asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the negotiations with the Polish Delegation, arrangements are being made so that British shipping will be fully protected?

At the outset of the present negotiations my right hon. Friend informed the Polish Delegation of the great importance which the Government attached to a satisfactory settlement in the matter of shipping, and this is being kept constantly in mind by those taking part in the present discussions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can furnish a statement showing the present balance of payments between this country and Russia under the provisions of the latest Trade Agreement?

The Trade Agreement with the Soviet Union provides that the balance of payments between the two countries shall be in certain ratios in respect of calendar years as a whole, and until the statements specified in the Agreement have been received from the Russian Government after the expiration of each year, it is not possible to calculate the actual ratio in respect of that year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the monthly figures of yarn made from flat silk of English manufacture sent abroad for creping process and re-imported from France and Italy into this country after having undergone a creping process abroad; and whether, if such figures are not immediately available, he will consider such classification in the future, as such yarn is at present charged only with an ad valorem of 25 per cent. and not subject to the specific duty of 1s. 3d., and therefore the figures of such re-imports are readily available?

I am not clear as to the meaning of the term "flat silk," but it is presumed that the question relates to British artificial silk yarn. The only figures readily available are for artificial silk yarn (British or foreign) exported to all destinations to undergo any process, including creping. These figures are as follow:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why a consignment of phormium grass staple fibre is detained in the Port of London for payment of Import Duty; and under what authority is phormium grass or the products thereof liable to Import Duty?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Marr College, Troon, is to be opened for educational purposes; and, in view of the fact that this college, which cost £210,000, has been standing derelict for four years, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to take the college from the Marr Trust and hand it over to

As regards the first part of the question, if my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of the case be has in mind, I will have inquiries made. As regards the second part of the question, the authority for charging duty on phormium imported as such is the Import Duties Act, 1932, and the authority for charging duty on any particular product of phormium depends upon the nature of the product.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports of ordinary quebracho extract and myrobalans into the United Kingdom during the years 1926 to 1933, together with the highest and lowest annual price in each case?

The following table shows the total quantity and declared value of the imports of the undermentioned commodities into the United Kingdom during each of the years 1926 to 1933, together with the average declared value per cwt. of imports in each of these years.the Ayrshire County Council for administration as a public school so that it may be available for the use of students in the county?

I am informed that the question of the government of the college and the date for its opening is at present under active discussion between the trustee and the Ayrshire County Council. I trust that a satisfactory agreement will soon be reached and that thereafter the college will be opened as soon as possible; but the matter is now one outside the jurisdiction of my right hon. Friend. With regard to the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend does not propose to submit to the House legislative proposals of the nature suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Government intend to introduce new legislation to enable local authorities in Scotland to deal with houses to relieve overcrowding and to meet the normal growth of the population, in view of the general refusal of local authorities to build houses under the 1933 Act because of the inadequate subsidy?

It is hoped to present the Bill before the House rises at Christmas, so that it may be made available to Members during the Recess.