asked the Minister of Labour the number of men drawing disability pension who are registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges?

At 22nd February, 1932, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 43,674 ex-service men in receipt of disability pensions on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage of unemployment this represents?

In the case of disabled ex-service men it represents about 11 per cent. as compared with 26 per cent., which is the total of all insured persons.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount of savings effected as a result of the working of the Anomalies Act up to the latest available date?

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications for transitional benefit have been dealt with by public assistance committees; and what is the estimated saving effected by the imposition of the means test in this connection?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to give the estimated savings arising from the operation of transitional payments?

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated amount of saving that has been effected by the operation of the means test in connection with the payment of transitional benefit?

The weekly benefit paid to persons on the Live Register at the end of February, after allowing for the reduction in the rates of benefit, was about £185,000 less than would have been paid in respect of the same number of persons on the Live Register before the introduction of the Anomalies Regulations and the needs test. This saving is at the rate of about £9,500,000 a year, of which roughly £2,000,000 may be attributed to the Anomalies Regulations and £7,500,000 to the needs test. There was in addition a saving in respect of persons who, on ceasing to draw benefit or transitional payments, discontinued registration without finding employment; while it is difficult to estimate this further saving precisely I am satisfied that the total saving is at least as much as that estimated in the White Paper (Cmd. 3952) issued in connection with the Economy Bill. As regards the first part of the question by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams), between 12th November, 1931, and 20th February, 1932, 3,212,862 applications for transitional payments were submitted to public assistance committees in Great Britain for determination. This number included 1,421,484 initial applications and 1,791,378 renewal applications.

asked the Minister of Labour bow many persons, men and women, have had their claims for transitional payment dealt with by the public assistance committees in London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Wigan, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Blackpool, Bolton, Brighton, and Eastbourne up to the latest date available; how many are still receiving full benefit; the number reduced; and in how many cases no payment is being made, giving figures in each case separately?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of additional officers employed by the local public assistance committees since the additional duties put upon the committees in connection with the award of transitional benefit to unemployed persons, and the amount of approved expenditure reimbursed by the Ministry to the authorities concerned?

Accurate information, both as to numbers and ex-

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of officers of the Department employed on inspection work in connection with unemployment insurance; and whether they are engaged on inquiries in connection with the means test for transitional benefit?

The number of officers of my Department who undertake, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, inspection work in connection with Unemployment Insurance is 612. This work is in addition to their normal duties under the Health Insurance and Pensions Acts. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the official figures of unemployment in Great Britain, France, Germany and the United States on 31st March, 1931, and the last available date in 1932?

As the answer is necessarily long and contains a number of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As only four countries are mentioned, will the right hon. Gentleman give the figures for the four countries?

I can give them if the House and the hon. Member wish. For Great Britain the numbers of persons on the registers of the Employment Exchanges, including those temporarily stopped as well as those wholly unemployed, were 2,581,030 on 30th March, 1931; and 2,567,332 on 21st March, 1932. In France, the numbers of persons on the registers of employment exchanges were 70,822 in March, 1931, and 342,982 in March, 1932. It is understood that these totals represent only a small proportion of those unemployed in France. With regard to Germany, the figures were 4,743,931 in March, 1931; and 6,129,173 in March, 1932. Statistics of unemployment are not officially compiled in the United States of America, but the official index of employment in manufacturing industries in that country was 74.8 per cent. in March, 1931, and 65.6 per cent. in February, 1932. The American Federation of Labour estimate that in the United States 5,500,000 persons were wholly unemployed in March, 1931, and 8,300,000 in February, 1932. It must be understood with regard to all these figures that, owing to the differences in the method of compilation and other reasons, these unemployment totals are not strictly comparable as between one country and another.

Is it not a fact that the American Federation of Labour estimates deal only with wholly unemployed, and that they calculate one partly unemployed for one wholly unemployed?

I am not sure that I can answer that; the hon. Member may be right. If you take Germany, for instance, they include in their insurance scheme agricultural labourers, and we do not. We include part-time employment, and they do not. That bears out what I said, that these figures are not strictly comparable.

Is it not a fact that in two of these countries a larger population is employed in agriculture than here or in America?

That is undoubtedly a fact.

Is not the real import of these figures the fact that this Government are more successful than other Governments in dealing with unemployment?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will give the total number of persons who have been refused transitional payment by the public assistance committees from 12th November, 1931, up to the latest date;

(2) how many persons receiving unemployment benefit have had their cases examined by courts of referees since 24th August last and how many have been disallowed benefit or payment by such courts of referees?

Between 11th August, 1931, and 29th February, 1932, 234,939 claims by men and 337,640 by women were considered by courts of referees in Great Britain. The statistics do not distinguish between those receiving and not receiving benefit, respectively, at the dates when their cases were heard. As regards the remainder of the information desired, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to his questions of 10th March and 24th March, on the same subject. Figures for later dates are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mr. W. E. Mole, of 5, Coastguard Cottages, West Mersea, Essex, has been refused unemployment benefit on the ground that his employers omitted to fix stamps to his card despite the fact that on representations by one of the Ministry's inspectors the missing stamps were subsequently affixed; and if he will state on what grounds this man is deprived of unemployment benefit which he would have received had the stamps been affixed at the proper time, despite the fact that he is not in any way to blame for the delay in the affixing of the stamps and despite the fact that the stamps have now been affixed?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of disabled men who are employed under the King's Roll scheme?

At the 7th March, 1932, there were 355,898 disabled men in the employ of 25,234 employers enrolled under the King's Roll scheme.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea how many employers who do not comply with the conditions use the King's Roll Badge?

No; but if the hon. Gentleman has any doubt about it, it is a matter which ought to be brought to the attention of the King's Roll National Council. I shall be glad to do that if the hon. Gentleman will give me the information.

I will give the right hon. Gentleman particulars.

Is this figure a decrease on last year?

It is a slight decrease. Last year the figures were 367,777 disabled men employed by 25,679 employers. That is a slight decrease on last year, but not a big one.

Can anything be done to bring to the notice of the Council the new factories which are being started with a view to absorbing some of these disabled men?

We shall naturally do everything that we can, but that, again, is a matter which the King's Roll National Council might very well have brought to their notice.

asked the Minister of Labour the average retail prices of Danish butter and Danish eggs during the months of March, 1930, 1931, and 1932?

As the reply involves a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the report of the Royal Commission on Licensing Laws (England and Wales) has now been considered by the Government; and, if so, what action do they propose to take?

I have nothing to add at pre- sent to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on the 4th February.

When may the right hon. Gentleman be expected to have something to add?

I cannot make such a statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in cases when through an error no nominations are received to fill a casual vacancy in the office of county councillor, no election can be held until a writ of mandamus has been obtained from the High Court; and whether, in view of the inconvenience and expense of this course, he will introduce legislation to simplify this procedure?

The point will doubtless be considered by the committee which is dealing with the consolidation and amendment of the law relating to local government, and I propose to await their report.

Is not the Chelmsford Committee a purely Consolidation Committee, and therefore very restricted in its terms of reference; and could not this matter be dealt with by a one clause Bill which would probably be non-contentious?

I doubt whether it would be advisable to introduce a Bill dealing with this one very small point when there are probably a number of other matters which will require legislative authority. I think that the matter is within the terms of reference of the committee.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that any law which he may make will prevent a blunder such as they made at Edmonton?

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to introduce legislation during the present Session to give effect to the final Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government?

The final Report of the Royal Commission contains recommendations on a large variety of subjects. Measures have already been taken to deal with some of them. I cannot undertake to propose further legislation this Session on the recommendations.

Will the Ministry of Health bear this matter in mind when considering legislation for next Session, as the matter is one of very great importance?

I should be much interested to learn from my hon. and gallant Friend to which of the recommendations he actually refers?

I will communicate with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to institute an inquiry into the law relating to sweepstakes in this country?

It is generally agreed that there are serious difficulties in the way of enforcing the present law in regard to sweepstakes and lotteries. Events during the last two years have brought the matter very prominently to the attention both of the Government and the public. Questions have also arisen with regard to the use of totalisators both generally and in connection with greyhound racing tracks. There are difficulties in connection with the enforcement of the law relating to street betting, and from time to time new developments arise such as the attempt to introduce betting at motor cycle speedway races. In view of the complexity of the issues involved and the diversity of the views entertained in regard to these questions, the Government have decided that, before considering whether any amendment of the present laws is necessary, it is essential that a comprehensive inquiry should be undertaken by a Royal Commission. Steps will accordingly be taken for the appointment of a Royal Commission, with wide terms of reference, as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

Would it not help matters if the Government would provide time for the further stages of the Lotteries Bill, which was introduced last week?

That question should be addressed to the Leader of the House.

May I ask the Leader of the House?

asked the Home Secretary what recent steps he has taken to ensure that the places of destination are marked plainly on the front of motor omnibuses licensed in London by his Department?

All motor omnibuses licensed in London have their places of destination, when on service, plainly marked on the front of the vehicle. I understand that more than nine-tenths also carry boards showing intermediate points on the route, and steps are being taken for the remainder to be so fitted. It is expected that this equipment will be complete by August next.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some omnibuses—new ones—have only a number and not even a name?

That is a different question—the question of the name.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is difficult to get inside an omnibus to see whether it is one which will take you where you want to go?

There may be worse ways than that.

Cannot the same procedure be carried out in the country? In provincial towns omnibuses bear neither a number nor the place of destination.

I should be obliged if the hon. Member would give me notice of that question. The question on the Paper relates to the Metropolitan Police district.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons have been killed or injured in the Metropolitan area in road accidents in which heavy road vehicles have been involved between 1st January, 1932, and 10th March, 1932, and since 10th March, 1932?

The figures are, from 1st January to 10th March, 104 killed and 2,148 injured; and from 11th March to 2nd April they are 29 killed and 471 injured. Although the period is too short to enable any definite conclusion to be drawn, it is satisfactory to know that this indicates a reduction of about one-sixth in the rate of fatal accidents and of about one-third in the rate of other accidents involving personal injury.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the figures of the killed and injured since 10th March, 1932, in the Metropolitan Area can be considered satisfactory?

It depends on the hon. Member's point of view with regard to over-population in the country. No figures relating to killed and injured can be regarded as really satisfactory; but there is some indication that there has been an improvement owing to the stricter measures which have been taken by the Commissioner of Police to check excessive speeds by these heavier vehicles, and, as I have said in my answer, the rate of fatal accidents has been reduced by one-sixth and of non-fatal accidents by one-third in this very short period.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the increasing practice of parked motor cars being utilised by motor bandit s in smash-and-grab raids, he will issue instructions giving permission to the owners of parked motor cars to lock the doors, which is now forbidden?

The Parking Place Regulation applicable to London to which my hon. Friend refers is to the effect that vehicles shall be so left that they can be moved from one position to another by manual power. This is held to be desirable in case of an emergency such as a fire. In the very large majority of the parking places in London, cars are parked head to tail, and general inconvenience might be caused if the vehicles were immovable.

Would it not be possible to allow a car to be locked and the key left with the attendant?

Is it not a perfectly intolerable interference with liberty to prevent a man from locking the door of his own car?

Would the Minister refer to the authorities in Berlin and Paris, where this is a common practice and where owners are requested by the authorities to lock their cars?

I will certainly consider that suggestion.

Is it the Minister's intention to provide facilities for people not to lock their cars in order that they may be grabbed?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now make any statement with regard to the scheme which has been under consideration by the Home Office for the creation of a national police force, with headquarters in London and linked closely by wireless, in order to meet the continued increase in crime reported from all parts of the country?

No scheme for a national police force has been before my Department. I do not think that there are any sufficient grounds for the radical change which such a scheme would involve.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any alternative scheme under consideration?

Yes, Sir, there are proposals in hand for a closer co-ordination between the work of Scotland Yard and the provincial police forces.

asked the Home Secretary whether any fresh arrangements are being made with regard to the employment of special constabulary in London; and, if so, what is the nature of those arrangements?

No alteration is being made in the general arrangements for utilising the services of special constables in London, but the Commissioner of Police is taking steps to enhance the value of the special constabulary by giving a proportion of them some insight into ordinary police duty. In no case have more than six or eight special constables been employed at any one time in any one station. Usually not more than two or three are employed. The average length of each man's training does not exceed two days of three or four hours each.

asked the Home Secretary whether only uniform police are employed to control motor traffic; and, if not, in what circumstances plain-clothes policemen are employed for this purpose?

I am glad to have this opportunity of removing a misapprehension which appears to exist in some quarters that plain-clothes police are used to stop motor vehicles. The police employed for this purpose in the Metropolitan Police district are always in uniform, and I understand that the same practice obtains in the county and borough forces.

asked the Home Secretary if he will cause inquiry to be made as to the possibility of so amending the law as to make more easy the conviction of receivers of stolen goods?

I should be grateful if the hon. Member would communicate to me the kind of Amendment which he has in mind.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Thomas Goodyear, of Anchor Lane, Canewdon, Essex, who was killed recently when he was drawn into a machine he was oiling; if he can state whether an inspector has visited the works and found the machinery properly guarded or otherwise; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received a report from the factory inspector who visited the works and attended the inquest. This shows that the machinery, which consisted of a grinding pan, was properly guarded and that the accident was due to an unfortunate misunderstanding on the part of the workmen concerned. The particulars are somewhat detailed, and I will send a statement to the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary if he can now make a further statement with regard to the conditions obtaining in Dartmoor Prison?

There has been no further disorder at Dartmoor Prison. Reports in certain newspapers on 4th April suggesting renewed disturbance and special precautions were grossly exaggerated. On Saturday evening two prisoners shouted some remarks out of their cell windows, and on Sunday evening two other prisoners did the same. Otherwise, nothing unusual has occurred.

Has not my right hon. Friend any powers to stop this sort of sensationalism in the Press?

I have protested against it more than once in this House, but I have not statutory powers to deal with it.

asked the Home Secretary if he will take powers to prevent the staging in this country of exhibitions of hunts of wild animals?

So far as any cruelty is caused or likely to be caused by such exhibitions the matter is already dealt with by the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, as amended by the Amendment Act of 1921, and Sections 1 and 2 of the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act, 1925. I am not aware that any need has arisen for fresh legislation.

Has my right hon. Friend seen reports in the Press about a lion hunt to be staged in England, and will he take steps to prohibit it?

If there is any offence committed under the Act, then proceedings can be taken, but proceedings cannot be taken in advance on the strength of Press reports.

Will the hon. Member tell us to what party the lion belongs?

asked the Home Secretary whether the committee appointed to inquire into the existing methods of dealing with persistent offenders has yet submitted its report; and whether the report is to be published?

I understand that the committee may be ready to submit its report within a few weeks. When it is received the question of publication will be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of places for boys and girls in the secondary schools of England and Wales, and the number of free places for each sex in each county?

On the 31st March, 1931, there were approximately 217,000 boys and 194,000 girls on the registers of grant-aided secondary schools in England and Wales. On the same date there were approximately 102,000 boys and 91,000 girls holding free places. I am sending the hon. Member a list showing the number of free place pupils in the area of each county and county borough.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is considering any increase in the percentage of free places in secondary schools?

Not at the present time.

Is it not a fact that the number of free places is being curtailed in some localities?

That is so in some places.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children who left school at the school-leaving age in Great Britain during the latest 12 months for which figures are available, giving separate figures for Lancashire?

During the year ended 31st March, 1931, the number of children leaving public elementary schools in England and Wales at the school-leaving age, otherwise than for further full-time education, was 390,935. The corsresponding figure for the geographical county of Lancashire was 54,262.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has any information as to the number of children receiving free meals from the various local educational authorities throughout the country for the period 1st November to the nearest available date?

During the week ended 7th November last approximately 113,000 children received free meals, including milk meals, under arrangements made by local education authorities in England and Wales. For the week ended 12th March last, the latest date for which complete figures are available, the corresponding figure was 139,000.

asked the Minister of Health what authorities, other than the West Middlesex Assessment Committee and the Acton Borough Council, have passed a resolution condemnatory of derating; and whether it is proposed to take any action in the matter this Session?

I have received copies of resolutions on the subject of derating passed by one other assessment committee and three other rating authorities, all in the county of Middlesex. I do not propose to take any action in the matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state from what authorities he has received further letters?

Yes. The authorities in question were the South Middlesex Assessment Committee, the Hayes and Harlington Urban District Council, the Borough of Ealing and the Wealdstone Urban District Council.

Has not derating been a very great benefit to agriculture, and to other industries in this country?

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief from 1st October, 1931, to 31st March, 1932?

The returns made to my Department show the number of persons in receipt of poor relief on particular days and not the number of persons who received poor relief during a period. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement as to the number of persons in receipt of poor relief in England and Wales on the last Saturday in each month from September, 1931, to March, 1932.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state what was the total number of men and women on Poor Law relief at the end of July, 1931; and what was the total at the end of March, 1932, or up to the latest date available?

Exact figures cannot be given, but it is estimated that approximately 284,000 men and 366,000 women were in receipt of relief at the end of July, 1931, and approximately 348,000 men and 448,000 women at the end of March, 1932.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any explanation of that increase?

asked the Minister of Health whether the regulations imposed by the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926, for the production of milk and milk products in this country are enforced in countries from whence milk products are imported into Great Britain?

No, Sir. The Milk and Dairies Order is only applicable to England and Wales. The production of milk and milk products in other countries is subject to the special laws of those countries, and milk imported into this country is subject to the requirements of the Public Health (Imported Milk) Regulations.

Why are these conditions imposed on the British farmer and not on his competitors abroad?

There is really a misapprehension on that point. The conditions of inspection of imported milk are really more exacting and severe than they are in the case of milk produced in this country.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated number of feeble-minded persons in Great Britain; what proportion is cared for in public institutions; and what is the total cost to the taxpayers and ratepayers?

The number of mentally defective persons, including children, was estimated by the Wood Committee to be, approximately, 300,000. On 1st January, 1932, the total number of mental defectives actually ascertained by local authorities was 97,310, of whom 33,356 were in institutions or under guardianship. These figures relate only to England and Wales and any question relating to Scotland should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. With regard to the third part of the question, I will communicate with the right hon. Member as soon as the necessary statistics are available.

asked the Minister of Health what were the numbers engaged on town planning at the Ministry on 1st January, 1914, and on 1st January, 1932?

The staff now engaged on town planning work numbers 29. I regret that it is not possible to give comparable figures for 1914, as housing and town-planning work was then combined in one division with a staff of 31.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the Recorder of Blackburn's report on the developments of town and country planning at Hull?

The report is expected shortly. The investigation has, however, no relation to town and country planning.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now make any statement as to the date by which it will be found possible to repay the remaining balances of the credits obtained last autumn by the Treasury from France and the United States of America?

My hon. and gallant Friend has doubtless seen the announcement in the Press on the 1st April of the repayments made at the end of last month. Since then the remaining portion of the United States credit—$20,000,000—has been repaid, the right to re-borrow being retained by the Treasury until the anniversary of the original credit on 28th August. There now remains outstanding only the loan of 2,500,000,000 francs from the French public, which is not repayable before the date of maturity in September.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an estimate of the saving which has resulted from these repayments?

I could not do so without notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is taking any steps and, if so, what to check the appreciation of sterling, in view of the effects of such appreciation upon our trade?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 14th March.

Does the expressed desire of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to get back to the prices of 1929 still hold good, or are the Government doing nothing in the matter?

I have repeatedly been adjured by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to take no steps at all.

You have been repeatedly adjured to reduce the Bank Rate. Has that step been taken?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what has been the total revenue received up to the latest available date from the Horticultural Products (Emergency Duties) Act, the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, and the Import Duties Act?

I must ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the Budget surplus in the year 1931–32 and as a measure of temporary assistance to stock farmers until such time as the Government's long-term meat policy can be made operative, he can now sanction the policy of supplying only home-fed beef to the Forces in home stations?

The policy suggested would approximately double the present expenditure, and cost over £600,000 a year. In present circumstances the Government is unable to reconsider its decision that the existing arrangements must continue.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider introducing legislation to remove the religious disability attaching to the office of Lord Chancellor?

No, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend inform me whether in the theory of our Constitution the office of Lord Chancellor carries with it any sex disability?

I will make inquiries.

Is the Lord President of the Council aware that this is the sole survival of legal religious intolerance in our law?

I believe my hon. Friend is correctly informed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture with regard to what commodities recommendations have been made to him in favour of increased restriction under the Horticultural Products Act?

Numerous representations of varying degrees of importance have been received in regard not only to the commodities in respect of which duties have been imposed but also to commodities which do not come within the scope of the Act. These representations have in some cases urged an increase of duty or an extension of the period for which the duty has been imposed. In other cases, a reduction has been suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now state the composition of the re-organisation committee to be appointed to produce a scheme for the re-organisation of the pig-breeding industry and what will be its terms of reference?

I hope shortly to be in a position to make an announcement on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of coal exported from this country to Continental countries, giving the separate quantity to each country, during each of the last three months ended 31st March, 1932, and also for the corresponding period in 1931?

The hon. Member will find particulars of the quantity of coal exported from the United Kingdom to the principal European countries during the months of January and February, 1931, and 1932, in the monthly "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for January and February, 1932. Similar particulars in respect of March will be published on Tuesday next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the possibility of introducing the principle that no preference or rebates from the full import duty will be given unless goods are imported in British bottoms?

His Majesty's Government does not view this suggestion with favour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the wool textile industry in Huddersfield is being prevented from carrying on an export trade to Czechoslovakia by reason of a system of import licences employed by that country; and whether he proposes to take action to persuade Czechoslovakia to alter the system to make trading possible?

I am aware that the import of wool textiles and many other classes of goods into Czechoslovakia from all countries is subject to control, which involves some measure of restriction, though not an absolute embargo, on the trade. Instructions are being sent to His Majesty's Minister at Prague to make certain inquiries in the matter, and, if necessary, to approach the Czechoslovak Government as regards the effect of the restrictions on United Kingdom trade.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he has given his consideration to the Report of the Public Prosecutor regarding the affairs of the St. Mary Steamship Company, Cardiff will he state whether he proposes to have the said Report laid upon the Table of the House; and, if not, will he state what other action he proposes to take in the matter;

(2) whether he has taken any action following upon the Report of the Public Prosecutor regarding the affairs of the St. Mary Steamship Company, Cardiff; and can he state whether any fresh evidence has since been submitted for his consideration by any of the shareholders of the said company?

The hon. Member doubtless refers to the Report of the Inspector appointed by the Board of Trade to investigate the affairs of the company in question under Section 109 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, and in this connection I would refer to the answers which I gave to questions addressed to me in this House on the 26th February, 1929, to the effect that after careful consideration of the farts disclosed at the inquiry, I had come to the conclusion that neither the public interest nor the interests of the shareholders would be served by any action which it was in my power to direct. I would add that the alleged offences occurred 12 years ago, and that no fresh evidence has been submitted which calls for reconsideration of the matter at the present time.

Can the proceedings of this inquiry be made public, or, if it is not desired to go to the expense of publishing them, can they be made available for examination by those who are interested?

As the inquiry took place under the Board of Trade by the Director of Public Prosecutions several years ago, and as the matter has been very fully investigated and a decision come to with great care, I suggest that no useful purpose would be served by publishing the report of the proceedings.

If I submit evidence to the Attorney-General that a useful purpose would be served, will he consider it?

I will consider it, but not gladly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the financial inquiry in Kenya which is being conducted by Lord Moyne?

It is understood that Lord Moyne is still actively engaged in his investigations. With the concurrence of the Governor and of Lord Moyne, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in order to make it clear that Lord Moyne is authorised to review the general Budgetary position of the Colony, has added the following to the terms of reference of his inquiry:

"To make recommendations as to readjustment of taxation and expenditure, if examination of the present position under the original terms of reference discloses a case for change."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the effects of the drought in Cyprus, where peasants, for lack of pasturage, are selling animals at any price, and at a loss of £40 in some cases; if he is aware that sheep and lambs have died from starvation, and the price of straw for feeding animals has increased by about 3,000 per cent.; and what action it is proposed to take in the interests of the peasantry?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the Governor regarding the effects of the drought in Cyprus, and I understand that steps are being taken to aid stock-owners by the issue of permits for grazing in the forests, by encouraging the import of straw, and by means of a scheme for feeding stock on crushed locust beans. In addition to these measures, it is hoped to alleviate the distress in certain districts by providing employment under road schemes.

How is it proposed to encourage the import of straw? Will a bounty be given?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any further action is to be taken to assist distressed and unemployed British migrants in Australia to return to Britain?

As I have already made clear on several occasions, I have every sympathy with migrants from this country who may be in difficulties in Australia, but I am afraid that it is not possible to provide or to assist in providng return passages in such cases.

Is provision being made by the committee of the Government to alleviate the distress of these people who have gone there on the assurances given by people on that side or on this?

The first complaint in this connection was that the Dominion Governments differentiated between native-born people and migrants in distress. I have made particular and anxious inquiries on that matter, and find that there is no justification for that statement. As far as relief is concerned, it is given, according to the scale in the Dominions themselves, fairly as between both classes of people. That, I think, is the hon. Member's point.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise a special responsibility on the part of the Government for migrants who were definitely sent out there as a part of the national policy here?

It is not true that migrants were sent out to any Dominion as a definite part of the policy of any Government that I know of. It is quite true that facilities were given, and my hon. Friend may be interested to know that, bad as the conditions are now, there are still thousands of applicants to go to the Dominions; but I have taken the view that it is no good encouraging them to go, having regard to the economic position there. That is why I attach so much importance to some Imperial policy.

Is it not a fact that the literature which was issued with the knowledge of the Government, and with their approval, induced people to go to the Colonies, and, consequently, that the Government cannot escape their responsibility in the matter?

It is only true in so far as opportunities were offered with the conditions stated; and let us keep clearly in mind the fact that the history of our Dominions shows that our British people were prepared to take risks; but no one is going at the moment to pretend that the Mother Country must take on a responsibility the consequence of which no one can measure.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman does not forget that this policy of migrating people to Australia was propounded in this House by a Government on those benches as a measure for dealing with the unemployment problem?

I do not forget, and I do not desire to forget, that I myself, as well as previous Ministers speaking for previous Governments, indicated migration as a contribution to our unemployment problem, but not a solution of it; but I am asked in this question whether the British Government will take the responsibility of financing migrants in Australia and other Dominions to come back here, and probably come back to an unemployment situation as bad as it is there. I am not going to take that responsibility.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the usual practice where an Army contract, is given to a private firm on condition that that firm is enrolled on the King's Roll, in order to ensure that during the period of the contract the conditions of the King's Roll are being, in fact, observed by the firm in question?

The War Office normally places contracts only with firms on the King's Roll, and receives from the Ministry of Labour monthly lists of removals from the Roll. But the question whether firms on the King's Roll are complying with the conditions of the Holl is a matter for the local King's Roll committees, under the guidance of the Ministry of Labour. Any case in which the War Office had reason to believe that one of its contractors was failing to observe the terms of its King's Roll undertaking would be reported to the Ministry of Labour.

If I bring to the notice of my hon. Friend a case which I have in mind, will he cause inquiry to be made?