asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the trade done between Russia and each of the following countries, the United States of America, Germany, Japan, and Great Britain, during each of the last four years?

A table has been prepared giving the information for which the hon. Member asks, and, with his permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the discussions which British representatives entered into with Russian delegates at Geneva and the fact that trade between the two countries is suffering from the lack of diplomatic facilities on both sides, he will be prepared to receive proposals for the reopening of diplomatic relations with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 29th of February last, to which I have nothing to add.

Does that mean that the Government are not going to take any steps to get out of this very awkward position? Will they not, for example, provide facilities for a Debate in the hope that some useful suggestions may be made from one side of the House or the other?

My right hoe. Friend on various occasions has pointed out that the trade between this country and Russia has nothing what-

Can the hon. Member state why we cannot have the same reasonable understanding and the same friendly relations between the two countries which existed in 1917?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of companies engaged in the cotton trade in Great Britain?

There is no official record of the number of firms engaged in the cotton trade. The cotton trade directories contain the most comprehensive information available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industries have applied to be safeguarded in 1927 and 1928; and how many have been granted the security of safeguarding duties in those years?

During the period referred to, 10 applications for safeguarding duties have been made to the Board of Trade; four applications failed to show a prima facie case; one is under consideration; two safeguarding duties have been proposed to Parliament; and two Reports from Committees are now pending.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that these results carry out the Election pledge that all industries which could claim unfair foreign competition would be safeguarded? Is he satisfied, and, if not, will he modify the White Paper?

The Prime Minister has already answered that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of companies engaged in the work of sugar refining; and the number of men and women engaged by such companies?

I am unable to state the number of companies engaged in the work of sugar refining. According to the Preliminary Report on the Third Census of Production, the average number of persons employed in the sugar and glucose trades in 1924 was 12,626, of whom 11,079 were males and 1,547 females.

In view of the approaches which are now being made to the Government with regard to the sugar refining trade, may I ask if any record is kept of the companies which have made such approaches?

I think that that question had better be asked of the Minister to whom the approaches were made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the recent sale of serviceable accoutrements was an occasional sale by negotiation; whether such sale was necessitated by considerations of urgency on the part of the War Office, whether, before reaching agreement as to price with the purchasers, any attempt was made to obtain competitive offers for the goods sold; and, if not, whether he is satisfied that a better price for the benefit of public funds could not have been obtained if open competition had been resorted to?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. As regards the third and fourth parts, the Department's experience of previous efforts to dispose of this class of goods by competitive tender justifies the conclusion that a less favourable price would have been realised by that method of disposal.

Is the Department still continuing that method or will everything be put up to tender in future?

I cannot promise that. If by any particular method we are likely to get a better price, that method will be adopted.

Is it not the case that the method of competitive tender has failed, because there is no competition, since the firms get together to avoid competition; and will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to prevent that malpractice?

I have no evidence of that. If the hon. and gallant Member has any, I shall be glad to consider it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of a certain case now pending in the Law Courts, in which this practice was adopted to secure lower prices for tenders for Government stamp contracts?

This question refers to the sale of surplus stores.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in addition to the recent sale of serviceable accoutrements, negotiations for the sale of larger quantities of certain items of serviceable accoutrements to a private firm have recently taken place and, if so, with what result; and whether, in the event of any sale being concluded in this or any other instance the oldest and most worn articles in War Department stocks will be disposed of?

Yes, Sir; a further sale of somewhat larger quantities of certain items of serviceable accoutrements has been negotiated with a private firm. As regards the second part, the articles disposed of are surplus to Army requirements.

Would the right hon. Gentleman publish in the "Gazette" every month the number of articles sold to the various firms from time to time, with the names of the firms?

I do not know that any useful purpose would be served by that, but I will consider it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, as to whether the articles that are most worn are disposed of first?

It would, of course, be absolutely impossible to say that without recording every article issued to troops and examining everything that there was. I cannot, therefore, say that they are the oldest, but I do say that they are surplus to requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office, without recognising any legal liability, will, as an, act of grace, make some compensation grant to the widow of Feldhüter Haas, who was accidentally killed by three British soldiers of the Rhine Army?

I have called for a report on this case, and I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the number of male telegraphists in the Post Office will be depleted by the changed policy of that Department, which is to effect a reduction in the proportion of men to women telegraphists, and also to reduce the total number of established telegraphists by employing a considerable amount of part-time labour which will be principally female; whether he has satisfied himself that the number of male telegraphists of military age who will then be employed by the Post Office could meet the needs of the signal services of His Majesty's forces if required to do so; and, if not, what steps his Department proposes to take to deal with the problem created?

I would refer the bon. Member to my reply to a similar question on 22nd November last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take an early opportunity of making a statement on this problem, which is facing his Department and is well worthy, not only of his consideration, but of a public statement to the House?

I gave, on the 22nd November last, a considered answer to this very same question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the value and the number of yards of cloth damaged in the recent floods; what has been done with the cloth so damaged; and what is the maximum length of time the cloth has been in stock?

491,000 yards of cloth of various kinds, approximately £120,000 in value, were damaged by the Thames flood. All the material, except 1,350 yards which were too badly damaged, has been reconditioned and rendered fit for issue. As regards the last part of the question, a small portion of the material, consisting of full dress cloth, was purchased in 1914.

Could my hon. Friend give some idea of the value of the cloth purchased prior to 1914 which is now in stock?

I could not, off-hand.

If there is any considerable amount, could not my hon. Friend take some steps to have that cloth either made up after re-dyeing or sold?

As I have told my hon. Friend, all of this cloth is fit for use except a very small portion of some 1,350 yards, which has already been disposed of. The whole of the remainder is now fit for use, and will be used.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what length there is in stock of the uniform cloth formerly used by the 11th Hussars; the cost of this cloth; and the date when it was purchased?

The stock of uniform cloth peculiar to the 11th Hussars is 2,039 yards, the cost of which was £1,132. The cloth was purchased in 1914.

Does not my hon. Friend think that this cloth could either be dyed and made up for use, or sold?

The cloth is perfectly fit for use now, and will, presumably, be used. I have no reason to suppose that it will not be found to be fit for use.

Is it not of a peculiar shade which cannot be used for the ordinary requirements of the Army?

It can be used, at any rate, for bandsmen, and I believe it is intended to use it for that purpose.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, with regard to George Moss, No. 4119530, Cheshire Regiment, who was discharged from the Army for a foot injury or disease contracted while in India, whether he can say what the injury or disease is; whether the diagnosis was the same in India was after his return to this country and what it now is; and whether this soldier is entitled to any disability grant or payment, seeing that the trouble is of a permanent nature?

As regards the first part of the question, it would be contrary to the established practice to dis- close details from a soldier's medical history sheet. As regards the last part of the question, as Private Moss's disability was not attributable to his military service, I regret that he is not entitled to a pension from Army funds. He has, however, been granted a gratuity of £16, which is the maximum sum for which he was eligible.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he can now make any statement as to the possibility of stabilising existing pensions, and thereby effecting material reductions in the cost of administration?

The cost of administration has been and is being reduced in the direction indicated by my hon. Friend by means of final awards, by reduction of the number of medical examinations and by otherwise curtailing, as far as possible, the review of all classes of pension. For the information of my hon. Friend, I may say that the cost of administration has, in fact, been reduced from 15d. in the £ of benefits in 1920 to 5½d. in the £ in the current year.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will arrange for actors on tour, commercial travellers, and other persons whose occupations necessitate their being in a different town nearly every week, to cash their pension cheques at any post office in Britain or Northern Ireland?

The existing arrangements permit pensioners who hold order books to change the office of payment every week, if necessary. Many pensioners, however, particularly those who are frequently absent from home, prefer to draw their pensions by payable order quarterly in arrear. This can be arranged on application to the Controller of Pension Issue Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are made during holiday periods for the issue of death certificates from the registry offices in Edinburgh?

No arrangements are made for the issue of death certificates from the registry offices in Edinburgh on the public holidays on which they are closed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the rents charged for three- and two-apartment houses in Midlothian, built with State assistance under the Housing Acts and controlled by the county council, are from £4 to £8 dearer for three-apartment houses, and £3 dearer for two-apartment houses than the rents charged for similar housing accommodation in Fife; and will he take action to have the rents in Midlothian brought more into conformity with rents charged in the other counties?

The rents of the houses in question are regulated, not only by the number of their apartments, but also by such considerations as the size of these apartments, the type, construction, and amenities of the houses, the site, the locality, and the classes of tenant. These considerations, together with the fact that the rents fall to be determined on different bases according to the powers under which the houses were erected, obviously permit of rental diversities as between the various counties and I find no reason for any interference on my part with the discretion of the local authorities in the matter.

Is it not possible to take into consideration, in settling the rents to be charged, the wages earned by individuals in the locality?

I think that the local authorities have very wide powers in this matter, and that it ought to be left to them.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that people of a better type have to pay more or less?

A great many factors come into consideration in the settlement of these cases, and it can only be with the local knowledge and by the powers of the local authorities that the matter can be settled, having regard to the variety of interests concerned.

One of the factors mentioned in the right hon. Gentleman's answer was the class of tenants, and that was why I put my supplementary question.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman's own Department had to use the greatest pressure to compel them to build houses, and is not this now a case of making it as difficult as possible for ordinary tenants to inhabit the houses?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the sentence of 12 months' imprisonment passed upon a salmon fishery overseer at Elgin Sheriff Court; and whether, seeing that this man had control of £15,000 in salmon or cash, and that his salary was only £2 a week and £7 a year in fishing money, he proposes, under the circumstances, to recommend a reduction of the sentence?

I have made inquiry in this case, to which my attention had not previously been called. I am informed that the man was in control of approximately £500 a year, and not £15,000, and that his income was considerably in excess of the sums stated in the second part of the question. After careful consideration, I am satisfied that I would not be justified in advising any interference with the sentence.

In his inquiries, has the right hon. Gentleman discovered that these statements in the question were made in the course of the trial by the agent for this accused person, and were not, so far as the Press reports go, disputed by the prosecution?

All I know is that I have asked for a report from the sheriff, and, until it is received, I see no reason to interfere.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses at present being built in the city of Glasgow, the number for which plans are prepared but not started, and the number of houses which can be built on land bought but for which no plans are yet prepared; and if he is satisfied that the full number of workers available are at present employed?

According to the returns received by the Scottish Board of Health as at 31st March last, the number of subsidised houses under construction in Glasgow was 5,914 and the number approved for subsidy but not commenced was 4,399. I am informed that the number of houses that might be built on land bought by the Corporation but for which no plans are yet prepared is £2,000. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that, as compared with February, the number of unemployed in the building trades in Glasgow in March showed a decrease in all trades and that that decrease over all the building trades was approximately 30 per cent.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in reply to a previous question he agreed to consult local authorities to see whether more building workers could not be employed? Has he consulted the local authorities at all?

Every effort is being made by the Department to stimulate further progress in building.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an answer he gave me shows there is a great increase in unemployed building workers all over Scotland, especially carpenters?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although Glasgow shows a decrease in building trade workers, other parts of Scotland are showing an increase? Gould nothing be done to stimulate housing, and to see that these workers are employed?

Every effort is being made by my Department to stimulate the production of housing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that house owners in Glasgow are refusing to repair or maintain washhouses which are required by householders for the purpose of cleanliness; that the local authority at present have no power to enforce repairs; that this is harmful for health and sanitation; and if, in view of the provision of the Rent Restriction Acts allowing 25 per cent. increase for repairs, he proposes to take any action to have the position remedied?

I have no information as to the state of affairs mentioned in the first part of the question, but I am making inquiries into the matter and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses inhabited but certified unfit for human habitation in Glasgow at 31st March, 1928; the number of houses completed and occupied at that date under the slum clearance scheme; the number under construction; and the number authorised under the same scheme??

I am informed that in Glasgow as at 31st March last (1) the number of houses inhabited but certified

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that in certain counties in Scotland no facilities are maintained for the purpose of the treatment of venereal disease; that 26 towns of a population of 10,000 and over have no clinic; that a number of sufferers are constantly shifting from place to place; and if, in view of the dissatisfaction arising from this, he will consider the establishing of a committee of inquiry into the whole question of the treatment of venereal disease?

While in certain counties in Scotland there are no centres for the treatment of venereal disease, there is no county in Scotland that is

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses in Scotland under construction, and the number of houses authorised but not started, at the latest available date, and the similar figures for last year at the same date under the Housing Acts, 1923 and 1924, respectively?

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

In view of the statement about seamen, could the right hon. Gentleman see his way in the next return of the Board of Health to deduct the number of seamen who are really not defaulters?

Is the right hon. Gentleman suggesting in his answer that seamen are particularly suffering from this disease, and is he aware that the Ministry of Health statistics do not show that?

All that my answer suggests or implies is that seamen, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, leave certain districts, and, subject to that, arrangements are being made for special facilities at the ports.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the heavy fall in the number of contracts for the supply of sugar beet for the factory at Prestonhall, Cupar, Fifeshire; and if, in view of the diminishing acreage of beet cultivation in Scotland, any steps are being taken to secure such increased production of beet as will ensure the continued existence of the Prestonhall factory?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the matter is one for arrangement between the growers and the factory owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any complaints regarding the labour conditions prevailing at the beet sugar factory at Prestonhall, Cupar, Fifeshire; and if any action is to be taken by the Scottish Board of Agriculture to secure the adoption of the fair wages clause and reasonable hours of employment for the workers employed at this factory?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have received representations regarding the conditions of employment at the Cupar factory, and they are making inquiry into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the expressions of resentment by the whole of the Scottish education authorities against the minute of the Scottish Education Department, dated 28th March, 1928, with reference to the expenses of education authorities; if he is aware that the terms of the minute are regarded as an invasion of the rights of education authorities; and if he will now agree to modify or withdraw the restriction in the minute which deprives authorities of the power to attend educational conferences in England or to send representatives out of Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Education Department?

Six weeks before the minute of 28th March, 1928, was laid on the Table of the House, it was submitted in draft to the whole of the education authorities of Scotland for their observations. When the replies came to be considered, it was found that only one of the 37 authorities raised any objection whatever to the provision mentioned by the hon. Member, despite the fact that special attention had been called to it in the covering circular. In the circumstances, the reply to the first and second parts of the question must obviously be in the negative. In answering the third part in the negative, I should like to assure the hon. Member that there is no intention of unduly restricting the reasonable discretion of education authorities.

Which was the single authority?

Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received the memorial of the education authority of Glasgow urging the withdrawal of the Education Authorities (Scotland) Expenses Regulations. 1928, placed upon the Table of this House on 2nd April; if he is aware that the executive of the education authorities of Scotland requested alterations in the minute; that the only case cited to a committee of that executive to justify alterations in existing minutes was the case of an authority sending a deputation out with Great Britain; that out with the country were the words used in urging the case for change; and, if so, will he agree to withdraw the minute and have deleted the paragraph objected to, and have inserted in its place the suggestion of the executive of the Association of Education Authorities?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third and fourth parts in the negative. With regard to the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I have just given to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. T. Kennedy).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to take any steps by the introduction of legislation or otherwise to bring into effective cultivation the 2,000 acres of land repeatedly flooded and rendered useless by the overflowing of the River Kelvin; and whether he is aware that there are large numbers of unemployed colliers in the district available for any work in dredging the river and raising protective banking from the sludge?

Under the existing law the situation in the Kelvin Valley can only be dealt with by the riparian owners concerned, and I am informed by the hon. and gallant Member for the Clackmannan and Western Division (Captain Fanshawe), who has been endeavouring to facilitate negotiations with a view to action by the parties concerned, that no Progress has been made in this direction. The Question of legislation is under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a similar answer to similar questions has been given in this House since 1922?

The matter is one of no small difficulty, and owing to the pressure of other legislation, it has been impossible to deal with the problem.

Are we to understand that immediately the right hon. Gentle- man finds a suitable opportunity, he proposes to bring in legislation which will remedy this terrible state of affairs?

The matter is under the very careful consideration of the Department, and, if and when a suitable opportunity arises and we think we have found the proper course. I shall bring it to the House.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman bring this case under the Public Nuisances Act and get it put right?

No, I do not think there is any power.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to deal with this through the Ministry of Transport by reason of the fact that public roads are being continually destroyed by these floods, and public expenditure is incurred in making the roads?

Why did not the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor deal with it?

asked the Secretary for Mines if the oil from the Bergius plant is a synthetic oil; what is the quantity procured per ton; whether the oil has been analysed, and what are the results; does the oil differ from oil taken from coal by other processes and is its production likely to be cheaper than present practical and commercially-proved plants?

Synthetic oil is difficult to define accurately, but the oil from the Bergius process is sometimes so described; the answer to the second, third and fourth parts of the question is that the quantity and nature of the oil produced varies with the coal used; and to the fifth that I have no information at present which would justify a prophecy.

Since this investigation has been going on so long, are the difficulties so great that it is now impossible after all these months to give a complete answer to the six questions contained in my question?

No, Sir, I hope the hon. Member will only take from my answer what I put into it.

Yes, but I want more. Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman responsible for answering this question understand that when we put questions in the House it is not in order to get what Ministers like to give but to get the truth. I want to ask at what stage is this experiment? Is it only at that stage where there is nothing determinative that can be given in the expression of an analysis, say, of oil. Is it in such a state that we cannot get any comparison with any other process that takes oil from coal?

Is it not perfectly obvious to anyone who knows anything whatsoever about this subject that oil produced by the Bergius process must be synthetic?

asked the Secretary for Mines the quantities of benzol and liquid fuel manufactured by scientific processes from British coal; and the tonnage of coal utilised for this purpose during 1925, 1926, and 1927?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman noticed that in his speech the Chancellor of the Exchequer referred to this matter as being of great importance, and are we to understand that the information on which we can base exactly what is going to happen in the future cannot be given to the House?

I realise the importance of it. One of my difficulties is as to whether the hon. Member includes in scientific processes the ordinary methods of obtaining benzol from coke ovens. If he means the experimental stage, I am not in a position at the present time to tell him those processes in the experimental stage for endeavouring to obtain oil.

All that I require is the information that is in the possession of the Government so that the House may know it.

Well, no information is in my possession.

Arising out of the serious admission now made by the head of the Mines Department that he has no information, does he call something that is said to be a manufacture from coke an unscientific process, and does the benzol obtained by that process differ from that produced by a scientific process? Has he forgotten that the chief source of benzol is the gas works? My hon. Friend asked a definite question, and we now have the admission that the head of the Mines Department is incapable of answering the question.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this is a very important question, and are we really to understand that the Minister can give no information as to how this business is progressing and has no information to tell the House as to whether coal is being scientifically treated?

No, Sir. The hon. Gentleman must not take that from my answer. What I said was that we have not the information asked for. I realise the different processes by which benzol is obtained, but my Department have no record of the amount of benzol so obtained.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether his Department furnished the Chancellor of the Exchequer with the information upon which he based his statement during his Budget speech?

I should require notice of that question.

May I ask just one more question?

The hon. Member had better put down the question.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the total tonnage of coal exported each week during 1928 from the port of Hull?

I regret that official weekly figures are not available. The monthly figures for the year are:

asked the Secretary for Mines if ho will give a list of the pits in the North Wales coalfield which restarted work after the stoppage of 1926 but are now closed, naming their location and the collieries to which they belong?

Ten pits, normally employing 1,403 wage-earners, which restarted work after the stoppage of 1926, are now closed. I will send the hon. Member a list of them.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number and names of the collieries that have ceased working in the counties of Lanark, Stirling, West Lothian, and Dumbarton since the beginning of the present year and until the latest available date, with the number of persons who have been rendered idle in each of the collieries stated separately; and the number in each county that have been suspended temporarily and the numbers that are stated to be permanently abandoned?

The numbers are as follow:

• In the county of Lanark, 24 pits employing 5,071 wage-earners.
• In the county of Stirling, two pits employing 225 wage-earners.
• In the county of Linlithgow, one pit employing 215 wage-earners.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries operating in the counties of Lanark, Stirling, West Lothian, Dumbarton, and Renfrew for the years 1913, 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1927, with the numbers employed each year for each county separately?

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of eases of employment of boys beyond the statutory period in coal mines during the years 1925, 1926, and 1927, and the number of prosecutions instituted in such cases?

One prosecution for a number of offences on the surface was successfully undertaken in 1926 and another, in which a conviction was subsequently secured, was instituted in 1927.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can indicate the progress which has been made to date in the direction of amalgamations in the mining industry since the stoppage of 1926, and, in particular, how many districts are now amalgamated for the purpose of regulating the price of coal?

I cannot add anything at present to the answers which I gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeen East (Mr. Boothby) on 6th March and to the hon. Member for Dunfermline (Mr. W. M. Watson) on 28th March.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made to provide alternative routes enabling traffic to by-pass the Elephant and Castle, in the borough of Southwark; whether any negotiations are proceeding with a view to further immediate improvements; and can he give particulars of them?

Arrangements have been made for a widening of Harper Street and Union Street, and negotiations are proceeding which I hope will result in further improvements in this neighbourhood on the lines recommended by the London Traffic Advisory Committee on page 22 of their First Annual Report.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say what has been holding up these negotiations, because I have had the same answer several times?

I think that not only the necessity of consulting a good many people, but also the necessity of finding the money.

asked the Minister of Transport if any decision has been arrived at as to the desirability of extending the experiments which have been made in traffic control by light signals in the Metropolitan area?

No decision has yet been come to as to the desirability of carrying out further experiments of controlling traffic by means of light signals, but the matter is under consideration.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the light signals at Piccadilly and Berkeley Street have been successful.

Yes, I think so, on the whole.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give consideration to adopting for directional purposes on cross roads a certain number of the movable signs, Stop and Go, which are made use of in many countries and which are easily seen by motor drivers and are far less fatiguing to the policeman on point duty than is the method of holding his hand out at arms' length?

My Department has considered the use of movable "Stop" and "Go" signs, and the matter is still under the consideration of the London Traffic Advisory Committee.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that this system has been very successful in the United States of America and other countries where it has been tried, and does he not think that it is very hard on a policeman to hold out his arms horizontally for a considerable time?

The signs would probably be very wooden, and I would much rather rely upon the discretion of the police.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the experiment is working very successfully in Brighton?

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman considered the practice in Malaya of fitting the policeman with basket wings on his back, so that he has only to turn round?

asked the Minister of Transport, whether, having regard to the high profits made from the Menai Bridge tolls during the financial year 1926–27, he has yet decided to abolish or substantially reduce the charges?

I have decided to make certain modifications in the bridge tolls. Under the new tariff, which will come into force on 1st June next, the toll on four-seater motor cars and four-wheeled horse-drawn carriages will be reduced from 1s. 8d. to 1s. and certain other concessions of a, minor nature will be made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the survey in connection with the proposed road bridge across the Forth is nearly completed; and when he expects to have a Report?

As I have already explained to the hon. Member, the investigations are lengthy and difficult, and it is unlikely that the Report will be available before the autumn.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of heavy commercial vehicles on the roads of Great Britain and the average mileage per month, per van or wagon; and the estimated total cost of the Petrol Duty to users of these vehicles during the period 24th April, 1928, to 31st March, 1929, at a mileage of five miles to the gallon?

I am sending to the hon. Member figures showing the approximate numbers of heavy commercial vehicles driven by internal-combustion engines licensed during the September quarter, 1927. Detailed information as to the annual mileage run by vehicles of particular types is not available, but I may add that a mileage of five miles to the gallon, which the hon. Member mentions, would only apply to the heaviest types of road vehicles.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the total damage that is done to the roads is done by these vehicles?

It would be quite impossible to say.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a report has been submitted to him by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee upon the five Railway (Road Transport) Bills; and, if so, whether he proposes to furnish a copy of such report to the Joint Committee to which the Bills have been referred?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my report to the Joint Committee on these Bills draws attention to the special position in the London traffic area but does not contain a copy of the London Traffic Committee's Report.

Does the report which the Minister has submitted embody the report of the London Traffic Committee and does the report also contain the views of a number of local authorities in London. Does he consider their views?

Naturally, I have regard to views put to me, but the hon. Member must remember that the responsibility for the report rests with the Minister and no one else.

While I recognise that fact, does not the Minister appreciate that, if the local authorities have made a report to the Committee, and the Minister does not submit it to the Committee upstairs, it places them at a disadvantage?

I have considered all the various representations made to me and have submitted my report to the Committee. Any action which the Committee may take will be according to what view they take.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the question of public escalators has been considered as a means of affording pedestrians a safe and rapid method of crossing certain points where very heavy traffic takes place; and, if so, what would be approximately the cost of such constructions and what the annual maintenance?

In present circumstances I doubt whether the provision of such escalators can be considered feasible. I have no figures as to the probable cost of construction and maintenance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the petrol companies ordered an increase of 4¼d. per gallon on petrol on the morning following his Budget statement; whether the imposition of this extra farthing was taken after consultation with him; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action?

I am aware that the price of petrol has in many cases been increased by 4¼d. a gallon, but the Treasury is in no way responsible for the extra farthing. I had, however, been informed that in the event of a duty the oil companies would find it necessary to make some addition to the tax in order to meet the extra expense of distribution, of lying out of the duty during the period between payment and recovery from their customers, and of the loss of duty on the proportion of spirit which is lost by evaporation and wastage after duty has been paid. It must be observed that when the former petrol duty of 6d. a gallon was removed in 1920, the companies reduced the price by 7d. and not by 6d. a gallon.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this farthing per gallon means an extra payment to the companies of about £1,000,000 a year? Is it suggested that the cost of collection, etc., mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman will involve £1,000,000? Is he further aware that it is common knowledge that the petrol companies are going to make over this Petrol Duty?

Of course, whenever a new tax is imposed, certain reactions follow which are or ought to be corrected by the course of the market; but in any case the Exchequer cannot accept responsibility for anything beyond the exact amount of the duty which has been imposed.