asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consider the desirability of approaching local authorities in areas likely to suffer from water shortage in the event of drought to suggest schemes for the provision of catchment areas and reservoirs, which besides proving of great utility would provide work for the unemployed?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has recently drawn the attention of local authorities to the necessity for initiating schemes for new water supplies in advance of requirements and has emphasised the advantages of regional water committees, Approved schemes of the character indicated would be subject to the appropriate Unemployment Grant.

In view of the Lord Privy Seal's statement yesterday, that it was only that day that it had occurred to him that this question might open up a useful source of employment, might I ask the Government whether they will consider the advisability of those responsible for unemployment studying more closely the Order Paper, so that they can see the proposals that are made?

All I can say is that the Ministry of Health, whose business it is to consider the water supply, had already taken steps to deal with the matter. I was concerned purely from the employment point of view, and I do not think that very much delay was occasioned by my action.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will consult with the First Lord of the Admiralty as to the utilisation of part of the Royal Dockyard at Rosyth for a scheme for the relief of unemployment in view of the unemployment created there by the closing of the dockyard?

Yes, Sir, I will certainly consider with my right hon. Friend whether anything can be done to give employment at Rosyth Dockyard.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Government anticipates that a report will be made by the small expert committee appointed in 1926 to investigate the proposed Severn barrages?

As the House is already aware the expert committee recently reported to the Severn Barrage Sub-Committee of the Committee of Civil Research. That sub-committee has since submitted to the Government a report which is now under consideration.

asked the Lord Privy Seal in view of the fact that the Government have decided not to put into operation the Report of the Woollen and Worsted Committee in respect of the safeguarding of that industry, what scheme or schemes he proposes to put into operation at an early date for the relief of unemployment amongst the textile operatives of the West Riding of Yorkshire?

The assistance which the Government is offering to schemes for the promotion of economic development and the reduction of unemployment will be available for the West Riding of Yorkshire equally with other areas suffering from unemployment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the President of the Board of Trade to institute an inquiry into the woollen and worsted industry, in regard to the adverse effect that trusts and combines have already had?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the legalising of the Eight Hours Convention will help the textile trades very much?

I am quite sure that the Government had these and many other satisfactory reasons in mind before they arrived at their original decision.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take into early consideration the utilisation for productive purposes of the Government rolling mills at Woolston, Southampton, in connection with his unemployment schemes?

These works were dismantled several years ago and only the bare buildings remain. I do not consider that the Government could make productive use of the buildings, and efforts are being continued to dispose of them.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that, although sea defence rates in the seaside towns in Essex are high, coast erosion cannot be properly checked owing to financial limitations; and whether, in view of the suitability of such works for providing employment, he will instruct the officers of the appropriate Department to visit these and other affected areas and report on the local conditions for the purpose of creating a special form of grant for sea defence?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture to the Member for South-East Essex (Mr. Oldfield) on 18th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether in connection with the Government's unemployment plans, any and, if so, what steps will be taken to ensure that as regards work in any particular locality the available unemployed in that locality will be given priority as regards employment?

Except in so far as it is a condition of Government assistance that on certain works in the more prosperous areas employment should be given to a proportion of men from the depressed mining areas, the engagement of labour is within the discretion of the undertaking authority concerned, who should pay due regard to the claims of the local unemployed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making it a term of any contract, grant, loan or guarantee that the contractor shall, as far as possible, engage local labour from the local Employment Exchange?

The Government do not make contracts, and it is very difficult in dealing with local authorities to turn round and say that we must control what is their own responsibility. In any case, the local authority ought to have first regard to their own unemployed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that miners are being sent from Durham down to Kent, and that it is a condition of the unemployment grant that 50 per cent. of the unemployed are taken from distressed areas, although there are unemployed in the areas to which they are being sent?

I have dealt with the question very fully on two occasions in this House. Regard ought to be had to the local unemployment situation, but, if local authorities can help those in the distressed areas, they ought to be encouraged to do so.

Do the Government make it a condition of the giving of a grant that so many men shall be taken from the distressed areas, although the district in question have unemployed of their own?

No; it is not a condition, but additional Government assistance is given where they are taken.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consider the advisability of applying to Parliament for special emergency powers in order to enable him to obtain land, etc., in the shortest possible time, so that schemes for national development may be pressed forward with all expedition?

As the hon. Member is aware there are already considerable powers under the Unemployment (Relief Works) Act, 1920, and other Statutes. I am fully alive to the necessity in present circumstances of facilitating the procedure to enable schemes of development to be pressed forward. The matter is being examined and I should not hesitate to ask Parliament for further powers in the matter if necessary.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has had under consideration schemes for the provision of work in levelling mining slag heaps and tips in areas where the reclaimed land might be of great value to local authorities as housing sites, playing fields, or allotments, and where the slag might be utilised to obtain valuable byproducts?

A proposal for levelling slag heaps in the Midlands area is at present under examination by the appropriate Departments. I do not know whether the slag contains valuable byproducts, but I will certainly have this suggestion examined.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can make any statement regarding the proposed appointment of the new Trade Commissioners?

I have consulted my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, with whom the appointment of the new Trade Commissioners rests, and he informs me that he is not as yet in a position to make any announcement. There will be no avoidable delay.

Will these appointments be made from among gentlemen who are already in Government employment?

I cannot answer that question, but I should assume that due regard will be had to the qualifications. It would be no good to appoint someone because he had been in a Government Department, if he was useless for the job. All things being equal, certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in supplement to the question answered in the House of Commons on 27th February last, he can state the value and quantities of safeguarded manufactured goods and non-safeguarded manufactured goods imported into this country and retained for domestic consumption for the first half of 1925 and 1929, respectively, and the value and quantities of exports of safeguarded manufactured goods and export of non-safeguarded manufactured goods for the same two periods?

Having regard to the amount of labour involved, I do not think the preparation of a table, corresponding to that contained in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 27th February, would be justified in respect of the periods asked for. I will consider in due course the publication of a table covering the whole of the year 1929.

May I ask whether the foundation for these figures is not given in statistics which have already been published? Could not my right hon. Friend find the figures from them?

The matter is not quite so simple as my hon. Friend indicates. I suggest that he would be in a far better position if he had a table covering the period I have mentioned in the reply.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how early a table could be prepared in 1930?

It is difficult to say offhand, but I will have a table prepared

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the exports of manufactured goods to, and the imports of manufactured goods from, the following countries during the year 1928: Australia, Canada, India, Irish Free State, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany, Belgium, United States of America, Italy, and Netherlands?

The answer contains a long table of figures. The hon. Member will, therefore, perhaps allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will get in touch with foreign Ministers of Labour and Commerce in Europe and discuss the possibility of the formation of an economic united states of Europe as the only means of fighting the high American tariffs?

I do not see my way to act on the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the time is now ripe, seeing that M. Briand is anxious to discuss the matter and that Italy and Germany are also anxious for a discussion; and every discussion will be helpful?

I have given a reply only in general terms, but, after careful consideration, the Government are quite satisfied that there is nothing to be gained by any policy which involves discrimination.

asked the President of the Board of Trade an estimate of the creditor position of this country before the War and on the latest available date, together with comparative debtor or creditor figures concerning the United States of America?

I regret that the available information is not sufficient to make these comparisons possible.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the figures of the Board of Trade on the balance of trade lose a great deal of their value without an estimate of this character, and will he take some steps to see that some kind of estimate is prepared?

Does not the Kindersley Report give nearly all the information for which the hon. Member asks?

The matter is not by any means simple. I have seen the Kindersley Report and certain other reports issued by departments of commerce in America, and, while I will do my best to make a comparison of this kind, we have not the material in this country to make it completely effective.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the promised inquiry into the cotton trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the proposed inquiry into the cotton industry; has the Committee yet been appointed; and, ii so, can he give the names?

The inquiry will be conducted by a sub-committee of the Committee of Civil Research. I am not able at the moment to announce the names of the sub-committee, but it will consist of two Ministers, one prominent industrialist, one leading trade unionist, and one accountant. The names will be announced as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any information in respect to the terms of reference; will they be broad, and will the inquiry be public?

The terms of reference will be drawn in the widest possible fashion; that is, they will have regard to the condition of the industry and its power to recover the home and export markets. An inquiry of this character is, of course, not public, but all information is obtained. There are great advantages in conducting an inquiry on these lines.

May I take it that the inquiry will obtain evidence from all sections of the trade?

Beyond all doubt. That is the whole object of the investigation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman form any estimate as to how long it is going to take?

Beginning immediately after the holiday season, I think the inquiry will be completed in three or four months at the outside, but I warn the House that no one can commit himself to a definite date.

Will the terms of reference cover the methods of marketing in India and China?

Yes, the terms of reference, are so wide that any evidence bearing on this industry will be in order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications for patents that have been before his Department for three months without being adjudicated upon and the number that have been similarly before his Department for six months or more?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to applications accompanied or followed by complete specifications in which the result of the examination has not yet been communicated to the applicant. The number of such applications which have been before the Patent Office for three months or more is 4,848; and, of these, 1,176 have been before the Office for six months or more. Applications accompanied by provisional specifications only are dealt with shortly after receipt.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can now give any further information concerning Charing Cross Bridge?

I have been asked to reply. As the outcome of a meeting between the Chairman of the Improvements Committee of the London County Council, representatives of the Southern Railway Company and myself, provisional heads of agreement for the construction of a new Charing Cross Bridge and for the removal of Charing Cross station to the south side of the river, have been settled between the representatives of the council and the railway company with my concurrence. The provisional agreement is subject to the approval of the London County Council and of the shareholders of the railway company. Meetings to arrive at a final decision have been convened both by the council and by the company, and will be held on the 30th of this month. Perhaps I may be permitted to add that I appreciate the efforts of my predecessor in office, the right hon. Gentleman who represents the New Forest Division, and of all the parties to this prolonged negotiation to bring about a satisfactory settlement of so great a scheme of improvement.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long he thinks it will be before the temporary bridge and the new Charing Cross station are opened?

No, Sir; it is impossible at this stage to answer that question.

Is it not a fact that the original recommendation of the Royal Commission, that the bridge should cross the Strand, has been abandoned, and does the hon. Member approve of this change of policy, which will mean that more traffic will pour into the Strand?

I have already stated that I have concurred in the agreement which has been arrived at.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the motor cycle with side-car attachments has been proved to be the safest vehicle on the road and notably safer than the motor cycle with pillion, he will consider the encouragement of the use of such side-cars by withdrawing or reducing the tax on them?

I have been asked to reply. The licence duties for motor cycles (£1 10s. per annum for the light cycle and £3 for the heavy cycle) are not onerous, and the additional duty of £1 per annum for a sidecar attachment to a motor cycle does not appear to be unreasonable when the additional facilities obtained are taken into account. Further, it is common knowledge that the attachment of a sidecar does not prevent the carrying of a pillion passenger on the motor cycle.

Does the Minister agree with the view expressed in the question that the motor cycle with sidecar is the safest form of transport?

I have not sufficient information before me to confirm the implication contained in the question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that figures were given by the ex-Home Secretary?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the committee to investigate the problem of the raising of the school leaving age which he proposed to appoint has, in fact, been appointed; and, if so, when he expects to receive the Report of such committee?

This committee was an ordinary inter-departmental committee to examine among other matters the unemployment aspect of the problem of the school leaving age. The Government, however, have decided that the matter should be dealt with on educational grounds, and the committee was accordingly instructed that it need not pursue these inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the decision to raise the school leaving age on 1st April, 1931, as announced by the President of the Board of Education, is to be applied to Scotland?

The answer is in the affirmative. But in Scotland legislation will not be necessary. The Scottish Education Department is empowered by Section 33 (2) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, to fix the appointed day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of resignations or alterations that have occurred in the advisory committee appointed by his Department according to the provisions of the Cinematograph Films Act since this committee has been set up; and whether, in filling up the vacancies that have occurred, he has taken into consideration the claims put forward for representation on this committee by any other association in addition to the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association?

Four members of the advisory Committee have resigned since it was set up. No vacancies have occurred this year, and therefore it has not been my duty to make fresh appointments.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether other associations besides the Cinematograph Association will be consulted if it is necessary to make these appointments?

Yes, if any vacancy arises, I will certainly consider representations made by anyone.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many bankruptcy offices in England and Wales are classified as salaried offices; what is the number of salaried officers employed at these salaried offices; how many of the staff are classed as temporary employees who are doing identical work at lower wages as the scheme employees; what is the number of non-salaried offices; what is the number of salaried officers employed there; what is the number of temporary employees employed thereat; can he state what is the number of temporary employees who have had continuous service in one or more bankruptcy offices for the last 20 years or more; and what are the obstacles to the promotion of these long-service employees to inclusion in the salaried category?

The answer is a long one, and with my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the fairness of placing all the non-salaried officers of many years service on the established staff, or set up a committee to investigate their claims?

I think my hon. Friend will find an answer in the detailed reply I have given.

If I bring any cases of exceptional hardship to the personal notice of the right hon. Gentleman, will he consider them?

Certainly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government's decision to refuse all advertisements relating to the sale or manufacture of beer or spirits applies only to the Post Office or to all public Departments?

The decision applies to all departments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of candidates it is proposed to assign to the established clerical classes in the Civil Service from the recent competitive examination?

100 candidates were declared successful in the first instance, and I am authorising an extension of the successful list to the 200th candidate.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the claims of ex-service men who have been able to carry out these duties in a very satisfactory manner?

They will be borne in mind.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of promotions made in each Department from the P-class to established clerical grade under Clause 6 of the Government memorandum of 12th January, 1925, for the period 1st January, 1929, to 30th June, 1929; and the number of writing assistants promoted to established clerical grade in each Department for the same period?

As the reply to the hon. and gallant Member's question contains a number of figures, I propose with his permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the sympathy of the Government be extended to these men of the P-class so as to give them as many opportunities of improving their position as possible?

Is it not a fact that the Treasury have already received representations about this case, in the last few days?

Will the Government at least be more sympathetic than the last Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken by the Food Council in view of the 80 to 100 per cent. margin for distribution as compared with the farmers' price, in the scheme now under consideration for fixing milk prices by the National Farmers' Union and the milk distributing interests?

I understand that the Food Council will have this matter under examination at their meeting tomorrow, and I have asked them for a report.

Have the Government been approached by the National Farmers' Union with a view to getting a fairer price for their produce?

I have no doubt that representations have been made to the Council in the past, but I cannot; recall any representations which have been made during my own term of office.

Will the price of full cream condensed milk be covered by this inquiry?

I am afraid I cannot reply to that question offhand, and I would ask my hon. Friend to await the outcome of to-morrow's meeting, when I shall be in a position either in the House or by other means to give further details.

Is it not true, as the "Daily Herald" says, that the drought is in some measure responsible for these higher prices?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the intention of the London Master Bakers and the principal wholesale and retail bakers to increase the price of bread on Monday, 29th July; whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and, if so, upon what lines?

The Food Council have the course of bread prices under continuous review, and this matter is already before them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, seeing that Belgium has agreed to suspend, with effect from 7th June, 1929, the liquidation and retention of German private property not at that date liquidated or taken over by the State, His Majesty's Government is prepared to take similar action;

(2) whether, in view of the recommendations of the Experts Committee that the liquidation of ex-enemy private property seized during the War should be discontinued as soon as the Young plan is ratified, any special instructions have been given to the British clearing office to suspend or expedite the liquidation of ex-enemy property not yet disposed of; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in this matter?

Pending the definite acceptance of the Experts' Report by all the Powers concerned, I see no ground for suspending liquidations, which proceed normally, and no special instructions have been issued in this matter. I understand that the Belgian Government have offered to suspend liquidation as from the 7th June, as part of an agreement under which they would receive very substantial compensation on other heads; so that their position is by no means analogous.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of German ex-enemy property expropriated under the Treaty of Versailles which ha" been released under the recommendation of the Blanes-burgh Committee, and the number of individual cases in which either the property has been restored or cash compensation has been paid to the ex-enemy owners?

Releases of property have been made to 2,401 German nationals on the recommendation of Lord Blanesburgh's Committee, amounting in value to £2,941,843, of which £857,867 represents the value of property restored in kind and £2,083,976 represents proceeds of sale. The total amount of all releases is £5,229,740.

I beg to give notice that I propose to raise this matter on Friday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total result of the sale of German private property in Britain in accordance with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles; to what extent this has met all British private claims against Germany and German nationals; whether there is any surplus after all claims have been met; and whether, if so, he will see that the example of France and America; in releasing their surpluses to the former owners is followed by this country?

The total proceeds of realisation of German property in this country pursuant to the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles amount to date to £55,500,000. All British private claims against Germany and German nationals which have hitherto been admitted have been paid in full; it is estimated that after all such claims have been met there will be a surplus which will be retained in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty and credited against Germany's reparation obligations. His Majesty's Government have under consideration the recommendations with regard to German property of the Committee of Experts on Reparations, but these recommendations relate Only to such property as has not already been liquidated or disposed of at the date of the acceptance of the report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what will be the probable credit balance?

No, Sir. I could not, at this stage, give a firmly accurate figure on that point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount the Soviet Government, as successors to the Russian Imperial Government, owe to British investors in governmental, railway, and municipal securities?

The capital amount of the bonds in sterling and roubles of Russian State Loans, Guaranteed Railway Loans, and Loans of Municipalities and other Institutions in respect of which claims have been lodged with the Russian Claims Department is approximately 41 million pounds sterling, and 242 million roubles, respectively. In addition, there is an unascertained amount of accrued interest due on the securities.

If and when the Government can resume diplomatic relations with Russia, will the right hon. Gentleman press upon his colleagues in the Cabinet the necessity of at least getting some payment for these debts or recognition of them?

What is the market value of this paper now?

Nothing.

Surely in the case of a defunct or bankrupt country you cannot take that at its face value?

Plainly, no one familiar with this controversy can pronounce on the value this afternoon. As regards the other supplementary question, I have no doubt that this and other points will be borne in mind in any negotiations that take place.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the purpose for which the sums advanced by Abram Efros to His Majesty's Representative in Moscow in 1918 were required, and upon what services the sums were spent?

I have been asked to reply. So far as I am aware, the sums advanced by Abram Efros to His Majesty's Representative in Moscow in 1918 were devoted to the expenses of the Mission. Owing, however, to the circumstances of the withdrawal from Soviet Russia of His Majesty's Representative and His Majesty's Consular Officers, there exist no detailed accounts of the Mission's expenditure.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider his decision not to put into operation the recommendations of the Safeguarding Committee on Wool, in view of the fact that it has been followed by the closing down of certain mills, with resulting unemployment?

The answer is in the negative, for the reasons which I gave to the House in the Debate on the Address.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large mill in Wharfdale has closed down, and is he going to take any action in the matter?

Does my right hon. Friend not know that there is not the remotest connection between the closing of any Yorkshire mill and the refusal of Safeguarding?

That is a matter for debate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the desirability of ascertaining the full employment results before repealing or allowing the McKenna and Safeguarding duties to lapse, he will take steps to insist upon the fullest information being given regarding employment both now and prior to the imposition of duties by all the industries concerned;

(2) whether in view of the recommendation of the Balfour Committee that every Safeguarding Duty should automatically be submitted to a Committee for review about a year before the date fixed for its expiration in order to obtain the necessary material for a decision by the Government as to the desirability or otherwise of proposing an extension of the duty, he is prepared to take this course with regard to the Safeguarding and McKenna Duties?

The decisions of the Government both as to the Safeguarding and the McKenna Duties Have been announced in the debate on the Address. I do not propose to institute any special inquiries in these cases. The ordinary statistics of imports and exports and of employment will, of course, continue to be available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statistics, so far, with regard to unemployment, are in no way complete, and could he not insist, in order that this House may know the results, that the true state of employment should be shown in every industry that is benefiting from this Safeguarding?

I have no doubt that every effort will be made to get as complete figures as possible in the ordinary field of employment, but I read the hon. and gallant Member's question as referring more particularly to Safeguarded industries.

The right hon. Gentleman has spoken about exports and imports, but does he not agree that in order to have a complete picture of an industry it is necessary to have the figures of production as well as the exports and imports, and will he try to obtain from these industries, following what the last Government did, complete figures of production?

No doubt every effort will be made in that direction. I am all in favour of the most complete statistical material, but I have made the position plain as regards these Safeguarding Duties.

Is it the policy of the Government not to follow the recommendations of the Balfour Committee and to have no re-examination of these industries as recommended by that Committee?

That was plainly indicated during the debate on the Address. The Government have decided to abandon the White Paper, and, that being so, it would be futile to hold inquiries into the condition of these industries.

If the right hon. Gentleman could get the complete figures, would it not help the Government's thinking department?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before any of the existing Safeguarding and McKenna Duties are discontinued, he will enter into conversations with representatives of those foreign countries whose tariffs are a hindrance to British exporters, with a view to securing reciprocal reductions of duty?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday by the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office have ceased all work on chemical warfare; and has he any information as to whether similar action has been taken by America, Germany, Italy, France, or Russia?

His Majesty's Government have declared their intention of ratifying the Geneva Gas Protocol at an early date. In the meantime no change has been made by a departure from the research work which has been for a long time in progress. It is understood that similar research work is being carried on in the countries referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to see that the Officers' Training Corps at the public schools are genuinely voluntary bodies, and that no compulsion to join, direct or indirect, is applied?

Arrangements for recruiting for contingents of the Officers' Training Corps rest with the school authorities. So far as the Army Council are concerned there is no question of compulsion, direct or indirect.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there exists in effect a system of conscription in the public schools of this country?

I am not aware of what the conditions in the public schools are. I am only responsible for my own Department, and, as far as that Department is concerned, it gives no instructions at all, nor has it any powers in the public schools.

Is it not the case that such training corps always have been, and must be, on a voluntary basis?

I can express no opinion on what has happened, and I cannot prophesy with regard to the future.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make grants to these corps conditional upon the fact that no compulsion is employed by the headmasters to get boys to join?

Is it not a fact that it has an extraordinarily beneficial effect on the boys?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the advisability of placing mechanised yeomanry regiments under cavalry control; and whether he will take any action to this effect in the future?

No change in the status of the armoured car companies of the Territorial Army is intended at present.

Does the same answer apply to the mechanised yeomanry artillery brigade?

The hon. Member will please put that question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many battalions of British troops are in China; where they are located; and whether he intends to increase or decrease their number in the near future?

There are at present in China six British battalions and one Indian battalion distributed as follows: at Hong Kong, two British and one Indian battalion; at Shanghai, two battalions and in the Tientsin Area two battalions. The question of the number of troops in China is engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government but no conclusion has yet been reached on the matter. There is no intention of increasing the number of battalions in China in the near future.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the present number of troops is adequate, or that it is too large?

I have already said that the matter is under consideration, and, to give an opinion before that consideration would, I think, not be quite safe.

What is the annual cost of maintaining these troops?

That question had better be put on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many civilian engagements were taken by military bands during the past 12 months; what remuneration was received for such engagements; and how much was received by the bandsmen for their personal use?

I regret that I have not the information for which my hon. Friend asks.

Is it the policy of the right hon. Gentleman to encourage the engagement of these bands as in the past?

At present, I have no intention of changing it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the main heads of the defence works at Singapore estimated to cost £1,150,000; what garrison it is proposed to station there; and whether any estimate has been made as to the annual cost of such garrison?

The estimate of £1,150,000 on page 202 of Army Estimates, 1929, relates to Works services only and covers defences, cantonments, roads, piers, workshops and other building services. It would not be in accordance with custom to particularise in greater detail the items of a defence programme, but, as was stated on 17th July last, all questions in connection with the Singapore Base are under the consideration of the Government. As regards the last part of the question, the size of the garrison that would be required for the new de-fences has not yet been determined.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the serious distress that exists in Pembroke Dock owing to the closing down of the Royal Dockyard, he will favourably consider the replacing of the regiment now ordered to leave the town by one of the regiments that will be brought home when the Rhineland is evacuated, so that, pending some alternative employment being provided, the present distress may be relieved to some extent?

The question of the replacement of the battalion which will shortly leave Pembroke Dock will be considered on the return of the British troops from the Rhine.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange that during his period of office any troops employed in the Armistice Day ceremonial service shall parade without arms or, alternatively, with side arms only?

The arrangements for Armistice Day will be considered in due course, and I will see that my hon. Friend's suggestion is not overlooked.

Does not the Secretary of State for War realise that ex-Service men regard this display of military force as an insult to the memory of brave men?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take the necessary steps to prevent the enlistment of lads under the age of 18 without the consent of their parents?

Under the Recruiting Regulations, a boy may not be enlisted as such without the written consent of his parents or guardians. As regards recruits presenting themselves for enlistment as men, there is a standing instruction that where there is the slightest suspicion that the recruit is under the age of 18 years, full inquiries are to be made before his enlistment is finally approved.

When it is found that a lad under 18 years of age has enlisted by misrepresenting his age, will the right hon. Gentleman allow the parents un application afterwards to get him released?

I would prefer to have time to consider that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the unpopularity of compulsory church parades with many of the troops, he will secure that in future such parades are not to be compulsory?

This question, among others, was very fully investigated by a Committee whose report was presented to Parliament in 1925 and published as Command Paper No. 2376. The Committee recommended that there should be no change in the existing arrangements as regards church parades. If the hon. Member has fresh evidence which suggests that the matter should be reconsidered, I shall be glad if he will send it to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider substituting for these church parades private Bible study in the barrack room?

Why not compel Members of Parliament to attend church?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the final Report of the Dardanelles Commission [Cmd. 371] was made in December, 1917, and that the evidence given before that commission has not been published; and whether he will now cause it to be published?

I am not prepared to reverse the decision of my predecessors against publication at the present time. The evidence given orally before the Commission is contained in 1687 printed pages, comprising over 1,600,000 words, and the statements are equally voluminous. Before it could be published, the evidence would have to be scrutinised in Government Departments. In view of the positive assurance given to Parliament and to the Nation that in the body of the Commission's report

"nothing material has been omitted which can in any way throw a light either on what occurred or on the responsibility resting on the several individuals or departments concerned."

I do not consider that the expense and labour involved in publication would be justified.

asked the Prime Minister if His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to forward the policy of a United States of Europe:

If my hon. Friend is referring to an economic United States of Europe, his question has been answered by the reply which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has given to question No. 18. If on the other hand he has in mind a political union, I can only say that the difficulties in the way of the realization of this project would seem to be even more formidable than in the case of an economic union.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of capital exported from this country to countries abroad last year; and what proportion of it went into enterprises in countries within the Empire and what proportion to countries outside the Empire?

As the answer is rather long, I will with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the Empire produce imported into the United Kingdom during the financial year ended 31st March, 1929, which was charged at preferential rates of duty; and what was the total reduction in duty resulting from the fact that preferential and not full rates were charged?