asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the instructions issued on 9th November, 1932, by the War Office, in their circular letter concerning Territorial training camps in 1933 to all commands and Territorial Army associations, to the effect that Territorial commanding officers should influence men to remain with the colours until an authoritative statement regarding these camps can be made, may be taken as authority for deferring the re-engagement of men whose service would otherwise expire before the promulgation of such authoritative statement?

No, Sir. When a man's engagement runs out, he must make up his mind either to take his discharge or to apply to re-engage. The intention of the letter in question is that men who are contemplating taking their discharge should be encouraged to delay their decision until the last possible moment pending an announcement on the subject of next year's camps.

In view of the fact that this delay is causing loss of valuable men and widespread anxiety among many of the associations, can the hon. Gentleman hurry on this important announcement, in order to minimise the loss?

I will do all in my power in that direction, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it is impossible to make any final statement until our Estimates have been passed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how the number of Army remounts purchased from Northern Ireland during the past three months compares with the number purchased in the similar period in 1931; whether any of the remounts so purchased during the current year are of Irish Free State origin; and whether it is intended to continue to obtain so large a proportion of Army remounts outside Great Britain?

The number of remounts purchased in Northern Ireland during the three months September to November of the present year was 90, and during the same period last year was 87. I have no information as to whether any of these horses were of Irish Free State origin. The policy of purchasing as many horses as possible within the United Kingdom is being continued.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons in Scotland from whom the pension under the Blind Persons Act has been withdrawn during the years 1930, 1931, and until the latest convenient date in 1932?

I regret. that I am unable to give the information asked for. Under Section 8 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, as applied by the Blind Persons Act, 1920, claims for these pensions are dealt with by the local pension committees after inquiry and report by the local pension officers, and the function of the Department of Health is confined to determining appeals against the award, refusal or withdrawal of pensions. I may add that so far as the Department know almost every case of withdrawal of pension has been followed by an appeal. The numbers of appeals against withdrawals in the years 1930, 1931 and 1932 (up to date) are, respectively, 39, 31, and 40.

Is there any reason to believe that the procedure this year has been any different from that of other years?

No, I do not think there is any reason to believe that. In 1931 a circular was issued by the Department of Health, in conjunction with the Scottish Education Department, standardising the features that amount to blindness. That was done not merely for the purposes of this Act, but wherever a certificate of blindness was required.

asked the Secretary for Mines if, having regard to the large number of explosions in mines in recent times, he will insist on a wholesale renewal and extension of ventilating plant?

In reply to a supplementary question on 13th December I stated the annual numbers of explosions and deaths from explosions since 1927. A study of these and of earlier figures adds emphasis to the imperative need for our utmost vigilance and effort in the application and improvement of preventive measures, but it does not justify the inference that ventilating plant is generally obsolete or inadequate.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the majority of accidents occur when the workmen do not know that they are actually working in the presence of inflammable gas?

That may be so, but my hon. Friend must also understand that ventilation is not just a matter of plant, it means many other things.

Is the hon. Gentleman's Department making a consistent study of this subject?

I can assure my hon. Friend and the House that nothing that can be done is left undone. Our attention is given to the subject regularly, daily.

Has the hon. Gentleman any reason to think that less attention has been paid to ventilation than formerly?

None whatever. If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the statement on 13th December, he will see that the full facts given there do not warrant the inference in this question.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that accumulations of fire damp can only occur when ventilation is stagnant?

That may be so, but the hon. Member must also understand that the regular maintenance of airways, the methods of carrying air to all parts of the mine, and the prevention of leakage all enter into the question, and often inadequate ventilation is due to omissions or bad practice in these respects rather than to lack of plant.

In view of the large number of explosions recently, does not the hon. Gentleman consider that the time has come to call together the Government inspectors for a cunsultation on ventilation?

I will bear that point in mind.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Wemyss Coal Company will be compelled, owing to the restriction in output under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, to suspend production for several days prior to the end of the current quarter; that the company could have disposed of the coal which would have been produced during that period; and whether he is prepared, having regard to this and simi lar cases, to introduce amending legislation to obviate the recurrence of such periods of enforced idleness and loss of work for undertakings engaged in the export trade?

I understand that the Wemyss Coal Company were granted an increased standard tonnage for the the current quarter by the Scottish Executive Board. The company were not satisfied, and appealed to arbitration, but were awarded no further increase. A complaint with regard to the inadequacy of its permitted output has been lodged by one of its customers with the Scottish District Committee of Investigation set up under Section 5 of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, and I must, therefore, regard the matter as sub judice. I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that at its meeting on the 14th December the Central Council granted in full the request of the Scottish Executive Board for an additional allocation of 150,000 tons for the current quarter.

Does my hon. Friend not agree that the recurrence of such circumstances as are disclosed in this question is entirely contrary to the national interest?

I cannot debate that now, but I would point out that export coal is a class of coal within the meaning of Section 18 of the Act and it is therefore open to the Scottish Executive Board of Coal Owners, under Clauses 28 and 33 of the scheme, to give separate quotas for export coal if the need arises.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether Scotland is only one of many districts which have sent in such cases, or whether there have been other cases?

There are many assertions, but I get very few facts.

Is it not a fact that it is almost impossible to differentiate between inland and export coal?

I do not agree with that statement. It is possible under the scheme, and quite simple.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the proposals for amalgamations in Fife have caused great anxiety in a neighbouring county?

That is another issue, but I may remind the Noble Lady that I am not the responsible authority there. The Commission is an independent body; it was so willed by this House.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the committee which the Committee on Methods of Economic Co-operation at the Ottawa Conference recommended should be appointed has yet been set up; and, if not, whether he will take whatever steps lie in his power to expedite matters?

I have discussed this matter with the Prime Minister of Canada. I am glad to announce that the committee will be constituted very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he has received any intimation as to when His Majesty's Government in Canada will appoint the tariff board, for which provision is made in Article 12 of the agreement between the United Kingdom and Canada in connection with the Ottawa Conference?

I have discussed this matter with the Prime Minister of Canada, and I am glad to inform the House that I understand that the tariff board will be set up very shortly.

In view of the fact that on 20th August the Canadian Government undertook to constitute the tariff board forthwith, might it not be represented to the Canadian Government that four months is a somewhat liberal interpretation of the word "forthwith"?

On the contrary, I would very much deplore a hastily conceived tariff board, such as would not give general satisfaction in Canada and in this country. The delay has been justified—according to my knowledge of the board as constituted.

Was not the Ottawa Agreement itself hastily conceived?

(for Mr. PICKERING) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, during the visit to this country of the Prime Minister of Canada, confer with him with a view to giving British manufacturers the right of direct approach to the Canadian Tariff Board to check the use made of preference granted to Canada by American manufacturers to import their products into this country, and to altering the present conditions that make it easier to export British goods to the United States of America than to Canada?

On the first and third points I would refer the hon. Member to Articles 10 to 15 of the recent Trade Agreement with Canada. As regards the second point, the conditions under which manufactured goods consigned to the United Kingdom from a part of the Empire may obtain free entry or a preferential rate of duty are at present under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he and the Prime Minister of Canada understand the same thing by Articles 10 to 15?

Certainly.

There was some doubt last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any understanding was arrived at between the British and Australian Governments over the question of sheep-shearing machinery at the Ottawa Conference?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has yet received any information from the Australian Government as a result of his representations over the State manufacture of sheep-shearing machinery; whether he will state the amount of duty now imposed on imports from Britain of this machinery; and whether it has been increased or otherwise during the last 12 months?

I understand that combs, cutters and duplicates for sheep-shearing machinery are at present being manufactured at the Government Small Arms Factory at Lithgow, which at present supplies about one-fifth of the local demand. As regards the second and third parts of this question, hand-pieces under the British preferential tariff are admitted free of Customs duty. The duty under the British preferential tariff on most other parts of the machinery was reduced on the 2nd September from 55 per cent. ad valorem to 45 per cent. ad valorem, where it now stands.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will inquire of the Australian Commonwealth Government as to their intentions regarding the establishment of Governmental control of the wool trade, in order to assist the manufacturers of this country to prepare their plans for trade in wool with the Dominions?

This matter is, I understand, under consideration by the Commonwealth Government in consultation with the interests concerned. His Majesty's Senior Trade Commissioner in Australia is being asked to report any developments that may arise.

Does my right hon. Friend not consider that this comparatively recent action by the Australian Government is in direct opposition to the whole spirit of the Ottawa Agreement?

I have already stated that the Senior Trade Commissioner is being instructed to report any developments and pending his report I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the negotiations for effecting the new trading agreement with the Soviet Government; and whether the House may anticipate an announcement at an early date?

Negotiations have only just begun. I cannot say when I shall be in a position to make a statement on the matter.

In view of the fact that the House will rise on Thursday, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to inform the engineering firms of this country, and especially the engineering firms of Lincoln, if an agreement is reached during the Recess?

I cannot promise that an Agreement will be reached during the Recess, and, if I could, my hon. Friend's question is a hypothetical one to which I cannot give an answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very considerable anxiety, particularly among engineering employers, in regard to this matter?

Oh, yes; not only among engineering employers, but among other people too.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that very considerable anxiety is being felt by those who lost money in the Lena Goldfields?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate percentage of ships built in the United Kingdom and in other countries for the three years preceding the War and for the last three years for which figures are available?

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 he can give information as to the number of private firms engaged in the manufacture of military aircraft who have been granted licences for the supply of such aircraft to foreign Governments; and whether he is in a position to give the names of such foreign Governments?

A licence to export aircraft is required. only when the destination is Ethiopia and no such licence has been issued since 1st January, 1932. Exports to foreign Governments of armaments fitted to aircraft, however, require a licence, and licences have been issued to three firms of aircraft manufacturers since that date, the countries of destination being Brazil, China and Portugal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state whether any countries, now imposing exchange restrictions, have expressed a desire to discuss the question of tariff reductions; the names of any such countries; and whether he will undertake that no tariff or other concession will be granted by His Majesty's Government to those countries unless the exchange restrictions arc removed or so amended that they cease to inflict injury on British trade?

In the following' countries, which have expressed a desire to enter into tariff negotiations with Great Britain, there is a greater or lesser degree of exchange control:

Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Poland and Uruguay. In some cases however ordinary commercial transactions are not restricted.

In negotiating with these countries His Majesty's Government will certainly not overlook the question of exchange restrictions in endeavouring to secure the best. possible terms for British trade.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is useless to sell goods unless we can be paid for them?

Yes, Sir. That is rather a fundamental fact.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the changes which have been made in the last 12 months in Customs duties, he will issue a White Paper on 1st January showing the then existing Customs duties, preferences, and articles on the Free List; and. issue a revised list every subsequent six months if subsequent Customs changes justify it?

A publication showing the particulars referred to will be issued shortly by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. It is proposed to publish a revised list annually, as it is thought that more frequent revision is unnecessary. But any alterations which may be made in the interval will be published at the time, either in leaflets or notices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for alteration in the rate of duty have been made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given on the 15th December to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Nottingham (Mr. Caporn).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many decisions by the Import Duties Advisory Committee have been announced to the industries concerned; and what length of time is taken in reaching a decision in each case;

(2) whether he is aware that delay in dealing with applications submitted to the Import Duties Advisory Committee is causing discontent in the industries making the application; and if he is prepared to take steps to accelerate the present procedure?

In April last a comprehensive report was made by the Committee recommending the imposition of additional duties above the general ad valorem rate on a wide range of commodities, including the great bulk of manufactured goods as well as some foodstuffs. In July a further omnibus report recommended additional duties upon an extensive range of horticultural products. Besides these reports, separate recommendations have been made for the variation of the duties on 42 items, and the Committee have announced that as a result of their inquiries they do not propose at present to make any recommendation in regard to 11 other items in respect of which applications had been advertised.

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that one of the declared objects of the committee in making their first general recommendations was to afford at once to industries generally a measure of protection which though not adjusted with nicety to all individual cases would be broadly effective. That this object has been achieved is, I think, evidenced by the fact that the imports of manufactured goods in the seven months from May to November have fallen by one-half as compared with those in the corresponding periods of the two preceding years.

The committee indicated that they were ready to deal promptly with cases in which a variation of the general rate might prove to be a matter of special urgency. Adjudication upon other cases in which application is made from time to time for variation of duty, requiring as all such work does thorough examination and a careful weighing of considerations, can only be done gradually if it is to be done properly. This fact has, I think, been generally recognised by the industries concerned as well as by this House, and the figures which I have given indicate that substantial progress has already been made by the committee in their difficult task.

Without in any way criticising the Advisory Committee, may I ask whether some of the industries which received the benefit of the 50 per cent. duty, with great advantage to themselves, did not find that there was a very great decline in their production when the duties were removed? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider if it is not desirable to use the utmost speed in coming to a decision in regard to any possible revision of the duty?

In regard to the first part of the supplementary question, the duties of 50 per cent. were put on for the special purpose of stopping forestalling. They were not intended to set the general level of duty. In regard to the second part, I agree that all speed should be, if possible, aimed at, but I think it must also be taken into account that this work requires very careful consideration.

Is not the Import Duties Advisory Committee wholly detached from any Government control or influence?

Will it not be possible to appoint two additional commissioners so that, they can sit on sub-committees and deal with. important applications quickly and with the care that they are now showing?

I think the committee has considered whether it would be helpful to appoint further members and sub-divide, but up to the present they remain of the opinion that that would not really assist.

(forMr. PICKERING) asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the quantity and value of the imports of silk and art silk hosiery from Canada for the months of September, October and November; and what proportion of these imports is of American origin?

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

asked the Minister of Transport if he can now state whether the Government propose to carry out the proposals of the Salter Committee wholly or in part?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 19th December to the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. Boyce), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are taken to enforce the conditions laid down by traffic commissioners on road service licences under Section 72 (4) of the Road Traffic Act, 1930; and whether the commissioners inform the police of the conditions imposed by them upon road service licences?

In this matter the commissioners proceed both under their own powers and in collaboration with the police, either by way of a warning or by prosecution or by suspension or revocation of the licence as may appear most suitable. Particulars of services authorised in their area are notified to the police, as required by Section 72 of the Act.

Am I to understand that it is the duty of the police to enforce these Orders?

(forMr. THORNE) asked the Minister of Transport if he has any information as to the number of omnibuses or other vehicles driven on creosote oil, and as to the selling price of this commodity and the approximate running cost for fuel per 100 miles?

The use of creosote oil as a propellant for motor vehicles is in an experimental stage and the number of vehicles using it is small. The experiments are being watched, but I am not in a position to give the figures as to cost and consumption for which the hon. Member asks.

(forMr. THORNE) asked the Minister of Transport if he has any information as to the number of motor vehicles fitted with gas engines, and as to the running cost on this fuel per 100 miles?

I am watching with interest the experiments which are now being carried out in the use of coal gas instead of petrol in heavy motor vehicles, but it is not possible for me to give the figures for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Minister of Health how many municipalities possess the power at the present time to compel the pasteurisation of all milk other than certified milk brought into their area?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any municipality in England or Wales possesses this power at present.

asked the Minister of Health if he has information showing what proportion of the London milk supply is pasteurised before distribution to the consumer?

My right hon. Friend cannot give any precise figure, but it is generally estimated that something over 90 per cent. of the milk supply of London is treated by heat before distribution to the consumer. He is unable to say how much of this milk is pasteurised in accordance with the method prescribed in the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923,

Is is not a fact that, simultaneously with the increase in the consumption of pasteurised milk in London, there has been an increase in the amount of dental decay among children?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health how many children died in London during 1931 from bovine tuberculosis; and how many died from the same disease in the country as a whole during the same period?

My right hon. Friend is advised that there is no information available on which to base any reliable estimate of these numbers. My hon. Friend will, however, find some information on this subject in the Memorandum on Bovine Tuberculosis in Man, which was issued last year by my Department, and of which I am sending him a copy.