asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the conviction of Edward Corcoran, of Glasgow, charged with housebreaking, in whose case one of the judges on appeal was in favour of quashing the conviction; and if he will inquire into the case with a view to remission of the sentence?

The appeal referred to, which was based on a question of law, was dismissed, and I find no ground which would justify me in advising any remission of sentence.

On a point of Order. We had an understanding in this House many Sessions ago that questions affect- ing individual cases should not be brought to the House, but should be discussed between the Minister and the Member of Parliament affected. Why should we waste the time of the House in discussing individual merits?

I come across many cases in which questions are asked about individuals.

Evidence was given at the trial of this man that, he had been previously convicted. Was not that a dangerous precedent and did it not constitute an unfair trial? In view of these circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman not take some action?

That is exactly the question which was considered by the Court of Appeal. The judges were of opinion that the conviction ought to be upheld. The sentence was never reviewed. It was the conviction that was upheld.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in the position to make a statement on agricultural credits for Scotland?

The views of the Treasury are now being communicated to the four banks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that in a housing scheme of the lower ward of Lanarkshire 60 per cent. of the houses built consisted of living room, bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom; and whether permission will be given to extend this percentage to other areas?

I am aware that in the scheme referred to two apartment houses to the extent stated were allowed. Section 111 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1925, prohibits the erection of houses of less than three compartments save in exceptional circumstances and, following the practice of his predecessor, my right hon. Friend has as a general rule limited the proportion of two apartment houses in a scheme to 25 per cent. While the State subsidy under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, has not been reduced, the cost of houses has fallen considerably in recent years, and a three compartment house can now be erected at a price less than that formerly paid for a house of two apartments. In addition, a suitable three apartment house can be designed which will cost practically the same as the ordinary type of two apartment house and be let at a similar rent. My right hon. Friend considers therefore that encouragement should not be given to the erection of an undue proportion of two apartment houses.

Is the Secretary of State also in favour of four apartment houses being built, or will the authorities concentrate on three apartment houses? Will he remind local authorities that the Government policy is to concentrate on small houses?

The policy of the Government is to concentrate on slum clearances and on houses which can be let at a rent suitable for the people who can afford to pay a lower rent. Our preference, therefore, is for the three apartment house wherever it is shown, and I think it is easily shown over the greater part of Scotland, that that is the house most needed.

Will my hon. Friend inform the local authorities that more three apartment houses should be built, if possible, than four apartment houses.

I do not think that the local authorities are in great doubt about that point. If my hon. Friend has any particular scheme in her mind, the matter will be settled when the scheme is brought forward to the Department. In any preliminary discussion there may be about it, opportunity will be taken to make that point clear.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can give any information as to the progress achieved in setting up the proposed Scottish raspberry marketing board?

A draft scheme providing for the formation of a Raspberry Marketing Board for Scotland has been submitted to me for approval, and the public notice in accordance with the statutory procedure will be issued shortly. Scottish Members will be gratified that Scotland has led the way in the marketing reorganisation of an important branch of the agricultural industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet made inquiry into the position of the unemployed able-bodied men at Montrose being forced to do test work and if he proposes taking any action?

My right hon. Friend received a report regarding the practice at Montrose of requiring able-bodied persons to perform certain tasks in return for the relief afforded to them by the public assistance authority, and as a result he has had representations made to the County Council of Angus pointing out that it was impossible for the Department of Health to concur in the continuance of this system of test work. At the same time the attention of the county council was drawn to their statutory powers enabling them to make arrangements for the employment of applicants for able-bodied relief on works of public utility.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of inspections made by representatives of the workmen under Section 16 of the Mines Act for the year 1930 and the figures for 1928 and 1929; and will he give separate figures for Lancashire?

In 1928, 1929 and 1930 respectively, 2,547, 2,727 and 3,631 inspections on behalf of the workmen were made in the whole of Great Britain. The corresponding figures for Lancashire are 10, 4, and 11.

Is the hon. Member aware that the number of inspectors allows of only one inspection per annum, and will he consider the advisability of compelling coal companies to pay inspectors to perform these duties?

I will take into consideration what the hon. Member says.

asked the Secretary for Mines the present position with reference to the international convention for miners' hours?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government on the question of ratifying the convention on hours of work in coal mines?

His Majesty's Government is favourably disposed towards the convention. The detailed application of some of its provisions to the coal mines of this country presents certain problems which are under consideration. As soon as these points have been disposed of, the Government will be prepared to ratify the convention provided that the other six countries will do so at the same time.

Does that mean that the Government are not proposing to take any action until the other European coal-producing countries are prepared to do the same?

Yes.

When are they likely to reach a conclusion on these particular points? Are they material points?

The hon. Member will be aware that when the matter was brought up at Geneva recently the first question that was raised was that of simultaneous ratification. It is the opinion of His Majesty's Government that that question should be dealt with before the subsidiary difficulties are brought under consideration.

I understand that there were certain points in the convention itself of a technical nature on which there was some doubt. Are they material points, and are they receiving consideration?

They are subsidiary to the main question of simultaneous ratification. They are still under consideration and will be under consideration until the matter has been dealt with.

When will the meeting take place?

It is provisionally fixed for April.

Will the hon. Member go to Geneva himself or will he send some other representative of his Department?

The meeting is provisionally fixed to take place in April, but it depends upon some circumstances which are still outstanding. If it is held then, certainly it will be my desire to be present, as I was at the last meeting.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is yet in a position to make a statement in respect of the communications he has addressed to the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation to express their views on the operation of Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930?

The position has not changed since the 17th February, when I answered a question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Hallam Division of Sheffield (Mr. L. Smith).

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will inform the House of his attitude towards the representation made to his Department on the desirability of extending Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, so as to make provision for district selling agencies?

No such representations have been made to my Department.

After the experience gained over 12 months, will the hon. Member consider sympathetically any representations that are made by the colliery owners?

I cannot promise anything more than consideration, but I shall be happy to receive any representations.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has any statistics as to the horse power which is generated in land power stations and elsewhere in Great Britain by means of pulverised coal; and what steps he has taken to encourage the use of such methods and fuel as opposed to imported foreign oil?

I have no statistics of the horse power generated in indus- trial undertakings in this country by means of pulverised coal, but I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT information regarding pulverised coal installations in this country. As regards the second part of the question, research work is being carried out on pulverised coal at the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if His Majesty's Government will, in the interest of the British coal trade, before granting financial assistance of any kind for the partially-built giant Cunard vessel, make it a condition that it shall be fitted with water-tube boilers which can burn either pulverised fuel or oil; and if the Government will encourage by all means in their power similar systems being employed in all new ships?

The hon. and gallant Member's assumption as to financial assistance is unfounded and in these circumstances the first part of the question is hypothetical. As regards the second part, His Majesty's Government are kept informed of the experiments which are being made in the use of pulverised fuel on board ships.

Do I understand that the Board of Trade have not been approached by this company to render financial assistance of any kind whatever?

There has been no direct approach made to the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary for Mines the date fixed for inquiry into the causes of the explosion at the Llwynypia, Colliery and the name of the person who will preside?

The inquiry will be held by Sir Henry Walker, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines, who is losing no time in proceeding with the necessary preliminaries, but is not yet able to fix a date for the sitting of the court.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many mine workers have been wholly displaced or put on short time during the past four weeks?

The number of wage earners on colliery books has increased during the four weeks ended 6th February, by 4,500, namely from 835,300 to 839,800. There was a considerable increase in part-time working during the period, the number of days' work lost having increased from approximately three quarters of a million during the week ended 16th January to rather over a million during the week ended 6th February.

Does the hon. Member connect that with the introduction of the Import Duties Bill?

asked the Secretary for Mines when he proposes to undertake the experiment of the introduction of gas detectors into certain coal pits; and if he will explain the process by which the proposed practical tests will be carried out?

I have asked the interests directly concerned—including the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation to co-operate in organising and watching thorough pit trials on a working scale with an automatic firedamp detector. It is my hope that the scheme—which will require to be worked out carefully—will be settled by common consent; and discussions to that end will be conducted as speedily as possible.

If I put down a question a month hence, will the hon. Member be in a position to answer it?

Judging from the many questions I have already received I think probably before a month's time I shall be again questioned by other hon. Members. From inquiries I have made, however, I find I cannot arrange to put this experiment into operation until at least three weeks hence.

Will this result in the possibility of saving life in collieries?

That is a question which cannot be discussed by way of question and answer, but, if the hon. Member cares to see me, I will put before him all the information I have.

asked the Lord President of the Council what is the present position with regard to research work on low-temperature carbonisation of coal?

I would refer the hon. Member to the scheme of work outlined by the then Secretary for Mines in a statement made to the House on the 5th May last. As I stated in reply to a question on the 23rd September last, it was decided to proceed with that scheme with some modifications in the detailed arrangements. Since that date the necessary work has been pressed on with as quickly as possible. For further details I would refer the hon. Member to the last Annual Report of the Fuel Research Board, published on the 4th January last, especially pages 38-54.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any further representations have been made to France regarding the limitation of British coal; and whether he anticipates any abolition of the embargo?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade to a question by the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne).

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date the 15 per cent. tax on British coal by the French Government will cease to operate?

I am glad to be able to say that a decree has been issued in Paris this morning whereby the surtax on coal will be withdrawn as from Thursday next, 25th February.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether, as a result of the withdrawal of the surtax, licences have been altered so that British exporters can increase their exports, or is the position in that respect as it was before?

It relieves the coal trade of the burden of the surtax. Of course, it does not affect the question of the quota.

Is this not a clear indication of the value of the retaliatory duties contemplated in the Import Duties Bill?

I rather regard it as an example of the French desire fur what is known as appeasement.

Is not an increase of the quota more important than the abolition of the 15 per cent. surtax?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any of the Dominions, and, if so, which, have so far given any indication of their intentions to admit free of duty the products of British industry as a return for the benefits accorded to them under the Import Duties Bill?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for Stockport (Mr. Hammersley) on the 16th February.

Is it not the fact that before the recent financial crisis in Australia over 20 per cent. of British goods were going in on the free list?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any steps are being taken to ascertain before the Ottawa Conference whether it would be possible to satisfy all Canadian coal requirements from British mines?

The possibility of extending the sale of coal from the United Kingdom in Canada is being carefully studied as part of the preparations for the Ottawa Conference.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of coal exported from the Humber ports, respectively, for the six months ended 31st January, 1932, and the place of destination; and for the same six months in 1920 and each year up to 31st January, 1931?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the total exports from the Humber ports during the period specified in each of the years 1920-21 to 1931-32; and I will send to the hon. Member the further details he asks for in a statistical statement too long to justify printing it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of coal exported to countries within the British Empire and to foreign countries, respectively, in 1913, and each year from 1920 to 1931, inclusive?

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the value of the imports of Australian turpentine, piles during the past 12 months; and whether any action is being taken to bring this timber to the notice of harbour boards, railway companies, and big construction firms?

I regret that particulars of the imports of turpentine piles from Australia are not available as these goods are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom. The Empire Marketing Board lose no opportunity of bringing this and other suitable Empire timbers to the notice of bodies such as those mentioned in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that packets of tea are still being sold in this country bearing labels calculated to lead consumers to believe that the contents are of Empire origin, whereas in reality they consist partly of foreign-grown teas; and whether, in view of the fact that no action can be taken to deal with this matter under the Merchandise Marks Act, he will take steps to amend that Act at an early date, in order to enable action to be taken in this and similar cases?

I do not know what particular cases my hon. Friend may have in mind. I may say, however, that, while the Standing Committee under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, found that the difficulties in the way of marking blended tea are so serious that they could not recommend the making of an Order, the use of misleading descriptions may constitute an offence under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, which prohibits the application to goods of a false trade description. It is open to any interested party to prosecute in respect of any such breach of the Act.

Is it not of great importance to give consideration to Empire-produced tea in this country, as against tea produced in foreign countries?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what supplies of meat and wheat are stored in this country; and is he satisfied that there is a sufficiency in case of emergency?

Reliable particulars of the supplies of meat in this country are not available, but it is understood that they are ample. The supply of wheat (including flour in terms of wheat) normally available in February is believed to be sufficient for about two months' consumption; the port stocks at the beginning of this month were higher than at the corresponding date in 1930 or 1931.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the separate items which make up the total of about 11,000,000 cwts. of canned, boxed, bagged, and preserved meats imported into this country; and to which of these the new 10 per cent. revenue duty will apply?

My hon. Friend will find particulars of the imports of various classes of meat in the Monthly Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation in the United Kingdom, the December issue of which contains full particulars relating to the year 1931 and each of the preceding two years, and also in the Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom. As regards the last part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the First Schedule to the Import Duties Bill, under which any extracts and essences of meat or meat preserved in airtight containers will be liable to duty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is considerable confusion as to where, exactly, the application of the 10 per cent. duty will lie?

I hope that it will become abundantly clear in the course of to-day.

Who decides the prices of the articles mentioned in this question?

I could not answer that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the advisability of taking steps to exclude entirely from our coastal trade the vessels of France, Greece, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Japan, the United States of America, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile until such time as these countries allow our ships to take part in their coastal trade?

I have nothing to add to the reply made to my hon. Friend's question of 1st December last.

What alternative method has the right hon. Gentleman to suggest in order to secure a share of this coastal trade for British ships?

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that our policy is to continue to give our coastal trade to foreign countries without exacting any compensation from them in the way of part of their coastal trade?

I think my hon. Friend is over estimating the amount of the coastal trade held by foreign countries.

Is it not a fact that a great deal of the coastal trade is lost to this country by the restrictions imposed by foreign countries on our shipping industry? Does my right hon. Friend not think that reciprocal restrictions should be adopted by this country?

Yes, that is quite true, but the reply to that is not to exclude them from sharing in the coastal traffic here.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which, if any, of the principal maritime countries of the world prohibit any vessels other than those flying their own flags from engaging in coastal traffic?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 17th November in answer to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Lewis), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of liquid eggs imported during the year 1931, giving the countries of origin?

I am unable to state the number of liquid eggs imported into the United Kingdom during 1931, but the total weight of liquid or frozen eggs, not in shell, was 775,388 cwts., about 99 per cent. of which was consigned from China.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that they conform to a reasonable standard of purity?

That is not the business of the Board of Trade but of the Ministry of Health.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of horses imported during 1930 and 1931, respectively, stating the number from Empire sources and foreign countries?

The total number of horses (including ponies) imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1930, consigned from British countries (mostly from the Irish Free State) was 9,856, and from foreign countries 2,022. The corresponding figures for 1931 were 9,981 and 1,973, respectively.

In view of the present conditions of the horse-breeding industry in this country, does my right hon. Friend think it is still necessary to import horses from foreign countries?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any inquiries from foreign firms manufacturing tinned milk as to sites in this country?

I understand that one or two firms are making inquiries as to sites, but my Department has not been approached in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received a, reply from the Italian Government to the representations made by His Majesty's Ambassador in Italy on the question of the landing duty imposed on coal imported into that country by sea?

No, Sir; not yet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement with regard to the suggested transference of sections of the textile industry to the Dominions?

I am not sure what my hon. Friend has precisely in mind but I may say that the possibility of United Kingdom industries and industries in other parts of the Empire making arrangements for mutually beneficial co-operation is under consideration in connection with the preparations for the Ottawa Conference.

Has it been suggested to the textile industry that they should transfer part of their machinery to any of the Dominions?

No, Sir; I do not think any official suggestion has been made of that kind, but any arrangement which is made between the textile trade of this country and the Dominions will, of course, have our blessing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Dutch Government has imposed retrospective legislation restricting the quantities of certain classes of goods entering Holland; and, in view of the effect this restriction is having on exports from this country, what steps he is prepared to take in the matter?

The new Dutch legislation which imposes quotas upon the imports of certain commodities including clothing, woollens and worsteds, boots and shoes, is only retrospective in the sense that the first period to which quotas relate begins in one case on 1st January and in the others on 1st February, while the decrees were actually issued on 4th February. The question of the effect of the restrictions on United Kingdom trade and of the steps which it may be possible to take are under consideration.

Has the action of the Dutch Government any connection at all with the Abnormal Importations Act?

So far as we know, there is no connection whatever between it and the Abnormal Importations Act.

In view of the fact that clothing manufacturers in the West Riding have large quantities of clothing made specially for that market, and that they cannot now export it, will the right hon. Gentleman press for a modification of this restriction?

We are going into the matter. Perhaps my hon. Friend will have a word with me at the Department about it. He has special knowledge of the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that cast-iron porcelain enamelled baths have been imported in abnormal quantities recently and that these baths are a finished article when imported, he will now consider including them in a future Order under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply I gave on the 16th February to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for King's Norton (Major Thomas) and other hon. Members.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what steps are being taken to find employment for the workmen under notice for discharge from the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield?

The superintendent of the factory is in close touch with the local Employment Exchange, to which he is notifying in advance the names and particulars of the workmen affected. The men in question will be given a week's warning in addition to the customary week's notice of discharge.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the great hardship which is being caused to these men who are being turned out of permanent Government employment without the hope of getting anything?

I am aware of the great hardship, but the employment was never permanent, and we are doing everything in our power to alleviate that hardship.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any steps are being taken by his Department to ascertain whether it will be possible in future to obtain all the remounts required annually by the British Army from within Great Britain itself?

Owing to uncertainty as to the number of remounts which will be required in future years it is impossible to say whether they will all he obtainable in Great Britain, but the policy of purchasing as many as possible in Great Britain will continue to be pursued.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of men in the Army who were sentenced to death during the late War by order of court martial; and in how many cases the order was carried out?

During the period 1914 to 1918, approximately 2,690 persons were sentenced to death after trial by court martial. The sentence was carried into effect in 287 cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he cart give the alcohol content. of beer, cider, ginger wine, ginger beer and ginger ale; and, in view of the failure of the extra Beer Duty to bring in the revenue that was expected, will he consider, in the next Budget, trying the experiment of halving the present Beer Duty and placing the half-duty taken off on soft drinks in proportion to their alcohol content?

With regard to the first part of the question, I gather that my hon. and gallant Friend wishes to compare the relative incidence of the taxation of alcohol in different beverages; I am afraid that such a comparison is scarcely practicable, owing to the wide variations which are found in the alcoholic content of each one of these beverages. With regard to the second part, I have noted the suggestion.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer explain to the House why it is that the drink trade and the poisonous drugs trade are the only trades where it is necessary to regulate the output; and will he also bear in mind that the drink trade is conducting an active propaganda in this House by asking questions about taxation, and yet it has made more profit than any other trade in the country?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to make an appeal for a voluntary conversion loan in view of the importance of so far as practicable carrying out the principle of equality of sacrifice?

No such steps are in contemplation.

Does not my right hon. Friend feel that there can be no equality of sacrifice until such a loan conversion has taken place; and does he not feel in danger of missing the tide?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise are now threatening to refuse exemption from Entertainments Duty to all musical festivals when single-entry classes are permitted, on the ground that such classes provide entertainment without competition, and that such a step will impede the progress of musical education in this country; and if, in these circumstances, he will instruct the Commissioners to proceed no further on these lines?

I am aware that in considering claims by the promoters of musical festivals for the grant of exemption from Entertainments Duty under Section 1 (5) (d) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise are not satisfied that the statutory conditions of exemption are fulfilled where any noncompetitive items are included in the programme of the entertainment, and that exemption is accordingly refused in such cases. I understand that this has always been the practice of the Commissioners, and I see no reason to interfere with their discretion in the matter.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that in order to be consistent, he will have to charge Entertainments Duty on agricultural shows where single-entry classes are permitted?

There is no alteration in practice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what other methods, other than the maintenance of a high Bank rate, are being used in order to acquire dollar currency to repay the loan from America?

There is nothing which I can usefully add, to my previous statements in relation to this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the universal opinion in business circles that there should be free purchase of foreign exchanges and free right to export capital from this country; and is he aware of the injury to our export trade due to the embargo on foreign loans?

It would be very rash to assume that there is a universal opinion on any subject.

The universal opinion, as exhibited by the City of London on this subject.

Is not that an extremely foolish question?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue he will derive from the imposition upon imported food stuffs, other than animal feeding stuffs, of the general ad valorem duty?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue to be derived from the imposition upon imported animal feeding-stuffs of the general ad valorem duty?

The estimates of revenue from the general ad valorem duties as a whole will be laid before the House in the Budget. Separate estimates for the two particular categories mentioned in these questions could not in any case be made, as it is impossible to say how much of the imports of maize, oats, beans and other products are used as animal feeding stuffs and how much for other purposes.

Would the Chancellor of the Exchequer dissent from the statement that the revenue from imported foodstuffs would be of the order of £10,000,000 out of the £30,000,000 estimated by the President of the Board of Trade?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what will be the percentage of silver in the new silver coins as compared with the percentage in those which are now being withdrawn?

The fineness of silver in the silver coins now being issued is 500 parts per 1,000. The fineness of silver in those which are now being withdrawn is 500 parts per 1,000 for the coins made at the Mint since the passing of the Coinage Act. 1920, and 925 parts per 1,000 for those of earlier date.