asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received the report from His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow as to whether any British interests are involved in the trial now proceeding in the Hall of Nobles, Moscow?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow reports that the indictment in this case involves no British interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will ask the British Ambassador at Moscow to obtain a copy of the new decree of the Soviet Government increasing the tax on all ministers of religion in Soviet Russia?

If the right hon. Gentleman refers to the new regulations of the Commissariat of Finance, which were published in "Izvestia," of 24th February, I shall be happy to furnish him with a translation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that our diplomatic and trade representatives in Russia are not given the same facilities for obtaining information as to current events and conditions in that country as our representatives in France and Germany are given and as the representatives of the Soviet Government in Great Britain are given; and whether he will make representations to the Soviet Government on the matter?

As I informed the House on 16th February last, His Majesty's Ambassador and his staff enjoy, in common with all foreign diplomatic missions in the Soviet Union, and on a basis of reciprocity, all the rights and privileges recognised by International Law. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are certain disabilities? Has his attention been drawn to the speech of the Russian Prime Minister last week in which he stated that, if they were assured that equal facilities would be granted by foreign countries, then facilities would be granted to representatives in Russia?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department when he last received a report from His Majesty's Ambassador upon the labour conditions in the Soviet Union; and whether he has any further information to give to the House?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow, in accordance with his customary duties, reports regularly on changes in the labour legislation of the Soviet Union. No important changes have recently been introduced, and there is no further information which I could usefully give the House.

Will the hon. Member kindly look at my question? I am not asking about legislation but about conditions. Can he say something about them?

My answer includes conditions.

May I ask whether His Majesty's Minister reports as to the extent to which legislation for the compulsory employment of pregnant mothers is put into operation?

Has the attention of the hon. Member been drawn to the statement made by the Prime Minister of Russia a few days ago that they were prepared to invite a committee to inquire into the conditions in Russia provided similar facilities were given to the Russian Government here?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of members of the Consular Service who have had business training and the proportion to the whole number?

I regret that I have not sufficient data on which to base a reply.

Would it not be worth while to insist on having business men to handle business?

I hardly think it would. The hon. Member is aware that the Consular Services are being recruited from young men who come in by examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of British Vice-Consuls who are not British subjects and their proportion to the whole number?

There are 377 salaried consular officers, all of whom are of British nationality, and there are 521 unsalaried consular officers, of whom 376 are British subjects.

Would it not be possible to replace foreign subjects by British subjects?

We are always careful before a new appointment is made to make certain that no British subject is available.

Are these posts advertised?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour if she is aware that temporary clerks employed in the Ministry of Labour are paid smaller salaries than members of the permanent staff for doing the same work; and whether she will take steps to see that such temporary workers are paid at the same rate as those in permanent employment who do the same work?

The work of temporary clerks in the Ministry of Labour is normally of a lower order than that of the permanent staff. Their rates of pay are the rates fixed for temporary clerks in all Government Departments, partly by agreement with the staff associations concerned and partly by arbitration.

Could not this matter be considered further from the point of view of those affected?

It is a matter for negotiation on the part of the associations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs haw many conferences have been held since November last between His Majesty's Minister in China and the Chinese Government on the subject of the default of the Chinese Government in its obligations to British holders of Chinese railway bonds, and with what result?

No further conference has been held since November, though there has been a good deal of correspondence with the Chinese Government. His Majesty's Minister in China has been engaged in collecting information regarding British claims. In this connection I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies returned to the hon. Member for Farnham on the 2nd February, 4th February and 4th March.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chinese Government is issuing internal loans based on customs receipts, and that they are standing now in front of the railway loans which are in default?

The hon. Gentleman had better place that on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what questions came before the Permanent Court of International Justice during 1930 in respect of which counsel were briefed by His Majesty's Government?

No question was brought by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom before the Permanent Court of International Justice during the year 1930.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is prepared to arrange for the summoning of a convention of the Powers interested in the North Sea fisheries with a view to obtaining an international agreement for the exclusion of foreign trawlers from the Moray Firth and other areas outside territorial limits which are at present closed to trawlers by orders issued by the Fishery Board for Scotland?

I have been asked to reply. I have given an undertaking that I will bring the present situation in the Moray Firth before my colleagues in the Government, as a result of the inquiries which I personally conducted there last week. The suggestion made in the question will be considered in that connection.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the extreme urgency of the matter, and will he take every step possible to allay the irritation that is felt?

I am well aware of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the names of the members of the new Fishery Board for Scotland and the interests represented on the Board?

The composition of the new board, as intimated to the Press yesterday, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the situation created in those Scottish burghs which have adoped the Public Libraries Acts, and are already levying a library rate, through the imposition of a second library rate by the county councils; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. By "second library rate" is no doubt meant that part of the education rate which is requisitioned from the burghs in question to meet expenditure on the provision of books. It is open to the county council and the town council of any such burgh to co-operate in the distribution of books on the condition, if thought desirable, of a payment by the county council to the town council, and I would suggest that such a co-operation should be considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether such co-operation has already been discussed by the authorities concerned?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the county of Fife preliminaries have been practically arranged between the large burgh authorities and the county council?

Is the co-operation likely to take place between the other parties concerned, apart from the county of Fife, of which I know?

I have already said that co-operation has been suggested, and I know that it is being discussed by the local authorities and other bodies interested.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the recently published scheme of retirement for lieut.-commanders, whether, in the event of these officers being called up for active service, they will revert to the retired list at the same rate of pay set forth in the special scheme or at the rates of pay current on the date of their reversion?

Such officers would, under present regulations, revert to the same rate of pay set forth in the special scheme, subject to any change in the cost of living adjustments.

On a point of Order. I put down a question to the First Lord last week for to-day. It does not appear on the Paper. Should I be in order in asking it?

If there is time.

Will these officers who have retired ever be eligible for higher rank?

It depends on whether they come back.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many flag officers are now employed on full pay; and what was the corresponding number in 1913?

52 flag officers were employed on full pay in 1913, of these three were supernumeraries lent to Dominion or foreign Governments. In March, 1931, 44 are employed and of these three are supernumeraries lent to Dominion Governments. This number will be further reduced by two about May.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the quantity of oil used by the British Navy during each of the last three years ended 31st December, 1930; and how much of the oil used was oil made from British coal in this country?

It is not desirable in the national interest to furnish information as to the total quantities of oil fuel consumed by the British Navy in the years named. The approximate quantities of oil made from British coa used in the years in question were:

					Tons.
1928	…	…	…	…	14,000
1929	…	…	…	…	30,000
1930	…	…	…	…	22,000

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the quantity of coal used by the British Navy during each of the last three years ended 31st December, 1930?

The quantities of coal used by the Royal Navy during the years in question were as follow:

				Tons.
1928	…	…	…	247,000
1929	…	…	…	208,000
1930	…	…	…	182,000

Why, if the right hon. Gentleman is able to give the figures for coal, does he refuse the figures for oil?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman, with his knowledge of the Navy, should be able to answer that question for himself.

I do not know the answer. May I have some elucidation?

Do the figures imply that manoeuvre time is being curtailed as compared with former years?

No, this means that there is a reduction in the number of ships that are burning coal.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the engineering tools supplied in the workshops of His Majesty's Ship "Fisgard," such as squares, pliers, hand vices, etc., for artificer apprentices, are foreign made; and if he will take steps to provide British-made tools in future?

The contracts in question involve 49 items of tools, and tenders for their supply were invited from 27 British makers and factors. Particulars of the offers received were communicated to the "Fisgard" officers who selected those which they considered the best for their purposes, having due regard to the descriptions and samples of tools offered and their relative prices. All but four of the items so selected were offered as being of British manufacture and for these four either no suitable British substitutes were available, or the American tools were definitely preferred on grounds of quality. The total value of the orders placed last year for these four items was some £13.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a question of principle and not of amount?

I am aware of it, as I think my answer shows.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that 53 per cent. of the shipbuilding and ship-repairing workers in Glasgow are unemployed; and whether, in view of the extensive ship-repairing programme of the Admiralty, he can place any of that work with the Glasgow shipyards?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The main function of the Royal Dockyards is the repair of the Fleet, and for many years it has been the policy of the Admiralty to send to private yards only such work as cannot be undertaken in the Royal Yards. At the present time the removal of any repair work would entail discharges of men in the Royal Yards as well as causing extra expense and inconvenience. I regret, therefore, that the answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is it not the case that there is a likelihood of additional men being employed in Government yards, and could not some of that extra work be sent to the Clyde?

There is no question of additional men in the yards as a whole. In fact, we are only stabilising the number by reducing the entries.

Was it not always the policy of the Socialist Government that national work should be done in national yards?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the recently announced intention of the Admiralty to purchase 50 tons of sisal from East Africa; and will he say whether and for what reason the tenders for supplying the same have now been withdrawn?

Fifty tons of sisal hemp from British East Africa have actually been purchased for trial; the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what farm the trial will take?

I require notice of that question, which does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now tabulate a statement showing what the precise naval strength in all categories of war vessels under 20 years of age of the five signatory Powers of the London Naval Treaty will be in 1936, assuming that all the signatory Powers build up to the full tonnage allowance permitted them under the terms of the treaty as modified by the agreement just concluded with the French and Italian Governments?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state for each country concerned the classes, numbers, tonnage, and armament of war vessels that are now under construction in those countries for other countries?

As the answer is in tabular form, I will with the hon. and gallant Member's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As the answer is in tabular form, I will with the hon. Member's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me the figures for Italy?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will get the answer in a few minutes, and he will get all he wants.

In reference to your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, on a point of Order just now, may I take this opportunity to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty a question which has been on the Order Paper for some time but which appears to have been by some mischance transferred to another date without reference to me? The question is how far the construction has gone in the 1930 naval programmes for the United States of America and Japan, respectively? In asking that question may I point out that it is germane to the subject of the Debate which is about to take place.

I am in the hands of the House and of you Mr. Speaker, in this matter. The question is not on the Paper. It is marked as having been postponed until Thursday, on page 1770 of the Orders of 9th March—not at our request.

The right hon. Gentleman is not bound to give the answer now.

I am willing to give the answer now. The answer is as follows:

In the United States of America and Japan the British system of an annual building programme is not always followed. Building programmes are usually put forward at irregular intervals covering, as a rule, a period of years. In the case of both countries, however, Annual Appropriations are necessary to carry out the authorised programme. Appropriations were made for the following new vessels in 1930:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in Cyprus British officials responsible for Greek education are themselves required to speak and write Greek with proficiency?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Order-in-Council relating to the new constitution of Ceylon will be issued; whether it will contain the instructions to the executive committees referred to by the Governor in paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of his despatch dated 31st March, 1930; and whether the unofficial members of the Ceylon Legislative Council will be consulted beforehand as to the nature of these instructions?

It is hoped that the Order-in-Council will be issued in a few weeks, but some details still remain to be considered. The Order, and the Standing Orders of the Council to be made thereunder, will contain provisions governing the relations between executive committees and the State Council, and the relations between the committees and the departments will be defined in a Statement of Administrative Procedure to be issued by the Governor. It is not proposed to lay the Order-in-Council before the Legislative Council before issue, but I understand that the Governor has discussed the draft of the statement with the unofficial members.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the quantity of oil used by the Air Ministry during each of the three years ended 31st December, 1930; and how much of this was oil extracted from British coal in this country?

As regards the first part of the question, I regret that it is not in the public interest to give the information for which my hon. Friend asks. As regards the second part, only a small quantity of oil fuel extracted from British coal was con- sumed: it was used for experimental purposes.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the amount of British oil in this matter is being increased, and is he trying to increase the amount?

There is a very small amount used entirely for experimental purposes. I cannot say what will be the result of the experiment.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how it compares in price with foreign oil?

Can the hon. Member say, at any rate, what proportion of the oil used by the British aircraft came from the British Empire?

I can answer the question if I am given notice.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider compelling proprietors of motor coaches to have first-aid outfits carried on their vehicles?

I have this point under consideration in connection with the further Regulations which will shortly be made dealing with the use and equipment of public service vehicles.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Order of St. John recently pressed for this arrangement to take place?

I am not aware of that fact, but, the point having been brought to my attention, my hon. Friend may rest assured that it will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Transport how much public money in Road Fund grants and rates is to be spent under the plans adopted for the widening of the Bath Road in Wiltshire?

The estimated cost of widening the section of the Bath Road in Wiltshire is £360,000. The grant from the Road Fund will be £288,000 (80 per cent. of the total cost), leaving £72,000 to be found by the county council.

Seeing that most of the labour comes from outside and that this widening is for the purposes of through traffic rather than local traffic, can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to relieve the local ratepayers of any cost in the matter?

Certainly not.

Why not?

Because 80 per cent. is a very substantial State grant-in-aid.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that practically all the usage of this road is through traffic, and that labour comes from outside?

One of the reasons that the additional grant is being given is that there is some labour coming from certain outside areas. With regard to the traffic, I cannot give an answer on the spur of the moment on the particular question, but my general experience is that, on analysis, there is far more local traffic than people usually assume.

Not on this road.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give particulars of the application he has received to extend the time a driver of a public service vehicle may remain continuously on duty and to reduce the periods of rest as prescribed in Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, for the protection of the public against the risks which arise where a driver is suffering from excessive fatigue; whether he has sought the advice of the Industrial Court on the matter; and whether he proposes to adopt the recommendations of the court?

I have received a joint application under Section 19 (3) of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, for variations of the hours of employment laid down in that Section on the part of the Transport and General Workers' Union on the one hand and the Com- mercial Motor Users' Association, the Motors Hirers' and Coach Services Association, the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association, the Tramways, Light Railways and Transport Association, and the Omnibus Owners' Association on the other. The application, which relates only to the passenger transport side of the industry, was referred by me to the Industrial Court for advice in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

After careful consideration of the advice tendered by the Industrial Court and of all the circumstances of the case, I have decided to make an Order which shall have the following effect:

1. As a variation of paragraph (1) of sub-section (1) of section 19.

In the case of a stage carriage where in any period of 24 hours one continuous period of duty only is worked, then for such period of duty the limit of 8½ hours may be substituted for the limit of 5½ hours, if the driver of the vehicle is allowed intervals of time for signing on and off and for looking over the vehicle before the vehicle leaves, and after the vehicle returns to the garage, and for lay-over to an extent which, in the aggregate, is not less than 45 minutes, provided that where the continuous period of duty does not exceed eight hours, the allowed intervals of time need not exceed 40 minutes.

2. As a variation of the proviso to subsection (1).

In the case of a stage carriage the period of eight consecutive hours may, on one day in any period of seven consecutive days, be substituted for the period of nine consecutive hours for rest.

3. As an additional proviso to paragraph (iii) of sub-section (1).

If between any two periods of driving an express carriage or a contract carriage there is an interval of not less than four consecutive hours at a destination during which the driver of the vehicle is able to obtain rest and refreshment on one day in any period of seven consecutive days, or on two days if the said period includes a Bank Holiday, the period of eight consecutive hours may be substituted for the period of 10 consecutive hours of rest.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, as a result of the reduction in the over-all hours of the railway drivers, there has happily been a reduction in the number of accidents both to the public and to the railway staffs; and does he not now think that a substantial increase in the over-all working hours of the men working road transport will defeat the very object he has in mind, which is to protect the public against accidents on the highways?

I think that my hon. Friend overlooks the fact that the Section, as modified, will in effect enormously improve the conditions in road transport.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make an order for all public service vehicles to carry red triangular stop lights at the rear, operated automatically when the footbrake is applied, in order to reduce the risk of collision when these vehicles are stopped suddenly, without warning, to pick up or drop passengers?

I am afraid that I cannot accept the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion. The use of stop lights is not compulsory on any motor vehicle and there do not seem to me to be sufficient grounds for making an exception in the case of public service vehicles. Every driver knows that these vehicles are liable to stop to pick up and set down passengers and should make allowance accordingly.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that in the country the warning is very often not given by the driver, and this effect causes people rather to tend to run into the back of those vehicles?

I suggest to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the case is really no more strong in the case of public service vehicles than in any others, and I would warn him against this tendency to insist upon a vast field of bureaucratic interference.

Is the Minister aware that the London General Omnibus Company have already adopted this system, and that by comparison with some of the publicly-owned tramways of London, they are a very great asset to the rest of the travelling community, because of the rapid way they pull up without warning?

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that there is great danger to the passengers getting off these vehicles on to the pavement unless the motor vehicle behind is warned?

The passenger gets off after the vehicle has drawn up to the curb.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider applying this to the trams, because their electro-magnetic brake causes them to decelerate at a quicker rate than any other vehicles on the road?

I have no powers under the Road Traffic Act in that connection.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the proposal to convert the River Roding, between Ilford and Woodford Bridge, in Essex, into a navigable waterway; and whether he will consider granting assistance to such a scheme?

The proposal has not yet been placed before me, and I am not therefore in a position to say whether it might be eligible for grant under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman has had no communication respecting this proposal at all?

That would appear to be the case.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to consult with the local authorities concerned in this matter?

It is for the responsible local authority to communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now in a position to state when work will commence on the Dartford-Purfleet tunnel; whether the Kent County Council have yet agreed to contribute their quota; and what percentage of the cost is being borne by the county councils and the Government respectively?

asked the Minister of Transport when it is intended to begin work on the Purfleet-Dartford tunnel; and what is the reason for the delay?

Particulars as to the quotas payable by various local authorities were given in the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills) on the 25th February, of which I am sending a copy to each hon. Member. I have nothing to add to the information then furnished as to the progress of the negotiations. These must run their course and the engineering preparations must be completed before the work can be started.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this tunnel was agreed to be projected in 1924?

I believe it was approved in principle at that time, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that I was not there between 1924 and 1929.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of Question 34; what percentage of the cost has been borne by the county council and the Government respectively?

I gave information as to the contributions coming from outside. I am afraid that I shall require notice of the point mentioned by the hon. Member. The Government grant is quite substantial.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he can state the names of the firms that have been invited to submit tenders for swing bridges over the Caledonian Canal; whether he can state the particular reasons for the selection of those firms to the exclusion of other bridge-building firms; whether he can state which of the firms selected sub-let the contract for the stonework; and which firms carry out the whole work with their own staff;

(2) whether he is aware that a bridge-building firm in Glasgow which has previously been allowed to tender for Government contracts has been refused the right to tender for the swing bridges over the Caledonian Canal; and, if so, whether he can state the reason for this refusal?

The contract in this case was not suitable for open tender, and tenders were therefore invited from a limited number of firms, with special experience of the type of work required, who were asked to submit their own designs for the bridges. I understand that none of these firms would sub-let the contract for the foundations. My hon. Friend will, I think, appreciate that it would be undesirable to announce the names of the competing firms.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what difference there is in this particular type of bridge from bridges over canals.

Were any local firms in Inverness asked to tender?

The list includes Scottish firms.

I asked about Inverness firms.

I cannot say about that. I hope that hon. Members will not come to the point of pressing me in regard to particular firms.

Is it not a new departure on the part of the Ministry of Transport to select certain firms from among those who are capable of doing this particular class of work?

No, it is not a new process on the part of local authorities and on the part of the Government in work of exceptional importance or of possible difficulty to limit tenders to selected firms. It is quite common and a matter of public policy.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the proposed erection alongside Almscliffe Cragg, in the valley of the Wharfe, West Yorkshire, of electrical standards which, if erected, will do much to destroy a local beauty spot; and if he will take steps to have these standards run alongside the railway line in the valley?

I understand that this matter is at present under discussion with the local authority concerned. No formal application has yet been made for my consent.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Parton Parish Council in Cumberland applied two years ago to the Silkstone Company for the supply of electricity to their area; that, although the principle was approved, no further action was taken; whether he has been informed as to the cause of the delay; and whether he will take steps to assist the extension of electric supply to their area?

This matter has not been brought to the notice of myself or the Electricity Commissioners, but I have asked the Commissioners to inquire into the position.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is proposed to purchase furniture for the equipment of the offices to be used by the clerical staff of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission or to use furniture already in store?

With the exception of a few articles of second-hand equipment all the furniture for the offices of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission is being supplied ex Office of Works contracts.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the office ac- commodation for the clerical staff of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission has been provided in a building already in Government occupation or whether it is proposed to hire outside accommodation?

Arrangements have already been made to house the staff of the Commission in outside hired accommodation.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the reason that the clerical staff of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission has not, in the interests of economy, been housed in the building occupied by the Office of Works as a result of closer settlement?

As I am informed the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Remer) on the 10th February, 1930, the accommodation in the 'building occupied by the Office of Works is already utilised to the fullest possible extent.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state the number of meetings held by the commissioners of the Coal Reorganisation Commission?

I am advised that four meetings of this commission have been held.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state the amount of expenses of each of the commissioners of the Coal Reorganisation Commission for each meeting they have attended?

I am advised that this information is not available, as claims for expenses have not yet been received, but the commissioners are entitled to claim travelling and subsistence allowances on the usual scale.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Coal Mines Act, 1930, Part I, so as to avoid the displacement of workmen at present taking place, in view of the fact that 1,500 workmen at Messrs. Fountain and Burnley's collieries, Dayton, Yorkshire, have as a result been unemployed for weeks?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the total volume of employment has not been affected by the regulation of output under the Coal Mines Act, 1930. The allocation by the Central Council is based on the probable total consumption of coal for the quarter and is considered to be fair and equitable having regard to the interests of the industry as a whole. I cannot see my way to introduce the legislation asked for which would undermine the regulation of output which Part I of the Act was designed to effect.

Will the Secretary for Mines look into the matter and see if it is possible for this authority to give some higher allocation than is being given at the present time?

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the collieries referred to have had a fair allocation according to the allocation of all the other collieries?

I think the hon. Member had better await the reply to another question.

In view of the difference of opinion, is the hon. Member willing to appoint an impartial committee to go into it?

I do not think there is any difference of opinion.

Does the Secretary for Mines still adhere to the view expressed in this House that no men have lost their jobs on account of the Act?

What I have told the hon. and gallant Member is that there has been no loss of employment as a result of the quota, taking the country as a whole.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that more than half the Hull trawlers will be unable to go to sea next month owing to the shortage of coal under the operation of the quota provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1930; and what action he proposes to take to remedy the situation?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the anticipated difficulties in the supply of bunker coal to the Hull steam trawler fleets under the working of the Coal Mines Act quota; and what action has been taken?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the complaints from Yorkshire and Nottingham to the effect that under the operation of Clause 1 of the Coal Mines Act production has had to be restricted and as a consequence miners have been thrown out of employment; and what action he proposes to take to deal with this situation?

I have received deputations from the trawler owners and from the Coal Merchants' Federation, and, while it seems clear that at the moment there is no general shortage of coal from the Midland district, fears have been expressed that there may be a shortage of supplies consequent on the reduced quota for March. The difficulties that such a shortage would cause, particularly if the present severe weather continues, were stressed. The British Trawlers' Federation, Limited, and the Coal Merchants' Federation have, at my suggestion, made representations in the matter to the National Committee of Investigation which is constituted under the provisions of Section 5 of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, to investigate complaints with regard to the Central Scheme in force under that Act. The National Committee is meeting on Thursday morning to consider these representations.

While the Act confers no power upon the Government to intervene in the administration of the schemes in force thereunder, I have written to the Central Council and the Executive Board of the Midland (Amalgamated) Scheme, calling their attention to the provisions of the Central Scheme which are designed to deal with increases in the district allocation to meet an increased demand for coal or any class of coal. I do not think the hon. and gallant Members for Central and North-West Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy and Sir A. Lambert Ward) need have any fears about supplies for trawlers next month when a new allocation of coal for the districts takes effect.

Can the hon. Member tell us how long that investigation is going to take, because, as things are at present, there will be a definite shortage of coal for trawlers unless an alteration is made.

It need not take more than a few hours; but I do not share the hon. and gallant Member's view that there will be a definite shortage. My information is to the contrary effect.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is absolutely necessary in the case of working a steam trawling fleet that they shall know some weeks ahead what coal is available and will he represent this to the central committee, as otherwise a great many of our trawlers will have to stop going to sea?

I have already told the House that representations will be made by the interested parties—namely, the Trawler Owners' Association and the Coal Merchants' Federation to the National Committee of Investigation tomorrow. My information, which is supported by the Trawlers' Federation, is that at the moment there is no fear of a shortage of coal, and we are satisfied, when the next allocation Is made, that there will be no shortage.

May I ask—

On a point of Order.

I called the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Lieut.-Colonel Moore).

Is the hon. Member aware that, as a result of pursuing his policy outlined in the Bill, it will mean an increase of 2s. per ton in the price of coal and, therefore, with the winter coming on will he not take an opportunity of consulting the interested parties in this matter?

The increase in the cost of coal referred to by the hon. and gallant Member has not transpired so far. As regards the shortage of coal, I pointed out in a reply to a question yesterday that there has been an under-production of coal, having regard to the allocation of 3,000,000 tons up to the end of February.

Is the Minister aware that vessels were held up in Grimsby yesterday, because they could not get coal?

If the hon. Member has definite information to that effect he might let me have it. It would enable me to act. I am not in receipt of such information so far, but no doubt it will be put before the appropriate body to-morrow.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the grave shortage of house coal in the Birmingham district and consequent suffering amongst the residents, he will take steps at once to suspend the operation of the quota system in the Coal Mines Act?

From inquiries that I have caused to be made in the short time at my disposal since I was aware that this question was to be asked, I can find no evidence to support the statement that there is a grave shortage of house coal in the Birmingham district. I am advised that while there may be a little difficulty in securing one or two qualities of house coal, there are adequate supplies of other qualities. In these circumstances, I could not advise Parliament to take the drastic steps suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the largest suppliers of coal in Birmingham, namely, the Ten Acres Co-operative Society was unable to supply more than 60 per cent. of its customers last week, although at a higher price; and is he further aware that two of the chief collieries supplying this society have written to say that, although they have demands for an output of five days a week, they are only able to work half time?

I imagine that it would be rather extraordinary if a cooperative society in Birmingham, experiencing such a shortage of coal, did not make representation to the Mines Department or the Committee of Investigation

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is vitally necessary that there should be a power of elasticity which would enable the demand immediately to be met; and that people who need coal should not be driven to a tribunal?

As the right hon. Gentleman is aware there is a power of elasticity, but that power is vested, not in the Mines Department, but in the hands of the Central Council of Coal-owners, and, if they care to use it, no one will interfere with them.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that an agreement was come to between the owners and the workmen's representatives of the East Bristol collieries to submit their differences to arbitration; that in the presence of an official of his Department both sides agreed to abide by the award of the arbitrators; and that since 1st March the collieries have been idle, the men refusing to accept the award; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the acceptance by both parties of the award of the arbitrators?

With regard to the first three parts of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Hexham (Colonel D. Brown); in regard to the fourth part, I am keeping in touch with the situation, but in present circumstances I do not see any grounds upon which I could properly intervene.

Is it not a fact that the hon. Gentleman, in his answer to me yesterday, said that an agreement had been come to by both sides to submit the matter to arbitration, and is it not further a fact that an agreement was come to by both sides to abide by the award of the arbitrators?

The hon. and gallant Member has stated the facts accurately.