asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the confidential reports on officers of the Territorial Army for the present year have now been received at the War Office; and, if so, whether any of these officers have been recommended for a major-general's command or a major-general's appointment?

The reports are not due until the new year. I must remind my hon. and gallant Friend that he contents of confidential reports cannot be made public.

asked the Financial Secretary to tile War Office the total strength of the army garrison of half a battalion stationed at Bermuda; and whether, in the interests of economy, the establishment of three medical officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps could be reduced by arranging for the cooperation of the civil medical staff of the island?

The establishment of the troops at Bermuda is 28 officers and 416 other ranks. The question of co-operation by the civil medical staff has been investigated, but has not been found practicable under the local conditions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many vacancies there are at the present time in the rank of field-marshal; whether these vacancies are to be filled; and whether, in the interests of economy and in view of the fact that there is no command for a field-marshal in the Army, the opportunity will now be taken to reduce the establishment to a minimum?

There is one vacancy, and it will be filled in due course. The answer to the latter part of the question is that Field-Marshals are on the active list, and as such, are as much eligible for employment in the Army as are officers of the rank of General.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the present deficiency in the strength of the Regular Army at home and the Territorial Army; and can he give the House an indication of the steps that have or will be taken to reduce these deficiencies?

The deficiencies on 1st October were Regular Army 7,400, and Territorial Army 43,300. Recruiting for the Regulars is progressing satisfactorily, and it is earnestly hoped that the large deficiency in the Territorial Army, which is mainly due to the failure to hold camps during the present year, will be considerably reduced in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Glasgow Corporation to allow 35,000,000 gallons of sewage to enter the River Clyde per day without chemical treatment; and whether the Department of Health intend to take any action?

I pre- sume that the hon. Member's question refers to the sewage discharge from the Dalmuir Sewage works of the Corporation of Glasgow. I am informed that while the chemical treatment at one point in the process of purification has been discontinued, the methods hitherto followed otherwise remain unchanged. As regards the latter part of the question, the matter is not one in which the Department of Health can take any action unless a nuisance were to arise in the sense of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897. In that event the question of remedial measures would fall to be considered in the first instance by the Public Health Department of the Corporation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the opinion of the Manager of this Department between now and May no less than nine tons of solid matter will have sunk to the bed of the Clyde and will in time become settled?

I am not aware of that fact, but I am aware that during the War—during, I think, the whole course of the greater part of the War—there was a similar discontinuance of the chemical processes without prejudicial results following, as far as I am aware.

Does the hon. Gentleman wish the House to believe that because this state of things existed during the War it justifies the poisoning of the waters of the Clyde at this time?

I do not think we need enter into this question at all. I merely say that this particular state of affairs has occurred before as far as I know without inconvenience to the lieges, and consequently I wish to make it perfectly clear, as I stated, that this is primarily not a. matter for the Department of Health unless a nuisance occurs, and as far as I am aware no such nuisance occurred during the War.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses in Edinburgh which have been condemned as unfit for habitation and which are still occupied?

The total number of houses in Edinburgh which have been condemned as unfit for human habitation and which are still occupied is 1,009.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schemes of drainage works have been undertaken by the Department of Agriculture under the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act, 1930; and if he can give the cost and other particulars of the works completed or proposed?

Owing to the financial stringency it has not been possible to undertake a comprehensive programme of arterial drainage works, but the Department have prepared and settled in terms of Section 3 (4) of the Act a scheme for improving the drainage of lands extending to 1,786 acres in the catchment area of the River Annan. The cost of carrying out that scheme is estimated at £5,400 and the amount to be recoverable in respect of the benefit to the lands affected is estimated at £4,071.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is the policy of the Government to encourage schemes of this nature?

I am afraid that there are no further sums available during the present year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, for each of the last three years, the numbers of persons employed in the running of the hotels and inns in the State management districts of Gretna and the Cromarty Firth, respectively?

The staff employed in connection with the inns, hotels and other premises in the two districts varies during the year owing to seasonal requirements. The numbers employed in August in the years 1930, 1931 and 1932 are as follows (casual daily helps being excluded):—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if is is intended still further to reduce the number of licences in the State management areas of Gretna and the Cromarty Firth; if so, when will this reduction be effected; and how many licences will be involved?

There is no intention at present to carry out any further reductions in either area.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making illegal the marriage licence at the blacksmith's shop?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has yet received a report upon the trials of the Ringrose firedamp alarm conducted at the Houghton Main Colliery, Yorkshire, the Moseley Colliery, Lancashire, and the Waun Llwyd Colliery, South Wales, stating in the case of each colliery the number of shifts during which the tests were carried out and the results obtained?

asked the Secretary for Mines the present position with regard to the tests which are being made underground with the Ringrose automatic gas alarm; the total number of hours the alarms have been subjected to tests in each of the selected collieries, and with what results; and when the trials are likely to be completed?

The trials of the Ring-rose firedamp alarm were started at the first and second of these collieries in August and at the third in October last: and the trials are still in progress. I have not yet received a report from any of the three pit committees by whom the trials are being conducted. I do not expect to receive one until the conclusion of the trials, unless any committee proposes to continue them for longer than six months, in which case I shall ask for an interim report at the end of that period.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us the number of detectors used in each of these pits respectively?

Speaking from memory, 50 in both the Yorkshire and Lancashire pits, and 36 in South Wales.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the three selected mines are known to be gaseous mines; and when does the hon. Gentleman expect the report will be forthcoming from these pits? Will the report be sent along when the committees feel that they have got all the knowledge that they require, or has it to be at any specified time?

There is no specified time, but the hon. Member knows that the trials were financed mainly by grants from the Miners Welfare Committee in the spring of the year to enable the Secretary for Mines to arrange trials on a full working scale. I had that condition in mind when I said that if a report was not received at the end of six months, I should ask for a report in any cases in which it was necessary.

Seeing that a safety device has been applied for a period of four years without any failure, does not the Minister think that the time has come for speedy action?

It is because there are other considerations than those in the supplementary question of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that these exhaustive trials in these three representative pits are being carried out.

Will the hon. Gentleman reply to the first question? Are these selected mines known to be gaseous mines?

I understand that they were chosen because they were the three pits which would give the best results for this particular device.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House what percentage of gas the detectors will indicate?

I cannot do so without notice. If the hon. Member will put down a question, I shall be very glad to give the information.

asked the Secretary for Mines if an agreement has yet been reached between the mine-owners and the miners on the question of wages; and, if not, is he taking any steps to bring the two parties together?

There is no national agreement as regards wages in the coal-mining industry, but as the hon. Member is aware, the coal-owners in each district have undertaken to maintain the existing minimum percentages and subsistence wages until July next. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Lady to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on 25th October.

Has my hon. Friend met either of the parties, and, if so, when?

I shall have the advantage of meeting the representatives of the Miners' Federation to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock.

Is it the intention of the hon. Member to meet the mine-owners for the purpose of extending the voluntary agreement which they entered into when the Coal Mines Act was passed this year?

I should like to see that question put on the Order Paper.

Has the attention of the Minister been called to the valuable work done by the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in connection with the wages of people on the railways, and will he get the assistance of his colleague for the mines also?

I have no doubt whatever that if I desired the assistance of the right hon. Gentleman it would he among the most valuable assistance that I could get.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries use the Barclay patent safety device for preventing overwinding; and whether his Department has under consideration an order for the compulsory use of this or any other similar device?

Section 40 of the Coal Mines Act already requires that winding apparatus ordinarily used for raising or lowering persons at shafts more than 100 yards in depth shall be provided with an effective automatic contrivance to prevent overwinding. There is no collected information as to the numbers of the different types of contrivance which are in use.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has received any recommendation from the central council set up under the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, with regard to amendments to any section of the machinery operating under the Act?

No, Sir. But I understand that suggested amendments are under active discussion between the central council and the district executive boards.

Has the Secretary for Mines any idea of the lines which these recommendations will take in the report of the central council?

I may have ideas, but I have not seen the report, and, until I do, I can make no statement upon it.

When does the hon. Member expect it?

That is not in my hands.

Has the Secretary for Mines definitely made up his mind as to policy in the event of unanimity not being reached?

We generally do not cross our bridges until we come to them.

If there is no common agreement as to the recommendation of the central council, will the hon. Member ask the Government to take action to remedy some of the grievances under the Coal Mines Act?

In that case, I think the hon. Lady and the House had better wait and see.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has received any proposals for the rehabilitation of the export coal trade from any body of owners or merchants or representatives of the miners; and, if so, what form these proposals have taken?

In a memorandum submitted to the Government earlier in the year on the subject of the continuation of Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, the Miners' Federation represented that it was imperative that there should be a national levy for the purpose of facilitating the sale of British coal for export. I have not received any other proposals on this subject, but I understand that it is one of the matters to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member's previous question as being under discussion between the Central Council of Coal Owners and the District Executive Boards.

In view of the complaints which are widespread and which have been given great publicity as to evasions of Part I of the 1932 Act, cannot the hon. Member make some statement which will satisfy all the exporters of coal in the exporting districts?

I think the hon. Member will agree that it would be most ill-advised to make such a statement before we get the report containing the suggestions of those who are charged with the duty of administering the Act.

Is the hon. Member satisfied that Durham and Scotland are carrying out the intention and purpose of Part I of the Mines Act in regard to the fixation of prices?

In regard to that, there is a good deal of varying information.

Is the hon. Member seeking such information as will enable him to form a final judgment in order to make a recommendation to the Government as to the future action they should take?

I am not only seeking but receiving information of all kinds of a varying nature.

Can the hon. Member say whether the evasions of Part I are such as to warrant the Government in taking action in those cases?

The issue to which the hon. Lady refers is a grave one.

Is there not almost universal agreement that it is time the export trade was freed from the restrictions and shackles of the Coal Mines Act of 1931?

I wish that agreement were as universal as the hon. Member seems to think it is.

asked the Secretary for Mines what were the actual local rates per ton of coal raised in 1913, 1920, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931, respectively, and paid to local authorities in the Northumberland and Durham county areas?

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

Is the hon. Member aware that the mines in the county of Durham are not benefiting to the extent which it was understood they would benefit under the De-rating Act?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can make any statement relating to the appointment of a Governor-General in the Irish Free State?

While I have no statement to make at the moment, the House is aware that provision for the appointment of a Governor-General is made in the Treaty, and is indeed an integral part of it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when I may put down another question in the hope of receiving a satisfactory reply?

The hon. Member may put it down when he likes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Irish Free State is going along very well without the filling of this highly expensive post?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the proposals of the Government for implementing the recommendations regarding tin mining, contained in the report of the Advisory Committee on the Metalliferous Mining and Quarrying Industry on the possibilities of developing or of reviving the working of metalliferous and associated deposits in Great Britain?

The recommendations made in this report are receiving consideration. Some appear to involve only administrative action, and I am in consultation with the other Departments concerned to see how far they can be put into effect. Others would require legislation, and on these I am afraid that I can make no statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that the export of sugar-making machinery to Australia has practically ceased in consequence of the high tariff in that Dominion amounting, even with preference, to 40 per cent. ad valorem; and if, in view of the fact that Great Britain allows a tariff preference of £23 15s. per ton of sugar imported from Australia, he will make representations to the Government of the Commonwealth that further preference should be given to British-made sugar-making machinery?

I would refer my hon. Friend to Articles 10 and 11 of the United Kingdom-Australian Agreement signed at the Ottawa Conference. In accordance with those Articles the duties to, which my hon. Friend refers will fall for review by the Tariff Board in Australia as soon as practicable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the Australian Government to this particular case?

No. It would be unfair to draw the attention of any Dominion to a particular ease. The Agreement sets out that there shall be a fair and impartial review, and the conditions governing it are also fair. It would be better, the hon. Member having put the question, to leave it at that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman define more closely the words "as soon as practicable"? Does that mean an indefinite time, or until the revenue of the Australian Commonwealth has improved?

No; "as soon as practicable" requires a common sense interpretation, having regard to the fact that we trust them and they trust us, and we hope that both will do the right thing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the Indian delegates to Ottawa on his way home went to Holland and placed an order for sugar machinery there?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total volume of imports of woollen and cotton goods from the island of Guernsey for the last period for which figures are available; whether they were manufactured in Guernsey or whether they were re-exports; and, if so, in what country they were manufactured?

I regret that the desired information is not available. Particulars of the imports of goods consigned from Guernsey, apart from the Channel Islands as a whole, are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom, and particulars as to the country of manufacture of imported goods are not ascertained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of fine china was imported into this country from foreign countries during the months of August, September, and October, 1931, and the amount imported during the same months of this year?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the effect of the new import duties on the golf-club-making industry; whether he is aware that the timbers, persimmon and hickory, from which clubs are made, are grown only in the United States of America and that about 75 per cent. of the output of British golf-club makers is sent overseas; and whether, seeing that the duties operate as a preference in favour of foreign manufacturers, he will take action to ensure an early reconsideration of the question of these duties?

I am informed that applications on behalf of the golf-club-making industry in connection with the import duties in question, have already been made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question has been before them for a very considerable time, and can be do anything to expedite a decision in the matter?

I have no doubt that these subjects are dealt with in the order of importance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of refunding duty levied on specialised machinery (not manufactured in this country) imported in the period between the 1st March, when such duty was first imposed by the Imports Duties Act, and the 16th June, when the Finance Act was passed, Section 10 of which provided for the issue of licences permitting the importation of such machinery free of duty, in consideration of the fact that the early importation of this machinery enabled firms to employ several hundred extra hands who would otherwise have remained idle during the summer months?

I regret that there is no power to refund the duty paid in the case referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration the extreme hardship on a firm which ordered machinery before the Import Duties were imposed? The machinery had not arrived and was actually on the high seas when the duties were imposed. The firm might have allowed the machinery to remain in bond and not have been mulcted in a fine of £1,000 by taking it out in order to give employment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in what cases the Import Duties Advisory Committee have recommended a drawback on exported goods; and in what cases effect has been given to that recommendation?

The only recommendations regarding drawback that have been received from the Import Duties Advisory Committee are those to which effect has been given by the Import Duties (Drawback) (No. 1) Order,1932. The Order, and the recommendations on which it is based, will be found in Command Paper No. 4157.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any agreement has been arrived at by his Department with Empire producers of copper, zinc and lead as to the meaning to be attached to the expression first sale under the Ottawa Agreements?

Particulars of an agreement reached between copper producers and consumers on this subject are contained in my reply to the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. A. Ramsay) on the 28th October, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The producers and consumers of lead are being invited to attend a meeting at the Board of Trade to discuss the bearings of the Ottawa Agreements on their industry and my Department is prepared to afford an opportunity for the zinc interests to consider the matter together if they so desire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the initial steps taken for the formation of a trading corporation in Lancashire to conduct negotiations direct in relation to cotton-piece goods with retailers in India; and whether the Government, if approached, will facilitate the granting of guarantees for capital and interest?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter. With regard to the second part of the question, there are no provisions under which the Government could grant the financial assistance mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make available to Members of this House a copy of the agreement made between the iron and steel makers of this country and of India subsequent to the Ottawa Conference regarding the restriction of the importation of steel bars from India for the production of galvanized sheets and tinplates to a figure of 7,000 tons per month?

I understand that there have been recent discussions between the representatives of the British and Indian iron and steel industries which have resulted in an arrangement, satisfactory to both sides, for the use of Indian sheet bar by British concerns in the manufacture of galvanised sheet far the Indian market. The negotiations were not conducted by the respective Governments and I am not in a position to make any statement with regard to the details of the arrangement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that this experiment will remain in force until the end of the agreement?

I am not sure whether the agreement made between the iron and steel interests is co-terminus with the Ottawa Agreements, but I believe that it is intended to cover approximately the same period.

If I put a question down, will the right hon. Gentleman give me an answer?

I should like to see the question on the Paper before I give a more definite reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, now that the last British Government conversion has been accomplished, he can hold out any hopes that British industries may also receive this assistance from cheap money by the removal of the Treasury embargo?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the restrictions now apply only to foreign issues and to optional conversions requiring public issues or underwriting. The question of a further relaxation of these restrictions is under consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement to-day on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the attention of the Governments of the Dominions has been drawn to the report of the Imperial Economic Committee on the subject of the cocoa industry (22nd Report, 88/503/22); and if he will ascertain what steps the Dominion Governments propose to take to implement the recommendations contained therein, with special reference to the proposed prohibition of the use of cocoa-butter substitutes throughout the Empire?

As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will explain, in answer to a later question by my hon. Friend, this matter is still under consideration in so far as the United Kingdom is concerned. Pending a decision, I do not think that it would be appropriate to approach the other Governments who are represented on the committee, and to whom the report is addressed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to implement the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee on the subject of the cocoa industry, 22nd Report, 88/503/33?

The recommendations in this Report, so far as they concern His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, are principally for the consideration of the Minister of Health. I have drawn the attention of my right hon. Friend to those recommendations and I have no doubt that they are receiving his careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increasing difficulty of obtaining import licences by former customers of British firms in the Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark; and whether he will state what steps have been taken by the Board of Trade to remove this check upon our export trade, particularly in view of the quantity of imports from those countries?

So far as I am aware there is no import licence system in Sweden or Norway, and in the case of Denmark my information tends to show that the system has not involved any undue restriction of United Kingdom trade. I would suggest that firms which find that there are difficulties in the way of securing licences for United Kingdom goods should get into touch with His Majesty's Minister in Copenhagen who will render them all possible assistance in the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what basis the Customs assess the value of cinematograph films imported into this country; and, if the arrangement is a declaration on the c.i.f. value, whether there is any means by which the Customs may compare the declaration made with the actual earnings of the film when released?

The Customs duties on imported cinematograph films are chargeable at specific, not ad valorem, rates, and in consequence the values of such films are not assessed by the Customs for duty purposes. For the purposes of the trade returns the importer of cinematograph films (as of other goods) is required to declare their value on a c.i.f. basis, and if there is any reason to doubt the accuracy of such a declaration the importer may be called upon to justify or amend it. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all the five principal maritime Powers have ratified the Safety of Life at Sea Convention; and whether, if they have not done so before the end of December, he intends to put the reversal of helm orders in force in the British merchant service on 1st January?

The following countries have ratified and will bring the International Safety of Life at Sea Convention into operation on the 1st January, 1933: United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. Steps are being taken to bring the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1932, including those relating to Helm Orders into operation on that date.

As the United States is not included in the list of countries which have ratified the Convention, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any probability of the United States ratifying between now and the 1st January next?

According to the information which has reached me, the question has been considered by the Foreign Relations Committee, and they have deferred a decision until after Congress meets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the milled-oat products, exported from Germany under the bond system with Government co-operation, included oatmeal and husked or flaked oats?

I understand that these products are included.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any retailers of foodstuffs, especially of meat and vegetables, have been prosecuted for profiteering since 1st June, 1932; and how many such prosecutions have been instituted, where, and wall what result?

No such prosecutions have taken place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that profiteering is not responsible for the gap which exists between wholesale and retail prices?

I could not express an opinion as to profiteering unless individual cases were brought to my attention and were thoroughly examined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the lowest selling price of foreign wheat sold in London during the current year; and which country sold wheat at the lowest price?

According to the quotations published in the "Corn Trade News," the lowest selling prices per 496 lbs. of foreign wheats sold in London during the current year were as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total estimated cost of the work now proceeding at the grand sluice, Boston, in order to prevent the flooding of 250,000 acres of land, including parts of the city of Lincoln; whether the Treasury have agreed to make any contribution towards the cost of such work; and, if not, have the Witham Catchment Board sufficient funds to meet this necessary expenditure?

In their application to my Department for a grant in respect of the work for repairing the grand sluice, Boston, the total cost was estimated by the Witham Catchment Board as £12,700, to be spread over three years, but I have since been informed by the Board that the total expenditure will probably be considerably greater. After a careful consideration of the application, it has been decided that no grant can be made in this case. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that the Catchment Board are required by the Land Drainage Act, 1930, to precept the internal drainage boards within the catchment area for such contribution as they consider to be fair, and that they can also precept the county councils and county borough councils within the catchment area for the produce of such rate, exceeding 2d. in the £, as the majority of the representatives of these authorities on the catchment board agree.

In view of the fact that drainage work is of national importance and that the maximum rate permissible is 2d. in the pound, may I ask whether the Government have reconsidered their previous decision not to make grants for necessary and urgent drainage schemes?

It. is not possible to contemplate further expenditure from central funds.

Are we to understand that the reply is general and that no national funds will be available for drainage purposes?

I do not think that it can be taken as general, but in this case, which has been carefully considered, I fear that no grant can be made.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he proposes to repeal or amend the New Forest Act of 1877?

The Forestry Commissioners are unaware of any proposal to repeal or amend this Statute.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether the proposed overhead electric cables over the New Forest will result in cheaper electricity for the New Forest villages;

The high tension line referred to is a link in the south-western section of the national transmission or grid system. The grid will make electricity more readily available to the supply authorities distributing in rural districts and the economies resulting from the grid system will in due course be reflected in the prices charged by such authorities.

May I ask whether the New Forest will be supplied by this line?

No. It cannot be supplied directly by this line.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give any information as to the recent financial assistance granted by the State to the Norwegian fishing industry?

As the reply is somewhat long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether British West Indies black logwood dye is specified or otherwise for use in the issue of Navy clothing, seamen's scarves?

British West Indies black logwood dye is not specified for use in the manufacture of seamen's black silk handkerchiefs. The specification does not stipulate for the use of any particular description of black dye.

Will the right hon. and gallant Member in future specify this British Empire product in naval contracts?

I will certainly look into that, but there is an objection to dye in articles which are worn next to the skin as it sometimes sets up a peculiar irritation.

May I ask whether any medical report has been received on this dye?

Is it not the fact that no part of a seaman's black silk handkerchief touches the skin?

I was referring to clothing which may touch the skin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of the office staff of the Welsh Church Commission for the years 1930 and 1931, and the estimated cost for 1932; whether the salaries of the staff and the salary of the Chairman have been subjected to any cut; and, if so, what?

The total cost of the office staff of the Welsh Church Commission (including the salary of the Chairman) for the years 1930 and 1931 was £10,290 and £9,762 respectively, and the estimated cost for 1932 is £8,864. Reductions, varying from 10 per cent., in the case of salaries of £1,000 or over, to 5 per cent. on salaries of £200 and over but less than £500 a year, were made in all salaries, including, that of the chairman.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed were on the live register at Salford at the latest convenient date and the number at the corresponding date a year ago?

At 24th October, 1932, there were 16,393 persons on the registers of the Salford Employment Exchange. The number at 26th October, 1931, was 19,385.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered insured workers in industry in this country in 1913 and in 1931; and the amount expressed as a percentage of the population?

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

Is the Minister in a position to tell us whether they are more or less to-day than they were in 1913?

They are more now. In July, 1931, they were 12,500,000. The corresponding figure for July, 1921, was 11,081,000.

Will the Minister bear in mind that the same classes of persons may not have been insured in 1913 as in 1931?

I did not say 1913. I said 1921. That is when the Act of 1920 was in operation.

Is the Minister not aware that 1913 and 1931 are mentioned in the question?

Of course the figure is very much less in 1913. The number was 1,992,000.

I have received a letter from the Parliamentary Secretary stating that he made a mistake in replying to a question the other day, and therefore there is no need to put this question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before any decision is reached with regard to the extent in which the British Government can agree with the French disarmament proposals and particularly those with regard to the international control of civil aviation, he will ensure that such agreement will in no way prevent the future development of British civil aviation, either of a private nature or on the existing and proposed Empire routes to India, South Africa, Australia, and Canada, respectively?

I have not yet received the new French disarmament proposals. My Noble Friend may rest assured that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will certainly bear in mind the importance of providing fully for the future of British civil aviation and the development of air communications with India, South Africa, Australia and Canada.

While the right hon. Gentleman is thinking about these Imperial air services, will he also bear in mind the fact that the one thing this nation desires is peace?

There is no fear of His Majesty's Government forgetting that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will be no quota as regards privately-run lines?

I cannot enter into details. The House may take the answer I have given as the answer, which will guide us in our general policy.

May I ask whether the Government are considering dissociating civil aviation altogether from military requirements?

That, naturally, is one of the questions which must come up.

asked the Prime Minister who was responsible for the appointment of Mr. Arthur Henderson as chairman of the World Disarmament Conference; and if he can give the amount of personal expenses paid to him since the opening of this Conference?

I have been asked to reply. Mr. Henderson was appointed president of the Disarmament Conference by the Council of the League of Nations in May, 1931. The only item in the League budget bearing on the second part of the question is one of 50,000 Swiss francs for "expenses of chairman and entertainment."

Is Mr. Henderson responsible to the National Government for the declaration of policy on behalf of the Government?

No, Sir, he is not.

Is it permissible for the right hon. Gentleman in his position as chairman of that Conference to take a view contrary to that of His Majesty's Government?

Surely there is a simple answer to the question put by the hon. Member, and the House is entitled to have it, Are the Government responsible for Mr. Henderson's utterances as chairman of the Disarmament. Conference?

Most certainly not, Sir.

I asked a question to which I think I am entitled to have a reply, whether it is permissible for the British chairman of the Disarmament Conference to take a view contrary to that of His Majesty's Government?

The chairman of the Disarmament Conference is discharging his duties as chairman without any regard to his nationality. He is not in any way circumscribed by the fact that he happens to be a British subject.

Is it not a fact that Mr. Henderson was invited to occupy this position irrespective of any connection with the Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet re- ceived, or has considered, the new French disarmament plan, and what instructions have been given to our representatives at Geneva on the question of any restatement of Article 16 of the Covenant, of any reversion to the Protocol de Geneve, or of any extension of the Locarno guarantees to the rest of the frontiers laid down in the Peace Treaties?

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. An outline of the French plan was sketched by Monsieur Paul-Boncour in his speech on Friday, but the plan has not yet been deposited or communicated. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Have no instructions been sent to our representatives there on those three points? The matter seems to be of importance, because the views of the President on the question are known?

I think my right hon. and gallant Friend will see that instructions in regard to the French plan could not be formulated before the French plan is communicated. It is not the intention, I feel sure, to discuss it the moment it is produced. There is bound to be a short period for examination.

We read the President's speech carefully. May we not find out whether these points have been dealt with?

The right hon. Member is now repeating his original question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is prepared to consider, at an early date, the readjustment of existing restrictions as to the specific gravity at which beer may be brewed so as to facilitate the use of British malting barley?

I think my hon. Friend must be under some misapprehension, as there are no revenue restrictions as to the gravity at which beer may be brewed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the numerous cases of owners of property or head lessees remitting part of the rent due to them in order to assist occupiers of business or residential premises to tide over the financial depression, he will issue instructions to income tax assessors or collectors not to charge property tax upon such remission?

I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal. The property owner would not in the circumstances suggested bear tax upon more than the reduced amount of rent paid to him. I may also point out that a tenant of business premises is entitled in computing his profits for assessment; to Income Tax to deduct not only the rent actually paid to his landlord but also any excess of the net Schedule A assessment upon the premises over the amount of that rent. In the case of residential premises any excess of annual value represents of course part of the tenant's total income for tax purposes, and this total income is subject to all the usual reliefs—reduced rate of tax, personal allowances, etc.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the tax officials say that the question whether the tax should be charged on the remitted rent is in their discretion?

I am not sure whether the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the owner or the tenant of the property. As I have pointed out, the owner of the property does not pay tax on the remitted rent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what has been the average amount contributed per head in Scotland and England, respectively, during the past three years towards the national revenue on account of Income Tax, Super-tax, and Estate Duties?

My right hon. Friend has decided to have prepared as soon as possible a Return of Revenue and Expenditure for England and Scotland similar in form to that which was last issued in 1922. I hope that this return will be ready for publication early in December, and that the information contained in it will be sufficient for my hon. and gallant Friend's purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the communication from the Town Council of Coventry and other municipalities petitioning the Government to use every endeavour to get the banks and building societies to reduce their rates of interest on borrowed money to a level commensurate with the recent fall in interest rates; and what reply he has returned?

Yes, Sir; I have taken note of these communications, which were not worded in such a way as to call for any reply.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether at the present time persons of British nationality having strong anti-British and Communistic views are allowed to continue holding permanent appointments in the Civil Service?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Treasury Circular of the 13th March, 1928, dealing with the principles regulating the conduct of civil servants. It should not be assumed that the implications contained in the question are accepted.

Will the Minister consider circulating that document in view of the importance of the matter?

I think the document is accessible, but if the hon. Member desires a copy I will supply him with it.