asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the communication sent from Buckie Town Council impressing upon the Government the plight of the herring fishing industry and the urgency of immediate assistance to enable herring fishermen to prosecute their calling and what action he has taken, or proposes to take, to deal with the emergency?

I have received a telegram from the town council of Buckie asking for Government assistance for the herring fishing industry. A petition containing a similar request has been submitted by the associations who represent the industry, and in conjunction with the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries I have arranged to meet a deputation from the associations on Thursday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on account of the uncertainty in this industry everything is at a standstill at the present moment; and will he endeavour to make some announcement within the next few days which will enable them to start preparations in earnest for the new fishing?

I realise the anxiety which exists in the herring industry, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that on Thursday, when we receive the deputation, we shall listen with deep anxiety and sympathy to their statements, and try to assist them in every possible way.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the party of the hon. and and gallant Member is opposed to the principle of subsidies?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there has been since 1st January of this year any considerable export of salt herring to Russia as a result of the Anglo-Soviet Trade Agreement?

My information is that no salt herring have been exported to Russia since the date mentioned, and indeed that very few have been available in that period. I understand, however, that the herring trade are negotiating with the Soviet's representatives with a view to a sale of herring cured during the coming season.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average daily number of convicts undergoing sentences of penal servitude in Scotland during the years 1930 to 1933, inclusive?

The average daily number of convicts undergoing sentences of penal servitude in Scotland was 157 in 1930, 153 in 1931, 130 in 1932, and 126 in 1933.

May I ask whether these figures do not indicate that there has been a steady decline in serious crime in Scotland under the administration of the present Government?

I am sure that we are all glad to notice the decline, but I must leave it to hon. Members to draw what inferences they like.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the circumstances under which two families were evicted from condemned houses in the burgh of Barrhead and, having no alternative accommodation, occupied empty condemned houses; and on whose authority the fathers of the families were arrested in the middle of the night, taken from their beds, and imprisoned in the local police station?

I am informed that on 12th April, 1934, the two families referred to were ordered by the Sheriff, at the instance of the factors, to remove within 14 days from houses which had been condemned in December, 1933. On 26th April complaint was made to the police that they had forcibly taken possession of two empty condemned houses belonging to the town council, and on the same day they were warned by the police that if they did not leave they would be apprehended. The two men were arrested by the police at midnight on 29th April under the specific powers conferred by Section 4 of the Trespass (Scotland) Act, 1865. The following morning the men pleaded guilty at the police court to the offence and were liberated without bail. I may add that they are still occupying the houses.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell me on whose authority this was done? Does he take responsibility for the arrest and the imprisonment of men who have been rendered homeless under the operation of an Act for which he is responsible I Does he take the responsibility, or who does take the responsibility—locally?

The responsibility in this matter is the local authority's responsibility.

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that the local authority have never met to discuss this matter? I am asking who is definitely responsible for the seizing of two British citizens out of their beds because they had been rendered homeless?

I have already stated the Act under which these men were apprehended, and the sequel. I have nothing to add to that.

I am asking this—

rose—

On a point of Order. I asked the hon. Gentleman a question, and he has answered me three times. He has said the local authority is responsible. I tell him the local authority has not met. I ask him who has done this thing?

I have nothing further to say.

The hon. Member put a point of Order to me. The Minister has given him a reply. Whether it is right or wrong is not for me to judge.

I will raise the matter on the Adjournment. It is an outrage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the case of Mr. Andrew Gibson, of Dunottar, Granhill Crescent, Elderslie, Renfrewshire, who regularly paid his contributions towards old age pension from the inception of the Act until he retired from work at the age of 60, who on reaching the age of 65 applied for an old age pension, but was refused on the grounds that no contributions had been made between the ages of 60 and 65, although he was not employed during that time and although he was on no occasion notified that contributions should be continued during that time; and, seeing that he offered to pay up the arrears of contributions until he became eligible for pension, can he give an assurance that he will look into this grievance?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend has carefully inquired into the case, but I regret that Mr. Gibson cannot now qualify for a contributory old age pension.

Is the hon. Gentleman quite satisfied that this man has had fair treatment?

The conditions of the Statute must be carried out. Had Mr. Gibson, between the ages of 60 and 65, when he ceased to be employed, become a voluntary contributor, which he might have elected to do, he would now be qualified for pension; but, in the circumstance, I fear no action can be taken.

Does the hon. Gentleman accept the statement in the question that this old gentleman never received notification from his society that he could become a voluntary contributor; and does he know that it was the duty of the society to acquaint him with the provisions whereby he could qualify for pension?

I will make further inquiries into that point. I think I had better postpone any observations until I have made further inquiries, and not commit myself to an answer, although I think it would be the correct one.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of cases in which fines of 10 guineas or less have been imposed upon persons convicted of dangerous driving in Scotland during the past year and the number of cases in which the fine exceeded 10 guineas?

During 1933 fines not exceeding 10 guineas were imposed in 206 cases, and fines exceeding 10 guineas were imposed in 38 cases, in respect of convictions in Sheriff Courts and the High Court of Justiciary on charges of contravention of Section 11 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, or on common law charges of dangerous driving.

May I take it from those figures that in the great majority of cases a man can drive to the danger of the public without being fined more than 10 guineas?

I would not like to commit myself to that view.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that many of the houses on the Department of Agriculture for Scotland's smallholdings at Longforgan, Perthshire, are in a state of dilapidation; and if he will make an inquiry into the position?

The smallholdings referred to are occupied under land-holders tenure, and the obligation of maintenance is on the holders concerned. Recent reports to the Department of Agriculture by inspecting officers do not indicate that the houses are in a state of dilapidation.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of making further investigation, in which case he will find that many of the houses will collapse long before they become the property of the present occupiers?

Officers of the Department will visit the scheme about Whitsuntide, and I will ask them to observe these houses with care.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish the report of the Scientific Committee appointed by the Economic Advisory Council to consider the incidence of milk-borne diseases; and whether steps will be taken to submit its findings to agricultural interests, as well as to medical authorities, before any legislative action is taken thereon?

The Committee's report has only just been received, and it has not yet been possible to consider the question of its publication. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the interests of every section of the population will be carefully borne in mind by His Majesty's Government when they review the conclusions reached by the Committee.

As this is a Committee paid for by the taxpayer, may not we, as taxpayers, have the benefit of its advice?

It all depends. The rule has been that these reports are confidential until they are published. Otherwise, they remain confidential.

Is the Prime Minister aware that this question of milk-borne disease is one of extreme importance as affecting the agricultural interest, and will he, if possible, publish the report?

As soon as I have had an opportunity of reading the report myself, I shall decide whether it should be published or not; and the bias is always in favour of publication.

Have the Council considered the question of diseases being brought in by butter from foreign countries?

I should imagine not, but I do not know. As I have said, I have not had time to read the report. I will do so as soon as I have an opportunity.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that medical authorities are not always right about the origin of diseases?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a number of mines in South-west Lancashire are threatened with flooding due to the accumulation of water in workings in the Westhoughton area; whether his Department will take steps to deal with the menace by means of a central mines drainage committee or, alternatively, if any other action will be taken by his Department or by the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission?

The answer to the first part of the question is, Yes. With regard to the second part, such powers as I possess, by virtue of Section 18 of the Mining Industry Act, 1920, are in practice dependent upon agreement on the part of a substantial majority of the coalowners concerned. I have been in close touch with the position in the Westhoughton area for some time, but I understand that no such measure of agreement is obtainable there at present. The water problem in that particular area, however, only forms part of a problem which affects, or may in course of time affect, a much wider area, and it would be better if it could be dealt with as a whole. I am, therefore, inviting the coalowners to consider the question from that point of view, and if I can help in any way, I will certainly do so.

While thanking the Minister for what he is trying to do in this connection, may I ask whether he will be good enough to use the great influence of his Department to try to get a settlement of this very terrible problem; and is he aware that a whole area of several miles of the Lancashire coalfield is threatened by this water?

As the hon. Member knows, I recently saw a deputation on this matter, and we are doing all we can.

Is it possible for the hon. Gentleman to put his foot down, and to get more effective action?

I will talk to hon. Members about it later.

asked the Secertary for Mines whether he can give any information concerning a memorandum which has been submitted to the Coal Mines Re-organisation Commission for a scheme to drain the flooded pits in the South-West Durham area and win the coal for the specific purpose of submitting it to a process of hydrogenation with a view to supplying the defence forces with home-produced oil?

I have seen a copy of the memorandum in question, which makes some general proposals for dealing with mine water in the Durham coalfield, including a proposal for a preliminary engineering survey of the whole problem. My hon. Friend will not expect me, within the limits of question and answer, to go into the many and complicated questions which arise in connection with a problem of this magnitude, but clearly the matter is one which must be considered, in the first instance at any rate, by the Durham coalowners as a whole. I am asking for their views upon the memorandum and upon the drainage problem generally, and I am offering to assist in any way I can.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many explosions have taken place since 1920 to the last available date in England, Scotland, and Wales, stating in each case separately how many lives were lost in each explosion and how many were injured?

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the statistics in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines what number of prosecutions have taken place with the instructions of the Mines Department as a result of the reports of defective ventilation in the mines of Great Britain from 1920 to date,

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a tabular statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if his attention has been called to the large quantities of hats composed of foreign hoods, and with bands and linings of Japanese manufacture, that are being sold by a firm in Johannesburg as British hats, stamped inside "Best English value;" and will he make representations to stop this unfair trading?

On the general question involved, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to him on 5th December last. Since that date a Debate on the subject of the protection of Union industries has taken place in the House of Assembly in the Union of South Africa, in the course of which very full information was placed before the Union Government in respect of Japanese imports into the Union. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the official report. As regards the special case dealt with in the question, I am arranging for the particulars to be brought to the notice of the Union Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make a statement with regard to the results of the Wheat Conference at Rome?

The meeting of the International Wheat Advisory Committee which opened at Rome on 5th April was adjourned, and was resumed in London yesterday. I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to its proceedings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the trade situation between Turkey and Great Britain?

His Majesty's Government are proceeding as rapidly as possible with the consideration of this question, but I regret that I am not at present in a position to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of agricultural machinery, including tractors, increased from 744 tons in the first three months of 1933 to 1,586 tons in the same period this year; and what action the Government intend to take?

I am aware of the facts to which my hon. Friend draws attention. Any question of an increased duty on agricultural machinery is a matter for the import Duties Advisory Committee in the first instance.

What do the Government propose to do?

Ah!

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the farmers of this country get the implements that they require at the cheapest possible price?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the quantity of hats and caps of wool felt imported into this country during the first quarter of this year rose from 66,812 dozens to 161,424 dozens; and whether, in view of the embarrassment this increase has caused to the British hat industry, he will consider the advisability of adopting emergency means to deal with the matter?

I am aware of the increase in the imports of hats, caps and other headgear of wool felt. The duties payable on these goods were increased less than a year ago on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and the question of any further increase is a matter for that Committee in the first instance.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these goods are coming from Czechoslovakia, which has recently revalued its currency, and will he say how we are to take action to safeguard ourselves?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the growing opinion in the United States of America that, owing to our recently-established supremacy in the world export trade, they should plan to balance their imports and exports; and what steps he proposes to take to assist them to obtain this end by buying more from us?

I am not sure that I fully understand what my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. But if he has any concrete suggestions to make, I shall be happy to consider them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the imports of glass bottles and jars have risen from 52,805 gross in the first quarter of 1932 to 119,331 gross in the first quarter of 1934; and whether he will state the reason for this increase of over 100 per cent.;

(2) whether he is aware that the imports of domestic and fancy glassware have risen from 20,486 cwts. in the first quarter of 1932 to 84,854 cwts. in the first quarter of 1934; and whether he is in a position to give the reason for this increase of over 300 per cent.?

I am aware of the facts to which my hon. Friend draws attention. Imports during the first quarter of 1932 were at an unusually low level, doubtless on account of the duty of 50 per cent. ad valorem then in force upon these goods under the Abnormal Importations Act, 1931.

In view of the growing anxiety of the workers in this industry, may I impress upon the hon. Gentleman the necessity for speedy action in dealing with applications?

Yes, Sir. An application for an increase of duty is now before the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

Does not that show that our tariffs ought to be increased?

Are not these bottles used by fruit bottlers as well as by farmers, and are they anxious not to have their raw materials made dearer?

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

I will have a statement prepared which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman guarantee that these arms are not subsequently re-exported to Germany?

That should form the subject of a separate question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average wholesale prices of lard in the United Kingdom, month by month, for January, February and March, 1931, 1932 and 1933?

As the answer contains a table of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British bacon producers are being obliged, owing to the prevailing low prices, to sell their fat to soap manufacturers rather than render it into lard, and that the restrictions on the import of lard into Continental countries have the effect of increasing the quantity of foreign lard sent to the United Kingdom; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation?

I have no definite information in regard to the first part of the question. I am aware that the importation of lard into this country increased in 1933 owing, no doubt, in part, to the restrictions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I would, however, point out that imports in February and March of this year were below the average of recent years. The position is being kept under review.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that so late as 7th April the price per cwt., landed duty paid, was 31s. 6d. and on 2nd May was only 23s., and will he take steps to have an inquiry into the cause of this serious fall in price in so short a time?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will give to the House the detailed report of the survey of industrial development in the United Kingdom since January, 1933?

I hope that the report will be available to the House on Thursday next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any information to show whether the fall in the sale of British-caught herring to Germany last year was caused by restrictions and currency difficulties, or by the action of the German Government in granting subsidies and the expenditure of large sums on new boats?

I have no doubt that the German import duties and currency restrictions, and also the augmentation of their fishing fleet, to which it is believed that the German Government have given some financial support, have contributed to the decline in the sale of British-caught herring in Germany, but I am unable to say how much of that decline is attributable to any one cause.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of poultry farmers who have become bankrupt since November, 1932; and how this figure compares with the previous period of similar duration?

The number of poultry farmers who have become bankrupt during the period 1st November, 1932, to 30th April, 1934, is 34; the figure for the previous period of similar duration, 1st May, 1931, to 31st October, 1932, is 14.

Can the hon. Gentleman say to how many they will amount in six months?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the countries with which trade agreements have been concluded and the date of termination of each agreement?

I will circulate this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increases have taken place in the volume of exports of British goods to Denmark since the completion of the Anglo-Danish Trade Agreement?

The Trade Agreement with Denmark came into operation as from 20th June, 1933. During the nine months ended 31st March, 1934, the declared value of the exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom consigned to Denmark (including the Farö Islands) amounted to £9,220,000, as compared with £7,981,000 during the nine months ended 31st March, 1933.

How does that figure of increase compare with the increase of imports from Denmark to this country?

My hon. Friend is mistaken. There has not been an increase in that direction.

Is it not the fact that the adverse trade balance is still in the neighbourhood of £20,000,000?

Yes, Sir, but it is narrowing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the fact that 19 out of the 20 main groups into which articles wholly or mainly manufactured are divided show a large quantitative increase in retained imports during the first three months of this year as compared with the corresponding period of last year, he will make a general representation to the Import Duties Advisory Committee as to the desirability of scaling upwards the general level of tariffs now imposed on manufactured goods?

No, Sir. It is for the industries concerned to make such representations as they may think proper to the Advisory Committee, who have at their disposal full information in regard to imports into the United Kingdom.

Does not my hon. Friend consider that the time has now arrived when it is not only advisable but essential that there should be a general increase in the import duties?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the Board of Trade Journal for 3rd May, 1934, which shows that the imports of apparel in the period January to March, 1934, are 37.4 per cent. higher than in the period January to March, 1933; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the source from which this apparel comes, and ascertain whether it is the produce of countries whose standard of living is sufficiently low to warrant steps being taken to regulate the import of such goods into this country?

I am aware of the figures to which my hon. Friend draws attention. As regards the last part of the question, the sources of imports of apparel in the three months in question are given in the Trade Accounts for March, the principal countries being Germany, Italy, Japan, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and France.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make an announcement on the policy the Government intends to pursue in respect of the level of the tariff on manufactured articles, having regard to the fact, as shown in the Board of Trade Journal for 3rd May, that the quantity of manufactured goods imported and retained in this country during the first three months of the present year were 25 per cent. higher than in the corresponding period of last year?

I would refer to the replies given on 28th March to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins), and on 29th March to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. Williams).

Do I understand that His Majesty's Government are not themselves concerned as to whether our tariffs are adequate to protect our industries, and that, if the Import Duties Advisory Committee fail to make appropriate recommendations, the Government have abdicated their responsibility in the matter?

I sincerely hope that my hon. Friend will draw no such erroneous conclusion.

As every question has been answered in the same way, that it is a matter for the Import Duties Advisory Committee, what conclusion are we to draw?

In the answer which I have just given to the question on the Paper I referred to an answer of the President of the Board of Trade, in which he said that the increases in the imports of goods were a gratifying sign of increased trade activity, and that one of the signs of an increase in trade will be expanding imports.

Would the hon. Gentleman remind some hon. Members that this is a National Government, and was not brought in on Tariff Reform only?

Is it not correct to say, in view of what the President of the Board of Trade had to say yesterday, that the Government now advise the Import Duties Advisory Committee?

It is quite untrue.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present price per cwt. of Irish Free State butter in the United Kingdom and in the Irish Free State, respectively?

Owing to the small quantity of butter imported into this country from the Irish Free State during the first three months of this year, quotations have not been recorded on the principal markets.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that butter is now being unloaded into the United Kingdom in very large quantities since the embargo was taken off by the Free State Government in April?

The actual fact is that in the first three months of this year the importation of butter from the Irish Free State amounted to less than one-quarter of 1 per cent. of our imports.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what proportion it amounts to at the present day?

This is for the first three months of this year, which is about as near as I can get.

Is not the Irish Free State a part of the British Empire, not to be treated as a hostile State?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of duty per cwt. of butter imported into the United Kingdom from the Irish Free State?

The average amount of duty on butter imported from the Irish Free State at the present time is about 19s. per cwt.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the amount of duty per hundredweight charged on United Kingdom butter exported to the Irish Free State?

The duty payable on United Kingdom butter on importation into the Irish Free State is £3 14s. 8d. per cwt. According to my information, butter imported for use in the manufacture of articles of food mainly for exportation is exempted from payment of this duty, but is subject to a levy proportionate to the export bounty payable on factory butter. Small quantities of Northern Ireland butter enjoy free importation under certain special conditions.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that there should be equality in these matters and, in order that Irish ideas may prevail, would he see that the duty is raised from 19s. to £3 14 s.?

That question should be addressed to another Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the potential serious consequences to the silk and artificial silk industry of the long delay in recommitting the consideration of increased import duties to the Import Duties Advisory Committee; and whether he can now make a statement as to the position?

As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade informed the House yesterday, I have asked the Import Duties Advisory Committee to resume its work on the revision of the silk and artificial silk duties with a view to the submission to the Government, at as early a date as may be possible, of such recommendations as the Committee may see fit to make.