asked the Secretary for Mines the date upon which the district executive board issued is decision to the Woolley Colliery, Barnsley; the date upon which the owners of the colliery lodged an appeal against that decision; the date which has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal; and what steps the owners have taken to expedite a decision in the matter?

I have made inquiries from the executive board for the Midland (Amalgamated) District and I am informed that the standard tonnage for the Woolley pit was notified to the owners on the 11th December, 1930; on the following clay the owners gave notice of objection. The objection was heard on the 7th January, when an increased standard tonnage was granted. The owners intimated their intention of taking the matter to arbitration, but did not actually select the arbitrators until the 2nd April. In the meantime the Barnsley Town Council and others had complained to the district committee of investigation which on the 13th March recommended to the executive board that an increase in standard tonnage should be given. On this recommendation a further increase in standard tonnage was notified to the owners on the 24th March. The hearing before the arbitrators was on the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th April. The decision in the matter now rests with the arbitrators.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister has severely criticised these owners for deliberate delay in this matter, and will he now put the real facts befort the Prime Minister?

If necessary, I shall put all relative facts before the Prime Minister, but the facts are as stated in reply to the question.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average weekly earnings in the mining industry in Great Britain in 1913, and for the latest date available, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?

The average weekly cash earnings of all workers employed in the coal mines in Great Britain during 1913 was £1 11s. 6d., and during 1930, £2 4s. 4d. I regret that similar information for Lancashire and Cheshire is not available for 1913, but during 1930 the figure was £2 1s. 10d.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed in the mining industry of Great Britain in 1913, and for the latest date for which figures are available, specifying the number employed underground and the number employed on the surface, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total output of coal cut by machines in the mining industry of Great Britain in 1913 and at the latest date available, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?

In 1913, the total quantity of coal cut by machines at mines in Great Britain was 24,369,516 tons and in 1930, 71,949,511 tons. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were 1,995,481 tons and 3,840,293 tons, respectively.

Can my hon. Friend state whether, in respect of last year, there was a tendency for the number of coal-cutting machines to be reduced?

Over the whole country, I should say no.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many coal conveyors were in use underground in the coal mines of Great Britain in December, 1930; how many tons they will carry over a given period; and will he give corresponding figures for 1924?

During 1930 the number of conveyors in use at the coal face was 2,991 and elsewhere below ground 756. No information is available as to the total capacity of these conveyors, but the quantity of coal so conveyed in 1930 was 421 million tons. Similar figures for 1924 are not available, except that the number of face conveyors then in use was 1,373.

Can my hon. Friend tell me what county has shown the greatest increase since 1924?

If the hon. Member will put down that question, I will give a reply.

Can my hon. Friend say if these conveyors are proving highly satisfactory and how many mines now use them entirely to the exclusion of pit ponies and horses?

That is a question which had better be put upon the Paper.

asked the Secretary for Mines approximately to what extent there has been a rise in the price of coal to gas companies during the last few months?

I am not aware of the contract prices paid by gas companies for their coal.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the price of gas has recently been put up, and will he inquire whether it is due to the rise in the price of coal?

If there is any gas company aggrieved by any increase in the price of coal, they may apply to the committee of investigation in their neighbourhood to have the matter dealt with.

Is not the hon. Member aware that it is the consumer who is aggrieved and not the gas company?

And, similarly, if the consumer feels aggrieved at any increase in the price of gas which he believes to be due to the increased price of coal, he may take the matter to the committee of investigation.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has yet been able to set up his promised independent committee of inquiry into the working of the Miners' Welfare Fund; and whether he can state its terms of reference and the names of its chairman and members?

I am glad to be able to announce that Lord Chelmsford has provisionally consented to act as chairman of this committee. The details of the remaining personnel have not yet been finally settled, but I have invited the Mining Association of Great Britain and the Miners' Federation of Great Britain to nominate one member each. I propose that the committee's terms of reference should be wide, and should include inquiry into the use already made of the fund, and its future scope and administration, with particular reference to the amount and duration of the levy.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Governments of the wheat-growing Dominions are being consulted as to the form of wheat quota in British fiscal policy which would best encourage, their importations into this country?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have undertaken to consult the Governments of the wheat-growing Dominions as soon as they are in a position to do so. The position is set out on page 49 of the Summary of Proceedings of the Imperial Conference of 1930.

Inasmuch as this matter is now understood to be receiving the immediate attention of the Cabinet, will not the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity of consulting the Dominions before any decision is come to by the Government here?

Oh, no. The Dominions made it perfectly clear at the Imperial Conference that their policy was to consider the interests of their awn people first; and I shall not he accused of being unfair if I say that that must equally be the position of this country.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman be in a better position to make a policy here that might be acceptable all round if—

That appears to be a matter of opinion.

In view of the fact that India is a wheat exporting country and that the Dominion of South Africa is not, will the right hon. Gentleman see that in these negotiations a representative of India is also included?

Certainly. The proceedings of the last Imperial Conference show that India was represented, and the Indian representative made it perfectly clear all through that they were not likely to be ignored.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the request from the iron and steel industry that the report of the Civil Research Committee should be published; and whether he will reconsider his previous decision and accede to this request?—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state the policy of the Government with reference to the steel industry; if he will now publish the report of the committee set up; and whether the policy of the Government will involve either legislation or financial assistance?

As regards the report on the iron and steel industry, the request to which I understand the hon. and gallant Member for King's Norton (Major Thomas) to refer was carefully considered, but the Government felt, and still feel, that they must adhere to their decision regarding publication. As regards the policy of the Government, this can best be dealt with on the occasion of the Board of Trade Vote.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the information contained in this report is of more value to the general public than the political statements that have been made by his colleagues during the last few days?

It is not a question of comparing the information in the report with statements made on the platform and elsewhere. The whole background of the report has to be considered. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that this is a decision which is entirely in the interests of the industry and the nation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, with regard, to Question 19, that there is considerable disquiet in the steel trade at the non-publication of the report, and will he take steps, particularly in view of the Prime Minister's speech last week, to see that something is done in order to relieve the anxiety in the trade?

I am afraid that that statement is not accurate. There is a certain difference of opinion in the industry, but in any event we are in constant consultation with the industry.

Is it not an extremely difficult position when speeches are made making inferences from the report, as was done last week, and the report has not been put before the House and the country?

The reference last week was based on facts that are well known to both sides of the industry. There was only a very general reference to the fact that this inquiry had taken place, and nothing more than that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the Government take full responsibility for withholding this report from the public?

I have already indicated our decision, and to that we adhere. For that decision we, as a Government, are responsible.

Would it not be a breach of the conditions on which the evidence was tendered if the report were published?

That is precisely one of the points to consider. A large amount of the evidence was tendered on the strict understanding that it would be regarded as confidential. That is a point which we have to bear in mind.

Is that one of the reasons why extracts from the report were published in Germany?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the industrial survey in certain industrial areas has yet commenced; and what organisations are engaged upon this work, in addition to the universities, in the areas concerned?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question there is nothing I can usefully add to the reply which I gave the right hon. Gentleman on the 24th March last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is engaged in any further negotiations with a view to securing reductions in European customs tariffs; and if he can state the results to date?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Harmon), of which I am sending him a copy. To this I should, however, add that in addition to the replies therein referred to a reply has now been received from the Government of Austria.

Is the right hon. Gentleman having regard to the cost of all these negotiations and the very large sum of money which is lost to the nation by his last efforts?

I do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman. Any outlay will be infinitesimal compared with the advantages that may be derived.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has made to the representations from the Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers Association to the effect that the provisional agreement in India has not led to any notable improvement in Lancashire trade?

I have received from the Cotton Spinners and Manufac- turers Association a communication which I understand to be the one referred to by the right hon. Gentleman. This communication did not appear to call for any reply.

In that communication was the opinion expressed that the right hon. Gentleman had misled the country in the, interview he gave at Edinburgh to the effect that the Lancashire cotton industry had improved as a result of the Irwin-Gandhi agreement which had been arrived at?

No. Various statements were made in that communication, but I entirely repudiate the suggestion that in the interview I in any way misled the country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his statement included an assertion to the effect that the Lancashire cotton industry had improved as a result of the signing of the Irwin-Gandhi agreement?

I take the view that the existence of such agreement does and will provide a better environment for commercial relations, and I think there are various points in which even now there is improvement, although I made it perfectly clear that it is an improvement within narrow limits.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the questions asked by the right hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Hacking) are tending to bring about ill-feeling between this country and India?

rose—

Any further question must be put on the Order Paper?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the proportion of our imports from foreign countries which are now marked with the country of origin?

I regret that it is not possible to give the desired information. I am, however, sending the hon. Member summaries of the Orders in Council which have been made in respect of both general merchandise and agricultural and horticultural produce.

Is there any evidence that this marking has an effect on sales one way or the other?

That would be very difficult to describe in reply to a supplementary question. I should require notice about individual commodities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the representations from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of British Industries, the Chamber of Shipping, and the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association protesting against the discrimination in customs duties exercised by the Portuguese Government against cargoes carried in British vessels; and what action he proposes to take?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. A. M. Samuel).

In view of the widespread feeling in British circles as to the bad effect of this discriminaton on British shipping can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he is taking active steps to make representations to the Portuguese Government, on the matter?

Yes, I have now made definite arrangements for the deputation to be received, and I can assure the House that every aspect of the case will be considered.

May I ask whether the Government have consulted the Liberal party in this matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade with what countries we enjoy mostfavoured-nation treatment; and with what countries such treatment is only a matter of courtesy?

Generally speaking we enjoy most-favoured-nation treatment practically throughout the world, the principal exceptions being those arising out of the preferential customs arrangements between Cuba and the United States of America. In Brazil this treatment is enjoyed in respect of all articles except fresh fruit and in San Salvador there are a few goods in regard to which France has preferential treatment. There are also certain cases in which regional arrangements exist between neighbouring countries for mutual preferences which are, however, of little practical importance from the point of view of British trade. Most-favoured-nation treatment though accorded in fact is not guaranteed by Treaty in any of the following countries, namely, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Hedjaz, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, San Domingo, and Uruguay.

In the absence of tariffs, does the most-favoured-nation Clause amount to very much?

Yes. The short reply is that the most-favoured-nation treatment gives us great advantages.

But are not those advantages decreased as compared with what they used to be?

That is a highly debatable point and could only be replied to by an analysis of the figures of a number of individual countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the resolution from the British Paper Packing Federation, representing the largest users of wrapping and packing papers, urging the continuance of the duty on imported packing and wrapping papers for a further period of 10 years; and whether, in view of the trade depression, he is prepared to recommend an extension of the period of Duty?

I received such a resolution from the British Paper Bag Federation last December; the answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this association was originally opposed to the duty hut that they have been converted by the results, and that there is now a growing anxiety among all the workers in the industry that the Government will reconsider their decision?

I am not sure that I agree with the hon. and gallant Member as to the conversion, but the fact that their own commodities were protected may have had something to do with their action.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman received a protest from a large body of consumers against the huge burdens which these duties have placed upon them?

Various communications have reached me, but I could not say without notice whether there has been one on this particular subject. There are, however, constant representations as to the effect of these duties on prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated increase in unemployment in the packing and wrapping paper trade as a result of the cessation of the import duty on 1st May?

It is not practicable to make a forecast as to the future course of employment in the industry in question but I cannot accept the hon. Member's implication.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the report of the Amalgamated Society of Paper Makers and to the great concern expressed therein by the workers in the industry?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any single industry which has been deprived of Safeguarding where there has not been an increase in unemployment?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage reductions in the volume of British imports and exports, respectively, for the first quarter of 1931, as compared with the first quarter of 1929, distinguishing in each case food, drink and tobacco, raw materials, and manufactured articles?

I will, with the right hon. Gentleman's permission, circulate the desired figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us now the difference in the totals?

They are not really totals; they are percentage differences, applicable to the four heads of exports and imports, and they are in tabular form

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is investigating the complaints of British shipowners against the scale of Suez Canal dues; and, if so, will he say when he can make a statement or issue a report upon the position?

This matter is being carefully considered, and I hope soon to be in a position to make a statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that complaints were made to the Foreign Office by six great European maritime Powers quite recently?

All points will be taken into account. I can assure my hon. Friend that I have received, and continue to receive, a very large number of representations.

Will the President of the Board of Trade therefore in the meantime convey to the board of administration of the Canal Company the fact that their methods are now becoming a source of international friction?

Is my right hon. Friend not in a position to use the voting power of the British Gov-

But at the end of the table the right hon. Gentleman has given the difference in the percentages. [Interruption.]

I prefer not to be drawn into a controversy on that point, pending the reply, following the present discussions, which I hope to give to the House at a very early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty's Government will in future use its voting power in such a way that when British directors are appointed to the board of the Suez Canal Company the appointment to the directorate shall be subject to the proviso of retirement at 65 years of age, in order that the board may be staffed by directors conversant with the changing conditions of export trade as apart from ship owning?

In practice, no question arises of His Majesty's Government using its voting Dower as a shareholder in the Suez Canal Company in connection with the appointment of British directors. It is the custom for the seven unofficial British directors representing British shipping and commerce to fill vacancies by nominating a new director, whose appointment is ratified in due course by the General Assembly. The three official British directors are appointed by His Majesty's Government, and no retiring age has been prescribed.

Is it the practice for the retiring British directors to appoint their successors?

It applies to some extent in the case of the seven unofficial directors to whom I have referred.

Is it not the case that it does not matter what the British Government do about the British directors, because the French have a majority?

I should not agree that the board of directors is entirely governed by considerations of that kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the total amount received in 1930 by each of the directors of the Suez Canal Company appointed by the British Government; and on what basis, the fees, allowances, bonuses, commissions, or other emoluments, if any, are calculated?

As stated yeserday in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), two per cent. of the net profits of the Suez Canal Company are, in accordance with the Statutes, alloted to the directorate. The income of each director depends to some extent on the number of meetings attended by him. My right hon. Friend is, therefore, unable to state the exact amounts received by the British official directors last year.

What is the average number of meetings per year?

I cannot say without notice.

What does each director get for a meeting?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the directors nominated by the Government to represent British interests on the board of the Suez Canal Company have had personal experience of British commerce and are familiar with the continuously changing conditions of those British exporting industries which ship their manufactures through the Suez Canal?

It appears that the appointments, made by previous Governments, have not usually been given to persons with specialised business experience, but rather to persons with Parliamentary or official experience.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the fact that, despite the increase in the numbers of the unemployed since the present Government assumed office, the deficiency on the establishment of the Regular Army at home, abroad and in India has increased during the same period by 2,500, he will take steps to make the advantages of a career in the Army more widely known?

Every practicable opportunity is taken to make known the advantages which a career in the Army offers, and the recent special efforts to stimulate recruiting resulted in the intake of recruits for the financial year which ended on 31st March last being over 5,000 greater than for the previous financial year. It is proposed to repeat such efforts when necessary. Men are asked to join the Army of their own free will, and as I have repeatedly stated, no special pressure will be brought to bear on unemployed men.

Actually is the Regular Army establishment in India deficient, or is the deficiency only at home?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the military camp at Aldershot is now completely free from spotted fever; if cases are reported from Catterick camp; and whether there is any similar epidemic in other camps in England?

During the present month there have been two fresh admissions to hospital at Aldershot in respect of cerebro-spinal fever. As regards Catterick, there have been four admissions during the present year. At no military centre other than Aldershot and Catterick have there been more than three cases during the present year, and there has been no epidemic at any military centre, sporadic cases only having occurred. The hon. Member does not, I hope, think that this is a disease occurring only among troops; it has, unfortunately, occurred also among the civil population.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this occurs more frequently in military camps than elsewhere?

I could not reply without notice. I should have to consult the figures of specific cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the reason that caused the West Lothian County Council to defer the proposal to construct a road along the foreshore between Bo'ness and South Queens-ferry; and whether he can state the price per acre asked by the landowners and the annual amount at present paid in taxes for that land, and the value at which it is rated on the assessment roll?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he has not been furnished with information to enable him to reply to this question. He submitted it to the county clerk for his observations, but he replies that he has no instructions from his council to give any reason for their decision in the matter referred to in the question. He has asked the county clerk to bring his request to the notice of the county council, and I trust they will authorise their clerk to supply the necessary information. I shall inform my hon. Friend of the result.

If I put a question on the Paper next Tuesday, does the Under-Secretary think that he will have received a reply from the county clerk by that time?

We will hope so, and if we have the reply I shall be in a position to give an answer.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused by the limitation of speed for vehicles carrying perishable goods, such as milk, under the Road Traffic Act; and if he will exercise his powers under Sub-section (4) of Section 10 of that Act to allow these vehicles to travel at the same speed as that allowed for the conveyance of horses?

I am not prepared to accept the suggestion that vehicles carrying perishable goods should be allowed to travel at speeds greater than those recently determined by Parliament in the First Schedule to the Road Traffic Act, 1930. While horses conveyed in motor vehicles constitute a light load, the laden weight of vehicles carrying perishable goods such as milk may reach the maximum laden weight allowed by law for the class to which the vehicle belongs.

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the machines are the same machines and are carrying practically the same weight; is it not ridiculous that there should be different speeds, and how is anybody to know what they are carrying?

In the case of horses we know that the weight will not be unduly heavy. In the case of perishable goods, we know that the weight may be heavy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the proposal to hold a conference of local authorities regarding the proposed road bridges over the Rivers Forth and Tay, the Government has now decided in favour of this scheme; and, if so, whether the subject matter of the conference will pertain only to the local authorities' share of the capital cost or to other expenditure?

No decision has been taken in favour of any of the various bridge schemes under consideration affecting the Forth and the Tay excepting the proposed bridge at Kincardine-on-Forth. The discussion with the local authorities will therefore have to cover a wider field than that of mere apportionment of cost.

As this scheme was included in the statement of the Lord Privy Seal, as one of the proposals for providing employment, could not the Government, in order to facilitate the decision of the local authorities, afford their support to the scheme; and is not this the only way in which Scotland will get a substantial share of the money that is going?

As a matter of negotiation, I think that the suggestion of my hon. Friend would be most unwise, and, if he looks up the speech of the Lord Privy Seal, he will find that there is no inconsistency between that statement and my answer.

I heard the Lord Privy Seal's statement and I have seen it since, and may I ask if the Lord Privy Seal did not state that one of the proposals under consideration was for carrying out this scheme?

I do not know that I have said anything which is inconsistent with the Lord Privy Seal's statement.

Is it not the case that, in spite of the Lord Privy Seal's statement, the matter is exactly where it was?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that young women sent to certain industrial institutions in Edinburgh and Aberdeen are sent out by those institutions to work as domestic servants without any wages and under such conditions of service that the girls go back to their homes and are then re-arrested and given heavier sentences; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to improving the conditions of these young women?

I assume that the question refers to girls in industrial schools conducted under the Children Act and I have made inquiry from all such schools in Scotland. I find that there is no justification for the suggestion made in the question. In all cases girls sent from these institutions to domestic service are engaged for a money wage in addition to board and lodging. In most cases the wages are paid direct to the girls, but in some, banking arrangements under the supervision of the school are made in the interest of the girls themselves. The school authorities investigate the character of the situation at the outset, and at regular intervals ascertain that the girls are working under satisfactory conditions.

Is it not the case that many of these girls are not told anything about the fact that banking arrangements are being made for any wages paid, and that some of these girls have been in employment without having a halfpenny to spend for many months?

I will certainly be prepared to make investigations into the statement made by my hon. Friend, but he can rest assured that on the informa- tion provided to me from the 10 industrial schools referred to there is no justification for his statement.

If the reply is such as has been made by these industrial schools, and if the facts which are in the possession of several hon. Members are against that reply, will the hon. Member use his influence with the Secretary of State to have an inquiry into this matter?

Do I understand that these banking arrangements are made voluntarily by the girls, or is it an involuntary thing?

These arrangements are made by the industrial schools themselves and the wages are paid directly to the girls in all cases, with the exception of two, according to the information at my disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a decision has yet been arrived at respecting the proposed transfer of students from the Dunfermline College of Hygiene and Physical Education; and whether, in view of the opposition the suggestion has aroused and the trouble and expense the establishment of the college has caused to the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, he can see his way to continue the work of the college as at present?

It has been decided that as from October next the men students shall receive their training at the Glasgow Training Centre, where the necessary provision is being made. As regards the women students, I understand that the question whether they should ultimately receive their training at Dunfermline, or elsewhere, is likely to be considered at an early date by the National Committee for the Training of Teachers in conference with the Carnegie Dunfermline Trustees, who act as managers of the college. In the meanwhile, steps are being taken for the appointment of a woman principal to supervise the training of the women students at Dunfermline.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the benefit conferred upon smallholders and applicants for smallholdings in Scotland by the issue in 1912 and 1915 by the Board of Agriculture of several leaflets giving information as to the opportunities, rights, and procedure under the Smallholdings Acts; and whether he will now arrange to have these leaflets revised to date and re-issued widely in Scotland?

I think the hon. Member will agree that it would not be convenient to take any action in this matter while the Amending Bill dealing with landholders' tenure is still under consideration by the Legislature. I am prepared to look into the matter when the appropriate time arrives.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the holdings constituted by the Department of Agriculture at Wester Hailes, or any of them, have been let at competitive rents; whether the rights of the holders are regulated by the Agricultural Holdings Act or the Smallholdings Acts; under what precise statutory enactment the Department have established the holdings; and what funds they have used in doing so?

None of the holdings constituted at Wester Hailes has been let at a competitive rent. The rights of the tenants are regulated by the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1923. The holdings were established under the powers conferred on the Department by Part I of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919; and the cost of the scheme has been met from the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund.

Will the hon. Gentleman state how it is that these tenants are under the Agricultural Holdings Act, which applies to large farmers, while the Government are using the Smallholdings Acts to establish them?

The reason why the tenure is regulated by the Agricultural Holdings Act is that Section 26 (4) of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act of 1911 provides that a person shall not be admissible to registration as a new holder under the Act in respect of any land within the boundaries of a burgh.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether these holders can have access to the Scottish Land Court or whether they are entirely in the hands of the Department of Agriculture?

I would respectfully suggest that that question might be put on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the areas in which experiments have been carried out for spotting herring shoals from aircraft; the dates on which those experiments were made; and whether experienced fishermen were carried as observers?

Detailed information regarding the experiments carried out in 1924 is contained in a report published by the Fishery Board for Scotland of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The area of survey embraced practically all the grounds fished by the fleets operating from ports between Peterhead and Stronsay, and the period of operations was a period of four weeks from 9th July, 1924. The observers carried were experts drawn from the Fishery Board's scientific and fishery staff with special knowledge of the areas concerned and of fishing conditions generally.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to consider the possibility of carrying out experiments in Shetland waters as the conditions there are more akin to those which occur in Icelandic waters, where such experiments have been so successful?

I shall certainly convey the hon. Member's suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

May I respectfully ask the hon. Gentleman if he will suggest to his right hon. Friend, next time, that some practical measures should be taken up as well as scientific observation?

All practical suggestions will be conveyed to my right hon. Friend.