asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount of the shipping subsidy paid out to date, giving the names of the shipowners, the port of destination, and the amounts in each case?

A total sum of £348,363 has been paid out to shipowners in respect of claims for voyages completed in the first quarter of the year. With regard to the remainder of the question, I am considering in what form information regarding the distribution of the Tramp Shipping Subsidy should be published, but as regards the payments made to date I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 9–14 of the Subsidy Scheme (Cmd. 4754), from which he will see that those payments are of an interim character and will be subject to adjustment at the end of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the agreement to carry three officers in ships over 2,750 tons is an operative agreement which must be kept in order to qualify for a subsidy under the Government's tramp shipping scheme?

I am in communication with the National Maritime Board with a view to ascertaining whether there is any operative agreement regarding the number of deck officers to be carried on board ship.

Can my right hon. Friend inform the House when he will have the information?

If a further question is put down, I hope to be able to give an answer next week.

Is not a record of the agreement sent to the Board of Trade in order that it may be recorded there?

The question I was asked was as to the operative agreement, and I have given the only information I can give with regard to the operative agreement.

But is it not the rule of the Board of Trade that there must be three officers? I think that is the sense of the question. Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that is so or not?

Will the Tight hon. Gentleman see to it that the firms which get the subsidy conform to the regulations laid down by the Maritime Board?

That is another question. That is already provided for in the arrangement.

May I have a reply to my supplementary question?

I cannot reply to that question. It is not the question on the Paper.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a suitable agreement to be operative between the two parties concerned?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the weight and value of imports of kraft paper from Finland, Sweden, and Norway for the first four months of 1933, 1934 and 1935?

The desired information is given on page 101 of the issue of the Trade and Navigation Accounts for April last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make an inquiry to ascertain to what extent prices for scrap are controlled by agreement between firms who purchase tonnage for breaking up?

As the total amount of scrap derived from the demolition of obsolete tonnage represents only a small proportion of the total supplies of scrap I cannot usefully undertake the enquiry suggested.

Can my right hon. Friend inform the House as to the difference in price between the amount paid by Italian ship breakers and British firms who buy ships to break up? Is he aware that there is a very great discrepancy?

If my hon. Friend puts down a question on that point, I will gladly give her such information as I can collect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the basis of his calculation of the annual retail trade of this country?

I am sending the hon. Member reprints of two articles from the Board of Trade Journal dealing with retail trade, on a monthly and on an annual basis, which contain information of the kind desired.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling that the basis of calculation is not satisfactory, and, in view of the fact that we are able to secure statistics about every other industry, is it not possible to go into this problem and secure statistics about the retail trade?

If the hon. Gentleman will make some suggestions for the improvement of these returns, I will gladly consider them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories have been built on the Great West Road; and whether he can furnish any information as to the number of persons employed therein?

For the purpose of the "Survey of Industrial Development" particulars of factories opened have only been recorded from 1932 onwards. During the last three years the number of new factories designed to provide employment for at least 25 workpeople of which the address was given as the Great West Road (between Gunnersbury Avenue and the Bath Road) was seven, the employment provided being between 500 and 600 persons.

On a point of Order. Can you indicate, Mr. Speaker, on whose authority a question addressed to the Home Secretary, who has the information, is transferred to the President of the Board of Trade, who does not possess it?

It is the Department which has the information which gives the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Customs have decided that a trade catalogue of no intrinsic value, the weight of which does not exceed eight ounces, shall be duty free, and that most trade catalogues weigh more than eight ounces, has no intrinsic value, but are subject to duty; how the duty on these catalogues for which no charge is made is assessed; and whether, in view of the necessity of British firms being kept supplied with these catalogues, he will take steps to have this impediment in the way of trade removed?

Trade catalogues other than such as are imported by post in a packet not exceeding eight ounces in gross weight are subject to duty under the provisions of the Import Duties (Exemption) (No. 2) Order, 1934, and any representations for an amendment of those provisions should be addressed to the Import Duties Advisory Committee by the interests concerned. I am informed, however, that the majority of the catalogues sent by post from abroad to prospective purchasers in this country are in fact below the eight ounce limit. Where that limit is exceeded the Commissioners of Customs and Excise in assessing the value have regard, as the law directs, to all relevant considerations, including the declared value and the usual cost of production of such articles.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the comparative imports of textiles into African countries concerned in the Congo Basin Treaties from Japan and the United Kingdom for 1924 and 1934?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the period of examination of the situation arising from the Congo Basin convention will be concluded; and what action is contemplated?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that the matter is being pursued as expeditiously as possible, but I am afraid that I am not able at present to name a date on which His Majesty's

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what action has been taken by the Government on these treaties?

There is another question on that subject on the Paper.

Why should this relic of the free trade era be allowed indefinitely to continue to embarrass British trade?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's description of the parentage of these proposals. We have felt it necessary to examine three treaties— Berlin, Brussels, and St. Germains—and the earliest of them dates back to 1885. The wording of the documents is obscure and considerable research is necessary into the records of the proceedings of the Conference preceding the conclusion of the Treaty in order to obtain a complete account both of the origin and the inception of the treaties. It is necessary to expend a good deal of time on this research.

In any case, does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it will be necessary to call a conference, and is it not desirable to call a conference without further delay while these technical questions are being examined?

I realise that a conference may become necessary, but it would be a pity to have a conference with the information incomplete.

Is it not a fact that the Congo Basin Treaty is due for re-examination this year, and what is the intention of the Government in connection with it?

Is it not a fact that this matter was raised in the House of Commons as far back as 1st July, 1932, and that since then the trade position has greatly deteriorated, and, in view of those facts, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to make a statement at any rate before the Recess?

I do not think that is at all likely. There has been very sharp difference of opinion in Lancashire itself as to the bearing that these treaties have on Lancashire trade.

Is it not a fact that the position of Lancashire has completely changed, as is evidenced by resolutions of Chambers of Commerce passed in the last few months?

I am well aware that there has been a change of opinion, but that change of opinion has come very late in the day.

What action is contemplated?

I am not contemplating any action until the information on the subject is complete; otherwise, the action taken might be against the interests of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the operation of the tea restriction scheme during the past two years has done little more than maintain the average price level which existed in the second quarter of 1933, when the scheme was introduced, and to raise which substantially was understood to be the purpose of the scheme; and what further steps, if any, the Government proposes to take in the matter?

The primary object of the Tea Regulation Scheme is to restore equilibrium between supply and demand. I would draw attention to the fact that market prices in the second quarter of 1933, when the scheme came into operation, were already substantially higher than in the third quarter of 1932, when negotiations relating to the scheme began. Since the second quarter of 1933, prices have in general been at a still higher level, and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom sees no reason for initiating any action in the matter. The scheme is under the management of the International Tea Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by the Departmental Committee on Scottish Health Services?

The Committee on Scottish Health Services have completed the taking of evidence over the very wide field covered by the remit; the consideration of the evidence and the preparation of a report will, as my hon. Friend will understand, require time.

Is there any possibility of this report being available before the end of the year?

I do not think I can promise that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory state of the acts and decreets of the court of session and sheriff court records filed in Register House, Edinburgh, and their need of proper indexing and repair; and whether he is prepared to act on the recommendations in the Report of the Sheriff Court Records Committee of 1925?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the lack of adequate staff at the Register House, Edinburgh, for the proper cataloguing and indexing of historical documents of great importance; and whether, in particular, he proposes to take steps to ensure that the hundreds of volumes of the Register of Acts and Decreets of the Court of Session from the year 1542 to the year 1800 will be deciphered and published;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the Sheriff Court's Records Committee in 1925, which disclosed an unsatisfactory condition of affairs and great masses of public records inaccessible and mouldering away; and, seeing that nothing has been done in many counties to remedy matters, what steps does he propose to take?

The Register of Acts and Decreets of the Court of Session, preserved in the General Register House, Edinburgh, is generally in a good state of repair and is fully indexed from the year 1810 onwards. In 1933 the staff of the Record Office was increased by three whole-time officers, in order to enable arrears of work to be overtaken. Progress is being made in the arrangement and indexing of old records, which can only be undertaken gradually by a trained staff, and the indexing of the Register of Acts and Decreets for years prior to 1810 will be dealt with as soon as circumstances allow. It is not contemplated that the Register should be published, as public requirements should be met if suitable indexes were available for reference in the Record Office. Sheriff Court records are not preserved in the Register House but locally in Sheriff Courts. In some cases they are in an unsatisfactory condition. Legislation would however be necessary to give effect to the recommendations of the Sheriff Court Records Committee, and this will be considered whenever opportunity offers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the amount received From the Treasury for this purpose and whether it is adequate; and, if it is not adequate to bring the records up to date in proper form, will he make observations to the Treasury in order to get an increase?

If the work of these three officers is found insufficient for our needs, we shall certainly make representations for an increase.

What would be the expense of resuming the publication of the documents?

If the hon. Member would refer to the—

I am referring to the right hon. Gentleman's own reply.

Scottish interests in these matters do not attach as much importance to these old volumes as does the hon. Member. If he would pick up one or two of the old volumes, the hon. Member would realise that they could not possibly justify the spending of a large sum of money in reprinting.

Is it not the case that, although some of the documents may not be of much particular interest, others may be of very great importance to the historical record of Scotland, and that it would be worth while spending money upon them?

That is a matter of opinion. There may be records which would interest individuals. The expenditure of a large sum of money because of a single document in a voluminous mass of documents would not be justifiable.

Have not the records of England been gone over in a very thorough manner and the documents that are important separated from those that are insignificant, and could not that be done for Scotland?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that for lack of funds publication of such valuable historical documents as the Exchequer Rolls and the Treasurer's Accounts have had to be discontinued for many years past in Scotland; whether he is aware that the predecessor in 1932 specifically promised a deputation from the convention of burghs that the condition of affairs at the Register House, Edinburgh, would be urgently inquired into; and what steps he now proposes to take in the matter?

Twenty-three volumes of the Exchequer Rolls, covering the period 1264–1600, have been published, and 11 volumes of the Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, covering the period 1473–1566. These volumes diminish in interest in later times, and publication of the Exchequer Rolls was discontinued in 1908, and of the Treasurer's Accounts in 1916, because of the greater importance of other work. As regards the second and third parts of the question, my predecessor in 1932 promised that a survey would be made of the unexamined sacks of papers (mostly Customs records) lying in the basement of the Register House, and that a staff reorganisation of the Register House, including the Record Office, would be carried out. Both these undertakings have been fulfilled, three whole-time officers having been added to the Record Office staff, on reorganisation, in 1933.

Is the work being brought up to date?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by the Departmental Committee on the training of nurses?

The Committee have completed the taking of evidence and are now considering their report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give figures showing the contributions made by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland during each of the last four financial years ended March, 1935, towards road schemes in the Outer Hebrides?

The contributions for the four years 1931 to 1934 were respectively:

		£5,935
		697
		218
		1,281
Total	…	£8,131

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give figures showing the contributions made by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland during each of the last four financial years ended March, 1935, towards marine works in the Outer Hebrides, exclusive of the contribution made towards the construction of Lochboisdale Pier?

Exclusive of a sum of approximately £8,000 paid towards the construction of Lochboisdale Pier, contributions of £112 10s. were made in 1932 towards marine works in the Outer Hebrides. No contributions were made in 1931, 1933 or 1934.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the Treasury letter of the 7th February to the City Chamberlain of Glasgow with regard to their conversion loan, the Treasury was, in fact, consulted on the terms of the proposed Glasgow issue; and whether the Treasury did or did not consent to the terms proposed by the Bank of England?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The only interest of the Treasury in this matter arose from the fact that the proposed loan was an instance of the optional replacement of an existing issue by a new issue which would rank as a trustee security and involved an invitation to the public to subscribe new cash, and that, in the statements which I made on the 1st October, 1932, and the 13th January, 1933, I requested that, until further notice, such issues should not be made without my consent having been previously obtained. The Treasury letter of the 7th February related solely to this aspect of the matter, and had nothing to do with the terms of the proposed issue, for which Treasury assent was not necessary and was not sought.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that a large number of miners employed at the Abercynon colliery owned by the Powell Duffryn Colliery Company, have received notice to terminate their agreement, while others have already left their employment; whether he will take steps to ascertain the reason for the dismissal of these men; and whether the men now employed in these collieries will be retained in employment?

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes." I understand that the reduction in output at this mine is due to trade conditions, and that if these conditions improve, it is hoped to re-engage some of the men. I am informed that there is no present intention to issue further notices terminating engagements.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that this is one of the collieries recently taken over by the combine, and, as with all the other collieries taken over by the combine, there is much anxiety owing to the dismissal of these men; and would he make representations to the combine that they should make some statement as to their future employment policy?

I can make no further statement. The statement which I have is that the reduction is entirely due to the present trade conditions.

asked the Secretary for Mines the cost, inclusive of the cost of persons seconded from other Government Departments, of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission for each year since the Commission was set up?

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

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give any estimate of the quantity of home-produced hydrocarbon oils suitable for propulsion use on road vehicles during the next 12 months from 8th August, 1935, and state how that estimate compares with such production during the past year?

It is estimated that about 60 million gallons of refined hydrocarbon oils suitable for propulsion use on road vehicles will have been produced in this country from indigenous materials during the year ending 8th August, 1935. Practically all of this will be motor spirit. It is difficult at present to give an estimate for the year ended 8th August, 1936, but the quantity is likely to be much higher than that for the present year, possibly to the extent of 50 per cent.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many examinations by workmen's inspectors were held in the Nottinghamshire coalfields during the past 12 months?

Fifty-nine such inspections were made in Nottinghamshire during the year ended 28th June last.

Is the Secretary for Mines satisfied that men have the liberty of action in this coalfield to carry out Section 16; and is he aware that in many collieries they are afraid to work Section 16 because they are afraid of victimisation?

There is a further question on the paper on this subject.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many workmen's inspectors have been appointed by ballot in the Notts collieries during the past 12 months, and at what pits they have been appointed?

Workmen's inspectors are not required to be appointed by ballot, nor are the appointments required to be reported to the divisional inspector. In these circumstances I regret that I am unable to give the information asked for.

asked the Secretary for Mines in what collieries in Nottinghamshire there were workmen's inspections during the past 12 months; and in what collieries there were no such inspections?

During the 12 months ended 28th June the number of mines in Nottinghamshire at which in- spections were made by workmen's inspectors was 22. There were 24 other mines at work in the county in which no such inspections were made. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those inspected.

Is it not the fact that the accident rate in this coalfield has been the highest in the country, and will the Minister make inquiries to see that nothing is done by the owners by what amounts to intimidation to prevent inspections taking place?

I am not aware of any such case.

Will the Minister make inquiries as to whether intimidation is the deciding factor for or against the appointment of inspectors?

Is not the number of inspections ridiculously small for this coalfield, and, if so, is it not likely that there is some reason for that situation?

If the hon. Gentleman has any representations that he wishes to make to me, I shall be happy to receive them.

They have been made often enough.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the difficulties raised by His Majesty's Government which prevented the application of the convention on hours of work in coal mines adopted in 1931 have now been removed; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to take immediate steps to ratify this convention?

The points raised by His Majesty's Government in respect of the Hours of Work (Coal Mines) Convention, 1931, have been satisfactorily met by a revision of the Convention at the International Labour Conference which concluded last week. His Majesty's Government are prepared to ratify the revised Convention simultaneously with the other six countries named in the text of the Convention.

Ought not the Government to take the initiative in this matter?

The policy of the Government was clearly stated on the 23rd February, 1932, and remains the same now.

Would ratification involve legislation?

It would.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give any information as to the effect of the warning sent by the police to a motorist, in respect of an alleged offence of a minor character, if the person warned is reported a second time?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for putting this question down, for it relates to an important matter of practice in which there should be no misunderstanding. In 1931 the Home Office circulated to all chief officers of police a form of warning which would not be open to the objection which had been taken to certain forms then in use. I have been examining the current forms, and I think the true position would be made still clearer if in future the warning (that a report had been made alleging that the individual to whom it is addressed had committed a motoring offence) went on as follows:

"No further action will be taken in this case, but I am to inform you that, if you are reported again, it may be necessary to take proceedings against you in respect of the later case."

The earlier warning could, of course, in no circumstances be treated as a previous conviction, for no one must be assumed to have been guilty of any offence unless he has been duly convicted upon evidence in respect of it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give figures showing the contributions made by his Department during each of the last four financial years ended March, 1935, towards road schemes in the Outer Hebrides?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1), the number of licences issues in respect of dogs, and the amounts received in respect of each of the financial years ended March, 1904, March, 1914, March, 1924, and March, 1934;

(2), the number of licences issued in respect of male servants, and the amounts received in respect of each of the financial years ended March, 1904, March, 1914, March, 1924, and March, 1934?

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to the Exchequer in issuing transfer deeds free to the public for the period 1st October, 1934, to 31st March, 1935; the cost to the Exchequer of the concession granted to Stock Exchange firms under Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, and the amendment of 1931 for the same period; the extent to which each Stock Exchange has taken advantage of that privilege; and the aggregate totals since that Section operated?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think there would be any difficulty in giving people the opportunity of taking out a gun licence at any time they think proper?

That does not arise out of the questions on the Paper.

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of loans guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Acts for companies engaged in the business of sugar other than homegrown beet-sugar; the amount outstanding; and the extent to which the Consolidated Fund has been drawn upon in respect of them?

The answers to the first and second parts of the question are £205,000 and £108,000 respectively. The Consolidated Fund has not been drawn upon.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the favoured recipients of these loans obtain their machinery and plant from precisely the same Glasgow firm which supplies the Anglo-Scottish Beet Sugar Corporation?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of loans guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Acts for companies engaged in selling taximeter-cabs to owner-drivers on the hire-purchase system; the amount outstanding; and the extent to which the Consolidated Fund has been drawn upon in respect of them?

The answer to the first part of the question is £350,000. No sum is outstanding, nor has the Consolidated Fund been drawn upon.

Do not Lord Weir and Lord Invernairn hunt together rather too often when it is a question of spending public money?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has formed any estimate of the proportion of the loss of £1,300,000 in revenue occasioned by the development in the use of Diesel engines which is attributable to road transport and passenger vehicles?

I regret that information is not available to enable the sum in question to be divided as between the transport of goods and of passengers, which I take it is what my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

Does not my question ask how much of this amount of revenue was received from road transport and passengers, as against other users of the roads?

I do not quite understand the distinction which my hon. and gallant Friend draws between road transport and passengers.