Written Answers
Trade And Commerce
New Factories
asked the President of the Board of Trade how many inquiries have been made within the last six months for the establishment either by home or foreign capital of new industries in this country; and whether any of such industries have been or are being established in Lancashire?
A survey of industrial development is being prepared in respect of the year 1934 as a whole which will include particulars of the number of new factories opened during the year, the industries concerned and the localities in which the factories are situated. Precise information for any other period is not available, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that some of the new factories are being established in Lancashire.
Portuguese Ports (Flag Discrimination)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Portuguese Government has not yet fulfilled in the Azores its undertaking, given in the exchange of notes of 14th October, 1933, to abolish Customs rebates on goods carried in Portuguese vessels by 1st July, 1934; and what action he proposes to take against this breach of the agreement by Portugal?
Yes, Sir, when discrimination in the quay dues charged in the Azores was brought to our notice, urgent representations were made to the Portuguese Government, and I am glad to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that that Government have issued instructions to the Customs authorities at the Azores that British ships are given national treatment.
Civil Aviation (Subsidies)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the total subsidy which has been given to civil aviation in this country, including that given to Imperial Airways, during the last five years; and what are the comparable figures for France, Germany, and the United States of America over the same period?
The only figures between which a direct comparison can conveniently be drawn are those relating to subsidies for the operation of regular services, and in most cases it is only possible to give the amounts taken in estimates and not those actually expended. The approximate amounts of subsidies, taking conversions of currency at the par rates of exchange, for the five years 1929–1933 are:
| — | Great Britain. | France. | Germany. | United States. | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| 1929 | … | … | … | 339,200 | 1,387,167 | 930,005 | 2,975,749 |
| 1930 | … | … | … | 388,750 | 1,577,811 | 930,005 | 2,848,988 |
| 1931 | … | … | … | 394,882 | 1,577,811 | 921,439 | 3,528,051 |
| 1932 | … | … | … | 398,343 | 1,582,480 | 849,828 | 4,900,393 |
| 1933 | … | … | … | 399,959 | 1,465,260 | 849,828 | 4,755,627 |
| Totals | … | … | … | £1,921,134 | £7,590,529 | £4,481,105 | £19,008,808 |
The financial year differs in the various countries. In the United States of America in particular it ends on 30th June, and the figures given are those for the 12 months ending 30th June, 1929, and the four following years. It should be added that in the case of the United States of America the true subsidy can only be ascertained in arrear when the Post Office makes known the loss actually incurred on the operation of air mail services. The United States of America figure for the year 1929 is an estimate; those for the other years are the published figures of losses. The figures for Great Britain exclude the Dominion and Colonial contributions to certain Imperial air services.
Territorial Army Training (Men's Dependants)
asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can now make a statement as to the result of the War Office deliberations for safeguarding the dependants of Territorials under 26 years of age when such Territorials are in training camps, so that they will not have to have recourse to public relief?
This question is being considered in connection with the forthcoming Army Estimates.
Colonies (Immigrants, Deposits And Securities)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Colonies impose upon all British immigrants who intend to settle with them conditions that they should have a fixed minimum sum of money; whether, in that case, he will give the details of such regulations; and whether we in turn apply similar regulations to those coming into this country from those Colonies?
I attach a statement indicating the law in force in each Colony in which a British immigrant is or may be required either to possess or to furnish security for a minimum sum of money before he is allowed to land. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whom I have consulted on the subject, that the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.STATEMENT showing the amount of deposit or the form of security required from persons (including British subjects) landing in those Colonies where such deposit or security is required.
Bahamas.—An intending immigrant must deposit with the immigration officer £20, or if the immigration officer thinks fit, furnish two sufficient securities ordinarily resident in the Colony and approved by the immigration officer in a joint and several bond in the sum of £50
Bermuda.—The immigrant must de posit with the immigration officer £30, or if the Board of Immigration think fit, furnish two securities ordinarily resident in the Island, and approved by the Board, as security in a joint and several bond in the sum of £50.
British Guiana.—A British subject (except when recruited for service in the Colony) arriving in the Colony as a second class, third class or deck passenger, is not allowed to land unless he or she is able to produce the sum of 24 dollars.
British Honduras.—An intending immigrant on arrival in the Colony must be in a position to deposit with the Colonial Treasurer, if required to do so, the sum of 100 dollars in American currency or its equivalent or to furnish security that he will repay to the Treasurer all costs and charges, not exceeding 100 dollars, which within three
years from the date of his landing may have been incurred.
Ceylon.—A European immigrant is not allowed to land in Ceylon unless he is able to produce to the immigration authorities a minimum sum of £40, or until some person resident in Ceylon and approved as sufficient in that behalf, by letter of guarantee, has undertaken to repay to the Colonial Treasurer any costs and charges not exceeding the sum of 250 rupees which, within one year may be incurred in respect of such immigrant.
Fiji.—An immigrant may be refused permission to land unless he deposits with the Colonial Treasurer such sum not exceeding £50 as the immigration authorities may direct or furnishes security to the satisfaction of the Inspector-General of Constabulary for all costs and charges and passage expenses out of the Colony in the event of his becoming a charge on the Colony within three years of the date of landing.
Gambia.—A deposit of £60 is required from any immigrant who appears to the immigration officer to be without visible means of support or who in his opinion is likely to become a public charge. The immigration officer may, in lieu of requiring such deposit, permit the intending immigrant to give security by bond in the sum of £60, with one or more sureties to be approved by the immigration officer.
Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.— No person is allowed to land in the Colony unless he is possessed of a sum of not less than £50.
Gold Coast.—The regulations relating to the deposit of or the provision of security by an intending immigrant are similar to the corresponding regulations in force in the Gambia. (See above.)
Hong Kong.—An immigrant must show that he has in his possession or that he is physically able to earn, the means of decently supporting himself and his dependents, if any. (No amount stated.)
Jamaica.—An intending immigrant, who though on other grounds may Le classed as "prohibited" may, if thought fit by the appropriate officer, be allowed to enter the Island provided he deposits with the officer the sum of £30.
Kenya.—A deposit of £50 is required from any European immigrant who
appears to the immigration officer to be without visible means of support or who, in his opinion, is likely to become a public charge. The immigration officer may, in lieu of requiring such deposit, permit the intending immigrant to give security by bond in the prescribed form to the amount of the deposit with one or more sureties to be approved by the immigration officer and resident in the Colony.
Leeward Islands.—Any steerage passenger who, in the opinion of the immigration authorities, is likely to become a charge on the Colony, must deposit with the Treasurer of the Presidency, or Magistrate in the case of the Islands of Nevis and Anguilla, the sum of £20 or alternatively give security by deed in the prescribed form for the repayment of any charges which within one year from the date of such deed may be incurred on his behalf.
Nigeria.—The regulations relating to the deposit of or the provision of security by an intending immigrant are similar to the corresponding regulations in force in the Gambia (see above).
St. Lucia.—Any person arriving in the Colony, who in the opinion of the immigration authorities, is likely to become a, charge on the Colony, must deposit with the Treasurer the sum of £5, or alternatively some person resident in the Colony and approved by the Treasurer must enter into a bond in the prescribed form to repay to the Treasurer any pauper charges which within one year from the date of the bond may be incurred in respect of the immigrant.
St. Vincent.—As for St. Lucia.
Seychelles.—No person may land in the Colony unless he possesses the value of at least 250 rupees in cash or property.
Sierra Leone.—The regulations relating to the deposit of or the provision of security by an intending immigrant are similar to the corresponding regulations in force in the Gambia (see above).
Straits Settlements.—As for Hong Kong.
Trinidad and Tobago.—Any person arriving in the Colony who, in the opinion of the immigration authorities, is likely to become a charge on the Colony must deposit with the Treasurer the sum of £50, or if a native of another British West Indian Colony or British Guiana such lesser sum as may from time to time
be prescribed, or alternatively, in special cases, to be approved by the Governor, some person resident in the Colony, and approved by the Treasurer may enter into a bond undertaking to repay to the Treasurer any charges together with the expenses of repatriation, if any, which within the period stated by the bond may be incurred in respect of such immigrants.
Turks and Caicos Islands.—The regulations relating to the deposit of or the provision of security by an intending immigrant are similar to the corresponding regulations in force in St. Lucia, except that the deposit required is £20.
British Cinematograph Films (Quotas, Dominions)
asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any Dominion has instituted a quota of British films and, at the same time, given effect to such quota?
According to my latest information, legislation has been passed in New Zealand, the State of Victoria in Australia, the Provinces of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia in Canada, and in Southern Rhodesia, which provides in each case for the institution of a quota of British films. In the Canadian Provinces referred to the legislation is in all cases permissive and, as far as I have been able to ascertain, no steps have yet been taken to give effect to it. In New Zealand the Section of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1928, which provides for an exhibitor's quota of British films, does not become effective unless and until it is brought into force by the Governor-General by Order-in-Council. I understand, however, that New Zealand exhibitors have undertaken to exhibit a percentage of British films exceeding that prescribed in the Act and that, in the circumstances, the Governor-General has not issued any Order-in-Council under the aforesaid Section of the Act.
Licensed Premises, Crayford (Police Visit)
asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the circumstances of a police raid on 2nd November carried out on licensed premises in Crayford; whether he is aware that the raid was based upon a telephone message received by the police who gave the name of Councillor H. Homer, a member of the Crayford Council, as the informer, and that Councillor Homer denies having given any information; whether it is the custom of the police in such cases to reveal the source of their information; and whether steps will be taken to elucidate the facts?
The police visited certain licensed premises in Crayford on the night of the second instant following an allegation, which proved to be unfounded, of drinking after hours. The allegation was made to them by telephone from a police box, and on being asked his name the caller said "Councillor Homer" and then rang off. The police did not disclose Councillor Homer's name, and I can only assume that it has been put about in the neighbourhood by the originator of the message. Efforts have been made to trace him, but without success.
League Of Nations
Broadcasting
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to state the action taken by the Government in connection with the draft international agreement for the use of broadcasting in the cause of peace?
The draft international agreement for the use of broadcasting in the cause of peace was sent to His Majesty's Government for observations in the early part of this year by the Secretary-General of the League of Nations. His Majesty's Government examined the draft and proposed certain Amendments, which were communicated to the Secretary-General in August last.
Indigent Foreigners (Assistance)
asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now able to state the nature of the reply sent to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations with reference to the Draft Convention for Assistance to Indigent Foreigners and the 14 recommendations connected therewith?
I have been asked to answer this Question. An interim reply was sent to the League of Nations on this subject on 28th June, and as a result of discussions between the various interested Government Departments, a reply embodying the considered views of His Majesty's Government is now under preparation.
Ships (Safety Glass)
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will institute an inquiry into the desirability of equipping all public vessels and oceangoing transport with safety glass?
No, Sir.