asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Court of Session, on 29th Novem- ber, in regard to the Marr Trust; and if he intends to approve the proposals of the Educational Endowments Commissioners?

My right hon. Friend is aware that a decision has been reached by the Court of Session in the case submitted to them regarding the scheme of the Educational Endowments Commissioners for the government and management of the Marr Trust, and he is now proceeding to consider the scheme together with the objections to it that have been lodged.

Will the hon. Member not consider whether the time has come, in view of the attitude of the judges on that case, to revise the Education Endowments Act, 1928?

I do not think that question arises out of this question. I do not think that the question of revising the Education Endowments Act arises from the decision of the Court of Session.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now considered the report of the inquiry into the proposed Milk Marketing Scheme for Scotland; and what decision he has reached thereon?

I have not yet received the report to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the recent increase in the landings of herrings at Ayr; and whether any assistance can be given by his Department towards the setting up of the herring-curing industry in that district?

My attention has been directed to the recent increase in the landings of herrings at Ayr. The herrings have found a ready sale, mostly for distribution in the home markets, as fresh or kippered herrings. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the markets for cured or pickled herrings are at present restricted but if curing should become economically advisable at Ayr, there is no reason to doubt that the curing trade could make the necessary arrangements on the industrial side without assistance from the Government. Any administrative facilities, however, which the Fishery Board for Scotland can provide within their powers will be gladly given.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he proposes to take to ensure that the Moray Firth fishermen, who are now preparing for the cod-net fishing, will be able to carry on operations during the coming season without damage to their gear by foreign trawlers?

The Fishery Board for Scotland hope to make arrangements with a view to a scheme of protection for the cod-nets on lines similar to that which was in successful operation last season. The success of the protective measures will be greatly facilitated if the fishermen will co-operate by confining their operations to the selected area and by conforming fully with the requirements as to marking and lighting the nets.

Will the fishermen be consulted regarding these selected areas in which they have to fish?

The fishermen have already been consulted and are aware of the selected area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the committee, of which Sir William Whyte was chairman, has yet reported on the conditions that should apply to the letting of State-aided houses; and, if so, will the report be published for the information of the Members of this House?

The report of the committee referred to has been received. It will be issued to-morrow as a Stationery Office publication.

to ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he proposes to introduce a Bill dealing with housing in Scotland?

The right hon. Gentleman answered Question 7 in his speech yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any part of the increase of pay of 1s. weekly, awarded to a prison warder in the Scottish prison service under the Prison Officers' Pay Committee Report, 1923, is withdrawn when the officer is transferred from a prison to the lunatic department; and what allowance he receives under the said report in addition to his former prison pay on joining the lunatic department?

Under the report referred to warders serving in Scottish prisons on 27th July, 1923, were allowed, in lieu of certain miscellaneous payments, an increase of 1s. a week within the scale of pay; and the special allowance payable to warders serving in the criminal lunatic department was increased to 3s. a week. These allowances are not payable concurrently to the same officer; and consequently a prison warder transferred to the criminal lunatic department would cease to receive the increase of 1s. a week, but would become entitled to the special allowance of 3s. a week.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the committee of the Scottish National Development Council and the sub-committee of the Association of Local Lands Valuation Assessors of Scotland, who have been investigating the system of valuation and rating in Scotland, have yet issued reports?

The answer is in the negative. I understand, however, that it is hoped to complete the reports referred to early next year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the Housing Bill will deal with anything regarding the revision of rents in Scotland?

I am afraid that I cannot anticipate the Clauses of the Bill, which I hope to lay on the Table this week.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware that the inhabitants of the district of Errol have been suffering inconvenience for many weeks as the result of the failure of the negotiations concerning the introduction of electricity into the village; and if he is now in a position to make a statement;

(2) if he will consider arranging a meeting, to be presided over by an official of his Department, between the parties to the Errol electricity supply dispute with a view to restoring to the inhabitants of the Errol district the artificial illuminants of which they are at present deprived?

As my Noble Friend points out, the difficulty arises out of the Company's reluctance to proceed in the absence of agreement as to compensation for a way-leave. I should be ready to adopt his suggestion for a meeting between the parties if they themselves are prepared to fall in with it.

Is the hon. Gentleman not prepared to take the initiative himself in this matter?

I am quite prepared to take the action I have just stated.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any progress has been made in the direction of putting into operation the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry, 1926, with regard to the analysis and sampling of coal and cognate subjects?

The British Standards Institution has done much work with regard to the analysis and sampling of coal, in which my Department, the Fuel Research Board and the Mining Association have taken an active part. Standard specifications for the analysis of coal for export and for inland purposes, and for the sampling of small coal for those purposes have been issued. A standard method for the sampling of large coal and run of mine coal is at present in preparation.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can now make a further statement as to the proposals of the Government to assist the extension of schemes for producing oil from coal?

I cannot yet add anything to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 29th November to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).

Can the hon. Member report what progress is being made in this direction?

I cannot say yet.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of explosions of firedamp causing loss of life in 1932; and on what working shift they have occurred, whether morning shift, afternoon shift, or night shift?

The number of explosions of firedamp, since 1st January this year, causing loss of life, is 12. Four of them occurred on the night shift, three on the morning shift and three on the afternoon shift. One occurred between shifts, and the remaining one took place during repair work in a pit which was idle.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how those figures compare with the figures for previous years?

I have had a table taken out for the last five years. In connection with these 12 explosions, the loss of life this year was 68. In 1927 there were 11 explosions, with 70 deaths; and in 1931, 12 explosions, with 107 deaths. The House will observe that the average number of explosions for those five years was 14, while we have had 12 this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a statement by Mr. Bennett to the effect that British traders would have access to the Canadian tariff board only by application to the Canadian Government through the British Government; and if he will make representations to the Canadian Government with the object of securing for British traders direct access to the Canadian tariff board?

As I have already informed the House, I feel sure that His Majesty's Government in Canada will carry out fully the terms of Articles 13 and 14 of the recent Trade Agreement, and I have no doubt that the position with regard to Article 15 will be the same.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in the view of traders in this country, the right of access was the principal advantage they got from Ottawa, and will he be good enough to make the representations I ask for in my question?

I agree with that interpretation, and I have no reason to doubt that that will be the ultimate decision.

Am I to understand that in the opinion of the right hon. Gentleman the right of access was granted at Ottawa, and that Mr. Bennett was in error in making his statement?

I never correct or interpret any Minister's speech. I have merely given my own opinion.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to tell the House precisely what the procedure in this matter will be? Are we to have access to the Canadian tariff board via the Overseas Trade Department in this country or by direct application in Canada?

I hope to be able to inform the House immediately the representations that are now taking place are finished. On the other hand, I would inform my hon. Friend that the traders in this country are fully aware of the difficulty. I am making and have made representations and I am in negotiation with them. Therefore, I do know their point of view, with which I sympathise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in point of fact, the tariff board in Canada has yet been appointed to deal with these matters?

The tariff board is not yet fully established, but it is only fair to the Canadian Government to say that they are in the process of forming it now.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement attributed to Mr. Bennett is in accordance with his view of what was agreed upon at Ottawa?

I have only seen Press reports of the statement. Until I get a full statement I would not like to say.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House a definite promise that he will impress upon the Canadian Government the opinion of manufacturers in this country that they should have direct access to the tariff board?

I not only say that, but I say that that is what the British Government would desire.

When the right hon. Gentleman agreed to Sections 13, 14 and 15, did he believe that they gave our traders the right of access to the Canadian Board? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he knew when he assented to Sections 13, 14 and 15 what he was assenting to?

I have no hesitation in saying that I would not think for a moment that my hon. Friend would assent to anything that he did not know about. That is my position.

Then if the right hon. Gentleman understood it, did he understand that British traders had direct access to the Canadian Tariff Board?

I have already intimated that in my view that is the only satisfactory way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his Department has yet received any report from the Official Receiver as to the affairs of British Cement Products; and, if so, does he propose to take any action thereon?

A report has been received and is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any estimate of the amounts of what, in contradistinction to invisible exports, may be called invisible imports arising from payments made in the form of licences and royalties on patent rights controlled abroad?

The information available is insufficient to enable any such estimate to be framed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has information to show to what extent contracts for the supply of goods to Departments of State, and to municipalities in this country, have been granted to firms under foreign ownership and control registered in Great Britain during the last five years; and whether he will give the names of the Departments and the firms concerned?

The information asked for is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any discussions with regard to trade matters have yet been initiated with the representatives of the Argentine Republic; and, if so, what progress has been made therewith?

Yes, Sir; discussions have been initiated, but they are still in the preliminary stages.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he has the assistance of technical experts representing the woollen and worsted sections of the textile industries in the conversations now in progress with the representatives of certain foreign Powers; and, if so, whether he will state by whom, or on whose advice, these experts were appointed?

I have arranged for consultation as occa- sion arises with technical experts in these industries. Their names have been supplied by the Association of Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of British Industries.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what were the net profits of the Export Credits Department in the years 1930, 1931, and to the latest period in 1932?

In so far as it is available and has not already appeared in the annual volume of trading accounts for 1930, the information for which my hon. Friend asks is due to appear in the 1931 volume, the publication of which I cannot anticipate. But in view of the widespread impression that the Department is making large profits, I must point out that its outstanding liabilities are greatly in excess of the surplus of receipts over expenditure.

Cannot my hon. and gallant Friend give some definite information as to the profits that have been made in those years?

In so far as they are published in the annual volume of trading accounts, they are available to my hon. Friend. I cannot anticipate the publication of the next accounts.

In view of the fact that the profits that have been made in respect of premiums charged on insurance have been so large year after year, does my hon. and gallant Friend not consider that the Overseas Department might take into consideration the charging of lower premiums to our industries?

We are taking that into consideration, but we have to remember that the outstanding liabilities are considerable and that we are dealing with the taxpayers' money, and we have to be judicious in charging premiums which will give us some cover.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that the Soviet Government are now placing large orders for shipbuilding, and that the Governments of Germany, Italy, Holland and Denmark are granting credit facilities for periods of two or three years to the Russian Government; and whether, in order to capture at least part of these orders, which are computed to amount to some £700,000, the Government will now take steps to grant longer credit facilities for this purpose, and also to reduce the insurance rates to an extent more suitable to the risks undertaken?

I am aware that certain foreign Governments have assisted their shipbuilders to secure orders from the Soviet Government by giving long credits, but I have no information as to the particular orders to which the hon. Member refers and am making inquiries. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind him that facilities under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme are not at present available for the export of ocean-going ships to any country. The advisory committee are not in any case at present prepared to extend the period of credit.

The hon. and gal-land Gentleman says that we cannot get this extended credit for ships. Is there anything to hinder the giving of extended credits for heavy engineering?

That appears to be a separate question. I have already intimated that the attitude of the Advisory Committee is not favourable to the extension of credits.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman see that the Soviet Government carries out its present obligations before any further facilities are granted?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that India, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have made trade agreements this year with Russia?

The hon. Member is misinformed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the reasons why crude peanut oil has been withdrawn from Schedule F of the Anglo-Canadian Agreement concluded at Ottawa; and whether this has been done with the consent of the Government?

It has been represented to me on behalf of His Majesty's Government in Canada that the inclusion of this item in the schedule of preferences granted to the Colonial Empire by Canada had been made under accidental circumstances and had been found on later examination to cause them embarrassment. In the circumstances I felt that I had no option hot to agree to its withdrawal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as a result of the publication of the Canadian Agreement, including that product, contracts were made and engagements entered into which are likely to result in considerable losses to those entering into them; and will he look into the matter again?

That, I think, only partly states the case, and I may state it plainly. The position was this, that so far as Great Britain was concerned, a proposal was made by the President of the Board of Trade that this item should be included in the United Kingdom agreement. That proposal was declined by Canada. Canada, however, agreed that it might go into the colonial Preferences. The result was that the Ottawa Agreement, as signed, bound the Canadian Government to give a preference to peanut oil from the Colonial Empire but not if it came from the United Kingdom. Therefore, even if I had stood by the terms of the agreement, I should not have been conferring any right on the United Kingdom manufacturer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of schemes for a drawback of duty on goods exported which have been approved by or are under the consideration of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and the particular industries affected?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a question by the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. A. Ramsay) on the 1st December, since when two further applications have been received by the committee. It is not the practice to disclose information as to individual applications unless and until they are advertised by the committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps have been taken, in consultation with Dominion Governments, to give effect to the recommendation of the Ottawa Conference that it was desirable to secure a greater degree of uniformity of definition of Empire content?

The recommendation of the Ottawa Conference was that each of the Governments of the Commonwealth should investigate the standard of Empire content which should be required by them, and that a greater degree of uniformity was desirable, though it must rest with each Government to decide what standard it would require. As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade informed the House on the 29th November, the matter is under active consideration by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

Can my right hon. Friend now say when he expects a decision to be arrived at on this matter by the Dominions, and is he aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade told the House the other day that we were to have a statement in a very short time?

We hope to make an early statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has taken any action to revise the percentage of content in the regulations issued by his Department in pursuance of Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1919, entitling goods to be deemed to have been manufactured in the British Empire; and, if not, whether it is proposed to amend such regulations?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend on this subject to the hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. A. Ramsay) on the 29th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the existence of a cartel agreement, limiting export activities to different countries, is taken into consideration by the Import Duties Advisory Committee in deciding on the appropriateness of applying any import duty to the protection of such goods whose export is limited as stated?

I have no doubt that the committee take into account all considerations which are relevant in the light of the instructions given to them in Section 3 of the Import Duties Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the meat which is imported from the Argentine and Uruguay to this country is purchased at the ranches, and what proportion is purchased at Liniers; and the price at each point on the latest date for which figures are available?

I understand that about 95 per cent, of the chilling cattle required for export are purchased at the ranches, and about 5 per cent. at the Liniers market. As regards prices, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider reducing the tax on beer in return for an undertaking by the representatives of the brewery trade to use a larger amount of home-grown barley in the interests of British agriculture?

While I am naturally desirous of affording encouragement to British agriculture, I am afraid that in reviewing the Beer Duty I must be guided primarily by considerations of Revenue.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware how vitally important it is to farmers with light land that their barley should once more become a paying crop; and does he not think that, If they are not prosperous, he will not get Income Tax from them for the Exchequer?

In answer to the first part of the question, that has already been represented to me. In regard to the second part, I may be able to get Income Tax from them, but the question is whether it will be sufficient Income Tax.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his answer excludes consideration of this question at the appropriate time before the Budget is introduced?

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the latest convenient year what percentage of the total revenue raised by taxation was contributed by taxation of tobacco?

Tobacco contributed 8.65 per cent. of the total tax revenue raised in the year ended 31st March, 1932.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider taking steps to ensure that foreign firms with factories in Great Britain have to contribute towards Surtax out of profits made in this country?

Profits of foreign concerns arising from trading in the United Kingdom are liable to Income Tax at the standard rate and may in certain circumstances be subject to Surtax in the hands of individuals. As at present advised, I am not prepared to discriminate in the matter of Surtax against foreigners who set up factories in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the yield from Estate Duties on agricultural land during the financial year ended 31st March, 1932?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the 'answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Newbury (Brigadier-General Brown) on 12th May last, which furnished estimates for the three years ended 31st March, 1932. I am sending him a copy of that answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the £4,000,000 paid by the Government as brokerage for the conversion loan was paid to the clerks and those whose direct services did so much to secure the success of this conversion scheme?

I may remind my hon. Friend that the commission was payable to all bankers, other than the Bank of England, stockbrokers and solicitors in respect of applications for the continuance of holdings of War Loan which bore their stamp. The Government have no knowledge how the commission was used by the recipients, or what payments were made by them to their staffs for services in connection with the conversion operation.

Would not my right hon. Friend admit that the staff did a very considerable proportion of the work, and were really helpful to him on that occasion?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say, in respect of the commission paid, whether any of those concerned refunded the money, on the ground that they had not done service for it?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the national indebtedness includes liability for any amounts due from foreign States which have defaulted on loans made to them at any time; whether the objects of such loans were for ordinary development or for military purposes; and whether he will state the several amounts and the date of default in each case?

As the reply is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman give us the main features of his reply?

I will give the hon. Member the outstanding facts, but I must ask him to await the full reply. Our financial indebtedness includes £ 1,068,000,000 advanced to Russia, which is in default, and £1,510,000 owing by Persia, which is also in default. The only foreign loan guaranteed by His Majesty's Government in respect of which we have to meet the payments is the Greek 2½ per cent. Loan of 1898.

Has the hon. Member referred to all the defaults which he is going to give in detail in his answer?

Yes, but I have given them very summarily, and I will ask the hon. Member to await the full statement.