asked the Minister of Labour whether it is now the intention to provide meals to young persons in attendance at the juvenile instructional centres established under the Unemployment Act, 1934?

I am advised that local education authorities have no power to provide meals for unemployed boys and girls attending junior instruction centres established under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1934. Arrangements have, however, been made under which milk may be supplied at a low price as in elementary schools and in England and Wales milk may be supplied free in certain circumstances which are detailed in a circular of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Is it not a fact that the commissioners' reports on the depressed areas did make suggestions that meals should be provided at some of these centres, and in one case did they not make a definite recommendation to that effect? Is the Minister going to do anything?

My recollection is that those reports were written before the new scheme for providing cheap milk in schools had been announced. We are extending to adolescents attending these junior centres the same privileges as are given to children attending elementary schools. That, we think, will go a long way to meet the needs.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are serious shortages of juvenile labour in various industrial districts; and what steps he is taking to provide for the migration of such labour and for safeguarding the interests of these juveniles living away from home?

I have had a detailed reply to this question prepared which, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has not the Ministry of Labour some routine machinery for providing for juvenile migration?

If the hon. Member means juvenile migration from depressed areas to more prosperous areas the answer is in the affirmative, and I have given him, as he will see, very detailed information about the steps we are taking to make that scheme even more efficient.

Are we to take it that the Government have machinery in operation for taking the children of the poor from their mothers and bringing them into more prosperous areas?

It is not a question of taking the children from their mothers, but of finding jobs for school-leavers and others.

asked the Minister of Health whether in the Bill in connection with housing shortly to be introduced he has taken steps to deal with compensation wherever it may be legitimately established retrospectively?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Health whether during the past two years any local authorities have applied for sanction to erect, under the 1925, 1930 or 1933 Housing Acts, timber-framed houses and, if so, whether sanction has been granted; and whether his Department has any objection to the erection of such houses providing they comply with the local by-laws?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not therefore arise. As regards the last part, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the answer given to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and Cockermouth (Mr. Dixey) on 7th November last.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the question. I want to know the policy of the Ministry, whether they would be prepared to sanction any such erection if it is in accordance with the local by-laws?

That is precisely the point that is answered in the previous question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can arrange, in connection with the introduction of the Housing Bill, to exhibit for Members' inspection plans showing modern developments in the construction of flats?

Yes, Sir. I think an exhibition showing modern improvements in design will be of interest to Members, and arrangements are being made for it after the Recess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any decision has yet been taken by the Cunard-White Star Company to build a sister ship to the "Queen Mary"?

No such decision has yet been taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the revised proposals submitted by Major Bustard with regard to the operation of the Red Star vessels still available for purchase and the value of this service, as revised, to Merseyside, he will reconsider lifting the ban placed on financial houses in respect of this venture?

The revised scheme does not differ in principle from the earlier proposals. In the opinion of the Government they would have the effect of reviving uneconomic competition to the prejudice of the interests of the British North Atlantic trade as a whole. Accordingly I do not feel able to modify the view which I have previously expressed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the depressed state of the weaving industry in South and West Wales, and that contracts for flannel garments to be used by men in the services are lost by small margins because of extra freight and packing charges; and whether, in view of the cost of maintaining the workers in this industry who have been unemployed for long periods, he will take up the matter with the contracts departments with a view to giving special consideration to tenders from firms operating in these depressed areas?

The general question raised by the hon. Member has been under consideration, and I understand that, other things being equal, the contracting departments are prepared to give special consideration to tenders submitted by firms working in areas suffering from prolonged and severe unemployment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increasing competition of foreign motor ships, principally Dutch, in the British coastal trade along the East Coast; whether he can give any statistics as to the extent of such trade; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider extending the subsidy to British coastal shipping?

My attention has been called to the competition of foreign motor vessels in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom, but I am not aware that such competition is increasing. Statistics as to the extent of the coasting trade along the East Coast are not readily available. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, for the reasons which I gave in this House during the Debate on the British Shipping (Assistance) Money Resolution on 4th December.

In view of the controversy which exists as to the competition in the coasting trade, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for a special record to be kept of coasting vessels clearing at East Coast ports for a period of some months?

Yes, that will certainly be done, but it will not give, the information which I feel sure my hon. Friend desires, that is, the actual traffic.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether foreign ships bringing cargo to British waters are allowed on disembarking such cargo to employ their own crew, or whether they must employ British labour; and whether the rule abroad is that cargoes on British vessels must be unloaded by employés of the port where they are discharged?

I am advised that it is not the practice of foreign ships to employ their crews to unload cargoes in British ports, and that if in any particular instance it were desired to employ the crew of a foreign vessel for this purpose the employer would have to apply to the Ministry of Labour for a permit under the provisions of the Aliens Order, 1920. I understand that in foreign countries it is the general rule for local labour to be employed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government will enter into negotiations with the Governments of the Dominions to ensure that manufactured goods sent to Great Britain from each such Dominion in order to qualify for Empire preference shall have the maximum of work done on them within the Empire, bearing in mind particularly the Canadian corridor and goods manufactured in Canada in connection with the motor industry?

A resolution adopted at the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa recommended each Government of the Empire, when deciding what standard of Empire content it should require, to bear in mind that a greater degree of uniformity is desirable, and that the standard adopted should not be such as to defeat or frustrate the intention of the preferential rate of duty conceded to any class of goods. With these considerations in mind, the Board of Trade made regulations in January, 1933, increasing the standard of Empire content for various classes of goods, including motor cars, to 50 per cent. The same standard is applicable to motor cars in Canada. In those circumstances, I see no reason for re-opening the question in the manner proposed.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that, in practice, the cars which come here from Canada have the requisite amount of Empire material and workmanship in them, and that we do not get American cars in the guise of Canadian cars?

The intention of the law is that the origin of motor cars as well as other goods should be specified in the declaration, and if there is a false declaration it would render the importer liable.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been good enough to look at the information sent to him as to motor cars coming from the United States through Canada to this country?

My hon. Friend asked a question on this subject on 12th July, and with that information before us he was given what I thought was a sufficient reply.

It was not very satisfactory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of new industries settled in Lancashire during the last three years and the number of persons employed therein?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27th November to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Parkinson).

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether the proposals he has received for the formation of a textile dyers' federation have been submitted to and replies received from the spinners, manufacturers, calico printers, and bleachers; and whether, in the event of the support of a substantial majority of the dyers for these proposals, he will consider introducing legislation to enable them to institute a redundancy and quota scheme?

The proposals which I have received for the formation of a textile dyers' federation have been submitted to the various sections of the textile trades which are likely to be affected by them and replies have been received from some but not all of the interests consulted. I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to the possibility of legislation in connection with these proposals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, adverting to the circular issued by the Overseas Trade Department on 5th December relating to the recent decree of the Government of Brazil on exchange control, he will take into consideration the financial and trade disabilities which this decree will impose upon British manufacturers; and if he will make appropriate representations to the Government of Brazil for such modifications as may be essential to safeguard the interests of British trade in that country?

His Majesty's Ambassador in Rio de Janeiro has already made representations to the Brazilian Government in the desired sense.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he expects to have any definite reply?

No, Sir. I am afraid I cannot say that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless he can succeed in obtaining a relaxation of these exchange controls no British manufacturer will dare to accept an order to send goods to Brazil, because he will not get paid?

I am well aware of the fact that unless the exchange is on a stabilised footing, so that he knows where he stands, no wise exporter will take the risk.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to reduce the profits made by the distributors of milk and by-products, with a view to relieving distress and the national Exchequer?

I am not aware of any power to take the action suggested by my hon. Friend. The Food Council propose to investigate the question of distributors' margins in the milk trade, and they will no doubt be glad to consider any information with which my hon. Friend may be in a position to furnish them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of country grist mills that have been closed in England and Wales since 1918; and what has been the total number of workers displaced?

I regret that the desired information is not available.

Having regard to the extreme importance of this matter to the agricultural industry, will my right hon. Friend take steps to get this information; and is he aware that the concentration of grinding wheat at the ports is having a very deleterious effect in agricultural districts?

I will see whether the information can be obtained by some means, perhaps not purely official, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Export Credits Guarantee Department will insure traders against the risk of delay in payments due to them in respect of exports to Germany?

Yes, Sir. In deference to representations made to them and in order to facilitate trade the Department's Advisory Committee have agreed to consider applications for guarantees of payment in sterling upon fixed dates in respect of current exports of United Kingdom origin to Germany. Such guarantees which will be available up to a limited amount will be in the form of an addition to the normal insurance offered against losses due to the insolvency of foreign customers.

Is not this a new departure for the Department of Overseas Trade; and may I ask also whether it was made in response to representations from interested parties?

There has been a strong demand from exporters that the Export Credits Guarantee Department should insure against the risk of exchange restrictions abroad, and the Anglo-German Payments Agreement has made it possible, in this ease, to undertake that kind of business. I believe it will be of help to exporters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will be in a position to state whether the cattle subsidy is to be continued after 31st March, 1935?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the policy of the Government in regard to beef imports?

I regret I cannot add to the replies given to questions by my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert) on 30th October, and by my hon. Friend the Member for North Lanark (Mr. Anstruther-Gray) on 5th December, on the subject of the Government's livestock policy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importance of making a statement soon; and can he promise us such a statement before the House reassembles?

I am afraid I could not give any promise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the proposals submitted to the Dominion Government in lieu of subsidy have been received with great satisfaction?

I cannot go beyond the answer I have given.

When the right hon. Gentleman is giving away Government money to farmers, will he remember that there are some of his own constituents who need it much more?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of beef in November, 1934, were 1,096,479 cwts., an increase of 157,750 cwts. or nearly 17 per cent. as compared with November, 1933; and can he now announce what steps he proposes to take to deal with the steadily-growing competition with the British livestock industry?

The figures for imports of beef in November are as stated. With regard to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 5th November.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate when he expects to be able to give a definite answer?

No, I am afraid I could not.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, before coming to any decision as to the establishment of any scheme for the centralised slaughtering of livestock, he is prepared to receive a deputation from the numerous trade associations concerned, both in slaughtering and in the utilisation of animal by-products?

My hon. Friend will be aware that in the White Paper on the Livestock Situation (Cmd. 4651) presented to Parliament last July, it was announced that it would be an essential function of the permanent Commission contemplated in the Government's long-term policy to co-operate with all interests concerned in a reform of marketing and slaughtering systems, with a view to greater economy and efficiency, which the Government regard as indispensable to the permanent prosperity of the livestock industry. The problem of centralised slaughtering of livestock is being carefully examined and I shall be happy to hear the views of the interests concerned in due course. A deputation such as my hon. Friend suggests would, however, be premature at the present time.

When the right hon. Gentleman is considering the effect upon trade associations, will he bear in mind the associations of the slaughter-men who are engaged in these slaughter-houses?

I have said that I shall be happy to hear the views of the interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the sale in the Harrow Road district of London of packages purporting to contain, according to a label gummed thereon, Scotland's best quick-cooking oats, whereas on removing the gummed label the inscription covered by it reads "Foreign produce"; and whether, in the interests of Scottish oats producers, he proposes to take action to prevent the deception being further practised on consumers?

I was not aware of the facts mentioned in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, but if he will communicate to me the name and address of the firm or firms concerned, I will gladly look into the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to take action immediately if I produce this afternoon the carton and the names of the people who sell these alleged Scottish oats?

I will undertake to look into the matter. I cannot undertake to take action until I have had an opportunity of considering the facts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the report of the Poultry and Egg Commission?

I have had an opportunity of discussing the matter with the Chairman of the commission, and he hopes to complete the report at an early date in January. I will publish it as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the recent importations of Hungarian turkeys; whether he can give the approximate figures of the imports of foreign turkeys for the period from 1st November, 1934, up to the most recent convenient date; and whether, in view of the season of the year, he proposes to take any steps to safeguard further the interests of the home-producer?

I am aware that, as is usual at this season, considerable quantities of Hungarian turkeys are being imported. During the five weeks ended 5th December, imports of foreign turkeys have amounted to approximately 34,000 cwts. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage) on 29th November last.

May I inquire whether the home market is not sufficient to supply the home demand?

That matter came before the Imports Duty Advisory Committee, and it is in consequence of their decision that the imports are now taking place.

Did the Imports Duty Advisory Committee give to my right hon. Friend the reasons for their decision?

No. It was specially arranged in the legislation that they should not be brought into close contact with their political chiefs in the Department.

What markings are supposed to be put on foreign turkeys?

I could not say without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea, if there were no imported turkeys in this country, what would be the price of English turkeys?

That is a hypothetical question.

Is not the price of the home turkeys less than that of the foreign turkeys?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the resolution from the Carmarthen Farmers' Co-operative Society complaining of the high prices of milling offals as compared with wheat; and whether he is in a position to make a statement as to what action he proposes to take to deal with the situation?

I am aware of the resolution in regard to the prices of wheat and milling offals referred to by the hon. Member. The issues raised by it cannot, I fear, be dealt with satisfactorily by question and answer. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state what is being done to re-house the families rendered homeless by the lire at Longriggend at the beginning of November?

I understand that the local authority is continuing its investigations as to the best means of dealing with the question, that a subcommittee of the housing committee of the county council visited the area on Monday last, and that their recommendation in the matter is being submitted to the housing committee to-day.

Is my hon. Friend aware that 17 of these unfortunate people are living in one hut, and that five people are living in an old cow barn; and will he not use his influence to urge the local authority to do something in this matter without delay?

I am aware of the facts, and my hon. Friend, I think, is aware that in this matter I have no power of intervention, but we are keeping in close touch with the local authority. I think my hon. Friend and I are both aware of the difficulties.

But is my hon. Friend aware that this state of affairs has gone on for seven weeks, and that nothing at all has been done yet?

Yes, I am aware of that, and I can only repeat what I have already told my hon. Friend, that this is a matter in which I have no power of intervention.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has ceased to be a matter affecting individual families and has become of great concern to the area, and in view of the fact that the implications are more widespread, will he not use the powers that he has got now in this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to issue at an early date regulations under the First Schedule to the Betting Lotteries Act, 1934, prescribing the conditions with which a totalisator in Scotland will be required to comply?

Yes, Sir. Copies of draft regulations will very shortly be available to interested parties who apply for them to the Scottish Office, and any representations received will be considered before the regulations are finally made.

Is there any truth in the rumour that because of the conditions prevailing in Scotland only a 2 per cent. rake-off is to be allowed?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the report of Sheriff Dickson, K.C., concerning the alleged over-payments to unemployed persons in Greenock will soon be issued; and what decision he has come to in the matter?

My right hon. Friend hopes within the next few days to issue a determination on the question of the legality of the payments dealt with in the report to which the hon. Member refers. It is not the practice to publish such reports.

Will the hon. Gentleman withhold his decision until Parliament reassembles, so that it will be possible to have the matter raised on the Floor of the House?

I will put my hon. Friend's point before my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of crew carried by the fishery cruiser "Freya"; and what are the sanitary and bathing facilities provided for the crew?

The complement of the fishery cruiser "Freya" consists of five officers and 15 men. There are three water closets and two baths. There is no fixed bath in the forecastle accommodation but buckets, together with fresh water (hot and cold), are available for all hands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland where the "Brenda," the "Norna," and the "Explorer" were on 6th October; where they sailed from; and the destination they sailed to?

These vessels were all at Leith on the morning of 6th October. The "Brenda" sailed at 1 p.m. on that day for patrol duty on the East Coast station. The "Norna" sailed on 13th October for patrol duty on the North Coast station, having been engaged in boiler cleaning in the interval. The "Explorer," which is not a patrol but a scientific research vessel sailed on 10th October for Aberdeen to resume scientific research work in the North Sea.

Is it not time the Scottish Fishery Board reconsidered the matter of the coaling of these fishery cruisers, and instead of bringing them down from the Shetlands, the Moray coast, and the West coast of Scotland to Leith and Greenock, could they not be coaled near where they are operating so that they may keep a closer watch?

My hon. Friend must recollect that in passage to the coaling ports they are still available for patrol work and, secondly, there is the question of the relative expense of coal at such outlying places as the Shetlands or the Orkneys as compared with the more central ports.

Is it not the case that the fleet has to coal, or does coal, at Invergordon, and could not the fishery cruiser which cruises about that area coal there also, instead of having to come down to Leith?

The problem of coaling large warships is different from that of coaling small patrol vessels.

The coal is the same.

In the one case you can easily employ a collier and many colliers are needed; in the other case, only a small amount of coal is put into the bunkers.

Could not arrangements be made with the Admiralty in order to get the coaling done on the spot and so keep the vessels at the place where they are cruising, instead of having them taken away for a week at a time?

I will consider that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of days spent by the "Norna," the "Freya," and the "Minna" coaling at Leith or Greenock during the past year?

During the past year the "Freya" and the "Noma" spent 17 days and 11 days respectively coaling at Leith, and the "Minna" spent 14 days coaling at Greenock.

Does not the number of days that these vessels have to be away from their cruising points, with no other cruiser taking their place in their absence, show that there is a possibility for illegal trawling to be done?

Yes, but, of course, my hon. Friend will realise that wherever the coaling takes place, the actual time spent in coaling would put the ship out of action from the patrol point of view.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Mr. L. Kenney, 84, Polmadie Road, Glasgow, was, at the Kilmarnock sheriff's court on Friday last, fined and disqualified from holding a licence for motor-driving on pleading guilty to allowing another person to drive the motor-van he had charge of, although that person held a licence to drive; that Mr. Kenney has been with the same employer for eight years since he left school and this is the first complaint against him; and that he is the only person working in a household of five; and if he will review the case with a view to the second part of the sentence being remitted and the driving licence restored?

My right hon. Friend is inquiring into the case, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Cannot something be done? Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the terrible hardship on this man being deprived of his livelihood?

I am well aware of the circumstances, but I cannot add anything to the answer which I have given.

I will try to raise this matter on the Adjournment tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the action of the Edinburgh Town Council in making an order suspending the operation of the general closing hours of shops in Edinburgh for a period of four days during the Christmas season, following on an order by him suspending the hours for six days during the same season, making a total of 10 days excluding Sunday, and what action he proposes to take in this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the action taken by the local authority is not a matter in which my right hon. Friend has any power to intervene.

Is the action that was taken by the local authority, following upon an Order made by the Secretary of State, not in fact a variation of the Order.

I cannot answer legal questions on this matter because I should have to refer to the Statute, but I can tell my hon. Friend that the Order was made by the Secretary of State under Section 7 (I) of the Act, on the authority of the following words:

"He may suspend the operation during the Christmas season or in connection with any other special occasion."

The Order made by the Edinburgh Town Council is under Sub-section (2) of the same Section, which provides that, subject to their not issuing an Order for an aggregate of more than seven days in the year, a local authority may, in connection with any such occasion, issue such an Order.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the Proviso to Sub-section (2), which limits the power of the local authority to make an Order suspending the hours for more than seven days and is it not a fact that this order suspends the hours for 10 days?

Yes, Sir. I follow my hon. Friend's point, but I do not propose to argue the legal question involved, and for this reason, that, even assuming that the local authority misinterpreted the Section upon which they have acted, it is not within my right hon. Friend's power to correct their action.

In view of the fact that this is the first time that this anomaly has arisen in connection with the operation of closing orders under the Shops Acts, and also that this is the first time that shop assistants will have to work extra hours during the Christmas period for 10 days instead of six, or even four—probably without any extra payment—will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to consult with the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, to see whether this new point, which has never arisen before, can be got over by an amendment of the law?

Yes, Sir; I shall be very willing to do that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether steps are being taken to reduce the time spent travelling between London and Croydon, with a view to speeding up British air services?

The Air Ministry is fully alive to the desirability of reducing the time spent in travelling between London and Croydon; but the existing road service cannot be greatly accelerated without undue risk, and I regret that no alternative scheme has been produced which would be practicable from the point of view of cost.

Have any estimates been made of the comparative costs of speeding up the road or rail communication between London and Croydon, and can the hon. Gentleman tell us on which of these two alternatives his Department is concentrating?

We are concentrating on all matters for accelerating communications, but up to now all these schemes have proved too expensive.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any details of a possible aerodrome in or about St. Pancras or Euston?

I cannot add to my answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether His Majesty's Government accept responsibility for the ground organisation necessary for the safety of British air services where they traverse undeveloped territory?

Broadly speaking, the primary responsibility for ground organisation rests with the operating company. The circumstances of each service are, however, specially considered, and the existing agreements with Imperial Airways provide for assistance by His Majesty's Government in a number of directions.

In view of the fact that that decision is liable to prevent new air services developing throughout the Empire, will His Majesty's Government reconsider the matter to see whether they cannot undertake a more general and fruitful policy?