Brigadier-General Clifton Brown.

On a point of Order. May I draw your attention to the fact, Mr. Speaker, that the Questions on the Order Paper are headed "Questions not for oral answer"? Is it in order for us to put them, or are we to go straight on with the business of the day?

Printers are human and liable to error. The Questions will be taken in the ordinary way.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that armoured car regiments are now part of the proper cavalry organisations, he will restore the eight yeomanry regiments which were attached to the Tank Corps temporarily, when they were converted into armoured car companies, back to cavalry administration?

This suggestion was one of several placed before my predecessor earlier this year at a meeting with certain commanding officers to consider various questions connected with the yeomanry armoured car companies. I believe he then explained that the whole situation in regard to mechanisation was experimental, and that, therefore, apart from any other consideration, the change would not be timely.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the regiments are not quite happy under the new administration? They are a most magnificent lot of men, and will the right hon. Gentleman see that the new administration shows them the same sympathy as they received from the old?

I try to see that every representation made on behalf of the men is carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that yeomanry regiments which were converted into Tank Corps companies eight years ago are still equipped with American-made cars, and that these cars are inefficient and obsolete; and whether, in the interests of the personnel and to help unemployment, he will have them equipped with British-made vehicles?

It is realised that the Peerless cars in possession of the Territorial Army Armoured Car Companies are obsolete. This year a certain number of Rolls-Royce cars were made available for Territorial Armoured Car Companies for training in camp, and two light six-wheeled lorries were issued to each company throughout the year for transport and elementary training purposes and were increased to four during camp. The arrangements for next year are under consideration.

Are the lorries also Rolls-Royce's?

Speaking from memory, I think the lorries are Morris lorries. They are British.

Is it anticipated that next year the force will be completely equipped with British cars?

May I call attention to the fact that the suggestion of hon. Members opposite for solving the unemployment problem is to make tanks to kill people?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any estimate of the period of time neces- sary for the preparation of lands, barracks, etc., by the Egyptian Government to secure the fulfilment of Article 9 of the proposals for an Anglo-Egyptian settlement?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on 4th November to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Remer), of which I am sending him a copy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make any estimate of when he will be able to give us this information?

If the hon. and gallant Member will read the answer which I gave, he will find a complete statement as to whether I can or cannot give an accurate estimate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to give us his estimate before the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty is debated, because it is very important that we should have the information?

I will do my best to put the House in possession of the fullest information available when the Treaty or before the Treaty is debated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to consider amending the regulations for the officers' training corps, so as to incorporate a provision making it clear that enrolment must be voluntary and that no pressure, direct or indirect, must be applied?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on the 23rd July, a copy of which I am sending him. If any new circumstances have arisen which are not covered by that answer I am willing to consider them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider any evidence that I am able to bring to his notice showing the desirability of this change?

Yes, Sir, I think I indicated that in the latter part of my answer. I am willing to consider any submission that is made to me.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the amount of the present grants to school cadet corps and officers' training corps in schools; and whether he intends to continue or reduce these grants?

The approximate amounts provided in the current Army Estimates for grants to the Junior Division Officers Training Corps and school cadet corps are £39,000 and £4,000 respectively. It is proposed to continue these grants.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the system of training of these corps with a view to seeing whether they really serve a military purposes?

I am willing, as I said in reply to a previous question dealing with a cognate subject, to consider any information put before me.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to continue this form of training, because it is so eminently satisfactory?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is under consideration to make any curtailment in the mechanisation of the Army?

The whole question falls to be considered with Army Estimates for 1930, and I hope to deal fully with the matter in my Estimates speech.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any discharge of labour has taken place at Woolwich Arsenal consequent on a reduction of armaments work; and, in the event of any further reduction in armaments, is there any scheme for retaining the men and women in employment?

As regards the first part of the question, no discharges have taken place at Woolwich Arsenal consequent on reduction of armaments work. As regards the second part, I can assure my hon. Friend that the employment position at Woolwich Arsenal and the interests of the personnel there are being carefully watched.

May I ask whether the Financial Secretary has any schemes to submit to the House, or whether he is in consultation with the representatives of the men who are employed there?

As I have indicated in my answer, the whole matter is being carefully examined.

With reference to the last part of the question, will the War Office bear in mind the advisability of keeping in touch with the Admiralty and the Lord Privy Seal in regard to the national establishments?

If it be regarded as necessary, we shall certainly do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can report any progress in the removal of the War Office sheds and other buildings in the vicinity of Stonehenge and which are visible from the circle; and if he is aware of the successful efforts by means of public subscriptions and the assistance of His Majesty's Office of Works to preserve the amenities of Stonehenge and to remove unsightly buildings formerly belonging to private persons that were within sight of the circle?

Continuous progress is being made in the removal of War-time hutted buildings in the neighbourhood of Stonehenge which are surplus to peacetime requirements. But the military cantonment at Larkhill, which is within sight of Stonehenge, is required for the accommodation of artillery formations to which close proximity to the artillery ranges is essential. I am aware of the public interest which has been taken in preserving the amenities of Stonehenge and care has been taken by the War Department in the siting of certain new buildings erected since the War to contribute to this.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the percentage of councils in Scotland giving preference in leasing apartment or kindred council houses to tenants with large families?

My right hon. Friend is unable to furnish the information desired, but he would refer the hon. and gallant Member to paragraph ( f ) of Sub-section 1 of Section 3 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, which enacts as a special condition of participation in State subsidy under that Act that in letting houses erected by them under the Act local authorities shall give preference to large families. Sixty-six per cent. of the local authorities in Scotland have built or are building houses under the above Act.

Will the Under-Secretary impress upon the local authorities that this preference should be given, so as to give encouragement to the increasing birth-rate of Scotland and the consequent endowment of this country with a further supply of Scotsmen?

I am perfectly certain that an overwhelming majority of the local authorities in Scotland have the point to which the hon. and gallant Member refers carefully in their minds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government has yet decided upon any policy to help Scottish agriculture and check the depopulation of the countryside; and, if so, whether he will now let this House and the public know what it is?

It has been indicated in previous answers that the Government does not propose, at the present time, to issue a general statement of agricultural policy. So far as Scotland is concerned, numerous agricultural questions have been engaging my attention. As the hon. and gallant Member knows, I have already introduced a Bill dealing with drainage, appointed a Committee to examine the important question of agricultural cooperation, and taken steps to accelerate the process of land settlement to the maximum extent of the funds available. Improvements in marketing agricultural produce are in course of development. Proposals are under consideration with a view to putting the agricultural colleges on a better footing. I am also taking steps to facilitate development in agricultural research, and surveys and enquiries into the economic position of agriculture are proceeding. I have also made it my business to hear representatives of the industry on various questions which they wished to bring before the Government and which are now receiving my consideration including the question of improving the position of the agricultural tenant under the Agricultural Holdings Acts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when we shall have an opportunity of discussing the agricultural policy of the Government?

Now that we know that farming is going to be made to pay in Scotland—[ Interruption ].

May I have an answer to my question as to when we shall have an opportunity of discussing the agricultural policy of the Government in Scotland?

In answer to the question put by my hon. and gallant Friend, all I can say is that he has been referred to the Prime Minister on that point.

Will the Secretary of State for Scotland ask the Prime Minister to consult the various Members of his party who have been so lucky in the ballot for Motions with a view to securing a discussion of this question?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for enlargements of holdings in Caithness and Sutherland are outstanding; and how many of these applications he proposes to satisfy on or before Whit-Sunday, 1930?

The answer to the first part of the question is 1,004. As regards the second part, schemes under development will, it is hoped, satisfy 34 applicants on or before Whit-Sunday, 1930.

In view of the relative cheapness of land, will the right hon. Gentleman make a special effort to make some headway in dealing with this very large number of unsatisfied applicants?

I have already informed my hon. and gallant Friend that I am speeding up the development of small holdings to the maximum.

How many of the 34 applicants who have been referred to are ex-service men?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has done anything to promote the use of probationary methods since his accession to office and, if so, what?

A Bill dealing with probation in Scotland is at present being prepared, and my right hon. Friend hopes to introduce it when Parliamentary time permits.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to state the extent of the damage to the East Anglian herring fleet arising from the storm of 11th November; what are the results of the steps he has taken to deal with the situation; and whether any and, if so, what further Government action is deemed necessary?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now supply the complete figures showing the losses sustained by the Scottish fishermen during the recent disaster off the East Anglian coast?

Particulars of losses of individual boats collected by officers of. the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries from the fish salemen at Yarmouth and Lowestoft show that 571 boats in all were involved. Of these 542 were registered in Scotland or were on hire to Scottish crews. According to the information in my possession the total number of nets lost by the Scottish fishermen was approximately 27,800 allowing for some nets spoilt or damaged. In addition about 300 warps were lost also about 6,000 buffs of which some may yet be recovered. Assuming that the average values of the nets, warps and buffs were £2, £6 and 5s. respectively the actual loss would be about £60,000. The cost of replacing the nets, warps and buffs would be about £143,000. The Lord Provosts' Funds launched last week at my suggestion have already reached a total of nearly £13,000. This total is growing daily as the organisation of the appeal proceeds and a wider and wider circle is reached. With regard to the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, I regard it as inexpedient that I should say more than that I believe the best interests of the fishermen would be served if everyone concerned concentrated on giving the utmost support to the Funds which the Lord Provosts have launched.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this fund would get very great help if the Government would give some indication as to whether they propose to supplement the fund?

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland not aware that there is a very strong feeling in Scotland that the Government should come forward with some proposals for assistance, because it would very largely increase the chance of success of the fund if the Government would state what are their intentions?

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the resolution which has been passed by a meeting in Aberdeen convened for the purpose of inaugurating a public fund, drawing attention to the magnitude of the losses, stating that the money likely to be raised by private subscriptions would not be sufficient, and calling upon the Government, without delay, to indicate to what extent, and in what manner, they are prepared to supplement these public subscriptions?

My attention has been called to the resolutions which have been passed at several meetings and to the statements made by responsible officials of the Scottish Herring Fishermen's Association. The expressions of opinion contained in those resolutions are of a mixed character. One communication agrees with the resolution which has been referred to by the hon. Baronet the Member for South Aberdeen (Sir F. Thomson). Another communication has been received from the President of the Scottish Herring Fishermen's Association, stating that he thought the Govern- ment had acted promptly and on right lines. The Secretary of that Association also stated that he believed that the Government, in the action that they propose taking, were proceeding on the right lines, and that their efforts would be appreciated in every part of Scotland.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not recall the fact that, in the case of the catastrophe which occurred in the mining areas, the Government came forward with a proposal giving £1 for every £1 subscribed by the public?

In reply to the right hon. Gentleman, I would remind him that I have had several questions of that kind put to me, and I want to deal with them. The contribution that was made to the miners was not a contribution to replace the instruments of production used in their particular industry. The contributions made to the miners by the late Government was made to save a certain section of the people of this country from actual starvation, and they were not made to replace the instruments of production.

Is it not quite obvious that these fishermen will certainly be faced with starvation if the Government do not give them assistance?

Will the Secretary of State for Scotland pay attention to some facts which I will bring to his notice in connection with actual cases in some of the villages of Ross-shire, where the men have lost everything and are now in an actual state of destitution?

I am quite prepared to deal with the question of destitution when it arises, but that is not the point which has been put to me. The question which has been put to me for weeks past refers to a contribution to the fishermen, and it is claimed that that is on all-fours with the case of the contribution which was made to the Miners' Fund. That is not so. I think I have satisfied the House that there is a great difference between the two.

Several HON. MEMBERS rose —

We cannot continue discussing one question all the afternoon.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can announce the conditions under which it is proposed to remit certain loans to fisher harbour authorities in Scotland; and whether he will issue a White Paper on the subject for the information of the harbour authorities?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the conditions attached to the offer made by the Government for the part remission of debts on Scottish harbours?

The conditions attaching to the offers of part remission of debt due from certain Scottish fishery harbours to the Development Fund have already been notified to the harbours concerned. Full information on the subject will be given in the general statement which will very shortly be issued.

Is the hon. Member aware that when a statement was made on Wednesday last with regard to fisheries, the Secretary of State for Scotland indicated that the conditions were somewhat intricate, and that he had not time to deal with them then, hut that they ought to be available to the House. Is it not possible for the whole of the House to have the information?

The hon. Member did not hear all my answer. I said that full information on the subject will be given in the general statement which will very shortly be issued. [HON. MEMBERS: "When?"] Very shortly.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is in a position to make a statement with reference to the promotion of future legislation with regard to the work that is to be undertaken for land drainage, so that such work may make an early contribution to the unemployment problem; and whether the Government has fixed a definite date for the increased work which is to be undertaken by the Forestry Commission, for which an increased grant of £3,500,000 has been made?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on the 31st October last to the hon. and gallant Member for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage), and that given yesterday to the hon. Member for Horncastle (Mr. Haslam). As regards the second part of the question, the Forestry Commissioners' planting programme for the 10 years now beginning has been increased from 237,000 acres to 353,000, and the forest workers' holdings programme for the 10 years has been increased from 1,500 houses and holdings to 3,000. Work is proceeding actively in accordance with this scheme.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give a list of the staff attached to his Department for the purpose of dealing with unemployment; and what specific duties are delegated to the First Commissioner of Works and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster?

Details of the staff employed in my office were contained in the Supplementary Estimate introduced on 4th November. Since that date one principal officer, one assistant principal, and one shorthand typist have been added. As regards the second part, my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works, and my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, are giving me in various ways the benefit of their assistance and advice. Their duties are not confined to any specific aspects of my work.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what is the cost of this extra staff?

If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question, I will tell him the extra cost of these people.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the largest number of men which it is estimated will be employed at any one time during the next six months on the Manchester waterworks scheme?

A grant for this scheme has been provisionally approved, but I understand that no definite date has been fixed for the commencement of the work. I am unable, therefore, to give the information required.

Seeing that this scheme is to involve an expenditure of £5,000,000, or very nearly half the total amount which the Lord Privy Seal told us was being provided for all the schemes sanctioned by the Unemployment Grants Committee, does he mean to say that, as regards one-half of that vast sum of money, there are no plans for employing men during this coming winter?

The municipality itself is responsible, and will always be responsible, for its own schemes. I did in this case all that I can, that is to say, I met their own wish by increasing the late Government's grant from 26 per cent. to 32 per cent. They accepted that offer from me. I urged upon them the necessity of getting on with the work. I have written to them, and even sent someone to Manchester to see them, and, therefore, I can do no more.

In other words, the right hon. Gentleman is trying to carry out the programme of his predecessors.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the date when the unemployed schemes for the Dudley area will start their operations?

It is understood that the Dudley Corporation have four schemes of road and bridge work, estimated to cost £87,260, under consideration. Formal applications have not been received. A scheme of road work estimated to cost £2,769 is already in hand. In addition, the Unemployment Grants Committee have recently received applications from the Dudley Town Council in respect of live schemes estimated to cost £25,800. These applications are being considered by the Committee in consultation with the appropriate Government Departments concerned, and decisions will be conveyed to the Council at the earliest possible date.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Govern- ment have now any proposals to make in relation to the employment of women?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 11th November to the Noble Lord the Member for Aldershot (Viscount Wolmer), of which I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that reply was to the effect that he had not the slightest idea?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any progress has been made with the scheme to reduce unemployment by bringing new industries into the distressed areas?

The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that it must be primarily a matter for industry itself to choose its location, and that it is extremely difficult to attempt to influence this freedom of choice. I can assure him, however, that I am exploring every avenue with a view to seeing to what extent it may be practicable to attract industry into the distressed areas.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the last five years over 50 new factories have been built in this country, and will he not pursue the same method?

When the right hon. Gentleman made a statement to the House of Commons some months ago that he was proposing to give inducements to industries to establish themselves in distressed areas, had he in mind any scheme of any kind in order to induce them to do so?

Yes, I had two; I will give one to the House. I was hoping to be able, in the distressed area of Glamorgan, to get a silk factory started—

Hear, hear!

I believe I could have succeeded, but the difficulty was not the fault of the Government; there were peculiarities in the water which, when it was examined, made it impossible. There are many other ways which I have discussed with individual employers, because I take the view that, if I can get industries started in the distressed areas, it is far better.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the other scheme was?

Has the right hon. Gentleman addressed himself to local authorities with a view to encouraging industries—

Bear-Admiral Sueter.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of men thrown out of employment by the Government's decision to cancel or slow down the building of warships; and whether alternative work has been found for all these men?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply which I gave on the 31st October to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald), and to that given by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty on the 4th November to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha).

Is it not the fact that the answer given to me on that occasion was to the effect that the right hon. Gentleman was doing absolutely nothing?

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the promised White Paper giving the amounts of any loans, guarantees, or subsidies for which His Majesty's Government has (become responsible through various schemes sanctioned by his Department since June last, will be available at the Vote Office?

I hope this Paper will be laid next week.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the increasing figures of unemployment, he is causing an investigation to be made as to the reasons and the industries and areas responsible for the increase; and, if not, whether, with a view to checking such increases on the spot, he will initiate an immediate inquiry on the lines indicated?

I do not think an inquiry on the lines indicated is necessary. Information is already available regarding the industries and the areas in which variations in the numbers of unemployed are occurring, together with the reasons for the variations. A considerable amount of material on the subject is published each month in the Ministry of Labour Gazette. The increases in recent weeks are the normal seasonal increases, and are, indeed, for the period since the present Government took office, considerably less than during the corresponding period last year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the figures for 1927, when there was a considerable decrease at this time?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is the Government's policy to develop and encourage our export trade as a permanent remedy for unemployment; and, if so, what steps have already been taken by the Government in this direction?

As I have already said on more than one occasion, the only real and permanent remedy for unemployment lies in the expansion of our trade, both at home and abroad. It is the Government's policy to encourage by every means in their power the development of our export trade, and with this end in view I am in constant touch with the representatives of various industries in order to ascertain from them what are their difficulties and in what way the Government can properly help. The hon. Member will be aware of my efforts in connection with the coal and steel trades. Also, I have already met the representatives of the motor, shipbuilding and electrical trades, and I hope, as opportunity offers, to meet the representatives of many other industries in this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask firms engaged in the export trade whether it is not a fact that the dullness of the export trade is due to the fact that goods are too dear, owing to taxes put on by the opposite side?

I have discussed this aspect of the question with the Gentlemen whom the hon. Gentleman mentions, but it would be news to them that the taxes which they are bearing to-day were put on by any other than the last Government.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that last year the export of goods from this country exceeded imports by £150,000,000. [HON. MEMBERS: "NO!"]—those are the Board of Trade figures—and that any surplus of exports over imports represents a definite export of capital—

The hon. Member is giving information and not asking it.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if any system of organised publicity is being set up to increase the sale of British manufactured goods in the overseas market; and if he has given consideration to proposals which have been put before him with this object in view?

Various proposals of this character have been put before me, and I am giving the whole matter my careful consideration. The best publicity which can be given to British trade overseas is the public assertion by leaders of industry and commerce of our unimpaired capacity to compete in the world's markets.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider an alteration of the method whereby the Empire Marketing Board is not allowed to advertise manufactured goods?

If the hon. Member will send me any details, I will certainly look into that.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of men who will be given employment directly and indirectly, respectively, and for what period, in respect of schemes sanctioned and schemes under consideration, respectively, in the programme announced by him on 4th November, 1929?

I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper which I hope to lay next week.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, having regard to his recent declaration, the policy of the Government with regard to unemployment includes giving bigger pensions to old people to induce them to retire; and, if so, when the Government intends to introduce legislation to that effect?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply which I gave on Tuesday last to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the fact that useful schemes for providing employment could be carried out with the co-operation of private interests concerned with local authorities; what steps, if any, he is taking to bring the parties together; and whether he will investigate the position of the Fisher Fleet at Lynn, which could be largely improved and developed with some measure of Government aid?

If the Noble Lord will send me particulars of any useful schemes which are being held up for lack of co-operation between local authorities and private interests. I will certainly look into the position. As regards the last part of the question, the inlet known as the Fisher Fleet at King's Lynn has recently been investigated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. If the responsible authority will make an application for assistance to improve the Fisher Fleet, it will be carefully considered.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, seeing that Part II of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, applies to statutory bodies carrying on undertakings under statutory powers otherwise than for profit, the Government will consider the giving of assistance in suitable cases towards sinking fund and interest charges, as contemplated in Section 4 of the said Act, to statutory harbour authorities who have made application for assistance in carrying out works calculated to promote economic development and to give employment?

The present Government have offered improved terms for certain revenue-producing works such as harbour works. Under the new terms the assistance afforded has been raised from the equivalent of about 26 per cent. of the capital cost to about 32 per cent. As indicated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for North Midlothian (Major Colville) on 12th November, these terms, which are more generous than any previously offered, must be regarded as the final offer of the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, though he called on harbour authorities to produce schemes of development, the terms which he offers are in most cases useless to them?

On the contrary, the very fact of a big scheme coming from Scotland within the last few days is the best evidence that they at least look upon it as useful.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider other Scottish schemes if I put them before him?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to. a proposal for the increased use of the River Thames for passenger traffic; and whether, in order to provide employment and to increase the facilities for travel to the citizens of London, he will consult with the local authorities concerned with a view to furthering the accomplishment of the project?

I am aware that suggestions of this kind have been made from time to time. While I should welcome a passenger boat service on the River Thames as an addition to the amenities of London, the initiative in a matter of this kind must be taken by the local authorities and other interests concerned.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company proposes to close down the branch line between Muid-of-Ord and Fortrose; and will he make grants to the railway company conditional on their not reducing existing facilities and creating more unemployment?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that this proposal is under consideration, as the traffic has diminished to such an extent that the working of the section is uneconomic. As regards the second part, the Committee of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, take all relevant factors into consideration, and I am not prepared to stipulate for the continuance of uneconomic services as a condition of a development grant under that Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very retrograde step, and that it is going to cause a great deal of inconvenience to the whole industrial community?

I know nothing of the details. The only answer I can give is that I will not be a party to using Government money to continue something that has proved to be uneconomic.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider that a railway line, though uneconomic, may still be made useful to the inhabitants by laying it down as a motor track and running a motor service?

rose —

We cannot have a Debate on every question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of meetings held by the advisory committee appointed under the Cinematograph Films Act since the appointment of this committee?

Nineteen, Sir.

Does the committee meet at regular intervals or only when there is special need?

I am not quite sure, but I understand that there are regular meetings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the advisory committee appointed under the Cinematograph Films Act in which it is stated that they, the advisory committee, are of the opinion that any attempts on the part of either manufacturers of apparatus or distributors of films to impose preferential conditions in restraint of trade are directly opposed to the intentions of the Cinematograph Films Act and the development of British film production; and can he state what action his Department is taking to give effect to this resolution?

The position remains as indicated in the answer given on 5th November to a previous question by my hon. Friend on the same subject.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that, since the introduction of the Act, talking films and sound apparatus have been introduced into the trade? Does he not think something ought to be done to protect British interests?

The recommendation of the Advisory Committee was that steps should be taken to prevent monopoly in sound-recording apparatus, but, since that time, the situation has improved, and it is now doubtful whether there is an effective monopoly.

What steps have been taken by the Department to carry out the recommendation of the Advisory Committee?

The matter has been constantly before me, but I have indicated that I cannot possibly promise fresh legislation on the subject.

rose —

We are getting on very slowly.

On a point of Order. May I ask you, Sir, to see that hon. Members on this side of the House who wish to put Supplementary questions have their ration?

I do not understand what the hon. and gallant Gentleman means.

On that point of Order. This is the fifth occasion within a week that I have been stopped on a supplementary question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can present to the House statistics showing the value of foreign goods imported in British and foreign ships, respectively, during 1928 or the latest available year; the value of goods from British possessions imported in British and foreign ships, respectively; and the value of exported goods carried in British and foreign ships to foreign countries and British possessions respectively?

The information desired is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the financial crisis in America, he is considering any action calculated to protect the British motor-car industry against exceptional dumping of American pleasure cars next spring?

If the hon. Member is referring to import duties, I am afraid I can add nothing to the statements which have already been made by the Government on that subject.

Are there any other steps proposed?

This matter is engaging our attention. Any steps that can be taken, outside the imposition of import duties, will certainly be very fully examined.

Has the right hon. Gentleman in mind any other step of any kind that can be taken?

I could not possibly deal with that point in answer to a supplementary question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the success attending the scheme of commodity publicity organised by the Canadian Government in this country, he will consider setting up an organisation on similar lines in the various Dominions for the publicity of British goods there?

While I do not think that the organisation referred to by the hon. Member would be entirely suitable for the publicity of British goods in the Dominions, I am considering somewhat similar proposals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what action he proposes to take on the recommendation on page 280 of the final Report of the Committee on Industry and Trade, to the effect 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;

(2) whether he proposes to take any steps to give effect to the recommendation on page 279 of the final Report of the Committee on Industry and Trade, to the effect that all safeguarded industries should be under statutory obligation to furnish periodically delivery to the Board of Trade of such efficient statistics as would enable their position to be followed and valid conclusions to be drawn as to the effect of safeguarding on each industry concerned?

I fear I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to similar questions by the hon. and gallant Member on the 23rd July.

In view of the fact that this Committee was appointed by the Socialist Government and the existing Prime Minister, and also in view of the fact that that report was given, is it intended to take any steps to find out the effects of unemployment in these industries before altering the policy.

The point is not really as put by my hon. and gallant Friend. The real reply is that the Government decided, after full consideration, not to proceed further in the terms of the White Paper, and, that being so, it would be perfectly futile to waste public money to make these inquiries.

If it is the determined policy of the Government to recommend to this House that no duties should be either retained or reimposed, is it not plainly their duty to obtain from industry the information which will justify that policy to the House?

I gave the right hon. Gentleman a very clear reply to that point in July. I expressly stated that the fullest information would always be collected in the Department. That is altogether different from any question of going back on our decision as regards the White Paper.

rose —

I am afraid that, if so much time is taken up by supplementary questions, it will have to be considered whether they should be curtailed altogether.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to state what arrangements have been made with reference to the appointment of an economic general staff?

(Mr. Ramsay Macdonald): I cannot usefully add anything to the answer which I gave on 24th July last to the hon. Member for the City of Chester (Sir C. Cayzer) except that certain pressing pieces of work which would be undertaken by such a body are being done meanwhile by specially appointed committees.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that such a body would be of great assistance to the Lord Privy Seal in the arduous duties that he is. carrying out?

Not only to one Department. As the hon. Member knows, if it was very carefully considered by a well-selected Committee like this, it would be of great assistance to the-whole nation. That means that its composition and terms of reference have to be very carefully considered, and, in the meantime, the pressing things that will come within its purview are not being neglected, and I have appointed special advisers to help me.

asked the Prime Minister if the Report of the Committee of Experts now sitting upon the legal relationship of the Empire as affected by the resolution passed by the last Imperial Conference will be laid?

As indicated in the reply which the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs gave to the hon. and gallant Member for North-West Hull (Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward) on 13th November, the Conference on the Operation of Dominion Legislation and Merchant Shipping Legislation is still sitting and I cannot at present say when its work is likely to be finished. The question of publication of any Report which may be made will be a matter for consideration by the respective Governments in consultation as soon as the Conference has completed its labours.

Will the Report be communicated to His Majesty's Government or also to the Governments in the Dominions?

The Committee's findings and its Report will be communicated to all the Governments, because the Governments are officially represented on the Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer out of the total of £233,000,000 subscribed in Five per cent. Conversion Loan, how much was subscribed for by Government Departments or with funds controlled by them?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion, if any, of the recent Conversion Loan was subscribed by the Public Trustee or by other Departments under the supervision of the Treasury?

While I know of no precedent for the publication of information of this character, I have no objection to stating that the total amount of subscriptions to the loan by Government Departments or from funds controlled by them fell slightly short of £4,000,000, of which, roughly £2,500,000 represented Five and a half per cent. Treasury Bonds tendered in payment. These figures include the Department of the Public Trustee, but I should make it clear in this connection that that Department is not under the supervision of the Treasury; nor, of course, are the Crown Agents for the Colonies, or several other Departments which invest in securities.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the effect of the speech made by the Secretary of State for War last night on the War Loan interest?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what will be the saving in interest on the National Debt as a result of the issue of the 5 per cent. Conversion Loan;

(2) how the issue of 5 per cent. Conversion Loan will affect the nominal capital sum of the National Debt?

I cannot state the effect on the interest charge with precision as the interest on the floating debt varies. The saving of interest on the 5½ per cent. Treasury Bonds tendered in payment for the new loan is roughly counterbalanced by the increase of interest following upon the maturity of 3 per cent. and 4½ per cent. bonds in January and February next. On the falling in of the balance of the May maturity of 5½ per cent. Treasury Bonds I anticipate an interest saving of over £250,000. Unlike loans at a discount, the present issue will not increase the nominal total of the National Debt, which will remain unaltered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the annual benefit to the Exchequer arising from the deduction of Income Tax at the source on the 5 per cent. Conversion Stock issued in exchange for War Loan Stock?

It would, I fear, be impracticable to make any precise estimate, particularly as part of the 5 per cent. War Loan converted might be in the form of bearer securities already subject to tax deduction at the source, but generally speaking, tax deduction at the source is universally recognised as of great advantage to the Exchequer which gains in the earlier payment of the tax, in the stoppage of any evasion, and above all, by the economy and efficiency of this method of collection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any of the proposals submitted to the Eastern Reparations Conference at Paris involved any increase or extension of the schedule of payments for reparations by Bulgaria or Hungary; by what countries such proposals were made and by whom supported; what was the attitude of the British representative to such proposals; and whether he will lay papers covering the whole proceedings of this conference?

The Committees appointed in accordance with the Hague Conference Protocol of 31st August, 1929, including the Committee on Non-German Reparation, are presenting their reports to the President of the Conference for consideration by the Conference when it reassembles. The question of publishing these reports is one to be decided by the Governments represented at the Conference as a whole, and not by His Majesty's Government alone: pending such publication it is, of course, not possible for His Majesty's Government to present papers to Parliament, nor to make any statement on the proceedings of the committees.

Is it not possible for this House to be told what policy was adopted on a matter of very great importance by British representatives at this Conference?

I do not think that it is possible to do that. As a matter of fact, I have not yet had the report of the Committee brought to my notice.

When the reports are received, will the right hon. Gentleman approach the other Governments concerned, so that we may be informed as to what the decision is before the new Conference meets?

As I stated in reply to the first question, when the reports are received, they will be considered by the respective Governments, and it is not improbable that matters may arise which will necessitate some communications or negotiations between these Governments prior to the meeting of the Hague Conference.

I am asking the right hon. Gentleman whether this House will have an opportunity of discussing the policy of the Government in this vitally important matter before decisions are taken at another international conference which may be of very great danger to this country and to the rest of Europe?

No, I do not say that it is either possible or desirable that the House of Commons should discuss matters of such a highly technical character as are involved in these reports. Surely, this is a question in which the House of Commons might trust the Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount paid in interest in War Loan to persons or groups with holdings of £100 or over in registered and inscribed Five per cent. War Stock; and the total amount paid to holders of less than £100 registered and inscribed Five per cent. War Stock?

I regret that to obtain the information asked for by my hon. Friend would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour, and I am afraid that I cannot add to the reply given to him on the 20th November.

If it is within the power of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide information as to how many people have money invested to the amount of £1,000, surely he ought to be in a position to give the further information for which I have asked.

I made inquiries into this matter, and I found that it would take 16 men a whole day to go through the records, and I do not think that the value of the information, when it was given, would be sufficient to justify the trouble and expense.

Seeing that this is a matter of very urgent public interest and that the House cannot discuss how to deal with the War Loan without it, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision as to whether it is not worth while?

No, I shall certainly not reconsider it. I gave very considerable attention to it this morning, and I do not think the information obtained would be worth the trouble.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that rich men have been hiding behind the poor widow with £100?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will, in the interests of the revenue, consider charging interest on income tax and surtax in arrears?

The Royal Commission on the Income Tax of 1920 considered this proposal and rejected it. I see no reason to dissent from their view.