asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish a return for each of the three years, to the last convenient date, of the number of public and/or limited liability companies that have gone into liquidation, voluntary or otherwise; the amount of nominal capital and the amount of issued capital in ordinary and preference shares; the amount of debentures and the claims of creditors; the amount paid to creditors on realisation and to the ordinary and preference shareholders and to the debenture holders; and, where possible, give the companies that included in the directorate employés of the companies and the number of such directors?

Particulars of the number of liquidations are included in the annual reports by the Board of Trade on matters within the Companies Acts, of which I am sending the hon. Member the latest copy. The other information asked for is not available, and the preparation of a special return would involve a very large amount of labour and expense which I think would not be justified by the value of the results.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the inaccuracy of a certain type of petrol pump; whether he is taking any steps to remedy this state of affairs; and whether he can insist that all petrol pumps set up after 1st February should be of a more accurate pattern?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Wandsworth, Centra] (Sir H. Jackson) on the subject of the regulation of petrol pumps. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of that reply.

asked the Prime Minister (1), what reply has been made to the request of the iron and steel trades to the Government to set up a committee to inquire into the position of these trades;

(2) whether the Government has yet come to a decision with regard to the reply they propose to give to the iron and steel trade's letter asking for an inquiry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to his similar question of Thursday last.

Is there any chance of the Government coming to a speedy decision?

May I ask why the right hon. Gentleman left this matter so severely alone in his speech at Newcastle, in view of the fact that that is a great steel-producing area?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the importation from Poland of large quantities of butter containing from 10 to 35 per cent. of margarine; and whether any steps are being taken to stop the importation of a commodity which it is illegal to sell?

About 100 tons of Polish "butter" were recently imported at Cotton's Wharf, London. Samples submitted by the Customs to the Government Chemist showed that the goods came within the prohibition of

"margarine containing more than … 10 per cent. of fat derived from milk."

The goods had already been detained by the local Medical Officer of Health, who had reason to suspect that they were not butter, as entered and described. The three firms of importers concerned had also caused an analysis to be made, and found that the goods were not of the description which had been ordered, and were adulterated. They have now requested that the goods may be re-exported, and this will be allowed. Instructions are being issued for special vigilance to be exercised in respect of any future importations which appear to be of the same character.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total sum paid by the Exchequer to date on behalf of British nationals in settlement of pre-War debts owing to German and other enemy nationals?

The total amount paid in respect of the debts referred to by the hon. Member is £860,383.

Does any portion of that sum represent the difference between what the British nationals paid to the

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any restriction on the use of

I am not quite sure that I follow the question. Under the Treaty we have to credit to Germany the debts which are agreed to be due, or, in case of dispute, are found by the Tribunal to be due, to their nationals; and, also under the Treaty, we have to make good any bad debts which we cannot recover from our nationals. If a debt is partly bad and parly good, then what the hon. Member says applies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage of British shipping for 1913, 1920 and 1928, and the proportion of coal-fired, oil-fired and motor-driven vessels in each year?

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

In Spain, State and municipal services and certain industries are only allowed to use foreign coal up to a specified percentage of their total consumption, the percentage varying with the industry, and for the rest are required to use national coal. There is no direct control over the importation of coal. In Germany the importation of coal is prohibited except under licence, and in Russia there is prohibition of importation. With regard to the last part of the question, penalties are no doubt imposed to ensure the observance of the law.

Have the Government made any attempt to secure the removal of the restrictions in Spain?

Yes, Sir, we have had continual negotiations, and

asked the Secretary for Mines the trading loss in the coal industry in the years 1927 and 1928, and the profit in the years 1923, 1924 and 1925?

The trading loss in 1927 was 5¾d. per ton disposable commercially, and it is estimated that in 1928 it was about 1s. per ton. The profit in 1923 was 2s. 2d. per ton; in 1924, 1s. 2d.; and in 1925, 3¼d., after crediting subvention amounting to 1s. 1¼d. per ton, i.e., an actual loss of 10¼d. per ton.

Does it not appear from these figures that the mining industry was much better off before this Government came into office?

The hon. Member is probably aware that the highest peak reached in the coal industry was in the

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give the numbers of men employed underground and on the surface, respectively, in 1913, 1920 and 1928, with the output for each year?

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

Is the hon. and gallant Member himself equally aware that the lowest point reached was during this Government's period of office?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there has been any reduction in the amount of mining royalties levied per ton of coal since the termination of the dispute in 1926; and whether he can state the amount for the various minefields?

The average royalties per ton in every district except one were lower in the quarter ended September, 1928, than in the last quarter before the 1926 dispute. In the case of South Wales the average reduction is nearly 1d. per ton and in the case of Durham over a ½d. per ton. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the royalties paid quarter by quarter and district by district during the first quarter of 1926 and from the 1st January, 1927, to 30th September, 1928.

If the figures indicate that on the average there has been a reduction of a halfpenny per ton on mineral royalties, is that what the hon. and gallant Member regards as an extensive reduction? Is it to be compared at all with the conditions existing in the mining industry?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the financial charge imposed on the iron and steel trades by royalty rents on coal, iron ore and lime, and in view of the depression of the industry, the Government have considered, or are considering, the relieving of the industry from this charge?

I have never said there was a large reduction. I think it is a substantial reduction of 1d. per ton.

Does this reduction come about automatically, according to the state of the trade, or have royalty owners made these reductions in response to applications made to them?

No general reply would cover that question.

Is it not the fact that there would have been a larger reduction but for the contributions which have been made to the Miners' Welfare Fund?

I have been asked asked to reply. The only ways of relieving the mining industries of royalties would be by purchase and cancellation or by confiscation. The Government is not prepared to adopt either of these courses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total quantity of coal delivered by Germany as reparations to France, Belgium and Italy for the quarter ending December, 1928, and the agreed net value?

I have been asked to reply. Figures for the quarter ended December, 1928, are not yet available, but according to the German Trade Accounts, the total quantity of coal delivered by Germany as reparations to France (including Algeria), Belgium and Italy in October and November, 1928, was 1,746,344 metric tons, the total declared value of which was £1,880,000 sterling.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give any estimate as to how far this is affecting the coalmining industry in this country?

Certainly not without notice.

Does the term "coal" include coke?

No, it applies only to coal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the adverse position of British Service officers in comparison with British officers of the Indian Army in the matter of passages home on furlough; and whether he will consider the possibility of placing them on an equality in the matter of passages home when on leave?

I have been asked to reply. I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers to British Service officers serving in India. British officers of the Indian Army are granted leave concession passages in recognition of the fact that they serve continuously in India. British Service officers are detailed for a limited tour of duty in India and are granted free passages both ways in respect of that tour in accordance with the general conditions governing their service overseas. They are entitled in certain cases to free passages when proceeding home on furlough, and if my hon. and gallant Friend desires I will send him a copy of the rules on this point. But for the reasons stated, there can be no comparison in this matter between officers of the British and Indian Services.

Is the Noble Lord aware that officers in the British Service in India include officers who have risen from the ranks or who have very small means, and cannot he grant them the same concession as is given to British officers in the Indian Army?

No, Sir, I am afraid my hon. and gallant Friend is not seized of the point. They are not serving under the same conditions as British officers of the Indian Army, who spend their whole lives in India. I see no reason to make the change suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Board of Agriculture has given, or approved, a grant for the proper repair and fencing of a road which serves the crofting township of Upper and Lower Breaknish, Skye; that nothing has been done in the matter; and that the crofters have now refused to pay rates or rent until the road is put in the satisfactory condition that the grant from the Board of Agriculture will provide; and whether he will take steps to have the work of repairing the road put in operation at the very earliest opportunity?

An offer was made some time ago to the Skye District Committee by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland of a grant in aid of the reconstruction of the road referred to, but owing to difficulties arising out of local disagreements among the crofters concerned, the district committee were until recently unable to take action. The offer has, however, been kept open, and I am informed that the district committee have within the last few days decided to accept it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the difference between the two sections of the crofters locally has been removed and that both now agree to the construction of the road?

I have not detailed information, but what information I have is that within the last few days it has been decided to accept it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the recent depredations of trawlers on the North Coasts of Caithness and Sunderland; and whether this coast-line will in future be more efficiently patrolled?

Complaints as to trawlers working off the North Coast of Scotland have been received recently by the Fishery Board for Scotland and have been investigated, but no definite evidence of illegal trawling has been forthcoming. The matter has received, and will continue to receive, the careful attention of the Board.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send his inspectors to the places which I have mentioned, where any amount of evidence will be forthcoming?

The fishery cruiser officers have been to the district, and I think all the evidence goes to show that the lights which were observed were the lights of boats which were quite legitimately anchored and which were not engaged in trawling.

If I can produce evidence that some of these trawlers were within one mile of the shore, will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries?

It is not a matter of whether they were within one mile of the shore or not. If a boat is anchored, and a seine net boat is there for a legitimate purpose, there is no necessity for further inquiry.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that since the freight relief on coal for export has been granted there has been practically no reduction in the price of coal on the North-East Coast and that for certain grades of coal there has been an increase of price; and whether he intends to take any steps in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative.

Was it not the intention of the Treasury in granting this particular relief to bring down the price of coal? Surely it never was intended that it should be a present to the coalowners?

Yes, Sir, it was meant for the benefit of the industry, and if the hon. and gallant Member will look at the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on 17th December he will see that I dealt with the point.

How does the hon. and gallant Member think it can be of benefit to the industry if the price does not come down, so that the exports can increase?

Does not this dispose entirely of the Government's contention—the fact that a gift of £3,300,000 in this connection will not reduce prices or affect industry?

No. As I informed the hon. Member for Spennymoor, it is for the owners to decide whether they will use that benefit for the reduction of prices or for bridging the gap between the costs of production and the selling price.

Is it not a fact that they have already decided to use it for increasing their profits?

It will be for the benefit of the industry if they cease to make losses.

Why was not this made clear to the House when the money was voted in the first instance?

I think the House understood it.

When this proposal was first adumbrated, was it the intention of the Government to recoup owners for losses they had sustained and enable them to gain profits?

It was done to benefit the industry.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend remind the hon. Member of the proportion in which profits are shared between the owners and the workers?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received representations from the Traders' Coordinating Committee on Dock Charges, which committee claims to represent the great producing industries' and organised merchants' opinion of the country, drawing his attention to the serious position that has arisen in regard to the coastal shipping service as a consequence of the anticipation of the derating scheme in the case of the railways; if he is aware that coastal shipping has already been adversely affected and that serious injury will result; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to questions on this subject by the hon. Members for Dundee (Mr. Scrymgeour) and East Cardiff (Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke).

As those questions were not reached, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware of the very great losses that are being suffered already by the coastal lines; and, in view of that, will he consider this matter before the Bill finally goes through its stages in this House?

No, Sir, I am not aware that there are substantial losses.

But has not the right hon. Gentleman had those losses sent to him in tabular form by the Chamber of Shipping?

Yes, but those losses do not appear to be substantial.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received pro- tests against the Local Government (Scotland) Bill from any of the local elected bodies in Scotland; and from how many?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on this subject on 14th and 27th November. Since the last mentioned date I have received representations against the Bill in general from three local authorities and against specific provisions on the Bill from 30.

Since the volume of opinion, as represented in local bodies, is against the Bill, and as the majority of the Scottish Members who took part in the Division voted against it, will the right hon. Gentleman not now consider the advisability of dropping the Bill as it applies to Scotland?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think Scottish opinion is perhaps better discovered by the fact that neither the Liberal nor the Labour party propose to repeal the Bill if returned to office?

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question and inform the House whether the fact that the volume of opinion in Scotland, represented in local bodies and also in the House, is against the Bill will not influence him in dropping it?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make inquiry into the case of the Tees Valley Water Board; and, in view of the assistance to industry provided by this board and of the fact that 70 per cent. of its product is used for industrial purposes, he will reconsider his present decision to exclude this undertaking from derating?

The question of including public supply undertakings in the hereditaments to which the Rating and Valuation (Apportionment) Act applies was considered when the Bill for that Act was before Parliament, and the Government are not prepared to ask Parliament to reconsider the decision on that question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that the work is already partially carried out, he will provide the necessary funds to complete the by-pass road at West Auckland, in Durham, in view of the four facts that every penny hitherto spent on it is otherwise wasted, its abandonment during construction has created great un tidiness, the local unemployment situation is severe, and the existing road is dangerous owing to sharp bends; and whether he can say what is the cause of the present position?

In July last I offered to the Durham County Council a grant at the rate of 50 per cent. towards the cost of land acquisition and fencing; on the 10th of the present month I intimated a grant at the same rate towards the cost of road construction and improvement.

Was any condition made like that imposed upon other authorities that 50 per cent. of those employed must be imported from another area?

I do not think so, but I will inquire.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that motor road accidents have increased by 500 per cent. in the last 10 years; that the primary cause of these accidents is neglect to carry out the recognised rules of the road; and whether he will consider the adoption of some method to distinguish main roads from by-roads for the guidance of motorists and the introduction of legislation to punish those who disobey recognised rules?

I have under cor-sideration at the present time the question of the desirability of indicating the relative importance of roads at road junctions. If any legislative provisions to deal with the matter appear to be desirable, I shall avail myself of the first appropriate occasion for introducing them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether by now he has given serious consideration to the danger of wire hawsers being stretched across a main road for the purpose of hauling timber; and whether he will issue regulations to prevent this very dangerous practice?

I have been asked to reply. I have had this matter under consideration in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, and have suggested to Chief Constables throughout the country that they should take the necessary steps to prevent obstruction of the highway by this dangerous practice.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the position with regard to the projected bridge over the River Tees at Middlesbrough?

I understand that on the 13th December last, at a conference of the public bodies concerned, a resolution was passed recommending the construction of a bridge rather than a tunnel.

Is the Ministry of Transport doing anything to expedite this project?

It is for the local authorities to consider this project, and then, if they wish to construct the bridge, to put forward an application to the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any representations as to the desirability of a tunnel between the Isle of Wight and the mainland?

I received representations on this subject from the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce in June, 1927, and I have since received a letter from a resident of the Island. My hon. Friend will, however, realise that the initiation of projects of this kind does not rest with my Department, and no definite application has been put before me by the public bodies who might be in a position to promote the scheme.

Is it necessary that the Government should wait until they receive local representations in regard to a question of providing employment for people?

The question deals with a very important matter, and surely it is the duty of the local people to forward schemes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman forget that in 1924 there was a definite statement by the present Prime Minister that the Government had a positive remedy for unemployment?

Who are the local people in connection with the Channel Tunnel proposal?

Can the Minister of Transport say whether any representations have been made with regard to a closer connection between the Scilly Islands and the mainland of Britain?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now prepared to consider the project of a Clyde and Forth canal; and whether he is prepared to summon a conference of representatives of local authorities, shipping interests, and commercial firms to receive their views upon such an undertaking?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to a somewhat similar question addressed to him by the hon. Member for the Maryhill Division of Glasgow (Mr. Couper) on 12th November last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not now reconsider the previous replies he has given over the period of the last five years to this question, which embraces the Midlands of Scotland?

No, because the cost would be enormous—£40,000,000 or £50,000,000—and the return exceedingly small.

Would not the return be considerably greater than any that may be received from the Channel Tunnel?

Is it not the case that local authorities and commercial interests are perfectly free to promote a Bill to bring about a Forth and Clyde canal?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman also aware that private interests will never promote any organisation unless there is a profit behind it?

These party disputes had better be deferred to a later date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the series of gas explosions and burst water mains in London recently, he will cause an inquiry to be instituted as to the effect of modern traffic weights and speed on underground services?

I have no information that would lead me to suppose that the occurrences to which my hon. Friend refers were due to the weight and speed of road traffic, and in any case it is neccessary to await the Report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the series of explosions in Holborn before considering the question of any further inquiry.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department is looking into the causes of the recent underground explosions in London; and whether any steps are being taken to prevent their recurrence as far as possible?

I have been asked to reply. Immediately on the occurrence of the explosion of 20th December, I consulted the other Government Departments concerned and the London County Council and with their concurrence appointed a small commission of experts "to inquire into the circumstances of the series of explosions and fires which occurred on the 20th and 21st December … and to make a report to me thereon, adding any observations or recommendations which they may think right to make with a view to minimising risks to life and property in the future." The Commission met on 22nd December, and has been proceeding actively with its inquiries. It is obviously necessary to wait for its report and recommendations before deciding on future action.

asked the Minister of Transport if representations have been made to him by the local authorities in the Tyneside area regarding the high charges made by private electricity supply companies to consumers in their districts; and, if so, will he state what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have noticed statements in the Press to the effect that the question of electricity charges in the district referred to has been under discussion between some of the local authorities and companies concerned, but no representations have been made to me in the matter.

Does the Minister not propose to take some action seeing that in the middle of the coalfield people are being charged 6id. per unit for lighting purposes?

There is ample machinery for bringing such matters to my notice. If a local authority or 20 consumers in the district bring such a matter to my notice, it is my duty to investigate it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the inhabitants of Thames Ditton have had their telephone service transferred from the Kingston to the Emberbrook Exchange at a reduced rental of 5s. per annum but so as to place them outside the five-mile radius, with a consequent reduction in the number of exchanges falling under the penny rate for calls at all hours from 6 to 11 and a largely increased charge for communications with exchanges most generally used by them; and whether he will restore to the inhabitants of this area the privileges they have heretofore enjoyed in the matter of penny calls so that the aggregate of payments made by them during the year may not be increased?

I am aware of the facts which are correctly stated in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, except that the rental will be reduced by £l per annum and not 5s., and the radius is 10 miles and not five. With this reduction of rental many of the subscribers concerned will benefit, despite the increase in call charges to many London exchanges. These changes, which follow the opening of a new exchange to serve the subscribers in its neighbourhood, are an inevitable consequence of the growth of telephone population in the London telephone area. It is impossible for reasons of administrative efficiency further to enlarge that area and in consequence new exchanges on its borders, but outside the radius, must fall within the provisions of the general tariff for the country.

Does the Postmaster-General consider that it is fair and reasonable to shift an exchange and so put subscribers to great inconvenience?

It all depends on the progress of development. The London telephone area has developed so rapidly in recent years—it has increased by something like 50 per cent. during the lifetime of this Government— that it is impossible, for administrative reasons, to further enlarge it.

At the present moment, have the subscribers attached to the Kingston exchange the right to continue on that exchange?

As I have already explained, for administrative reasons that is impossible. What has been happening is that those subscribers outside the 10-mile radius have been getting their service at a cheaper rate than other people.

asked the Minister of Transport, if his Department is aware of the progress made in Germany in the development of telephone communication between railway trains and the telephone service; and whether any experiments are being conducted in this country?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I have asked for and received reports from time to time from the German authorities concerning an experimental service which is in operation on certain trains running between Berlin and Hamburg for the provision of telephonic communication between passengers in trains and telephone subscribers. Similar experiments conducted in this country have demonstrated the practicability of establishing telephonic communication with moving trains but at present the demand for such communication does not seem likely to be sufficient to justify the expense involved to the railways in the provision of facilities.

asked the Post master-General at what estimated monetary value his Department stands from the point of view of purchase price of his entire service?

My Noble Friend will recognise that any estimate of price to a hypothetical buyer of the Post Office must be so imaginary as to be valueless. He will, however, find some capital account figures in the commercial accounts to which I would refer him.

May we take it that the Prime Minister's reference to the failure of nationalisation is purely hypothetical?

Is it the policy of the present Government, if returned at the next election, to dispose of the Post Office, or rather to dispose of the rest of it?

Does this not prove that it is only monopolies that can pay?

asked the Post master-General whether his Department has at any time suggested to the British Broadcasting Corporation that facilities for experimental transmissions should be afforded to the Baird television system as have been arranged with the fultograph apparatus?

I informed both the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Baird Television Development Company a few months ago that, so far as my Department is concerned, I should be prepared to agree to the use, subject to suitable conditions, of one of the corporation's stations for experiments with television apparatus. The corporation decided, after their officers had witnessed a demonstration of the Baird system, that it did not then fulfil the conditions which would justify a trial through one of their stations, although they expressed their readiness to review this decision if and when development justified it. A further demonstration is being arranged, after which the question of using a broadcasting station for television will be reconsidered.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether it has been the practice of his Department to furnish appellants to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal with information in regard to the precise disabilities in respect of which their appeals are being considered; whether this practice has always obtained; and, if not, whether in any other case where different procedure applied, and where the appellant disputes that a particular disability was considered by the tribunal, he will, on request, be furnished with a copy of the terms of reference to the tribunal in respect of his case?

The practice of furnishing appellants, as well as the tribunals, with a statement of the evidence in connection with their appeals has not always obtained. My right hon. Friend could not undertake at this date to furnish copies of the précis of evidence in past cases which have been decided by the tribunals.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the furnishing of this information in order to give the appellants a chance of knowing what they have to answer?

It is not part of my statutory duty to do that, but it is now always done in order to assist the appellant, as far as possible, in his appeal.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it fair that the appellant should not know what is being considered by the tribunal, seeing that upon their decision his pension depends?

We do supply that information, and we have done so for the last 9 years.

If an appellant asks to be supplied with this information, will the Parliamentary Secretary give an undertaking that it will be supplied?

I cannot undertake that the Ministry will do that; but they will consider in any case whether it is possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the marketing branch of his Department is devoted only to the marketing of agricultural produce or to the marketing of fish as well?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.

Has any success been achieved in using the marketing procedure for fish, and will any special steps be taken to deal with a large catch of fish which might be purchased in bulk?

The Marketing Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture deals, of course, primarily with the grading of agricultural produce, and that problem is not so acute in the fishing industry, in the case of which, I believe, there is already a very efficient system of grading. The problem there is rather that of quick distribution, preservation, and proper handling. Those questions are being explored by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. I am not sure that the Ministry of Agriculture is the proper Department, but I should be very glad to consider any suggestions that my hon. and gallant Friend might make.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate to what extent and in what direction success has attended his Marketing Committee?

We have started a very extensive scheme of sale and grading under the National Mark, which has been taken up very keenly by various branches of the agricultural industry.

Are we to understand from the Minister's reply that a large-scale organisation has been established by the Government for the grading and distribution of agricultural produce?

The question deals with the Marketing Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made by his Department during the years 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928 in encouragement the development of co-operative buying and selling among fishermen?

The Government assists the establishment and encouragement of co-operative buying and selling among fishermen by means of grants from the Development Fund to the Fisheries Organisation Society, on the governing body of which the Ministry is represented. The latest report of the society, referring to the year 1927, states that there is a steady development of the co-operative movement among inshore fishermen. I am sending my hon. Friend figures for the years 1925–1927, extracted from the report. Those for 1928 are not yet available.

Can my right hon. Friend say in what part of the country this is most developed?

I am afraid I could not answer that question without notice. There is an increase in the number of societies which work under the parent organisation, and the total sales have increased, but I cannot give the distribution throughout the country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to whether the quantity of fish destroyed for the purpose of maintaining a high price has been reduced or increased since the Ministry have been dealing with the matter?

I do not believe that there is any appreciable amount of fish destroyed, certainly not for the purpose of keeping up a high price. Where fish is landed in a state which makes it unfit for human consumption, it has, of course, to be diverted to other purposes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that certain common land called Wolstanton Marsh is to be reduced in area by the making of a road; whether he has received a petition from 152 of the inhabitants directly affected by this curtailment of the common; whether he is satisfied that the rights of the public are adequately protected; and what he proposes to do about it?

I have received a copy of a petition by 152 residents in the district protesting against the construction of the proposed road. By the Commons Regulation (Wolstanton Marsh) Provisional Order Confirmation Act, 1898, the Wolstanton Urban District Council, as conservators of the common, were expressly empowered by Parliament, for the benefit of the neighbourhood, to set out, make and maintain new carriage roads over the common, and the award of regulation made in 1898 under this Act repeated this provision. Whether the proposed road would be for the benefit of the neighbour hood is a matter upon which I have no authority to express any opinion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to see that additional land is acquired for the public to make up for this curtailment?

I have no powers in that direction; Parliament removed this matter from the discretion of the Minister of Agriculture, and gave the discretion to the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position of the Government with regard to proposals for the introduction of conscription into the military services of Iraq?

The attitude of His Majesty's Government on the question of conscription in Iraq was explained in the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, the Member for Dumbarton (Lieut.-Colonel Thom), on the 23rd April last. There has been no change in this respect.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the public opinion in Iraq, or the opinion of His Majesty's Government, that is in favour of this proposal?

That point is precisely the one that was fully answered in the reply to which I have referred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give any statement or figures as to the operation of the measure for conscription of Europeans in the military services of Kenya?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 28th January to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. Wellock).

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many Europeans in Kenya have refused service since the Act was put into operation?

No, Sir; I gave all the information that I could in the answer to which I have referred the hon. Member.

It did not give the information for which I am now asking.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will intro duce legislation to amend the Housing Act, 1925, so as to place the onus of obtaining a certificate that a house is in proper sanitary condition upon the land lord instead of upon the tenant, so that unless a house is really fit for habitation the 40 per cent. post-War increase of rent will not be payable?

The proposal made by the hon. Member would involve an Amendment of the Rent Restrictions Acts, and, while my right hon Friend has a good deal of doubt as to the merits of the particular suggestion, he cannot in any case give any undertaking at this stage regarding further legislation affecting those Acts.

asked the Minister of Health the result of the Prime Minister's appeal for a sum of £32,000 required for the purchase from the London County Council of the Pulford Street site in Westminster; whether the Pulford Street site committee has appealed to the Ministry for a loan, grant, or special subsidy to carry out the purchase of the site and improvement of the area; whether his attention has been drawn to an estimate officially published by the Westminster City Council more than a year ago that the cost of purchasing this site, erecting the proposed buildings, and so housing about 1,000 people, would represent less than an additional farthing per pound on the Westminster City rates; and whether he has received any recent communication from the Westminster Council as to its now proceeding with the scheme on the usual subsidy terms?

My right hon. Friend has no information as to the result of the appeal, made by the committee formed for the purchase of the site in question, for subscriptions to enable the purchase to be completed. No application for financial assistance has been made to my Department by the committee. The City Council have not furnished my right hon. Friend with a copy of the estimate referred to; nor have they submitted any proposal for the utilisation of the land for the purpose of a housing scheme.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the decision of the Westminster City Council not to acquire and build upon this site was arrived at after consultation with their official experts; that this site belongs to a great housing authority, the London County Council; that the London County Council have never considered it necessary to build working-class dwellings upon this site; and, further, that the Westminster City Council has entered into various commitments for the erection of a large number of dwellings at the corner of Ebury Street and Ebury Bridge Road?

The hon. Member is giving a lot of information. Sir Arthur Holbrook.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the use of foreign tiles to roof Liverpool Corporation houses built by direct labour; whether any subsidy was granted in respect of these houses; and whether he will consider, in all cases where subsidy is made, that all material used shall be of British manufacture?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the circumstances indicated in the first part of the question. Subsidy is being paid on the houses in question. With regard to the last part of the question, Section 10 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1024, provides that, in approving proposals for the construction of houses, the Minister of Health shall not impose any conditions which would prevent the materials required being purchased in the cheapest market at borne or abroad. The Government have, however, urged local authorities to arrange that all contracts for or incidental to works carried out by them should, in the absence of special circumstances, be placed in this country. My right hon. Friend understands that in the present case the course adopted has resulted in a substantial saving of cost.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the building trade in Liverpool say that this is much more costly than if the tiles had been bought in this country?

That does not agree with the information submitted to my Department.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Liverpool Corporation is controlled by a Tory majority?

Can my right hon. Friend say what is the difference between the wages paid to those who make tiles in this country and the wages of those who make them in foreign countries?

No, I cannot answer that question, but I may say that my right hon. Friend, in every case where it is reasonable, is urging local authorities to use materials of British manufacture.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these tiles were used only for the completion of a certain part of the work, and not for a new scheme?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that an overwhelming proportion of advertisements of rooms to let in London specify no children taken; and whether, in view of the hardship caused to families whose breadwinners must live near their work, he can expedite the building of flats in place of derelict tenement houses in London and in the meantime introduce such legislation as will make it illegal to specify no children as a clause in a contract for the letting of apartments?

My right hon. Friend does not consider that the remedy suggested by the hon. Member would be likely to effect its object. The real solution as the hon. Member appears to appreciate, is to increase the amount of available accommodation, and my right hon. Friend understands that the London County Council already have under consideration proposals for the erection of dwellings in London for persons who must reside near their places of employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the amount of accommodation provided by the County Council is wholly inadequate, and that, in the meantime, the difficulty of women with children is rapidly approaching a scandal in those areas in London where it is absolutely essential for the men to be at work early in the morning?

That may or may not be so, but the remedy suggested by the hon. Member would not meet the difficulty.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a plea to people of philanthropic disposition to build houses, like the Peabody Trust, stipulating for children? We have tried it at Plymouth, and it seems to be the only way to get people to take children.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, under the present legislation, when the houses of working people become decontrolled, the landlord frequently takes the opportunity of saying that the houses will not be let to tenants who have children?

I do not think it matters whether the houses are decontrolled or not; the same position applies.

Is it not true that a great many of these houses are owned by working men?

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to do nothing, and merely to say that it does not matter?

No. The hon. Member has overlooked the last part of my answer, and that is that the London County Council, who have already made great progress in providing fresh housing accommodation in London, which is the real remedy for the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers, are continuing their work, and are particularly engaged in putting forward schemes for what are called the inner areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether as the last Census Return gave the number of persons living in overcrowded conditions of over two to a room in Hampstead as more than 5,000, he will state whether the Hampstead Borough Council has built any houses under either the Chamberlain or Wheatley Acts; what number of houses were built under the Addison Act; whether the medical officer of health has prepared a Return showing cases where families of 10 and 11 persons are living in two rooms; and whether the borough council are now engaged in building any houses to meet the position?

The borough council have not built any houses under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924, but under a contributory arrangement made with the London County Council 100 of the houses provided by the county council under the Act of 1924 have been placed at the disposal of the borough council and have been allocated to inhabitants of the borough. The borough council have built 140 houses under the Housing Act of 1919. My right hon. Friend understands that the medical officer of health has prepared a return of the nature referred to for the information of the Housing Committee, who have it under consideration. The borough council are not engaged in building any houses at the present time.