asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can expedite the settlement of the negotiations with Portugal respecting the discriminatory rates on British goods to Portugal in favour of vessels flying the Portuguese flag, and more especially because its continuance is hampering the development of trade between the two countries?

Every effort is being made by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to bring these negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion. The prejudicial effect of flag discrimination upon Anglo-Portuguese trade is fully appreciated by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any special efforts and, if so, of what nature are now being made to secure increased preference for cotton goods within the Empire?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the right hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs yesterday to the same question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total balance of trade between this country and the Soviet Republic during the past 11 years and also the corresponding figure for trade between the United States of America and the Soviet Republic; and whether, in making any fresh trade agreement, the Government will limit our purchases from the Soviet Government selling agency to an amount which will correspond with their purchases of goods produced in this country?

During the 11 years, 1922 to 1932, there was an excess of imports over exports of merchandise in the trade of the United Kingdom with the Soviet Union to the value of £136,500,000. In the case of the United States, exports to the Soviet Union during the same period exceeded in value imports from that country by about 619,000,000 dollars. It is the aim of His Majesty's Government in the negotiations now in progress to secure an improvement in the balance of trade.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the figures he gave of trade between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Republic included re-exports, or did they relate only to the products of this country exchanged for the products of the Soviet?

The figures are actually merchandise sent.

Then they would include re-exports7 What are the figures for re-exports?

I could not say without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state on what date the notice given by the Government to terminate the present Anglo-Russian trade agreement expires; and what progress has been made in the negotiations for a new agreement?

The present agreement will cease to be in force from the 17th April, 1933. Negotiations are continuing, but the right hon. Gentleman will not expect me to discuss the course of the negotiations while they are proceeding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any date by which an order may be expected, in accordance with the recommendations of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, on the application of the fabric glove industry; whether the commercial negotiations with foreign countries, which are delaying the decision, relate to the glove industry or other industries; and whether, in view of the depression in the fabric glove industry in this country, due to the dumping of surplus foreign produce at prices below cost of production, he will arrive at a decision at the earliest possible moment?

I cannot give a date by which a decision will be reached on the Committee's recommendations but the hon. Member may rest assured that there will be no unnecessary delay. As regards the second part of the question, it would not be expedient to make detailed announcements as to the scope of negotiations while they are in progress.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will explain the steps he is taking to recover the £512,187 4s. 9d. due from the Greek Government to Great Britain in respect of an old guarantee by the British Government; and whether he has brought the matter before those experts of the League of Nations who advised upon the recent Greek loans issued under the supervision of the League of Nations?

By a convention concluded in 1860 between the Greek Government and the Governments which had guaranteed the loan of 1832 the Greek Government are liable to pay £12,000 annually to His Majesty's Government to be applied in reduction of the capital sum outstanding. The instalment due on the 31st December, 1932, has not yet been received and correspondence is taking place with the Greek Government with regard thereto. The answer to the second part of the question is in the. negative.

Since" this question has been outstanding for such a long time will my right hon. Friend give me an assurance that all possible steps are being taken to hasten a conclusion?

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House that he hopes that the whole loan will be discharged?

As regards the last question I cannot answer it. I have not examined the exact terms of the loan. The only instalment, I think, which has not been paid is this last one. My hon. Friends may be assured that the Treasury of this country is taking active steps to make representations to the authorities concerned in this matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will issue instructions to the accountant officers in ships, etc., victualled on the general mess system, for the purchase of a reasonable quantity of British-caught fish?

Accountant officers of ships victualled on the general mess system are instructed to introduce as much variety into the dietary as possible, and fish appears frequently in the daily menus. The fish are bought on the open market, and in home waters there is no reason to suppose that they are other than British caught. As accountant officers of general mess ships are limited in their expenditure to a fixed daily allowance per man, it would not be expedient to introduce any rule of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

Will the Noble Lord, as far as possible, impress upon those concerned the importance of the fishing industry to the nation and the nutritious quality of a fish diet?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in the next tenders for Army rations, quotations will he invited for British-caught fish?

No, Sir. I am not prepared to substitute fish for meat in the soldier's standard ration. Fish is purchased by units out of the messing cash allowance which is issued with the object of enabling the messing authorities to provide a varied diet.

Why is not the hon. Gentleman prepared to include fish?

I do not think that it would be popular to replace meat by fish as a standard ration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has ascertained from the Governor of the Straits Settlements and the High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States whether there is any obstacle against the putting into force of the Workmen's Compensation Act in both Colonies; and whether he can state when the administrative orders will be applied?

I consulted the Governor by despatch after the hon. Member put his question to me on 20th December last. There has not yet been time for me to receive the Governor's reply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman pursue this matter; and can he indicate when I may repeat this question with the hope of getting an answer?

I can give an answer to the hon. Member when I have received the reply from the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the names of the selection board for the cadet services of Malaya; what qualifications are demanded of candidates; and whether there is any racial discrimination?

The Malayan Civil Service is now part of the Colonial Administrative Service, and its personnel will in future be selected under the general system in force for that service. Selection is entrusted to the Colonial Appointments Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that recruitment of the Civil Service cadets of the Federated Malay States is by selection rather than by competitive examination; and what steps he is taking to put this recruitment on a competitive basis?

The reasons for my decision that recruitment for the Malayan Civil Service should in future be carried out by the selection system instead of by the competitive examination previously in force were given in my reply to the hon. Member's question on 20th December, 1932. I have no intention whatever of returning to the system of competitive examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to restore to the native councils of the Kenya Colony Reserves the right of consultation provided for in the original Ordinance before any particular piece of land is leased?

No, Sir. As I explained in the Debate, the Native Council of the North Kavirondo Reserve consists of 64 members drawn from all parts of the Reserve and is clearly an inappropriate body for the purpose mentioned. The expression of native views in regard to the proposed excision, for leasing purposes, of any particular piece of land, is fully provided for by the statutory reference to the local land board, which will include for this purpose representatives of the location or section concerned, in addition to the permanent African member chosen from the local native council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether all rents accruing from any lease of lands for gold winning are to be credited to the native councils of Kenya Colony?

No, Sir. Any land leased for mining will first be excluded from the Reserve in exchange either for alternative land or for a monetary payment to the local native council of the full capital value thereof.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that any land in the native Reserves in Kenya Colony which is not required for gold winning is to be restored to the natives, any provision is included in the lease for repairing any surface disturbance which has taken place on land formerly leased?

No, Sir. As full compensation for the land will have already been made to the natives, I do not think it would be reasonable to impose this additional obligation on the lessee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that large numbers of natives are to be employed in gold winning in Kenya Colony, it is his intention to instruct the Governor to prepare legislation providing for compensation for accidents and those diseases which usually accompany the work of winning gold?

Statutory provision for compensation to natives in respect of death or serious injuries arising from mining accidents already exists in the Kenya Mining Ordinance of 1931. The Governor of Kenya has also under consideration a Workmen's Compensation Bill covering occupational diseases as well as the results of accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the killing of Joseph Benjamini, an ex-soldier of the British Army, in a raid by Bedouins against a Jewish settlement on this side of Jordan; and why the British police or the Transjordan force did not prevent the raid or protect the raided?

4s the answer is a long one I will, with the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask whether the district commissioners are in charge of the police in their respective areas; and whether Mr. Samuel has been made a district commissioner?

I take a great interest in every detail of Colonial administration, but I could not be expected to answer those questions offhand.

The right hon. Gentleman will realise, I hope, that the post of district commissioner is infinitely more important, if the commissioners have charge of law and order in their districts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will fur nish a list of landing-grounds available for aeroplanes in Britain; the number that have been opened with assistance from the State; and whether any of the landing-grounds of the Royal Air Force are available for use by private aeroplanes, and the charge?

I have been asked to reply. As the answer is long I will, with the hon. Member's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there is no direct communication between Great Britain and the Irish Free State by air; and whether he will consult with the appropriate authorities of the Irish. Free State to remedy this inconvenience, which is a matter of concern to many people in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the establishment of an air service between Great Britain and the Irish Free State would be a matter for private enterprise and in these circumstances, though my Noble Friend is in full sympathy with the object in view, he does not consider there would be any advantage in consultation with His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that anyone who wishes to proceed from Great Britain to Southern Ireland at the present time by air, finds it necessary to charter a special aeroplane to Dublin and then proceed from Dublin to his destination in Southern Ireland?

I see the hon. Member's point quite clearly but, as I have stated, this would be a matter for private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that the Glasgow Corporation has refused to put omnibuses on the Glasgow-Tollcross route and that a large number of persons are deprived of this means of transport, he will withdraw the prohibition on the Glasgow Omnibus Company to lift and lay passengers in the Tollcross area?

I have no jurisdiction over the conditions attached to a road service licence unless an appeal is made to me against a decision of the Traffic Commissioners, by a person entitled to do so, within one month of the date of the decision in question. I cannot trace the receipt of any appeal relating to this matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this area people have to walk nearly half-a-mile from a large housing estate to get means of transport to and from Glasgow; and, if he has no jurisdiction in the matter, to whom am I entitled to put questions about it?

As my answer has indicated, if there is opposition on the part of the people in the neighbourhood, an appeal can be made against the decision of the Traffic Commissioner. I will gladly make further inquiries into the matter for the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, before intimating to the House the Government's proposals for implementing the Salter Report, he proposes to circulate them for criticism to the interests affected?

No, Sir. Full consideration has been given to the numerous written representations already submitted by representative organisations, and I see no sufficient reason for a further series of consultations prior to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament. Such a course would inevitably lead to considerable delay. I shall, however, be ready at any time to consider and discuss any suggestions that may be made to me in connection with the Government's scheme when it is before the House.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to give Members of this House plenty of notice before his proposal is brought on the Floor of the House?

The introduction of the Bill will do that.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total estimated cost of the new Glencoe road from Tyndrum through Glenorchy and Glencoe to Carnach, near Ballachulish; and why it was decided to spend so large a sum on an arterial road in this district instead of spreading over at least part of it on road construction of more economic value in other parts of Scotland?

The total estimated cost of constructing the 30 mile section of the Glasgow-Inverness trunk route lying between Tyndrum and Carnach is £512,000. The scheme was included in the trunk road reconstruction programme initiated in 1924–25 as part of the unemployment programme for that year. The importance of this route, in an area where communications are notably deficient, was held to afford good grounds for the expenditure. I would remind my hon. Friend that important schemes were also assisted in more populous parts of Scotland, as for example the new Edinburgh-Glasgow road, which was of greater magnitude than that to which he refers.

Is it not a fact that a great deal of this, to my mind, unnecessary expense is due to too rigid an application of a rule regarding gradients, which is well worth while in England but in areas of the character of the Highlands causes unnecessary expense?

That appears to me to be quite a different question from the one on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the number of accidents on the roads, some of which are due to physical disability and, in particular, defective vision on the part of drivers, he will institute a system for testing the declarations in regard to physical fitness made by applicants for motor-driving licences?

Under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, every applicant for a licence to drive a motor vehicle is required to make a declaration in a prescribed form as to his physical fitness, including eyesight. Any person who knowingly makes a false statement is liable to severe penalties under the Act. I have no evidence to show that false declarations are frequent, and, in any case, I think it would be well to gain some rather longer experience of the operation of the provisions of the Act before coming to any conclusion as to the need for imposing further requirements in regard to physical fitness.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the noise abatement committee of New York has done much to check transport noise in that city; and if he will take steps to have a similar body appointed here?

I have no information as to the steps taken by this Committee, but I am making inquiries and will then consider whether there is any further action which could usefully be taken.

asked the Minister of Transport how many cases of enforcement have taken place during 1932 under the regulations forbidding the use of motor-cycles which are not fitted with silencers?

I have been asked to reply. I regret that I cannot give the information asked for, as the returns made by the police for purposes of the annual return of motoring offences do not distinguish between motor-cycles and other motor vehicles in respect of noise offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that, on the adjournment of the Committee on Traffic Noises sine dieabout three years ago, Sir Henry Maybury, the chairman, promised that the Ministry would refer the question of evolving a standard motor-horn, which should be at once effective and less injurious to the health and nerves of the community, to the committee of research; and whether anything has been done with regard to this?

I have been asked to reply. Inquiries were made from the National Physical Laboratory, and the conclusion was reached that further expenditure on experiments directed towards the production of a standard type of motor-horn was not likely to be useful in results.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed immediately with the building of new Government offices in Edinburgh; and whether he can make any statement on this subject?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the many suggestions which have been made and discussions which have taken place during the last 10 years as to the advisability of concentrating in one building the numerous Government offices which are scattered all over Edinburgh, and in view of the present low cost of building, he will consult with the Secretary of State for Scotland for the purpose of taking action to effect this improvement in the interests of economy and efficiency?

The possibility of proceeding with the scheme for centralising Departmental staffs in one building in Edinburgh is at present under consideration by both the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. As my hon. Friends are no doubt aware, there are certain site and architectural problems which must be resolved, before a decision whether to proceed with the projected scheme can be taken.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether Edinburgh will be given equality and similarity of treatment with Whitehall in any extension or reconstruction of Government offices that may be undertaken; and is he aware that great indignation is caused in Scotland by the delay in the erection of this building?

I am agreeably surprised at the last part of my hon. Friend's question. Hitherto the whole matter has been held up by grave differences of opinion as to the site, style, and character of the building to be erected in Edinburgh, which has made the Government very shy of proceeding with it. The other question was, if I may say so, rather hypothetical, as there is no decision as yet to proceed with the Whitehall scheme.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of providing an official residence for the Secretary of State for Scotland in Edinburgh?

I should like notice of that question.

Have the Department considered any sites at all for these offices in Glasgow?

The answer is in the negative. I understand that Edinburgh is regarded as the administrative capital of Scotland.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if any decision has yet been reached on the proposal to re-house a number of the Departments under one roof in Whitehall?

The answer is in the negative.

Will my right hon. Friend press on with this scheme as a measure of economy and a source of employment in the building industry?

I am glad the hon. Gentleman put the first supplementary question first. I am at this moment going into the question as to whether an economical scheme can be worked out, assuming that we accept the decision of Parliament that the original scheme cannot proceed, and that we cannot have all the land originally contemplated; and I am examining the question as to whether effective economies can be made by proceeding with a modified scheme.

Before arriving at that decision, will the right hon. Gentleman put the case again to this House? Is he aware that it was only a committee, I think a Joint Committee, that reported, but it was not a unanimous decision, and that there is weighty opinion against the decision of that committee? I am only asking if the right hon. Gentleman will reconsider the whole question without settling for good and all that the site should not be entirely used?

Since the committee advised against building over any of the open spaces by the Embankment, so far as I can gather public opinion in this country has grown against building over any grass or open spaces in London, and I think a reconsideration of that point might lead us into even further difficulties and delays before we could get the matter considered on its merits.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that an open space in Whitehall would be preserved, and that it is only a question of a choice of open spaces?

It is a question of the building line towards the Thames.

Would not the problem be solved entirely if my right hon. Friend's colleagues employed fewer people?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to grant pensionable status to the P-class and temporary ex-service technical staff in the Civil Service who have attained the prescribed qualifying service for the clerical staffs; and if he will favourably consider the claim submitted by the Association of Ex-service Civil Servants on the 26th September last at an early date?

Representations have been received from the association referred to, amongst other bodies, with regard to the position of certain technical staffs temporarily employed in the Government service. It is not yet possible to indicate what will be the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the average wholesale price of oats in Germany during the year 1932 was 10s. 2d. per cwt., and of oats consigned from Germany and marketed in this country was 5s. 7½d.; whether he considers that the latter price is a remunerative one for Scottish farmers; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, subject to the observation that 5s. 7½d. was not the average price at which oats imported from Germany were marketed in this country, but the average declared value on importation which does not include import duty. The average price of oats in certain representative Scottish markets during the year 1932 was 7s. per cwt. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, as I indicated yesterday in my answers to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. Stuart) I fully appreciate the seriousness of the situation with regard to oat prices in Scotland.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he will be in a position to make some announcement with regard to the oat policy of the Government?

I cannot say when I shall be able to answer that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the rate of interest charged to farmers by the corporation set up under the Agricultural Credits Act?

I understand that the corporation has not yet announced the terms on which they are prepared to make loans under the Agricultural Credits (Scotland) Act.

Will my right hon. Friend bring to the notice of the corporation the fact that, owing to the reduction in interest charges on Government securities, the Government of Northern Ireland has made a reduction in interest charges by the corporation, and will he represent to the corporation that it is desirable that it should keep its charges as low as possible?

I will make representations to the corporation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the date when the next wheat subsidy is due to be paid to farmers by the Wheat Commission; and the total amount paid up to the nearest available date?

The Wheat Commission have decided to make, on or about 25th March, a payment on account of the deficiency payment to which registered growers are entitled under the Wheat Act, 1932, in respect of valid wheat certificates received by the commission during the period 1st December, 1932, to 28th February, 1933 (inclusive). The hon. Member will recollect that the commission have already made an advance payment in respect of certificates received up to 30th November last, and I am informed that the total amount paid to date in respect of that advance is £1,283,535.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that he is getting value for money?

How much of this wheat is used in the manufacture of flour?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the dislocation of the service caused by the breaking of telegraph and telephone poles during the recent severe weather, he will consider the gradual replacement of these foreign poles by English-made poles of steel or iron, which are not liable to be broken in this manner?

Steel telegraph poles are much dearer than wooden poles of equal strength; and the substitution of steel for wooden poles would therefore result in greatly increased expenditure. The breakage of telegraph poles is very rare, and in the recent blizzard the main cause of the breakages was the weight and wind resistance of masses of snow and ice accumulated on the wires.

Would not steel poles have stood that weight better than wooden ones?

Possibly, but they are more expensive and are not always reliable, because they corrode, not only externally, but internally. We can deal with external corrosion by frequent layers of paint, but the corrosion inside is another matter and the poles may snap at any moment.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that no damage whatever was caused to the wireless pillars and structures and the electricity structures in South Wales because they are made of steel, and will he consider the advisability of replacing wooden telegraph poles by steel poles as that will give employment in the steel trade and the mining industry?

I have already stated the reason why we do not employ them at present. It is because we cannot afford it.

In arriving at the cheapest method of putting up telegraph posts, has the hon. Gentleman considered the saving in unemployment benefit that will result from employing men to make steel poles instead of wooden poles?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that many of the cancelling machines used by the Post Office with the stamp reading Buy British are made in America; and if he will take steps to obtain such appliances from British sources in future?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on Monday, the 27th February.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of furthering schemes submitted to him by local authorities for the reclamation of waste and unsightly land in the Black Country, in order to alleviate unemployment and improve the amenities of the district?

My right hon. Friend is prepared to sanction a loan for any scheme within the powers of a local authority if it is remunerative or if good reason can be shown for proceeding with it at once. As the hon. Member is aware the Government do not regard the policy of relief works as likely to provide an effective remedy for unemployment and my right hon. Friend is accordingly not prepared to sanction loans for works undertaken primarily as relief works.

Has the hon. Gentleman's Department or any other Department any effective remedy for unemployment?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the scale of transitional payments for single adults in lodgings is 15s. 3d. in Durham, as against 12s. 6d. in Newcastle; for adults living with parents, 10s. in Durham and 6s. in Newcastle; for children under 18, 3s. to 8s. in Durham and 2s. in Newcastle; and whether he will sympathetically consider making provision for avoiding such inequalities in the projected Unemployment Insurance Bill?

I am aware that there are differences in the scales of transitional payments in the Tyneside area based upon existing differences of public assistance practice. My hon. Friend will remember that a conference of local authorities was called by the Minister of Health a year ago to consider this point and I can assure him that it will be borne in mind in connection with future legislation.

Will my hon. Friend undertake to impress on the Minister the desirability of bringing those inequalities to an end as soon as possible?

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in many parts of the country a considerable number of house-breaking cases are directly attributable to the fact that unequal payments—inadequate payments—have been given to a large number of young men?

Is it not the case that the public assistance committee in Newcastle are very largely responsible for this discrimination?

The public assistance committee in Newcastle have the matter of the scales in their own hands. My right hon. Friend is not responsible for the scales which they adopt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the high rate of interest now being paid for loans under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts, he will consider the possibility of floating a large conversion loan to embrace either all such advances or a portion of them, with the object of reducing the interest rate to the level of the interest on the late conversion loan?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the lion. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) on the 10th November last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, having regard to the precedent of 1928, when an extra year was granted for the completion of 'State-aided houses under the 1924 Act in Scotland, and having regard also to the desire that slum-clearance schemes should be prosecuted with the utmost vigour, he will be prepared, in view of the anxiety of local authorities to be informed of their position after 1st October next, to make an announcement now as to any extended date by which houses eligible for the present rates of subsidy must be completed?

My right hon. Friend fully appreciates the anxiety of local authorities in this matter which is at present under his consideration.

Do I take it that steps will be taken to communicate to the authorities the end of the period during which the subsidy will be paid, in order that there may not be a rush, with men working overtime and then becoming unemployed? Would it be possible to communicate the dates upon which the subsidies will finish, in order that the work may be spread over?

I cannot add more definitely to my answer at the moment further than to say that the precedents of the previous occasions in 1926 and 1928 are being kept in mind.