asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give any details of the Government scheme for subsidising tramp shipping?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in possession of the information required by him from the shipping indus- try to enable the Government to decide upon a policy which will free British shipping from the competition of foreign shipping subsidies?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the joint recommendations of the Chamber of Shipping and the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association; and if he can now state what steps he proposes to take to assist British shipping to meet uneconomic competition?

The position of British shipping is under the consideration of the Government in consultation with the shipping industry and I cannot at present add to the replies I have already made on the subject.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say if there is no truth in the statement which has been made in the Press that £3,000,000 has been granted by the Government to the shipping industry?

No, Sir, nothing has been said.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication as to how long the shipping industry will have to wait before some view of the Government is given as to the position of the industry?

I am afraid my hon. Friend has got it the wrong way round. The shipping industry is not waiting on the Government; the Government are waiting for the last reply of the shipping industry to inquiries which have been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the use of coercive tariff measures before a subsidy?

Do the Government intend to subsidise tramp shipping?

I cannot announce any decision on that point.

The hon. Member has had the reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Trading Agreements hitherto concluded, and conditionally imposing an increased purchase percentage of British goods, have been in every case fully carried out by the countries concerned?

Coal is the only article for the purchase of which from this country a definite percentage has been laid down in the Trade Agreements. On this matter I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 6th February to a question by the hon. Member for South Bradford (Mr. Holdsworth).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the conclusion arrived at with regard to the reversal of the operation of the Merchandise Marks Act as a result of the further consideration given by him to this matter?

The question is still under consideration.

If I put down another question in a week's time, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give me some reply?

I am afraid I cannot make any promise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what, if any, are the regulations governing the use of British ports by foreign tugs operating in the neighbourhood of our coasts;

(2) what, if any, are the regulations governing the salvage of foreign vessels within British territorial waters, with special reference to the employment of British or foreign tugs?

There is nothing in the United Kingdom law and regulations to prevent a foreign ship which is in difficulty off our coast from calling for the assistance of any salvage ship or tug, British or foreign; there are no regulations which restrict the operation of foreign salvage ships or tugs in our waters, provided that any provisions of the Aliens Order which may apply are observed.

With reference to Question No. 5, may I ask whether there has been any consultation with the Home Office as to the question of foreign ships using British ports to obtain employment in British waters contrary to the "Aliens Order"; and, with regard to Question No. 6, whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that in some foreign countries a different attitude has been taken up in dealing with this matter?

I am afraid that the attitude taken up by foreign countries with regard to operation in their waters is not one that we are necessarily prepared to follow. With regard to Question No. 5, the Home Office are responsible for the administration of the Aliens Order and I have no reason to believe that they are not watching the administration carefully.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any further statement with regard to the expressed intention of the French Government to impose a further cut on the British coal import quota?

I am informed that an announcement has been issued by the French Mines Department to the effect that the proposed cut of 10 per cent. in the quota for United Kingdom coal has been suspended in view of the negotiations between the two Governments which are in contemplation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that under the new Australia-New Zealand Trade Agreement goods from New Zealand entering Australia are exempt from the payment of primage duty, while competing British goods are subject to the duty; and whether, in view of the terms of the Ottawa agreements, he will say what action he proposes to take?

There is nothing in the Australia-New Zealand Trade Agreement which is contrary to the terms of the agreements concluded by this country with the two Dominions at Ottawa. The Commonwealth Government undertook at Ottawa to reduce or remove the primage duty on United Kingdom goods as soon as the finances of Australia would allow, and they have already taken a substantial step in this direction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that excise licences are granted to auctioneers without any inquiry; and whether he will consider establishing definite conditions to ensure the issue of such licences to suitable persons?

I am aware that there is no power under the existing law to refuse an actioneer's licence to any applicant who tenders the amount of the duty. It would require legislation to impose conditions on the issue of such licences and I have not sufficient evidence before me to indicate that legislation for this purpose is necessary or desirable.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the laxity in granting these licences leads to mock auctions which are defrauding the public, and will he not take some action?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will consider the appointment of a Commercial Attache to the Embassy at Bagdad in view of the increasing importance of the trade between the Kingdom of Iraq and Great Britain?

As my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware from the answer to his question on the 28th February, it has been decided to transfer the present Commercial Secretary to His Majesty's Embassy at Bagdad to Haifa, as Commercial Agent in Palestine, as from the 1st April. Adequate arrangements will be made at Bagdad whereby commercial work in Iraq will be continued, but owing to financial exigencies it is not proposed to fill the post of Commercial Secretary at that Embassy.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the trade which was done between this country and Iraq last year was equal to the trade between this country and Persia and Turkey combined, and can he say whether it is the Treasury which is holding up this appointment?

I can only say, in answer to what my hon. and gallant Friend asks, that the commercial interests are not being lost sight of in this matter.

Would it not have been wiser for my hon. and gallant Friend to have asked his questions before we left Iraq rather than now?

Our interests will be represented in Iraq by the consular officer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether there would be any administrative difficulty if a rebate of tax were allowed in respect of the petrol used by the dyeing and cleaning industry;

(2) the estimated loss to the Exchequer if a rebate of 100 per cent. were allowed in respect of the tax on petrol used in the dyeing and cleaning industry?

The administrative difficulty of guarding the revenue against the possible abuse of such a rebate as my hon. Friend suggests would be considerable. In any event it would be impossible to justify allowing it to the dyeing and cleaning industry and not to the numerous other industries that use petrol. I regret that official figures are not available to enable an estimate to be made of the cost of such a rebate.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will provide a return giving a complete list of all industries and/or processes separately receiving financial aids or subsidies, either directly from the Treasury or from one or other of the State Departments, together with the amount of the assistance thus granted in each case, separately, and for each of the last three years?

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the answer, which is necessarily a statement in tabular form, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of new factories set up in Great Britain during 1933; what extensions have been made to existing factories; what has been the total increase in employment as the result of these developments and extensions; and what has been the estimated increase in total wage payments?

A survey of factories opened, extended and closed during 1933 is in course of preparation and, it will I hope be completed by the end of April. The survey will contain information as to the amount of employment afforded by new factories but the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make any statement as to the proposals of His Majesty's Government to increase the use of Indian raw cotton in the textile industry in Lancashire?

As I have previously informed my hon. and gallant Friend, the consideration of proposals to promote the greater use of Indian cotton in this country was undertaken by the Lancashire-Indian Cotton Committee.

May I ask when the Government will be able to report to the House as to what is being done, not what is being considered, in relation to this matter?

Is it not the fact that already, as a result of the activities of this committee, there has been a considerable increase in purchases of Indian cotton by Lancashire, and that at the British Industries Fair there were many examples of cotton cloths made from Indian cotton on exhibit for sale? Is it not clear therefore, that Lancashire is taking a much greater interest in this matter?

I have no reason to be dissatisfied with the work which has been done by the Lancashire-Indian Cotton Committee, and I may inform my hon. Friend that a good deal of the decorations at the British Industries Fair was done through Indian raw cotton.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is regarded as the normal life of a tank in the Army, and how many tanks eight years old and over still form part of the tank units of the Army at the present time?

I do not think that it would be in the public interest to publish this information.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the approximate number of remounts at present maintained by the British Army; and what proportion of these were bred elsewhere than in Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the information given on page 15 of Army Estimates for the current year. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, what steps are taken by his Department to ascertain whether it would be possible to obtain the entire supply of Army remounts within Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and whether any changes have been made in this respect during the past two years with a view to ensuring that the maximum proportion of British horses is obtained for this purpose?

The policy of the Department is based on experience. We endeavour to encourage the farmer breeder both in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but we keep in touch with the Irish Free State, Which provides a valuable auxiliary market. The only recent change in the position is a decision to re-introduce a Government subsidy in aid of light horse breeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the objection in Scotland to schemes prepared by the Educational Endowments Commission, in view of the tendency of the schemes to set at nought the wishes of testators; and whether he will consider amending this Act in order to ensure that greater effect can be given to the wishes of local interests in adhering, as far as possible, to the original schemes of testators?

I am aware that certain of the schemes prepared by the Endowments Commissioners have evoked criticism of the nature indicated. It must be borne in mind, however, that, before any scheme can come into operation, the approval of my right hon. Friend, as responsible for the Scottish Education Department, has to be given. With regard to the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend does not consider it to be necessary to amend the Act in the direction indicated. The present Act, based on the unanimous recommendations of the Committee presided over by Lord Mackenzie, enjoins that special regard should be paid to the spirit of the intention of the founders. Further, existing conditions, both social and educational, have to be kept in mind. These legislative directions appear to afford sufficient guide for the preparation and approval of schemes.

If my hon. Friend is not prepared to introduce legislation to amend the Act of 1928, what other method is there by which the Educational Endowments Commissioners can be curbed in their activities in preventing any testator from disposing of his money as he pleases?

I have already informed my hon. and gallant Friend of the fact that schemes have to be approved by the Department before coming into operation, and there is further procedure to which I shall have to refer in answer to a subsequent question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made regarding the scheme for an air-ambulance service for the conveyance of patients in need of urgent treatment from the Western Isles to the Glasgow infirmaries?

The Department of Health have come to an arrangement with the County Council of Argyll under which urgent cases nominated by the local medical officers (i.e., the patients' family doctors) will be conveyed to hospital by aeroplane. The charges for the hire of the aeroplane, so far as not met by patients, are shared by the County Council and the Department of Health. These arrangements will apply to any part of the county, island or mainland, where the service can be operated. The possibility of assisting a similar service elsewhere in the Highlands and Islands is being kept in view.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken by the Stirlingshire County Council and the Department of Health to provide better housing accommodation for the inhabitants of Stand-burn, Stirlingshire, who lodged a petition under the 1930 Act against the failure of the Stirlingshire County Council to provide them with good houses?

A public local inquiry into the housing conditions in Standburn was held on the 15th and 16th January, and the Commissioner inspected the houses on the 29th January. His report has now been submitted, and is under consideration.

Is not this Commission taking far too long to make its report, seeing that it is a month since it sat, and that that time it was horrified—the Chairman used that expression—at the conditions which prevailed?

The Commissioner, as I have stated in my answer, has submitted his report, and that report is now under consideration. I may add that there will be no unnecessary delay at all in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the communication from the Association of County Councils in Scotland expressing the view that private enterprise cannot under existing conditions provide houses in Scotland to be let to the working classes at reasonable rentals, and that the provisions of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, will not enable local authorities to supply the houses needed; and whether he intends to introduce proposals to amend the Act, or in any other way to encourage the erection of houses to be let at rentals within the means of low-paid wage-earners?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second, the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1933, did not become law until the build- season for 1933 was well advanced, and while its effect in stimulating private enterprise has so far been slight, further experience, in my right hon. Friend's view, must be gained before it can be said that it will prove ineffective for that purpose, or that private builders cannot supply houses for the working classes at reasonable rents. The question of instituting further measures to abate overcrowding, for which subsidies are provided under the Act referred to, and under the Act of 1930, is at present receiving the attention of the Government.

When are we likely to have a decision on the point, in view of the urgent need of more houses for low-paid wage-earners?

I cannot add to the statement that I have made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the country with the opposition of the Marr Trustees to the scheme of the Education Endowment Commissioners for the control of Marr College, Troon; and if the Scottish Education Office intend to take early action to have the college made available for public education?

I am not aware that the Marr Trustees are offering objections to the amended scheme which has now been adjusted between the Commissioners and the Department. The scheme as thus adjusted was advertised on 16th February, 1934. The hon. Member will recollect that the Statute requires from that date a period of two months during which the Department will receive any objections to the scheme made to them in writing. If at the conclusion of that period the Department approves the scheme, the Statute requires a further period of two months before the scheme is submitted to His Majesty in Council for final approval. That period is to give objectors an opportunity of petitioning that the scheme should be laid before Parliament. The hon. Member will thus see that, owing to the elaborate procedure laid down by Parliament, the Department's powers to expedite the opening of the Marr College are strictly limited, but I can assure him that no action by the Department will in any way prolong the period which must elapse before that opening takes place.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this college has been empty for three years now; and will he bear in mind that if, in spite of the fact that the place has an endowment, four months more are to elapse before any action can be taken, for that period children will be kept out who, otherwise, might be taking advantage of this education?

That is true, but I am afraid that I cannot alter the statutory procedure. It is rather rash of me to say so, but I think I am safe in saying that there is no particular reason to anticipate that there will be any extraneous cause of further delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can give any information with regard to the plasterers' strike, and the effect which it is likely to have upon the provision of houses and the payment of subsidy?

The first part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. As regards the second part, my hon. Friend will readily understand that the continuation of the strike would postpone the completion of houses not yet plastered. Subsidy becomes payable on completion of the houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of convictions for breach of the law committed along the East Coast of Scotland, respectively, for illegal trawling and for illegal seining during the last three years?

In 1933 the number of convictions for illegal trawling was seven, for illegal seining nine. The corresponding figures for 1932 were three and ten, and in 1931 none and 17 respectively. These figures relate to the East Coast of Scotland, including the Moray Firth but excluding Orkney and Zetland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of recorded convictions constitutes less than 1 per cent. of the boats engaged in illegal operations, having regard to the reports made from time to time about offenders which have been seen but escaped by concealing their names and numbers?

I am afraid that I have not made the arithmetical calculation that the hon. Member has in his mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the petitions and correspondence that have been put before the Department of Agriculture for years by the inhabitants of Strond and Borrisdale, Harris, requesting the construction of a road for vehicular traffic to connect them with the highway at each end of the townships; that a patient died while being conveyed from his home, which could not be reached by an ambulance either by land or air; and when will a road be provided for these townships and the people of South Harris?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no information as to the incident mentioned in the second part of the question. As I informed the hon. Member in my letter of 10th February, the initiative in the matter of providing a road rests with the county council to whom it would be open to apply for a Grant-in-Aid of the cost of constructing the road.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when applications are sent in for the construction of township roads the Department of Agriculture, as a rule, leaves the initiative with the county council who generally take the view that the responsibility for constructing township roads lies with the Department of Agriculture who created the settlements; is he also aware that the almost invariable reply of the Department of Agriculture when definitely asked to construct such roads is "no funds available"; and will the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, get the money by pressing the Treasury for grants?

As the cost of maintaining these roads must rest on the county council in the future, the hon. Member will see that the initiative in constructing the road must rest on the shoulders of those who have to maintain them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the petitions and correspondence that have been put before the Department of Agriculture for years by the inhabitants of Lochportain, Cheesebay, and Hoebeg, North Uist, requesting the construction of a road for vehicular traffic to connect them with the highway about four miles distant; if he is aware that 32 holdings were created there by the Department eight years ago; and that the present means of communication with Lochmaddy is by sea, and when the sea is rough it is impossible to summon doctors or nurses in case of illness and cattle cannot be sent to market without loss; and when will a road be constructed to complete the settlement of these townships?

As I have already indicated to my hon. Friend, the initiative in this matter must rest with the county council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the dangerous and badly lighted condition of the pier at Lochmaddy and of the fatal accident that occurred at the pier; and what he intends to do in order to provide a safe, enlarged, and well-lighted pier for the convenience of the inhabitants of North Uist?

I am aware that certain improvements at Lochmaddy Pier are desirable. There is, however, no evidence that the regrettable drowning accident to which my hon. Friend refers was due to any defect in the pier. As the pier is private property, no assistance can be given from public funds for its improvement.

Has the time not arrived when the Government should step in and when these piers should be owned by the State instead of being privately owned?

When the matter was inquired into, it was stated that there was no evidence that the accident was due to any defect whatever in the pier.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the cost per ton of the miners' welfare levy, mining royalties, wayleaves, local rates, taxes, and workmen's compensation, respectively, for 1931 and 1932?

In 1931, the average cost per ton of saleable coal raised of the miners' welfare levy was 1.00d., of royalties and wayleaves, including the rental value of freehold minerals where worked by the proprietor, 5.56d., of local rates 0.94d., and of workmen's compensation 3.35d. The corresponding figures for 1932 were 1.00d., 5.53d., 0.82d. and 3.56d., respectively. Similar information with regard to taxes is not available.

Do not those figures prove that, instead of the Government making an attack on the welfare levy, they should attack the mining royalties?

The hon. Member would be wrong in drawing that deduction.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, as far as Workmen's Compensation is concerned, there is a discrepancy between his figures and those of the Home Office?

If the hon. Member will examine the two figures, he will find that they are not on the same basis.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines in which pit-head baths have been provided; the number without pit-head baths; and the estimated cost of providing suitable pit-head bath accommodation at all mines in the United Kingdom?

At the end of 1933 159 mines employing about 190,000 wage-earners had been provided with pit-head baths. In addition, building had been commenced or grants made for baths at 48 mines employing about 58,000 wage-earners, making a total of 207 mines with 248,000 wage-earners. There remain some 532,000 wage-earners without pit-head baths. To provide all these with baths, including canteens, would cost between 7½ and 8 million pounds. The hon. Member will realise, however, that there are a number of cases of small mines, or mines with only a short life ahead, where the construction of pit-head baths would not be a reasonable proposition. Apart from these cases, I estimate that approximately £7,125,000, the total which will be made available during the next 19 years under the Bill now before the House, will be sufficient to complete the programme.

As there are 540,000 miners who still need pit-head baths, does the Minister not consider that we should continue the levy and not reduce it?

No. There is a big advantage in the present Bill, because, instead of a short period of five years, it makes provision for 20 years and a programme that can be planned ahead. Further, the hon. Member must understand that the technical staff available for the work is limited.

Does the Minister suggest that the miners should wait for 20 years before they get pit-head baths?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the figures showing the number of mines which have been closed as a result of liquidation since 1920, with the number in which arrears of miners' welfare levy had not been reclaimable?

I am unable to give the number of mines concerned. The number of undertakings which have been wound up since the inception of the fund to 28th February, 1934, and from which arrears of welfare levy have been irrecoverable, is 785. In addition, 79 undertakings are in course of being wound up, and the amount due is likely to be wholly or mainly irrecoverable.

Do not the figures clearly indicate that the so-called bad debts of the levy arise from the liquidation of very small mines?

Whether the mine is small or not, the difficulty is great for the individual.

Is it not clear that the percentage of arrears is very small?

That is another issue.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the increasing and unnecessary overtime worked by a number of miners at the River Level Colliery, Aberdare; and, in view of the large number of unemployed miners in this district, will he take immediate steps to deal with this matter?

Inquiries are being made into this matter, but are not yet completed. I will let the hon. Member know the result if he will put the question down again on Tuesday next.

In the inquiries that are being conducted, will the hon. Gentleman see that representatives of the workmen are consulted by the person holding the inquiry?

The hon. Member must understand that this is a matter of management, but I will consider it.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the danger arising from the accumulation of water resulting from the abandonment of collieries in South Wales; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter?

This problem receives the close attention of His Majesty's Inspectors and appropriate action in particular cases is taken whenever necessary, and I have no reason at present to apprehend that the safety of any mine worker in South Wales is endangered by accumulations of water in abandoned collieries. I should like to give careful consideration to any information on this point that the hon. Member can give me.

May I ask whether the hon. Member is considering any scheme in connection with this matter?

The hon. Member is now raising a wider issue. The point in the question is that of danger; and I have given an answer. I shall be glad if he will put his further question on the Paper.

Is it not the case that the inconvenience and expense caused through the accumulation of water is due to the failure to achieve unified control in this coalfield?

I do not admit any danger; that is the purport of my answer?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries that have gone out of production in the South Wales coalfield since 1926 to date?

Since 1926, 287 coal mines in South Wales and Monmouth have been abandoned. Of these, 56 were new mines opened during this period.

Can the hon. Member say to what extent the abandonment of these mines is due to the restrictions imposed by the Coal Mines Act?

I do not apprehend that it has any relation to it.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of stone dust samples taken by his inspectors at the coal mines of this country during the years 1932 and 1933, and give the number containing matter which, if inhaled, would be injurious to the health of the mine workers?

The materials used for stone dusting in coal mines have been used for that purpose for many years and, their general character and composition being already known from past experience, the inspectors are in a position to deal with the matter at the collieries without taking repeated samples for analysis. The dusts from hard silicious rocks are known to be injurious, and are not allowed to be used for this purpose.

Is the hon. Member aware that there is a strong body of opinion which believes that stone dust is the cause of silicosis, and will he inquire into the matter?

I could not answer that question in a supplementary reply. There are a number of inquiries going on, and there is a good deal of difference of opinion among experts.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that the wholesale and retail prices of butter in Australia are 99s. 4d. per cwt., and 1s. 4d. per 1b., respectively, while the same quality butter is sold in London at 71s. per cwt., and 8d. to 9d. per 1b.; whether such a situation was contemplated by the Ottawa Agreements; whether the Australian Government has been informed that such subsidised exports have to be met by British subsidies to home-produced milk products; and, if so, what has been the reply?

During the period from approximately 29th January to 17th February—the latest period for which information is available—the wholesale price of what is known as "Kangaroo" butter was 98s. per cwt. (Australian currency) in Melbourne and the retail price there was approximately 1s. per 1b. I understand that the present wholesale price of the same quality of butter in London ranges from 68s. to 69s. per cwt. and that while the retail price varies in different districts it averages approximately 10d. per 1b. The variation between the prices in London and in Australia, therefore, is not as great as the figures given by the right hon. Member would suggest, even allowing for the cost of shipment, etc., and when allowance is also made for the difference between the value of Australian currency and of sterling. Price differentiation already existed at the time of the Ottawa Conference, and is not inconsistent with the Ottawa Agreement. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is it not somewhat ridiculous that the British taxpayer should be called upon to subsidise milk production in this country in order to meet subsidised milk products from Australia?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of milk products, other than butter and cheese, imported from foreign countries in 1933; and how many gallons of milk this amount represents?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the desired information.

Can my right hon. Friend give an answer to the last part of the question?

83,000,000 gallons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will further restrict the imports of fat cattle from the Irish Free State after 31st March?

The question of imports of fat cattle from the Irish Free State after 31st March is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the numbers of cattle that have arrived in this country from the Irish Free State in January and February, 1934, compare with the numbers in the same period of 1933?

Exactly comparable figures are not available, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing for January and February, 1933, the recorded exports from the Irish Free State to the United Kingdom and for January and February, 1934, the imports recorded in connection with the Cattle (Import Regulation) Order.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the retail prices of bacon to the public at the present time, and comparable prices in the years 1929, 1930, and 1931?

At 1st February, 1934, the latest date for which information is available, the average retail price of bacon, as ascertained by the inquiries which are made for the purpose of the official cost of living index number, was 1s. 1¾d. per 1b. At the corresponding dates in 1929, 1930 and 1931 the average retail prices per 1b. were 1s. 3¾d., 1s. 5½., and 1s. 0½d. respectively. The particulars collected relate as a rule to streaky bacon, but in some localities prices are obtained for other cuts which are more representative of local consumption.

Is it not a fact that the price to-day is threepence above what it would be if the Government had not forced the price up?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what is the percentage of seizures by His Majesty's Customs at the various ports of landing of fat cattle shipped as stores from the Irish Free State?

Information in the form asked for by my hon. Friend is not available, but I may say that in the period from the 1st January when the Cattle (Import Regulations) Order, 1933, came into operation, to the 24th February, the total number of seizures of fat cattle at all ports was 185 representing one-third of 1 per cent. of the total number of cattle imported.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take immediate steps to instal, for the use of the public using the Glasgow Central Post Office, a date indicator or calendar?

Arrangements have been made to instal four date indicators at the public counter in the Glasgow Head Post Office.

Is the hon. Member aware of some of the promises which were made on the 18th March last year, and will he see that this promise is acted upon?

I have just informed the hon. Member that I have given him more than he has asked. He asked for one, and I have given him four.

Seeing that we waited one year for one, we might have to wait four years for four.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the evidence submitted to him and the petition signed by 124 householders in Gateside, Fife, he will now agree to making special inquiries into the complaints regarding the postal service in that district?

I have received the petition in question and will write to my hon. Friend when I have made the necessary inquiries.

Will the Minister consider convening a public meeting of the petitioners which might be met by his representative end the whole matter discussed openly and grievances expressed, and, I hope, redressed.

I am afraid that I cannot add to what I have told the hon. Member, namely, that I have received a petition and am looking into the matter.

asked the Attorney-General the number of magistrates removed from the bench during each of the last three years and the reasons therefor, whether age, at their own request, or for other causes?

In 1931 four Justices of the Peace were removed from the Commission of the Peace following convictions for criminal offences, and in 1932 two for the same reason. There were no removals in 1933. Three Justices in 1931 and 1932 respectively and one in 1933 were permitted to resign in view of misbehaviour. I regret I am unable to give the hon. Member the number that have resigned for other reasons, as no records are kept of resignations other than resignations in view of misbehaviour.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say how many magistrates there are over the age of 90?

I cannot tell my hon. Friend.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether any of those magistrates were women, or whether they were all men?

That information is not recorded.

If they were all men, does not it show the necessity of having more women?

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the estimated cost for police protection and control in respect of the unemployed marchers?

If the hon. Member will repeat his question in a week's time, I hope that it will then be possible to give him an answer.

May I ask if the attention of the right hon. Gentleman has been drawn to a speech which was made by one of the leaders of the hunger marchers on 25th February, in which he said that this was a magnificent revolutionary demonstration?

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the immediate appointment of a commission to inquire into the effects of unemployment on the industrial population of the country, with particular reference to the children, so that they may issue a report and make recommendations which could serve as a guide to those who will be charged with the duty of administering the Unemployment Insurance Bill when it becomes an Act?

Having regard to the sources of information which are already open to the Government, and which will be at the disposal of those charged with the duty of administering the provisions of the Unemployment Bill, I do not think that it is necessary to appoint a special commission of inquiry.

Will the Prime Minister consider issuing some paper collecting and collating those sources of information?

I am perfectly willing to consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend, but I doubt its utility.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to protect local authorities from loss in the event of the coming into operation of the financial provisions of the Unemployment Bill being delayed?

No contributions will be required to be made by local authorities until the provisions of Part II of the Unemployment Bill with which they are concerned come into operation, and no question of loss can, therefore, arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to give effect to the recommendations of the Home Office Committee in 1919 for the adoption, for official and other purposes, of the 24-hours' system of expressing time?

In the absence of any evidence of general public demand for the change indicated, His Majesty's Government does not feel justified in taking any action. I am informed that the British Broadcasting Corporation have decided in the near future, as an experiment, to adopt the 24-hour system for all purposes; and His Majesty's Government will await the result of that experiment before giving further consideration to the matter.

Will the Minister say whether it is a fact or not that this system has already been adopted by the Services, and by the Post Office?

Certainly not by the Post Office. It was, of course, adopted by the Services during the War.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, having regard to the draft scheme for the marketing of sugar, whether he will state what is the present composition of the general committee of the sugar industry and what are its functions?

The General Committee of the United Kingdom Sugar Industry consists of representatives of the 15 companies operating beet sugar factories in England and Scotland and seven sugar refining companies. The committee was set up by the industry with the object of promoting agreement in the industry as a whole and of submitting agreed reorganisation proposals to the Government.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would have been the revenue derived from duties upon sugar and molasses manufactured from beet grown in Great Britain in 1933 if duties had been levied upon them at the rates chargeable upon sugar and molasses imported from foreign countries and from Empire countries, respectively?

Precise figures relating to sugar and molasses manufac- tured from beet grown in a particular year are not available but the approximate amount of duty which would have been paid on sugar and molasses manufactured from home-grown beet delivered for home consumption in 1933 had duty been charged at the rates applicable to sugar and molasses imported from foreign countries and Empire countries respectively is as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the apprehension in Bermuda, the Solomon Islands and the West Indies, he will give an assurance that, under no circumstances whatever, will His Majesty's Government agree to a settlement of war debts as between this country and the United States by ceding territory or any portion of the British Empire?

It is, I think, self-evident that there could under no circumstances be any question of such an arrangement.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him whether he discussed with the Government of the United States the question of dismantling our naval bases in the West Indies and Bermuda?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Imperial Defence Committee has considered the vulnerability of the naval bases of Chatham, Sheerness and Portsmouth to aerial attack; and what have been the conclusions reached?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It would not be in the public interest, however, for details of the conclusions reached or the measures taken to be disclosed.

Are there no means whereby we may obtain some information on this matter, which is causing legitimate anxiety?

I am afraid I cannot add to what I have said.

Is it not the case that there are no means of rendering invulnerarble the places referred to?