asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of oil purchased by his Department which has been extracted from coal; and if it is intended to use more of this oil in the immediate future?

The quantities of oil produced by the low-temperature carbonisation and hydrogenation of coal purchased by the Admiralty were:

Is it intended to go on increasing the quantity?

Yes, if the price is satisfactory.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what proportion this represents of the oil used in the Navy?

I could not answer that question without notice.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give the total tonnage?

With notice.

Was it in 1929 that oil was first used by the Admiralty?

I should have to have notice of that question also, but I think it is very likely.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval contracts have been placed recently with Clyde shipbuilding and engineering firms; what is the estimated cost of the contracts; when will the work commence; and how many men will be employed on the contracts for the next two years?

The orders placed in the Clyde area for hulls and machinery of His Majesty's ships under the 1931 and 1932 programmes are as follow:

Is the Noble Lord aware that the workers on the Clyde recognise, in their abnormal position, that the Admiralty, at any rate, and the Government, have tried to do something to relieve unemployment on the Clyde?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give an approximate date when His Majesty's Government is likely to introduce legislation to make it possible for the residents in Tanganyika and other mandated territories to become naturalised British subjects?

I am not in a position to add anything to the replies given to my hon. Friend on the 26th April and the 3rd May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any reports of the condemnation of the Department of Labour in Ceylon by the Executive Committee of Labour, Industry, and Commerce in Ceylon with regard to the arrangements made by the department for the repatriation of Indian immigrant estate labourers; and what action is proposed to be taken in the matter?

No, Sir; I have received no report on this subject. The hon. Member is, I presume, aware that the Department of Labour is under the control of the Executive Committee referred to in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the extent to which Japanese competition is ousting British trade from our Colonies and dependencies and the fact that Japan is taking little or nothing in return from these Colonies and dependencies, he will state what action he proposes to take?

The policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to Japanese competition was explained in the Debate on the 2nd June on the Motion for the Whitson Adjournment. It is intended that the whole question, including the position in Colonial markets, should be explored in the course of the discussions which the President of the Board of Trade has initiated between representatives of United Kingdom and Japanese industry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the widespread character throughout the Empire of this competition, based on cheap labour and long hours; and can he or the President of the Board of Trade give the House and industry an assurance that effective measures will not be delayed until it is too late?

In considering this problem, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to look into the allegation that is made that the Japanese, in exporting these commodities, have eliminated the middleman, whereas the middleman takes an undue share of the profits in this connection in this country?

In answer to the first supplementary question, I repeat that the very fact that there is this competition, which is very widespread, is the reason why the President of the Board of Trade has arranged these discussions, which will cover every market. As regards the second supplementary question, I am afraid I know nothing about that subject.

Has my right hon. Friend received very strong representations from Jamaica on this matter, and will he consider giving effect to the wishes of Jamaica?

I have on very many occasions stated the Colonial position quite simply. It is that, as regards treaties, we are perfectly prepared to take whatever action those who are interested in the trade of this country consider is of advantage to them.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman told me a moment or two ago that he knew nothing about the subject which I raised in my supplementary question, may I ask if he will be good enough to look into it?

That is a question which ought to be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the state of the negotiations between his Department and the Japanese Government upon the subject of cotton textile imports into this country; and if any agreement has yet been reached upon the question of silver stabilisation, in view of the importance of this matter also in such negotiation upon imports?

As regards the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Ardwick (Captain Fuller) on 4th July. As regards the second part of the question, I do not think it would be expedient to attempt to deal with the question of silver in the course of the proposed discussions between the United Kingdom and Japanese industrialists. The silver question as such is likely to come before the Monetary and Financial Commission of the World Conference very shortly.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend take guidance from the bankers in this country upon this most vital question of silver and the use of it?

All necessary advice is being taken to deal with this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) what proposals have been made by Dominion representatives for the continuance of the Empire Marketing Board;

The Empire Marketing Board is one of the inter-Imperial agencies whose position was reviewed by the recent Imperial Committee on Economic Consultation and Co-operation. It will be seen from the Committee's Report (Cmd. 4335) that it contains no recommendation for the continuance of the Board in its existing form. It was, however, recommended that certain of the activities of the Board should be transferred to other bodies. Arrangements are being made to discuss the position arising out of the report of the Committee with the Heads of the Dominion delegations now in London. The Empire Marketing Board has been financed entirely by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, the amounts paid during the last three years being: 1930–1, £612,500; 1931–2, £549,000; 1932–3, £320,000.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that, if there is any further arrangement for the continuance of this or some similar idea, this country will not be called upon to pay the whole cost of the establishment?

I have no hesitation in giving that assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether and upon how many occasions the tariff boards of Canada and Australia have met since the ratification of the Ottawa Agreements; and which British industries have been represented and upon what dates, respectively?

I understand that the Tariff Board of Canada took up its duties on 1st May and that, although no inquiries into the duties on United Kingdom goods have yet been made, the board is proceeding as rapidly as possible with the necessary preliminary steps. I have no particulars in regard to the number of occasions upon which the Tariff Board of the Commonwealth of Australia has met since the ratification of the Agreement made at Ottawa or in regard to the number of United Kingdom industries which have exercised their rights of audience under Article 13 of that Agreement, but I understand that, since the Ottawa Agreement Act was passed in the Commonwealth of Australia at the end of November last, the Tariff Board has submitted numerous reports, which have resulted in the main in the reduction of the rates applicable to imports of the goods concerned from the United Kingdom.

May we take it that there is as yet no concrete result from any application by any industry to the Tariff Board of either Canada or Australia, notwithstanding that we are now in July, 1933?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, unless we can get a really economic Empire, it would be better to put it off and try for world economic unity?

The indications from Australia, which I have already dealt with, show that they are not unmindful of the advantages. I am equally sure that Canada will respond, I hope speedily. The second supplementary question is obviously not an Imperial but an international one and does not come within my province.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Australian Government have increased duties in five instances against British manufactured goods?

Is it not a fact that trade after trade in this country is complaining to-day, and rightly, of material manufactured in the Dominions coming here under cost of production, over which our Tariff Board has no check of any kind, and is that in keeping with the spirit of the Agreement?

Speaking for myself, the contribution made by this country at Ottawa was a genuine and sincere attempt to develop, and rightly develop, imperial trade. We have carried out our side of the bargain both in the letter and in the spirit. There have been circumstances in the Dominions for which they were not wholly responsible, and which have created difficulties for them. I hope and believe that they will respond in the same spirit as we have responded.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to give his personal attention to this matter in order to see that the right atmosphere is created?

My personal attention is always directed towards creating the right atmosphere. I know of no atmosphere more congenial than when I am present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will give particulars of the International Commission's visit to Newfoundland in regard to the establishment of an air-port service between Great Britain and the American continent?

The hon. Member is, I think, under a misapprehension. There is no question of an international commission, but representatives of His Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom, Canada and Newfoundland have been conferring on certain general questions affecting the possible future organisation of air services to and from Newfoundland. I am not in a position to give any more detailed information at this stage, but, to prevent any misunderstanding, I had better, perhaps, emphasise that no concrete scheme for a trans-Atlantic service is at present under discussion.

Will the right hon. Baronet issue a statement as soon as he is in a position to do so?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air at what hours it should be possible to obtain weather reports from the meteorological office at Manchester airport; and the total cost to the taxpayer of maintaining this service?

The service is already in operation between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each weekday and on Saturday mornings. It will before long be possible to obtain weather reports at any time between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (summer time) each day, Sundays included. The net annual cost to Air Votes of maintaining the meteorological station will be approximately £1,000.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that last Wednesday afternoon, at twenty minutes past three, a Member of this House called up the airport for the purpose of obtaining a weather report, but was unable to get it owing to the fact that there was nobody in the office; and will he arrange that in future it shall be possible to get weather reports from Manchester as late as half-past three?

I was not aware of what my hon. Friend has stated; I regret it very much. If he will give me full particulars, I will look into the matter at once, and will do my best to see that it does not occur again.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any oil extracted from coal is being used by his Department for the Air Force?

Yes, Sir. As a full-scale experiment, one Home Defence Squadron is flying solely on petrol extracted from British coal.

Can the Minister give the approximate amount of oil that is being used?

I am afraid I cannot.

Is there coordination of the inquiries undertaken by the right hon. Gentleman's Department with those undertaken by the Admiralty and the War Office in regard to this matter?

Yes, but of course the situation varies as between the different Services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what further representations have been made to him in respect of the Douglas-Pennant case; and whether he is in a position to make a statement on the matter?

No recent representations on the case have been received in the Air Ministry, and I have no statement to make.

Can my right hon. Friend say, having regard to the statement in the Prime Minister's letter that there was no charge against this lady's character or efficiency, why she was dismissed in circumstances which prevent her re-engagement in the public service?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to the answer which was given on behalf of the Prime Minister yesterday.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that plans for the electrification of railways in the Glasgow and West of Scotland area have been prepared by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company for some years; why these schemes are held up; and what action the Government intend to take to enable the London and North Eastern Railway Company and the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company to proceed with electrification schemes in Scotland?

The London Midland and Scottish Railway Company have informed me that some time ago they examined the question of electrifying their suburban lines near Glasgow, but, from the figures taken out, it was evident that the electrification of these lines could not be justified on commercial grounds, and that there is no evidence that the circumstances since that time have im- proved in favour of electrification. I am informed by the London and North Eastern Railway Company that no plans are in existence for the electrification of any of their lines in Scotland.

Arising out of the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's reply, is which he said that no plans were in hand for the electrification of the railways, may I ask if he is aware that in 1924 I got the Manager of the Glasgow Tramways Department to draw up plans for the electrification of the railways in and around Glasgow, and that those plans are now pigeon-holed in his Department; and what action he is going to take, now that he has information which he said was not in his possession before?

The hon. Member will realise that that was not the answer that I gave. I said that the London and North Eastern Railway Company had no plans in existence, but I said that the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company had examined the question of electrifying their suburban lines near Glasgow, and had come to the conclusion, on the figures, that it was not commercially justifiable.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can give any indication as to when the by-pass road from Pateham to Hove, which is completed up to the Dyke Road, will be continued, in view of the heavy traffic on the London-Brighton road and the assistance which this work would give to the unemployed?

The improvement of Mill Road is about to be completed by the widening of the existing road between the railway bridge and the London Road. I understand that the Brighton Town Council do not propose to proceed at present with the widening of the railway bridge.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs; and if he will take immediate steps, in co-operation with local authorities, to carry into effect the recommendations of the committee in the interests of the safety of the highways?

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is intended to take any action, and, if so, what, on the Report of the Road Signs Committee?

I have already circulated the Report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs to highway authorities and intimated to them in a circular, of which I am sending my hon. Friends copies, my decisions on the major part of the Committee's recommendations. As stated in the circular, I have reserved my decision on a few points which are still under consideration. The initiative with regard to the erection of approved signs rests with the highway authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that Queensferry ferry charges for motor ears are 10s. each journey, and for commercial motor vans 7s. 6d. per ton with a minimum charge of 10s. each journey; whether he is aware that the Tay ferry charges are 3s. 6d. single and 5s. 6d. return for a four-seater motor car, and 4s. to 6s. single and Os. to 8s. return for a commercial motor van; and whether his Department will inquire into the reason for the disparity in these charges?

The charges made for the use of Queensferry ferry service by motor vehicles formed the subject of representations made to me recently by the Dunfermline Town Council, and I am in communication with the London and North Eastern Railway Company on the subject. I have been informed by the company that they have under consideration a scheme for re-arranging the ferry service and that the scheme may lead to modifications in the existing charges. I will communicate with my hon. Friend when a decision has been reached.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been under consideration for a very long time, and that the Dunfermline Town Council are pressing it very strongly because in their opinion a decision ought long ago to have been reached?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the charge for driving your own car over Connell Bridge is 10s. and that at Corran ferry there is a charge of 2d. per ship for swimming sheep across?

I could not give a definite date.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to enforce Part II of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, in respect of compulsory third-party insurance; if he will ascertain whether the owner of the vehicle which caused the death of Mr. Charles Mennie, of 9, McAulay Street, Dundee, was so insured; and whether a licence for his vehicle was issued without production of a certificate of insurance?

I understand that it is the practice of the police to ask for the production of the certificate of insurance when they have occasion to interrogate the driver of a motor vehicle, and in Regulation 11 of the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Risks) Regulations, 1933, I have prescribed that a certificate of insurance or a certificate of security must be produced to the licensing authority when application is made for a road vehicle licence. With reference to the latter part of the question, I cannot identify the accident referred to from the particulars given, but, if my hon. Friend will furnish me with the name and address of the owner of the vehicle and its identification mark and number, I will cause inquiries to be made.

Are the licensing authority satisfied by the production of the temporary cover certificate, seeing that in some cases the policy is never completed?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question on the Paper.

Does that apply to Post Office and Government-owned vehicles?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will give me notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to make any statement regarding the application made to him for an increase in taximeter-cab fares in London?

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Lanark, North (Mr. Anstruther-Gray) on the 7th March last, I have met all the parties concerned in conference, and I have fully considered all the representations submitted to me and have made careful inquiries into the whole position. I have approached this problem from the point of view of the public interest, and as a result of my inquiries I have come to the conclusion that, in order to ensure that there shall be available to the public an adequate and efficient service of taxicabs, it is desirable that, while leaving the existing scale of fares undisturbed, there should be an additional hiring fee of 3d. for every hiring of a motor cab. The minimum fare for hiring a taxicab will thus be 9d. instead of 6d., and the fare for any journey, whatever its length, will be 3d. higher than at present. I have to-day made the necessary Order under the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act, 1869, but the additional hiring fee will not be payable until the 1st August.

Will not the result be that the men who drive the taxicabs will get less in tips l When the fare was sixpence they usually received a Shilling, and now that the taximeter-cab owners are to receive ninepence, they will get only a threepenny tip.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider hiding the black warming pipes in most of the State rooms at Hampton Court Palace by suitable wooden coverings with grating fronts that would be more in harmony with the surroundings or, alternatively, installing a more modern system of heating with the maximum amount of piping hidden under the floor boards?

I am advised that no really satisfactory scheme can be devised for covering up the present admittedly objectionable heating pipes in the State Rooms at Hampton Court. A scheme for the substitution of a "concealed" system of heating has been under consideration, hut, in view of the very high cost, I cannot say when, or to what extent, it may be possible to proceed with it.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of local authorities are incorporating in their specifications for contracts of work and material in their areas a clause compelling a major portion of manual labour, both skilled and unskilled, to be of local character wherever such labour is locally available; and what steps he takes to test that such procedure is followed?

I have not the information to answer the first part of my hon. Friend's question as ordinarily I do not see the specifications for particular contracts. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Will my right hon. Friend endeavour to protect the people concerned in respect of this labour, particularly the unskilled labour, which is at present exploited by various local government authorities?

As I indicated to my hon. Friend, I think that there is a misconception in regard to the basis of this question. The local authority is under no obligation to show its specifications to me.

Is it not a fact that local authorities have certain definite privileges in regard to money over which my right hon. Friend has power, and if that is so, can he not compel such local authorities to protect local unemployed unskilled labour?

Are not the right hon. Gentleman and the hon. Gentleman aware that there is no such thing as unskilled labour? All labour is skilled.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the £60,000 allocated to Scotland for the relief of distressed areas is to be distributed; which of the local authorities are to receive allocations from the grant; how much will be given to each authority; and is he aware of the dissatisfaction among public assistance authorities in Scotland regarding the inadequacy of the allocation?

The grant of £60,000 will be distributed in accordance with a formula based on information about to be obtained from the areas concerned by means of special returns of their expenditure on poor relief, etc.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the latter part of my question:

"Is he aware of the dissatisfaction among public assistance authorities in Scotland regarding the inadequacy of the allocation?"

My countrymen are always dissatisfied with the amount of money allocated.

rose—

Order!

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker.

The House is getting into a bad habit in regard to asking supplementary questions.

I have only asked one supplementary question, and these people are asking four or five supplementary questions every day.

Order!

The hon. Member shall have one more.

The supplementary question I wish to put is this. Is the Secretary of State for Scotland aware that it comes very ill from him to state in the British House of Commons that his fellow-countrymen are never satisfied?

My reply was based on the fact that I am a Scottish subject, and that is why I gave expression to what I considered to be Scottish views.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Public Works Loan Board declines to revise its interest rates on loans issued to small burghs in Fife-shire or to permit those burghs to repay loans at earlier dates than those originally arranged unless a premium is paid; and whether, in view of the low rate of interest now prevailing on Government stocks, he will direct the Public Works Loan Board to reconsider their attitude?

I think my hon. Friend has failed to notice that advances by the Public Works Loan Board to local authorities are long-term loans. It is for this reason that premature repayment of such advances can be permitted only subject to a premium. In these circumstances the answer to the last part of the question must be in the negative.

Is the hon. Member aware that on an application being made to the Public Works Loan Board for consideration under the terms mentioned in the question the Board referred the applicants to the Treasury as being the only authority that can at the present time give them relief from the higher rates of interest?

I think my hon. Friend appreciates that the Government's liability to pay interest on local loan stock is a continuing one and is not affected by the current rate of interest on gilt-edged securities. The Government have to meet their interest and cannot make concessions to local authorities, otherwise, they could not provide the funds wherewith to meet the interest.

Will not the Treasury reconsider this matter, having regard to the incidence of these loans upon the distressed areas, including areas in Scotland, England and Wales?

I thought I had made it plain that the interest can only be reduced by asking the taxpayer to make a direct subsidy.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government propose to introduce a measure giving equal rights to men and women, with a view to facilitating the drawing up of a general treaty on the subject through the League of Nations?

His Majesty's Government has no such proposal under consideration and as at present advised they do not think it practicable or desirable to attempt any extension of the general affirmation in the Sex Disqualification Removal Act of 1919.

Am I to understand from the reply that the Government are not disposed to give equal rights to men and women?

Do not the Government really think that it is about time England took the lead in this question of equality among the sexes?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I have given.

The answer was not very satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the fact that Allied Newspapers have been summoned to appear at the Manchester city police court, on Monday next, on charges connected with racing competitions, notwithstanding that the competitions in question have already been withdrawn from these newspapers; and whether it is proposed to take similar action against London newspapers publishing in Manchester, which have also been conducting racing competitions and have now withdrawn them following upon warnings given in London by the City and Metropolitan Police?

I am informed by the Chief Constable of Manchester that on the 27th April last the Allied Newspapers Ltd. were warned that the racing competition which they were conducting was considered to contravene the provisions of the Betting Acts and that if the competition was not discontinued pro- ceedings would be instituted. This group of newspapers informed the police to the effect that they would welcome proceedings and intended to treat the case as a test case. As the competition was not discontinued proceedings were instituted and summonses were issued on the 3rd instant. The London newspapers circulating in Manchester who were conducting similar competitions were warned at the same time by the Manchester police under the impression that the coupons would be received at the Manchester offices of the newspapers, but it was subsequently ascertained that the coupons had to be sent to the London offices which were outside the jurisdiction of the Manchester police. In reply to the last part of the question, as I have previously informed the House, the responsibility for enforcing the law rests with the Chief Officers of Police. I am informed that it is not proposed to institute proceedings against the London newspapers, who immediately discontinued these competitions on being warned by the police.

Is it not a fact that the Manchester newspaper only followed the others in this practice, and that they were among the first to withdraw? Will my right hon. Friend take steps to ensure that this kind of flagrant discrimination ceases?

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why, if it was sufficient to issue warnings to London newspapers published in Manchester, it was deemed necessary to prosecute Allied Newspapers, and does he not know that after the warnings were issued racing coupons were continued in London newspapers published in Manchester, although they were discontinued by the Manchester newspapers? Does he not think that this discriminatory action is both invidious and unfair?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the terms he has indicated as being the terms of the warning are the same given to every newspaper in every particular case?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the summonses issued against the "Daily Dispatch" newspaper of Manchester are in respect of the same lottery with regard to which summonses were taken out against the "Sheffield Independent" and the "Sheffield Daily Telegraph," that the Sheffield daily newspapers have already appeared before the court and have been fined and have asked the magistrates to state a case, and does he not think that the summons in this particular case might be withdrawn until the magistrates in the preliminary case in respect of the same lottery have stated a case?

As I have explained to the House, the matter is in the hands of the various police authorities. In the case of Manchester, when the notice was given it was evident that the newspapers concerned said that they desired that the matter should be tested, and there is no alternative. I think that is perfectly clear. On the notice being given through the Manchester police to the London newspapers, it was ascertained that the coupons were not returnable to Manchester but to London. The matter therefore came under the police authorities in London, either the City Police or the Metropolitan Police, and in that case, warning having been given, notice was taken of that fact, and the papers have behaved properly. That is not the case in the other instance. As far as I am informed there is nothing improper, and the matter must go forward. I understand that the case is to be heard on the 24th and is therefore sub judice. I have nothing further to say on the matter.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory position disclosed by the answer of the right hon. Gentleman I propose to raise this matter on the Ajournment.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that an Act has recently been promulgated by Italy enabling that country to ratify unconditionally the Washington Hours Convention; and whether the British Government proposes to take similar action?

My right hon. Friend is aware that an Act regulating hours of work has been promulgated in Italy but he is not in a position to express an opinion on its terms in relation to the Washington Hours Convention. The position of the British Government with regard to the Washington Hours Convention remains as explained to my hon. Friend in the reply given to him on 27th October, 1932.

Is not this a good opportunity to carry out the well-known policy of the Government, always to follow and never to lead?

Are we to understand that the Government are in no way going to change their minds?

Not as regards the Washington Hours Convention.

When will there be a possibility of the Government considering this problem?

Can the hon. Member say whether the Government have definitely decided not to ratify the Washington Hours Convention? Is he not aware that Governments have been juggling with this question for about seven years?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will adjust the area department dealing with the unemployed of West Leyton so that it may be possible to get details of youths who, after leaving school, have for several years been unable to obtain employment; and will he consider the creation of a voluntary local committee, composed of school principals and representatives of employers and trades unions, who will consider the local conditions of industry and advise the Minister and the parents of the youths in question upon their future careers?

The local education authority are responsible for dealing with questions of juvenile employment in the whole of the borough of Leyton, and have set up a juvenile employment committee to supervise the work of the Juvenile Employment Bureau, the composition of which is in accordance with my hon. Friend's suggestions. I am informed that in this area it is only in very exceptional cases that youths remain out of employment for any considerable time after leaving school, but if there is any suggestion which my hon. Friend wishes to make in this connection it will of course be carefully considered.

If I bring to my hon. Friend details of a practical scheme which is dominantly and permanently industrial rather than academic and theoretical, will he consider an application in respect of the youth of Leyton?

Would the Government consider seriously before the House breaks up some scheme for dealing with the tragic question of juvenile unemployment? Hay e they a scheme, and will they cease asking Members of Parliament to bring something forward, when they know that the country is waiting for a lead?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the dissatisfaction throughout the country in respect of the differences in the position with respect to the operation of totalisators on horse and pony racecourses and greyhound racecourses, respectively, he will assure the House that time will be found at an early opportunity for a Debate on this subject?

I regret that I can hold out no hope of an early opportunity being found for the discussion of this subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the question of these anomalies well in his mind?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the dissatisfaction is almost wholly confined to the promoters?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider proposing the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to examine and report on the advisability of amending the Standing Orders and Rules of the House, whether by imposing a time limit for speeches or otherwise, so as to give to back-bench Members greater opportunities of participating in important Debates?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of a Select Committee to consider imposing a time limit on the length of hon. Members' speeches. I venture to suggest to the House that the solution rests with the right hon. and hon. Members themselves and, in this connection, I would commend to their notice the remarks made by Mr. Speaker on 3rd November, 1931, and also in reply to a question put to him on the 2nd June, 1932.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is grave discontent among his own back-bench supporters caused by certain right hon. Gentlemen speaking too long and too frequently, that such discontent is not conducive to consistent enthusiasm for diligent application to Parliamentary duties, and will he, in the light of this information, please reconsider his decision?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have any control over the right hon. Gentleman in question?

In regard to that my withers are completely unwrung, I have been a Member of the House for many years and I have never known a period, even when I was a back bencher, when I did not share entirely and fully the complaint made by the hon. Member.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not think that the new arrangement whereby in the OFFICIAL REPORT the time of the Commencement of every speech is printed before the hon. Member's name will, if it is given a fair chance, conduce to shortening speeches?

I do not think that would be the case. It seems to me that the longer the speech the better pleased the constituents.

If I bring evidence in support of the large extent to which my proposals are supported by back bench Members in this House, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision?

I do not think it is a case of reconsidering my decision. I am perfectly well aware of the feeling and always have been aware of it. The only remedy, if this House is to be a House of free debate, rests with the House itself.

Is it not a fact that some speeches seem very long but are very short?

rose—

Does the hon. Member rise to a point of Order?

Yes. I should like to ask, speaking as one of those who suffer from this disability, whether a vote of the House could not be taken on the question?

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the Ouse Catchment Board have come to the conclusion that the scheme for draining the Don Valley will have to be abandoned as the Government offer to subscribe £10,000 towards the total estimated cost of £506,000 is inadequate, the possibility of increasing the Government grant will be considered prior to the next meeting of the board on the 26th instant in view of the grave danger of further floods?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend who has been in communication with the clerk of the catchment board is informed that the hon. Member's information is not correct. No decision has been reached by the catchment board.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the main river subcommittee of the catchment board came to a decision on Monday, and will his right hon. Friend be willing to meet a deputation of members drawn from the Ouse Catchment Board to put the case before him?

I will communicate the hon. Member's wishes to my right hon. Friend.