asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the dispute between Turkey and Bulgaria; and whether the matter has been reported to the League of Nations?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on 11th March, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken by the Council of the League of Nations in view of the fact that on 24th February Paraguay committed an act of war against Great Britain and every other member of the League of Nations under the Covenant of the League by its refusal to cease hostilities with Bolivia; whether the terms of Article 16 of the Covenant are to be applied; if so, in what form; when the committee of the Council set up to advise on the Chaco dispute last met; and who has been appointed president to take the place of M. Najera?

The Advisory Committee of the Assembly of the League of Nations met at Geneva on 11th March, under the chairmanship of the Portuguese representative, Monsieur Vasconcellos, and is at the moment considering the matters to which the hon. Member refers. I cannot anticipate the conclusions which the committee will reach.

Is not a great deal of the difficulty due to certain South American States failing to play the game in regard to the embargo; and does not the question really arise of the expulsion of Paraguay from the League?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that most of the country does not share the pacific bellicosity of the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander)?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the recommendation of the Gorell Committee on Civil Aviation has been considered to the effect that the United Kingdom representative on the International Commission for Air Navigation should press for a relaxation of the medical requirements for the renewal of private pilots' A licences; and whether this representative has been instructed accordingly?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

Can I have an assurance from the Minister that the policy of the Air Ministry will be directed towards relaxation rather than the encroachment of bureaucracy?

Yes, Sir. That is exactly what is intended.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what percentage of foreign aircraft in service on European air lines were fitted with engines of British design in June, 1934?

I have no precise information for the date mentioned, but it may be taken that rather more than 10 per cent. of the aircraft operated by foreign European regular air transport undertakings are fitted with engines of United Kingdom design.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that 14 per cent. of these lines are fitted with engines of American con- struction or manufacture; and does he not think we should have a far greater opportunity of exporting to Europe than the United States?

Is it likely that we shall have that opportunity unless we have better technical people connected with the air? I know what I am talking about.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the figures of British aeronautical exports for the years 1927, 1929, 1931 and 1934, respectively?

The exports of aircraft, engines and spare parts from the United Kingdom in the calendar years 1927, 1929, 1931, and 1934 amounted to £1,085,000, £2,159,000, £1,860,000, and £1,921,000, respectively.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of passenger-miles flown by British domestic and foreign transport lines in the year 1934, and the number of passenger fatalities on those lines during that year?

Over 29,000,000 passenger-miles were flown in 1934 on regular air transport services operated by United Kingdom undertakings at home and abroad. There were two fatal accidents, in which nine passengers lost their lives.

Can my right hon. Friend say what proportion of that mileage was flown on subsidised and what proportion on unsubsidised lines?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will give me notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement regarding the recent conferences in Australia on the subject of the Government's air mail policy?

I am not in a position to make any statement beyond saying that a report of the conference has been received by telegram, which, while it gives no details, is generally encouraging.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that on the Anglo-Swiss air service between London and Bale, the Imperial Airways aircraft, owing to their comparative slowness, are scheduled to take 60 per cent. longer than the Swiss air liners; and whether he proposes to take any action?

My Noble Friend does not propose to take any action in this matter.

Can my right hon. Friend explain to the House why, in the case of an ocean liner which is two or three knots slower than a foreign one, the Government must carry millions of pounds, whereas in this case, where we are 60 per cent. slower than the Swiss air liners, no action appears to be necessary?

Imperial Airways services will be accelerated as time goes on.

asked the Minister of Transport how many cyclists are killed annually; what proportion are killed during daylight hours; and how many of those killed during the hours of darkness carried a rear light?

I regret that the number of pedal cyclists killed annually on the roads has increased considerably during recent years from 691 in 1928 to 1,354 in 1933. The report on fatal road accidents during 1933 issued by my Department gives detailed analyses of fatal accidents to 1,324 pedal cyclists, of whom 70 per cent. were killed during the hours of daylight. Of the 397 cyclists who died as a result of accidents during the hours of dusk or darkness, 11 were reported to be carrying a red rear light.

Seeing that only a minority of the cyclists are killed in the hours of darkness and that a great many of those who are killed are killed in head-on collisions, is it not clear to the hon. Gentleman that the provision or absence of rear lights is of very minor importance in casualties to cyclists?

Is it not a fact that the roads are far less used by cyclists at night and that that would account for the larger proportion of accidents by day?

I think I answered the hon. Gentleman's question. Of the 397 cyclists who died as a result of accidents at night, 11 were reported to be carrying a rear light.

Has not the Minister understood the second part of my question, which was that of those 397 the great majority were killed in head-on collisions, and how could rear lights be of any use in those cases?

Why should the cyclists object to carrying rear lights, when it is entirely for their own safety?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that an official circular issued by the Ministry refers to the Government as "the National Government" and refers to the Minister by name; and whether his Department has been authorised to use the term "National" in designating the Government?

The circular of 5th February follows the language of, and makes quotations from, my speech at Birmingham in which I announced that the National Government had decided on a five-year plan for the roads.

Do the hon. Gentleman and His Majesty's Government regard it as a desirable practice to include a political appellation in a reference to the Government and repeated references to the particular Minister by name in official circulars issued to local authorities?

With regard to the latter part of the question, of course that is quite traditional and essential. There is no other way of dealing with them. As regards the first part of the question, I will certainly take note of what my hon. Friend said.

Will the hon. Gentleman refer to his Department and ascertain whether it has not in fact been the practice of all previous Governments to refer to the Government as "His Majesty's Government" and to refer to the Minister of Transport as "the Minister"?

May I ask the Lord President of the Council whether he really agrees that in an official document issued in the name of the Government we should depart from precedent and call it the Tory Government, or the Liberal Government, or the Labour Government, or the Socialist Government? Does he think it right that when an official document is issued the words "the National Government" instead of "His Majesty's Government" should be inserted in these circulars?

Not having had notice of that question, all I would say is that I was not aware that the practice to which the hon. Gentleman alludes ever was followed.

I think the right hon. Gentleman does not do himself justice. He was present when we raised this question in reference to the White Paper on armaments, and the hon. Gentleman just now—

That is hardly for Question Time.

On a point of Order. This is a matter of constitutional usage, and are we not entitled to ask the Lord President, as representing the Government, whether this very bad practice shall be put an end to?

Yes, but the right hon. Gentleman must not do so by making a speech at Question Time.

I apologise for attempting to make a speech on the subject, but the difficulty always is to know exactly how to put it. I think my last question was a question to the right hon. Gentleman, and I ask him to answer it.

I have not the least objection. It is obvious, I think, from what passed the other day that in that particular instance an error was committed—I admit it quite frankly—and it ought to have said "His Majesty's Government." There is no doubt at all about that, but I am not aware of its being the practice with regard to the issue of circulars, beyond what I have heard in the question to-day, of which I have no knowledge.

asked the Minister of Transport what number of the 263 examiners chosen for motor tests came from Lancashire; and can he say if other appointments will be made?

The appointments of driving examiners have been made solely on merit and not on the basis of allotting a proportion of posts to candidates from particular localities. The information which the hon. Member desires could only be obtained by a special examination of the particulars submitted by all the persons appointed. I am not in a position to say at present whether an increase in the number of 263 will be required.

Is the hon. Gentleman a ware that there is a feeling of unrest about the appointments and that it would clear up the matter if he would issue a statement showing where they have been chosen from? I am not doubting that it has been done properly, but many people who have put in for this job complain that they have never had an interview, and they do not know who has been appointed.

I will certainly give my hon. Friend any information that he may desire.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there were 33,752 candidates in the country?

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the 34,000 applicants for the 263 posts as examiners were unemployed when making their applications?

The application form contained the usual question as to present or last employment, but the answers did not indicate in every case whether an applicant was in employment at the time of application. It would now be impracticable to obtain the information.

asked the Minister of Transport whether previous driving experience or holding of a driving licence in a British Dominion or Colony will enable future applicants for a motor driving licence to obtain such licence without passing the new official driving test?

It is proposed that an applicant for a licence shall not be required to pass a driving test if he satisfies the licensing authority that he is not resident in Great Britain and holds a valid international driving permit or a driving licence issued to him by the competent authority of the country in which he resides.

Will this apply where there are not driving tests in the country concerned?

Will the hon. Gentleman add a temperance test in issuing licences?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will circulate for the information of Members of the House a list of road casualties where death has resulted, and the verdict given by coroners in each case, during the years 1933 and 1934?

The report on fatal road accidents in 1933 issued by my Department contains an analysis of all fatal road accidents in that year, and of the causes to which they were attributed, based on returns made by the police authorities after the inquests. Returns on similar lines are being compiled for the current year.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will consider the issue of instructions to all responsible authorities that all traffic notices and signs shall be displayed at a height from the ground not exceeding six feet, in order to render them more readily visible to motorists and road users generally;

(2) whether he will encourage, so far as lies in his power, the general reduction to reasonable eye level of all signposts, particularly at cross-roads, and the display on them of road names in as large a type as is convenient?

Highway authorities have been instructed to have regard to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs. The form and dimensions of traffic signs are governed by regulations, which also follow generally the recommendations of this committee, except that on certain signs place-names are allowed to be of somewhat larger dimensions than those which the committee recommended.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of having signposts erected at a greater distance from cross-roads in order to obviate what is at present fatal hesitation and bewilderment at the actual cross-roads?

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that this matter assumes primary importance in view of the impending introduction of the 30 miles an hour speed limit in certain areas?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many of the local authorities will be unable, on or before the 18th March, to erect the traffic signs required by Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, to indicate the beginning and the end of a length of road subject to the 30 miles an hour limit; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he, will delay the introduction of the speed limit until such time as the necessary signs are erected?

I have caused inquiry to be made of local authorities and am assured that they are in a position to erect by the 18th March the signs necessary to denote the limits of operation of the speed limit. Even if there should be locally any temporary difficulties, I am sure that no one would wish to exploit them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, as a result of inquiries from the Royal Automobile Clubs all over the country, I have ascertained that practically none of these signs have been put up, and will he give an undertaking, if I can prove to him that that is the case, not to bring in the speed limit on the 18th?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to maintain the present good relations between the police and the motoring public, he will give instructions that the offence of exceeding the new speed regulations should not lead to prosecution where the excess is but two or three miles per hour and is unaccompanied by specifically dangerous driving?

No, Sir. It is the duty of the police to enforce the law as enacted by Parliament, and I have no authority to instruct the police to refrain from prosecuting in the cases mentioned. Ample warning is being given of the procedure which will be followed by the police, and I hope that the motoring public, by their general observance of the intentions of Parliament, will render unnecessary any frequent recourse to proceedings on the part of the police.

Before proceeding with the deplorably provocative policy announced yesterday by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to secure an amicable co-operation with the motoring public, and thereby obtain greater results?

I cannot agree that the policy of the Commissioner is provocative; I have no reason to suppose that it is so. I hope that the general motoring public will arrive at a contrary decision, and that they will help by cooperating with the police.

Will the speed limit apply to the police as well as to the public?

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the independent evidence of two stopwatches will be necessary before a conviction for exceeding the speed limit is made?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will, in order to restore Old Quebec Street and Bryanston Street as public highways for driving and foot traffic, request the police to direct vehicles calling at the hotels, flats, and stores fronting to Oxford Street to use Oxford Street daily after 10 a.m. as standing space or, alternatively, to notify the owners of the hotels, flats, and stores in Oxford Street that they must provide their own garage space for customers and tradesmen, in order to abate the nuisance caused by depriving the general public of their rights to the public highway?

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the police have instructions not to allow vehicles to stand in the streets referred to in such manner as to render passage impracticable. The suggestion that waiting vehicles should be directed to Oxford Street would not only involve an infringement of the regulations made by my hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, which prohibit waiting in Oxford Street between 12 noon and 7 p.m., but would make conditions in the neighbourhood worse and might even result in a complete stoppage of the traffic in Oxford Street itself. As regards the alternative suggestion made by my hon. Friend, there is no power to require frontagers be provide garage accommodation, but it is most desirable that drivers should make full use of existing garages and, in this particular neighbourhood, there is garage accommodation close at hand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many authorities in England and Wales are not yet supplying milk in schools, and which are they?

According to the latest information in the possession of the Board 130 local education authorities out of 316 in England and Wales do not themselves at present make provision for the supply of milk to children in public elementary schools under Sections 82–84 of the Education Act, 1921. Twenty-one of these authorities have submitted proposals for the provision of milk which have either been approved or are under consideration. In addition to the supply of milk under those Sections, voluntary schemes for the provision of milk on payment are in operation in some of the schools in nearly all areas, but I am afraid that it is not at the moment possible to say definitely in which areas, if any, no milk is being supplied in the schools. I am having the matter examined and I am asking for returns from the schools showing the position at the end of March.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the policy of the Board to see that all children in all schools are supplied with milk, and, if that be so, is it possible for the Board to take the initiative and see that that policy is implemented; is it also possible for the hon. Gentleman to find out whether the voluntary organisations are adequate for supplying milk in schools?

In Circular 1437 issued by the Board last September local authorities were specifically asked to encourage milk schemes. As regards voluntary organisations, there has been an immense increase. A year ago about 900,000 children were getting milk under voluntary schemes, and to-day the figure is well over 2,000,000, and I hope it will approach 3,000,000.

Is it not a fact that many school children are prevented from getting milk because of the Medical Officers of Health and their fads about pasteurisation?

Will the hon. Gentleman pay particular attention to rural areas where children are not securing milk largely because the milk is being transferred from their areas to industrial areas?

I will look into that.

Is not one of the chief reasons why children in rural areas are not able to get milk that the medical officers insist on pasteurised milk, which is not available in rural districts?

Will the hon. Gentleman advertise what a wonderful thing the Government have done in bringing milk to thousands of children throughout the country?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many employers have established compulsory continuation classes for their juvenile employés?

Five firms conduct day continuation classes for their juvenile employés which are recognised and aided by the Board, and, of these, four make attendance a definite requirement. In addition, certain local education authorities provide classes for the employés of particular firms, who may be required by their employers to attend, and it is known that some firms conduct classes for their employés though the Board's recognition of these classes has not been sought.

Are continuation classes on the increase on the whole?

I am not sure; I had better have notice of that question.

Is there any chance of the Government making them compulsory?

asked the Attorney-General when it is intended to restore the cuts imposed on the uniformed staff in the Royal Courts of Justice and upon the ushers attached to the High Court of Justice and the Courts of Appeal; whether he will consider an up ward revision of the scales of pay of these men in view of the present low rates of remuneration; and whether steps will be taken to provide an adequate pension for these servants of the State?

I am advised that the uniformed staff and ushers in the Royal Courts of Justice will be treated in the same way as other public servants in the matter of the restoration of the emergency cuts. There is no reason for considering a special upward revision of pay in their case having regard to the fact that their scales of pay are based on the rates generally applicable to analogous grades employed in the public service. As regards the last part of the question, the attendant staff in the Royal Courts of Justice is organised in three grades, of which the two higher are pensionable in accordance with the terms of the Superannuation Acts, the members of the lower grade being eligible for promotion to the higher grades. I am informed that there are no grounds for modifying these arrangements which are in conformity with those in force in the case of messenger and attendant staffs generally in the public service.

asked the Attorney-General if any decision has yet been taken as to the appointment of official shorthand writers for the King's Bench Division; and, if so, whether the scheme will be limited to the King's Bench Division or extended to the Chancery Division and the Court of Appeal and the Official Referee's Court?

My Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor informs me that he is not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject of the proposals to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the petition of the in habitants of Brechin protesting at the lack of suitable accommodation for cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria; and if he can state what arrangements are being made by the Angus County Council to meet the needs and convenience of this part of the country?

Letters on the subject have been received by the Department of Health. The matter is under active consideration by the county council, and the department have already arranged to send a medical officer and an architect to consult with local officials as to the extent and location of any additional accommodation required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the programme of house building for slum clearance is being retarded in Dundee owing to a shortage of bricklayers; and what steps he pro poses to take to ensure the building of the necessary number of houses in a reasonable time?

I regret to say that there is a shortage of bricklayers in Dundee. The Department of Health have for some time been taking all possible steps in conjunction with the local authority officials, the Ministry of Labour and the Bricklayers' Union with a view to securing additional men. Meanwhile the contractor for one of the building schemes has promised to arrange for the transfer to Dundee of men from other schemes which he is completing within the next few weeks.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this shortage could be made up by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill)?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any decision has yet been made as to the number of new fishery cruisers that will be built for patrolling the Scottish fishery areas; and, if so, whether he can' give any particulars as to tonnage, speed and where they are to be built?

The intention is to build three more cruisers. An order for the large cruiser will be placed next week and it will be built in a Scottish shipyard. Fifteen tenders were invited. Its length is 130 feet and its gross tonnage about 280. It is anticipated that tenders for the small cruiser will be invited this month. In the case of the cruiser of intermediate size great difficulties have been experienced in securing the necessary speed and this matter is still under review.

With regard to the cruiser of intermediate speed, where there is some difficulty in regard to the speed, will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that before deciding upon the vessel the same mistake is not made as was made in the case of the "Rona," which was sunk only the other week?

In view of former experience, we are taking infinite trouble on this occasion to secure a proper design.

May I ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Socialist party are now asking for an increase in armaments against British trawlers?

These vessels are for more peaceful purposes.

But are they not actually armed?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the chartered drifter which was recently lost in Burgha Skerry is going to be replaced?

I should require notice of that question.

Are the tenders for the new craft to be confined to Scottish shipyards, or will they be open to English shipyards?

They will be open to competition and the lowest tender will receive the order.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the unsatisfactory fishery cruiser "Rona" was towed to and sunk in the Minch; and whether it is intended to finish the 60-year-old "Vigilant" in the same manner and, if so, when?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The "Vigilant" will be replaced by the large cruiser which is being ordered as mentioned in my previous reply. The necessary steps will then be taken to secure the best possible price for the "Vigilant."

Considering that the Government are offering a large sum of money to other owners of ships for a scrap-and-build policy, why do the Fishery Board entertain the hope that they will get a price for a vessel which was second-hand when they bought it and is now 60 years of age?

We expect to get the best possible price for anything we have to offer for sale.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a claim for £16 by an officer at Perth Prison for lodging allowance and damage to furniture, during the alterations to his quarters, has been entirely refused; that the officer was refused permission to call in the local medical officer of health to see the conditions under which he was living, namely in a three-roomed house with a family of five, and structural alterations taking place in each room; is he satisfied that this officer has been fairly treated; and could the Prisons Department provide alternative accommodation during the alterations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part no such application was received by the Prisons Department and in any event it would appear to be unnecessary as there is a medical officer resident in the prison. There was no alternative accommodation available for the occupants of quarters undergoing structural improvements; and while I regret the unavoidable inconvenience occasioned, I am satisfied that the circumstances do not justify treating this officer exceptionally in respect of compensation.

Surely an officer who has to go outside and pay for additional lodgings while his own place, which belongs to the Government, is being repaired, ought not to be called upon to bear the expense of the alternative accommodation which he has to find?

My information is that this officer chose to leave his accommodation, which was being repaired, and went elsewhere. I agree that if he had stayed in his old accommodation he would have been inconvenienced, but I fail to see that it was necessary for him to go while these structural alterations were being undertaken.

If the alterations were of such a nature as to cause inconvenience both to the officer and his family to such an extent that they could not reside there, surely the Department ought to find the necessary alternative accommodation for him, or at least pay the amount that he had to pay to secure alternative accommodation?

I cannot agree that the accommodation was completely unsuitable. It was certainly inconvenient, but not sufficiently inconvenient as to justify the State in paying him this money.

I shall put down another question on this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Greenock Provident Bank have an accumulating number of balances which have been dormant for a number of years, in some cases over 100 years; and whether he will take legislative powers to call upon banks, local authorities, corporations, and companies with whom the public invest to make returns of unclaimed moneys standing to the credit of persons whose whereabouts have been unknown for a period of at least seven years?

I have no information on the subject mentioned in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when legislation will be introduced to enable accommodation to be provided for criminal lunatics in substitution for the criminal lunatic department in Perth prison?

A Bill to authorise the building of a new Criminal Lunatic Asylum will be introduced in another place to-morrow and it is hoped that it will become law this Session. When the necessary powers are obtained the asylum will be built on land near Carstairs.

Will the State institution for defectives also be replaced?

Yes, the institution for the defectives will be erected on the same land.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the revised duties on 200 articles exported from the United Kingdom to Poland under the recently concluded trade agreement with that country compare with the duties on the same class of articles in operation in 1930?

The trade agreement provides for the reduction of 340 rates of duty in the Polish tariff. Of these reductions, about 60 per cent. are to levels below those in force at the end of 1930.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman state whether this agreement is more favourable or less favourable than the other agreements made by His Majesty's Government?

That is a comparison which I hardly think I ought to be asked to draw. Undoubtedly it is a very favourable agreement.

Could the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the 60 per cent. represents 60 per cent. of the bulk or 60 per cent. of the number of articles?

The question on the Paper related to articles, and I have answered it on the basis of articles.

Could not a supplementary reply be given indicating value or bulk?

Such a question could not possibly be answered without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that imports into the United Kingdom from countries with which trade agreements have been concluded have been 50 per cent. more than the exports from the United Kingdom to these countries; and, seeing that the essential feature of these agreements was the regulation of the balance of payments, whether he will say what other steps he proposes to take to attain that declared purpose?

I am aware that our imports from the countries with which we have concluded trade agreements still exceed to a considerable extent our exports to those countries. I would, however, point out that our trade with these countries is, as a result of the agreements, developing in a very satisfactory manner in many respects and that imports from them consist to a considerable extent of raw materials and articles mainly unmanufactured. My right hon. Friend does not consider that at the present time further steps on new lines are called for in connection with the agreements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the amount and value of the imports of manufactured granite for the last available six months and for the corresponding six months of the previous year?

The total imports of manufactured granite into this country amounted to 48,132 tons, valued at £214,961, during the six months ended January, 1935, and to 40,313 tons, valued at £185,153, during the six months ended January, 1934.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the amount and value of the imports of kerbstones from Mysore for the last available 12 months and for the corresponding 12 months of the previous year?

Separate particulars of the imports in the United Kingdom of kerbstones from Mysore are not available, but I am having a statement prepared showing particulars of the imports of granite setts and pavement curbs consigned from British India as a whole, which I will send to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the net favourable or unfavourable balance of trade for the latest year for which figures are readily available between the United Kingdom and Australia, Canada and New Zealand, respectively, after allowing for receipt of interest and dividends and the issue of new loans, apart from conversion loans?

In the absence of reliable information regarding the invisible items, I regret that I am unable to furnish my hon. Friend with this information.

Are not these figures absolutely necessary as a foundation for a discussion of inter-Imperial trade, and will the hon. and gallant Gentleman therefore make efforts to obtain them.

I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend says.