asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Cuban Government has now withdrawn its reservation to the ratification of the revision of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice?

Not yet, so far as I am aware.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to ratify the convention with reference to the establishment under the League of Nations of the International Agricultural Mortgage Credit Company; and what States have ratified it up to the present time?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply returned to my hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) on 23rd September last. According to the latest information in my possession, only Greece has so far ratified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what countries have complied with the request of the Council of the League of Nations for the supply of information with regard to their armaments for the information of the Disarmament Conference?

According to the latest information from Geneva, the following countries have now furnished returns regarding their armaments in accordance with the request of the Council of the League of Nations: Albania, United States of America, Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Irish Free State, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Siam,* Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,† Yugoslavia.* Only communicated to States who have also furnished returns.† Not published—only to be sent privately to States who will supply the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with their figures in return.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what countries have not accepted the invitation to the Disarmament Conference?

I am not aware what countries, if any, have not accepted the invitation of the League of Nations to attend the Disarmament Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what countries have not accepted the armaments truce?

As far as I am aware, none of the States approached have hitherto refused to accept the armaments truce.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount by which the imports of iron and steel exceeded the exports thereof for November, 1931?

I regret that the desired information will not be available until 11th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of wet fish were landed at Newcastle from Bergen between 2nd November and 19th November last; and the corresponding figures for the same period of last year?

I regret that the desired information is not available, as the imports into this country are recorded according to the country of consignment and not the port of shipment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume and value of the imports of fresh milk in each of the weeks since September of which he has a record?

The statistics are compiled on a monthly basis only. The imports of fresh milk into the United Kingdom during the months of September and October last amounted to 3,330 cwts., valued at £2,086 and 4,589 cwts., valued at £2,797, respectively, all of which was consigned from the Irish Free State, mostly over the land boundary into Northern Ireland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports of raspberry pulp during each of the years 1929, 1930, and 1931?

The imports of raspberry pulp are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the imports in the first 20 days of November, in square yards, of silk manufactured piece goods, wholly of silk and those manufactured of silk mixed with other materials if known as silk piece goods; and the amount, in tons weight, of tissues of artificial silk, wholly or artificial silk or mixed with other materials?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 24th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Herbert) respecting statistics for shorter periods than one month. Particulars of the imports of silk piece goods and of artificial silk tissues during the month of November will be published on 11th December in the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that officers of Customs are demanding a duty of 50 per cent. on imports of mica on the ground that mica can be used in connection with wireless instruments; and will he give instructions that this duty is not to be levied on any raw materials required for use by British manufacturers?

If the hon. Member will give me particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if His Majesty's Government contemplate taking any steps to proteet the British coastal shipping trade against the competition of foreign coasters?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which my right hon. Friend gave on 17th November and 1st December in answer to questions by my hon. Friends the Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry) and Colchester (Mr. Lewis) respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that woollen felt and woven paper used for woollen slippers and basket-ware, respectively, are subject to duty under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931, whilst the imported finished slippers and basket-ware are not so subject; and whether he will give reasons for the distinction and say what action he proposes to take?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to him and other hon. Members on 25th November last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that in the month of October the imports of jute carpets were four times as great as those of the month of January and more than 50 per cent. in excess of those of the month of September, he will consider including jute carpets in the next Order made under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act?

As my Noble Friend will see from the Schedule of the Order which was made on Monday last, the provisions of the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act have been applied to imports of jute carpets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the abnormally large quantities of planed flooring now being imported from abroad; and whether he proposes to extend to this material the measure of protection afforded by the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931, to articles in Class III of the Board of Trade Returns?

Planed flooring is not included among the articles in Class III of the Import and Export List. It is only Class III to which the powers under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act apply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of imports into this country from the United States of America and the value of exports from this country to the United States of America in the last 12 months; and whether either set of imports shows an abnormal increase?

During the 12 months ended 30th September, 1931, the total declared value of merchandise imported into the United Kingdom and consigned from the United States of America, was £114,000,000, while the total exports consigned to the United States amounted to £28,000,000. Both of these figures show 'a considerable decline compared with the previous 12 months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there are a large number of small factories for sale in the Stroud (Glos.) valleys; and whether he will take steps to make known to any foreign firms desirous of securing factories in England that these factories are available?

This matter does not lend itself very well to treatment by way of answer to a Parliamentary Question, but I am writing to my hon. Friend on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the anxiety of certain foreign nations to enter into negotiations with this country regarding tariffs, he can assure the House that the Government will, during the course of any such negotiations, take advantage of the opportunity for protecting the British fishing industry?

I can assure my hon. Friend that in any such negotiations into which the Government may enter, the interests of the British fishing industry will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any of the vessels which landed cargoes of wet fish at Grimsby during the months of October and November last were chartered for that purpose by the Government of Iceland?

I am informed that two vessels, chartered in the name of the Icelandic Government on behalf of a federation of Icelandic fishermen, landed at Grimsby a total of about 12,000 cwts. of fresh fish from Iceland at various dates during the period 21st September to 14th November, inclusive. I understand that the Icelandic Government have guaranteed the freight, and that the cost of freight is deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the fish before the balance is paid to the fishermen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the recent rapid depreciation in the value of the pound, he is satisfied that the efforts being made to arrange for the future food requirements of this country are adequate; and if these requirements can be maintained withoutThe following are the required figures in regard to vessels piloted by the Trinity House Pilots of the London District for the years 1928, 1929, 1930 and the nine months ended 30th September, 1931:

—	Total amount* received for pilotage services by licensed pilots.	Net tonnage of vessels piloted by licensed pilots inwards and outwards.
		British.	Foreign.	Total.
	£
Year ended 31st December, 1928	354,545	67,368,084	26,446,529	93,814,613
Year ended 31st December, 1929	365,287	68,836,751	28,491,849	97,328,600
Year ended 31st December, 1930	360,560	66,845,139	30,907,750	97,752,889
Nine months ended 30th September, 1931.	250,552	47,381,303	22,261,060	69,642,363
* These amounts include pilotage earned in Deep Sea Waters outside the district, which amount to about £9,000 per annum.

I have no reason to suppose that the requirements of the country in the matter of foodstuffs cannot be met without difficulty in the future as in the past through the normal channels of trade. Food prices are under the constant review of my Department in order to prevent unjustifiable increases. For the rest, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given on let December by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Southampton. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend copies of these replies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount received for pilotage services in the district under the jurisdiction of London Trinity House for each of the past three years and for the first 11 months of the present year, together with the total net tonnage for vessels piloted in and out for the same periods, distinguishing between British and foreign vessels; and what was the net tonnage of vessels entering and leaving during these periods which were not piloted by licensed British pilots?

I am informed by the Trinity House, who are the Pilotage Authority for the London district, that particulars in respect of the months of October and November, 1931, are not yet available, and that they have no information regarding the net tonnage of vessels entering or leaving the district which are not piloted by licensed British pilots.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there has been any alteration in the class of officers appointed as examiners in the compulsory liquidation department?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether new staff have been engaged for the Land Tax Valuation Department, Maidstone office, since 1st November; and, if so, how many and on what terms are such personnel engaged?

One officer appointed before 1st November took up duty at Maidstone on 16th November and another, who was previously employed on other duties, has been transferred to land valuation work as from 3rd November. The rates of pay are in each case £4 17s. 6d. a week, and the appointments are terminable at a month's notice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the number of ex-service civil servants now employed shows any reduction in numbers as compared with three years ago?

As regards non-industrial staffs, the numbers of ex-service civil servants employed on 1st October, 1931, chow an increase of approximately 9,700 over the corresponding numbers on 1st October, 1928. No statistics are kept of the numbers of ex-service industrial civil servants.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of promoting legislation to provide that in municipal elections a candidate shall be required to make a deposit at the time of nomination, such deposit to be forfeited if the candidate fails to secure a certain proportion of the total votes cast at the election?

The question bas been considered more than once, but there is much difference of opinion as to the desirability of requiring deposits by candidates at local elections, and I cannot promise legislation on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary if he will cause inquiry to be made into the law relating to penalties for criminals who, at the time of their arrest, are found to be carrying firearms, with a view to considering whether such penalties should be increased?

There is already a maximum penalty of 20 years' penal servitude for the possession of a firearm or ammunition with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property. It is for the judge to apply in each case such penalty as he may think suitable in the circumstances.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the annoyance caused by the prolonged ringing of burglar-alarm bells, started by traffic vibration or accidental contacts, especially during the night hours in the City of London, he will issue model bylaws, based on police requirements, for adoption by local authorities who wish to deal with this nuisance?

My Department has been for some time in consultation with the London County Council on the subject of a by-law to deal with this matter. The form of by-law has now been settled, subject to minor details of drafting, and I have intimated that if the London County Council decide to adopt it, I am willing to approve it, due course, subject to the consideration of any objections or representations which may be received, after statutory notice of the by-law has been given.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will furnish a return of all Royal Commissions and committees of inquiry which are still in being, together with their terms of reference; the date of their appointment; the approximate date on which their report may be expected; and their cost to date?

I am arranging to circulate an up-to-date table on the lines of that circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 30th April last in reply to a similar question. Where possible, this table will indicate the probable date of reporting.I regret that it is not possible without a disproportionate amount of labour to give the total cost to date of committees still in being.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total cost to the country of the action against the Seaham Harbour Dock Company in connection with a claim for Income Tax on a Government grant, which was decided against the Crown on an appeal to the House of Lords?

The costs of the action are not yet ascertainable, but I will communicate the amount to the hon. and gallant Member in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether arrangements can be made for the railway vouchers of Members when travelling third class to be used to cover third class sleeping-car supplement on long-distance journeys by night, in view of the fact that the cost involved would result in actual economy as compared with the ordinary first class fare?

To meet the convenience of Members who travel by night to and from distant constituencies, I am arranging that, providing the total cost does not exceed the first class ordinary fare, the travel vouchers may be used to cover third class travel plus third class sleeping car accommodation where the latter is available. It should be noted that the concession is strictly limited to third class, and that in no circumstances may the vouchers be used to cover sleeping car expenses in addition to a first class fare. The precise details will be available at the Fees Office as soon as the necessary arrangements have been made with the railway companies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office 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 Army?

As regards the acceptance of civil engagements by military bands, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 1st December to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Sir A. Beit). As regards individual bandsmen, existing instructions make it clear that any engagements which a soldier accepts in his spare time are purely of a private nature, that such engagements must not interfere with his military duties and that advertising in any shape or form is forbidden. It is not proposed to interfere with this practice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what percentage reductions in the reserve pay of commissioned officers of each rank have been imposed during the past three months; and whether such percentage is the same as in the case of non-commissioned officers and privates?

Officers of the Regular Army do not receive any pay in respect of their service in the Reserve.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the present estimated additional annual cost of implementing the pension claim put forward by the organisation of Army-pensioned ranker officers; and whether it is the intention of the Government to reconsider this claim?

I am not in a position to give the information asked for in the first part of the question, and, as it is not proposed to reconsider the claims of these officers, I should not feel justified in obtaining a figure, in view of the large amount of labour involved.

asked the Minister of Labour the figures of those wholly unemployed in the city of Leeds during the past four weeks, distinguishing between those changes due to alterations in the real volume of unemployment and those due to administrative action; and will he publish figures weekly for the whole country on that basis in order that the real position may be ascertained?

The effect of administrative action on the unemployment totals cannot be estimated with any sufficient degree of reliability either for short intervals of time or for individual places. I hope in due course to be in a position to publish in the Ministry of Labour Gazette figures relating to the effect of the Anomalies Regulations and the Transitional Payments Order in Council in this connection. The total numbers of wholly unemployed persons on the registers of the Leeds Employment Exchanges for the past four weeks are as follow:

Numbers of persons wholly unemployed on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Leeds on certain dates.
2nd November	…	…	29,242
9th November	…	…	29,080
16th November	…	…	28,505
23rd November	…	…	27,934

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the long distance which unemployed workers living on the Isle of Arran have to travel and the delay which occurs in the settlement of their claims, he will make arrangements for a local officer to be stationed on the island?

These matters had already been brought to my notice by my hon. and gallant Friend the Mem- ber for Buteshire and North Ayrshire (Sir A. Hunter-Weston) and inquiries are being made into the working of the present arrangements. I will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any decision has yet been taken as to the Government's intentions regarding the dust and fume nuisance from the power stations; and when it is expected to receive the report from the Chimney Emissions Committee, which was set up to inquire into the matter?

With regard to the emission of sulphur fumes, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Second Report of the Committee presided over by the Government chemist which was laid before Parliament in November, 1930. The Electricity Commissioners inform me that good progress has been made by the committee to which he refers, but that they are not yet in a position to say when it will be able to present its report.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of local authorities which have discontinued road and other schemes for relief of the unemployed; and the approximate value of the schemes which have been abandoned since 21st September, 1931?

I am only able to deal in my reply with road and bridge schemes. With the object of reducing expenditure from the Road Fund, all schemes of road and bridge construction and improvement, which form the subject of commitments from the fund, are now being reviewed, and not merely those which had been expedited for the relief of unemployment. I have in all cases endeavoured to proceed in consultation with the local authorities and, while my survey of the position is still incomplete, I have arranged, up to the present, for a reduction in the commitments of the Road Fund over the next few years in respect of an estimated total expenditure of approximately £15,750,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of elementary schools still on the black list, showing the various grades of such schools; and what steps he proposes to take to effect a change in this state of affairs?

There are still 1,527 elementary schools on the black list. Of these, 295 are in Division A of the list, 981 in Division B, and 251 in Division C. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Circular 1413, showing that it is hoped that the Board will be able to approve for grant some expenditure for dealing with these schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is prepared to institute an inquiry to obtain from owners of house property a statement of the amount received by them from the imposition of the 25 per cent. increase of rent for the purpose of executing repairs to house property and of the amount spent by them in carrying out repairs since the operation of this section of the Rent Restrictions Acts?

I regret that I cannot entertain the proposal as the inquiry suggested would not be practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of sheriffs' officers fixing the value of house-furniture and effects poinded by them for arrears of rent below their proper value; whether he is aware that in a recent case two kitchen chairs were valued at 10. each, a kitchen table and dishes, cutlery, and mantelshelf ornaments at a total of 1s., an oval table 6d. and an oval mirror 6d.; that the total value placed upon the furniture, etc., was 2s. 3d., and the expenses of poinding were 17s. 8d.; and whether he is prepared to institute an inquiry into this practice, with a view to safeguarding the tenant whose goods are being poinded?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and I would point out to the hon. Member that whether the poinding proceeds under the Small Debt (Scotland) Act, 1837, or the Debtors (Scotland) Act, 1838, the officer is required to have the poinded goods appraised or valued by two persons. If, however, the hon. Member will supply me with particulars regarding any cases where poinded goods. were not properly valued, I shall have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which is being expressed with the working of the automatic telephone exchanges throughout the country, he will consider the introduction of a system for recording the number of verbal complaints in addition to written complaints made in respect of each exchange?

I have no evidence of any general dissatisfaction with the working of automatic telephone exchanges throughout the country. Records are made of oral complaints and inquiries, but the labour and cost of analysis and tabulation would, I am advised, be disproportionate to any value the statistics might possess.

asked the Secretary of State for India. for what reasons the Government of India has refused an Indian visa for Mr. Edo Fimmen, secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation, seeing that Mr. Firemen is visiting the Far East solely for his federation and has no intention of taking any part whatever in political affairs in India; and whether, in view of the definite undertaking given by Mr. Fimmen to abstain from all part in political affairs in India if granted an Indian visa, he will represent to the Government of India the granting of an Indian visa to Mr. Firemen?

In view of the present economic situation, the Government of India consider that Mr. Fimmen's proposed visit to India would be a source of embarrassment, quite apart from political considerations. The matter has been given the most careful consideration, and I regret that I am unable, in present circumstances, to modify the decision which has been given.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will amend Admiralty Fleet Order 2410 to permit Royal Marines who have completed 10 years' service, and who desire to reengage to complete time for pension, to do so before 1st January, 1932, and secure the rates of pay shown in column 2 of the schedule to Fleet Order 2410?

The general rule governing the re-engagements of Royal Marines, laid down by the Royal Marines Act, 1847, is that they may apply to reengage after 11½ years of their first engagement, whereas the seaman may apply after 10 years' service. The question of reducing this disparity wholly or in some degree is under consideration and is a complicated one. I am unable, therefore, at the moment to give any further assurances or promises in this matter than have already been given in A.F.O. 2729/31.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider amending paragraph 2 of Article 561 of King's Regulations, Admiralty Instructions, so that before a petty officer can be reverted for unsuitability to a lower rating he should be the subject of a court of inquiry?

Reversion for unsuitability of a confirmed petty officer rating has to be referred by the Captain to the Commander-in-Chief or Senior Naval Officer. The numbers thus reverted are at present so few that the necessity for further checks is not apparent.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Admiralty Fleet Order 2678, of 13th November, 1931, is contrary to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty on 18th February, 1931, that non-continuous service officers' stewards and cooks on transfer to continuous service might count all their non-continuous time for advancement and pension; and will he have this order amended accordingly?

With regard to the first part of the question, non-continuous service officers' stewards and cooks who were transferred to continuous service prior to 17th December, 1924, normally count all their previous non-continuous service time for advancement and pension, but those who transferred after that date are eligible to count their previous time for pension, but not beyond the 3rd class rating for advancement. Since the great majority of such men transferred before 17th December, 1924, it is the case that, as stated in the reply given on 18th February last, generally speaking, these ratings are allowed to count. their previous non-continuous service time, but it is regretted if this reply has given the impression that the 1924 rule had been or would be altered. As regards the second part of the question, the Fleet. Order quoted was issued to reaffirm the existing position under the Regulations, and no reason is seen to alter it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to exclude flour from importation and only to permit the importation of grain for milling in this country?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his Department has discovered any indications of the source of origin of last summer's outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in county Armagh?

My Department has no jurisdiction in Northern Ireland as regards animal diseases, but I am informed that the Ministry of Agriculture, Northern Ireland, after exhaustive investigation, reached the conclusion that the only apparent source of infection on the farm in County Down on which the disease first appeared was cauliflowers from the Continent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee has made with its further tests under trade conditions of foreign dried milk and other milk products to ascertain whether they are carriers of foot-and-mouth disease; and when a report may be expected?

I have communicated with my hon. Friend on this matter. The practicability of securing tests under trade conditions is being explored, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the results as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the recent report of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee as to the possibility of the disease being carried into this country in imports of dried milk and to the experiments of the committee definitely proving that dried foreign milk contaminated with foot-and-mouth virus can remain infective for a month; and what action he proposes to take to meet this danger?

I am not in a position at present to add to the reply which I gave on 16th November last to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd).

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can form any estimate as to the increase in the price of bread that would be caused by the Government's wheat quota proposals?

Pending decision by the Government as to the maximum price to be secured by farmers for milling wheat in the quota plan, it is not possible to make estimates except upon a hypothetical basis. It is estimated that a quota of 15 per cent. and a premium of lbs. per quarter for British wheat in excess of the United Kingdom price of comparable imported wheat should not add more than one-eighth of a penny to the production cost of the 2 lb. loaf of bread. As world wheat prices rise or fall, the element of production cost due to the British wheat quota will diminish or increase.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take into consideration the question of imported flower seeds when considering the application of import duties to agricultural and horticultural produce?

Flower seeds do not come within the scope of the Horticultural Products Bill now before the House, but my hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind in connection with other aspects of the Government's policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that eggs are being imported into this country bearing no indication as to origin; and if he will take steps to see that the provisions of the Marking of Imported Goods Act are complied with?

The attention of my Department was recently drawn to the exhibition of some unmarked imported eggs and inquiries are being made into the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the evasion of the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Acts by the importation of unmarked eggs into this country; and whether lie will see that the law with regard to the marking of imported eggs is carried out?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Potter).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider including vegetables, fruit, and flowers from the Channel Islands in the Emergency Customs Duties unless it is possible to secure from the estates of the islands a contribution to the Treasury equal to the advantage they will obtain if their products are imported into this country free of duty?

It would not be practicable to carry out my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion in connection with the Horticultural Products Bill now before the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the plight of farmers, especially in the southeastern parts of Scotland, owing to the recent fall in the price of sheep, he would be prepared to recommend as a temporary measure a nominal duty on all foreign beef and mutton entering this country?

I am not in a position to add to the statement of policy which I made on 26th November last. As I stated on Monday last in reply to questions by my Noble Friend the Member for Perth (Lord Scone) and others, I can hold out no hope of being in a position to make any further announcement before the House rises for the Christmas Recess.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the recent fall in the prices of cattle and sheep; and whether he will give an assurance that the interests of this branch of the agricultural industry will receive the fullest consideration when the Government's agricultural policy is framed?

I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the interests of this branch of the agricultural industry, in common with others, will receive the Government's fullest consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is prepared to carry out the scheme of the last Government which was intended to give to unemployed allotment and garden holders fertilisers and seed free, with a view to encouraging agricultural products?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Monday last to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the importance of increasing the supply of home-grown foodstuffs, be will consider the restoration of the War-time facilities whereby urban dwellers in particular were able to obtain allotments in the parks, commons, by the side of railway tracks, and other places?

I do not think the circumstances at the present time are such as to justify recourse to emergency measures of the kind suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the hardship which is being caused in many quarters, he will receive a deputation from the East Anglian counties of those affected by the provision of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, which establishes the collection of drainage rates on a basis of annual value instead of an acreage basis?

As I indicated in the answer given to the Noble Lord the Member for Peterborough (Lo Burghley) on 23rd November, I am fully aware of the difficulties referred to by my hon. Friend. It would only be possible to adjust the matter by an amendment of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, and in these circumstances I do not think that at the present time any useful purpose would be served by my receiving a deputation as suggested.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the large number of middle-class houses to let or for sale as a rsult of the economic depression, he will issue a circular to the local authorities as to the desirability of using such powers as they possess for the purpose of reconditioning and adapting such dwellings for the occupation of several families?

Local authorities have already under Section 57 of the Housing Act, 1925, powers of taking the action suggested, but I am not myself aware of any large increase in the number of vacant houses which are suitable for conversion, and past experience does not suggest that conversion of this kind is generally economical or otherwise satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any statistics as to unofficial schemes of reconditioning houses in slum areas for working-class families which are carried on at the present time on an economic basis; and if he will issue a, circular to local authorities as to the desirability of stimulating such movements in their own districts as an adjunct to any council operations in respect of new houses building?

I regret that I cannot give any statistics of this kind of work done by private bodies as particulars are not furnished to me. In a general housing circular issued last year local authorities were reminded of their power to promote the formation of and to give assistance to public utility societies whose objects include the improvement of dwelling-houses for the working classes.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many local authorities use foreign roofing tiles on municipal houses; and if, in view of the unemployment in the brick and tile industry and the mining industry, he will issue a circular to all local authorities urging that they should use British roofing tiles and bricks for municipal and council houses?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular letter already issued for the purpose which she has in view.

asked the Minister Of Health the present cost of construction of the average subsidy council house, with parlour and without, at the present time as compared with the corresponding period for each of the last three years; the cheapest type of house which has been erected at an economic rate; and whether, in view of the still existing shortage of houses, he can bring to the notice of other local authorities the full facts of cheap construction in this particular case?

The following statement shows the average cost of non-parlour and parlour houses (excluding flats and small houses for aged persons) in contracts let by, or in direct labour schemes of, local authorities (other than the London County Council):

Year ended 31st December.			Cost of building exclusive of land, roads and sewers.
			Non-parlour houses.	Parlour houses.
			£	£
1927	…	…	413	481
1928	…	…	361	429
1929	…	…	344	409
1930	…	…	339	404

I am not certain to what type of house my hon. Friend refers as having been erected at an economic rate, but I am always willing to investigate economies in building and would in suitable cases bring any particular building methods to the notice of all local authorities who might be assisted thereby.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that the Bristol public assistance committee have made a practice of taking into account benefits under the National Health Insurance and not disregarding the first 7s. 6d., as required by Section 48 of the Poor Law Act, 1930, in assessing the needs of able-bodied applicants for out-door relief; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that this practice is discontinued;(2) whether he is aware that the Bristol public assistance committee, in the assessment of means of applicants for transitional benefit, are taking into account benefits under the National Health Insurance and not disregarding the first 7s. 6d., as required by the Poor Law Act, 1930; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that this practice is discontinued?

I am informed on inquiry that the Bristol public assistance committee have no such practice. In one case they took into consideration 7s. 6d. National Health Insurance benefit payable to the wife of the applicant in assessing the amount of transitional payment for the applicant. I am advised that this procedure is correct, since the special provisions of Section 48 of the Poor Law Act, 1930, only apply to National Health Insurance benefits to which the applicant himself is entitled.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that ex-service men have no representation on many public assistance committees; and whether he will take steps to secure that they shall have representation on all such committees?

Under Section 4 of the Poor Law Act, 1930, the public assistance committee consists of members of the council, with or without the addition of a limited number of co-opted members, according to the provisions of the approved administrative scheme. I have no power to interfere either in the election or in the co-option of members of the committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give statistics to show to what extent the special conditions which provide that a panel practitioner may accept fees in respect of treatment given to an insured patient not on the practitioner's list are still being taken advantage of?

I regret that I am not in possession of any statistics on the point raised in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what use is being made of the services of women in connection with the "Buy British" Campaign of the Empire Marketing Board?

No paid appointments, either of men or of women, have been made in connection with the "Buy British" Campaign, but I am happy to say that women throughout the Kingdom, both individually and through various associations, are co-operating enthusiastically with the Empire Marketing Board. Notable instances of such co-operation are the Girl Guides, who have undertaken the local distribution of posters in many areas; the National Federation of Women's Institutes, who have sent a special letter, with posters and special literature, to all women's institutes in England and Wales; and the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes, who have given special facilities for the direct despatch of posters to all their branches.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if consideration has been given to the position of British military, naval, and Air Force officers and other ranks and civil servants who are serving in the Dominions or foreign countries whose incomes are adversely affected by the drop in the value of sterling and in some cases also by the fact that they have to pay increased British taxation; and, if so, can he make a statement as to what steps he intends to take to improve their position?

This question is receiving consideration. I have myself received a deputation on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the lowering of the figure at which Income Tax is now paid, he will consider the question of the taxation of the profits of co-operative societies?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 24th November last to the hon. and gallant Member for Hertford (Rear-Admiral Sueter).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now take steps to withdraw all restrictions on dealings in exchange, so that traders who have to buy or sell exchange forward for legitimate business purposes can have the advantage of an open market?

There are no restrictions on the purchase of foreign exchange for normal trading requirements, and I am advised that the withdrawal of the existing restrictions on speculative purchases of exchange would not assist the market for forward exchange for ordinary business purposes.