asked the Secretary for Mines if he is now in a position to state the names of the members of the committee to investigate the work of the Mining Industry Welfare Act?

Yes, Sir. The Committee has now been constituted as follows:

• Viscount Chelmsford (Chairman).
• Lord Erskine, M.P.
• Mr. Gordon Macdonald, M.P.
• Mr. Geoffrey Mander, M.P.
• Mr. A. K. McCosh (nominated by the Mining Association of Great Britain).
• Mr. Alfred Smith (nominated by the Miners' Federation of Great Britain).

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will take steps to require, where overtime is worked in a mine, that the time of leaving the mine shall be signed, in addition to the register, by the person or persons who have been working overtime?

I do not think that my hon. Friend's suggestion, which would require legislation, would add materially to the safeguards already provided. In any case, to give effect to it would involve practical difficulties out of all proportion to any improvements on the existing system which might result.

Having regard to the fact that, in every case when overtime is called into dispute, there is a discrepancy between the time stated on the register and the time at which the man left, does not my hon. Friend think that it could be done without any opposition, and then we should be able to arrive at a correct statement of the actual facts?

Yes, but there are practical difficulties, such as the holding up of men at the end of their shift.

Having regard to the fact that this usually only involves two or three men, and they have in any case to hand in their tokens to the register, would it not be possible for them at the same time to initial the time at which they came off?

If it only involves two or three men, it is possible by administration to deal with the problem.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the present position of the negotiations in the coalmining industry as to hours of work; and whether he is yet in a position to state the policy of the Government?

The position was explained fully by the Prime Minister last night when he moved the Second Reading of the Coal Mines Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can state the number of new posters that have been published by the Empire Marketing Board for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

During the 12 months ended 30th June, 1931, 16 new sets of posters have been displayed by the Empire Marketing Board on their special frames. In addition, one new poster for display on the commercial hoardings, and 12 new posters for display in shops, have been published.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these designs are submitted for approval to the Dominions overseas and to the Colonies before they are published?

I am not sure about that. My hon. Friend must remember that we find the money.

Does not my right hon. Friend contemplate an extension of this publicity?

Within the limits of the grant for this year, the Board are compelled to consider where it is possible to curtail. They decided that it would be unwise to curtail on the scientific side, and, therefore, the advertisement side must of necessity suffer.

It is not a great pity that the publicity side should suffer as regards continually bringing to the notice of the people of this country the advantages of our Colonial productions?

I agree, but the Board are faced with a maximum amount which they have to spend, and I am sure that the hon. Member will see that we were justified in economising within those limits.

Are the Dominions still making no contribution?

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 economic committee at its recent (35th) session resumed and amplified its studies of the question of dumping, with more particular reference to the various forms of this practice when encouraged by State intervention to which the assembly attached special importance. The committee will continue its investigations and submit its conclusions later.

Is there any interim report available to Members of the House?

Not as far as I know at the moment, but I will make inquiries on the point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a further statement as to the replies he has now received to the communications he has made to various countries suggesting a reduction of tariffs; and if he can now indicate the purport of the reply he has received from the French Government?

The replies received from the foreign Governments concerned have not indicated fully the extent to which they are prepared to meet the proposals of His Majesty's Government for tariff reductions and further inquiries are therefore being made to this end, but it is obviously undesirable to indicate at this stage the nature of the confidential communications which are passing.

The right hon. Gentleman does not appear to be getting on very well, does he?

On the contrary, I think that useful progress has been made.

Would it not be better to abandon this scheme altogether?

I should consider this effort justified if it did nothing more than prevent an upward movement in European tariffs.

Will the right hon. Gentleman continue to press forward this highly important policy?

Yes. That is certainly the intention of the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to prevent co-operative societies selling their goods to the general public instead of only to their own members, in view of the fact that co-operative societies are, under the existing law, exempt from the payment of Income Tax?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at a large number of co-operative stores no distinction is made with regard to sales to members and to the general public? Does he not recognise the great hardship to the private trader in that he has to pay 23 per cent. of his profits to the Revenue while the co-operator pays nothing to Income Tax?

I could not accept the statement in that form. There is a certain amount of outside sales, but this subject has been discussed over and over again and was considered at great length by the Royal Commission on Income Tax and the Government propose to adhere to the present law.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for the last year for which figures are available, what proportion of merchandise imported into the United Kingdom, and classified as articles wholly or mainly manufactured, consists in fact of goods which are worked upon or finished by British manufacturers?

The precise information for which the hon. Member asks is not available, but it is estimated that for the year 1929 articles manufactured but requiring adaptation or combination and articles partly manufactured represented rather more than 50 per cent. by value of the retained imports of articles classed as wholly or mainly manufactured. The figures on which this estimate is based are contained in Part I of "Statistical Tables relating to British and Foreign Trade and Industry" (Cmd. 3737, see page 15).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state, for the last year for which figures are available, what proportion of merchandise imported into the United Kingdom and classified as articles wholly or mainly manufactured pays duty upon importation?

During the year 1930 the declared value of the imports of goods classed as wholly or mainly manufactured liable to duty on importation into the United Kingdom amounted to nearly a quarter of the total imports of such goods. The amount on which duty was actually paid is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what international treaties to which Great Britain is a party would be contravened by the passing of legislation to prohibit the importation into this country of products of convict labour or forced labour?

Goods produced in a foreign prison or other penal institution can be refused admission to this country under existing legislation. Whether a proposal to extend this prohibition to goods produced by forced labour is consistent with our existing Treaty obligations, is a question raising complicated technical considerations with which I could not deal within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it must have a very injurious effect upon labour in this country if goods produced under forced labour are allowed to come in, and will he not consider whether it is not advisable that some steps should be taken by the Government?

We have from time to time expressed our view on that. I am quite unable to agree that the proper way to deal with such a situation is by excluding the goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that butter has been removed from the food ration cards of adults and children in many parts of Russia and also in order to assist British agriculture, the Government will consider what steps should be taken to put a stop to the dumping of butter and other commodities which compete with our own produce?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Remer) on 12th May.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that butter is being dumped here and sold at prices at which British agriculturists cannot produce it, while it is sold in Russia at 20s. a lb.

Is not Argentine butter being sold cheaper than Russian?

I cannot say, but the fact remains that for the first four months of this year, the imports were less than for the corresponding months of 1930.

Is it not a fact that there was less butter imported from Russia last year than in the year 1927?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that companies controlled by American financial interests own many of the largest cinemas in London and the chief provincial cities, and are thereby enabled to prejudice the public against British films by filling the quota with inferior productions; and if he will introduce legislation to raise the quota for British films to a point that will better protect British enterprise?

It is the case that a certain number of large cinemas are owned or leased by American-controlled concerns, but I have no reason to suppose that inferior British films are generally shown at such theatres. In reply to the second part of the question, as I have indicated on previous occasions, I can hold out no expectation of further legislation on this subject.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman now made aware that the British National Films Company can produce very many more films than there are at present, and that those that they have produced, when shown, are being very successful?

I am aware that many tributes may be paid to the development of British enterprise, but that, of course, does not alter the reply I have given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that foreign control by means of an indirect holding has rendered the provisions of the Act useless now?

I am afraid I could not take that view. It is a very complicated question.

Is it not a fact that exhibitors are only too pleased to take all the good British films produced by the British National or any other British company?

Substantially that is my information.

Do hon. Members opposite at last recognise the advantages to be obtained by protecting the interests of this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have yet come to a decision to give credit facilities to the Soviet Government for the purpose of constructing merchant vessels in British yards?

I hope to make a statement on this matter at Question Time on Thursday.

Has any decision been come to?

I have informed the House that I will deal with it on Thursday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many vessels of 1,000 tons, and over, are registered as belonging to the mercantile marine fleet of Soviet Russia; and how do these figures compare with similar ships on the Russian register in 1913–14?

According to particulars published by Lloyd's Register of Shipping there were 177 steam and motor vessels of 1,000 tons gross and upwards belonging to the Soviet Union at midyear 1931; the corresponding figure in respect of the former Russian Empire at mid-year 1913 was 273.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been notified of any inquiries made on behalf of the Russian Government to British shipbuilders for quotations of prices, etc., for the construction of oil-tanker ships or others in British shipyards?

I am aware that approaches have from time to time been made to British shipbuilding firms on behalf of the Soviet Government for various classes of ships including oil tankers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know of any detailed scheme on which the credits can be based?

No, Sir. All sorts of proposals have been discussed, and I could not give particulars of any without notice from the hon. and gallant Gentleman as to which one he had in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the recent increase in the number of employés at the carpet factory at Bridgnorth who are working short time; and what steps the Government propose to take in order to deal with this situation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but it is obviously impossible for any Government to deal with the cases of individual factories.

Have not the Government any plans to enable British workers to get regular employment in their own trade?

Oh, yes; many plans, but, if the hon. and gallant Member means by his question, as I think he does, protective tariffs, that is not one of the plans.

Is it not a fact that day after day during the past two years employés have been put out of employment in the carpet factories in this country, and is the carpet trade going to be allowed to go into disuse because of the inaction of the Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in detailed and tabular form the amount of exports of cotton piece goods of United Kingdom manufacture registered as consigned to British India during the first five months of 1930 and the first five months of 1931?

I will circulate the desired table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if negotiations are still in progress for the preferential treatment of British Empire products in the Argentine; and when he expects the completion of a definite agreement?

His Majesty's Government have never been in negotiation with the Argentine Government for the accord to British goods of preferential treatment in the Argentine. The hon. Member may, however, have in mind the negotiations which took place last year with the object of obtaining a general reduction in the Argentine duties on artificial silk goods. Reductions in important descriptions of these goods were made last December and the possibility of obtaining some further concessions is not being overlooked.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the strong position which the United States now occupy in the Argentine trade, and will he make some arrangements by which, in view of the number of our markets at the disposal of the Argentina, he will get some preferential treatment from the Argentine for our goods?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that at the present time we have probably a greater opportunity in Argentina for our trade than in any other foreign country in the world; and, following up the British Exhibition, which has created such an intense interest in the Argentine in regard to this country and our people, is it not time that the Government took the opportunity of departing from the rigid line which they have adopted?

I cannot deal with the question of preferences and tariffs in reply to a supplementary question, but I can assure the House that, following the recent reports and other efforts, we are doing everything in our power to maintain British trade interests in Argentina and other parts of South America.

How does that fit in with Empire free trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the balance of trade has varied between this country and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics from the date of the resumption of diplomatic relations between them down to the latest date for which figures are available?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing quarter by quarter, our total imports and exports of merchandise in the trade with the Soviet Union from the 1st October, 1929, to the 31st March, 1931, inclusive.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the total for the year now?

No. It will be quite misleading to read out one set of figures

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what recommendations were made by the British Economic Mission to the Far East with regard to the reorganisation of our commercial representatives abroad?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to paragraphs 238 and 306 of the report of the British Economic Mission to the Far East, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government is prepared to pledge the resources of the British taxpayer in any approved scheme for the rehabilitation of British basic industries?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him

Would it be possible to get similar figures from the United States?

As far as I know. I would not like to make a promise regarding other countries, but I believe that figures are available.

Does that mean that in the reconstruction of basic industries Government assistance is ruled out?

Yes, that is the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has been arrived at as to the provision of a direction-finding station for the assistance of vessels entering and leaving the port of Southampton?

The question is still under the consideration of the Departments concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to statements in the annual report of the medical officer of health of the Port of London Sanitary Committee to the effect that new ships are still designed and constructed without consideration for the welfare and comfort of the crew; whether he will take steps to ensure that proper provision is made for the crew when ships are under construction; and whether this is under consideration by the Standing Joint Committee of the Board of Trade and Ministry of Health on the hygiene of the mercantile marine?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a report from the joint committee of the Board of Trade, Ministry of Health, and Shipping Federation regarding crew spaces on merchant ships?

The reports of the Shipping Federation Committee on Crew Accommodation have been considered by the joint committee of the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Health and certain instructions to the Board's surveyors have been agreed by the Merehant Shipping Advisory Committee and will shortly be issued. In order that the House may be fully acquainted with the position in this matter, I am circulating a statement with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War the military forces and staff maintained by Great Britain in the Channel Islands respectively, in January, 1914 and January, 1931?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a comparative table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the revision of tender forms for Army flour supplies so as to enable millers from other districts than London to compete for such business?

My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. Millers from other districts than London can and do compete for Army flour supplies.

If representations are made to my right hon. Friend in order to show the handicap which exists, will he give the matter consideration?

I am willing to consider any representations that are made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any intention of extending mechanisation to other fighting units; whether the experimental stage of mechanisation in the Army is concluded: and whether it is now intended to fix the mechanised organisation on its present basis?

Invention and design follow each other so quickly at the present time that changes in equipment are constantly under investigation resulting in fresh developments in organisation. There is scarcely any arm or unit of the service which is not affected by mechanisation, and it is impossible at this stage to indicate the time when finality will be reached over the whole field.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the progress made with the negotiations to find a solution of the difficulties created by the privileged position enjoyed by foreign over British trawlers in the Moray Firth?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to his question on the 23rd of June. Since that date my right hon. Friend has had further consultations with his colleagues in other Departments, but he is unable to make any further statement at present.

Can the hon. Gentleman give an idea when his right hon. Friend will be able to make a statement; and is he aware that the fishermen are very desirous of knowing at the earliest possible moment what is likely to be their position?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that no undue delay will take place in coming to a conclusion upon what is a very complicated question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend has been considering this matter for over two years; and is it not now time that some definite statement was made?

Can the hon. Member tell the House which Department is the cause of the delay?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the answer that I have already given.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received the report of the Royal Commission appointed to investigate the question of the sale and supply of excisable liquor in Scotland; if so, when the report was received by him; and when it will be published?

The report of the Royal Commission on Licensing (Scotland) reached my right hon. Friend last month and is now in the hands of the printers. I understand that it will be ready for issue at an early date.

Can the hon. Member say what has caused the delay in publication?

All that I can say is that it is expected that it will be issued before the House rises.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the increasing extent to which the inspectorial function of several Departments in enforcing laws and regulations governing industrial employment results in overlapping; and whether, with a view to efficiency and economy, he will submit the question of co-ordination to a Select Committee?

I am not aware of any such overlapping as my hon. Friend suggests, but if he will let me have a statement of what he has in mind I will have the matter looked into.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the normal processes of investigation into departmental claims for re-grading of work are precluded by the fact that a Royal Commission is sitting to inquire into the Civil Service?

No, Sir. But it would no doubt be proper in particular cases on which there is reason to assume that the findings of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service might have an important bearing, to await the report of that body before coming to a final decision.

Will the Financial Secretary inquire into the situation which exists in the Public Trustee's Office, which is quite inconsistent with the terms of the reply which he has given to-day?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of higher clerical officers employed as at the 1st April, 1931, and the number of higher clerical officers promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1931, in the Department of Customs and Excise?

The number of higher clerical officers (Treasury Class) employed in the Department of Customs and Excise on 1st April, 1931, was 68, and the number promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1931, was one.

May I ask whether the Financial Secretary as regards the arrangements for promotion in that Department, as evidenced by the figures now given, is affording anything like a reasonable and adequate outlet by way of promotion for that class?

That is not a matter which can be dealt with by question and answer.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how applicants for the posts of commercial councillors, secretaries, and trade commissioners are selected; and whether all applicants must have commercial qualifications other than a knowledge of commercial law?

On the occasion when the Commercial Diplomatic and Trade Commissioner Services were inaugurated, and also in all cases of any considerable subsequent expansion, the appointments to the services have been made on the recommendations made by special selection boards composed of Government servants and representative business men. Other vacancies are filled depart- mentally. In addition to a knowledge of foreign languages where this is appropriate, all candidates are expected to possess some commercial experience which would fit them for these appointments, whether such experience is acquired in the course of their profession or in Government service.

Can the hon. Member indicate how these special selection boards are constituted? Are the people who constitute them competent to exercise the duties of selection?

I only know of one board so constituted and in that case half are representatives of the Civil Service and half are business men, selected by myself.

Who nominates the board? Does the hon. Member nominate the board?

I forget at the moment whether actually I made the nominations, or whether a former Secretary of the Overseas Trade Department suggested the names.