asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to a number of fatalities in mines on the haulage roads caused through the low roof which has allowed but a bare clearance above wagons; and whether he will consider amending the Mines Act to give a clearance of at least two feet above the wagon?

I am advised that it would not be practicable to enforce a general requirement of the kind suggested by the hon. Member, and moreover, that it is a sudden variation in clearance, rather than its absolute amount, which is most apt to result in accidents.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that just recently in Lancashire—in the St. Helens district—two fatal accidents have occurred from this cause, and that at the inquest the coroner drew attention to it; and does he not think that further means should be taken to prevent these accidents happening?

I assure the hon. Member that this matter is receiving the closest attention.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these conditions not only involve loss of life but great difficulty with regard to ventilation, and will he examine this question with a view to some remedy being found?

I do not think that such an examination is necessary. The point raised in the question of the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) is a general one, and it is to that point alone that I have addressed my reply.

asked the Secretary for Mines in how many of the coal-mining districts of the United Kingdom has the standard rate of wages and/or the minimum percentage rate payable thereon varied since 1929; and will he indicate the amount of the variation in each case?

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

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider revising Section 92, Sub-section (2), of the Mines Act, 1911, which forbids any boy or girl of or above the age of 13 years or any woman to be employed for more than 54 hours in any one week, or more than 10 hours in any one day, by reducing the hours mentioned?

Having in mind the other restrictions embodied in the same Clause, I doubt whether the full time allowed under the Section is often used. If the hon. Member has any information to the contrary, I shall be obliged if he will let me have it, although I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope of legislation at present.

Does not the hon. Gentleman see that some parts of the Mines Act are almost obsolete, and that the time has come for some revision?

Although the Secretary for Mines has said that he cannot bring in legislation, could he not, in view of the cases which have been brought to his notice, bring this matter to the attention of the mine managers? If he would do that, these long hours would be stopped.

There are other sections which apply to this matter, in addition to the one quoted in the question, and that fact bears on my answer. If the hon. Member would like to have the various sections affecting the matter, as well as the one mentioned in the question, I shall be glad to send him a copy of them.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many pension schemes are in operation in the mining industry applicable to wage earners, apart from staffs, agreed to between the workpeople and the employers; and what approximate number of employés is covered by such schemes?

I have no information regarding such schemes of this nature as may exist.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the Denaby Main scheme; and will he have inquiries made with regard to that scheme, and circulate such information as he is able to obtain regarding it?

I shall be very glad to find out what I can about any particular scheme, but the hon. Member will understand that these schemes are agreements between the owners and the men.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many objections have been lodged against the draft regulation for the compulsory use of gas detectors underground; the nature of such objections; and whether the objections are to be submitted to a referee appointed in accordance with the Coal Mines Act, 1911?

I have received notification of one general objection to the draft regulations, the effect of which would be to exclude, for the purpose of the regulations, the provision and use of any flame safety lamp as a gas detector. I am in touch with the parties concerned, but am not yet in a position to answer the last part of the question. If the hon. Member will repeat it on 2nd April, I expect then to be able to reply.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries are using automatic gas detectors; and whether he is in possession of any recent data from colliery companies as to their efficacy?

Automatic firedamp detectors are at present in use in substantial numbers at nine collieries, and in smaller numbers or on trial at about 50 others. The most useful recent information as to experience gained with them is contained in a paper by Mr. R. Bingham, agent to the Staveley Coal and Iron Company, Limited, which was read before the Colliery Managers' Association in January, and published in the technical Press. That experience was generally satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Labour in how many instances since 1929, to the nearest available date, have stoppages of work taken place at one or more pits on account of efforts by the respective employers to reduce the existing piece rates?

During the six years 1929 to 1934 the returns collected by my Department indicate that there have been 56 stoppages of work in the coal mining industry which were reported to be primarily due to proposals made by employers for reductions in piece or tonnage rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the market for Australian cattle and beef has been seriously diminished as a result of the action by the Commonwealth Government; and whether he will suggest to Mr. Lyons at the forthcoming discussions upon meat that, instead of seeking an unlimited market in the United Kingdom and thereby jeopardising the interests of the meat producers of this country, the Commonwealth Government might first endeavour, by a modification of Australian fiscal policy, to recover the markets in Java and Belgium which have been lost owing to the Australian sugar embargo and the tariff on sheet glass?

I can assure my hon. Friend that all relevant considerations will be taken into account in connection with the forthcoming discussions with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Does the Under-Secretary accept the statement in the question that, if a country imposes tariffs, it thereby loses markets for its own products?

Does the hon. Gentleman agree with the statements contained in this question?

I have answered the question by saying that all these matters, whether we agree with them or not, will be taken into account. One of the matters that we are considering is whether we agree.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent British exports to Italy will be affected by the new quotas which that country is proposing to impose on all imports into Italy; and whether any re-presentations will be made in the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the terms of the provisional trade agreement between this country and Italy; and what concessions it contains with regard to recent restrictions which have been placed on British trade with Italy?

Pending the conclusion of a definitive agreement, His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government have come to a provisional agreement with regard to United Kingdom imports into Italy. Under this provisional agreement, 80 per cent. of all United Kingdom imports into Italy in the corresponding period of last year are to be admitted into Italy subject to the following method of payment. The Italian importer will deposit the required lire in the Italian National Institute for Foreign Exchange, those lire to remain untouched until the institute shall dispose of sufficient sterling for transfer to the United Kingdom exporter. The cost of any exchange operation will be borne by the Italian importer, who will thus meet his sterling liability in full. The Italian Government guarantee that all devisen accruing from Italian imports into the United Kingdom as from the date of signature of the provisional agreement shall be devoted exclusively to the payment of United Kingdom imports into Italy. Arrangements have been made to allow United Kingdom goods to enter Italy at once in accordance with this agreement. The quota restrictions established by the Italian decree of 16th February specified varying percentages for different classes of goods, but in no case did the percentage exceed 35 per cent., and in numerous cases complete prohibitions were involved. Full details of these restrictions were published in the Board of Trade Journal for 28th February and 7th March. The effect of the provisional agreement is to make the quotas in all these cases 80 per cent. of the corresponding imports into Italy last year, under the conditions I have explained. The quotas already in existence before 16th February are not affected. Negotiations for a definitive agreement will be undertaken as rapidly as possible.

Is it not a fact that these quota restrictions which have been imposed by the Italian Government are a definite breach of the provisional agreement?

The provisional agreement was made subsequently to the imposition of the restrictions.

Will the 80 per cent. apply in particular to each commodity, or is it a general restriction? For instance, in relation to pilchards, with regard to which I have put questions to the right hon. Gentleman, do we understand that immediately 80 per cent. of the previous export of pilchards to Italy can now be resumed?

Yes, Sir; the 80 per cent. refers to the different categories.

Can the export of a commodity which has been held up in the meantime be proceeded with as the result of the agreement?

Yes, Sir; I said in the course of my reply that arrangements have been made to allow United Kingdom goods to enter at once.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in any further negotiations which may take place with the Italian Government, the interests of the iron and steel industry, which have been very adversely affected by this decision of the Italian Government?

The provisional agreement applies to all commodities.

Is it hoped still further to increase the quota as a result of subsequent negotiations?

I cannot say what will be the result of the negotiations until they have been completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking in reference to the resolution of the Cotton Redundancy Committee requesting him to prepare a Bill to give effect to the proposals already approved by the industry for dealing with surplus cotton-spinning spindles?

In response to the resolution, the proposals have been discussed on my behalf with the committee in Manchester. The terms of a draft Bill are now under discussion, and I hope that the Bill will be introduced at an early date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied, from the information before him, that an adequate number of surplus spindles has been proposed to the board to justify the bringing in of legislation; and, secondly, when the legislation is brought forward, will it include terms of Government assistance more substantial than a mere guarantee?

I think my hon. Friend had better wait for details until the Bill is introduced. As to the first part of his question, I am satisfied that there is now a sufficient volume of opinion behind this proposal to make it worth while to bring in legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now inform the House as to the action which has been taken by the British Government with reference to the importation into Great Britain of Russian timber under a fall clause and at prices with which it is impossible for Canadian timber to compete?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the result of the negotiations between the Russian timber interests and Timber Distributors, Limited, with regard to the omission of the fall clause from the contract for the importation of Russian timber into this country?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Orr-Ewing) on the 14th March. I understand that Timber Distributors, Limited, and the White Sea Timber Trust have now started negotiations for a revised contract.

May we have an assurance that in future no contracts with the Soviet Government containing the fall clause will receive the sanction of the Board of Trade?

Is it not the case that, with the exception of small quantities of costly timber, the prices of timber sold by Canada were lower than the prices charged for Russian timber?

I cannot express a general opinion on that subject, because, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there are so many different varieties and classes of timber. With regard to the inquiry made by my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison), I can only say that, so far as this contract is concerned, it has fallen down on the fall clause.

While congratulating the right hon. Gentleman upon his effective action in this matter, will he see that the quantity of 400,000 standards is not exceeded this year, as it was last year, by some 10 per cent.?

If the right hon. Gentleman is going to put an embargo on the importation of Russian soft timber, will he, if it is found that there is not sufficient soft timber for building purposes, persuade the Russian Government to send more timber?

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the reason for his intervention in this contract?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that Lithuanian bacon which is selling in this country for 70s. a hundredweight is sold in the Channel Islands for 20s. a hundredweight; and whether he will take this fact into consideration in reviewing the question of whether the existing quota arrangements for controlling bacon imports into this country are the best that can be evolved?

I am aware that there is a considerable difference between the price of bacon on this market and on other markets. For the rest I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Lieut.-Colonel Moore) on 28th February.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to see that this channel is not used as a means of breaking through any quota imposed upon foreign countries or on any other trade agreement?

Has the right hon. Gentleman anything to say with regard to the last half-dozen words in the question?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the agreement with Brazil which is now being negotiated, arrangements will be made for the provision of exchange relating to goods cleared prior to 7th April, 1934, in respect of which the shippers are not covered by deposit of milreis?

The reply which I gave to the hon. Member on this subject on the 7th March was in a form agreed with the Brazilian Financial Mission, and I am not at present in a position to add to it. As the hon. Member will see from that reply, it is hoped that the agreement embodying the results of the negotiations with the mission will be signed during the course of the next two or three weeks and the text will be published immediately thereafter.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman on a former occasion ask me to put down a question on this specific subject?

Yes, Sir, and I can only repeat the invitation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were Australia's imports of cotton piece-goods (yardage) in 1933 and 1934 from the United Kingdom and Japan, respectively?

The latest period for which the desired information is available is the year ended 30th June, 1934. During that period the imports into Australia of cotton piece-goods of United Kingdom origin were 125.0 million yards and, of Japanese origin, 48.3 million yards. These figures are provisional and unavoidably include a small quantity of linen piece-goods. The corresponding imports during the year ended 30th June, 1933, were 153.7 million yards of United Kingdom origin and 46.4 million yards of Japanese origin.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is lineal yards or square yards?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the rewards for distinguished or meritorious service referred to in the annual Estimates and paragraph 675 of the Royal Warrant are awarded for services rendered before retirement or since retirement; how many such awards in each of the ranks of general and colonel have been made in the last year; and whether their names are published in any official document available to the public?

These rewards are made primarily in respect of services rendered before retirement, but would cover services rendered during any period of re-employment in the Army after retirement. Of the awards made during the past year, 10 were made to general officers and six to officers of the rank of colonel. The names of these officers are not published.

In view of the general interest in this matter, would it not be possible to publish the names of these officers and the reasons for the granting of the award? Surely, this cannot be a matter of secrecy?

Every award has to be sanctioned by the Secretary of State in person and by His Majesty the King, and, as the consideration of means comes into these awards occasionally, it is not thought desirable that the names should be published.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, with reference to the recent address to the cadets of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, by the President of the Board of Education on the subject of Indian constitutional reform, whether there is any precedent for the delivery of an address at the Royal Military Academy or the Royal Military College by a Member of the Government on a controversial subject now before Parliament; and whether he will take steps in future to protect the students at the Government institutions from political propaganda?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. The address in question was not of a political nature; it was intended to give the cadets at the Royal Military Academy an outline of conditions in India, which is a subject of importance to their education. As regards the remainder of the question, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there is no record of a Member of the Government ever having addressed the cadets on a controversial subject which was before Parliament, either at the Royal Military Academy or at the Royal Military College.

Are we to understand that no reference was made to the Government of India Bill by Lord Halifax in his address?

I did not hear the address, but I understand that my Noble Friend was so careful, knowing that there were many in the audience who were opposed to his views, that there was not the slightest criticism of his address by anybody who listened to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1), whether he is aware that the Department of Agriculture has now decided to take action on the bad housing conditions at Terregles smallholdings colony, Kirkcudbrightshire: and, as the proposals made for granting loans are such that it will be economically impossible for the smallholdings to accept them, what steps he intends to take in the matter;

(2), whether he is aware that a loan granted in connection with housing at Terregles, Kirkcudbrightshire, in 1923–24 of £560 when the bank rate was 5 per cent. is being repaid by an annuity of £11 2s., and that the proposed loans in 1935 for £415 when the bank rate is 1 per cent. are to be repaid at £16 10s. annually; and whether he will endeavour to have this matter rectified by reduction in rates of interest and extension of period of repayment;

(3) whether he is aware that the new houses at Terregles are required to replace slums created by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland 10 years ago; and whether he will extend the facilities of subsidy or grant equal to those provided to replace privately-owned slums to smallholders which will enable them to house their families decently?

The Department of Agriculture for Scotland are taking action to replace certain houses at Terregles which were on the estate when it was acquired by the Department. An exceptional lowering of the rate of interest to 1¼ per cent. coupled with a lengthening of the period of repayment from 50 to 80 years was authorised in the early years after the War because of the high costs of building construction but this practice was modified in 1933 following a very material reduction in building costs. The terms on which building loans have been offered in connection with the replacement of the older buildings at Terregles are those which are normally now offered and accepted in similar cases. I am satisfied that these terms (namely, interest at 3⅛ per cent. and repayment in 50 years) are not unduly burdensome on the holders and are such as should properly be accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now state the results of his further inquiries regarding the contract placed by Glasgow Corporation with Russian Oil Products, Limited, for 3,000,000 gallons of petrol, although they had received a cheaper tender from a British firm?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now been able to make further inquiries into the placing of a contract by the Glasgow Corporation with Russian Oil Products for 3,000,000 gallons of petrol; whether he is satisfied that the normal sanctity of sealed tenders was not observed in this case; and what steps he proposes to take in order to ensure that public interests in Scotland are properly protected in future with regard to such matters?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. The tenders were received by the Town Clerk and in accordance with the usual practice were opened and initialled by the Convener of the Municipal Transport Committee, and thereafter sent to the Manager for examination and report to the Committee. On the information before me I am not satisfied that the circumstances disclose a need for limiting the discretion of local authorities in the placing of contracts. At the same time it is to be regretted that the whole contract has gone to a foreign firm.

Is it not the fact that the Russian Oil Products were given an opportunity of reducing their original tender below that of the British firms, and that the British firms were not given a similar opportunity; and does the Minister think that that is a procedure which his Department ought to look upon with satisfaction?

It is very difficult to answer such a question by way of question and answer in the House of Commons. The negotiations were numerous and varied and extended over several days, and before I could give a specific answer to the specific question I should require to have the question placed upon the Paper.

Is it not a fact—and it is a very simple question—that the Russian Oil Products were given an opportunity of reducing their tender which was in excess of the tender of British firms? Surely, that is a very simple question?

That may well be so, but at the same time the other contractors were given an opportunity, but there were long drawn out negotiations.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. I asked a similar question on the 7th March and received an unsatisfactory reply from the Secretary of State, and I gave notice to raise the question on the Adjournment. I am afraid that the reply is still unsatisfactory, and, as it is not a subject which may be dealt with by question and answer, I ask for your ruling as to whether I can still raise it on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity?

The hon. Member can raise the matter on the Adjournment whenever he likes.

asked The Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is intended to replace the chartered drifter, recently stationed on the west side of Shetland, which has been wrecked off Burravoe?

The hired drifter which went ashore in Shetland on the 23rd February was immediately replaced by the chartering of another drifter, which has been on duty in Shetland waters since the 28th February.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the object of this new vessel?

The object is to deal with illegal trawling.

Has it been worth while?

Yes. It has been amply justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by the scientific advisory committee of the Department of Health on maternal mortality and morbidity, and when their report is likely to be published?

Every effort is being made to expedite publication of the report. The inquiries have involved the scrutiny of over 42,000 cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether the police measures which are to be employed to enforce the 30-miles-an-hour speed limit in built-up areas involve an increase in the number of police engaged upon traffic duties; and, if so, to what extent?

asked the Home Secretary how many additional police cars will be required, and what total number will be required, to carry out the police plans for enforcing the 30-miles-an-hour speed limit in built-up areas; and what is the estimated cost of the additional cars?

Increases will no doubt be made in the number of police engaged on traffic patrol and in the number of vehicles in use for that purpose, but the numbers will vary from time to time according to the varying circumstances in every force, and I cannot give details of either numbers or cost.

Will not part of this extra cost fall on the London police fund and have to be borne by the London rates?

Naturally, some part may fall upon the rates.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the increased number of the traffic police will be arrived at by a diversion of police from their existing duties or by increased recruitment?

The actual numbers must depend upon the claims made on the police. I hope that we may not have to increase them unduly.

Is the House to understand that this increase may mean transferring police from traffic duty to this special duty or, alternatively, will special police be engaged for this duty?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state his reasons for writing a foreword to a booklet issued by the Eagle, Star, and British Dominion Insurance Company suggesting the taking of motor insurance policies with that company?

I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. There is no such suggestion contained in my foreword. Some time ago I made a public appeal to all insurance companies to assist the campaign for road safety. The company in question immediately responded by preparing a booklet of guidance which they offered to circulate to two million policyholders. I gave my approval to this as being in the public interest, and I am prepared to take the same course with any similar company which in addition to covering its policy holders against road accidents will do even better and tell them how to avoid them.