asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount and value of liquid glucose imported from Russia during the last 12 months; whether he is aware that sweets made wholly with this foreign material have to be marked as such, whereas sweets which contain a large proportion of this material are being marketed as of British manufacture; and whether, in the interests of British consumers, he will take steps to see that any sweets which contain a proportion of foreign material shall be clearly marked as such, and that only such sweets as contain ingredients which are wholly manufactured in this country shall be sold as British sweets?

During the 12 months ended the 31st August, 1931, the imports of liquid glucose into the United Kingdom registered as consigned from the Soviet Union amounted to 192,599 cwts. of a declared value of £104,704. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware of any specific requirement that sweets made wholly of foreign material must be marked accordingly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider having a marking order made, so that consumers may know whether the sweets are entirely of British manufacture?

It is open to the sweet manufacturers in this country to make application for a marking order under the Merchandise Marks Act, and, if such an application were made, it would be referred to the committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps have yet been taken to establish a national organisation to popularise the need for buying British goods as against foreign imported articles?

I understand that the Prime Minister has given his approval to the institution of national organisation to promote both wise spending and the voluntary purchase of British goods. The formation of the organisation is almost complete, and it is hoped that a further announcement will be made with regard to it within the next few days.

Will the new organisation be entirely separate from the Empire Marketing Board?

Yes, I think so. I hope to meet, the day after to-morrow, a number of the people who are going to organise it, but I think it is very important that in any movement of this kind all the agencies which can do some good work should be co-ordinated.

Is that the function of a national party?

The function of a national party is to promote the national well-being.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that foreign importers have intimated to the London Corn Trade Association that they will not carry out their contracts for delivery of grain to this country made prior to 20th September unless they are promised payment in gold sterling or other money of gold parity; and what steps he proposes taking to protect consumers by insuring the fulfilment of contract in this supply?

I understand that such an intimation was re- ceived by the London Corn Trade Association from some foreign suppliers and that the association made the necessary representations to the parties concerned. I am now advised that practically all shippers of grain have agreed to carry out their obligations under their contracts and have accepted, since the 20th September, payment in sterling without demur.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Russian Government gave notice, through their sole agents in this country, that they were prepared to fulfil all their contracts exactly as they were made, irrespective of the date on which they were made?

I should not like it to be supposed that paying their obligations in due season was confined to any one country. The great bulk of vendors to this country, of all nationalities, were at once prepared to accept our sterling obligations in sterling.

Did the right hon. Gentleman say that the nationals of all countries have agreed to fulfil their contracts entered into in sterling?

I think that practically all have agreed. There may be a few outstanding cases where Borne contracts are still in dispute, but, broadly, the contracts are all being carried out, and it is fair to say that the great bulk of these contracts were carried out in the proper way from the start.

Are these outstanding questions French contracts?

No; I am speaking without notice, but I do not think any question—

That question does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a comparison of the chief articles exported by this country to Russia in 1913, with the amounts we exported in 1930 to Soviet Russia?

Yes, Sir. I will circulate the desired information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

With regard to the figures, do they generally show that a system of virtual prohibition is in force against goods that we might desire to sell to Russia?

There are two pages of figures, and I do not think I could do the mental arithmetic sum necessary to give the answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring these figures more up to date, and give the first eight months of this year?

If the hon. Gentleman wants these figures, per he will put a question on the Paper.

Do you think the kind of question that we have been getting will help us to get what we want from Russia?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the general terms of the decree issued in May, 1931, regulating trade of foreigners with Soviet Russia and of Soviet State and co-operative organisations with foreigners; and whether those orders have been in any way altered since then?

The decree to which my hon. and gallant Friend no doubt refers is that issued on 11th March, which was supplemented by regulations issued on 23rd April. The decree was substantially a re-enactment of existing legislation and the regulations prescribed the procedure to be followed by foreign firms in applying for permission to carry on trading operations in Soviet territory, such procedure not differing in any important respect from that hitherto in force. A full summary of Soviet law on the subject, which has not, so far as I am aware, been amended since, will be found in paragraph 17 of the Report on the Organisation of the Foreign Trade of the Soviet Union, by the Commercial Counsellor to His Majesty's Embassy in Moscow, issued in June last (Cmd. 3904), copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the sums outstanding to date that have been guaranteed to Russia and to all other countries, respectively, under the Export Credits scheme?

The total amount of credits which the Department had up to the 3rd October contracted to guarantee in respect of exports to Russia and to all other countries was £10,893,106 and £15,787,612, respectively. The total liability assumed under these contracts was £6,906,240 and £10,946,362, respectively.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the cost of the cheapest stand obtainable at the textile section of the British Industries Fair, exclusive of the cost of certain fittings, compared with the cost of a corresponding stand at Olympia in 1931; whether he can make arrangements for some cheaper stands to be available; and whether the nature of the contracts entered into between exhibitors and Exhibition Organisers, Limited, precludes his Department from effecting any reduction in the charges for space?

The cheapest stand in the textile section at the White City in 1932 will cost £50. This includes charges for space, stand construction, stand lighting and the mannequin parade. At Olympia in 1931 a stand of the same dimensions could have been obtained for £33 under the Department's inclusive scheme for space, stand construction and lighting, but the stand and lighting would not have been of the high standard adopted at the White City at the special request of the textile industry.

In view of the cheapness of the material and the cheapness in other directions with regard to construction, can nothing be done by the right hon. Gentleman's Department to prevail on these people to charge a lower price than and, with regard to the last part, cannot the Department make some recommendations to these people for a reduction in the charges?

The hon. Member will be aware that I answered that question on a previous occasion. The answer was that the business has to be self-supporting, and, in view of that circumstance, it is not possible to make any reductions in charges.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware that the Blind Persons Sub-Committee of the Middlesex County Council has passed a recommendation to reduce their grants to the unemployable blind by 2s. 6d. per week; and whether the Ministry has indicated to local authorities that economy should be exercised in this direction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and, to the second part in the negative. The advice tendered by the Government to local authorities on the question of the reduction of local expenditure is contained in Circular 1222, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman take steps to inform the local authorities? It surely ought not to be necessary to ask the unemployable blind to tighten their belts in this crisis?

I think the Circular I have already issued to the local authorities deals with the matter as far as it is possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his consent will be necessary to a reduction by the Middlesex County Council?

indicated dissent.

asked the Minister of Health the average superficial area of A-type non-parlour houses in direct labour schemes and in contracts let by local authorities in England and Wales during the period January-June, 1931?

758 square feet in contracts and 759 square feet in direct labour schemes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many houses are becoming uninhabitable through the neglect of the owners to repair them; and whether he will consider the issuing of instructions to local authorities to compel owners to spend the percentage increase of rents for repairs upon the necessary repairs of these houses and thereby increase employment in the building trades?

The issue of certificates on the application of tenants under the Rent Restrictions Acts is within the discretion of local authorities and I am not empowered to issue such instructions as the hon. Member suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not going to take steps under the Emergency Powers Act to reduce rents in view of the hardships of the people at the present time?

The question on the Paper has nothing to do with the reduction of rents.

asked the President of the Board of Education the total amount of the economies he now anticipates making as a result of the policy of His Majesty's Government?

It is now estimated that as a result of the Government's proposals, there will be a saving of £7,123,000 in the first full year, as compared with the figure of £9,400,000 given on page 5 of the White Paper (Cmd. 3952).

Are we to understand, then, that, as the result of the right hon. Gentleman's policy, the Budget has become unbalanced again?

Nothing of the kind.

Are there any offsets against these economies; is there any increase in the obligations of the Government which will come into the Budget?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the sum total paid by way of salaries and fees to the Ministers of the Crown from 5th June, 1929, to 24th August, 1931, or the nearest convenient dates?

I am having the information prepared and will send it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury for what reason the basic salary of the Assistant Paymaster-General, which was shown in 1924–25 Estimates as £1,000, has since been increased, to £1,500; and whether, in connection with the economy proposals now in contemplation, it is intended to reduce the salary to the original amount?

Prior to his appointment as Assistant Paymaster-General the officer in question had from 1920 to 1922 been Assistant Controller and Auditor-General and he continued to draw the rate of salary which he already had. I am not in a position to say whether on the occurrence of a vacancy, the remuneration of the post should or should not be revised.

I did not ask in regard to what will happen when a vacancy arises; but whether anything is to be done in regard to the salary of the present occupant of the office?

The ordinary steps will apply, of course; if the question is whether any special steps will be taken, the answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education the cost of educating a boy at English public residential schools which are state-aided and in comparable establishments in France, Germany and Italy?

The majority of the public schools, as that term is generally understood, are not state-aided. Of the schools represented on. the Head- masters' Conference which are mainly residential, 11 are state-aided, and at these the tuition and boarding fees combined average about £103. I have no information in regard to comparable establishments in other countries.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many State scholarships it is proposed to award in 1932?

It is proposed that the number of State scholarships to be offered shall be 300, as in recent years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the present tax on beer would be altered if it were calculated on the same rate per unit of alcohol as the present tax on whiskey?

It would be increased approximately two and a-half times.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that brewers are increasing the price of bottled beer to publicans by 9d. per dozen half-pints, and that Messrs. Arthur Guinness and Company have increased their price by 28s. 3d. per 32-gallon barrel; and what action he proposes to take?

If the hon. Member will let me have the full facts in the cases he has in mind, I will consider them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will institute an inquiry into the rates of pay of the lower ranges of the ex-service post-War entrants to the Civil Service?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, the Royal Commission on the Civil Service made recommendations as to the future of the un-established ex-service clerical personnel. These recommendations will be taken into consideration by His Majesty's Government as soon as circumstances allow.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed to carry out any of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service dealing with the ex-service post-War entrants in view of the rates of pay that most of them are receiving?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government proposes to take any and, if so, what action upon the report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service in respect of post-War entrants?

The course of events since the publication of the report at the end of July last has prevented the Government from giving the report of the Commission the attention which it requires, but the Government propose to take it into consideration as soon as circumstances allow.

Does the hon. and gallant Member realise that some of these persons have less than a living wage, and will he see whether something cannot be done for them?

Is it proposed also to consult the organisations concerned, while the Government are considering the recommendations of the Royal Commission?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the present offices of His Majesty's inspectors of taxes and their staffs at Southampton are inadequate for the increased staff; and whether it is proposed to secure alternative and less crowded accommodation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; endeavours are at present being made to secure additional accommodation with a view to relieving existing congestion.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any fresh instructions or regulations have yet been issued to the Employment Exchanges in connection with the administration of unemployment insurance benefit under the National Economy Bill?

The only instructions of this nature that have so far been issued to the Employment Exchanges are those relating to the changes in rates of contributions and benefit made by the Unemployment Insurance (No. 1) Order, 1931.

Are the regulations under the Economy Bill completed, and, if not, will they be issued during the Recess?

The intention is to issue them as soon as possible after the Order-in-Council has been made.

Will it be in order for the regulations to be put into operation without the consent of the House?

Oh, yes.

You can do anything you like?

Are the regulations subject to the Rules Publication Act?

The right hon. Gentleman had better put that question down. I have no power to make them until the Order-in-Council is made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in determining the reference of claims for transitional benefit, under the National Economy Bill, to the Poor Law authorities, the test will be whether or not 26 weeks' benefit has been paid in the individual benefit year?

If, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring only to the operation of the restriction on insurance benefit to 26 weeks in the benefit year, the answer to his question is in the affirmative. As he no doubt knows, a number of persons are at present on transitional benefit and others will come on to transitional payment in future on account of failure to satisfy the 30 contributions qualification, and not on account of the restriction above referred to.

Will not this system of selecting the individual benefit year operate very unfairly?

No, I do not think so. This matter has been discussed at some length; the policy of the Government is known, and I have nothing to add.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into this point; it is very important because it will operate very unfairly against different classes of claimants?

On a point of Order. Is the hon. Gentleman who sits for one of the divisions of Dorset in order in making grunting noises?

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what is the position of a miner who works habitually three days a week?

I do not think that that arises out of the answer. The question asked if the test will be whether or not 26 weeks' benefit has been paid in the individual benefit year, arid I have answered that. If the hon. Gentleman has any doubt on any particular point, and he cares to write to me, I will give him a reply.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed that applicants for transitional payments will be interviewed by the Public Assistance Authorities in a Poor Law institution?

No, Sir. Such interviews will not take place in a Poor Law institution. Exceptions to this rule will only be allowed with the express permission of the Minister.

Will these interviews take place in Poor Law offices?

I have just said that they will not take place in Poor Law institutions.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that these interviews will take place at the Employment Exchanges or premises which are not normally used by the Poor Law authorities?

It is the intention of the Ministry that these interviews shall not take place in Poor Law institutions. Exceptions will be allowed only with the express permission of the Ministry. I think that is an assurance which might very well be taken.

In cases where the ordinary examination takes place at a casual ward, can we be assured that these interviews will not take place there?

Oh, yes, I can certainly give the hon. Member that assurance.

Is the Minister aware that many Poor Law authorities have had to take special premises to deal with unemployed persons seeking relief under the Poor Law? Do I understand that his answer applies only to Poor Law institutions; and will the men be sent to the same premises when they are not Poor Law institutions as ordinary applicants?

As regards the first point, if the hon. Member will put down that question, I will answer it. I have given the hon. Member an express assurance that interviews will not take place in a Poor Law institution without special permission from the Ministry.

Is it intended that the public assistance committees shall sit at the Employment Exchanges?

asked the Minister of Labour for what reasons it has been decided to close down the national factory training centre at Dudley?

For reasons explained in the reply to the hon. Member for Bristol West (Mr. Culverwell) on 28th September, it has been decided that it is necessary to close certain training and transfer instruction centres. Among the reasons why the Dudley Centre was selected as one of the centres to be closed for the time being, was the fact that it has been particularly difficult to find employment for the men in this area, and there is a training centre at Birmingham which will remain open. Moreover, the buildings at Dudley are Government property and this may make it easier to retain the accommodation in readiness for re-opening later, should circumstances become more favourable.

How many centres have been closed down?

That does not arise out of the answer, and I must ask the hon. Gentleman to put it down.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether this centre has been closed down by the National Government because it is a national factory?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Meerut conspiracy case trial is shortly to be adjourned for 10 or 12 days for the Hindu religious festival of Deshara; and whether he will state the number of days the proceedings against the Meerut accused have been adjourned on religious grounds since their arrest in March, 1929?

My right hon. Friend has no information regarding this adjournment. It is the usual practice for the courts in India to make short adjournments during certain religious festivals, but my right hon. Friend cannot supply the details asked for in the second part of the question.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman convey to his right hon. Friend the reasonableness of stopping this trial altogether?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make any statement regarding the emergency decree issued by the German Government and the declaration by the German Ministry of Labour of a 7 per cent. wage reduction in the Ruhr coalfields with a view to cheapening German coal as a counter to the expected revival of British trade competition?

Under Emergency decrees, dated 27th September and 30th September, the German Minister of Labour has declared binding an arbitration award reducing wages in the Ruhr coalfield by 7 per cent. for the period 1st October, 1931, to 30th November, 1931. While this award follows shortly after the abandonment in this country of the Gold Standard, I would point out to the hon. Member that, in anticipation of the expiry in September of the wages agreement, negotiations in which the owners pressed for a reduction in wages, had been in progress since June last.

Does the hon. Member think there is very much hope for the workers of the world if this kind of thing continues?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the inquiry into the use of automatic gas alarms has been completed, and, if so, the nature of the report; and whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the matter?

I have received a report from the Safety in Mines Research Board on the recent series of pit trials with a modified form of firedamp detector, and certain inquiries are now being made at the colliery concerned to complete the information I require for a full review of the position.

Have not inquiries on this subject been proceeding now for something like 18 months or two years and is there any possibility of early attention being given to this question during the Recess, considering the terrible loss of life caused through the lack of these detectors?

I answered a question bearing on that point a few days ago, and then stated that investigations and experiments had been proceeding. We have completed those experiments, and I hope that we shall be able to come to a conclusion very shortly.

Have any of these gas detectors been tried at Churt?

asked the Secretary for Mines what were the average pit-head prices for coal for the months of April, May, June, July, August, and September; and if any district has announced a rise of 2s. per ton in household coal for October?

The estimated average proceeds per ton disposable commercially in Great Britain were as follow:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any action is being taken by his Department to increase the number of areas which are to be placed under cultivation?

Practically all the activities of my Department are designed to encourage and increase agricultural productivity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of Annie Haughney, who was killed by falling out of a window at a private hotel in Marylebone Road; and if he will instruct the police to make full inquiries into this case?

My right hon. Friend has seen Press reports. The police make the necessary inquiries in cases of this kind in normal course.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now make any statement as to the raiding of the offices of the "Daily Worker" and the Utopia Press on 13th September and the censoring of the contents of the issue for the following day?

No, Sir. The position remains as indicated in the reply given to the hon. Member's question of Wednesday last.

(by Private Notice) asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that strong feeling exists that broadcasting facilities are being used in a partisan manner so far as political broadcasts are concerned, and whether he will take steps to see that the Labour party as the main opposition to the present Government is provided with a reasonable opportunity of stating its case over the wireless.

I understand that negotiations are taking place with a view to arriving at an agreed allocation of broadcasting facilities between the various parties.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the country as a whole does not accept for a moment the fiction that this is a National Government?

Will the Mosley party be given reasonable facilities?

I should like to make it clear that I am in no sense empowered to interfere in any way with what the British Broadcasting Corporation do or do not do.

Is it a fact that Sir John Simon has staked a claim for this purpose?