asked the Secretary of State for War which foreign countries maintain poison - gas experimental stations; and which of these are parties to the convention on the subject?

Practically all large countries who are parties to the Geneva Protocol maintain anti-gas establishments, and carry out experimental and research work in connection with anti-gas defence.

Does that include Russia?

I would rather not mention any particular nation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what financial saving is anticipated during the present year from the new proposals regarding officers' training corps; and how many boys under 15 and 16, respectively, will be affected thereby?

The new rule regarding grants and issues in kind such as arms, ammunition and personal equipment, will come into operation on 1st April, 1932. Practically no financial saving is, consequently, anticipated during the coming financial year. The new financial rules will, therefore, affect practically no boys during the year ending 1st April, 1932. But the new rule regarding the age of enrolment will, it is estimated, affect some 3,500 boys under the age of 15, who on past experience might have been expected to enrol during the year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the saving is likely to be in 1932?

No, Sir; it is quite impossible to form an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of his decision to raise the age at which school personnel may join their officers' training corps, he will increase the rate of grant to officers' training corps throughout the country so that their efficiency may not be impaired by lack of funds?

The answer is in the negative. But I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that grants from Army funds were not given in respect of boys under the age of 15, and the new rule as regards the age of enrolment does not, therefore, affect the funds derived from that source.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the new regulations the funds of the officers' training corps will be faced with deficits unless the subscriptions of the personnel are increased, and that the parents of these personnel are not always in a financial position to support such additional cost?

I do not think that that question arises. No difference of a substantial character will be made in any way in the grants that are given. The question of schools and parents in the case of boys who are under the age of 15 does not concern the War Office, or will not concern the War Office when the new regulations enter into force.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether in the case of Territorial artillery brigades being mechanised provision is being made for the six-wheeled tractors and necessary spares, etc., being kept under lock and key?

The exact arrangements for housing these vehicles will necessarily depend on the existing accommodation and on the particular circumstances of each case, but suitable steps will be taken in all cases to ensure that the vehicles are properly safeguarded.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, apart from the vehicles being safeguarded, there are at such a depot all sorts of other spare parts which do not exist in the case of horse vehicles, and which it is important to safeguard as well as the vehicles themselves?

Yes, Sir; I am fully aware of the necessity for safeguarding all these parts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to a circular issued on 26th February, 1931, by the War Office, suggesting that a fixed quota should be subscribed by the various regiments or their regimental associations towards a new scheme to provide employment for ex-regular ex-service men; and whether, in view of the many other charitable purposes for which these private funds are now used, he can assure these regimental associations that any subscriptions they may wish to give to the new organisation will be purely voluntary?

The circular in question was in the form of a semi-official letter from the late Adjutant-General to colonels of regiments, informing them of the scheme for co-ordinating the activities of the various organisations concerned with obtaining employment for ex-regulars and asking for their support. In order to make the scope of the scheme as effective as possible, an annual subscription on a common basis was suggested, but this annual subscription would, as has been the case with regimental subscriptions to the various organisations in the past, be entirely voluntary on the part of regiments. Replies to the circular are now awaited.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while all regiments would like to subscribe as much as they can, some would be unable to find the amount suggested in the circular; and will he gave an assurance that it will be entirely voluntary?

The answer, I think, gives that assurance absolutely.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses that have been built in Lanarkshire under the recent Housing Acts are at present unlet?

Of the 9,804 houses erected up to 28th February, 1931, by the county council of Lanark under the various State-assisted schemes, there were 52 unlet at that date.

Is the Secretary of State now satisfied that Lanarkshire is doing its duty in regard to housing?

I am afraid that that question does not arise.

Arising out of the original reply, is the Under-Secretary aware that half the population of Lanarkshire are living in one and two-apartment houses, many of them condemned; and is he satisfied that the authority is not doing its duty?

Equally, I am afraid, I must answer that that question does not arise. The question on the Paper relates specifically to the proportion of unlet property under existing schemes.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why there should be even 52 houses unlet, when there is a shortage of houses?

Only 5 per cent. of the houses are unlet, and I am advised that more than half of them are in one little village.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the county council of Stirlingshire has made a survey of the housing needs of the county as enjoined to do by the Housing Act; what number of uninhabitable houses and overcrowded houses are given in the report; and how many houses they propose to build in the next three years?

I am informed that the county council of Stirlingshire have adopted estimates of the housing needs of their area, based upon reports in the possession of the three district committees of the council when they demitted office. The county council propose to build 580 houses within the next three years. Of these houses 380 are estimated to be required to replace houses unfit for habitation, and 200 to meet the normal growth of population. As regards overcrowding, inquiries are being made by the county council as to any areas that should be dealt with as improvement areas. The county council have informed me that if their proposals prove insufficient to meet the housing needs of the county, they will consider a further programme, and for this purpose they propose to review the needs of each area in the county separately as and when it is dealt with under the present proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland at what rentals any new houses of two, three, and four apartments have been let in Scotland under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930?

1,058 houses have been definitely approved for erection under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, and, at 28th February, 1931, 324 were under construction. No houses under the Act are yet completed, and no intimation has yet been made to the Department of Health for Scotland in regard to rentals to be charged.

Can the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland tell us whether it is the law or not that those who are living in these houses that are uninhabitable do not require to pay rent?

I think that with regard to an important question of that kind I really ought to have notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had submitted to him a statement by the county council of Kirkcudbrightshire showing how many houses they propose to build under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930; if he can say how many houses they propose to build; and how these figures correspond with the needs of the county as disclosed in the report of the medical officer?

The county council have submitted the general statement required by Sub-section two of Section twenty-two of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, which shows that they do not propose to erect any houses. As a report received from the county medical officer in 1927 indicated that 570 houses were then estimated to be required to replace houses that were unfit for human habitation and also to meet the needs of persons living in furnished apartments, the Department of Health for Scotland have communicated with the county council asking for further consideration of the matter in the light of that report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number and percentage of children in the county of Lanark who require medical or dental treatment in their first year of school life?

As regards defects requiring treatment, the returns furnished by the local authority do not distinguish between children in their first year of school life and others. The total number of school children who were medically examined at the routine medical inspections in the county of Lanark during the school year 1929–30 was 31,565, of whom 11,546, or 36.6 per cent., were found to have some disability. The number of children dentally examined in the course of the year was 74,818, of whom 52,611, or 70 per cent., were found to require dental treatment.

Does the Under-Secretary consider that to be a normal proportion? Does he not think that an inquiry is necessary to find out why so high a proportion of these children require treatment?

Obviously, I could not say whether that was a normal or an abnormal figure without comparing it with the statistics for other counties, but certainly it is a very serious state of affairs, and everything possible is being done to speed up a medical treatment scheme.

Since that figure is abnormal as compared with most other counties, does the Under-Secretary consider that anything can be done to investigate the matter by his Department?

I will put that point to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state approximately the number of share fishermen in Scotland who have taken out National Health Insurance cards; and what steps he has taken to ensure that all share fishermen are stamping cards?

I have no means of saying how many share fishermen have become insured persons in Scotland. Like any other members of the insured population, share fishermen are free to join whichever societies are prepared to accept them. It is estimated, however, that there are approximately 20,000 share fishermen in Scotland and the Department of Health are satisfied that there is general compliance with the requirements of the National Health Insurance Act of 1928, under which share fishermen, at their own request, were brought within the scope of compulsory health and pensions insurance for the first time. As regards the latter part of the question, the Department's inspectors are exercising a close supervision at the various fishing ports in order to ensure that the Act is being complied with.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will take steps to obtain powers to establish a central selling agency for coal?

Following on the report of the delegation to Scandinavia, I have had discussions with representatives of the coal industry with regard to the need for co-ordinating the selling arrangements of collieries and exporters and the industry has the matter under consideration. Meantime, I do not propose to seek compulsory powers as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that deputies are being called upon at collieries in Durham to work nine and nine and a-half hours in contravention of the Coal Mines Act; and if he will take steps to have such practices ended?

No complaints of the nature suggested have been received by His Majesty's Divisional Inspector; if my hon. Friend will let me know the cases he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

If I put a definite case before the Minister, will he cause inquiry to be made by his inspectors, as these men in many instances dare not complain for fear of being victimised.

No representations have been made to me by the Miners' Association. No doubt, if there were a large number of cases, they would make representations.

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps through his inspectors to investigate the books of the collieries to see whether or not it is correct that these men are working these abnormal hours, endangering their own lives and those of the men under their charge?

I will consider that point.

Will the hon. Gentleman, also indicate to the collieries in the Midland area the need for keeping the terms of the existing Act?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government are making any proposals to the mining industry regarding the situation which will be created by the automatic introduction of the seven hours' day in June next?

The whole position is engaging the close and constant attention of the Government; but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary for Mines what stocks of coal were held by colliery owners for the years 1989 and 1930; and can he say what reduction, if any, has taken place during 1931?

At 31st December, 1929, the stocks of coal at mines in Great Britain amounted to 3,867,000 statute tons, and at 31st December, 1930, to 5,714,000 statute tons. I regret that later information is not yet available.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that there is no danger of being short of coal?

There is a superabundance of coal.

While all over the country there may be a total excess of coal, may there not be a shortage of particular kinds of coal?

The hon. Member is correct in that assumption, but, obviously, the matter requires, in that contingency, some organisation.

Did not that always exist?

asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been drawn to the fixing of minimum prices in districts for the sale of coal under the Coal Mines Act, 1930; and, seeing that such prices are in some instances below the cost price of producing it, will he state what steps he contemplates taking to remedy this by alteration of the Act if necessary?

I am not aware of the actual minimum prices that have been fixed by the districts. But I would remind my hon. Friend that the Central Council has now under active consideration the inter-district co-ordination of prices and satisfactory progress is being made in that direction. If occasion should arise in which I could properly take any action I shall be pleased to do so.

I take it that, if representations are made to the hon. Gentleman by the combined coalowners, he will take steps to remedy the complaint?

We have been in touch with the coalowners in regard to the need for co-ordination in respect of price.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give information as to the reasons for the continued decline in British coal exports to Chile; and what steps have been taken by the marketing organisations established under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, to restore this market?

The main reasons for the decline in British coal exports to Chile are the decreased consumption of coal due to the extensive use of oil, and an import duty of 7s. 6d. per ton imposed in the interests of the native coal industry. I am sure that the British coal industry is taking all possible steps to increase its exports to that country.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will have inquiries made among coal merchants in the South of England as to the extent to which coal supplies fall short of the demand, with a view to recommending some modification of the present restrictions on production?

I am at all times pleased to consider any representations that coal merchants in the South of England may wish to make to me through the Coal Merchants' Federation.

In view of the general disorganisation all over the country, will the hon. Gentleman take some steps to remove the restrictions?

I cannot agree that there is general disorganisation. In so far as there is any disorganisation at all, we are not responsible, and on that point I am in close touch with the coalowners.

Will the hon. Gentleman pay a visit to the Tyne and see what is happening there?

I have been on the Tyne during the week-end.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that certain departments of engineering works on the East Coast of England are having difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of coal; and what action he is taking in the matter?

No cases of shortage of coal for engineering works on the East Coast have been brought to my notice.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the engineering industry cannot possibly afford to pay the increased cost of fuel and the additional freights?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that there is a shortage of household coal in Reading and district owing to the quota system of the Coal Mines Act, and will he arrange that supplies to meet house demands are available in that neighbourhood over Easter?

I am not aware of the shortage to which the hon. and gal- lant Member refers, but the merchants in Reading should experience no difficulty in obtaining supplies of house coal. If there is a temporary shortage of supplies from usual sources, I am advised that it is possible to secure coal from South Wales.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the letter I had from the Berkshire Coal Merchants' Association gives the house coal situation as indicated in the question, and would he write an answer to it? No doubt he knows their business better than they know it themselves.

I suggest that, if the Coal Merchants' Association have any difficulties, they might make representations to me, and I will do what I can to help them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a shortage of household coal in Reading and other districts owing to the absence of purchasing power resulting from low wages and unemployment?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that under the quota scheme certain colliery owners, having entered into contracts for the supply of coal for trawler bunkers, have disposed of coal in the open market and are now unable to fulfil their contracts; that this is causing the fishing industry additional expense through having to purchase coal in other quarters; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to avoiding injury to the fishing industry?

Representations have been made to me on behalf of the trawlers owners in the sense indicated in the first part of the question, and I have asked the Executive Board of the Midland (Amalgamated) District to give this matter their attention.

What redress have they in this matter? If it was a case of breach of contract, they could go to court, but at present they have no redress.

If it is a case of breach of contract, that is entirely a matter for the court. Any difficulty that exists is now being put right.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these owners, innocent people, are precluded from going to court and can only look to him for help?

It entirely depends on the terms of the contract.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there was inserted in these contracts a provision that, if the Government, through the quota scheme, prevented coal being mined, these people should not be held responsible?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the experiments for using an electric cap-lamp for pit ponies have reached any conclusion; and, if so, whether it is his intention to authorise their use in mines?

With my permission, pony lamps are now being tried out at several mines in different coalfields, and I am prepared to extend that permission on a limited scale to other collieries. But before I give a general approval for the unrestricted use of safety lamps of this character, it is desirable that they should undergo extended trials under a variety of working conditions, in order to determine reliably the safest and most suitable design.

Will the hon. Gentleman take that matter into account in dealing with the question of pit ponies and see if he can make rules?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed at the coal face in the mining industry of Great Britain during

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the amount of anthracite coal imported into Canada from Great Britain during the year 1929 and during the year 1930; and if he will state the amount of anthracite coal imported into Canada from Soviet Russia for the same periods?

According to the official Canadian statistics, the quantities of anthracite imported into Canada during the year 1930 from Great Britain and Soviet Russia were 890,395 tons and 260,185 tons respectively. The corresponding figures for 1929 were 582,171 tons and 104,825 tons respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the number of collieries in Great Britain using coal-cutting machines for each of the five years ended 31st December, 1930, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire;

(2) the number of collieries in Great Britain using coal conveyors underground for each of the five years ended 31st December, 1930, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?

As the replies to these questions involve a table of figures, I will circulate the information, so far as it is available, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

each of the five years ended 31st December, 1930, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?

I regret that this information is not available. The only figures available are those obtained specially for the Coal Industry Commission, which relate to October, 1924. The estimated number of persons then employed at the coal face in Great Britain was 482,000, or 51.3 per cent. of the total number employed below-ground. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were 42,000 and 49.9 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) if the Royal Commission inquiring into the position of British settlers in Victoria, who went to that territory under the Overseas Settlement Act, is still in session; and when their report is expected;

(2) whether he is aware that the Government of Victoria have decided to take the whole of the crops raised last year by settlers in that State; to value them, taking a percentage for Government charges; pay a certain sum to the settlers' creditors, and allocate a sustenance allowance at reduced rates to the settlers on a basis of single men £4 a month and married men £6 10s. a month, with 10s. extra for each child; and, seeing that the cost of living in Victoria has risen and is now about 40 per cent. higher than in England, whether he will call for a report from the representative of the British Government in Victoria superintending settlement matters under the Overseas Settlement Act?

I understand that the Royal Commission on Migrant Land Settlement in Victoria commenced its sessions on 9th February, and temporarily adjourned on 20th February. It is anticipated that the proceedings will be resumed on 30th March. The amount of the sustenance allowance to settlers in Victoria is a matter for determination by the Government of Victoria, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by acting on the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Association of British Settlers there are having to get relief from charitable sources?

I have heard that, but the question I have been asked is whether the Government will interfere? The hon. and gallant Member knows perfectly well that Dominion status prevents one Government from interfering with another, and the Dominions themselves would resent that sort of thing as much as we would resent it.

Have not these migrants from Great Britain gone out there with a guarantee from this Government that suitable conditions would be provided for them?

There is no migration scheme which carries with it the guarantee of this Government. It is most unfortunate that this and other incidents have happened. The question put to me is, whether the Government will interfere in a matter which, however much we may regret it, is within the jurisdiction of the Dominion itself.

I do not suggest that there should be an interference by His Majesty's Government, but that there should be an inquiry by the British representative out there.

Whatever construction we might place on any action at a time when a Royal Commission is investigating the matter would be construed as an attempt to influence that Royal Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give figures and any other information in his possession regarding the dumping of textile piece-goods by Soviet Russia in British markets?

As the right hon. Gentleman is probably aware, the Soviet Trade Representative announced in June last that the Soviet Government would not sell cotton manufactures in any part of the British Empire. That undertaking was later confirmed by the Soviet Government, and, as I stated on 3rd February in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Farnham, I am not aware of any failure to carry out the undertaking.

The question I asked was whether the right hon. Gentleman would give information regarding the sale by Soviet Russia of textile piece goods in British markets, and not in the British Empire.

The suggestion in the supplementary question of the right hon. Gentleman will be impossible, or at all events very difficult. I interpreted his question to refer plainly to the declaration made some time ago.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of this Russian stuff was being sold in France, whose merchants offered it in our export markets?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the quantities of wheat, barley, and oats imported by Great Britain from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for 1930; and what proportion do the imports of wheat, barley, and oats from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics bear to Great Britain's total imports of these commodities for 1930?

During the year 1930, the total imports of wheat, barley and oats into the United Kingdom, registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) amounted to 18,853,000 cwts., 5,969,000 cwts., and 2,757,000 cwts., respectively, representing 18.0 per cent., 39.1 per cent., and 28.5 per cent., respectively, of the total imports from all sources.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has inquired into the prices of these cereals and whether they do not represent—

That question does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state, in hundredweights, the quantity of wheat imported into Britain and the Irish Free State from Russia for the months of January and February?

As stated in the January and February issues of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom," the total quantity of wheat imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the months of January and February, 1931, as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) amounted to 2,969,470 cwts. and 837,569 cwts., respectively. Similar monthly particulars of the imports of wheat into the Irish Free State are not published in the trade returns of that country.

Is there any record of the price at which this wheat is imported?

I should require separate notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the actual average market price of the wheat—

Order, order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he can give information as to the course of imports of tin plate, tin cans and tinned fruit into Great Britain from Soviet Russia during the past six months; and whether, in view of the preparations of the Soviet Government under the five years' plan for intensive efforts to increase the amount of such exports, he will consider taking immediate steps to prevent injury to industries in this country?

During the six months ended February, 1931, no imports of tinned plates and sheets or tinned plates shaped for boxes and other containers were recorded as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia). During the same period the imports of tinned or bottled fruit from the Soviet Union amounted to 10,925 cwts., valued at £12,524, of which nearly half was imported in October. As regards the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to previous answers on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many consignments of Russian furniture have been imported this year into this country and have been offered to British merchants at prices considerably below the prevailing market price for such furniture; and can he state how the importation of Russian furniture this year compares in bulk with that in former years for the corresponding period?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The imports into the United Kingdom of furniture registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) during the months of January and February, 1931, were valued at £735. The value of these imports during 1930 was £11,718, none of which was recorded in the first two months of the year.

Can the President of the Board of Trade say whether there were any consignments for the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Marjoribanks)?

Is it not the fact that the imports of our goods into Russia have greatly increased in the same period?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to help the Lancashire cotton industry, as a result of the deputation from the Master Cotton Spinners' Federation and the Cotton Spinners' and Manufacturers' Association which recently waited upon him and the Secretary of State for India to discuss the question of boycott and increase in import duties upon cotton goods entering India?

Quite apart from this deputuation, His Majesty's Government have been consistently watching the situation with a view to taking any steps that are practicable. As regards the increase in cotton import duties, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answers given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to questions on the 4th and 9th March. This matter is out of our hands. As regards the boycott question, I need only refer him to the Paper recently issued regarding the outcome of the conversations between His Excellency the Governor-General and Mr. Gandhi, and to the statements subsequently made in this House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India. Both my right hon. Friend and I are keeping in the closest touch with the situation.

Am I to understand from the answer that the Government have nothing practical to suggest as the result of the interviews?

My right hon. Friend would be wrong in making that assumption. I think that he will recognise that together we have done everything by representation that can be done in this matter.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that, in order to secure the revival of the cotton industry in Lancashire, it is urgently imperative for the Government to act at once in regard to a National Cotton Control Board developing and controlling the industry?

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any proposals to the Government of India that there should be a tariff truce?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now any statement to make as to the plans the Government propose to put into operation to assist the cotton industry; and if these plans will involve legislation and financial assistance?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on this subject on the 24th February and to that given on the 10th March to the hon. Member for Stockport (Mr. Hammersley), of which I am sending him copies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for nearly two years we have been asking him for information on this subject and have been unable to get it?

I cannot plead guilty to so grave a charge. A great deal of information has been given and a very considerable amount of work has been undertaken.

May I ask whether the Government—

The right hon. Gentleman has replied to the question on the Order Paper.

rose —

We cannot have any more supplementaries to this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make a statement to the House concerning the tariff truce and the recent proceedings at the Geneva Conference?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take following the report of the Conference for Concerted Economic Action to the effect that there is no hope of obtaining a general acceptance of the tariff truce proposed by him at Geneva?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action the Government proposes to take in connection with the tariff truce in view of the recent discussions at Geneva?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the result of the recent meeting of the Economic Conference at Geneva, he will abandon further effort for the promotion of the tariff truce?

The conclusions of the recent Conference at Geneva in regard to the Commercial Convention were explaind in the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Overseas Trade Department to the hon. and gallant Members for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) and East Lewisham (Sir A. Pownall). I have repeatedly emphasised in this House that I have always regarded this Convention not as an end in itself, but as affording an opportunity for further negotiations with a view to securing reductions in European Customs Tariffs. As my hon. Friend has already stated these negotiations will continue.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in view of what transpired at Geneva the other day, he seriously proposes to continue this tariff truce arrangement?

I have always made it quite clear to the House that we did not for a moment minimise the difficulty in this connection, but we still believe that a downward movement in these tariffs is desirable, and we shall continue to do everything we can to encourage it.

rose —

We cannot enter upon a debate on this matter to-day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Governments continued to raise their tariffs after they had approved of the recommendations of the Economic Conference of 1927 to the effect that the economic development of the world was being retarded by tariff walls?

Statements conveying general approval of the conclusions of the World Economic Conference of 1927 were made on behalf of a considerable number of Governments, particularly in Europe, but including also those of certain extra European countries. Since the date of the conference tariff increases which may be regarded as of substantial importance have been introduced by the following countries which may be said to have intimated such a general approval, namely: Austria, Bulgaria, Chile, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, German, Hungary, Italy, Persia, Poland and Portugal.

Will the right hon. Gentleman now take steps to request those countries which raised their tariffs as a result of his truce proposals to bring them down to the pre-truce-proposal levels?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the industrial surveys in certain industrial areas are to be commenced; and whether he can state the machinery that will be utilised for such surveys?

The surveys will be put in hand at once. They will be undertaken by the universities in the areas concerned. The Government have offered to place at the disposal of the university staffs the statistical material in the hands of the various departments concerned, and to lend such assistance as may be necessary to co-ordinate the work. It is also anticipated that the work will be facilitated by the co-operation of development organisations in the areas, to whom the results should be of great value.

I take it that the results will be communicated to this House?

At the earliest possible point, of course, I will make a statement on this and upon other matters affected by these surveys.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this is a better use to make of the universities than having representatives in this House?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of his intention to institute an industrial survey of four areas in Great Britain where unemployment is heaviest with a view to industrial development, he will consider including the mining area of West Cumberland in the survey, in view of the depression which has existed there for 10 years?

For reasons of practical expediency it is desirable that effort should be concentrated at this stage on the larger areas most severely affected by the depression in the basic industries. This does not mean that the circumstances of other areas are being overlooked and it may be that the experience gained in carrying out the present surveys will suggest that similar inquiries should be carried out elsewhere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very great economic mineral possibilities of the area of West Cumberland, and, if so, will he bear that in mind?

That bears upon the reply that I gave last week. We are beginning this survey early in May. Of course, we hope that the inquiry will be extended to other areas, and I think I can assure my hon. Friend that further development will be accelerated, if we proceed by this method.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate when the surveys will be completed?

No. Obviously, this is a very large task. We shall hope that from time to time, and as soon as may be, practical results will be available on specific proposals.

In connection with these industrial surveys, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Chambers of Commerce all over the country who may have valuable suggestions to make?

We have undertaken to keep in close touch with local development committees and the hon. Member may assume that all the commercial bodies, trade unions, and others interested in the locality will be consulted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received any information concerning the conclusions of the economic committee of the League of Nations on the question of dumping bounties and subsidies?

I understand that the economic committee of the League of Nations still have these questions under consideration, and have not yet formulated any conclusions upon them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information when we are likely to have the report?

I gather that an effective step was taken towards the end of February, but I am afraid that it will be a month or two at least before we get the information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now any statement to make as to the plans the Government propose to put into operation to assist the steel industry, and if these plans will involve legislation and financial assistance?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on this subject on the 15th December and the 17th March last to the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. Rennie Smith) and the hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Womersley) respectively, of which I am sending him copies.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the very serious accusations made by the Prime Minister last year, and does he not think—

That is another question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the Macmillan Committee on Finance and Industry finished taking evidence several months ago, he can now say when it is expected that their report will be published?

I cannot at present add to the reply which I gave on 17th March to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Albery).

Is the Financial Secretary aware that the continued delay in the publication of this report is causing the gravest concern in the country?

I am aware that the Committee are pressing forward with their report with all possible speed.

Will the Financial Secretary represent to the Committee the importance of having an interim report before the Budget discussions in view of the importance of the facts that they have collected?

I am afraid that an interim report would not serve that purpose. The report is in active preparation.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what countries prohibit the importation of dried condensed milk; and what countries levy an import duty on dried condensed milk?

I understand the question relates to dried milk or milk in a powdered form. I am advised that the term "condensed milk" is not usually applied to these products. According to the information available, the importation of dried milk is prohibited in Australia. In the other British Dominions, in India, and in many British Colonies and foreign countries, the importation or sale of milk preparations not containing prescribed minima of milk fats, etc., is prohibited. As regards the second part of the question, the tariffs of most countries impose duties on these products, the exceptions being the Irish Free State, certain Colonies, Denmark, Holland, Peru and the Dominican Republic.

Will the hon. Gentleman state the reason why the tariffs are applied by those foreign countries?

asked the President of the Board of Tirade the further period which is allowed to elapse before the 534 defaulting public companies, as at 17th March, 1931, are compelled to make the returns in accordance with Section 110 of the Companies Act, 1929, in respect of which they are already more than two and a-half months in arrear?

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what legislative authority he has excused 534 public companies from obeying Section 110 of the Companies Act, 1929, for a period of 10 weeks after the date laid down by the Act?

As Section 110 allows a company 28 days for the completion of the return, it is not possible until the end of January to compile a list of the companies which are in default in respect of the preceding calendar year. During February all the companies referred to in the questions were requested by the Registrar to file the returns. All those that have not filed the return have been reported to the solicitor for such action as may be necessary, except in those cases in which the Registrar is in correspondence with the company regarding an incomplete return or the company is in process of dissolution. The number of cases in which the return has not yet been filed is now less than 400.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these returns are very much multiplied? There used to be only one return necessary and now they have to make two, three or four copies. It is a heavy job.

I should require notice of that question. There are certain additional returns, but the number outstanding has been very largely reduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will invite the committee of the London Stock Exchange, the committees of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and of the Incorporated Accountants, and of the Federation of British Industries to furnish him with information about defects in the Companies Act, 1929, and as to how the Act, in the light of recent financial disasters, can be improved for the protection of the public?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Ilford (Sir G. Hamilton) on the 17th March.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do everything in his power to protect the investing public in view of the very unsatisfactory answer given to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede)?

The position is quite plain. We will do everything in our power to secure a vigorous application of the Companies Act of 1929, but hon. Members have asked me for Amendments, and I am unable to promise fresh legislation until the existing Act has had a rather longer run.

Is it not a fact that the recent financial disaster was due to the banks patronising—

That is another question.

May I not ask a supplementary question?

We cannot build up a discussion by supplementaries on every question.

I was asking whether it was not due to a cause other than the Companies Act?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet requested the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Society of Incorporated Accountants to suggest a statutory formula for auditors' certificates designed to protect the public in cases where companies are combinations working through subsidiaries; and whether he will, when amending the Companies Act, 1929, abolish the legal necessity for an auditor's certificate to be attached to accounts of a parent concern whose auditors will not accept responsibility for the accounts of subsidiary concerns embodied in the accounts of the parent concern?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and as regards the second part I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave on 3rd March to questions addressed to me by the hon. Member for Twickenham (Sir J. Ferguson) and the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a statement showing what progress has been made by the committee set up over 18 months ago to consider and advise on any questions affecting the health of the Mercantile Marine?