asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to take any action along the lines recommended in the Interim Report of the Furunculosis Committee, with a view, firstly, to prohibiting the importation from abroad of all live fish of the family salmonidae and, secondly, to forbidding the release of fish or fry from an infected source unless they can be proved to be free from the disease; and, if so, what action he intends to take?

In consultation with other Departments concerned I am considering whether a Bill should be introduced to give effect to the recommendations to which the hon. Member refers, but I cannot hold out much prospect of early legislation.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered giving the various district fishery boards power, where advisable, to prohibit the release of fish from infected sources?

We are going into the question very closely with the Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the County of Berwick have agreed to build 13 houses during the next three years; and, in view of the ascertained housing needs of the county, whether he will call the attention of the county authorities to the necessity of increasing their programme?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Berwickshire County Council have resolved to build 13 houses in the next three years; and whether he will inquire into the matter and take steps to enforce the provisions of the Housing Acts?

In the statement of housing proposals first submitted by the County Council of Berwick in terms of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, the number of houses which they proposed to build during the next three years was 13. The statement showed that 133 houses were required to meet the needs of the district, 91 being required to replace houses unfit for human habitation. Representations were made by the Department of Health for Scotland with the result that the County Council agreed to increase the number of houses to be erected to 48. The Department, however, have written expressing disappointment with this proposal and have urged the County Council to adopt a three years' programme which will provide a number of houses approximating more closely to the number stated to be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, seeing that the medical officer of health for Midlothian has declared that 711 houses are required to meet the deficiency of houses in the county and that the county council have only agreed to provide 140 houses during the next three years, what action he proposes to compel the county council to deal with this situation?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the estimated deficiency stated in the hon. Member's question. The Department of Health for Scotland have made representations to the county council of Midlothian as to the inadequacy of their proposals for the erection of houses during the next three years, and have asked them to consider the erection of a much larger number of houses than the number at present proposed. On receipt of the county council's reply, the question as to what further action, if any, should be taken will be considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to address a conference of housing authorities in Midlothian, if such a conference is convened by the county council of Midlothian?

Yes, Sir. We have indicated our willingness to explain the 1930 Act at any housing conference called by any county council in Scotland.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared also to explain the advantages of the Rural Housing Act along with the 1930 Act?

Certainly, Sir. We have always done so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the declared intention of the town council of Ayr to postpone building houses to meet the shortage disclosed in the recent survey by the medical officer of health; and whether he proposes to hold a public inquiry as provided for in the recent Housing Act?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the town council of Ayr to decline to build further houses meantime to meet the needs of the town, as disclosed in the report of the medical officer of Health; and if he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the decision of the town council of Ayr to delay consideration of the question of the erection of houses under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930. The town council itself has estimated that 648 houses are required, 221 of which are to replace houses unfit for human habitation. The Department of Health for Scotland on 16th February urged the town council to reconsider their decision to delay building operations, but, unfortunately, without effect. The local authority have now been requested to furnish the Department with a statement of their reasons for not proceeding with the erection of houses under the Act, and when that statement is received consideration will be given to the question of what further action should be taken in the matter, including, if necessary, the holding of a public local inquiry.

In the event of the town council of Ayr failing to comply with the requirements shown by the survey of the medical officer, is it the intention of the Department to take the matter out of the hands of the council, and to go on with the work?

No, Sir. The powers vested in the Secretary of State by the 1930 Act can only be put into operation after a local inquiry under the terms of the Act, and it will be necessary to consider, when we get a reply from the Ayr Town Council, whether such inquiry should be held.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether rents are still being obtained for the 221 houses which have been declared unfit?

I expect so, but I could not answer without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland from what date the restoration of the status contended for by the second-class clerks of the Department of the Registers and Records of Scotland in their memorials to him of 30th May and 22nd November, 1930, and at his interview with their representatives on 7th February last, will be granted?

I have given personal attention to the difficulties which have arisen, so far as the status of second-class clerks is concerned, from the decision of the Arbitration Court of 1923, and I have thought it desirable to ask Lord Fleming to call together again his committee on the work of the Department in order that a decision on the claims of the second-class clerks may be expedited.

If this decision is being linked up with the reorganisation proposals previously made by Lord Fleming, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that in the meantime, at least, the financial position of the members of this very important staff should be seen to; and can he not, for instance, take into consideration the benevolent saint whose day it is, and act more in his spirit in dealing with them?

I feel that my hon. Friend forgets that the existing scale of remuneration for second-class clerks was settled before the Civil Service arbitration Court in 1923, and it is not correct to say that the question of the conditions and the scale of remuneration are entirely distinct questions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the advice of the hon. Member and introduce Saint Patrick as much as possible into Scottish affairs?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the so-called settlement of 1923 was not a settlement which was accepted by these men?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements have now been completed for providing credits to agriculturists under Part I of the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929; whether a company has now been incorporated under the provisions of this Part of the Act; and when applications for loans from the company will be entertained?

As stated in my reply of the 27th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair) four of the Scottish banks have agreed to subscribe the necessary share capital for setting up an Agricultural Security Company under Part I of the Act. Steps are being taken for the incorporation of a company, but I am not in a position to say when it will be ready to begin operations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the urgency of providing these credits for Scottish agriculturists; and will he undertake to announce to the House at the earliest possible moment, when it will be possible to entertain claims?

I am perfectly well aware of the urgency and that is one of the reasons why I have taken particular care to overcome the difficulties standing in the way of setting up such a corporation.

What interest will be charged on these credits?

I could not answer that question without notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines how the price of export coal during the past two months compares with the price in December, 1930?

The average declared value, f.o.b., of all coal exported during February, 1931, was 16s. 3d. per ton as compared with 16s. 4d. per ton in December, 1930. Comparison with January, 1931, when the corresponding figure was 15s. 8d. per ton, is affected by the dispute in South Wales, resulting in smaller exports of higher priced anthracite and steam coal.

May we take it that a minimum price has failed to raise the price of coal?

No, the position in South Wales was affected by a dispute.

Does not the mere fact that the export price of coal is known enable our competitors to quote—[Interruption].

asked the Secretary for Mines whether all the districts have fixed minimum prices for coal; whether such prices are now in operation; and will he state the price fixed in each district?

In reply to the first and second parts of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply given on the 3rd March to the bon. and gallant Member for Hexham (Colonel Brown). I am sending a copy of this reply to my hon. Friend. With regard to the third part of the question, I am not in possession of the actual prices fixed in any district.

Are we to understand from the reply that the hon. Gentleman is not furnished with the prices of coal fixed by the central council in each district?

No, sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any progress has been made by the coalowners towards coordinating the selling price of coal in all of the districts; and whether he has taken any steps to secure action by the central council?

I understand that satisfactory progress is being made by the central council in its consideration of the co-ordination of minimum prices.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his Department has collected records of pits that still use inefficient equipment; and will he ascertain and state the reasons why it has not been found possible for such pits to modernise their equipment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. So far as the second part is concerned, the reason why some pits have not modernised their equipment is no doubt lack of funds due to prolonged trade depression.

Has the hon. Gentleman any idea of how many pits are lacking in funds?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps he is taking to secure an adequate supply of house coal for London in view of the threatened shortage?

I am unable to accept the suggestion that there is any threatened shortage of house coal supplies for London. The National Committee of Investigation have reported that, after a careful review of the evidence placed before them on a complaint by the Coal Merchants' Federation, they are not satisfied that there is any general shortage of coal. The Committee add that in a few isolated cases difficulties may be arising, but these can, it appears, be met from other sources of supply in Great Britain. I am informed that considerable quantities of house coal are on offer in London.

Has the hon. Gentleman not seen the statement made by the President of the Coal Merchants' Federation last Saturday to the effect that they already had to restrict supplies?

Yes, I read that statement. Since then we have had conversations with the President of the Coal Merchants' Federation, and he has informed us that his remarks were not intended to convey all that has been assumed from them.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of tons of coal allowed to be raised this month in the collieries in Leicestershire under the quota system; and the number of tons raised in March, 1930?

I am not in possession of the information asked for in the first part of the question. The estimated quantity of coal raised and weighed in the Leicester ascertainment district in March, 1930, was 190,000 tons.

Am I right in believing that the quota is 58 per cent. of what was raised last year; and, as household coal is produced in Leicestershire, and as there is a great demand for household coal, has not the quota put a large number of people in the mines of Leicestershire out of work?

That is not the position. The quota is a quarterly quota, and it was not fixed at 58 per cent. but at 10 per cent. below the production for the period before last January.

Is it not a fact that the allocation for the third quarter of this year is 10 per cent. less than what was raised in the first quarter last year; and is it not the case that the present allocation is infinitely larger than the quantity for which the majority of coalowners in Leicestershire and Lancashire have orders?

I cannot reply to the last part of the supplementary question without notice, but I agree with the hon. Member with regard to the first part.

Has the hon. Gentleman received any complaints from the Leicestershire Miners' Association or from the coalowners regarding the quota?

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the quarter's allocation of coal output fixed by the Central Council under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, for all the districts in Great Britain; and what was the output in each district, respectively, in January and February, 1931?

As the reply involves a table of figures, I will, with

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of coal supplies in the county of Kesteven due to the operation of the quota provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1930; and whether he is prepared to take action to ensure that supplies of coal are available for the local population?

Will the hon. Gentleman give us the total for the United Kingdom?

The total allocation made by the Central Council for the quarter ending 31st March, 1931, was 62,585,590 tons, whereas the estimated quantity of coal raised and weighed in January and February, 1931, was 38,678,500 tons.

Does not this show that the quota is far from being exhausted, and can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that there is an adequate supply of coal?

These figures indicate that the quota for the whole country is far from exhausted.

I have received no complaints with regard to shortage of coal supplies in Kesteven. My information is that there is no general shortage of coal, and that in those isolated cases where coal cannot be secured from normal sources of supply, alternative supplies are available.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I was speaking from personal experience and from information obtained from my own coal merchant in the county?

I am happy to assure the hon. Gentleman that that is not so. If he will furnish me with particulars regarding the alleged shortage of coal in Kesteven, I shall be glad to do what I can to put the matter right. As regards price, it is wrong to say that coal now on offer in the market is being charged for at a higher price.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am speaking from experience?

There may be an isolated case due to the heavy weather which has recently been experienced, and which has made it impossible to get an adequate supply, but surely the hon. Gentleman does not assume that, because he happens to go short of coal for a few days, the whole country has experienced a shortage.

asked the Secretary for Mines what replies he has given to communications addressed to him either from employers or employés asking for the repeal of the Coal Mines Act of 1930?

I have received only one communication from a coalowner, and two from groups of workmen representing individual pits, asking for the repeal of Part I of the Act. There is no intention of repealing the Act.

asked the Secretary for Mines the quantity of German and Polish coal imported into this country during January and February, 1931, respectively?

The answer is none.

Does not the reply show that the agitation that is being carried on has no foundation in fact?

Has the hon. Gentleman brought these communications to the notice of the Cabinet?

Quite clearly, there is no need for that.

Why?

asked the Secretary for Mines the production of coal from Poland in 1928, 1929, and 1930; and whether there has been any reduction in coal exported from Poland to other countries?

The figures asked for are as follow:

Is it a fact that, some Polish coal is coming or has come into the Humber?

I shall answer that question later.

asked the Secretary for Mines what stocks of coal are held by Poland and Germany?

The latest information as to stocks of coal at mines in Poland and Germany is as follows:

All I clan say is that the trawler owners who, it was reported, intended to secure coal from Poland, have decided that it is unnecessary to do so.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that great quantities of Polish coal were on offer yesterday in Grimsby and Hull?

That is not my information. I have information from a Polish source that no Polish coal was actually on offer.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is yet in a position to state what sum of money the Empire Marketing Board will be authorised to expend during the coming financial year for the purpose of publicity in favour of United Kingdom goods in parts of the Empire, as recommended by the recent Imperial Conference?

No, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if a sum has been appropriated for this purpose?

The hon. Member knows that the Government have been urged to take steps to effect economies. Every effort is made to see where money can be saved and the Estimate for the Empire Marketing Board will suffer in the same way as others.

Can the right hon. Gentleman take some of the money already allocated for this purpose?

I am sure the hon. and gallant Member must be aware that the money allocated last year is spent. We are dealing here with the coming year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any information as to whether there has been any recent substantial progress and improvement in our trade and industry?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer which I returned on the 3rd February to a question put to me by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Tamworth (Sir A. Steel-Maitland).

Is the right hon. Gentleman not prepared to make any statement since the 3rd of February? It is now the 17th of March.

My previous reply indicated that it is quite impossible to review the state of trade in reply to a question.

How is it that the right hon. Gentleman is able to make speeches on this matter up and down the country?

When I make speeches in the country adequate time is at my disposal, and not merely time for a few lines only in reply to a question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any information as to the recent increase in the duty on all cotton goods imported into Switzerland?

A recent Swiss decree provides for the increase, as from the 10th March, of the duties on cotton tissues weighing 6 kilogrammes or more per 100 square metres, unbleached, bleached, dyed or printed, as well as certain other cotton goods. Details were published in the Board of Trade Journal for 5th March, of which I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy. This increase will not affect the low concessional rate applied to tissues imported for the use of the Swiss embroidery industry, of which I understand the bulk of our trade in unbleached goods consists, and I am given to understand that substantial quantities of our bleached dyed and printed goods will also be unaffected as being lighter than 6 kilogrammes per 100 square metres.

Will this matter be considered at the Tariff Truce Conference now being held?

Not necessarily individual specific cases like this. The Conference is devoted to much wider questions.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in any representations he has made on this decree he quoted the Tariff Truce as a reason why Switzerland should be treated to some concessions?

So far as I understand the question, I think that is not so.

Will this increase in duty have any effect upon the Lancashire cotton industry?

My information is that this is of a very limited effect, and I am glad to be able to make that statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of each of the following articles imported from Soviet Russia in the years 1929 and 1930, respectively: molasses, canned tomatoes (and pulp), and starch?

During the years 1929 and 1930 the total imports into the United Kingdom of canned or bottled tomatoes (which would include tomato pulp if declared as such) registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) amounted to 4,552 cwt. and 6,161 cwt., respectively, and the imports of starch (other than edible maize starch) to 4 cwt. and 24,255 cwt., respectively. Provision for the separate enumeration in the trade returns of maize starch for edible purposes, was first made in 1930 and in that year the recorded imports from the Soviet Union amounted to 24,873 cwt. No molasses were registered as imported from the Soviet Union during these years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the respective quantities of the various types of confectionery, including chocolate confectionery, which have been imported into Great Britain from Russia during each of the years 1928, 1929 and 1930?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities and what value of chocolate confectionery and other confectionery were imported into this country from Soviet Russia during the months of January and February, 1931?

The total quantities of chocolate confectionery, including moulded chocolate, imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1928, 1929 and 1930, and registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia), amounted to nil, 7 cwt., and 1,070 cwt., respectively; the amounts for January and February, 1931, were 944 cwt., valued at £1,974, and 585 cwt., valued at £1,837, respectively. The imports of sugar confectionery during the years 1928, 1929 and 1930, consigned from the Soviet Union, amounted to 450 cwt., 981 cwt., and 13,360 cwt., respectively, and the amounts for January and February, 1931, were 2,147 cwt., valued at £3,416, and 900 cwt., valued at £1,634, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade particulars showing what restrictions are imposed on the importation of books into Soviet Russia?

The list of goods whose importation into Soviet Russia is prohibited includes an item of printed works politically and economically injurious to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the importation of Bibles into the Soviet Union is prohibited, and will he make inquiries—[Interruption]—as to what excisions should be made from the Bible in order to make it acceptable to the Soviet Union?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies to that question, may I ask him if one of the books that has been refused entry into the Soviet Republic is the "Life of Marshall Ball," by the hon. Member who is questioning him?

Answer!

Hon. Members are making it impossible for the right hon. Gentleman to answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received the report of the committee which is inquiring into the possibility of action to enable old ships to be sold for breaking up instead of being disposed of to foreign competitors?

No, Sir, but I understand that the committee has completed taking evidence and is considering its report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to take any action upon the report of the League of Nations on forced labour to restrict the volume of imports from the Dutch East Indies, particularly as regards the products of compulsory or forced labour?

I presume that my hon. Friend has in mind the report issued by the International Labour Office in preparation for the discussion by the International Labour Conference of the Draft Convention on Forced Labour which was adopted in June last. I am not aware of any circumstances relating to forced labour in the Netherlands East Indies which would require that any action of the kind suggested should be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether representations have been made to the Argentine Government, and with what result, on the subject of the new classification of duties on imports put into operation by the Argentine Government in relation to high-class British pottery, the effect of which will be to exclude this article from Argentine markets?

Yes, Sir, such representations have been made, and I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that the operation of the decree in question has been suspended whilst the matter is being further considered.

Would not this be a favourable opportunity for representations to the Argentine Government that a decree of this kind should not become operative against British pottery, in view of what is happening at the exhibition?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be content with an assurance that the very fullest representations have been made.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the implication in this question that the new classification specifically discriminates against this country?

Oh, no, Sir. The question asked whether the reclassification would have adverse effects here, and I have replied to that point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to certain practices which have resulted from the law of suspension of payments in Cuba and the injury inflicted on British exporters by the operation of this law; and, seeing that under this law debtors are able to make illicit transfer of their assets and so dispose of quantities of British manufactured goods at prices below commercial values, will he state what action, if any, has been taken by the Board of Trade in the matter?

My attention has been called to this matter, and I understand that the revision of the law which has given rise to these abuses is now under the consideration of a Cuban Commission.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication of when this law will be revised? Are these British creditors whose stocks have been disposed of at knock-out prices, to be sacrificed before the law is revised?

I could not, in reply to a supplementary question, give information on that point, but I assure the hon. Member that I am making additional inquiries, and I hope to be able to give him further details.

Is not this a very serious matter for these poor people who sent their goods out to Cuba, and will the right hon. Gentleman do whatever he can in the matter?

Certainly; I am well aware that it is serious.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement about the remodelling of the steel mills on the North-East Coast and in South Wales and report upon the steps which have been or will be taken to replace worn-out equipment?

The measures to be taken with the object to which the hon. Member refers must depend upon the outcome of the negotiations referred to in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Penistone (Mr. Rennie Smith) on the 15th December last. I am sending the hon. Member a, copy of that reply, to which I am not in a position to add.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of laying a White Paper stating what progress has been made in regard to carrying into effect the report of the iron and steel committee which the Government set up?

I could not, at this stage, promise to lay any White Paper, but I will undertake to tell the House at a suitable opportunity what has been done in the matter of industrial re-organisation, but beyond that I should not like to go this afternoon.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that many modern mills in that district are closed for lack of work?

The whole position of this industry is under review, including, of course, the position of plant which is efficient in every way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the Board of Trade abstract giving the annual balance of overseas trade, which shows that the net favourable balance after allowing for total invisible exports was, for the year 1930, only £39,000,000, a decline of £99,000,000 from 1929; and whether he can state what steps he is taking to meet the balance of imports of foodstuffs, raw materials and manufactured goods in view of the continued fall in exports?

I am aware of this estimate. It would clearly be impossible to deal with the subject within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question.

Does the Financial Secretary not think that the figures indicate that it is necessary to take some steps to lessen the import of manufactured goods which we are quite capable of manufacturing ourselves?

May I ask if the Government are proposing to set up a committee to consider this question, and will they be sure to see that two of its members are Sir Josiah Stamp and Professor Keynes?

And Commander Kenworthy.

Quite clearly, that does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any evidence to show that the foreign producers of leather and fabric gloves deliberately held back their supplies for the three months before January, 1931; and, if so, what information he can give?

The rate of importation of leather and cotton fabric gloves into this country was very much less during the period from the 1st October to the 21st December last year, when the Safeguarding Duty lapsed, than during the last three months of any year since the duty was imposed.

Does not that show that the foreigner thought he would have to pay the duty, and not the person who bought gloves in this country?

No; I am afraid that that does not follow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any compensating advantages for British exporters have been Obtained by negotiation from those foreign countries which, owing to the dropping of the Safeguarding Duty on gloves, have increased their imports into this country from 156,691 dozen pairs in January, 1930, to 451,546 dozen pairs in January, 1931?

No negotiations have been undertaken with foreign countries in this matter.

Are we to understand that the Government have made no effort to get other work for British workers in place of the work of which they have deliberately deprived them?

Not at all. A very great deal has been done to stimulate trade, but not by the method proposed.

Do these imports represent the employment of some 7,000 persons, or is the figure more or less than that?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put that question down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the prices of dyestuffs made in this country have been reduced since 14th January, 1931?

I am not aware of general reduction since the date mentioned.

Was it not the understanding, when the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act was renewed, that there would be a reduction?

I do not think that that emerged from the Debate. Probably what my hon. Friend has in mind is the abolition of the price factor, which, of course, is subject to other conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government are prepared to undertake surveys of the principal areas affected by the depression in the basic industries with a view to ascertaining the prospective employment capacity of existing industries and the possibilities of new industrial development?

In connection with the efforts which are being made in certain areas to attract new industrial development, the Government have decided to put in hand at an early date industrial surveys in South Wales, Lancashire, on the North-East Coast of England, and in South-West Scotland. The co-operation of the universities in these areas has been invited. The object of the inquiries will be to present a survey of the present industrial position of the areas and of the prospects of early expansion and new development.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask him if he will be good enough to consider taking into consultation the trade union leaders and the employers' leaders, in addition to the universities, when these schemes are being considered?

Certainly. The whole object is to secure the co-operation of both sides of industry, and, as regards the trade unions, we shall be most particular to see that they are invited.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider including the West Riding of Yorkshire in the beneficial survey?

I should not like to go beyond the scope of this reply this afternoon, but the hon. and gallant Member may assume that no important industrial district will eventually be excluded. The initial effort is in the areas mentioned.

Does the mention of the universities mean that the Government now realise the importance of the university franchise?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the fact that since the Safeguarding Duty on cutlery has lapsed German commercial travellers in this country are offering scissors and pocket Penknives at a reduction of 25 per cent.; and if, in view of these facts, the Government will reconsider their attitude to the Safeguarding Duties?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative, but I am not surprised to learn that the effect of the lapse of the duty has been to reduce prices.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that both these commodities are at present being sold at 6d. by Messrs. Woolworth?

I have no information on that point. In any event, the facts here are contrary to all my hon. Friend's argument.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the consumer is still paying the same price?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of the new tariff changes in Canada; and whether he will seize the opportunity to open negotiations for a treaty of commercial reciprocity with the Dominions?

I have received no details of the proposals for tariff modifications which I understand will shortly be laid before the Canadian Parliament. As regards the second part of the question, it is the intention to examine fully at the proposed Economic Conference at Ottawa the various means by which inter-Imperial trade may best be maintained and extended.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider amending the Companies Act, 1929, to enact that, under Sections 123 and 130 of the Act, an auditors' certificate on the published accounts of a public company shall not be valid unless it certifies that the auditors are satisfied that a copy of the profit-and-loss account has been issued to the members of the company, and that a statement of the remuneration received by the directors has been embodied in the printed balance sheet distributed to members prior to the general meeting of the company?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange that the advisability of requiring a profit-and-loss account to be shown on the published accounts of a public company is investigated when the Companies Act, 1929, is under consideration for amendments and improvements?

These suggestions have been noted for investigation when the desirability of amending legislation is being considered. Meantime, I would point out that Section 123 provides for a copy of the profit-and-loss account being laid before the company in general meeting, and Section 128 provides that the accounts laid before the meeting shall contain particulars of the total amount paid to the directors as remuneration for their services.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of companies from whom his Department has failed to obtain returns under Section 110 of the Companies Act, 1929, as at 9th March, 1931; and will he also state what steps he proposes to take to enable his Department to prevent the evasion of this section of the Act?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that this year again more than 800 public companies had two months after the required date failed to comply with Section 110 of the Companies Act, 1929, he will accept the suggestion, which he refused to accept last year, to invite three Members to investigate the methods and staffing of the Department concerned and ascertain whether it is suitably organised for ensuring proper compliance with Section 110 of the Companies Act, 1929?

The number of public companies which had failed to file an annual return for the year 1930 at the date named was 641. The number at the present time is 534. The method dealing with defaulting companies was described in my reply to the hon. and gallant Baronet on the 3rd February, and having regard to the rapid diminution which is taking place in the number of defaulters and the fact that the figure is only a third of that last year I see no reason to think that the procedure is ineffective or that such an investigation as he suggests is required.

Are any penalties inflicted upon companies for failure to make returns, as is done in the case of trade unions?

After a certain time there would be a Board of Trade prosecution, and penalties could follow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now set up a Departmental Committee to review the Companies Act, 1929, and make recommendations for remedying the defects which have been disclosed in the Act since it came into operation more than a year ago?

The revision of the law relating to companies was dealt with by Parliament in 1928, after an inquiry by a Departmental Committee, and the alterations then made were incorporated in the present Companies Act, which came into operation on the 1st November, 1929. I think that it is too soon to insti- tute a fresh inquiry, but, if the hon. Member will let me know what are the defects which he has in mind, they shall be noted for investigation when the desirability of amending legislation is being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of persons employed at home and abroad by the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts on 1st March, 1931, as compared with 1st September, 1930?

The respective figures are 338 and 249, representing a reduction of 89, or 26 per cent.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when the business of this particular office will terminate?

No. It is now much reduced in its scope, but I ought to tell my hon. Friend that there are still many difficult and highly technical cases to be dealt with.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not made a mistake in giving the figures as 338 and 249? Does he not mean that the figures should be the other way about?

I beg pardon. I think my hon. and gallant Friend is correct. In any event, I have stated that the reduction is 89, or 26 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any buildings at present occupied by Government Departments will be surrendered, and/or whether there will be any redistribution of Government Departments, as a result of the recommendations of the Howard Frank Committee?

The report of the Committee is still under consideration.

Will the hon. Member publish the report, or, if not the report, the recommendations of this Committee?

I am afraid that the report contains confidential matter which it is not in the public interest to publish.

Will the hon. Gentleman publish the recommendations of the Committee?

I will look into that point, hut the report itself will not be published.