asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the fact that the trade commercial negotiations with Japan are to be complicated by the introduction of political proposals; and whether he proposes, so far as this country is concerned, to keep these negotiations with Japan on a purely trade basis?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. McEntee).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in considering any future agreements with foreign countries, he will make provision that any such agreements do not extend beyond the date of the expiration of the Ottawa Agreements Act, in order that the Government of that time may not be prejudiced when negotiating alterations or revisions of those agreements?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what approximate date it is expected that the formal trade negotiations between Great Britain and Poland will commence?

I hope that it will be possible to begin negotiations in a few weeks' time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make a statement with regard to the text of the proposals of the Japanese Government to prevent their nationals from imitating and copying the trade marks of other countries and other such methods of unfair trading?

I have seen announcements in the Press to the effect that the Japanese Government have introduced a Bill to deal with the question of unfair competition but I have not received the text of this measure.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the imports in 1931 and 1933, respectively, of those classes of goods on which, result of recent agreements with foreign countries, we are debarred either from imposing any duties at all or from imposing higher duties than those which were in operation at the time the agreements were entered into?

I am having a statement prepared which I will send to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of imports in 1931, 1932, and 1933, respectively, of all those classes of goods in respect of which additional duties, higher than those imposed under the Import Duties Act which came into force on 26th April, 1932, have been subsequently imposed?

Particulars of the value of imports of goods dutiable under the Import Duties Act, and subsequent additional Orders are given in Table 8 of Volume II of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1932, for the period beginning 1st March, 1932, when the Act came into operation, and ending 31st December of that year. Corresponding particulars for periods prior to the 1st March, 1932, are not available, while those in respect of 1933 have not yet been compiled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to seek a revision of the trade agreement with Germany under which the duties on clocks were reduced from 33⅓per cent. to 20 per cent. in some cases and 25 per cent. in others, having regard to the fact that the imports of clocks and clock movements increased from 419,712 in the first two months of 1933 to 677,245 in the corresponding period of 1934, an increase of 61.4 per cent.?

No, Sir.

In view of the large percentage of increase in imports in a single year does the hon. Member think that this British industry has sufficient protection?

That is another matter. What I have said is that once a trade agreement has been made with a foreign country the Board of Trade does not propose to interfere with it until it has had a run.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to seek a revision of the trade agreements with Norway and Sweden under which duties on kraft paper were reduced from 25 per cent. to 16⅔per cent., having regard to the fact that the retained imports of kraft paper increased from 215,277 cwts. in the first two months of 1933 to 365,366 cwts. in the corresponding period of 1934?

No, Sir. The import duty on kraft paper was reduced as part of a trade bargain concluded for a term of three years under which this country obtained concessions in, other directions.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, when the time comes to reconsider this matter, that it is not only the reduced duty but also the Scandinavian exchange with which the British manufacturers of kraft paper have to contend?

Yes, Sir, all those considerations will be borne in mind.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much coal these increased imports represent?

Not without having the question on the Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the large increase in the quantities of many classes of manufactured goods imported in the first two months of the present year as compared with the corresponding period of last year; and whether, under these circumstances, he is prepared to provide in the Budget for a general increase in the level of import duties now in operation?

I would refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for the Stroud Division (Mr. Perkins) on the 28th March.

Am I to understand that His Majesty's Government mean that they have no responsibility for the general level of tariff duties?

I hope my hon. Friend will not understand anything of the kind.

But is it not the ease that all previous answers have said that this is a matter solely for the Import Duties Advisory Committee?

My hon. Friend is as well acquainted with the law as I am, and he can draw his own deductions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of applications for higher duties that have been under the consideration of the Import Duties Advisory Committee for periods exceeding 12 months and six months, respectively?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the maximum and the minimum periods, respectively, which have elapsed between an application to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for an additional duty and the date on which an additional duty was imposed as a sequel to such application; and will he say on what basis the variation of period is agreed for the various types of products concerned therein?

I am advised that it is difficult to say in many cases at what date tentative inquiries become a definite and documented application by the industry concerned. Moreover, an application may be held in abeyance by the applicants, or by the Import Duties Advisory Committee on the ground that the time is not ripe to take a definite decision either to reject it or to make a recommendation. Additional duties have been imposed or varied on very many classes of goods, large and small, and I do not think I should be justified in asking the committee to undertake the lengthy research that would be involved in endeavouring to estimate periods which could not, for the reasons just given, convey any useful information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the length of time taken by the Import Duties Advisory Committee in dealing with applications by certain industries, he will introduce amending legislation to empower immediate action where excessive importations are shown or where great delay is likely, so as to prevent the uncertainty and forestalling which may ensue?

My hon. Friend's suggestion would appear to involve putting on the duty first and inquiring into its desirability afterwards, and I do not think legislation of such a nature would be justified.

Will my hon. Friend consider listening to the representations of those industries which have been suffering in the manner I have indicated?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of carpets for January and February of 1934 were 629,000 square yards as compared with 364,000 square yards for the same period in 1933; and whether he is proposing to take steps to restrict the imports of these goods?

I am aware of the figures quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply I gave on the 20th March to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. H. Williams).

In view of the fact that the imports of carpets have increased from 2,500 square yards in 1932 to 270,000 square yards for the corresponding period in 1933 will the hon. Member take some action?

A large percentage of the increase comes from India.

Is it not the case that the bulk of the increase comes from Belgium, whose imports have gone up by more than 1,000 per cent.?

It is the fact that a large quantity comes from Belgium, but, when the figures are looked into, I think it will be found that my statement is the more accurate and that the greater quantity has come from India.

If the greater quantity has come from India, is not that all the more reason why immediate steps should be taken to limit the imports from foreign countries?

That is a point which will be taken into consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the tonnage of retained imports of iron and steel in the first two months of 1934 was only 3 per cent. below the level of those in the same period of 1923; and, having regard to this fact, is he prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose of restricting these imports to a point below their present level?

I am aware of the figures to which my hon. Friend refers, but any question of a variation in the duties payable on these goods is a matter for the Import Duties Advisory Committee in the first instance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when an announcement will be made for the purpose of removing the doubt which prevails as to the continuance of the present scale of duties on iron and steel after 25th October next.?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the retained imports of steel bars, rods, etc., increased from 32,407 tons in the first two months of 1933 to 66,909 tons in the same period of 1934, he will make an early statement with regard to the fixing of the iron and steel duties in view of the uncertainty which now prevails, and which is delaying the erection of new plant for the production of steel bars?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Cardiff South (Captain A. Evans) on the 15th February last and the letter from the Import Duties Advisory Committee mentioned therein. I do not think that I can usefully add anything at present, except to say that the Import Duties Advisory Committee will no doubt make their report and recommendations on the subject in due course. I understand that a decision on the proposed scheme for a new central organisation for the industry is to be taken on Thursday next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of our total imports of dairy produce during the last 12 months has been imported from foreign sources; and whether he will undertake not to impose any restriction of imports from Empire countries until this percentage from foreign sources is substantially reduced?

In the 12 months ended March, 1934, the value of the imports into the United Kingdom of dairy produce consigned from foreign countries represented 48 per cent. of the total imports of such products. I can assure my hon. Friend that in any measures which may be taken to restrict imports of dairy produce due consideration will be given to the interests of the Empire producer.

Ought not the Empire to have first call in this matter over foreign countries, and can the hon. Member say why there has been constant propaganda from Ministerial sources in support of a restriction of Empire products while foreign products are to come, in unrestricted?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing obstacles placed in the way of the United Kingdom exports to Switzerland by the Swiss Government import restrictions, especially with regard to sanitary fittings, baths, etc.; and whether, in view of Switzerland's favourable trade balance with this country and also the money spent in recent months by British tourists in Switzerland, he will use such means as may be within his powers to obtain an increase in the quota of these particular articles?

I am aware of the import restrictions imposed by the Swiss Government on the goods referred to by the hon. Member and the matter is being taken up with the Swiss authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the countries by which the Government has been asked to convene a maritime conference to help the shipping industry; what is the agenda for such a conference; and what has been the reply of the British Government?

The Government has not been asked by the Government of any other country to convene a maritime conference to help the shipping industry, but as stated in the Press on 6th April, the Danish, Netherland, Norwegian and Swedish Ministers in London have, on behalf of their respective Governments, stated that if the British Government should convene a conference on the position of shipping, their Governments would be willing to send delegates. A reply is being sent to the effect that note has been taken of the representations. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Press statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great disparity between wholesale and retail prices of many commodities; and whether he will set up an inquiry to investigate the rate of profit obtained by retailers of commodities of all kinds, whether new or second-hand, with a view to checking excessive rates of profit obtained by retailers, middlemen and dealers at the expense of producers and consumers?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that there has been any general increase in the margin between wholesale and retail prices and sees no reason to institute an inquiry of the nature suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the percentage of the eggs in shell imported into this country from China increased from 6 per cent. of the total im- ports? from all countries in the first two months of 1932 to over 17 per cent. in the same period of 1934; and will he take steps, by restriction of imports, to protect British poultry farmers against this growing Asiatic competition?

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture informed the House on 15th March, steps are being taken to limit the imports of eggs in shell into this country from foreign countries during the period 15th March to 14th September to the figures for the corresponding period of last year. In the case of China the importers of the eggs have given the desired undertaking.

Would it not be better that these Chinese eggs should be marked "Laid in China," so that buyers will know what they are getting?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, out of a total importation of beef from all countries in the first two months of 1934, amounting to 1,913,459 cwts., 182,317 cwts. are shown in the trade returns as having come from foreign countries with which we have concluded no recent trade agreements; and, in view of the continued depression of the livestock industry in this country, will he take steps by restricting imports to protect that industry against this competition from countries that are extending to us no concessions?

I am aware of the figures to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The restrictions on the importation of foreign beef provided for in the Ottawa Agreements and the emergency arrangements apply equally to all the foreign countries concerned, and my right hon. Friend is not at present prepared to depart from that principle.

In view of the fact that there is no reason why action should not be taken in the case of foreign countries who do not come within an agreement, cannot we have some hope that early action will be taken?

I am not sure what foreign countries the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, but with at least one of them to which he refers, trade negotiations are being actually conducted at the present moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that unemployment in the jute industry is higher than in any other branch of the textile industry, and to the fact that the imports of jute sacks in the first two months of the present year were 59 per cent. higher than in the corresponding period of 1933; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the situation, in view of the fact that this increase in importation is diminishing the advantages given to the export of jute manufactures as a consequence of the trade agreement with Denmark?

While I am aware that the position of the jute industry remains unsatisfactory, the increase in the exports of jute sacks and bags in the first two months of the present year, in comparison with the corresponding period of 1933, is considerably greater than the increase in the imports of these goods, and employment in the industry is appreciably better than it was a year ago.

Is it not the fact that the decrease in unemployment in the jute industry has been more than 3,000 this year?

I have it in percentage rather than in numbers, but I have no doubt that the hon. Lady's figures are, as usual, correct.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any information as to what proportion of the Argentine Republic's exports for 1933 were taken by Japan?

The total value of the exports from the Argentine Republic in 1933 amounted to 1,120.8 million pesos, of which 4.9 million pesos, or 0.4 per cent., represented the value of exports to Japan.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Japanese cotton textiles enter the Argentine Republic with the same rates of Customs duties as those from Lancashire?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his attention has been drawn to the fact that the yardage of the retained imports of silk piece goods in the first two months of the present year was 52 per cent. higher than in the corresponding period of 1933; and whether he will take steps to secure that the embargo on the investigation of the Silk Duties by the Import Duties Advisory Committee shall now be withdrawn?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Lyons) on the 11th April.

Will my hon. Friend give any indication whatsoever as to when the embargo is likely to be withdrawn, so that the inquiry can be continued?

My right hon. Friend expects shortly to make a statement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the imports of hats and caps in January and February of this year are 95 per cent. higher than in January and February of last year; whether any representations by the industries concerned have been made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee; and, if so, whether any recommendation has as yet been received from the committee?

I am aware of the increase in imports of hats and hoods and shapes for making hats to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which was given on the 22nd May last to the hon. Member for South Derby (Mr. Emrys-Evans) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can publish the correspondence, if any, that has passed between this country and the Dominion of New Zealand regarding the restriction of butter imports; and whether there has been any suggestion on the part of that Dominion that there should be a reduction on their part of duties on manufactured goods in return for the removal of restrictions on imports from their Dominion?

I am arranging for the early-publication of the telegraphic correspondence recently exchanged with His Majesty's Government in New Zealand in regard to dairy produce. As regards the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to my reply to a question addressed to me by the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Johnstone) on 28th March.

Is it not a fact that there has been an offer of some kind from New Zealand that she is prepared to let in goods from this country if we will allow her to supply a full quantity of their produce to us?

I have already indicated that I am arranging for the correspondence to be published. The hon. Member will draw his own deductions when he sees it.

Is it not a fact that New Zealand buys more manufactured goods per head from us than any other country in the world

And sell us the best butter?

That is true, and we buy 98 per cent. of the New Zealand produce.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what negotiations have taken place with regard to prolonging the provisions of the Ottawa Agreement beyond the date originally laid down; and what representations have been made on behalf of New Zealand with a view to reciprocal arrangements which will enable imports of New Zealand butter and cheese to be maintained?

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind not the provisions of the Ottawa Agreements as a whole, but the particular provisions relating to meat, which expire on 30th June next, and dairy produce, which expire on 20th August, 1935. No negotiations with a view to extending the periods specified in these provisions have taken place. As regards the second part of the question, no representations of the kind indicated have been made by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, but I am arranging for the early publication of correspondence with His Majesty's Government in New Zealand which indicates the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that the Canadian Government are importing from Sweden between 60 and 70 pedigree pigs, including a number of large white Yorkshire boars; and whether, in view of the fact that the Ottawa Agreements permit free entry into this country of 2,500,000 cwt. of bacon and ham from Canada, he will make representations to the Canadian Government with a view to their purchasing future consignments of pedigree breeding pigs from this country?

I am aware of the transactions referred to, but, according to my information, all but eight of these pigs are of a breed which is not available in the United Kingdom. In the circumstances, my hon. Friend will no doubt agree that no action such as that suggested is needed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these eight pigs can be obtained in this country, and will he make representations with regard to that?

I am always priding myself on being an authority on many things except pigs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in view of the decision of the courts that Sub-section 2 of Section 51 of the Bankruptcy Act does not apply to the prospective and contingent earnings of a professional man in the exercise of his profession, cases of considerable hardship exist where creditors in poor circumstances are unable to obtain any sums owed to them by persons who have been adjudged bankrupt and subsequently earn substantial sums in the above-mentioned way; and whether he will consider the introduction of amending legislation to deal with this matter?

Any proposal to extend the provisions of Section 51 of the Bankruptcy Act to cases in which future income or earnings are contingent and fluctuating would be attended by serious practical difficulties, but other provisions of the Bankruptcy Act already enable the Official Receiver to intervene on behalf of the creditors in cases where evidence is forthcoming that an undischarged bankrupt is, in fact, earning substantial sums in the exercise of his profession.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a census of Horses suitable for military purposes is ever carried out; and, if so, what the total cost of such a census to the War Department is?

A census of all horses and ponies in Great Britain is taken periodically. The last was held in 1924. A further census will be taken in May this year, the provision in Estimates being £l,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether practice mobilisations are ever carried out now by the various units of the Army as they used to be before the War?

Exercises in which formations and units are brought up to war strength by reinforcement from other units are held from time to time for experimental and training purposes, but it has not been possible, since the War, to practice mobilisation of units to the extent of calling up reservists.

In view of the fact that in the mobilisation in 1914 serious deficiencies were discovered, does not my hon. Friend think that these exercises should be more frequently held?

It is largely a question of the expense involved.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the petition by the Natal provincial council for the grant of the battle honour of Rorke's Drift to the South Wales Borderers; and whether he can make any statement as to the attitude of his Department on this matter?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press. I am unable to say in advance what the attitude of the War Office would be if such a request were referred to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the scheme has been prepared dealing with the Aberlour Orphanage Trust by the Educational Endowments Commission; if it has been submitted to him; and, if so, when he proposes to give his decision upon it?

The scheme prepared by the commissioners has been submitted to the Department and is now being considered along with the objections thereto which have been received. The right hon. Gentleman may be interested to learn that the commissioners, after negotiation with the executive committee of the Representative Church Council of the Episcopal Church in Scotland and with the Committee of Management of Aberlour Orphanage, have themselves proposed that the scheme be remitted to them by the Department in order that effect may be given to certain agreed amendments which, I am informed, will render the scheme acceptable to the afore-mentioned bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officers who qualified at entrance by examination for the lower branches of the British Civil Service are employed by the Department of Agriculture in Scotland; how many qualified at entrance by examination for the higher administrative or first division positions in the British Civil Service are employed by the said Department; and, particularly, how many of each division are employed in connection with land settlement in Scotland?

The staff of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland includes two officers who entered the Civil Service by the examination for Class I clerkships (now administrative class) and 176 who entered by other examinations. The corresponding numbers for the land settlement division are none and 34. These numbers relate to the examinations for entrance to classes common to the Civil Service, excluding typing grades.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider approaching the Treasury as to the position with regard to the employment of officers in these grades, with a view to providing that some of the higher officials shall be placed in Scotland, having regard to the peculiar problems arising there, especially in connection with land legislation?

That matter is presently under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board to ensure that milk intended for liquid consumption shall be adequately tested for the proper maintenance of a pure milk standard?

The board have prescribed a minimum butter fat content standard of 3.4 per cent. The question of fixing a standard for cleanliness is engaging the attention of the board.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that dissatisfaction has already arisen in regard to the test by the Department's independent laboratory and that one prosecution has already taken place in which it was shown that a farmer in 10 days had supplied 560 gallons and had introduced 96½gallons of water; and will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to deal with this matter?

I understand that there have been some complaints. The matter is engaging the attention of the board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the Scottish Milk Marketing Board is levying haulage charges upon farmers whose milk is drawn in their own vehicles 100 per cent. more than those farmers are credited with for performing this haulage; and under what authority the board has acted in creating a special fund from this excessive charge and for what purpose has it to be used?

As regards the first part of the question, I am aware that the haulage position under the Scottish Milk Marketing Scheme is to the effect suggested by the hon. Member. As regards the second part, the authority for the action of the Board is contained in Sections 21, 24 (3) (e) and 61 of the scheme. I am informed that any sum at the credit of the fund is taken into account by the board in determining at the end of each month the average price payable to the producers for the milk supplied by them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which education areas the 37 advanced division schools in Scotland were situated?

As the answer is in the nature of a tabular statement, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of their work has already been completed by the Educational Endowments (Scotland) Commission; and whether it is expected that their work will be completed by the end of this year when the commissioners' term of office expires?

The Commission have completed rather more than half of their work, but they still have to deal with the endowments of Glasgow, Dunbarton, Fife, Lanark, Perth and Kinross, Renfrew and Stirling. I am informed that full details of the state of progress will be given in the Commissioners' Fifth Report, which will be published at an early date and will be available for hon. Members. It will not be possible for the Commissioners to complete their work by the end of this year.

Is it proposed to end the life of this Commission at the end of the year?

The question of whether legislation will be introduced continuing the life of the Commission is at present under consideration.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the people of Scotland desire that the Commission's life should be ended?

All relevant considerations will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of tons of stone dust used in each of the inspectorate districts for the country during the years 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933, respectively, giving the output of coal in each district for the same period?

Information as to the amount of stone dust used is not available and presumably, therefore, the second part of the question does not arise, but if the hon. Member still wishes to have that information, I shall be glad to send it to him.

asked the Secretary for Mines if accidents that occur to persons using pithead baths are reported to his Department; and, if so, will he give the figures for 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933?

The official returns of accidents at coal mines do not include accidents to persons using pithead baths, but I understand that during the four years in question compensation was paid in respect of about 150 such accidents. I should explain that the trustees of every baths installation are required to take out a policy of insurance to provide every colliery employé who is injured whilst using the baths with the same compensation as he would be entitled to under the Workmen's Compensation Act if the injury occurred in the course of his employment at the colliery.

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of the stocks of coal at the pit-heads for the years 1925 and 1933; and will he give separate figures for Lancashire?

At 31st December, 1925, the quantity of coal in stock at pit-head in Great Britain was 4,971,000 tons and at 31st December, 1933, 6,096,000 tons. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were 661,000 tons and 648,000 tons, respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that miners engaged at Raglan Colliery, South Wales, are compelled to work excessive overtime in shifting conveyors after the termination of their statutory hours; and whether he will take steps to prevent these breaches of the law?

I have not yet completed my inquiries in this case, so perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to put down his question again in a week's time.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can give the output in the mining industry of the first quarter of the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934, respectively?

The output of coal in Great Britain during the first quarter of 1931 was 57,311,000 tons. The corresponding figures for the years 1932 to 1934 were 55,847,000, 56,177,000, and 59,669,000 tons. It should be noted that the output in 1931 was affected by a dispute in South Wales and that in 1932 and 1934 by the incidence, in whole or in part, of the Easter holidays.

Does my hon. Friend attribute this improvement in trade in the main to the policy pursued by the National Government?

Naturally.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what the National Government have done?

I have done that on many occasions, and I hope to do it on many more.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are fewer men working in the mines?

I am aware that they are working more shifts per week.

asked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made in the organisation of courses of safety instruction for boys employed at the mines in Northumberland and Durham?

Courses of safety instruction covering a period of three months were started last Autumn at con- venient centres in both counties, and over 1,750 boys in all were enrolled. A second session of classes was started in the New Year, and enrolments, which numbered about 1,400, represent an entirely fresh set of boys except for a few boys who are taking the course a second time. These results have only been achieved by the combined and unremitting efforts of men of good will in the education authorities and all sections of the mining industry, and of the boys themselves. I have great hopes of the advantages to be secured from these courses of safety instruction, and I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my warm appreciation of the public-spirited work of all those concerned, and of the success which is attending it.

In view of the advantage of this particular form of instruction, will the Minister encourage the formation of similar classes in other districts?

My hon. Friend will understand that other counties follow Yorkshire, Notts and Derby, Lancashire, and other districts, and we are doing all we can to get every district to take them up.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether steps have been taken to bring to the notice of those engaged in the mining industry the booklet recently published by the Safety in Mines Research Board dealing with the problem of preventing accidents from falls of ground; and whether copies of this booklet can be made available for Members of this House?

Yes, Sir, this valuable booklet has been given wide publicity by notices and lectures, and in the general and technical Press, and nearly 18,000 copies have been sold in the period of 10 weeks since the booklet was published. In response to the latter part of the question, I have arranged for a supply of copies to be available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has a report of the number of cases in which firemen or deputies report the presence of gas on their daily inspections; and whether he is able to make comparison of the state of ventilation in coal mines from such information?

The answer to the first part of the question is "No." As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that was given him in reply to a similar question on 4th December last. The statutory reports of the inspections made by deputies are studied at the mines by His Majesty's inspectors in relation to their own inspections and reports.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received reports of the emission of sparks from the violent contact of steel rings on removal by mechanical appliances; and whether, having regard to the possible ignition of firedamp by such means, he will require special attention to the state of ventilation on all roadways where such operations are to be carried out?

I have a long answer, and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the situation in many European countries, he will introduce legislation to forbid the sale of armaments abroad by British armament firms?

I am sure it is obvious to my hon. Friend that if his object is to promote disarmament and peace by such legislation, similar legislation would be needed and would have to be strictly applied in other countries also where armament factories exist. In this country certain powers to regulate export of arms exist, but there are no such powers and no such practice in most other countries, and our attempts to get international agreement upon the subject have not met with much support hitherto.

My purpose in putting the question is not to raise the general question of disarmament; the specific question that I put to the Prime Minister was whether he would do something to prevent British armament firms arming our potential enemies on the Continent?

The point is that armaments dealt with in this way must have an object. The object is undoubtedly general disarmament and peace, and that can only be done by agreement.

Has there come to my right hon. Friend's notice any particular case in which an armament firm in this country has taken action in foreign countries of the nature suggested in the question?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there were British soldiers killed in the last War with British shells?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the failure of the efforts of the League of Nations' Commission to settle the dispute between Bolivia and Paraguay, he will consider the advisability of proposing at a public session of the Council of the League that every country should place an embargo on the export of arms to these two States?

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones) on the 27th November, it has proved impossible to obtain unconditional acceptance by all the Governments of the States members of the League Council of a form of declaration submitted to the council on the 8th March, 1933. The Commission appointed by the League of Nations to investigate the Bolivia-Paraguay dispute has now re- turned to Europe but has not yet presented its report, and it would not seem that any further action can usefully be taken until the recommendations of the Commission have been submitted.

Is it not a fact that if the armament interests of the world as a whole were to cease to supply arms to these two blood-thirsty nations they would not go on fighting?

That may be, but His Majesty's Government have already taken an initiative in this matter. It is not their fault if others do not follow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the additional income derived from co-operative societies in respect of the last financial year by reason of the provision of the Finance Act, 1933?

A special inquiry is being made to ascertain the increased liability to Income Tax resulting from last year's legislation regarding industrial and provident societies, and I hope to be in a position to furnish the information which my hon. Friend desires at a later date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if

The hon. Member will find full information about the services to which he refers specifically in Parliamentary Papers such as Appropriation Accounts, Trading Accounts and Special Returns; and I do not think the expense of compiling a separate return in the form desired by the hon. Member would be justified.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will submit a return to the House, under various headings, of the subsidies granted from State funds for civil aviation, sugar-beet, housing, and the coal industry for each year from 1920 to the latest available date?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the desirability of legislation for amending the Trustee Act, 1925, to provide for some statutory authority with power to make suitable additions from time to time to the list of securities available for investment by trustees?

No, Sir; I do not think that such a proposal is necessary in the public interest, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the report of the Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Lawrence (Command Paper No. 3107 of 1928).

Will my hon. Friend ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider what other methods there may be of keeping the Trustee Act, 1925, up to date?

I will certainly ask my right hon. Friend anything.