asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make representations to the Governments of Norway and Sweden with a view to the removal of the licence fee of 100 kroner (about £5 10s.) on all British commercial travellers entering those countries?

The policy of imposing such fees is one of very old standing, and the actual amount of the fee charged has remained at the same level in both countries since long before the War. In these circumstances, I am of opinion that such representations as the hon. Member suggests would not serve any useful purpose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, alternatively, impose a similar tax on commercial travellers coming from Norway and Sweden?

Oh, no, we could not entertain that suggestion. Representations were made in 1926, when it was proposed to increase this charge in Norway, and it was not increased at that time. I do not think we can do more.

May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman sticks to his Free Trade principles to the very bitter end?

Why did not the Tories put this proposal into effect when they were in office?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that British commercial travellers entering Norway or Sweden are charged a licence fee of 100 kroner per head per month, he will consider imposing a similar revenue tax of £5 10s. on commercial travellers visiting Great Britain and Northern Ireland from those countries; and whether he can state the estimated revenue to be derived from such a tax?

My right hon. Friend is not prepared to adopt this proposal. It is not practicable to furnish an estimate of the revenue that might be derived from such a tax.

Will the Financial Secretary see to it that commercial travellers from those countries have imposed upon them a tax similar to that which has been imposed upon our commercial travellers in those countries?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received a report of the Economic Committee of the League of Nations in relation to dumping, bounties and subsidies?

The Committee is still in session, and I have accordingly not yet received any such report. If, however the right hon. Gentleman will repeat his question in a fortnight's time, it may be possible to give him some information.

Could the House have a concise and explicit definition of dumping?

rose——

Order!

May I ask a supplementary question?

The Minister has given a definite answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any further replies in relation to the communication he has made to various countries suggesting a reduction of tariffs?

Since the answer on this subject which I gave to the right hon. Gentleman on the 21st April, certain communications have been received from the French Government indicating the lines on which that Government would be prepared to proceed with the proposed negotiations.

Did the other countries reply, and is satisfactory progress being made?

Yes, I have referred to other replies which have so far been received; but I would remind the House that these communications are at the moment confidential.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what concessions the French Government are prepared to make?

asked the First Commissioner of Works if, in view of the general interest in the economic situation in Europe, he will give permission for a map showing the European tariff walls to be exhibited in the Tea Room?

If the hon. and gallant Member can provide a suitable map, I shall be glad to arrange that it shall be exhibited in the Tea Room, subject to Mr. Speaker's consent.

Would not the map provided by the hon. Member for Honiton (Sir C. Morrison-Bell) be suitable?

Oh, yes, I am quite sure it would be suitable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now considered the report sent to him by the London Trades Council to the effect that the British Gaumont Pictures Corporation, Limited, is now controlled by American interests; and what action he proposes to take to prevent the use of the word British in the titles of foreign-controlled companies?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the replies I have already given him on this subject on 19th May and 9th June.

Have not the London Trades Council expressed their willing- ness that the report should be published, so as to remove all doubts on this matter?

Yes; but I have already explained to the hon. Member, I think three or four times, that that does not lie with me at all. The London Trades Council are at perfect liberty to publish their report; it is their own document.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London Trades Council desire it to be published?

If that is their desire, why do not they get on with the publication of it?

Is the statement made in the question, that this company is controlled by American interests, correct?

On that point, I would refer my hon. Friend to the very detailed reply which I gave some time ago, and which sets out the exact position of these companies.

Do not many of these companies, owing to the fact that they are American-controlled, disparage the use of British films?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports of butter from Australia and from Soviet Russia, respectively, during the first five months of 1931; and whether any bounty is paid in either country on such exports?

During the five months ended 31st May, 1931, the quantity of butter imported into the United Kingdom from Australia and the Soviet Union amounted to 737,448 cwts, and 32,270 cwts. respectively. There is no direct Government bounty on the export of butter from Australia, but the producers impose a voluntary levy on themselves, out of the proceeds of which a bounty is paid on all butter exported. In Soviet Russia all foreign trade is a Government monopoly, and it is impossible to say what kind and degree of encouragement that Government may accord to the export of any one particular commodity.

Is the tick trade a dumping trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of the exports of British margarine during the first five months of 1931 compared with the same period of 1930, and the countries to which such exports have been consigned?

As the answer is in tabular form, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the extent of the advances given by British firms for the import of £2,000,000 worth of Soviet Russian butter this year and as to the long term and/or other credits given for the export of margarine to Russia?

I am not in a position to make any statement as to what advances have been made against imports of Russian butter nor as to the terms on which margarine has been exported to the Soviet Union. With regard, however, to the figure of £2,000,000 mentioned I would point out that up to May im- ports of Russian butter this year have been less in value than last year when the total value of the imports during the 12 months was just over £1,000,000, only.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most of the Russian butter comes in in the summer months?

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement of the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Owen), who has just returned from Russia, that butter is not now an article of diet of the Russian people?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate output of the home canning industry for fduit and vegetables, respectively, for the years 1928 and 1930?

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries that returns received from canners in response to a recent questionnaire indicate that the commercial output of canned fruit and vegetables in this country was approximately 5,700,000 cans of fruit and 1,500,000 cans of vegetables in 1928, the corresponding figures for 1930 being 18,700,000 and 15,750,000 respectively.

Is this a protected industry?

It is not, so far as I know.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to see that only British canned goods are supplied to His Majesty's Forces?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how British exports to Russia and British imports from Russia during the first five months of the current year compare with the corresponding exports and imports of the years 1929 and 1930; and if, where possible, he will give detailed figures in respect of the more important categories of goods?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade the values of our imports and exports, respectively, of artificial silk hosiery and stockings, and of all other artificial silk manufactures during the first five months of 1929, 1930, and 1931?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to place before the House his proposals for preventing any further decline in the activities of the iron and steel trade in this country and the resultant increase in unemployment?

I think the hon. and gallant Member is aware that I have more than once promised to make a statement on the subject of this and other industries on the occasion of the Board of Trade Vote.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the recommendations which have been made to him from different quarters involve legislation; and how can we discuss those matters on an administrative Vote?

That is very far from being the case; many of the proposals do not involve legislation at all.

We are just as anxious as the right hon. Gentlemen to have a debate on the subject. Will he give an undertaking that it shall be debated on an occasion when the whole issue can be properly treated?

If, by "the whole issue," the right hon. Gentleman means the tariff issue, which is an important matter in connection with this trade, that, of course, could not be discussed upon a Board of Trade or any other Vote in this House. That, however, does not lie with me; it is a question of the Rules of the House.

If we are to have a discussion upon the recommendations and policy with regard to iron and steel, does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it is quite ineffective to have one while excluding the question of tariffs; and will he represent to the Prime Minister that, in order to get an effective discussion such as he and we require, we must have a day when the whole subject can be properly debated?

I have no power to promise any Parliamentary time at all for this subject other than the time available within the limits of the Board of Trade Vote.

Arising out of the original answer, may I ask whether, in view of the serious condition of this industry and of other industries, the Government cannot expedite the occasion when they will make some statement to this House on a plan to deal with this problem, so that the Government may have the authority of the House to proceed energetically with it?

The plans, apart from legislation, I can summarise on the occasion of the Board of Trade Vote, and hon. Members on the other side can put that down almost immediately; it does not lie with us.

Are we to under-stand that the proposals of the trade union concerned have been turned down by the Government?

The hon. and gallant Member would be wrong in making that assumption.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many blast furnaces were in operation in May, 1929, 1930, and 1931, respectively?

As reported by the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers the numbers of furnaces in blast at the end of May, 1929, 1930, and 1931 were 159, 141, and 80, respectively.

Does not that indicate that it would be wise for the Government to give a day for the discussion of the iron and steel industry?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to require all foreign tinned provisions to have stamped on the lid of the tin the name of the country of origin in order to obviate the ease with which paper labels are washed off?

A general requirement of this character could only be imposed by an Order-in-Council under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, and no application for such an Order has been made by the parties interested. If the suggestion is that imported tinned foodstuffs are being sold under a British name or trade mark without a qualifying indication of origin and the hon. and gallant Member cares to furnish me with particulars of cases which he has in mind, I shall be glad to arrange for the matter to be investigated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will appoint a departmental committee to consider the present operation of the system by which imports of joinery are regulated by an unofficial committee with the professed object of seeing that the goods are not produced under unfair labour conditions, and to examine whether it attains that object in a proper manner?

I am informed that the unofficial committee to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was set up in pursuance of an agreement between the National Federation of Building Trade Employers and the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers 10 years ago, and I am aware of no circumstances which would appear to call for the investigation of this voluntary arrangement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in the case of the four Soviet companies importing joinery into this country, there was no sort of inquiry whatever, but the committee simply took the assurance from the Russian companies?

I am not familiar with that point. The original question is confined to the point whether there should be investigation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of joinery come into the country under the assurance that fair wages are given?

Since the investigation committee in this industry is composed of employers and trade union representatives, does not the fault lie equally with the employers for whom the hon. and gallant Gentleman speaks?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have now obtained all the necessary information to enable a decision to be taken concerning the proposal to provide credit facilities to enable the Soviet Government to construct ships in British shipyards for subsequent employment as merchant vessels under the Russian flag; and, since the matter was being considered as a matter of urgency early this month, if he can state what is the decision of the Government?

This matter is still under consideration.

Have any representations been made to the Department by shipbuilding firms or shipowners?

Yes, I have received a deputation of ship builders, and we have had numerous communications in writing from shipowners.

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman also received representations from the workmen affected and that they are the most important here? There are about 25 per cent. in the shipbuilding and engineering industry unemployed, and this would be the means of finding employment for them.

I have certainly received representations from the trade unions. Every point put forward by all deputations must be considered before a decision is reached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider publishing, as a White Paper, an account of the commercial treaties in force between Great Britain and the other countries of the world, between the various British Dominions, and the various Dominions and foreign countries?

The Stationery Office publish annually a statement, a copy of which is being sent to the hon. and gallant Member, which gives particulars of the commercial treaties concluded with foreign countries by this country and by the Dominions. As each of these treaties is published either separately, or in the Handbook of Commercial Treaties, I do not think that the labour involved in drawing up an account of them would be justified. The commercial agreements between the Dominions are few in number and the texts are published in the Dominions concerned.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can give an assurance that exhibitors in the textile industries section of the British Industries Fair will not, under the new arrangements for the organisation of this section of the fair, be involved in a greater expense than last year for space at the exhibition and exhibition stands?

The charge for space in the textile section at the British Industries Fair in 1932 will be the same as that charged for all other sections of the London Fair. The cost for exhibition stands to exhibitors in the textile section at the 1932 fair will not exceed that charged in the cotton textile section held at the White City this year.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that the programme of the British Industries Fair was printed on paper made abroad; and if he will see that all such materials so used in future are British made?

I am unable to identify the particular publication to which the hon. Member refers, but as far as I am aware no literature issued by my Department, in connection with the British Industries Fair, is printed on foreign paper.

If the Government really believe in free imports, why should it not be printed on foreign paper?

I did not give that as a reason; I only made a statement.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what has been the arrangement hitherto with respect to the allocation of space at the textile section of the British Industries Fair; and what changes are proposed for next year in respect of this allocation?

Exhibitors in the textile section of the British Industries Fair have hitherto been able to select their sites from prepared plans, applications being dealt with in rotation. The same procedure is being adopted in respect of the 1932 fair.

May I ask whether the exhibition department intend to take control of this matter? Why are they not taking control?

If the hon. Member will give me notice of that question, I will give him a reasoned reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a statement concerning the progress which has been made in establishing new industries in the distressed areas for the purpose of mitigating unemployment?

This is a matter which can best be dealt with on the occasion of the Board of Trade Vote.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would make for more concise and explicit statement if he summarised exactly what has been done? If I put down a question, will the right hon. Gentleman give an answer that can be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing exactly what has been done in the matter?

It is very difficult to summarise a matter of this kind, which changes from day to day as negotiations proceed. By far the better method is to await the Board of Trade Vote.

Surely it is not difficult to summarise what has been accomplished?

Could not the right hon. Gentleman just say "Nothing", and be quite truthful?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that over 2,000 workers in the shale oil industry in Scotland are threatened with loss of employment owing to the permanent closing down of plant; and if he has any proposals to assist this industry?

I have received representations concerning the present position in the shale oil industry in Scotland. The whole position is being explored in discussions with representatives of both employers and workpeople to enable the Government to give proper consideration to the representations.

asked the Minister of Labour what change has been made in the policy of granting assistance to schemes put before the Unemployment Grants Committee for new civic buildings; whether she is aware that schemes prepared in every respect according to the conditions in leaflet U.G.C. 26, and in the Unemployment Grants Committee's most recent-circular of March last by a number of council and municipal authorities have recently been refused; and whether she proposes to take any steps to make good the expense to which these authorities have been placed in the preparation of schemes now found to be abortive?

As stated by my right hon. Friend on 11th June last, further applications for grants in respect of municipal offices will no longer be entertained by the Unemployment Grants Committee. This does not affect applications already before the committee, which are being dealt with under the arrangements previously in force.

Is the hon. Member aware that at a recent meeting of the committee nine such applications were received from municipalities and only one was passed? May I also ask whether he is going to do anything to meet the very heavy expenses thrown upon county councils and municipalities in preparing plans according to their own specifications, which they had every reason to suppose would be accepted?

I am afraid that the Department cannot accept financial responsibility for plans which do not meet the requirements of the Act.

(for Mr. Mander) asked the Minister of Labour if she will introduce legislation to deal with cases where workmen have been refused unemployment benefit owing to their refusal to accept employment at rates below the standard trade rate?

The Unemployment Insurance Acts already include safeguards for such cases in Section 5 (2) (ii) of the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1927, and Section 4 (2) of the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1930. Cases in which the loss of employment is by reason of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute are the subject of special provisions.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the courts of referees are disallowing benefit to men for not working seven days a week, Sundays included, 82 hours a week, and how can it be said that there is ample protection when there is such a state of affairs as that?

No, I am not aware of that fact.

In view of the fact that a Bill is being introduced to deal with alleged abuses committed by the unemployed, is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to urge the introduction of legislation to deal with the abuses from which the unemployed are suffering?

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the result of the Government's efforts to obtain recruits for the regular Army; how does the number of recruits obtained during the present year compare with the number obtained during the corresponding period last year; and what was the strength of the Army at Home on the latest ascertainable date this year and the corresponding date last year?

From the beginning of the year until 14th June, 18,334 recruits for the Regular Army had been finally approved, compared with 12,635 during the same period last year. The total strength of other ranks of the Regular Army at home on 1st June, 1931, was 101,248 compared with 99,223 on the same date last year.

Is the Army up to establishment?

The numbers are not yet up to what is generally called the standard, which is not necessarily a minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of persons who attended the Aldershot Tattoo (1931) as visitors, and the amount of money taken in admissions or for car park reservations?

The approximate number of persons who attended the Aldershot Tattoo, including the night rehearsal, was 322,000, and the approximate amount received from admissions and from the car park was £64,000.

Is this an increase on the previous year?

I think it is a considerable increase, but I would not vouch for the figures, not having the figures for last year in my possession.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to state the result of his inquiries regarding the violation of war graves in France and Belgium?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now completed his inquiry into the question of the violation of British war graves; and, if so, can he give the House any information on the subject?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now completed his investigations into the question of the violation of war graves on the Continent and the exhuming of bodies of British soldiers and taking them to England for re-burial?

As a result of the special inquiry which has been and is still being carried out, no support has been discovered for the allegations that were made. Those allegations would involve the disinterment of bodies at night-time, the opening and restoring of carefully turfed graves, and the embarkation and smuggling of the bodies from the Belgian coast into this country. Frankly, it seems incredible that a carefully tended grave could be opened up and restored again under cover of darkness so skilfully as to avoid detection. The investigation shows that it almost inconceivable that the alleged proceedings could escape notice at any stage. I think it safe to say that the story may be dismissed and its publication is all the more discreditable in view of the pain that it could not fail to revive in so many thousands of cases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to give wide publicity to this statement?

I do not want to take any further steps than I have done. Either this paper published this statement in good faith or as a piece of sensationalism. If it published it in good faith, I think it did not take into account the difficulties that would arise in carrying out what was alleged had been carried out. If it was published for purposes of sensationalism, I am not prepared to go any further in making the sensation more public.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of children under 18 years of age who are in Robroyston Sanatorium, Mearnskirk Sanatorium and Bellfield Sanatorium; and in how many cases the fathers are unemployed?

I am informed that the numbers of patients under 18 years in Robroyston Hospital, Mearnskirk Hospital and Bellfield Sanatorium are 144, 443 and 44 respectively. I regret that the information asked in the latter part of the question is not available.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any means of getting that information?

If the hon. Gentleman will make the suggestion to get the information, I shall be glad to consider it.

As I understand it, it is part of the right hon. Gentleman's duty to get the information. It is not for me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of tenants who were originally removed from slum areas and rehoused by the Glasgow Corporation from 1st May, 1920, to 1st May, 1931; and how many have had to leave, or been evicted, due to inability to pay their rent?

The number of tenants removed from slum areas and rehoused by the Glasgow Corporation from 1st May, 1920, to 1st May, 1931, is 5,872, and the number of tenants who have had to leave or have been evicted after the institution of court proceedings for non-payment of rent is 323.

In view of the fact that a number of these people are unemployed and cannot afford to pay the rent, can the Minister make any suggestion as to why they are not given a proper amount to enable them to pay the rent?

Any questions of the amount being granted to tenants to pay their rent will, if they come within the control of the Public Assistance Committee of Glasgow, be a matter for the Public Assistance Committee.

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland stated that 323 tenants had been evicted because they were not able to pay the rent, and I would like to know how many tenants have left houses because they were unable to pay the rent without having been evicted?

I cannot say without notice. I have not received notice of that particular question. If I had, I would have tried to obtain the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of new State-assisted houses under construction in all schemes in the months of January, February, March, April, May, and June, respectively, for the years 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1931?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I propose, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of condemned houses in Scotland which are at present occupied; and what percentage of these will be replaced by slum-clearance houses within six months, a year, two years, and three years, respectively?

Complete figures of the number of unfit houses in Scotland are not yet available as a number of local authorities have not yet submitted the statement required by Subsection (2) of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930. According to the statements that have been submitted by 180 local authorities, the number of houses estimated to be required to replace unfit houses is 37,846, and the number of houses likely to be provided by these local authorities within three years to replace unfit houses is 24,321. I am unable to state what percentage of the unfit houses will be replaced by these new houses within the periods mentioned in the question; this will depend upon the rate of progress made by the local authorities during these periods in carrying out their three years' programme.

Do I understand that even after three years there will be a large number of the families at present living in condemned houses still living in those condemned houses, or, at least, for whom no alternative provision will have been made?

I hope that such will not be the case. All that I have done is to give the answer to the question put here as to the programme of these authorities, but we are doing everything possible to stimulate the activities of these authorities with a view to providing, in place of every insanitary house, a decent dwelling in which the people can live.

If, when all the returns from the local authorities are in, the Government discover that they are still making inadequate provision, will any supplementary national effort be made in order to get decent houses for these people?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of men, women and children in Scotland who are at present living in condemned houses?

I regret that I am unable to supply the information asked for by my hon. Friend as the statements submitted by local authorities in terms of Sub-section (2) of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, do not give such particulars. Information as to the number of persons occupying houses to be demolished or closed is furnished to the Department of Health for Scotland only when local authorities are about to proceed to deal with the particular houses scheduled for demolition or closure.

Is the Scottish Office prepared to urge upon the Government the introduction of a national housing scheme to deal with this problem?

That matter does not arise out of this particular question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state approximately the total sum paid in feus and other ground rents within the municipal area of Glasgow?

I regret that the desired information is not available.

As this information is in the possession of the Assessor of the City of Glasgow, how is it that the Scottish Department have no right to get the information? I wish to press the question. Will the night hon. Gentleman now give a promise to press the City Assessor's Office in Glasgow for the information?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has given further consideration to the question of allowing foreign trawlers to fish in the Moray Firth; and whether he is now in a position to say what action has been taken or is proposed by the Government?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As was stated in the Debate on the Scottish Estimates on the 3rd June, the Moray Firth question is the subject of discussions with the other Departments concerned. It is a difficult and complicated problem, as the hon. and gallant Member realises, but the efforts to find a solution of the difficulties are proceeding without any avoidable delay.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the fishermen some assurance that something is actually being done besides merely having the matter considered?

Is not all this trouble in the Moray Firth arising from the fact that Lord Grey of Fallodon, the great Foreign Minister of the Liberals, left the Moray Firth open?

That question does not arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what is the cause of the delay?

I have already stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Banff (Major Wood) that efforts to find a solution of the difficulty are proceeding without any avoidable delay.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us some idea when he will be able to make a definite state- ment as to what he proposes to do? May I have an answer to that question?

As English trawlers——[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker, may I not have an answer to my question?

On a point of Order. I wish to ask you, Mr. Speaker, seeing that supplementary questions have been put both from the Liberal benches and the Socialist benches, and that this matter concerns British trawlers, if I may have an opportunity of putting a question?

We have already had four or five supplementary questions upon this matter.

We have had no answer. May I have an answer to my question?

Mr. Ramsay.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the copy sent to him of the resolution passed by the Glasgow associations of Inverness-shire, Skye, Lewis and Harris, Uist and Barra, Mull and Iona, Jura, Ross and Cromarty, Oban and Lorne, and Islay and Mid Argyll, at the annual meeting of the Highlanders' Institute, calling upon the Government to modernise and properly repair the piers in the Western Islands; and, if so, will he state, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to replies which I have recently given on this subject and in particular to my replies of the 4th May and 18th June to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair), in which I indicated that legislation will be required before this matter can be comprehensively dealt with, and that I hope before long to communicate with the local authorities concerned.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Piers, and does he propose to take any action upon that report, if he has received it?

I have already intimated that I have received the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Piers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to take any action or not?

I will consider that matter in due course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that boats find great difficulty in approaching the piers on account of their primitive nature and also on account of the absence of breakwaters, and will he take all those points into consideration and do something?

I am taking all those points into consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that men employed at Clipstone Colliery, Nottinghamshire, on No. 2 conveyor face, whose shift began at 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 26th May, did not leave work till 12 o'clock on the following day, and the six charge men did not leave till 2.20 p.m. on that day; and will he inquire into and state the reasons why those long hours underground were worked?

I have had this matter investigated, and it appears that my hon. Friend has been misinformed. On the shift in question, 14 conveyor men were detained below ground after the end of the shift owing to falls on the level. The register of the times of descent and ascent shows that seven of these men ascended at 8 a.m., and the other seven, including the chargemen, at 8.40 a.m. on the 27th May.

Is the hon. Member aware that the information in the question was given to me by one of the men actually engaged for this period on this day, and will he have further inquiries made into the matter as this is a constant practice at this colliery?

All that I can say to my hon. Friend is that I have made very careful investigations, and, in accordance with the records, that is not correct.

Will the hon. Member have the records more carefully examined than has been done?

The only care that we can exercise is to examine them closely.

Is the hon. Member aware that in many collieries there is overtime, and will he also——

The question only deals with one colliery.

I desire to ask a question.

The question on the Order Paper only deals with one colliery.

asked the Secretary for Mines what have been the imports of coal and anthracite into the United Kingdom, month by month, during 1931; and how much of this was of Russian origin?

I am advised that no foreign coal has been imported into this country during the current year.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many fatal accidents occurred in coal mines in Great Britain during the first three months of 1931, as compared with the first three months of 1929?