asked the Minister of Labour the latest figures available for the number of unemployed persons on the register at Nuneaton; and how such number compares with a year ago?

At 24th April, 1933, there were 2,601 unemployed persons on the registers of the Nuneaton Employment Exchange and Juvenile Employment Bureau. This was 73 less than the number at 25th April, 1932.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in order to assist able-bodied unemployed men working on allotments, he will see that facilities are provided at Employment Exchanges so that these men may sign on at 9.45 a.m.?

I sympathise with my hon. Friend's desire, but I am sure he will appreciate that, with the large number attending local offices to prove unemployment, at the present time, it is impossible to give facilities for more than a minority to attend before 9.45 a.m. In fixing times of attendance, however, regard is had, so far as practicable, to a claimant's special circumstances, and I am sure that every effort is made at local offices to meet the convenience of claimants who work on allotments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman circularise to the managers of Employment Exchanges the statement he has given this afternoon?

Yes, I will see that the answer to this question is brought to their notice.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. T. Evans, 56, Stanley Street, Atherton, near Manchester, who had been under treatment allowance and was thus unable to qualify for unemployment benefit under the 30-stamp rule, the claim having been made under the 10-stamp rule, disability pension, and disallowed by the court of referees; and whether he will inquire into this case?

The hon. Member recently wrote to me about this case and I informed him that the claim for benefit made by Mr. Evans had been considered by the Umpire appointed under the Unemployment Insurance Acts and disallowed. I am sending the hon. Member a further copy of the Umpire's decision for his information. The Umpire's decision is final, and there is no action that can take in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man's disability is due to war service and cannot he see his way to bring in this class of case?

As the hon. Member knows, under the Act of 1927 there is this advantage to persons suffering from disability, and in receipt of a disability pension, if he shows that his inability to get work is due to his disability. In this case, the man is not in receipt of a disability pension, but is in receipt of a treatment allowance. I have the umpire's decision before me, and I will give it to the hon. Member.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of putting this class of case in the same category as those in receipt of pensions?

I will certainly consider it, but, of course, nothing can be done without legislation. The legislation, as I say, is contained in Section 5, I think, of the Act of 1927.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the representations made to him by approved societies and other organisations protesting against the loss of medical benefit by insured persons lapsing membership consequent upon unemployment, he will now state what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the position?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 9th March to the hon. Member for Walsall (Mr. Leckie).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted for low flying over prohibited areas during 1932?

The police have instructions to report to the Air Ministry all cases of low flying over the prohibited areas which are scheduled in the Air Navigation Order, and I understand that no such case was so reported in 1932. There were in 1932 a number of prosecutions in respect of low flying over populous places contrary to Articles 9 and 10 of the Air Navigation Order. There were two such cases in the Metropolitan Police District, but I am not in a position to give the corresponding figure for the country as a whole.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the arrival in this country of two prominent members of the German Nazi movement, Herr Rosenberg and Herr Thost; whether he has any information as to the length of time these individuals will remain in this country; and whether they have given any undertaking to refrain from propaganda during their stay?

I understand that Herr Rosenberg proposes to stay in this country for a few days only. Herr Thost, who is a foreign newspaper correspondent, has been residing in this country since October, 1930. They have not been asked to give an undertaking in the sense referred to.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to Herr Rosenberg's lack of tact, there has already been an unfortunate incident at the Cenotaph, and, before any further incident occurs, will he please inform this gentleman that we prefer his room to his company?

Why should there be a difference in treatment between these propagandists and Communist propagandists?

I do not think there is any difference in treatment. Of course, if people do things which are contrary to the regulations and rules they will be dealt with.

Is it not the case, when Russians are coming into this country for a short stay, that they are called upon not to indulge in propaganda, and, if that is so, why is not the same treatment meted out to this gentleman?

There is no difference in the undertaking anybody is asked to give who is coming into this country.

Is it not a fact that a known Russian or German Communist coming into this country has to enter into an obligation not to indulge in propaganda, and very often, even if he is willing to give that undertaking, he is not permitted to come in? The point we are putting to the right hon. Gentleman is why should a Fascist agitator, a propa- gandist, and a prominent one, be allowed the free run of London, when he will not allow a Communist in?

Each case is considered on its merits.

We want the Home Secretary to tell us what are the merits which enable this man to be in this country as a propagandist for Hitlerism. We want to know?

What is wrong with the Home Office that they allow this sort of thing? This is not the first time. They stop the propaganda for the boycott, and now they allow this man to come here.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman a specific question? Why he refused a request from me a fortnight ago to permit Mr. Leon Trotsky to come to this country, a much more distinguished figure in world politics, and now allows this man to come in?

As I say, each one of these cases is considered on its merits—

What are the merits?

Give him his marching orders.

—and if anybody does anything which is contrary to the interests of this country I will give orders.

Is Fascism considered of interest to this country?

rose—

Are we not entitled—

Colonel Wedgwood.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement regarding the conversations between his Department and Herr Rosenberg?

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne).

Did the hon. and gallant Gentleman hear the reply of the Home Secretary on this question, and will he advise the Government to give this man his marching orders at once?

I cannot add anything to the answer that my right hon. Friend gave.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there is a branch office of the Nazi party in London, at Park Gate Hotel; can he state how many persons are on its staff; since when they have been in England; on what grounds they have been admitted; and how they are employed?

The premises referred to are used as a meeting place for Germans resident in this country who are members of the London group of the National Socialist German Labour Party. This group was formed, I understand, in December, 1931. Its leader is an agent for a German business firm, who has been in, this country since 1927. The secretary, who is a representative of another German firm, has been here since 1925. Both persons were admitted on the usual trade grounds for which many representatives of foreign firms are admitted to this country.

Has the right hon. Gentleman discovered whether these people are paid by the Nazi party; and may I ask whether be thinks that we need treat this Nazi house differently from the Bolshevist house in the City which was raided?

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether these Socialists are over here for the purpose of promoting the taxation of land values?

The question is whether the Germans we allow over here are to be refugees fleeing from tyranny, or the tyrants themselves to -spy on Germans in this country?

asked the Home Secretary what is the present position with regard to the acquisition of a new building and grounds suitable for the provision of an adequate training school for the Metropolitan police force?

Efforts are now being made to secure suitable accommodation for this purpose, and I am hopeful that they may be successful.

Could the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what he estimates will be the total cost of acquiring the new property?

I could not give an estimate at the present stage.

asked the Home Secretary the attitude of the Home Office towards the possibility of organising publicly and privately-owned fire brigades with a view to bringing into existence an effective fire-fighting scheme throughout the country?

I am in agreement with the view held by previous Secretaries of State, since the report of the Royal Commission on Fire Brigades and Fire Prevention was made, that a more effective service could be provided and expenditure be avoided in some directions, with an improved organisation and more general co-operation among fire brigade authorities throughout the country, for purposes of fire defence. I doubt, however, whether any general scheme could be introduced without further legislation, and I regret that I can see no prospect of the matter being taken up by the Government this Session.

asked the Home Secretary what is the annual cost of maintenance of the Home Office Industrial Museum in Horseferry Road; what are the rates paid thereon; and what is the estimated value of the building and site?

The average annual cost of the maintenance of the building is £1,850, and £1,000 is provided in Class III of the Civil Esti- mates for the Home Office expenses in connection with the museum. A contribution of £531 in lieu of rates was made during last year. Owing to the special nature of the building, it is not possible to give an estimate of the value at short notice, but I may say that £21,518 was expended on the erection of the buildings as a charge against the provision, which was made for this purpose, by the Public Buildings Expenses Act, 1913. No estimate of the value of the site, which is held on a lease for 999 years from 1912, is available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many people go each year to this house?

There is another question on the Paper about that.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what has been the average number of visitors per week, since 1st January, 1933, to the Home Office Industrial Museum in Horse-ferry Road?

I have been asked to reply. The weekly average has been about 128.

Is there any means by which this most instructive and helpful institution can be given wider publicity, so that people may visit it in larger numbers?

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the police held up the traffic for a considerable time for the purpose of cinematograph acting in Avenue Road, St. John's Wood, on the morning of Saturday, 6th May; and will he give instructions against a repetition of this practice?

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, on the occasion in question, traffic was held up three times for not more than one minute each time. It is not the practice to prohibit the taking of films in streets, provided that due regard is paid to the convenience and safety of the public, and that no serious obstruction is caused, and I am informed that the police found no ground in this case for asking that the project should be abandoned.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any truth in the statement published in the Press that one of the persons held up in that block travelled at an average of 43 miles an hour between London and Norfolk, and whether there is any truth in the statement that pigeons fly faster than motor cars?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the West Riding, Yorkshire, education committee have yet submitted plans for a new school at Stainforth; and, if so, how many school places are to be provided?

No plans have yet been submitted; but preliminary proposals for a new school to accommodate about 480 senior children were recently received and were approved by the board on the 9th May.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps are being taken by his Department to provide facilities of interchange of visits by students in technical instruction institutions of this country and those in similar institutions of Germany, France, and Italy?

The Board welcome experiments in this direction, but the actual provision of facilities for interchange of visits by students rests with the authorities of the institutions concerned.

If the organised trade unionists and the masters' federation are prepared to come with a scheme to the hon. Gentleman, will he give it his support and will he make arrangements for other countries to assist him?

The Board are always glad to welcome such visits, which are very fruitful, but the initiative for arranging them must lie with the institutions themselves.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that classes of mere than 30 pupils are working in the practical science laboratories of certain secondary schools; and if he is satisfied that under such conditions adequate supervision can be exercised by one teacher?

My Noble Friend is aware that there are some such cases. While the Board take the view that a full form of 30 pupils can be taught in a practical science laboratory, they recognise that, where the number of pupils exceeds this figure, difficulties of supervision may arise, unless the teacher in charge has the help of a competent assistant.

Will the hon. Gentleman see to it that the regulations are complied with?

There is a temporary difficulty, due to the size of the classes, on account of the bulge of population which is passing through the schools. I am not satisfied that the difficulty calls for the intervention of the Board.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will issue a circular to local authorities to the effect that teachers in State-aided schools who desire, on conscientious grounds, to refrain from participating it the forthcoming celebration of Empire Day, shall be allowed to do so without exposing themselves to subsequent victimisation?

The answer is in the negative.

Will the hon. Gentleman recognise the difficulty in which these teachers are put in having to assist on this occasion, not in encouraging patriotism, but in vulgar militaristic displays?

The matter can safely be left to the discretion of the local authorities.

School teachers of exemplary character and behaviour in every way are sometimes threatened with dismissal, because they do not want to identify themselves with this occasion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state when the promised alterations in the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923, are to be effected, with special reference to the dating of milk bottles?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave him on the 2nd March. I would remind him that no promise has been given as to the alteration of the Order, in the manner suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a leading dairy farmer in Scotland is now milking his cows at 12 midnight, and 12 noon, instead of at the normal hours, in order to comply with the law? Can he not definitely state the reason why this boon cannot be conferred upon dairy farmers, quite apart from the wider consideration to which he previously referred?

No, Sir. I have no information, on the subject of the hours of milking so far North, but I will certainly take the information from the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now state the result of his consideration of the report of the medical officer of health for Stockton-on-Tees on the death-rate for the Mount Pleasant area, which has averaged 33.55 per 1,000 of the population for the last five years as compared with the death-rate for the same period of 10.5 for England and Wales?

This report is still under consideration and requires inquiries in other areas, which I am causing to be made.

asked the Minister of Health if he will seek legislative powers to enable him to compel an authority which has an excess in its water supply to make that excess available for, or put it at the service of, other districts where a scarcity exists?

Experience indicates that there is not a sufficient case for further legislative powers. Where an authority has a real surplus of water, it is usually glad to find customers. Where difficulties occur I am glad to use my good offices.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the number of rural areas which have made application and are unable to carry on without financial assistance from the Treasury or some other source?

I shall be glad to inform the hon. Member if he will give me notice.

What action does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take to alleviate the scarcity of water in these districts?

That is a general question the best answer to which is the recent Debate on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the scarcity of water in the Denby Dale district; and what steps he proposes to take to see that a supply is made available from the aqueduct of a neighbouring authority?

I am aware of the conditions here, and I am in communication with the local council who are at present actively negotiating for a supply of water from the aqueduct of a neighbouring authority.

Is it not a fact that ever since the recent epidemic at Denby Dale, the local authority arid the Minister of Health have been in close co-operation?

Yes. Serious and very active measures are in process of elaboration between the local authority and the Minister of Health.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that he realises the gravity of epidemics arising out of water which is of doubtful purity?

I really think no assurance is necessary from the Minister of Health that he realises the gravity of epidemics of the sort.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that disabled ex-service men who are unable to obtain employment because of their disability are not entitled to the old age pension at 65; and will he take the necessary steps to remove the disqualification in such cases?

The contributory pensions Acts do not distinguish between ex-service men and others. The ex-service man who complies with the statutory conditions is entitled to an old age pension at 65, even if he is in receipt of a War disability pension. The proposed relaxation in the statutory conditions in the case of ex-service men would be contrary to the contributory basis of the scheme, and I could not contemplate legislation for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any information regarding the recent pollution of the River Crane; and if there is any danger of such pollution affecting the River Thames?

I have no information regarding the recent pollution of the River Crane. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with particulars, I will look into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the amount saved during the last financial year through the cuts in salaries and wages and from other sources, respectively?

If the major economy measures of the autumn of 1931 had not been taken, I estimate that the Exchequer expenditure on Supply Services in 1932 would have been increased by at least £81,000,000. Of this sum, reductions in remuneration generally account for about £11,250,000, reductions in the rates of unemployment benefit account for £13,750,000, while the balance of £56,000,000 represents the effect of other economy measures taken by the Government, including those set out in the White Paper issued in connection with the economy programme in September, 1931. The very large savings in interest and sinking fund charges, which were effected during 1932, did not result in any reduction in the statutory charge for the service of the National Debt in that year, and are therefore not included in the above estimate of savings. The full benefit, which on interest charges alone is £52,000,000, will accrue during the current year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has been able to come to any decision regarding the publication of the evidence given before the Raeburn Committee on the taxation of co-operative societies?

As the Financial Secretary explained in answer to a question by the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on the 8th March, the evidence is very voluminous, and I had hoped to avoid the expense of publication. In view, however, of the representations which have been made to me, I have now given orders for the evidence to be printed and published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the proposed tax on fuel oil will result in an increase of from 6 per cent. to 8 per cent. in the manufacturing cost of glass which, for technical reasons, cannot be made by using coal; and whether he will give an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of allowing this industry to obtain tax-free supplies of oil;

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that orders for motor ships by Scottish firms have been cancelled at Ardrossan and Leith because of the tax of 1d. per gallon on heavy nil, which will increase the cost of operating motor ships by 33 per cent.; and will he give an estimate of the cost of exempting shipbuilding and engineering from this tax, in view of its injurious effect on trade and employment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that orders for two ships for coastal trade, which had been given to Scottish shipbuilders, have been cancelled, the reason given being that the proposed tax of 1s. per gallon on oil fuel would make it too expensive for such ships to be operated; whether he has made any investigations into the matter; and whether he can state what action will be taken to enable the orders for such ships to be renewed, and thereby give employment to shipyard workers?

I said in the Debate on the report of the Resolution that, without making any promise, I should be prepared to consider representations, and I am carefully examining those which have reached me. These include the particular matters referred to in these questions, and I should prefer not to answer in detail until I have had time to complete my examination.

Might I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in Ardrossan 150 men have been thrown out of employment through the cancelling of an order for ships and would he consider whether the cost of unemployment benefit to them and to others throughout the country would not balance any saving or gain?

I am prepared to take into consideration all the representations that are being made to me, and that will be one of them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, seeing that when appointing the three Englishmen who comprise the Import Advisory Committee he avoided choosing members on the ground of their special familiarity with the conditions of particular industries or particular parts of the United Kingdom, he will ask this committee to consider holding a number of sittings in Edinburgh every year so that they may be brought and kept in closer touch with Scottish needs and conditions?

Subject to the requirements of the Import Duties Act, the procedure of the committee is a matter entirely within their own competence.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the question of the 10 per cent. import duty on partly-squared Norway timber, which is used for plops and bars in coal mines, has been before the Import Duties Advisory Committee for several months; and when a decision is likely to be reached?

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 4th May.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long it will be before a decision is reached, seeing that the case has been before the committee for five months? Does it take longer to consider putting articles on the Free List than putting additional duties on other articles?

Was not a pledge given in the House that duty would not be chargeable on this timber?

That pledge has been observed.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what opportunity any Member of the House may have of approaching the Advisory Committee in a case of this kind?

The whole idea of the Import Duties Advisory Committee is that it should be free from political pressure. When a request is made to the committee by a particular interest, it proceeds with a proper investigation, and a full investigation must take time.

Can we be assured that, when applications are made to include an article in the Free List, they receive the same sort of treatment as applications to increase a duty?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, at a recent trade exhibition, electric refrigerators of American manufacture were on exhibition in circumstances tending to suggest that they were British; and if he will take steps to make an Order-in-Council, under Section 5 (2) of the Merchandise Marks Act, in regard to electric refrigerators?

As my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade stated yesterday in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland), investigation is being made into the circumstances referred to in the first part of the question. Orders under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1026, can only be made on the recommendation of the committee which has been set up under the Act, following an application to the Board of Trade by the interests concerned. No such application has so far been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Soviet boat "Ian Rudzutak" landed at a London dock on the 6th May with a cargo of Russian butter and bacon, on which there is now an embargo; whether his Department issued any special licence giving permission for these Russian products to be landed and, if so, to whom; and in what circumstances was the licence issued and for what quantity of each product?

I am informed that the ship referred to by my hon. Friend did not have Russian butter on board. Bacon is not a commodity the import of which is prohibited. The second and third parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Soviet boat "Dniestr" arrived at Hay's Wharf, London, on the 5th May, with 225 tons of Russian butter and 72,000 head of poultry, notwithstanding the embargo on these products; whether his Department issued any special licence giving permission for these products to be landed: and, if so, under what circum- stances and to whom the licence was issued?

I am aware of the cargo referred to by my hon. Friend. Three licences have been issued in respect of consignments of butter and poultry shipped on the "Dniestr." The ground for the issue of the licences was that before the Proclamation under the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act was issued these goods had been substantially paid for by the British importers concerned.

Is it not perfectly legitimate for the President of the Board of Trade to issue a licence under the Act in respect of Russian goods coming into this country?

Yes, Sir, so long as the issue is within the terms of the Act.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say to whom the licences were issued?

No, Sir; it would be quite contrary to practice to disclose the names.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the protests sent to him from the Tyldesley Trade and Labour Council and other places in Lancashire against the embargo on Russian trade because of the increase of unemployment in that county through it; and will he take some action in this matter to alleviate the distress caused, especially to Lancashire?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Responsibility for any trade dislocation must rest with the Soviet Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lancashire is getting more than its fair share of this embargo, and is suffering greatly; and may I ask that Lancashire should be considered in the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken by him to establish systems of barter between suitable industries of this county and the commercial associations in such European and Eastern countries where the currency rates do not permit of interchange of trade on a monetary basis?

Bartering arrangements are generally unsuited to the requirements of British trade, and no steps to this end are being taken by His Majesty's Government, who prefer to leave that matter to the interests concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of Canadian imports from the United Kingdom for 1932; the total value of Canadian imports from the United States of America in the same year; what was the value of free imports in each case; and the average rate of duty on dutiable imports from the United Kingdom and the United States of America, respectively?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the proportion of British tonnage to world tonnage shows a steady decline: and whether the question of the competition of foreign ships which receive Government subsidies will be a sub- ject for discussion at the World Economic Conference?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the shipping combines of this country to stop them from selling ships that will not pass Lloyd's examiners to Greece and other countries, to be used in competing against firms who have to keep up to the standards of Lloyd's, Veritas, and the Board of Trade?

In every case in which a ship is sold from the British register to a foreign register, a permit from the Board of Trade is required, and each case is examined on its merits.

So that the President of the Board of Trade takes the responsibility for the great number of British ships, obsolete as far as the British Board of Trade examination is concerned, which are being placed in a position to compete with this country? He has saddled himself with that responsibility; that is what he has said.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that the reshipment of the consignment of British industrial machinery is being held up by the Chilean Exchange Control Commission on the ground that it would represent a flight of capital; and what steps are being taken to protect the interests of the British firms concerned?

The re-export from Chile of goods which have been cleared from the Customs is authorised only when security is given that the value of such goods will be remitted to Chile. Conversations on difficulties thus arising have taken place between His Majesty's Embassy and the Chilean Government, and these are continuing. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the case he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman take any steps to prevent traders from being subjected to similar hardships in future?

Conversations are now proceeding on this very question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the respective numbers of established and unestablished messengers and paper and record keepers employed in the headquarters and ex-headquarters departments of the Civil Service on the 1st

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there has been any increase in the staff of the Customs Department since the introduction of import duties; and, if so, the number and estimated cost to date?

The staff of the Customs and Excise Department has been increased since October, 1931, by 1,360, at an approximate annual cost of £270,000.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the statement of his right hon. Friend yesterday that tariffs are now useless; and will he at once take steps to annul the Import Duties Orders and save this expense?

asked the Minister of Transport when the report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signals is expected?

Information in the precise form desired by my hon. Friend is not available, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of the numbers of these grades employed on 1st April, 1932, showing separately those whose first appointment to Government Service was (a) before and (b) after the 1st April,)926.

I understand that the Committee hope to complete their report before the end of this month.

asked the Lord Advocate the reason why, in the case of Albion Greyhounds (Glasgow), Limited, the totalisator in question is being allowed to be operated, whilst totalisators at other dog racecourses have been stopped?

The operation of a totalisator has not yet been declared by the Scottish courts to be illegal. It is not the ease that totalisators at other dog racecourses in Scotland have been stopped.

Is there likely to be any further delay? Has any appeal been lodged?

There has been no delay of any kind. The case was down for hearing on 27th March, and was continued until 17th May to allow a minute of admissions to be adjusted upon which the question can be decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will indicate to the House, giving examples, the type and nature of the various documents classified by the Foreign Office as treaties, conventions, agreements, and exchanges of notes, respectively

As the answer is long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

There is plenty of time left; could we not have the answer read? Otherwise, I should like to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

I am sorry that I did not catch my hon. Friend's question at first. The answer occupies three closely typewritten pages. If the House desires it, I will, of course, read it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider promoting legislation to enforce a maximum eight-hour day for employés engaged in the cinema industry in this country on the lines of the law recently passed by the French Government?

I understand that the question of applying the Eight Hour Day Act to persons employed in theatres and cinemas in France has been considered by the French Government, but that no such action has yet been taken. I Am informed that an agreement is being discussed between employers' and work-peoples' representatives in London and the Home Counties, and I am of opinion that voluntary action of this kind is more likely to be successful than rigid legislation such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Home Secretary whether any scale of costs exists for the guidance of magistrates in awarding costs?

In a summary case magistrates can ordinarily award such costs as seem to them "just and reasonable." It is a matter within the discretion of the magistrates in each case. No prescribed scale, therefore, exists.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the growing practice in a certain section of the Press of publishing the names of juvenile offenders, particularly in connection with sexual offences, charged in summary courts of justice, he will issue a circular recommending magistrates to request all Press reporters to refrain from this practice?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the effect of sections 39 and 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, will be to prohibit generally the publication of the name of any child or young person concerned in any proceedings in a Juvenile Court, and to enable any other Court to direct that no newspaper report shall reveal the name of any child or young person concerned in any proceedings in the Court which arise out of any offence against decency or morality. These provisions will take effect on 1st November, the date on which I propose to bring the Act into force. I have no evidence of any such growing practice as the hon. Member refers to, and as I feel sure that the Press generally may be relied on to give effect to the spirit of the provisions contained in the Act, I do not think it necessary to issue any special circular to magistrates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress, if any, has been made in the negotiations proceeding between the Cunard and White Star Companies; and whether the information is such as to justify the Government offering financial assistance for the completion of work on Liner 534?

The negotiations are continuing. I cannot at present usefully add to what I said in the House in the Debate on 16th February and in answer to questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr (Lieut.-Colonel Moore) on 23rd February.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of exerting pressure on the companies in order to assist them in coming to an agreement?

I do not understand what my hon. and gallant Friend means by exerting pressure.