Written Answers
Trade And Commerce
Denmark
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an undertaking that nothing will be contained in the trade treaty now being negotiated between this country and Denmark which will perpetuate the present unfavourable trade balance of this country in respect of Anglo-Danish trade?
The object His Majesty's Government have had in view in these negotiations is an adjustment of the trade balance in the interest of United Kingdom export trade.
Russia
asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government are aware that there is State-aided dumping of Russian glue into this country which is having serious effect upon employment in the industry; and what action, if any, the Government propose to take?
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Russian butter was being imported into this country last month at an increased price of 56s. the cwt., under a system involving various form of State aid; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
I am not in a position to make any statement at the present time as to the action which may be taken after 17th April in regard to imports from the Soviet Union.
Men's Clothing (Imports From Poland)
asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the present dumping of cheap Polish clothing into this country in quantities and at prices which make home competition impossible; and whether he will seek legislative powers to prohibit all such imports?
The total quantity of men's clothing exported from Poland to the United Kingdom in 1932 was less than half that in 1931, but these exports showed an increasing tendency during the latter part of the year. I am not prepared to consider asking for powers to prohibit the importation of clothing, but I would point out that it is open to the industry concerned to submit to the Import Duties Advisory Committee an application for an increased duty.
Zanzibar (Trade Licences)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the Trades Licensing Bill in Zanzibar; and what are the chief reasons which are being urged by the trading community against the adoption of this Measure?
A Trades Licensing Bill has been introduced into the Legislative Council in Zanzibar. It is, I understand, urged in opposition to the Bill, that it introduces a restrictive element in the free movement of trade, and that in the present depressed trade conditions shortage of revenue should be met by reductions in expenditure rather than by additional taxation. I may add that the proposal to institute trade licences was put forward by Sir Alan Pim, who investigated the finances of Zanzibar last year. Several of his recommendations for economies have been adopted and others are under consideration.
Royal Navy (Oil Separators)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of His Majesty's ships in the Royal Navy have already been fitted with oil separators?
Separators for separating oil from bilge water, etc., are not fitted in His Majesty's ships, and are not considered to be necessary. As regards oil fuel contaminated with water, strict regulations prohibit the discharge of any oily refuse from His Majesty's ships into the sea within 50 miles of any coast. I may add that any oil fuel contaminated with water is generally discharged into oil separating barges, which are available at the principal naval bases.
Council Houses (Tenancies)
asked the Minister of Health if he has any record of the number of members of local authorities
| — | Decisions by Masters in Chambers (approximately). | Appeals from Masters to Judges in Chambers. | Masters reversed or varied by Judges. | Appeals from Judges to Court of Appeal. | Judges reversed or varied by Court of Appeal. |
| 12th Oct., 1930, to 11th Oct.,1931. | 35,923 | 452 | 243 | 37 | 13 |
| 12th Oct., 1931, to 11th Oct., 1932. | 35,365 | 367 | 201 | 31 | 17 |
| The figures for the year 1929–30 have not been collated. | |||||
National Health Insurance
asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution passed at a conference of the north-eastern insurance committees, held on 10th March, 1933, to the effect that provision should be made for the continuation of the existing medical benefit to those insured persons whose right to such benefit will terminate on or after the end of the present year owing to prolonged unemployment; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to deal with this matter?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. This matter was very fully discussed when the amending National
who live in subsidised houses built by the authorities in question?
No, Sir.
King's Bench Division (Decisions By Masters In Chambers)
asked the Attorney-General approximately the total number of decisions by Masters in Chambers in the King's Bench Division during each of the last three judicial years; how many appeals from such decisions were heard before the Judge in Chambers, and how many from the Judge in Chambers to the Court of Appeal; and the results of such appeals?
The figures for the years 1930–31 and 1931–32 are as follow:Health Insurance Bill of last year was before Parliament, and I am not prepared to introduce further legislation on the subject.
Naval And Military Pensions And Grants
asked the Minister of Pensions if he can now give a final reply to the representations made on behalf of Mrs. Annie Price, of Ardwick, Manchester?
I have fully considered the representations made to me in this case, but I regret that I am unable to alter the previous decision. I am writing fully on the case to my hon. and gallant Friend.
Mercantile Marine (Oil Separators)
asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of ships in the merchant service carrying oil separators?
From information collected from British manufacturers of separators in 1930, it appeared that at least 280 British ships had been fitted by them with the apparatus. I have no later information.
Revenue (Import Duties)
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the figures of revenue, to the last available date, in respect of foodstuffs, raw materials, partially manufactured and wholly manufactured articles?
pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 16th March, 1933], supplied the following particulars:
The approximate amount of Customs and Excise Revenue collected during the nine months ended 31 st December, 1932, the latest date for which figures are available, is as follows:
| CUSTOMS. | |
| £ | |
| Foodstuffs (including feeding stuffs for animals which cannot be separately distinguished) | 20,949,000 |
| Drink | 11,610,000 |
| Tobacco: | |
| Unmanufactured | 51,192,000 |
| Manufactured | 287,000 |
| Other raw materials and articles mainly unmanufactured | 2,830,000 |
| Other articles wholly or mainly manufactured | 43,062,000 |
| Total Customs | 129,930,000 |
| EXCISE. | |
| Foodstuffs | 2,838,000 |
| Drink | 77,097,000 |
| Tobacco: | |
| Unmanufactured | 2,000 |
| Manufactured | — |
| Other raw materials and articles mainly unmanufactured | — |
| Other articles wholly or mainly manufactured | 1,688,000 |
| Total Excise | 81,626,000 |