Written Answers
Transport
Rail And Road Conference (Rates)
asked the Minister of Transport whether be is in a position to state the effect on the rates payable by ratepayers in each county and in each borough in England and Wales of the adoption by legislation of the recommendations contained in the Salter Report; and, in particular, what would be the effect on the rates in Bradford?
The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
Motor Vehicles (Rear Lights)
asked the Minister of Transport if be will consider a revision of the existing regulations which allow a closed motor vehicle to carry its rear light at the top of the vehicle?
I have under consideration at the present time the desirability of amending the regulations to meet this point.
Royal Air Force (Petrol, British Coal)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what price his Department has paid for aviation petrol made from British coal; and how this compares with the price of similar ordinary aviation petrol?
I regret that it would be contrary to established practice to disclose these prices.
Royal Navy (Ratings, Advancement)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that naval ratings awarded "Satisfactory" for efficiency are in some cases considered as not being eligible for recommendation for advancement on Form S 507; and whether, as the definition of "Satisfactory" i.e., a man who performs his duties with average ability, does not make it clear that he is eligible for recommendation for advancement, he will consider making the situation clear to all commanding officers so that all ratings shall have equal chances for advancement?
It is clearly laid down that" an assessment of satisfactory does not absolutely disqualify a man for a recommendation for advancement "but" efficiency in present rating is not the only factor in determining fit- ness for advancement "for the captain has to consider power of command, fitness to hold the higher rating and other qualifications. I have no reason to believe the regulations on this matter are misunderstood by captains.
Store Cattle (Imports)
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the falling off in the supply of store cattle in this country since the restriction of Irish Free State imports came into force, particularly in the county of Northumberland; whether imports of Canadian store cattle have increased or diminished during the last six months; and whether there is any embargo or restriction against the import of Canadian cattle into the Tyne or elsewhere at the present time and, if so, what are such restrictions?
Entries of store cattle at the markets in England and Wales reported in the Agricultural Market Report show a falling off of 9 per cent. during the period July, 1932, to date, as compared with the previous corresponding period. On the other hand, the information at my disposal does not indicate that, generally speaking, there has been up to the present any marked short-
| — | 1931–32 or 1931. | 1932–33 or 1932. | 1933–34 or 1933. | ||
| France | … | Fr. 2,799,830,314 (f) | Fr. 2,411,263,577 (d) (f) | Fr. 2,839,838,570 (e) | |
| Italy | … | … | Lire 1,537,622,800 (f) | Lire 1,538,923,277 (f) | Lire 1,359,222,277 (c) |
| U.S.A. | … | $360,101,593 | $328,906,141 (a) | $309,647,536 (b) | |
| (a) Plus $9,750,000 by transfer from special funds, and reappropriations. | |||||
| (b) Plus $11,341,389 by transfer from Special funds and reapproriation of $2,498,000. | |||||
| (c) Proposed Estimates. | |||||
| (d) For 9 months only, due to change of fiscal year. | |||||
| (e) Original proposed Estimates, subject to amendment. | |||||
| (f) Original estimates voted; excludes supplementary amendments. | |||||
age of store cattle having regard to the prevailing demand. I have received complaints as to a shortage of Irish stores in Northumberland, but I have no positive evidence which would enable me to judge how far these complaints are well founded. In the last six months 2,050 imported Canadian cattle have been licensed out for further feeding as compared with 2,200 in the preceding six months. The importation of Canadian cattle is governed by the provisions of the Importation of Canadian Cattle Order of 1933 which authorises landing only at landing places which have been approved by me. At present, landing places have been approved at the ports of Birkenhead, Glasgow, Cardiff and Dundee, and I am prepared to consider the approval of landing places at other ports if approached by the responsible port authorities.
Naval Expenditure (France, Italy And United States)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what have been the amounts of the Naval Estimates for 1931, 1932, and 1933 in France, Italy, and the United States of America?
The Naval Estimates have been as follow: