asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to give local authorities in Scotland estimates of the amounts of Exchequer grants which will be payable to them under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, during the second fixed grant period?

Provisional figures were intimated to local authorities-on the 6th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the vacancy on the technical staff of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, caused by the death of Mr. Mather in August, 1931, has not yet been filled; and whether he will consider the advisability of immediately filling the vacancy?

The post of Chief Technical Officer in the Land Division of the Department has remained vacant Since August, 1931, on account of the overriding necessity for economy in administrative expenditure. The matter will be reviewed in the autumn of this year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the progress of land settlement is being delayed by lack of a head of the technical staff?

I have made inquiries and have satisfied myself that no aspect of the Board's work has suffered through the lack of this appointment.

Surely my right hon. Friend cannot say that a Department of this kind can go for 18 months without a head, and no harm is being done to the work that it is proposed to do?

During the 18 months referred to the activities of the Land Settlement Department have not been so great as in former years.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there-are far too many officials in Scotland?

No, Sir.

Is it not the policy of the Government to push forward land settlement?

Yes, but the sum available was reduced in August, 1931.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the case of Helen Miller, who was charged before Sheriff Berry at Justiciary Buildings, Glasgow, on Tuesday, 9th May, with concealment of pregnancy and sentenced to six months' imprisonment; and if, in view of the fact that she was 10 weeks in prison awaiting trial and the suffering she has undergone, he will inquire into the case with a view to remission of the sentence?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this case. I have made inquiry, and am informed that an application has been lodged under the Criminal Appeal (Scotland) Act, 1926, for leave to appeal against the sentence. The case is, therefore, still sub judice. I am informed that the Crown will take steps to expedite the hEarlng of the appeal.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman, pending the appeal, as an act of clemency, release this girl and also give an undertaking to order an inquiry why it was not discovered, although she was a month in hospital, that she was eight months pregnant?

I can make no comment on the case at the moment, but the hon. Member is, no doubt, aware that it is open to the appellant to apply for liberation on bail pending appeal.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman release her on his own initiative?

I have no such power. The matter is coming before the Criminal Court of Appeal for their consideration.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman consult the Lord Advocate with a view to making bail as easy as possible? The girl it sure to appear, and that is what the Crown authorities are after.

The Crown can take steps to expedite the hEarlng of the appeal, but the question of bail is outside my power.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman ask the Lord Advocate in the meantime to expedite the hEarlng of an application for bail, and place it at the lowest possible amount?

I cannot interfere in a matter of justice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the communication sent to him from the Clydebank Town Council relative to the sale of the Cochno estate; whether he has inquired into the matters raised; and whether he will state what action he intends to take?

The communication to which the hon. Member refers is receiving consideration, and I am not yet in a position to say what action may be taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be as quick as he possibly can, because this is arousing tremendous anxiety in Clydebank?

We never lose any time in the Scottish Office in taking action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider the case of Mr. O. G. Cromb, a retired special clerk formerly employed at the Register House, Edinburgh, who completed 43 years' service, of which only 13 years have been counted for his pension?

I have given this case careful consideration in consultation with the Treasury, with full regard to the representations made by the Special Clerks' Association and by my hon. Friend. The proposal recently made to the Special Clerks' Association under which previous service from 1st October, 1918, may be allowed to count for pension is in accord with the most favourable practice adopted in similar oases in which categories of staff were made pensionable after the War, and I am satisfied that no further concession is possible.

Is the decision in this case not at variance with the general practice recognised by the Royal Commission to count one-half of the unestablished service for pension?

I think not. The case has received specially favourable consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to state whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the public health services, as recommended by the Local Government (Scotland) Committee?

My right hon. Friend proposes to adopt the recommendation of the Committee on Local Expenditure that he should institute an inquiry into the public health services in Scotland. He hopes to be in a position to announce the personnel and the terms of reference of the proposed committee shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to make a further statement with regard to the houses in the mining village of Standburn, Stirlingshire, which were condemned by the sanitary inspector for the Stirlingshire County Council and why effect has not been given to the recommendations of the report of the inspector?

As stated in reply to the hon. Member's previous question on this subject, there are no houses now occupied in the village of Standburn which have been condemned as unfit for human habitation. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I visited this village myself and that the whole village is condemned by everyone who has any touch of humanity about him? Will the Scottish Office not inquire into the awful housing conditions prevailing there?

Owing to representations being made to me, an inspector is going to be sent there, but I repeat, whatever the hon. Gentleman's views were, the question referred to condemnation by the sanitary inspector, and that question is answered in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the agreement which has been entered into with Germany regarding fish, any provision has been made for a reduction of the duty on cured herrings entering Germany?

The agreement with Germany, to which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries referred in the Debate last Wednesday, is not a comprehensive agreement on fish, but as he indicated, is concerned only with the application to Germany of the Government's proposals for the regulation of foreign supplies as part of the scheme for improving the home market. In this agreement it was not possible to deal with the question of the German duty on British cured herrings, but the Government is fully alive to the importance of that question and will lose no opportunity, in negotiations with Germany and other importing countries, of facilitating the trade in cured herrings.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the summer fishing is about to commence and the herring trade want to know what prospect there is of the duty, which has been trebled, being reduced? Can he hold out any hope that this year there will be any reduction?

I am well aware of the time of fishing in the North Sea, but I am unable to go any further than the terms of my answer.

The right hon. Gentleman has said that it was not possible to include herrings in this agreement. Can he tell us whether an attempt was made to include herring or not?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that Section 30 of the Scottish Milk Marketing Scheme empowers the board to exempt such producers as the board thinks fit from the provisions of the scheme; and whether he is satisfied that this unconditional power of exemption will not prejudice the success of the scheme?

The provision in Section 30 of the scheme empowers the board to exempt producers and sales of such classes or descriptions as they may determine. This power is authorised by Section 6 (1) (b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, and I am satisfied that it will not prejudice the success of the scheme.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that 5 per cent. is the present rate fixed by the Treasury for interest payable on mortgages by owners of agricultural land for advances made by the Public Works Loan Commissioners under Section 1 of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923; and whether, as commissioners' rates in Scotland over such security are now only 4 per cent., he will lower the rate of interest under the said Act to 4 per cent. in order to help farmers?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Berwick-on-Tweed (Captain Todd) on 17th November last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal pits shut down during the last 12 months and the number of miners thereby thrown out of employment?

During the 12 months ended 30th April, 1933, 237 pits in Great Britain, employing 23,000 wage-earners, have been closed and not reopened. Of these 117 were small pits employing 10 men each or less and in the aggregate only 466 men.

Will the Government consider introducing legislation abolishing the quota system, thereby stimulating British coal exports and giving more, employment to our miners?

The supplementary question does not really arise out of the answer. The hon. Member seems to assume that these pits have closed down for that reason. The assumption is quite unfounded.

Is it, not a fact that bad trade is the main cause of these pits being closed?

I cannot discuss all the causes at Question Time.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received any communication from the Central Council with regard to the amendment of Part I of the Coal Mines Act?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will inform the House of the decision arrived at by the Central Council under the coal marketing scheme in regard to the operation of inland and export quotas and the co-ordination of minimum prices; and whether he is prepared to make a statement as to the legislation which will be proposed to the House to give effect to these decisions?

I have been informed in writing by the Central Council that at its meeting on the 10th May it was decided to make representations to the Board of Trade with a view to the making of Orders for the purpose of enabling amendments to be made to the Central Scheme to provide for the separation of quotas as between the inland and export trade and inter-district co-ordination of minimum prices. I must defer any statement as to legislation until I have seen the exact form of the representations, which I expect to have shortly.

Can my hon. Friend say whether one or both of these recommendations had the necessary 85 per cent. Majority?

The representations are being made as the result of decisions taken by the owners as a whole.

Is the Minister also in communication with the Miners' Federation with regard to amendments of Part I of the Act?

At the moment the question refers to the powers of initiation which lie in the Act itself and are the result of the Act.

That is not a reply to the question which I put.

Surely, that is the answer, because the Act itself provides that the initiative shall lie with the coal-owners who are the body under the Act.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is in communication with the Miners' Federation on the matter?

At the moment, no. The Council of Coalowners are charged with the working of the Act, and suggested amendments have been discussed for 14 months, and these two amendments are to be the subject of representation.

Is it not a fact that Part I of the Act is working detrimentally to the coal industry; will the Minister take into consideration the recommendation of the Central Council; and when will he be able to introduce legislation to meet the position?

Will the Government and the Minister in these negotiations keep in view the vital necessity of giving complete freedom of action to the export section of the industry?

The answer is that we shall take all facts into consideration.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will call a conference of coalowners in order to discuss with them what amendments are necessary to remedy the defects in the working of the Coal Mines Act which have emerged after three years' experience of the Act?

No, Sir. The Central Council set up under the Coal Mines Act, 1930, is fully representative of all coalowners, and the power of initiating amendments rests with them.

May I ask the Secretary for Mines whether it is a fact that certain quotas allocated by the Central Council are not being used but held up and not made available to the collieries which could and would use them; and is not this a restraint upon legitimate trade?

The supplementary question does not arise out of the question, and I could not debate all the defects or certain defects of the Act at Question Time.

Arising out of the answer which is to the effect that only mineowners can negotiate, cannot the Minister in pursuance of his duties see that the Miners' Federation which represents the men, who are the human lives in the industry, should have some say in any amendments connected with the Act?

The hon. Member may be quite sure that before amendments are made the interests of the men will be fully considered, as they always are.

rose—

The hon. Member must not continue this question any further.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is now in a position to state the result of inquiries made by his Department in respect of boys under the age of 16 working below ground in mines on the night shift, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.; and will he now amend the Coal Mines Act to place them in the same position as the boys who work on the surface about coal mines, who are prohibited from working at the times stated, between 9 at night and 5 the next morning?

I have been in communication both with the Mining Association and with the Miners' Federation on this subject, but I have not yet been able to secure all the information required. In any case, I am afraid I can hold out no hope of amending legislation at present.

If the Miners' Federation and the Mining Association agreed to the boys underground being put in the same position as those on the surface, would the Secretary for Mines amend the Act?

I must wait until I get the information required.

asked the Secretary for Mines if His Majesty's inspectors of coal mines make a return to his Department of the overtime worked in the mines; and, if so, will he state the amount of overtime worked in Lancashire during 1932, in Nottingham for the same period, and the average for Great Britain?

The answer to the first part of the question is, no. I regret that I am not in possession of the information asked for in the second part of the question.

Is the hon. Member aware that, if the overtime was looked into, it would help to put back into employment many of those who are now out of work?

I should not accept the assumption underlying the supplementary question.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed in the mining industry of west and south Yorkshire, respectively, at the present time; and the number employed at the end of April, 1926, 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1932, respectively?

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL EEPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount of coal exported from the Humber ports, respectively, and its destination during the six months ended 30th April, 1933, and for the same period in 1930, 1931 and 1932?

Particulars in respect of April, 1933, will not be available until next week, when I will send to the hon. Member a statement giving the desired information.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has recently been in consultation with the coalowners' association with regard to wage agreements; and can he make any statement to the House?

I have nothing to add to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald) and the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) respectively, on the 28th February and the 21st March.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any steps have been taken by his Department to secure joint discussion of the possibilities of July with a view to securing a peaceful and satisfactory agreement?

The hon. Member must not assume that.

Will the Minister tell us whether, Since the last reply was given, he has been in consultation with the Coalowners' Association?

I have already told the hon. Member that I have nothing to add to the previous answers.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he contemplates meeting the Coalowners' Association with a view to securing a peaceful settlement of any outstanding problems there may be?

The hon. Member may rest assured that I shall take all steps which are necessary to secure a peaceful settlement.

When?

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the Government do not take advantage of the very reasonable attitude of the Miners' Federation?

The hon. Member may be assured of that.

When will the hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement of policy upon this matter?

Not yet, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines what the output per coal- face worker shift was in 1921–1925, and for the latest date for which figures are available?

Information with regard to the average output of coal per manshift worked at the coal face for the year 1921 is not available. For the years 1922–25 the figures are as follow:

In view of the acknowledged increase in the output per person per day, does not the Minister think that it is his plain duty to interview the Coalowners' Association, so that they may reach a reasonable settlement of the matter?

The Coalowners' Association on that point are well aware of the views of the Government, which have been put before them, not only by myself, but by other Members of the Government.

Will the Minister consider, in view of the increase of nearly 20 per cent. in the output, whether some share of the remuneration should not be given to the men?

Can the Minister say whether the hours worked are the same as in 1921–1925?

The answer to the hon. Member is that there are various differences.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has yet received the report of the inquiry into the accident at Cardowan Colliery, Stepps, Lanarkshire, in November, 1932?

The report by Sir Henry Walker was published last Saturday, and is available at the Vote Office. Cmd. 4309.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps are being taken to put into operation the report of the Medical Research Board on silicosis and anthracosis in mines; and if any remedial measures are contemplated at any early date?

Research into industrial pulmonary diseases is directed by a committee under the Medical Research Council, and an account of the work is included in the annual reports of the council. No fresh findings as regards mining have as yet been reported by the committee, but in the meantime increased attention is given by His Majesty's Inspectors to secure the effective use of dust preventive measures wherever they are considered to be necessary; and practical work for the improvement of such methods is the constant duty of a special inspector attached to the Mines Department.

Have the committee recommended the use of appliances to obviate the breathing of fine stone dust which causes silicosis?

If the hon. Member will consult the latest report, Command Paper No. 4248, he will see that there are difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what number of people have made claims for compensation in the South Wales mines who are suffering from silicosis and what number from anthracosis; what number have succeeded in their claims; the number refused; and upon what grounds their claims failed, from January, 1928, to the last available date?

I regret I am not in a position to give the information asked for, and I would point out that anthracosis is not a disease for which compensation is provided under the Workmen's Compensation Act. I am advised that it has not yet been established that the condition of the lungs described as anthracosis gives rise to any disabling condition. I may add that the Miners' Federation have made representations to me regarding certain cases in which miners suffering from silicosis have not obtained compensation, and that I am in communication with them in the matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether anthracosis cases have proceeded as far as the courts and the applicants have failed to satisfy the courts that the disease is one for which compensation should be paid; and has the Home Secretary a record of anthracosis as well as silicosis cases; and will he supply information to show how many cases put forward on these grounds are being turned down?

As I have already said, anthracosis is not a disease for which compensation is provided. As I am advised, it does not come under the terms that we are discussing. As regards the other matters which I am discussing with the miners' representatives, until I have concluded those discussions, I can say nothing further.

Is not this unfortunate fact due to the difficulty of diagnosis, and is it the case that the applicants or the dependants of the person who has died or has been disabled, are handicapped considerably because of the failure of the medical profession and the medical advisers to the Home Office to make a correct diagnosis as between these two kinds of cases?

All these matters are being discussed at the present moment.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received representations from the coal owners and coal miners from South Wales upon the recommendations of the committee of investigation into the Miners' Welfare Fund upon the question of centralising the fund and eliminating district allocation and control of funds; and whether he will continue the practice hitherto prevailing, which has given satisfaction amongst the mining population of South Wales?

The answer to the first part of the question is, Yes. With regard to the second part, I have asked the Miners' Welfare Committee for their views on these and other questions arising out of the report of the committee of inquiry and affecting the industry as a whole. When I receive their reply, I shall carefully consider it in con- junction with the representations I have already received from the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation, before arriving at any decisions in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that Canada refuses entrance to young men from the United Kingdom whose passages are paid by themselves and for whom provision is made on arrival in Canada; that the British Government permits free entrance of Canadians into the United Kingdom and freedom to take employment of any kind; and whether he will take steps to have this position remedied?

As regards the first part of the question, if the hon. Member will send me examples of the cases he has in mind, I shall be happy to look into the matter. As regards the second and third parts of the question the policy of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is that no restriction should be placed on the entry of any British subject into this country and, as at present advised, they see no reason for departing from that policy.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman, does he not consider that, from the point of view of our own unemployed, it is rather a one-sided and unfair arrangement whereby men desirous of seeking employment in Canada are refused any opportunity of so doing, whereas the Canadian coming over to this country is able at any time to take employment in this country, which is already overburdened with applications for employment?

The short problem is this. Should one take responsibility either of advising or encouraging men to leave this country unless there is the prospect of a job for them? I certainly will not take that responsibility, and I certainly cannot encourage people to leave this country when I know that there are so many unemployed in the Dominions.

Is it by agreement with His Majesty's Government that the Canadian Government refuse entrance to those who have taken upon themselves the responsibility and the expense of going to Canada? Was this matter discussed in any way at the Ottawa Conference?

The Canadian Government refuses no entry to Canada to people capable of maintaining themselves, but they refuse to allow entry into Canada to those who are assisted. I have already said that it would be wrong to assist people unless there was a chance of employment.

May I take it that the Government of Canada refuse, or they have the choice of refusing, admission to persons, British subjects, who pay their own passages?

No, not if it is a question of paying their own passages and being in a position to look after themselves. The same law applies in this country; there is no difference.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make the position clear? Can an English citizen enter Canada under exactly the same conditions as Canadian citizens can enter this country?

As far as entry, yes.

rose—

We cannot pursue the matter further now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all claims for compensation by British nationals against Turkey, for British property confiscated by the Turks during the Great War, have been settled?

Claims of this kind were dealt with under the relevant international treaties by two bodies, the Anglo-Turkish Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, which met at Constantinople, and the Commission for the Assessment of Damage Suffered in Turkey, which met at Paris. All these claims have been dealt with and the two bodies have been dissolved. Payment has been made in respect of all the awards made by the Paris Commission. Successful British claimants before the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal are taking steps to secure the execution of their judgments in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Turkish Government. I am informed that a certain number of these judgments have been fiNaily executed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any such schemes were turned down on the ground that the funds were exhausted?

I cannot answer without notice being given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has given to the representations of certain dairy and agricultural engineers with reference to the effect upon that industry of the Danish trading agreement; whether he is aware that on 24th March, 1933, the representatives of the industry were seen by the Import Duty Advisory Committee, to whom an application had been made for a higher duty; and for what reasons, notwithstanding these considerations, the duty was reduced without reference to the trade affected?

I am aware that the firm to which I understand my hon. Friend refers has approached the Import Duties Advisory Committee, but in regard to the representations of the firm and to the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the statements I have already made to the House.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me whether it is impossible to reply to the representations that this industry has made to his Department and, further, whether he is aware of the fact that they will be put in great difficulty by the relaxation of a duty about which they were not consulted?

If my hon. Friend has any other question to put, I am afraid that I must ask him for notice.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the firm in question have sent the whole of their case to his Department and are awaiting a reply?

If my hon. Friend will give me a chance of looking into the correspondence which has come into the Department, I can give him an answer, but I cannot tell him whether or not a certain firm has been answered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the importation of goods from the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, prohibited by the Act of 1933, is at present taking place on the grounds that the goods have been paid for in advance; and whether he will compel importers to furnish proof that such payments have been made?

Where a licence is granted under Section 2 of the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act, 1933. for the importation of goods from the Soviet Union on the ground that payment was made before the Proclamation was issued, satisfactory evidence of such payment is obtained before the licence is issued.

What guarantees are demanded from the importer that such payments have been made? Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the word of Russia or of the officials of Russia in so far as the importation is concerned is satisfactory proof to his Majesty's Government that payment has been made?

No, Sir. We could not regard that as sufficient evidence that the payments have been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the first part of my supplementary question? What guarantees are accepted from the importer that payment has been made?

We require more than guarantees; we want absolute evidence that the payment has been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the nature of that evidence?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large amount of shipbuilding, engineering, and allied contracts carried out in Scotland for Soviet Russia and the number of men so employed, he is prepared to take action to negotiate a new agreement, in view of the number of men displaced by the cancellation of the agreement and the suspension of trade between Great Britain and Russia?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council on the 25th April.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what reply he has given to the employers of labour regarding the heavy engineering that has been held up as a result of the breaking of this agreement, and will he say what action is to be taken?

We have made it clear to everybody that the suspension of this traffic is entirely due to the action of the Soviet Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will specify the goods that have been admitted into this country from Russia by licence under Part 2 of the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act, 1933?

Licences issued under Section 2 of the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act, 1933, have been in respect of timber, butter and poultry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any negotiations are taking place with the Government of Uruguay with a view to a mutual improvement of trade and the relaxation of the existing exchange restrictions in that country?

Exchanges of view have taken place which cover both the points which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but no formal trade negotiations are contemplated at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any information in regard to the applications made to the Board by the manufacturing section of the home timber trade for adequate protection?

Applications of this kind are for consideration not by my Department but by the Import Duties Advisory Committee to whom, I understand, various timber trade organisations have made representations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, as far as it is possible for him to do so, urge the Tariff Advisory Committee to decide without further delay, to enable British timber manufacturers to compete with America?

I am afraid that I cannot interfere with the work of the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has obtained, in, connection with the recent Anglo-German Trade Agreement, an assurance from the German Government that German importers desirous of importing British coal and coke will be granted facilities by the Reichsbank to obtain the necessary devisen foreign currency to complete the purchases?

No, Sir; I am not aware that coal exporters have had difficulty in obtaining payment from Germany and I do not anticipate that difficulty will arise in the future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will undertake, in the negotiation of further trade agreements, to leave unchanged, as far as practicable, those tariffs which have been responsible for the introduction of new industries or processes into this country?

I can assure my hon. Friend that full consideration is given to all industries, both new and established, whose position may be affected by commercial negotiations with a foreign country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are large numbers of new industries and new processes which have grown up as a result of tariffs and are now entirely dependent for their existence upon the continuance of some form of reasonable protection?

I am well aware of the fact that there have been a number of new processes that have grown up during the last few years under these influences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what industries are likely to be affected by any of the trade agreements now in contemplation; and whether they or any of them will be consulted before any arrangement is arrived at?

I am afraid I cannot anticipate the course of the negotiations for any new trade agreements. With regard to the second part of the question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in Debate on the 1st May.

Does the right hon. Gentleman fully appreciate the grave lack of confidence and uncertainty that must be created in many trades, seeing that similar industries have been affected without consultation?

I am prepared to consider any information which is brought to my notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the information which I bring to his notice in reference to dairy and agricultural engineers whose trade was affected by an agreement while their case was under consideration by the Tariff Advisory Committee?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an assurance that in future any industries granted protection by the Tariff Advisory Committee, the tariff rates of which have been assented to by Parliament, will not be deprived of such protection until the industries themselves have been consulted; and whether he can give an undertaking that duties will not be reduced, in any event, until a definite period of years has elapsed?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the question of consultation with particular interests in connection with trade negotiations with foreign countries. On this subject I would invite his attention to the statement I made in Debate on the 1st May. With regard to the second part of the question, it would, I fear, be impossible for the assurance suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend to be given.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman realises that unless some decision is come to in regard to the future there can be no confidence in industry?

I have not detected any lack of confidence. Indeed, there has been nothing but growing confidence during the last two years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he hopes to conclude trade agreements with Sweden and Holland; and whether he has in view negotiations with other countries for similar purposes?

A commercial agreement with Sweden was signed yesterday, and the text will, I hope, be available to Members to-morrow. No negotiations are in progress with Holland. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 4th May to the hon. Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports of cotton goods from the United Kingdom to Iraq for the three months prior to the entry of Iraq into the League of Nations and for the last three months for which statistics are available; and whether he can state what were the total imports of cotton goods into Iraq during the same periods?

The date of Iraq's entry into the League of Nations was the 3rd October, 1932. The value of the aggregate imports of cotton goods into Iraq during the third and fourth quarters of 1932 amounted to £344,770 and £366,450, respectively, of which imports recorded as consigned from the United Kingdom were valued at £114,907 and £109,658, respectively. Comparable figures for a later period are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the threat to the palm-oil and palm-kernel trade of the British West African Colonies arising from the uncontrolled competition of whale oil; and whether it is proposed, in the interests of the Colonies, to impose an import duty on whale oil entering the United Kingdom?

I am informed that there is a close connection between the world prices of all materials from which oil can be produced. As regards the second part of the question, I would explain that whale oil is already subject to duty under the Import Duties Act, 1932; unless it is produced in floating factories which are British concerns or satisfies the conditions of preference.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact; that Command Paper 4303 discloses that Since 5th August the Import Duties Advisory Committee have received further representations from the fabric glove makers and no opportunity for further representations has been afforded to the manufacturers of the cotton yarn, he will delay asking the House to approve the Additional Import Duties (No. 8) Order until equal opportunities have been given to both supporters and opponents of the duty?

I have no doubt that the yarn manufacturers had full opportunity of placing their case before the committee during the original inquiry, and that the committee in making their second report were satisfied that they were in possession of all the information necessary to enable them to reach a decision. It is not proposed to allow the duty to lapse without affording the House the opportunity of approving the Order of the 28th April.

In view of the fact that the White Paper shows that additional evidence has been received by the supporters of the duty and no opportunity has been given to opponents of the duty to give further evidence, would it not be desirable, in view of the fact that grave injury may be inflicted on one of the most important trades in the country, the fine spinning trade, to hold up this proposal for further consideration?

Will the hon. Member inquire at the Board of Trade whether during the five years the higher duty was in operation the spinners suffered any disadvantage whatsoever?

Will the hon. Member inquire whether the fabric glove people also increased their trade during the period of the five years?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps, if any, are to be taken in the near future that will enable British West African Colonies to grant British cotton goods preferential treatment over Japanese in their markets?

Sierra Leone and the Gambia have for more than a year past granted such preferences. Nigeria and Gold Coast are at present precluded by international instruments from so doing.

As Sierra Leone and Gambia are able to grant preferences to British goods would my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of the Government giving notice to terminate the Anglo-Japanese Treaty as far as Nigeria and the Gold Coast are concerned so that these two British Colonies can give preferences to British goods?

There is a question on the Paper directed specifically to that matter which will be answered by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet able to report any action taken or proposed with regard to the Anglo-Japanese Treaty and West Africa?

The requisite notice of 12 months is being given forthwith to terminate the application of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty to the British Territories in West Africa.

Will this action alone be sufficient, having regard to the terms of the Anglo-French Agreement which prevents the granting of preferences by some British West African Colonies?

So far as West Africa is concerned, it will be sufficient for the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information as to the value of the cotton piece goods imported into Jamaica from Japan in the months of January and February of 1930 and in the same months of the present year?

No monthly statistics of imports are published by the Government of Jamaica. I will, however, ask the Governor whether he can furnish the information desired.

Does the information in my right hon. Friend's possession show a very rapid increase of Japanese imports into Jamaica; and, if so, what action is it proposed to take?

There certainly has been a definite increase. I think the President of the Board of Trade has already stated the general lines on which he is negotiating.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state approximately what proportion of British vessels engaged in the coasting trade use oil fuel or coal respectively?

The information is not available in respect of vessels employed in the coasting trade, but it is estimated that about 5 per cent. of all British vessels under 1,000 gross registered tonnage use oil fuel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the master of the steamship "Firecrest" which was concerned in a collision recently, held a certificate of competency?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider amending the regulations so as to make it obligatory for ships flying the British flag to have British officers on board?

Section 5 (1) of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, provides that no alien shall act as master, chief officer or chief engineer of a British merchant ship registered in the United Kingdom, except in the case of a ship employed habitually in voyages between ports outside the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certificated captains and navigating officers are now required to submit to examination as lifeboatmen for the purposes of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1932; and whether, as this practice is resented by the merchant navy as being detrimental to discipline, he will issue regulations to lay down that a certificated deck officer is, ipso facto, qualified as competent to take charge of a boat?

There appears to be a good deal of misapprehension on this subject, and I am glad of the opportunity to make the position clear. The International Safety Convention of 1929, while recognising that a certificated deck officer is competent to take charge of a lifeboat, does not recognise such officers as possessing the qualifications of a certificated lifeboatman, which include training in the actual use of oars; and an officer cannot, therefore, be counted in the quota of certificated lifeboatmen required by the Statutory Life Saving Appliances Rules on all seagoing passenger steamers unless he holds a life-boatman's certificate. The Board of Trade do not consider it desirable as a general rule that officers should be included in the quota as this might interfere with their freedom in an emergency to exercise their proper functions of command and organisation; and as in most ships the number of certificated lifeboatmen carried exceeds the quota, there is no necessity so far as the Board of Trade are concerned for the certificated officers to hold lifeboatmen's certificates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if there has been any improvement in recruiting for the Territorial Army Since his intimation that summer camps would again be held this year; and will he state how far the figures are now short of establishment?

Yes, Sir. The announcement regarding Territorial Army camps was made in January last, and the intake of recruits for the first four months of this year was 14,005 compared with 4,793 for the corresponding period last year. On 1st May, the deficiency in the recruiting establishment of the Territorial Army was 32,402.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is now possible to arrange for only home-produced meat to be supplied to the Army?

Apart from other objections I regret that the cost to Army Votes would be prohibitive.