asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the proposed deer legislation?

I would refer my Noble Friend to my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. H. Stewart) on 14th November. The difficulties of framing a workable Measure have not yet been overcome.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, can he give the House any indication when this Measure, which is urgently desired by all sides, is likely to be introduced?

I can assure the Noble Lord that the Bill will be drafted as soon as we can overcome certain fundamental difficulties which have arisen in drafting, but until these difficulties have been overcome I cannot give the House any indication on the matter.

Is it not 10 years since the report of this committee was presented?

I am aware of that, and I am addressing myself to the problem, but up to the moment as these drafting difficulties have not been overcome it has been impossible to draft a Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what answer has been given by his Department at any time during the last 10 years to requests from the Farm Servants' Union of Scotland for legislation to provide a statutory half-holiday for farm servants?

The Department of Agriculture for Scotland are unable to trace any request of the kind mentioned in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish such details of the financial relations between the Government and each separately-rated area in Scotland as will show the financial effect of the Unemployment Bill?

I regret that the particulars asked for are not yet available. The estimates which will determine the effect of the Bill on the financial relations between the Exchequer and the various local authorities are in course of preparation, but owing to the complicated calculations that are involved, the information will not be available for some time.

Are we to understand that the Under-Secretary is willing to publish a White Paper when he has this necessary information?

It will be considered when the information is received.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Dumbartonshire (Commander Cochrane), said that the extent of the concession likely to be allocated was ½ d. in the pound?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state the total sum which Glasgow will receive as its share from the Government as assistance in respect of unemployment; and whether he can state the total amount which will have to be contributed by Glasgow from the local rates to complete the sum necessary for the cost of maintaining the local unemployed?

I regret I am unable to supply the information desired by the hon. Member for the reasons stated in answer to the previous question.

When will the Under-Secretary be able to give the information?

I cannot say at the moment, but I will let the hon. Member know.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government intend to take action to implement the recommendations of the Committee on Police Consolidation in Scotland?

The report of the Police Consolidation (Scotland) Committee, which was presented to Parliament on the 14th instant, is receiving careful consideration. Copies of the report were circulated yesterday to all police authorities and others concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to introduce legislation to empower Scottish magistrates to prohibit the attendance of children at exhibitions of unsuitable films?

Following on meetings with the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association of Great Britain and Ireland I am at present awaiting a reply in regard to an arrangement which may avoid the necessity for legislation, and I hope to be able to make an announcement on the subject after the Christmas Recess.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the introduction of electricity into the village of Errol?

I am informed by the Grampian Electricity Supply Company that it is anticipated that the supply to Errol will be available by the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of claims for widows' pensions that have been refused for 1931, 1932, and 1933, respectively, and the number granted for the same period?

In 1931 the number of claims for widows' pensions under the Contributory (Pensions Acts refused in Scotland was 4,118 and the number granted 12,406. In 1932 the corresponding figures were 1,540 and 9,104; and in 1933 1,376 and 9,133.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government propose to bring in legislation with a view to giving widows' pensions to those people who are excluded at present?

That question does not arise on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reports he has now received on the position of the Scottish herring centres; what degree of distress these reports show; and whether he is now able to concede the request for temporary financial assistance to these areas, in view of the failure of the summer and Yarmouth fishings?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received a report on the situation in the fishing towns and villages of the northeast; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to relieve the distress?

Reports from the various fishing centres have now been received and although the results of the autumn fishing are slightly better than was at first thought, there is no doubt that the financial position of the fishermen is in general very unsatisfactory. There is no indication, however, at the moment that the local authorities concerned will be unable to deal with distress without special assistance. The situation in the areas principally affected will be closely watched during the coming months.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that local provision to cover the distress will necessarily place a greater burden on local ratepayers, who are themselves in many cases distressed fishermen, and in that case, will he not consider offering special financial assistance?

I addressed myself to this problem this morning, and, if the present rate of unemployment continues in these areas, the rates in the pound, compared with other areas, would not be excessive.

Are we to take it that the right hon. Gentleman does not rule out the possibility, should conditions become worse, of affording direct financial assistance to these areas at a later stage?

That question has not arisen, and I must await the circumstances before taking further action.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of assisting public works in these districts?

I made inquiries on that subject, and in some of the areas public works such as harbours were instituted, but they did not result in much local labour being required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any progress has been made with his efforts to reach a solution of the difficulty in the Moray Firth where foreign trawlers are permitted to fish in waters from which British trawlers are excluded?

I regret that up to the present it has not been found possible to make progress in this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering the issuing of a statement explaining to the fishermen the difficulties of the Government in dealing with this question?

I am sure that the fishermen, as well as my hon. Friend, are well aware of the difficulties which have confronted every Government in this matter for 25 years.

No, indeed. Is my right hon. Friend aware that when I have attempted to explain to the fishermen the difficulties I have been contradicted, and, in view of the fact that the Assembly of the Church of Scotland have passed a resolution on the matter, does he not think it highly desirable in order to satisfy public opinion that the Government should issue an official statement explaining why they cannot close this area to foreign trawlers?

May I remind my hon. Friend that there are other problems connected with the fishing industry which have been under consideration?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that about half of the herring cured during the course of the recent East Anglian fishing are still unsold; that, unless these herring find an outlet, many curers will not resume operations next summer; that if a trade agreement with Russia was now in operation a sale of herring could be effected; and whether he can take steps to have an agreement concluded without further delay?

I am aware of the difficulties of the herring industry. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there will be no avoidable delay here in concluding the negotiations now in progress for a new commercial agreement with the Soviet Union.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present situation is seriously affecting employment, inasmuch as curers are unable to set their coopers at work until they know more clearly the prospects for next year?

Yes, Sir, I am quite well informed on that matter.

asked the Prime Minister if, in order to bring relief to the fishing industry, he will cause instructions to be addressed to the various departments concerned to ensure that a weekly ration of herring is included in the menu of all State-controlled and State-supported institutions, such as the Army, Navy and Air Force, Ministry of Labour centres, schools, &c.; and if he will cause recommendations in the same sense to be addressed to local authorities with regard to the institutions under their control?

While I have every sympathy with the purpose of my hon. Friend, it would be difficult to issue any general instructions on the lines indicated by him for one particular commodity. I think his best course would be to submit any suggestions he may have for increasing the consumption of herring direct to the Government Departments concerned.

Cannot the National Government give the nation a lead by eating more herring during the holidays?

Would not the consumption of more herring lead to an increased consumption of beer?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has yet received a full report of the explosion that occurred on the coal face in the No. 2 Pit, Seven-foot Mine, of the Maypole Colliery, near Wigan, on 4th November, 1933; whether he is satisfied that there was no breach of regulations; if so, whether he is satisfied with the stringency of the regulations; and whether an automatic gas detector was in use?

I have received a full report from the Divisional Inspector on this explosion by which, I regret to say, two men lost their lives. The hon. Member will be aware that the inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and found that the explosion resulted from a fall of coal breaking the glass of a flame safety lamp. Nothing has emerged to throw doubt on the correctness of the verdict, though such a cause is happily a rare one. There is no evidence of any breach of the regulations, and I am satisfied that the regulations themselves are adequate, provided they are supported by due vigilance on the part of the officials and workmen. There was no automatic firedamp detector in use, but the circumstances, in my view, were such that if there had been one it would not have given any warning of danger.

On what ground does the Minister state that an automatic gas detector would not have prevented an accident?

Even if the pit had been equipped with automatic gas detectors, as I told the hon. Member, it by no means follows that, if one of these had been hung up in this heading at that particular time, it would have signalled danger. All the evidence goes to show that the gas was well up in the high side of the heading and not in the general body of air. The gas was brought into the general body of air, and simultaneously the lamp-glass was broken by the same fall of coal. Consequently there was no time for any previous warning of danger to be given. Those are the facts underlying my reply.

Would it not be true to say that, if you had an accumulation of gas in the heading, it constituted a violation of the Act?

Not in these circumstances, after careful investigation.

Is the Minister not aware that there can be no explosion unless there is from 5½ to 6 per cent. of gas? Is he aware that an automatic detector would have indicated gas there long before the lamp was broken?

It depends entirely on whether the detector was at the spot where detection was to be made.

What was the distance of the heading away from the nearest area where there was some ventilation?

I could not answer that question without notice.

Is the Minister satisfied that every precaution is taken to safeguard human life in the mines of the country?

That is so.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the amount paid in royalties in the coalmining industry of Great Britain during the first nine months of this year and for each of the previous four years, giving separate figures for Lancashire;

(2) the total profits in the coal-mining industry of Great Britain during the first nine months of 1933 and for each of the previous four years, giving separate figures for Lancashire?

As the reply involves statistical tables I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Member say whether the amount is less or more this year?

There are ten tables, and I think that my hon. Friend had better analyse them. I think he will find that the amount is less.

Will the hon. Member also publish figures for the last four years showing where losses have been made?

If a question is put down, I will see what answer I can give.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a part of Stott's Pit, Westhoughton, has recently been flooded; that the Westhoughton Colliery Company had agreed to discuss a possible co-operative pumping scheme for the area; that the Wigan Coal Corporation, which is involved in this difficulty, would not agree; and whether, in view of the continued danger to this and the several colliery undertakings in Westhoughton and neighbourhood, he will take action to prevent the serious economic consequences which are feared in that district?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is, yes. With regard to the last part, my Department has kept closely in touch with the position, but the hon. Member knows how very limited my powers are. The matter is primarily one for solution by the owners of the mines concerned, but I shall always be ready to help in any way I can.

Seeing that the hon. Gentleman and his Department have no power to bring these parties together with the view of a co-operative pumping scheme, does he not think that, as a deadlock has arisen, he ought to seek Parliamentary powers in order to see what can be done to remove such deadlocks?

The hon. Member will understand that that question raises a very wide issue, and goes much further than this particular case.

Is the Minister not aware that unless some action is taken in this case, the flooding may spread to other mines in the area and stop them? Is it not time that the Mines Department asked for some further powers to deal with a position like this?

The hon. Member knows that we have discussed this question with him very minutely. We are well aware of the facts.

In view of the threat of this water to other pits in the same area, does the Minister not think that he ought to secure power from Parliament to take action in cases like this?

The hon. Member knows that I shall be glad to help in any way I can, but he is flow asking for something much wider than dealing with this particular case.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has completed his consultation with the various organisations regarding the use of automatic gas alarms underground; and, if so, whether he can make a statement as to what action he intends to take in the matter?

I have not fully completed my consultation with the various organisations, but the discussions have reached a point at which I feel able to make the following statement on the subject:

The desirability of providing means to enable underground workmen at any time to supplement the tests as to the safety of the atmosphere which are made from time to time by the deputies and other officials, is a problem of safety which was created through the displacement of the flame safety lamp by the electric safety lamp. It was studied in 1922 by the Miners' Lamps Committee and they recommended in effect that the practice already existing at some mines where electric lamps were in general use of providing a proportion of the workmen with flame safety lamps should be made generally compulsory by regulation; the Committee further recommended that workmen so provided should be instructed and qualified in the use of the flame safety lamp as a gas detector. No regulations were made to give effect to these Recommendations: opinions in the industry were sharply divided and there was not generally shown at that time that willingness to accept the new duties which the Committee pointed out to be an essential condition of effective action.

Since that time, the problem has grown both in size and in complexity, and other forms of detector (including the automatic detector) have been developed as an alternative to the flame safety lamp. Moreover I propose to make, early next year, regulations, already under discussion, to secure improved lighting. These regulations are likely to involve the replacement of a large proportion of the safety lamps now in use at and about the coal face by lamps of much higher candle power, and in this respect are likely therefore to have an important bearing on the problem.

In these circumstances, I think it is necessary that a fresh attempt should now be made to deal with it, and I have given instructions for the framing of a draft of regulations to deal with the matter comprehensively, and as definitely as the very wide variation in the relevant conditions at different mines will permit. Following the usual procedure it is my intention as soon as this draft is ready to communicate it to the representative associations of the industry for their consideration, and subsequent discussion with me.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the recent import of Polish coal into Gibraltar and the increasing import of coal from that country into Italy; and, as this has a serious effect upon the export of coal from South Wales, will he state what action, if any, the Government is taking to deal with this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to Gibraltar, I am advised that the Polish coal referred to is for use as bunkers. I would remind the hon. Member that it is not unusual for foreign bunker coal to be sold by British firms at bunkering depots abroad in cases where a refusal to deal in foreign coal would result in a diversion of shipping to other ports. With regard to Italy, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14th December by my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Clarry).

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware of the difficulties facing exporters of British goods to New Zealand in the way of import duties, exchange equalisation, and sales tax amounting to 30s. on a shipment of gloves at 40s.; and whether, as Empire products and produce enter this country either free of duty or subject to a substantial preference, he proposes to make representations to the Dominion Government as to the desirability of reducing the charges on British imported products?

I am aware that gloves are liable to import duty and to sales tax in New Zealand and that New Zealand currency is depreciated in relation to sterling. I would, however, point out to the hon. and gallant Member that the rate of the British preferential duty on gloves imported into New Zealand was reduced from 39 13/16 per cent. ad valorem to 28½ per cent. ad valorem as a result of the Trade Agreement concluded at Ottawa, and that United Kingdom gloves enjoy a large measure of tariff preference over foreign gloves. As regards the latter part of the question, a Tariff Commission is now engaged in reviewing the duties on United Kingdom goods in accordance with the principles of Article 8 of the Trade Agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the agreement between the eight leading manufacturers and the wholesale traders restricting the sale of radio receivers and wireless sets to certain wholesale dealers; and, in view of the detriment to the progress of the industry caused by such agreements, what steps he is taking to prevent them?

I am aware that certain manufacturers of wireless sets have entered into an agreement for exclusive dealing with certain wholesalers, and that other manufacturers and other wholesalers are not parties to this agreement. I see no reason for taking any action in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the value in kroner of Danish bacon imports into this country for the past six months compares with the value of those imports for a similar period in 1931 and 1932?

I regret that the desired information is not available as exports of pig products from Denmark for periods other than calendar years are recorded in the trade returns of that country by quantities only.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in order to stop the manufacture of armaments all over the world, he will, in view of the fact that 90 per cent. of the world's supply of nickel comes from the British Empire, take steps to prohibit any export of nickel from this country, and also enter into negotiations with Canada and any other parts of the Empire that produce nickel with the same object?

No. Sir. Nickel has important uses in many industries and interference with the supply of raw material to those industries in the way suggested would do harm to trade and would be, in my view, quite unjustifiable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that if we were to stop the supply of nickel for the manufacture of armaments, no armaments could be made, and that by that method we could stop war?

I am afraid it is not in our power to stop the supply of nickel universally.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the seriousness of the situation; and, if so, does he not think it merits a powerful Government like the British Government taking action such as I have suggested?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the conditions as to licence under which aircraft and aircraft parts intended for military and naval purposes may be exported by British manufacturers to foreign purchasers?

There is an open general licence to export aircraft to all destinations except Ethiopia, for which country specific licences are required. If, however, aircraft are fitted with armament a specific export licence is required in respect of such armament, whatever its destination.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be desirable to arrange some licensing system for aircraft definitely designed for naval or military purposes, so as to prevent British manufacturers re-arming foreign Powers, whose armaments will, in turn, be used as arguments in support of a demand for further aerial armaments in this country?

I have already said that, in so far as they are provided with armaments, a specific licence is required.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he refers to the fitting of a gun as armament, or whether an aeroplane by its design would be regarded as an armed aeroplane?

If the hon. Gentleman wants a definition of "armament," he must give me notice of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the receiver of Lamport and Holt, Limited, which presents details of large losses; will he institute an inquiry as to when these losses began first to be known to the company and the reason why the auditors did not disclose the position from that time onwards?

My attention has been drawn to the circular issued by the receiver for the debenture holders in Lamport and Holt, Limited. The Board of Trade, however, have no power to investigate the affairs of the company except on the application of shareholders holding not less than one-tenth of the shares issued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will be in a position to make a statement of the progress made in the negotiations for a trade agreement with Russia before the House rises?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any further information regarding the negotiations for a trade agreement between Great Britain and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?

The negotiations for a new trade agreement with the Soviet Government are still proceeding. I am not in a position to make any further statement at the present moment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that, agreement or no agreement, the present unfavourable balance of trade between this country and Russia will not be allowed to continue indefinitely?

One of the objects of an agreement is to bring the totals on the two sides nearer to each other.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House a definite statement before the Adjournment on Thursday as to what progress is being made in this matter?

No. Sir.

I wish to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House on Thursday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any statement as to the progress being made in the negotiations with Japan as to Japanese competition in home, colonial and dominion markets; and when these conversations will be concluded?

I understand that a meeting between the Japanese industrialists in this country and the representatives of the United Kingdom cotton and rayon industries is to be held tomorrow. I cannot say when these discussions will be concluded.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that, if these negotiations are unduly protracted, the Government will take the necessary action to deal with the Japanese menace before they are concluded?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall refer to this question on Thursday, in addition to the other question of which I have already given notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the name of the firm which has chartered the two Dutch steamers to load timber and grain in British Columbia for the United Kingdom; the rate and conditions of the chartering; whether any British shipping firm was approached with a view to chartering their ships for the above purposes; and, if so, what was the difference between the rates?

These charters were made in the ordinary way on the open market and consequently British as well as foreign ships were considered. I am informed that the reason for chartering the Dutch ships was that no suitable British ships were available at the re- quired date to take the two cargoes. The hon. Member may be interested to know, that of the ships chartered for the organisation concerned this year to bring timber and grain from the Pacific coast, 46 have been British and five foreign.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the conditions of the loans to Belfast shipbuilding firms which are guaranteed by the Ulster Government; if he is aware that this enables Belfast firms to submit preferential tenders for shipbuilding contracts in Great Britain; and, as this Ulster guarantee places other British firms at a disadvantage, will he take steps with a view to securing conditions of equality for loans and guarantees for all shipbuilding firms in the United Kingdom?

The Loans Guarantee Acts of Northern Ireland give power to the Northern Irish Government to guarantee the principal of, and interest on, loans raised for the purpose of capital construction in Northern Ireland. I understand that applications for guarantees are investigated by an advisory committee, who, in making their recommendation to the Government, no doubt attach such conditions to the granting of a guarantee as are required by the circumstances of the particular case. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not clear what measures the hon. Member has in mind. If he is referring to the re-enactment of Trade Facilities legislation for shipbuilding generally in this country, I can only say that His Majesty's Government do not propose to adopt this course. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 12th December to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. N. Maclean).

I am not referring to those credits, but my question referred to this, that the shipbuilders in Northern Ireland are getting a grant of money that goes from here because Northern Ireland is a necessitous area, and they are using that money to undercut the shipbuilders in this country, who are thus at a disadvantage. [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that this places the shipbuilders in Belfast in an advantageous position in tendering for ships, so that the men in the British shipyards are being compelled to accept a lower standard of life as a result of what is going on in Belfast?

That is going beyond the question.

Is it not a fact that no loans have been made to Belfast for shipbuilding either by the Northern Government or by anyone else?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this Government can at least make an inquiry into this with a view to—

The hon. Member 13 asking for an opinion.

No; I am asking for action to be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, when making arrangements for the assistance of British shipping, he will give special consideration to cotton textile exports to India and raw cotton imports from that country?

All relevant considerations will be borne in mind.

Will the question of the raw jute from India also be remembered?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to impose special duties against goods coming from countries which have depreciated their currencies since the date of the Import Duties Act, 1932?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Members for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) and for North-East Derby (Mr. Whyte) on the 23rd November. The position has not changed materially since then.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will furnish a complete list of countries which have depreciated their currencies in relation to sterling since the date of the Abnormal Importations Act, 1931, showing in each case the par value of such currencies, the value as at the date of the Abnormal Importations Act, 1931, at the date of the Import Duties Act, 1932, and the value at the latest recorded date; and will he state to what extent the depreciation of foreign currencies has discounted the import duties imposed by this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if, in view of the fact that the Canadian Tariff Board has ruled that the Canadian Customs Department had no authority since November, 1932, to impose arbitrary valuations on British goods or to apply dumping duties, he will now take steps to inform British exporters of these overcharges and the steps which should be taken by British exporters to secure rebates?

I understand that the ruling of the Canadian Tariff Board to which the hon. Member refers applied

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the figures he asks for in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The answer to the last part of the question is largely a matter of conjecture, on which it is not possible to make any definite statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government proposes to take any action to offset the damage done to traders in this country by the German method of subsidising exports to this country by block marks obtained at a considerable discount?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 28th November to the hon. Members for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) and West Bromwich (Mr. A. Ramsay).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the withdrawal of the compensation system by the Turkish Government, which is prejudicing our trade as against other countries who have entered into new commercial agreements with Turkey, and seeing that Great Britain has placed no restrictions on imports from that country, the Government will take steps to prevent the cancellation of compensation agreements without notice and negotiate with Turkey a convention on the lines of that concluded by the United States of America?

The "compensation system" has been withdrawn by the Turkish Government as against all countries, and the withdrawal involves no discrimination against United Kingdom trade. No special convention has been concluded between Turkey and the United States of America, though Turkey has granted the United States of America certain unilateral concessions, and has recently concluded agreements with several European countries granting them certain concessions not extended to United Kingdom trade. As I have previously stated, representations have been made to the Turkish Government regarding the most-favoured-nation rights which this country possesses, but the negotiation of a special agreement with Turkey is not in contemplation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the general commissioners in the various Income Tax districts have to decide whether in each individual case the wearing of uniform by British mercantile marine officers is necessary for the performance of their duties in foreign ports, and that the test which is usually applied to them is whether the wearing of uniform is a condition of employment, and that as some shipowners do not stipulate for the wearing of uniform their officers are deprived of deductions which they would otherwise be entitled to; and whether he will exercise his powers under Section 713 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, to make a recommendation that the wearing of uniform by these officers in foreign ports is necessary, so as to satisfy the general commissioners?

I have no knowledge of the matters referred to in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that I have no power to use Section 713 in the sense suggested even if it were desirable to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider bringing these allowances on to an equitable basis for all officers of the mercantile marine?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state the result of the inquiries into the sinking of the steamship "Saxilby"?

No. Sir. Inquiries are still going on, and I cannot as yet add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member on 5th December.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what increase has taken place in the staff of the Department of Customs, either by additions or transfers from other Departments, since 1st February, 1932?

The increase in the number of staff of the Department of Customs and Excise from all sources, from 1st January, 1932, to 1st October, 1933, the nearest dates for which figures are readily available, was 1,592.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the present position in regard to the selection of an architect for the new Government building in Whitehall?

After consideration of the recommendation of the Selection Committee appointed for the purpose, I have invited Mr. E. Vincent Harris to act as architect for the building on the terms mentioned in my reply on the 30th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Wavertree (Mr. Nall-Cain), and I am glad to be able to say that Mr. Harris has intimated his acceptance.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he can now make any further statement with reference to the proposed scheme for new Government buildings in Edinburgh?

After consideration of the recommendation of the Selection Committee appointed for the purpose, I have invited Mr. Thomas S. Tait to act as architect for the building, on the terms mentioned in my reply on the 30th November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dumbartonshire (Commander Cochrane) and I am glad to be able to say that Mr. Tait has intimated his acceptance.