asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the approximate population, the mileage of roads, and the amount of money expended on the said roads, on the mainland part of the county of Ross and Cromarty for the last year during which the late county council functioned; and the corresponding figures for the island of Lewis during the same period?

As the reply involves a table of figures I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great many roads still requiring improvement, and will he take steps to see that some improvement is made?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that a large quantity of foreign manufactured woodwork is being used in State-aided housing schemes in Scotland; and, if so, what steps he is prepared to take to promote a greater use of articles of British manufacture?

I am aware of the recent increase in the figures for imported builders' woodwork. Notwithstanding Sub-section 1 of Section 10 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, which, so far as housing schemes under that Act are concerned, prohibits the imposition of any condition which would prevent materials from being purchased in the cheapest market either at home or abroad, a circular was issued by my Department on the 23rd December last urging local authorities in Scotland to make use to the utmost practicable extent of goods and materials of home production in the case of contracts entered into by them not only for houses but also for all other works. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the circular.

In view of the large number of joiners who are unemployed in Scotland at the present time, does not the hon. Gentleman think that it is time the Act was amended to make the use of British materials obligatory in these schemes?

The best answer that I can give to the question is to call attention to the terms of the circular of recommendations which I sent to the local authorities.

Has not the hon. Gentleman the power, in the case of imported goods made under unfair conditions, to deal with them in the same way as that which is provided by the Fair Wages Clause in respect of home work?

Yes, Sir. In certain cases goods made under these conditions can be prohibited altogether.

What are fair conditions of labour? Are they the conditions operating in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to state the names of the committee set up to inquire into the question of imprisonment for debt in Scotland?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now state the personnel of the committee he has promised to set up to inquire into the operation of hire purchase agreements in Scotland and the imprisonment of debtors for failure to maintain their payments, and the terms of reference to that committee?

I am in communication with certain parties whom I propose to appoint, but have not yet received their consent to serve, and I am not therefore in a position to announce the personnel of the committee. The terms of reference will be "To inquire into and report on the existing law relating to contracts of hire purchase, with reference particularly to the conditions commonly inserted in such contracts and the sanction of imprisonment by which such contracts may in certain circumstances be enforced, and to report thereon and on the question what amendments, if any, on the law or administration relating to such contracts are desirable."

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he will be in a position to give an answer if I put down another question in a week's time?

Do Scotsmen ever get into debt?

I hope that the Secretary of State for Scotland is going to see to it that persons other than lawyers are appointed to this committee. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because there are more of common humanity than just lawyers. That is the point.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that house factors in Glasgow are pasting notices inside rent books stating that the let is excluded from the operation of the Rent and Mortgage Restriction Acts, 1920 to 1925; and whether he will take steps to have such practice stopped?

My attention has been drawn to one or two instances of the practice referred to, and the matter is receiving consideration.

Can the Lord Advocate, in view of the facts which are coming before him, say whether any steps are going to be taken by the Government to impose a penalty in cases where the Act is not carried out?

That is one of the matters which are receiving consideration. I have no power, as Lord Advocate, to intervene; but, if it be the fact that in cases where no actual decontrol has taken place, notices have been pasted in the rent books to the effect that there has been decontrol, and if the tenants are being thereby induced to pay more than they ought to pay, the view of the Government is that it is the situation which calls for intervention, and the Government will take the necessary steps to deal with the matter.

Is it the opinion of the Government or of the Lord Advocate that the pasting of notices inside the rent books is an illegal act?

Undoubtedly. In every case where there is no decontrol, it is illegal in the sense that it is wrongfully inducing a tenant to pay more than he ought to pay, and it is an illegality for which the tenant has a remedy under the Statute as it at present stands. But the Government think that the tenants ought to have a further remedy by inserting some form of protection, and that is a matter which is receiving consideration.

Is it just a question of a tenant being compelled as his only remedy is to employ a lawyer, or are the Government going to see that he is not put to that expense?

At the present time the tenant must take such remedies as he has in the Law Courts, but the Government are considering whether some other form of remedy can be devised to prevent the necessity of the tenant going to a lawyer at all.

Is it not the case at the present time that the law provides for the prosecution of property owners who are taking more than the rent allowed under the Rent Restrictions Act? If that is so, is it not possible for prosecutions to take place under the direction of the Lord Advocate?

No, it is not a question of taking more rent than is due. The Statute supplies a remedy for that. It is a question of pasting notices in a rent book which are calculated to mislead the tenant into a false impression as to the rent he has to pay. That is the matter with which we are dealing.

Is not the Lord Advocate aware that in many of the cases where the notices have been pasted in the book, the property owner is taking more than the rent which is allowed, and why is the Lord Advocate not initiating prosecutions so as to give protection against such people.

If the hon. Member will bring specific instances to my notice instead of making general statements, I will have them properly investigated and appropriate steps taken.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware of the large increase in the quantity of foreign electrical goods and apparatus imported into this country during the last year; and if he will consider what steps can be taken to encourage a greater use of British appliances in the market that has been created by the Central Electricity Board?

Yes, Sir. I am a ware of the increase to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. It is in the main due to increased imports of the smaller type of appliance bought by the private user of electricity and wireless. The desirability of giving preference to British goods subject to reasonable price relationship has already been brought to general notice, and I trust that the British manufacturers and distributors will be alive to the importance of this new and expanding market.

Does not the Lord Privy Seal consider that it is a serious matter that this market which has been created largely by the work of the Central Electricity Board, should be captured by foreign manufacturers, and can he consider taking any other steps which might help?

The difference last year as compared with the previous year was approximately 2 per cent. It is true that the work of the Central Electricity Board has created a demand, and it is equally true that the Central Electricity Board have given all their contracts to British firms, as I have already said. In addition to that, I have drawn attention of the manufacturers to the importance of their taking advantage of the appetite which I created.

Is it not the case that British electrical appliances are the finest in the world?

Is the Lord Privy Seal aware that there will be a similar influx of imported lace when the duty is taken off that article?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the delay in proceeding with schemes of amalgamation in the Lancashire cotton trade; whether the causes for this state of affairs are to be found within the industry or in the policy pursued by the banks; and whether he will take steps to stimulate the efforts being made to place the cotton trade upon a sounder economic basis?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that, owing to financial obstacles, the reorganisation of the Lancashire cotton trade on the basis of large scale amalgamations is being retarded; and whether, in view of his promises of financial assistance to such schemes, he is able to announce any measures for overcoming the difficulties at present encountered?

I have no reason to think that any sound scheme for the reorganisation of the Lancashire cotton industry is being retarded by lack of finance. The question of the provision of finance for schemes of rationalisation is dealt with in the statement which I made on the 15th April, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), regarding the Bankers' Industrial Development Company, Limited. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that statement. As the House will be aware, the Government appointed last summer a Committee to investigate the cotton industry, and their report is expected very shortly. I hope before the end of this week.

When the report on the cotton trade is presented, will the Lord Privy Seal go to Lancashire with a view to calling together the employers and the employés to see what steps can be taken to implement the report and bring about a better state of things?

And when he goes down, as I hope he will, will he interview the leaders of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and take into account the vote they declared yesterday?

The last time I was in Manchester I thought it wise to interview those engaged in the industry. That I shall continue to do. With regard to the first supplementary question, I think the right way would be to take into conference freely and frankly both sides engaged in the cotton industry. Whether that will be my task time alone will determine.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any further steps have been taken towards the consummation of the projected commercial agreement between this country and the Argentine?

The agreement is awaiting the approval of the Argentine Senate.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been in communication with the Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates to ascertain how the scheme may affect them, in view of the possible extension of inter-Imperial trade in the future?

In reply to previous questions in the House, I have indicated that in connection with this agreement all factors were taken into account.

Has there been any difficulty with the Argentine Senate in sanctioning the agreement?

I would prefer not to offer an opinion. It is still awaiting the approval of the Senate, and I hope that it will be approved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the programme of reconstruction recently approved by the Portuguese Government for the development of land and water communications; and if he will make appropriate representations to the Portuguese authorities that, in view of the material support which this country has rendered from time to time to Portgual, British manufacturing firms should have sympathetic consideration for contracts which may follow when the reconstruction scheme comes into operation?

Reports have been received in regard to this programme and British firms are being kept informed. While His Majesty's Government are always prepared to take what action they usefully and properly can in support of the interests of British firms, I do not think that general representations such as the hon. Member suggests would serve any useful purpose.

If it comes to the knowledge of the right hon. Gentleman that definite schemes are in process at the instance of the Portuguese Government, will he make representations so that British manufacturers are given a full opportunity for tendering?

I have indicated in my reply that we are trying to do our best in connection with the terms. Certainly I shall spare no effort to that end.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring the matter to the notice of the Liberal party?

Chinese!

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the nature of the representations which have been made through the British Ambassador at Washington to the Government of the United States during the process of the tariff debate at Washington, with the object of safeguarding, so far as possible, the interest of British exporters of manufactured goods to that country in view of the proposed increase of import duties?

No formal representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to the Government of the United States, but as I have previously explained to the House certain memoranda respecting the trade in specific commodities which had been submitted by trade associations or firms in this country were communicated by Majesty's Embassy at Washington to the United States authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate to the House what is the procedure on the part of the Board of Trade when a foreign country takes steps to raise its tariff against goods from this country? Is there not some means of making representations?

I have indicated that in this case the representation on which information is gained has been communicated to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, and put before the appropriate committees or sections of the legislative committees of the United States Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the present position as regards the census of production?

I anticipate that the first of the volumes of the Final Report on the Third Census, covering the textile trades, will be issued in from two to three weeks from the present time. The volumes dealing with other groups of trades are being prepared with the greatest possible speed, and I hope that no unforeseen circumstances will delay their preparation and issue.

In view of the remarkably adverse change in circumstances since the census was set on foot, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the immediate setting up of a further census of production at the same time as the population census of 1931?

Preparations are now in hand for the census covering 1930, and I have already sanctioned much more than the preliminary efforts in that matter.

Do we understand that this production of the Government is out of date before it is issued?

No, that would be a very erroneous assumption. On the other hand, very careful analysis is necessary in order that the volume may not be open to the charge of inaccuracy in a matter which is most important to our trade.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will ascertain and state what are the terms of credit accorded by the Soviet Government to British purchasers of Russian raw materials?

I have no detailed information, but I understand that the Soviet Government usually stipulate for cash with order when selling their raw materials to foreign purchasers.

Are we to understand that when the commercial Treaty was under discussion no arrangements were made that the Soviet delegation should give the same terms to our merchants as they asked from our merchants?

I have never heard of any such arrangement being made.

Is not that a case of laches on the part of the hon. Member?

No, Sir, it does not strike me in that way at all.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether it is proposed to extend the Exports Credits Guarantee Scheme so as to guarantee the credit of the Soviet Government for a longer period than one year?

It is not the practice to state in advance the conditions on which the Advisory Committee are prepared to recommend the granting of guarantees in respect of any country or any particular transaction.

Does the Minister say that the statements in the Press that the Government are contemplating extending the Export Credits Scheme in the case of Russia from one year to three years are not correct?

It is impossible for me to be responsible for everything that appears in the Press.

Before any extended credits are given, will the hon. Gentleman see that our merchants receive similar treatment for goods sent to Russia?

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that unless the terms are extended our traders will be unable to compete with traders in other countries where the terms are extended?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the total amount of money that has been advanced and promised under the Export Credits Act since 1st January, 1930, for credits to finance Russian enterprises and how much to finance Dominion enterprises, respectively?

The object of the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme is not to finance enterprise overseas but to assist British exporters by enabling them to give credit. No advances are made, but on certain conditions the payment of a proportion of bills of exchange drawn in connection with the export of British goods is guaranteed. Contracts have been entered into from the 1st January, 1930, to the 31st May last, providing for the payment of a proportion of bills of exchange for £1,834,812 drawn on Russian, purchasers and £167,447 drawn on purchasers in the Dominions.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is an impression that it is very much easier to get credits to do business with Russia than with our Dominions; and may I ask what is the policy of the Government on that point?

I think the hon. Member has forgotten that this is an insurance scheme, and therefore the figures are what one would expect. One does not need to insure a payment which is to be received from the Bank of England.

May I ask whether the candles may now be brought in?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the length of extended credit required by the Soviet delegation to enable them to purchase 3,000,000 pairs of boots and shoes of Northampton manufacturers?

No definite application has been received by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in respect of this order; but in any case, it is not the practice to disclose particulars concerning any individual transaction.

If this order is still available, will not the hon. Gentleman suggest to the Soviet Delegation that they should try to raise a loan for capital purposes in the City of London?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can give the House any account of the success of his efforts in preventing factories, mines, etc., from closing down during the present trade depression; and if he has any estimate of the number of men and women he has prevented from being thrown out of employment as a result of such intervention?

I am afraid that it would not be possible to give the information for which my hon. Friend is asking without disclosing particulars which it would not be in the public interest and certainly against the interests of employment to divulge. I may say that I am almost daily engaged in endeavouring to make financial provisions to prevent the closing of works, but obviously I cannot mention firms across the Floor of the House.

Cannot the Lord Privy Seal give an estimate in answer to the second part of the question, and also in reply to the accusations made by hon. Members opposite about putting people out of work?

As far as those accusations are concerned, I am fairly thick skinned.

Can the Lord Privy Seal tell us of any work that this Government has given to the quarter of million of women who have been added to the unemployment figures since they came into power?

The Noble Lady must know very well that there are training centres for women, and she also knows very well that neither this nor any other Government, even if she herself was at the head of the Government, could set out merely to provide for a sex as distinct from the general body of unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour when Mr. Semple was appointed Chairman of the Court of Referees in Glasgow; if the local working-class organisations were asked to make recommendations for such appointment; and, if not, what bodies were consulted?

Mr. Semple was appointed as a Chairman of the Glasgow Court of Referees in June, 1928, and was reappointed on the 26th March this year. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 29th May to the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan).

Will the hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of the question: whether any working-class organisations were consulted when this appointment was made?

In this case, which was a re-appointment, there was no consultation at all, and my right hon. Friend knew of no objection to this re-appointment.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this House various Members representing the trade union and labour movement in Glasgow voiced strong objection, and was not that a reason why the trade union movement should have been consulted?

My right hon. Friend had no specific complaint against this appointment, and, if there is any specific complaint, she will have investigation made into it.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that the average number of claims disallowed monthly on the ground of not normally insurable previous to 10th September, 1929, averaged about 1,200, and that since they were included from that date with the disqualification "not a reasonable period of insurable employment," the average figure is about 10,000; and, since the new Act has abolished the latter disqualification, can she explain why the disqualifications on the former ground have not returned to somewhere about the average figure for the period preceding 10th September, 1929?

The disallowances under the new Act were imposed by Courts of Referees, and those for the earlier period by insurance officers; in neither case, therefore, were they within the Minister's control. I may point out, however, that when the new Act came into force, there was a large number of new claims and this was likely to lead temporarily to a larger number of disallowances. I should add that as was pointed out by my right hon. Friend in her reply to my hon. Friend on 22nd May, the numbers of disallowances under these heads, taken by themselves, are not properly comparable with those for earlier periods.

Would it not appear that those who were formerly disqualified under the "not having a reasonable amount of employment in the preceding two years" condition, are now being dealt with under the "not normally insurable" condition, and that the intention of this House is being evaded; and will the Minister of Labour look into the operation of this condition?

The local courts of referees with local knowledge have power to give definite decisions, and, as long as they give their decisions in accordance with the law, my right hon. Friend can do nothing in the matter. Many of these cases are, as my right hon. Friend has said, not comparable, because in many cases people claimed who are not insurable.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that the gravest dissatisfaction exists in regard to this matter and will he have the matter looked into by his Department?

My right hon. Friend is giving the closest possible attention to the matter, and has taken into consideration the representations made on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether representatives of the co-operative societies were consulted in relation to the provisions of the Consumers' Council Bill; and whether any representations have been received from any such organisations in reference to these proposals?

A representation was received from the Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Congress to the effect that the co-operative movement should be represented on the Consumers' Council.

Is the right hon. Gentleman surprised that he has not received some protest from the co-operative societies about this Bill? Is not the Bill a grave reflection on the co-operative movement?

This is a Bill to protect the consumers; and we have a considerable measure of support for it.

Have not the co-operative societies always been protecting the consumers?

Is it not the case that the co-operative societies have financed the Labour Members?

Who financed you? The working classes? [Interruption.]

On a point of Order. Is that a fair question?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of staff at home and abroad employed by the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts; and to what number it is proposed to reduce the staff as at 1st July?

The staff of the Clearing Office (Enemy Debts) at present numbers 366. Three officers are under notice terminating their present appointments at the end of June.

Can the President of the Board of Trade give any indication as to how long he considers it will be necessary to keep this Department in existence?

No, there is always this difficulty. Many of the outstanding cases are very involved in character, but I have always thought, without committing myself to a date, that it should be finished in the near future. I cannot, however, name any date.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been to the office to see for himself what is going on?

No, but I became very familiar with the circumstances to which reference is made during the five years that I was Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can now state what reductions, if any, are made in the pay of P-class men in the Civil Service when they are promoted to the established class?

An agreement has recently been reached with the staff associations concerned under which the temporary reduction in pay hitherto arising in some cases on the promotion of P-class clerks to established clerical classes will be prevented.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the cost and numbers of the personnel of the Army and Navy staffs at the War Office and Admiralty; and the Civil Service personnel employed on duties within those services for 1929–30 and 1913–14?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the numbers and cost of the permanent and temporary personnel of the Civil Service in 1929–30; and the numbers and cost in 1913–14?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on the 17th April last, giving the numbers and cost of Civil Service personnel in 1913–1914 and 1928–1929, respectively. Coresponding figures for the year 1929–30 are not yet available.

When will these figures be available?

I cannot say at the moment, but I will look into it, and perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put a question down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increasing subsidence of land and consequent damage to property on the coast road between Newhaven and Worthing; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware that a certain amount of erosion has occurred on this section of the coast, and my Department has from time to time sanctioned the construction of protective works. The Board have, however, no power to initiate schemes for sea defence or to compel the local authorities responsible for the various areas to do so.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's inspectors make a regular visit to this part of the coast?

I Cannot say offhand as to inspection, but I know that they are familiar with the whole question of coast erosion, which was the subject of a Bill introduced into the House, though I am afraid the Government cannot find time for the remaining stages.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask these inspectors to pay particular attention to this part of the coast?

I will look into the point to which the hon. Member refers.

Is it the intention to proceed with the Bill this Session?

No. The Prime Minister has already indicated that it may not be possible to make further progress with the Bill. I am afraid that is beyond doubt.

Would it not be better to drop some of the other items in the programme of the Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the health advisory committee on the mercantile marine have yet reported the results of their investigations into the statistics relating to the mortality of seamen and the hygiene of crew spaces on board ship; and whether the report will be published?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given on the 1st April to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Mr. Morley) and on the 6th May to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Sir B. Peto), to which at present I am unable to add.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this body of men alone have been left out of the arrangements for looking after the health of the people, and that they are a most important body. Why has this selection been made? Why is no effort being made to overtake this melancholy lapse in our organisation?

I have never underestimated their importance, but at the moment the inquiry is taking the form of a review of certain-months of statistics, up to the end of September of this year, and until that is completed it is quite impossible to do more.

The question of the hygiene of crew spaces has nothing to do with statistics and will have to be dealt with by an entirely different body.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of men who were engaged in the mercantile marine during the period of the Great War and who suffered the loss of a limb or limbs in consequence of such service and, of these, the number in respect of whom his Department have accepted financial responsibility?

I regret that the desired information cannot be made available without a laborious investigation, but the number of cases in which my Department has assumed responsibility for the supply and miantenance of seamen's artificial limbs is about 20.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of public companies who on 2nd June were still in default in their statutory obligation to lodge annual accounts and balance sheets; and will he give the reasons why noncompliance with the provisions of the Act is permitted to continue for so long a period as five months?

The number of outstanding cases of default on the 2nd June was about 200. With regard to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the full answer which I gave him on 6th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state whether he is prepared to grant an inquiry into the position of the lace trade?

I do not consider that such an inquiry is necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say on what date he communicated the decision to the trade?

I think it was communicated to-day, not to the trade, but to the trade union deputation.

Why did the right hon. Gentlemen keep the whole trade in suspense during the Election? Now that the electors of Nottingham have given their verdict, will he reconsider his decision?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now been able to reconsider the question of the proposed reduction in ration allowances to non-commissioned officers and men on leave?

As I have already explained, this reduction in the rate of ration allowance issuable on furlough forms part of a general revision of allowances, which was nearing completion more than two years ago, and which was designed to remedy, by a redistribution of the money available on a more logical and equitable basis, a number of anomalies and hardships affecting all ranks. I have considered in every way and with the utmost sympathy the possibility of re-introducing the higher rate of ration allowance on furlough, but I very much regret that I cannot do so without upsetting the whole revision of allowances of which it forms an integral part.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this means a drop of between 30 per cent. and 40 per cent. to these men and officers? If my right hon. Friend cannot restore the original position, can he not do something to meet this serious decrease?

I am quite willing to go into the case and to reconsider the whole matter, but I cannot give any promise of any kind; neither can I give a promise that a very quick decision will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the battered state of the Union Jack in the British War cemetery at Etaples; and what steps are taken to ensure that the national flag is maintained in a proper state?

The state of the flag had already been reported to the Imperial War Graves Commission and arrangements are being made to replace it as quickly as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps so that a tattered Union Jack does not exist in future in any of the British war cemeteries?

I think that the work of the War Graves Commission is exceptionally well done, and I am sure that they can be relied upon to see that these things are remedied as quickly as the damage takes place.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the reasons for the instructions by the Army Council to those responsible for the programmes of military tattoos forbidding the presentation of episodes illustrating modern warfare?

The Army Council considered that the memories of the Great War were too vivid and too recent to permit of representation, in pageant or tableau, of incidents connected with it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the recent great popularity of most realistic war plays, and does he not think that the public are entitled to see the heroic deeds of our Army in recent years instead of only those relating to long ago?

I can consider and have considered all that, but I cannot possibly agree to this demand, which is quite the opposite of other demands that I receive that no military display of any kind should be given.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the nature of any alteration that has been made during the past few months in the rule that officers of the Territorial Army, whilst attending voluntary week-end camps, are entitled to pay equivalent to that of regular officers?

The hon. and gallant Member is, I think, under a misapprehension. Under the regulations, the decision whether pay and allowances should be granted at voluntary week-end camps rests with the General Officer Commanding, who has to meet the cost of such pay and allowances as he may authorise from the fixed sum allotted to him for the training of Territorial troops in his Command. There has been no recent change in this rule.

Is it not the case that a change was made in September of last year in paragraph 625 of Territorial Army regulations and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a sergeant-major at a week-end camp in these circumstances would be getting more in pay and allowance than a major; and does he think that that is reasonable or right?

I can only reply to the question which has been asked me, and say that my advice is that no alteration has been made with regard to voluntary week-end camps.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the point to which have referred in connection with paragraph 625?

Certainly, with pleasure.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to improve the amenities of their stations for the soldiers stationed in the forts in Southern Ireland?

Services for the general improvement of the accommodation of the troops in the South Irish Coast Defences are considered on their merits with similar services for other stations. Considerable improvements have been made there in the past few years and provision has been made in the current Estimates for continuing this work.

Are the amenities and the housing conditions and so on equal to those which would be available in this country?

As I have not made a personal inspection I cannot say, but I am assured by my advisers that everything is being done to remedy any grievances which may exist.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider going over there and seeing these places for himself?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to improving recruiting returns, he will consider the practice of recruiting marches by county regiments in their territorial areas during the summer months?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that this method of recruiting has not been overlooked by the military authorities, but experience has shown that the direct results obtained are small: and the interference with training and the cost involved by these marches render unjustifiable their adoption frequently or on a large scale.

asked the Secretary of State for War what units of the Army are stationed at Malta; and whether it is proposed to make such changes in respect of the future as will avoid the duty of garrisoning Malta?

There are at present in Malta two British infantry battalions and one Maltese infantry battalion together with ancillary troops. Two additional infantry battalions, which form part of the normal establishment of the troops in Malta, are temporarily serving in Palestine. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Are there any changes in contemplation in the disposition of the forces?

No changes of a striking character are in contemplation at the moment.

Are there any changes, whether of a striking character or not?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that service in the Harrow officers' training corps is compulsory; and whether he has had any recent report of its discipline and efficiency?

asked the Secretary of State for War with regard to the trouble in the Harrow School officers' training corps, if he will inquire whether that officers' training corps is a compulsory organisation; and, if so, whether he will withdraw the State grant from the military organisation at that school?

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many schools to which he makes a grant for the officers' training corps membership of such corps is compulsory; if he sanctions such compulsion; and what steps he will take to bring his views to the notice of the school authorities?

Arrangements for recruiting for contingents of the Junior Division 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. I am, at the present time, having the whole position examined, and I am not in a position to go into greater detail on those points which depend on the result of that examination. As regards reports on the Harrow officers' training corps, these are rendered annually; that for 1930 is not yet due.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it came about that during the discussion on the Army Estimates he assured us that there was no compulsion regarding these corps?

I did not do anything of the kind. I said that the War Office was not responsible for any kind of compulsion.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman say that he was not aware of any?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the employment of the Eton officers' training corps in the event of further trouble at Harrow?

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in taking the circumstances into his consideration, have regard to the question of whether grants ought to be given to officers' training corps where compulsion is made the rule?

I have already said that I am examining the whole position at the present moment.

May I have an answer to my question? Will the right hon. Gentleman take that into consideration?

rose—

Mr. Ede.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many acres of land his Department have in Selborne and Kingsley, in the county of Southampton; how many acres are unenclosed; how many were at any time subject to rights of common; and when the common rights were extinguished?

The War Department land in Selborne and Kingsley parishes consists of about 1,680 acres, of which about 630 acres are unenclosed. 1,068 acres were at some time subject to common rights, and of this area the common rights over 380 acres were extinguished by award under the Enclosure Acts prior to acquisition by the War Department and over about 58 acres by agreement with the commoners after acquisition. Such common rights as exist over the 630 acres still unenclosed have not been extinguished.

Is it proposed by the War Office to retain the whole of this land in their occupation for the present?

I could not give a definite answer to that question, because the War Office deals with its land as the necessities of the case demand.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will undertake that, in future, before the freehold of any unenclosed land owned by his Department is sold, he will consult with the local authorities as to the best use to which such land can be put in conjunction with their town-planning schemes?

It has been decided that in future, when it is proposed to sell the freehold of unenclosed land belonging to the War Department, the county or county borough council concerned shall receive the earliest possible intimation in order to afford them the opportunity of entering into negotiations for purchase by private treaty.

Are we to take it, then, that the councils will have the first claim in regard to the purchase of land?

The hon. Member must take the answer exactly as I have given it—that councils will be given the earliest possible information and be given the fullest possible facilities for making any representations which they choose to make.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Russian Government is attempting to purchase tanks in this country for cash; and whether he has taken steps to safeguard British interests in order to see that plans for the latest modern tanks are not handed over into the possession of a foreign country?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 28th May to the hon. and gallant Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank) by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, a copy of which I am sending to him. As regards the second part, the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that steps are taken to protect British military interests.

If the Soviet Government are able to pay cash for tanks why can they not afford to pay cash for other—[Interruption.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now state what action he proposes to take on the report furnished him by Scotland Yard on the result of their investigations into the recent sworn statement of M. Sava Popovitch, the Serbian artist, on the activities of Soviet secret agents in London?

My right hon. Friend cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave on his behalf on the 22nd May.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any indication when he will be able to reply?

I cannot say.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of wireless licences at present in force; and the number of these that are for portable wireless sets?

The number of wireless receiving licences in force on 30th April last was 3,117,000. There are no statistics available showing how many licensees use portable receiving sets.

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering the question of having on applications for licences for wireless receiving sets a statement whether they are portable or stationary sets?

No, Sir, I see reason for doing so.