asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any progress has been made by negotiations with the governments re presented at the Ottawa Conference to establish a greater degree of uniformity of standard of Empire content?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave him to a similar Question on 13th December. An Order has now been issued by the President of the Board of Trade on 30th January, 1933, with effect from 1st April, 1933, increasing to 50 per cent. the percentage of Empire content of certain classes of goods to enable them to qualify for preference when imported into the United Kingdom.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the conference recommended that uniformity should be inquired into and a decision made as soon as possible?

Yes, I am aware of that, but there is a difference as to what should be uniformity. In this case the President of the Board of Trade thought that uniformity from the British point of View should be 50 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that British commercial travellers who wish to operate in Toronto or Montreal must pay fees amounting to approximately £75 before they can do so; and whether he will represent to the Canadian Government the desirability of reducing these fees in the interests of inter-Empire trade?

I understand that under certain provincial statutes in Canada the municipal authorities have power to levy taxes ranging from $100 to $500 on commercial travellers of all nationalities, including Canadians, who either sell goods from stocks brought with them or who take retail orders for subsequent deliveries; but that these taxes are not leviable on commercial travellers, who exhibit samples to wholesale traders. The representations of the hon. and gallant Member on this subject are being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many permits were issued in 1932 for the export of munitions; and the quantity and nature of war material exported to China and Japan during the 12 months?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state, for each month since February, 1932, by categories, the declared value of exports of arms, munitions, and naval and military stores, not including sporting arms and munitions, exported from the United Kingdom to Japan and China, and similarly the declared value of re-exports?

410 licences for the exportation of war material were

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be a great step on the way to peace if these munitions could be taken out of private hands and put under Government control?

That does not arise out of this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the organisations representative of trade generally which he proposes to consult before coming to any decision with regard to the abrogation of international treaties by which Great Britain and other Powers are precluded from granting preferences in certain Colonies?

As at present advised I propose to consult the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of British Industries, the Chamber of Shipping, the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association and certain individual chambers of commerce and other bodies which are more particularly interested in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Swedish east coast railways have just given an order for 15,000 tons of coal to Poland; whether any negotiations have taken place with the Swedish Government as to the interchange of trade; and if it is the intention of this Government to use the tariff as a bargaining weapon with the Swedish Government?

I am informed that the Swedish East Coast Railways, which are a private concern, have placed the bulk of this order in Poland, but that part of it has been placed in Germany and in this country. Commercial negotiations with the Swedish Government have been taking place and will shortly be resumed. In these negotiations the interests of the United Kingdom coal trade have been and will continue to be borne in mind.

When are the Government going to commence using the tariff as a bargaining weapon? We were told when the Import Duties Act was passed that that was to be the object of the tariff. When are you going to start?

We started some months ago.

Are we to understand that you have not started with Sweden?

I said some months ago.

With Sweden?

Is the Minister aware that there are many companies on the North East Coast prepared to fill this order at prices lower than those quoted either by Poland or Germany? Here are telegrams from several of the companies concerned, and the only reason —

The hon. Member must put a question and must not make a speech.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only reason why these companies are prevented from quoting at prices lower than those of Poland and Germany is the restrictions imposed under the Mines Act, 1930, with regard to the quota?

I am afraid I could not answer that question without having the facts before me.

But these are the facts. Is it not time that the Government recognised that the export trade in coal, so vital to the interests of this country, should be freed from the shackles of these restrictions?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the exchange dumping duties imposed by Canada on imports from countries whose currencies have depreciated as compared with the currency of Canada are still being applied to imports from this country; if so, what is at present being taken as the average value of the pound as compared with that of the Canadian currency; and what is the present rate of this exchange dumping duty on imports from this country?

This special duty is still being applied to imports into Canada of goods from this country of a class or kind made or produced in Canada. For Customs entries during the period 1st February to 15th February the average value of the pound has been fixed at 3.86 dollars; and the duty amounts to 54 cents for every pound value of the invoice, being the difference between this figure and the fixed rate of 4.40 dollars.

Would it not be possible to have publication of these figures as soon as they are known, regularly; and can the right hon. Gentleman say how often the rate is changed?

The rate is changed once a fortnight. I will consider whether we cannot make a public announcement immediately the figures are ascertained.

Is it a fact that the operation of this duty makes it possible for goods manufactured in foreign countries to be imported into Canada on terms more favourable than those accorded to goods manufactured in Great Britain?

I could not answer that question without having the facts put before me. If my hon. and gallant Friend means in comparison with goods imported from the United States, I would point out that in the United States there is no currency depreciation, which is the reason given for this anti-dumping duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value and description in the trade of the United Kingdom of imports from, exports, domestic produce, and re-exports of merchandise to, each British colony in Africa, excluding mandated territories, which are precluded by international treaty from granting preferences, for 1929, 1930, and 1931; and the corresponding total values for such colonies in the trade of the United Kingdom?

The British colonies and protectorates in Africa (excluding mandated territories) which are precluded by international treaty from granting preferences are the Gold Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Nyasaland, Zanzibar and part of Northern Rhodesia. The exact particulars asked for are not available, but the hon. Member will find in Volume IV of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1931 detailed particulars of our import, export and re-export trade during 1929, 1930 and 1931 with Kenya, Uganda, Nyasaland, the Gold Coast including British Togoland, Nigeria including British Cameroons, Zanzibar and Pemba together, and Northern Rhodesia as a whole.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any steps are being taken, or are contemplated, to denounce the Congo Basin Treaty?

This is by no means a simple question, as the interests are not all in the same direction. We have considered and examined it again and again.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has taken any steps to ensure that the question of foreign shipping subsidies shall definitely be discussed at the World Economic Conference?

Yes, Sir. Steps were taken to have this question brought forward at the recent session of the Preparatory Commission for the World Economic Conference, and it is referred to in that section of the draft agenda prepared for the conference which deals with organisation of production and trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board have considered the possibility of making arrangements with foreign Powers having controlled exchanges so that money due from British nationals in payment for foreign goods and commodities may be retained in this country to provide for payments due to British nationals from the foreign State?

Yes, Sir; but no such arrangement has yet been suggested which on examination has appeared likely to be beneficial to British interests.

Is not this a matter to which the Board of Trade should devote their immediate attention, seeing how necessary it is to encourage trade with those countries which have controlled exchanges, and in order to give employment in this country?

Yes. We have had no fewer than three separate inquiries, covering South Europe, North Europe and elsewhere, and the conclusion that each of these inquiries came to was that it was not in the British interest.

Will this question be considered at the World Economic Conference among other things?

There is no reason why it should not be.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now recommend the abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese trade agreement?

The whole question of Japanese competition is receiving the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government, but as at present advised I see no occasion for taking the action which my hon. Friend suggests.

May we take it from that reply that the advice of the chambers of commerce, that the Japanese Treaty is interfering very seriously with our trade, will soon be considered and a definite reply given by the President of the Board of Trade as to whether this advice should be acted upon?

Any views expressed by these organisations will, of course, be listened to with respect.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this advice was rendered many. months ago, that representations have been made continuously over a long period, and that we are always informed that they are waiting for the President of the Board of Trade to make up his mind?

The hon. Gentleman need have no anxiety on that score.

Is not this increase of Japanese competition due solely to the rise in the pound relative to the yen or to the fall in the yen relative to the pound?

I am afraid that at Question Time I could not go into the whole of the reasons for the severity of Japanese competition, but the wages that are paid in Japan are one or the factors that must be taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the position of the negotiations with the Swedish trade delegation and the Norwegian trade delegation?

The negotiations have so far been of a preliminary nature, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

When can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to the results of the negotiations with these countries and other countries with whom the Department is negotiating?

I cannot name any fixed date. The representatives of Sweden are returning to this country as soon as possible I understand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information relating to the reconstruction of the international cartel in the iron and steel industries, showing its effect upon the iron and steel trades in this country?

I understand that an agreement for the reconstitution of the Continental Steel Cartel for a period of five years has in principle been reached. The effects of the agreement and the attitude which should he adopted towards it will no doubt engage the careful consideration of the British iron and steel industry.

If this reconstructed cartel becomes operative, will it not have a serious effect on the iron and steel industry?

I would rather not express an opinion on that at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state for what reasons restrictions are still retained in the case of optional conversion issues which rank as trustee securities and involve either underwriting or an invitation to the public to subscribe new cash?

For the present I regard this limited restriction as necessary to prevent congestion of the market.

Has the Chancellor of the Exchequer any idea when he will be able to do away with these restrictions?

No, Sir.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "congestion of the market"? Does he mean a demand for sterling from other countries?

No, Sir. I do not mean that at all. I mean congestion of the market in this particular kind of securities.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the desirability of issuing upon request certificates to British travellers leaving this country in respect of goods contained in their personal luggage, in order to ensure that goods contained in such luggage shall not be subjected to duty on the travellers' return to Great Britain?

My hon. Friend's suggestion has been very fully considered, but I am afraid that the introduction of any such general arrangement as that contemplated in the question would not be practicable. In any event, I am satisfied that it is unnecessary under existing conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any estimate of the number of agricultural workers unemployed in Scotland at present?

I regret that I am unable to give such an estimate; but I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Monthly Agricultural Report of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland for January, 1933, which contains some figures and observations on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state what action he proposes to take to combat the prevailing depression in Scottish agriculture?

As my hon. Friend is aware, important steps have been taken with the object of making farming in Scotland more profitable. I am not at present in a position to make a statement regarding further action to be taken, but my hon. Friend may be assured that the Government is giving constant attention to the problems of the agricultural industry and to the possibility of further measures in its behalf.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what steps are being taken by the Government to make agriculture profitable?

No, Sir, I will not. The House knows them very well.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he considers farming is profitable at the present time?

I do not propose, even with your permission, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, to enter upon an agricultural Debate at Question time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to take any steps to check the importation of subsidised foreign oats?

I am not aware that any subsidised foreign oats are being imported into this country.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that if these subsidised oats continue to be imported, the growers of oats in Scotland will be completely ruined?

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman did not hear my answer, which was that I was not aware that any subsidised oats were being imported.

They are being imported.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that large quantities have been imported into this country, and will he take steps to see that it is not done?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government has any statistics to show the existence and extent of the dumping of foreign oats, oatmeal, and barley in Scotland; and, if so, whether he can state the facts?

I regret that I have not yet been able to obtain statistics of imports into Scotland of these commodities for a later period than 1931, but with my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures giving particulars of imports into the United Kingdom for 1931 and 1932, together with the figures for Scotland for 1931.

When the hon. Gentleman has these figures at his disposal, will he hand them over to the President of the Board of Trade, who says that he knows nothing about them?

Why is my hon. Friend unable to get these important figures for a later date than 1931; and,

The figures for 1932 will not be published until a later period

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to institute a quota system for oats similar to the wheat quota system, in order that Scottish farmers may receive for their oats a price sufficient to cover the cost of production?

My right hon. Friend is carefully examining the position with regard to oats and oat products, but on the information at present before him as to the home production and the imports of oats respectively it appears to him that the institution of a quota system on the lines of the wheat quota system would not be practicable.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that some action will be taken with regard to oats particularly in the near future?

My hon. Friend knows very well that it is not my function to give such an assurance, but I can assure him that the question of oats has been most fully and carefully considered in view of the great importance of that cereal to Scottish farming.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that nobody eats oats except Scotsmen and asses—

And the hon. Member is one of the asses.

—and will he therefore prohibit the importation of foreign oats into Scotland?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state, by counties, the number of cases in which the different agricultural wages committees have exercised their powers of granting a permit exempting the employment of a worker from payment at the minimum rate of wages fixed under the Act in cases where they are satisfied that the worker is so affected by any infirmity due to age or to any other cause that he is incapable of earning the minimum rate?

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the amount of differential duty to date granted to the sugar refineries since 1928; and how this figure compares with the cost of maintaining the sugar-beet industry during the same period?

The approximate amount of the difference between the amount of duty actually charged on sugar delivered for refining in refineries from 25th April, 1928, to 31st December, 1932, and the amount which would have been paid on the same quantities had duty been charged at the basic rate appropriate to imported sugar exceeding 98° polarisation, was £18,835,000. The amount of assistance given to the beet-sugar industry during the period 1st April, 1928, to 31st December, 1932, was approxi- mately £22,379,000, comprising £17,061,000 direct subsidy paid under the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925—including the sum of £183,300 advanced under the British Sugar (Assistance) Act, 1931—and £5,318,000 representing the difference between the amount of duty collected on home-grown sugar calculated at the appropriate Excise rate and the amount which would have been paid had duty been charged at the basic rate for imported unrefined sugar.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the present shortage of all ranks in the Regular Army at home and in the Territorial Army?

The deficiencies on 1st February were as follow:—Regular Army 5,400 and Territorial Army 44,000.

In view of the fact that the deficiency is continually increasing, what steps is the hon. Gentleman taking to remedy it?

The deficiency in the Regular Army does not continue to increase, but continues to decrease, and these figures show a deficiency only in regard to establishment and not in regard to normal figures. So far as the Regular Army is concerned, there is no ground for any anxiety with regard to the figures. As to the Territorial Army, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to a question last week stating the special steps which we were taking for recruiting.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what those steps are?

The large deficiency is probably due, we believe, to the fact that camps did not take place last year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the £900,000 to be provided by the Treasury for Territorial camps this year will cover all the outlays involved or if further charges will fall to be borne by individual regiments and Territorial associations?

The sum to be provided in Army Estimates, approximately £900,000, covers all the outlays involved in the annual camps.

How many men does the hon. Gentleman expect will receive training for that sum of money?