asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the imposition of different port dues in this country upon foreign ships subsidised by their respective Governments and foreign ships not so subsidised and British ships?

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, bearing in mind that in the case of the treaties with America, Italy, Japan and Germany, 12 months' notice of denunciation would be necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from foreign countries with whom we are on most-favoured-nation relations with regard to the fact that most-favoured-nation treatment has not been extended to them in connection with quota agreements in the same way as it has been extended with regard to tariff agreements; whether the legal contentions involved have been fully investigated: and what is the present position with regard to this matter?

No country entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment in the matter of prohibitions and restrictions has complained that this country has failed to observe its treaty engagements in the matter of allotting quotas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate tonnage of tankers constructed in Great Britain during 1931 and 1932, and the tonnage represented by orders placed during the first 10 months of the present year, respectively?

The approximate tonnage of tankers constructed in Great Britain during 1931 amounted to 270,000 tons gross, and during 1932 to 5,000 tons gross. Orders for tankers placed during the first 10 months of 1933 represented a tonnage of approximately 4,000 tons gross.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the extent to which fresh herrings, bloaters, or kippers form part of the dietary of the British Army?

Fish does not form part of the standard ration, but is purchased by units out of the messing cash allowance. Commanding officers are instructed to include fish, both fresh and dried, in the dietary as often as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that a family is living in a tent on the banks of the river near Kirkintilloch and that another family is living in an outhouse within the burgh; and what steps will be taken to enable these people to obtain suitable accommodation?

I have received a report about the cases referred to. The County Council of Dunbarton have indicated that they will offer a house to the family at present living in a tent as soon as one becomes available, and that meantime the public assistance department are keeping in touch with the case. The Town Council of Kirkintilloch have received an application for a house from the other family referred to, and this will be considered when houses in the burgh are available for letting.

asked the Minister of Labour what would be the cost to the State if the agricultural labourer was brought into the scope of

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons killed and seriously injured in the mining industry during the 11 months ended 30th Novem-

It is not possible with the data available at present to estimate the cost of such arrangements. The Noble Lord will be aware, however, that provision is made in the Unemployment Bill now before the House for the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee to make such proposals as may seem to them practicable for the insurance against unemployment of persons engaged in employment in agriculture, and to make a report which will be laid before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of transitional payments and unemployment benefits, respectively, for the years 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933, upon the Bridgend, Aberkenfig, Maesteg, Pontycymmer and Ogmore Vale Employment Exchanges?

Separate statistics of the numbers of persons with claims admitted for standard and transitional benefits, respectively, are not available for 1929. The following table gives the information desired for November of each year since 1930, but in view of the changes in the conditions for the receipt of insurance benefit which came into operation in November, 1931, the figures for 1930 are not strictly comparable with those for later years.ber, 1933, specifying the various causes; and the comparative figure for the last five years?

The information is as follows:

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the design for the National Library Buildings is to he put out to open competition?

No. Sir.