asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is aware of a proposed Danish-German agreement for large monopoly concessions for roadways, public works, forests, lands, and minerals in the Republic of Liberia; whether he can say if, under this agreement, an obligation is placed upon the Liberian Legislature to render illegal the commerce of British merchants in certain parts of the territory; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

:His Majesty's Government are aware that negotiations for a concession have been proceeding for some time between the Liberian Government and a Danish-German group, and have seen a draft of the concession. My latest information is to the effect that this draft has undergone considerable modifications and in particular that those provisions which would be calculated to produce the situation referred to in the second part of the question have been, or will be, deleted. At the same time I shall continue to watch the situation closely and shall not hesitate to invoke, if necessary, the Anglo-Liberian Treaty of Friendship and Commerce of 1848, which provides for the liberty of British subjects to trade in Liberia.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the date at which this proposal comes into operation?

:I cannot give information as to that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ascertain and state the details of the commercial agreement which is being or has been arranged by the Chilean Government with France which will facilitate the release of a portion of French frozen credits?

I understand that an agreement between France and Chile for the setting up of what is called a "compensation office" between the two countries was signed last week. While I have not yet received full details, I understand that the practical value of this arrangement depends upon the surplus which normally accrues from Chile from French imports of Chilean nitrate and copper; and that the sums to be devoted to the liquidation of French frozen balances will therefore be derived entirely from French purchases of these two commodities, particularly the former.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why our Foreign Office did not take initiative similarly in relation to commodities which interest us?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, with his former experience, will know that it would not be a matter entirely for the Foreign Office. The Treasury, of course, and the financial interests of the country are involved. If I am asked whether a similar treaty has been negotiated, I must have notice of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that under the Foreign Office there are commercial commissioners abroad, and does he not think that such an official or the Foreign Office should have taken the initiative?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies, during the 12 months preceding Ottawa, duties have been raised covering imports from the United Kingdom, and the class of goods thereby affected?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, customs duties occupy a pivotal position in Colonial finance, and the revenue necessary to balance the Budget depends largely on customs returns. In the 12 months preceding Ottawa customs duties were increased in the following Colonies: British Guiana, British Honduras, Cyprus, the Gambia, the Gold Coast, Hong Kong, Jamaica, certain of the Windward and Leeward Islands, Malta, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Straits Settlements, Trinidad. In some cases the increase was only in the duties on such luxury articles as alcoholic liquors and tobacco, but in others a more general increase was necessary. Where a preference is in force the margin of preference has been increased proportionately to the increase in the rate of duty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state, with reference to imperial preferences granted by Colonial Governments, in what instances such preference has been given, respectively, by lowering existing tariffs or by heightening existing tariffs against foreign countries?

The earliest preference granted by a non-self-governing Colony was granted in 1900. Preferential tariffs have been introduced in various Colonies at various dates since then and preferences so granted have been varied from time to time. It would obviously be impossible to examine all these alterations with the object of answering the hon. Member's question, but, broadly speaking, the choice between the two alternatives has depended on the revenue exigencies of the moment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how this country is to judge the results of Ottawa if this very important information is not available?

I think it will judge the results of Ottawa by the increase of trade which is obtained.

Is it the case that a number of the Colonies have raised their tariffs against foreign importations as the outcome of the Ottawa Conference?

There have been some cases where a lower rate of duty prevailed in which an increased rate of preference has been given to this country by raising the duty against foreign countries, and I am perfectly prepared at any time and in any place to defend that action.

Has not this form of preference been approved for over 30 years by all Governments?

Yes, Sir, that certainly is so—and not least by the right hon. Gentleman's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is a comprehensive official list of Customs Tariffs of the non-self-governing colonies, protectorates, and mandated territories available to the public?

The Customs Tariffs of the various British Oversea Dependencies, corrected in accordance with the information available in the Colonial Office up to the beginning of June, 1932, are contained in the publication, Colonial No. 72, entitled "Customs Tariffs of the Non-self-governing Colonies, Protectorates, Mandated Territories, etc." which may be purchased from His Majesty's Stationery Office, price 5s. 6d. It is hoped to reprint that publication, with amendments, annually. In the interim I understand that the Department of Overseas Trade is prepared to answer any specific questions regarding modifications in tariffs since the print was published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which of the countries with which the Government are about to enter into negotiations with a view to securing reductions in their tariffs upon British goods are parties to the systems of commercial treaties which include the most-favoured-nation clause, and which would require them automatically to extend equally to other countries whatever concessions they may make to the United Kingdom?

I understand that each one of the countries with which it is proposed to negotiate in the immediate future is a party to commercial treaties containing a most-favoured-nation clause which would have the effect referred to by the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total amount of subsidy paid to Imperial Airways for their last financial year?

The total subsidy paid to Imperial Airways in the last financial year amounted to approximately £467,000, Of this sum £77,000 was contributed by the various African Governments and Administrations in respect of the England-South Africa air service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is the intention of the Government to grant subsidies to any of the flying clubs connected with National Flying Services?

As indicated in the reply to my hon. Friend's supplementary question on the 26th October no formal application has as yet been reecived from the parent company or from any of its constituent clubs. In these circumstances the question becomes hypothetical, and I can only say that any application will be considered on its merits, if and when it is put forward.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has any statement to make as to the progress of the negotiations between the Air Ministry and the London County Council and the Hampstead Borough Council as to the use to be made of Heath Brow, Hampstead Heath, and the extent to which the provisions of the Hampstead and Highgate town-planning scheme are to be disregarded?

I am glad to say that an agreed settlement of this question has been reached. The building is to be used as a town headquarters and officers' mess for No. 604 County of Middlesex Auxiliary Air Force Squadron and this should not affect the amenities of the district. It has been arranged that the plans of the small additional building which it is proposed to erect within the grounds shall be communicated to the London County Council and the Hampstead Borough Council for their concurrence.

asked the hon. Member for Central Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, what was the total cost to the Commissioners of the recent case in the Norwich Consistory Court?

Payments on account of fees and disbursements amounting to £5,500 have been made by the Commissioners, but the amount remaining to be paid is not ascertained, as the bills of costs have not yet been delivered to the Commissioners.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have any control at all with regard to these large bills presented to them?

No, Sir. Unfortunately the Commissioners are in the ignoble position of having to pay the piper without being able to call the tune. I understand that the matter is to be brought before the Church Assembly, and I hope that some procedure will be devised which will be less costly and less injurious to the Church.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the regularity with which air mail services have operated during recent months, he will now consider the advisability of treating such mails as a normal facility provided by the Post Office and make arrangements for abolishing the complicated and high charges now imposed?

It is true that during the summer months the air mail services have operated with a high degree of regularity; but I fear that, until the very wide difference between the cost of air transport and of surface transport has been substantially reduced, it will not be practicable to forward mails by air without the payment of additional charges.

asked the Postmaster-General the percentage by which the fees charged to the public for the use of the air mails exceed the charges made by the owners of the aeroplanes for carrying these mails?

The rates of postage on air letters are so fixed as to cover as nearly as possible the cost of transport and of handling and similar operations in this country. It is impracticable to state the relation of the postage charge to the payments for air conveyance in the form of percentages, as they would vary according to the destination and weight of the letter and, in many of the services, according to fluctuations in the exchange.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to state that, if the charges were lowered, the result would be a loss to the Post Office?

Yes, Sir; I am prepared to make that statement.

asked the Attorney-General (1) how many commissioners of assize have, since October, 1931, been appointed to the North-Eastern and Northern Circuits; and how many to other circuits in England and Wales;

(2) How many commissioners of assize have been appointed since October, 1931; and what has been the expenditure entailed by such appointments?

Four commissioners of assize have been appointed since October, 1931, at a total cost of £1,232 ls. 5d. These include the appointment of one commissioner for the Northern Circuit and one for the North-Eastern Circuit.

Will the Attorney-General consider the advisability of appointing an extra judge to do this work at assizes, in order to add to the dignity of the Judicature travelling on circuit?

The question whether new judges should be appointed has often been discussed by the House. I am glad to hear that my hon. Friend is in favour of it.

asked the Attorney-General if he can yet estimate the success of the New Procedure Rules of the Supreme Court; what proportion of cases are tried under them; and whether any reduction in the cost of litigation results from their use?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for putting down this question. The New Procedure Rules are working smoothly and efficiently. Since 24th May, when the Rules came into force, 93 actions in the new procedure list have been tried, as against 347 in the ordinary list. Both the judges who are taking cases in the new procedure list are fully engaged upon them. Few taxations of costs have so far taken place, but from such information as is available it appears that some reduction in the cost of litigation has resulted.

In view of that success, and of the apparent reduction in the cost of litigation, will the Attorney-General consider extending these Rules to other forms of action, and particularly to the county courts?

I will call the Lord Chancellor's attention to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that in some cases widows whose claims for pension have been rejected by the Ministry are not advised by his Department of their right of appeal against the decision to the independent appeal tribunal; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in every case these widows are advised of their rights under the War Pensions Acts and warrants?

The hon. Member would appear to have been misinformed. It is the practice of the Ministry to notify widows of their right of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in all cases where an appealable issue is raised.

When the widows' cases are turned down through ignorance of the way of putting their case, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman undertake that they shall be advised that they have a right of appeal to an independent Tribunal?

Widows whose claims arise under Article 17B have a right of appeal, and it is notified to them. The others never have had a right of appeal.

asked the Prime Minister in view of the imminent reassembly of the bureau of the Disarmament Conference, whether he can give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not commit themselves to any such proposals as those now being put forward for the total abolition of military and naval aviation, coupled with international control of civil aviation, and for the abolition of warships over 10,000 tons without first affording Parliamentary opportunity for their discussion?

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that nothing shall be done at the forthcoming Disarmament Conference which will impair the proved value of the air arm as an efficient, economical, and humane method of maintaining peace and security in both India and the Middle East, without first consulting Parliament?

asked the Prime Minister whether the new French disarmament plan has yet been considered by His Majesty's Government; and whether he will undertake to secure the approval of Parliament before our representatives at Geneva commit us to any restatement of Article 16 of the covenant, to any reversion to the Protocol de Genêve, or to anything that would extend the guarantees of Locarno to the rest of the frontiers laid down in the peace treaties?

As hon. Members are aware, the House has been kept fully informed of the policy of His Majesty's Government in respect to Disarmament. It is not intended to make any departure from the normal practice when Governments are engaged in important negotiations. I should add that His Majesty's Government have not yet received the full details of the new French disarmament plan to which my right hon. and gallant Friend the. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) refers.

Are we to understand from that answer that the policy of the Government with regard to Disarmament will not go beyond the policy laid down in the White Paper presented to the House of Commons in the summer?

I wish my right hon. Friend had given me notice so that I might refresh my memory as to what is in the White Paper, but the House knows perfectly well that, when Governments are engaged in negotiations like this, they have to use their judgment as to what the opinion of the House is, and when the negotiations have been completed, or at a stage before that if the Government wish, the Government communicate to the House what they are doing, and the House is then in a position to say either Yea or Nay in regard to that communication.

The Prime Minister does not assume that the view of the House is that the Air Force should be abolished?

We have had a White Paper on the question of Disarmament, but we have had no paper on the question of Article 17, or the Government attitude towards the Protocol de Geneve. Is the practice hitherto adopted by the Government of refusing to commit this country to any further liabilities, military or naval, in Europe to stand?

The House may be assured that the Government will not commit the country to any further commitment without the consent of the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state in more specific terms whether it is clear that nothing in the line of the abolition of the Air Force can possibly take place without the permission of the House?

The Government must be free to negotiate the abolition or the extension of anything, but the negotiations will be conducted with the full knowledge that final consent remains with this House.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect that he will be in a position to make a fuller statement on Disarmament if the matter is raised in the near future in Debate in the House?

I could not say at the present moment.

May we take it that, when the discussion on Disarmament takes place, either the right hon. Gentleman or the Foreign Secretary will be here to give as full information as is possible in the circumstances?

When the question of Disarmament is brought before the House, the House may assume that a responsible Minister will be able to take part in the Debate.

Will the Prime Minister see to it that he is not browbeaten by the armament ring?

I wish to extract one further word from the Prime Minis- ter, that the House will not only be able to register consent but dissent if it feels so inclined.

I said so—either Yea or Nay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the questions put from behind him, and the spirit represented by them, are dissented from by a great mass of people in the country?

asked the Prime Minister if proposals for the international control of working hours are being considered by the Preparatory Committee for the World Economic Conference with a view to their inclusion in the agenda of the conference?

As I have already announced, the. Preparatory Committee of Experts, which is to make a preliminary examination of the questions which will be submitted to the World Conference, only commenced their session on Monday last, and I am not yet in a position to indicate what particular subjects are likely to be included in the agenda.

Have the Government power to make suggestions to the Preparatory Committee, and, if so, would he consider the advisability of making this one of the prime questions to be dealt with by the Economic Conference?

My impression is that we have not power to make suggestions to the Preparatory Committee. At the same time, if any very important germane question regarding the work of the conference has been omitted, the Government or its representatives will certainly see that those questions are before it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough, in the circumstances obtaining here and in all parts of the world, to make representations so that this very vital question may form part of the agenda?

I will take note of the suggestion.

If the Government are not entitled to raise questions to be put on the agenda, with whom does that power he?

The agenda has been handed over to the experts committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the men charged in the disturbances over the week-end belonged to the hunger-marchers visiting London?

In connection with the disorders on 27th and 30th October, five men belonging to one or other of the contingents visiting London have been charged.

(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make concerning the disturbances in Whitehall last night?

The demonstration yesterday was organised by the National Unemployed Workers Movement in support of the petition which the movement had announced their intention of presenting to Parliament at any cost. Meetings were arranged in about 10 parts of the Metropolis, and a mass demonstration was held at Clerkenwell Green, from which it was proposed to send a deputation to the House of Commons. These meetings broke up, in accordance with pre-arranged plans, into small parties and proceeded to Parliament Square and the vicinity. Parliament Square was cleared by the police and a large crowd then assembled in Trafalgar Square and around Charing Cross. Around Charing Cross the crowd became disorderly and it was necessary for the police to draw their truncheons to disperse the crowd. The difficulty in clearing Trafalgar Square was increased by the arrival of demonstrators who came in small parties from Clerkenwell Green. In all about 3,000 persons were present in the Square and they became disorderly. Five windows were smashed, but the police drew their batons and restored order, a number of arrests being made. Later, more of the disorderly element returned to the Square and it was again necessary to disperse them, but this was done without batons being used, some further arrests being made.

At about 7 p.m. an attempt was made by small groups of demonstrators on the south side of Westminster Bridge to cross the bridge; they were turned back. Shortly after 9 p.m. a crowd began to collect about Westminster Bridge, and the bridge was cleared. Some damage was done to shop windows and iron railings in Lower Marsh, Westminster Bridge Road, and Belvedere Road. The windows of seven premises in the vicinity of Gray's Inn Road and Holborn were also damaged. Earlier in the evening a small party of demonstrators which was about to become disorderly in Edgware Road was dispersed by the police without difficulty, and later on four arrests were made in Praed Street. Forty-one arrests were made in all. Twelve police officers were injured, none seriously, and 32 other persons. As on previous occasions, despite the appeal of the Commissioner of Police, the work of the police was increased by the presence of large numbers of spectators.

How long is this hooliganism to go on?

I think that the House and the country realise the iniquity of these proceedings and we will consider any means by which we can bring them to an end.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider advising his Government to relieve the necessities of the unemployed in order to save these disturbances?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these unemployed are now stranded in London and are very anxious to go back home; and in order to avoid any further disturbance is there no possibility of arrangements being made to send them back?

I should think that it is obvious that those who were responsible for bringing these people here should get them back again.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these individuals have a real grievance and that they are expressing it. Now that they are in gaol and, according to his own report, that very little or no damage has been done, and no one has been seriously injured, will not this great, powerful Government extend the hand of friendship?

asked the Home Secretary if he has any proposals to make to the House for further restricting the purchase or hire of firearms?

As I stated in reply to a question on the 27th October, I have this matter under consideration. My hon. Friend may rest assured that if find reason to think that the existing law requires strengthening, I shall not hesitate to ask Parliament for further powers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the strength of the present law, and, if so, how does he account for the prevalence of so many firearms among the people to-day?

As I have already stated to the House, I am considering the question.

asked the Home Secretary what is the total amount of tithes payable to the Welsh Church Commissioners from the diocese of Bangor and how such tithe was collected during the year 1931; whether any advertisement appeared inviting applications for the post of collector; if so, in what papers such advertisement appeared; and whether there are any special reasons why Messrs. Boscawen and Richmond, of Wrexham, in the diocese of St. Asaph, were appointed to collect the tithes of the diocese of Bangor?

The total annual commuted amount of tithe rentcharge payable to the Welsh Church Commissioners from the diocese of Bangor is approximately £34,600, the present value of which is approximately £36,350. During the year 1931, this tithe rent-charge was collected directly from the Commissioners' head office. No advertisements were issued inviting applications for the appointment of new collectors. The firm in question was appointed as it was already collecting tithe rentcharge of the commuted value of approximately £2,300 a year for the Commissioners. They have handled this work very efficiently, and possess an intimate acquaintance with agricultural conditions in North Wales.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Boscawen is a brother of the Chairman of the Welsh Church Commissioners?

I am not aware of that; I know nothing of it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Royal Commission on Unemployment has yet reported; and, if so, when its findings will be published?

The Commission has presented two Reports, one signed by the majority, and the other by the minority. There will be no delay in publishing the Reports, and my right hon. Friend hopes that it will be possible to place copies in the Vote Office on Monday next.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have yet considered the Report, and, if so, can he state their policy?

No one in the Government has yet seen the Report, and, as I understand that it runs to over 500 pages, it will take some time to deal with it.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider posting the Report so that Members may have it in their hands before the Debate on Unemployment?

As I have already said, we hope to have the Report available in the House on Monday.

Monday is rather late. Could not the Report be posted to Members so that they may receive it on Saturday evening?

Is it not possible to have the Report in the Vote Office by Friday so that we can look at it over the week-end?

Every effort has been made to expedite publication; otherwise, it would not have been possible to have it ready by Monday.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of civil servants who have been transferred from other Departments to the Department of Customs and Excise during each of the past 10 months?

I will with permission circulate the information required in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my hon. Friend say whether this process of transfer is being carried on regularly during ensuing months whenever a vacancy arises in the Customs Department, instead of appointing new civil servants?

I confined myself to answering the question of my hon. Friend about the past. If he will give me notice about the future, I will give him a further answer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the various grades and wages that will be paid to the new corps of custodians to be employed in the Houses of Parliament?

The grades and rates of remuneration of the new custodian staff will be as follow:

• 1 Superintendent—£300 per annum.
• 3 Inspectors—£200 per annum.
• 1 Assistant Inspector (for night duties)—£3 10s. per week.
• 40 Custodians—£3 per week.

In addition, the staff will receive a free issue of uniform.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether persons appointed to the staff of custodians of the Palace of Westminster who are in receipt of pensions will be subject to the rule of the Civil Service that their pay and pension on the new appointment shall not exceed the pay received prior to being pensioned?

The provisions of the Superannuation Acts which the hon. Member apparently has in mind apply only to Civil Service pensioners reemployed in public departments. They do not apply to police pensioners or to naval, military or air force pensioners.

Am I to understand that pensions are taken into consideration in arriving at the amount of wages to be paid to these men?

The wages are paid upon merits.

And independent entirely of the question of pensions? Do I understand that it would be possible for pension and wages to exceed the amount previously paid under the existing scheme?

I prefer that my hon. Friend should put down that question.

Is it possible, in the.new corps, for wages to be paid to a man who has a pension?

Yes, Sir. I have indicated that fact in my answer.