asked the Lord Privy Seal in view of the agreement come to between the trade unions and the employers with regard to the use of automatic looms in the cotton and artificial silk trades, what measure of financial assistance he will be prepared to advise in order to help employers with the cost of installation?

As I informed the hon. Member for Pudsey and Otley (Mr. G. Gibson) on 28th January, it is for the leaders of the industries concerned to formulate proposals for re-organisation, but I shall, of course, be ready to co-operate.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman has made some arrangement with the banks, by which something might be done in reference to finance?

Yes, and those engaged in industry not only know it, but are availing themselves of it daily. The hon. Member, however, will quite understand that it would not be proper for me, across the Floor of the House, to name any particular mill or factory.

In view of the fact that this question asks for assistance to employers, will the right hon. Gentleman have due regard to the fact that employés are going to be put out of work as a result of the operation of automatic looms—that they are asking in Lancashire that the weavers should operate eight looms, as against four before this was introduced?

asked the Lord Privy Seal which are the trades in which the effect of his plans to increase the export trade will be seen in the unemployment returns?

As I have repeatedly stated, the Government's policy is to encourage by every means possible the expansion of British trade both in home and in overseas markets, and with this object in view I am continuing my discussions with the representatives of industry in order that any steps which the Government can properly take to stimulate and facilitate trade shall be taken. The hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that a policy of this kind, which is calculated to have general results, cannot affect the unemployment figures immediately.

Is the right hon. Gentleman yet in a position to make any statement with regard to assistance to the motor-car and motor-cycle export trade?

I am not yet able to indicate what precise steps are being taken, but I will go so far as to say that internal arrangements are being made by this; industry.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is not impressed by the conversion of the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) from the Free Trade point of view?

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into serious consideration the representations made to him the other day by representatives of the motor-cycle and motor-car industry?

I always treat very seriously representations made to me from all industries.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, whether he can now state the result of his inquiries with reference to the recent purchase of German machinery by the Scottish Wholesale Co-operative Society?

My inquiries are not yet complete.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any new Parliamentary proposals to communicate to the House, with a view to mitigating unemployment?

I am continuing to develop the policy outlined in the reply which I gave to the right hon. Gentleman on the 2lst January.

Is there any probability of anything definite coming, so far as new proposals are concerned, from the suggestions made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and other Ministers?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received the Report upon colonisation and employment opportunities in British Columbia which, as a result of his visit to Canada, he was to receive from the Premier of British Columbia; and whether he proposes to publish this Report now or when received?

I have not yet received the full Report from the Premier of British Columbia.

May I have an answer to the last part of the question, as to whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to publish the Report?

I have not seen the Report, and, obviously, I could not talk about publishing something until I have seen it.

Has the Lord Privy Seal any information as to the placing of the contract for five ships for the Canadian trade?

I informed the House, when I was last questioned, that I had received a letter from the builder, who informed me that they had reached the stage of completing a final contract. The right hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that since that—in fact, this morning—I have received the first definite information of an order for 40,000 tons of coal to be shipped immediately from this country when the St. Lawrence is open. That is soft coal, in addition to the hard coal.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to reply to my question, which was as to whether the contract for these ships had been placed?

I have informed the right hon. Gentleman precisely as to the position, and I have nothing to add. The right hon. Gentleman, I think, was not in the House when I made my first intimation. I then informed the House that it was dependent upon definite contracts being obtained. This is the first time, although it has taken months to complete the negotiations, that I am in a position to say definitely that 40,000 tons, as a start, have been ordered.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us from which district the 40,000 tons of coal are to be taken?

Mr. Somerville.

On a point of Order. I have asked a simple supplementary question, cannot I have an answer?

I hope to be in a position to tell the House definitely from what part of the country the coal will come, but I am not in a position to say definitely at this moment.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the White Paper, which was promised for last week, stating the public works approved for grant by the Unemployment Grants Committee, may be expected; and whether the estimated cost, the amount of employment provided, and the degree of anticipation will be stated in each case?

The issue of this Paper has been postponed in order that particulars of certain schemes now under consideration might be included in it. I hope that it will now be issued early in March. As regards the last part of the question, the particulars given of schemes approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee will be on similar lines to those contained in the earlier Paper.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us rather more specific information than is contained in the earlier Paper as to the three items mentioned in the last part of the question? I am sure that such information would be of interest to every Member of the House.

I will endeavour to give all the information that is possible in the White Paper.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the amount of unemployment among metal miners, particularly in the tin mines of Cornwall and in the lead and barytes mines of Shropshire; and, in view of the schemes now being considered by the Government with a view to assisting other distressed industries, if he will take such steps as may be practicable to help the metalliferous mining industry in particular?

I am aware that there is some unemployment among men engaged in the metalliferous mines, and if any practical suggestions are put forward to me to deal with this situation I shall be happy to consider them.

In view of the negotiations which are taking place in regard to rationalisation, can the right hon. Gentleman give those in the industry any definite assurance of favourable consideration by the Government for any concrete schemes?

It would be absurd for me to make any offer in circumstances such as those of question and answer, without knowing anything of the proposals that were being submitted. In reply to the question on the Paper, I have said that, if any of these proposals are made, they will be considered, and beyond that I cannot go.

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet begun to apply his mind to the question of the position of the tin mines in Cornwall, which is very important?

Has the right hon. Gentleman had a request that he should receive a deputation representing the tin-mining industry of Cornwall, and is it likely that arrangements for receiving the deputation will be made soon?

I cannot remember having received such a request. There may be one in, but I have not yet seen it.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman's officers receive a deputation the week before last, and are they not now considering the whole of the proposals?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Penistone, in view of the closing of the iron and steel works in that town, as part of the rationalisation of the iron and steel trade in that town may be classified as a distressed area and share in such facilities as are available for distressed areas?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has decided that, in the circumstances, the facilities that have been available to workpeople in certain depressed areas to enable them to take employment elsewhere shall be extended to the unemployed workpeople at Penistone.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he cam state the number of public works schemes in operation in the Division of Penistone, with details and the number of men employed; and the number of schemes at present under consideration, with details and the local authorities concerned?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether there are any plans in his Department for the rationalisation of the Northampton footwear industry?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the question addressed to him on this subject by the hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Womersley).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Duchy advocated rationalisation as a cure for the troubles of the footwear industry, and, if he has no plans, what does he intend doing about it?

I myself saw the representatives of this industry and heard the case presented and discussed many matters affecting the industry with them.

Is the right Ion. Gentleman aware that many people in the boot industry think it very necessary to start considering the future, and would it not have been a good thing if coal cotton, and other industries had started thinking before they got into their present parlous condition?

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can give the House any information concerning his recent discussions with representatives of the Canadian wheat pool?

My discussions with the wheat pool and with representatives of the millers chiefly concerned the possibility of securing greater regularity in the shipment of wheat during the St. Lawrence season in order that ships going out might quote a freight rate for outward cargo based on the certainty of a return cargo. It was not found possible to make any definite agreement to this end, but I have every hope that these conversations will lead to a more regular exchange of Canadian wheat for British products.

Are the interests of the English wheat producer being properly safeguarded?

asked the Prime Minister if any inquiry is being conducted into the question of a general reduction of hours of labour in this country as a contribution towards easing the unemployment problem; and if any legislation is to be introduced in this direction and, if so, to what extent and When?

An inquiry of the kind referred to is not being conducted, and beyond the Bill in connection with the Washington Hours Convention and the Factories Bill, no legislation of this kind is at present contemplated.

Can the Prime Minister say when the Bill dealing with the Washington Convention is likely to be introduced?

Questions about that have been answered again and again. It is awaiting an opportunity.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the negotiations with the National Union of Railwaymen have been completed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is intended to introduce legislation for the nationalisation of mining royalties?

The Bill to deal with coal mining royalties will be introduced this Session, but in view of the pressure on Parliamentary time I cannot promise that it will be possible to make any further progress with the Bill before the end of July.

Is it intended to pass it into law next Session?

The intention is to pass it into law at the earliest possible moment, but the House will appreciate the congestion of business.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the passing of the Measure will increase employment?

It does not bear directly on employment, but it has a very important bearing on the coal mining industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total quantity of coal exported by all coal-producing countries in the world in the years 1911, 1912 and 1913, and in the years 1927, 1928 and 1929, respectively; and what proportion of such export trade was done by Great Britain?

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any statement to make regarding the explosion at the Wath Main Colliery?

I deeply regret to inform the House that an explosion occurred in this mine on Monday night, as a result of which three men were killed, four burnt very seriously, and three burnt less seriously. An initial explosion, which apparently occurred immediately after a fall of roof, was followed by a second and more violent explosion which caught the men as they were making to come out of the workings. The divisional inspector of mines and his assistants have already made investigations in the pit, and further investigations are in progress at this moment. The House will join with

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the information he asks for in the OFFICIAL REPORT

Will my hon. Friend ascertain whether there were in use at this particular colliery any automatic gas detectors?

That is a question which I could not answer without making inquiries.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that there is a large body of opinion in this country, particularly in the mining community, which no longer believes in a coroner's verdict of "Accidental death" in such cases as this?

There is a great body of opinion in favour of gas detectors, but in this particular case a fall of roof broke the lamp, and it would, therefore, have broken even a gas detector. That was the position of affairs, as far as I am aware at the present time.

I personally happen to have worked in that particular district, and is my hon. Friend not aware that an automatic gas detector is absolutely necessary, if the lives and the limbs of men are going to be made safe?

I agree completely with my hon. Friend that a proper, safe gas detector is a desirable thing. The matter is being explored very fully, and I trust there may be good results from it.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that the law relating to mines is this, that safety lamps are not given to men to allow them to work among gas, that the Act provides that there should be no gas where men are employed, and that these lamps are only given to men for safety in the case of a sudden inrush of gas? Will he ask the inspector to find out why that gas was present?

I must have notice of these questions, which are very technical questions.

Will my hon. Friend make a thorough investigation into the cause of this explosion, and report the same to the House?

A most thorough investigation is taking place now, and a further one, when the time is opportune, will take place also.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement as to the progress and proceedings of the Tariff Truce Congress?

The Tariff Conference met on 17th February, and the first week was occupied by a series of plenary meetings at which the delegates of the participating countries outlined their views. Two Committees have now been appointed, one to deal with the draft Convention for a tariff truce, and the other to draw up a programme of negotiations for collective agreements. These Committees are pursuing their tasks and are expected to report in the course of about a fortnight to the main conference.

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that anything more will happen than the appointment of committees?

I expect very excellent results.

Will the findings of these committees be submitted to the House before the Government arrives at any definite policy?

Not the findings of the two committees, which are committees of the conference at Geneva, but, if anything is proposed in final form, it will certainly come before the House, and I believe hon. Members opposite have given notice for a debate in the near future.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman be very happy if there are any findings at all?

There will be findings.

Whatever the result, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that meanwhile, during the truce, this country will be very gravely prejudiced?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the effect on trade and employment in Belfast of the cost of freights between Belfast and Liverpool and other United Kingdom ports; and whether he will consider setting up a Committee to investigate the matter?

I am not aware that any complaints have been made regarding freight rates between Belfast and Liverpool and other United Kingdom ports, but if the hon. Member has knowledge of such complaints and will supply me with details, I will consider the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider asking the Belfast Government to allocate some of the £8,000,000 they are getting from this House for the purpose?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any statistics available to show how the turnover of fancy lace finishers for 1929 compares with that of 1924–25?

The latest information available regarding the sales of lace was furnished on 5th November last in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. No separate particulars are available regarding fancy lace.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the uncertainty now prevailing at Nottingham? Does he really contemplate these duties coming to an end next July?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the rack-output of lace in Nottingham for each quarter in the years 1925 and 1929, respectively?

As has been explained in answer to previous questions, the Board of Trade are not in possession of complete figures of production covering all firma in the lace trade. Information covering a portion of the trade is supplied periodically to the Department through trade channels, but some of the particulars relating to 1929 have not yet been received. When these are available, I will communicate what information I can to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any representations respecting the injury to Lancashire cotton goods arising out of any increase in the import duty by the Indian Government; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action?

Since the Government of India instituted last July an inquiry into the import duties on cotton piece goods, I have maintained close touch with representatives of the cotton industry and have taken steps to let their views on the matter be known in the proper quarter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the Government have any power over the imposition of these duties in India?

I would remind the hon. and gallant Member of the Fiscal Autonomy Convention which is really the reply to his question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what representations have been made?

I must not enlarge on the question, but I can assure the hon. Member that the fullest representations that can properly be made have been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the amount of linen goods exported from Czechoslovakia into the United Kingdom during the last 12 months; whether he is aware that the wages paid in the Czechoslovakian linen industry are approximately 40 per cent. of the wages paid for the same categories of work in this country; and whether he proposes to take steps to safeguard the employment of British workers in this industry from the competition resulting from the low standard of wages maintained by Czechoslovakian manufacturers?

The imports of flax yarns registered as consigned from Czechoslovakia in 1929 were 412 tons, valued at £88,616, and of linen manufactures £19,280, as compared with a British output which, according to the last Census of Production, amounted in 1924 to 43,000 tons of yarns, and piece goods valued at 14 millions sterling. The figures of imports do not include articles of apparel, particulars for which are not separately recorded. As regards the second part of the question, the available information as to wages in the linen industry in Czechoslovakia is insufficient for the purpose of exact comparisons, but I am aware that wages generally in Czechoslovakia are substantially lower than in this country. As regards the third part of the question, I have nothing to add to previous statements as to the policy of the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what methods he is adopting to ensure that no yarn nor manufactured cotton-piece goods enter this country from Russia without his knowledge?

I have no reason to doubt that goods consigned to this country from Russia are so returned to the Customs authorities but, as has already been indicated, any individual cases of a different practice, of which the right hon. Gentleman may furnish particulars, will be fully investigated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman keeping his eye on the yams that come from Riga?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House the amount of yarn and cotton goods imported into this country from Japan for the last three years for which statistics are available and especially for the past few months?

On 13th February, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stockport (Mr. Hammersley, I cerculated in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the value of cotton merchandise of various descriptions imported during the past three years and registered as consigned from Japan. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this table and will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a corresponding table for the four months October to January last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the value and amount of Russian linen yarn dumped in Northern Ireland during the last year; whether he is aware of the unemployment in the spinning end

May we assume that the figures are increasing, and, if so, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it will be a good thing to put on a protective duty against those goods to help our workers in the cotton industry?

That is too big a question to go into at Question Time.

During the year 1929, the quantity of flax yam imported into Northern Ireland and registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) was 5,191 cwts., valued at £39,537. I have no information regarding the amount of unemployment in the various sections of the linen industry, for which as a whole the percentage unemployed in January last was 14.6. In September, 1929, according to official figures published by the Soviet the average hourly rate of all workers in the linen industry in Russia was 26.6 copecs (6.7 pence), and the spinners worked an average of 7½ hours a day. In Northern Ireland, female spinners earned 6d. an hour at a corresponding date, the normal working week being 48 hours.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the value of the copec is maintained on an artificial basis, and that it is worth about half its official value?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of the exports to Soviet Russia of agricultural machinery made in the United Kingdom for the period 30th November, 1929, to 31st January, 1930?

The total declared value of the exports of agricultural machinery and parts thereof manufactured in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered as consigned to the Soviet Union (Russia) during the months of December, 1929, and January, 1930, amounted to £847.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House at what date he expects to receive the report of the Commission set up to inquire into the conditions of the cotton trade?

In view of the exceptionally heavy Parliamentary duties of my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, I have invited my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to act as Chairman for the remainder of this inquiry. I understand that it is being pressed forward with all possible expedition.

Is the Prime Minister aware that not only the President of the Board of Trade but the First Lord of the Admiralty has been Chairman of this Committee, and does he expect the Committee to have a satisfactory report when no one single chairman has heard all the evidence?

I admit the difficulty, but at the same time I can assure the House that other methods have been taken so as to keep this inquiry going, and outside the inquiry efforts are being made to deal with the position.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is not necessary to keep the inquiry going but that it is necessary to have some practical results because the condition of Lancashire is so serious.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British seamen were left behind in foreign ports under sentence of imprisonment for offences against the law of the country in which they were sentenced during the years 1927, 1928, and 1929; and what arrangements are made for the repatriation of such seamen at the expiration of their sentences?

It is not practicable to give the information sought in the first part of the question without a long and expensive investigation. Arrangements are made by the British Consul at the foreign port for the repatriation of such seamen at the end of the term of imprisonment, and for maintenance prior to repatriation if that cannot be immediately provided.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British seamen were tried in the years 1927, 1928, and 1929 in foreign Courts on charges of offences against the Merchant Shipping Acts; how many were acquitted; how many were fined; and how many received sentences of imprisonment which were afterwards served in foreign prisons?

I have no record of any cases of the kind described in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will explain the issue of Notice 601 in the Hong Kong Government Gazette of the 22nd November, 1929, stating that Chinese nationals will be permitted to sit at the Board of Trade examinations for master, first mate, and chief engineer under the same conditions as laid down for British subjects; and whether this means that the Board of Trade Regulations which confine examinations for certificates of competency under the Merchant Shipping Act to British subjects have now been widened?

The arrangement made by Order No. 601 in the Hong Kong Government Gazette of the 22nd November, 1929, was approved at the instance of the Colonial authorities in Hong Kong. As to the effect of the arrangement, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies on the 19th February to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon).

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the last part of the question, as to whether this means that the Board of Trade Regulations, which confine examinations for certificates of competency to British subjects, have been widened?

No, Sir, I gather that in this case they do not receive a certificate of competency, which is restricted to British subjects, but that they receive in its place a letter signed by the examiner certifying that the examination has been passed. That is really the essence of the change.

Does that apply only to Chinese and not to any other nationals?

I prefer that that question should be put on the Paper.

Does this letter entitle them to serve as officers on British ships; and is it given in place of the Board of Trade certificate?

I should not like to reply finally to that question without notice, but I understand that that is not the case.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether it is not a fact that British subjects born in India, for example, are perfectly entitled to sit for these examinations and receive certificates as any other British subject?

That is quite new material. If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will gladly give him a reply.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the value of this letter if it does not enable the people who receive it to serve as mate and so on on British ships?

It is largely, as I understand it, a question of providing examination facilities, and this letter from the chief examiner is not a certificate of competency which can only be granted to British subjects.

What is the use of the letter? Has the letter any value or validity at all?

Oh. yes, certainly. I should think that it would have value, at all events, as showing that these examinations have been taken, and up to a point they are evidence of a certain level of competency.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the use of the letter, which, having been given, does not appear to qualify the recipient for anything at all?

It qualifies for service beyond question.

For what?

It must qualify for service in some capacity. I cannot this afternoon indicate to the right hon. Gentleman the precise way in which it can be used without notice of a question of that kind.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give particulars of any military tattoos that have been sanctioned by his Department for the year 1930?

The General Officers Commanding-in-Chief the Aldershot, Eastern, Northern and Southern Commands have authority, should they think fit, to permit a Command tattoo in 1930. I understand that in the Southern Command a tattoo will be held in August, and in the Aldershot Command in June, but that no definite derision has been reached in the other two Commands. Tattoos, other than the four mentioned above, may only be held with War Office authority, and up to the present, no such authority has been given for 1930.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the recent Government instruction to all Departments of State to buy British goods, it is his intention in future to purchase British meat and wheat for the Army?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to him on 20th February by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, to which I have nothing to add.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the case of a hospital which obtains money by supplying British wheat?

No. My attention has not been drawn to that. The hon. Member might do it for me.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the present position of the Albany Street barracks is suitable; and, if not, whether, considering the need for working-class housing in that district, he will entertain the suggestion of removing these barracks further from the centre of London?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it would be possible to transfer all the troops now accommodated at Albany Street barracks to other barracks within the London area and make this site available for house building and slum clearance?

While the position of the Albany Street barracks is not ideal for the purposes for which they are required it has not been possible to find suitable alternative accommodation except at prohibitive cost.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that weights carried by the private soldier, when in full marching order, have been increased during the past few years; and whether he is taking any steps to reduce these weights?

There has been no increase in the regulation weight carried by an infantry soldier during the last few years and there was a decrease of four pounds in 1924. The desirability of reducing the weight is fully recognised and the possibilities of doing so are under constant examination.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when there was an increase? Was it in the last two years?

In the War there was an increase.

Not since?

A decrease since.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will have a White Paper prepared giving the contents and boundaries of the electoral divisions of the respective counties, giving the number of county councillors for the respective counties, and the apportionment of these county councillors between the landward area and the burghs entitled to be represented on the county council, and the district committee areas with the number of members of the respective district committees?

The publication of a White Paper of the nature suggested by my hon. Friend would involve a considerable expenditure, and I do not think that its usefulness would justify the cost. The information referred to will be found in the Orders made under Section 8 and the schemes approved under Section 25 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, which have been or will be published in full in the Edinburgh Gazette.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons in Glasgow who have been removed to slum clearance houses from slum areas and how many have been unable to remain in the houses owing to inability to pay rent; and if he can state how many actions have been taken at the courts for arrears of rent?

A total of 3,963 families representing approximately 17,710 persons have been removed to houses provided under slum clearance schemes in Glasgow. The number of families who have left the houses owing to inability to pay rents is 281 of whom 165 left voluntarily and 116 were evicted. As regards the second part of the question, 615 actions have been taken in the courts for recovery of arrears of rent.

In view of the fact that these figures represent a fair number of persons who are unable to pay the rent, will the Under-Secretary make representations to the Glasgow Corporation to get a revision of the rents, which are fairly high?

That raises a big question of poverty and its relief, and it could not be adequately discussed by way of Question and Answer.

Cannot something be done with the Corporation of Glasgow with regard to a revision of rents, as has been done elsewhere?

Can the Under-Secretary say what period is covered by the figures?

The period of slum clearance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses that have been built by the Mid- lothian County Council under the respective Housing Acts and the districts in which they have been built; and if he is aware that a demand exists in the Roslin area of the Lasswade district which the county council are failing to meet?

As the answer to the question is somewhat long and involves

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to report to the House the result of his promised examination into the injurious effects of the alcoholic beverage known as red biddy; and whether he has any evidence to show that this intoxicant is produced in any substantial degree in Leith?

The inquiries which I have so far made indicate that there is a considerable sale of cheap red wines in Scotland and that the term "red biddy" is sometimes applied to such cheap red wine, and sometimes to a mixture of the wine and methylated or other spirits. There is no evidence of the manufacture or sale in Scotland of beverages containing such mixtures, but there is reason to believe that these mixtures are made by some purchasers of cheap red wine. The effects of such mixtures are