asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the freight rates charged upon raw cotton from Mombasa to this country and the freight rates charged upon raw cotton between Mombasa and Japan?

The freight rate for raw cotton from Mombasa to the United Kingdom is 40s. per ton of 40 cubic feet, less 10 per cent. deferred rebate. I am informed that the rate from Mombasa to Japan is 32s. 6d. per ton of 40 cubic feet.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to the effect that, on a subsidised Japanese line from Mombasa to Japan, raw cotton is being transported without any freight charges whatever?

No, Sir, I have no information about that, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether cotton grown in British East Africa is subsidised by public funds through the Empire Cotton Growing Association; and what proportion of this cotton is annually exported to Japan?

I have been asked to take this question. According to the published accounts of the Empire Cotton Growing Corporation for the year ended 31st March, 1927, the corporation's total expenditure in Nyasaland, Uganda, and Northern Rhodesia amounted to £4,840 16s. 11d. About one-third of the income of the corporation is derived from public funds. This expenditure was incurred almost entirely on experimental work designed to improve the quality of the cotton produced in the several countries. Of a total of 790,748 centals of 100 lbs. exported from His Majesty's East African Dependencies during 1926, 99,281 centals were consigned to Japan. Final figures for 1927 are not yet available, but in the first three quarters of the year 429,340 centals were exported from Kilindini, of which 101,629 were consigned to Japan.

Are we to understand from that answer that in point of fact the Lancashire cotton industry is paying a subsidy to its former competitors?

The hon. Member must draw his own conclusion.

May we not adduce from the somewhat involved nature of the answer the fact that the cotton manufacturers of this country are being compelled to pay subsidies for the production of raw cotton which their competitors in the cotton industry are able to get for nothing?

That is a repetition of the previous question.

Was not the subsidy for the purpose of encouraging the growing of cotton granted on the understanding that the cotton was for consumption in this country, and if it is proved that it goes elsewhere is the Government prepared to make any alteration in the subsidy?

That question should be put on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of applications for safeguarding made to the Board of Trade; the number referred to a committee of inquiry; the number granted; and the number still under consideration?

Forty-eight applications have been received. Twenty have been referred to committees for inquiry; in seven of these cases safeguarding duties have been imposed, and in five the committees' reports are pending. In four other cases duties have been imposed in Finance Acts.

Are there any cases being considered at the moment?

I have said that in five cases the committee is being asked to report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us the industries concerned in the five cases which are pending?

The five cases which have been referred to the committee include cotton hosiery and various trades of a similar character, buttons and so on, and one other which I am sorry I cannot remember.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the objections raised by the German Government to recent tariff changes in this country, he will state the volume of British exports of manufactured goods to Germany for the years 1913, 1924, and 1927, respectively, and the volume of German manufactured goods imported into this country during the same years?

Our exports of articles wholly or mainly manufactured to Germany in 1913 were of the value of nearly £27 millions, and in 1924 of £24½ millions. Our imports of articles wholly or mainly manufactured from Germany in 1913 amounted to £56 millions, and in 1924 to £32½ millions. Corresponding figures for 1927 are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far the new Canadian tariff is likely to benefit British trade; and what is the exact nature of the provision affecting the percentage of Empire labour in Canadian imports?

The new Canadian tariff involves considerable changes in classification so that it would be difficult to give any exact comparison with the former tariff. There are certain reductions in duty, and a maintenance, and in some cases an increase, of the British preference. With regard to the second part of the question, detailed proposals have not yet been formulated, but I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a notice published in the Board of Trade Journal for the 8th March, which gives the latest information I have received on the subject.

May I ask whether a considerable advantage will not accrue to the textile industry of this country?

I have not had the whole of the details before me, but I think the answer I have given does give a fair summary of the position. The preference is maintained. In some cases there is an increase in the preference.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the fabrics in the textile section of the British Industries Fair were of foreign origin; and if in future stipulations will be made that articles shown at the fair must be of British manufacture throughout?

I have been asked to reply. My attention has been called to the fact that some of the linings of overcoats shown in the textile section were of foreign origin. The regulations regarding the admissibility of exhibits at the British Industries Fair require that they must have been manufactured or produced mainly within the British Empire, and I have no reason for supposing that any exhibits did not come within the terms of this regulation. With regard to the second part of the question, I feel that it would be undesirable to lay down a regulation that exhibits must be 100 per cent. British manufacture. Such a regulation would exclude many exhibits which are essentially British in character, and can usefully be shown at the fair to the advantage of British industry.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the fact that Great Britain in the year ending 30th June, 1927, had nearly half the trade in sterling value in motor chassis in Australia, and that from July to November these were only a trifle more than one-tenth in number as compared with American machines and not quite one-fourth in sterling value, he has any official information to account for this falling off in our exports?

I have been asked to reply. There was a considerable decline in the last six months of 1927 in the imports of motor chassis into Australia, but I regret that the fall in the British share of the trade appears to have been more immediate and more severe than in the case of the United States of America. I have no special information as to the causes of this recent falling off in our exports. My hon. and gallant Friend is doubtless aware that the whole question of the Australian market for motor cars has recently been explored by a mission sent out by the industry itself.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is to a very great extent dependent on the horse-power tax, which prevents the building of a type of engine suitable for the Dominions?

Does not the hon. Gentleman's answer knock the bottom out of the main argument for the McKenna Duties on motor cars?

I cannot see in what way it does that.

It was going to increase our exports.

Since the motor industry is protected in the United States as well as in this country, I do not think there is anything in the point raised by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy). With regard to the other point, I think my hon. and gallant Friend's question should be addressed to a different Department.

Is it not the fact that American firms, owing to the enormous profits they have made during the last two or three years, can afford to dump motor cars into Australia and spend large amounts on publicity campaigns?

Were not we told that the trade in motorcar chassis was to be increased as a result of the imposition of the McKenna Duties?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has yet instituted any experiments into wireless loop direction-finding system?

The rotating loop direction-finding system has been developed by the Air Ministry as an aid to air navigation. The system has been investigated by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and preliminary trials have been carried out in connection with marine navigation. The Board of Trade have considered the results of this investigation and are now examining, in conjunction with the Air Ministry and the Trinity House, the question of establishing an experimental station of this type in a position where its utility, as an aid to shipping, can be fully explored. It is hoped to reach a decision on this question very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent this country co-operated with the United States of America during 1927 in the maintenance of the Atlantic ice patrol; what was the cost of the service; and whether any ships of His Majesty's Navy participated?

The ice patrol service in the North Atlantic is managed by the United States Government in accordance with the arrangements set out in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention of 1914. Under these arrangements the patrol is carried out during the ice season by two of the United States Coastguard cutters, and the cost is borne by the Governments specially interested in these services, in fixed proportions. The cost of the service during 1927 was approximately £29,700, and the contribution of His Majesty's Government will be about £9,300. Ships of His Majesty's Navy do not participate in the patrol.

asked the Secretary of State for War the grounds on which a claim to a modified pension and to the long service and good conduct medal was rejected in the ease of Charles Spain, of No. 4, Crayford Road, Holloway, N.7, whose record of service in the Army and Royal Air Force extended over 18 years, namely, 4th Essex Regiment, joined April, 1888, served nine months; private, No. 2,345, 1st Northants, joined 11th December, 1888, served 13 years; private, No. 6,501, 3rd Northants, joined 7th March, 1902, served nine months; private, No. 30,369, Royal Flying Corps, joined 6th June, 1916, served three years 10 months, and whose service would have exceeded 20 years had he been allowed to complete his contract, i.e., service for the duration of the War, into which he entered when joining the Royal Flying Corps on 6th June, 1916, a contract, the man contends, which should not have expired until the official termination of the War, namely, 1921?

I have been asked to reply. Mr. Spain, whose case has frequently been reviewed, had insufficient service to qualify him either for a modified pension or for the long service and good conduct medal. He had no contractual right to be retained until the official end of the War, and even if he had been so retained, it may be added, he would still have been ineligible for a modified pension in view of the conditions of his discharge. I am not sure whether my hon. Friend remembers the correspondence that he had with the Air Ministry about this case in September, 1925, when the reasons for which neither pension nor long service medal could be given were explained to him in fuller detail in a letter of which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air is sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been definitely decided to purchase further land for the War Department on Salisbury Plain; and, if a decision has been arrived at, will he give assurances that agricultural workers who are displaced will either receive compensation or will he take steps to find them work in some other part of the country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, as farms are acquired they are relet to tenants, subject to military reqirements. It is too early to say whether this will involve any reduction in the number of agricultural workers required on the farms, but should this prove to be the case, endeavours will be made, as in the past, to find employment on the War Department Estate on Salisbury Plain for such of them as may be suitable.

In view of these extra purchases of land by the War Office, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to move the buildings from the neighbourhood of Stonehenge?

That matter does not arise on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the forming of two cavalry regiments into armoured-car units will alter the roster of these regiments for foreign service; and, if so, with what result as to the change of stations in Egypt or India?

It is not possible to say what effect the conversion of the two cavalry regiments into armoured-car units will ultimately have on the foreign service roster.

May I ask whether this means that the 12th Lancers in Egypt will go on to India in two years as an armoured-car unit instead of a cavalry regiment; and whether the armoured-car regiment in Egypt will then be relieved by a cavalry regiment and leave no armoured-car regiment there?

That is precisely what I cannot say. I do not know what developments will take place in the next two years.

Have the War Office made up their mind?

They make up their mind as the problem is being solved.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many marriages have taken place between soldiers in the Army of the Rhine and German women since the Armistice; whether any, and, if so, how many wives of the soldiers now serving in Germany are of German birth; and how many of these German-born wives are on the strength of the units to which their husbands belong?

The answer to the first part of the question is approximately 690. As regards the remainder, the information is not available at the War Office, but I am inquiring whether the figures can be obtained without disproportionate labour and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the regulations governing the length of time the discharge and other documents of a soldier are kept before they are destroyed; if he is aware that in many cases a soldier claims that bounty or gratuity was not paid to him owing to his absence abroad or other reasons, and when he does claim he is told by the War Office that all relevant documents have been destroyed, and therefore the matter cannot be investigated; and whether he will consider retaining all documents for a sufficient length of time to ensure that no hardships can occur?

The length of time for which discharge and other documents are retained is governed by the Schedule submitted to Parliament in February, 1923, in accordance with the Public Record Office Act, 1877, and should be sufficient to enable all valid claims to be put forward and examined without any hardship arising. I regret that I cannot agree to have the documents retained beyond the scheduled period.

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot keep the documents, may I ask if he has any system of card indexing at the War Office where the details can be put on the cards and kept for reference?

I am governed at the moment by the Act of Parliament, to which I have referred the hon. and gallant Member. They vary from 50 years to a very short time indeed.

Is he aware that last week the War Office turned down the case which I brought to them of a soldier who served during the War, because his document had been destroyed. Can he not have some record kept?

If there is a sum of money to a man's credit it is noted before the documents are destroyed. Claims have arisen 10 years after the sum was alleged to have been payable, and frequently documents have been destroyed, and it is impossible to check them.

Is it not about time that the right hon. Gentleman reorganised this side of the Department, possibly reducing the staff and effecting considerable economies?

I think we have organised it very efficiently and economically.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Milk and Dairy Order is inflicting hardship on small farmers,, especially in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, where good milk and good butter are made, although the byres do not conform to the Regulations; and whether he will have the Order suspended?

My right hon. Friend assumes that this question refers to the bylaws made by individual district committees under Section 8 of the Milk and Dairies (Scotland) Act, 1914, for the regulation of byres and cowsheds in their areas. The Scottish Board of Health have confirmed such bylaws in respect of certain districts in the Highlands and Islands but they have no evidence that the operation of the bylaws in these areas is inflicting hardship on small farmers.

Would it be too much to ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to point out to these local authorities that it is the dairy-maids who make the butter and cheese and not the byres; and to take into consideration the fact that if these people have to build new byres and have not the money to do it they are ruined?

This is not the time for speeches.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of Poor Law authorities in Scotland that have approached his Department for assistance on account of industrial depression?

Since 1921, 16 parish councils applied for loans from Government funds in respect of their expenditure on relief of able-bodied unemployed, and 41 parish councils applied for advances from Government funds in 1926 to enable them to continue the payment of relief to destitute dependants of persons involved in the coal mining trade dispute during that year. In all cases loans or advances were granted. Grants were made to 134 parish councils under Section 2 of the Poor Law Emergency Provisions (Scotland) Act, 1927, in respect of relief afforded to destitute dependants of miners. Representations that Exchequer grants should be made to the Poor Law authorities of necessitous areas have also been received from numerous parish councils, and from associations of parish councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that several houses in Langside Road, Glasgow, have been rendered uninhabitable owing to subsidences, whereby the tenants have been warned out and compelled to seek other accommodation; is he aware that these dispossessed tenants are now required to pay the whole rates and taxes in respect of the houses lately occupied by them, notwithstanding that in most cases they will also be paying taxes for alternative accommodation; whether he is prepared to take steps to authorise some relief in the payment of the rates, seeing the corporation in regard to water rates, and the landlord in respect of rent, have already done so; and is he prepared to introduce legislation to remedy the present law?

My right hon. Friend understands that the statement in the first part of the question is correct. He

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that a boarding

Surely the hon. and gallant Gentleman will recognise the unfairness of a law which compels a man to pay rates and taxes for a house out of which he has been ejected, and also to pay rates and taxes for the alternative accommodation supplied to him under the same local authority?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of people in receipt of able-bodied relief in Glasgow from the respective parish councils; the number a year ago at the same date; and the total amount of relief paid in each year at those dates?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The Land Court have no knowledge of the case referred to. My right hon. Friend understands that a boarding house is being erected on feuing ground adjacent to, but lying outwith, the smallholdings constituted on Spring-bank Farm. Three applications for partial resumption of holdings in Arran for feuing purposes, were made to the Land Court in 1924, one in 1925, two in 1926 and none in 1927. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the numerous cases in which there has been resumption of small holdings, in whole or in part, for building purposes or for the personal or family requirements of owners, under the Acts of 1886 and 1911; whether he is aware that the security of tenure of crofters and statutory small landholders is thereby being impaired; whether he will take steps to discourage the breaking up in this way of holdings, especially in cases where alternative sites are available; and, if his powers are not sufficient, whether he will introduce the necessary amending legislation?

The resumption of smallholdings can only be effected after application to the Land Court, and with their authority, for purposes specified in the Small Landholders Acts, and the cases are enumerated in the Court's Annual Reports. The extent to which small holdings are affected may be measured by the fact that, since 1923, 154 applications have been granted by the Court, a number of these being for partial resumption. My right hon. Friend sees no necessity for legislation.

Is there not great hardship in a case where there is only an acre and a half of arable land and where perhaps half-an-acre is taken for building? I have such a case in mind; and does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not recognise that that is a serious encroachment on the small piece of arable land held by the crofter?

I am sure that would be regarded as a thing which must be carefully guarded, and that is why it can only be put through after an application to the Land Court which considers each specific case and goes into all the details concerning it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many official demonstrations showing the benefit to agricultural land of the application of lime in its various forms were given, and where, during the financial year drawing to a close; and if he is proposing to hold further demonstrations this summer?

Demonstrations of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend are carried out by local agricultural education authorities. Similar work of a more experimental nature is arranged by University Departments of Agriculture and agricultural colleges, both directly and through the local authorities. Both types of work are aided by grants from the Ministry. The numbers of such demonstrations and experiments are not immediately available; but they were carried out generally in those parts of the country suffering from lime deficiency. This work will be continued in the normal course during the coming season.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated number of women voters who will be added to the roll in Dennistoun, Whitevale, and Mile End Wards, respectively, of the Camlachie Parliamentary Division of Glasgow by the new Franchise Bill?

The information available does not lend itself to accurate estimation, but in each of the three wards named the increase referred to will probably be between 2,000 and 2,500.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many plural voters are on the electoral registers; and is he able to state how many persons in receipt of Poor Law relief are registered as local government and Parliamentary electors in the County of London and how many for the rest of the country?

The number of persons registered as Parliamentary electors in England and Wales for the business premises franchise is 205,538 and for university constituencies is 60,712, though it does not follow that all these persons are "plural voters." The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, the number of houses which have been built in the Camlachie parliamentary division and are occupied; the number under construction; the time when they wig be ready for occupation; and the number that it is still proposed to build under the various schemes?

In the area in question the number of houses built with State assistance and occupied is 150. The number of houses under construction is 66, which are expected to be ready for occupation in the course of a few months. As regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend understands that the corporation contemplate the erection of 804 additional houses in the area?

asked the Secreatry of State for Scotland what progress is being made in Scotland in the improvement of labourers' cottages under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act; and which counties are taking most advantage of this Act?

Up to the 31st December, 1927, the latest date for which information is available, applications had been received by local authorities in Scotland for assistance in respect of the improvement or reconstruction of 385 houses; applications had been approved in respect of 281 houses; and grant amounting to a total of £25,763 10s. 10d. had been promised. At the same date work had been completed on 62 houses and grants, amounting to £4,380 13s. 8d., had been paid, while in respect of 156 houses work was in progress. Most advantage is being taken of the provisions of the Act in the counties of Haddington and Peebles, and in certain of the districts in Aberdeenshire and Rossshire.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether tests have been carried out on behalf of his Department on the low-temperature carbonisation of North Wales coal; and, if so, the yield of tar oils obtained?

No tests have as yet been carried out on the low temperature carbonisation of North Wales coal.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he can give details of results of tests carried out at the fuel research station on the low-temperature carbonisation of coal from the Somerset coalfield; and the names of the collieries from which the coal was obtained, with the yield of oils, gas, and carbon residue obtained from each ton of coal treated;

(2) whether he can give details of the results of the tests carried out at the fuel research station on the low-temperature carbonisation of coal from the South Wales coalfield; and will he give the names of the collieries from which the coal was obtained, with the yield of oils, gas, and carbon residue obtained from each ton of coal treated?

The results of tests of low-temperature carbonisation of coals from various coalfields are published from time to time by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The laboratory results already published for South Wales' coals will be found in Technical Papers Nos. 1 and 10 of the Fuel Research Board, which should be read in the light of information contained in the Report of the Fuel Research Board for the years 1920–1921, Second Section. Some large scale results for a South Wales coal are contained in a report by the Director of Fuel Research on the Freeman Multiple Retort. The results of large scale tests of a Somerset coal are being prepared for publication. No summary of the results of such tests could be given without technical particulars of the kind contained in these reports, since such particulars are necessary for the correct interpretation of the results.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware of the fact that this investigation as it is called into the Bergius system is simply a means of intimidating the progress of the British plants now on a commercial scale?

The research is for the benefit of the coal industry.

Yes, but is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the fact that we have commercial plant working in this country, and the excuse has always been that we are getting something from the Bergius system or somewhere else, so as to keep back British interests and to help the combined financial interests of Germany and the combines in this country?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that collieries are being closed down at the present time in Yorkshire and thousands of additional miners are being thrown out of work; and will he inquire into the connection between this policy and the new scheme for selling coal which is being arranged by the coalowners?

Four pits employing 1,918 persons have closed down in Yorkshire since 1st February; but according to the statistics of output and persons employed furnished to my Department, the general position in Yorkshire in recent periods has fluctuated in substantially the same proportions as in the rest of the country. I therefore see no need to undertake any special inquiry.

Did the hon. and gallant Gentleman hear the speeches made during the last two days with regard to the scheme that has been adopted by the coalowners; and has he not heard that they are bringing down their supply to a particular quota to meet the necessary demand for coal, and is not that having some effect in closing the collieries? Some of us know it is having that effect.

I believe the effect of the scheme is as the hon. Member states with regard to the quota, but I have no evidence that the setting up of the quota is reducing employment at the moment.

In my question I asked that the hon. and gallant Gentleman should make inquiries into this matter. Acknowledging these facts as he has done just now, is it not necessary that he should make these inquiries and get his Department to work in this matter?

As I have said in the answer, the position in Yorkshire is substantially the same as in other parts of the country, and I see no reason for making special inquiry.

In addition to the pits which have been closed altogether, is it not a fact that in South Yorkshire particularly a good many collieries have reduced the number of men, owing to the operation of the quota?

asked the Secretary of Mines if he has received any complaint that boys under 16 years of age have been kept down the pits in Durham for 16 hours per day; whether he has inquired into the complaint; and can he give the result of his inquiries?

Yes, Sir. A complaint of this kind was recently sent to me by the hon. Member, and I have had it investigated. It was found that on three occasions during January and February a boy had been kept to work a second shift on account of the absence of other boys through illness. The management considered that the circumstances constituted an emergency which made it lawful for them to take this course, but consequent on representations made to them by my Department they have agreed not to adopt this method of meeting the difficulty in future.

Seeing that to keep these boys 16 hours a day is a breach of the Eight-Hours Act, does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman propose to take some action against the company?

I do not think that from the nature of my answer that will be necessary.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman state in this House that there is one law for the mine-owners and one for the miners; if not, what is the reason he is not prosecuting the mine-owners for this definite breach of the Regulations?

I have stated the reason of the coal-owners, and they will not repeat the offence.

Does the keeping of boys over 16 hours constitute an emergency reason?

That is the reason given by the coal-owners.

Why is there a difference of treatment between miners and mine-owners? If an offence were committed three times by a miner, would not he have been prosecuted; and why has the Minister not prosecuted the owners in the same way as he prosecutes the miners?

I make no difference between owners and miners.

At the end of questions I shall ask your permission, Mr. Speaker, to move the adjournment of the House in order to call attention to this matter.

Is the Minister aware that the necessity of keeping these boys all that time in the mines is to make them do the work of the two shifts of eight hours of the men?

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely,

"The failure of the Government to prosecute certain coal owners for breaches of the Coal Mines Act, 1926, by the continuous employment underground of a boy on three occasions for more than 16 hours per day?"

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the inquiries of his Department into the question of the coal export trade have been completed; and whether he is now in a position to Make a Report to the House?

I am continuously keeping in the closest possible touch with the position of the coal export trade, but am not conducting any special inquiries, nor have I any unpublished information which could be usefully reported to the House.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman noticed any increase in the export of coal, either in 1927 or 1928, as compared with 1925?

I shall want notice of that question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his Department are considering the desirability of securing a return of the prices paid for transfer coal in order that the information regarding the coal industry may be as complete as possible?

The Quarterly Statistical Summaries issued by my Department give particulars for each district and for the country as a whole of the quantities and values of all coal commercially disposable. It is not practicable to give details of the prices of the widely different qualities and sizes of coal which go to make up the sum total—and without such information aggregated figures of the prices paid for transfer coal, even if obtainable, would be of little value and would be misleading.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that we are not able to get to know exactly what the prices of transfer coal are? There have been one or two cases where it has been shown that the prices were too low, and have had to be raised, and, even then, we have not been able to get the original price, and for the people working the coal it is essential to know exactly what the prices are?

The hon. Member understands that the question of transfer coal is dealt with by district committees, and the joint auditors of the owners and the men have full access to all the books showing the prices of transfer coal.

The auditors of the men may have access, but the men are not allowed to see the honks, and the auditor is not allowed to give the men information; that is the point I want the Minister to take into consideration.

Yes, Sir; the auditors are the representatives of the men, and the auditors are given full particulars.

Is it not a fact that the auditors are not permitted to investigate the books as they desire to investigate them; that the Yorkshire Miners' Association had to appeal to an umpire to get permission for that to take place, and that they succeeded in justifying their claim?

Yes, I understand that there was a dispute, and that they were given the books they required.

Would it not be quite easy to get the figures if the miners only had good leaders?

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the automatic traffic-regulator at the crossing of Park Row and Bond Street, Leeds; and whether it is proposed to erect similar apparatus in the Metropolitan area?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The question of making experiments in the Metropolitan area with automatic traffic regulators is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport what conclusions he has arrived at with regard to the obstruction to traffic in busy urban thoroughfares, caused by vehicles drawn up at the side of the road; and what measures he proposes to adopt?

So far as my information goes, the powers possessed by the police authorities under the existing law are adequate for dealing with any such obstruction.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware from his own observation that the nuisance referred to has become notorious?

It is a matter within the discretion of the police.

Is the right hon. Gentleman, from his own observation, satisfied that such obstruction does not exist?

I can only repeat that this is a matter within the discretion of the police, who have ample power to deal with it if they think that an obstruction is created.

Has the Traffic Advisory Committee ever considered the possibility of prohibiting two vehicles stopping in a roadway opposite one another, and thereby causing one way traffic?

I do not think that that specific point has been considered, but I will look into it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman again not sheltering himself behind some authority or other?

No, I am not at all. I said what is a fact that the police have ample powers to deal with any obstruction that exists, and I have every confidence in them carrying out that duty.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that it has been found necessary to close the bridges at Burngrains and Brigend, in Aberdeenshire, and also the Taitswell bridge, on the main road between Peterhead and Banff, in the interests of public safety; and, in view of the inconvenience thus caused whether he proposed to take any steps in the matter?

I am aware that the District Committee of the Deer District of Aberdeen have closed the three bridges in question, the recent failure of a similar bridge having drawn attention to their weakness. I should be prepared to consider sympathetically an application from the District Committee for assistance towards the substitution of stronger bridges on suitable lines provided it embodies a satisfactory arrange- ment with the railway company as to the contributions to be made by them in respect of their liabilities.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the highway bridges over the London and North Eastern Railway in the Deer District of Aberdeenshire are in bad condition, and not in any way up to present requirements; and whether, seeing that the railway company is at present only bound to maintain the bridges in the condition in which they were originally constructed, which is inadequate for modern purposes, he proposes to take any steps to secure that the necessary reconstruction of these bridges is carried out?

I am aware that many of the bridges in question are too weak to carry unrestricted loads and that the liability of the railway company is limited. In replying to my hon. Friend's other question to-day I explained my policy in respect of such structures. I may add that with regard to the general question of weak bridges, I am hoping that it may be possible to promote legislation embodying clauses which will facilitate negotiations between local authorities and the statutory undertakings concerned.

Are we to have this legislation this year?

It is a private Member's Bill, and I am afraid that the prospects are rather uncertain.

If there be substantial agreement as to the necessity of giving these powers, which are very long overdue, cannot the Government give time?

As far as I am concerned, I am anxious that this legislation should be passed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman press for facilities to be given to this Bill, if it be an agreed Measure?

That is for the Prime Minister to decide.

asked the Minister of Transport if the roundabout systems of traffic at Hyde Park Corner and the Marble Arch are now considered to be permanent; and, if so, whether he is making any arrangements for a fresh lay-out of the refuges and monuments at those places?

It is proposed to continue the present "roundabout" systems of traffic working at Hyde Park Corner and the Marble Arch as a permanency. The position of several of the refuges both at Hyde Park Corner and at the Marble Arch has been altered to facilitate the working of the systems, and it is not at present proposed to make any fresh lay-out at these places.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the dangerous condition of affairs just outside St. George's Hospital?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what actual alterations have been made?

Quite a number of alterations have been made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the repeated comments made by the Auditor-General on the special arrangements made by the Ministry with contractors to carry out certain road works; and whether, in view of the fact that under these contracts remuneration paid to contractors approximated in some cases in 1927 to 22 per cent. of the cost of the works, he will at once take steps to abolish this system and carry out the work with local authorities' aid instead?

The contracts to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers were let during the years 1920–1922 in very exceptional circumstances, as owing to the urgency of instituting these works for the relief of unemployment it was not possible to obtain the data requisite to enable tenders to be invited before the contracts were let. The circumstances were fully explained to the Public Accounts Committee in 1924. Since 1922 no similar contracts have been let by my Department. I may add that the per- centage mentioned in the question was reached only in one case, and that the average percentage to cover the contractor's fee and bonus on the whole of the contracts was about 12½ per cent. of the net cost.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this criticism is in the Report of the Auditor-General for 1926? Has he given the Auditor-General a reply about this matter to which attention was drawn in this 1926 Report?

I do not know in what year the Auditor-General made these comments, but the facts are as stated in the question, and no similar contracts have been let since 1922.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the Auditor-General asked for a reply to this matter in his 1926 Report? Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman made that reply, and has he satisfied the Auditor-General?

The point was fully explained to the Public Accounts Committee in 1924. I have no knowledge as to whether we satisfied the Auditor-General, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question I will look into it.

But has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman seen the Report of the Auditor-General—has he any knowledge of it?

No, Sir, I have not seen that particular Report.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman made any definite statement to the Auditor-General arising out of his Report?

I did not quite hear that question.

Are we to understand that Reports of the Auditor-General which refer to the right hon. Gentleman's Department are not brought to his notice?

No doubt they would be brought to my notice if there was anything to answer, but the circumstances were explained in 1924 to the Public Accounts Committee, and they were satisfied.

Has it not been definitely stated that the Auditor-General in 1926 made a further Report on this subject, which could not have been considered in 1924?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down that question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the claim on the Road Fund by the Irish Free State has yet been settled; if not, when is it anticipated that the transaction will be completed; and what is the amount still outstanding?

This matter is still under discussion with the Government of the Irish Free State, but I hope that a settlement will shortly be reached. My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that pending agreement between the two Governments as to the basis of settlement it is not possible for me to state the amount outstanding.

If there is any sum due to the Irish Free State, is there any possibility of attaching that sum for the purpose of paying British civil servants the amount found due to them by the recent decision of the Privy Council?

asked the Minister of Transport when the negotiations between the West Riding County Council and the Doncaster Corporation regarding the remaking of Bentley Road are likely to be concluded; if he is aware that this matter has been under discussion for nearly six years; and whether, in view of the state of the road concerned, he will give the question his immediate attention so that the work may be proceeded with as soon as possible?

I understand that agreement has been reached between the county council and the corporation that certain preparatory works have already been put in hand and that the widening is likely to be completed in the near future.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only within the last week or two the county council passed a resolution protesting against the delay, which they say has been caused by the Doncaster Corporation. Does he know that this business has been occupying those bodies for six years, and will he step in and put an end to it?

Preparatory works have already been put in hand, and the widening is likely to be completed in the near future. I do not know what more I could do.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that preparatory works have been going on now for nearly six years, and that the main work still remains untouched?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the cause of much bad language?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has had any complaints as to the failure of public electric supplies during the past six months and to the danger of interrupted service in hospitals and similar institutions; and whether alternative supplies are being established or recommended for establishment by his Department?

The Electricity Commissioners have received a certain number of complaints as to the failure of public electric supplies, but no specific representation as to the danger of interrupted service in hospitals and similar institutions. One of the objects of the schemes of interconnection to be carried out under the Act of 1926 is to ensure increased reliability of supply by providing alternative sources of supply for authorised undertakers whose systems will be linked up in due course with the main transmission system of the Central Electricity Board.

Has the Minister considered what steps it is necessary to take to prevent Socialists from cutting off the supply in time of disputes?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any applications from any of the municipal authorities in the County of London asking him to set up an inquiry into the prices charged by the County of London Electric Supply Company; and what decision he has arrived at?

I have received no such application, but I understand that one is likely to be received shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can inform the House what changes, if any, in the charges for electricity have followed the redistribution of the areas of supply brought about by the Electricity Commissioners?

I am afraid that I do not follow the hon. Member's question. Perhaps he would be good enough to send me some further information showing more fully what is in his mind.

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman requires a statement of all changes in charges, seeing that that is one of the objects?

If the hon. Member will communicate with me about that, I will try to give him an answer.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the statutory limitations placed on dividends of electrical undertakings, he can supply figures showing what transfers, if any, of funds from reserves to capital account in the form of bonus shares have taken place in those electricity undertakings whose area of distribution has been enlarged as a result of the decisions of the Electricity Commissioners?

I am not aware that any electricity undertaking has transferred funds from reserves to capital account in the form of bonus shares as the result of its area of distribution having been enlarged.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of deposits held to the last convenient date by the Post Office Telephone Service for and on behalf of telephone subscribers in England and Wales?

The amount at 31st December, 1927, was, approximately, £2,146,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that amount includes deposits for telephones which have since been discontinued and which the telephone subscribers have not reclaimed?

I could not say that without notice. I think the amount would be very small.

asked the Postmaster-General if he proposes to take immediate action to carry out any of the recommendations of the committee on the inland telegraph service?

Some of the proposals recommended by the committee were in fact being carried out before the report was received, and arrangements are now in progress for giving effect to others. The remaining proposals affect various interests both external and internal, and a good deal of time will be required for their consideration both by the Government and by the interests affected.

Will the right hon. Gentleman invite the assistance of a leading business man in regard to this service?

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department makes a close study of the working of the telegraph service in countries where this system is carried out under private enterprise with satisfactory financial results; and whether he will consider introducing certain of these business methods into this country?

My hon. Friend presumably refers to the United States of America. I hope to arrange shortly for another visit to be made by officers of the Post Office with a view to a close study of the American telegraph service, but it cannot be assumed that all the methods in force in the United States will be found suitable for adoption in this country, where conditions are very different.

Does the Postmaster-General agree with the speech made by his Controller of Telegraphs in which he refers to this Report as

"the vapourings of a so-called business committee and a monument of inconsistencies."

Does he approve of that or not?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as long as the telegraph service is conducted by a Government Department it can never reach years of discretion?

asked the Postmaster-General which department of the Post Office undertakes the work of Post Office publicity which places before the public the various facilities which the different departments of the Post Office offer; whether a single individual is employed; by whom is the appointment made; and what salary is paid?

The department controlling the administration of each of the Post Office services is, generally speaking, responsible for publicity, whether through personal canvassing, the distribution of posters and leaflets or by other means. An officer appointed by the Postmaster-General at a salary of £485 per annum is employed for the distribution of information to the Press and for other similar duties.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a trial of one of the well-known business firms who have undertaken very successful publicity work for several years on behalf of the Government?

I have considered that point more than once, but I think the present arrangements are probably more effective and economical.

Is it not false economy and does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that for £480 a year you cannot get a very high-class man in that line because he can get much more in business?

asked the PostMaster-General whether his attention has been called to the possibility of tapping beam wireless messages to and from Australia; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the privacy of such messages?

I am aware that the Anglo-Australian beam service, in common with other wireless services, has been criticised on the ground that it is liable to illicit interception. In practice, however, the beam services are worked at so high a speed that interception would only be possible by means of complicated and expensive receiving apparatus requiring expert operating staff. I think, therefore, that the risk of such illegal interception is for all practical purposes negligible.