asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, as a result of men being deprived of their insurance cards on reaching the age of 65 years they are compelled to produce birth certificates to prospective employers; and whether he will consider the propriety of permitting these insured persons to retain their cards?

Employed persons on attaining 65 are not deprived of their Unemployment Insurance books; they get a special form of book, which is necessary for the purpose of the reduced contributions which then become payable. I am not quite sure what the difficulty is which the hon. Member has in mind, but, if he will be good enough to communicate with me, I will go into it.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims of seasonal workers which have been admitted as fulfilling the statutory conditions in Blackpool in each of the last two years?

Statistics are not available regarding the number of seasonal workers at Blackpool whose claims have been admitted by the Insurance Officer. Of the cases referred by the Insurance Officer to the Blackpool Court of Referees under Regulation 2 of the Anomalies Regulations, 745 were allowed in 1932 and 328 in 1933. These figures may include some cases, for which separate figures are not available, which were allowed on the ground that the applicants were not seasonal workers within the meaning of the Regulation.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of his undertaking to consider any hard cases affecting seasonal workers under the Unemployment Insurance (No. 3) Act, 1931, he will consider cases affecting particular types of workers in the aggregate, or whether his offer only applies to individual cases?

The Regulations can only deal with types of case and I am prepared to consider either particular types of case or individual cases as illustrating a type of case.

asked the Minister of Labour the cost of restoring the 10 per cent. cut to the unemployed?

The restoration of the reduction in rates of benefit made in October, 1931, would, on the basis of finance assumed for the Unemployment Bill, increase the amount of benefit estimated to be payable by about £5,700,000. This figure does not include transitional payments.

asked the Minister of Labour the cost of raising the weekly payment for children by one shilling?

The cost of raising the allowance in respect of dependent children from 2s. to 3s. per week would, on the basis of finance assumed for the Unemployment Bill, increase the amount of benefit estimated to be payable by about £1,700,000. This figure does not include transitional payments.

Would it not be more convenient to the House and to the country if the right hon. Gentleman gave figures which did include transitional payments so that we might know what would be the real cost involved by such a measure?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put a question down, and, if I can give him the information, I will.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage the present rates of wages, respectively, of a bricklayer, a builder's labourer, and a painter bear to the rates in 1914; and at what point, should the cost of living increase, will an increase in rates of wages be due under the prevailing agreement between the employers' and the workers' organisations?

I have prepared a detailed reply to this question which, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of permits for foreign artistes to enter this country for the purpose of taking part in the preparation of films in the years 1931, 1932 and 1933, respectivcely, stating the names of the various firms at whose instance these permits have been issued and the number of artistes applied for by each firm?

The number of permits issued by my Department in respect of foreign artistes for film production was 53 in 1931, 20 in 1932, and 38 in 1933. In addition, 12 artistes who were admitted without permit during these three years were allowed to take up this work. The figures do not include artistes admitted for theatrical and similar work who were also allowed to take film engagements. In regard to the second part of the question, I do not think it would be right to publish the names of employers to whom permits have been issued.

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause full inquiries to be made into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Gwendoline Hickley, of Bolton Road, Hampstead, who committed suicide owing to starvation?

I have perused the Press reports on this most distressing case and have already made full inquiries into it. According to the information supplied to me, the facts are that Mr. Hickley was insured against unemployment under the Insurance Industry Special Scheme, which is administered by the Insurance Unemployment Board. He had been in receipt of benefit under that scheme at the rate of 32s. a week up to 6th January last, when his right to benefit was exhausted. His application for transitional payments under the scheme was assessed at 14s. 6d. by the claims officer of the board, subject to a right of appeal to its appeals committee. An appeal was lodged by him on 17th January and is at present before the committee. No application for public assistance has been made by Mr. Hickley.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that great criticisms are made of the insurance industry special scheme in regard to the administration of transitional payments, and that considerable uneasiness is being caused throughout the country by this very distressing case?

In reply to my hon. Friend, I should make it clear that the insurance industry special scheme has contracted out of the Act and is not under the administration of any Government Department. The tragedy in this case was that there was no application to the public assistance committee.

What Minister can I ask for information about this particular scheme, or how can I get information about it?

I should think any question of the sort my hon. Friend has in mind would go to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, but I should make it clear that, according to my understanding, the Ministry of Labour have no responsibility for the administration of the scheme. Its responsibility is confined under the Act to the appointment of the board.

As officers of the Ministry of Health complain when a public assistance committee pays too much under the means test, will the right hon. Gentleman not ask the public assistance committee in this case why it reduced this man's benefit to such a low figure?

The hon. Member is under a complete misunderstanding. There was no application to the public assistance committee in this case at all. I have said that the tragedy in the case was that there was no application to the public assistance committee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now make any statement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the introduction of legislation to make agreements, which have been entered into by organisations of employers and employed in the cotton trade or in other industries, obligatory upon all engaged in the industry concerned?

As the right hon. Member is aware, joint representations have recently been made to me on this subject by the representatives of the employers' and operatives' organisations in the Manufacturing Section of the cotton industry. No decision has yet been reached by the Government, but I can assure the right hon. Member that the matter is receiving the most careful consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this matter is one of great urgency in view of the present conditions in Lancashire?

Yes. I am very much aware of the importance of this matter, and I am keeping in close touch with the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us some idea as to when he will be able to announce a decision on this matter?

I am afraid that at the moment I cannot say more than I have said, but I can assure the hon. Member, as I have assured the right hon. Gentleman, that I am very cognisant of the importance of this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes at an early date to give legislative effect to the more-looms-per-weaver agreements; and if he will give instructions to the Employment Exchanges that operatives who refuse to accept work in violation of such agreements will not lose their unemployment pay?

On the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel). As to the second part of the question the question whether unemployment benefit is payable in given circumstances can only be decided by the statutory authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men and women who refuse to work where these agreements are violated lose their unemployment pay? Is it not possible for him to give instructions that where agreements have been violated—agreements made with his approval—these men and women should not be penalised for keeping their part of the bargain?

I am aware of what the hon. and gallant Member has indicated in the first part of his supplementary question, but with regard to the second part I have no power whatever to give instructions to the statutory authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the committee which he appointed to investigate the law relating to debt in this country is likely to issue its report?

I understand that the committee have not yet completed the taking of evidence, but that they hope to be in a position to report before very long.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the number of limited companies and the amount paid by them in taxes and rates, he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend the Representation of the People Act by granting a Parliamentary and local government vote in respect of any hereditament occupied by a limited company?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on the 18th December last.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation to give examining justices the power to ask accused persons charged with indictable offences whether they plead guilty or not guilty, and thereby in pleas of guilty obviating the necessity and expense of transporting witnesses to the subsequent trial?

Parliament did not approve of this proposal when it was considered in 1925, and I do not see my way to introduce legislation for this purpose.

asked the Home Secretary how many magistrates' clerks there are in England and Wales; and how many of these are in private practice?

There are no official figures, but I understand that there are about 850 justices' clerks, of whom about 50 are whole-time officers, the remainder being free to engage in private practice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the magistrates' clerk is in private practice most persons appearing before the court are actual or potential clients; and does he consider this in the best interests of justice?

I could not express an opinion on that, but quite obviously there are different circumstances. In some cases it is full-time employment; in others it is not.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that 35 mm. inflammable cinematograph films about 1½ inches wide are manufactured for professional purposes and sold in toy shops without restriction or warning as to the danger connected with such films; and whether he will take action in this matter?

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the sale by retail shops of inflammable film for use in home-cinema apparatus; is he aware that serious accidents have occurred to children who have had access to such inflammable films in their homes; and will he take steps to prevent the continuance of this?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that dangerously inflammable cinematograph film is being sold without restriction in this country and can be purchased even by children; and whether he will take immediate steps to prevent the sale of such dangerous articles?

I understand that the film which is being supplied with some of the toy cinema projectors is of standard size and highly inflammable. Three accidents with this type of machine and film have been brought to my notice. In November last representations were made by the Home Office to the traders concerned and they agred to issue with each machine and box of film sold a notice warning purchasers to take suitable precautions in handling the film. Similar action was taken with firms known to be advertising film for sale. I have no power of control over the sale of inflammable film, but I am making inquiry as to what further action can be taken to prevent risk of accident with these toys.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at the same time inquire as to whether the persons who manufacture these inflammable films have carried out their promise to give notice to purchasers of the dangers involved if they use such films?

Oh, yes.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has appointed any inspectors to supervise the sale of drugs of the barbituric group; and whether he is satisfied that power exists under the existing law to prevent the increasing sale of these dangerous drugs?

The Pharmacy and Poisons Acts contain no provision for the appointment of Government Inspectors. As regards the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Reading (Dr. Howitt) on the 1st instant. I have no reason, as at present advised, to suppose that the powers of control of the sale of poisons conferred by the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933, will not prove adequate for this purpose.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the alleged increase in the number of addicts, and to the undoubted increase in fatalities due to the use of these drugs?

Of course, all that information has come to me, and I hope that the new regulations under the Act will be effective.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that offers of help in locating springs and supplies of water throughout the country have been made by the Society of British Dowsers; and whether he proposes to avail himself of any such offer in cases of local shortage of water or to pass on to local authorities the information that such help is freely offered?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the local authorities are primarily responsible for the technical methods adopted in carrying out schemes of water supply, and on the information before me, I do not think it would be useful that I should recommend the employment by them of dowsers.

Has my right hon. Friend appreciated, in saying he will not bring this offer to the notice of the local authorities, that the more regular way of finding water by geological survey is expensive and takes a long time, whereas the dowsers—I must plead not guilty to practising that art myself—do find water at shallow depths, where it would be most readily available in the shortage envisaged in the coming months.

The considerations which the hon. Member refers to and the evidence on the subject are within the knowledge of local authorities.

Can the Minister say what a dowser is?

asked the Minister of Health how many, and which, rural district councils have reported a serious shortage of water since last May?

The Ministry have since last May received information of serious shortage of water from 44 rural district councils. With permission, I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Do I understand from that reply that of the 519 rural councils in the country only 44 are suffering from a water shortage?

No, Sir; I do not think anything of the kind can be implied by what I stated in my reply to the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that insulin was the discovery of a Government official, he will take steps to prevent its manufacture except in Government laboratories?

My hon. and gallant Friend has, I think, been misinformed. Insulin was first prepared at Toronto University in 1922 by Dr. F. G. Banting and others. It is manufactured in this country under licences granted under the Therapeutic Substances Act, 1925, subject to compliance with the regulations made under the Act.

Is any made by the Government?

I think not, but in order to give a certain reply I should like notice of the question.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I hope to raise the matter shortly on a Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is now in a position to give the names of the farms in Herefordshire and Worcestershire complained of in a recent report of the Staffordshire county council's education committee dealing with the conditions in the hopfields in Worcestershire and Herefordshire;

(2) if he can give the names of those members, representing the Staffordshire council's education committee, who recently investigated the conditions in the hopfields in Worcestershire and Herefordshire;

(3) if he can give an assurance that he will bring pressure to bear on local authorities in Worcestershire and Herefordshire in order that he may be satisfied that conditions in the hopfields are such that hop-pickers may reasonably be able to take their children to the hopfields without injury to their health or morals?

I regret that I have not yet received sufficient information from the Staffordshire County Council to enable the farms complained of to be identified. The answer to the second question is in the negative. With regard to the third question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to his questions on this subject last Thursday. As soon as I have received the information necessary to identify the farms the matter will be taken up.

Why cannot I have an answer to my second question, regarding the names of the deputation?

Because the information is not known to me and has not been supplied to me.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman obtain it for me?

No, Sir. I do not think an inquiry as to the names of particular councillors who have taken part in a particular work on behalf of a local authority would be a proper or appropriate question for the Minister to ask.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to implement the recommendations upon research in the Report of the Departmental Committee upon Sterilisation?

I am in consultation through the Board of Control with the Medical Research Council and the Registrar-General as to the best course of action.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Educa- tion the number of teachers who left training colleges in July last; and the number to date that have failed to obtain employment as teachers?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many pupils left the training colleges in July last and how many of them have secured employment?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many men and women teachers, respectively, left the training colleges and university training departments in 1933; and how many of those men and women, respectively, have up to the present failed to obtain employment as teachers?

2,835 men and 5,769 women left the training colleges and university training departments in July last. Of these, according to the returns received from the colleges and training departments, 2,142 men and 4,747 women were reported, as at 31st December last, as having obtained teaching posts, and 555 men and 895 women had not then secured employment as teachers. In the case of the remaining 138 men and 127 women no information is available, but it can be assumed that some of these have in fact secured employment.

Is any effort being made by the Government to provide regular employment for these young people?

Yes, the matter is under careful consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if, seeing the saving to local rates effected by non-provided schools, he will consider the advisability of introducing a Measure to give him powers to make proportionate monetary grants towards the cost of erecting and equipping new schools by religious bodies in the new housing areas?

My Noble Friend regrets that he is not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of his Noble Friend to the beneficial effect of these non-provided schools on the community, and the hardship on the schools if they are compulsorily closed by a Government Department owing to the moving of population?

asked the Minister of Health if he can now state if it is his intention to propose legislation to implement any of the recommendations of the Moyne Report?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to the number of conferences that local authorities in the Greater London region have held with representatives of the building industry for discussion of the new scheme of guarantees under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, in pursuance of the instructions contained in his Circular 1334?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 23rd November last.

asked the Minister of Health the number of progress Returns he has received from local authorities in England and Wales in respect of their operations under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, and also the number of houses in respect of which guarantees have been given by local authorities under this Act, up to 31st December, 1933?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to a similar question from the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel) on 1st February.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the desirability of using his powers under Section 4 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, to constitute, by order, an executive regional committee for Greater London, in order that an operative master plan for the region may be prepared as soon as possible?

The Greater London Regional Planning Committee has been recently reconstituted. Its functions are primarily advisory; but in certain circumstances executive, in connection with the preparation of planning schemes under powers which may be conferred upon it by any of its constituent authorities. The powers to which the hon. and gallant Member refers can be exercised by me only on request. No request for their exercise has been made. A regional committee with full executive powers could not be successfully established, except in response to a substantially unanimous demand from the local authorities.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to seek a request from those who consider the conferring on the regional committee of executive powers unnecessary, and, if unsuccessful, by what means does he contemplate securing an operative master plan for London?

On the administrative scene the possibility of the formation of such committees is always under discussion.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, in the case of four small houses in Sheffield valued at £400 for probate and upon which death duties had been paid, the owners have, within 18 months of paying such duty, been ordered to demolish the same property as valueless; and will he consider giving local authorities more definite guidance in connection with demolition orders, with a view to obviating hardships that are being experienced under these orders?

My attention has not previously been called to this case. Demolition orders cannot have been made on the ground that the houses were valueless but because they were in the view of the local authority, and of the County Court if an appeal was made, unfit for human habitation and not capable at reasonable expense of being rendered fit.

asked the Minister of Health the latest average price of an unsubsidised, three-bedroomed, non-parlour house, respectively, in London, in the provinces, and in rural areas, and the economical rental in each case?

There is no information that would enable me to give any average figure but the total cost of such a house as my hon. Friend describes should not exceed £400 near London or £360 in provincial districts, whether urban or rural. The economic rental, excluding rates, of such houses depends upon the actual cost, including cost of borrowing, but on the basis of a loan at 3½ per cent. for 60 years, should be approximately 8s. 3d. and 7s. 8d. per week respectively.

Is not the figure of £360 excessive, seeing that unsubsidised houses are being built in my village for £280; and is not the price very often down to that figure or even lower?

In many cases a house of the sort to which the hon. and gallant Member refers can be constructed at less than the figure given by me. Since I cannot get an average figure—for the reasons I have mentioned—in caution, the only figure I can give is a figure which is the upward limit.

Does that price include adequate provision of water?

asked the Minister of Health how many houses to be let at a rent of 10s. a week or less have been built by private enterprise and by local authorities, respectively, since the passing of the Housing Act, 1933?

As I do not obtain returns as to rents, I cannot give my hon. Friend precise statistical information, but between the 1st May and 31st December, 1933, local authorities and private enterprise erected 35,561 houses with the aid of subsidy, the great majority of which would fall within the rental limit she mentions. During the half year ended 30th September, 1933, local authorities and private enterprise erected 76,185 small houses without subsidy, of which it is estimated that about 17½ per cent. or 13,300 were let, and about 40 per cent. or 31,000 were houses with a rateable value below £13 (£20 in London).

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that at the present time a sufficient number of these lower- rented houses is being built to meet necessary requirements?

At the present time there is no doubt the demand for small houses to let, at the rents under consideration, is being adequately met.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that he will do all he can to encourage private enterprise in industrial areas, so that we can have these low-rental houses which we have not at present got in the area I represent?

It is undoubtedly most important to obtain the best possible results, and efforts are being made for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Health the numbers of houses at present under construction and approved for building, respectively, under Section 2 (1) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933?

Local authorities have submitted to me proposals for giving guarantees under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, in respect of 17,300 houses. I cannot give the actual number now under construction, and as regards the arrangements made by local authorities with builders, I cannot usefully add to the information given to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel) on the 1st February.

asked the Minister of Health which local authorities have submitted schemes, respectively, for building unsubdised houses and houses subsidised from the rates only under the 1924 and 1925 Housing Acts; in which instances the approval of the Minister has been granted or withheld or is under consideration; and the number and size of houses in each scheme?

The number of local authorities whose proposals for building without subsidy have been approved since May last is 53. I am sending the hon. Member a list of these authorities, with the number and size of the houses included in their proposals. Local authorities do not normally inform me to what extent, if any, they propose to subsidise their houses from the rates. I am afraid it would be impracticable to supply the particulars asked for in respect of proposals of this kind which have been under consideration but have not received approval.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation to provide that the wife of an insured person shall be entitled to pension at the same time as her husband, providing she is not less than 55 years of age, and that not less than five years have elapsed since the marriage?

The financial and other difficulties involved in the proposal are such as to render it impracticable in present circumstances.

asked the Prime Minister how the trustees of the British Museum were enabled to purchase the Codex Sinaiticus in anticipation of the necessary subscriptions from the public?

I am glad to have this opportunity to correct and amplify the reply which I gave on the spur of the moment to a supplementary question put to me by my hon. Friend last Thursday. The purchase price of the Codex was paid from the Purchase Fund of the British Museum; and as only £7,000 was at the time available in that fund, the balance of the sum required was temporarily advanced to it by the Treasury out of the Civil Contingencies Fund.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British Museum, during the current financial year, only received some £15,000 for purchases by way of grant from the Government; and, if this amount is to be mortgaged for years to come, in order to pay back this £100,000, less subscriptions, etc., does it not mean that the British Museum will have no funds for some time to come, to pay for other purchases?

That is on the assumption that the balance required has not been raised. The British Museum trustees are fully confident that it will be raised.

Seeing that there is no Parliamentary sanction for the expenditure which the Government contemplate, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the matter ought to be brought before the House of Commons before July next which is, we are informed, the date when the Supplementary Estimate will be presented?

My advice from the Treasury is that everything which has been done has been perfectly in order.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the prevailing feeling is that the Government would have been far better employed in restoring the cuts, than in making this purchase?

I want to make it perfectly clear that, so far as I can ascertain, the feeling is that the Government would have been very shortsighted, if they had not given facilities for the acquisition by this country of such a possession as this.

Is it not the case that private subscribers are not showing that enthusiasm for this acquisition which was anticipated?

My report to-day is that the experience of the collection of this subscription is more hopeful of final success than any previous attempt made by the British Museum to appeal to the general public to support a subscription of this kind.

What arrangements have been made to make it clear that the £100,000 to be spent by the Russian Government in this country is in addition to sums which they normally spend here?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain Lancashire municipalities are considering the advisability of removing idle cotton mills from the benefits of the De-rating Act on the ground that such empty mills are warehouses for the machinery contained therein; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have not received any representations on the subject to which my hon. Friend refers. The assessment of hereditaments for rating purposes is a matter for the local Rating and Assessment Authorities in the first instance, with the right of appeal to the Courts by any person aggrieved at their decision. I have no jurisdiction in the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that until the Government take their tardy but inevitable action against the Japanese competition which has closed up these mills, he will make some representations or give some sort of advice to the municipalities, that on no account is machinery to be removed from these mills, simply because they are going to have to pay rates?

I shall certainly give full consideration to the hon. Member's question.

With samples in front of us of the kind I have here, is there any need to worry as to what is going to happen? Does not this show what the Japanese are doing? The cotton mills of Lancashire will be closed down all right unless something is done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in the last financial year in Entertainments Duty and Income Tax, respectively, by the various county cricket clubs?

I regret that I cannot give my hon. Friend the information for which he asks.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman tell us why?

Because the information is not in my possession under these headings.

As this matter is of some considerable importance, is it impossible for the hon. Gentleman's Department to inform the House as to where the Entertainments Duty is borne according to the different categories of entertainment?

Yes, it is impossible, because some of the tax is levied by stamps. I think I have already explained to the House the difficulty that there is.

Would it not be possible for my hon. Friend to say how the Income Tax is paid by these clubs?

I am afraid that I cannot, although I am as anxious as I can be to help my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can make any statement with regard to the position of the Exchange Equalisation Fund?

I am not clear what kind of statement my hon. Friend has in mind. If he has in mind the financial position of the fund, it has been explained in debate on several occasions that my right hon. Friend cannot undertake to publish such information for reasons of public interest. If he has in mind the purpose of the Exchange Equalisation Fund, it is, as has been frequently stated, to correct temporary fluctuations in the exchange value of sterling and not to create an artificial value for sterling.

Can my hon. Friend say whether there still remains a profit on the fund, as there is considerable anxiety about it?

No. I have indicated that it would not be in the public interest to make any statement about this matter.

Is it correct for me to say that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has previously stated on at least one occasion that there was a profit on the fund, and, therefore, cannot the same statement or the reverse be made now?

I think my hon. Friend has in mind the occasion when my right hon. Friend asked the House to increase the appropriation for this purpose. He did then say that there was no loss on the fund.

Does that remain true? Can the hon. Gentleman go the length of assuring us that the fund is still there?

Yes, the fund is still there.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the net trading loss of the Manchester Hippodrome and Ardwick Empire, Limited, for the last financial year amounted to £4,224 16s. 9d., while the Entertainments Duty paid by them was £16,581 12s. 3d.; and whether steps will be taken to review the incidence of the Entertainments Duty in connection with the forthcoming Budget in view of the fact that it is collected at present whether the place of entertainment makes a profit or a loss?

I have noted the information given by my hon. Friend in the first part of the question. As to the latter part, my right hon. Friend cannot be expected to anticipate his Budget statement.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind, with a view to some relief being given, the serious loss and consequent unemployment now being caused in the theatrical industry?

Certainly, my right hon. Friend will bear in mind all that my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the reduction on the fixed debt charge between 1920 and the present financial year; what is the rate of Income Tax in the £ which this saving represents; and what is the actual reduction in Income Tax in the £ since 1920?

The total amount charged against revenue on account of National Debt services, excluding Sinking Fund, in the financial year 1920 exceeded the fixed debt charge provision in 1933 by £104,331,756. My hon. and gallant Friend will find particulars of the net produce per penny of Income Tax in past years in the annual reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue published from time to time. In 1920 the standard rate of Income Tax was 6s. in the £, with Super-tax rising to a maximum of 6s. The present standard rate of Income Tax is 5s., with Surtax rising to a maximum of 8s. 3d. in addition.

Arising out of the first part of the answer, is not the saving of £104,000,000 largely made at the expense of the Income Taxpaying class?

I would rather my hon. and gallant Friend drew his own deductions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what remuneration, if any, is being paid to the members of the Market Supply Committee?

No remuneration is at present being paid to the members of the Market Supply Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will considerably reduce the quota of meat allocated to the Argentine in order to help the British farmer?

Provision for substantial and progressive reductions in imports of frozen meat from foreign countries, including the Argentine, during the period January, 1933, to June, 1934, is made in the Ottawa Agreements, and for the maintenance of the rate of reduction then attained for the remainder of the five-year period covered by the Agreements. In the case of chilled beef from foreign countries, the quantities agreed at Ottawa have been subject to emergency reductions in each quarter since the end of 1932, amounting on the average to about 10 per cent. over the 12 months. The conditions of the meat market are being kept under constant review and the Government will continue, as hitherto, to take such steps as they consider desirable and practicable to meet the needs of the situation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the price that the farmer is now receiving is appreciably lower than it was two years ago, before the Government took office, and is he entirely satisfied with this?

I would not say that I am entirely satisfied or indeed satisfied at all with the present situation, but we must take such steps as we consider desirable and practical to meet it.

But when does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take these steps?

I have taken a good many fairly drastic steps already.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what further steps he is taking to foster the development of our market-gardening trade for the supply of vegetables and fruit to large towns to replace those at present coming from without the Empire?

There is no doubt that growers of fruit and vegetables in this country realise and are taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by the reduction of imports, consequent on the imposition of tariffs on horticultural produce. The Ministry is giving all the assistance in its power by such means as the promotion of research, the provision of technical advice, and the institution of schemes for grading and marking under the National Mark. I shall, of course, be happy to consider any specific suggestion of my hon. Friend as to means by which I can help further.

Is my right hon. Friend making any arrangements to grant loans to help market-gardening in other ways than the research of which he has spoken?

There are certain provisions for the granting of credit facilities, but in my experience, if the enterprises are likely to be remunerative, there is no great difficulty in getting credit facilities by the usual means.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman has had at least one scheme put up to him? Does he not think he is missing an opportunity of dealing with unemployment in certain areas in a drastic way, and will he consider other schemes?

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to make a statement with regard to the future of the sugar industry, having regard to the announcement in the House of Commons on the 27th July last?

The present position is as follows: A draft scheme for regulating the marketing of sugar in Great Britain under the Agricultural Marketing Acts has now been submitted to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself on behalf of the General Committee of the United Kingdom Sugar Industry, and I understand that beet growers have in course of preparation a scheme for the marketing of sugar beet. As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Captain Heilgers) on 1st February, the legislation referred to in my answer of 27th July last will, I hope, be introduced at an early date. An announcement regarding the appointment of the proposed committee of inquiry will, I hope, be made fairly soon.

May we expect to have the Bill before Easter?

I am afraid I can give no assurance as to time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of posts established as the result of the Agricultural Marketing Acts; and the number of these posts carrying a salary of £500 a year or more?

The addition which has been made to the Ministry's staff for the purpose of carrying out duties under the Agricultural Marketing Acts, 1931–1933, including work in connection with committees set up in accordance with the provisions of these Acts, is approximately 65, including clerks, typists and messengers. Of these posts 13 carry an inclusive salary (i.e., inclusive of bonus) of £500 or more.

Has my right hon. Friend any information as to the number of posts not in the Ministry set up under these Acts?

Oh no, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the total number of the staff of the chemical warfare department for the following years, 1925, 1930, and 1933?

The total number of staff on the approved establishment of the Chemical Defence Research Department on 1st April, 1925, 1930 and 1933 was 480, 553 and 502 respectively.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is yet in a position to make a statement with regard to the visit to Rome of the Secretary of State for Air and certain officials of Imperial Airways?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to similar questions by the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Everard) and the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of people killed or injured in British machines as a result of collisions with wireless masts, high-tension cables, or other high obstacles?

During the last five years there have been two such accidents to civil aircraft flying in this country, these involving injuries to two persons in all.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the quantity of iron ore imported into this country in 1933 from the Dominions and Colonies for the purpose of manufacture into pig-iron;

(2) the quantity of iron ore imported into this country from abroad suitable for the manufacture of pig-iron in the year 1933; and how much iron ore of British or home production was used for the same purpose in that period?

The total imports of iron ore into the United Kingdom during 1933 amounted to 2,706,668 tons, of which 41,968 tons were consigned from British countries. I am unable to state how much British or home produced ore was used solely in the manufacture of pig-iron.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great many iron workers in England who are working on short time and who could easily produce far more iron ore so that the amount imported could be reduced?

I am aware of the facts, but the hon. Member's deduction does not necessarily follow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a White Paper regarding the recent and present negotiations with the French Government on the question of tariffs and restrictions?

Statements regarding the course of these discussions have been made and will be made in future as may be necessary. My right hon. Friend does not think that the issue of a White Paper is called for, at any rate at the present stage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of food supplies imported into the United Kingdom from foreign countries and from British countries, respectively, during the year 1933; and what was the percentage of each and of United Kingdom production in relation to the consumption in this country?

The value of the retained imports of food and drink, including living animals for food and feeding-stuffs for animals, amounted, in 1933, to £317,400,000, but the proportions consigned from British and from foreign countries cannot yet be stated. Particulars of the extent to which home produce and imports from British and foreign countries contribute to our total food supplies are not available in respect of any recent year, but for the period 1924–25–1927–28 it was estimated that home production represented 39·3 per cent., net imports from British countries 21·6 per cent., and net imports from foreign countries 39·1 per cent. of the total.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will name the foreign Powers with whom trade agreements are at present being negotiated?

Negotiations are at present proceeding with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Soviet Union.

Can the hon. Gentleman say which of these agreements will be ready for signature within a month?

It is very difficult when you are negotiating to set yourself to a time. I would prefer to tell the House that no time is lost in concluding any agreement which is thought to be advantageous.

Is there any prospect of opening up arrangements with any other first-class Powers?

Yes, there are several prospects of opening up arrangements. The original question was as to the countries with which agreements were being negotiated. That is a later stage to opening up negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assistance he proposes to give to the cotton trade conference with Japan to help in the presentation of our case for the recovery of trade?

I am replying on behalf of my right hon. Friend. I am not aware what assistance my hon. Friend has in mind, but the Colonial Office keeps in close touch with the Board of Trade on all these matters and will be happy to furnish any available information and to consider any suggestion which may be put before it on behalf of the cotton industry.

May I ask whether joint action with any other country has been taken in this matter?

I am afraid I should require to have notice of that question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this Conference has yet started?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that much dissatisfaction still exists in regard to the postal services in Gateside, Fife; and if, in view of the demand of local residents for a better service, he will cause further inquiries to be made?

The postal services in Gateside appear to be giving satisfaction generally, but an increase in the amount of correspondence has caused some slight delay in the postal delivery in a portion of the district. Adjustments have now been carried out which will, I hope, remove the difficulty.

Does not the hon. Gentleman recall that much the same answer was given to me in July of last year and again in August, and that the dissatisfaction felt then persists to-day in a still greater degree; and in these circumstances will he not accede to my request for a special inquiry?

The statement of the hon. Member does not agree with the information I have received from other sources to the effect that dissatisfaction has practically disappeared as a result of recent improvements in the local postal services.

Will the hon. Gentleman allow me in those circumstances to submit to him the names of people who are still dissatisfied?

If the hon. Gentleman will send me any more information I will be glad to go into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether steps have now been taken to carry out the staff reorganisation in the Register House, Edinburgh, and to recruit the additional staff necessary to cope with the arrears of work?

I am glad to say that a scheme of revision of the staff of the Register House, Edinburgh, has been agreed with the representatives of the staff and has been put into operation. Fifteen recruits to the second class of clerks have been entered as from the 1st January to fill vacancies and to provide additional assistance in the Record Office, and I am satisfied that with this increase of staff the arrears of work in the Sasines Office will be gradually overtaken and progress made in the task of renovating and classifying the older records in the basement of the Record Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that on 2nd December, 1932, a conviction was recorded at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for illegal trawling, and that the Sheriff Substitute, having ordered the gear not to be confiscated, was subsequently advised by the officers of the Scottish Fishery Board that under the fishery laws of Scotland he was compelled to confiscate the gear, and ordered its confiscation; that on 27th December, 1933, three convictions were recorded at Banff Sheriff Court for illegal fishing with seine net within the three-mile limit and showing no fishing signals, and that the Sheriff Substitute ordered the gear not to be confiscated; and whether the Fishery Board proposes to take uniform action in such cases?