asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to negotiate a formal treaty of commerce and navigation between the British Government and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in accordance with the pledges given to the House of Commons so long ago as February, 1934, when they approved a provisional trade agree-bent with Russia on the assurance that the same was only of a temporary character pending the completion of negotiations for a formal treaty, which would contain provisions dealing with the question of compensation to British nationals in respect of property belonging to them which had been apropriated by the Soviet authorities?

No suitable opportunity has yet arisen for taking the step suggested by my hon. Friend, but I can assure him that the matter is under continual consideration by His Majesty's Government.

Will my right hon. Friend remember that in his review of foreign affairs last week he stated that our relations were very satisfactory, not to say cordial? Can he explain why no steps have been taken to start negotiations for a formal treaty, especially as definite promises were given to creditors that when the formal treaties were negotiated the question of their claims would be dealt with?

The hon. Member must use the words that I myself actually used. In any case, we are ready to take the first good opportunity that arises. At present no such opportunity has arisen.

Surely it is our business to initiate the opportunity seeing that our nationals are concerned, and what is the object of registering these claims if nothing is done?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will consider extending the export credits guarantee given in the case of the herring industry to cover white fish cured in this country and exported?

The export credit guarantee is available to cover white fish as well as herrings cured in this country and exported, and the Department will be glad to consider any proposals that exporters may put forward.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the proposals of the Rumanian Government to repudiate in part the recent debt agreement signed with the British Government this year; and whether any representations have been made on this subject?

His Majesty's Government are aware that the terms of the payments agreement of 8th February are not being observed. The matter has formed the subject of diplomatic representations, as the result of which a Rumanian delegation has come to London and discussions are now proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House as to the prospects of the Council of the League of Nations being called together at an early date to discuss the Italo-Abyssinian dispute?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed, as requested by Abyssinia, to call an early meeting of the Council of the League to deal with the Italo-Abyssinian dispute, and at what date?

At its meeting held on the 25th May, the Council decided to meet if, in default of agreement between the arbitrators for the settlement of the dispute, an understanding should not have been reached by 25th July between these arbitrators as to the selection of the fifth arbitrator, unless the four arbitrators agreed to the extension of this period; the Council also decided to meet to examine the situation if on 25th August the settlement by means of conciliation and arbitration should not have taken place. In view of the above circumstances an early meeting of the Council appears inevitable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been given to the Abyssinian note remonstrating at the withholding of export licences for munitions ordered by Abyssinia; whether, in fact, such licences are being withheld; and whether it is proposed to continue to withhold them, and on what grounds?

The matter is at present under consideration but I hope shortly to be in a position to make an announcement on the subject.

In the event of the League being unable to secure for Abyssinia a settlement of her dispute by peaceful measures, may not her delay in obtaining arms fatally injure her prospects of effectively defending herself?

I should prefer not to deal with a hypothetical question. In any case, I have nothing to add at present to the statement that I have just made.

Does my right hon. Friend know of any other Power that is permitting the export of arms?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the Egyptian Government as to possible prejudice to their interests which might follow from recent and future developments in Abyssinia?

No representations of the kind referred to by the bon. Member have been received from the Egyptian Government.

May we take it that the Egyptian Government do not consider that their interests are likely to be prejudiced by a war and a transfer of sovereignty in Abyssinia?

I cannot answer as to the views of the Egyptian Government as they have not expressed them to me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, during the last three months, any certificate for the export of arms to Abyssinia has been refused; and, if so, on what grounds?

No licences for the export of arms to Abyssinia have been refused during the last three months.

Am I to understand that all have been granted that have been applied for?

Two have been received, and these are under consideration and have not yet been granted.

Does not the delay in these cases cause a differentiation against Abyssinia?

On a technical point both the applications were out of order.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make inquiries and inform the House of the result of the petition concerning the treatment of the Ukrainian minority in Poland, which was signed by a number of British Members of Parliament and others and transmitted to the League of Nations on 29th December, 1934?

The Secretary-General of the League of Nations forwarded this petition to the Polish delegate on 31st January, for any observations which the Polish Government might desire to make. As the Polish Government did not inform the Secretary-General, within the customary time-limit of three weeks, of their intention to make any observations on the petition the Secretary-General communicated the petition on 5th March to the members of the League Council for their information. The question is now under consideration by a Committee of Three.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that three farmers in the parish of Repton, without consulting the other farmers or retailers, decided to increase the price of milk by 1d. per quart; that the Milk Marketing Board threatened the rest of the farmers with a fine unless they increased their prices; and under what authority the Milk Marketing Board took this action?

I was not aware of the cases to which the hon. Member refers, but if he will be good enough to supply me with sufficient details to enable them to be identified I will have inquiries made.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman obtain the information from that particular district or from the Milk Marketing Board?

I think that I ought to have a few particulars before I make inquiries. If the hon. Gentleman will send me the particulars he has in mind, I will do my best to get him the information.

Is not a farmer allowed to supply his own milk at his own price?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider making an order prohibiting the entry at British ports of cattle from Ireland, during the months of February to June, which carry the characteristic lumps of the warble fly maggot, in conjunction with regulations for compulsory dressing of all cattle during these months for warble fly in this country?

I am not at present in a position to add to the replies I have given recently to question on this subject. As my hon. Friend is aware, the whole question of the control of the warble fly is now being carefully considered.

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman will consider the possible effect of negotiations on the lines indicated in my question in view of his determination to get the warble fly disease cleared out of this country?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, although pigs graded as A and B under the marketing scheme are paid for at prices according to grade, the bacon is subsequently sold at the same price; and whether he will take steps to make the grading and prices correspond?

I am informed that bacon manufactured from pigs which are graded A and B in their respective weight classes frequently realises the same price. As regards the latter part of the question, the matter is one for the attention of the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Boards, who, I understand, are giving it their consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Pigs and Bacon Marketing Boards to the fact that the reduction of the present number of grades from five to three will probably solve the question?

They will have their attention drawn to it by this question and answer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the appointment of an expert committee to decide, in the interests both of agriculture and of the general industrial economy of the country, the extent to which the Home production of each kind of foodstuff should be increased in the next few years?

I am unable to accept the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend. I can assure him, however, that the question of domestic production of different articles of foodstuff in relation both to the interests of agriculture and to the general economy of the country is one which the Government have constantly under consideration.

Would not the findings of such a committee tend to stabilise the industry; and would they not also strengthen the hands of the right hon. Gentleman in resisting possible future attempts of the Board of Trade to give away the interests of British agriculture in trade agreements?

I am afraid that the collective responsibility of the Cabinet would have to take precedence over the findings of any committee, however important.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Prime Minister said recently that what agriculture wanted was fixity, and that agriculture is not likely to get fixity unless there is real planning, and does he not think that it is time the Government decided on a plan?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of separate financial resolutions and Bills based upon such resolutions, including Bills extending the power or period of operation, passed during the period of office of the present Government which had as their main purpose the granting of a subsidy or financial guarantee to agriculture?

During the present Parliament, this House has passed five financial resolutions authorising the introduction of Bills for the main purpose stated. In addition, the Financial Resolution for the Cattle (Emergency Provisions) (No. 2) Bill is awaiting the consideration of the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the doubts as to whether the statutory close times for different species of fish apply to purely private waters, he will introduce legislation to make the law clear on this point?

I do not think there is need for the amending legislation suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

As the interests of many anglers, who are mostly of the working-class, are affected, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the Government might take the course of bringing a test case?

The provisions of the Act seem to be clear.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether there has been any appreciable increase of night telephone calls from England to the Channel Islands since the reduction in charges took place;

Since the reduction of trunk telephone charges, night calls between Great Britain and the Channel Islands have increased by more than 100 per cent. Traffic on the route in question is seasonal in character; and at times, when the traffic is particularly heavy, abnormal delays are unfortunately inevitable. My hon. Friend may rest assured, however, that all possible steps are being taken to reduce these delays to a minimum. To supplement the existing cable, arrangements have recently been made to provide a second circuit by means of an experimental radio-telephone channel which has met with fair success and is being developed with the object of giving full service throughout the day. Arrangements are also being made to provide an additional circuit between the islands of Guernsey and Jersey.

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend whether the new experimental line will be in working order for next year's holiday season?

I cannot name a date. It is in the experimental stage, and we hope it will be successful.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telephone toll calls after 7 p.m. are still subject in numerous cases to grave delays; and what steps he is prepared to take to remedy this state of affairs, either by the engagement of additional night telephone operators or otherwise?

The popularity of long-distance calls after 7 p.m. continues to grow and there is additional pressure of traffic at present owing to seasonal conditions. The situation is being carefully watched, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that no effort is being spared to improve the general speed of service after 7 p.m. Instructions have been issued for the employment of additional night staff where justified.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the many cases of injustice imposed upon men having many years of auxiliary service to their credit, he will consider taking steps to remove the statutory limitation against placing other than ex-service men in permanent employment?

No, Sir. I do not think that in present circumstances ex-service men should be deprived of a preference which they have enjoyed since 1897. Under this long standing arrangement, half the vacancies for postmen are assigned to ex-service men, and half to persons already in the Post Office service. The majority of the latter vacancies are required to provide outlets for boy messengers, but it is found possible to assign some of them to auxiliary postmen with long service. It is also the practice when an auxiliary duty is enlarged into a full-time post to appoint the existing holder to the new post, provided he has a reasonable amount of service in the Post Office to his credit. In these ways provision is made for the advancement of a certain number of auxiliary postmen to full-time posts.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are a large number of cases in the country where auxiliary postmen have had a long period of service and that when positions are made permanent ex-service men are brought in to fill the posts, not from the immediate area but from long distances away?

I am not prepared to put geographical bounds to recognition of the services which the ex-service men gave to this country.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give a guarantee that he will always give preference to ex-service men for the Post Office?

I am not quite sure whether I understand my hon. and gallant Friend's question aright. I cannot give a guarantee that all these posts shall be given exclusively to ex-service men.

Is it not the case that in all European countries these posts are reserved for the benefit of the men who have served with the forces?

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider giving the same terms to men who have served during the War as to post-war serving soldiers?

The position is that we give half these vacancies to ex-service men; but I realise the point put by the hon. Member for East Rhondda (Mr. Mainwaring) and 662 auxiliary postmen not ex-service men were also given permanent posts last year?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the introduction of legislation enforcing the compulsory modification of electrical apparatus causing interference with radio reception?

The whole subject of the measures that can best be taken to prevent interference with wireless broadcasting is at present under consideration by a committee appointed by the Institution of Electrical Engineers on which the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Post Office are represented, in addition to the electrical and wireless interests concerned. The question whether there is any need for legislation will be considered when the committee's final report is received.

Is it not the fact that legislation has been found very satisfactory in France?

I cannot speak of what has happened in France, though I should be glad to receive any information from my hon. and gallant Friend; but we prefer to remedy these difficulties by technical means rather than by legislation, if that be possible.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether there is an alternative supply of electric current for lighting the Houses of Parliament; and whether he has taken any steps to prevent another failure in the lighting system?

The recent failure of the lighting was due to a breakdown at the supply sub-station. While there are alternative cables which can be used if the circuit usually used is broken, there is at present no alternative source of supply. The latter would, I am informed, involve very heavy expenditure, but I am communicating further with the Electricity Commissioners on the point. Meanwhile arrangements are being made to secure an adequate supply of candles in case of another breakdown.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is another form of lighting that never fails?

If the hon. Member refers to gas, he must remember that to put gas into this House in lieu of electric light would be a most elaborate and costly undertaking.

Is there not enough gas in the House already?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that much of the electric lighting equipment of the House is obsolete and out of date?

I do not think I could say that authoritatively. A good deal has been done in recent years to bring it more up to date. As I pointed out, there was no breakdown of the system in the House or in the connections between the House and the supply, but a breakdown at the source of the supply. If the "juice" is cut off, you do not get any light.

Are we to understand that there is one centralised source of supply for this House and an area of London, and does the right hon. Gentleman consider it satisfactory, in view of the possibility of an emergency arising, that it should be so centralised?

That is rather the suggestion I made in my original answer. We are entirely dependent at present on one source of supply. I understood that the idea of the grid system was that if one source of supply was knocked out there would be a means of speedy transfer to another source of supply, and that is what I am inquiring about.

Have the Government ever considered the advisability of having their own installation as a stand-by?

And with a gas engine to drive it.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured workers (males) registered at the employment exchanges of Ferndale, Porth, Tonypandy, and Treorchy, respectively, placing

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of

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

As I announced the other day, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Hamilton, the report of the recent special overtime inquiry in Scotland will be published very shortly. Pending its publication, and proper opportunity for all parties concerned to consider and discuss the problem as a whole, in the light both of this report and of the Lancashire report which was published last year, I cannot commit myself to any particular course of action.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that complaints are broadcast throughout the mining industry about the unnecessary amount of overtime now being worked, and that, in the opinion of the mining representatives in this House, here is scope for employment of additional men?

Would the hon. Gentleman approach the Miners' Federation and ask them to call upon their members not to be so anxious to work overtime?

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House why he regards what is known to be deliberate evasion of the law as a problem?

The questions put to me could be more satisfactorily dealt with in the Debate which is to take place, I understand, next week. What I would say again is that, if there are any specific cases which the hon. Gentleman or his Friends like to bring to my notice, I will have them looked into. In the meantime, I consider that we had better discuss the implications of the two reports which we now have rather than start calling for other reports.

asked the Minister of Health, whether, in order to secure a cleaner atmosphere and the consequent improvement in the public health, he will recommend to the notice of other local authorities the action of the city of Manchester, which is now carrying out tests of smokeless fuels in its town hall over a period of 12 months; and what has been the Ministry's own experience of smokeless fuel?

The tests at Manchester have been only recently commenced. The results of the tests will no doubt in due course be available for other authorities. My right hon. Friend is informed by the First Commissioner of Works that smokeless fuel has been found satisfactory for use in open grates, but the cost is at the present time greater than that of ordinary house coal after allowing for relative efficiency.

asked the Minister of Health, whether, arising out of the recent deputation received by him on the subject, he proposes to introduce legislation controlling the advertising in this country of patent medicines?

My right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he will now extend to property owners in England and Wales the right enjoyed by Scotland of an independent hearing of appeals against decisions reached by the Minister of Health's inspectors about property condemned under a clearance order?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his previous similar question of 20th June.

Will the hon. Gentleman submit this issue to a free vote of the House; and if not, why not?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information regarding an explosion in the engine-room of a tugboat in the Thames on 10th July, 1935; and whether he can state how many people were injured and what was the cause of the explosion?

At the moment the only information I have is that which appeared in the Press, according to which six people were injured, five seriously, when some petrol exploded in the motor barge "Westgate" which was under repair at Messrs. Donald Miller's Engineering Workshops in Limehouse. The circumstances attending the explosion are being investigated by Board of Trade surveyors in conjunction with Home Office factory inspectors.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that soldiers under arrest are handcuffed and taken from one place to another in railway carriages that are occupied by other passengers; and will he have an inquiry made to see if this method of conveying arrested soldiers could not be dealt with in some other way?

I am aware that on occasion it is necessary for soldiers under arrest to be conveyed long distances by rail. As regards the use of handcuffs it would not be right, for obvious reasons, to interfere with the discretion of the escort responsible for the safe custody of the soldier.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only a week ago in a crowded compartment on the Tube, a young private was conveyed handcuffed, and would he call that bringing dignity into the Army? If a soldier has to be taken handcuffed, could he not be taken in a separate compartment?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the present position is not very satisfactory. I am having the whole matter looked into. There are practical difficulties.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that Charles Peace would not have escaped if he had been handcuffed?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of cases of injured workmen who have to get surgical appliances, artificial legs, arms, etc., to assist them to follow their employment; that there is nothing in the Workmen's Compensation Act to cover the cost; and whether he will consider amending it so that all such cases shall be met by payment of the cost incurred?

No recent representations to my Department on this subject can be traced, but if the hon. Member will send me particulars of any cases of workmen being unable to obtain necessary appliances without hardship owing to having to defray the cost, I will look into the matter and consult, if necessary, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

I did not quite understand the reply. Did the hon. and gallant Member say he was not aware that persons had to provide these appliances at their own cost, and that he would look into it?

No doubt there are cases, but, as I said in my reply, no recent representations have been made to me. If the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of cases I will look into them.

Is it not time we had legislation to prevent injuries, and not merely to compensate for them?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to make a further announcement on the question of the provision of air travel facilities for Members of Parliament?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that a scheme has been drawn up in consultation with the Air Ministry under which hon. Members desirous of travelling by air will be asked to send in their names to the Fees Office. Where suitable arrangements can be made, such Members will be supplied, by the Fees Office, with a book of special warrants which will enable them on payment of the excess over the first-class rail fare to travel to and from their constituencies by certain approved air lines. I am circulating the particulars of the scheme in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The completion of the arrangements for putting the scheme into force will necessarily take time. Every endeavour will be made to complete them as rapidly as possible, and Members will be notified by the Fees Office as soon as facilities are available in each case.

Could not the hon. Gentleman make approaches to the air-line companies to reduce their fares to the level of first-class railway fare?

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the danger caused by motorcars standing, sometimes unattended, near pedestrian crossing-places, thereby obstructing the view of both pedestrians and drivers of vehicles; and whether he will consider making it compulsory for vehicles to be kept at a sufficient distance away from the crossings?

Regulation 6 of the Pedestrian Crossing Places (Traffic) Provisional Regulations provides that no driver of any vehicle shall cause such vehicle or any part thereof to stop on any crossing unless either

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now received official communication of the text of the resolution of the International Chamber of Commerce on stabilisation of currencies adopted at the recent congress in Paris; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any action along the lines suggested?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel) on the 9th July.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a small Royal Commission, say of three persons, with wide terms of reference, to investigate all aspects of the difficult and complex problem of coloured peoples domiciled in Great Britain, especially in the dock areas?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on this subject on Thursday last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. I have received a copy of the report referred to in his previous question, and will see that it is considered by the Departments concerned. Until that has been done, I do not think it is possible to say whether a further inquiry on this subject is necessary.

asked the Home Secretary (1), the present approximate cost of providing men and women, respectively, with effective protective clothing against poison gas;

The information at present available is not sufficient to warrant any such estimate.