asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the German Government to increase still further the import duty on cured herrings; whether the tariff negotiations between Britain and Germany are still proceeding; and what action he proposes to take to protect the herring industry from further injury?

Inquiries have been made by His Majesty's Embassy at Berlin who have been informed by the German Government that no increase of duty on cured herrings is anticipated, and the third part of the question therefore does not now arise. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies to questions by the right hon. Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel) on

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make a statement as to the results of the visit of the British trade delegation to Finland; and whether he can hold out any hope of an early reduction in the import of duty on herrings entering Finland?

The report of the Mission has not yet been received. Their views and recommendations will receive most careful consideration by His Majesty's Government. In reply to the second part of the question, the duty levied in Finland on the importation of herrings is being borne in mind in connection with the forthcoming commercial negotiations with that country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of oatmeal products imported into Northern Ireland during the years 1930–31 and 1931–32, with the countries of origin?

The precise information desired by the hon. Member is not available, but appended is a statement showing the total quantity and declared value of the imports of oatmeal into Northern Ireland in the foreign trade during the years 1931 and 1932, distinguishing for 1932 the countries of consignment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the prospectus recently issued by the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation states that this concern is indirectly controlled by the Fox Film Corporation; and what steps are being taken to prevent the evasion of the Cinematograph Act, 1927, by this corporation, to safeguard British rights, and to prevent the name British being used by a foreign-controlled firm?

I cannot find any statement in the prospectus to which my hon. Friend refers to the effect that the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation is indirectly controlled by the Fox Film Corporation. The remainder of the question does not therefore arise. On 22nd December last, in reply to a question by my hon. Friend, I gave him the information available at that date in regard to the control of the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation and I have no official information to show that there has been any change in the position since then.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the sale to Japan of two White Star liners, the "Megantic" and the "Baltic," which were employed as troopships during the War; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware that the vessels in question have been sold to Japan to be broken up. There is nothing unusual in this, and no action is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that, following the publication of the Kenya Income Tax Bill, a number of schemes involving the investment of over £100,000 in Kenyan enterprises have been suspended; and whether, before approving this legislation, he will satisfy himself that the imposition of Income Tax will provide an equitable form of taxation in Kenya, and will not result in any hindrance to the development of that Colony?

I have seen no evidence in support of the allegation to which my Noble Friend refers. It is universally agreed that every effort must be made by the Kenya Government to ensure a balanced Budget: and it is clear that this can be achieved only by a combination of drastic economy coupled with an additional measure of direct taxation. Moreover no greater obstacle to development could exist than a recurrent series of unbalanced Budgets which would undermine the confidence of intending investors. On these facts there is an overwhelming weight of authoritative opinion that the most equitable form of increased taxation is an Income Tax. In this connection my Noble Friend is no doubt familiar with the report of Lord Moyne, and he will recall the wide measure of approval which that report received in this House during the Debate on the Colonial Office Vote on 1st July, 1932.

asked the Minister of Labour what increase or decrease in unemployment has taken place in Lancashire since September, 1931?

Between 14th September, 1931, and 23rd January, 1933, there was a decrease of 129,180 in the numbers of persons registered as unemployed in Lancashire.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in Darwen in September, 1931, and in January last?

:At 21st September, 1931, there were 9,849 unemployed persons on the registers of the Darwen Employment Exchange and Juvenile Employment Bureau. The corresponding figure at 23rd January, 1933, was 6,491.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the introduction of legislation to make compulsory the implementing of the recent agreements in the cotton-weaving industry?

It would be greatly to be regretted if the responsible organisations in the industry found themselves unable to prevent breaches of agreements so recently made, and I should like to take this opportunity of asking all engaged in the industry to take their part in safeguarding it from a repetition of the loss and disturbance which it has experienced during the last few years. I have been giving careful consideration to representations which have been made to me in the matter, and I propose to set some inquiries on foot in order to inform myself of the facts.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the total cost of the International Labour Office at Geneva since its inception; and which of its proposals have been put into effect by all nations which belong to the League?

:The total cost of the International Labour Organisation since its inception to the end of 1931 was approximately 86,103,300 Swiss francs. The net budget for 1932 was 9,792,290 Swiss francs. No Convention or Recommendation adopted by the International Labour Organisation has been put into effect by all nations which are States members of the Organisation.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware that under the existing law an official of a trades union cannot sue against that union if he is a member of it for wrongful dismissal; and if he will introduce legislation to remedy this?

:A trades union official is not barred by reason of his membership of such union from taking action for wrongful dismissal. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Attorney-General whether and, if so, when he proposes to take steps to abolish the office of King's Proctor?

I am satisfied it would not be in the public interest that the office of the King's Proctor should be abolished.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if Colonel Watkins is now employed as paymaster of the Regular Army under the Scottish command?

:The answer is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many officers surplus to establishment there are in the Royal Artillery at the present time?

At the present time there are approximately 70 officers of the Royal Artillery who are surplus to the proposed establishment for the coming financial year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the advertisements in the Press of December last by the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, for a male junior assistant metallurgist, not exceeding the age of 36, possessing practical experience and a university honours degree, and by the Royal Gunpowder Factory Laboratory for a male junior assistant, not exceeding the age of 27, possessing a university degree in chemistry with not less than second-class honours, both appointments carrying a basic initial salary of £160 per annum, were issued with his approval; and whether the remuneration offered has received the approval of the Whitley Council?

:The advertisements were duly authorised. As regards the second part, the scale of remuneration offered is that which was introduced for junior assistant metallurgists in the Royal Ordnance Factories, Woolwich, in 1925, with the agreement of the Out-station Committee of the War Office Administrative Whitley Council. The same scale has been in operation for junior assistant chemists in other War Department establishments since 1920.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any remains of the mediaeval wall paintings still exist under the Victorian decorations of Westminster crypt (St. Mary's, Undercroft)?

:There is nothing in the records at the Office of Works which suggests that any mediaeval paintings remain under the present decoration, and the matter could only be cleared up by the removal of the existing paintings.

asked the First Commissioner of Works for what reason alterations have been made on the walls of the Harcourt Room and why certain pictures, including a portrait of General Huskisson, have been removed, and what steps he intends to take to make the room more in keeping with the dignity of the House of Commons?

:As a result of complaints received from Members regarding the noise in the Harcourt Room, the walls have recently been covered with sound absorbing material. To restore the glazed pictures would nullify to a large extent the improvement effected. No further alterations are contemplated.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue a regulation with a view to acquainting the public with their rights under the Lunacy Act, 1890, that Section 79 should be posted up in all waiting-rooms where friends come to visit the inmates of mental institutions in order that the patient's friends, as distinct from his relatives, may know that it is in their power to apply to the visiting committee for the patient's discharge to their care?

There are objections to a regulation of the kind suggested. I am advised that the situation is adequately met by the existing rule which requires the managers of every institution, on the admission of every rate-aided person, to send a notice, embodying the substance of Section 79 of the Lunacy Act, to all persons whose names appear as relatives or friends of the patient on the statement of particulars accompanying the reception order.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he proposes to accept the offer from the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association to provide a drinking-fountain, with a water-trough for dogs, to be installed in the Green Park?

:The type and design of the fountain offered by the association was not, in my opinion, suitable for the Green Park, but if the association would communicate with me further, I should be prepared to consider an alternative design.

asked the Minister of Health whether all the schemes approved by his Department for contracting out of the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts and health insurance provide benefits equal to those given under health and pension insurance, particularly with regard to the pension for the widow in the event of the death of the husband and disablement benefit to a man incapacitated after two years' service, during which period at least 104 deductions have been made from wages or salary?

:As I informed the hon. Member in reply to a similar question on 24th November last, the certificates of exception which may be issued to public authorities are not granted unless the benefits given are equivalent to the statutory benefits to the extent required by the Acts. In particular, if total exception from the contribuory pensions and health insurance schemes is desired, the benefits must include provision equivalent on the whole to the widow's pension and disablement benefit provided under the Acts, although the qualifying conditions may not be precisely the same.

asked the Minister of Health what was the amount of the annual General Exchequer Contribution under the Local Government Act, 1929, due to be paid to the county of Merioneth for the period ending 31st March next; and what such contribution will be for the grant period beginning 1st April next?

Provisional amounts of the county apportionment of the county of Merioneth out of the General Exchequer Contribution are, for the first fixed grant period ending 31st March next, £75,792 and, for the second fixed grant period beginning 1st April next, £74,570.

asked the Minister of Health how many applications he has received for a housing loan from local district councils; how many of such applications have been sanctioned and how many refused and, in the latter case, for what reasons; what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that houses are built in the districts to which loans are being refused; and how the Ministry assures itself in these cases that private enterprise will do all that is necessary?

:I regret that all the particulars sought are not available. The total amount of loans sanctioned for housing purposes during the last 12 months is £19,312,110. On the general issue raised, a statement was recently issued on my authority of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether, in view of the resolutions recently passed by the Church Assembly, he is prepared to postpone for 12 months the closing of any Church training college with a view to considering all possible alternatives to the policy of closing?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the latter part of the answer given to the hon. Members for St. Helens (Captain Spencer), Royton (Mr. Sutcliffe), and the City of Chester (Sir C. Cayzer) on 16th February, of which I am enclosing a copy.

asked the Home Secretary if he can give up-to-date information as to the labour conditions now agreed upon in cinemas licensed for opening on Sundays in Birmingham'?

:On 9th February, the hon. Member asked whether my attention had been called to a suggestion said to have been made by the Birmingham Justices that cinema employés, working outside the Birmingham area for six days in the week could be employed in Birmingham cinemas on the Sunday. As I then promised, I have been in communication with the Birmingham Justices and I am informed that no such suggestion has been made by them. Such a practice would clearly be a violation of the terms of the Act. In addition to the statutory condition designed to prevent a 7-day working week, the Birmingham Justices have imposed a further condition which prohibits the employment of any regular cinema worker on more than one Sunday in any three consecutive Sundays. Some of the smaller exhibitors have found difficulty in complying with this condition, and I understand that the Justices made some suggestion for co-operation both inside and outside the area whereby a satisfactory system of rotation could be arranged. Persons employed on Sundays under any such scheme would of course be subject, not only to the statutory condition against the 7-day week, but also to the additional condition imposed in Birmingham which limits Sunday employment to one Sunday in three.

asked the Home Secretary whether any report on the death of Madame Vlora has been made by the police; and whether he can state its nature?

:The answer is in the affirmative. The effect of the report is that Madame Vlora committed suicide by taking permanganate of potash.

asked the Home Secretary the date on which authority was given for instituting the ranks of assistant-housemaster and housemaster in Borstal institutions or prisons; the present number of these officials; their general remuneration, and allowances; the' number appointed to governorships in prisons or Borstal institutions; the total cost to the State since the inception of the rank; and on what basis the administrative policy of houses and housemasters is modelled?

:Housemasters were first sanctioned, under the name of assistant-tutors, in January, 1922, assistant-housemasters in February, 1924. The number for whom provision is made in the Estimates for the current financial year is 19 housemasters and 26 assistant-housemasters. The remuneration of a housemaster is at the rate of £270 15s. per annum at minimum, rising to £352 17s. per annum, and that of an assistant-housemaster at the rate of £190 15s. per annum: officers of both classes are in addition entitled to free quarters or an allowance in lieu. Thirteen governors or deputy-governors have been promoted from the ranks of assistant-tutor, housemaster, or assistant-housemaster. It would involve much work to give an accurate figure for the total cost, but it is estimated at approximately £58,000. The policy of dividing the institutions into houses has been adopted on the ground that it provides the best" means of bringing to bear on the individual inmates that personal influence of the staff which forms the basis of the training in Borstal institutions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the acreage under hops in 1914, 1930 and 1932, respectively?

:The acreage returned as under hops on the 4th June was 36,661 acres in 1914; 19,997 acres in 1930; and 16,531 acres in 1932. A varying proportion of the area is left unpicked each year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of bulk barrels of imported beer in respect of which rebate was granted in the calendar year 1932?

:The number of bulk barrels of imported beer retained for home consumption in respect of which rebate was granted in the calendar year 1932 was 1,213,413.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the fact that 32 military aeroplanes were recently flown from Italy to Hungary and there taken to pieces and hidden; whether he has made inquiries into the matter; and what action it is proposed to take?

My attention has been called to statements in the foreign Press alleging the despatch of aeroplanes such as is described by my hon. Friend. A semi-official denial of this allegation has been issued by the Hungarian Government. In this instance, therefore, I do not consider that any special action is called for on the part of His Majesty's Government.