asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that a large trade is done in this country in imported unused current postage stamps of the British Empire and of foreign countries; whether the intention is that such postage stamps shall constitute goods under the provisions of the Import Duties Bill; and whether, as many issue's of such postage stamps are printed and manufactured in this country, he will make an announcement on this matter;(2) whether he is aware that a large trade in this country is dependent in part on the importation of obsolete foreign and British Empire postage stamps; whether it is the intention that such postage stamps shall constitute goods under the Import Duties Bill; and whether, seeing that many such stamps are imported on approval, without a fixed price, and that only a small percentage is ultimately purchased, whether such stamps are or are not to be subject to duty?

I am advised that unused current postage stamps of the British Empire and of foreign countries would not be liable to duty under the Import Duties Bill, but that obsolete foreign and British Empire stamps would be liable.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Economic Advisory Council has been asked to investigate the probable effects upon employment of the proposals contained in the Import Duties Bill?

The proceedings of the Economic Advisory Council are confidential, and I am therefore not prepared to indicate the subjects discussed by it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to an Order in Council issued by the Minister of National Revenue in Canada providing that on and after 1st April, 1932, no intoxicating liquor, commonly known as whisky, bearing on the bottles or other containers statements as to the age thereof may be admitted into Canada, unless the statement as to the date of manufacture has been certified by authorised officers of the Government of the country in which it was produced; whether such certificates are or will he issued in this country and at whose expense; and whether, for the protection of British consumers of whisky, arrangements may be made that no whisky be sold in Britain except under a Government guarantee of age?

With regard to the first part of the question, my attention has been drawn to the Order referred to; with regard to the second part, the necessary certificates will be issued by the officers of Customs and Excise, on payment of a fee by the shipper of the spirits; with regard to the third part, such arrangements would require legislation, which is not contemplated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of liquid milk which were imported into this country during the month of January, 1932, showing the ports at which such milk was landed and the countries of origin?

The following table shows the total quantity of (1) fresh milk and (2) unsweetened preserved milk (other than condensed and powdered milk) imported into the United Kingdom, as registered during the month of January, 1932, and distinguishes the ports at which these goods were entered and the countries whence they were consigned.

askd the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been called to the intensive research work in television which is being carried out in Germany and other countries; and if the commercial representatives of His Majesty's Government have been requested to furnish reports on the results which have been attained?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, it would be the normal duty of the overseas officers of my Department to furnish reports should there be any striking commercial development in television in the countries in which they are stationed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the date when the withdrawal of the 15 per cent. surtax on coal imported into France will come into operation?

No, Sir. We have not yet been informed of the date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will assure the House that our relations with the United States of America, in connection with the debt we owe the United States, will be treated as the concern of this country and America and that it shall not be complicated by pledges given by us to other countries which may, or may not, owe money to America?

The policy of His Majesty's Government was explained in the statement made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 2nd February. No alteration in that policy has occurred or is contemplated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether an advisory committee for agriculture research has now been set up as recommended by the Committee on National Expenditure last year; and, if so, if he will give the names of the committee, its terms of reference, and the Vote on which the expenses of the committee will be borne?

With regard to the establishment of the Agricultural Research Council, the names of the members of the Council, and the purpose for which it was established, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by Dr. Addison in the House on 6th July last to the then Member for South Shields, Mr. Ede, of which I am sending him a copy. The expenses of the Council will be borne on the Vote for Scientific Investigation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the number of distraints and forced sales imposed by the drainage authorities upon hard-pressed cultivators in some Fen areas of South-West Norfolk; and whether he will take steps to protect these small farmers and holders who are unable to meet the drainage rates now demanded?

I am afraid I have no power to intervene between drainage authorities and their ratepayers in the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amounts of home-grown and foreign imported barley used for malting purposes during the last three years?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in formulating proposals with a view to helping agriculture, he will consider the special conditions of the agricultural industry in the counties of North Wales, in view of the fact that no wheat is grown there?

I can assure my hon. Friend that in the framing of agritural policy all aspects of the agricultural industry receive full consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the approximate amounts paid to each of the various aircraft manufacturers and engine makers for new aeroplanes and engines by the Air Ministry for the year 1931?

My Noble Friend regrets that it would be contrary to established practice to give these particulars.

asked the Minister of Transport particulars of bridge schemes sanctioned by the Ministry of Transport since the present Government took office, showing in each case the type of construction, i.e., reinforced concrete, steel, or brickwork?

Since the present Government assumed office, grants have been made or confirmed from the Road Fund in respect of 58 bridge schemes (of 10 feet span and over), the types of construction being: Steel, 25; Reinforced Concrete, 33.

asked the Minister of Transport particulars of any bridge schemes in respect of which local authorities have applied to the Ministry of Transport for approval or grant since the present Government took office?

Applications have been received for approval for grant in respect

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons signing the unemployment register at Ashton-in-Makerfield, Pemberton, Platt Bridge, and Standish who have had their cases dealt with under the means test; the number who have had their benefits disallowed; and the number who have had their benefits reduced?

These figures are available only for the areas covered by public assistance committees. I regret, therefore, that they cannot be given for the places mentioned in the question.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate number of people unemployed in the cloth industry on 1st February, 1932, and on 1st February, 1931?

The number of insured persons in the woollen and worsted industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain was 75,027 at 26th January, 1931, and 41,631 at 25th January, 1932.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons signing the unemployment register, and also the number in receipt of unemployment benefits, at Ashton-in-Makerfield, Pemberton, Platt Bridge, and Standish?

The following statement gives the information requested.

asked the hon. Member for the Rye Division, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the fact that there are over 2,000 farm workers unemployed in Norfolk, and a large number in Thetford, adjacent to the forestry estate of 25,000 acres, what steps, if any, the commission are taking to utilise the services of unemployed Norfolk land-workers and others?

So far as the Forestry Commissioners' operations in Norfolk are concerned, the fullest employment possible is already being provided.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that women taking part in music processions which are prohibited by law or ordinances have been arrested; and what the alleged offence is in such cases?

A person taking part in a procession which had been prohibited would be liable to prosecution under Chapter VIII of the Indian Penal Code for taking part in an unlawful assembly.

asked the First Commissioner of Works details of the gift which he has recently received of a number of ornamental water-fowl for the Royal Parks?

I am glad to say that through the generosity of Mr. W. H. St. Quintin a valuable gift of 21 birds has just been added to the collection in St. James's Park, and I welcome this opportunity of expressing my grateful thanks to the donor. A list of the birds is appended. From this it will be seen that the gift will undoubtedly add greatly to the attraction of the park.

asked the Home Secretary how many hack-saw blades are supplied to the stores and workshops for daily use in His Majesty's prisons?

The number of hacksaw blades and of other tools issued for use in the shops necessarily varies from day to day according to the requirements of the work. Records are kept at each establishment of all tools which are in store, and all tools which are issued for use are checked daily; but I could not give any figures without obtaining returns from every one of the prisons.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the cost of the houses being built under the Housing (Rural Authorities) Act is being met by the Exchequer, and what proportion out of local rates?

The desired information is not yet available, as the amounts of the special Exchequer assistance payable to the various local authorities and their respective contributions from the rates have not yet been fixed?

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of public assistance for the county borough of West Ham for the years ended December, 1930, and December, 1931, giving each quarter separately?

The statement below shows the number of persons in receipt of poor relief (excluding casuals and persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only) in the county borough of West Ham on the last Saturday in each quarter of 1930 and 1931:

asked the hon. Member for the Rye Division, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many forest holdings have been provided on the Thetford Chase forestry estate in Norfolk; what is the average rent; and whether there is evidence to prove that these men are maintaining a decent livelihood?

One hundred and sixty-one forest workers' holdings have been provided on Thetford Chase. The average rent is £15 11s., and there is evidence to prove that the tenants are maintaining a decent livelihood.