asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now completed inquiries into the private agreement between Canadian and British producers of glazed and unglazed paper; and, if so, will he state the results?

I am informed that an understanding has been reached between the British and Canadian manufacturers of unglazed and machine glazed kraft paper regarding the limitation of competition in their respective home markets and that this understanding is entirely satisfactory to the British industry.

If monopolies in this country and any of the Dominions enter into arrangements to restrain trade and to exploit consumers in each country, have we any power to deal with them?

No, Sir. I am afraid we have not.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that in any such case he has no power to interfere to prevent undue exploitation of the general public by these monopolies?

I cannot give a general answer to a general question of that kind. With reference to the question on the Paper, I have no power to intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement with reference to the establishment of new industries in the distressed areas for the purpose of mitigating unemployment?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on 28th March. Collection of information is proceeding but I am unable at the present time to say when it will be possible to make a further statement to the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the chief reasons for the delay in this respect is the uncertainty relating to the Ray-Committee's Report and recommendations?

We are trying to reduce those uncertainties to a minimum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement on the negotiations for a trade agreement with Argentina?

Would my hon. Friend be so good as to defer his question until Thursday, when I hope to be in a position to give him an answer?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to state the circumstances in which a duty of 10 per cent. has been placed on telephone apparatus exported from the United Kingdom to Canada?

I have been asked to reply. At the instance of His Majesty's Government in Canada consultations have taken place between them and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, in accordance with the provisions of Article 23 of the United Kingdom-Canada Trade Agreement, as the result of which the duties on certain classes of United Kingdom goods entering Canada have been recently readjusted. As a set-off against the imposition of a duty on United Kingdom telephone apparatus and the withdrawal of preference in the case of a few United Kingdom goods, increased preferences, coupled in most cases with free entry, have been accorded to a number of other classes of United Kingdom goods. The details of the tariff changes referred to above are set out in the reply given by me to a question addressed to me by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition on the 12th instant. His Majesty's Government in Canada, having regard to Article 17 of the Trade Agreement, have also agreed to fix the value of the pound sterling for exchange dumping duty purposes at 4.25 dollars instead of 4.40 dollars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what have been the imports during the past five years into Palestine of boots, shoes and wearing apparel of British manufacture?

Particulars of the imports into Palestine of wearing apparel manufactured in the United Kingdom are not yet available for 1932, but during the five years 1928 to 1932 the aggregate declared value of the domestic exports of apparel (including boots and shoes) consigned from the United Kingdom to Palestine (including Trans-Jordan) was £201,387.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give figures showing the fall in general exports to the Irish Free State since the imposition of duties on imports from that country?

As the answer involves a number of figures I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any arrangement has been made with Denmark for an increased sale of British coal and coke in the Danish market?

asked the Secretary for Mines the estimated tonnage by which the total export of coal from Great Britain will be increased as a result of the recent trade negotiations with certain foreign countries?

asked the Secretary for Mines if, under the proposed agreements, he can give any estimate in metric tons of the increased export of British coal to the Scandinavian countries and to Germany?

asked the secretary for Mines the nature of the agreement suggested between this country and Sweden as to coal and coke exports from Great Britain?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the agreement for the additional export of British coal and coke to the Scandinavian countries will be arrived at on a minimum or maximum basis?

asked the Secretary for Mines what additional tonnage of British coal and coke will be exported to Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, respectively, as a result of the new trade agreements with those countries?

asked the Secretary for Mines if any arrangements have been made in connection with the projected trade agreements for the increase of the export of British coal and coke; and, if so, with what countries?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is now in a position to state what arrangements, if any, have been arrived at with Germany on the coal licensing system?

A trade agreement with Denmark was signed yesterday. The agreement will be published in full in a White Paper which will be issued tomorrow. Full details of other agreements as soon as they are concluded will appear in White Papers which my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, hopes it will be possible to present to the House in the very near future, but I regret I am not, in the meantime, in a position to add anything to the statement which he made in debate on 12th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information relating to the recent negotiations for a tariff agreement between Canada and the United States of America and, if so, can he state the form of any agreement made; and, in view of the Ottawa Agreements, what action, if any, the Government propose to take?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 7th March.

Is the Canadian Government keeping in touch with the British Government and informing them of any further negotiations that are taking place?

I do not know that any negotiations are taking place.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider initiating an arrangement to refund to British shipping companies out of the revenue from Suez Canal shares an annual increasing proportion of the Suez Canal tolls paid by them with a view to relieving this burden from British shipping, and indicating the desire of the Government to abolish all tolls on land and sea other than those that may be necessary for purely maintenance purposes?

I have carefully considered my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, but I fear that I am not able to adopt it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that applications for revision of the import duties on lace were made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee over 12 months ago; and whether he has received any advice from the committee with reference to such applications?

I am aware that the committee have given notice that an application on this subject was under consideration by them. Up to the present no recommendation for the modification of the existing duty has been received.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the result of the efforts of the Government to raise the level of wholesale prices; and whether he can give the index figure for wholesale prices in this country in August, 1932, and at the most recent available date?

The index figure for wholesale prices was 97.7 in July, 1932, 99.6 in August, 1932, and 97.6 in March, 1933. The level of wholesale prices in this country has remained steady notwithstanding a fall of about 5 per cent. in world prices during the period.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will make a statement to the House on the present position regarding the extraction of fuel oils from coal and the Government's attitude thereto?

No, Sir. I have no statement to make.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the terms of the settlement with Germany as to increased exports of coal from this country; if the agreement makes any reference to bunkers; and if, in the event of any expansion of the world coal production, the arrangement provides for any additional increase?

For the reasons given in my reply to the question by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spencer), I am unable to answer the first and third parts of the question. In reply to the second part, there are now no restrictions on bunker coal, and such coal is, therefore, not dealt with in the agreement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the six county councils that have established the largest numbers of smallholdings and the respective figures; the names of those county councils which have set up less than 12 holdings and the respective numbers; and what action the Ministry propose to facilitate the policy of land settlement?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now in a position to state whether the duty on new potatoes will be extended to include the months of July and August?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on 2nd March to a question put by my hon. and. gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Lieut.-Colonel Moore).

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the Government propose to bring forward any scheme to deal with land drainage this Session?

No Sir.

Is it the Government s intention to do anything to assist catchment area boards who are prepared to undertake schemes?

That is not the question on the Paper. The question on the Paper was whether the Government were bringing forward any scheme to deal with land drainage this Session and the answer, as I say, is "No."

But if big schemes are brought forward, are the Government going to assist them or not?

It is simply a matter of the resources at my disposal. I will assist them fully within the limits of those resources.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average wholesale

asked the Minister of Agriculture what countries and Dominions have agreed to limit imports

As the answer involves a large number of figures I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As regards beef, mutton and dairy produce, I have nothing to add to the answers given to my right hon. Friend by myself 23rd March and by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade 10th April. As regards bacon and hams, negotiations with the chief foreign exporting countries as to shipments to the United Kingdom during the three months ended 22nd June have proceeded on the basis of quantities of which I will circulate particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The formal concurrence of most of the countries concerned has now been re-

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the imports of both beef and mutton were much greater in March this year than in March last year, he will recommend the protecting of the live-stock industry by means of a tariff?

I must remind my hon. Friend that imports of beef and mutton from foreign sources are regulated on a quarterly and not on a monthly basis, while, in the case of Australia and New Zealand, the present arrangements relate to the year 1933 as a whole. In these circumstances, no special significance attaches to the quantity of meat imported in any particular month. In point of fact, during the period November, 1932. to March, 1933, total imports of chilled and frozen beef were over 15,500 tons less, and of frozen mutton and lamb—most of which comes from the Dominions—were

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give any idea of what these restrictions have cost the British consumer so far?

I have given full particulars of the prices in the answer which I am circulating.

As the basis is a quarterly basis, can the Minister say why the imports of mutton during the first three months of this year were very much larger than during the first three months of last year?

It is a little difficult to discuss this matter by means of question and answer, but, briefly, there was a very big reduction in the first quarter, apart from the quantities arranged.

Is there any possibility of having a discussion of this question in the not distant future?

That, too, is a question which ought to be addressed to the Leader of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps the' Government of India propose to take to secure a full quota of Labour delegates from India to the International Labour Conference to be held at Geneva this year?

I have every reason to suppose that India will be represented by a full delegation. The nominations are not yet complete.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government of India propose to take with a view to implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Indian Labour with reference to the present law relating to the attachment of salaries and wages?

The Government of India issued a circular letter to local Governments on 25th November last. Replies were asked for by 1st April and these will have to be considered before it is decided whether legislation is to be introduced.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when he expects to get replies, and when he will be in a position to make a statement arising out of those replies?

If the hon. Member will put down a question later, I hope to be able to give him an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the reasons that have led to the refusal by the Government of India to recognise the Federation of Associations of Government Servants?

I have no information, but I am inquiring.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India will consider the ad- visability of instituting a system of relief by way of gratuities for the families of Government servants who have died during their term of service?

asked the Secretary of State for India what action the Government of India have under consideration with a view to the establishment of a provident fund for the benefit of Government employés.

These matters are at present under the consideration of the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India will consider the advisability of renewing the publication of the annual review of the co-operative movement in British India?

I will communicate the hon. Member's suggestion to the Government of India.

Will the hon. Gentleman take note of the fact that to leave out details of the co-operative movement in India amuses suspicion among co-operatives in this country that the Government of India are a little hostile to the cooperative movement?

I do not think the hon. Member need assume anything of the sort. It is for that reason that we are communicating his suggestion to the Government of India.

Is it not a fact that for a great many years past the Government of India have assisted the co-operative movement in India by every means in their power?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the representations made to the Government of India by the Indian Chambers of Commerce with regard to the mode of assessment of certain articles under the Sea Customs Act, he can state if it is the intention of the Central Board of Revenue to change the assessment of any articles and, if so, which from the invoice value to the wholesale cash price?

I have no information, but an inquiry will be made if the hon. Member will specify the articles in which he is interested.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will consider the advisability of asking the Government of India for a report as to the prevalence of the custom of attaching paddy and other crops and property of ryots in respect of the recovery of land revenue?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state in what provinces remissions of land revenue have been made; and what is the amount of the reduction in each case?

A report will be asked for on the matters dealt with in these questions.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action the Government of India propose to take with regard to orders of expulsion made by the Government of Indo-China against bankers from India?

Representations have been made on behalf of the Government of India by the British Ambassador in Paris to the French Government.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the resolution forwarded to him by the Trades Union Congress, supporting in the cinema industry a basis of a 60-hours working week, exclusive of meal times, the Government will consider whether it is advisable to continue the international discussions for a 40-hours working week?

I have not received a resolution from the Trades Union Congress, and I am not aware that such a resolution has been passed. I understand, however, that the London and Home Counties Joint Conciliation Board for the Cinema Industry, upon which certain trade unions are represented, have agreed to recommend that the working week in London and the Home Counties shall not exceed 60 hours for the general staff, 54 for the female staff and 55 for the operators, with extra payment for overtime. Discussions on the subject of the 40-hour week must, of course, take into account the circumstances of the various industries and the agreements reached by the organisations which are representative of those concerned.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman receive at regular intervals the proceedings of the Trades Union Congress?

Can the right hon. Gentleman do anything about the agreement on a 60-hour week, particularly as it includes juveniles?

With regard to the first question, I am not sure I can answer it. I receive from time to time information of some of the resolutions that the Trades Union Congress pass, but I am not at all sure that I receive them all.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what are the average hours in this industry now? Have there not been investigations?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Trades Union Congress has never passed such a foolish resolution?

I have answered that question already. I said that I had not received such a resolution, and I am not aware that such a resolution was passed.

In view of the promises made by the owners of cinema houses in this country when the Sunday Entertainments Act was passing through this House, will the right hon. Gentleman see that their promises are implemented?

That question should be addressed, not to me, but to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look through the proceedings of the Trades Union Congress and confirm the statement in my question that they have passed such a resolution?

No. I will not give any such undertaking.

Is the Minister not aware that in the House of Representatives in America last week they passed a Bill for 30 hours a week?

No. I am not aware of that fact.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to introduce a Bill dealing fully with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance during the coining Session of Parliament; and, if so, when the Bill may be expected?

The Government intend to introduce legislation on this subject this Session. I am not yet in a position to give the date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he has any further statement to make with regard to the employés of the Metropolitan-Vickers Company who have been arrested in Russia?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make on the trial of the British subjects at Moscow?

Four of the six Metro-Vickers engineers who have recently been on trial at Moscow arrived in London on 23rd April. As the House is aware, one of them, Mr. Gregory, was acquitted and the other three, Mr. Monkhouse, Mr. Cushny and Mr. Nordwall were convicted and sentenced to banishment from Russia for five years. The other two men, Mr. Thornton and Mr. Macdonald, were convicted and sentenced to deprivation of liberty for three years and two years respectively. Both Mr. Thornton and Mr. Macdonald are, I understand, lodging appeals for commutation of sentence; Mr. Thornton's appeal was in fact presented last Friday and I understand that both appeals will in due course come under the consideration of the Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union.

The four engineers who have already arrived in England have been interviewed at the Foreign Office and insist most strongly that their two comrades who are still detained are as completely innocent as they are themselves. Having seen the four men myself, I am completely convinced that the accusations against them were ill-founded and that the action of His Majesty's Government in relation to the whole matter is entirely justified.

Can my right hon. Friend give us any idea when these appeals are likely to be heard?

No, Sir.

May I ask the Leader of the House whether there will be any early opportunity of debating the action taken by His Majesty's Government?

I think it is a little premature to put that question.

I understand that the embargo which His Majesty's Government have imposed under the Act will come into operation to-morrow. In these circumstances, does the right hon. Gentleman think it early to ask for a day to debate so important a question?

I cannot think that a debate would be of any help while our fellow-countrymen are in prison.

That may be the opinion of the right hon. Gentleman—[HON. MEMBERS: "And the country"]—and of a majority of this House. [HON. MEMBERS: "And the country."] That remains to be seen. I wish to press the right hon. Gentleman. There is no danger to our countrymen in this House debating a matter of this kind, which is of great importance to a very large number of people in this country, and I again ask if the right hon. Gentleman will give us facilities to debate it?

The responsibility for a decision of that kind must rest with His Majesty's Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the four men in question came in at one and the same time to the Foreign Office, or whether Gregory was sent for afterwards?

I really do not know the order in which they came. They were received all together.

The point I put was whether the four men came together, or whether three of them came along and Gregory was sent for afterwards?

I would answer the hon. Member immediately if I could give him an answer. I really do not know, but I do know that at one time or another all four gentlemen came to the Foreign Office, and at one time they were certainly seen together.

asked the Prime Minister what action the Government proposes to take with regard to Russian trade, following the expiration of the Russian trade treaty on 17th April last?

I am not in a position to make any statement at the present time. My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that negotiations, which were in progress with a view to a new agreement, were suspended following the recent arrests in Moscow.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, since the arrest of Mr. Fraser on 4th April, he has had any further complaints of the arrest of any British subjects in Germany?

Yes, Sir, the Foreign Office learned on the 19th April of the arrest at Regensburg in Bavaria of a British subject, a Mr. Wilfred Howard, a teacher of English in that city. I believe that the offence complained of was a breach of the law concerning statements derogatory to the administration in letters sent through the post. His Majesty's Consul-General at Munich was at once instructed to make inquiries, and the case was also brought to the notice of His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what has happened to Mr. Fraser, who has been 21 days now without being brought to trial? Will the British Government protect this subject?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the disputes in South America between Bolivia and Paraguay and Colombia and Peru?

Hostilities between Bolivia and Paraguay in the Chaco area are still continuing. In my reply to my hon. Friend's question on this subject on the 27th of February I stated that fresh proposals were under consideration between the Governments of the neighbouring countries. These have been submitted unofficially to the Bolivian and Paraguayan Governments, and negotiations on this basis are proceeding. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's question, I should explain that hostilities between Peru and Colombia are not at the moment taking place. The advisory committee appointed by the council of the League of Nations is following the dispute, and negotiations have been proceeding on the basis of the council's proposals of the 25th of February, and of the report and recommendations adopted by the council on the 18th of March, which it is hoped may render possible a peaceful settlement of the dispute. His Majesty's representatives at Lima and Bogota have been actively supporting the council's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make with regard to the position in the Far East; and whether any action has recently been taken by the League of Nations Advisory Committee in conection with the subject?

On the 17th of April the Japanese military authorities announced that Chinwangtao had been evacuated by the Chinese troops and occupied by Japanese railway guards. Japanese or Manchukuo troops were also reported to have occupied Anshan, a station on the Peking-Mukden railway west of Changli.

In reply to an inquiry addressed to him on my instructions by His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Tokyo, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs stated, on the 21st April, that the Japanese advance within the Wall had been made necessary by what he described as provocative action on the part of the Chinese, but added that the Japanese had no intention of advancing beyond the Luan River unless they were forced to do so by further provocations. As soon as the situation was settled the Japanese troops would be withdrawn outside the Wall. The Advisory Committee of the League of Nations on the Sino-Japanese dispute appointed, on the 15th of March, two subcommittees, one to consider the problem of the exportation of arms to the Far East, and the other to make recommendations as to the manner in which effect should be given to the recommendation of the Assembly that no recognition should be extended to the present de facto situation. I am informed that the Secretariat of the League is actively engaged in collecting the material for the consideration of the latter sub-committee. As regards the first sub-committee I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. R. Davies) on the 29th of March last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to negotiations for a Four-Power Pact as instituted at Rome?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has been made with the proposal for a Four-Power Pact which was initiated in conversations in Paris and Rome; and whether he can make any statement on the matter?

Conversations are still proceeding, but I do not think that I can, for the moment, usefully add anything to the statement which I made in the House on the 13th of April.

May I ask my right hon. Friend when he expects to lay the White Paper that he promised?

I am, of course, keeping that promise very carefully in mind, but I think that on the whole it would be better if we had the papers in rather more complete order than they are at present. I have said that conversations are still proceeding, and we have no idea of reaching a definite conclusion without first placing a White Paper before the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Prime Minister—I do not know whether to say warned or reproached us for making speeches based upon assumptions, but until the Government supply information we have nothing hut assumptions on which to found an opinion?

I agree with my right hon. Friend, and I am sure that he will believe me when I say that I am not withholding it for any other reason than that at the moment the negotiations are proceeding, and it would be a very truncated document if it were communicated now.

In view of the answers which the right hon. Gentleman has given to the last three questions, will he consider the propriety of sending the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) to some remote place to settle these disputes?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a, position to supply further information in respect of the discrimination against British firms in connection with the contract for the electrical installation at the new buildings of the League of Nations at Geneva?

I have made further inquiries and I am informed that the specifications for the electrical installation contain no reference to German or Swiss firms by name, although it is true that certain essential parts of the equipment, which must, of course, conform to Continental practice, are in fact made only by such firms. I am, however, also informed that certain British firms have experienced no difficulty in obtaining quotations for these foreign specialities. It is clear, therefore, that British firms, as such, are not debarred from submitting their tenders for the electrical installation.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any statement to make on the subject of his visit to the United States of America?

asked the Prime Minister if he has any statement to make regarding his visit to the United States of America?

Perhaps hon. Members will be good enough to await the return of my right hon. Friend.

Can my right hon. Friend in the meantime assure the House that we shall in no circumstances be committed to the re-adoption of the Gold Standard while the question of War Debts remains unsettled?

I think that it is within the recollection of the House that the Prime Minister gave an assurance before he went to America that we shall not be committed to anything.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make any statement with regard to the debt payment due to be made to the United States of America on 15th June?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he now has any statement to make with regard to the forthcoming World Economic Conference?

I am not at the moment in a. position to make any such statement.

When is the right hon. Gentleman likely to be in a position to make any statement?

I hope on the return of the Prime Minister.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take, in view of the communication addressed to him from the secretary of the Institute of Botano-Therapy asking for a legal status to be given to qualified practitioners of the Botanic School of Medicine?

The letter to which the hon. Member refers was received in my Department late yesterday afternoon. I will send the hon. Member a copy of my reply in due course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider receiving a deputation from this body, which is doing a good work?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me an opportunity of considering the letter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the Government have been in consultation with the British Medical Council with regard to the qualifications of those entering the Government medical service in Ceylon, he will bring the matter to the consideration of medical practitioners in Ceylon before any decision is taken?