asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to submit the new regulations of the Unemployment Assistance Board before the House adjourns for the summer Recess, or to continue the stand-still arrangement indefinitely; and whether the Board has submitted new regulations, officially or unofficially?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. K. Lindsay) on 22nd May, to which at present I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Labour the weekly cost of assistance under the Unemployment Assistance Board in Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire since 7th January last to the latest available date; and the estimated weekly cost caused by the standstill arrangement?

I will publish the information for which the hon. Member asks in the first part of the question in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it can be extracted from the records, but I would remind him of the reply to his question on 21st February last. I regret that the information for which he asks in the second part of the question is not available.

Surely, the right hon. Gentleman has in his possession information which would enable him to make some estimate of the cost?

The hon. Member will appreciate that an estimate can only be arrived at by means of samples, and, although by that means we can arrive at a reliable figure for the country as a whole, I could not guarantee the reliability of a figure for a particular district. It might be that the samples in that district were not wide enough to make the estimate reliable.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount paid in Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire as retrospective payment as the result of the standstill arrangement under which the Unemployment Assistance Board regulations were suspended; and the amounts for each county separately

The amounts paid in respect of "arrears" of unemployment assistance allowances under the provisions of the Unemployment Assistance (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1935, were about £14,250 in Glamorganshire and £3,950 in Monmouthshire.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken to make known the placing work of the Ministry

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of transitional benefit, with the amount of benefit paid for each week in November and December of last year; and will he give the number of persons in receipt of assistance, together with the amount paid 'by the Unemployment Assistance Board, for each week since 7th January of this year

The ordinary methods of publicity have been by means of posters and leaflets and by arranging for stands at the Industries Fairs and the various national and local shows. Steps have recently been taken with the object of making this publicity more effective, and in particular to provide one or two films for public exhibition illustrating the work of the Department. I am arranging for a few of the more recent posters and leaflets to be shown in the Tea Room.

asked the Minister of Labour the number totally unemployed and the number partially unemployed in the Neath area and the number in the Pontardawe area for 1933, 1934, and the last available date in 1935?

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received a report from the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee on the subject of excepting from the scope of the unemployment insurance scheme persons under 16 employed to an inconsiderable extent in what would otherwise be insurable work; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

I have received a report, which I propose to publish immediately, in which the Committee recommend that the provisional regulations on this subject, which expire on 7th June next, should not be made permanent. I have decided to accept this recommendation. Unemployment insurance contributions will accordingly be payable on and after 8th June, 1935, in respect of persons under 16 in the cases which have hitherto been excepted from insurance by those regulations. In order that persons interested might have as much notice of the position as possible, I issued a notice to this effect last week-end. The Committee's report also discusses the lines along which, in the view of the Committee, regulations should be made dealing with the inconsiderable employment of persons aged 16 and over. Draft regulations on this subject will be submitted to the Committee in due course.

Do I understand that the report is to be published?

Yes.

Shall we be able to get it through the Vote Office in the ordinary way?

I will look into that point.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statement of a magistrate at a meeting of the Devon Public Health Committee, on 3rd April, that unless he was really satisfied that the parents were conscientious objectors to vaccination he refused to sign; and whether he will call the attention of magistrates to the fact that they have no right to inquire into the validity of the grounds of objection to vaccination on the part of parents making statutory declarations under the Vaccination Act, 1907?

My attention had not previously been called to this statement. If the hon. Member will send me full particulars, I will inquire into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent deaths from anthrax at Chester and Hull; and, if so, whether it is possible to take greater precautions at the ports to prevent the spread of this disease?

Yes, Sir, but I am afraid that the information at present available in these two cases does not suggest any further precaution which could have been taken at the ports. In neither case has it been possible so far to establish the source of infection.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the precautions that are taken at the ports?

Nobody can be entirely satisfied with regulations, but, as I have said, we are making further inquiries, and, until I know the result of those inquiries, I cannot say any more.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to a, report of the Danish State dairies on the system of stassanisation of milk as a more thorough and economic way of milk treatment than pasteurisation; and whether he will have inquiry made into this treatment?

I am aware of the report referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. Stassanisation is a continuous flow process for the heat treatment of milk, and I am advised that pasteurisation by the holding process efficiently operated gives a greater assurance of the complete destruction of pathogenic bacteria than continuous flow processes.

asked the Minister of Health how the work of the advisory water supply committees in Lancashire and Cheshire is progressing, how many meetings have been held, and whether any proposals have been submitted to him?

The two new committees have met once and have appointed sub-committees who are investigating needs and resources. This will necessarily involve much work and take time. The South-West Lancashire Committee have completed their survey and find that the time has not yet arrived for the provision of additional resources for their region. It has not therefore been necessary to submit proposals to me. I keep in close touch with the proceedings of all the Regional Committees.

asked the Minister of Health whether the consultative committee proposed to co-ordinate the work of the water advisory committees in Lancashire and Cheshire has yet been set up; and, if not, when will it be?

It is not proposed for the present to set up any formal consultative committee. The question will be considered by the regional committees when the need arises.

asked the Minister of Health what evidence is in the possession of his Department to the effect that the content of the egg is not affected by what the hen eats?

I am advised that there is no evidence of any bacterial infection of eggs being caused by the food eaten by the hen.

Has my right hon. Friend ever tasted the eggs of a duck that wades along the seashore, and has he noticed their fishy, seaweedy flavour? Is there any difference between a hen and a duck?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the reports of several public analysts, to which his attention has been drawn, to the effect that sulphurous acid is being used as a preservative for liquid eggs imported into this country; and what action he intends to take to put an end to this practice?

I have recently received a document in which it is stated that one public analyst has found sulphurous acid in a sample of imported liquid eggs. The enforcement of the preservatives regulations is a matter for the appropriate local authorities, but I am making inquiries with regard to this case.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government propose to ratify the international labour conventions as to the employment of women during the night, the regulation of hours in automatic sheet-glass works, and workmen's compensation for occupational diseases, which were adopted by the International Labour Conference last year?

Yes, Sir, subject as regards the two first Conventions to the necessary legislation being passed by Parliament.

asked the Home Secretary the amount levied upon the cinema trade by the London County Council and paid to charity for the preferential right to trade on Sundays for the three years prior to the passing of the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932; and also the amount levied and paid for the three years since the Act became law?

I have been supplied by the London County Council with certain figures, which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary what progress has been made by the conference of representatives of employers and employés with regard to the provision of compensation in the event of damage to lungs caused by dust in card rooms in the cotton industry?

I am informed that, after some preliminary discussions as to how best to deal with the matter, both sides are now seeking certain further information with a view to discovering whether it provides a basis for a practical scheme.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many teachers who have retired since the economy cuts have, as a result, received reduced pension rates; whether any estimate has been made as to the total amount of the loss it is likely to entail to the teachers concerned; and whether it is proposed to make up to them any part of this loss?

Up to the 31st March, 1935, about 10,000 teachers have retired since the date of the reduction in salary, and have as a result received pension at reduced rates. It is estimated that the loss in annual payments is approximately £57,000, in addition to a loss in lump sums. The loss by these teachers in annual pensions would have continued at the rate of about 4348,000 a year, diminishing with the deaths of the pensioners, but the Government's proposal will reduce this annual loss by about 50 per cent. as from the 1st July of this year, in addition to reducing the similar losses of approximately 25,000 teachers who may be expected to retire between the 31st March, 1935, and the 1st July, 1940.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can give any estimate as to the number of certificated teachers seeking employment in elementary schools who are out of work; and whether he can hold out any prospect of any considerable proportion of them receiving an opportunity of employment by local education authorities?

My information is that, out of 16,063 teachers who left the training colleges in July, 1933 and 1934, there were 1,960 who up to January last had not obtained teaching posts, but this figure includes a considerable number of students who had failed to pass their final examinations, as well as a number who for some reason or other were not immediately seeking employment in the teaching profession. Since January many of these young teachers will, of course, have obtained posts. I have no reason to believe that there is an appreciable amount of unemployment among certificated teachers after they have obtained their first post, but the Board have no means of ascertaining how many teachers are definitely seeking employment. As regards the last part of the question, I should explain that the proportion of certificated teachers in the teaching service has been steadily increasing of recent years. There are more certificated teachers in the profession than ever before.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is alleged that there are some 600 teachers in London who are on the official list as not being able to obtain employment; and does he realise what a serious thing this is for them, as they are not covered in any way by unemployment insurance and they are walking about the streets unable to find any kind of alternative work, having received no training suitable for any of the other jobs that are available?

I understand that the hon. Baronet is referring to what are called supply teachers. I have no official figures as to their number, but probably a proportion of them have part-time occupation in other directions.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the decrease in the number of children in the schools, there has been a decrease in the demand in the Metroplitan area for supply teachers, which is the main cause of the trouble?

Are the Board using their influence with local education committees with a view to reducing the size of the classes and thereby absorbing unemployed teachers?

The size of the classes is being steadily reduced.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that teachers with higher qualifications are left without employment in some cases because the less qualified teachers are cheaper for.the local authorities?

I have pointed out that the proportion of certificated teachers is going up steadily.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the National Health Insurance Bill now before the House, he intends to make known to each one of the 200,000 persons affected thereby exactly what is proposed; and, if so, what steps to that end are being taken?

Considerable publicity has been given through the Press and otherwise to the proposals contained in the Bill now before the House, and in particular I am satisfied that they are now well known to approved societies, through whom the insured persons affected can obtain information with regard to the proposals. In the event of the Bill becoming law steps will be taken to ensure that its provisions are made known by the approved societies to all the insured persons concerned.

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether it will be possible to make that information available at the employment exchanges, so as to give wider publicity to it?

I will certainly take all suggestions into consideration, but, as a matter of fact, the organisation in these matters of approved societies is so very efficient that I doubt whether any other steps are needed.

Is it not a fact that the approved societies do this automatically?

That is really rather the effect of my previous reply. The organisation is extremely efficient for the purpose referred to.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that people have suffered sufficiently under the 1932 Act that they ought to understand the mind of the Government?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is no representative of Wales on the consultative council under the National Health Insurance Act; and whether, in view of the special position obtainig in Wales owing to unemployment and trade depression, he will authorise the appointment of at least one qualified person from Wales to assist in the work in the council?

G: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 13th December last to the hon. Member for Flintshire (Mr. Llewellyn-Jones). I 'would add that among the many members of the council who are associated 'with approved societies carrying on business in Wales is one who is resident in the Principality, has for many years taken a prominent part in the administration of national health insurance in Wales and is clerk to a Welsh insurance committee.

Does he not occupy a semi-official position and is therefore not in a position, as a representative should be, freely to express Ms opinion to the Department or anywhere else?

I do not think that that is a necessary consequence at all, but is rather a matter of argument.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction in Wales owing to the absence of a Welsh representative; and is there any good reason why a representative from Wales should not be

asked the Minister of Health whether, from 1st January, 1936, when an increase of contributions of 2d. for men and Id. for women per week

No, Sir, I am not aware of any dissatisfaction of that sort, but, if the hon. Member has any representations he desires to bring to my attention, I shall always, of course, be most willing to consider them.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the annual instalment of repayment of the Goschen loan for each authority separately; and what it means to them in rate poundage per annum;

(2) what is the total amount of the outstanding Goschen loans with all the authorities in England and Wales, giving the amounts outstanding with each authority?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 19 of the National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions Bill, and to paragraph 22 of the Explanatory Memorandum (Cmd. 4905), which show how it is proposed to deal with this matter.

Cannot the Minister say just what will be done rather than give an answer like that; will he tell us what steps he proposes to take in order that employers and employed may know that this increase of contributions takes place after the 31st December?

The hon. Member will find another question down on the Order Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of incorporating in the present Finance Bill a provision enabling an excess profit duty or some similar tax to be imposed upon aeroplane manufacturers?

I do not propose to introduce such a provision into the present Finance Bill, but I would refer the hon. Member to the passage relating to this subject in the speech of my right hon. Friend the Lord President in the House of Commons on the 22nd May last.

Is it not proposed to take advantage of the Finance Bill to deal with this question in any manner?

Will not my right hon. Friend apologise to these aeroplane manufacturers for not having employed them at least a couple of years ago; and is he aware that if it were not for representations such as those of the hon. Gentleman who put the question it would have been done?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the Government's policy to increase the personnel of the Royal Air Force, it is still the intention of the Air Ministry to re-engage only a limited number of airmen to complete time for pension?

I have been asked to reply. The opportunities that can be offered to airmen to re-engage to complete 24 years' service for pension are limited by the anticipated vacancies in supervisory posts, in non-commissioned and warrant ranks, but a substantial increase in the number of such re-engagements is being granted. I should make it clear that all suitable skilled men (i.e., tradesmen in trade groups other than Group V) are being invited to extend their service for periods up to four years.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of their technical experience, he will give special consideration to those officers and men who have in the last few years taken their discharge from the Royal Air Force and who may now make application to re-enter the force

A number of officers who have recently retired or been transferred to the reserve will be employed in administrative and specialist posts, under civilian conditions of service. There will also be opportunities for skilled airmen who have been discharged or transferred to the reserve to re-enlist for a period of four years' regular service.

Does that include pilots?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) if he is aware that the customs authorities, in writing to importers of foreign goods informing them that they have imposed a fine upon them for incorrect entry, although no fraud has been alleged, have claimed as their reason for the fine that it is to mark the irregularity; and if he will issue instructions to discontinue this expression, as it causes offence to respectable firms;

(2) if he is aware that the customs authorities have recently been imposing fines on importers of foreign goods for incorrect entry in cases in which no fraud is alleged and in which the fault has been entirely due to a bona fide mistake on the part of the foreign exporter; and if he will put a stop to this practice;

(3) if he is aware that the customs authorities impose a fine on importers of foreign goods who receive documents in which clerical mistakes are made, even if the mistake is revealed by means of a post entry by the importers to the customs authorities; what action will be taken to stop fines being imposed in such eases; and whether he will give instructions for the amount of such fines to be refunded?

Under Customs law, goods incorrectly entered are liable to seizure and the importer to a penalty and this liability is not affected by the fact that the incorrectness may be due to error or carelessness rather than fraudulent intent. The Commissioners of Customs and Excise have power, however, to waive such forfeiture and to mitigate any such penalty incurred, and I understand that it is, and has been for very many years, their practice to impose small fines under those provisions in certain cases of incorrect entry even though no intention to defraud is suspected. The expression to which my hon. Friend refers is designed to avoid any imputation of fraudulent intent, and I cannot see why it should cause offence as it is a correct description of what has taken place. Risk to the Revenue is involved in cases of error as well as in cases of fraud, and the practice of the Commissioners is dictated by the importance of reducing that risk to the minimum. I see no reason to interfere with it, but if my hon. Friend considers that it has been improperly applied in any case and will give me full particulars I will have further inquiry made.

Owing perhaps to the incorrect understanding of the word "irregularity," will my hon. Friend consider doing away with this particular expression in such cases?

I am not prepared to enter into an argument with my hon. Friend as to the meaning of words, particularly the word "irregularity." I think that the term confined to a customs entry does not imply any moral obloquy.

Why not make it innocent irregularity "?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make any announcement with regard to the negotiations for a clearing arrangement with Turkey?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on this subject to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on the 23rd May, to which I have as yet nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent Denmark has reduced import licences for British manufactured goods during the current year; whether he has received any complaints with regard to this matter from British manufacturers; and whether he will take any action in the matter, in view of the terms of the Danish trade agreement with this country?

According to my information, the allocation of licences for the import of United Kingdom goods into Denmark in the period January to April, 1935, was larger than in the corresponding period of last year. Some complaints in regard to the allocation of licences for the period May to August have been received and are being investigated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of armaments of various grades and the value of the same supplied to foreign countries from Great Britain in the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the quantity and value of arms, ammunition and military and naval stores exported from the United Kingdom to foreign countries in the year 1934. Corresponding particulars in respect of the years 1931 to 1933 appear on pages 347 to 355 of Volume III of the Annual Statement of Trade, 1933.

Are there no means within the power of the Government to

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the foreign countries who have purchased arms of one kind or another from Great Britain in the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934?

The 33 principal foreign countries to which exports of arms and ammunition from this country are consigned are shown on page 355 of Volume III of the Annual Statement of Trade, 1933.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that Japan's imports into Tanganyika are still increasing; and whether, in view of the fact that Japan has now left the League of Nations, the terms of the mandate so far as tariffs are concerned are regarded as applying to her products

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the various legal issues affecting the mandated territories arising out of Japan's resignation from the League are now under consideration.

May I askwhether the British Government have drawn the attention of the League of Nations to the fact that Japan has resigned from the League but is still retaining all the benefits to be obtained by membership from these mandated territories?

I think that all the countries, whether members of the League of Nations or otherwise, are aware of the fact that Japan has withdrawn from the League.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Japanese bicycles are being sold in Tanga and D'aar es Salaan at 27s., and that the lowest price quoted for English goods is 63s. I Is he prepared to take any steps in the matter?

I know that Japanese bicycles are sold much cheaper than other bicycles, but I was asked about the legal questions, which are very complicated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Japanese not only compete fairly but unfairly by copying our trade marks?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent the Treasury is introducing mechanisation of accountancy and clerical work in Government Departments; and whether he can give details?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) on the 4th May, 1933. Later information as to the position in certain Departments, namely, the Board of Education, the Admiralty, the Ministry of Health, the War Office, the Post Office and the Customs and Excise Department, was given by the Ministers concerned on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 11th March last. I am sending the hon. Member for convenience of reference copies of all the above replies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has arranged to set aside any special Jubilee £50 gold pieces for the national collections at the British and other museums?

Besides the 25 gold pattern pieces offered to collectors, five similar pieces were struck by the Royal Mint, of which one was presented to His Majesty The King; one was reserved for the Mint Museum; and one each was offered to the British Museum, the Bank of England and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths for their collections, on payment of the bullion value of the gold.

Can my hon. Friend say why so very few were issued; was there some good reason?

It was that they were issued for the purposes of collectors, and whatever figure was arrived at it must necessarily have been an arbitrary figure. If it were a larger one, some people might have said that it was too many; and, if it had been a smaller one, some people might have said it was too small.

Will my hon. Friend consider issuing some of these gold pieces for the payment of Members of Parliament on the occasion of the next instalment of their salaries?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government have considered any steps to meet the difficulties caused by the rapid increase which is taking place in the milk supply of the country; and what policy it intends to adopt?

The rapid increase in the milk supply of this country is in the first place a matter for consideration by the producers themselves, who are giving it close attention through their organisation, the Milk Marketing Board. The matter is further being considered by the Great Britain Milk Reorganisation Commission. The Government's milk policy is embodied in the Milk Act, 1934, but any further representations or suggestions that may be put forward for dealing with this problem will, I assure my hon. and gallant Friend, receive the Government's very careful consideration.

Have not the Government considered a levy on imported foreign manufactured milk so as to relieve the glut on the liquid milk market and add to the pool from which liquid milk is drawn?

I do not think that that would be possible under existing agreements and arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he proposes to take with regard to the new scheme submitted to him for the setting up of a bacon development board which would control the entire production of bacon in this country?

In accordance with the requirements of the First Schedule to the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1933, my tight hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, and I have directed the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Boards to publish notice of the submission of the scheme stating where copies of the scheme may be obtained or inspected, and notifying that any objections or representations made with respect to the scheme should be submitted to my right hon. Friend or myself not later than June 29th. It is not possible to give any indication as to further steps until such time has elapsed after the date I have mentioned to allow for full consideration to be given to any representations and objections that may duly be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has een called to an article in the official journal of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, dated 20th March, 1935, stating that we ought to see that money spent in social services is not used to employ labour on land abroad instead of on our own farm land, and that to the extent that we allow imported food to claim that market we shall only add to our unemployment problem; and whether he will advise the Board that it is undesirable that a public body, founded with a loan of public money and maintained by a statutory levy, should indulge in partisan statements and political propaganda?

I have seen the article referred to but the matter is not one which comes within my jurisdiction.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is properly one of the functions of the Board to publish propaganda on matters of acute political controversy?

I am not called upon to adjudicate upon these matters. The Milk Marketing Board is a statutory body, and on this matter I have no power to intervene.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is a matter of common sense and not of acute political controversy?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the number of persons in receipt of outdoor relief at the end of March and April, 1935;

(2) the number of unemployed persons and their dependants in receipt

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of a lack of housing accommodation in the burgh of Hamilton and many parts of the county of Lanark; that as a consequence many houses at present inhabited are in an uninhabitable condition, and that, due to the long continued unemployment in that area, many families have been evicted and have no alternative but to occupy empty houses that have been closed under closing orders, thus rendering themselves liable to fine and imprisonment; and whether any action can, or will, be taken by his Department to provide temporary accommodation for those families until houses can be provided?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second and third parts, I am informed that in the burgh of Hamilton a number of families are occupying houses that are subject to demolition or closing orders. No such cases are known to exist in the county area. As regards the last part, I am informed that no temporary accommodation is available, but the local authorities are proceeding with the erection of 3,014 houses in the burgh of Hamilton and the county of Lanark.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a man was convicted in the Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday of this week, and can he inform me whether houses that are being built will

I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, as the reply involves a table of figures, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am aware of the case referred to, but as the hon. Member well knows the question of who are to occupy these houses is entirely a matter for the local authority.

Is it the view of the Department that there is to be no alternative to imprisonment or fine for the persons who are involved in this question?

I hope that no answer of mine at any time has led anyone to think that.

If a man sleeps in a derelict house and there is no other house available, he should be left alone. If he sleeps in the open he will be imprisoned for that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Herring Industry Board has considered the proposal to organise a herring week in London; and whether he will represent to the board the value of this form of propaganda during the coming autumn when the home market most needs stimulating and press for an early start on the necessary plans?

The proposal has been communicated to the Herring Industry Board and I am informed that they will be glad to consider it fully in connection with their investigation into the possibility of developing the home market.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to the Herring Board that British Industries House has offered to co-operate in this matter and has very special facilities to give to the herring trade if such a demonstration were organised?

I am informed that the board are taking active steps to make all relevant inquiries into what can be done to increase the home market, and no doubt they will get into touch with the body in question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fish dealers are charging 6d. a pound for herring although when the agitation was going on the price was lowered temporarily to 4d., and that it is this extravagant charge in the retail shops which is preventing people from buying herring?

All these matters will come within the purview of the Herring Board.

Would it not be possible to pass this information on to the London hotels to see whether or not they can encourage the home market rather than the foreign market?

I am sure that questions and answers in this House not only come to the notice of hotels in London but they cover a much larger sphere.

Would it not be much better to organise a herring week in Edinburgh and see how it goes?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can make a statement on the results of the inquiries made into the possibility of openings for British herring in overseas countries?

An inquiry as to possible markets for cured and smoked herring was addressed to 50 overseas posts and, so far 40 replies have been received and examined. While these replies do not point to any large additional markets for cured or smoked herring, there are indications in certain of the replies of some possibilities for the expansion of the trade. The Department of Overseas Trade is working in co-operation with the other Departments concerned with'a view to following up such openings as the inquiry has revealed.

Is the hon. and gallant Member also working in association with the Herring Industry Board?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether the question of Imperial defence has yet been discussed with the representatives of the Dominions who came here for the Jubilee; and whether he has any information to give to the House?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the communique issuéd on the 23rd May, where it was stated that

"the discussion on the international situation, particularly with regard to its defence aspects, was resumed."

As regards the second part, of the question, it was agreed that the discussions should be of an informal and private character

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report of Sir Felix Pole on Palestine railway development will be available; and what steps will be taken to ensure that all new construction work involving the import of material will be available in the first place to British manufacturers?

I do not think the High Commissioner has yet actually received Sir Felix Pole's report, and no decision has been taken on the question of publication. Any materials which it may be found necessary to import in connection with railway development in Palestine will be ordered through the Crown Agents for the Colonies in accordance with the usual practice.