asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to Denmark regarding the duties recently imposed by Denmark on certain classes of British goods, including hats, ordered at the exhibition at Copenhagen; and can he inform the House of the result of such representations?

Representations have been made to the Danish Government regarding the adverse effect which the recent increase in the Danish tariff has had on orders taken at the Anglo-Danish Exhibition. Exceptions from the increased duties have been allowed in respect of consignments of certain classes of goods ordered before the 10th October for delivery before the end of the year. I understand that any modification of the Danish law is impossible at the moment, since the Danish Legislature is not now sitting; but I have reason to hope that, when it re-assembles, means will be found to extend the exceptions so as to cover all classes of goods ordered at the Exhibition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the revised Danish tariff on imports of British gloves; if his Department have calculated whether the new tariff will be of greater adverse effect than the previous tariff; and whether any steps have been taken by his Department to draw the attention of the Danish Government to the effect of the new tariff on the British glove industry?

The new Danish tariff increases the import duty on leather gloves. This duty with other Danish Customs duties will be reviewed in the course of the forthcoming negotiations with Denmark. Meantime representations as to the adverse effect of the increased duties on orders taken at the recent Anglo-Danish Exhibition have been made to the Danish Government.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Great Britain is Denmark's best customer, and does he consider that this latest move is consistent with the alleged desire of the people of Denmark to do more business with their best customers?

I think the increases have been imposed at an unfortunate time.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Danish Government, by chance, have made representations to our own Government protesting against the tariffs imposed against Danish goods coming into this country?

Certainly not without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of British manufactured goods exported to Denmark during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1932, and the amount of such goods retained for consumption in Demark?

Particulars of the exports of manufactured goods from the United Kingdom to individual countries, as distinguished from those of other classes of goods, are compiled in respect of calendar years only. No information is available regarding the amount of the exports from the United Kingdom to Denmark which is retained for consumption in that country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports and imports between this country and Finland for the 12 months ended 31st October, and how it compares witch the previous corresponding year?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make a statement showing the course of prices in manufactured articles subject to import duties, comparing the present level of prices with the prices that prevailed before the imposition of duties and making allowance for the depreciation in British currency owing to our going off the Gold Standard?

Sufficiently comprehensive information is not available to enable the precise comparison for which the hon. Member asks, but there is published quarterly in the Board of Trade Journal an estimate of the average values of the imports of articles classed as wholly or mainly manufactured, of which the greater proportion is now subject to import duties. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the most recent article on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the likelihood of a rise in the wholesale price of certain commodities in the near future, he will consider the desirability of appointing a thorough inquiry into all costs and profits of retailing, in order to ensure the protection of the consumer?

An investigation of so comprehensive a character would be a long and difficult undertaking. In my opinion such inquiries can most usefully be made in relation to particular trades as and when occasion arises. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the Food Council has investigated bread, meat, milk and tea prices in recent years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government are prepared to consider abandoning the principle of the most-favoured-nation Clause in the existing negotiations for the reduction of tariff barriers?

I cannot anticipate the course of our commercial negotiations with foreign countries, but provided satisfactory arrangements can be reached there is no present intention of abandoning our present most-favoured-nation rights.

Is not the hon. Member aware that that limits to an enormous extent our power to negotiate bilateral treaties, and will he not reconsider it?

The hon. Member has perhaps not appreciated the answer. There is no present intention of abandoning this country's most-favoured-nation right.

Do I understand from that reply that in the course of the negotiations the Government might be prepared, in two months' time, to abandon it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulties of British woollen manufacturers in respect of their inability to obtain payment of their accounts by Greek debtors and that, although arrangements were made by the Greek Government for currency to be available at 10 per cent. half-yearly, no payments have been received by British traders in respect of the first instalment of 10 per cent. due on 26th October; and what action does he propose to take on behalf of British traders?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for the Platting Division of Manchester (Mr. Chorlton).

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very serious position in the North of England in connection with this unfair treatment on the part of the Greek Government, and that the traders of Bradford alone have over £250,000 out in Greece, which is being held up by the action of the Greek Government?

Some Bradford firms are among those in whose favour the Bank of Greece has notified its readiness to release exchange to meet the first 10 per cent, instalment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in any negotiations he may enter into with the Argentine Government for a fresh trade agreement between Argentina and Great Britain, he will endeavour to secure that a more equitable allotment of the available exchange is granted to British interests, in view of the volume of British purchases from Argentina as compared with those of other countries?

The exchange situation will be taken into account in the forthcoming negotiations with the Argentine Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Australian Government give a bounty on the export of butter to Britain; and what steps are to be taken to protect the British farmer from the effects of this State-aided competition?

So far as I am aware, there is no direct Government bounty on the export of butter from Australia, but the producers impose a voluntary levy on themselves, out of the proceeds of which a bounty is paid on all exports of butter. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

Can the hon. Gentleman say exactly what the export bounty is per lb.?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the value of the imports of bagpipes into Canada for each of the last five years from this country and from other countries, respectively;

(2) the value of the imports into Canada for each of the last five years from the United Kingdom and from other countries, respectively, of electric storage batteries composed of plates measuring not less than 11 inches by 14 inches and ¾ of an inch thick; and whether he can give an estimate of the total annual production of these articles in this country?

Particulars of the imports into Canada of the articles in question are not available from the Canadian trade returns. As regards the production of electric storage batteries in this country, the particulars available do not distinguish these batteries according to the dimensions of the plates of which they are composed.

Can the hon. Member tell us whether any of these batteries exist, and, if so, what is the value of the preference upon them?

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what is the connection between electric storage batteries and bagpipes?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (l) if he is aware that the exchange dumping duty imposed by Canada against imports from this country is a handicap against British goods entering Canada; and does he propose to take any steps urging Canada to implement Article 17 of the Ottawa Agreement at the earliest possible moment;

(2) if he is aware that, owing to the operation of the exchange dumping duty, leathers entering Canada under the Canadian tariff Item 605, which have been reduced under the Ottawa Agreement from 15 per cent. to the free list, have now to bear an exchange dumping duty of 14 per cent.; and what steps he proposes to take with a view to importers from this country receiving 15 per cent. preference over other countries?

I am aware that a special duty is still being applied to imports into Canada of goods of a class or kind made or produced in Canada imported from the United Kingdom. The question of exchange dumping duty is, as my hon. Friend states, dealt with in Article XVII of the Canadian Agreement, and I can assure him that the terms of this Article will be kept carefully in mind.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given any particular attention to the fact that since he was at Ottawa, and since the Ottawa Agreements were made, sterling has gone much weaker, and the exchange dumping duty is acting adversely and much more heavily against this country, and that that obliterates entirely any preference below 15 per cent.; and will he press the Canadian Government to put Article 17 into effect immediately?

That is what I meant when I said that it would be kept carefully in mind.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for promising to keep this point carefully in mind, will he ask the Canadian Government to get a move on with regard to Article 17?

The latter phrase I do not understand, but, if the hon. Member is asking roe to keep myself in touch with Canada on these points, certainly I will do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to ensure that all trade interests likely to be affected will be consulted before negotiating trade agreements with foreign countries?

I am already in close touch with trade and industry through the Federation of British Industries and the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, and I shall certainly take full advantage both now and in the future of any advice and assistance tendered by these bodies and other interests which may be concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any further statement to make as to the restrictions at present in force with regard to invitations to the public to subscribe to new issues of capital?

There is no intention at present of relaxing the restriction on foreign issues. As regards optional conversions, this matter is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Now that the Government have so successfully completed their conversion operations, will the right hon. Gentleman leave the question of the further issues of capital to the good sense of those concerned?

Is my right hon. Friend yet in a position to consider the setting up of machinery to direct the flow of this capital into the directions which should be most useful to the nation?

No, sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the question of the development of the film industry in the Empire was considered at the recent Ottawa Conference, and with what result?

Yes, Sir. I would call the hon. Member's attention to the report of the Sub-Committee on Films and Radio which appears on pages 50–52 of the Appendices to the Summary of Proceedings of the Ottawa Conference (Cmd. 4175).

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Departments if he can state the amount of jute bacon-wrappers bought from the United Kingdom by Poland, Holland, and Denmark, respectively, during the last nine months; and what increase, if any, this is in each case over the amount bought during the similar period of the previous year?

I regret that the published statistics do not give separate particulars of the exports of jute bacon wrappers from the United Kingdom as distinct from other jute sacks and bags, but I have asked our commercial diplomatic officers in Poland, Holland and Denmark to endeavour to obtain the required figures.

In the Trade Agreements with those countries will my hon. Friend press for imports to be imported into the United Kingdom in United Kingdom wrappers?

That matter will be borne in mind.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that an order was recently placed with the Co-operative Wholesale Society in this country and that that society supplied the goods from foreign firms?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any representations have been made to the Governments of Northern Europe for the abolition of the tax upon commercial travellers, of 100 kroner in the case of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and 1,000 Finnish marks in the case of Finland, for permission to trade for 45 days in each country, and with what result?

Representations on this subject have been made to the Governments of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and the subject will be borne in mind in connection with the forthcoming negotiations with each of the countries named in the question.

In view of the fact that representations have been repeatedly made, and, apparently, no notice has been taken of them, is it not time that our Board of Trade imposed these charges against their nationals who come to this country?

I think that the whole matter had better be left to negotiation, and not to imposition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give any information as regards the safety of the crew of 16 British officers and engineers and 60 Chinese from the Merseyside on the steamship "Phemius," belonging to Messrs. Alfred Holt and Company, Liverpool?

I am informed by the owners that the "Phemius" arrived at Kingston, Jamaica, on the 12th November and that, so far as they are aware, the crew are well.

In view of the number of sea accidents, is it possible for the Board of Trade to make representations to British shipowners to carry British crews, seeing that only last week we had another accident with a Chinese crew on board?

I will certainly look into the matter.

Is the statement in the question correct—16 officers and 60 Chinese on board one ship? Were they passengers, or were they the crew? I would like an answer, because this is a serious business. They say "Buy British," and they should employ British, not Chinese. They would employ monkeys.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether negotiations are now being carried on with foreign countries with a view to increasing the sale of British coal abroad; and whether the Ottawa Agreements have been used as a bargaining weapon in such negotiations?

The desirability of increasing the sale abroad of coal from the United Kingdom will certainly not be overlooked in connection with negotiations with foreign countries. The Ottawa Agreements have no bearing on this particular problem.

Is it not possible for the hon. Gentleman, when negotiating these agreements, to use the Ottawa Agreements to some extent as a bargaining weapon?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of any orders being recently placed by foreign countries with firms on the North-East Coast?

My Department does not collect information about specific contracts, but I have seen recently in the technical and daily Press, and no doubt the hon. Member has also seen, reports of orders from foreign consumers of coal, placed with suppliers on the North-East Coast.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been called to the serious decline in exports of coal from this country to Germany; and whether he wilt state the Government's policy in connection therewith?

Yes, Sir. Steps are being taken with a view to an early discussion of this matter in Berlin between representatives of the two Governments.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the heavy fall in exports of coal to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, as shown by the annual figures from 1913 to 1931, he will state what action the Government propose to deal with the situation?

The hon. Member may rest assured that the Government will keep coal in the forefront of the forthcoming commercial negotiations with Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Are negotiations taking place at the present time with those countries?

The first stage of the negotiations with Sweden has already been reached by the exchange on 8th November of statements showing the Swedish and British points of view. A similar exchange of statements was made this morning with Norway.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary any evidence of substantial orders being lost in the export trade of this country owing to the operation of Part 1 of the Coal Mines Act?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the progress made in the production of oil from coal by hydrogenation and low-temperature carbonisation processes, the Government will grant such assistance as will enable large-scale plants to be erected; and will the Government consider the erection of some of the plants in South Wales?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to what was said on this subject by the Prime Minister on 7th November during the Debate on unemployment.

asked the Secretary for Mines what his Department is doing to encourage investigation as to the possibilities of extracting benzol from coal on a commercial basis?

For a considerable number of years the production of benzol from coal has been carried Oil on a commercial basis. The average annual production of crude benzol during the past three years has amounted to about 48 million gallons.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount paid in Great Britain in the year 1931 in mining royalties; the number of persons in receipt of income from wayleaves and royalties; and whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to buy out the royalty owners?

During the year 1931, the estimated total amount payable as coal mining royalties and wayleaves, including the rental value of freehold minerals where worked by the proprietors, was £5,100,000, and, according to the latest information available, the number of persons receiving such royalties and wayleaves was approximately 3,800. I am unable to make any statement with regard to possible legislation.

Will the hon. Gentleman seriously consider taking some steps to remove this monstrous charge on the coal industry?

I will have regard to what the hon. Member says, but when I sat on the other side of the House recently I wondered why it was not done then.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of lending the necessary funds to the trade unions so that they can purchase the royalties?

Is it not the case that Part II of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, as amended in 1932 is useless until the royalties are nationalised?

I should be reluctant to commit myself to that statement.

Is the cost of coal likely to be reduced by purchasing out the royalty owners?

The hon. Member had better put that question down.

Is it not a fact that most of the royalty owners would be only too glad to be paid out?

I am sure that I could not commit myself to the word "most."

asked the Secretary for Mines, arising out of his meeting with the Miners' Federation, if he has any statement to make?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received any official reply from the coalowners to his invitation to discuss nationally the question of wages?

As has Already been announced on more than one occasion, the Government would welcome the establishment of some form of machinery for the joint discussion on a national basis of questions affecting the coal mining industry, not excluding questions relating to wages and conditions of employment. I discussed the matter last week with representatives of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, and I have since addressed a letter to the Mining Association, whose reply I am awaiting.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us when he hopes to get a reply?

Perhaps the hon. Lady will put that question down in the new Session and consult me as to the date.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, before coming to a decision, that there is a large number of miners and mineowners on whose behalf neither the Miners' Federation nor the Mining Association can speak?

Have the Miners' Federation expressed themselves favourable to the National Wages Board?

They have always done that.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will declare immeddiately the Government's attitude towards the respective claims of the Mine Owners' Association and the Miners' Federation of Great Britain upon the wages agreement to be concluded before July, 1933?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have already given to the hon. Members for Cannock (Mrs. Ward) and Wallsend (Miss Ward), but I would like to point out that, when the guarantees given by the coalowners expire in July next, the district agreements already in force will again become effective.

asked the Secretary for Mines the object of the trade delegation's visit to Copenhagen; and whether he can give the House any information on this matter?

The coal trade delegation is visiting Copenhagen, at the invitation of Danish coal-purchasing interests, in order to satisfy them as to the suitability of the various classes of British coal to meet all Danish requirements.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of cases of silicosis reported to him from each of the British coalfields up to the latest concenient date?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the compulsory adoption of watering or dust-catching appliances when shot holes are bored in stone by power-driven drilling machines?

The Coal Mines Act requires the use of efficient means of preventing the escape of dust from power drills when they are used for drilling in ganister, hard sandstone or other highly siliceous rock. Active measures continue to be taken to ensure effective compliance with this requirement, to ascertain which dusts are injurious to health, and in what circumstances, and to secure the use of practical and effective means of suppressing them.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what is his objection to the adoption of compulsion? If there is a need for it in some districts, why is it not imposed all round?

There is no reason to believe that the dust from many kinds of coal gives rise to silicosis.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that silicosis occurs everywhere—that wherever stone dust prevails silicosis follows?

It is very difficult indeed to answer that question as the hon. Member would desire me to do, in direct fashion, because, as he knows, there is a good deal of difference of opinion as to some of the views which have been expressed about cases that have occurred.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received a report on the possible effect of stone-dusting on the health of men working underground; and whether he has had any record of silicosis or anthracosis cases from mines where boring by power-driven drills has not been introduced?

The stone dusting of colliery roadways as an essential protection against coal dust explosions has been generally enforced by regulation for nearly 12 years past. It has proved remarkably effective and I know of no evidence that the practice has been injurious to health. The suitability of the dust used is constantly watched by the Inspectors of Mines and steps are taken to prevent the use of unsuitable materials. In coal mining the development of a case of death or disablement from silicosis is usually a matter of many years. It is very difficult, therefore, to relate the case fully and reliably to the working and medical histories of the worker, and at present the evidence in the very few cases which are not definitely associated with the use of power drills in siliceous rock is not conclusive. The condition of the lungs known as anthracosis is not specifically related to the use of power drills.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to the House that he will pursue the investigation, in order that the evidence may be conclusive?

That is being regularly done; and, as regards anthracosis, the matter is receiving the attention of the Industrial Pulmonary Diseases Committee of the Medical Research Council.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will request the Central Council set up under the 1930 Mines Act to make a report to him within a specified time as to the way in which the quota and minimum price restrictions are operating in the inland and exporting districts, respectively, and as to whether the restrictions are being properly observed; and whether any action should be taken to increase the volume of exports of coal from this country?

The Central Council and the District Executive Boards furnish me with a quarterly report on the working of the schemes, on which the three reports already presented to Parliament have been based. A report covering the first three quarters of this year is now in course of preparation and I hope to publish it before the end of the year. With regard to the last part of the question, I understand that possible action which might be taken by the Coal Industry is under the active consideration of the Central Council and the District Executive Boards.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether there have been any official complaints about the working of Part 1 of the Act of 1930 on the lines of those which have appeared widespread in the Press?

The answer is that, of course, there is machinery under the Act for complaints to be made, but up to the moment very few have been made. There is one particular case, I understand, now connected with the Wemyss Colliery which will be sub judice, because I believe a co-operative society have laid a complaint.

Is there any difference in the tonnage allocated by the Central Council to the respective districts and the tonnage worked by the respective districts?

In every quarter since the regulation of output has been in force there has been a very large gap between allocation and coal output in practically every exporting district.

With regard to the complaint about minimum prices, may I also ask whether the reduction of minimum prices is not in the hands of the coal-owners in the respective districts?

Of course, the coal-owners are responsible for operating the Act, and I would point out that some of the complaints as to evasion are complaints as to evasion not altogether of the letter of the law but of its spirit.

In view of the numerous complaints against the working of Part 1 of the Coal Mines Act, will my hon. Friend advise the Government to undertake its repeal?

I should be unwise to do any such thing until I have received from those responsible for the working of the Act a full statement of their views. I may add that I have had every letter written in the Press and every supplementary question put in the House analysed and I find that there are a good many errors of fact in them, and in addition to that it is not always easy to distinguish between assertion and fact.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many amalgamation schemes have been effected under Part II of the Coal Mines Act; and what has been the total cost to the Exchequer?

Seven amalagamation schemes have been effected since the passing of the Coal Mines Act, 1930. The total cost of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission up to 31st October, 1932, has been £36,570, but the work of the Commission has, of course, covered a much wider field than that affected by the schemes mentioned.

asked the Secretary for Mines if there has been any unemployment as a result of amalgamations under Part III of the Coal Mines Act; and, if so, how much?

No pits have been permanently closed under any of the amalgamation schemes effected since the setting up of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission, and the information at my disposal indicates that the total volume of employment has not been materially affected.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the House information of any cases which have come to his notice showing that the operation of the Mines Act of 1930 has so restricted the expansion of a colliery company's undertakings that miners are thrown out of employment; and will he state whether his Department is possessed of information showing that in such cases there would be a market for the coal that such concerns might raise if they were not restricted by the provisions of the 1930 Mines Act?

I have seen references in the Press and elsewhere to cases in which it is alleged that the expansion of a colliery company's undertakings has been restricted owing to the operation of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, but I have no information to show that the output of the country as a whole would be increased if the undertakings were not subject to the provisions of the Act.

Is it not a fact that in many of the cases which have received publicity in the Press there is a complete mis-statement of fact, and that there is a surplus quota which has not been disposed of?

The productive capacity of the industry is still greatly in excess of the present demand. The fact is, that with one or two exceptions, the allocations on the whole have exceeded the permitted output.

Is it not a fact that the very people who protest in the Press against the Act of 1930 are the very people who are responsible for administering the Act?

The coal-owners of the country, of course, are responsible. Such evasions as occur—a grave matter—are mainly evasions of the spirit rather than the letter of the Act.

Cannot the Government give a lead in this matter?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the continued evasion of the minimum prices for coal; and whether he will take an early opportunity of stating the Government's policy in connection therewith?

The attention of the Central Council of Coalowners appointed under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, has again been called to evasions of the minimum price provisions of the Schemes, and I understand that the Council and the District Executive Boards have the matter under active consideration.

May I have an answer to the second part of my question?

I have already said that I think it would be unwise to make any statement until I have seen the report.

asked the Secretary for Mines what percentage of firedamp will be indicated by the Ringrose gas detector during the experiments that are now being undertaken under the supervision of his Department?

The setting of the Ringrose Firedamp Alarms at present undergoing trial is such that a red light should appear if the amount of firedamp in the surrounding atmosphere exceeds approximately 2½ per cent.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the disastrous explosion of firedamp which took place on the 12th instant at the No. 9 Pit of the Garswood Hall Colliery, he will instruct the Pit Committee appointed to report upon the working results of the Ringrose Firedamp Alarm to do so immediately; and whether he will assure the House that everything humanly possible is being done to expedite the adoption of an approved gas detector?

In my view the general adoption of this apparatus before it has been exhaustively tried under pit conditions of use and ordinary lamp-room conditions of maintenance would create conditions that might be a source of additional danger. The trials are in the charge of joint committees on which both owners and employés are represented, and I am not prepared to interfere with their discretion unduly. In my opinion, the trials have not yet been carried on long enough to allow a competent conclusion to be reached. I can assure the House that nothing is left undone by my Department which is conducive to greater safety.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him if it is not a fact that during the past three months these lamps have been subjected to a test covering over 5,000 working shifts and approximately 40,000 hours; and whether he does not think that that in itself is sufficiently exhaustive to enable a decision to be arrived at as to future use?

I have on previous occasions informed the House that I intend to call for an interim report after the working of this apparatus for six months. I may point out to my hon. Friend that the working did not begin in the Lancashire pit until the 15th August, in the Yorkshire pit until the 1st September, and in the South Wales pit until early in October.

In view of the recent terrible disaster, will not the hon. Gentleman now call for an interim report from the three selected collieries, so that the Miners' Federation of Great Britain and the coalowners may be examining the interim report on the results of the first three months?

I have already said that I am calling for an interim report, but I would call the attention of the hon. Member to this phrase in the answer:

"before it has been exhaustively tried under pit conditions of use and ordinary lamp-room conditions of maintenance."

The hon. Member will appreciate that that is the issue—whether the detector will operate under these conditions, and not under special conditions; and my advice is that six months is about the period for which it should be tried out.

Could not the hon. Gentleman see his way to reduce the period to three months for an interim report? Is it not the case that such detectors have already been tried for a period of four years, and that this same detector was accepted and registered as being fit for use in mines, after extensive trials, by the Secretary for Mines in 1927?

It was because there were differences of opinion about the very point that the hon. Member has raised that these exhaustive trials in three differing pits in different parts of the country were undertaken, and I could not take the responsibility of interfering with the full working out of these trials.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Gibraltar is considered to be a home station of a foreign station?

Gibraltar is a foreign service station, but from time to time it is found necessary to send a battalion there for a, short tour whilst on the home service roster.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, before nominating a regular officer to the command of the Sixth Yeomanry Brigade, the command had first been offered to, and declined by, a Yeomanry officer?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that owners of dwelling houses in Scotland which are subject to the Rent Restrictions Acts have to pay, without relief from occupiers, all increases of owners' rates since the year 1920; and will he state the extent to which the statutory increase of 40 per cent. has been reduced on this account for the current year in the principal towns of Scotland and the landward districts of Larkhall, Blantyre, Cambuslang, and East Kilbride, all in the county of Lanark?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing in the case of the principal towns, and the landward areas mentioned, the percentage of the net rent represented by the increase in the owner's rates over those levied in 1919–20 which is payable in respect of controlled houses where the full permitted increases of rent have been made.

Is the Under-Secretary in a position to tell the House whether there will be anything in connection with the reduction of rents in the King's Speech?

No, Sir, I am certainly not in such a position.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in any part of Lanarkshire, the amount of rates paid by owners has, during any year since 1920, been in excess of the statutory increase of 40 per cent., so that owners have had to meet the post-war costs of repair and mortgage interest with less rent than they had in 1914?

There are eases in which the amount of owner's rates payable in respect of a controlled house whose rent has been increased by the maximum amount permitted has exceeded 40 per cent. of the net rent. While in the time available it has not been possible to make a complete investigation, my right hon. Friend is not aware of any case in which the maximum controlled rent reduced by the amount of owner's rates payable is less than the 1914 net rent similarly reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any; statement, regarding the debt position of the Scottish fishing harbours; and what, if any, remissions of debt His Majesty's Government propose to make?

The position as regards debt due to the State by Scottish fishery harbours is set out in Command Paper No. 3447 of 1929 and in House of Commons Paper No. 20, 1931–2. Very substantial remissions of debt due to the Development Fund were made in 1929 amounting in the aggregate to over £130,000. In addition sums amounting in all to over £148,000 were written off in respect of debts due to the Public Works Loan Board in 1930 and 1931, making a total of approximately £280,000. These remissions were made after a comprehensive review of the situation and no occasion has arisen for a further review. In one case, however, which was not ripe for decision in 1929 the question of remitting part of the debt is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now make a statement upon the position with regard to the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act, 1929?

The banks have asked that the name of the Treasury's representative on the board of directors may be communicated to them before they proceed with the incorporation of the Scottish Agricultural Securities Corporation. I understand that the Treasury expect to be in a position to nominate their representative at an early date, and I hope therefore that incorporation will shortly proceed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received from the Scottish Educational Endowments Commissioners their scheme for Dundee endowments?

The answer to the question is in ale negative.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one bequest of nearly £140,000 cannot be used until this scheme is produced; and can he say when he expects to receive it?

I am afraid that I am not in a position to anticipate the action of the Endowments Commission, but I will see if anything can be done to accelerate the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now give any indication as to the amount of Government financial assistance which will be forthcoming to assist the provision of allotments in Scotland during the current year and 1933, respectively?

For the purpose of assisting unemployed persons to obtain and to cultivate allotments in Great Britain, arrangements have been adjusted for the period commencing September, 1932, under which a Government grant not exceeding £12,500 will be made at the rate of £1 for £1 of money raised by subscription and expended in an approved manner up to £10,000, and of £1 for £2 thereafter. This grant cannot at present be allocated between England and Wales and Scotland. The ultimate allocation will depend on the amounts subscribed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, for preserving Scottish records and making them available for research purposes?

The matter is receiving consideration. Perhaps my hon. Friend will repeat his question in a few weeks' time, when I hope to be able to give him further information.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the national records are at least being preserved from decay?

I understand that sufficient care is being taken of these records at the moment.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he anticipates that, as a result of recent developments, electricity rates will be reduced in Ayrshire in order that new industries may be attracted to the district?

I am informed that in order to give every aid to existing industries and with the view of attracting new industries into Ayrshire, the Ayrshire Electricity Board have recently decided to grant a special discount in respect of industrial power supplies conditional on the payment of the account within a prescribed time. The Board have intimated that consistent with the provisions of the Electricity Acts the lowest possible electricity rates will be granted to any new industrial users.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to give a definite undertaking that the British representatives at the Disarmament Conference shall not pledge this country to any scheme of controlling internationally civil aviation which might impede the free development of air transport to or from Great Britain and any part of the Empire, or which might in any way prevent the free play of British invention and organisation in this respect?

I cannot say more than I said in reply to questions on this subject on the 2nd November. It is not in. tended to make any departure from the normal practice when Governments are engaged in important negotiations.

Is the Prime Minister aware that he will have behind him the overwhelming majority of the House in support of the policy expressed by the Lord President of the Council on this subject in his speech the other night?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the new French Disarmament Plans, he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not assent to any proposal which can involve Great Britain in any naval, military, or air operations without her consent.

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have already given this afternoon.

I do not desire to embarrass the Prime Minister in the least, but most of the answers given on this subject deal with ratification in this House. I would only beg the Prime Minister, with all the earnestness in my power, to hear in mind the great hope that there is that the Government will not pursue this policy at Geneva and ask this House then to ratify it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the amounts of death duties collected by the Treasury from agricultural land in 1929, 1930, and 1931, or for the last three years for which statistics are available?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to his question of the 12th of May last on this subject in which I gave the figures that he asks for. I am sending him a copy of the answer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the aggregate value to date of the payments made by the British Exchequer to the different pensioners and land-stock holders for whom the Free State Government has declined to accept responsibility; and what is the amount to date collected in customs which are intended to make good these advances by the British taxpayer?

The Irish pensions paid up to date from the British Exchequer, in respect of which the Irish Free State Government have withheld their contributions, amount to £602,851. The sums charged to the British Exchequer to meet deficiencies on the Land Purchase Funds caused by the withholding of the land annuities by the Irish Free State Government amount to £1,142,419. Up to the 5th November, 1932, the revenue From the Special Duties imposed on imports from the Irish Free State amounted to £773,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he has any further information to give the House as to the dispute between this country and the Irish Free State?

I have nothing to add to previous statements on the subject, except that the Irish Free State Government have announced certain further bounties on goods exported to this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now make any statement as to the attitude of the British Government to the payment of the War debt due to the United States?

No, Sir, I have no statement to make at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement before the end of this Session?

I could not say. That depends on circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman add to his Note to the American Government the statement that with the best will in the world it is quite beyond the capacity of Great Britain to pay these debts in gold?

I imagine that my right hon. Friend will be willing to leave the matter to those who are responsible.