asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any representations have been made to the Empire Marketing Board criticising the Board's advertising programme from the point of view of design, expense, suitability, and efficiency, and what reply has been sent and what action taken?

The Board received some months ago from the British Poster Advertising Association a paper criticising in particular their use of special frames instead of the public hoardings for the display of posters designed to further their policy. They were further asked to receive, or to arrange for their Publicity Committee to receive, a deputation from the Association. This paper was carefully considered by the Board, who were not convinced that its representations would justify the change in their policy which was suggested, or that a deputation on the subject could use fully be received. The Association were so informed at the time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, quite apart from the matters to which he has just referred, there is a great deal of opinion to the contrary, and that it is felt that, owing to the general similarity of these advertisements, the series is losing in effect?

I am aware of the fact that this particular association is, quite naturally, anxious to get the business for itself, but we had to consider the advantage to the public, as against the particular advantage, and in this case the public advantage won.

Is the right hon. Gentleman of opinion that the public does gain an advantage to the value of over £250,000 which has been, so far, spent on these advertisements?

One cannot put an assumption of that kind in figures. The short point is that this particular association want the advertisements in their own particular way by which they particularly benefit—[Interruption.] I am dealing with the facts and the answer to the question is that, the matter having been considered, it was decided that, on balance, the evidence was against them.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on what expert advertising advice the Empire Marketing Board rely in the formulation of their publicity campaign?

The Board rely mainly on the advice of their Publicity Committee, the membership of which includes persons well qualified to provide the expert advice required.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this advice is voluntary, or if any of it is paid advice?

I do not think that any of it is paid. If hon. Members look at some of the names—Sir William Crawford, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Sparkbrook (Mr. Amery), Sir Woodman Burbidge, and a number of others—I am quite sure it will be agreed that they command confidence.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Secretary of State for War is not on this committee?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the effect on industry and employment in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton of the recent Australian tariff; and whether he will make representations to the Australian Government on the subject?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 11th February last, alluding to the representations which had already been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the opportunity of bringing before the Imperial Conference the question of the hostile attitude of the Australian Government towards this country?

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations from the manufacturers of Wolverhampton in favour of Imperial Preference?

As regards the second supplementary question, I should require notice. This question refers to certain articles manufactured in the Wolverhampton area, and representations were made at the time. I cannot, of course, say anything at all as to what will be done at the coming Conference.

On a point of Order. Is it in order for an hon. Member to refer to "the hostile attitude" of one of the Dominion Governments?

I think that references of that kind ought not to be made.

Withdraw!

I am sure that the hon. Member did not mean that in any offensive way.

I was unfortunately unable to catch the remark which you made, Mr. Speaker, owing to the noise. Most certainly I do not desire to say anything which reflects on the attitude of the Australian Government, but I want to emphasise the fact that the action which they have taken is definitely injurious to this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what treaties, if any, would prevent a general order prohibiting the import of bounty-fed grain?

A general order prohibiting the importation of goods on the ground that they are dumped or bounty-fed would conflict with the provisions of the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions which is in force between the United Kingdom and six other countries. It would also conflict with the Anglo-German Treaty and the Anglo-Persian Tariff Autonomy Treaty. Apart from these instruments, there are eight treaties in force which specifically provide against the prohibition of the importation of any articles unless the importation of like articles from other countries is prohibited at the some time, and which contain no reservation in regard to bounty-fed or other dumped goods.

Would not these treaties permit prohibitive duties as distinct from prohibition?

Yes; in the debate the other day I tried to make it clear that it is a duty at large which is applicable all round. Then, as I am advised, no treaty question arises.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state which Government negotiated these treaties?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of the following soft fruits have been imported this year and in 1929, and at what date in each case the first importations arrived: strawberries, black, red, and white currants, and raspberries?

During the first six months of the present year, 51,672 cwts. of strawberries and 10,710 cwts. of currants were registered among the raw fruit imported, the quantities similarly registered in the corresponding period of 1929 being 50,500 cwts. of strawberries and 21,663 cwts. of currants. Similar particulars of raspberries and of the separate varieties of currants imported are not available. The earliest entries of fresh strawberries this year were re- corded on 20th March in respect of arrivals by aeroplane, and on 2nd April in respect of arrivals by sea. Frozen strawberries were also recorded during March. Entries for fresh currants were first recorded this year on 5th June.

Is it not a fact that this large quantity of imported fruit is bought by the jam-boilers from the representative of the importers, and that, though it does not actually appear in such a market as Covent Garden, yet it seriously depresses the prices obtained there for home-grown fruit?

I regret that I could not hear the hon. Member's question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of Russian timber imported into this country during the month of June?

The total value of the imports into the United Kingdom of wood and timber registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) during the month of June, 1930, was £765,141. In quantity, these imports amounted to 52,627 cubic feet of hard wood, sawn, and 214,718 loads of other wood.

Is it not a fact that the White Sea was frozen over for part of that time; otherwise, the figures would have been very much larger?

My right hon. Friend must give me notice of that frost.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the latest figures as to the imports of M.G. kraft paper into this country; and whether he has any information as to the number of firms producing such paper in this country?

The total imports of kraft paper (unglazed, glazed, and machine-glazed) into Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered during the first six months of 1930 amounted to 880,589 cwts., of a declared value of £837,107, as compared with 931,572 cwts., valued at £952,010, during the corresponding period of 1929. Separate particulars in respect of machine-glazed kraft paper only are not available, and I am unable to state the total number of firms in this country engaged in producing this class of paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the date on which the last licence was issued for the export of war materials from this country to China; and will he consider the desirability of refusing such licences in the future?

The last such licence was issued on 11th July. Every application for a licence to export war material to foreign countries is considered on its merits and no decision to issue or refuse a licence is taken until the views of the Foreign Office and the Service Department concerned have been obtained.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in the interests of our trade and of peace in China, these licences should be definitely stopped?

That question would require to be addressed to another Department, to the Foreign Office or some other, because the duty of the Board of Trade in this matter is merely that of licensing authority. I have no jurisdiction beyond.

What has happened to the embargo on arms to China, which was signed by a great many Powers, including ourselves?

That is plainly a matter for another Department. In any case, I should require notice of it.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman does not issue licences without consulting some other Department?

That is made clear in my reply. The other Departments are very fully consulted, and the duty of the Board of Trade is merely to issue licences after the consultations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Foreign Office to see if these licences could be stopped?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that £1,000,000 is offered by private sources for the development of a new industry, in connection with tin alluvials, on the Tamar and that the establishment of this industry would mean the absorption of many unemployed, he will take steps to facilitate the establishment of this industry, which is being held up by the fishing rights of individuals, seeing that no risk to the State is involved?

I regret that I can add nothing to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member on this subject on 24th June.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of inquiry, as the possibility of employment raised here is considerable?

The difficulty is that the firm in question, according to my information, have either abandoned the project, or at all events are not pressing it. If they would communicate with me, I would make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the timber used by his Department is of Empire origin; and, if not, from what other sources is the timber derived?

Approximately 50 per cent. of the timber purchased by the War Office is of Empire origin. The remaining 50 per cent. is obtained principally from Russia, Fin- land, Sweden, France and Germany. Wherever Empire timber is suitable, preference is given to it.

In view of the action taken by the United States respecting this imported timber, will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Government that we should follow their example?

I believe the notice of my right hon. Friend has already been called to that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what would have been the difference in cost if British-produced meat instead of imported meat had been purchased for the Army for the period from 1st January to 30th June of the present year?

It is estimated that the difference in cost of supplying the Army and Royal Air Force at home with fresh meat instead of imported meat for the six months in question would have been approximately £200,000. To avoid misapprehension I would add that the imported meat supplied was practically all of Dominion origin.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now received the report of the Departmental Committee appointed by him to inquire into the reasons for the shortage of recruits for the Regular Army; and, if not, whether he is taking any steps meanwhile to enlist the aid of local authorities in order to make known the serious shortage which exists?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received the report of the Committee which has been conducting a special examination into the problem of maintaining the strength of the Army; and, if so, whether he will tell the House what special steps are to be undertaken to improve recruiting?

The examination to which the right hon. Members refer is not being undertaken by a Committee but by those who are responsible for advising the Secretary of State on these matters. Consideration of the problem is still proceeding, and the subject continues to be closely watched. In the meantime no special steps are being taken.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to convey to the Secretary of State that we intend to raise this matter on the Vote to-morrow, and that we shall not be satisfied with any such answer as he himself has just given?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the matter is to be discussed to-morrow, and is prepared to deal with the questions which will be put to him.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present position with regard to medical officers in the Army; if there are any signs of more satisfactory recruitment to this service; and, if not, can he state the reasons for the present position?

The present shortage of regular Royal Army Medical Corps officers is approximately 140, and my right hon. Friend is in consultation with the Army Medical Advisory Board as to the causes of this shortage and the possible remedies.

Does the hon. Gentleman notice that I asked him if he could state the reasons for the present position. Can he do that?

The question asks what is the present position with regard to medical officers, if there are any signs of more satisfactory recruitment, and, if not, what are the reasons for the present position. My right hon. Friend is making a comprehensive inquiry—

Thinking!

No. 363.

through the usual channels of the Army Medical Advisory Board, and he will probably be able to add further information in the debate which, I believe, is going to take place.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that under Army Form W. 3458 certain other ranks who served during the War with the Somerset Royal Horse Artillery (Territorial), 116th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, were credited with a balance of bounty of £10 each, which was subsequently omitted from their statements of account (Army Form W. 5065) on discharge; and if he will take such steps as may be necessary to have the balances referred to paid to the men concerned at an early date?

I understand that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the bounty granted under Army Order 209 of 1916. Instructions were issued in 1920 for the balance of this bounty to be paid forthwith instead of being retained until the men concerned were discharged. I regret that at this distance of time when material facts and relevant documents are normally no longer available, I cannot investigate claims of this nature presented 10 years after they were due.

Am I right in understanding from the hon. Member's answer that the Government regards the moral liability of the State to its creditors as less than that of a bank to its depositors?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the pay and pensions of Army officers are subject to reduction in accordance with the falling cost of living, while the pay and pensions of other services are maintained at their standard rates, he will take the necessary steps to have this matter placed on an equal footing between all services?

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The pay and pensions of other services no less than those of officers of the Army are at present regulated in relation to the cost of living. In the case of the Civil Service the basis has been a cost of living figure of 70 for the 12 months ending 31st August, 1930; from that date I understand the basis will be a cost of living figure of 65. In the case of Army officers, pay and pensions have been based on a cost of living figure of 70 for a period ending 30th June, 1931. The question of the figure to rule from that date will come up for consideration in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of farms acquired for small holdings in the nine northern counties of Scotland in the three years ended 30th June, 1930; the total acreage and the purchase price per acre; the total valuation paid in addition to the purchase price; the amount of valuation paid in respect of one, two, and three year old and older grasses, respectively; and the amount received from the let of grass parks or sale of grass or hay in the first nine months and/or year after purchase in the event of the Department of Agriculture failing to occupy such parks or placing tenants thereon immediately after purchase?

As the reply involves a table of figures, I propose with the right hon. Member's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to state what number of new holdings and enlargements, respectively, will be constituted during the current year?

Applicants have either already been or will be given entry this year to 89 new holdings and five enlargements. In addition, 33 settlements on approved schemes are in view, and the Department of Agriculture have a number of other schemes under consideration, but it is impossible to say how many settlements will be effected under such schemes in 1930.

When considering the new schemes, will consideration be given to the application for rough grazing in Balblair?

I could not answer that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what municipal, local government, and other public officers in Scotland have security of tenure of office respectively; and what are the titles and sections of the Acts or Orders which provide that protection?

As the list is some-what long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation for the purpose of substantially reducing the fees at present payable by entrants in connection with admission to the Faculty of Advocates, and also to abolish the present distinction between advocates and solicitors in Scotland?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the payments in question include payments to the Advocates Widows Fund (which are, of course, of the nature of insurance premiums), and also stamp duty. My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that legislation is required in order to effect reduction in the other payments, but he is prepared to consider whether any action can be taken by him in regard to the matter. I am not aware that there is any demand for a fusion of the two branches of the profession.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of children under the age of seven years who died of infantile paralysis during the year 1929; and whether, seeing that the high infantile mortality is largely due to the drinking of impure milk, he will say what steps he proposes to take to ensure a pure milk supply?

During the year 1929, nine children under the age of seven years died of infantile paralysis in Scotland. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend is advised that the high death rate among infants is due in the main to causes that cannot be attributed to impure milk. He fully recognises, however, how important a pure milk supply is to the health of children and of the community generally and I can assure my hon. Friend that the matter is one which is receiving the close attention of the Departments concerned. I am sending him a copy of a circular that the Department of Health for Scotland issued recently on this and other aspects of food administration.

Is the hon. Member aware that any quantity of milk of any standard of purity required could be provided if the consumers were prepared to pay the extra cost entailed upon the producers?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state his intentions in regard to the outstanding recommendations of Lord Mackenzie's Committee; and whether he is contemplating any other steps for the suppression of illegal trawling?

Further effect has been given to the recommendations of the Trawling (Scotland) Committee within the present month by the equipment of another of the fishery protection vessels with a fast hydroplane, mainly for service in the Moray Firth. My right hon. Friend is closely watching the situation with regard to illegal trawling, and he proposes to act upon other recommendations of Lord Mackenzie's Committee as time and opportunity permit.

Can the hon. Gentleman say—I am very glad to hear the announcement which he has just made—whether there is any prospect that next Session we shall have legislation increasing the penalties for illegal trawling, because this is a most important question?

I am not in a position to promise legislation, and that question ought to be addressed to the Prime Minister.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that there has been a large number of very daring breaches of the law, and does he realise the urgent necessity for immediate action?

In my answer I have already stated that action has been taken within the last month.

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?

No, Sir; but my right hon. Friend hopes that he will be in a position to make an announcement on the subject when the House reassembles in the Autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the total expenditure of over £2,000,000 mentioned in the last report of the Scottish Education Department as the estimated cost of providing accommodation for children of from 14 to 15 is estimated to be required for secondary schools; how much for the replacement or improvement of defective primary school buildings; and how much for the provision of central schools or classes with accommodation for practical instruction and for the addition of rooms for practical instruction to existing primary schools?

The information supplied by education authorities, upon which the estimate referred to by the Noble Lady is based, does not include the details for which she asks, and I am afraid that the precise apportionment of the estimate into the sections desiderated in the question would be a matter of some expense and difficulty.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to carry out his intention of setting up the committee of inquiry into the working of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, and into the question of Scottish local administration?

The constitution and functions of local authorities under the Local Government (Scotland) Act only came into operation on the 16th May, 1930, and, until experience has been gained of the working of the Act, I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by setting up the committee of inquiry to which the hon. Member refers.

Is the Prime Minister aware of the apprehension that exists on account of the alarming increase of rates in certain districts in Scotland more particularly in burghal areas; and will he not institute an inquiry into the facts and the cost of local rating as a whole at the present time?

That is one of the reasons why we have to wait a little. Instead of helping to make the minds of those areas settled an inquiry like this would only keep them unsettled.

Is it not necessary to institute an inquiry now in order to see how the Act operates with regard to the incidence of the rates which are now being laid down.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state, before the end of this Session of Parliament, what steps he proposes to take, in consultation with the Ministry of Labour, to expedite consideration of Scottish unemployment relief schemes; and whether he will appoint a consultative committee, representative of Scottish local authorities, to assist in this matter, on the lines proposed at the recent conference of local authorities held in Edinburgh?

As indicated in my answer of the 24th instant, I am in consultation with the Ministry of Labour regarding various suggestions for expediting consideration of Scottish unemployment relief schemes, but I cannot yet say when it will be possible to make a statement on the subject.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware of the urgency of this matter, and does he know that the local authorities are waiting? Can he not give a definite answer to the second part of the question relating to the suggestion of appointing a consultative committee representing all the Scottish local authorities?

That is precisely the point on which I have given an answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes during the Parliamentary Recess to issue any statements from time to time concerning the proceedings of the Advisory Committee on Unemployment, of which the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) is a member?

Only if necessary or advisable.

Would it be permissible or in order if the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs issues statements during the Recess as well?

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that the attendance of members of the Government at the Indian round-table conference will not interfere with the efforts of the Cabinet Sub-committee dealing with schemes of employment?

I can give my hon. Friend that assurance.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many boys of 16 years of age or under are employed in driving ponies underground; and whether he will seek powers to ensure that persons in charge of animals in mines should be over the age of 16 and adequately trained for the work?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. With regard to the second part, so long as the law allows boys below 16 years of age to be employed underground, it is not possible to prohibit their employment in driving ponies. The question of training I will deal with in the answer to my hon. Friend's next question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the suggestion made by His Majesty's inspector of mines for the Northern Division in his last report that an efficient scheme of training for pit pony drivers should be adopted by mine managers in that area has been officially considered; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I understand that some form of preliminary training is already provided, and the question raised in the inspector's report of the extent to which such training can usefully be extended and systematised is, in my view, primarily one for consideration locally, by reference to the special needs and customs of the district, and does not readily lend itself to solution by direct official action. The matter is, however, one in which special and constant interest is taken by His Majesty's inspectors, and I will call for further reports in due course as to the progress made.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House where the training of these boys takes place?

The training takes place in the pits.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of mines in South Wales, Yorkshire, and the Midlands, in which no bedding is provided for the pit ponies; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

No statistical information is available but from recent inquiries I find that it is the general practice to provide some form of bedding for pit ponies both in the districts named and throughout the country. The matter is one that receives the daily attention of the Inspectors of Horses in the course of their general duties and I have no reason to think that any additional action is called for at present.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the law recently passed in Belgium under which a pension of 6,000 francs a year is to be paid to miners at 55 years of age when they have served 30 years underground, and at 60 years of age in the case of others; and whether consideration is being given to a similar pensions scheme for the mining industry in this country?

I am aware that a Bill is before the Belgian Parliament to simplify and amend existing legislation in regard to pensions for miners and other workers. Variations of the pensions schemes in force in this country have received careful consideration but I am not in a position to make any statement in the matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the estimated loss per ton of coal used of the most economic processes of coal carbonisation, whether at low or high temperatures, on mass production lines?

Low temperature carbonisation of coal is not being undertaken on mass production lines. In the case of high temperature carbonisation processes there is, so far as I am aware, no financial loss per ton of coal used. If however my hon. Friend means by "loss" the difference between the potential heat in a ton of coal and that generated by burning the products from the carbonisation of a ton of coal, then on that basis the loss in the most modern practice is from 10 to 15 per cent. This figure includes the heat value of the fuel used for heating the retort, and allows for the heat recovered by the use of waste heat boilers etc. In some processes the heat is obtained by the combustion in the retort of some of the material. In such cases the heat loss may be as low as 8 per cent., but the gas produced will be of low calorific value.

Is there no record of any plant working by low temperature carbonisation which has a lesser loss by radiation than any high temperature plant; and can the hon. Gentleman say whether the products of the low temperature system are not as valuable as those of the high temperature system?

There may be such records as those to which my hon. Friend refers, but they are not in my possession.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any estimate has been made by his Department as to the loss of revenue which would be incurred by the Post Office if the night traffic call rates were extended from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.; and can he give particulars?

It is not practicable to make an accurate estimate, but it is certain that the annual loss involved would amount to many thousands of pounds.

Can the Postmaster-General say whether he has received representations on this subject?

I have not received representations, but my predecessor has.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any steps have been taken for the purpose of arriving at an international regulation with reference to wavelength; and can he give particulars?

The International Radiotelegraph Regulations, which were drawn up at a Conference at Washington in 1927, contain provisions for the allocation of wavelengths among the various types of services. These Regulations will remain in force until 1932, when they are due to be reconsidered and brought up to date at a Conference to be held at Madrid.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the difficulties which have been caused by German stations?