asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what progress has been made with the work of promoting the economic reorganisation of industries that require such treatment, with a view to improving employment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood).

Without any desire to press the right hon. Gentleman or to hurry him in the operations which are going on, may I ask him if he cannot give the House some indication of what he is doing in regard to these very important matters?

I do not understand anyone connected with business pressing such a question. Quite frankly, it is not that I do not desire to take the House into my confidence, but hon. Members can read in the Press daily of great reorganisation schemes, some involving very serious interference with the whole financial structure of the undertakings concerned, and, obviously, that is not the kind of thing which I can discuss across the Floor of the House of Commons, otherwise nothing would be done.

I know, but may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, when he is in a position to give the House some indication of the organisation of trade schemes which are going on, he will let the House know about that?

Certainly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether he claims any credit for these reorganisations which are taking place?

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can make any statement concerning the policy of the Government in relation to unemployment and industrial transference; and whether she can give the latest official information as to the effect of such transference on the figures of unemployment in the particular districts concerned and the present position of such schemes?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the Command Paper laid on Thursday last containing statements of Government policy made by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and Minister of Transport to representatives of local authorities. As regards the effect of transference on employment in the areas to which men are transferred, no statistics are available.

Has the right hon. Lady changed her opinion in any way as regards this question of transference?

Is not that an insinuation?

Withdraw!

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there have been any changes during the previous 18 months in the composition of the advisory committee appointed under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and can he give particulars?

Since 1st January, 1929, there have been two changes in this Committee: Mr. F. W. Baker was appointed a representative of film renters on 15th November, 1929, in place of Mr. T. C. Elder, resigned; and Mr. John Maxwell was appointed a representative of film makers on 13th January, 1930, in place of Lieut.-Colonel A. C. Bromhead, C.B.E., whose term of office had expired.

May I ask my right hon. Friend how long is the duration of these appointments, and whether all the various societies concerned are asked for nominations when re-appointments are made?

The chairman is appointed for three years, and the members of the committee are appointed for periods some of two years and some of three years. The two-year period has now expired. Before any appointments are made, the representative bodies are consulted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government with regard to the establishment of the multi-lingual film industry in this country and any possible amendments to the Cinematograph Film Act, 1927, involved?

I have considered carefully and sympathetically the suggestions that have been made to me by the hon. Member and certain other hon. Members, and also by the British makers, but I regret that I can hold out no hope of legislation on this subject in the near future.

Has the whole situation been considered by the advisory committee?

Of course I have constantly all kinds of questions, and the advisory committee have these problems before them, but I have always informed the House that I cannot promise legislation.

Do I understand that the Government have no policy of any kind to announce with reference to this most important national interest?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, during the first week in July, prepare a list of limited liability public companies whose financial year has ended between 31st December, 1929, and 30th June, 1930, so that it may not be necessary to wait till 1st January, 1931, before ascertaining whether such companies have complied with Sections 112 and 123 of the Companies Act, 1929?

I am afraid that the list which the hon. Member suggests, even if it could be compiled, would not have the effect desired. The Department has no definite information as to the date at which the financial year of a company terminates until after the receipt of a balance sheet which will normally be filed as the result of compliance with the Act. I would add that Section 112 has no relation to the financial year of a company, while Section 123 permits the holding of a meeting to comply with that Section nine months after the end of the company's financial year, so that only in the case of companies whose accounts are made up to a date before the end of March is the meeting required to be held before the end of the calendar year.

Why wait for 12 months?

It is hardly avoidable as the Act stands. If we had what I will call popularly a birthday book of the companies, it would be different, but that would be a rather large operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the following countries, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary Italy, Luxemburg, Rumania, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia, have from 1st July ceased to be parties to the ratification of the Geneva Convention of imports and exports prohibition and restriction, to which Great Britain is a party?

Of the countries named all made their ratification subject to conditions which have not been fulfilled. Denmark has, however, waived the conditions and will therefore remain bound by the Convention. So far as I am aware at present this course has not been followed by any of the other countries specified.

In view of the fact that only Denmark is willing to carry out ratification, and in view of this very discouraging development, will the right hon. Gentleman bring to the notice of these countries his proposals for a tariff truce at Geneva?

The truce is not before us. This relates to the Imports and Exports Prohibition Convention, and that is not quite as my hon. Friend describes it. A certain number of countries remain bound as we are until June next year.

But the action of these countries is very discouraging, I should think, to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of workers, and exports, retained imports, and home production in dozen pairs, of both leather and fabric gloves, respectively, for the years 1924–25 and the years 1926–29?

As regards imports and exports, I would refer the hon. Member to the tables published in the OFFICIAL REPORTS for 27th February, 1929, and 17th April, 1930, and as regards production and the number of workers employed, to the replies given to the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft) on 14th November, 1929, and 1st April, 1930.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now quite satisfied that the extraordinary prosperity which this industry is enjoying is the result of Safeguarding?

I am not disputing—because, after all, it is only a question of fact which is before us—that there has been an improvement since 1925, but from these figures I think it is very difficult to draw any strictly Protectionist doctrine.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the terms of any commercial treaty by which this country is bound would prohibit the passage of legislation obliging millers in this country to mill a certain proportion of British wheat?

No, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what objection there is to giving this help to farmers?

That is another matter, which will require debate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increasing tendency to form large trusts in the retail food trades, he proposes to take any steps to protect the interests of the public and to secure that compensation shall be given to employés displaced as a result of the process of trustification?

Proposals for the protection of the public against possible abuses resulting from such combinations were contained in the Consumers' Council Bill which will be reintroduced next Session. As regards the second part of the question, I would point out that the position is to some extent met by the substantial provision made under the unemployment insurance scheme; but the problem is one of great difficulty and might suitably be dealt with, in the first instance, by discussions between the organised workers and their employers.

asked the Prime Minister if he can snake any statement regarding the action which the Government propose to take as the result of the Report of the Civil Research Committee on the iron and steel trades?

His Majesty's Government have decided that the most advantageous method of dealing with this report is to consult the industry confidentially in regard to it. A preliminary meeting, at which representatives of the employers and workmen were present, has already been held, and further consultations are in progress.

In view of the grave increase of unemployment in the iron and steel industry in the last year, will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the Government will treat this matter as very urgent indeed?

Yes, we have done that. As a matter of fact, I myself presided over the conference that has already been held, and we will keep in touch with the whole matter in relation to the general unemployment problem.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of families of soldiers now in married quarters in the Aldershot Command awaiting larger quarters and for which there are no vacancies?

There is no regulation which lays down the size of quarters which should be allotted to families, but endeavours are made to allot quarters appropriate to the size of the family. The number of families in married quarters in the Aldershot Command who are awaiting larger quarters is 416.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider, in view of the numbers which he quotes, that the Government should build more quarters; and will he do something to remedy the slum conditions in Government property?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to reintroduce pre-War coloured uniform for any further units of His Majesty's Army; and what is the estimated cost?

There is no present intention of reintroducing pre-War full-dress uniform for any further units of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has in view either the withdrawal or reduction of the grants now made to county Territorial Army associations in respect of the horses maintained by them?

This year grants in connection with annual camps have been based, so far as mechanised units are concerned, on the fact that the units are mechanised, not horsed. The question whether the grants under paragraph 869, Territorial Army Regulations, for the provision of horses outside the annual camp period require adjustment in view of the progress of mechanisation is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to state the decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great value to recruiting of the retention of horses by Territorial Associations; has he forgotten that this is Territorial year; and is he aware that many artillery units will find it impossible to maintain their efficiency if the horses on which their battery staffs are mounted are withdrawn?

I am well aware that this is a question that raises much controvery and about which there is much difference of opinion. I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that every effort is being made to get a satisfactory solution of the difficulty that undoubtedly exists.

Is it receiving sympathetic attention.

Everything receives sympathetic attention at the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many applications have been received by his Department for small detachments of soldiers to serve at local pageants in the country; how many of these have been granted and how many refused within the last 12 months; whether he is aware that his Department has refused permission for 50 men of the King's Own Royal Regiment, Lancaster, to attend the coming Lancaster pageant from the 4th to the 9th of August on the ground that it interferes with recruiting; that the local military authorities were entirely in favour of such suggested participation; and that the fact of such participation would stimulate recruiting, which is much in need of such an impetus at the present time?

In the normal course applications for detachments of soldiers to assist at local civilian pageants would be dealt with by the local military authorities, and there is no record at the War Office of the number of applications dealt with by them during the past 12 months. As regards the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, the application was refused not because permission for the troops to take part was likely to interfere with recruiting, but, as I explained in my letter of the 19th June to the hon. Member, because such permission would interfere with the training of the recruits at the Depot.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the first opportunity on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the policy of his Department to restrict the number of serving soldiers who are permitted to re-engage for pensions; and, if so, whether, in view of the condition of employment at the present time, he will consider extending the opportunities for re-engagement?

Soldiers are normally enlisted for 12 years of which generally only six or seven are with the Colours and the remainder with the Reserve. The numbers to whom the privilege of extending their colour service to 12 years is granted are necessarily regulated by Service requirements, as for example, the need to build up adequate reserves. Soldiers who have been permitted to extend their Colour service to 12 years are, generally speaking, allowed to reengage to complete 21 years service for pension.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can take any steps to arrange that tourist rates should be charged when troops are moved by train?

The maximum rates for troops travelling on duty in Great Britain, which are governed by the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, are three-fourths or half of the fare charged to private passengers according to the number travelling. These rates are more advantageous than the tourist fares charged by the railway companies. I might add that under a special arrangement with the railway companies, troops proceeding on leave pay single fare plus one-third for the return journey.

asked the Secretary of State for War the present staff employed at the medals branch of the War Office, including the number of officers and civilians, and the pay and allowance of those at present employed at this branch; and the comparable figures for the previous 12 months?

The present staff of the branch, which among other duties deals with the issue of medals, as provided in the current Estimates, is 19 civilians at a cost of £4,700. The corresponding figures for 1929 were one officer and 21 civilians at a cost of £5,500.

What duties beside the issue of medals does this staff perform?

The real issue of medals is rather a small part of their work. The greater part of their work deals with disputes as to whether medals ought to be given, and with regulations that are often difficult to interpret.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what has been the increase in the number of officials in Government Departments as the result of legislation passed during the present Session of Parliament; and what is the approximate annual increase in salaries in consequence?

I would refer the hon. Member to the quarterly staff returns furnished to the House in which he will find the numbers of the Civil staffs employed at the beginning of each quarter with the explanation of any increases which may have occurred since the preceding quarter.

When I refer to the explanation of the statement to which the hon. Gentleman refers me, I find a very considerable increase both in numbers and in expense. When do the Government intend to implement their promise in regard to retrenchment?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland under what arrangements it is possible for Scottish agricultural students to visit Denmark; whether the student would have to defray any part of his expenses; how long the visit would last; what qualifications anyone intending to take advantage of the scheme is required to possess; what measures have been adopted to bring the scheme to the attention of those who might be prepared to take advantage of it; and whether, in fact, any students have yet applied to go to Denmark?

In 1925 arrangements were made with the Agricultural Commissioner to the Danish Government for the exchange of British and Danish agriculturists. Under this scheme young agriculturists from this country can be placed on selected farms in Denmark for periods varying from three to 12 months for the purpose of studying at first hand the methods and practices of Danish farming. The students are required to pay their own travelling expenses and find their own outfit and equipment, but will receive board and lodging on the farms in return for their services. No specific qualifications are prescribed for students taking advantage of the scheme. Particulars of the scheme were circulated to the agricultural colleges and the agricultural societies, and have appeared in the Press. Up to the present no Scottish student has applied to go to Denmark under the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state when Part I of the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929, will be brought into operation?

Negotiations are proceeding, but I am not yet in a position to make a definite statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that there is some prospect—some hope, at any rate—that the Government are coming to a happy conclusion, or are we still where we were six months ago?

I am doing my best.

Are these the same negotiations of which we were told last time the question was asked, or are they new negotiations?

Is my right hon. Friend negotiating with the banks or other companies?

Is any progress really being made? We have been asking this question many months.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what number of new holdings and enlargements, respectively, were constituted in Scotland during the year 1929; and the number contemplated for the current year?

The numbers of new holdings and enlargements constituted in 1929 were 107 and 64 respectively. It is not possible at this date to forecast with accuracy the numbers of holdings and enlargements which will be constituted during the present year.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give me some indication? Is he not aware that every year about this date, or even earlier, I have asked the same question, and that I have always received some rough estimate? Will he give me some rough estimate if I put the question down next year?

Does the right hon. Gentleman hope to be able to settle more men this year?

I have already intimated in the House that land settlement will be speeded up to the full extent of the money available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the inhabitants of St. Kilda received no communications from the mainland from 18th October, 1929, till 16th February, 1930; and whether he made any representations to the Postmaster-General on the question of mails during that period, or did anything to ascertain the requirements of the islanders as regards their food supplies?

I am informed that the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, difficulties having arisen in arranging for the despatch of mails from time to time. These difficulties were the subject of some correspondence between the General Post Office and the Scottish Office. No representations were received from the islanders as to their food supplies and there was no reason to suppose that provision had not been made as in previous winters. As indicated in the report of the Department of Health of which I sent a copy to the hon. Member on 12th May, there was a letter from the nurse as recently as 12th February from which it appeared that with few exceptions the supplies of foodstuffs were adequate for the islanders' needs. I may add that in January attempts made to land Dr. Shearer of the Department of Health from the "Hesperus" had to be abandoned owing to the bad weather and sea conditions. Dr. Shearer was not able to make a landing until the middle of February. In May, the Department of Health chartered a trawler at Leverburgh and another landing was effected on 18th of that month, when the nurse's stores were replenished.

Were they not once in wireless communication?

Can the hon. Gentleman say, in connection with all these troubles at St. Kilda, whether any representations have ever been made by the Member of Parliament who represents that island?

Was it possible for any representations to be made when no mails whatever could come from there?

Is it not a fact that the hon. Member who represents St. Kilda in this House visited that island not so long ago?

That is a fact.

The hon. Member for Peebles (Mr. Westwood) has made disparaging remarks concerning me. May I ask if it is in order for him to make such remarks?

Withdraw!

I am afraid there was so much noise that I did not hear the remark, but I am sure that if any disparaging remark has been made it will be withdrawn.

I have never made any disparaging remark in connection with any Member of this House. I submit that I am entitled to ask if any representations have been made by the individual directly responsible for representing that island?

On a point of Order. Was an insinuation not made? The hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Ramsay) is highly respected by all his colleagues.

Withdraw!

I am sure the hon. Member for Peebles will withdraw, as be said he did not intend to make any disparaging remark.

I have already said that.

Withdraw!

Is it not within the knowledge of the hon. Member who asked the supplementary question, and who is attached to the Scottish Office, that my hon. Friend the Member for the Western Isles has been unremitting in his attention to that island?

Withdraw!

The hon. Member has already said that he did not mean anything disparaging.

Then why does he not withdraw?

Mr. Speaker, I have a right to demand a withdrawal.

Withdraw!

I am sure the hon. Member will withdraw any suggestion or insinuation.

Withdraw!

May I ask whether the hon. Member's question was not put in an insinuating way, and whether it did not carry with it an innuendo that the hon. Member for the Western Isles was not carrying out his duties?

The hon. Member for Peebles has already stated that he did not intend to make any insinuation. He cannot say more.

Why do you not withdraw like a man? [Interruption.] Do not sit there like a hyæna.

Is it not in the recollection of the House that the hon. Member made a distinct insinuation against the hon. Member for the Western Isles and that he has not withdrawn that insinuation or apologised for it? Is it not contrary to the Rules of the House for a Member who makes such insinuations not to apologise?

Withdraw!

I have often ruled that no hon. Member should make remarks insinuating anything against another hon. Member. The hon. Member for Peebles will, perhaps, say again that he did not intend any insinuation. If there has been any misunderstanding, I am sure he will withdraw.

There cannot possibly be any misunderstanding. There can be only one interpretation of the remark made by the hon. Member for Peebles. I am sure he will see that it is the desire of the whole House that he should withdraw it. The only course for him to take is to withdraw it.

I have nothing to add to what I have already said, which will be found recorded in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-morrow.

Withdraw!

Is it not a fact that the hon. Member for Peebles is attached to the Scottish Office and that therefore the innuendo and the insinuation in his question were particularly obnoxious?

Withdraw!

On a point of Order!

Withdraw!

Does the hon. Member rise to a point of Order?

Yes, Sir.

Withdraw!

I wish to ask whether all this discord is not very damaging to the entente cordiale?

Withdraw!

I beg to ask Question No. 29.

The question of—

Withdraw!

Will the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Scotland withdraw on behalf of his colleague?

Withdraw!

Mr. Macpherson.

I beg leave to refuse to put any question until the hon. Member for Peebles has withdrawn his observation.

On a point of Order. May I know whether my question has been answered or not? I could not hear. I think many Scottish Members opposite will realise that it is an important question.

I understood the hon. Member for Peebles to say that he did not intend to make any insinuation.

Let him say so. Withdraw!

He has already said so. Do not be so childish.

If there is any misunderstanding the hon. Member for Peebles should say definitely that he did not intend any insinuation or, if what he said was misunderstood to mean an insinuation, that he withdraws it.

Withdraw!

Where is the Leader of the House?

I have made it quite clear that there was no insinuation of any kind against the hon. Member, and I have made it perfectly clear that I have a right to ask in this House if Members representing constituencies have themselves made representations on behalf of their constituencies.

Withdraw!

The hon. Member has merely repeated what he said. No Member of the House attached to the Scottish Office, as the hon. Member is, is entitled to make that insinuation.

May I ask whether hon. Members are entitled, by putting purely fishing questions, to make insinuations against other hon. Members? It is clear from his withdrawal that the hon. Member confesses he knew nothing about it. Is it not entirely out of order to put fishing questions to the detriment of another hon. Member?

I have ruled on numberless occasions that any insinuations are out of order.

Withdraw!

The hon. Member, to avoid any further remarks, would be much better advised, if he made any insinuations, to withdraw them.

If there may have been read into what I said any insinuations, then I willingly withdraw, but again I repeat I made no insinuations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that local rating based on rentals is causing hardship in Scotland; and if he will consider introducing legislation with a view to removing the incidence of rating from rents and placing it on some form of local Income Tax?

The question of an alternative to the present system of rating in Scotland has not escaped the attention of my right hon. Friend, but he is not at present in a position to give any undertaking as to legislation.

In view of the fact that this matter is causing great concern to a large section of the Scottish public, will the Under-Secretary give it his immediate attention, and give some hope of an improved rating system for Scotland, especially for parents with large families?

The Secretary of State for Scotland has already considered this question, and he is not at the moment in a position to promise legislation on this subject.

If I may press this matter a little further, will the Under-Secretary consider the fact that at the moment housing schemes are being held up because the policy being carried out is unduly hard, and I want to press upon the hon. Member the urgency of this matter?

Is the question of removing the incidence of rating from rents being considered?

Yes, Sir. That point has also been considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now considered the petition of the applicants for the extension of their rough grazing land at Balblair and Edderton; and what action it is proposed to take?

As the right hon. Member is aware, the Department of Agriculture prepared a scheme of land settlement for Balblair Farm in which provision was made for meeting the requirements of the petitioners. I regret, however, that it has been necessary to abandon the scheme having regard to the amount of compensation awarded to the proprietors and the tenant. In existing circumstances, I fear that I can hold out no prospect of the petitioners' application being met from Balblair Farm.

Is it not a fact that the Government are refusing to carry out this scheme, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it will be possible to give the people who have been petitioning for years the right to extend their rough grazing land?

I have already pointed out in my reply to this question what the Department of Agriculture are doing in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has completed his appointments for this year of auditors for local audits under the third schedule of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929; and, if not, will he consider the claims of local auditors when available to undertake such work or, alternatively, arrange to distribute appointments for such work more evenly and fairly throughout the country?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The desirability of distributing these appointments among qualified auditors throughout the country is always kept in view.

If I give the Secretary of State for Scotland some very hard cases where there has been an unfair distribution of these appointments, will he take the matter into consideration?

They will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the report on red biddy is available; and, if not, can he announce a date when it will be?

I have received a report from the chief medical officer of the Department of Health for Scotland of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

This is a matter which affects a number of constituencies in Scotland, and will the right hon. Gentleman send copies of his reply to the other Scottish Members?

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the report.

I would also like to have a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that no official representative was sent from the mainland to the island of St. Kilda to supervise sheep-dipping operations from 1923 till June, 1930, and, if so, can he give any reason for such a neglect?

My right hon. Friend is informed by the local authority of the county of Inverness-shire that the last occasion on which the dipping of sheep in the island of St. Kilda was officially supervised was in June, 1923. Visits of the police were subsequently made to the island in July, 1925, May, 1928, and on the 12th June, 1930, but owing to the extremely difficult conditions it was found impossible to have the sheep dipped. My right hon. Friend desires me to add that there is no evidence of the presence of sheep scab in the island.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the inadequate provision made for miners suffering from nystagmus; if he will state what steps have been taken since June, 1929, to improve their position; and what measures, if any, are at present under consideration by his Department?

Miners suffering from nystagmus are in the same position under the Workmen's Compensation Acts as workmen disabled by accident or other industrial disease. At the same time I am aware of the difficulties to which they are exposed in obtaining re-employment, particularly in the present condition of the industry, and my Department are still considering with the Home Office what steps might be taken to help them in this respect. Clearly the best remedy would be to diminish the incidence of the disease, and investigations with that object are in progress. Whilst medical opinion is by no means unanimous, it is generally agreed that defective light is a contributing factor and it is satisfactory to note that, with the encouragement of my Department, improved lamps are being introduced at many collieries.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may we be told if something more can be done to systematically supply men suffering from nystagmus with alternative occupations, or failing that, with light work pensions, as they cannot possibly work in the mines?

With the best will in the world, it is not within the power of my Department to do that.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the South Staffordshire Mines Drainage Commissioners are still charging a levy on all coal raised in their area, although pumping has permanently ceased; and what action he proposes to take to remove the obligation to pay for work that is not carried out?

I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers and that the Court of Appeal in 1927 decided substantially as stated in the question. The obligation to pay and to collect the levy arises under certain private Acts of Parliament, and I am advised that the appropriate method of terminating it is by another private Act. The Government are financially interested in the matter by reason of certain loans made upon the security of the levy, but, with the concurrence of the Treasury and the Public Works Loan Commissioners, my Department informed the mineowners affected in October, 1928, that, if the necessary Bill to terminate the mines drainage levy were presented, the Government would support it. A direct reply to that communication has never been received, but I am taking steps to ascertain the present position.

Do I understand that the Government are sympathetic towards doing everything they can to bring this abuse to an end?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is now in possession of the report made by his medical inspector on silicosis in the Cross Hands district of Carmarthenshire; and if he proposes to publish this report?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 5th June, when he was informed that this inquiry was proving much more laborious than had been anticipated. A great deal of relevant data has now been collected, but the results of the examination of these indicate the necessity of further inquiry.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this inquiry was started about three months ago, and can he say whether anything has been done?

Yes, quite a lot has been done. I understand that there is still more information to collect, and when it is collected it will be analysed.

Will the Under-Secretary endeavour to expedite the termination of this inquiry?

By all means.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the Borough of Twickenham and in other boroughs and urban districts throughout the country considerable dissatisfaction is felt, and has been expressed, with the postal services; whether he will take such steps as are necessary to effect an improvement so that the future standard may be of not less than pre-War efficiency; and whether the reform of the postal service has been considered in connection with schemes for the alleviation of unemployment?

Representations in the sense referred to have been received from a small number of districts, but I am not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction with the present services. I believe the existing scale of postal facilities meets all reasonable requirements, but applications for additional facilities in any particular district are always fully considered on their merits.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to give this matter his serious attention, as I have very many complaints regarding deliveries in the district, and I am told that the trade and business of the district is being affected detrimentally?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction in my part of the country over another branch of his Department?

The dissatisfaction is general.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps it is proposed to take to call public attention to the recent extension of the cash-on-delivery system?

The extension, as from to-day, of the cash-on-delivery service to include highly perishable goods sent by passenger train, has already been announced in the Ministry of Agriculture wireless bulletin, and in the wireless news bulletins broadcast on Wednesday, 25th June. Notices have also been circulated to the Press, and a pamphlet, prepared in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, is available at the counters of all head post offices and the principal post offices in country districts, for supply to the public. The National Farmers' Union is co-operating by bringing the pamphlet to the notice of farmers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible to send perishable goods like eggs by post under the cash-on-delivery system, because the Post Office now packs them in bags, and not in baskets?

Instead of having these pamphlets on the counter to be asked for, would it not be better to have notices in the post offices drawing attention to the system?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there are any funds at his disposal from which he can make ex gratia allowances to the widows of ex-service men who were married after their deceased husbands had been discharged from His Majesty's forces or where the husbands die as a result of wounds or other injuries suffered on active service in the last War; and what action he takes in cases where these widows and their children are left in poverty?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As no claim for pension arises under the Royal Warrants, cases of the class referred to in the normal course do not come before the Ministry at all.

May I ask for an answer to the last part of my question, as to what action my right hon. Friend takes in cases where these widows and their children are left in poverty?

Those cases which do not come within the Royal Warrants cannot be dealt with at all, but there may be a limited number of cases which could be considered on other grounds.

Will the Minister consider altering the Warrant in order to make provision for these and similar cases?

As I have said before, there is no chance of amending the Warrant in that direction.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she has received the resolution of the National Union of Distributors and Allied Workers as to the draft convention for the internationalisation of hours and the position of non-manual workers; and whether she is taking any action in the matter?

Yes, Sir. With regard to the policy of the Government on this subject, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member on 10th April.

Is the Minister aware of the dissatisfaction that exists in certain quarters in regard to their action?

asked the Minister of Labour whether she can make a statement as to the policy of the Government at the recent conference at Geneva in relation to the suggested revision of the Eight Hours Convention?