asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the proposes to take steps to obtain regular statistics to show the effect of duties imposed under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act on employment, wages, production, and the price of gods in each of the industries concerned?

Having regard to the temporary nature of the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, I have not thought it necessary to take measures for the systematic collection of statistics of the kinds to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman, before the Recess, promise that as soon as there were any facts on this matter he would publish them?

Such facts as are relevant to this matter have already been made public in the discussion which took place in the House on the confirmation of the Orders.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of duty levied under the Abnormal Importations Orders up to the last convenient date?

The approximate amount of revenue received from the duties imposed under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931, up to the 31st December, 1931, was £290,000.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell me how much of that revenue is offset by additional expense of collection?

I understand from the Board of Trade, none at all.

That is not what I want, because I gather that future tariff developments will cost us a considerable addition in expensive staff. Do I under- stand that the present additional duties imposed upon the Customs in collecting abnormal importation duties have been nil?

Certainly, I should require notice of that question, but I understand that no additional expense whatever in the way of staff has been incurred in the collection of those duties.

Does that mean that the fellows are working overtime? [Laughter.] It is not a matter for laughter. I want to ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman if the Customs staff previously had such an easy time of it that they were able to add on all the additional duties that must have been imposed without any additional staff or any extra hours being worked?

I think the hon. Gentleman will realise that that is rather a far-reaching supplementary question, and that I should certainly require notice of it.

Is it not a fact that the process of clearing goods through the Customs is precisely the same now as it was when no duties were charged at all, the only difference being that a cheque or cash has to be paid where duty is charged?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there have been any tariff discussions with representatives of foreign Powers since 10th December; and, if so, of what nature and with what result?

No negotiations with a view to tariff bargains have been entered into with any foreign country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any announcement as to the result of steps taken with regard to the 15 per cent. surtax imposed by the French Government on British coal imported into France?

Conversations with the French Government on this matter are still continuing.

Has the position become worse owing to the further reduction of the quota of coal imports into France?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that Germany and Italy demand gold deposits as security for commercial transactions with the Soviet Government, he will insist on a similar policy being pursued in transactions with this country?

So far as I am aware, neither Germany or Italy requires gold deposits as security for commercial transactions with the Soviet Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is approximately the amount of the Russian trade, balance in this country?

The excess of imports over exports of merchandise into and from the United Kingdom during the year 1931 in the trade with the Soviet Union, representing the visible trade balance, was £23,134,518. Sufficient information is not available to enable any estimate to be formed regarding the amount of the invisible items in the balance of trade.

In view of those figures, does the right hon. Gentleman still consider it necessary to guarantee credits under the Export Credits Scheme?

The whole subject is at present under review, and I cannot make any statement at the present moment.

Is there any other country that treats Russia in the same way?

Yes; the position of Russian trade is in a department entirely by itself.

Are we to understand that the Government are divided on this matter?

Are we to understand that it is the Government's business to get what markets they can for British goods?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what armaments, or machinery which can be utilised for making them, have been exported to Soviet Russia from this country since the latest date for which returns have been given to Parliament; and to what extent, if any, Government credits have been given for any of these exports?

During the month of December, 1931, no domestic exports of arms, ammunition and military and naval stores from the United Kingdom were registered as consigned to the Soviet Union. It is impracticable in this connection to distinguish machinery which can be utilised for making armaments from other machinery. Munitions of war are excluded by Statute from, the scope of the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the New Zealand Government concerning the new commercial treaty between New Zealand and Belgium?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom were kept informed by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand of the progress of their negotiations with the Belgian Government in regard to this Treaty. Copies of the Treaty, which was signed in New Zealand, have not yet been received from Wellington.

asked the Secreytary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will give the House the latest figures as regards export credits to Russia?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any and, if so, what credits have been given to the Soviet Government since the House adjourned; and what is the total amount of such credits now outstanding?

The total amount of credits which the Export Credits Guarantee Department had contracted to guarantee in respect of exports to Russia from 12th December last to 30th January, was £552,833. The maximum liability assumed by the Department on this amount was £358,819. Most of this was in respect of previous obligations.

Will the Government consider, in connection with giving further credits to Russia, the desirability of giving credits to our own nationals such, for example, as the Cunard Company to complete the new liner, rather than to Soviet Russia?

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications for transitional benefit have been dealt with by public assistance committees since 1st November, 1931; and whether any estimate has been made of the saving effected by the imposition of the means test in this connection?

Up to the 16th January, 1932, 1,629,009 determinations had been made by public assistance authorities in the case of applicants for transi- tional payments. This number includes renewals and revisions of determinations in accordance with the Regulation by which determinations at present last for a maximum period of four weeks. The number of individuals concerned is not yet known, but it is rather more than a million. Of the determinations, 802,339 were at the normal benefit rates; in 255,949 it was held that the needs of the applicants did not require transitional payments, and in 570,721 a determination of less than the corresponding benefit rate was made. As regards the last part of the question, it is not yet possible to make a precise estimate, but, so far as can be seen at present, there is no reason to expect that savings on the basis given in the White Paper, Cmd. 3952, and the National Economy Bill will not be realised.

When will my right hon. Friend be able to give an answer to the last part of my question?

With regard to the last part of the question, if my hon. and gallant Friend will consult with me, I will let him know, but I hope, within two, or perhaps at the most three, weeks, to give the best estimate that I can.

Has the right hon. Gentleman, in his analysis, figures to show how many ex-service men with disability pensions, or partially incapacitated workmen, have had their benefit disallowed?

There is a Private Notice question which raises that point.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information with regard to the number of cases where courts of referees have turned down the recommendations of public assistance committees?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down; I cannot answer it now.

Is the Minister aware that various interpretations are put on these instructions by local authorities?

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour if he can state how many ex-service men have had their transitional benefit reduced under the transitional payments regulations on the ground that they are in receipt of a war pension or disablement allowance?

I regret that there are no statistics available on this point.

Are no returns received by the Minister? Are there no figures such as are asked for in the question?

No, Sir. As the hon. Member knows, the discrimination in regard to our figures is limited to sex and age, men and women, boys and girls. I am informed that the information for which the hon. Member asks will involve a very heavy task, and the examination, perhaps, of 1,000,000 cases. I am, however, prepared to look into the matter and to see if it is possible to give the information desired.

Will the right hon. Gentleman promise the House to make the inquiries, and when he has found the information will he convey it to his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister?

I cannot give the promise for which the hon. Member asks, except that I will look into the matter. If the labour involved would be so great as to be intolerable, then I must not undertake the task.

In view of the statement made by the Prime Minister and other Members of the Government on this point, is not the House entitled to know whether or not the payments of transitional benefit are being received?

I will look into the matter and see if it is possible, without intolerable labour, to give the hen. Member the information that he desires. If it is not possible, I shall say so.

Is it not a fact that the Liverpool Assistance Committee are able to give instantaneously any reply in regard to the position. I have been on the assessment committee and I know that they are doing that.

I am glad to have that information. I was not aware of it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman take 50,000 cases and give the percentage?

I might take a sample. I will consider that.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is a pity to try to make political capital out of the ex-service men?

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the public interest in the question, he will give particulars as to the practice adopted by public assistance committees in administering the Transitional Payments Regulations as regards ex-service applicants in receipt of a disablement pension or allowance; and whether he will advise public assistance committees to deal generously with disabled ex-service men?

The assessment of the need of applicants for transitional payments in receipt of disability pensions is a matter within the discretion of the local authority having regard to the individual circumstances of each case, and is not one on which I have power to issue instructions. In the exercise of their discretion an authority must have regard to the disability and within the limits of the full rate of transitional payments they may make an increase of award on the ground of the disability and the increase of need that results from it. From my information as to the practice of authorities I have no reason to think that they are not in general making use of the powers they possess under the law to deal sympathetically with this class of applicant according to their special needs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some public assistance committees are taking into account the full value of the disablement pension, others are taking into account only a part,and some are ignoring it altogether? Is it not time that the Ministry of Labour issued some instructions to public assistance committees to guide them as to the way they should deal with this matter?

As I have stated on many occasions, I have no power to issue such instructions. It may be that some authorities are taking into account the full amount of the pension, but it does not follow that they are not making full allowance on the other side of the account.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a solemn declaration has been made by every Government to assist and defend ex-service men and that the present Government are therefore destroying what every other Government has carried out?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the best thing to do is to advise his Government to wipe out the means test altogether?

May I tell the Minister of Labour for his information—[HoN. MEMBERS: "Order!"] May I ask whether he is aware—

We cannot have a debate on this matter.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the conditions under which the County Borough of Sheffield, after deciding that it would not administer the Transitional Payments Regulations, have agreed to carry out their administration?

The Sheffield City Council have at no time declined to carry out their statutory duties. No question therefore arises as to the conditions under which they agreed to carry them out.

Is it not the case that the Sheffield Public Assistance Committee refused to carry out the regulations referred to until they had had an interview with the right hon. Gentleman and his colleague the Minister of Health?

I understand that on one occasion the public assistance committee did make a recommendation that the council should not proceed to carry out the regulations, but the recommendation was not accepted by the council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer my last question Is it not the case that, following the resolution of the public assistance committee, the council refused to administer the regulations until they had had an interview with the right hon. Gentleman or the Minister of Health, or both of them jointly?

There was an interview between the city council and the Minister of Labour, and I am glad to say that the city council since that interview have continued to carry out the regulations without any conditions whatsoever.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total indebtedness of the Unemployment Insurance Fund; and what has been the increase or decrease since 1st December?

On 30th January, 1932, the indebtedness of the Unemployment Fund was £111,410,000, an increase of £1,940,000 over the figure for 1st December, 1931.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state, for the last convenient week, the amount by which expenditure from the Unemployment Insurance Fund exceeded its receipts?

The amount borrowed for the Unemployment Fund for the week ended 30th January was £190,000, but figures for a, single week are liable to be misleading owing to variations in both income and expenditure as between particular weeks. The average amount borrowed weekly during the four weeks ended 30th January, 1932, was £272,500.

Is that money borrowed from the Post Office, by any chance?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state the intention of the Government as to a separate scheme of unemployment insurance for agricultural workers?

I have been asked to reply. This is one of the matters before the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance, and I must await their report.

Can my right hon. Friend give any idea when he will get the report?

No, I cannot, but we are hoping to get it within the next six weeks or two months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the latest information obtainable as to the area and extent of foot-and-mouth disease in Holland and adjacent countries from which foodstuffs come to this country?

According to the Ministry's information, the numbers of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Holland, Belgium, France and Germany, in November and December of last year, were as follow:

Is the right hon. Gentleman alarmed by those figures?

They are, on the face of it, serious figures.

Is there any danger of this disease being brought over here?

Yes. From time to time is is obvious that outbreaks occur.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the Government's policy as regards sugar-beet?

I am not in a position at present to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any further statement as to the Government's policy for agriculture?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state what is the agricultural policy of the Government; and what steps he proposes to take this Session to give effect to it?

An early opportunity will be taken to make a statement on the Government's agricultural policy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this will be carried out before Easter? Will the policy be in operation before Easter?

What I say is that an early opportunity will be taken to make a statement?

May we take it that it will be the unanimous opinion of the Government?

As the hon. Member pleases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care in framing his agricultural policy that the wheat subsidy is not as expensive to the country as the beet-sugar subsidy?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the present position in Manchuria?

Chinchow, in South Manchuria, was occupied by Japanese troops without fighting on the 3rd of January, the Chinese regular forces having been withdrawn inside the Great Wall. Since then the Japanese appear to be in control of South Manchuria and have been engaged in operations against guerilla forces. North of Mukden the situation is obscure. It appears that, as a result of fighting between rival Chinese Provincial Governments at Kirin and Pinhsien, the troops of the latter were defeated and fled towards Harbin. It is reported that two battalions of Japanese troops are being sent by rail to Harbin in order to protect Japanese life and property.

What steps are the Government taking in China to offer the protection to which they are entitled against further Japanese aggression?

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the situation in China?

I regret to state that hostilities of a very serious nature broke out on the night of the 28th of January between the Chinese and Japanese at Shanghai. His Majesty's Government regard these events with grave concern both in the general interests of peace and owing to the proximity of the International Settlement with the consequent danger to the lives and property of British nationals. We have lost no time in making pressing representations, more than once repeated, and have urged the Japanese and Chinese Governments and their commanders on the spot to accept a scheme, which has been put forward as a result of the efforts of the British and United States Consuls-General in Shanghai, for the establishment of a neutral zone between the Chinese and Japanese forces. This zone would have to be occupied by troops of the neutral Powers which have forces in the International Settlement. Instructions have been given for British troops to co-operate if the zone can be established. Owing to the efforts of the Consuls-General a truce was arranged on the evening of the 29th of January, but I regret to see in the latest Press reports that fighting appears to have broken out again. His Majesty's Government have further urged upon both Governments, with the utmost earnestness, to do what lies in and upon them to remedy the existing situation.

As regards the military and naval position, in addition to the three British battalions already at Shanghai, His Majesty's Government decided on Sunday to dispatch His Majesty's Ship "Berwick" from Hong Kong, carrying a battalion of infantry arid a battery of artillery as a reinforcement; she is due to arrive to-night. The naval forces, consisting of His Majesty's Ship "Cornwall" and His Majesty's Ship "Sandwich," together with two gunboats, will shortly be reinforced by His Majesty's Ship "Kent," due to arrive on Friday, while His Majesty's Ship "Suffolk" arrived on Sunday.

His Majesty's Government has throughout acted in closest consultation with the other Powers primarily concerned. This course is being and will be actively maintained. His Majesty's Consul-General is similarly co-operating closely with the representatives of the other Powers at Shanghai.

A word about Nanking, although it is not in the question. About 11 p.m. last night Japanese men-of-war on the river opened fire with several rounds of live shell in the direction of the city of Nanking. Our latest information is that all is quiet for the moment and that all British subjects are safe.

A statement similar to the above is being made this afternoon by the Secretary of State for the Dominions at a specially convened meeting of the Council of the League at Geneva.

I would now add, and this is of great importance, that instructions were sent to His Majesty's representatives at Tokyo and Nanking to deliver this morning to those Governments the following proposals, and press strongly for their acceptance, indicating that they are being simultaneously urged upon the other party. These proposals have been concerted with the United States Government, and the French and Italian Governments are being asked to act similarly. Since this answer was prepared for me, I have received information that both the French and Italian Governments consent to do so.

I wish to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of that statement by the Foreign Secretary, at the conclusion of the proceedings to-night on the Bill to be discussed, which is non-controversial, we might have a further discussion on this matter. I do not want to say anything at the moment, but there are considerations which in our judgment and in the judgment of a good many people outside should be dealt with by this House. If we cannot have this discussion by agreement, I shall be obliged to ask Mr. Speaker to allow us to bring the matter up as a matter of urgent public importance; but I would prefer, if possible that we should discuss it by agreement.

I happen to have a very full knowledge of the situation and of the negotiations in progress. For instance, we have had no reply to the representations that have been made by the United States, France, Italy and ourselves, sent out this morning. I venture to advise the House that at the moment it would be most inopportune to have a Debate which might do a great deal of harm and could not possibly do any good.

Everything may be as the Prime Minister says, but on the last occasion when this matter was raised we went away hoping and believing that something was going to be done. I think that the country and the world ought to recognise that up to this point the Japanese Government have been engaging in a piece of international piracy—

Order, Order, and Withdraw!

The right hon. Gentleman must remember that he is talking about a friendly Power.

I am quite conscious of my responsibility in the matter, Mr. Speaker, and the responsibility of any Member of this House.

Forty.

Whether it is one or 100 makes no difference. A Member of this House has a right, in an international situation such as this, to make his protest, and the thing that I am protesting about—

On a point of Order. Is it in order for the right hon. Gentleman, the Leader of the Opposition, to use the term "piracy" against a friendly Power. I wish, with the greatest respect to point out to you, Mr. Speaker, the serious effect it will have in the foreign countries if the right hon. Gentleman is permitted to make such statements and does not withdraw.

I have already drawn the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that he did make that remark about a friendly Power.

Withdraw.

I have not the slightest intention of withdrawing.

Sit down.

I have no intention of sitting down. In this House the Russian Soviet Government, which is as friendly as any otherGovernment— [Interruption]—has been denounced over and over again.

On a point of Order. Is it not an abuse of questions to make a veiled attack, or open attack, on a friendly power under the guise of a question?

I have already said what I have to say on the subject. I hope the right hon. Gentleman will not repeat the remark.

I wish to ask the Prime Minister a question so that we may be quite clear on this matter. Does he refuse to give us facilities to debate this question—that is if there is agreement to finish at an early hour discussion on the Bill which is to be before the House to-night?

May I add my demand to that of my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition for an early discussion on this question? The Prime Minister, in his reply, only suggests that such a discussion might complicate things very badly, but there has not been a Debate on this issue in the House of Commons for eight weeks, and things have become steadily more complicated, without the interference of the House of Commons. I, for one, want a very early opportunity of knowing just precisely what the Foreign Office have been doing in the interval. We have now arrived at a point where British citizens are seriously in danger. We are asked to postpone a discussion, but the situation is there, and this House has the right, at the very earliest moment, which is to-day, to hear precisely what steps our Foreign Office have been taking in the matter. I urge the right hon. Gentleman in the interests of every one concerned, in the interests of the people in Shanghai, to give us the opportunity which the Opposition is prepared to help in providing.

I am afraid that what is asked for is not the opportunity of getting information. If that point were put to me I would be willing to consider it, but what is wanted is a Debate, and I need not add to what I have already said, especially as the Leader of the Opposition has given such admirable evidence of it.

I beg to give Notice that at the end of Questions I shall ask for leave to move the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the assembly of the League of Nations last September invited the States members of the League to reply favourably to any appeal for help that might be made in favour of the victims of floods in China, and to take all possible steps for relief in cooperation with the League; whether any such appeal or appeals have been made; and whether any steps have yet been taken in that direction by His Majesty's Government?

The League of Nations resolutions of the 29th of September were duly communicated to His Majesty's Government. No definite requests for assistance have, however, been received.