asked the Secretary for Mines if he will give details of the staff of his Department during the first week in March in 1930 and 1931, respectively; and what additions to his staff have been necessitated by the Coal Mines Act, 1930?

As the answer involves a rather long statement containing a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many foreign motor vehicles and how many British motor vehicles are in use by the Department of His Majesty's Customs and Excise; and whether any foreign motor vehicles are on order at the present time?

The Customs and Excise Department use five motor vehicles, three of British manufacture belonging to His Majesty's Stationery Office, and two which are provided on hire by an outside contractor and as to the nature of which I have no particulars. I may mention that in Northern Ireland 15 cars, all of British manufacture, are used by members of the police force of that country who are engaged on Customs patrol work. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Does the hon. Member not think that the Department might take the trouble to find out what those cars are?

May I ask whether it is usual in hiring vehicles to specify that they shall be of British manufacture?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many unions of civil servants have been granted certificates of approval under Section 5 of the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, 1927?

Two hundred and seventy-five.

asked the Secretary for Mines what action has been taken, or is likely to be taken, by the Government in order to encourage the making of oil from British coal in this country?

For some years past the Government have spent a considerable sum of money each year on research work at the Fuel Research Station in connection with low-temperature carbonisation and hydrogenation of coal and coal tar oils, and full information in regard to this work is contained in the report of the Fuel Research Board issued quite recently. Tests have been and are being carried out by the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry on fuels produced in this country from coal. I am again considering whether there is anything further that the Government might usefully do in order to expedite the development of these processes.

asked the Secretary for Mines the quantity of British coal used in this country in the process of extracting oil during each of the last three years ended 31st December, 1930?

At present no plant is being operated in this country on a commercial basis primarily for the extraction of oil from coal. Coal tar and coal tar oils are obtained as by-products in the carbonisation of coal at gas works, by-product coke ovens and low-temperature carbonisation works. In addition, benzol is obtained from the gas produced at a large number of these works, and smaller quantities in the process of distilling the tar. I gave such information as is available of the quantity of coal carbonised at these works in reply to a question asked on the 3rd March by my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Rosbotham). I will send a copy of this answer to my hon. Friend.

Does my hon. Friend's answer include the oil extracted from Scottish shales?

No; I think it refers to coal exclusively.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average daily wage paid in the mining industry in 1920 and the average daily wage paid up to the latest period available?

The average cash earnings per man-shift of all workers employed in the coal mines in Great Britain during 1920 was 16s. 10¼d., and during 1930, 9s. 3½d. These figures are exclusive of allowances in kind, as this information is not available for the year 1920. The average value of the allowances in kind during the first nine months of 1930 was about 4¾d. per shift.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average cost per ton of coal raised for timbering the coal mines of Great Britain; and the total cost for the years 1928 and 1929?

In 1928 the estimated total cost of timber and pit wood consumed at coal mines in Great Britain was approximately £8¼ millions, an average cost of 8¼d. per ton of saleable coal raised. The corresponding figures in 1929 were £8⅔ millions and 8d.

asked the Secretary for Mines if there has been an increase or decrease of employment in the mining industry during the months of January and February, 1931, and the amount of such increase or decrease?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Midlothian (Major Colville) on 4th March.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a growing feeling in the country on this subject, and that very many men are being denied employment on account of the operation of the quota?

I have already informed the hon. and gallant Member that he is entirely mistaken as to the facts.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can make any statement with regard to the stoppage of work at the East Bristol collieries?

Towards the end of January my Department was warned of the possibility of a stoppage of work at the Kingswood and Parkfield Collieries, belonging to the East Bristol Collieries, Limited, due to the inability of the parties to agree to terms and conditions of employment. At the invitation both of the owners and of the workmen, a representative of my Department attended a series of conferences in the district, and as a result of these conferences both sides agreed to submit the points at issue to arbitration. The Court of Arbitration made its award last week, but the workmen declined to abide by it, and have ceased work. I understand that the owners have since made an offer of alternative terms, but that this also has been refused.

Can the hon. Gentleman take any steps whatsoever to see that the principle of arbitration is complied with?

I have no responsibility in that matter.

What happens if one side declines to agree to the result?

asked the Secretary for Mines the total output of coal in Great Britain for the months of January and February, 1931; and whether the output during this period has been equal to the demand?

The estimated quantity of saleable goal raised in Great Britain during January, 1931, was 19,174,000 tons, and during February, 1931, 18,908,000 tons. This output was several millions below the proportion of the quarter's allocation fixed by the Central Council under the Coal Mines Act, 1930. It is obvious, therefore, that demand was not equal to the permissible output.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will explain the circumstances and conditions in which the chairman of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission surrendered or commuted pension rights accruing to him; and whether any consideration in his salary of £7,000 a year was accorded to him in return for that surrender or commutation?

I refrained from answering similar questions asked by several hon. Members on 3rd and 5th March because the Supplementary Estimate for my Department was on the Order Paper for the days on which the questions were put down, and also because an answer involved a statement which would necessarily be much longer than an ordinary answer to a question. Now that the Supplementary Estimate cannot be taken on Report until Friday next at the earliest, I do not propose any longer to delay a reply if I may have your indulgence, Sir, for a rather long statement.

Sir Ernest Cowers' appointment as chairman of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission is for a period of seven years, terminable by either side at the end of five years. Before this appointment, Sir Ernest Cowers held the important office of chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue. He was receiving a salary of £3,000 a year. As an established civil servant he reckoned his service for pension, and, had he remained in that office, he would have been eligible on retirement for age or on account of ill health, to a pension at the rate of one-eightieth of his salary, and to a lump sum allowance at the rate of one-thirtieth of his salary, for each year of his service as a civil servant. After 40 years' service in all, he would have become eligible to retire on a pension equivalent to half his salary and with a lump sum allowance of more than £4,000.

His appointment as Chairman of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission involved the surrender of his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue. He was taken right out of the Civil Service. The post to which he has been appointed is not a Civil Service post, and Sir Ernest's tenure of it has been treated as "approved employment" in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1914. One effect of these provisions is that the period of his employment as Chairman of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission cannot in any circumstances be reckoned for pension. A second consequence is that if Sir Ernest Gowers were to die in the course of that employment, a substantial death gratuity which, had he remained in the Civil Service would have been payable to his legal personal representatives, would not be payable. Thirdly, if Sir Ernest Gowers, after completion of his service on the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission, were to resume employment in the Civil Service, he would be eligible on final retirement to a pension calculated with reference only to the years of his service in the Civil Service and his final Civil Service salary. Fourthly, if, during his employment as Chairman of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission he were to reach the age of 60 or to become permanently incapacitated by ill-health, Sir Ernest would be eligible under the provisions of the Superannuation Act to receive a pension related only to the period of his service in the Civil Service prior to his transfer to the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission and to the Civil Service salary he was then receiving.

In accordance with practice, Sir Ernest is eligible for further employment in the Civil Service. But if he does not return to the Civil Service when his work on the Coal Commission comes to an end, as may well be the case, he forfeits inevitably the whole of his Civil Service pension.

Having now given the House a very complicated but full statement in regard to Sir Ernest Gowers' position and emoluments, does not the hon. Gentleman consider that the Committee would have been in a much better position to consider this matter had that statement been made when the question was raised in the Committee and, having made a statement after the Committee stage of the Vote has been closed, would he agree to a proposal that the Vote should be re-committed in order that we might discuss whatever is necessary in the appropriate place to discuss it, namely, in Committee of Supply?

I cannot agree to re-committing the Vote, because in any event the information that has been asked for is now available and Members can be fully armed with the facts in the Debate on Friday. I agree that the Committee would have been much better equipped for the purposes of Debate if the information had been at their disposal, but I was not myself aware that the pension rights question was to be raised and I had not the information at my command at that moment, but I took the first available opportunity of arming myself with the facts and would have given them to the House earlier than to-day if an opportunity had been provided.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider this? It is evident that the Committee was not aware of the facts of the case when this matter should have been discussed in Committee. The Government have met us very fully in putting down the Report stage as first order for Friday. All my right hon. Friend asks is that he will re-commit the Vote and let us discuss it in Committee, which gives us a much better opportunity of dealing with the facts of the case and—I think I can answer for my friends—we would allow the Report stage to be quite formal and the Government would lose no time whatever.

A full opportunity will be afforded of discussing the matter on Friday. It is true that, unlike the Committee stage, Members will be confined to one speech, but I can hardly regard that as a hardship.

The hon. Gentleman has some Parliamentary experience. Is he not aware that the Committee stage is essentially a stage in which Members can put questions on these elaborate, detailed points and, without any waste of time, the Minister can make a series of replies, giving the information that the Committee requires, whereas on Report we shall have a much more formal Debate in which the Minister can only speak once. I would ask him, therefore, to consult the President of the Board of Trade and urge him to give us an opportunity of discussing the real facts in Committee, in return for which we promise him that we will not occupy any further time than would have been occupied on Report.

The right hon. Gentleman has put a simple point to me, but it appears that ample opportunity will be afforded for putting interpellations to me on Report. I presume that I might have, in that event, the leave of the House to reply to such questions.

Do I take it that the Opposition prefer to take both Committee and Report on Friday if consent is given?

That does not arise at all. The Committee stage has been disposed of. Hon. Members wished to have some information on pension rights. As far as I can recall the circumstances, they confined themselves to that simple point. I have given full information on it, and they have the remainder of the time between now and Friday to consider the reply that I have given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state the figures of coal exports for February, 1931, and those of February, 1930?

Particulars of coal exports during February, 1931, which I presume is the month intended, are not yet available, but they will be published in the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" on Thursday next. The figure for February, 1930, was given to the hon. and gallant Member on the 3rd March.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been a very considerable fall between this month and last month?

That question would require notice. I am afraid that unfortunately the tendency is downwards, but my hon. Friend will give the actual figure on Thursday.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that it has nothing to do with the quota?

I have repeatedly given assurances to that effect.

If there is any fall in the exports, will it not be partly due to the trouble in the South Wales coalfield at the beginning of the year?

Certainly, the export from South Wales was affected because of the fortnight's stoppage in that area.

Was not the stoppage in South Wales due to the effect of the quota system?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can state the number of Empire Marketing Board poster frames that have been erected in the overseas Dominions; and will he give particulars?

Twenty-seven specimens of the Board's poster frames have been erected in centres of population in over-sea parts of the Empire in order to demonstrate the action taken by the Board to promote the sales of Empire produce in this country. Of these frames seven are in Australia, six in New Zealand, five in South Africa and nine in the British West Indies. The question of the erection of similar frames in Canada is under consideration.

Do any of these frames contain advertisements of products manufactured in the United Kingdom?

I do not know exactly what they contain, but I will make inquiries

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the percentage fall in the value of cocoa f.f. Accra f.o.b. as at 28th February, 1931, as compared with the average price during 1913, and, similarly, the percentage fall in the retail price of beverage cocoa and confectionery chocolate as at 28th February, 1931, as compared with the average price during 1913?

Comparable quotations for cocoa f.f. Accra f.o.b. for 1913 and February, 1931, are not available. The price of this cocoa, as recorded in the "Statist," was 20s. 9d. per cwt. on 26th February, 1931. The corresponding figure for 1913 is not available but the average value of the raw cocoa exported from the Gold Coast in 1913 was £2 9s. 3d. per cwt. Information in possession of the Ministry of Labour indicates that the usual retail price of certain well-known standard proprietary brands of cocoa was 1s. 9d. per lb. at the beginning of February, 1931; in July, 1914, the prices of such cocoa usually ranged from 2s. 4d. to 2s. 8d. per lb. The average price of loose cocoa was about 1s. per lb. at the beginning of February, 1931, and about 1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d. per lb. in July, 1914. No information regarding the retail price of confectionery chocolate is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total cost of mining timber imported into this country for the years 1929 and 1930; and will he say which are the three countries where we get the greatest supply from?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full tables of imports of pit-props given in reply to the question asked on 17th February by my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley (Mr. Potts), of which I am sending him a copy.

Is any effort being made by the Board of Trade to encourage pit-props from different parts of the Empire to come into the country?

A certain amount has been done on that point, but I should require notice as to how far these supplies really compete with Empire products.

Do the figures the right hon. Gentleman has given include re-exports to this country from Soviet Russia?

I cannot say off-hand as to re-exports. The figures certainly include the imports from Russia, among other countries, for the four years in question.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the importers are sitting beside the right hon. Gentleman opposite?

asked the President of the Board of Trade from which countries gloves were imported in January, 1930, and January, 1931; and what number of pairs of gloves were imported from each of these countries during the two periods in question?

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

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures will show that these imports of foreign articles—[Interruption.]

It is rather unusual for an hon. Member to ask a question and then proceed to give the information himself.

May we ask for the reply to be given now?

May I ask whether it is in order for an hon. Member to put down a question involving a great deal of expense if he already knows the answer and the figures

On a point of Order. May I draw your attention to the fact that we have 10 minutes before we reach the end of Question Time.

If the hon. Member wants the answer, he can have it.

I ask for the answer to be given now.

It is rather a long answer with some tables of figures, but as a compromise I will read the essential figures. We imported during January, 1930, 39,000 dozen pairs of gloves of leather and fur, and in January, 1931, 143,000 dozen pairs. Then follows a list of the countries from which they were consigned, the leading countries being Germany, 19,000; France, 24,000; and Italy, 84,000. Of fabric gloves of cotton or of cotton mixed with other materials, the total imports in January, 1930, were 100,000 dozen pairs, and in January, 1931, 273,000 dozen pairs, the most important consignment coming from Germany, 200,000 dozen pairs. In January, 1931, we imported 22,000 fabric gloves of other textile materials, and of gloves of other descriptions of wool, or of which the chief value is wool, 1,400 dozen pairs in January, 1930, and 465 dozen pairs in January, 1931. These figures are not strictly comparable, as during January, 1930, they include, in the case of dutiable goods, imports by parcel post and exclude goods transhipped under bond, whereas the figures for January, 1931, except in the case of goods containing silk or artificial silk, exclude imports by parcel post but include goods in transit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this enormous increase in the imports of these foreign articles is due to the lapsing of Safeguarding, which is throwing our workers out of employment and giving employment to the foreigner.

No, I do not take that view. The imports have certainly increased, but I have not the least doubt that they were artificially increased during January, held up no doubt in view of the forthcoming disappearance of the Duty. A much better way is to take the average imports for months in other comparable years, and in point of fact these figures are actually lower.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the imports for the months preceding the repeal of the duty showed any decline, indicating that the imports were held back until, as one would expect, they would be able to come in free of duty?

I should require notice of that question, but plainly the imports were artificially increased during January.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a great portion of these gloves have been made on British machinery supplied from this country?

Of that question also I should require notice. My hon. Friend

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any progress to report concerning the plans of the Government for the reorganisation of the cotton trade?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 24th February, of which I am sending him a copy. My right hon. will realize that the question goes far beyond that on the Paper.

Friend the Home Secretary and I await the views of the Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations on the matters which they were asked to consider.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will get really busy on this matter and do something?

Is there going to be another meeting?

Meetings are being held very regularly, but at the moment certain questions have been addressed to the representatives of the trade, and we must await their reply?

May I ask whether the question of unnecessary middlemen is being discussed at the moment?

The inquiry covers all parts of the problem.

Is the report of the Cotton Committee a dead letter now?

No, Sir, far from it.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has now made representations to the Canadian Government in respect of the recent deportations from Canada of a number of British persons?

This question is still under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman intending to raise the matter at Ottawa?

As the hon. Member knows, it is a very difficult and delicate question. I prefer to say nothing except that it is still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the average weekly pay of the watchers in the coastguard service; whether they lose any pay if off duty for sickness; whether the service is pensionable; and whether they are subject to cuts in pay on account of the cost-of-living figures?

The present average weekly pay of coastguardsmen including cost-of-living bonus is 48s. 1d. and of station officers 54s. 7d. In addition they receive free unfurnished quarters and uniform clothing. Special allowances, varying from 4s. to 10s. per week are also paid at certain isolated stations, and senior coastguardsmen at all stations without a station officer receive an allowance of 1s. per week, plus bonus. During sickness, station officers and coastguardsmen in common with other minor grades in the Civil Service, after a qualifying period of 12 months' service, receive two-thirds pay and bonus, less the amount of sickness benefit for which they are normally eligible under the National Health Insurance Acts. Sick pay is issued for absences of six weeks in the aggregate during any period of 12 months. Service in the coastguard is not pensionable and the pay is subject to the normal variations of bonus applicable to civil servants.

Will my right hon. Friend consider, in view of the nature of this service, doing something to prevent bonus cuts being made in the case of this loyal body of servants of the Crown?

That involves, of course, the general question of bonus arrangements on which I could not go beyond recent Government replies.

Would the whole question of the pay and possible pensions of coast watchers come within the purview of the Committee that is now sitting?

It may in so far as it relates to the efficiency of the service for the particular point raised in the inquiry recently instituted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what sum has been placed in the market on account of the construction risk for the new Cunard liner?

I understand that rather more than £2,500,000 of the construction risk has so far been placed in the market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to propose legislation for a contributory pension scheme for officers of the royal mercantile marine; and will he state the nature of the proposed scheme?

The answer is in the negative, but proposals for a voluntary scheme are under discussion by certain of the interests concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Officers Merchant Navy Federation has prepared a contributory pension scheme, and, in the event of it being acceptable, will the Board of Trade assist in its administration by arranging for the deduction of the contributions at source?

Yes, that is one of the bodies interested in a voluntary scheme. I should like to add that if they formed a sound voluntary scheme the Board would have great pleasure in giving it such encouragement as was within their power.

May I point out that in the second line of my question the word should be "sound" instead of "song"?

That makes the reply a little different. The answer to the first part of the question is "None," and therefore the second part does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War what contracts for supplies of South African brandy have been placed at any time by the War Office; if such brandy was used for hospital purposes and was found to be satisfactory; and is the War Office prepared to give special consideration to Empire brandy in future contracts?

Two contracts have been placed in the past for South African brandy. This was required for hospital purposes and met require- ments satisfactorily. The War Department is always prepared to give special consideration to Empire over foreign supplies.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for the answer, may I ask him, arising out of his reply, whether his Department will give every possible encouragement to the Overseas Dominions to supply brandy?

Before my hon. Friend replies, will he persuade—[Interruption.]

Mr. Louis Smith.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his attention has been called to the case of an 18 year old girl, Margaret Thompson Allison, of Glasgow, who was sentenced to 60 days' imprisonment at Inverness by the sheriff, recently, for setting fire to some straw at the steading of Milltown of Moyness, Auldearn; if he is aware that evidence was given proving that this girl was kept on the farm without an afternoon or Sunday off and under serious conditions of overwork; and whether he will consider this case with a view to the reduction of the sentence?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. I have, however, made inquiry and am informed that the girl was charged on indictment with culpably and recklessly setting fire to straw, that she pled guilty, and that in consequence no evidence was led. It was stated in court that the fire caused loss of £1,000 to the tenant of the premises, in addition to the damage done to the buildings. A statement regarding the girl's alleged conditions of employment was made by her law agent and considered by the court before sentence was pronounced. On the information before me I am not satisfied that I would be justified in advising interference with the sentence. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend has any further information to give me I shall be prepared to consider it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that relatives of the girl—poor people—who travelled from Glasgow to give evidence, were not allowed to give evidence by the Sheriff; and is he further aware that the Sheriff himself admitted that the girl was working under conditions akin to slavery?

I have already told my hon. and gallant Friend that if he has further information to give than that which is available to me, I shall be prepared to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement with reference to the registration of unregistered marriages that take place at Gretna Green?

Any proposals for the amendment of the marriage law of Scotland would require to be carefully examined by a competent committee, and I am considering the appointment of such a committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement with regard to his personal investigation of the circumstances attending the recent detruction by foreign trawlers of cod-nets in the Moray Firth; and, in particular, whether he will arrange for a cruiser to be detailed for special duty to protect the fishermen from loss till the end of the present fishing season?

A conference, at which I presided, was held at Buckie on Saturday last, the 7th instant. In addition to representatives of the Fishery Board for Scotland and the commander of His Majesty's Ship "Spey," the naval vessel on fishing patrol in the Moray Firth, there were present some 60 skippers, together with representatives of local authorities interested, fish salesmen and others. The situation was fully discussed, and I am now considering what further steps can be taken including the possibility of further protection. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the problem of the Moray Firth is one which this Government has inherited from previous Governments and is one which does not admit of an easy solution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the second time during his present period of office that those depredations have taken place?

I am aware that from time to time during the last 20 years, or thereabouts, loss has been sustained by Moray Firth fishermen. I am well aware of that fact. I am also well aware, just as my hon. and gallant Friend is well aware, of the difficulties of the situation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question? Will he arrange for a cruiser to be continuously on the fishing ground until the end of the fishing season?

In the course of my reply, I answered the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question. I said "including the possibility of further protection."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware—

We had this matter discussed on the Adjournment the other day.

On a point of Order. May I point out that, although I raised this matter on the Adjournment, the speech of the right hon. Gentleman was cut short by the fact that we had reached half-past Eleven, and he was not able to complete his statement. May I have an answer?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, after consultation between the Forestry Commission and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, as provided for by Section 3 of the Forestry Act, 1919, the Department has agreed to all lands acquired by the Forestry Commission in Scotland being withdrawn from agriculture for forestry purposes; and whether he will state how much of the land was acquired without full agreement?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Section 3 of the Forestry Act, 1919, requires the Forestry Commission to consult the appropriate agricultural Department, but it does not require them to accept the views of that Department. I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Commission for information as to the number of cases in which the views of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland may not have been accepted.

If consultation means simply intimation, what is the use of the Forestry Commission giving any intimation at all?

Our information is that no permanent pasture or arable land has been taken by the Forestry Commission unless for nursery purposes.

Is the hon. Member not aware that there are a great many complaints all over Scotland, particularly in the North, that land which is meant for purely agricultural purposes is being taken by the Forestry Commission, while there are thousands of other acres fit for forestry which they could take.

As I have already said, no permanent pasture or arable land has been taken by the Forestry Commission, unless it has been a very small portion here or there for nursery purposes.

What about the Barcaldine case? Was not pasture taken?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the communication from the Edinburgh Nurserymen and Gardeners' Trade Association urging the control of the imports of foreign vegetables, soft fruit and bulbous flowers; and what answer he has returned?

No answer has yet been made to the communication referred to. The representations made by the Edinburgh Nurserymen and Gardeners' Trade Association are similar to those previously made by the Scottish Fruit-growing Associations, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to his question of 24th February on this subject, to the effect that it was quite clear to him 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 that he hoped that the Marketing Bill would give them the opportunity to do so.

Does that answer indicate that the Government refuse to consider under any circumstances helping this industry by controlling the importation of foreign produce?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the MacBrayne steamer going from Stornoway to Kyle of Lochalsh has suspended its morning call at Applecross, and that a passenger on the MacBrayne steamer from Applecross to Kyle of Lochalsh, a few miles to the south, has to proceed from Applecross to Stornoway, 60 miles to the north, and return from there, passing Applecross on the way, on the following day; and what steps he proposes to take to make the MacBrayne Company implement that part of their contract which guaranteed a maintenance of existing services, in view of the inconvenience and hardship caused to the inhabitants of the Apple-cross district?

The following is the reply which I have been asked to give on behalf of my right hon. Friend. As I informed the right hon. and learned Member in reply to a question which he asked on this subject on the 31st October, 1929. I have agreed that the hazardous call during the night of the Stornoway mail steamer at Applecross should be discontinued during the winter months. I may add, however, that arrangements have been made to secure that, subject to weather conditions, calls shall continue to be made in cases where illness in the Applecross district necessitates the removal of patients to hospital.

Is the hon. Member aware that the children cannot get back from their holidays because the steamer does not call, and that if there are any bad cases of illness, and there have been several cases of illness, no doctor can be got?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will either see my right hon. Friend or put down another question. Obviously, I cannot reply.

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the total cost of the pensions paid in the year ended 31st March, 1930, to widows and children of ex-officers and men who died of war disabilities, for which they had been drawing pensions; and what part of this cost represents pensions which began in the period in question?

In the temporary absence of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions, I have been asked to reply. The total cost of pensions to widows and children of ex-officers and men for the year referred to was £16,438,755. The records in the Ministry do not enable my right hon. Friend to say what proportion of this sum was paid in cases where the deceased ex-officer or man died while in receipt of pension. New awards of pension to widows and children were made during the same year of a total annual value of £121,327. The proportion of this fresh expenditure which was actually defrayed during the year cannot be stated exactly, but it may be taken as approximately two-thirds.

asked the Postmaster-General how many sub-post offices have been opened in the postal areas of Welling, Bexley Heath, and Barnehurst, and the numbers of postal staffs employed in those areas in 1925 and 1930, respectively?

Ten sub-post offices have been opened in the Welling, Bexley Heath, and Barnehurst postal areas, and the postal officers employed in these areas number 23 in 1925 and 45 in 1930.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements are being made in conjunction with the Canadian authorities for the partial use of air transit for Transatlantic mails to and from St. Lawrence ports and inland centres of Canada?

It has been arranged with the Canadian authorities that, as soon as the connecting air service is available, letters prepaid for air transmission will be carried by sea to the Strait of Belle Isle and thence by air to Montreal and beyond. An announcement regarding the date of opening of the service and the air fees payable will be made in due course.

Can the hon. Member give an indication how far inland this air transport is likely to go in Canada?

That must be made the subject of another question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it will be possible for him to arrange for the fixing of a cab-rank telephone box at a near-by cab rank to facilitate the summoning of cabs to New Palace Yard for the use of Members?

Telephonic communication with the cab-rank in New Palace Yard may be obtained by asking the Houses of Parliament switchboard operator for extension 111. Other cab ranks in the vicinity have telephones, those most conveniently situated being Victoria 7167 and Victoria 3600. I understand that the facilities available to Members for obtainings cabs are being considered by the Lord Great Chamberlain.

Will the Postmaster-General see that Members make sure that all these motor-cars and cabs are of British manufacture?

Is the Minister not aware that taxicab men find it very unprofitable carrying Members of Parliament?

asked the Minister of Labour, in View of the fact that F. 422 does not define how records are kept for log and garment pieceworkers, if she will inform the House how such records are to be kept?

I have no power to prescribe the exact form of record, but the facts to be recorded are stated in paragraph 4 of the leaflet F. 422 for workers employed on general minimum piece rates, including log workers, and in paragraphs 5 to 9 for workers employed on garment piece rates.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received from the Kent County Council a copy of the survey required by the Housing (No. 2) Act, 1930; if he will state how many houses are inhabited but unfit for human habitation; and how many houses are suggested within the five-years plan of the Act?

I would refer by hon. Friend to the reply given to similar questions recently put by my hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Mr. Winterton), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health if he will press upon all local authorities engaged in housing schemes aided by Government subsidies to give preference to British materials on the lines adopted by the London County Council and other local authorities?

My right hon. Friend has already issued a circular, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member, urging local authorities to make use, to the utmost extent practicable, of goods and materials of home production or manufacture.

In view of the fact that a large number of public authorities are using foreign slates for their housing schemes and that after a period of only three years they have had to be stripped, will the hon. Lady convey to her right hon. Friend that it is necessary to exert something more than ordinary pressure in this case?

If the hon. Member will peruse the circular, I think that it will give him satisfaction. I will convey his remarks to my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Lady aware of the fact that the practice adopted by the London County Council has involved the diversion from the building of houses for working-class people of money otherwise available for that purpose, and has increased working-class rents and rates?

May I express my regret at the cause which is keeping the Chancellor of the Exchequer away from the House?

I thank the hon. Member for his remarks. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on the 16th February.

In view of the fact that we are asked to await developments, and seeing that the original statement was made four weeks ago, cannot something be done to expedite an answer?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to what I have said.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions have been issued to inspec- tors of taxes with regard to the reduction of assessment on property now being revalued under Schedule A?

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue, in the exercise of their statutory duties in relation to all the taxes placed under their care and management, have frequent occasion to give instructions and advice to their inspectors and other officers. These communications are conveyed sometimes orally and sometimes in writing. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to depart from the invariable practice by authorising the publication of internal communications of this character.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the names of the members of the selection committee for awards of the Imperial Service Medal, and by whom appointed; and what are the regulations governing the issue of this medal?

The selection committee consists of the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, and the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Statutes governing the award of the medal.

asked the Minister of Health what is the nightly accommodation in the casual ward at Union Road, Leytonstone; what number of applicants have been refused admission; what instructions have to be observed when applications greatly exceed the accommodation; and whether he has received complaints or information respecting insufficient casual ward accommodation at this and similar institutions elsewhere?

There is sleeping accommodation for 70 men and six women in the West Ham casual wards; when the wards are full further applicants are not refused admission but are informed of the fact and told that there is vacant accommodation for them at the Hackney casual wards which are two miles away; applicants who are not fit to proceed to Hackney are admitted to the West Ham wards even though the wards are full, and are provided with emergency accommodation. My right hon. Friend has received reports on them which he has communicated to the local authority for their attention and consideration.

Is the hon. Lady aware that a man was charged recently at the local police court with having broken a window in this particular institution and that he gave as his explanation and justification the fact that he was refused admission for the night? Further, may I ask whether she realises the distance that a man has to travel late at night from Leytonstone, and whether some other arrangements can be made to provide better accommodation for these unfortunate people?

The case mentioned by the hon. Member has not been brought to my notice, but I will inform my right hon. Friend. With regard to the general matter of casual wards, the Minister of Health is engaged in a revision of the orders and regulations, and has communicated with nearly all local authorities on the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the labour employed in the manganese mines in Burma is supplied by the criminal tribes settlement, he will take steps to prohibit the importation of manganese produced by such labour?

I understand that labour of the kind in question is in no sense prison or convict labour. In any event there is no power under existing legislation to take the course suggested, and, as I have said on many occasions in this House, His Majesty's Government are not prepared to seek such powers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of this native labour recruited for this particular work have to have their finger prints taken and are engaged under conditions which demand an inquiry by his Department?

I understand that this labour is in an exceptional position, but my information is that it is in no sense convict labour and does not come within the Foreign (Prison Made) Goods Act, 1907, which bears upon a problem, of this kind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the numbers of factories which have concluded agreements satisfactorily to the beet-sugar growers under the terms of the Government offer; and which are the factories which have not concluded such agreements?

Twelve beet-sugar factories have accepted the terms of the Government offer of a special advance and have offered beet contracts to growers on the basis of the Government conditions. The following six factories have not made use of the Government offer: Cantley, Ely, Ipswich, Kelham, King's Lynn and Peterborough.

Am I right in assuming that the factories that have not entered into the agreement are for the most part in the Anglo-Dutch group of factories?

They are all in that group except Peterborough.

Has the right hon. Gentleman used, and is he still using, his best endeavours to persuade the Anglo-Dutch group of factories which have, as he said, made these large profits, to come into the agreement with the other factories?

I am engaged in that endeavour.

Do these happenings not show—

Order, order!