asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the recent proposed increases in the French import tax on British petroleum residues, heavy oils, cocoa, butter and substitutes, absorbent and cellulose cotton, paint and varnishes, and vulcanised rubber have yet come into force; whether these increases apply to all such goods imported into France irrespective of the countries of origin; and, if not, what are the countries excepted?

The increases in the French import tax on the commodities to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are already in force, and apply to imports from all countries except Belgium.

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate amount which would be paid in wages to the 3,800 miners for whom the German Agreement may find work; the approximate amount of wages which would be lost to the 1,800 workers who may be displaced under such agreement; and the approximate amount which would accrue to such displaced workers through unemployment benefits or any form of public assistance?

According to the latest figures available, the average earnings of miners in Great Britain per shift, including allowances in kind, was 9s. 7d. in the quarter ended 31st December, 1932, and the average number of shifts now being worked is about 4½. I cannot, however, estimate the amount of wages involved, as I do not know from what district or districts the coal in question will be supplied, and the wages vary in the different districts. As regards the 1,800 persons who, as stated by my right. hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, might be affected if the duties had their maximum effect, the available particulars are insufficient

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will publish a statement showing the number of applications that have been made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for increased duties, drawbacks, and transfers to or from the free list; the

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the quantity and value of jute manufactures, other than wrappers, exported to Denmark during the periods 1931, 1932, January to March, 1932, and January to March, 1933, respectively;(2) the quantity and value of jute wrappers exported to Denmark during the periods 1931, 1932, January to March, 1932, and January to March, 1933, respectively;(3) the quantity and value of jute yarn exported to Denmark during the periods 1931, 1932, January to March, 1932, and January to March, 1933, respectively?

The following table shows the total quantity and declared value of the domestic exports from the United Kingdom of jute yarns and manufactures (other than cordage, cables, ropes and twine) registered during the undermentioned periods as consigned to Denmark (including the Faröoe Islands).average time between the receipt of an application and the publication of the Committee's decision; how many applications are still outstanding upon which no decision has been given; what period of time has elapsed in each case since the application was presented; and in how many cases has the publication of the decision been deferred by the Treasury, either because of commercial treaty negotiations, or for any other reason?

As I explained in the reply given on 15th December to the hon. Member for West Nottingham (Mr. Caporn), of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, it is not easy to say what is the total number of applications made to the Advisory Committee at any time or what constitutes a definite application. I regret, therefore, that I am not able to publish a statement containing the detailed information asked for in the question, nor do I think that the interests of the industries concerned would be served by such a course.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons have been convicted in England and Wales, during the 12 months prior to the last available date, for cruelty to animals; and how many of such persons have been sen-

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the total sales per annum during the last three years of the co-operative societies; the gross profit made; the amount distributed as dividends; the amount put to reserve; the amount spent on political purposes; and the manner in which the balance of the gross profits was disposed of?

Co-operative societies are generally registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies

The latest available figures are those for 1931. During that year the number of persons convicted of offences falling under the head of cruelty to animals in the Criminal Statistics was 2,152, of whom 43 were sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.

asked the Home Secretary the number of charges and convictions for crimes against children for the years 1901, 1932, and the last available figure for 1933?

The figures for which the hon. Member asks are not yet available for 1932 or for any part of 1933. For the years 1901 and 1931 the particulars relating to sexual offences against children are available fully only for defilement of girls in England and Wales (a) under 13 and (b) between 13 and 16 as follow:Acts, and the only official statistics available regarding their operations are those published by the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies. My hon. Friend will find certain particulars for the years ending 1930 in the summary tables commencing at page 140 of the Part III, Section 11, of the Chief Registrar's Report for the year 1931. Certain figures relating to 1931 which have been compiled by the Chief Registrar will be found on pages 363 and 364 of the Ministry of Labour Gazette for October, 1932.