asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how much

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the value of British manufactured goods exported in the first five months of 1931 compared with the corresponding period of 1930, and the percentage of diminution, together with similar figures for the United States of America, excluding from the list of manufactured goods petrol and other refined oils?

The following table shows the total value of the domestic exports of wholly or partly manufactured

The balance available at the end of June, 1931, for guaranteeing credits under the Overseas Trade Acts was a little over £20,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to provide financial assistance for the reorganisation of the cotton trade?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total British imports from, and exports to, Russia in 1913 and 1930, respectively?

The following table shows the total declared value of merchandise imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in the trade with Russia during the years 1913 and 1930:goods, except refined mineral oils, from the United Kingdom and the United States during each of the under-mentioned periods. Data relating to the exports from the United States during May, 1931, are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of fish brought into the United Kingdom in 1929 and 1930; what proportion was of British catching; what proportion consisted of foreign landings direct from the fishing; and what amount was brought from the Empire and from foreign countries, respectively?

The value of fish of all kinds brought into the United Kingdom was £32,940,000 in 1929 and £31,661,000 in 1930. Of these amounts, the landings of fish (a) of British taking and (b) of foreign taking direct from the fishing grounds represented about 60 per cent. and 3½ per cent., respectively, in each of these years.The total declared value of the imports into the United Kingdom of fish of all kinds, excluding fish of British taking, consigned from British countries and foreign countries (excluding deep sea fisheries), respectively, was as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish a list of the European countries which impose duties on British-caught fish entering their ports; what is the amount of such duties in each case; and whether there have been any alterations in these duties during the past three years?

The following statement shows, according to the information available in the Department of Overseas Trade, the provisions in the customs tariffs of certain European countries applicable to fish landed by United Kingdom trawlers. The countries chosen are those in which it is understood that United Kingdom trawlers are likely to be interested. The statement indicates the changes in the tariffs made during the last few years. It is understood that, in France and Spain, fish landed from French or Spanish trawlers, respectively, is exempt from duty, but the information available in the Department does not enable me to state what the position is in this respect in the other countries included in the statement which normally impose duties on imported fish, namely Belgium and Portugal.STATEMENT showing, according to the information available in the Department of Overseas Trade, the provisions in the Customs Tariffs of various European countries applicable to fish landed in those countries by British trawlers during recent years.BELGIUM.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the attitude of this country in regard to the finances of India, any special steps are being taken to mitigate the severity of the boycott of Lancashire goods in India?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 1st July.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the effect which the stabilisation resulting from a loan to India would have upon the purchasing power of the masses in that country, what steps the Indian Government itself is taking to re-establish its financial position?

The Government of India is engaged in studying the possibilities of retrenchment in all directions, and is fully alive to the importance of doing everything practicable to improve its financial position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount expended by the Allotment Gardens for the Unemployed Central Committee in the provision of seeds to the latest convenient date; the names of the firms and companies from whom seeds have been purchased; and the amount of business passed to each?

The House will, I am sure, wish to associate themselves with me in expressing heartfelt sympathy with the friends of Sir William Waterlow who died this morning, and who has been acting in a voluntary capacity with such conspicuous success as chairman of the Central Allotments Committee for the assistance of unemployed workers.The amount of expenditure incurred on the purchase of vegetable seeds and seed potatoes up to 30th June was approximately £16,010, and the names of the firms and amount of business in each case are given below. The figures are subject to minor adjustments as some of the accounts have still to be examined.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether the Government intend to take any further steps to deal with the low wages of agricultural workers in Suffolk and the causes thereof;

Both the subjects referred to are now receiving my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that large quantities of foreign strawberry pulp are being or about to be imported; and, seeing that similar importations last year were of inferior quality and in view of the competition of this foreign pulp with Hampshire strawberries, whether he will take steps to stop or control this importation?

Although the trade returns do not separately distinguish foreign fruit pulp, I am aware that consignments of this commodity are now arriving in this country. I have no reason, however, to anticipate that importation will be abnormal during the present season. As regards the last part of the question, except for the protection of our own crops from disease, I have no power to stop these importations, but apart from the assistance which it is hoped to give to fruit growers under the Agricultural Marketing Bill and the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Amendment Bill, I am considering other means for improving the market for strawberries and other British fruits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now state when it will be possible to raise the embargo on the importation of cattle for immediate slaughter from Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State?

An Order was made on 3rd July permitting the importation of animals from any part of Ireland outside County Down or the City of Belfast, at the ports of Birkenhead, Glasgow, Holyhead, and Cardiff, for slaughter in the landing places within 96 hours after landing. The Order took effect at midnight on Saturday.