On a point of Order. I put a question down to the President of the Board of Trade about the United States Shipping Line, for oral answer, and it has been altered to No. 1 in the questions for written answer. It was on the Paper yesterday as a question for oral answer, and it has been altered without any notification being given to me.

I am afraid that this is the first I have heard of the matter. Perhaps the hon. Member will come to me afterwards on the point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade with what countries his Department is negotiating on the question of the immunity of shipping from process of law?

The answer is rather long, and the hon. and learned Member will perhaps allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the negotiations would cover the position of the United States Shipping Line, and whether they will ascertain that this company is not registered under the Business Names Act, is not incorporated in this country, and that its right to plead diplomatic immunity has been sustained in the Court of Appeal?

With regard to the last part of the question, I think there is a question which came to me as a written question to which I have supplied an answer to-day, and so the hon. Member will get a considered reply. With regard to the first part of the question, the Convention would cover all State-owned or operated shipping which, I understand, in the opinion of the jurists of all the lands concerned, was the relevant matter to consider.

If diplomatic immunity is held to cover the operations of State-owned shipping, would it also cover the operations of nationalised industries and the operations of Russian companies in this country which are State controlled.

The whole object of this Convention was that, where a Government either owned or chartered vessels, it should be subject to the same process of law as an individual who is engaged in that capacity. That is the whole object of the Convention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the citizens of this country are deprived of their legal rights as against this line, although it gives no indication that it is anything but an ordinary trading concern, and can he take any steps to protect them?

I do not think that I can answer that question other than to say that it has been the consistent practice of this country, by means of Petition of Right or other means, to give to the subjects of this and of other countries the fullest possible recourse to the Courts against ships owned or chartered by the Government.

That does not apply to the United States Line.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many meetings have been held by the Committee under the Merchandise Marks Act which is inquiring into the marking of foreign carpets and rugs; and when is the Report expected?

I under stand that the Standing Committee under the Merchandise Marks Act to which this application has been referred has not yet fixed a date for the inquiry.

Has there been any correspondence between the President and these people urging them to start these inquiries?

I have not had any correspondence with them at all.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any application in respect of tea?

I should like notice of that question. The Act is so popular that I cannot carry in mind all the applications that come in.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what methods are adopted to make known to the public and the various trade interests concerned that it is proposed to hold an inquiry under the Safeguarding of Industries Regulations; and how long notice is given so that those interested in supporting or opposing a proposed duty have time to prepare evidence?

An announcement of the appointment of any committee under the Safeguarding procedure is made in the daily Press, in the appropriate trade papers, and in the

"Board of Trade Journal," usually about three weeks before the commencement of the public hearing.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability, in the interests of all parties concerned, of giving a longer notice, so that both the parties who desire safeguarding and the parties who are opposed may have ample opportunities to prepare their case, as throe weeks is too short?

No. I have seen no backwardness on the part of opponents in coming forward to present their case at great length.

Has it not been constantly alleged by opponents that three weeks is not long enough in which to get the necessary information and collect it, very often, from a very large area?

I have not heard that, and the obvious answer which disproves that is that on every occasion the opponents have produced every argument, relevant or irrelevant, against the applications.

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that, according to the very last Report that was published and dealt with in this House, it was proved in the evidence itself that the statements made by those who support safeguarding were inaccurate, but that time was not available during the hearing to get accurate statements?

I do not accept that, but it is not the point. The point, as I understand it, of putting the question is that the opponents should have longer notice.

No. Both sides.

Then I can answer most emphatically, on behalf of the applicants, that I have never had any complaint from any applicant of the shortness of notice.

Is it true that the Government are holding an inquiry into iron and steel, and have those trades been notified by the Government?

No.

Then it is not true?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to report to the House before the end of the present Session the results of the Mining Industry Act, 1926?

The Mining In-dusty Act requires the presentation of a report, covering a period of two years from the passing of the Act, including not only such amalgamations and absorptions as have been carried through under the procedure laid down, but also all such other information and statistics relevant thereto as the Board of Trade may think fit. It will be desirable that the report should deal with the formation and progress of the District Schemes and any similar arrangements which may be in force. It would be possible to produce a report in strict conformity with the Act within a short time after 4th August. This would mean that the report would be published during the recess, and that a considerable time would elapse before Parliament met, with the result that the report would not contain the latest information available at the time at which the opportunity would arise for discussing it. It would, I think, be for the convenience of the House if a report were presented when Parliament reassembles, covering the two years ending on 4th August but including also any relevant information which may be available up to the date of the report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, in the form already given for other industries, the proportions of rating relief to coal mining and to the rest of the mining industry which will go to firms making a large proportion of the profits and to firms making the remainder of the profits or actual losses; and whether he will likewise state what are the proportions of the profits concerned?

I regret that the information is not available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the information will be available?

I am afraid that I cannot give the information. I have consulted the Inland Revenue, and, while it is possible to give detailed information with regard to certain industries, it is not possible—we have not in any Department of the Government the information—to give these particulars for the coal industry.

Do I understand that it is impossible to give the information for which I have asked?

Yes, it is impossible for any Government Department to apportion as between firms on a basis of relative profits the amount of relief they will receive.

Is it not a fact that between now and next Session, when the Government bring in their new Bill, you will be compelled to find out?

No, I think not. I think it will be obviously quite impossible to say, for every single firm, out of thousands of manufacturing firms, what actual relief they are going to get in relation to profits which they may make. As regards the general position, I have already given, as the hon. Gentleman knows, in answer to other questions, a figure which covers directly and indirectly the aggregate of relief which the coal industry will receive.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Secretary for Mines can week by week obtain the number of collieries which are making profits and those which are making losses, and would not they help the right, hon. Gentleman?

No. They would not, because they would not enable us to find out exactly what rates are paid on each of the collieries in the country.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the aggregate wages that were paid to Yorkshire mine-workers for the quarter ended March, 1926, and for the half-year ended 30th June, 1928;

(2) how many man shifts were worked in the coal mines of Yorkshire in the quarters ending 31st March, 1926, 31st March, 1928 and 30th June, 1928, respectively?

It is estimated that the total amount paid as wages in the coal mining industry of Yorkshire was approximately £6,800,000 in the quarter ended 31st March, 1926; £5,550,000 in the quarter ended 31st March, 1928, and £4,585,000 in the quarter ended 30th June, 1928; and that the total numbers of man shifts worked during these periods were 12,200,000, 11,000,000 and 9,100,000 respectively.

In view of the figures which have just been given, which indicate that Yorkshire mineworkers alone are going to lose £5,000,000 in wages in one year, does the hon. and gallant Member expect that the miners are going to pass a vote of thanks to the Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of men and women who have been appointed to the Enemy Debt Department during this year?

There has been a net decrease of 37 in the number of persons employed in the Clearing Office since the 1st January last. No women have been appointed to the office during this period, and the only men appointed have been seven "P" class Clerks redundant in other Departments whose transfer is in accordance with the general Civil Service arrangements for the continued employment of men in this class.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what amount of the salary of £750 per annum paid to the late collector of Income Tax for the parish of St. Martin's West, Charing Cross, was disbursed by him as office rent and what amounts were expended in wages to the staff employed by him and for incidental expenses arising out of his duties?

The amount of this collector's actual expenditure is not known. Collectors of taxes are remunerated upon an inclusive basis, which leaves the collector full discretion, subject to maintaining efficiency, to determine what he will spend in clerical assistance and office expenses. Where the conditions of work impose on the collector a need for specially heavy expenses, the position is specially considered and the gross remuneration is adjusted accordingly.

Is it not time that some system was created to provide proper arrangements whereby these officials would know what exactly was the amount of their wages?

The position is that the collector can either do all the work himself and keep the salary, or pay someone to do it, or part of it, for him, and, in that case, he has, of course, to pay away a part of the remuneration. On the other hand, he can also engage in other work provided that it does not conflict with his Income Tax duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the sums paid in compensation for damage committed during manœuvres during last year and the year before, respectively?

The amount paid as compensation in 1927 for damage during field training in the areas covered by the Orders-in-Council made under the Military Manœuvres Acts was approximately £4,000. In 1926 field training was confined to War Department lands.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made for the leave and/or relief of the troops sent to China in the Shanghai expeditionary force; and whether any arrangements have been made, or are in contemplation, to enable the wives and families of officers and of soldiers married on the strength to join their husbands in China?

It has already been arranged that units of the Shanghai Defence Force shall be relieved next trooping season: in the case of individuals of the staff and departmental branches whose longer retention may be necessary in the public interest, arrangements will be made for enabling their families to join them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me what is the greatest time that the units, apart from the special categories to which he refers, will have spent in China?

I hope that all the units of the Shanghai Defence Force will he relieved in the next trooping season.

How long does that mean that they will have spent in China, and does "relieved" mean that they will be brought home or be sent to India or some other station?

I will answer in regard to any specific unit about which the hon. and gallant Gentleman likes to ask me, but, broadly speaking, it means that they will be brought home. I will not say, of course, that some of them will not go to some other station.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to complaints on the part of owners of property and householders at Kinghorn, Fifeshire, of the damage caused within the burgh by heavy gun-firing from the Kinghornness and Pettycur batteries; if he is aware that the amenities of the burgh as a summer holiday resort are being seriously affected by the heavy gunfire; that householders are compelled to keep their windows open in all sorts of weather in order to minimise the damage; that persons desirous of closing their houses during the holidays are prevented from doing so during the greater part of the summer; that the War Office refuse to admit any liability for the damage arising from the gunfire; and if he will consider the desirability in future of arranging for the carrying out of heavy gun practice at Inchkeith or elsewhere at a greater distance from inhabited houses?

Yes, Sir. The hon. Member will appreciate that firing from the various batteries at ranges is a military necessity, but everything possible is done to minimise the inconvenience to the public. In pursuance of this policy, I am having inquiry made whether the practice from the Kinghorn battery could properly be restricted to reduced charges, the practice with full charges being carried out from Inchkeith. No further firing from the 9.2 inch guns at Kinghorn will in fact be carried out this year, nor will there be further firing from the Pettycur battery. As regards claims for compensation for damage, I am unable to admit any liability unless there are abnormal circumstances or it can be shown that there has been negligence.

What distinction does the right hon. Gentleman draw between compensation caused by the firing of guns from these batteries, and the compensation referred to in Question No. 9 with regard to manœuvres?

One is a statutory compensation for which Army Funds are liable, and the other is a compensation for which the Army Funds are not liable, unless there has been negligence.

At the same time that the right hon. Gentleman is considering the stoppage of the firing in this part of the country, will he take into consideration the firing that is giving trouble, expense, and loss at Clacton-on-Sea, Southend, and Woolwich?

Nobody likes heavy gun firing in their immediate neighbourhood, but we are most considerate in the matter and are always careful not to cause any inconvenience that can be avoided.

What useful purpose is served by firing 9-inch guns?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British troops are now stationed in the Rhine area; and if any reductions in their numbers are contemplated?

The strength of the British Army of the Rhine, excluding the small detachment in the Saar district, was approximately 6,000 on the 1st July. No reductions are at present contemplated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really consider it necessary to detain 6,000 troops in order to maintain order in this area?

No, I think that it is necessary to satisfy our treaty obligations.

Under what Prime Minister was this Treaty first made, and what length of time was it for?

Can the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the Quai d'Orsay in order to get their permission for the withdrawal of these troops, seeing that they no longer serve any useful purpose?

I observe the hon. Member's opinion, but I do not share it.

Is it not a fact that the maintenance of these troops in Germany is chargeable to the Exchequer of this country and therefore, in the interests of economy, cannot the number be reduced?

I do not know that that question really arises from the answer. It is a very long and complicated question, the answer to which, with the hon. and gallant Gentleman's permission, I will defer.

asked the Secretary of State for War the names of the field marshals and general officers in receipt of half-pay for whom provision is made of £29,000 in the estimates for the current year; and the number that are above 60, 65, and 70 years of age, respectively?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of field marshals and general officers at present in receipt of half-pay. But the list is constantly changing according as the officers are re-employed or as the general officers retire on retired pay. Five of the officers are between 60 and 65 years of age, two between 65 and 70, and two over 70; the last four are field marshals.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the number of employed colonels is 338 as compared with 301 in 1914, in view of the reduction in the numbers of other ranks to-day as compared with 1914?

The numbers quoted include India and certain employments under the Foreign Office, Air Ministry, etc. The number in receipt of full pay as colonels from Army Funds is 266 as compared with 264 before the War. The additional numbers necessitated by having troops on the Rhine and at Shanghai, and by the increased requirements of schools and technical establishments, have been met by reductions elsewhere.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how many of these colonels have taken the place of civilians?

That does not arise from this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to state whether it has been found possible to make an arrangement whereby some additional reduction in train fare can be made in the case of young soldiers at long distances from their homes when on annual leave?

I am afraid that it would be impossible to discriminate between those individual soldiers who happen to be stationed far from their homes and those who are not, and any general extension of the existing facilities granted by the railway companies would involve an additional charge which I cannot accept against Army funds in the present state of the national finances.

Am I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that these lads are to be compelled to go on paying one-fifth of a year's salary in order to get a visit to their homes once a year?

I do not think that it is as much as that, but they do get reduced fares, and that is as much as I can arrange for them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reduced fare in the case of a lad from Glasgow amounts to 75s., which is more than one-fifth of his salary for the year, and if it is beyond the intelligence of the administration of the British Army to come to a mileage arrangement in this matter?

The hon. Gentleman in calculating that percentage is ignoring everything except actual facts. He is omitting altogether the other advantages which the lad gets.

Ts the right hon. Gentleman aware that from further north a fair number of soldiers enlist, and their position is even worse, for it means that they get in fact no holidays at all? Cannot he reconsider the whole question of distance in this matter?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that according to his own figures last year, out of every 100 persons who enlisted, 71 were unemployed, and will he take into consideration the known poverty in their homes?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the Army Regulations provide that when the band of the Coldstream Guards is hired for public purposes the full complement of 35 performers should be sent, he will investigate the circumstances under which the band of the Coldstream Guards recently appeared at Norwich with only nine performers; and whether he will take steps to prevent such a reduction of numbers in future?

The rule is that the band of a regiment must consist of at least 25 musicians if engaged for an outdoor performance and of at least 20 musicians for an indoor performance. But smaller combinations of musicians from the band are permitted to play provided that they are not described in such a way as to suggest that they represent the full regimental band. I understand that at Norwich, by an error for which the military authorities were not responsible, a description appeared in one advertisement which did not comply with this condition.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps have been taken to place soldiers, discharged or transferred to the Reserve, in the same relation to the Unemployment Insurance Acts as civilians; if so, will he say what arrangements have been made; and what categories of soldiers are covered by the arrangements?

In accordance with specific provision of the Unemployment Insurance Acts, 1920 to 1927, a fixed sum is paid from Army Funds to the Ministry of Labour in respect of each soldier discharged or transferred to the Reserve, whereby he is enabled to enter civil life in the same position as if he were a fully insured civilian at the date of leaving the colours. This applies to all soldiers, as defined in Section 41 of the Act of 1920, who complete their engagements with the colours, but not to deserters or to men who are discharged or transferred to the Reserve at their own request before completing their engagements, or on grounds of fraudulent enlistment or other misconduct, nor does it apply to recruits not finally approved.

Is there any provision made at all for men who have been transferred at their own request?

No, I think not, because they have abandoned their employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons classified as belonging to the coalmining industry, with current claims to benefit at the Employment Exchanges in Glamorganshire, to the latest available date, and for the period ended 31st December, 1927?

At 25th June, 1928, the number of insured persons classified as belonging to the coal-mining industry who had current claims to benefit in Glamorganshire was 45,758, as compared with 53,052 at 19th December, 1927.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) which Exchanges in South-East London or any other part of the Metropolis notified the authorities in the mining areas from which 270 men were recently drawn; and if he will state the number of unemployed labourers, skilled or unskilled, on the registers of the Exchanges notifying the vacancies;

(2) whether he will place in the Library a copy of the instructions issued to Employment Exchanges respecting the placing of unemployed miners in vacancies which occur in London and other places; and in which districts of London there is any shortage of unskilled labour?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the Employment Exchanges referred to in the question in the areas of which these men were placed. The total number of labourers of all descriptions on the registers of these Exchanges on 25th June was about 26,000, but these belonged to a great variety of trades and the hon. Member will appreciate that a great many of them could not be regarded as in competition for the jobs here in question. In any case, the level of employment was much better than in the areas from which the men were drawn. As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on 5th July, the object of these arrangements is to give to unemployed men from the hard-pressed areas some share of the vacancies in the districts in which employment is relatively good. In order to place the matter in its right perspective, I would point out that during the four weeks in which employment was found for these 270 men, the Exchanges in the South-Eastern Division found labouring work for between 5,000 and 6,000 men altogether, and a great many others secured such employment without the intervention of the Exchanges. It is not the practice to publish the text of the instructions issued to officers of the Department. The substance of the instructions to which the hon. Member refers was given in the reply I gave to his question on 5th July.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider that with the 26,000 men registered in these areas, and with 70,000 or 80,000 men registered in the districts all around, it is fair either to the men in London or in South Wales or elsewhere to bring them to an already overcrowded labour market, and is he not aware that the work of a painter's labourer is work that any labourer is capable of performing?

As I have stated, many of these men were placed in occupations where they were not in competition with many of those who are out of work. To give an example, we placed a man as a hotel porter. It is not to be supposed that he was in competition with a labourer.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a man who registers as an unskilled labourer, or a labourer of any kind, is a man who is capable of performing the work of a painter's labourer, or of carrying sandwich boards?

If the hon. Gentleman finds it impossible to put all the instructions he has given on this matter in the Library, will he place in the Library, for the information of the House, a statement of the orders issued to Employment Exchanges to the effect that where a man gets a week' work, and gets priority, he is to be put upon the live register of the new area to which he goes in order to show fictitious figures for the distressed areas?

I do not at all admit that any of the figures I have given are fictitious. As I have said, it is not the practice of this or of any previous Government to place in the Library the text of instructions issued from the Department.

Is it not a fact that, unless these authorities are in a position to create some new employment for the men transferred from Wales to another district, it is on all fours with digging a hole and filling it up again?

As I said yesterday, there is no doubt at all that there are areas in this country where the state of employment is such that we are justified in giving some share of it to these men in distressed areas who are out of employment. To give an example, we brought 20 men from Blaina, in South Wales, to Brighton, the situation in Brighton being 3 per cent. of unemployment and the state in Blaina being no less than 62 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour the Employment Exchanges in South Wales from which the 270 men were recently drawn for employment in London; will he give the nature of the employment offered; and the number placed in employment?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the Exchanges in South Wales from which these men were drawn and the principal occupations in which employment was found for them. The number placed in employment in the South-Eastern Division, including London, during the four weeks ended 30th June, was 270. Work was found for all the men brought up under the arrangements, and, according to my information, very few of them have failed to retain it up to the present.

Will the hon. Gentleman circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the areas where these men were found employment in London, and does he intend to continue the practice of importing men from distressed areas to equally distressed areas in London?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has quite misunderstood the purport of my answer. We are not bringing men from areas that are distressed to others that are equally distressed. What we are doing is to bring men from areas which are distressed to places where employment is relatively good.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Mr. Donald Gillies, 473, South Lochboisdale, who was promised a grant of £100 for a house to be completed by 23rd October, 1923, has been proceeded against in the Courts by the Board of Agriculture, because the house was not completed until 12 days later, on the 6th November; and, in view of the fact that the delay was caused by an error by the Board of Agriculture in consigning the necessary cement to the wrong island, will he inquire into the matter?

The position is not as stated in the question. My right hon. Friend has already communicated to the hon. Member the facts of the case as reported by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. The Board's report showed that it has been necessary to institute proceedings against Mr. Gillies owing to his failure to pay annuities due in respect of a loan of £230 advanced to him. Mr. Gillies was informed by the Scottish Board of Health that he would be paid a subsidy for his house on conditions which he failed to implement; and the Board of Agriculture were in no way responsible for his failure to complete the erection of the house in time to qualify for this subsidy.

Will the hon. and gallant Member make further inquiries into this case, because, if my information is right, his is quite wrong?

The Secretary of State has already communicated his view of the matter in writing to the hon. Member, and, if the hon. Member has any wish to controvert any statements, he has merely to reply to that letter.

Is the statement correct that the delay simply amounted to 12 days?

I am afraid that I cannot go into the matter at this point. The position is certainly not as stated in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of inhabited houses that have been condemned as unfit for human habitation in the Whitevale, Mile End and Dennistoun wards of Glasgow, and the number of houses to be built in each of those wards?

I am informed that 64 houses have been condemned in the Whitevale ward and 443 in the Mile End ward, but none in the Dennistoun ward. 216 houses have been erected and 804 are contemplated in the Dennistoun ward, but no houses have been erected, or are contemplated, in the other two wards.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Filey urban district council, in advertising for tenders for 24 houses on the Scarborough Road allotments, have specified that all the doors must be of Swedish make and that British manufacturers have been refused permission even to quote for the doors; and whether he can take any action which will secure at least equal consideration for British work in housing schemes on which a subsidy is paid?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for North West Hull (Lieut.-Colonel Lambert Ward) on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action is being taken by the Fishery Board for Scotland to diminish the loss among salmon and sea trout owing to the large increase in the number of grey seals round the coasts.

The Fishery Board for Scotland have been making investigations with a view to ascertaining how far the number of grey seals has increased, and to what extent they are responsible for damage to salmon and sea trout. Until these investigations have been further pursued, the Board are not in a position to express a definite opinion whether any action is necessary.

Will the hon. and gallant Member urge the Fishery Board to make further inquiries as soon as possible, in view of the report on this subject?

The Fishery Board have the matter under consideration at the present time.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that English seals do not eat fish, according to the Minister of Agriculture, and will he see if he cannot bring about a transmigration?

No doubt that is one of the matters which will be taken into consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland upon whose orders the warrant to imprison Neil Macdonald and Ewan Maclennan was issued.

My right hon. Friend has called for information on this point, and will communicate with the hon. Member when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reason why Neil Macdonald and Ewan Maclennan were kept in prison after the 7th June, 1928, when they intimated they intended to appeal to the Court of Session against their sentence.

These men were sentenced on the 14th June, 1928, and were detained in prison after that date in virtue of an ex facie valid warrant for their imprisonment.

Will the hon. and gallant Member kindly inform me whether their detention was illegal?

The hon. Member asked me the reason why they were kept in prison and the reason was because a warrant was in existence in accordance with the orders to which I previously referred. Whether these orders were valid is at present under judicial investigation.

What I want to know is why they were kept in prison after their appeal and were not released until the matter was brought to the Court of Session.

They were kept in prison because of the existence of the warrant and under the orders of the legal authorities, in accordance with the answer I have given.

Is the hon. and gallant Member not aware that the Court of Session, in delivering judgment, said that there was a good deal to be said for the view of counsel that the men had been illegally kept in prison and will the hon. and gallant Member be good enough to answer a question properly and not ride off on a side issue.

The hon. Member has been told that the matter is receiving consideration.

But the hon. and gallant Member has not answered the question. It is the previous question which is receiving consideration, not this question. This question is a straight question, which can be answered definitely by the Minister because the facts are in the possession of the Scottish Office.

The hon. Member has a question later dealing with the statement of the Court. I have dealt quite fully with the two questions which he has asked. It is not possible for me to give any more information.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he has seen or received the statement of the Lord Justice Clerk that the appeal of Neil Macdonald and Ewan Maclennan against the sentence passed on them at Lochmaddy suspended the proceedings, and they should not have been imprisoned; and whether he can now state if any compensation will he offered these two men?

My right hon. Friend has seen a shorthand transcript of the Opinion of the Lord Justice Clerk, in which His Lordship is reported as saying:

"The next question involved is whether these appellants ought to have been im- prisoned after the marking of the appeal to this Court. My impression at the moment is that they should not have been imprisoned. The marking of the appeal to this Court ought to have been regarded as suspending the procedure ad interim. The only warrant for imprisonment was, so to speak, held up by the appeal which had been taken. That is a quite familiar concept, and I think there is much to be said for the view which Mr. Walker presented that these men were not being legally committed to the Prison of Inverness."

The hon. Member will therefore appreciate that the question whether there was any irregularity in the procedure in this case still remains for judicial decision. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend on 3rd instant.

Since the Under-Secretary has read out the decision of the Lord Justice Clerk, which was concurred in by the other two Lords of Appeal sitting with him—in fact, it amounted to a statement that these two men, according to the impression made upon the Lord Justice Clerk—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—ought not to have been imprisoned; after their appeal had been marked these men were kept in prison——

The hon. Member ought not to repeat the answer which has been given by the Under-Secretary.

Can we have the opinion of the Solicitor-General for Scotland?

I have been trying to get a statement from the Scottish Office——

Speech!

I want to waste as little time as possible.

If hon. Members opposite had remained silent, there would not have been so much time wasted. Since the Lord Justice Clerk has given his impression that these men were illegally detained, I want to ask whether that in itself does not give these men the right to claim compensation for being imprisoned when the Court had no right to keep them in prison?

I do not think that we can admit that for a moment. The Lord Justice Clerk stated his impression at the time, and he said that there was much to be said for the contention advanced by counsel.

Quite apart from the use of the word "impression," the Court of Sessions definitely ordered the release of these men from prison.

Of course that was so, but the question put to me was whether these men had been illegally imprisoned and whether compensation should be paid to them, and those are quite different questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to introduce legislation on the lines of the Landlord and Tenant Act for Scotland?

There is no possibility of legislation on this subject during the present Session, and I can at present make no statement as to the prospects of legislation.

Cannot the hon. and gallant Member say whether there is going to be legislation during this Parliament; and is he aware that many of the shopkeepers in the industrial centres are under a great grievance in respect of their leases?

I am afraid that it is not possible for Under-Secretaries to make promises about legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the serious overcrowding in certain schools in the Gorbals Division of Glasgow; and if he intends taking any action to remedy the position?

In the Gorbals Parliamentary Division there is no overcrowding in any of the eight non-transferred schools. On the other hand, in the three transferred schools the total average attendance of 5,233 is in excess of the recognised accommodation by 215. Additional accommodation, which is now being provided and which should be available before the end of the year, will remove the congestion in every case but one, and there the authority expect to get rid of it by means of reorganisation.

Will the hon. and gallant Member not consult with the education authority to see if they cannot build a new school, as the over-crowding is really serious?

The Education Department has been in communication with the Glasgow Education Authority, and they hope that school accommodation will be provided in a temporary building at Braehead Street.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that it is the intention of the local authorities in Glasgow to refuse to sanction further support to the Glasgow Distress Committee and their work at Palacerigg Labour Colony; and if he intends to resume the financial aid given by the Government some years ago?

I am aware that the Corporation of Glasgow have decided not to continue to make advances to the distress committee. As regards the second part of the question, it is not the intention of the Government to resume the financial aid previously given.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see some of the persons interested in this matter?

My right hon. Friend will be glad to receive any representations on the subject which the hon. Member brings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the grounds on which his Department has refused to sanction certain items for payments by the Glasgow Corporation, arising from the rebuilding of new quarters for the Glasgow police as being too extravagant; and if he will reconsider his decision?

The grounds referred to were fully explained in a Scottish Office letter addressed to the town clerk on the 16th April last, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. I am informed that the whole matter was remitted on the 6th instant to a special sub-committee for consideration and report. I shall give careful consideration to any revised proposals which may thereafter be submitted to me by the police authority.

Will the Under-Secretary see that there is no extravagance in this matter, and make sure that no money is uselessly spent?

My right hon. Friend is reconsidering the matter for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of by-pass roads within an area of 20 miles of London that are still in the course of completion; and when these various roads will be available for traffic?

The greater portions of the Orpington, Sutton, Watford and Barnet by-passes have been open to traffic for some time. I expect that the short sections remaining to be completed on the Barnet and Sutton by-passes will be open in the early autumn of this year, and the remaining sections of the Watford and Orpington by-passes in the summer of next year. A length of the Shooters Hill by-pass has recently been opened to traffic, and I understand that the local authorities concerned proposed to put the remaining sections in hand in the near future. No date can at present be given for its completion. Important sections of the North Circular Road are already completed, but it is unlikely that the western portion will be finished before the end of 1930. The section of the Western Avenue from Wood Lane to Greenford Road will be completed in the summer of next year. No date can be given for the completion of the scheme as a whole.

Can the Minister give any date for the completion of the Sutton bypass road?

Will the Under-Secretary have a map prepared showing all these new by-pass roads?

I think there is a map of these roads placed in the Tea Room for the information of hon. Members, and when next the hon. Member takes a cup of tea there he will see it.

May I have an answer to my question?

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in reducing the number of privately-owned rolling stock on the railways as distinct from railway-owned stock?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave him on the 5th March last. The census of privately-owned wagons, to which I then referred, is not yet complete, and I am, therefore, not in a position to say whether the number of such wagons has been reduced.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a conference has been arranged or is contemplated between his Department, the London County Council, and the Southern Railway on the question of Charing Cross Bridge; and whether, in view of the urgency of the question, as the reconstruction of Waterloo Bridge is dependent on the decision arrived at on the Charing Cross scheme, he will arrange for such a conference as soon as possible?

I am personally in close touch with representatives of the London County Council and the Southern Railway Company and a conference has already been arranged to take place on Thursday next.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, I regret to inform you that this question has been entirely altered at the Table from the question which I handed in. I asked whether attention had been called to a resolution passed by the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, and I did not ask what is stated in the question.

Perhaps the hon. Member had better put down his question again.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state what proportion of imports of motor spirit are consumed by private cars and by commercial vehicles, respectively?

I regret that no returns are available distinguishing the use to which imported motor spirit is put.

Will the information be available in the Department?

I said that no returns are available, and therefore the information is not likely to be available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why the Chancellor of the Exchequer seems to have information as to the relative amount consumed by private cars and commercial vehicles?

That was purely an estimate, and it is not the same thing as a return.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state the results of the cash-on-delivery registered letter service which was introduced on Monday the 20th April; and has he received any reports from the Railway Clearing House on the figures of consignments of goods despatched by rail under this system?

asked the Postmaster-General the number of cash-on-delivery transactions each month in connection with the railways since the inception of the extended scheme; the total number of all cash-on-delivery transactions during the same period; and what methods of publicity are being pursued to bring the service to the notice of the trading community and the public generally?

The Railway Clearing House state that the number of cash-on-delivery consignments sent by rail during May was 2,211. The total number of cash-on-delivery packets and parcels posted during the four weeks ended the 2nd of June was 147,961. Exact figures for June are not yet available, but it is estimated that cash-on-delivery registered letter packets are at present being posted at the rate of about 1,000 a week. As regards the methods which are being pursued to advertise the new services, I would refer the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) to an answer given to a question on the same subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Horncastle on the 25th of June.

Is the Postmaster-General satisfied that everything is being done to let the public know exactly the advantages of this service?

Yes; I think the railway companies are co-operating in every way that they can.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department has purchased the old police station premises at Treharris for post office purposes; and, if so, will he give the reason for the purchase, seeing that the present post office is both central and convenient?

The purchase to which the hon. Member refers is proceeding. The present office is inadequate to the needs of the public and of the staff, and incapable of satisfactory enlargement.

asked the Postmaster-General how many rural telephone exchanges exist in Scotland; and how many of them have been installed during the last 12 months?

465 at the 30th June last, including 28 installed during the previous 12 months.

asked the Postmaster-General at how many railway stations in Scotland telephone facilities have been provided; and in how many such facilities are in course of provision or under consideration?

444. At 10 more stations telephone facilities are in course of provision or under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General on how many occasions the 8.30 postal train was more than 15 minutes late at Perth and Aberdeen, respectively, during the months of May and June, 1928; and on how many of these occasions it missed the connection at Aberdeen?

During the period in question the lateness of the train at Perth and Aberdeen on week-days exceeded 15 minutes on 11 and nine occasions, respectively; the mails failed to connect at Aberdeen with the Keith-Elgin and Deeside trains on five occasions, and with the Buchan train on two occasions.

Are any monetary penalties imposed on the railway companies if these occasions become too frequent?