asked the Home Secretary whether any progress has been made as a result of correspondence between his Department and the organisations representing auctioneers of chattels to ensure that in any announcement of prices realised at auctions the amounts shall refer to actual sales and not to prices at which chattels have been bought in by, or on behalf of, vendors or their representatives?

The correspondence to which my hon. Friend refers was with the Auctioneers' and Estate Agents' Institute. That body has now reported that the practice of issuing priced catalogues after a sale of chattels is rarely adopted by firms including members of the institute, and that, where it is adopted by such firms, "bought in" prices are not shown. I am having further inquiries made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the approximate percentage of the imports of machinery this year which were imported under licence duty free, on the ground that they consisted of types not made in this country?

In terms of value, the machinery delivered for home consumption duty free under licence issued under Section 10 of the Finance Act, 1932, during the first nine months of this year represented approximately 20 per cent. of the total imports of machinery, excluding machinery delivered duty free under Preference, conditions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether wharves in the port of Rochester can retain their sufferance privileges; and whether arrangements can be made to effect deliveries of timber and other merchandise in the Medway instead of being taken to the Thames wharves and transhipped again to the Medway with additional costs of transport and transhipping charges?

As regards the first part of the question, no curtailment of the existing sufferance privileges of wharves in the port of Rochester is in contemplation. As regards the second part of the question, I am not prepared to extend the privileges of the Rochester wharves for the purpose of enabling existing trade, whether in timber or other merchandise, to be withdrawn from privileged wharves elsewhere at which it has hitherto been handled.

Is it the policy of the Government to divert all traffic from the Medway to the Thames in future?

No, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this demand for sufferance wharves is not only in the Medway but is greatly desired in the upper reaches of the Thames, and will he receive representations as to this fact and as to the desirability of extending these privileges in many places in the upper reaches of the river?

I am always glad to receive any representations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of firms employed in the making of explosive and other powders for military purposes; what quantity has been exported and to what countries; and whether he can give figures of export for the past three years and to the nearest available date?

The number of firms in the United Kingdom, apart from toy firework factories, licensed by the Secretary of State for Home Affairs under the Explosives Act, 1875, to manufacture explosives of all kinds is 53; the number manufacturing explosives for purely military purposes cannot be stated. The hon. Member will find on pages 350 and 351 of Volume III of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1933 particulars of the exports of the various descriptions of propellant powders and high explosives during each of the last five years, distinguishing the countries of consignment. Separate particulars are shown in respect of smokeless sporting powders, but it is not possible to distinguish, as regards the other items enumerated, powders and explosives intended for military purposes from those intended for industrial purposes. The particulars for the expired period of the present year are not readily available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Anglo-Indian Trade Agreement has been under consideration for a year; whether he can state the reason for these protracted negotiations; and whether the terms of the agreement are likely to be concluded before the new year?

The negotiations for a trade agreement supplementary to the main Ottawa Agreement with India arise from the fact that it was not possible at Ottawa to deal with the question of Indian protective duties. Our purpose in the present discussions has been to conclude an agreement which would cover those duties. The negotiations are a direct outcome of the work done by the mission which went out to India in the autumn of 1933 from Lancashire under the able chairmanship of Sir William Clare Lees. This mission, besides negotiating an agreement with the Millowners' Association of Bombay, represented to the Government of India the indeterminate nature of the Ottawa provisions relating to cotton and artificial silk, and expressed their desire that these industries should be brought within the scope of the Ottawa Agreement. For several months active negotiations have been in progress between His Majesty's Government and the Government of India. In the nature of the case these have been prolonged.

I am glad, now, to report that the main difficulties have been surmounted, and there is every reason to hope that the agreement will be settled at an early date.

At the present stage I only wish to say one word regarding the scope of the agreement. It does not deal with the actual rates of duty on particular commodities. What it does is to lay down the principles to be followed in fixing the Indian protective duties on United Kingdom goods, not only on textiles, but also on other goods subject to protective duties.

We for our part, of course, give certain assurances in return.

The text of the agreement will, of course, be published as soon as possible.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there will be serious misgivings in Lancashire, if the terms of the Agreement are not disclosed before the Second Heading of the Government of India Bill?

I am keeping in the closest possible touch with the representatives of Lancashire, and only this morning we had a conference on the subject.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would be possible to discuss this matter rather more fully on the Motion for the Christmas Adjournment? We should very much like to do so, but we should be guided by him if he thought that it would militate against any success he hopes to achieve in the negotiations. We think the matter is so important that it ought to de discussed at the earliest moment.

If the material is ready for a discussion, I will communicate with the right hon. Gentleman, and we might then perhaps make arrangements for suitable publicity.

We should like the publicity to be a discussion between the Members of the House and the right hon. Gentleman on the Christmas Adjournment, which is the earliest opportunity we should have of discussing the question, together with other matters connected with trade and unemployment in other districts.

I think we shall be able to fall in with the desire of the right hon. Gentleman on the Adjournment.

I should like to say that of course we accept the offer of the right hon. Gentleman, and shall do our best to raise the matter on the Christmas Adjournment.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the conclusion of the Indo-Japanese Agreement was followed almost immediately by an adjustment of the duties on foreign cloth, and why has it taken so long to reach an agreement, which he now informs the House can only deal with principles and not with facts?

There has been no difficulty in arriving at an agreement, which would have been reached long ago but for the fact that the negotiations between ourselves and India have had to cover a great deal of detail, and we have not been able to make progress as, rapidly as we would have liked.

Duties of 75 per cent were quickly reduced to 50 per cent., and later to 35 per cent., and in this case only a mere reduction of 5 per cent. is involved, and even that is not yet agreed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Lancashire expects that not only shall there be no commercial discrimination against British trade in India but that substantial preferences shall be granted?

Has my right hon. Friend taken the manufacturers into consultation, or is he only taking the advice of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce?

No, Sir, those I have seen are fully representative of Lancashire interests.

No!

Will this Agreement be included in the new Constitution for India, or will a new Agreement have to be made with the new Constitution?

I think that my hon. Friend had better put a question of that kind to the Secretary of State for India.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to help traders in this country in view of the recent practice of the German Government in consenting to transactions between this country and Germany on the basis of exchange of goods and then withdrawing the consent to receive the British goods after the German goods have been despatchd, and insisting on cash for goods bought from Germany while payment for goods sold to Germany is held in the State bank?

I have no information as to the practice described by the hon. Member, but if he will let me have particulars of the transactions to which he refers I shall be glad to have the matter looked into.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether there has been any recent correspondence or communication between the Government and that of the Dominion of New Zealand about a reduction or limitation of the quota of meat shipped by them to this country; and whether they have agreed to any limitation of supplies to this country or any levy on the amount shipped from there or imported into this country?

Yes, Sir. I have been in correspondence with His Majesty's Government in New Zealand on the subject of the limitation of the exports of meat from New Zealand for arrival in the United Kingdom between 1st January and 31st March, 1935. A programme has been agreed which involves a reduction in the total imports of meat from New Zealand during that period as compared with imports during the corresponding quarter of last year. The position with regard to a levy was explained in my reply to a question on 5th December by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander).

Am I to understand that this reduction is acceptable to the Dominion and that they have agreed to it without demur, or is it the result of threats?

There have been no threats. The New Zealand Government have accepted the provisions because they are as anxious as we are not to break a number of agreements which would be as ruinous to them as to our own, agricultural industry.

Has not one of the Jesuits of Government policy been to make it more difficult, since the National Government have been in office, for the Dominion to send produce here which could previously come in free without limitation?

The answer to that question is that New Zealand for the first quarter of 1935 will be sending in under this agreement an increase of approximately 11 per cent.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the dangers to which Members of the House, as well as the general public, are exposed, due to the fact that drivers of motor vehicles generally ignore the beaconless pedestrian crossing between St. Margaret's Church and St. Stephen's porch; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that it is not the experience of the police that drivers ignore their obligations at the pedestrian crossing place referred to, or that pedestrians are exposed to undue danger there. No accidents have occurred at this spot during the past twelve months. A police constable is specially posted at the crossing place when the House is in Session.

Having regard to the fact that no constable is ever present, or there is hardly ever a constable present, on the occasions when I cross, and that vehicles constantly pass at excessive speeds, will my right hon. Friend take some steps to see that vehicles do not entirely ignore pedestrian crossing markings?

The police are anxious to see that these crossings are observed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has hand any complaints about the fact that at Gainford, near Darlington, there is only a railway bridge across the River Tees, and that school children have to cross the railway bridge over which many trains pass during the day; and will he take steps to have another bridge erected?

In answer to the first part of the question, I have received no complaints. In answer to the second part, I will make immediate inquiries.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, pending the introduction of a Bill dealing with building by ribbon development, he will take some action to prevent the spread of this evil, in view of the fact that, as legislation dealing therewith was foreshadowed in the Government programme, there is likely to be an immediate and rapid extension of building until such time as the Bill is introduced?

My hon. Friend will be aware that the erection of buildings along the existing roads of the country is not a matter which comes under my control, but in approving schemes for new roads I shall do my best to discourage the unsuitable use of frontage lands.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if a builder or another individual submits plans and specifications to the local authorities, if those plans and specifications are in order, they have a very big job to turn them down?

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to make arrangements with the Minister of Health for a joint committee, so that the Minister of Health may co-operate with him, with his town planning powers, to prevent ribbon development when new roads are constructed?

I am in close co-operation with him at the moment.

Arising out of a question put to the Prime Minister the other day regarding ribbon development, would it not be possible for the Government to make some announcement which would show that the Government's legislation when it is introduced will be retrospective, in order to prevent advantage being taken of the delay due to the congestion of business by further ribbon development in anticipation of restrictions which may be in the Bill?

It is impossible to answer that question now, but I will take the suggestion into consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the long queues of people of both sexes who daily wait to obtain transport from Highgate tube terminus to Muswell Hill; and whether he will take steps to secure the extension of the tube railway to Muswell Hill?

I have no power to require the London Passenger Transport Board to extend their railways, but I will bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to the notice of the board.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware of the very serious state of affairs which prevails, that large numbers of people may be kept waiting 20 minutes in a downpour of rain, and is he aware that many of these people may have to sit all day long in wet clothes? Is he further aware that very much illness results from this bad treatment of human beings, and can he advise me as to what steps I can take?

I have every sympathy with the suffering that the hon. Member has described, but I can only assist him by representing his views and his plea to the board. I understand that personally I have no powers in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the congestion of traffic on North London routes, and that last Friday evening between 7 and 8 o'clock it took one hour and a-half for people to travel from the west of London to Muswell Hill, which works out at approximately four miles an hour; and whether he will take steps through the appropriate traffic authorities to improve these services?

I am making inquiries in the matter and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware that on Sunday, 25th November, motor cycle reliability trials were held in the town of Llangollen, and that for several hours there was so much noise resulting from these trials that a religious service could not be proceeded with, and that the peace of the town was generally disturbed; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps to prohibit the holding of such motor cycle trials on Sundays in the neighbourhood of places of worship;

(2) whether he is aware that there are complaints in various parts of the country owing to motor cycle reliability tests being held in narrow lanes and roads; and whether he will consider the possibility of taking such action as will confine such reliability tests to specially prepared tracks and not on public highways?

My attention had not been drawn to the interruption of a religious service at Llangollen, but I am aware that motor cycle reliability trials do from time to time give rise to complaint. I have no power to prohibit them either generally or during particular hours, but participants in them are, of course, liable to proceedings if they contravene the law. I think that promoters of such trials, in their own interests, will be well advised to see that they are conducted in such a manner that they do not inconvenience the public.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in a great part of North Wales these motor reliability trials take place practically every Sunday along these narrow lanes and mountain roads, that they are not only a danger to the persons using those roads but a nuisance to the people in various country districts; and will he get into touch with the local authorities with a view to action being taken under the Road Traffic Act, 1930?

I very much regret to hear the account which my hon. Friend has given of these reliability trials. It would be for the local authorities to get into touch with me, and, if they can suggest to me any suitable action that I can take within my powers, I shall be happy to assist them. Meanwhile, if a nuisance is being committed, the law can be put into operation by a complaint.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a good deal of the nuisance would be abated if the silencer regulation were enforced?

Yes, I am aware of that fact. If the "construction and use" regulation were not being obeyed, there would be a suitable case for prosecution in any particular instance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship caused when a child upon reaching the age of 14 is precluded from leaving school and accepting proffered employment until the end of the school term, thereby jeopardising the child's future; and whether he will authorise children to leave school during term, having attained the age of 14, in cases where a letter guaranteeing work can be produced from an employer?

My Noble Friend is satisfied that the educational advantages of the present arrangement, which is governed by Section 138 (1) of the Education Act, 1921, outweigh any disadvantages which it may involve. In any case, he has no authority to take the action suggested in the latter part of the question.

Am I to understand that the Government do not propose to make this concession?

That is the effect of my answer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what education authorities in England and Wales have received sanction to open special schools during the last 12 months; whether there are separate funds at the disposal of the board for providing such schools; and what are the conditions laid down by the board before sanction is given to an education authority to open such schools?

Proposals by local education authorities for the provision of new special schools have, since the 1st December, 1933, been approved in the case of eight authorities. In addition, proposals have been approved for the provision, in five areas, of new premises for existing special schools. Expenditure on special schools forms part of the capital expenditure of local education authorities on which the board pays grant. The board are prepared to consider proposals on their merits having regard to the character of the provision proposed, the type of area, the extent of the existing provision, the cost of the proposal, and any other relevant factors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state in full the income limits generally adopted for secondary school special places as qualifying a family with one, two, or more children for exemption or partial exemption from payment of fees?

The scales of income limits were framed by the several local education authorities having regard to local circumstances, the amount of the fees charged and the number of special places offered. They vary widely as between one area and another, and there is no scale which can properly be described as that generally adopted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he has any information to give the House in regard to the collapse of the school floor yesterday at St. Clement's Church of England Schools, Liverpool, where it was estimated that 120 children and some adults were injured?

My Noble Friend and I greatly deplore this terrible accident and wish to convey our deep sympathy to the parents. The information which I have been able to obtain by telephone from the Director of Education for Liverpool is as follows: The accident occurred last night in a classroom of an area of 625 square feet. An entertainment was being held outside school hours. I am informed that there were 150 to 200 persons, mainly children, in the room in question. The room was supported by an arch formed of three cast iron beams held by a wrought iron tie rod, and one of the cast iron beams cracked. My Noble Friend has sent the Chief Inspector of Elementary Schools and the Board's Architect to Liverpool to investigate and report upon the matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths of children under the age of one year per thousand in North Kensington and in South Kensington during 1931, 1932, and 1933?

The information available on this subject is that contained in the annual reports of the Medical Officer for Kensington. With the hon. Members' permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the figures contained in those reports.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of tuberculosis per thousand of population were notified in North and South Kensington during 1931, 1932, and 1933?

The information available on this subject is that contained in the annual reports of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the figures calculated from the statistics contained in those reports.

Why is the Minister so keen on not giving information to the House?

The figures are, for North and South Kensington compared, 1931, 1.60 and 1.18; 1932, 1.81 and 0.99; and 1933, 1.55 and 1.03.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he has given show that in North Kensington the disease and death rates are double those for South Kensington and that the cause of that abnormal rate is the shocking housing conditions in North Kensington?

We are well aware of the housing conditions in North Kensington and great activity is being displayed in remedying them. As regards the deductions the hon. Member has drawn from the figures, they show the danger of reading them out, because the deductions are entirely unjustified by the figures.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether he has given consideration to information from a responsible source on the state of the public health in Sunderland and Seaham which has been conveyed to him in a communication, and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. The statements in question, which were contained in a letter, signed by Dr. G. F. Walker of Sunderland, that has appeared in the Press, require investigation. My Noble Friend the President of the Board of Education and I have accordingly jointly instructed qualified officers of the Board of Education and Ministry of Health forthwith to visit this area for that purpose. I have also communicated with the local health authorities concerned.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the results of those inquiries will be made public?

I would rather consider the statement that I get from the officers in the locality before I decide whether it is a question for a formal report or not.

Will the right hon. Gentleman forward those communications to the right hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)?

I have already stated that the communication in question is a letter which appeared in the public Press, and no doubt it is known to the right hon. Member.

Are any limitations being put on the inquiries of the two officers who are to be sent down? Will they be asked to interview all people concerned, including the doctor who has written this letter to the Press?

I have already communicated with the doctor and asked him to put all his information at the disposal of the officers.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses have been built by the Hadham Rural District Council during the past six years; how many it is proposed to build during the next six months; and whether the information in his possession leads him to think that the reasonable requirements of the agricultural workers in this district are receiving proper consideration at the hands of the council?

During the past six years 18 houses, including 12 in agricultural parishes, have been provided by the rural district council. I have recently agreed to a proposal of the council to build four houses in another agricultural parish. I have no evidence that the reasonable requirements of the agricultural workers of the district are not receiving due consideration from the council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the corporation flats in St. James's Street, Liverpool, are completed and untenanted; and why a possession order has not been issued by the Ministry?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, if, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring to the issue of an Order confirming an Order for the clearance of a slum area, I may state that several Orders of this kind made by the Corporation of Liverpool are receiving my consideration and I shall be in a position to give a decision upon them in the near future.

Is it possible, owing to the loss of rent, to expedite the order?

The hon. Member is aware that this class of work is carried out with the greatest expedition.

asked the Minister of Health how many new houses or flats are being built now for Shore-ditch people convenient to Shoreditch; and whether the rents of the new houses will be under 10s. per week?

I understand that 130 dwellings are now being erected by the London County Council and 30 by the borough council on sites in the borough of Shoreditch, and that contracts for 105 further dwellings are about to be let by the county council. The rents have not yet been fixed, but I am informed that the exclusive rents will range from 3s. 6d. per week upwards.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the tenancies of these houses will not, as in many-other instances, fall into the hands of Socialist councillors?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that if a tenant of a dwelling-house subject to the Rent Acts dies intestate his widow is entitled to retain possession, but if the tenant leaves a will the widow is denied this right; and whether he is prepared to take action to remove this anomaly?

I am advised that the law is as stated by the hon. Member. The point has been noted for consideration in connection with amending legislation, but I cannot hold out any prospect of such legislation during the present Session.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state when the Housing Bill for Scotland will be introduced?

It is hoped that the Housing (Scotland) Bill will be circulated during the Christmas Recess in ample time for its consideration before a date is fixed for the Second Reading.

Will the Housing Bill for England be ready at the same time?

I believe that my right hon. Friend made an announcement about that last week, and I cannot answer the hon. Member's question without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any orders have yet been placed for the new vessels which are to replace the obsolete cruisers under the Scottish Fishery Board; and, if not, whether he can state when the order will be placed?

Orders for new fishery cruisers have not yet been placed, but it is hoped that a commencement with the new construction proposals will be made at an early date.

As the Secretary of State for Scotland announced earlier in the year that it was the intention of the Government to proceed with the placing of an order for three new fishery cruisers, surely when the fishermen are complaining against the illegal trawling that is going on it is carrying the delay on too long to give such a doubtful statement as to whether the orders for the cruisers are likely to be placed next year?

The real difficulty has been in regard to the plans and specifications of the new boats, but I may inform my hon. Friend that four drifters have again been hired for the specific purpose of checking illegal trawling, which was very successful last year.