Written Answers
Dangerous Drugs (Legislation)
asked the Home Secretary whether British ratification of the 1931 Convention for the limitation of the manufacture of narcotic drugs has yet been decided upon; and, if not, when is a decision regarding ratification likely to be made?
Before His Majesty's Government can ratify this Convention, the Dangerous Drugs Acts will require amendment in certain minor respects. A Bill for this purpose is now in preparation.
Trinidad (Divorce Bill)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish correspondence to and from the Governor of Trinidad concerning the Divorce Bill now under consideration?
A Divorce Bill has been introduced in the Legislative Council of Trinidad by the Government in accordance with a resolution passed by a free vote of the Legislative Council on 7th March, 1931. The introduction of the Bill has been approved subject to the insertion of a Clause suspending the operation of the law, if and when passed, until His Majesty's pleasure is known. There is no prospect, therefore, of its being brought into force forthwith. A copy of the Bill will be placed in the Library of the House. I do not think this is an occasion on which I should publish correspondence between the Colonial Office and the Governor.
Fighting Services (Bands, Civil Engagements)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that there are at present approximately 75 per cent. of civilian professional musicians unemployed, many of whom are unable to obtain unemployment benefit, he will arrange for the discontinuance of the practice of permitting the employment, by outside persons and authorities of bands and musicians of the Navy?
Naval and Royal Marine bands are permitted to accept civil engagements because there is a public demand for their services, and they are not permitted to do so on terms which are lower than those which would be offered in the same circumstances to a civilian band. I see no reason for altering the present policy in this matter.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that there are at present approximately 75 per cent. of civilian professional musicians unemployed, many of whom are unable to obtain unemployment benefit, he will arrange for the discontinuance of the practice of permitting the employment by outside persons and authorities of bands and musicians of the Royal Air Force?
My Noble Friend regrets that, though he has every sympathy for the civil musicians, he is unable to modify, in the case of the Royal Air Force, the long-standing policy of the Services in this matter. I should add that these bands are not allowed to seek employment through the Press or musical agencies.
Airship R100
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if the airship R.100 was offered for sale to any Government overseas before the decision was taken to sell this ship for scrap?
The answer is in the affirmative.
Trade And Commerce
Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a table showing the average monthly values for each of the first three quarters of the present year, and for the month of October, of each of the groups of Articles of Class III on which import duties have been proposed under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931?
The value of the imports during October last of the articles covered by the two Orders made under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act is given in the White Papers presented to Parliament, together with full information as to the monthly imports by quantity. Particulars of the imports by value respecting the first three quarters of this year have not been compiled.
Suez Canal Company (Transit Dues)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the tolls charged by the Suez Canal Company are causing the closing down or restriction of output of British and other industries in Egyptian territory south of the Suez Canal; and whether, in view of the dividend paid by this company, His Majesty's Government will now agree to use the power conferred on it by its holding and by its representatives on the board of the canal company to bring about such a reduction of canal dues as will assist the world recovery of industry, and, in particular, assist all industries located in Egyptian territory south of the canal.
His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the considerations referred to in the first part of the question, and I am glad to be able to state that the company has felt able to reduce the transit dues temporarily by about 10 per cent. as from 15th November of this year.
Plumage (Illegal Importa-Tions)
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give details of the species of bird plumage illegally imported and confiscated under the Importation of Plumage Act, 1921, during the year 1931 to 30th September, together with the approximate quantity of plumage involved in each case?
The following is a list of birds, the plumage of which was illegally imported and was confiscated by the Customs Authorities under the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act, 1921, during the period 1st January, 1931, to 30th September, 1931, together with the approximate quantity of plumage involved in each case.Name of Bird and Approximate amount of Plumage.
- Amandavat—2 millinery mounts.
- Bird of Paradise—284 millinery mounts, 3 skins, 1 tail, 2 wings.
- Chaffinch—1 skin.
- Crowned Crane— head.
- Egret-15 single feathers, I small bundle of feathers, 116 millinery mounts.
- Emu—2 skins, 1 millinery mount. Finch—5 millinery mounts.
- Gull, black-headed—1 millinery mount. Heron—1 ornamental feather spray, 14 millinery mounts.
- Indian Roller—2 wings.
- Kingfisher—6 millinery mounts, 110 ornaments each with a small amount of this plumage.
- Lyre Bird—1 tail.
- Owl—2 wings.
- Parrot—2 skins, 3 ornaments.
- Peacock—106 single feathers, 24 fans, 1 skin, 3 breasts, 1 tail, 1 millinery mount.
Pheasants:
- Argus—2 millinery mounts.
- Copper—5 millinery mounts.
- Lady Amherst—7 millinery mounts.
- Reeves—2 millinery mounts.
- Silver—1 millinery mount.
- Sparrow, common—27 millinery mounts.
- Stork (Leptoptilus)—1 fan.
- Teal, Falcated—19 millinery mounts.
- Teal, Formosan—12 millinery mounts.
- Thrush, Song—1 millinery mount.
- Vulturine Guinea Fowl—1 piece of skin with neck feathers.
- Widow Bird—2 tail feathers.
Two parcels containing plumage not identified, but clearly within the prohibition, were also seized.
National Health Insurance
asked the Minister of Health the total amount of the State grant towards approved societies' expenditure in Great Britain; and the amount of the grant calculated at the rate in force before the passing of the Economy Act, 1926, for each of the five years ended 30th September, including the year 1931?
As the accounts of approved societies are made up on the basis of the calendar year, figures are not available for the years ended 30th September. The amounts for the last five calendar years, together with the estimated amount for the nine months to 30th September September, 1931, are as follow:
| — | Amount of State Grant at the actual rates in force. | Amount calculated at the rate in force before 1926. |
| £ | £ | |
| 1926 | 6,170,000 | 8,480,010 |
| 1927 | 6,490,000 | 8,920,000 |
| 1928 | 6,040,000 | 8,310,000 |
| 1929 | 6,430,000 | 8,840,000 |
| 1930 | 6,160,000 | 8,470,000 |
| 1931 (to 30th Sept.) | 4,300,000 | 5,900,000 |