asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can supply the names of the countries which have made changes in the import quotas of British goods since January, 1934, in each case stating whether such changes were increases or decreases?

Changes in import quotas, affecting United Kingdom goods to a greater or less degree, have been made since January, 1934, in a large number of countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, the Irish Free State, Italy, the Netherlands, Netherlands East Indies, Persia, Rumania, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey. The general tendency of the changes made abroad has been to reduce imports from this country of the articles affected, but there are certain exceptions, particularly in the case of countries with which trade agreements have been concluded.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say which of the countries are now taking more of each of those British goods than they took in 1931?

I could not reply without notice. If the hon. Member will put a series of questions on the Paper, I shall be glad to get the information.

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House whether in cases of this nature an exchange of views takes place between this country and the country concerned before any reduction or increase of quota takes place?

I cannot say that there is an exchange beforehand, but immediately there is an opening we take advantage of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can supply the names of the countries which have made changes in their Customs duties on British goods since January, 1934, in each case stating whether such changes were increases or decreases?

Since January, 1934, there have been more or less important alterations in Customs duties, which have affected United Kingdom goods, in Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands and Netherlands East Indies, Switzerland, Turkey, United States, some South American Republics, most of the self-governing Dominions and India. Minor changes have also been made in many other countires, including some of the colonies. In most cases the general tendency was in an upward direction. In Empire countries, however, except the Irish Free State, and in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the changes in duties on United Kingdom goods were generally in the direction of reductions. The same will be true of Poland when the new Trade Agreement comes into force. It is unfortunately true that in recent years the general tendency throughout the world has been to increase Customs duties; but the Trade Agreements with the Ottawa Dominions and with foreign countries have resulted in numerous ameliorations in favour of this country. Moreover, in many other instances the countries concerned undertook not to increase Customs duties on United Kingdom goods.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that that rather indicates that the late Mr. William Graham was more successful than he in reducing tariffs and other restrictions on our goods?

The only comment I make is that, unless we had these trade agreements, things would be a good deal worse than they are.

May I again ask the President of the Board of Trade how this increase of Customs duties is brought about? Are there representations made to the Government of this country first before the duties are imposed, and is it the case, when an agreement is signed, that no increased duties can be imposed?

So far as the trade agreements are concerned, the foreign countries which are signatories must abide by the conditions. It is not customary to give notice beforehand of any increase of duty.

Then these foreign countries impose these duties on our goods without giving any notice to this country at all?

Not only upon our goods, but upon the goods of other countries too.

Is there any inconsistency between the action of foreign Governments and the action of this country towards other countries?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many contracts for Russia were executed by West of Scotland firms during the past year, and their total value; what were the comparative figures for 1933, and if, in addition to Messrs. Colvilles, Limited, and the Steel Company of Scotland, there are any other firms engaged on contracts for Russia; the total value of contracts for Russia carried out in Scotland during the past 10 years; and whether it is the policy of the Board of Trade to encourage trading between both countries, with a view to reducing unemployment and facilitating commercial development?

I regret that detailed information regarding contracts for Russia is not available. As regards the last part of the question the object of the temporary commercial agreement concluded a year ago was the improvement of commercial relations between the United Kingdom and Russia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a statement as to the result of the representations made to the Italian Government against the restrictions placed upon coal and other goods imported into that country?

I regret that I cannot at present add to the replies previously given on this subject. Discussions with the Italian Government are actively proceeding and I hope to be able to make a further statement very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state the quantities of Chinese eggs imported into this country in the first two months of the years 1933, 1934 and 1935 in the shell and in liquid or frozen condition in respect of these periods?

All the desired information will appear in, the issue of the accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom for February, 1935, which will be published on Thursday next. The particulars for the first two months of 1933 and 1934 are shown in the issue of the accounts for February, 1934.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether the import of this article is on the increase or otherwise?

Is it true or not that these Chinese eggs are produced under most filthy conditions, and, if it is true, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the prohibition of these imports?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Import Duties Advisory Committee insists on an industry making adequate provision for research before recommending the imposition of the duty?

I understand that it is the practice of the Import Duties Advisory Committee to inquire as to the provision made for research, and the progress achieved, by industries which ask for a new or increased duty; and they naturally take account of these considerations in deciding whether to make a recommendation.

Is it not possible to get more precise information as to the situation in each individual industry?

If the hon. Member is interested in any particular industry, and will address a question to me, I will try to get him the information.

Is it not a fact that some industries find it impossible to command the necessary resources for research work in order to obtain information on matters connected with the industry, and that so soon as adequate protection is granted more research is able to be undertaken?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of men who offered themselves as recruits for the Regular Array during the present year but were rejected?

The latest figures available are those for the first quarter of the recruiting year beginning on 1st October, 1934. Out of a total of 10,766 men who were served with notice papers during this period, 4,822 men were rejected.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the report of the Chief Medical Officer of Health in regard to school children, in which he says that many of the diseases with which children end their elementary school careers would be entirely eliminated if we had a proper system of open-air nursery schools?

I think that question had better be addressed to another Department.

Is not the health of the recruits a matter of vital interest to the whole nation?

It is a matter of vital importance, but I would point out to the Noble Lady that children are, in the first place, looked after by the Ministry of Health?

Is the number of rejects increasing or decreasing; and is the standard higher or lower, or does it remain constant?

The standard which we require is, as everyone knows, a very high one. It is as high as, or higher, than that which would be demanded by any insurance company for a first-class life. The answer to the other part of the question is that the standard is certainly improving and the number of rejects is going down. Whereas in 1931 they were 60 per cent., in 1933 they had fallen to 50 per cent., and the figure is now only 45 per cent.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the men who are now offering themselves for service, and of the fact that women to-day are demanding a women's police force, would it not be possible to admit them to the Army also, seeing that they now have the vote?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is proposed to take any steps to restore the strength of the officers training corps, junior division, which has declined by over 4,000 in the last four years?

No, Sir. It is true that there has been a large decrease in the total strength of these corps since 1930, but in spite of that fact there has been practically no decrease at all in the numbers of cadets who have proceeded to commissions in the Territorial Army and the Supplementary Reserve. The precise figures for commissions were 512 in the year ending 30th September, 1930, and 506 in the year ending 30th September, 1934.

Do the War Office contemplate disbanding any further units?

No, Sir, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, certain units have been disbanded and certain replacements have been made, but it is not the intention of the War Office, for the present at any rate, to alter the existing position.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the President of the Board of Education has recently addressed the cadets of the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich on the subject of the proposed Indian constitutional reforms; and whether he will give a similar opportunity to a critic of these proposals?

I should be very sorry to take any step which imported any political flavour into the addresses given to the cadets of the Royal Military Academy. The arrangement of these addresses is a matter within the discretion of the commandant.

Is it not the case that a political flavour has already been introduced by an address being given by a member of the Government on a Bill which has not yet become law?

The Noble Lady is misinformed. I am told by the commandant that there was no political flavour at all in the address.

Is it not monstrous that a protagonist of this Bill should be invited to give an address in the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich at all?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, having in view the deficiency in the number of officers and men in the Territorial Force, he will consider the organisation under military supervision of rifle clubs in Great Britain upon the lines of rifle clubs in Australia, with a view to the development of reserves available in case of emergency?

Certain proposals to meet the deficiency on the Territorial Army are now under consideration, and I will bear the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend in mind, although I doubt whether such a scheme is best suited to our particular needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has been able to arrange for the earlier issue of the results of the leaving certificate examination?

I am glad to be able to answer in the affirmative. In previous years the results have been issued in instalments starting in the middle of June and concluding by the end of July. This year arrangements have been made which should make it possible to issue all the results by the middle of June, that is, six weeks sooner than the conclusion of the issue in previous years.

May we take it that this will not prevent the reports from the teachers from being given fully, in deciding the results of these examinations?

I am very glad to give that assurance. In no way whatever has the standard of this certificate been lowered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the £2,000,000 allocated for expenditure in the special areas has been sanctioned for Scotland?

Schemes involving an estimated expenditure of approximately £106,000 by the Commission for the Special Areas in Scotland have already been approved, subject in some instances to adjustment of details, and other schemes which would entail a large increase on this expenditure are under active consideration.

How many men has the Commissioner put into employment up to date?

I am afraid I could not answer that question without notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to tell the House whether the Commissioner has been able to put any man into employment in Scotland?

I shall be very glad to answer that question if the hon. Member will put it down. With such information as I have, I am unable to answer it at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction widely felt in Scotland with the working of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929; whether he has considered the report on the subject by the small burghs committee of the Convention of Royal Burghs; and whether he proposes to appoint a committee to inquire into the administration of the Act, and to make recommendations for its amendment?

I am not satisfied that there is such a desire throughout Scotland for a general inquiry of this kind as would justify the setting up of a committee at this time. The views recently expressed by the small burghs committee of the Convention of Royal Burghs are presently under consideration and reports have been called for from the Departments on the matters in question. As regards the financial questions involved, early steps will be taken, as required by the Act of 1929, to investigate its financial working in consultation with local authorities before the expiry of the second fixed grant period on 15th May, 1937.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister when head of the previous Government said that there should be an inquiry into the working of this Act as soon as sufficient time had elapsed to enable experience of it to be gained; and has not the time now arrived for such an inquiry, seeing that the small burghs themselves want it?

Public opinion on this matter has moved considerably within the last two years. I have in view all the circumstances of the case and the opinions presently held in Scotland, and I think the answer that I have given represents the view of the Government on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that police pension funds were abolished under the Police Pensions Act, 1921; whether any list has ever been prepared showing the assets of the police pension funds so abolished; and whether, as the assets of the Glasgow police pension fund, so abolished, now amount to £363,337, he will give directions as to the best utilisation of these assets, either towards meeting present police pensions payable in Glasgow, or otherwise in meeting the heavy expenditure in Glasgow on account of unemployed and other social schemes?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; and the reply to the second part is in the negative. As regards the last part of the question the assets referred to were transferred, under the Police Pensions Act, 1921, to the Glasgow police fund and they continue, in accordance with that Act, to be held by the police authority as investments of the police fund. The income derived from these investments is paid into the police fund, from which the expenses of the Glasgow Police Force, including pensions to former members of the force, are paid. I have no power to allocate any of this money for social schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the inquiry into the disturbances at Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, is being conducted independently by Sir George Rankin or in conjunction with the Scottish Prison Department?

I appointed Sir George Rankin to hold an independent inquiry and he alone will be responsible for the report. Arrangements were, however, made for him to receive such assistance as he might desire from the head of the Prisons Department for Scotland and the assistant secretary at the Scottish Office in charge of prisons administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that mental defectives, inmates of the State institution for mental defectives, are associated in recreation and exercise with the inmates of the criminal lunatic department; and whether he can state the acreage of ground allotted for exercise and recreational purposes?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question the area of ground available for exercise and recreation is just over an acre in extent.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider it advisable to separate the exercise periods for these two types of people?

The matter is presently under my consideration, and I hope to make an announcement at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a number of the houses occupied by smallholders at Longforgan, Perthshire, are no longer weatherproof, some being dilapidated to the point of being scarcely habitable; and whether he will cause an investigation to be made?

The question of the repair or replacement of the houses referred to has been under consideration for some time and I hope that it will be possible to reach a decision at an early date. My Noble Friend is aware that the matter is not free from difficulty as the tenants concerned are landholders, and, as such, are responsible for the maintenance of their houses.

May I request the right hon. Gentleman to expedite his researches so that these unfortunate people may have houses in which to live as soon as possible?

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how many landlords' houses in Scotland are dilapidated?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of cases, in Scotland and Perthshire, respectively, in -which cows, other live stock, agricultural implements, or furniture have been poinded at the instance of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, together with the total number of cows poinded, and the average value placed upon each cow?

I am informed that the total number of cases in which poindings have been carried out is 64, including 22 in the county of Perth. The total number of cows poinded is 320, including 67 in the county of Perth. The average value placed upon the cows by the sheriff's officers is £10 2s. 3d. and the average for the county of Perth is £10 7s. 8d. I may add that in a great many of the cases where poindings have been executed the producers concerned have now come to an arrangement for payment of their debts by reasonable instalments, and it is hoped that similar arrangements will be made in the other cases. In only one case so far has a sale of poinded effects been instructed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the Milk Marketing Board is willing to accept a reasonable system of instalment payments for the overdue sums?

I will communicate the request of my Noble Friend to the Marketing Board, but I am sure that in all things they are willing to consider the interests of the people concerned.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the methods of the Milk Marketing Board appear to be much less honest than were those of Rob Roy in the 17th century?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in many recent cases when cows have been poinded at the instance of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, such cows have been valued at only a fraction of their real worth; and if he will request the board to repay to the owners any excess over the value put on them at poinding, which may be obtained when the cows are subsequently sold?

I cannot express an opinion on the point raised in the first part of the question, but I have received an assurance from the board that in the event of their obtaining from the sale of poinded cows an amount in excess of the value put upon them on poinding, the surplus after allowing for expenses will be repaid to the producers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce bracken?

The committee appointed last year to test the possibility of controlling the spread of bracken by improved methods of cutting and spraying have not yet been able to arrive at a definite opinion on the merits of the various methods employed, and they propose to continue experiments in the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to make any statement regarding recent developments relating to the provision of small holdings and plots for cultivation by unemployed persons in the neighbourhood of Dundee?

It gives mo great pleasure to announce that the Department of Agriculture for Scotland have received from Mr. James Mathew, a well-known citizen of Dundee, the offer, as a free gift, of the farm of Dryburgh extending to 188 acres near Dundee for the purpose of placing unemployed men from Dundee and district on the land. He has also gifted £7,000 for purposes connected with the scheme. In addition he proposes to create a trust fund estimated at between £25,000 and £30,000 for the furtherance of land settlement projects making a total provision by the donor of over £50,000. I am sure that the House will wish me to express cordial thanks to Mr. Mathew, on behalf of the Government, for his handsome and generous gift.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give sufficient publicity to this gift so that this trust may be added to by other citizens of Dundee or elsewhere who may also want to help in this cause?

I am sure that that expression of opinion and the spirit of the House this afternoon will be conveyed to the minds of the public in the ordinary way.

May I ask whether the Government will exercise their own powers in this matter instead of being dependent upon the charity of public-spirited individuals?

The right hon. Gentleman appears to be unaware of the intention of the Government in driving forward land settlement in Scotland.

Have the Government exercised their powers in any measure whatever under the 1931 Act?

That has nothing to do with this question at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to take steps to ascertain at first hand the wishes of the farm servants of Scotland in regard to the adoption of the proposed scheme for bringing agricultural workers within a scheme of unemployment insurance?

I presume that the right hon. and gallant Baronet has in mind the possibility of a plebiscite. I doubt whether anything in the nature of a plebiscite would be practicable; but since the publication of the report of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee I have been making inquiries with a view to ascertaining the views of Scottish farm servants and I also understand that their views were represented before the committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is quite wrong in supposing that I mean a plebiscite; and is it not possible to get effective consultation with these farm servants; and when are his inquiries likely to be completed so that action may follow?

I have been making inquiries from those who are in a position to inform me on the subject. As to the latter part of the question, I am afraid I cannot add anything to what the Government have already said on this method.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of receiving a deputation from the farm servants?

I shall be very glad at any time to receive a deputation on the subject,

Before doing anything, will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider avoiding any differentiation in this matter between farm servants in Scotland and those in England?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great body of farm servants in Scotland who are definitely opposed to any such scheme?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman a further question—

We have had several questions already on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what was the total initial cost of acquiring, including the equipment, the premises now utilised as training, instructional, or conditioning centres under his Department, together with the average annual cost of equipment and maintenance;

The total initial cost of acquiring and equipping the premises now utilised as training, instructional, &c., centres, was about £400,000. Details of the estimated cost of salaries and wages, and of equipment and maintenance for 1934 and 1935 are given in the Estimates for the Ministry of Labour for 1935 (page 25 of H.C. 50). The provision for equipment is largely dependent upon the number of new centres to be opened during the year.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total estimated cost of maintenance, on all accounts, per trainee per week at each of the instructional and conditioning centres under the Ministry?

I am having figures extracted and will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take on behalf of the 106,000 unemployed persons whose right to old age pensions at 65 will be invalidated if the effective Clause in the Act of 1932 is allowed to expire this year?

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement on this matter.

In view of the anxiety felt in every quarter of the House, cannot the hon. Gentleman give us a definite date, or an approximate date, when he will be able to make a statement, instead of always putting us off?

It is impossible to give a date, but the matter is very important, and we shall deal with it at the earliest possible moment.

Are not the facts in this case worse than was originally expected, and does not that make this an urgent matter?

Is it not a fact that all these things are being very carefully considered at the present time?

Is it not many months since the hon. Gentleman's chief stated in the House that the matter was under active consideration; is the hon. Gentleman aware of the great anxiety among poor people in regard to this matter and that legislation may be necessary and will he not, therefore, give some kind of idea when the report will be considered and a decision made?

I have told the House in my reply that this must depend upon the final report of the Government Actuary, and I do not control the time of the report.

Is not the hon. Gentleman fully aware that all this has arisen because of the passing of the amending Act of 1934?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, may I give notice that I shall, if possible, raise this question with the Under-Secretary on the Adjournment to-morrow night?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now able to give any information about the proposed re-organisation of the coal mines in the Cannock Chase coalfield?

The preparation of a scheme involving 11 companies is necessarily a very difficult and detailed matter, and although I understand considerable progress has now been made, I am unable to add anything to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 13th November last.

Can the hon. Gentleman state what this re-organisation will cost and who will bear the cost?

I cannot say at this stage.

Is any difficulty being found in obtaining the necessary information from the mineowners?

I should want notice of that question if the hon. Member requires a detailed answer.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount paid in wages in the mining industry for each of the last six years, the average earnings per annum per person employed, and the separate figures for South and West Yorkshire, respectively?

As the reply involves a statistical statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFICIAL REPORT.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, although wages have declined in the last six years and output has largely increased, the price of coal has not altered?

I am not aware of anything of the Kind. The total wages were higher in 1934, at £88,000,000, than in any year since 1931; and the average earnings, at £116 per annum, are higher than any year since 1929.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what the figure was in 1930?

It was £105 million. In 1931 it was £93 million; in 1932, £87 million; in 1933, £84 million; and in 1934, £88 million.

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House of the figure by which the aggregate earnings have declined in the same period?

If the hon. Gentleman win put a question down, I will give him a detailed answer.

With reference to one of the hon. Gentleman's earlier replies, in which he said the average earnings in 1934 were higher than those of 1929, is that not contradicted by the fact that some of the men—

Speech.

The question only asks for some figures.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the departmental committee appointed to inquire into precautions against over-winding is likely to issue its report?

The committee has presented me with a unanimous report which is now in the Press, and which will be published as soon as possible—I hope before the end of the month.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the dissatisfaction among residents in the area, he will reconsider his decision regarding the postal direction of Gatehouse-of-Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire?

As my right hon. Friend stated in his answer to my hon. Friend's question of the 25th of February, the change was made as part of a general policy, and he regrets there- fore that he cannot alter the decision, which was only arrived at after careful consideration.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that considerable anxiety on this point is felt among the residents in this highly attractive place, which has many visitors in the summer?

All the facts of the case have been taken into consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make any statement regarding the working of the postal service to Glenwhilly, Wigtownshire, since the change in the direction two years ago?

The change, which greatly improved the postal service, has been fully justified; but if my hon. Friend has any complaint, I shall be glad to make inquiry.