asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the introduction of legislation amending the law of Scotland dealing with offences against children and young persons?

My right hon. Friend does not at present propose to introduce legislation dealing with offences against children and young persons, particularly as a number of points relating to the subject were dealt with in the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act, 1932. My right hon. Friend will, however, be glad to discuss with the hon. Member any special points which he has in mind.

Have the resolutions that were passed at Edinburgh last November been considered?

Yes, all these matters have been considered before the decision not to institute legislation at the present moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that trawl skippers have been stopped by the officer of a fishery cruiser when fishing four and five miles off from the nearest land and ordered to heave their trawl gear and proceed further to sea; and will he authorise the Fishery Board to give instructions to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents?

There is no foundation for the suggestion that it is the practice of the fishery cruisers to order trawlers found fishing four or five miles off land to proceed further to sea. Trawlers are from time to time warned by the cruisers when they are actually on or very close to the limit line but on such occasions no orders are given to the trawlers to heave or lift their gear.

Would it not have been preferable that, in cases where there is doubt as to the bearings, the skipper should have an opportunity of boarding the trawler and getting confirmation or, alternatively, if an officer of the trawler could have an opportunity of checking the skipper's bearings?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce, during the present Session, legislation relating to salmon fishing in Scotland?

My right hon. Friend regrets that it will not be possible to proceed with legislation on this subject during the present Session. Discussions with a view to early legislation are pro- ceeding with various representative bodies concerned.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that, if any such legislation is drafted, it will be comprehensive, consolidating legislation and not merely legislation by reference?

In all legislation an effort is made to make it simple of understanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the officers of Perth Prison in regard to the condition of their quarters, in which they allege that the sanitary arrangements and facilities for washing are antiquated and inadequate; and if he will cause an inquiry to be held to investigate these complaints?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the condition of some of the old prison quarters occupied by officers at Perth Prison is unsatisfactory. These quarters are either being replaced by new buildings or reconstructed as fast as circumstances permit, and, pending the completion of the building programme, washhouse accommodation has been provided for use by the occupants of all the houses. As the facts of the case are fully known to my right hon. Friend, he does not propose to hold any inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among producers of milk in the eastern counties of Scotland, in view of the heavy levy per gallon which they are compelled to pay to the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, despite the fact that little surplus milk is produced in that area; and whether he will appoint a committee of investigation under the powers given him by Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1931?

As stated in my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Forfar (Captain Shaw) on the 12th instant, a complaint has been made on behalf of some of the milk producers in the East of Scotland with respect to the effect of the operation of the Scottish Milk Marketing Scheme, and the question of referring the complaint to the Committee of Investiga- tion for Scotland is under consideration. I should be obliged if a further question on this subject were put down next week.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will give the House some information about the present activities of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission, the number of areas for which the Commission have submitted schemes because of lack of voluntary schemes, the number of areas which have given notice of intention to contest the matter in a court of law, and the probable date on which the first of such cases will be heard?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the recently published Report of the Commission. I have no information beyond that given in the Report. With regard to the second part of the question, there is no area for which the Commission has yet submitted a scheme under the Act. The third and fourth parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.

Does the hon. Gentleman expect this matter to come to a head in the near future in view of the fact that he is bringing in a Bill to amend the 1930 Act?

No, Sir.

Is it the intention of the Government to put an early end to this Socialist experiment in industry?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give figures showing the sum paid to coal royalty owners from the proceeds of the mining industry and the sum paid by the coal royalty owners for the provision of pit-head baths, giving figures for each year since 1926, rate per ton, and separately for each coalfield?

As the reply involves a statistical statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the information, so far as it is available, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the number of miners employed during the latest quarter for which statistics are available, the number employed during the same quarter of the previous year, the tonnage of coal raised, and the tonnage exported to foreign markets during the periods quoted?

During the quarter ended December, 1933, the average number of wage-earners on colliery books was 769,600, the output of coal 55,656,900 tons, and the quantity of coal exported to all destinations 10,211,500 tons. The corresponding figures for the December quarter, 1932, were 776,700, 54,571,200 and 9,736,600 respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there has been any difficulty in supplying British coal to any of those countries with which we have trade agreements embodying clauses concerned with the supply of coal from this country; and, if so, whether he can state the reasons for such difficulties in each case where they occurred?

The investigation of a number of formal complaints lodged with my Department under the provisions of the protocols to the various trade agreements has been completed, and it appears therefrom that in some cases delays in shipment have occurred. Other complaints are still under investigation and until that investigation is completed I am unable to say whether the alleged difficulties have in fact occurred.

Has the investigation shown whether such delays have been due to quota restrictions or to shipping difficulties?

The delays were mainly due to loading.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that J. E. Hadley, Castle Gresley, was dismissed from employment at the Granville colliery, Swadlincote, for refusing to work overtime on the conveyor face in the yard seam; whether he will have inquiries made into the circumstances of this case; and what action he proposes to take to safeguard underground workers who object to working illegal overtime?

Inquiry has been made into this case, but I can find no justification for the allegation that the man was dismissed for refusing to work illegal overtime. With regard to the last part of the question, the hon. Member is aware of the action, both legal and otherwise, which is taken by my Department in cases where there is good reason to consider that overtime is being worked improperly. Such action is taken, and will continue to be taken irrespective of the views of the parties concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, with a view to assisting the export of British textiles to Australia, he will make representations to the Australian Commonwealth Government with a view to securing that early effect is given to Section 9 of the Australian Customs (Industries Preservation) Act, 1921?

I presume that my hon. Friend has in mind the question of Japanese competition. In that event, I would refer him to the statement made by the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade on the Debate on the Adjournment on 21st December.

In dealing with the question, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the West Riding of Yorkshire?

I always have in mind the interests of Yorkshire.

Will my right hon. Friend urge the Australian Government to adopt a more favorable attitude towards our cotton trade in view of the increased prices obtainable for wool?

I am always anxious to emphasise to the Dominions that they should give preference to this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with schemes for supplying the Indian market with cloths made from Indian cotton and manufactured in Lancashire, the Government would be prepared to share financial responsibility by guaranteeing interest at the rate of 2½ per cent. upon capital raised by public subscription; and whether the Government will favourably consider a freight subsidy for the transportation of the goods from and to India?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Kidderminster Chamber of Commerce at a recent meeting, sending for his urgent consideration its protest against the quota restrictions on the imports of carpets by the Governments of Denmark and the Netherlands; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. The matter has been taken up with the Governments of Denmark and the Netherlands.

Will the right hon. Gentleman now agree that the reply that he gave a week ago that the manufacturers were entirely satisfied was based upon inaccurate information?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the severe restriction imposed by the Danish Government on the importation of British boots; and whether he will endeavour to secure the same facilities for the imports of boots as those granted to other manufactured goods entering Denmark?

I am aware that the licences allocated to the trade of this country have been reduced in the first period of this year compared with the same period last year. Representations on the matter are being made to the Danish Government and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the interests of the boot and shoe industry will not be overlooked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Swiss Government have now fixed the quota for the imports of carpets from this country at 20 tons; how this compares with the quotas fixed by Switzerland for German and Oriental carpet imports; and what action the Government intend to take to secure a reasonable opportunity in the Swiss market for the carpet manufacturers of this country?

The quota for carpets admitted into Switzerland at the normal rate of duty is understood to be based on actual imports in 1931 when the imports from the United Kingdom were 20 tons. I have no official information as to the quotas fixed for other countries but I have no reason to think that the Swiss Government have discriminated in any way against the United Kingdom. Enquiries are, however, being made as to the possibility of securing facilities for larger imports from this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the desirability of reversing the operation of the Merchandise Marks Act, so that all foreign goods imported into this country should be distinctively marked as such unless special exemption has been successfully applied for; and will he introduce legislation for this purpose?

I have received representations in this sense. The matter is under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on some of these things the words "foreign made" are very indistinguishable and very small and that some alteration ought to be made?

If any cases of evasion are brought to my notice, I shall be glad to take action.

I am not necessarily referring to evasion. I am referring to the invisibility of most of these marks.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I recently sent a sample of a foreign cartridge to his Department on which the words "made in Belgium" appeared in very small letters and the name of the supplying firm and the word "London" in very large letters?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been draw to the fact that the quantity of retained imports of many classes of competitive manufactured goods in 1933 was either higher, or nearly as high, as 10 years before; and, under these circumstances, what steps be proposes to take to reduce the rate of importation in the case of the goods in question?

The Import Duties Act, 1932, contains provisions under which increased duties may be imposed upon any class of imports which, after due inquiry, it is found desirable to restrict.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that New Zealand imposes a customs duty and a sales tax on catalogues and advertising literature sent from this country to that Dominion with the object of promoting sales of British goods; and whether he proposes to make representations for the removal of that impost or to place a similar tax on trade circulars, etc., sent to this country from New Zealand?

No customs duty is levied in New Zealand on trade catalogues and price lists of the goods of firms or persons having no established business in that Dominion. Other classes of advertising matter are subject to customs duty. All advertising matter is subject to a sales tax which, however, applies to goods produced in New Zealand as well as to imported goods. Representations were received last year from a number of trade organisations in this country in favour of the admission free of duty, throughout the Empire, of British printed advertising matter which is distributed free. The matter has been brought to the notice of the Government of New Zealand who are considering it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of imposing similar taxes on advertising material coming into the country from such Dominions as impose a charge against us?

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether it is not a fact that New Zealand has always been most willing and ready to give us every possible facility to sell our goods?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the denunciation by France of the 1826 Treaty, he can give any indication as to the effect of this step upon British tourist traffic and British sea traffic; and whether, should the treaty lapse at the end of three months, adequate notice will be given to the shipping companies to make other arrangements for their Continental and overseas traffic?

It is not possible to say precisely what consequences may follow from the lapse of the Conventions, if this takes place, but it is obvious that no advantage could result from interference with the shipping or tourist traffic of either country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken to safeguard the preferences accorded to Canadian timber by the United Kingdom-Canadian Ottawa Agreement?

Acting in the spirit of Article 21 of the agreement to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and in order to ensure the provision of adequate opportunities for Canadian suppliers in the United Kingdom market, His Majesty's Government requested the timber interests concerned to arrange that the contract for the 1934 season should be limited to a maximum shipment of not more than 350,000 standards of Russian sawn softwood and should not contain what is known as the "fall clause." The contract has been concluded on this basis.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume and value of all foreign manufactured or partly manufactured goods imported into this country in British boats, and also the volume and value imported in foreign boats, in 1933?

I regret that the desired information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of pairs of rubber footwear imported from British Malaya in January, 1934, and in January, 1933, respectively?

The total number of rubber boots and shoes imported into the United Kingdom and registered as consigned from British Malaya was 1,171 dozen pairs in January, 1934, as against 136 dozen pairs in January, 1933.

Can my right hon. Friend explain this extraordinary increase, and is he going to take any action in any way?

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to suppose that any of these goods are coming in indirectly from Japan through Malaya?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the quantity of bacon imported into this country during the month of January, 1934, fell to 646,000 cwts. as against 863,000 cwts. in January, 1933, whilst the value of such imports actually increased from £2,150,000 to £2,440,000; and whether he will consider the desirability of effecting a change in the present method of protecting the home bacon industry in order that some part of the additional money being paid for imported bacon may be secured for the benefit of this country?

I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. The quantitative regulation of imports was adopted after mature consideration as the method best calculated to assist the pig producing industry in this country, and I am not prepared to recommend that some other method should now be adopted before the present scheme has had an adequate trial.

May we take it, therefore, that the right hon. Gentleman accepts the figures contained in the question and does not that mean that the consumer in this country is paying more for bacon than he ought to do in order to fill the pockets of the foreigner?

I am not prepared to accept any figures except those which come from my Department.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny the figures contained in the question?

I neither deny them nor accept them. I have answered the question.

Did I not understand the right hon. Gentleman to state that he was aware that the facts were as stated in the first part of the question?

Yes, I said that I was aware of the facts in the first part of the question, but the figures occur in the second part.

The first part.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government has approved the plans of National Shipbuilding Securities, Limited, with regard to closing a number of British shipyards; whether they are aware of the total to be thus closed; whether the plant is being sold abroad or left in this country; and whether the Government has taken into consideration the possible effect of national safety of the activities of this body?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many, and which, shipyards have now been closed through absorption by National Shipbuilding Securities, Limited; for how many years in each case shipbuilding is to be forbidden in these yards; and whether the Government has considered the effect on national safety should a sudden emergency need an expansion of shipping;

(2) whether his attention has been called to the activities of National Shipbuilding Securities, Limited; and whether he can give the House any information as to the effect on British shipping of their negotiations to date?

National Shipbuilders' Security, Limited, is a private undertaking, and Government approval of its plans is not required. No complete list of the shipyards acquired by the company has been published. I understand, however, that, of shipyards comprising 684 berths existing in January, 1930, the company has acquired yards comprising 116 berths, and that these yards are generally disposed of by the company on terms which involve a restrictive covenant extending in most cases for 40 years. The company have stated that the intention is to maintain the capacity of the industry well ahead of maximum demands, keeping in view national emergencies. At the present time only 21 per cent. of the available shipbuilding berths are occupied. I understand that very little of the plant from yards dismantled by the company has been shipped abroad.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give information as to the effect of the negotiations of National Shipbuilding Securities, Limited, on employment in the town of Jarrow; and whether, in view of the sterilisation of the shipyard for 40 years, his Department is considering any plans for the absorption of the large numbers of workers involved?

I have no information regarding the progress of the negotiations in question. My hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Pearson) and others have brought the position at Jarrow prominently to my right hon. Friend's notice, and such steps as are practicable both through the ordinary placing activities of the exchanges and through the training and transfer schemes have been and will continue to be taken to alleviate the situation. Despite the limited opportunities, which have been an inevitable consequence of the general and widespread depression of the past three years, much has been done in the ways I have mentioned to assist the situation at Jarrow. In addition, valuable work is being carried on in the area by means of occupation and recreational centres.

Can the hon. Member say whether any steps are to be taken to prevent the closing down of such works, thereby throwing out of employment tens of thousands of people as has been done in this case?

Is the hon. Member aware that they do not build ships at Wentworth?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the non-success so far of assistance to recover the cotton export trade, upon which much employment depends, he will consider the institution of an export bounty with that object in view?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will issue invitations to Members of Parliament for the British Industries Fair?

Arrangements have been made ensuring that a Member of Parliament on presenting at any entrance to the Fair the card of invitation already sent to him will, on payment of 2s., receive in exchange a season ticket giving admission to the Fair daily at all hours and for the period during which the Fair is open either to the public or to trade buyers.

Is the Minister aware that 100 hon. Members of this House have accepted invitations to visit Birmingham next Monday?

Can the Minister say how the fair is progressing?

I understand that a large number of hon. Members are to visit Birmingham. The indications are that in every section of the fair good business is being done and a large number of buyers are attending.

In consequence of the statement that 100 Members of this House have accepted an invitation to visit Birmingham, will the Government give a guarantee that they will be able to keep a House?

Saturday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to seek powers to re-guarantee loans granted to industrial companies under the Trade Facilities Act at a lower rate of interest than that borne by such loans when issued originally?

I assume the hon. and gallant Member refers to cases in which the borrower has an option of early repayment. He is no doubt aware that any such proposal would need legislation. I shall be glad to consider the suggestion, but I cannot give any definite undertaking to introduce such legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the endeavour of the President of the United States of America to restrict the use of stock exchanges for purely speculative operations and, in particular, to limit the practice of buying and selling on margins; and if he will consider the advisability of taking similar action in this country?

I have noticed the proposals of the United States Government, but the conditions obtaining in the United States are so widely different from conditions here that little guidance can be obtained from them.

Why is the National Government so less enterprising than the Government of America in dealing with these gambling evils, in spite of the exhortations of the Minister of Agriculture? Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Minister of Agriculture?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set up a committee to consider means for mitigating the hardship caused by the sudden imposition of new duties or the sudden alteration of the rate or method of assessment of existing duties in the case of bona fide forward contracts for the importation of goods?

I have carefully considered my hon. Friend's suggestion, but in view of the considerations which I mentioned when the same question was raised in the Debate on the Ottawa Agreements Bill, I have come to the conclusion that it would not have any useful results.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the fact that under the existing law whatever the restrictive effect on trade a duty may have, a far greater restriction is caused by uncertainty as to the future.

I do not see any possibility of any system under which there can be complete certainty as to the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reasons it is proposed to abolish many of the British vice-consulates in Denmark; will he name the vice-consulates it is proposed to close and state whether the vice-consuls at these places are unpaid; and, seeing that the vice-consuls in Denmark have been of great assistance to the trade between this country and Denmark and in view of the necessity of promoting British trade abroad, will he reconsider the matter?

His Majesty's Government have no intention of closing in the near future any of the existing British vice-consulates in Denmark.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, if he is in a position to state when last year's cancelled Territorial review is likely to be held; and if he can say what form it is to take?

No, Sir. I am not in a position to make a statement on this matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the hardships connected with the case of Mr. John Hamer, 64, Howarth Avenue, Rawtenstall, Lancashire, a war pensioner; and, if so, will he look into the details of this case again with a view to effecting some amelioration?

Yes, Sir. Mr. Hamer's first application was made in November, 1928. His case has been carefully reviewed on more than one occasion by my predecessor and myself in consultation with the most expert technical opinion available both within and outside my Department. As it could not be shown that his unfortunate condition was the result of his war service I regret that it was not possible to award him a pension.

Mr. Speaker, may I ask why this question should have been put upon the Paper. It is wasting Parliamentary time, and the matter could have been settled in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the law governing the awarding of compensation to victims of silicosis needs amending; that the provisions under the schemes of 1928 and 1931 are inadequate, and that large numbers of miners suffering from silicosis are deprived of compensation if they have not been working in the process within a period of three years; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation amending the present schemes?

The Miners' Federation have made representations to me in favour of reviewing the arrangements in force under the present scheme and I have written to the Mining Association on the subject. On receipt of their reply I will consider whether any amendment of the scheme is necessary and I can assure the hon. Member that the matter will not be lost sight of.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation prohibiting the wearing of uniforms by political parties?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that certain political parties in this country wear distinctive uniforms; and whether, as this procedure has frequently led to disorder in other countries, he proposes to take any action?

I propose to answer these questions together. Representations on this subject have reached me from many quarters. The aspect of the problem which has been causing me most concern is the provocative effect of the wearing of such uniforms in streets and public places and the increasing number of street disorders which have occurred in consequence. The growing danger of public disturbance which the police attribute to the wearing of what may conveniently be called political uniforms is shown by the fact that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis reports that in the first six months of 1933 there were in the Metropolitan Police District 11 disturbances of a political character attributed to this cause while in the last six months of the year there have been no less than 22 such disturbances. The whole question is engaging my serious consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some European States have already taken action in this connection?

Yes, Sir, it is quite true.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when he thinks the Government will be able to come to a decision upon this very important question?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the wearing of foreign political uniforms in this country; and has his attention been drawn to the fact that two uniformed Nazis landed in this country yesterday, and will he see that nothing of the sort occurs again?

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that small groups of persons have, in recent years, organised actual and attempted demonstrations in pursuance of their political views in front of various embassies and legations in London; and whether, to avoid the wrong impression thus created in foreign countries and the discourtesy shown to representatives of friendly Powers, he will introduce legislation making the organisation of, or participation in, such demonstrations illegal?

I am aware of the circumstances to which my noble Friend refers. I am informed, however, by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the police have not hitherto experienced any special difficulties in dealing with demonstrations of the kind referred to under the provisions of the existing law.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say, if that is so, why it is that no prosecutions have followed, except in cases where there have been assaults on the police, because of the grave discourtesy which has been shown to foreign representatives. Why have not these people been prosecuted, if the police are able to deal with the situation?

I think that the general effort of the police is to keep any demonstrations of this kind under restraint, and, as far as I know, the police have taken such action as is within their power in dealing with this problem, but the matter will be kept under close observation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is still a free country?

asked the Attorney-General whether he will recommend to the Lord Chancellor that the composition of the advisory committees for justices of the peace be changed every five years and thereby ensure future appointments being made more in conformity with present day and changing conditions?

I have been asked to reply. Each advisory committee is reviewed every three years by my noble and learned Friend who then considers what changes, if any, should be made in its composition.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that in many districts there has been no change in the composition of these advisory boards for over 20 years? Does he not think that it is quite time they were decomposed.

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will communicate to my learned and noble Friend such information as is in his possession.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated cost of benefit at the rate of 3s. in respect of dependent children between 14 and 16 years?

It is not possible to say precisely what would be the cost of raising the allowance for those children only whose ages are between 14 and 16, but on the basis of the finance assumed for Part I of the Unemployment Bill it would probably be between £50,000 and £100,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the approximate cost of restoring the personal allowances in respect of Income Tax to the level which prevailed prior to the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1931?

I regret that I cannot anticipate my Budget statement by giving any estimate of the effect on the yield of the Income Tax of any change in its existing graduation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the committee on the simplification of Income Tax law which was appointed in October, 1927, has not yet presented its report, he will take steps to expedite its proceedings?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 27th November, 1933, to the hon. and gallant Member for North-East Bethnal Green (Major Nathan) when it was stated that the Committee hoped to complete its labours in the course of the present year.

Is not six and a half years too long a time for them to decide any Parliamentary question? Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the Rip Van Winkles are still alive?

We have a new Chairman of the Committee. Perhaps the hon. Member does not appreciate that simplification of Income Tax is a very complicated matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of unmarried persons at present paying Income Tax and supporting an invalid or unemployed sister or brother without being allowed any rebate on that account; and whether any steps will be taken to deal with this matter?

Under Section 22 of the Finance Act, 1920, an allowance of £25 is given to any taxpayer who maintains at his own expense either a widowed mother or a relative who is incapacitated by old age or infirmity from maintaining himself, provided the person maintained has not a total income of over £50 a year. I regret that there are no Income Tax statistics measuring the numbers of cases in which this allowance has been claimed or granted.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is able to indicate the proportion of the business done by co-operative societies, retail and wholesale, with non-members during the last year for which figures are available?

The official form of return which Industrial and Provident Societies are required to send annually to the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies shows the total sales of the societies without any apportionment as between members and non-members, respectively. I am therefore unable to give my hon. Friend the information he desires.

Are any steps being taken in this connection?

If my hon. Friend will forward any suggestions, together with the advantages which are likely to accrue, I am sure they will receive consideration.

Is it not most desirable that the House and the public should know how much mutuality there is in this matter and how much members of the ordinary general public who are not co-operators subscribe towards finding this dividend which is free from tax?

Income Tax is payable equally on profits from members and non-members. If the hon. Member has any suggestion to make I shall be only too happy to consider it.

(for Sir PHILIP DAWSON): asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the actual surplus accruing to retail co-operative societies in 1932; the total amount of tax for which these societies were assessed for the corresponding financial year; and the amount that would have been paid by a normal trading concern making equivalent profits?

My hon. Friend will find particulars of the trading of the retail co-operative societies, showing the surplus derived therefrom, in Part III of the Annual Reports of the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies. I am not in a position to say how much Income Tax has been paid by the retail societies, but as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware the Committee of Inquiry into the position of the co-operative societies in relation to Income Tax give in the Minutes of Evidence and their Report (Command Paper 4260) estimates for the whole co-operative movement of the amount of Income Tax paid before the law was altered in 1933 and the amount now payable following last year's legislation.

It would be impossible to make any comparison of the nature suggested in the concluding part of the question. Apart from the difficulty of deciding what is to be considered a normal trading concern it has to be borne in mind that in so far as profits are the income of any individual the yield of Income Tax depends not only on the amount of the profits, but also on his total income and family responsibilities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the public authorities of 58 foreign States are wholly or partly in default on 130 loans financed with British money; and whether he will ask his advisers to re-examine the principle of lending to foreign borrowers with the object of creating British exports before he considers any relaxation of the embargo upon the issue of foreign loans here?

My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that before any fresh decision is taken in regard to the embargo on the issue of foreign loans here the matter will be examined in the light of all relevant circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the will ascertain the purposes for which money invested by British nationals in loans raised in Britain by Brazilian State, provincial, and municipal authorities since 1910 has been used in Brazil in order that it may be known to what extent such foreign lending has been of advantage to the United Kingdom export trade, after taking into account the losses made by those who invested in the loans now in default?

It would not be possible to ascertain to what extent the proceeds of the loans referred to have been expended in this country. In many cases the proceeds were used to refund existing indebtedness and for this or other reasons cannot be allocated to specific items of expenditure.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can arrange that the Debate promised on the Committee of Imperial Defence shall take place after the Estimates for the Services have been published but before any have been debated?

Conversations are taking place through the usual channels with a view to arranging a Debate on the Committee of Imperial Defence. I am afraid, however, that I cannot pledge myself to arrange such a Debate before any of the Estimates for the Defence Forces have been considered by the House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange that we debate a proportion of the money spent on the three Services on the first Service Vote taken in the House?

I am afraid that that question must be addressed, not to me, but to the authorities who deal with the Standing Orders of the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to persuade them to do so?

asked the Prime Minister when the Housing Bill will be introduced; and if arrangements will be made to allow a reasonable interval between the printing and presentation of the Bill and its Second Reading, in view of the importance of the questions likely to be involved in it?

It is not yet possible to fix a date for the introduction of this Bill. I appreciate the point raised by my right hon. Friend in the second part of the question, and can assure him that it will not be overlooked.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he is prepared to make so as to secure the introduction of the Bill for facilitating the building of the new Cunarder and the passage of such Bill through its various stages by the earliest possible date; and whether, pending its passage into law, provisional financial arrangements can be made with the companies concerned so as to enable them to resume work on the Cunarder 534, as by this means from 9,000 to 10,000 men throughout the country would be put back into employment?

May I ask whether in the event of it being decided to lay down a sister ship arrangements can be made that that ship will come to the Tyne?

I am afraid that I cannot answer the question of the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle). It should be put down on the Paper to the proper Minister. With reference to the question put by the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood), I understood that he wished to consult me on the arrangement of business. The Government do consider that this matter is urgent, and I have asked my right hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, to be good enough to open up negotiations with the Opposition with the idea that the Money Resolution might be put on the Order Paper for Thursday of this week. It all depends on the convenience of the House. If that is done, the Bill will then be introduced without delay, and the ordinary stages will be gone through. That will give ample opportunity for a full discussion of the subject matter of the Bill.

In considering the question of the enormous unemployment on the Tyne—

Order!

I think that the arrangement suggested by the Prime Minister will probably suit us on this side of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether any education of the masses is being undertaken as to how they should behave in case of gas attack from the air?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the 23rd November, 1933. The problem of protection has engaged the attention of successive Governments, and precautions are being taken to safeguard the civil population as far as possible against air attack.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to enter into conversations with the Government of the United States with a view to securing a stable standard of value for the currencies of the two countries?

I have no reason to suppose that any such conversations as are suggested by my right hon. Friend would, in present circumstances, lead to any fruitful result.

Will the right hon. Gentleman welcome any conversations if they are put forward?

I should welcome any conversations if I thought they were likely to lead to useful results.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, with a view to facilitating a further rise in world commodity prices and the subsequent stabilisation of both prices and international exchanges, he will consider the advisability of restoring a free market in bullion gold at the price of 140s. per ounce;

(2) Whether the monetary policy of His Majesty s Government continues to be based on the currency resolutions of the Genoa Conference; and whether he is prepared to enter into negotiations with the Government of the United States of America, when conditions are favorable, with a view to the establishment of a gold exchange standard on the lines laid down by those resolutions?

The currency resolutions of the Genoa Conference have for the present only an academic interest. For the views of His Majesty's Government on questions of the monetary standard, of the necessity for raising prices and of the ultimate stabilisation of prices and exchanges I would refer my hon. Friend to the various statements already made and in particular to the joint Declaration by the Delegations of the British Commonwealth on the adjournment of the World Conference last year. I can only add that His Majesty's Government has constantly under examination all methods of achieving the monetary policy then agreed upon which appear at any time to be practicable.

Can we take it that His Majesty's Government are prepared to return to a gold exchange standard as soon as they are satisfied that foreign nations are prepared to co-operate with us in working it satisfactorily?

I should not like to add an impromptu statement to the carefully considered statement I have made on this subject.

When the Government are contemplating the establishment of a gold standard will they take measures to demand special taxation from those holders of gold shares which have appreciated so much in consequence of the rise in the price of gold?

In view of the repeated failure of a gold standard, have the Government no alternative in consideration?

asked the Minister of Health if he has received any reports of water shortage, either actual or anticipated, in Dorsetshire; and, if so, which places are affected?

My right hon. Friend has received such reports in respect of the Sturminster Rural District, and the parish of Bere Regis in the Wareham-and-Purbeck Rural District. Some improvement has been made in the supply to Bere Regis by the deepening of the public well and by obtaining temporary supplies. A comprehensive scheme for their district has been adopted by the Sturminster Rural District Council.

Have the Government any intention of dealing with the question of the shortage of water on a national basis?

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the scheme to which he has referred will protect this particular district during the forthcoming months?

These are matters which might be discussed on Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the new municipal ordinance for Palestine is now in operation why the Tel Aviv Municipality has been deprived of the power to levy rates on unoccupied land as heretofore; and why the women of Haifa and Jerusalem are not to vote while those in Tel Aviv may?

I am replying for my right hon. Friend. The Municipal Corporations Ordinance of Palestine was enacted on the 12th of January. In Section 102 (1) it is provided that a municipal council, with the approval of the District Commissioner, may levy a municipal property rate to be assessed, inter alia, upon the rateable value of unoccupied land, and I have no information that power to impose such a rate has been withheld in the case of the Municipal Council of Tel Aviv. The Ordinance provides for the grant of votes to women in Tel Aviv because this is known to be in accordance with the wishes of the local community. In the case of Haifa and Jerusalem, and other municipal areas, the ordinance provides machinery by which an alteration in the qualifications of voters, including the grant of the vote to women, may be made in cases where a resolution in favour of such a step is passed by a two-thirds majority of the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Government propose to ratify the convention concluded at the International Conference for the protection of the fauna and flora of Africa in November last; and if the Governments of any other countries have yet ratified this convention?

I am not yet in a position to make an announcement as to ratification by His Majesty's Government. My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is necessary in the first instance to obtain the views of the Colonial Governments concerned. A decision will be taken as soon as these views are available. No other Governments have yet ratified the convention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the default of Chile on all her obligations to British investors, he will cause an analysis to be made and then state in due course the estimated aggregate amount of the profit on a basis of 7½ per cent. profit on the Board of Trade record of goods and services exported to Chile since 1886, to be computed as a set-off for the lost British capital savings lent to the Chilean Government since 1886?

I do not think that such a calculation, even if it could be made with any precision, would serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what precautions are being taken by general statutory powers, or under the Companies Act, to render it difficult for unscrupulous persons to defraud the public by the flotation of fixed trusts on a limited liability basis?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen North (Mr. Burnett) on the 15th February.

May I ask whether a document offering for sale shares in a fixed trust is a prospectus; and whether the holder is entitled to the remedies under Section 37 of the Companies Act?

That is a legal question to which I am not competent to reply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to look into the whole question of the relation between fixed trusts and the company laws?

That has already been dealt with.