asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will cause a circular to be sent out to local authorities regarding relief to the unemployed, and advising the adoption of increased scales of relief for the winter months because of the greater cost of living during that period?

No. Sir. The decision as to the amount of relief to be granted to each individual applicant is a matter for the local authority. In coming to that decision the authority must take into consideration all relevant circumstances. The authority's duty is to provide needful sustentation. If the relief granted is inadequate, the applicant has a right of appeal. If the relief granted is excessive, the local authority incurs the risk of surcharge. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to interfere with the local authority's function by indicating in advance the view they should take of any of the circumstances.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I raised this question with the Secretary of State for Scotland in July, when the weather was pleasant and quite the opposite from what it is to-day, and that the right hon. Gentleman then promised that he would look into the matter and see what could be done? This is the answer that we get. What is the hon. Gentleman going to reply to that?

My answer is that we have looked into the circumstances, and that I am now giving the hon. Gentleman a full, and I hope a clear, statement of the situation.

The Secretary of State at that time considered that there was just sufficient, when the weather was temperate; surely it is the very opposite when the weather is foul, and do they therefore not require more?

Can the hon. Gentleman say if there have been any surcharges of local authorities in Scotland, during the last two years, for over generosity?

I should not like to answer that question without notice.

That hardly arises out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated number of persons living in overcrowded conditions in Scotland; and what is the estimated percentage of this number that will be affected in the next five years by schemes so far submitted by local authorities?

There is no general statutory standard of overcrowding in Scotland. According to the Census Returns of 1931, however, there were 697,469 persons, or 14.9 per cent. of the population, living more than three persons to a room. As regards the latter part of the question, the programmes submitted by local authorities show the numbers of houses proposed to be erected to abate overcrowding, without detailing the numbers of persons affected, and I regret therefore that the information asked for is not available.

Will the hon. Gentleman have an inquiry made into this matter in order to get an estimate as to whether the problem that we are out to solve is going to be solved on the plan that we are now considering?

I will consider that suggestion.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the programmes that are being submitted, and does he think that the houses will be built quickly enough?

Programmes are not due for submission until the end of this month. My information is that they are coming in very well. A general review of them will not take place until they have all been submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the interests of science, he will cause an investigation to be made into the existence of a monster in Loch Ness?

There appears to be no reason to suspect the presence of any baneful monster in Loch Ness, and as regards scientific interests, I think that, in present circumstances, further researches are properly a matter for the private enterprise of scientists, aided by the zeal of the Press and of photographers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the poverty of the herring-fishing industry, he will consider finan-

Will the hon Gentleman consider inviting the assistance of the Air Department to observe and photograph this creature, so that a unique opportunity of adding to our scientific knowledge may not be thrown away?

I should like a little more evidence of the exact nature of the monster before I tried to call in the Air Force.

Would not the Scottish Office find their time better occupied in trying to capture the monster of unemployment in Scotland?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of cases heard in Glasgow rent court for each year from 1918 to 1933 for the years ended 31st October, and th'e number of eviction orders granted for each year?

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

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my statement in the Debate last week, in which I indicated willingness to consider co-operation with the industry in any real effort they may organise to popularise home consumption by an "Eat More Herring" campaign.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the money saved from unemployment benefit could be usefully applied to a subsidy as a stimulus to this very important industry?

The House knows that this matter was debated last week, and I then stated the intention of the Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman invite the attention of the Loch Ness monster?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the recent report by the Fishery Board for Scotland that no real attempt had been made to develop the inshore fisheries along the Scottish coast, and that much information was available, in the event of a decision to develop them; and whether he has any measures to propose to carry out the policy of development recommended by the Fishery Board?

As stated in the recent Debate, I have sent investigators to examine the possibilities of inshore fishing on the West Coast which was specially mentioned in the Fishery Board's report. Circumstances have materially changed since 1919 when that report was made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the existence of a system whereby fish from Holland and Belgium is sent to a forwarding agent in London, who in turn forwards the fish to France under his own name so that the foreign fish may be debited against the quota of fish allowed from this country to France; and whether he is taking any steps to put an end to this practice?

I have no information as to the extent of the practice to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I have, however, no power to prevent it so long as the quotas of fish which Holland and Belgium are permitted to send to this country under the Sea-Fishing Industry (Regulation of Landing) Order, 1933, are not exceeded, since United Kingdom exporters are not required to confine their trade to fish of British origin.

Can nothing be done to stop this practice?

asked the Secretary for Mines (Z) the present position in the Cannock Chase coalfield, with regard to the activities of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission;

(2) If he is in a position to state the number of collieries that will be closed down as a result of the proposals of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission; how many miners will be affected; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the position of these displaced miners;

(3) If he is now in a position to give any details of the proposals of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission for the amalgamation of collieries in the Cannock Chase coalfield; if all the collieries are to be included in the scheme; and, if not, what is to happen to those collieries which are left outside?

I am proposing to lay on the Table, before the House rises, a report which I have received from the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission, containing the latest information at my disposal.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an opportunity to the House to discuss this report?

Can the hon. Gentleman make any statement as to the period that the report will cover?

The report will cover the whole of the three years' work, and will survey the whole field.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement regarding his meeting with the executive of the Miners' Federation?

The executive met me for the purpose of discussing certain matters which they wished to lay before me for strengthening the machinery of the Coal Mines National Industrial Board. We had a useful discussion and the Mines Department is considering whether the actual proposal which has been sent in this morning does anything to meet the objections which have hitherto made further action impracticable.

Did the meeting arrive at any further conclusion on that point?

No conclusion at all.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when he will be in a position to say something definite with regard to these proposals?

It is not for us to say anything definite regarding these proposals here. It is for the Miners' Executive to produce a proposal which is practicable and which will fully bear examination.

May I ask whether, on the proposals submitted this morning, which are now being considered, the Government will reach a decision between now and the Adjournment for Christmas?

I cannot say because I have not seen the proposal yet. I asked for it yesterday, and it was only sent in this morning.

May I ask whether, within the next seven or eight days, the Mines Department and the right hon. Gentleman will consider the proposals, and will the right hon. Gentleman make a statement before the Adjournment for Christmas?

I really cannot say until the Mines Department have informed me of the nature of the proposals which have been handed in.

If I put a question on the Order Paper for a week to-morrow, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give an answer?

If a question is put on the Order Paper, say a week to-morrow, I will give a statement which will make clear the position up to that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will consider using the hoardings, etc., formerly belonging to the Empire Marketing Board, for the purpose of advising the public to buy Lancashire cotton goods, consume more milk, or similar purposes?

As indicated in the reply to a question addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 30th November last, the Government have decided to facilitate, so far as they are able to do so, the transfer of these advertising frames to local authorities for use primarily for health propaganda. Negotiations are now in progress with this end in view.

Are any special facilities afforded to co-operative societies to supply milk to local authorities?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the people of this country would buy more milk if they had more money with which to buy it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that lead pencils made in Japan are now being sold in London at the retail price of 1d. per dozen; and if, in view of this and similar instances of dumping in other trades, he will introduce legislation to prohibit the importation of any foreign article which has been produced for wages below the standard British rate?

The whole question of Japanese competition is engaging the close attention of the Government, and I would refer my hon. Friend in this connection to the statements I made in' the course of Debate on the 9th, 23rd and 29th November.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the people who instigated the "Boycott German Goods" campaign are now responsible for the importation of these Chinese and Japanese goods; and cannot British traders and British workmen get some protection from this Government in regard to their labour and their commodities?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of foreign oats landed in this country for the two months ended 30th November, 1933, and how does this compare with the corresponding period of 1932?

The total imports of oats into the United Kingdom registered during the months of October and November, 1933, as consigned from foreign countries amounted to 858,000 cwt. The imports during the corresponding period of 1932 were 402,000 cwt.

In view of the fact that these figures show continuous and increasing imports into this country from abroad, has the right hon. Gentleman any suggestion or any promise to hold out to the House that some action will be taken to remedy the situation, which is now a scandal?

I answered the question in the form in which it was put, but perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend would like to know that in the 11 months ending November the imports of oats declined from 6,138,000 cwt. in 1932 to 4,996,000 cwt. in 1933.

Arising out of the original reply, may I ask if the figures given by the right hon. Gentleman in answer to my question do not show that the extra 10 per cent. duty on oats has had no effect at all?

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of altering the duty from an ad valorem duty to a specific duty—a step which he could take in conjunction with the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

I will consider that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of potatoes landed in this country for the two months ended 30th November, 1933, and how does this compare with the corresponding period of 1932?

The total imports of potatoes into the United Kingdom registered during the months of October and November, 1933, amounted to 124,000 cwt. The imports during the corresponding period of 1932 were 236,000 cwt.

Even though these figures are somewhat less, is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this country can produce all the potatoes that are required for consumption here?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the amount of second-hand textile machinery that was exported from this country during last year, and what proportion of this went to Japan?

Particulars of the exports of second-hand textile machinery arc not available, as exports of secondhand machinery are not recorded separately from those of new machinery.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that there is a considerable volume of this second-hand textile (machinery being exported just now?

I cannot say whether there is much being exported just now, but certainly there has been some machinery sold in the past.

Will the right hon. Gentleman declare the nationality of the people who sold this machinery?

As this is a matter of such importance in connection with the equipment of cotton mills abroad, will not the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiries and let us have a statement on the subject?

I have made inquiries, but I am afraid I cannot give the statistics for which my hon. Friend asks.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is a considerable amount?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will be able to announce his decision on the investigations by his Department into the methods of the sale of sand, ballast and similar materials dealt with by the cubic yard; whether legislation will be introduced to deal with the matter; and, if so, when?

I am in communication with the Committee of the British Standards Institution, which is handling this matter on behalf of the trade interests concerned, and I am at present awaiting a further communication from that Committee. Accordingly I am not yet able to arrive at a conclusion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of recent disclosures of the losses caused to British shipping by the uneconomic conditions of subsidised foreign shipping lines, he will now say what action he proposed to take to safeguard the British shipping industry?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 9th November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Captain A. Evans).

May I point out that, in the last line of this Question, the word "each" should be "such"? The words should be:

"the respective countries to which they have been transferred; and the numbers and the tonnage of such ships."

404 vessels of 100 tons gross and upwards, formerly registered in the United Kingdom, were reported as sold to foreigners during the period 1st December, 1931, to 30th November, 1933. Of these vessels 102 have been reported as having been broken up, and it is possible that some others have been broken up. Accordingly not more than 302 vessels of the 404 vessels sold to foreigners were registered under a foreign flag. With the change in the Question suggested by the hon. Gentleman I shall be able to comply, I hope, in a table which I will send to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the French Government is subsidising French shipbuilding and shipping; and whether he will give an assurance that no sanction will be given for any new loan to the French Government to be raised in this country until an agreement is entered into to stop this subsidised competition?

So far as I am aware, no proposal for the issue of a loan in this country by the French Government is at present under consideration and the question does not therefore arise.

If a proposal does come forward, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the request which is made in the question?

Has the Chancellor of the Exchequer information in his Department as to the countries which subsidise ship-bulding, and, if so, and in consequence of the Motion which is to come before the House to-morrow, will he have the information circulated?

That question does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Government of Northern Ireland is giving the shipbuilding yards in their jurisdiction the benefits of the Trade Facilities Act; and whether he is prepared to revive the benefits of the Trade Facilites Act for shipbuilding in this country, and so enable shipbuilding companies in Britain to tender for contracts for new ships on equal terms with the shipbuilding firms in Northern Ireland?

I think that the hon. Member is under some misapprehension. The Trade Facilities Acts of this country expired in 1927. Any guarantees now being given by the Government of Northern Ireland are guarantees of that Government exclusively, given under a separate Act passed by the Parliament of Northern. Ireland. I do not regard the existence of these facilities as affording ground for reversing the decision of successive Governments against any general revival of the Trade Facilities Acts in this country, nor do I believe that a general artificial stimulation of shipbuilding would conduce to the advantage of shipowners or, in the long run, of shipbuilders in this country.

In view of his disgust at the artificial stimulus which is given to this particular industry, will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the First Lord of the Admiralty to see that no war vessels are built under the terms of the Irish Trade Facilities Act?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the excess of manufactured exports over the value of retained manufactured imports in the 11 months of 1931, 1932 and of 1933, or in the latest period available?

The excess of domestic exports over retained imports of articles classed as wholly or mainly manufactured in the trade returns of the United Kingdom, registered during the first 11 months of the year, was £40 million in 1931, £118 million in 1932 and £l3l million in 1933.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for delaying the removal of the 15 per cent. surtax on British imports into France until the beginning of next year; and if an amended trade agreement between this country and France is under consideration?

I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.

In that statement, will the President indicate that it will be the policy of His Majesty's Government in future to have some means of taking immediate action, instead of allowing these things to go on for long periods?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what special steps are being taken to popularise information about the British Industries Fair in those countries where the competition of trade rivals is notably severe in main lines of commercial activity?

As the British Industries Fair is organised on a self-supporting basis the funds available for publicity and propaganda are necessarily limited. Steps have, however, been taken to provide the overseas officers of the Department of Overseas Trade stationed in such countries as my hon. Friend refers to with special financial assistance so far as the funds available will permit, to enable them to make the Fair known in their districts.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that the present state of the law relating to hire purchase does not sufficiently protect the interests of the hire owners, of auctioneers, or other sellers, or of those who have bought articles in good faith and not knowing that they were the subjects of an incomplete hire-purchase transaction, he will introduce legislation to compel the registration of all hire-purchase agreements as bills of sale?

I have been asked to reply. It is not proposed to introduce legislation of this nature for which, as far as my right hon. and learned Friend is aware, there is no general desire.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the motor trade is introducing a system of registration, and is not his right hon. and learned Friend considering the extension of the same method to other trades as well?

I have no reason to suppose that my right hon. and learned Friend will turn a deaf ear to any representations that the hon. and gallant Gentleman may make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will, for the protection of the public, take steps to prevent those responsible from stating that articles have been sold by auction for certain prices when the articles referred to have, to the knowledge of the auctioneer, been bought in by, or on behalf of, the vendors and have not passed into the possession of a new owner?

Legislation to deal with frauds at auctions has been considered on several occasions, but I am advised that the law as it stands is sufficient to deal with cases where members of the public are defrauded. The difficulty arises not from any deficiency in the law but from the reluctance of persons defrauded to give evidence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Auctioneers Organisation Association with a view to putting a stop to this abuse, which misleads the public?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider establishing an independent trade body, under the chairmanship of a British Minister, to undertake the development of Imperial trade unity?

The Government are always ready, in consultation with the other members of the British Commonwealth, to consider means for the development of inter-Imperial trade relations. They have noted in this connection the suggestion recently made by the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia, to which my hon. Friend perhaps refers.

Has the right hon. Gentleman also seen the statement recently made by the Minister of Agriculture?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the House any information in regard to the progress of the inquiry which he promised should be undertaken, on behalf of the Government, by the Import Duties Advisory Committee into the Canadian application for a restriction of the imports of Russian wood into this country?

Since this matter was referred to the Import Duties Advisory Committee it has been the subject of further discussion between His Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom and in Canada, and we have also been in communication with the Soviet Government. I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, if there is to be any considerable change over in the importation of wood into this country from Russia to Canada, the possible distress and increased unemployment that might thereby be caused to ports on the east coast of England?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport if steps are being taken to try out by experiment any of the suggestions for reducing road accidents that are at present under the consideration of his Department?

The question of road accidents is receiving my hon. Friend's close attention and he hopes to be in a position to make a statement at an early date.

Is the Minister also taking account of the danger from road accidents in the immediate vicinity of the House?

I do not know that he is paying particular attention to this area. He is having regard to the whole country.

asked the Minister of Transport how many bridges have been rebuilt in England and Wales in each of the years ended March, 1931, 1932, and 1933, and at what cost; and how many are scheduled for reconstruction to-day or at the latest available date?

During the years ending March, 1931, 1932, and 1933, the numbers of schemes approved for grants from the Road Fund for new, or reconstructed bridges in Great Britain, were 830, 522, and 194, respectively. I regret I am unable to furnish the other particulars for which my hon. Friend asks. I may add that I have under consideration at the present time proposals for facilitating the reconstruction of weak bridges on the more important roads.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think, in view of the improvement in trade, that this work should be accelerated?

We are doing all we can to accelerate it.

Seeing that these old bridges are the cause of a number of accidents, is it not time that a good many of them should be replaced by modern steel or concrete bridges?

In the original answer, I explained that we were turning our attention to the reconditioning and improvement generally of old bridges.

Does the Minister agree that the number of bridges now being put into commission is substantially below the number recommended by the Royal Commission?

I am not prepared to answer that question at the moment as I have not the recommendations of the Royal Commission in my head, but obviously there are a great many bridges that want reconditioning.