asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the case for a reel tax as an alternative to the quota, in connection with forthcoming film legislation?

I understand my Noble Friend to refer to a proposal to impose a special tax on the exhibition in this country of non-British films. As I informed the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth on 2nd March last, this would be contrary to a number of our commercial treaties, which are set out in my answer of that date, a copy of which I am sending to my Noble Friend.

Has any agreement yet been reached with regard to imposing a tax on imported films?

I am not sure that I understand. Taxation, were it in contemplation, surely would not be a matter of agreement. This question asks whether a particular form of internal tax may be levied. That would be contrary to a number of treaties.

With reference to the quota, is there any other business which is compelled by law either to sell or to display certain goods?

That is another matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the imports of Russian petrol last year and whether there was an increase over the imports for the year 1925; and what were the imports of Russian kerosene last year and what, if any, increase there was over those of 1925?

The answer contains a table of figures, and my hon. Friend will perhaps agree that this should be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any further volumes have been issued by Sir Arthur Balfour's Committee on Industry and Trade since the publication of their Survey of Industrial Relations last year?

No publication has been issued by the Committee on Industry and Trade since their "Survey of Industrial Relations." A further volume entitled "Factors in Industrial and Commercial Efficiency" has now, however, been prepared by the Committee, and is expected to appear to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can indicate the approximate date of the introduction of the Bill dealing with the amendment and consolidation of company law?

I hope it may be possible to introduce a Bill in another place in the course of the next few weeks. The present Bill will be an amending Bill. Consolidation can more conveniently be undertaken in a subsequent Measure.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted the various industries concerned who gave evidence before the drafting of the Bill?

A certain number of people did ask to see me, but the hon. Member will remember that every conceivable interest gave evidence before the Committee.

Will the Bill generally be on the lines of the recommendations of the Committee?

Yes, certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement relating to the introduction of the new French Customs tariff; if he is aware that it is contemplated to increase nearly fourfold the number of specified duties now operative,, which will seriously affect the export of British goods to France; and if any representations have been made to the French Government on behalf of British industry?

The Bill for revising the French tariff is expected shortly to be introduced in the Chamber of Deputies, and I have seen reports that the number of tariff items is to be greatly increased. The question of making representations to the French Government cannot usefully be considered until detailed particulars of the proposals are available, and the views of British trade interests have been obtained.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring this fact to the notice of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, so that it can be linked up with our discussion of that question?

I think the Chancellor of the Exchequer is as well acquainted with it as I am.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we had no question of this at all when we had the discussion in the House and the explanation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, having regard to the general concern among chambers of commerce, hankers, associations of employers and trade unions as to the condition of the textile industries, he will set up a Committee to inquire into the conditions of the industry?

A Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Arthur Balfour is at present investigating the conditions and prospects of British industry and commerce, with special reference to the export trade, and I have no reason to think that an additional inquiry, confined to the textile industries, would serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Beard of Trade whether he will state the value of the British trade with China: the amount of British capital now invested in China: and the number of British subjects now resident in China?

The answer contains a number of figures, and my hon. Friend will perhaps agree to my circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken and proposes to take with regard to the Communist propaganda which was distributed among the troops under orders for China.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the distribution of leaflets to the troops prior to their embarking for China; and, with regard to the leaflet headed "War," published by the Communist Party of Great Britain and Young Communist League, 16, Xing Street, W.C.2, and printed by the Dorrit Press, Limited, 68 and 70, Lamb Street, S.E.1, will he state what steps have been taken with the distributors of the leaflets, the publishers, and the printers?

I am aware that the leaflet headed "War!" and other leaflets have been distributed. I am advised that some of them contravene the law, but that others do not. The former bears no imprint and appears to have been distributed sparingly and with great caution. Inquiry is proceeding, but I do not yet know whether evidence will be available to support a prosecution.

Did the right hon. Gentleman see the pamphlet entitled "War!" Is he also aware that an officer took away a whole bunch of them from one of the men distributing them, and threw them away?

Yes. I have said in my answer that I saw the pamphlet entitled "War!" I read it with very great care, and consulted the Law Officers as to what should be done; but I gravely doubt, as this country is not at war with China or any other country, whether it does contravene the law. If we were at. war, it would clearly contravene the law.

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to continue his inquiries from the Law Officers, and make certain? Seeing that there is a Question clown for Thursday, will he consider the matter further, so that he may be able to give a reply?

I shall be only too glad to answer, if I can, any Question put by my hon. and gallant Friend. In regard to the pamphlet entitled "War," which has an imprint, and whose printers we know, I gravely doubt whether it is at the present time actionable. With regard to the other pamphlets, which are much worse, there are no names on them, and I have not been able to get evidence to connect the distributor with the printer.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is time the distribution of pamphlets of this nature was made a penal offence?

I think the answer to that is to be found in an old proverb: "You must first catch your hare before you cook it."

In the absence of my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, I wish to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question of which private notice has been given, whether he has any information that the negotiations at Hankow have broken down, as has been stated in the Press?

Up to the present time, I have received no information.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the age increase of 4d. a day to pensioners aged 65 has been withdrawn in the case of men whose last enlistment was subsequent to 9th October, 1925; and what is the estimated saving that will result?

The full ultimate saving is estimated at £50,000 a year. As provision for pension at the age of 65 is now made in the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, the withdrawal of this addition from Army funds will not inflict any hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether future recipients of the Victoria Cross holding commissioned rank will be eligible for an annuity not exceeding £75 per annum; and what emoluments may be received by officers and other ranks who are granted the Victoria Cross?

Full particulars of the emoluments granted to officers and other ranks who are in possession of the Victoria Cross are contained in Articles 651, 1046 and 1146 of the Pay Warrant. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of these Articles.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the number of the War Office headquarters' staff and the total numbers serving in the Army in February, 1914, and the corresponding figures at the present time?

The figures I furnished to the hon. Member last April for personnel were those included in Vote A and the Estimate for the War Office. Comparable figures will be available when the Estimates for 1927 are published.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider assessing the pension of officers of the quartermaster class on the rank which they actually hold at the date of retirement, regardless of not having completed one year in that rank, in view of the age at which these officers are usually commissioned, and the consequent hardship in many cases entailed by the provisions of Article 609, Royal Warrant for Pay, 1926?

The regulation requiring an officer to serve for a complete year in any rank before becoming eligible for retired pay in that rank is common to all officers of the Army, and I regret that I cannot agree to an exception to it in the case of quartermasters.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the Great Western Railway to close the Rennet and Avon Canal; whether he is aware that this waterway was of great strategic importance during the. recent Great War for the passage of craft of light draft; and whether he will take steps to safeguard national interests in this matter?

My attention has been drawn to the proposal, but I am advised that there is no sufficient reason, on strategic grounds, for opposing it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the admitted importance of Empire trade, he can state why the recent contract for meat for the Army was placed outside the Empire?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with regard to the meat contract which has been awarded to an Argentine firm at a price below the cost of production, owing to the meat war in progress between the various South American meat firms, he will say what would have been the extra cost had the contract been given to an Empire firm, or if the meat had been supplied by British farmers?

asked the Secretary of State for War if, as the contract for 1,500,000 tins of corned beef for the Army has been given to a firm whose factory is in the Argentine, he will say why the contract was not given to an Australian firm?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, before be placed a contract for South American corned beef, tenders received from Dominion firms were considered; and whether he gives a preference to British goods?

Two offers of Empire meat were received, but the prices quoted, which were respectively about 26 per cent. and 45 per cent. higher than those of the accepted tender, were unfortunately prohibitive, even after taking into consideration the preference normally given to Empire supplies.

Is the reason why this exceptionally low price was given the fact that there was a meat war between different Argentine firms that it represents below cost price, and with a view to Empire interest would not a small added cost have been a great help to Empire produce?

When does that contract fall to be reviewed?

The contract has just been renewed for twelve months, so it will not be reviewed again for another eight or nine months. Of course I am very anxious to obtain Empire meat as against foreign meat, but there is a limit to the amount of the difference that can be paid in order to give an Empire preference, and neither the 26 nor the 45 per cent. enables us to place a contract so long as these prices prevail.

Is the Government's fair wages and fair conditions clause imposed in these contracts upon Argentine producers?

I do not know.

Is it not a clear violation of the instructions of this House if it is not?

Is the depreciated exchange taken into account?

I do not think the depreciated exchange had anything to do with the price of this contract. It is a world price, and I do not think the depreciated exchange in the Argentine makes any difference.

Last year when the contract was given to our own Dominions was there any difference in the price between them and the Argentine?

Oh, yes. Last year we placed a contract, with an American firm as a matter of fact for the sale of Australian meat and a preference was given. It was because of that preference that the contract went in the direction it did. It would otherwise have gone for meat that was tendered cheaper.

What sum of money does that 26 per cent. represent?

I do not think I had better give that, because on the whole it is fairer to tenderers not to give that sort of information.

Is the War Department aware of the conditions operating and the wages of those employed by this firm?

No, I cannot say that I am.

Is the firm in the Argentine that obtained the contract also an American firm?

No; the contract has been placed with a British firm for the supply of Argentine meat.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the practice formerly observed of supplying the Home Army with British meat on certain days of the week was discontinued, and, if so, for what reason?

The practice was discontinued t the beginning of the War to facilitate collection, handling and storage, and on grounds of economy.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that, in the interests of the troops, they should be given periodical issues of home-killed meat?

That is not quite tie question. The question is whether certain days of the week should be devoted to a particular form of meat. That causes a great many difficulties which seem to me to be unnecessary.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why certain days in the week are fixed upon for the issue of British meat?

No, I cannot, without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate extra cost to the annual Estimates of his Department if home-grown meat were used by the Army, instead of imported supplies?

The estimated annual extra cost of supplying home-grown instead of imported meat to the troops would be approximately £500,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of new recruits for His Majesty's Army were discharged on account of some physical or medical disability in 1926 within 12 months of their acceptance?

I regret that the information is not available for the precise periods mentioned by the hon. Member, but the percentage of recruits discharged within three months of enlistment for medical reasons during the year ended 30th September, 1926, was 2·18.

asked the Secretary of State for War what decisions have been reached and what changes will he made, as a result of the recommendations of the Committee appointed to consider the question of promotion of artificers in the Royal Artillery?

I regret that the question is not yet settled.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to let me have an answer to this question, which I have put down regularly now for two years?

I am sorry there has been so much delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what price was received by the Board of Agriculture for the gimmer shotts belonging to the Erribol sheep stock; and what price was received for the same class of stock handed over at valuation?

Sixty-three gimmer shotts were sold at 43s. per head and 14 at 30s. A separate valuation of the gimmers handed over to the purchaser was not made by the arbiter in his award.

Is there any precedent whatever for a valuation in which gimmers are slumped in with ewes?

If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question, I will do my best to answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether from any source other than the eventual purchaser any inquiries or tentative offers for Erribol were received by the Board of Agriculture after the last exposure of the estate at public auction; and why, seeing that one farmer at least was prepared to offer for Erribol with a Martinmas entry, the conditions of roup were not altered accordingly and the subjects re-exposed to public sale on this altered basis?

Several inquiries were received by the Board after the last of the three exposures of the estate at public auction, but none of these disclosed a prospect that it would be more advantageous to re-expose the property at public auction than to accept the offer made by the eventual purchaser in the circumstances which my right hon. Friend indicated in his reply to the hon. and gallant Member on the 17th November.

If there were several inquiries besides this one, which was eventually accepted, surely it is unprecedented that the estate should not be exposed at public auction, so as to allow those other people to make a bid?

The hon. and gallant Member is making a speech.

(for Sir A. SINCLAIR) asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury at what amount the Erribol sheep stock is valued as at Whitsunday, 1926, in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General so far as it relates to the trading account for the Erribol farm; and whether acclimatisation value is included in this valuation?

I have been asked to reply. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General for the period covering Whitsunday, 1926, will not, I understand, be available for a considerable time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many steel houses have been erected in Scotland by the Scottish National Housing Company and the Housing Trust, Limited?

I am informed that, as at the 5th instant, 1,522 steel houses had been erected in Scotland by the Scottish National Housing Company (Housing Trust), Limited.

Can the Under-Secretary tell the House whether those employed in the erection of these steel houses were paid at the building trade rates of wages?

Any questions as to rates of wages do not arise out of this question.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say which companies have completed their contracts, or to what extent?

Roughly speaking, the Weir and Cowieson contracts have been practically completed. The Atholl contract is some distance from completion. It was delayed by the coal stoppage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the difference in administration between prisons in England and Scotland; and if he will appoint a Committee to inquire into the whole question of prison administration in Scotland?

The general administration of prisons in Scotland is similar to that in England. There are certain minor differences, but these do not appear to justify the inquiry suggested. If, however, the hon. Member will explain the nature of the particular difference which he has in view, ray right hon. Friend will consider the matter.

Is it not a fact that some prisons are very much smaller in Scotland, and therefore are in some cases unable to have a proper medical staff?

If the hon. and gallant Member wishes to explain his views, I am sure the Secretary of State for Scotland will be glad to listen to him also.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has sanctioned the request of the Kincardineshire Education Authority to allow children under 10 years of age to be employed in agricultural work?

The proposal of the Kincardine Education Authority relates to the seasonal employment of children over 10 years of age, not under 10 years of age as suggested in the question.

Has approval been given to this desire of the Kincardineshire Education Authority?

There is a question on the Paper on that subject by another hon. Member.

Seeing that it is merely a clerical error—the substitution of the word "under" for "over"—and that the hon. Member for Camlachie (Mr. Stephen) has asked whether his Department have or have not sanctioned this new procedure, will the hon. Member say whether he has or has not sanctioned it?

There is another question on the Paper dealing with that point. As a matter of courtesy, it would be as well to give the answer to the hon. Member who has asked the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a proposal by the Kincardineshire Education Authority in favour of reducing the age at which school children may be employed at seasonal occupations, such as potato lifting; and whether, in view of the fact that such a proposal is contrary to educational progress and is against the interests of the children, he will withhold his approval?

I refer to the reply given on the 30th November to the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division (Mr. Maxton). Objections to the proposed bylaw have been lodged with my right hon. Friend, and are under consideration, but he has not yet reached a decision in the matter.

May we take it that the Scottish Office have definitely decided to allow children of 10 years of age to be employed in agricultural work?

The hon. Member must consider the answer which I have just given.

May I ask if the Secretary of State for Scotland, before sanctioning such a by-law, seeing that this is the first of the kind, will consider taking a vote of this House on the subject?

It is not at all the first. The hon. Member is mistaken in his facts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if lie is prepared to institute an inquiry into the whole salary position as it affects education authorities, secondary teachers, and head-masters of secondary schools in Scotland:

(2) if he is aware of the judgment given by the House of Lords in Smart v. Education Authority of County of Perth; and what action, if any, does he propose to replace the seven years' temporary arrangement for fixing temporary teachers' salaries by a defined and fixed national minimum scale of salaries for this class of Scottish teachers?

This whole matter has been receiving the careful consideration of my right hon. Friend and the Department, as directed by the statute, are at present in consultation with representatives of the education authorities and of the teaching profession as to the necessary action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered and will recommend the steamer services to the Western Isles being conducted under the mail contracts by internal-combustion vessels?

A suggestion that any new vessel built should be equipped with internal-combustion engines has already been made to the company, and is, I understand, receiving their consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any changes in the Scottish land policy of the Government are now under contemplation?

No decision has been taken as to any change in the Scottish land policy of the Government.

May I ask whether there is any truth in the rumour that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland intends to abolish the Board of Agriculture for Scotland?

There is no such suggestion. As the right hon. Member knows, notice has been given in the King's Speech of a certain reorganisation of offices, but this will not amount to abolition of the Board of Agriculture.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of miners who have lost their work in the pits as a result of the coal strike, indicating the number of miners working on the 1st May and at the latest available date?

The number of persons employed in coal mines immediately before the dispute began last May was, in round figures, 1,100,000. At the latest date for which I have figures, namely the week ended 5th February, it was in round figures 1,000,000. But I urn unable to evaluate in figures all or any of the various factors which determine the number of persons employed at any given date.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the implication in the question that these people lost their work through the coal strike, as it is termed?

The hon. Member had better read my answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many are working only half-time and how many part-time?

I cannot answer a statistical question like that without notice.

In spite of the fact that they are alleged to be working only half-time, are they not producing more coal per week than they did in 1913?

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of Foreign coal that has been imported each month since 1st May, 1926; and whether there has been any loss on the coal imported by the Government?

I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

As this comes on the Estimates, can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the contemplated profit?

We have not made a loss. The hon. and gallant Member is wrong in saying that this comes on the Estimates.

There are Supplementary Estimates this afternoon.

There is not a Supplementary Estimate for this. The House has already dealt with it.

There is an Estimate due to the increased cost of fuel in Government Departments.

There is nothing in the Estimates to-day about this.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the total amount of foreign coal that has been unloaded at British ports since 1st December, 1926; what is the amount at present at the docks loaded and unloaded; and what is the total tonnage contracted for and expected to arrive in this country during 1927?

The quantity of coal imported and registered into ports in Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1st December, 1926, to 31st January, 1927—the latest date for which information is available—was 4,111,106 tons. I have no figures of the quantities of coal at present at the docks, or of the tonnage contracted for and not yet delivered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great shortage of wagons at the collieries to-day, and would he say how far the shortage is caused by the conveyance of this foreign coal?

I think it was caused to some extent by that, because there was dislocation on the railways, but obviously that must be a diminishing factor. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I cannot obtain complete particulars of contracts that have been entered into. I do not know to whom to go for them. The shortage must be very near its end.

In view of the large volume of unemployment among wine workers, and the high price of imported coal, cannot something be done to prevent further imports coming into this country?

No, Sir; that would be quite impossible. People to whom coal was vial for the conduct of their businesses or the production of food placed forward contracts, and it would be impossible to interfere with them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us who is purchasing the coal at present being imported, and at what price it is being sold to them?

No, I cannot possibly answer as to the price at which it is being sold. It is, no doubt, a price varying with every contract. Such people were driven to make large forward purchases.

Was it not owing to the action of certain gentlemen who represent the miners that the merchants were compelled to make contracts to enable them to carry on their businesses?

asked the Secretary for Mines if, in view of the continued high price of coal for domestic consumption and the consequent hardship thereby inflicted on poor people, he is now prepared to consider whether steps can be taken to enforce a reduction of price?

The Government have no power to enforce a reduction in the price of coal. To do that would need legislation authorising the re-imposition of a system of control, and I do not think that such a proposal would commend itself to the House. At present the difficulties of rail transport, due to the stoppage are, I believe, still making themselves felt. When these are removed, the stimulus to low prices that should result from the great potential output of the country ought to afford a natural remedy for any inefficient methods or excessive charges on the part of retailers.

If it is true, as has been stated, that the production of coal per man has gone up, why does the price remain where it is?

Partly because of transport. There is the further fact I have referred to, that if you have a great production of coal, there is every incentive to the coal-owners to sell more cheaply, to avoid the middleman, and to go into business themselves.

Why have they not done it?

Is the Mines Department giving any attention to the transport question? Some of our centres are getting only a third of their weekly supply, and that is keeping up prices.

Certainly, the Mines Department and the Ministry of Transport have been in constant touch with the railway companies on the subject, not only after the trouble arose, but, seeing that there must be difficulty when the coal stocks become normal again, they took the matter up with the railway companies even before the end of the stoppage.

asked the Minister of Transport what funds he expects to have available from the Road Fund for the improvement of roads and the improvement of communications in Great Britain during the current year?

The appropriations for the year 1926–27 are set out in paragraph 64 of the last Annual Report on the Administration of the Road Fund. No decision has yet been reached as to the appropriations for the year 1927–28.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give this information for the coming year?

Not for some little time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman let me know?

asked the Minister of Transport if he anticipates being able to make any grant from the Road Fund this year to assist the Corporation of the City of Kingston-upon-Hull and the London and North-Eastern Railway Company to abolish certain or all of the level crossings in Hull; if he is aware of the hindrance these level crossings are to traffic in the East Riding of Yorkshire and to commerce in the City of Hull; if he is aware that this evil is a growing one and will become acute when trade revives; and what is his present attitude in the matter?

Having regard to the magnitude of the projects contemplated by the corporation, and the period which is likely to be occupied by negotiations before terms can be agreed between the parties affected, I consider it improbable that any grant from the Road Fund will be made or needed during the financial year 1927–28. While I regard sympathetically all efforts to eliminate level crossings which seriously impede transport by road, I have to bear in mind that the total number on important Class I roads is considerably in excess of 200.

What does the Minister mean by lack of agreement? When we saw him last year, the North-Eastern Railway Company and the Corporation were in complete agreement, and his own experts were in agreement to.

The complete agreement in the one case was that the Road Fund should bear the greater part of the cost.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if this work is not done now, when trade revives we shall be in a very serious position indeed on the East coast?

I quite appreciate the hon. and gallant Member's view and that of his constituents, but he must remember that this is a very big scheme, which would require a-very large sum of money, and that there are many other interests and localities which have to be considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to state when the scheme for the new Victoria Dock road is likely to be put in hand?

The Royal Commission on Cross River Traffic in London included, the Victoria Dock road scheme in their survey. The recent Report of the Royal Commission is still under consideration, and, as the Prime Minister said yesterday, the Government is not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is now possible for him to afford some relief in respect of tolls to users of the Menai Bridge?

It is proposed to issue season tickets at reduced rates, and at the same time to make reductions in certain tolls on vehicles. These concessions will come into force on the 1st April next, and details will be announced shortly.

Will the Minister consider a similar suggestion in connection with Shoreham Bridge?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any action has been taken by his Department with a view to the provision of new road signposts in order to meet the requirements of modern traffic?

Since the issue by my Department six years ago of a circular to all highway authorities recommending the standardisation of direction-posts and warning-posts, financial assistance has been given from the Road Fund towards the sign-posting of roads. Thanks very largely to this aid, much progress has been made in the desired direction, and I shall continue, as in the past, to encourage local authorities in the extension of this work.

Will the Minister consider having the signposts on the principal arterial roads done in luminous paint, so that they may be read at night-time?

No, Sir

asked the Minister of Transport whether any Report has yet been received from the Committee which is inquiring into the question of crawling taximeter cabs; and, if so, what is its nature?

I understand that the London Traffic Advisory Committee are still considering this question in consultation with the cab interests. I hope to receive their Report in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the Great Western Railway Company to close the Kennet and Avon Canal, which will have the effect of stopping a large barge traffic, both of import and export trade, with Reading and district and the Port of London; and whether he will hold an inquiry into the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to Questions on this subject, of which I am sending him a copy.

(for Mr. CAMPBELL) asked the Minister of. Transport if he can now state what action it is proposed to take in connection with the recommendations of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee?

I understand that my hon. Friend refers to the recommendations contained in the Reports of the London Traffic Advisory Committee on Travelling Facilities in North and North-East London, and in East London. These two Reports have been published, and the report on the more recent Inquiry into travelling facilities in South-East London is with the printers, and will, I hope, be available very shortly. As I explained on the 10th February, in answer to a question from the hon. and gallant Member for Enfield (Colonel Applin), these Reports are under my consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make my statement in the matter.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the setting up of a financial committee to go into the whole position?

I do not think that is the best course.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to port traders through the detention of ships which cannot be discharged owing to the lack of wagon facilities, it is proposed to give powers to railway companies to compel people to clear railway wagons promptly and not make use of them as stores on the rails?

The present position is that traders who fail to clear railway wagons within a reasonable period are liable to demurrage or siding rent charges. I do not contemplate further legislation on the subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman looked into the very serious position which recently arose at Plymouth, since I informed him of it?

I am afraid I have not looked specially into the Plymouth case, but I have looked into a large number of cases, and the remedy, it seems to me, is for the railway companies to apply to the Railway Rates Tribunal for re-adjustment of charges.