asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has been in consultation with the Australian Government concerning the new duties on cotton yarn; and what action he proposes to take in so far as such duties contravene the spirit of the Ottawa Agreements?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have been in communication with His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia on this matter. The reply of the Commonwealth Government has not yet been received, and in the circumstances I fear that I am not at present in a position to make a further statement in regard to it.

When will my right hon. Friend be in a position to make a statement on the matter?

Immediately I have received a reply from Australia.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has made, or will make, representations to the Australian Government that the sale of dairy products here at a lower price than in Australia constitutes unfair competition for the British dairy farmer?

The conditions to which my right hon. Friend refers are not confined to Australia, and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom do not think that it would serve a useful purpose to make representations to the Commonwealth Government in the matter.

Will not the agricultural interests here be prejudiced if this kind of competition continues?

The same principle applies with regard to Holland and Denmark. As far as the agricultural interests in this country are concerned, no one knows better than my right hon. Friend the magnificent contribution of this Government towards the resuscitation of the industry.

is not the friendship of the agricultural industry at home and in our Dominions much more important that that of Holland and Denmark, and does not my right hon. Friend think it is most unfortunate that anything should be done to upset this friendship of the agricultural industry for the Dominions?

I hope nothing will be done, least of all by questions in this House, that would interfere with that friendship.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that the sale of these products at these prices is the result of the, Ottawa Agreement?

No, it has no bearing on the Ottawa Agreement. The Ottawa Agreement covers preference as far as we are concerned and reciprocity on the other hand, but the particular question involved has nothing to do with that.

Is it not a fact that many products of this country are sold at lower prices in Australia than here, and is it not important to be careful that no complaints are raised on that account?

Certainly, and, if hon. Members will think for a moment, the position of coal is also affected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the aggregate tonnage of British-owned ships sold abroad for breaking-up purposes in the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and for the nine months ended September, 1934; also the amount of foreign scrap imported into this country in the corresponding years?

I will circulate as soon as possible, in the OFFICIAL REPORT, such particulars as are available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to inform the House what response he has received to the announcement of the Government's scrap and build scheme; and whether the indicated support warrants the introduction of the necessary legislation?

Various inquiries have been received in regard to this scheme. No decision has yet been taken as to the introduction of legislation, but the Government is still prepared to' cooperate with the shipowners in the matter if they so desire.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government will be in a position to come to a decision?

I am afraid I cannot at the moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the failure of the conference between the British and Japanese industrialists, the British Government now intend to impose quotas on Japanese imports into Great Britain; and when such import quotas are to be imposed?

His Majesty's Government will continue to give close attention to the problems which the hon. Gentleman has in mind; but, as at present advised, I doubt whether they can best be dealt with by the method suggested.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the version given of these conversations in a leading textile newspaper of Osaka, in which it reported that the British Government stated that they were going to give this quota, is correct?

I know nothing about newspaper reports.

If I send my right hon. Friend a copy of what appears, will he take it into consideration?

If my hon. Friend will translate it into English, I shall be glad to see it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the measure of compliance with or evasion of the bacon import quotas during the period since 1st March this year; and what steps are being taken to deal with any excessive imports in this connection?

Imports of bacon and hams from foreign countries during the period 1st March to 23rd October, 1934, were about 7 per cent. in excess of the proportionate part of the allocation for the period March-December, 7934. This excess arises from a variety of causes with which I can hardly deal within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, but I may mention that the greater part of the excess is attributable to additional shipments from Denmark in exercise of her treaty right to the proportion of 62 per cent. of total foreign imports. Where necessary, the attention of foreign Governments has been drawn to their obligations to keep their exports of bacon to this country within the prescribed limits, and they have been asked to take all necessary measures to this end. The arrangements with foreign countries are under revision and it is hoped that closer adherence to the programme will be secured in future.

Does not the action of Denmark show how English agricultural interests are always prejudiced by foreign agreements?

No, they are not always prejudiced by foreign agreements. They are very often to their advantage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the imports of clocks from Germany for the first nine months of this year were valued at £254,165, as against 165,489 for a similar period in 1932; whether this is due to the recent trade agreement concluded with Ger- many; and whether he is satisfied that compensating advantages are being obtained in other directions?

I am aware of the facts to which my hon. Friend draws attention. No doubt the importation of clocks was facilitated by the reduction of duty under the trade agreement with Germany, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the agreement afforded substantial advantages to the United Kingdom coal trade and that as a consequence the exports of coal to Germany have increased materially during the period in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it has been found possible to find a basis for the adjustment of difficulties in our commercial relations with Turkey?

Certain proposals were put forward by His Majesty's Government to the Turkish Government some months ago. The Turkish Government have recently made counter-proposals which are now under examination. Every effort will be made to reach a satisfactory settlement as soon as possible.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the Government are alive to the great importance of establishing friendly commercial relations with Turkey at the earliest possible moment?

Yes, Sir; we are doing what we can to that end.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information to show for what reason the imports of implements and tools have risen in value to £424,387 for the first nine months of this year as against £214,613 for a similar period in 1933; and whether any steps are to be taken to deal with this increase?

The figures quoted by my hon. Friend relate to the first nine months of 1934 and 1932, the figure for the corresponding period in 1933 being £332,475. As these goods are in general used in the production of manufactured goods of all sorts, the increase in their importation is no doubt indicative of increased trade and industrial activity. There has been a similar increase in the much larger export trade in British tools and implements. It is of course open to the interests concerned, if they wish to do so, to apply to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for increased duties on these goods.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the rise in value is due to an increase in price or an increase in quantity?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that grey cloth is being imported in considerable quantities into this country from Russia and, after being subjected in this country to a slight finishing process, is being exported from this country to West Africa as being British made; and whether he will take' the necessary steps to prevent this being done in the future?

I am not aware of any trade to West Africa of the nature described in my hon. and gallant Friend's question. If he has any information on the subject and will give me particulars, I shall be glad to investigate the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the loss of employment in the monumental marble industry through the importation of manufactured marble from Italy; and what steps he is proposing to take on the matter?

As was announced in the Press on the 16th July last a decision on a recommendation from the Import Duties Advisory Committee regarding marble and marble products is being deferred while discussions on commercial matters are taking place with the Italian Government.

Have the discussions now been concluded?

No, they are still proceeding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that large quantities of Japanese silk goods imported during the current year are closely copied from Macclesfield designs in the fully manufactured state; and that these products, such as ladies' silk handkerchiefs, are sold at approximately half the cost price of Macclesfield products; and whether he will state the policy of the Government in this matter?

With regard to the protection of registered designs, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Accrington (Major Procter) on 14th November, 1933. The duties on silk and artificial silk were revised as recently as July last on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee after a full and careful review of the situation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that revision had no reference whatever to Japanese competition, and that the Committee said so?

It is bound to have some relation to competition from any part of the world.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the samples which I sent to the Board of Trade as recently as Friday last and which show the terrible state of this trade at the present time?

I am glad to have any samples which my hon. Friend cares to send to the Board of Trade, so long as they are within our individual capacity. As I pointed out, none of the articles sent are necessarily affected by the answer I have given.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the confiscation of the pirated design goods at the port of entry?

The penalty for that sort of deception must be the penalty provided by the law.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the communications from the delegation visiting Japan as representing the Federation of British Industries, under the chairmanship of Lord Barnby; and, if so, when he can make a statement to the House as to the results of this mission?

I have not received any communications from the delegation and, as they will be reporting to the Federation of British Industries and not to His Majesty's Government, I could not undertake to make a statement as to the results of the mission.

Was the delegation in any sense official?

It was a delegation from the Federation of British Industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the rapidly growing opinion that conditions of glut in many industries which necessitate cessation of production, or the destruction of produce, are due largely to the inefficiency of existing methods of distribution; and whether, in view of that opinion, he is now prepared to recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate and report on the methods of distribution?

My opinions have remained unchanged since I answered a similar question by my hon. Friend on 26th June.

Will my right hon. Friend tell me when the Board of Trade are likely to recognise the importance of this problem to the extent of appointing a Royal Commission to consider the whole problem of distribution?

It is certainly a very large question, and we have it constantly before us, but I am not prepared to make any promise.

Is there not a general opinion that gluts such as caused the recent destruction of herring are due to inefficiency of distribution?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of foreign wireless sets imported into this country during the first nine months of this year was 53,984 as against 25,321 during a similar period in 1933; and whether any steps are being taken to reduce such imports?

I am aware of the fact to which attention is drawn by my hon. Friend. Any question of an increased duty on wireless sets is a matter for the Import Duties Advisory Committee in the first place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that outstanding debts amounting to nearly £1,000,000 are owing to Bradford and Manchester exporters for textile goods sold in Rumania, and that in most cases this money has been paid into Rumanian banks in the currency of the country, but that difficulty is being experienced in obtaining permits which would make it possible to obtain the necessary sterling exchange; and whether he proposes to take steps which will enable these British exporters to receive payment for their goods?

I am aware of the position described in my hon. Friend's question and representations have already been made to the Rumanian Government regarding the delay in providing foreign exchange to meet commercial debts due to exporters in this country and the restrictions which have been placed on our trade with Rumania. I can assure my hon. Friend that these matters are receiving the earnest consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of agricultural machinery in September, 1934, were 729 tons as compared with 527 tons in September, 1933.; and will he state what action he proposes to take?

I am aware of the facts to which my hon. Friend draws attention. As regards the last part of the question, there is nothing I can add to the reply which was given to him on the 8th May.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Import Duties Advisory Committee take note of the question of agricultural machinery?

If the matter be brought before the notice of the Committee by the manufacturers of agricul- tural machinery, no doubt it will take note of it and examine it.

Seeing that this increase of imports has no relation to increased trade in the country demanding raw materials, is it not likely that the imports of manufactured goods will increase during the next few months and demand the attention of the Board of Trade rather than merely the attention of Import Duties Advisory Committee?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been drawn to the !dumping into this country of wooden golf-tees at prices considerably below the cost of manufacture in this country; and what action he intends to take in this matter?

My attention had not been previously drawn to this question, and I have no official information as to the importation of wooden golf-tees. If the United Kingdom manufacturers consider the existing rate of duty inadequate, it is open to them to make representations to the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

Will the right hon Gentleman have an inquiry into it?

Can my right hon. Friend tell me what the present rate of duty is?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some Italian footballers are going to be dumped into this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many motor cars were exported from Great Britain to the United States from 1st March to 30th September, 1933, and from 1st March to 30th September, 1934; and how many motor cars were exported from the United States to Great Britain for the same periods?

As the answer involves a number of figures I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that since the decision to reduce the horse-power tax on motor cars in this country the importation of high horsepower ears from America has increased, and that such imports have been valued at £763,659 for the first nine months of this year as against £172,870 for a similar period in 1933; and whether he will now consider taking steps to limit this tax concession to cars of British origin?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of new private motor cars imported in the first nine months of this year was 8,255, as compared with 3,010 in the same period of last year, and 1,945 in the same period, 1932; and what action he proposes to take?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the great increase in the number of imported motor cars into this country in consequence of the recent reduction of the horse-power tax; and will he give his consideration to restricting the reduced tax to motor cars manufactured only in Great Britain?

I am aware of the facts and figures to which my hon. Friends refer. My right hon. Friend fears that the suggestion made as regards the horse-power tax by the hon. Members for Bradford East (Mr. Hepworth) and Hanley (Mr. Hales) is not one that he could accept. Differentiation in respect of these duties, besides being impracticable for licensing authorities, would conflict with the clear intention of many of our commercial treaties which preclude us (as they also do foreign countries in respect of our goods) from differentiating in our internal duties between home products and similar foreign products. The import duty on motor cars, in common with other Budget duties, will come up for review before the next Budget in the ordinary course. I would, however, point out that it is already at the rate of 33⅓ per cent. ad valorem.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the enormous profits which have been made by the motor car industry this year, and which do not seem to indicate that the industry is suffering very severely from foreign competition?

May I ask whether some of the increased importation is not due to manipulation by the United States of the value of the dollar?

Was not the tax reduced for the benefit of the motor industry in Great Britain, and having regard to the fact that the results have been exactly the opposite, is not a revision of this tax necessary?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will inform the House as to the total imports into Great Britain from Russia since the signing of the recent trade agreement and the total exports from Great Britain to Russia during the same period, excluding re-exports not manufactured in Great Britain; and whether the proportions of 1.7 to 1 of exports from Russia to Great Britain and from Great Britain to Russia, respectively, as fixed in the said trade agreement, have been maintained?

The Anglo-Russian temporary commercial agreement was signed on 17th February and the only figures available for the period that has since elapsed are those for March to September. During that period the value of imports from Russia was £10,021,000, and the value of the exports of United Kingdom produce and manufactures to that country was £2,277,000. The agreement does not provide that the proportion of our imports from Russia to our exports to Russia shall be in the stated ratios, but that the balance of payments between the two countries, calculated in accordance with the schedule to the agreement, shall be in those ratios.

Was not the House of Commons given to understand before the approval of the trade agreement that there would be a substantial increase in the purchase of manufactured goods by Russia; and does it not appear from the figures which my right hon. Friend has given that only some £2,500,000 worth of manufactured goods have been purchased by Russia since the signing of the agreement as against £10,000,000 worth which we have purchased from Russia? Is not that very unsatisfactory?

Is it not the case that during the year Russia has placed orders for many millions of pounds worth of manufactured goods which have not been delivered, and is not that consistent with the statements made when the agreement was signed?

The statement made at the time did hold out the hope and prospect to the House that there would be an increase of exports to Russia. I trust that hope is not going to be belied by the facts, and I have no reason to believe that it will be. We have already received information as to many large orders having been placed in this country which will come into the figures for 1934 as a whole. May I add that we have to take into calculation here not only the actual exports from this country, but the payments made by Russia for services rendered to that country, as, for instance, in shipping and insurance, which make a material difference.

Will not Russia have to restrict her imports to this country if she has to pay money to Lena Goldfields?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government propose to take steps to prevent the continued increase of the importations of cotton piece-goods into this country?

I am aware that there has been some increase in imports of cotton piece-goods into this country. It is open to the manufacturers concerned to apply to the Import Duties Advisory Committee with a view to increased duties on these goods. I would point out, however, that retained imports of cotton piece-goods amount to a fraction of 1 per cent. of the United Kingdom production of similar goods.

In view of the rapid increase in the importation of foreign cotton piece-goods into this country, is not this a question for prohibition and not to be put off in this way?

That question ought to be addressed to the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

Would my right hon. Friend tell me whether the Import Duties Advisory Committee have the power to prohibit goods coming into this country?

No, they only have the power to advise, and we always consider their advice.

Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make an agreement so that we can sell everything to all countries of the world and buy nothing back?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether home-grown hay is specified in War Office contracts for forage?

Yes, Sir, home-grown hay is at present specified.

Will my right hon. Friend draw the attention of the farming community to the advantage which this action on the part of the War Office confers on them?

I hope that my answer will receive the necessary publicity.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why British horses are guaranteed British produce while British soldiers are guaranteed only foreign or Imperial produce?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is intended to rescind the amendment of Army Allowance Regulations made last year, under which third class warrant only is granted to officers travelling on duty below the rank of lieutenant-colonel?

No, Sir.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that this petty economy might now be abandoned, seeing the altered position of the country; and does he not agree that it is clearly detrimental to the interests of the Services, and causes unnecessary unpleasantness and inconvenience to officers who have to travel under this Order?

As my hon. Friend knows, the decision was taken by the Government, and it applies not only to the War Office but also to other Service Departments, and also to the Civil Service, and so it would be quite impossible for one Department to take independent action.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of Army horses sold in Egypt after the War; whether he can give any estimate of the numbers still alive in that country; and whether he will consider including a small grant in his Estimates for next year in order that these horses may be purchased and put out of their misery?

In the six years 1919 to 1924, approximately 11,000 Army horses were sold in Egypt and Palestine; but I have no means of estimating the number still alive. I regret that Army funds could not be expended on their repurchase, but grants have been made from time to time from non-public funds at the disposal of the Army Council to a private society, the Old War Horse Fund, Cairo, which deals with this matter.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that this is unworthy treatment to mete out to the creatures that helped us to win the War?

I am only prepared to deal with the position as I find it, and I imagine that very few of these horses are alive now.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the principal articles included in the £44,600 worth of foodstuffs purchased from foreign sources for the use of the Army?

The principal items are preserved meat, tinned salmon and bacon.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why so much is spent on things like tinned salmon and bacon?

I have already said, in answer to another question, that the figure mentioned represents only 7 per cent. of the total foodstuffs purchased by the War Office, and that there is a substantial preference given to British and Empire goods. Perhaps I may take the example of bacon. If the quantity of bacon which we purchased from foreign sources had had to be purchased elsewhere, it would have meant having to pay 100 per cent. more for it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the committee, of inquiry has yet furnished its report on the bracken question in Scotland?

No, Sir. The tests to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend of 24th July have been completed, and I understand that while the appearance of the treated areas is promising, it would be premature at this stage to say that definite conclusions have been reached as to the efficacy of the different methods employed.

In order to assist the sheep farming industry in Scotland might not the interim findings of the Committee be now published, so as to be available for advice and consultation in reference to next year's work?

I will favourably consider that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the case reported at Haddington on 20th September, where the local assessment committee had endeavoured to increase the assessable value of a house on the ground that the house had been wired for electric light; and whether he is prepared to take steps to safeguard people who have their houses wired from the risk of being penalised by higher assessments?

I understand that the case to which my hon. Friend refers was that of a house in Haddington, the owner-occupier of which was successful in an appeal to the East Lothian Valuation Committee against an increase of £2 made by the assessor in the annual value of the house. Having regard to the provisions in the Lands Valuation (Scotland) Acts for the making of appeals, I have no reason to consider that the interests of house owners or occupiers are not adequately safeguarded.

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with assessment committees in Scotland as to the undesirability of their raising assessments when people indulge in the use of such popular commodities?

No, Sir, I must leave that matter in their hands.

Is not this an argument in favour of relieving all improvements from increases of assessment and taxation?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state in detail the allocation of the £137,500 provided for the improvement of Scottish rural water supplies, giving in each case the amount to be provided from the grant and by the local authority concerned, respectively?

As the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.