge of steamers during the recent general strike?

I will answer these questions together. The objects for which the Shipping Federation is established are stated in the memorandum of association, and its powers to make a levy on its members are stated in the articles of association. These documents can be inspected at the Companies Registry, Somerset House. I have no information on the other subjects mentioned in the questions.

Is it a fact that this Federation is a registered trade union, and that the 6d. is a political levy, and does it make any return to the Registrar-General?

I have not the least idea, but it is not a Government organisation, and I cannot answer for it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923, there has been any Empire consultation on the question of discrimination of foreign countries against the British flag?

Individual cases member have been dealt with, as they arose, with the Dominion Government concerned, but there has been no consultation of a general nature since the Imperial Conference of 1923.

Will this question be discussed at the Imperial Conference?

I think certain proposals will be put forward.

Has there been any representation to the United States concerning the special discrimination of the tonnage tax against British shipping industry?

I should want notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will see that in the next Report on the health of the Army the figures relating to the incidence of venereal disease are brought up to date, and that a Report will he included as to the effect of preventive and other measures taken to reduce it?

As regards the first part of the question, the statistics relating to diseases in the Army cannot be compiled until the information is received from all Commands, both at home and abroad, which in the case of India is not until July of the year following that to which they refer. It is hoped that the Report for 1925 will be ready for publication by the end of the current year. As regards the second part of the question, reference to page 17 of the Report for the year 1924 will show that reference is already made to the effect of preventive and other measures.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the filling of all regimental commissions by promotion from the ranks; and, if not, whether he will take steps to have the question thoroughly examined with a view to extending the opportunities for advancement of the rank and file?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The present system provides adequate opportunities for promotion from the ranks, and I see no grounds for considering any such departure from this system as is suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office on what ground the Report of the Trade Board Inspector with respect to certain rates of wages in the Royal Army Clothing Department is regarded as confidential; whether the Report is to be accepted: if not, for what reason whether he is aware that box porters in the Royal Army Clothing Department are designated as such because they work in partitioned compartments, and that they perform the duties customarily carried out by warehousemen elsewhere?

As regards the first part of the question, the Report of a Trade Board Inspector belongs to a class of documents which it is. not considered in the public interest to. disclose. As regards the remaining parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of 15th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Government propose to take with regard to the affiliation of Civil Service associations to outside bodies?

As I have already stated in reply to previous questions, His Majesty's Government have had this matter under close consideration. They have come definitely to the conclusion that it is contrary to the public interest that associations of Civil Servants should be affiliated to outside industrial and political organisations, and intend in due course to introduce legislation to deal with the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economy is likely to be effected by transferring the work of the Stationery Office in Abingdon Street to Kingsway?

The effect of the transfer will be to save the loss of about £600 per annum now being incurred on the Abingdon Street office, and in all probability to add somewhat the profit that is being made at the Kingsway Office.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the circumstances under which 7,000 copies of the Glasgow Telephone Directory produced at the Government printing establishment at Harrow were spoiled and had to be reprinted; whether he is aware that the overseer responsible for this work is a non-union volunteer, and that the overseer originally in charge of the work has been reduced to the position of journeyman for having taken part in the general strike; and whether he will consider the advisability of the original overseer being reinstated?

I am afraid that the hon. Member has been given an incorrect version of the incident. The Glasgow Telephone Directory is a book of 240 pages. Owing to the oversight of a press-reviser in not changing a whole-page advertisement, 7,000 copies of that single leaf, not of the whole work, had to be reprinted. This press-reviser is not the overseer referred to in the question. He happens to be a trade unionist, who took part in the strike and was subsequently re-engaged in the same position. The action taken in regard to the overseer was strictly in accordance with the declared policy of the Government in regard to giving preference to men who volunteered for service during the strike.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the disappointing progress being made with the establishment of successful candidates at the Southborough examination, he will take steps to expedite their appointment?

The number of successful candidates so far appointed to established posts is 2,149. I am afraid that I could not accept my hon. and gallant Friend's implication that this represents disappointing progress. Certification and assignments are proceeding as rapidly as could reasonably be expected, and I should not feel justified in taking special steps to expedite the arrangements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department as representing the First Commissioner of Works, when he anticipates that it will be possible to effect the removal of the 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th Sheffield tax districts to more convenient and suitable premises; and if arrangements can be made for them to be housed in the new telephone exchange, where it is understood that suitable accommodation exists?

The details of the proposed re-housing of the new telephone exchange of the tax districts in question are at present under discussion with the Inland Revenue Department, and it is hoped to effect the removal shortly after the middle of October next, when it is anticipated that the new building will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the difficulty of obtaining lime for agricultural purposes at an economic price in the south-west of Scotland, he will consider the advisability of encouraging the quarrying of lime, which is obtainable in large quantities in the Island of Arran, in a position near the sea, whence it can be cheaply shipped to all parts of the south-west of Scotland and the northwest of England?

I appreciate that a considerable acreage of land in Scotland is in need of lime, and I have reason to suppose that there is a. growing recognition among farmers of the fact that the departure from the former practice of regular liming was a mistake. I have been furnished with some particulars regarding the deposit of limestone in Arran referred to in the question. I cannot in present circumstances hold .out a prospect that the Board of Agriculture will have funds available. for financial assistance to such enterprises, but I should welcome any developments which have the effect of increasing the supplies of lime for agricultural purposes, and I should be glad to give them such encouragement as is in my power.

Could not this matter come under the agricultural survey?

Does the answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean that no money is likely to be given for liming?

I cannot make any definite promise on the subject. In regard to the survey, we are getting some information.

While the survey will take years, is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are quarries in the agricultural areas where they are working limestone, and that heaps of it are lying about, and will he get information from the agricultural areas as to these quarries?

If the survey is to be of practical use, it must be a scientific survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any churches or manses have been handed over by the heritors to the general trustees of the Church of Scotland, according to Section 28 of the Church of Scotland (Property and Endowment.) Act, 1925; and, if so, how many?

I am informed that no churches or manses have as yet been transferred from the heritors to the general trustees, but that there are now several cases where applications to the sheriff for the requisite certificates under the Act will shortly be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the parents of the children attending the Dervaig School, Mull, have petitioned against the appointment of a successor to the late headmaster on the grounds that the new appointee is considered not to be sufficiently qualified to maintain the discipline and educational standard of the school; and will he inquire into the complaint against the local education authority?

My right hon. Friend is having inquiries made, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the housing shortage in the city of Perth; that new stables are being built to accommodate 66 horses at the annual Perth Hunt races; that these stables, or some of them, will only be occupied four days each year; and whether he can take any steps to ensure that the available supply of building materials and labour shall be utilised for the provision of housing accommodation before being consumed in new racecourse stables?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the remaining parts of the question I have no power to intervene as suggested and I may remind the hon. Member that in 1924 a Committee representing all parties in the building trade definitely recommended that there should be no restriction on private or commercial building work. I understand that these particular buildings have already been completed; that they were built largely with unskilled labour and that their erection did not in point of fact interfere with the progress of City housing schemes.

Is it not the case that these stables are built of brick, and will not this take away all these materials, supplies and the use of labour which otherwise would have been utilised in house building; and do these things not seriously affect the shortage of houses in Perth?

My attention has been frequently drawn by the lion. Member to the extreme inadvisability of allowing any unskilled labour to be employed on house building.

Is not that a complete perversion of my point of view, and may I repeat the question I put as to whether the use of bricks for building stables for a racecourse, which will only be in use for four days each year, is not a waste of material which might have been used for building houses?

There is no question of wasting material if it is being used for other purposes. If the material is needed for housing purposes, it will be used for those purposes, but if it is not needed for houses it would be the height of folly to condemn these men to unemployment.

Is it not a fact that the Minister of Labour has succeeded in placing in training a large number of men in the building trade, and that these men have not yet been absorbed in regular employment?

That is another question.

Is it not a fact that there is a great shortage of houses in Perth, and is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the report issued by the Scottish Board of Health shows that the children who live in four-roomed houses have a chance of 20 years more life than the children who are reared in single-room apartments; and is it not time, when you have put, out such a report, that you should put your foot down here, and stop people building stables when houses are required? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

asked the Secretary of Mines if he can give the number of fatal accidents in the mining industry of Great Britain per 10,000 men for 1922–23, 1923–24 and 1924–25; and if he can obtain similar figures for the Russian mines?

The number of separate fatal accidents in the mining industry of Great Britain was at the rate of nine per 10,000 persons employed in 1923, 1924 and 1925. At Russian mines the corresponding numbers were eight in the year ended September, 1924, and 10 in the following year. Particulars for 1922–3 are not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will give the average hours actually worked by underground miners and technicians in this country during the past year, and if he can obtain similar figures for the Russian mines?

Workmen employed underground at coal mines in this country in 1925 worked about 7½ hours daily, with the exception of deputies, pump-minders, fanmen and furnace men, who worked about 50 minutes a day more. To many districts, however, the working time on Saturdays is usually less by an hour or more, and in a few districts the pits are customarily idle on alternate Saturdays. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth on the 8th June.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any eases of silicosis have been reported which are alleged to have been caused through operating the stone-dusting regulations applying to coal mines?

The allegation has occasionally been made but every case in which it has been made has proved on investigation not to be silicosis.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many of the 1,954 persons gaining first-class certificates of competency under the Coal Mines Regula- tion Act, 1911, were workmen qualifying under the five years' period, and how many were students holding a diploma in mining science and qualifying under the three years' period?

The statistics required are not readily available, and will take some time to prepare. I will send them to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, in view of Section 21 of the Mining Industry Act, 1920, what is being spent out of the Miners' Welfare Fund, because it is very important that we should have this information?

I am all in favour of the information being made public. There will not be any OFFICIAL REPORT in a few days time, but I will send the hon. Member the information if he will put down a question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Liverpool Coal Merchants' Association, the local coal control agent, is empowered to fix prices at which the coal is to be sold to the public, with or without reference to the Government; whether the association makes any return to the Government of prices paid and prices obtained from the public; and whether his Department is taking any steps to afford the fullest protection to the public against further exploitation?

The Government have not exercised or delegated any powers of control over retail coal prices, and do not receive returns of wholesale or retail coal prices from the Liverpool Coal Merchants' Association. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for South Hackney on Tuesday last.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that Lancashire coal was delivered at Aintree, near Liverpool, during May at 32s. per ton; that the Liverpool Coal Merchants' Association stepped in, making it impossible for fuel to be had otherwise than through them at the immediately increased price of 40s. per ton; that the price was further increased to 60s. in early July; whether he is aware of the differences in selling prices in Ormskirk and Aintree, where the price is 2s. per cwt., whereas the Association compelled the selling price in Liverpool to be 3s. 6d. per cwt.; and whether he will take such steps as will prevent the public being exploited in this matter?

My inquiries into this matter are not yet complete, but I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as they are. I may say that on Bank Holiday it is very difficult to obtain information.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there are any collieries run by other than private enterprise in this country; and, if so, whether he can give the House any particulars as to the financial results of their working?

So far as I am aware, the only colliery which might answer to this description is Shilbottle Colliery, owned by the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Limited. I have no detailed information in regard to the working results of this colliery, and, in any case, Section 21 of the. Mining Industry Act, 1920, forbids the publication of information in respect of any particular undertaking.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the very interesting account of the working of the Shilbottle Colliery which appeared in the Press is approximately correct?

I have seen that account, and, as far as I know, I believe it to be substantially correct.

Is it not a fact that the Co-operative Wholesale Society, who are the proprietors of this colliery, did not put up any notice of reductions of wages?

I do not know anything about that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what he does know?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of the Shilbottle Colliery, as against every other undertaking in this country, the men have not had their wages reduced?

Is it not a fact that the result of that has been that the financial results of the Shilbottle Colliery have been appalling?

Order, order! Hon. Members are stating their own opinions.

Which are absolutely false.

asked the Home Secretary how many prosecustions of miners have taken place in Warwickshire both under the Emergency Regulations and the ordinary law; and how many miners have been imprisoned on account of these prosecutions?

asked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions in connection with the mining dispute there have been under the common law during June and July in the mining area of Warwickshire?

The total number of persons prosecuted in Warwickshire for offences connected with the industrial dispute between 8th May and 31st July is 67–21 in May, 26 in June, and 20 in July. The total number of miners prosecuted is 48. The total number of persons sent to prison is 16, of whom 12 were miners. In July there was only one prosecution which resulted in imprisonment.

Do the figures just given include convictions under the old 18th century Act?

Yes, they include all convictions both under the old Act and under the Emergency Regulations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the number prosecuted under the Common Law and under the Emergency Powers Act?

No, I have the number under the Emergency Powers Act in Warwickshire for July, but I have not the differentiation between the Emergency Powers Act and the old Act.

That is what is asked in the question.

Is it not a fact that the relations between the police and the miners in Warwickshire during the whole of the dispute have been excellent all through and that all the complaints have been engineered by the circumstances which has been there in the past 10 days?

asked the Home Secretary whether lie will grant a Return showing the precise words in respect of the use of which persons have been convicted under the Emergency Regulations?

I do not think it would be practicable to publish a Return which would be satisfactory for the purpose the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. Apart from the difficulty of collecting records that would be accepted as authentic, utterances of the kind that are in question cannot be fairly judged apart from their whole context and some account of the circumstances in which they were delivered. If the hon. and gallant Member has in mind individual cases and will submit particulars, I will look into them.

If the charge is made in respect of the use of seditious words, what is the difficulty in publishing the seditious words on which a conviction has been obtained?

I have said in my reply that the mere publication of the four or five words, apart from their context, would not be satisfactory for the purpose which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in view. The question which the magistrates have to decide is whether the speech was in itself seditious in the circumstances in which it was delivered.

Is not the charge framed in respect of using certain words?

I must have notice in regard to the actual words of the charge. That would probably be the form of the charge.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the ordinary laws and Regulations are quite sufficient without having these special Emergency Regulations operating?

That was debated very fully last week, and the Rouse came to the conclusion that it was desirable, at the present, at all events, to continue the Regulations.

Would there be any difficulty in making a return of the actual charges?

I think there would. It would involve applications and searches through every single charge made in the last three months in scores of Police Courts throughout the country. While the emergency is in existence it would be, I think, an unwarrantable difficulty to put upon the police forces of the country?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether in a case where a conviction has been secured, the words of the charge could be published?

I have never known at all of any such charge being made in regard to a conviction.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Bolton Board of Guardians has decided to continue their refusal to grant outdoor relief to miners' wives and children, one of the grounds being that a decision of the board could not be altered for six months after the date of such decision; and whether he will intervene in such a way as to remove this obstacle to a change in the board's policy if they so desire?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is aware of the decision of the Bolton guardians and that a motion for its rescission, which was fully discussed and rejected by 27 votes to 15 on the 14th July, was ruled out of order on the ground suggested on the 28th July. It is not in his power to intervene in the manner suggested, but he has no doubt that if the majority of the board desired to alter the present decision some way would be found of dealing with any difficulty arising from their Standing Orders.

Am I to understand from the answer given that it is competent for this board of guardians, if they so desire, by a majority to alter their decision, in spite of the Standing Order?

No, Sir. What I said was that if a majority of the board desire to come to some new conclusion, there would probably be no difficulty in arriving at that.

Is the hon. Member aware that the chairman of the board pointed out that it was impossible for them, even by a majority, to rescind that resolution?

I am not aware of that.

Is it competent for this board of guardians to decide that they will alter any decision before six months have elapsed Is it competent for them to do so by the law of the land?

Yes, Sir. I suppose it is competent for any board to lay down its standing Orders and to abide by them.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of taximeter-cab ranks in London in 1913–14, 1919–20 and 1925?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The figures for hackney carriage standings in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police areas are as follow: In 1913–14, 726 standings accommodating 6,797 carriages. In 1919–20, 692 standings accommodating 6,539 carriages. In 1925, 702 standings accommodating 6,157 carriages. These figures are independent of the accommodation provided on railway station premises.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of increasing the number of stands for taxicabs?

I am always willing to increase the number of stands, but the difficulty is to find places for them.

If they had more stands, would it not save them from the necessity of prowling about the West End?

I am afraid that does not always follow.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there have been any and, if so, how many accidents to pedestrians as a result of the roundabout system of traffic in various parts of London?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I will circulate a statement of the number of accidents to pedestrians which have occurred, as far as known to the police, at each of the places where the system has been introduced, but it is impossible to say whether any and, if so, how many, of these accidents have occurred as the

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the dangerous condition of Mitcham Lane, Mitcham, near the railway bridge; whether any steps have been taken with regard to the widening of the road and bridge at this point; and, if so, when the work is expected to be commenced?

The Surrey County Council have recently submitted an improvement scheme with regard to this. road. The scheme is under consideration by my Department, and negotiations on the subject are now proceeding with certain of the interested parties. I cannot say when the work will be begun. result of the introduction of this system. I am glad to say none of the accidents has been fatal.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there have been any accidents adjoining the Houses of Parliament since the introduction of the roundabout system?

That question was answered last week.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statistics he is going to publish bear out the fact that there has been a considerable reduction in the number of accidents since the introduction of this system?

I think it would be better to wait for the information which I am going to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:—

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the damage done by vehicles fitted with steel tyres to main roads in the county of Berkshire, and whether he proposes to take action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of the damage caused to roads by heavy vehicles fitted with unsuitable tyres is under consideration, and steps have been taken to encourage as far as possible the fitting of such vehicles with rubber tyres or pads.

Is not my right hon. Friend going to put into force the legislation that has been promised?

I cannot put anything into force until legislation has been passed. I have promised to consider the matter and to deal with it when legislation is brought forward.

Was not this legislation promised last year, and is it not time that something was done?

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware, that without legislation, I have induced the Showmen's Guild and the Traction Engine Owners' Association to fit indiarubber tyres on the wheels of their vehicles, which has helped very considerably?

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the condition of the roads in the South Mimms area, particularly the Blanche Farm Road, in the vicinity of the hospital; whether he is aware that the destruction of these road surfaces is mainly due to the heavy traffic in connection with the construction of the Barnet by-pass road; and will he consider an early grant from the Road Fund to enable the South Mimms district council to repair the damage done or, as an alternative, approach the arterial road contractors to re-surface these roads?

I am aware of the state of these roads, regarding which negotiations are proceeding between the highway authorities and the contractors for the new arterial road. My officers will do all in their power to facilitate a settlement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when maps will be available to the public showing the new trunk and other roads which have been completed during the past three years?

Revisions of Ordnance Survey maps are continually in progress, and, both in these revised maps and in reprints, the information as to new trunk or other roads is brought up to date. Examples are to be seen in a number of maps on the small scale of the south of England.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the last map was issued?

The whole of the country is gradually being re-mapped. I could supply the date of the latest map of any particular area if my hon. Friend would give me notice. Generally speaking, the towns where development is going on are mapped twice as frequently as the country districts, where small changes are taking place.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give an estimate of the extent of land which could profitably be reclaimed in England and Wales?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. and gallant Member for North Bristol (Captain Guest) on the 28th April last, a copy of which I am sending Lo him.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can report any further progress in the negotiations for the new British-German air-traffic agreement and why, seeing that the Franco-German air-traffic agreement has already been signed and is in operation, the Anglo-German agreement has been so long under negotiation?

As regards the first part of the question, the text of the proposed agreement has been referred to the other Government Departments concerned in this country, and I hope that it will be possible to submit an agreed draft to the German authorities at a very early date. As regards the second part, negotiations for an air traffic agreement between this country and Germany were already in active progress before the recent Franco-German agreement was drafted, and, when the latter agreement was drafted, the German authorities requested that it, and not the British draft already submitted, should be taken as the basis of the desired British-German Agreement. This involved fresh consideration and consultation in regard to the new text. Every effort has been and is being made to expedite the conclusion of the agreement.

Are these air route agreements negotiated by the Air Ministry or by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs?

All foreign agreements are negotiated through the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, but in a case of this kind he would obviously consult the Air Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many hours flying were done by units of the Royal Air Force during last year; how many hours during the previous year; and whether he can give corresponding figures for the Home Defence Force only?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the actual number of hours flown in the Royal Air Force, but I may say that the number of hours flown in 1925 by all units was materially larger than the corresponding figure for 1924, whilst those flown by Home Defence Units show a still greater increase.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the principle established by the Amendment to the Government of India Act last January, to Indianise the Indian Civil Service to the extent of 50 per cent., is being carried out?

The Report of the recent Royal Commission on the Superior Services in India recommended that recruitment for the Indian Civil Service should be directed to produce a 50–50 cadre of Europeans and Indians in about 15 years' time. This recommenda- tion has been accepted by His Majesty's Government, and effect is being given to it. The Government of India (Civil Services) Act of 1925 had no reference to the Indianisation of the Services.

Have any appointments yet been made in India with this basis in view?

Yes, constantly, ever since the Reform Act of 1919, and the Government of India are working up to that basis.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the members of the League of Nations have agreed that the manufacture by private enterprise of munitions and implements of war is open to grave objections, and that they have undertaken to interchange full and frank information as to the scale of their armaments, their military, naval, and air programmes and the condition of such of their industries as are adaptable to warlike purposes, he can see his way to publish a White Paper giving details of the manufacture of armaments in this country by Government and private firms?

I have been asked to reply. The Armaments Year Book published by the League of Nations contains full information on British military, naval and air armaments and on the British industries capable of being used for war purposes. In the circumstances, I do not think that there is any object in publishing a White Paper covering the same ground.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider bringing in legislation compelling political parties and associations to give a return of their finance on the same basis as trade unions?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in connection with the proposed new silver coinage, whether he can sec his way to withdraw from circulation the inconveniently small three-penny piece and to issue a larger coin, of nickel, of the value of one-hundredth part of the pound sterling, as a further step towards the gradual decimalisation of the British monetary unit which was commenced when the florin was issued about 70 years ago as one-tenth of the pound?

There is no proposal to alter the existing silver coinage, though from time to time slight alterations in the designs are considered. I fear that the hon. Member's suggestion is impracticable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the abolition of the farthing?

I do not think it is proposed to abolish anything.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the abolition of the threepenny bit would have a very serious effect on the collections in churches and chapels?

I will certainly take into account all relevant considerations, but there is no intention to abolish the threepenny bit, which is extremely popular, especially in the northern portions of the country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the absence of a decimal system of coinage is a great handicap to British business undertakings, greatly increasing their working expenses, and is there any chance of his taking a further step towards a decimal coinage in the near future?

It seems to me that this would be a very good subject for a private Member's discussion some time next year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether be will be able, at some early date, to issue for currency silver coins with such of the newly designed reverses as have received the approval of the Committee which has recently been sitting to consider them?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether when the issue of an improved silver coinage comes up for decision, he will advise reducing the size of the present copper coinage or of substituting nickel tokens such as have already been adopted in some of the Colonies and in many foreign countries; and what average annual saving could be effected by reducing the size of our copper coins by one half?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Acton yesterday. In reply to the last part of the question, the issues of new copper coin since 1922 have been small. On the basis of the pre-War demand (about £160,000 a year), and assuming that it were practicable to reduce the weight of the metal at present used in the coins by one-half, the saving would not exceed £15,000 a year.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever considered the weight of the coppers of necessity carried by an omnibus conductor?

Will any change be made in the proportion of alloy to silver?

If the hon. Member means by that, can we improve the, quality of our silver coinage, I regret to say in these hard times these luxuries must he forgone.

asked the Postmaster-General the average period of time elapsing between an application for the installation of a telephone and the time of such installation?

I regret that the statistics available do not permit of the computation of the average desired by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases agreements were signed last January, and the subscribers' names appeared in the "Telephone Directory" last April, but they are still not connected?

I am aware that there are certain exceptional cases, but comparatively speaking the number is very small.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the names of subscribers do not appear in the "Directory" until their telephones have been connected?

asked the Postmaster-General if he will inquire into the possibilities of an earlier morning delivery of letters on the Grimsby fish docks?

Arrangements were made in March last for the morning delivery in the Grimsby fish docks to be completed by 8 a.m., about half an hour earlier than before. This time is now usually maintained unless the train service is unpunctual or the mails are exceptionally heavy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in pre-War times the first delivery was one hour earlier than it is to-day?

I was not aware of that. The delivery now is as early as it can be in view of the train service.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that at the General Post Office at Huddersfield there has been no promotion to a postmastership for 40 years; whether there is any similar case in other large post offices; and whether he can account for the apparent differentiation against Huddersfield?