Written Answers
Colonial Oil-Seeds (Foreign Markets)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that West African oil-seeds are now subjected to an embargo by Germany and to prohibitive tariffs by the United States of America and other countries, thus causing serious loss to the West African trade in Liverpool, he is in a position to state what steps His Majesty's Government intend to take in order to assist that trade in this matter?
I have been asked to reply to this question. I am well aware of the increasing difficulties which are being experienced in disposing of Colonial oil-seeds in foreign markets. The whole matter is under constant consideration.
Scotland
Perth Prison (Redecoration)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when painting on the houses which recently underwent structural alterations at Perth prison village will be completed; and whether anything is to be done to the other old quarters in order to make them more habitable?
The internal re-decoration of the quarters which recently underwent structural alterations at Perth prison was completed on 18th May, 1934. Certain outside painting is still in progress, but this causes no inconvenience to the occupants. As regards the second part of the question arrangements are already in hand to carry out during the summer at the other old quarters certain internal painter work with a view to improving the appearance of the rooms.
Marr Trust
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland as to the present position of the Marr Trust; and whether there is any likelihood of the college being opened for pupils in the near future?
My hon. and gallant Friend will recollect that the opportunity was open until 16th April of this year for interested parties to lodge objections to the scheme. The town council of Troon and the trustee lodged objections against the transference of the college to the county council as education authority. These objections were new and fundamental. Having regard to their source and importance, I decided that they should be given effect to, and accordingly I remitted the scheme to the Commissioners expressing the view that I would concur if they preferred not to proceed further with its adjustment, A reply was received from the Commissioners yesterday stating that they had reached the conclusion that it would serve no material purpose to proceed further in the matter. With regard to the latter part of the question, nothing now stands in the way of the opening of the college at the earliest date administratively possible.