asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons registered as unemployed on 1st June, 1929, and on 31st July, 1931, or on the nearest convenient dates?

At 3rd June, 1929, there were 1,100,125 persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. The number at 27th July, 1931, was 2,713,350.

Do not the records of the Ministry of Labour show that so great an increase has never occurred before under any other Government, except the Labour Government?

Are not those figures a reflection on the gold standard?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is in a position to state when the White Paper will be issued giving the details of the amounts received by chairmen of Courts of Referees?

This return has been compiled. In order to save the expense of printing and publication, it has been arranged to have two typed copies placed in the Library.

Some time ago we were promised that this information would be published as a White Paper in order that we might see exactly who is taking money out of this fund without contributing.

If the hon. Member will consult the return in the Library, he will get all the information which he requires. The return is very voluminous, and it would cost a considerable sum to print. Therefore, I would ask the hon. Member to extract from the copy in the Library such information as he requires.

If the expense is to be considered, would not the printing of the return in the OFFICIAL REPORT make it more accessible to Members at no extra cost to anyone?

If the hon. Member will look at the return in the Library, he will find that it would take up a whole issue of the OFFICIAL REPORT. It is a very long return indeed.

asked the Minister of Labour if any reduction is to be made to chairmen of Courts of Referees for presiding at such courts; and whether any consultations have taken place with them as to the amount, if any?

This matter is under consideration.

Are we to understand that these gentlemen will be consulted?

This matter is having my immediate and urgent consideration. I cannot at this moment undertake that they will be consulted individually or collectively.

Does the hon. Gentleman say that he consulted the chairmen of Courts of Referees before agreeing to a reduction; and, if so, why did he not consult other sections of the community?

No, Sir; I have not consulted them, and I do not give any undertaking that I shall consult them.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will have inquiries made into the number of men who have left. Brandon and Carshalton training centres in June, July, and August, respectively, for whom no jobs have been found; and, in view of the complaints made about the food provided at these centres, will he take steps to have this remedied?

Of the 887 men who satisfactorily completed courses at the Brandon and Carshalton centres during the 12 weeks ended 29th August, all but 21 obtained employment. In addition 73 men gave up training voluntarily before completion of their course. Particular attention is paid to the conditions at these centres, and I am satisfied that complaint with respect to the quantity or quality of the food supplied cannot justifiably be made.

If I produce cases where the men have been complaining about the food and have left as a consequence, will the hon. Gentleman have them investigated?

Is it not true that men are constantly complaining in their own homes about the food?

I want to raise a point of Order. My point is that her Ladyship has cast a reflection upon the women folk of my class, and I want to say here, on behalf of the women folk of my class—[Interruptian.]

That is not a point of Order.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to accede to the request to receive a deputation of the unemployed?

Is the Prime Minister serving out the same treatment to other sections of the community that are being affected by these cuts as he is now serving out to the unemployed?

Exactly the same treatment.

Is it not the case that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have all along negotiated with the bankers regarding those cuts?

We have consulted experts in every matter that we have been considering. The ease of the unemployed is perfectly well known, and every one of us who was in the old Government still remain where we were because we want to serve them.

Is not the Prime Minister aware that this is a life and death question affecting the lives of almost 9,000,000 of the poorest section of the community who have always looked to the Prime Minister for the last 30 years—

The hon. Member will have an opportunity of making his re marks during the Debate. Hon. Members must not make speeches during question time.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg w to give notice that I will raise this question at the first available opportunity. I am giving the Prime Minister notice.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were unemployed in the real silk and artificial silk industries, separately, at the last convenient date?

The total number of insured persons recorded as unemployed in these industries in Great Britain at 24th August was 23,651, of whom, 7,633 were classified under artificial silk yarn manufacture, and 16,018 under real silk manufacture and artificial silk weaving etc. Separate figures are not available for real silk manufacture as distinct from artificial silk weaving.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the case of Mrs. Cunningham, of Middlesbrough; and whether it is his intention to review the case with a view to remission of the sentence?

I had instituted inquiry in this case, and, after consulting the stipendiary magistrate who passed the sentence, I have felt justified in authorising Mrs. Cunningham's discharge from prison this morning and advising the remission of the remainder of the sentence.

asked the Home Secretary when the report of the Royal Commission on Licensing is likely to be available for Members of this House?

I understand that no statement can yet be made as to when the report will be available, except that it is expected to be ready within the next few months.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in certain districts the regulation which lays down that cycles shall carry red reflectors is not being enforced; and, in view of the danger to users of the road, whether he will issue instructions that this regulation must be carried out?

Instructions have already been issued on more than one occasion, and it does not appear that further instructions are required at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the regulation prohibiting the driving of heavy motor vehicles above a speed of 30 miles per hour is constantly being broken; and what steps he is taking to see that this regulation is being enforced?

The police have had instructions on the subject and are, I am assured, taking active steps, so far as their resources and opportunities will permit, to enforce the law. I will, however, take advantage of an early opportunity of calling their attention again to the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not so much the fault of the drivers as the fact that the time tables, which have been accepted and passed by the Commissioners, are of such a nature that fast driving is necessary to enable them to be carried out?

That question should be addressed to the Minister of Transport who is concerned with the administration of the law.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these coaches, when driven slowly, are very dangerous?

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the recent confusion caused by the lack of uniformity in road signs at present used in Great Britain; and what steps his Department are taking for the purpose of regulating them?

I agree with the hon. Member as to the importance of uniformity in road signs, and I have invited the Home Office, the Scottish Office and a number of associations representing local authorities and the users of highways to nominate representatives to serve on a committee for the purpose of considering such signs and making recommendations as to the way in which my powers under Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act on this matter can best be exercised in the public interest.

Were the invitations sent out, and has the hon. Gentleman had any reply?

We have had a good many replies, but not to the whole lot. We hope to set up the committee before the end of the month.

When were the invitations sent out?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the amount of the costs involved to public funds in connection with the promotion of the London Passenger Transport Bill; and whether it is possible to give the approximate costs of other parties to the proceedings of the Joint Select Committee?

It is not yet possible to state the total cost falling upon public funds in connection with the promotion of the London Passenger Transport. Bill and the investigations which preceded its introduction, but I am informed that up to date the expenses incurred by the Government amount to about £40,000. I have no information as to the costs incurred by other parties.

it the case that, in the event of the Bill passing into law, this expenditure will not fall upon public funds and, if it does not pass into law, it will fall upon public funds?

That is a correct statement.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give a list of the Part III education authorities of England and Wales arranged in descending order of population according to the 1931 Census; showing the population of their areas according to the 1901 and 1931 Census, respectively; the number of children on the rills of the public elementary schools in their areas in 1903–1904 and in the last year for which figures are available; the percentage this last figure is of the total population according to the Census of 1931; and showing those authorities which benefited during the last year for which the information is available either by the necessitous area grant or by the deficiency grant under Section 118 of the Education Act, 1921, respectively?

I am sending the hon. Member a list giving the information for which he asks.

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate the information, either in the OFFICIAL REPORT or as a White Paper, in view of the importance of the information for which I have asked, especially in the last two parts of my question, having regard to the recommendations of the Economy Report?

I regret that that would be hardly justfied. A list was sent to the hon. Member on the 31st July last, and the list which is now being sent to him is up to date.

Am I to understand that this information is not to he available before we discuss the National Economy Bill to-morrow?

I am afraid that that is so.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give a list of the authorities who at present benefit by the 50 per cent. minimum limit of grant for elementary education, showing the amount received for the last available year to bring the formula grant lip to 50 per cent. and the equivalent rate in the that would make good the margin between the formula grant and 50 per cent. if the whole of the alterations in paragraph 519 of the May Committee's Report were carried into effect?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list giving the answers to the first two parts of the question. As regards the third part of the question, I do not think it would be justifiable to undertake the great amount of labour which would be involved in making calculations on a basis other than that which the Government propose to recommend the House to adopt.

Are we to understand, then, that the May Committee arrived at their recommendations without making any calculations as to what was the amount of money required; and will the right hon. Gentleman ask the May Committee, or its Secretary, if they will give him the information, which obviously should have been within their knowledge?

All these matters will rise in the course of the Economy Debate.

There was no word in the Economy Report which in any way—

Speech!

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government proposes to take to give effect to the recommendation of the Macmillan Committee that this country should seek as its objective in monetary policy the raising of the international price level and its stabilisation at a reasonable level?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to act on any of the recommendations of the Macmillan Committee on Finance and Industry?

asked the Prime Minister if the Cabinet has considered the report of the Committee on Finance and Industry; whether any of the recommendations are to be adopted; and, if so, which?

The main recommendations of the Macmillan Committee are concerned with the general aims of monetary policy, in concert, of all the great nations, rather than with concrete proposals for immediate action by this country. The recommendations regarding the regulation of the note issue would, of course, require legislation. The Committee do not represent this as urgent, and I do not think that, in the present conjuncture of events, it would be desirable to propose an alteration in the law. The remaining recommendations of the committee, such as the possibility of improving facilities for raising domestic capital and the collection of more comprehensive statistical information, will be pursued, so soon as time is available.

Do I understand that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not interested in money?

The hon. Member would be very incorrect in assuming any-thing of the kind.

Do I understand the hon. and gallant Gentleman to say that these matters are not urgent still in the view of the Treasury, in view of what has happened recently; and are no steps being taken in the international field to deal with this matter?

The hon. and gallant Member must not understand anything of the kind.

What is being done in the international field? These matters are vital to the discussion.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman reply to my question, as to whether the Cabinet have yet considered the report of the Committee on Finance and Industry?

The Cabinet have had it, under consideration.

Have they considered any of its recommendations, and what action do they intend to take upon it?

That question is answered in the reply that I have just given.

Is it not the case that the Macmillan Committee drew attention to the weak position of the Bank of England in regard to the possible withdrawal of short-term deposits from London, and urged a mobilisation of securities with a view to meeting such a crisis as has in fact arisen?

It will be within the hon. Member's recollection that the Committee actually stated that the position of this country was immensely strong. [Interruption.]

rose—

That is more a matter for debate.

On a point of Order. Am I not entitled to put a supplementary question elucidating the answer which has been given, which avoids the issue that I am putting?

The hon. Member has put his supplementary question, and the Minister has indicated that he cannot give any further answer.

Send for the Chancellor of the Exchequer!

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take in regard to paragraph 418 of the Macmillan Report dealing with the work of the Census of Production Office?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that has just been given by my hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Is the Minister aware that this paragraph relates to a certain point affecting the staff of a different Department? Cannot we have a reply upon that?

The part of the reply that relates to that consideration is that the recommendations of the Committee with regard to the collection of more comprehensive statistical information will be pursued as soon as time is available from more immediately urgent problems. With regard to the 1930 census, steps were taken before the Committee reported to ensure that it would be available more expeditiously and collected more economically.

Was not the reply of the Financial Secretary that the Macmillan Committee's Report was that this country was in a strong position, and will he bring this point of view before the Cabinet and put the recommendations into operation?

I should be out of order in dealing with that. I am being asked about the Census of Production.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the aggregate profits of the brewing companies in the United Kingdom for the year 1913–14 and the latest year for which complete figures are available?

I am sending the hon. Member copies of replies which were given to the Noble Lady the Member for the 'Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on 5th May, 1930, and on 17th February last. These contain the latest information regarding the profits of brewers, but I am unable to furnish any estimate of the profits of companies, as distinct from other concerns in the industry.

Is it not the case that the information for which I have asked has been repeatedly given in this House, and why is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not able to give it now?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loans have been raised abroad since the present Government assumed office; and what were the conditions imposed?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the amount and what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer during 12 months of the New York credit;

(2) what are the amounts and the estimated cost to the Exchequer during the 12 months of the French bank credit and French issue of British Treasury franc bills, respectively?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the net rate per cent. received by the French banks in respect of the new credits to the Treasury; whether this rate was fixed by reference to the prevailing rate paid in Paris for short-term credits; and, if so, what was this rate understood to be;

(2) what is the total cost per cent. to the Treasury of the credits recently arranged in Paris and New York, respectively, including loss of revenue owing to remission of taxation; what commissions or other payments are being made to bankers or others in this country and in France and the United States of America in connection with these transactions; and for what services?

The following are the detailed terms of the British Treasury credits in the United States of America and in France. Both credits run for a period of 12 months and are for maximum amounts equivalent to £40,000,000 in each case. The United States of America credit is a banking credit up to an aggregate amount of $200,000,000 at any time outstanding. The Treasury are entitled to draw on this credit by depositing dollar bills for 30 days, 60 days or 90 days, and to renew such bills within the 12 months' period. The rate of discount will be 1 per cent. above the official discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, with a mini- mum of 4½ per cent. and a maximum of 6 per cent., unless the Federal Reserve Bank discount rate exceeds 6 per cent., in which case the rate of discount will be the Federal Reserve Bank discount rate. At present, therefore, the rate of discount is 4½ per cent. The Treasury pays commissions of 1¼ per cent. on the total sum of $200 millions. Nothing is payable by the Treasury in respect of United States taxation.

The credit in France is in two parts: in the first place a credit entitling the Treasury to draw on a group of French banks on current account up to an amount of 2,500 million francs outstanding at any time, interest at 4½ per cent., being payable on any amounts actually drawn for the period during which they are outstanding, and in the second place a public issue of one-year 4¼ per cent. British Treasury Bills payable in francs for a total amount of a further 2,500 million francs. I am glad to be able to inform the House that this issue has already been fully subscribed. Commission at the rate of 1¼ per cent. is payable both on the Treasury Bills issued to the public and on the amount of the credit, namely, 2,500 million francs. Nothing is payable by the Treasury in respect of French taxation on the bank credit. On the public issue, the Treasury is responsible for the expenses of issue, including certain duties in France, amounting at the most to 0.8 per cent. on the amount of the public issue.

The annual cost to the Exchequer of both the United States and the French credits depends of course, on the extent to which the bank credits are in fact utilised, and cannot, therefore, be estimated beforehand. The rate of interest and the commission fixed in the case of the French bank credit represents the terms necessary in order to obtain a, credit of this magnitude with success. I am not aware of any similar short term credits on the Paris market, so that I am not in a position to make a direct comparison of the kind suggested by the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Leicester (Mr. Wise). Credits of this character are not liable to British taxation unless held by or on behalf of persons who are liable as being resident or domiciled in this country. No commission of any kind is payable to bankers in this country. In reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Central Division of Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), these credits are the only loans raised abroad by the present Government.

I am much obliged to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, but he has not answerd the last part of my question as to what were the conditions imposed. Cannot we have an answer to that? I did not ask for the terms of the loans. That has all been in the newspapers. I asked for the conditions imposed—the sort of taxes and the reductions to be made in the standard of living. That is what I want to know.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will find all the conditions in the statement.

I gave statutory notice. May I ask for the information that is asked for in the question. Can we have the conditions?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the present rate for three months' bank bills in New York is 1 per cent. per annum, and will he explain why this Government finds it necessary to pay four times as much?

It is impossible to add anything to the answer I have given.

Are we to conclude that the credit of the Government is so low that it has to pay four times the market rate?

Was any condition made as to the spending of the money and as to certain cuts being made in certain directions?

No, certainly not.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Board of Inland Revenue has yet arrived at a decision as to the effect of Section 20 of the Finance Act, 1922, on deeds of settlement?

I am not sure that I understand what the hon. Member has in mind. If he has a particular case in view and will supply me with details, I will inquire into the case and communicate the result to him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the whole of the 10 schemes designed under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1926, covering Great Britain, have now been completed; and can he give particulars of the total amount of expenditure involved in these various schemes?

The Electricity Commissioners have prepared and transmitted to the Central Electricity Board nine schemes under the provisions of Section 4 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1926. These nine schemes, which cover the whole of Great Britain except Northern Scotland, have all been adopted by the Board and are being carried into execution. A scheme for Northern Scotland is at present under preparation by the Electricity Commissioners, who hope to transmit it to the Central Board before the end of the present year. The expenditure involved in carrying out the nine schemes cannot yet be ascertained as the work is still in progress but the estimated amount is approximately £29,000,000 on the transmission system and 219,000.000 gross on standardisation of frequency.

Can the hon. Gentleman say anything with reference to the tenth scheme and when he hopes that will be carried out?

That scheme will be handed over to the Board by the Electricity Commissioners before the end of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the present position with regard to the negotiations with certain foreign countries for a 25 per cent. reduction of tariffs?

As was stated in the House last July, the original replies received from the foreign Governments did not sufficiently indi- cate the extent to which they were prepared to meet the suggestions made by the late Government and that Government addressed to them further inquiries. No definite progress can be said to have been made.

Is it intended to pursue these negotiations energetically?

Any negotiations would be pursued energetically by the Government, but the hon. Member will appreciate that it does not necessarily follow that they will be conducted in exactly the same way.

Are we to understand that there is to be no continuity of policy on this particular thing?

There will be continuity of policy where continuity of policy is desirable.

Who is to decide the desirability?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any consideration has been given to the proposal to establish an oil quota for the purpose of benefiting the shale oil industry, and with what result?

I understand that a suggestion of this kind was made to the Board of Trade under the late Government and that it was found to involve many difficult problems. I have not had an opportunity of examining the question myself and I could not properly express any opinion until I had been able to give the matter careful and detailed consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to consider the matter shortly?

Yes, as shortly as I can, but clearly it would involve legislation even if the proposal were accepted. The hon. Gentleman knows it is a very difficult question. It would not be unfair to say that he himself probably considered it during the 15 months that he held the office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposal was favourably reviewed by his predecessor and will he not, therefore, give a decision shortly?

It would be most improper for me to say, even if I knew, what was the opinion of my predecessor. The hon. Gentleman best knows that, and he ought to take proper steps if he wishes to ascertain what passed between him and his colleagues.

But is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the subject has been considered by the Department and was in part submitted to the Prime Minister six weeks ago?

That is a very different and a more proper question. Of course, on a matter of this kind, I shall consult with my Department, and to whatever decision the Government may come, the Government will take full responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the recent conclusion of the trade agreement between Canada and Australia?

No, Sir. The matter is one lying entirely between the two Dominions concerned. I shall be happy to furnish the hon. Member with a copy of the Agreement if he so desires.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say Whether there is a similar agreement between Canada and our Government?

This is a matter between the Dominions themselves, and for the benefit of my hon. Friend, I will furnish him with the details of the Agreement.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) the approximate loss on the telegraph service as shown in the commercial accounts of the Post Office for the year ended 31st March, 1931;

(2) the total loss on the telegraph service from 1871 to 1931 and the loss for the year 1930?

It is provisionally estimated that the loss on the telegraph service shown by the commercial accounts for 1930–31 will be £997,000. The total loss on the telegraph service for the 61 years from the transfer to the State up to 31st March, 1931, is estimated at approximately £48,300,000. This figure includes the estimated loss of £997,000 for the year 1930–31.

Can the right hon. Gentleman provide the House with a definite statement as to the particular forms in which the losses occur in this particular account?

If the hon. Centleman will let me know what particular items he wishes to have—[An HON. MEMBER: "The Press!"]—there is a question down about that already on the Paper for another day—I will endeavour to find the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any statement to make as to the progress of the national mark system so far as Scottish-produced beef is concerned?

A statement on this subject was issued the Press at the beginning of August and I shall send the hon. Member a copy of it. Since then, the position has improved, the number of sides of beef presented for marking in August showing an increase of 400 over the July figure. The progress made by the grading and marking schemes in England and Scotland is to be reviewed by an inter-departmental committee which was recently appointed and which will hold its first meeting next week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the additional inquiry ordered by Marshal Chiang-kai-Shek, into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Mr. John Thorburn at Soochow, has brought to light any fresh information as to his whereabouts or fate?

The new inquiry ordered by the President of the Chinese Government has not yet been completed. The Chinese Government have informed His Majesty's representative that it is progressing satisfactorily, and that a report may be expected before the end of the month. -Sir Miles Lampson has pressed the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs to obtain this report at the earliest possible moment, and has made known his disappointment at such continued delay on the part of the Chinese authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it is the intention of the Foreign Secretary or himself to attend any part of the sittings of the Assembly of the League of Nations?

The exceptionally critical domestic circumstances of the present time may make it impossible for my Noble Friend to attend the meeting of the Assembly this year, anxious as he is to do so. The matter is still under consideration. There is, I understand, no intention that I should proceed myself. I am sure the House will appreciate the circumstances in which my Noble Friend is placed in this matter, particularly as he is himself deeply interested in the work of the League of Nations, and attaches as much importance to it as any of his predecessors in office.

Does not the hon. and gallant Member think that it is very important that some Member of the Government should go out for a part of the sittings, and will he give that matter further consideration?

I have already shown by my reply that it is considered important, but the exceptional circumstances of the present time may demand exceptional action by my Noble Friend.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether it is Foreign Office duties or duties commonly performed by other Members of the Government which are keeping the present Foreign Secretary away?

The duties of the State.

Are the Government going to consider what economies can be effected in connection with the League of Nations?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of commanders, lieutenant-commanders, and lieutenants (ex-mate) who have been eligible to take the naval staff course and the number of these officers selected for this course?

All such commanders, lieutenant-commanders and lieutenants of over six years' seniority are eligible. Four of these officers have applied for the course, of whom one has been selected up to the present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any increase is likely to be made in the number of officers promoted annually from the lower deck as the result of the new scheme of lower-deck promotion announced in the House on 20th May?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the future lower-deck candidates for commissioned rank are to be given similar facilities for the study of French to those provided for the special entry cadets in His Majesty's Ship "Erebus" to enable them to take the full syllabus for sublieutenants at Greenwich College?

Ratings promoted to commissioned rank under the new scheme will be given all possible facilities for acquiring a knowledge of French to enable them to take, where spossible, the full normal course of training for sub-lieutenants at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

asked the Prime Minister what action he proposes to take with reference to the remaining stages of the Town and Country Planning Bill?

I regret that it is not practicable to make a definite statement at present.

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that this Bill was discussed in a purely non-party spirit in Committee?

The Government are trying their best to rescue non-controversial Measures.

Does the Prime Minister realise that this Measure is not non-controversial?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Economic Advisory Council is still in being; and, if not, whether it is proposed to revive it?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the second part therefore does not arise.

May I ask if the same personnel remains and if it is intended to utilise the Council?

The Council just remains as it was, but I understand that one person has resigned.

Is it intended to utilise it?

Certainly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the problem of the economic crisis was referred to the Economic Council to be discussed by members of that Council?

The immediate and urgent aspect of the crisis is a matter directly and entirely for the Government.

Can the Prime Minister give us any guarantee that the work of this body will be any more effective during the next year than it has been for the past 12 months?

I am hoping that it will be as effective.

May I ask who has resigned? We are surely entitled to know that.

If the hon. Member will put a question on the Order Paper, I will give him a reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of the Economy Report were officially communicated by the late Government, or by any Member of it, or on its authority to the Liberal party leaders or to anyone outside His Majesty's late Government prior to its publication on the 31st July, 1931?

Yes, Sir. The Committee was appointed as the result of a Motion which was accepted by all three parties in this House and was carried practically unanimously. The personnel and terms of reference of the Committee were settled after consultation between the leaders of the three parties. In those circumstances it was not only courteous but right, when the signed report was received, to communicate its contents in proof form to the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal parties, in advance of the final copies which could not be printed before 31st July, and for that action the late Government was responsible.

May I ask whether, when the draft copies were supplied to the leaders of the other two parties, any embargo was placed upon them as to how far down in the parties the information was to be given? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his present Minister of Mines, who at that time was a private Member of the House—

The hon. Member must put that question on the Order Paper.

I want to say, quite emphatically, that these documents were communicated only two days before they were published under the usual, ordinary and habitual seal of confidence, a method adopted whenever communications like that have been made in anticipation of general publication.

May I ask the Prime Minister why, if it was communicated to the Liberal "Shadow Cabinet," it was not communicated to the consultative committee of the Labour party?

The Labour Government were responsible for the Government's work as representative of the party.

I should like to ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker. I want to raise, as a question of privilege, the furnishing to certain Members of this House of a Command Paper before it was laid and printed. Will you permit me to do that?

I do not see how it arises.

The point of Order is, that a Command Paper is not available in the Vote Office for Members before it has been laid and printed by order of the House. I submit that a breach of privilege has taken place by its disclosure to other Members of this House, and I should like to raise that as a matter of privilege.

There is a body for dealing with matters of privilege.

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter at the end of Questions.

I apologise for bringing forward this matter at this moment, but I have no alternative. If hon. Members will look at Sir Erskine May's "Parliamentary Practice" they will find that it is necessary to raise questions of Privilege immediately, and the usual time is before the commencement of public business. Also a matter of Privilege may be brought forward without notice. The matter I desire to raise was initiated by the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede), and it refers to the rights of Members and Command Papers and Reports of Committees appointed by the House. I ask hon. Members, irrespective of party, to remember that we may all be private Members at some time or other and that the rights of private Members are always in danger of being infringed. In this case, a Royal Commission was appointed by Order of the House, and naturally its report was expected by hon. Members with great interest.

A few moments ago we heard from the Prime Minister that advance copies of a Command Paper had been given to certain Members of this House not in an official position. I have in my hand a copy of the "Western Morning News," of the 24th August last, in which the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Foot) now Secretary for Mines but then a private Member of the House, who described himself as a member of a body known as "the Liberal Shadow Cabinet," said that, being a Member of the Shadow Cabinet, he knew what the Economy Committee proposed before the report was published. As the report is furnished at the public expense, and as the money is voted by Parliament, I say that Members of this House have an equal right and that a breach of Privilege, contrary to the dignity of this House, has been committed by one who should have been its guardian.

I have listened to what the hon. and gallant Member has said and clearly no breach of Privilege arises. The committee was set up in the ordinary way by the Government and no question of Privilege arises. It was a Departmental Committee.

Seeing that the committee referred to by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) was a committee set up by a vote of this House on a specific Motion, it was therefore a committee of this House and not a Departmental Committee at all. It was given powers to go into all questions of national expenditure and report. Therefore, it was not a Departmental Committee, but a Committee of Parliament.

Further to that point of Order. Is it not a fact that the committee was set up by Treasury Minute dated 17th March, 1931?

No, Mr. Speaker.