asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of horses and ponies imported into this country from Soviet Russia during each of the past 12 months, together with the total value per month of such imports?

The following table shows the total number and declared value of horses (including ponies) imported into the United Kingdom and registered during each of the 12 months ended 31st January, 1932, as consigned from the Soviet Union.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any attempt has been made by his Department to assess the relative heights of the tariff walls of different countries since 1927 and, if so, with what result?

My hon. Friend may care to refer to the information contained in the "Statistical Tables relating to British and Foreign Trade and Industry" (Cmd. 3737) as to the rates of duty in 1914, 1924 and 1930, charged on typical United Kingdom exports on importation into certain countries overseas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of imports into, and exports from, the United States during the years 1929, 1930, and 1931, respectively; and how the percentage decline in the American figures compares with the corresponding figures for this country?

The following table shows the total value of merchandise imported into and exported from the United States in each of the years 1929 to 1031, together with the percentage decline in this trade in 1930 and 1931, compared with 1929 and the corresponding figures for the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in consequence of the new tariff proposals of the Government, he has yet been informed of ally reciprocal proposals for preferences from the Government of India?

I have not been informed of any such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in consequence of the new tariff proposals of His Majesty's Government, he is aware of any new reciprocal proposals for preferences from any of the Dominions?

The proposals in question were put forward by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom as an indication of their desire to do anything in their power which might further the success of the Economic Conference at Ottawa. I am confident that this desire is shared by all the Governments which will be represented at Ottawa, though, so far as I am aware, no action similar to that taken by us has, so far, been taken elsewhere.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether there has been any increase in British trade to Finland during the past few weeks, in consequence of the growing movement in that country to boycott German goads?

Statistics relating to trade with individual countries are compiled in respect of quarterly periods only. I am, therefore, unable to give details of exports to Finland during the past few weeks. There is, however, increasing evidence of a desire on the part of Finland to buy on a larger scale from the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make it plain that the policy of the Government is not to agree to any remission of German reparations unless accompanied by a corresponding remission of the debt of this country to the United States of America?

The policy of the Government was stated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Wolverhampton (Mr.Mander) on 2nd February, and, for the reasons explained in that reply, I would prefer to make no further statement at present.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of the decrease of British coal exports for the year 1931 as compared with 1930, and the amount of the increase of Polish and Belgian coal exports for the same period?

During 1931, the quantity of coal (including foreign bunkers) exported from Great Britain was 13,131,000 tons, or 18½ per cent. less than during 1930, while exports from Poland increased by 1,345,000 tons, or 11 per cent., and those from Belgium by 1,481,000 tons, or 38 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the practice of demanding key-money for decontrolled houses of the cheaper type, which deprives the revenue of taxes and the local authorities of rates, and which also misleads the tenant into a belief in a security of tenure; and whether he proposes to insert in the new Rent Restrictions Bill a Clause making this practice illegal?

I will consider the point raised by my hon. Friend, but I can make no statement as to the details of the provisions of the proposed Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet recovered the subsidy paid under the Housing Act, 1923, in respect of a house known as Purcelles, of Oxstalls Lane, Gloucester?

I have not as yet received any definite reply to the inquiry which, as my hon. Friend is aware, I have addressed to the local authority as to their intentions in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons aged 65 and upwards who are in employment and using employers' contribution cards?

The number of employed persons aged 65 and upwards, as shown by the receipt of cards bearing one or more employers' contributions for the half-year ended July, 1931, is about 340,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Moe what reduc tion has been made in the Army Reserve pay, the date it took effect, and upon what date the reservists were notified; will he also give the same information for the officers who are in receipt of Army Reserve pay; and what is the annual net saving?

The pay of Army Reservists has ben reduced from is. 6d. to 1s. 3d. a day in the case of Section "A" and from 1s. to 9d. a day in the case of Sections "B" and "D." The reductions had effect from 1st October last, the first payment at the reduced rates being made on 1st January. Notification of the reductions was published in September last and a reminder was sent to each reservist with the first payment at the reduced rate. The estimated net annual saving is approximately £500,000. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 3rd December to the hon. Member for West Waltham-stow (Mr. McEntee).

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to encourage canal development in this country?

I do not at present contemplate the introduction of general legislation with regard to canals. As my hon. Friend is aware, grants have been made towards the improvement of particular canal undertakings under the Development Act, 1929, which is still in force.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the opposition to the proposal of the Electricity Commissioners to carry overhead cables through the Keswick valley, he will hold a public inquiry?

In connection with any application which may be made to me by the Central Electricity Board for my consent to the placing of lines above ground, the local authorities concerned will be given an opportunity of being heard at a public inquiry if they so desire.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the sub-committee set up by the National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment to inquire into the employment of young persons under the age of 18 in occupations whose hours of employment are not at present limited by statute have submitted a report; and what action the Ministry propose to take in the matter?

The council reported on this subject on 13th January, and the report has been published with the title "National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment (England and Wales) Fourth Report." With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made on Friday last during the Debate on the Second Reading of the Children and Young Persons Bill by my hon. and gallant Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, and by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of persons employed on relief work at the last convenient date?

The total number of persons directly employed in December last on relief schemes assisted under the Development Act and from the Road Fund was about 90,300.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland at what date it is intended to make the Live Stock (Licensing of Bulls) Act operative in Scotland; and whether he can give an assurance that ample notice will be given before such action is taken?

The intention is that the Act will be brought into operation in Scotland on 1st August next. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will supply figures of poor relief at 15th May, 1931, comparable with those given in the reply in the House on 17th February, 1931?

I regret that all the necessary particulars have not yet been received from local authorities, but I shall send a statement to the hon. Member as soon as the information is available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, if one or more of the hands on a trawler is not of British birth, the fish taken by that trawler is to be considered of British taking?

Yes, Sir; provided that the trawler is registered in the United Kingdom.