Written Answers
Distressed Areas (New Industries)
asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken, or is taking, to establish new industries in depressed areas, with a view to providing alternative employment?
I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 23rd June to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood).
Russia (Exports To Great Britain)
asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the quantities and values of the following imports into this country from the Soviet Union, or any part of it, for the years 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively, and for the four months ending 30th April, 1931: wheat, barley, oats, peas, pig products, frozen pork, potatoes, unrefined sugar, confectionery, except chocolate, sawn soft timber, pitprops or pitwood sleepers of ail kinds, pulp-wood, crude petroleum, refined oils, dry unbleached chemicals, raw cotton, flax, hides, furs, matches and soap;(2) the quantities and values of the following imports into this country from the Soviet Union, or any part of it, for the years 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively, and for the four months ended 30th April, 1931: chemicals, textiles, carpets, fruit pulp, and seed cake?
I regret that detailed information in the form asked for by the Noble Lady is not available, but I am sending her a table giving the imports of the principal commodities registered as consigned from the Soviet Union during the years 1928, 1929 and 1930 and the first quarter of 1931.
Royal Dockyard, Chatham (Casual Workers)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the number of casuals employed in the Chatham Dockyard compared with May, 1928, and May, 1929, respectively?
The average number of casuals employed on temporary work during May, 1931, was 317, during May, 1929, 94, and during May, 1928, 18.
Scotland
Shale-Oil Industry
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the situation in the shale-oil industry of Scotland and the threatened closing down of plant which will involve the loss of employment to over 2,000 men, if he will consider whether any action can be taken to render assistance to this industry?
I have been asked to reply; the matter is receiving consideration.
Grass Sickness, Horses
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the outbreak of grass sickness amongst horses in Angus and neighbouring counties in Scotland; and whether the veterinary staff are devising any means for alleviating or checking the disease?
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the questions addressed to me on this subject by the hon. Member and by the Member for Eastern Aberdeenshire (Mr. Boothby) on 8th July and 2nd December last respectively. The Animal Diseases Research Association are actively continuing their research work with the object of ascertaining the cause of and possible preventive or curative treatment for this disease.
Fishing Industry (Inquiry Report)
asked the Prime Minister when the final report of the inquiry into the fishing industry is likely to be published; and whether it is proposed to publish the evidence upon which that report is based?
It is not possible to say whether this report will be published until it has been considered by the Economic Advisory Council. The evidence on which it is based has been given confidentially, and will not in any circumstances be published.