asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the sale on the Stock Exchange before allotment of Woolworth shares issued for public subscription; and will he take steps to protect the private investor by making similar sales before allotment in future an offence against the Companies Act and the transactions non-enforceable in law?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The hon. Member's suggestion has been noted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman request the committee of the Stock Exchange to see that this is not repeated in future, as the matter is of great importance to many investors in this country?

It is difficult to deal with this matter in an answer to a supplementary question. I think it hardly lies with them. It is due to certain factors outwith their control.

Could not the same practice be observed with regard to speculative securities, as with Government bonds, in which dealings are not allowed until the allotment has been made?

I should require to look into that point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the associated Stock Exchanges in the North of England and get their opinions on this matter?

Is the right hon. Gentleman noting these things with a view to introducing at an early date some amendment of the Companies Act, to cover the weaknesses in working which have been disclosed?

Yes, in reply to various questions I have told the House that all these suggestions are being noted, provided always it is understood that I am not definitely promising legislation at this stage.

Would the right hon. Gentleman at the same time keep his eye on Woolworth's, and the working conditions of the workers there?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in, a position to report any progress in his negotiations with the cotton industry?

Replies are now being received from the various firms in the industry to the questionnaire issued by the joint committee of cotton trade organisations in connection with the investigation referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member on 16th June.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if he expects to be able to make a statement on this question?

Yes, I have already promised that, when the Board of Trade Vote is taken in Supply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, on the Board of Trade Vote it is impossible to refer to any question of legislation?

That is perfectly true, but it will not preclude a very full statement as to the important administrative steps which have been taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any public companies have, as at 25th June, still failed to comply with the provisions of Section 110 of the Companies Act, 1929?

The number of cases outstanding at the date named was 31.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate taking any action with regard to those companies which have not complied with the law?

Yes, those cases are all with the solicitor now, but I ought to say that according to my information they are all unimportant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when amending the Companies Act, he will consider introducing a Clause to provide that an auditor's certificate should state whether the dividends proposed in respect of the accounts certified were payable out of trading profits earned during the period covered by the certificate, and that if any part of the dividend had been taken from reserves the certificate should state the sum?

The hon. and gallant Member's proposal has been noted for investigation when the question of amending the Companies Act is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume and value of export of home- canned food products to China and Japan for 1929 and 1930, respectively?

So far as the items are separately recorded in the trade returns, the domestic exports of tinned, canned or bottled food products from the United Kingdom to China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and leased territories), amounted during 1929 to 435 cwt., valued at £4,000 and during 1930 to 451 cwt. valued at £3,992. The corresponding figures of exports consigned to Japan (including Formosa and Japanese leased territories in China) were 96 cwt. valued at £717 and 108 cwt. valued at £829 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any estimate has been framed of Britain's balance of trade for the first five months of the present year; and, if so, how it com pares with the corresponding estimates for the years 1929 and 1930, respectively?

An estimate of the balance of trade is only made annually.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that bromine is now being landed in Great Britain from the Dead Sea Company; and to what country this essential ingredient for chemical warfare is being re-exported?

During the first five months of this year the imports from Palestine of bromine and bromides (which are not recorded separately from each other) amounted to 491 cwts. I am unable to say whether these imports came from the Dead Sea Company or to which countries all or part may have been re-exported.

Is the export of these substances only permitted under licence?

I think not, but I should require to look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the course of employment in the glove, cultery and gas mantle industries for each quarter since 1st January, 1930?

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

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the figures have gone down considerably since the date mentioned in the question?

There is a reduction, but I would ask the House to guard against the assumption that that is necessarily due to the disappearance of the Duties.

If these figures have gone down seriously, does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the withdrawal

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider The advisability of the preparation of a detailed survey of the Scottish jute industry on lines similar to the survey recently announced in relation to Lancashire?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 12th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any, and, if so, what, treaties or agreements with foreign Powers which would prevent this country from pro hibiting the importation of commodities or manufactures which are dumped on The British market at prices lower than The cost of production in this country,

His Majesty's Government are precluded by the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty of 1924 and the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export prohibitions and restrictions from imposing such a prohibition on the goods of Germany and of five other countries, namely, the United States of America, Denmark, Japan, the Netherlands and Norway. Provisions similar to those in the International Convention are also contained in the Anglo-Persian Tariff Autonomy Treaty which, though not yet ratified, is provisionally in force. So long as any of these instruments remain in operation no such prohibition could, of course, be applied to any other countries entitled by treaty to most-favoured-nation treatment in this respect.

In view of the likelihood of a change to a Government pledged to prohibit dumping, could not the right hon. Gentleman give provisional notice as to the determination of this treaty?

I could not promise to give any notice of that kind, because I am not prepared to contemplate so dangerous a likelihood.

Is is not the case that there is nothing in any of the instruments to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred, which prevents him imposing any duty if he likes, to-day?

If the right hon. Gentleman refers to a tariff at large, then of course that is not inconsistent with treaty obligations, but I make no comment on the merits of such a proposal.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been able to give a scientific definition of what is meant by "dumping"?

asked the President of the Board

No, that is a matter of elastic definition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the variations in the import price of manufactured fuel from Germany, Holland, Belgium, and other countries not specifically mentioned, what is the technical description and the amounts of the several kinds of manufactured fuels imported from these countries, respectively, and which are the foreign countries not specifically mentioned in the trade returns?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the quantity and value of manufactured fuel imported into the United Kingdom, distinguishing the countries whence this commodity was consigned. I regret that information is not available showing separate particulars of the various technical descriptions of manufactured fuel included in these imports.

Which of the other countries are grouped together and not mentioned specifically?

I should require notice of that.

I understand that the Committee came to the conclusion that the time was not yet ripe for the convocation of such a conference, but that a new situation which might make it possible to re-consider the question would arise if the negotiations initiated by this country with a view to effecting a lowering of Customs Tariffs achieved some tangible result.

In view of the fact that more than a year has elapsed since the right hon. Gentleman made the proposals for a Tariff Truce, will he now tell the House what benefit has accrued from them to this country?

These are necessarily very long negotiations, but I am still hopeful that they will achieve results.

Is it not The case that, although the negotiations are very long, the benefits are very short?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any information concerning a trade agreement between Germany and Rumania; and whether there is any provision made for preferential treatment to Rumanian agrarian products by Germany?

I understand that the commercial treaty between Germany and Rumania has not yet been signed, but that it is proposed to make provision for preferential treatment in Germany of Rumanian barley and maize, and for reductions in the Rumanian tariff on certain industrial products. These latter will be extended to similar goods of other foreign countries which, like the United Kingdom, have most-favoured-nation rights in Rumania. Full details of this treaty are not yet available, but particulars will be published in the Board of Trade Journal when received.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these most-favoured-nation Clauses are perfectly useless to us?

Oh, no; on the contrary, they are of the highest possible use to us.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British Chamber of Commerce in Paris has already stated that these Clauses are of no use to us?

I have already replied to my hon. Friend on that point, and have shown that that statement was based on what I regard as a complete misconception of the conditions.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that we do not agree with him?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage decrease in volume of British manufactured exports for the first five months of 1931 as compared with the same period in 1929; and the corresponding figures or those for the latest period available for Germany and France?

Figures relating to changes in the volume of United Kingdom trade are calculated in respect of quarterly periods only, the latest figures being those furnished to the right hon. Gentleman on the 21st April last. Eliminating the effect of price changes, the volume of manufactured goods exported from Germany, including reparation deliveries, was 12.8 per cent. less in the first five months of 1931 than in the corresponding period of 1929. Similar information in respect of exports from France is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been able to take further steps to induce British ship owners to employ a larger proportion of white British seamen in vessels trading from home ports in view of the unemployment among British-born seamen in this country?

As has been indicated in replies to previous questions on this subject, while I am naturally anxious to see British seamen employed, the matter is not one in which the Board of Trade can usefully intervene.

Is The right hon. Gentleman watching the working of the new regulations with the aim of preventing these foreigners coming here and taking jobs on ships?

I think that I gave my hon. and gallant Friend some information on that point some time ago, but we are working under very definite limits in a matter of this kind so far as the Board of Trade is concerned.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations from the Seamen's Union on this matter?

Yes, from time to time, but not, so far as I remember, in very recent weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour if her attention has been drawn to the unemployment in the jute industry in Dundee; and what steps she proposes to take to improve the situation?

I am aware of the position as regards unemployment in Dundee. The Minister of Transport and the Unemployment Grants Committee have approved for grant 15 schemes of roads, docks and other public works, the estimated cost of which is about £493,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange that the Lord Privy Seal should answer questions at an early stage during question time on one day of the week, in order that Members wishing for information on questions of unemployment shall be sure of obtaining answers.

All questions properly addressed to and answered by the Lord Privy Seal during the last three months have been reached, and I do not, therefore, think that any special arrangements are called for. I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that only questions relating to general unemployment policy and affecting a number of Departments should be addressed to the Lord Privy Seal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the way the Lord Privy Seal is doing the job?

Perfectly.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken by his Department to purchase the necessary supply of home-cured bacon for the Army from home sources, and with what result?

I can assure my bon. Friend that very full consideration has been given to the question of obtaining a supply of home-produced bacon for the Army, but unfortunately up to the present, owing to cost and other factors, it has not been possible to obtain a supply.

Does the right hon. Gentleman use Danish bacon?

I cannot say offhand what the latest contract has been for. I can say, however, that as soon as we get an organised supply of a standardised product in this country, it will receive very sympathetic consideration at the War Office.

Is it not a fact that there is some kind of agreement between the British and Danish bacon curers, and can he be sure that if he asks for British bacon he will get British bacon?

I have no information on that point, but I have answered the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that he gets good bacon.

It is my intention to see that the troops are supplied with good food.

What are the other factors to which the right hon. Gentleman referred?

I have already mentioned that there is no organised supply of a standardised product in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that tinned fruit is being supplied to His Majesty's Forces with names suggesting British origin, but which is, in fact, of foreign origin; and what steps he is prepared to take to ensure that only British or Empire tinned fruits are supplied to the Forces in the future?

Tinned fruit does not form part of the soldier's ration, and is purchased by the War Office only to meet the requirements of the Air Force overseas and of hospitals at home. It is the exception for foreign fruit to be purchased, and approximately 94 per cent. of the purchases made during the past 12 months was the product either of the United Kingdom or some other part of the Empire. I understand that foreign tinned fruit is always so labelled. As regards tinned fruit sold to the soldier by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, I am informed that it is the policy of the corporation to confine its purchases to products of the United Kingdom or other parts of the Empire wherever possible. Foreign fruit is obtained only to meet small occasional demands from customers.

With reference to that part of the right hon. Gentleman's answer in which he said that tins of foreign fruit were labelled, may I ask him if he is aware that many of these labels bear some British name, and that the foreign origin is indicated in quite small letters? Will he examine some of them?

I have told the hon. Member that these fruits are dealt with by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. I do not know whether the statement that he makes is correct or not; I have no first-hand knowledge of that fact; but I am informed that these cans are definitely labelled with an indication that they are foreign products.

In very small letters.

Does that apply to jam made from pulp?

asked the Secretary of State for War what replies have been received from the various military commands to the recently issued circular regarding the use of Government property or stores by organisations promoting summer camps; whether any applications for such use have been received from any organisations connected, either directly or indirectly, with any political party; and if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that no Government property is either loaned or leased to or used by any such organisation?

A letter was received from the secretary of the Socialist Summer School Association asking if any vacant barracks, preferably near the coast, were available, together with bedding, crockery, etc., at an inclusive rental, for the purpose of running a summer school. After reference to the Admiralty, who had no vacant accommodation, the application was referred to the three Commands possessing coastal barrack accommodation, who in each case informed the applicant that no accommodation was available. No other applications of this nature have been received lately from organisations connected with any political party. On the general question, it has not been customary to refuse temporary letting of War Department property on the ground of political connections.

Would the right hon. Gentleman specifically answer the last part of my question?

I have no intention of altering the regulations which have existed for some time, that, if the Territorial Army have vacant land and buildings, they shall let them, if possible, at a rental in order to get as much money from them as they can.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any modifications have been made in the regulations during the previous 12 months under which military bands are allowed to accept private engagements?

No, Sir.

Have these regulations been modified or strengthened?

They have been modified, but not during the last 12 months?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his policy always to send Territorial artillery units to the same camps to practise shooting; and whether he has considered the advantages of training that would accrue from varying the camps to which each individual unit is sent from year to year, thus giving each unit a chance of manoeuvring over different country and under different conditions?

Artillery units of the Territorial Army undergo shooting training at camp every other year, and considerations of expense often confine them to the nearest camp. But, in the intervening years, such units go to ordinary training camps, and it is seldom that a unit goes to the same training camp twice in succession.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the numerous accidents caused by motor omnibuses speeding on Dumbarton Road, Partick, he will take steps to tighten the police patrol in that area?

I am informed that the road in question is well policed with officers on point duty and on beat duty, as well as by cycle and motor patrols, and that everything possible is done by the police to prevent speeding or reckless driving. The total number of accidents occurring in the road in which motor omnibuses were involved up to 26th June in the present year was nine less than the number in the first six months of 1930. I am keeping in touch with the authorities in regard to this matter.

What meaning does the right hon. Gentleman attach to the phrase "tighten the police patrol"?

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that it is merely the speed which is dangerous on this road?

I have already said that the police are keeping a close eye on the speed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that patients from the Partick district of Glasgow, until recently inmates of Shieldhall Fever Hospital, have complained of the food supplied and that the wards are infested with vermin; and what steps he proposes to take to have the matter rectified?

I have no knowledge of complaints by patients who have recently been in Shieldhall Infectious Diseases Hospital in regard to the food supplied, which is drawn from the same sources as that supplied to other institutions under the Public Health Department of Glasgow. As regards infestation of the wards with vermin, I am informed that certain portions of the hospital have for some time been invaded by email red ants, which established themselves in the kitchen and along the duets of certain of the wards. Substantial repairs to the kitchen have resulted in their disappearance from that area, but up till now efforts to eradicate them from the ducts of the wards have not been so successful. It is hoped, however, that further improvement will be effected by measures which are being taken under the direction of a medical officer who has had special experience in connection with insect pests.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the superintendent has since reported that the only method of dealing with this hospital is total demolition? I did not question the source of the food supply, but the quantity and quality of the food supplied to the patients.

Seeing that these are red ants, may I ask if they come from Russia?

We have no indication as to where they came from, but the medical officer who is responsible for their eradication is Dr. Gunn, and he will do his best to eradicate them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any in formation regarding the raiding of the island of St. Kilda by a foreign trawler; and whether any looting of, and damage to, property has taken place?

I have no official information regarding this matter, and, as the hon. Member knows, the island is privately owned.

When the right hon. Gentleman is making inquiries, will he take note of the next sailing of the tourist steamer, which I believe is on 9th July, and get into communication by wireless in order to ascertain the facts 7

I shall be pleased to make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons have become bankrupt in Scotland in the three years ended 31st May, 1928, and in The three years ended 31st May, 1931

The number of bankruptcies awarded in Scotland for the three years ended 31st May, 1928, was 806, representing 870 individual bankrupts. For the three years ended 31st May, 1931, the number shows a reduction, the figures being 770, representing 847 individual bankrupts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether any of those bankrupts in Scotland are Scotsmen?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the scheme for the purification of the River Cart by the Paisley Town Council; the estimated cost of the work; and if he is satisfied that every effort is being made to begin the work soon?

I am informed that on 9th June Paisley Town Council approved of proceeding with a scheme for the relief of unemployment involving the construction of sewage purification works at an estimated cost of £400,000. Plans are being prepared and application for assistance will shortly be made to the Unemployment Grants Committee. Negotiations are taking place for the acquisition of the necessary land. I am also informed that negotiations have been opened by the town council with the county council of Renfrew regarding the reception and treatment of sewage from part of the county adjoining the burgh. As regards the last part of the question, I may say that so far as the approval of Departments under my jurisdiction is concerned, no delay will occur in dealing with any application that may be made by the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the records of the 3,055 pupils who obtained leaving certificates have been or will be examined; and the number of pupils who obtained two passes on the higher grade (of which one is English) and two on the lower grade (sufficient to qualify for university entrance)?

For the purpose of the award of the leaving certificate it is essential that the records referred to in the first part of the question should be examined, and they are so examined. To ascertain the figure asked for in the second part of the question would involve a special and laborious investigation, which would not in the opinion of my right hon. Friend serve any useful purpose. Further, as I explained in reply to the hon. Member's question of the 18th June, 1931, specification of the subjects necessary for university entrance is a matter that rests with the authorities of the university which it is desired to enter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of acres of ground purchased by the Glasgow Corporation, since 1914, for housing schemes; the amounts paid; the names of each owner of land sold; and the districts where the sites are?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the present position with regard to the Scottish shale mines; and whether the production of oil from the shale is continuing?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given on the 23rd and 26th June to the hon. and gallant Members for Midlothian, North (Major Colville) and Abingdon (Major Glyn) respectively. There has up to the present been no reduction in the operations of the shale industry.

May I have an answer to the last part of my question? Is the shale used for the production of oil?

Yes, that is what I said.

asked the Secretary of Mines whether, in view of the cases of overtime working in coal mines which have been brought to his notice, he will issue an instruction to his in spectors that periodical inspection of coal mines must be made intermittently during the night shifts?

It is already the practice for special inspections to be made during the night shift in cases where the circumstances are such as to require it, but as regards overtime working, sufficient evidence is usually available without this, from the register kept at the mine and from other sources.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will make a statement with regard to the results of The recent negotiations at Geneva on the hours to be worked in the coal mines of Europe; and whether he will publish the reports as a White Paper?

The International Labour Conference at Geneva adopted by 81 votes to two, with the employers' delegates abstaining from voting, a Convention limiting the daily hours of work in coal and lignite mines. The convention provides for a daily maximum of seven and three-quarters hours hank to bank, which is equivalent to seven and a-quarter hours under the British method of calculation, with special provisions in regard to lignite mining. The report of the British Government delegates to the Minister of Labour will be published as a White Paper in the usual way.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that this information is made public as speedily as possible, in view of the present negotiations?

I understand that the information is being made public.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will now make a further statement as to the Government's proposals in relation to hours of labour in the coal-mining industry?

Negotiations are still proceeding.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he has only a week left to complete negotiations which have been proceeding all these months?

Would the hon. Gentleman kindly repeat his answer? I could not hear it.

I said that negotiations are still proceeding.

Will the hon. Member state what is the position in regard to Scotland, where the mine-owners and the miners are in agreement?

The position in Scotland is that it is subject to negotiations.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can give any information regarding the recent stoppage of seven pits, employing 2,000 men, in the Shotts area of Lanarkshire?

I have made inquiries, and I understand that some of the pits of the Shotts Iron Company are working short time. It is clear that for Scotland as a whole the permitted output for the June quarter is considerably in excess of demand, and that it has been possible during the quarter to buy large quantities of quota tonnage at nominal prices. The Shotts Iron Company has purchased additional quota tonnage and has also secured an increased standard tonnage on appeal to arbitration. From such figures as I have been able to obtain it would appear that, by these means, the undertaking has obtained a permitted output approximating to the tonnage claimed. It would, therefore, be fair to conclude that the short time working in this case is in the main due to want of trade.

Is the Secretary for Mines aware that this company made a statement that what has happened was due to the working of the quota system? If we understand from his reply that that is not so, is it possible to take any action to deal with companies that know the reasons for stoppages and yet make such unwarranted statements?

I am aware that almost everything that happens in the coal industry is blamed on to the quota, but those who attribute them to the quota are quite misinformed. As regards the latter part of the supplementary question, I have no power to do what the hon. Lady asks.

Does the hon. Gentleman deny that this has anything to do with the quota?

I have already said that is has nothing to do with the quota system, but is a consequence of bad trade.

Will the Minister say definitely whether these 2,000 men have been thrown out as a result of the quota or not?

I have already said it has nothing to do with the quota. If hon. Members will compare the figures of the standard tonnage obtained from the Scottish pits with the demand, they will see at once that the quota has nothing to do with it.

Does not the Minister agree that if there had been no such system this company might have had an assured market and have been able to sell much more of their tonnage?

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the present monthly production of high- temperature and low-temperature coal tar, respectively; and what proportions of these products are being refined into motor spirit and other liquid fuels?

Recent official statistics are not available, but from estimates furnished to the Mines Department it appears that during each of the past two or three years from 320,000 to 350,000 tons of creosote oils were obtained by the distillation of coal tar, and approximately 3,000,000 gallons of benzol. It is not known what proportion of the creosote oils were used for fuel purposes. In addition to these products, 28,000,000 to 30,000,000 gallons of benzol were obtained from the gas generated at coke ovens and gas works. Separate particulars are not available for high and low temperature processes, but in the present state of development of low temperature carbonisation, the quantity of oil fuels produced by such processes cannot be large in proportion to the country's consumption.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will inquire and state what was the length of the shifts of boys employed as tub-markers working underground on conveyor faces at Clipstone Colliery, Notts, during the last week in May and the first two weeks of June, 1931?

The normal length of the shift of the boys in question is 7½ hours, and this was the period worked in the last week of May and the first week in June, except that during the two weeks two boys each worked overtime on one day.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he has given in connection with this case are open to serious challenge? Are they extracted from the colliery log book?

If the hon. Member challenges the figures, perhaps he will supply me with the information.

Had the local workmen's inspectors an opportunity of examining the registers at this colliery?

I cannot say whether there are workmen's inspectors in that area.

If there are, will they be given an opportunity and, if there are not, will the hon. Gentleman inquire why there are not?

Where workmen's inspectors have been appointed, they cannot be excluded from the pits. If no workmen's inspectors are appointed, the matter is not within my jurisdiction. It is a matter for the men's organisation.