asked the Secretary for Mines if he is now in a position to make a statement on his investigation of overtime worked in the mines; and will he say if an opportunity will be given to the House for a discussion upon it?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have at present nothing to add to the answer I gave on Thursday last to a question by the hon. Member for Hamilton. With regard to the second part, I suggest that the hon. Member should await the result of the investigation.

Is the hon. Member aware that the method of investigation in Lancashire has not met with the approval of the workers, and will he, before he comes to a decision, consult the workers, so that he will know their opinions?

I should like to hear any representations which the hon. Member may wish to make.

Can the hon. Member say how many of these investigations are being made?

At the moment, they are being made in Lancashire.

What is the objection to consultation taking place with the representatives on the spot?

I have answered that question before. If the hon. Member will put the question down, I will give him a considered reply again.

When will the hon. Member be able to tell us when the other investigations will take place?

I made it clear in initiating these investigations, that it will depend upon the facts that come out at the investigations whether wider investigations will be justified or not.

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

Inquiries have been made, and I am not satisfied that the overtime worked recently at this mine is justified. The question is still under consideration, and I hope that a decision will be reached in a few days.

asked the Secretary for Mines what progress is being made by the departmental committee appointed to inquire into precautions against overwinding; and whether a report in the near future is contemplated?

The committee have almost completed the hearing of oral evidence on the subject remitted to them. Their recent meetings have been devoted to examination at the collieries of various types of apparatus in operation. I understand that they hope to hear the final witnesses during June and to prepare their report soon afterwards.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will take the necessary steps to introduce legislation to amend Part IV of the Mines Act, 1930, so that a national wages board will be established to regulate miners' wages nationally?

No, Sir. In present circumstances I am afraid that I do not see any direction in which the provision in question could be amended so as to make it an effective instrument for the purpose which the hon. Member has in mind

As the Minister has withdrawn the Mines Bill, which was to amend Part I, cannot he use the time to amend Part IV?

The hon. Member must understand that Part IV of the Act of 1930 has not been an effective part. The problem is not to put up a general idea, but to get it into practical operation.

As Part IV is practically a dead letter, does the Minister not think that the time has come when something should be done to amend it?

The general word "something" does not carry us any further.

Is not Part I part of the 1930 Act?

Part I has proved possible of amendment, with the good will of the industry, in practical terms.

Is the Minister aware that what we propose is an amendment of the Act to make it effective?

I understand that nobody at the moment has found any way of doing it by voluntary arrangement, except by compulsory arbitration, which no one wants.

Cannot samething be done to make it effective?

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of coal used by steam road vehicles for each of the last three years?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the desired information as official statistics are not available, but it has been estimated that the annual consumption is nearly 1,000,000 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can now make any further statements with regard to the winding-up of the Marketing Board and the extent to which its activities will be continued in other ways?

In accordance with the recommendations of the Imperial Committee on Economic Consultation and Co-operation which reported in 1933, certain of the economic and statistical services previously carried on by the Empire Marketing Board, namely, (1) periodical market intelligence notes and (2) world surveys of production and trade, are being conducted on a co-operative basis as part of the work of the Imperial Economic Committee. As regards the research schemes financed from the Empire Marketing Fund, the position was explained in the reply given on the 15th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson) of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. Of the remaining activities of the Empire Marketing Board, the Film Unit and the Film Library have been taken over by the General Post Office for an experimental period.

Is it not a fact that most of the activities of the Empire Marketing Board, which were so important to this country and the Dominions, are now being carried on by other Departments?

Yes. That was in consequence of a number of the Dominions being unable to see eye to eye with us on the question of continuing the work of the Empire Marketing Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that further cotton-manufacturing concerns are closing down; and if he has anything yet to report of the methods which it is proposed to institute to prevent the continuing depression of the cotton trade which will result in that part of Lancashire becoming derelict?

I am very conscious of the continued difficulties of the cotton industry, and I am following with close interest the progress of the efforts which are now being made by certain organisations in Lancashire with a view to improving the present situation.

When does the right hon. Gentleman hope to make some announcement of what he and his Department are doing for Lancashire in connection with this matter?

I am afraid that I cannot mention any date at the present moment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that three mills have closed down in Nelson and Colne since the General Election and that nearly one-third of the operatives are still out of employment; and will he give some indication when the situation in Lancashire is likely to be dealt with?

I am sure that my hon. and learned Friend realises that it is impossible to deal with all these problems by way of one solution. We are co-operating and are always ready to co-operate with the industry itself, as well as taking steps ourselves.

In view of that answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage of the United Kingdom for the years 1932, 1933, and 1934 of the total imports of cotton piece goods into the Argentine Republic; and how does this figure compare with Japanese cotton piece goods imported into the Argentine for the same years?

Imports of cotton piece goods into the Argentine Republic in 1932 amounted to 25,121 metric tons, of which 9,984 metric tons or 39.7 per cent. were imported from the United Kingdom and 1,754 metric tons or 7.0 per cent. from Japan. Similar information for any later period is not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the retained imports of articles wholly or mainly manufactured, but excluding non-ferrous metals and oils and fats, were over 20 per cent. higher in the first three months of 1934 as compared with the same period of 1933; and, in view of this, if he can state the policy of His Majesty's Government for dealing with this rapid growth of competitive manufactured imports?

I am aware of the fact to which my hon. Friend draws attention. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins) on the 28th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the retained imports of plate and sheet glass for the first quarter of 1933 were 235,400 cwts., and in the first quarter of 1934 449,339 cwts., an increase of 90.8 per cent.; and whether he will make the necessary inquiries and ascertain the reason for this importation?

I am aware of the figures to which my hon. Friend refers. I understand that the increase in imports is due in part to an improvement in demand and in part to a tendency this year for merchants to increase their stocks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the retained imports of cotton piece-goods in the first quarter of 1934 amounted to 3,892,000 square yards as compared with 2,755,000 square yards in the corresponding period of 1933, an increase of 41.2 per cent.; and whether, in view of the stress in which the cotton industry finds itself, he will indicate what measures he proposes to take in the interests of employment?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the first quarter of 1934 the retained imports of cotton yarns amounted to 811,608 lbs., as compared with 419,092 lbs. in the corresponding quarter of 1933, an increase of 93.6 per cent.; and whether, in view of the difficulties which the spinning industry is at present experiencing, he will take steps to restrict the importation of cotton yarns of foreign origin?

I am aware of the increases in imports to which my hon. Friends refer. While it is open to the spinners and manufacturers concerned to apply to the Import Duties Advisory Committee with a view to increased duties upon these goods, I would point out that retained imports of cotton yarns and piece-goods in 1933 amounted respectively to about one-fifth and one-third of 1 per cent. of the 1930 production of similar goods in the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the retained imports of tissue paper during the period of January to March, 1934, are 92 per cent. higher than in the period January to March, 1933, having risen from 52,000 cwts. to 101,000 cwts.; and whether he will obtain the information as to the number of persons who have failed to find employment by reason of this increased importation from abroad?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the retained imports of woollen goods in the first three months of 1933 have increased from £379,118 to £598,284 in the first three months of 1934; and whether he will obtain information as to the effect upon employment in the woollen industry of this increased importation;

(2) whether he is aware that the retained imports of boots in the period January to March, 1934, amounted to 44,725 dozen pairs as compared with 25,951 dozen pairs, an increase of 72.3 per cent.; and if he will obtain information as to the effect of this increased importation upon employment in the boot and shoe industry?

I am aware of the figures of importation referred to by my hon. Friends, and while it is not possible to relate these figures directly with the statistics of unemployment, I am informed that the average number of insured persons unemployed declined in the first quarter of 1934 compared with the first quarter of 1933 by 2,169 in the paper and paper board industry, 20,387 in the woollen and worsted industry and by 2,071 in the boot and shoe industry.

In view of the disquieting figures of increased imports referred to in all these questions, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has any evidence of any kind of subsidy paid by foreign governments which would account for the increase?

No, Sir, I could not say without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the retained imports of clocks in the first quarter of 1934 have risen by 22.4 per cent. over the imports for the corresponding period of 1933, and the imports of clock movements by 82.2 per cent. during a similar period; whether this increase is greater than was anticipated when the concession was made to the German industry in the recent trade agreement; and, if so, whether he will take steps to rectify the matter?

I am aware of the facts to which my hon. Friend draws attention. As regards the second and third parts of the question I would refer to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) on 17th April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will give to the House the result of the survey of industrial development in the United Kingdom since January, 1933, to which reference was made in the Board of Trade Journal of 29th June, 1933?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new factories were erected during the year 1933 and the number of people it is estimated they give employment to?

A recent survey has been made by the Board of Trade, in co-operation with the Factory Department of the Home Office and with the Ministry of Labour, of factories engaged in the manufacture or processing of goods for sale, but excluding factories engaged in the provision of services. The survey has been confined to factories employing 25 or more workers each.

During the year 1933, 409 factories falling within this description were closed down. On the other hand, 463 new factories were opened during the year employing at the end of December, 29,500 workers. There are also recorded 95 cases of factory extensions during the year.

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a tabular statement snowing the distribution of these undertakings by districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the first quarter of 1934 our imports of currants from Greece rose to 106,569 cwts. from 76,328 cwts. in the first quarter of 1933, whilst those from Australia have remained practically stationary; and what steps he proposes to take to assist Australian producers to obtain a larger share of the home market;

(2) whether he is aware of the fact that the imports of tinned and bottled fruit from the United States of America have risen by over 100 per cent. in the first quarter of 1934, as compared with the first quarter of 1933, namely, from

Will the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland to this survey, as it is of great importance to town-planning schemes and housing schemes of local authorities?

I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend will see the answer that I have given in reply to the Question.

Will the statement include Lancashire and the cotton trade?

I should not like to say definitely, as I have not the statement before me at the moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the imports of oats from Russia in the first months of 1934 constituted one-third of the total imports, having risen from 102,148 cwts. in the first three months of 1933 to 486,590 cwts. in the corresponding period of 1934; and whether he will take such steps as will ensure our requirements of imported oats being supplied by British countries;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the first quarter of 1934 the imports of Russian wheat amounted to 2,226,000 cwts., as against only 250 cwts. in the corresponding period of 1933, and that imports of wheat from Canada fell from 13,885,000 cwts. to 7,693,000 cwts. over the same periods : and whether he proposes to take any steps to eliminate the dislocation of the market which these fluctuations in the imports of Russian wheat produce?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the imports of oat products from Canada during January, February and March of 1934 have fallen to 83,999 cwts. from 104,359 cwts. in the corresponding period of 1933, while at the same time foreign imports have risen from 29,316 cwts. to 77,000 cwts. in the same periods; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to rectify this state of affairs in favour of the Dominions;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that imports of meat from the United States of America rose in value from £628,310 in the first quarter of 1933 to £1,016,751 in the corresponding quarter of 1934; and, in view of the serious situation with regard to meat and to the fact that we have no agreement with the United States of America in respect of imports from that country, will he take steps to give Empire countries the opportunity of obtaining this market?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the imports of foreign barley in the first quarter of 1934 stood at 4,253,280 cwts., as compared with 1,764,632 cwts. in the corresponding period of 1932; and whether steps will be taken to divert this influx of foreign barley to British and Empire producers?

I am aware of the figures to which attention is directed, but I would point out that it is often misleading to consider by themselves statistics relating to specific and limited periods and to specific countries. As an illustration of this fact I may mention that in the case of wheat, imports from Canada increased from 7,165,342 cwts. in the first three months of 1932 to 13,885,000 during the same period of 1933; in the case of oats, the increased imports from Soviet Russia in the first three months of 1934 are more than offset by the reduced imports from Argentina in the same period. As regards maize, the surplus available for export in Empire countries from the 1933 crops was unusually small, owing in the main to a short crop in the Union of South Africa.

Considerably increased duties were imposed in January last on imports of oats and oat products from foreign countries, and in the case of most of the other commodities mentioned, Empire countries have the benefit of either free entry or preferential duties. While no favourable opportunity will be lost of developing inter-Imperial trade, I could not contemplate discriminatory action against the produce of particular countries merely because imports from those countries happened to show an increase in a particular period.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his comprehensive reply to a series of questions, may I ask him whether the Board of Trade will carefully watch all cases in which increased imports of competing commodities from foreign countries are affecting our trade and take appropriate action at the right time?

We are watching these movements carefully and I need not remind the hon. Member that the Ira-port Duties Advisory Committee are also easily stirred on this matter.

Have the Import Duties Advisory Committee any concern with the matter referred to in Question 20—the imports of meat? What steps have been taken in that direction?

I cannot add to the full reply I have given.

Is it not a fact that these increasing imports from foreign countries make it difficult to get the Dominions to restrict their imports of agricultural products? Would not a reduction of imports from foreign countries and an increase from the Dominions give a much better chance of helping agriculturalists in this country?

The right hon. Gentleman says that he is watching the situation. That is exactly what Nero said.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make a statement upon the steps he proposes to take to assist British shipping to meet foreign subsidised competition?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he anticipates that it will be possible to make a statement as to the measure of assistance which the Government proposes to give to the shipping industry before the Whitsuntide adjournment?

I cannot add anything at present to the reply I made on this subject on the 24th April. Discussions are still proceeding with the various organisations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in sterling the selling prices in this country and in the country of origin of butter from Denmark, Holland, Russia, and New Zealand, respectively?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the domestic price of butter in Denmark and also the price at which it is exported to Great Britain?

With regard to Denmark and Holland I would refer my hon. Friends to the answers given yesterday to the hon. Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd). The wholesale price in this country on 21st April of Russian butter was 68s. per cwt. and of New Zealand butter 69s. Information as to the wholesale prices of butter in Russia and New Zealand is not available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that prices in the country of origin are three and four times the amount of the price of butter sold in this country, and does he not think that this is getting very near dumping, if it is not altogether dumping, and that action should be taken as soon as possible?

I have pointed out in the answer I have given that there is only 1s. per cwt. difference in the price of Russian butter and New Zealand butter.

What is the price of butter in Russia? Is it not 25s. per lb.?

Nobody in Russia can have butter.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the wholesale price of Russian butter is the same as the c.i.f. value?

I cannot say without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is impossible to get information on such a simple question as the wholesale price of butter from one of our Dominions?

We can get the information perfectly well, but I have not been asked for it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any licences have been issued by the Government for the export of arms to Germany since the meeting of the Disarmament Conference in 1932; and, if so, for what quantities and descriptions of arms?

No licences have been issued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in general the reasons why seven applications for licences for the export of arms were refused during the years 1930 to 1933?

The applications were refused on the advice of the Foreign Office and Service Departments that the export of the arms to the intended destinations would not be in the national interest.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the destination?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the declaration by Mr. Cordell Hull, the United States of America Secretary of State, on the 23rd April, to the effect that the present movement towards extreme economic nationalism is choking international trade and spells disaster if continued, and that it is all important that the United States of America should adopt a programme of international economic co-operation; and whether the Government will approach the United States Government with a view of bringing about a reciprocal trade agreement?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer to the answer I gave on the 10th April to my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert).

In view of the statement of Mr. Cordell Hull, are the Government considering re-summoning the adjourned Economic Conference?

That is quite a different matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position with regard to the negotiation of a fresh trade agreement with France?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the discussions with the French Government for a new trade agreement are to be resumed?

A draft agreement on establishment and other miscellaneous questions has been submitted by the French Government and is now under our consideration. I am not at present in a position to state the date when the discussions relating to quotas and kindred matters will be resumed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that, although the total amount of bacon imported into this country from Denmark and other sources fell in quantity to 1,900,410 cwts. in the first quarter of 1934 compared with 3,031,375 cwts. in the first quarter of 1932, the value of such imports actually rose from £7,270,151 to £7,645,009, he will now consider whether the present quota system of limiting these imports could be revised so as to ensure that greater benefit will result either to the British revenue or British bacon producers from this increase in the value of bacon?

I would refer to the answer I gave to a similar question by my hon. Friend on 20th February to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether early action will be taken to standardise the method of delivery of sand ballast, as the need of the trade for some standard is now acute?

This matter is under active consideration but I regret that I cannot yet say when it will be possible to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by British traders in obtaining payment for goods sent from the United Kingdom to Germany; and whether the Government will further consider the desirability of forming some kind of clearing house which would enable exports and imports to be set off against each other, special regard being had to the fact that the balance of trade is at present in Germany's favour?

I fully appreciate the difficulties experienced by British exporters to Germany. Certain suggestions have been made to the German Government with a view to meeting these difficulties. Pending the receipt of the German Government's reply, it would be premature for me to make a further statement.

Does my right hon. Friend realise how reasonable is the suggestion in the question, that when Germany has, as at present, a favourable balance of trade, something should be done to enable payment to be made of the money due from Germany to our traders who export goods to Germany?

When I have received the German Government's reply I shall be prepared to make a further statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of wheat starch were imported into this country in the years 1931, 1932, and 1933, respectively?

I regret that the desired information is not available, as the imports of wheat starch are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a firm in this country has offered to put up plant to supply the whole of the wheat starch used in this country, but is unable to do so because of the quantity which is being dumped on the market at the present time; and would be, therefore, consider having wheat starch imported into this country in a separate category?

So far as the returns are concerned, we are always reluctant to add to their complications, but I will consider the suggestion made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will inform the House as to the position of the resumption of the inquiry by the Tariff Advisory Committee into the question of the silk and artificial silk duties; what difficulties prevent that resumption; and whether he will expedite the matter?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that every effort is being made to expedite this matter and I hope shortly to be in a position to make a further statement about it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that a substantial part of the furnishings of the "Lusitania" and "Aquitania" were satisfactorily performed by Scottish furniture firms; if he will draw the attention of the Cunard Company to the public advantage to be gained by the spread of contracts for No. 534 over as large an area as possible; and, in view of the large percentage of unemployment amongst Scottish furniture workers, will he direct the company's attention to the ability of Scottish furniture firms to meet their requirements?

I will communicate the hon. Member's suggestion to the Cunard Company.

Owing to the question asked yesterday by the Noble Lord the Member for Horsham (Earl Winter-ton), I wish to withdraw this question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of Income Tax due but unpaid at the close of the financial year 1933–4 and the corresponding figure for the previous year; and what was the amount of tax collected in the month of April, 1934 and 1933, respectively?

The only estimate available of Income Tax in arrear at the close of a financial year is the amount of tax then outstanding which it is expected will be collected during the ensuing financial year and the figures for this arrear at the end of 1932–33 and 1933–34 were £24,000,000 and £20,000,000 respectively. The Exchequer receipt of Income Tax in the month of April, 1933, amounted to £9,974,000 and the Exchequer receipt for April, 1934, amounted to £8,817,000.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that important financial institutions withheld payment of amounts collected from their clients until after the close of the financial year and thus considerably reduced the visible surplus?

No Sir, I am not aware of that fact. Perhaps the hon. Member would give me the information if he has any.

What effective steps are being taken to make these defaulters pay up?

They are not defaulters, although they are not punctual payers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any consideration is being given to the evasion of Surtax by various methods; whether he is aware that these methods have been increasing during the last few years and that books explaining how to defraud the Revenue have been published; and whether it is proposed to introduce provisions in the Finance Bill which will prevent further loss to the Revenue?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware provisions designed to check legal avoidance of taxation have from time to time been placed upon the Statute Book. While I am not proposing to include further preventive legislation in this year's Finance Bill, the hon. Member may rest assured that the matter is not being lost sight of and that if circumstances so require there will be no hesitation in taking whatever steps may be considered necessary to deal with it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any evidence that there is a very considerable increase in what might be referred to as scientific tax evasion?

Some increase.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of Estate and Succession Duty paid during the last 20 years?

The total amount of Estate Duty, Legacy Duty and Succession Duty paid in the 20 years 1914–15 to 1933–34 inclusive was £1,142,000,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long we shall have to go on using this capital as annual national income?

It is not all being used as annual income. Some of it is being applied to redemption of debt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that an assessor-canvasser in the employ of the Commissioner of Taxes, in the Tower Division, canvassed the Church District of Shoreditch, as a result of which £2,700 was paid in Income Tax; is he aware that the £8 paid to the canvasser as wages was only at the rate of 3d. per hour for the time employed; and will he see that such canvassers are properly remunerated in future?

I assume the work to which the question refers is the compilation of a conjectural list of persons liable to Income Tax. This is a normal part of the duty of an assessor who is paid on a basis which takes due account of the work necessarily done during the year. The assessor referred to was appointed late in the financial year 1931–32 and the amount of £8 was paid to him in respect of that fraction of the year for which he acted. I cannot accept the suggestion that the result of his activities was an increase of £2,700 in the yield of Income Tax.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, with a view to preventing the purchase as Army remounts in Northern Ireland of horses which have been smuggled over the border from the Irish Free State, he will take steps, in the interest of the horse-breeding industry in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to obtain sufficient particulars with regard to remounts so purchased in order to ensure that they are not from the Irish Free State?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Dorset East (Mr. Hall-Caine) on 22nd February, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what would be the cost of restoring the cuts in the pay of the personnel of those units of the Territorial Forces whose fortnight's annual training is taken wholly or partly prior to the 1st of July; and will he restore the cuts of such personnel?

The cost would be approximately £800. With regard to the last part of the question, as my hon. Friend is aware, the decision of the Government is that the restoration should date from 1st July.

Can the hon. Gentleman not persuade the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Government to expedite the payment of this miserable sum to men who are devoting a great deal of their own time to this work, with practically no reward beyond what barely covers their out-of-pocket expenses?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the recommendations made in paragraph 414 of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service with regard to the employment of women in inspectorates; and whether he proposes to give effect to these recommendations when making appointments to the post of inspectors of schools in Scotland?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. In the paragraph to which my hon. Friend refers, the Royal Commission dealt only with the inspectorate under the Board of Education; but the principles underlying their recommendations are applicable to the Scottish inspectorate, and my right hon. Friend has decided to give effect to them. In future, therefore, women will be eligible, equally with men, for appointment as inspectors and sub-inspectors of schools in Scotland, and for promotion to the higher posts in the inspectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his discussions with the Treasury have succeeded in gaining a greater apportionment of civil servants to the Departments under his control who have qualified at entrance by examination for higher administrative positions?

The establishment of the Scottish Office includes provision for direct recruitment from the administrative class examination, but such provision is not at present made in the case of the Departments in Edinburgh under my control. The various considerations involved in any change in the existing establishments are engaging my attention, but no conclusion has yet been reached at to what changes should be made in the staffing arrangements of the Edinburgh Departments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the lack of officials with these qualifications is considered in Scotland to be a grave reflection on the status of these Departments, to say nothing of the Secretaryship of State for Scotland?

The point raised by my hon. Friend is actually under consideration. The matter is engaging my personal attention at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the communication from the Scottish Farm Servants' Union to the Department of Health for Scotland, on the 21st March, 1933, with regard to the failure of the county council of Ross and Cromarty to take notice of complaints lodged by the union, under the Housing and Public Health Acts, until their attention was called to the complaints by the Department of Health, after which a decision was issued that it is impracticable to introduce water or provide water closets; in view of the failure of the county council of Ross and Cromarty to exercise its statutory powers and of the repeated requests to the Department to take action, under Section 37 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, will he cause a reply to be sent to that request; and will he state what action he proposes to take?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The communication referred to dealt with five groups of cottages; and replies have already been sent dealing with the different complaints involved and stating the action taken. I may add that Section 37 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, is not applicable except in cases of general failure to deal with housing conditions, and in any case does not apply to complaints concerning a water supply. Action has been, or is being, taken by the county council, except in respect of the introduction of water and the provision of water closets in two of the groups of cottages, three and four in number respectively. With respect to the introduction of water into these two groups, the county council are of opinion that this is not reasonably practicable on grounds of expense. My technical advisers do not agree with this view. There has been some doubt as to whether the decision of the local authority that the introduction of water into a house is not reasonably practicable is final, or whether the Department of Health can raise the matter in the Sheriff Court under Section 146 of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897. My right hon. Friend is considering the question of raising a test case to have this question decided.

In view of the time that has elapsed since this matter was raised, will the hon. Gentleman see fit to expedite it, especially in view of the fact that his own inspectors on two occasions have reported that the complaints could have been stronger than they actually were?

Will the hon. Gentleman approach the county council again to see whether they will arrange this matter amicably?

Yes, Sir, I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of slum houses to be cleared in Scotland under the five-years' programme and the number of new houses to be built in replacement; and whether he will consider the publication of the particulars for each local authority?

Information as to the total number of unfit houses to be cleared is not available, but according to the programmes for the five years 1934–1938 submitted by 208 out of 228 housing authorities in Scotland it is estimated that 59,774 houses are required to replace unfit houses and that 42,948 new houses or 72 per cent. of the estimated requirements will be erected for this purpose. Neither of these figures is final, as the Department of Health for Scotland are in communication with certain local authorities as to the adequacy of their estimated needs and of their proposed rehousing programmes. As a result of these communications revised programmes are still being received. With regard to the latter part of the question, publication of the numbers for each authority will be considered as soon as the necessary information is available.

May I ask whether the Department are taking any action in the case of those authorities which have not complied with the request?

Yes, Sir, action has been taken, and as a result the great majority of the authorities have now sent in their schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received the views of the police authorities of Scotland on the publication of a police gazette in Scotland on the same lines as that issued by Scotland Yard?

Of the 48 police authorities, 43 have agreed to participate in the scheme, three have refused to participate, and two have not yet submitted final replies. Looking to the large majority in favour of the scheme steps are being taken to institute the gazette referred to.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the two authorities who have failed to submit replies after all these months?

I should prefer not at the moment. I hope that with a little further delay we may secure a unanimous scheme.

Is there any need for a police gazette so long as we have the "News of the World"?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received the report of the committee, composed of representatives of the farming and distilling industries, set up by him to inquire into the marketing of malting barley; and, if so, whether he will publish it before the Committee stage of the Finance Bill is reached?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, arrangements have been made for the publication of the report on Monday next.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the scheme for the voluntary restriction of the import of condensed milk will be worked on a monthly, quarterly, or an annual basis; and whether the restrictions will apply jointly or separately to condensed whole milk and milk powder?

I have been asked to reply. The regulation of imports of condensed whole milk as from the 1st April is being arranged on a monthly basis. Imports of that product and of milk powder are being regulated separately.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the recent heavy fall in the price of skimmed condensed milk; and, under these circumstances, what further steps he proposes to take to deal with this new danger to our dairying industry?

Prices of imported condensed skimmed milk have recently declined, but prices of the home product are being maintained. Imports are at present regulated quantitatively by voluntary arrangements with exporting countries, and the market situation is being kept under close review in that connection.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken towards adopting the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Marking in their report of November last as to the marking of imported meat?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not in a position at present to add to the reply given on 22nd March to a similar question by my Noble Friend the Member for Kinross and West Perth (Duchess of Atholl).