asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to ascertain the wishes of Scottish ratepayers as regards the different systems of rating in Scotland and in England?

The question of the rating system excites considerable interest and discussion, and I anticipate that the report of a committee of the Scottish National Development Council which is now being framed will contain valuable information on the subject. I realise the importance of the issues involved and await with interest the above-mentioned report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the importance of the tourist industry to Scotland, he will call the at- tention of the different local authorities to the fact that none of them, up to the present, have taken advantage of the power conferred upon them to levy a halfpenny rate for the purpose of advertising their attractions?

Town councils are empowered to contribute annually a sum not exceeding in all the produce of a halfpenny rate to organisations approved under the Local Authorities (Publicity) Act, 1931. The Scottish Travel Association was so approved in 1931, and the approval was intimated to all town councils. I understand that a number of local authorities have made contributions for this purpose, and I should be glad to see a more general use of their powers for the purpose of developing the Scottish tourist traffic to the fullest extent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, to encourage the building of houses by private enterprise, he will consider recommending to local authorities in Scotland increased co-operation with building societies, especially as A result of the Government guarantee'?

It is my right hon. Friend's intention to issue a circular to local authorities in Scotland containing recommendations on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend if and when the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill becomes law. I may add that my right hon. Friend is anxious to give the very widest publicity to the provisions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and is considering what means beyond such a circular will best effect this object.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses at 31st March, 1933, or nearest possible date, which have been completed since 1919 under the various State-assisted schemes by local authorities and by private enterprise, respectively; the total number of houses completed in the same period by unassisted private enterprise; and the number of local authorities houses which have been provided under slum-clearance schemes?

As the answer is long and involves a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of grant payable to the County Council of Dumbarton for the second fixed grant period under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929?

The estimated amount of grant payable to the County Council of Dumbarton for the second fixed grant period is £76,829, which comprises the General Exchequer grant, the Landward Exchequer grant, the grant payable to Special Districts and Water Boards, and the supplementary grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the approximate average cost of settling smallholders in the Highlands and Lowlands, respectively; and how these costs compare with the corresponding costs in 1929?

As indicated by the Departmental Committee on Land Settlement in Scotland which reported in 1928, a close estimate of the cost of land settlement can only be obtained as the result of an actuarial valuation. In the circumstances it would be misleading to attempt a comparison of costs such as my hon. Friend desires; but if he would care to examine such figures as I have obtained, I shall be pleased to let him see them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a smallholder is invariably required to provide the whole of the capital necessary for his establishment or whether the Department can provide loans for this purpose to suitable applicants?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The holder usually provides the capital for stocking and working the holding, and the Department of Agriculture the capital for land and permanent equipment necessary for the establishment of the holder.

asked the Secretary for Mines the reason for the dismissal of 1,500 miners at the Mitchell Main Colliery, Wombwell; and if he will inquire into the general position of this colliery and particularly with regard to its quota allocation?

I have seen representatives of the management, of the workmen and of the Wombwell Urban District Council. The colliery company owns two pits, Mitchell Main and Darfield Main. I am informed that the company proposes, in the future, to produce the whole of its permitted output from Dar-field Main as being a more economic unit than Mitchell Main. On 22nd March, 1933, an independent arbitrator declined to grant any increased standard tonnage to the company in respect of these two pits. His award left one point to the decision of the courts, but the colliery company inform me that even if they were successful on this point and were granted the increase the arbitrator indicated should be given in those circumstances, they would not be prepared to reopen the colliery.

Does the Department realise that the quota system is restricting the business of the coal industry, and is generally helping to kill the trade of this country?

The answer to that question is that the Department is not likely to realise it, seeing that, with all its disadvantages, the majority of those connected with the trade, both on the owners' side and on the men's side, take an entirely different point of view.

Is the Secretary for Mines aware that the Mitchell Main Colliery have no intention of having their quota supplied by Darfield Colliery; secondly, is he aware that the urban council of Wombwell trust to their supply for gas to the Mitchell Main Colliery; and, thirdly, is he aware that a local glass works employing several hundred men will have to shut down in the event of this colliery being stopped?

I am aware of those things. I am also aware that the particular termination of the gas contract will cause a good deal of difficulty in Wombwell; but the colliery, as the House will understand, has carried on for over two years under the quota system and has even been able to sell quota. Since 1st January, 1931, the undertaking, on balance, has sold nearly 20,000 tons of quota, so that the House will realise that there is a very great gulf between propaganda and truth.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, when they sold part of their quota amounting to 7,000 tons in 1931 and 1932, it was due to the fact that the seam had run out; and seeing that they had to drive two pairs of drifts down to get at the Silkstone seam, is not that a developing colliery which ought to have the quota altered from what it is at the present time? Is he aware that they sold 7,000 tons of their quota, and had to buy 8,000 tons?

I am aware of those facts, and I am also aware of the fact that, when there was a dispute as recently as last August at Darfield Main, the owner himself admitted that up to that time he had no quota difficulties about which to complain. The complaint was of a dispute about the proportion of dirt in the total output.

Is the Secretary for Mines aware that the Mitchell Main quota has been reduced by 20 per cent. while the area production has been reduced only by 13 per cent.? Is he aware that that is a fact too?

I would advise the hon. Member to quote those figures with reserve.

I quote them absolutely confidently; there is no reserve about them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the quota system in Yorkshire has been successful?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can give an approximate date when the report of the Chief Inspector of Mines will be issued on the inquiry made on the explosion at Edge Green Collieries, Ashton-in-Makerfield, near Wigan, which occurred on 12th November, 1932?

The report is in the press and I anticipate that it will be published before the end of the month.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal-cutters and conveyors, respectively, in British pits in 1913 and 1932 and the percentage of coal cut by mechanical means in each of these years?

In 1932, 3,265 face-conveyors and 7,137 coal-cutters were in use at mines in Great Britain and 38 per cent. of the total output was cut by machine. The corresponding figures for 1913 were 359, 2,895 and 8, respectively. In addition 855 conveyors were in use elsewhere below ground in 1932 but similar information is not available for 1913.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the matter is being examined by the Government to find out the number of miners thrown out of work by the increasing mechanisation of the coal industry?

The Government are engaged in making very great efforts to increase the exports of coal to Scandinavian countries by way of negotiations which are now approaching a conclusion.

Would not the best way to achieve that object be to do away with the quota system altogether?

No, Sir.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the negotiations with foreign countries to which he referred are making any progress; and will he be good enough to answer the question as to whether there is any evidence in the Department of any increase in the number of accidents consequent upon the introduction of coal-cutting machines?

I should like to see that particular question on the Paper. As regards the first part of the question, I do not think that the House will have to wait long.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will make representations to Australia and New Zealand that their currencies, depreciated by 25 per cent. in relation to sterling, constitute unfair competition with the home producers of agricultural products?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if his attention has been called to the adverse effect upon British exports to New Zealand of the increased rate of exchange recently imposed by the Government of that Dominion; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?

The question of the exchange rates in Australia and New Zealand is not one in which representations could appropriately be made by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

Are we to understand that under the Ottawa Agreement the home agricultural producers were to have the first call on the home market? Therefore, is it not true that this deliberate depreciation of currency is a breach of that understanding?

I do not think it is a deliberate act. In regard to home agriculture, I hope that it will still have the first call on the home market.

Was not this depreciation of exchange taken against the advice of the Government, and is not the effect of it to wipe out all the advantage of the preference given to British goods?

New Zealand is a Dominion, and it is not for me to ascertain the means by which the Government arrived at their decision, or whether what has been done has been according to the view of the Government or not.

Is there not a treaty between this Government and the New Zealand Government?

Yes, but this is not a violation of it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this currency difficulty will make his proposed visit to Australia cheaper or dearer?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that in relation to a report of the general purposes committee to the London County Council on 6th December, 1932, the Empire Marketing Board, on 14th March, 1933, wrote officially to the council congratulating them on their Imperial Preference policy; and whether the action of the Empire Marketing Board in issuing an official communication commenting on matters which are the subject of political controversy on the London County Council received its approval?

I am aware of the letter in question, which was sent by express direction of the Empire Marketing Board. It was designed to acknowledge the notable lead given by the London County Council over a long period in encouraging the use, wherever reasonably possible, of materials of British manufacture or Empire production.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a good deal of feeling has been caused in the country in consequence of this letter, and is he aware that many local authorities who are granting special facilities to the Empire Marketing Board for advertising will not continue to do so if the Board continue to show this party bias?

I hope there will be no such construction of their action. The Empire Marketing Board is a non-party Board. They encourage, first, home produce, and then Empire produce. They wrote to a number of borough and county councils urging them to give effect to that policy, and the London County Council gave a notable lead. Surely, the Empire Marketing Board is entitled to place on record their appreciation of those services. That is all that was done. So far from any feeling being shown, I think it was quite the reverse.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is only the prehistoric section of the Socialist party who make these objections?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make a statement on the progress of the negotiations for the renewal of the Continental steel cartel; and if a basic period for the new quotas has yet been determined and any arrangements made relating to a fixation of prices calculated to compete with the steel production in this country?

I understand that an agreement in regard to the setting up of selling syndicates for various steel products has now been reached by the Continental groups concerned, and that the quota percentages have been determined. I have no information as to the basis upon which prices will be fixed.

Will my right hon. Friend watch carefully the development of these cartel arrangements, this new orientation of steel interests in Europe, and the effect from time to time on our own steel industry?

We shall watch very carefully this very important movement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea of the amount of English capital that is invested in these Continental cartels?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the carpets imported into this country and retained here have a declared value of £1 per yard or over; and what the yardage of this proportion is?

I regret that the desired information is not available.

As the right hon. Gentleman cannot give me the figures, is he aware of the fact that there are very large imports of carpets from £1 to 22s. declared value and, further, that on all these carpets the recent duty imposed of 4s. 6d. a square yard is actually less protection to the manufacturers of this country than existed before the change was made?

I am afraid that I cannot argue that out with my hon. Friend, because the information on which it is based is not available.

Will the information become available in the right hon. Gentleman's Department sooner or later, or are we to remain in ignorance?

It will not be sooner, but I do not know what may happen later.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman some measure of control over what will happen, either sooner or later?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information to show what percentage of the imports into this country from Empire sources were carried in British or Empire-owned ships during 1931 and 1932, respectively; and whether any steps have been taken to increase this percentage during the current year?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on the 7th March to the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Rankin).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the latest figures available as to the number of new industrial undertakings, both British and foreign, which have been established in this country since the passage of the Import Duties Act?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies which I gave on the 28th March to the hon. Member for Hemswurth (Mr. Price) and on the 30th March to the hon. Member for Deritend (Mr. Smedley Crooke), copies of which I am sending to him.

Have there been any later figures?

I am afraid not.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of the imports into the Britislh Dominions, other than the Irish Free State, were drawn from

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any new trade agreements have been negotiated and completed between this country and Denmark, Sweden, Holland, and any of the South American republics; and, if so, will he state the terms of such agreements?

I hope to be able to make a statement very shortly regarding

As the answer involves a tabular statement I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the value of Russian imports into this country in the last six months; and the value of British exports to Russia in the same period?

Particulars for March are not yet available, but in the five months ended February the declared value of the imports of merchandise into the United Kingdom consigned from the Soviet Union was £8,600,000. During the same period exports to the Soviet Union of the produce and manufactures of this country were valued at £2,910,000, and exports of imported merchandise at £400,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the £8,600,000 worth of articles imported from Russia to this country were manufactured?

I cannot say, without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion were bought by co-operative societies?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the amount of export credits guarantees now valid in connection with the Russian trade of Metro-Vickers, Limited?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry) on the 28th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been called to the decision of the Japanese Export Association to send trade missions to South America, the South Seas, India, East and West Africa, the Near East, and Egypt, with samples of cotton and wool textiles, handkerchiefs, knitted goods, celluloid manufactures, buttons, cycles and cycle parts, and similar articles; and whether, seeing that the Japanese Government have made a grant of 100,000 yen for the purpose of this association, which proposes to establish a special organisation in the Near East for extending the sale of cotton goods, he will say what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take to meet this attack upon the interests of British trade?

Taking seriatim the points raised in the question, my information is as follows: The Japanese Export Association has not yet finally reached a decision to send a trade mission to the countries named. The association has not yet approached the Japanese Government for financial assistance. The establishment of a special organisation in the Near East does not appear to be connected with the other proposal. Up to the present it has made no headway. The answer to the last part of the question does not at present arise, but the whole question of Japanese competition is now under consideration.

Will my hon. Friend or will the President of the Board of Trade watch carefully the developments in the Near East and the Far East and see that our manufacturers are properly advised as to the effect of this competition?

Certainly, and the House will be glad that my hon. Friend's eagle eye is also on the matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider classifying cups and trophies won as prizes in competitive sports in foreign countries under one heading for the purpose of import duties; and if he will instruct customs officers at the ports not to charge duty on these articles?

As regards the first part of the question I am afraid that such a classification would not be suitable. As regards the second part there is no power under the existing law to waive the appropriate customs duty chargeable on the cups and trophies referred to, and therefore I am not in a position to issue such an instruction as my hon. Friend suggests.

In view of the fact that British subjects who win trophies in international contests render very real service to British industry, would it not be passible to consider amending the law with regard to these trophies?

I have explained -that that would probably involve a change in the law. From the customs point of view a trophy is what it is made of, and it is very difficult to discover a suitable alternative definition.

Why?

Do I understand that if in the next vacation I go flying abroad in order to advertise British aircraft, and I come back with a trophy, I shall have to pay duty on it?

I hope my hon. Friend will carry out his threat.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the practice in respect of each of the public assistance committees under the Staffordshire County Council to vary allowances under transitional payments in accordance with variation in rent?

This is a matter within the discretion of the authority and details of the practice of the various committees are not in my possession.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the names of those county and county borough councils which are exercising their powers under Section 2 of the Transitional Payments (Determination of Need) Act, 1932, stating in each case which rules are being observed?

The adoption of the rules set out in Sub-section 2 of Section 1 of the Transitional Payments (Determination of Need) Act, 1932, does not require my right hon. Friend's sanction and need not be reported to him, but he is sending the hon. Member a statement setting out the information on the subject which is available in the Department.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of persons were normally employed in the carpet trade in this country at the last convenient date; and how many, respectively, were unemployed in February, 1931, December, 1932, and March, 1933?

The estimated number of insured persons in the carpet industry classification in Great Britain at the beginning of July, 1932, was 27,360. The numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed were 7,834 at 23rd February, 1931, 2,263 at 19th December, 1932, and 3,179 at 20th March, 1933.

Do not these figures show clearly that the form of protection given to the industry is causing unemployment; and is not that an argument for increasing the protection to the figure desired by the industry?

Do not these figures clearly indicate that there are fewer people in this country who are buying carpets than before?

asked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the resolution from the Wednesfield Urban District Council that the Government should again make grants from the Exchequer to local authorities towards the cost of approved works for the purpose of giving employment to unemployed persons, and that legislation should be introduced to provide that where as a result of works executed at the cost of public funds owners of land receive benefit by way of an increase in the value of their lands some proportion of such increase in value should become payable to the authority who financed the works; and if he will state whether the Government are prepared to accede in part or in whole to the proposals made?

I have received the resolution referred to. For reasons which have been stated to the House on several occasions the Government does not intend to return to the former policy of State-assisted public works for the relief of unemployment. No general legislation is contemplated at the present time with regard to the other matter referred to in the question.

Would it not be possible to put into operation the Land Taxation Clauses of the Finance Act, 1931.

"No."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state, out of all moneys spent by the State on schemes to provide work for the unemployed during the last five years, how much, approximately, was spent on the purchase of land, material, and wages, respectively?

I regret that it is not practicable to allocate the expenditure under the heads suggested by the hon. Member.

Is it possible to find out approximately how much of this money is spent on lands? There is a difficulty in ascertaining exactly how much of the money is spent on unemployment relief?

The hon. Member is now asking whether it is possible to isolate the money spent on lands from money spent in other directions. I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour what would have been the total cost to the Exchequer of unemployment benefit in the past 12 months if the means test had been abolished and benefit restored to its former level?

On the hypothesis stated in the question, the total cost of insurance benefit and transitional payments, together with administrative expenses and interest on debt, in the year 1932–3 would, it is estimated, have been about £147,500,000 of which about £109,000,000 would have fallen on the Exchequer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how it compares with the actual cost?

I have the figures here. The cost actually incurred under the law as it stood was £118,000,000, of which £79,500,000 is chargeable to the State.

Axe we to take it that the Government have saved £36,000,000 during the past 12 months?

I have given the figures in answer to a question, and the hon. Member must draw his own conclusion.

asked the Minister of Health if his Department has further considered the best methods of handling the temporarily dispossessed residents of slum areas under clearance; and whether, as a result of such consideration, he is prepared to offer any advice on the subject to local authorities?

My right hon. Friend has arranged that his officers shall be available for consultation by individual authorities on all aspects of work under the Act of 1930, but the circumstances of different towns vary so greatly that he is not at present clear that he could usefully offer any further general advice on this subject at the present moment.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses at 31st March, 1933, or nearest possible date, which have been completed since 1919 under the various State-assisted schemes by local authorities and by private enterprise, respectively; the total number of houses com-

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider legislation enabling the Office of Special Commissioners of Income Tax to grant permits for limited periods to applicants who are foreigners but who desire to reside for limited periods in each year in this country and who will thereby only be subject to Income Tax on income spent in this country?

Under the existing law a foreigner not domiciled in the United Kingdom who becomes chargeable to Income Tax as a person residing here is liable to tax, in respect of income arising abroad, on so much only of that income as is received in or remitted to the United Kingdom. I am sending my hon. Friend a, leaflet which explains the position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish

Since the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am looking into this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that, before the Government are committed to any steps designed to secure an early return of this country to the Gold Standard, an opportunity will be given for a discussion of this subject by the House?

The House is well aware of the general policy of the Government upon this question, and the hon. Member may rest assured that that policy would not be changed without ample opportunity being afforded to the House for discussion.

Shall we be informed of any change in policy since we went off the Gold Standard?

The policy of the Government has been stated very explicitly on a number of occasions, and, if hon. Members are not aware of it, that must be because they have not attended to the exposition.

Will this be one of the questions discussed with America?

May we be assured that the House will have an opportunity to discuss this subject thoroughly before any change of policy or any departure is entertained?

My answer was quite specific, and I have nothing to add to it.

Would the Chancellor of the Exchequer say whether the considerable increase in the stock of gold in the Bank of England has anything to do with the currency policy of the Government?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many disabled ex-service men have left the Civil Service, either by reason of their disability or through restriction of employment; and what has been the average pension and/or gratuity of such men on leaving?

No central records are kept of ex-service men whose services are terminated in the circumstances described and I regret, therefore, to be unable to furnish the hon. Member with the information he desires.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of promotions to the cierical class in the Public Trustee Office during the last five years, 1928 to 1932, inclusive of P-class clerks, writing assistants, and typists, distinguishing between the Public Trustee Office, London, and the Public Trustee Office, Manchester?

The number of promotions to the clerical class in the Public Trustee Office during the last five years, 1928-1932, inclusive of P-class clerks, writing assistants and typists, is as follows: