asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to pre pare the personnel of the British mercantile marine for the change in helm orders which is ultimately to come into force?

The Board are at present in communication with representative associations of those concerned as to the best means of effecting the change in the helm order system. A statement for the information of all concerned will be published as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the unemployment amongst British seamen, whether His Majesty's Government will consider legislation restricting employment on British ships to British subjects?

While I am anxious to secure the greatest possible amount of employment for British seamen, I am, afraid that the course suggested would not necessarily help in this direction.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to consider partial restriction and is he aware that foreign nationals are employed on British ships?

It depends to some extent, of course, on the trade on which the vessel is employed. We do not wish to disturb, for instance, the employment of Asiatics in tropical climates.

Is the right hon. Gentle man not aware that in Barry Docks a British crew were discharged and a body of Chinese put on board a British vessel?

I could only answer that question after having had notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the introduction of legislation for the better regulation of passenger-carrying speed boats at the sea side resorts of the country?

Local authorities already have certain powers under the Public Health Acts as regards boats which ply for hire, and the Board of Trade have powers to deal with the safety of steam and motor boats which carry more than 12 passengers. So far as I am aware, there has been no general request from local authorities for further powers as regards speed boats carrying passengers, but, if such general representations were made, I should be pre pared to consider the matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very grave dissatisfaction among the public, who feel that there is a danger of inadequate inspection of boats carrying fewer than 12 people?

Some representations have been made to me, and I am in communication with one or two authorities. I believe that some of them have already taken powers under their own private Acts.

Has the right hon. Gentleman powers, over and above those held by local authorities, as to safety regulations?

I do not think we have, except in regard to boats which carry 12 passengers or more.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that quantities of foreign cloths are being imported into this country and, having been marked London shrunk, are sold as English material; and whether steps will be taken to pre vent the public being misled into thinking that such cloths are manufactured in, England?

The Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, prohibits the application to goods of a false trade description, but I am advised that in ordinary trade usage the term "London shrunk" means a particular process of shrinking, and is not intended to imply that the process was carried out in London. It would, therefore, not be possible to take action under the Act of 1887, unless, of course, the cloth in question had not in fact undergone this process. I should add that it is open to the interests concerned to make an application under Section 2 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, to require all imported cloth to bear an indication of origin.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the 43 foreign firms who have recently decided to open businesses in this country have actually commenced operations; the towns and villages where their factories or workshops are located; whether the business conducted in each case is new or a transfer from another firm; and will he state the number of persons actually employed in each case?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of factories established by foreign firms as a result of, or in anticipation of, the various import duties that are now engaged in production: and how many persons are employed in them?

The Board of Trade have now received information regarding upwards of 50 new undertakings which have been set up in this country during the last few months, and of these it is understood that 45 have commenced operations. The majority of the under takings are in or near London, the remainder being distributed between Lancashire and Yorkshire, the Midlands and other areas. These are, for the most part, new businesses, but in a few in stances they represent definite additions to existing businesses. I am unable to say how many persons are actually employed by the undertakings at the present time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these under- takings have been taken over by foreign firms, or whether they are new under takings for the purposes of new businesses?

Are any of these undertakings likely to be commenced in South Wales?

I am not sure that there are not already two or three in South Wales, but I would not like to trust my memory too closely on that point. With regard to the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies), as to whether these are more transfers from one name to another, what I was refer ring to are entirely new businesses or new extensions.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to see that these new firms stand by the wage regulations in this country? That is a very important matter. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these firms which are now beginning operations are offering wages upon which it is utterly impossible for people to live?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in South Wales it is trade union regulations and terrorism that has prevented new businesses being started?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of applications to date of foreign firms for factory sites in Scot land; and how many have been actually acquired and in which counties?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that applications for factory sites by foreign concerns are not dealt with by Government Departments. The attention of the Board of Trade has, however, been drawn to six cases in which there have been proposals in the last few months to establish new undertakings or extend the production of existing concerns in Scotland, by, or with the assistance of, foreign concerns. I am unable to say whether factories have actually been acquired in these cases.

Does there exist any machinery for advertising these sites?

Nearly all the industrial districts now have development associations, which make it their special business to advertise the attractions of their district.

Will the right hon. Gentleman supply the development associations with the names of foreign firms who are seeking sites?

They are very well aware of them, and most of them have been in communication with them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are taken by his Department to -assist trade and employment in this country by putting manufacturers abroad who have previously exported goods to our market, and who now wish to pro duce here, in touch with manufacturing firms in Great Britain willing to co operate with them?

I have noted with interest that certain development and trade organisations have taken steps to collect particulars of cases in which British manufacturers desire to co operate with foreign concerns to manufacture goods previously imported from abroad. Any cases of foreign concerns desiring to enter into such an arrangement which come to the notice of the Board of Trade are referred to the appropriate organisations in this country.

Is the right hon. Gentle man not aware that there is a very strong feeling in the North and the Midlands that, for some unknown reason, the South is getting very much more than its share of this trade?

I could give the in stance of the Lancashire Industrial Development Council. It has set a very good precedent which is being followed elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will consider the desirability of terminating the trade agreement with Russia and entering into a new agreement whereby Russian imports to this country will be limited to an equivalent amount of manufactured goods ex ported from this country to Russia, any imports over and above such quota to be subject to an import duty of 33⅓ per cent., a portion of which shall be applied to the formation of a compensation fund for British creditors?

The question or securing a more satisfactory balance of trade between this country and Soviet Russia is under the consideration of the Government. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister indicated in a reply to a somewhat similar suggestion on 11th April, His Majesty's Government do not consider that the claims of British creditors against Russia can be satisfactorily dealt with in this way.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for months past the Government have told the House that this matter is under their active consideration; and has not the time arrived when they should come to some conclusion, especially as the negotiations for a settlement which were part of the agreement for resuming trade relations, were broken off by the Soviet representatives?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that there will over be any possibility of reaching a solution of the debt problem if trading relations with Russia are broken off?

In reply to the first supplementary question, it is true that the matter has been under consideration, but it is by no means as simple as appears on the surface, and we are most anxious to do nothing which would injure our own interests, which must, of course, be our first consideration. As to whether it would be possible to help our trade relations by cancelling or breaking off our trade agreement, that is one of the things that we are now considering. What we are impressed by is the fact that there is a very large preponderance of Russian business in this country in return for the comparatively small business which they do with us.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the business is not always direct between two nations, and that in the annual balance sheet it may be that trade between Russia and this country has been carried out through Germany?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state for the latest convenient year the proportion of the total production of the country which came from factories employing fewer than 250 persons?

I regret that the precise information specified by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available. Particulars are, however, available regarding the production reported in returns from employers of less than 200 persons, and also from employers of less than 300 per sons. Taking the production as measured by the values added to purchased materials (including fuel) in the establishments covered by the Census of 1924, the former group was responsible for 44 per cent., the latter for 48 per cent., of the total for all establishments. The aggregates represented by these percentages are inclusive of productive activities such as mining and building construction, and corresponding percentages for manufacturing industries alone are not available.

Will further information be available when the Department has completed its survey of the returns under the 1930 Census of Production?

I hope further in formation will then be available and, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman then addresses me on the subject, I shall be glad to give him such information as we have.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the percentage of coastwise trade in the British Isles carried out by ships not under the British flag, indicating in each case the countries concerned and the proportion of such percentage each enjoys; and whether any of these nations benefiting by permission to carry on British coastal traffic give similar facilities to our ships and to what extent?

Of the total tonnage of arrivals and departures with cargo in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom in 1931 0.8 per cent. only was under foreign flags. The percentages of this foreign tonnage as shared between the various countries are as follows: Italy, 29.4; Holland, 28.8; Germany, 13.0; Belgium, 5.5; Sweden, 4.7; Norway, 4.3; others, 14.3. The coasting trade of each of the countries specified is open to British vessels.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that shipping is receiving fair treatment in the matter?

I should have to have that question applied to each of the separate maritime countries to be able to reply to it satisfactory. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman cares to in quire further on the subject, I will see what I can obtain for him.

Are not the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has just given based on the movements from port to port of tonnage, including large liners?

Yes. They cover the whole of the clearances—arrivals and departures.

Does not the inclusion of these liners which occasionally pass up and down our coast, make those figures very misleading as regards coastwise trade?

It cuts both ways, but ships pass up and down other countries coasts in the coasting trade.

Is it not a fact that none of the countries mentioned permit passengers to be picked up and dropped on any of these coasts, as they are in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has yet been reached with regard to the action to be taken in connection with the new restrictions imposed by the German Government on the importation of British coal into Germany; and whether any representations are being made in regard to the new regulations that have-put further difficulties in the way of the importation of bunker coal in particular?

As regards the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave on this subject on 19th April to him and to my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon As regards the second part, I have seen reports in the Press that new regulations have been issued governing the amount of foreign exchange that may be made available for the purpose of paying for United Kingdom bunker coal at German ports. I am making inquiries into the matter.

What is the cause of the delay in the negotiations?

I am afraid it is entirely due to the fact that other Governments do not act as speedily as we do.

Will this Government act more speedily in pointing out that this is a decided breach of the treaty?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what countries, since 1st November, have instituted quotas on goods imported by them from this country; and what goods are affected?

Since 1st November, quota restrictions which apply to imports from the United Kingdom have been instituted in France, the Netherlands, Latvia, Switzerland and Turkey. In Turkey the quota system covers all goods except raw materials and certain goods, such as machinery, which are considered essential to Turkish industry. In the Netherlands, Latvia and Switzerland the range of goods covered is not so extensive, but still includes many kinds of goods of interest to United Kingdom trade. The case of France is the subject of another answer to-day. Full particulars of the restrictions are published in the "Board of Trade Journal" from time to time.

Does not this fact suggest that the result of the Abnormal Importations Act has not been to do away with tariffs, but to substitute a new form of injuring our trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the French Government has introduced a quota system on any other imports from this country in addition to coal; and, if so, what imports?

Yes, Sir. The quota system has been applied to many kinds of goods. Complete particulars are published in the "Board of Trade Journal" immediately information is available. The goods of greatest interest to United Kingdom trade so far brought within the scope of the system are certain kinds of iron and steel manufactures, machine tools, electrical goods, cotton yarns, and fabrics and leather.

May I ask whether any action is being taken in this matter?

We are not entitled to take any action in respect of this matter except in cases of discrimination, and where there has been discrimination we have been in consultation with the Government concerned.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what action is being takes with reference to the use of films for propaganda purposes in connection with our export trade, in view of action of this kind which has been taken by the United States of America?

In several overseas countries the representatives of the Department of Overseas Trade have been able to assist in securing opportunities for the exhibition of industrial films belonging to United Kingdom firms and further endeavours are under consideration in conjunction with the accredited representatives of industry.

Will the hon. Member, in considering the report of the Public Accounts Committee, insist upon the preservation of the film section of the Empire Marketing Board as a valuable help to British trade?

I will bear in mind the point raised by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in how many countries at the present time there is any trade propaganda on the lines of the "Buy British" campaign; and whether he will take steps to propose a simultaneous abandonment of the campaign in the interests of export trade?

According to reports which have reached the Department of Overseas Trade, there are a number of countries, especially in Europe, in which official support has been given to the movement in favour of buying home pro ducts. As the hon. Member is aware, the "Buy British" campaign recently organised by the Empire Marketing Board has been conspicuously successful, and I see no sufficient reason for the adoption of the suggestion in the second part of the question.

Will the hon. Member not try to break up this international suicide club?

These efforts on the part of foreign Governments are not all detrimental to British trade. For in stance, in Finland in the "Buy Finnish" campaign they have the slogan "Buy Finnish, and, if you cannot, buy from Britain, Finland's best customer."

Does my hon. Friend intend to adopt that suggestion in connection

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to enter into trade arrangements with the new State of Manchuria?

The existing treaties with China are applicable in Manchuria, and in the circumstances the question of special trade arrangements need not be considered.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a bogus State set up by Japan?

I shall continue to ask the people to buy from our best customers, the Empire.

Has Fin land adopted that slogan since the Import Duties were passed in this House?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what respective quantities of baths of iron or steel and of stoves, grates, and ranges for domestic cooking or heating have been imported into the United Kingdom during each month since September, 1931?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to grant financial facilities to those starting industries in this country to replace the goods that have hereto fore been mainly imported?

No, Sir. I do not think that the matter is one in which the introduction of legislation is desirable.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that if that were done it would provide employment?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the customs have recently charged duty under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act on a British camera used at Mombasa on work at the new harbour there, although it was certified that the camera was of British manufacture; and whether he can state the reason for this action?

I am informed the duty on the camera in question is being repaid.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, in view of the necessity for close co-operation between the Regular and Territorial Armies, he will arrange that service as an adjutant to a Territorial unit should be one of the necessary qualifications for entrance to. the Staff College?

I regret that my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion is impracticable, as it is not possible to give every officer eligible for the Staff College entrance examination the opportunity of becoming a Territorial Army adjutant. At the same time in considering nominations credit is given for the successful performance of the duties of that appointment.

Would officers who have passed the Staff College be attached to a territorial unit before receiving a Staff appointment?

I cannot guarantee that all officers who pass through Staff College will be attached to a territorial unit. No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that electric light bulbs of foreign manufacture have been in stalled in certain barracks at Aldershot recently by the Royal Engineers; and whether he will consider the desirability of using British rather than foreign bulbs in future?

The Army contracts pro vide for the supply of British-made electric lamps only, and therefore the use of foreign-made lamps should be precluded. If, however, my hon. Friend will furnish me with details regarding the cases which he has in mind, I will cause investigations to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the reorganisation of the Register House, Edinburgh, on the lines of the recommendations of the Fleming Report, is likely to be effected; and whether, if this is likely to be long delayed, immediate steps will be taken to redress the admitted grievances of the second-grade, clerks employed therein?

In answer to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stirling and Falkirk (Mr. J. Reid) on the 19th instant of which I am sending him a copy. I hope that it will be found possible to deal with the claims of the second class clerks without long delay; but I must not be taken at this stage as admitting that the case of these clerks calls for redress except in so far as changes may be justified in connection with reorganisation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that as far back as 12th November, 1930, his predecessor in office referred to the settlement of 1923, and said that any claim arising out of changed conditions would receive careful attention; and does not he think that there has been sufficient time for his office to take steps in the matter?

My hon. Friend will see, if he refers to the answer, of which I am sending him a copy, that such steps are now being taken to effect the necessary reorganisation.

How long will it take?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he is aware that the proposed scheme for the reorganisation of the marketing of Scottish raspberries has failed to gain the approval of the majority of Scottish growers, mainly be cause the crisis that has overtaken the industry during the past two seasons has been caused not by inefficiency within the industry but by unrestricted imports of foreign fruit, which imports are not affected by the proposed scheme; and will he therefore consider the advisability of proceeding no further with the projected marketing board;

(2) how many growers are parties to representations received from growers in Scotland against the proposed scheme for the reorganisation of the marketing of Scottish raspberries; and what acreage do they represent?

Representations against the approval of the scheme have been made to me by 107 growers stated to occupy l,833 ½ acres. I am not, how ever, aware that the scheme has failed to gain the approval of the majority of Scottish growers. The objection to, and criticisms of, the scheme contained in the representations referred to are now being considered in accordance with the provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Act. My Noble Friend will appreciate that I cannot anticipate the result of that consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend to his right hon. Friend that raspberries be placed upon the free list if the raspberry growers fail to co-operate?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of houses built under the Addison scheme in Scotland; and what is the amount subscribed per annum by the State in respect of these houses?

The total number of houses built under the Addison scheme in Scotland is 25,550. The annual amount subscribed by the State under the scheme varies in accordance with the yearly deficit. For the year ended the 31st March, 1932, the contribution of the State amounted to £976,995.

Is it the case that a number of these Addison scheme houses have been sold, and is it the policy of the present Government to sell as many as possible, in order to relieve the State of part of the contribution of £1,000,000 of which my hon. Friend spoke?

It is the case that, of some 400 Addison houses built by public utility societies, 198 have been sold, and that to that extent relief has been given to the public contribution. I am afraid that I cannot say that any practicable method of an enlarged scheme of selling has yet been thought of, but personally I should be very glad to see the process of sale encouraged and extended.

Can my hon. Friend say how many of these houses were almost sold?

That will require another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of cases of sheep stealing that have been reported in Scotland in each of the last five years?

The numbers of cases reported to procurators-fiscal for each of the last five years are as follow: 18 in 1927, 14 in 1928, 12 in 1929, 16 in 1930, and 22 in 1931.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how many analogous cases have occurred in the last 500 years?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to announce the name of the Scottish member of the Agriculture Marketing Re-organisation Commission for Pigs and Pig Products?

Yes, Sir, I am glad to say that Sir William Haldane has consented to serve on the Commission as the Scottish member. The Commission has been formally constituted.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can give an estimate of the saving that would be achieved if all first-class roads were reduced to a second-class basis for upkeep and repair?

I have been asked to reply. It is not clear whether my hon. Friend desires to suggest a reduction in the rate of grant to highway authorities or a general lowering of the standard of maintenance irrespective of the nature of the traffic using the roads in question. Perhaps he would discuss the matter with my hon. Friend the Minister of Trans port.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of males in England and Wales between the ages of 18 and 25 who are registered as un employed; the number receiving full un employment benefit; the number on part benefit; and the number who have run out of benefit?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what assistance was given to agriculture and farmers by rhabdomancers during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1931; and whether the Department has utilised the services of rhabdomancers in locating water in areas where the supply is limited?

My right hon. Friend has no information as to the ex tent to which the services of water diviners are utilised by farmers and others. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount paid by His Majesty's Government as the United Kingdom share of the expenses of the League of Nations for the last period of 12 months?

The contribution of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to the League of Nations, including the International Labour Organisation, for 1931 amounted to 3,225,042.12 gold francs, the sterling equivalent of which was £127,908 0s. 9d.

hon. Friend say what proportion that amount bears to the total expenditure?

I will endeavour to do so if my hon. Friend will give me notice of the question.

Does the amount include the salary or proportion of the salary of the head of the International Labour Bureau who has insulted this country in the last few days?

Are we not spending 1,000 times as much on preparation for war?

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether any extra officials will be required in his Department in the event of the Town and Country Planning Bill passing into law; and, if so, how many;

(2) the estimated expenditure which, would be caused to his Department and to local authorities, respectively, by the passing of the Town and Country Planning Bill?

It is not possible at the present stage to give any estimate. Some increase in the staff in charge of town planning will be requisite, hut my right hon. Friend does not anticipate any increase in the staff of the Ministry as a whole. In the case of local authorities, he would expect that the savings from planning ahead will exceed any expenditure.

Am I to understand that in this time of financial stringency no consideration has been given to the cost; and has any allowance been made to local authorities under Section 135 of the Local Government Act?

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, this Act is a matter of guarding the heritage of the nation not merely with regard to amenity but with regard to economy as well.

Does the hon. Gentleman really think that it is economy when he knows that it will cost the country a very large sum of money?

asked the Minister of Health if his sanction has been sought for medical officers of health and their staffs to attend the conference of the National Birth Control Association to be held in London in the near future?

My right hon. Friend has received and has under consideration an application from one local authority in respect of one of their medical officers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the acceptation of the principle of protecting British industries against unrestricted importations of foreign productions, he will ask his advisers to contrive suitable methods for controlling the flotation in Britain of foreign securities for the investment of British savings?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Farnham Division (Sir A. M. Samuel) on the 12th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that tobacco is being grown in this country; whether he will consider the question of the remission of the excise duty on this tobacco; and what would be the estimated loss to the Treasury of this remission?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative. Tobacco grown in this country already enjoys a preferential reduction of duty of 2s. 2½d. per lb. as compared with imported non-Empire tobacco. To remit the Excise Duty entirely would, on the basis of the present home production, cost about £1,000 per annum only, but the ultimate cost would undoubtedly be very considerable if as a result of the remission the home-produced article were to displace imported duty-paid tobacco to any appreciable extent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total indebtedness of Russia to Britain at the end of the last financial year and the amount of interest due for that year; and whether such interest was charged to current exchequer account or added to the total debt?

The War Debt of Russia to this country as at the 31st March, 1932, amounted to £1,066,480,000. The amount of interest due in respect of the last financial year was £53,324,000; this amount was added to the capital and is included in the total given above.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consult the President of the Board of Trade and get a move on with regard to the public and private debts owing to this country by Russia? The country is getting very discontented at the serious delay which is occurring in this matter?

This matter is engaging the anxious attention of the Government, but the question of "getting a move on" is a very difficult one.

Not at all.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how the total debt of Russia compares with the amount we gave to Italy and France when settling war debts?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he contemplates introducing any further measures during this Session to achieve a reduction in the National expenditure?

As my right hon. Friend stated in his Budget speech the estimates presented to Parliament already achieve savings of £79,000,000 from the aggregate sum estimated last September to be required for Supply Services in 1932. To this I can only add that the possibility of further reductions of National expenditure will of course engage my right hon. Friend's continuous attention.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that, although the Estimates for this year show a decrease over last year, the Estimates for the whole of the Government Departments show an increase over 1923–24 and that that is a very serious aspect of the financial situation, in view of the very grave position of the country?

Are we to understand that the Government have no definite ideas in regard to future economy?

The position in regard to future economies must be the main pre-occupation of the Government, but it is impossible to give a plan, as I have seen it suggested in certain newspapers, for a reduction of expenditure.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that the Government might well appoint a committee to go into the whole matter?

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman make a big reduction in the number of Civil Servants employed?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now state the names of the members of the committee on co-operative trading and taxation; the terms of reference; and when it is anticipated the committee will commence its work?

Steps have already been taken with a view to setting up this Committee. It is not yet possible to make an announcement, though my hon. Friend may be assured that there will be no avoidable delay.

If I put down a question a week hence will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman be able to give us the names and be able to say when the Committee will get to work?

I cannot promise it in a week's time, but I will discuss it with my hon. Friend.

Will the Committee when it is appointed be encouraged to report with the least possible delay?

I think the Chancellor of the Exchequer would desire that they should report as promptly as they possibly can.

Is there any point which is not thoroughly well known in connection with this long-standing matter?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the depressed condition of the allied brewery trades in Birmingham and the Midlands, resulting in a serious increase of unemployment; and if he will consider some modification of the Budget proposal relating to the tax on beer in the provisions of the forthcoming Finance Bill?

With regard to the first part of the question, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is fully aware of the position of the trades in question. With regard to the second part, the paramount consideration must be revenue, and there are no resources available for the purpose.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the rising tide of feeling throughout the country on this subject, and are not the masses of the working people of this country entitled to some consideration in the Budget arrangements of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, so that they may get their healthy glass of beer at a reasonable price?

Is it not a fact that a very great loss of revenue is likely to occur in the next 12 months owing to the fact that the industries referred to by the hon. Gentleman are down about 50 per cent. already?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, since horse traffic does as much damage to the roads as motor traffic, he will consider taxing horse traffic according to load, similarly to motor traffic?

I am unable to accept the assumption made by my hon. Friend in the first part of his question, and the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Surtax and Super-tax payers are in arrear in respect of their taxes; what is the total amount of such arrears; and over how many past years such arrears extend?

For the purposes of the Budget it was estimated that, at the 31st of March last, the amount of Surtax and Super-tax in assessment and unpaid, which will ultimately prove to be collectible, was about £14,500,000. I cannot say how many persons are covered by this figure. The greater part of the £14,500,000 represents the Surtax for the year 1930–31 which was payable on the 1st of January last, and practically the whole of the remainder represents tax due for the two preceding years.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say how far these arrears are due to bona fide disputes as to liability, or how far they are due to the fact that the taxpayer is unwilling or unable to pay promptly?

It is difficult to dissect what proportion is unwillingness and what proportion is powerlessness. The Treasury always assumes that it is unwillingness until it has been proved to the contrary.

Is it not an indication that the limit of direct taxation has now been reached?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the numbers of the staffs employed by the trustee savings banks in England and Wales and in Scotland, respectively, stating the number who are in full-time employment and the number of those who are in part-time employment?

The trustee savings banks make appointments to their staffs in accordance with requirements and at their own discretion, but a list of staff is included in the annual returns made by the banks to the National Debt Commissioners. The returns for the year to 20th November, 1931, show the following numbers employed—England and Wales, 1,164; Scotland, 664. The returns do not distinguish those in part-time employment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Royal Commissions and special committees have been appointed by the present Government; the dates of appointment; how many of these are still sitting; and how many of those appointed by the previous two Governments are still sitting?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the number of commissions and committees set up by the present Government since the election, excluding the Tariffs Advisory Committee and those set up under the Horticultural Products Act, and their estimated cost to the public?

Six commissions and committees have been set up by the present Government since the election, and I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of these bodies on the lines of the table circulated on 9th December last. It is not practicable at present to give any satisfactory estimate of their cost to the public. Of the committees and commissions appointed by the previous two Governments, 20 are still sitting.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman stop wasting public money without considering how he is going to get a return for it?

I have just been asked to appoint another committee from the House.

Will the right hon. and gallant Member go easy on this matter in order to give future Governments a fair chance?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if any of the civil servants, numbering approximately 600, recently transferred to the Customs, Excise, and Inland Revenue Departments, were surplus to the requirements of the Departments in which they were previously serving?

I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of the answer which I gave on the 14th April to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. McEntee), of which I have sent him a copy.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) the total number of clerical officers transferred to the Customs and Excise Departmental clerical class during the past six months; the number of men and women from each Department, respectively; and the seniority at the date of transfer of the transferees in groups rising from one year onwards;

(2) the total number of clerical officers transferred to the Customs and Excise headquarters offices for the last six months, showing the allocation to each office, the number from each Department, respectively, and the seniority at date of transfer of the transferees in groups rising from one year onwards:

(3) the number of P-class clerks transferred from other Government Departments to fill vacancies in the Customs and Excise Department during the last six months, stating in each case the name of the Department making such transfers and the number of transfers it has made?

I am sending the hon. Member statements giving the figures asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to hold the election for the municipal authority in Jerusalem; and what measures it is proposed to take to ensure that the franchise shall be on a widely democratic basis?

I am unable to make a definite reply; but when the matter was raised some time ago it was the intention that elections to municipal councils should be postponed until after the enactment of a new Local Government Ordinance. I understand that a draft Ordinance is shortly to be laid before the municipal councils for their consideration. I have no doubt that in framing the new Local Government Ordinance the Government of Palestine will have paid due consideration to the point raised in the latter part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Government propose to take any steps to stimulate tourist traffic to Palestine?

I have no information as to any new proposals in connection with tourist traffic to Palestine, but I am quite sure that the Government of Palestine is fully alive to the importance of this matter, and may be relied upon to do all that is practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the present members of the advisory committee under the Cinematograph Films Act?

With my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate the names of the committee in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these members represent American interests?

As far as I know, none of them.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries working in Lancashire and Cheshire at the latest date for which figures are available?

At 16th April, 195 pits were producing coal in Lancashire and Cheshire.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of Government inspectors employed in the Lancashire and Cheshire coalfield, and the number of underground inspections made during the latest 12 months for which figures are available?

The total inspectorate in the North-Western Division, which includes Lancashire and Cheshire, consists of 15 whole-time inspectors and three who also have duties in other divisions. In Lancashire there are six whole-time inspectors of mines in addition to the divisional inspector and two others who have responsibilities elsewhere. The Cheshire collieries are dealt with by inspectors who are mainly employed in North Staffordshire. The number of underground inspections in Lancashire and Cheshire during 1931 was 1,395.

May I ask whether these inspections were surprise visits, or whether notice is sent to the colliery company, and, if so, what length of time is given?