asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he can make a statement of the Government's intention in connection with the reorganisation of the Lancashire cotton trade;(2) if he will issue a statement summarising the progress made up to the present in the reorganisation of the Lancashire cotton trade?

The position in regard to the cotton industry is receiving close attention, but I do not think that any statement I could make at the present time would serve any useful purpose. As my hon. Friend is aware, the joint committee are now examining proposals for the adjustment of productive capacity to demand. My right hon. Friend has already had an opportunity of meeting representatives of the joint committee, and I understand that he expects to hear from them again in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the growing control of the British film industry by, American interests; and what action he proposes to take to preserve this industry for British enterprise?

My information is that the striking development which has taken place in British film production during the past few years has lessened the dependence of the British film industry upon American interests, and I see no present occasion for action on my part.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the action of the French Government in imposing additional duties on British goods entering France; whether this is in conformity with the most-favoured-nation treaty with France; and, if not, whether we are in a position to put special duties on French wines, silks, perfumes, and dresses without infringing the said treaty?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Although United Kingdom goods have received most-favoured-nation treatment in France, in the matter of duties under a French law, for some 50 years, there is no treaty in force under which either country is bound to accord such treatment to the goods of the other. The answer to the last part of the question is, accordingly, in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the recent French decree imposing additional discriminating duties upon imports from various countries, including Great Britain and some of the Dominions; and whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to take retaliatory measures in connection therewith?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, my hon. Friend may rest assured that the whole question of the appropriate action to be taken in the matter is engaging the serious consideration of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of blast furnaces capable of producing pig iron in Scotland at the present moment; and the number in blast on 17th November, 1931?

As reported by the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers, the number of furnaces in existence in Scotland at 31st October, 1931, was 83; and the number in blast at that date was three. This information is only collected at the end of each month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether licences have been granted for the supply of armaments or munitions of war from this country during the past six months to the Governments of China or Japan?

Yes, Sir. Licences to export war material to both Governments have been issued during the period mentioned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties created for British exporters in obtaining payment for goods by the existing Austrian and Hungarian regulations regarding the acquisition of foreign exchange; and whether he can give any information regarding the arrangement made by the Austrian Government with the Hungarian Government under which the proceeds of Hungarian sales in Austria are ear-marked for the payment of Austrian exporters to Hungary?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, an arrangement by which a proportion of the estimated amount by which Hungarian exports to Austria exceeded Austrian exports to Hungary was to be placed at the disposal of the Austrian creditors has broken down owing to technical difficulties in its application. I understand, however, that an agreement in principle for setting up clearing machinery to facilitate mutual payments has just been reached. Details of this arrangement are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Austrian and Hungarian exports to this country are greater than this country's exports to Austria and Hungary; whether His Majesty's representatives in Vienna and Budapest have been instructed to endeavour to negotiate with the Austrian and Hungarian Governments a system by which the sterling credits acquired on this aide by the exporters of those countries should be earmarked for the payment of British exporters to Austria and Hungary; and, if so, what reports have been received on the subject from His Majesty's representatives?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The effect of currency restrictions in Austria and Hungary is engaging the continuous attention of His Majesty's Government with a view to deciding whether any action can usefully be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the increased unemployment in the cement-making industry in this country, what action he proposes to take to check the import of foreign cement?

The facts concerning this trade will be reviewed in relation to the powers for which the Government are now asking Parliament, but I am at present unable to make any further statement on the matter.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will make a statement on the general progress of trade with India recently, with special reference to the prospects of increased trade between India and Lancashire?

The following statement shows the recent progress of trade between the United Kingdom and India:In a recent despatch dealing with the position of trade in India, His Majesty's Senior Trade Commissioner in India pointed out that the past 18 months have been a very critical period in the history of trade between the United Kingdom and India. India was already experiencing, in increasing measure, economic depression, which is a world wide phenomenon, when the commercial relations between India and this country began to suffer reactions from the unsettled political conditions, of which the boycott of foreign goods was, perhaps, the most remarkable manifestation in the field of commerce. The general result was of a disastrous character as regards both internal and external trade: heavy losses were suffered by traders, and a severe blow was dealt to India's credit overseas. The economic slump and the unsettled political situation combined to affect most prejudicially the position of United Kingdom manufacturers in important branches of the import trade, and to stimulate the substitution of the lower-priced products of indigenous manufacturers and of our foreign competitors. Although the influence of the political movement is, at the moment, waning, the deepening of the agricultural depression and the widespread lack of confidence in the future are factors which must inevitably retard recovery.In referring to the temporary suspension by the United Kingdom of the Gold Standard and to the linking of the rupee to sterling at the existing ratio of 1s. 6d., the Senior Trade Commissioner indicated that, in his opinion, this measure could not fail to act as a powerful stimulus to India's exports to countries which are still on the Gold Standard, among which are some of her principal customers, e.g., the United States, Japan, Germany, France and Italy. Conversely, the depreciation of sterling now enables United Kingdom exporters to quote rupee prices below those which, in many cases, can be quoted by manufacturers and exporters in countries which still adhere to the Gold Standard, notably Germany, Japan and the United States, who may be regarded as our keenest rivals in the Indian market. Other things being equal, therefore, there should be, in terms of rupees, a considerable advance in price of India's principal agricultural products with a corresponding increase in the purchasing power of the people; this increased purchasing power may be expected to be reflected in a greater demand for imported goods. It is to be hoped that the United Kingdom manufacturer, by reason of this advantage in exchange, will take every opportunity to secure an increased proportion of the trade available.The trade returns of British India for the month of September, 1931, as compared with the preceding month, show an increase in the imports of private merchandise, amounting to Rs.23 lakhs. Under the heading "manufactured articles" imports of cotton yarn and manufactures showed an improvement of Rs.6 lakhs; and the yardage of piece goods imported rose from 49,000,000, valued at Rs.1,17 lakhs to 67,000,000 valued at Rs.1,26 lakhs.According to the Indian Trade Returns for August, 1931, which contain the latest complete statistics available, the total imports for the month of August were Rs.9,66 lakhs, as compared with Rs.12,74 lakhs for August, 1930; the imports for the five months April to August, inclusive, were Rs.56,48 lakhs, as compared with Rs.76,23 lakhs for the same period of the preceding year.The following figures show the imports of cotton goods into India from the United Kingdom for the five months 1st April to 31st August as compared with the corresponding five months of 1929 and 1930 (the figures are given in lakhs of rupees):

—	1929.	1930.	1931.
Twist and Yarn:
United Kingdom	153	69	48
Total	284	149	115
Piece goods: (Grey Unbleached).
United Kingdom	480	225	49
Total	847	441	176
Piece goods: (White bleached).
United Kingdom	559	342	198
Total	605	392	245
Piece goods: (Coloured, printed or dyed).
United Kingdom	418	299	111
Total	653	424	196

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, boys, girls, men, and women, found employment by the Exchanges in England, Scotland, and Wales during each of the six weeks ending 7th November; and the number of persons registered as totally unemployed during each week for the same period?

The following statement gives the figures for which the hon. Member asks:

asked the Minister of Labour how many applicants for transitional benefit have been before public assistance committees and the number of applicants who have had their benefit reduced; and the number of single girls and women, and the number of youths and men living at home with their parents, who have had unemployment benefit stopped?

This procedure only came into operation a week ago, and I am not yet in possession of any statistics of the number of cases dealt with.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of men and women now in receipt of transitional benefit are to be subjected to examination by the public assistance committee, with a view to determining what amount of benefit they are to receive, within the Borough of Walthamstow?

it 26th October, 1931, there were 768 men and 92 women with claims authorised for transitional benefit on the register of the Leyton and Walthamstow Employment Exchange Statistics of the number of persons resident within the Borough of Walthamstow are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the desirability of issuing regulations as to assessment of transitional benefit which will require the rent payable by the applicant to be taken into account in the assessment of need and which will allow Army pensions to be wholly or mainly excluded from calculation of the means of applicants?

I have no power under the Order in Council to make such regulations. The position of men in receipt of disability pensions is dealt with in a circular issued to authorities on 10th November, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with a view to making the new transitional benefit regulations clear and comprehensible to those affected, he will consider the desirability of issuing a small explanatory leaflet to be supplied to each man or woman by the Employment Exchanges?

This has already been done. I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of a leaflet which is being issued to every applicant concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women have been summoned before the courts of referees under the Anomalies Act at Bridgeton Employment Exchange; and how many have been refused benefit up to 10th November, 1931?

Up to 9th November, 1931, the Bridgeton Court of Referees had considered, under the Anomalies Regulations, 1,053 cases, all of which related to married women, and benefit was disallowed in 878 cases.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women have been summoned before the courts of referees under the Anomalies Act at the Dumbarton and Clydebank Employment Exchanges; and how many have been refused benefit up to 10th November, 1931?

Up to 9th November, 1931, the Dumbarton Court of Referees had considered the cases of four men and 151 women under the Anomalies Regulations. In the case of three men and 142 women, benefit was disallowed. During the same period the Clydebank Court of Referees considered 278 cases, all of which related to women, and benefit was disallowed in 248 cases.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of foreign musicians and artists now in this country; the average period of their, stay hitherto; and the policy of his Department in sanctioning the continued residence of such artists who are constantly employed?

No statistics are available in regard to foreign musicians and artists now in this country and the average period of their stay. No foreigner is allowed to come into the country for employment unless he is in possession of a Ministry of Labour permit. Such permits are granted only for limited periods; extensions are only allowed by the Home Office after consultation with the Ministry of Labour on the employment aspect.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the recent publication by the Empire Marketing Board advocating the sale of milk on a basis of quality instead of by volume; and whether this represents the policy of his Department?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been called us Sir William Dampier's report. I am in sympathy with the principle that the price paid for milk should, so far as practicable, be differentiated according to quality, but the matter is one primarily for settlement between the producers and distributors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in order to help the public in selecting British poultry and game offered for sale in this country, he will make an Order that all foreign imports of this class should be marked by cutting off one foot?

Fresh legislation would be required to give effect to the method of marking suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. The Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, however, contains provisions under which an Order in Council may be made requiring the marking of any imported goods with an indication of origin. A scheme for the grading and marking of home-grown poultry under the National Mark is in operation, and I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a pamphlet which described this scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Yorkshire Farmers' Union, and sent to him, in favour of the marking of 'all imported potatoes; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking action in this direction?

I do not appear to have received the resolution referred to by the hon. Member. I have no power to initiate action on the lines indicated, but it is open to the interests concerned to make an application to the Ministry for an Order in Council under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, requiring the marking of imported potatoes with an indication of origin.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of extra staff that has been necessitated by Part III of the Finance Act, 1931; and the numbers on 15th June, 15th August, 15th September and 15th November?

The numbers of additional staff recruited by the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue for the work of valuation under Part III of the Finance Act, 1931, at the dates referred to are as follow:

At the 15th June, 1931	…	Nil.
At the 15th August, 1931	…	125
At the 15th September, 1931	…	176
At the 15th November, 1931	…	585

In addition, 115 officers previously engaged on a temporary basis for other duties in the Valuation Office have been retained for purposes of the valuation. Other duties arising under Part III have necessitated the recruitment of additional staff in the Inland Revenue amounting at the respective dates to 1, 11, 44 and 44; while daring the period from 20th July, 1931, to 19th September, 1931, temporary clerks were engaged for short periods on preliminary work connected with the valuation. The numbers of such staff were 1,767 on 1st August, 1931, 304 on 1st September, 1931, and none on 15th September, by which date their work was completed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that, assuming the average gravity of beer now produced and sold remains at the last pre-Budget level, the actual duty on beer amounts to, approximately, 3½d. a pint, or actually ½d. more than the full average retail price of a pint of beer in 1913, he proposes to reduce this duty at an early date?

My hon. and gallant Friend will not expect me to anticipate the next Budget statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Manchester Export Board, and sent to him, on the subject of the artificial propping of sterling; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I presume that the communication referred to is one which has also been addressed to me from the Manchester Association of Importers and Exporters. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stockport (Mr. Hammersley) on 17th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the names of the National Debt Commissioners; whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer is a member of the Commission; and who is the chairman?

The Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt are the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Master of the Rolls, the Lord Chief Justice, the Accountant-General of the Supreme Court, and the Governor and Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England. There is no formally appointed chairman.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the need for reduction in public expenditure and of the increase in the real burden of interest payments on the National Debt following the fall in prices, whether he proposes to take any steps to effect a reduction in these interest payments commensurate with the cuts in unemployment benefit?

Measures for reducing the charge for interest on the National Debt consistent with the maintenance of public faith are constantly under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what have been the rates of interest and commission paid on the Treasury and Bank of England credits raised in Paris and New York for the support of the sterling exchange; and what capital losses have been incurred in the repayment of a portion of the Bank of England credits owing to the devaluation of sterling;(2) whether the losses incurred in. the recent part-repayment of the Bank of England credit for the support of the sterling exchange are being borne by the Bank of England itself or by the Treasury; and, if the latter, whether a Supplementary Estimate will be presented giving full details of the transaction?

I am not pre pared to add to the information already published on the subject of these credits. Until the whole of the credits have been repaid, it would not serve the public interest to give details of particular transactions. If any loss should ultimately arise on the repayment of the Bank of England credit, it would be treated as part of the expenses of the Issue Department of the Bank for the purpose of determining the profits of that Department which are payable to the Treasury under Section 6 of the Currency and Bank Notes Act, 1928. The answer to the last part of the second question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes, before the House rises for Christmas, to make a statement on the outlook affecting the extra anticipated revenue resulting from the proposals of the September Budget; and whether opportunities will be offered for discussion thereon?

I do not anticipate any necessity for such an announcement or discussion in advance of next year's Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that serious accidents frequently take place outside Bow Road District Railway Station, and if he will inquire as to the number of accidents which have taken place since the erection of refuges in the middle of the road by order of the Ministry of Transport, the local authority, and the police; and will he take any other possible steps to ensure the safety of the pedestrians wishing to cross the road?

I am aware that a number of accidents have occurred outside this station. The refuges were provided by the local authority in agreement with my Department. I am now considering, in consultation with the local authority and the Commissioner of Police, what further measures can be taken to ensure greater safety for pedestrians as well as for all other classes of road users at this point.

asked the Minister of Transport if it is now possible to grant to the Underground Railway Company facilities for their capital requirements for the extension of their system from Finsbury Park through Tottenham?

The London Electric Railway Company are extending their line northwards from Finsbury Park through Wood Green with the assistance of a grant under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, but I am not aware of any proposals by the company for the further extension referred to.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the traffic commissioner has ordered the suspension of the Red Omnibus service between Nympsfield and Stroud, and that the alternative route is 25 minutes longer and more expensive; and whether he will inquire into the reasons for this and the advisability of restoring the former service?

An appeal has been lodged with me under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act against the decision of the traffic commissioners in this case. In accordance with the usual practice, I have already arranged for an inquiry to be held.