asked the President of the Board of Trade the steps the Government are taking generally in relation to industrial reorganisation, including the establishment of new industries in the heavy industrial areas?

As regards industrial reorganisation generally, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement which I made in Debate on the 5th November last, when I indicated the lines of policy which the Government are pursuing. I would also refer him to Command Paper 3746, issued in December last, which contains a statement of the steps which the Government are taking in regard to economic reorganisation. As regards the latter part of the question, the Government, through my Department, are in close co-operation with the efforts which are being made in certain industrial areas to attract new industrial development to those areas.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose at any time to make a statement to the House as to what has actually been achieved?

I indicated previously that no doubt, during some of our debates, either on the Estimates or on some other appropriate occasion, I shall be able to give to the House such information as is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the problem of industrial reorganisation which has to be faced in the near future, he can state the particular industries which, in the view of the Government, require industrial reorganization?

It is only in a minority of industries that substantial progress in rationalisation has been made. I fear I could not attempt to catalogue industries according to their need of reorganisation.

To what specific industries did the right hon. Gentleman refer when he recently made a statement that certain industries required reorganisation?

It is true, for example, of coal, cotton, iron and steel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any communication has been received from France in reply to the note from the British Government that the tariff on certain British imports into France should be lowered?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any replies have yet been received to the communications sent to the Governments of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland and Switzerland suggesting a reduction of 25 per cent. in tariffs on certain classes of British manufactured goods; and if he will state whether a favourable response to the proposal has been given by any of the countries in question?

The communications in question were sent quite recently, and no replies have yet been received.

In the meantime, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of placing a tariff on imports from France, in order that we may have something to bargain with in negotiating with France?

No, Sir; I am afraid I could not promise that, even if it arose out of the questions on the Paper.

With regard to my question No. 25, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the Governments referred to have received with a certain amount of hilarity the suggestions which emanated from him?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will make a statement as to the request of His Majesty's Government to the German Government to make a reduction in the German customs duty on certain British manufactured goods; and what compensation, if any, has been offered to the German Government in return for such a reduction;

As regards the first part of each of these questions, I can add nothing to the replies given on Tuesday last to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon), and on Wednesday to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) and the hon. and gallant Member for Clitheroe (Sir W. Brass). As regards the second part of each question, no offer of compensation has been made to either Government. They have, however, been informed that His Majesty's Government will be prepared to consider such suggestions as they make have to make.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the report that the compensation offered is a continuance of the present liberal British import system?

I have not heard of any statement to that effect.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any indication through diplomatic channels that these proposals are being given serious consideration by the French and German Governments?

I have not the least doubt that they will be seriously considered by those Governments.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any information?

They were only addressed to them a few days ago.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the tonnage of iron and steel imported into this country during last year; and the tonnage of iron and steel exported from this country during the same period?

As stated in the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for December last, the total quantity of goods classed as "Iron and Steel and Manufactures thereof" imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1930 was 2,908,347 tons, while the quantity exported was 3,170,249 tons, of which 12,324 tons consisted of imported merchandise.

Do not the Government intend to do anything, in view of the large number of men who are out of employment in our steel industry, to prevent this £2,000,000 of British money from going abroad to give employment in Belgium and elsewhere?

It is quite impossible to deal with that matter in reply to a supplementary question, but a very large quantity of these imports consists of raw materials for other industries.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, during the later months of last year and the earlier months of this year, we were importing more steel and iron goods than we exported?

Speaking from memory, I think there was a period when that was true, but, taking the year 1930 as a whole, the exports exceeded the imports, and, of course, the value was very much greater. The exports were worth £51,500,000, as against a value of about £23,000,000 of imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to give any information concerning the trade agreement recently signed between Russia and Italy; and whether any of its terms provide that there shall be an exchange of goods between the two countries to an agreed amount?

The text of the treaty has not yet been made public, and I am not, therefore, in a position to give any information on the subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made inquiries as to whether the treaty will be published?

Yes, Sir; I think I indicated, in reply to previous questions, that inquiry had been made; but this is really a matter for the two Govern- ments concerned, and, until the treaty is published, I cannot, of course, say anything about it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean merely that he has no official information? Has he no information other than official information, seeing that this treaty was made months ago?

I am afraid I can only deal with the matter that is officially available from the Governments concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the result of his further inquiries with regard to the question of the Italian import duty on pilchards from this country?

I came to the conclusion that no useful purpose would be served by approaching the Italian Government on the subject at the time of the hon. Member's previous question. The matter has not been overlooked, however, and I will take advantage of any favourable opportunity to have the question raised with the Italian Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the very great importance of this question to a great Cornish industry?

Yes, Sir; that question has been before me previously, and I can only renew my promise to my hon. Friend to take this chance whenever I think it is right to approach the Italian Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received any report from the Economic Committee of the League of Nations as to their investigations into dumping by Soviet Russia; and whether he has any information to give the House on the matter?

I am not aware of any investigation by the Economic Committee of the League into the specific question of dumping by Soviet Russia. The committee, I understand, were considering the general question of dumping, bounties and subsidies at a session last week, but I have not yet received any information in regard to the proceedings.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be receiving some information on this matter?

I am not, of course, sure of that, but I imagine that we shall get details of what takes place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the last few days a considerable quantity of Scottish herrings was sold to Russia at considerably less than cost price?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that consignments of soap manufactured in Russia by slave labour have now reached this country and are being sold at prices which manufacturers in this country cannot compete with; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to assist this industry?

On a point of Order. May I ask whether this question does not contravene the Standing Orders of this House as regards the inaccuracies contained in it?

I do not see anything out of order in it.

34,339 cwts. of hard soap were registered as imported into the United Kingdom from the Soviet Union during the 12 months ended 31st December last. The declared value of this soap was £45,666, or an average of £1 6s. 7d. per cwt., but I have no information as to the actual price at which any of the soap was sold in this country. None has been imported during January last. As regards the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer which was given to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on 10th February.

When is the right hon. Gentleman going to wake up to realise the danger to the trade of the country?

Questions are put down to obtain information and for nothing else.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the statement contained in the question that this soap is produced by compulsory labour?

The point raised by the hon. Member has already been dealt with.

May I be allowed to put down a question concerning the products of other countries and make similar allegations and get the question passed at the Table?

When the hon. Member submits his question, we will see whether it is in order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the quantity of soft fruit pulp imported from Russia during the years 1929 and 1930?

During the years 1929 and 1930 no imports of fruit pulp in syrup into the United Kingdom were registered as consigned from Russia. Fruit pulp of other kinds would be included under the general heading of fruit not liable to duty as such, preserved without sugar, other than canned or bottled. Under this head the imports from Russia during 1929 were 44,767 cwts., valued at £85,202 but how much of this was fruit pulp cannot be stated. The corresponding figures for 1930 are not available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to do anything to deal with this menace to the British fruit growing industry?

That question is like all the others. It suggests some embargo or restriction. My object is to promote trade and not to destroy it.

Who are the people responsible for purchasing these goods?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any timber has been imported into this country during the last 18 months from the following districts of Russia, namely, the Kola peninsula, including the Mrman coast, the Karelian northern areas of Russia, and Zyryani?

I regret that the desired information is not available as imports from different districts in the Soviet Union are not separately recorded.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it will be possible to obtain this information in view of the fact that imports from these districts have been refused in the United States because of having been produced by convict labour?

Before that question is answered, may I ask whether, after full investigation, the embargo has not been lifted?

In reply to the second supplementary question, I think that some time ago that embargo was lifted. As regards the third supplementary question, I feel that I cannot promise to try to separate the imports from any country into the different districts within that country. That would involve a very great deal of labour, and I do not think that it would be justified by the results.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of maize starch imported into this country for the past three years from Russia; and if there is any evidence that it is being sold at a price below the cost of production?

The total imports into the United Kingdom of maize starch, not for edible purposes, registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) amounted to 1,640 cwts. in 1928, 4 cwts. in 1929, and 24,245 cwts. in 1930, the average declared value in 1930 being 10s. 7d. per cwt. Provision was first made in 1930 for the separate enumeration in the trade returns of maize starch for edible purposes, and in that year the recorded imports from the Soviet Union amounted to 24,873 cwts. of an average declared value of 9s. 5d. per cwt. I have no information as to the cost of production of maize starch in the Soviet Union.

Arising out of that answer—[Interruption.] Mr. Speaker, on a point of Order. [Interruption.] I ask you, Sir, is it in order whenever I get up to ask a supplementary question for hon. Members to roar at me like that?

I thought the Noble Lord was being received with applause.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman what has been the cost of this commodity in blood and misery?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the declared value of newspaper, letterpress and lithographic machines, and parts thereof, exported from the United Kingdom during the last three years?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Buckingham (Sir G. Bowyer) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when Part II of the statistical tables relating to British and foreign trade and industry will be published?

It is hoped to publish this volume before Easter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reasons exist for the delay in the delivery of the standard measures required for the work of verifying petrol and oil measuring instruments; what steps have been taken to expedite delivery; and when it is anticipated that the work of verification can be commenced?

The delay referred to was due to certain unexpected technical difficulties which arose. These have now been overcome and of the 1,540 standards submitted to the Department for verification 1,337 have been passed as correct.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report from the committee which has been considering the law relating to patents?

I understand that this committee expects to report in a few weeks' time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to resume his meetings with the various sections of the cotton industry in connection with the Government's proposals for the reorganisation of the industry?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has been conducting any further negotiations with those interested in the cotton industry as to the reorganisation of that industry; and if he is prepared to state the nature of these negotiations?

It was not felt that the discussions with the various sections of the cotton industry could be profitably pursued while the recent dispute was in progress. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I have during the last week had a conference with representatives of the joint committee of Cotton Trade Organisations and discussed the position with them. The future course of action is now under consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken full advantage of the opportunity that has been presented to him during the last two hours to learn something more about the industry?

If by that the right hon. Gentleman means the honour of being presented to the "Cotton Queen," that is certainly true.

Can my right hon. Friend say what steps, if any, have been taken to eliminate the unnecessary number of middlemen from the cotton industry?

That is bound up with the discussions which we are having with the different sections of the trade, and I am afraid that it would be quite impossible, in reply to a supplementary question, to give details of the various plans.

If in the course of the investigations it is found that they can do without the middlemen, and these middlemen are displaced, will the same treatment be meted out to them as is meted out to workmen displaced by disarmament and rationalisation?

I am afraid it is quite impossible to give my hon. Friend details of the proposals which are being made. It will require a very great deal of explanation which I cannot possibly attempt to give in reply to a supplementary question.

rose—

We cannot go into details of this question now.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many barracks in the Aldershot Command are now condemned; and what is the minimum cubic feel allowance per man?

There are no barracks in the Aldershot Command which have been condemned. The minimum cubic space allowed for British troops at Home stations is 600 cubic feet a man.

Having in view the outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the minimum space is adequate under modern conditions?

I am answering a question on cerebro-spinal meningitis later, but I have no information that this cubic space is not sufficient, or that it has any connection whatever with the disease mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to combat the outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis in the Army; whether he is acting in concert with the civil authorities; and what investigations as to the cause of this disease are being made?

As regards the first part of the question, the usual precautions have been taken throughout the Army with regard to ventilation and prevention of overcrowding. Carriers are being searched for and immediate and remote contacts are being watched. In Aldershot, where rather special conditions obtain, special orders have been issued reducing indoor gatherings to a minimum. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, the type of prevalent organism is studied in the laboratory by the Army pathologists, who work in cooperation with the pathologists of the Navy, Air Force and Ministry of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that the average percentage of cerebro-spinal meningitis is higher in the Army, than in the civil population; and if the question of the type of barrack-room is being investigated in this connection?

In the ease of England and Wales, as shown in the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member on 17th November last, the published figures for the civil population show a smaller ratio a thousand for this disease than is shown for the troops. As regards Scotland the reverse is the case. But I am not sure that the figures are on a strictly comparable basis, and for Scotland, so far as the civil population is concerned, they only apply to two counties and certain large towns. As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that the incidence of the disease is so spread that there are no grounds for connecting it with any particular type of barrack room.

Having in view the statement made by the Minister of Health that it is due to overcrowding, will the right hon. Gentleman pursue investigations on the terms of the last part of my question's?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that I have taken his question into consideration, and I will pursue investigations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the percentage in each rank which has been affected so as to show whether the sergeants, as compared with privates and corporals, are affected less than those in the more crowded parts of the barracks?

I am extremely anxious to get all the information possible on these matters, and I will also make inquiries with regard to that particular question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any, and, if so, what, steps are taken by the War Office to obtain employment for discharged soldiers when re-entering civil life?

The War Office is fully alive to the desirability of fitting the soldier for return to civil life and of helping him to secure employment when he does so. It is difficult to deal with this subject within the limits of an oral answer, but I am sending the right hon. Member a copy of the "Guide to Civil Employment for Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen" and a pamphlet on "Army Vocational Training" which will show generally what is being done in the matter. I would add that I am personally keenly interested in the question and am always ready to consider suggestions for increasing the soldier's chances of civil employment. I hope also to refer to the subject in my speech on the introduction of Army Estimates.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not, when he is asking for recruits, the men are made aware of the fact that they will be helped to get civil employment when they leave the Army?

Yes. Full particulars are given in the recruiting documents and by the recruiters, as to what is taking place and what the possibilities are?

Has the War Office information as to the employment that is found afterwards for the ex-Service men?

Yes. We have complete figures how the men are placed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Educational Endowment Commissioners have had submitted to them from the Duncan of Jordanstone Trustees a scheme for the erection of a school of art in Dundee?

I understand that the Duncan of Jordan-stone Trustees have asked the Educational Endowment Commissioners to sanction the erection of the two north-most blocks of the school which they propose to build and that the commissioners have given their consent.

Have any representations been made as to the unsuitability of the site?

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the number and percentage of the population of Lanarkshire living in one- or two-roomed houses;

The only available information on this sub-

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received from the county council of Dumbarton a copy of the survey required by the Housing Act if he will state how many houses are inhabited but unfit for human habitation; and how many houses the county council propose to build within the next three years to meet the deficiency?

The statement required by Sub-section 2 of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, has ject is contained in the Census Returns and refers to the year 1921. I am circulating a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT giving this information. Comparative figures for the year 1931 will be available as a result of the forthcoming Census.

Can the hon. Member give, in addition to the whole of Lanarkshire, some of the principal towns in Lanarkshire? I understand that the figures are available in the census.

I will consider whether that is possible.

May I ask if the figures include the two-room so-called houses built under the Wheatley Act, which have a kitchenette and a bathroom?

No, Sir. The figures refer to the census of 1921.

Can the hon. Member give us the proportion of houses which are of the single type and the two-apartment house?

Speaking roughly, at a time of the last census two-thirds of the entire population of Lanarkshire were housed in houses of not more than two apartments.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the complaint lodged on 21st January, 1931, by the Scottish National Operative Plasterers' Federal Union, Edinburgh district, with the Secretary of the Department of Health for Scotland in Edinburgh, regarding the Edinburgh Corporation Niddrie Mains housing scheme; whether, seeing that this complaint avers in detail that the plaster work in general was not being done in a tradesmanlike manner nor in accordance with the specification issued by the town council and the general specification issued by the Department, and that this statement of complaint was furnished at the request of the Department, he will say when the complaint will receive attention; and whether any official action will in fact he taken?

The complaint referred to was received on the 22nd January following a meeting on the 15th January between representatives of the union mentioned and of the Department of Health for Scotland. The Department communicated the terms of the complaint to the corporation and are now awaiting their observations thereon. On receipt of these observations the Department will consider what further action should be taken.

Can the hon. Member give us some indication when these people are likely to get a reply?

The matter was before the Public Health Committee of the corporation in a discussion with their architect. I understand that they are awaiting a report from the architect, and they have promised to communicate then.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that further great destruction has just been caused to cod-nets by foreign trawlers in the Moray Firth; whether he has made inquiries into the extent of the damage and the circumstances under which it was committed; and what steps he has taken or proposes to take to prevent the continual recurrence of such losses?

My attention has been drawn to this matter. Inquiries are in progress as to the extent of the damage, and as to the circumstances in which it occurred. All possible steps have been taken by the Departments concerned to deal with the matter. Some time ago the Belgian and Netherland Governments were asked to advise their trawlers to take precautions to avoid the cod-nets, and the Foreign Office have been informed that steps have been taken by the respective Governments for that purpose. As the hon. Member is aware, the Fishery Board for Scotland recently issued a special circular to the owners of all the cod-net vessels calling attention to the measures which they should take for reducing the risk of damage and for reporting particulars of any losses sustained. His Majesty's Ship "Spey" and the Fishery Board's cruisers have maintained a thorough patrol and have done everything possible to warn foreign trawlers as to the presence of cod-nets. I am expecting a full report on the recent complaints, and on its receipt I will consider what further steps can be taken. In the meantime an active patrol will be maintained, and I trust that the fishermen will co-operate by carrying out the Regulations as to the marking and lighting of the nets, which I am informed are not being adequately observed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling all along the coast of the Moray Firth about this question, and will he see that steps are taken by international action so that something may be done to put an end to this thing, once for all?

I am well aware of the feeling, a feeling that has been there for many years, about this matter, and, as I stated in my answer, the Foreign Office is in communication with the Governments concerned.

rose—

We have only got to Question 36.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House on the earliest possible occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the serious position existing in the fruit-growing industry in Scotland owing to the importation of cheap foreign fruit pulp; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to maintain the present standard of employment in this industry?

I have recently had an opportunity of meeting representatives of the fruit-growing industry and I am aware of the position. It is quite clear to me that the first necessity in this industry is that the Scottish growers should organise themselves and put their marketing arrangements on a sound basis, and I hope that the Marketing Bill will give them the opportunity to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that foreign fruit pulp was sold at less than half the cost of the production of the British article, and can he say in what way the Marketing Bill touches that question?

I discussed that aspect of the difficulty with a deputation from the fruit growers the other night, and I am well aware of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that by the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts certain moneys were placed at the disposal of the Department of Agriculture both from moneys annually voted by Parliament and from loans through the Public Works Loans Commissioners; that by these Acts the moneys were inter alia to be applied by the Department in providing assistance by way of loans to new landholders to enable them to acquire rights in the buildings on their holdings, which loans were payable by way of annuities; and that in many cases before the loans have been repaid the Department has relet these holdings to new tenants at equipped rents which make no provision for the repayment of the balance of the loans; and what steps it is proposed to take to secure repayment of the sums lent?

A landholder does not and cannot in law acquire or transfer right of property in the buildings but only acquires right of compensation for his improvements. As regards the sums borrowed by the Department from the Public Works Loans Commissioners the annuities in repayment of these borrowings are provided by revenues from the estates and where such revenues prove to be insufficient by the amount voted to the Department in terms of Sub-section 3 of Section 26 of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act. 1919.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question on the Paper, namely, what steps it is proposed to take to secure repayment of the sums lent?

I have done my best, and I hope successfully, to answer the question. May I point out, further; that within the last fortnight we have had an opportunity of discussing all the legal complexities referred to in the hon. Member's question, and these are so great that it is impossible within the limits of question and answer to deal with them.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount paid by coal owners in Lanarkshire in mining royalties and rates for the five years ending December, 1930?

I regret that the information in regard to royalties and local rates is not available by counties. During the five years 1925 and 1927–30, particulars for 1928 are not available, the estimated total amount of royalties paid by colliery owners in Scotland as a whole was nearly £4¼ millions, and the total amount of local rates approximately £945,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the number of persons representing the normal capacity for employment in the coal-mining industry at the present time or at any given period during the last 12 months; and by how many the number of persons nominally registered as employable in the industry exceeds this figure?

As I said in answer to a similar question by the hon. Member last week, the normal capacity for employment in the coal industry is a matter of opinion. The number of insured persons in the industry in July, 1930, which is the latest date for which a figure is available, was estimated to be 1,069,370. The number of wage earners on colliery books on the same date was 910,600. The two figures are not, however, strictly comparable as the former excludes all persons below the age of 16 and over the age of 64, while the latter includes wage earners of all ages. In addition some thousands of salaried persons are included in the first figure but not in the second.

In view of the number of miners who cannot obtain employment in the industry, may I ask whether the Government have any plans to absorb then!, into the industry or to find them other employment?

That is an entirely different question.

asked the Secretary for Mines, seeing that the explosions in mines and deaths through them were greater in 1930 than in the two previous years, whether he can say if the inquiries made into the causes found that any of the explosions were caused through inadequate ventilation?

Inquiries were made by His Majesty's inspectors into the causes of every one of these explosions. In two of them the ventilation was proved to have been inadequate through negligence on the part of the management, and those responsible were prosecuted and convicted of offences under the Coal Mines Act. In the other cases, although at the moment of the explosion and in the immediate neighbourhood of the source of ignition a dangerous concentration of fire-damp must have existed, there was no proof that the ventilation was inadequate through negligence and not through an accident or other causes against which it was impracticable to make provision.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that, at a colliery on Tyneside, over 48 per cent. of the total gross profits are absorbed in payment of salaries to persons not actually engaged in working operations and that the last balance sheet disclosed a loss; and whether he will deal with the matter by directing the notice of the reorganisation commissioners to the need for absorbing this colliery in other concerns?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. If my hon. Friend will give me the name of the colliery and any other particulars, I will consider whether the matter is one on which action can suitably be taken on the lines indicated in the last part of his question.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will not interfere with the work of the reorganisation commissioners in any way?

This question has nothing whatever to do with the work of the reorganisation commissioners. It is merely asking for information.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will set up a committee of inquiry into the wide discrepancy between the retail price of coal and the price charged at the pithead?

I understand that representatives of the Coal Merchants' Federation and of coalowners are now discussing proposals which are designed to improve the methods and so reduce the costs of retail coal distribution. I propose to await the result of these negotiations. If they are unsuccessful I will give further consideration to the suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the cost-of-living bonus com- pensation awarded to civil servants under the Civil Service Whitley Council cost-of-living agreement of 1920 was not extended to the same extent to ex-service men who joined His Majesty's Civil Service in a temporary capacity after the War and who are serving to-day as established, unestablished, or temporary officers, and of the dissatisfaction among these ex-service men concerning their existing remuneration, he will agree to suspend any further deduction in their existing salaries and wages on a cost-of-living basis until their existing remuneration has been placed upon a more satisfactory basis?

No, Sir. I should not feel justified in exempting these clerks from the decision that the remuneration of civil servants must be revised, as from 1st March next, in accordance with the principle prescribed by the cost-of-living agreement. The principle then laid down is applicable to the unestablished clerks referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question under the terms of agreed settlements dated 22nd May, 1924, and 7th May, 1929.

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he does not think that the pay and emoluments of competent ex-service men should be as high as those of the non-service men?

The hon. and gallant Member is raising a very important question. He refers to competent ex-service men. I have gone very carefully into this matter, and I am sure that the pay and emoluments for the kind of work they do compare very favourably with the pay in similar outside employment.

Is it not the case that these men have been working side by side with those who are in receipt of higher rates of pay and that they have been carrying out their duties perfectly satisfactorily?

I appeal to the hon. and gallant Member not to raise that point.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any typewriters of foreign manufacture have been purchased by the Stationery Office during the year 1930; and what was the total cost of such machines?

A limited number of typewriters of foreign manufacture have been purchased by the Stationery Office during the year 1930 at a cost of £2,002. These machines are special types for which no suitable British-made substitutes are at present available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any calculating machines of foreign manufacture were purchased by the Stationery Office during the year 1930; and what was the cost of such machines?

During the year 1930, £3,310 was spent by the Stationery Office on calculating machines wholly manufactured abroad and £6,637 on machines assembled in this country from parts manufactured abroad.

Am I to understand that in this case no suitable British machines were available?

Yes, that is so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of persons employed in the Solicitors' Department of the Treasury as at the last convenient date?

At the present date the staff of the Treasury Solicitor's Department number 196.