asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the exports of British produce to each of the countries with which trade agreements have been made within the last three years in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, and in the first six months of 1935; and for what period the trade embargo with Russia was in operation?

The following statement shows the countries with which agreements have been concluded during the last three years and the dates on which the agreements came into operation.

Country.	Date on which Agreement came into operation.
Ottawa Countries:
Canada	20th August, 1932
Australia	20th August, 1932
New Zealand	20th August, 1932
Union of South Africa	20th August, 1932
Newfoundland	20th August, 1932
British India	20th August, 1932
Southern Rhodesia	20th August, 1932
Others;
Germany	8th May, 1933
	1st November, 1934
Denmark	20th June, 1933
Iceland	28th June, 1933
Norway	7th July, 1933
Sweden	7th July, 1933
Argentine Republic	8th November, 1933
Finland	23rd November, 1933
Soviet Union	21st March, 1934*
France	1st July, 1934
Netherlands	1st August, 1934
Lithuania	12th August, 1934
Estonia	8th September, 1934
Latvia	12th October, 1934
Roumania	25th February, 1935
Poland	14th March, 1935
Brazil	27th March, 1935
Italy	1st May, 1935
Turkey	20th June, 1935
* The balance of payments was regulated as from 1st January, 1934.

The agreements with some of the above countries, e.g., France, the Netherlands and the first of the two agreements with Germany were more limited in application than in other cases.Particulars of the total exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom to each of the countries in question during the years 1929–1933 inclusive are shown on pages 145–147 of Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1933 and provisional figures for the year 1934 on pages 185–188 of the Trade and Navigation Accounts for January last. Corresponding information respecting exports during the first six months of 1935 will appear in the accounts for July, which will be published on 15th August.The embargo on certain Russian goods imported into the United Kingdom under the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act, 1933, came into operation from the 26th April, 1933, and was revoked by Proclamation as from the 1st July, 1933.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what arrangements exist at present to enable trade commissioners, when in Great Britain, to make personal contact with manufacturers interested in export business and also the Chamber of Commerce in industrial areas?

It is the established practice to arrange for Trade Commissioners (and Commercial Diplomatic Officers also) to return to the United Kingdom periodically on official duty. With the valuable co-operation of Chambers of Commerce these officers are enabled to visit the principal industrial centres and to interview manufacturers and others interested in export trade. It is also a common practice for these officers to visit works and factories in order to keep in touch with developments in United Kingdom industry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, taking the professional grades of the Civil Service, he will state how the salaries paid to men and women holding the same qualifications compare with the respective salaries paid by outside industry employing precisely the same type of employés?

The question covers such a large number of occupations (and a still larger number of grades) that no generalised reply within the limits of Parliamentary question and answer is possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the nature of the replies which have been received from local authorities to the recent air raid circular; and whether he has received any refusals to take action under it?

The purpose of the circular was to convey information to local authorities, and no reply was called for. Local authorities are presumably waiting for the conferences referred to in the circular, which will be held after the holidays. No refusals to take action under the circular have been received.

asked the Home Secretary whether he would give particulars of the number of German firms who have been granted permits to establish factories for the manufacture of clothing during the two years prior to the latest convenient date, and whether the names and addresses of such firms may be supplied?

During the past two years permission has been granted in 35 cases to Germans to establish businesses in this country for the manufacture of clothing. The particulars furnished to the competent departments regarding the establishment of new undertakings in this country are received in circumstances which make it necessary to regard them as confidential. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to give their names and addresses.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state when it is intended to issue the next report covering the work of the Children's Branch?

The staff of the Children's Branch has been so much occupied with the administration of the new Children and Young Persons Act and other matters that it has not been found possible to review its work in another report. My right hon. Friend recognises the usefulness of these reports, and hopes to have one issued as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Home Secretary when the Government will be in a position to deal with the amendment of factory and workshop legislation; and whether steps will also be taken to introduce legislation of a similar character in respect of offices?

My right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to make a statement in regard to legislation for the amendment of the Factory Acts. As regards offices, I doubt whether legislation of the character of the Factory Acts would be appropriate. The position of offices in relation to the existing provisions of the Public Health Acts is, as I explained recently to a deputation from the General Council of the Trade Union Congress, at present under examination.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the statement contained on page 5 of the report of the Chief Inspector of Factories with regard to the probability of an increase in the number of accidents in industry, he will consider the introduction of legislation to make it compulsory upon employers to insure their risks in respect of workmen's compensation?

The increase in accidents referred to by the Chief Inspector is the increase which follows on increased employment and prosperity,

Average annual prices of first and second quality Pat Cattle, Fat Sheep and Pork Pigs sold at representative markets in England and Wales for the years 1913 to 1935.
Year.				Fat Cattle (Shorthorns), per live cwt.				Fat Sheep (Crossbreds), per lb. dead weight.				Fat Pigs (Porkers), per score dead weight.
				1st quality.		2nd quality		1st quality.		2nd quality.		1st quality.		2nd quality.
				s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
1913	…	…	…	39	7	36	4	0	9¼	0	8½	12	9	11	11
1914	…	…	…	40	4	37	0	0	9¾	0	8¾	11	11	11	4
1915	…	…	…	51	8	47	4	0	11	0	10	14	3	13	7
1916	…	…	…	60	2	55	0	1	1¼	1	0	18	10	17	10
1917	…	…	…	78	1	71	6	1	4½	1	3	24	8	23	7
1918	…	…	…	75	2	70	1	1	4	1	3¾	20	4*	20	3*
1919	…	…	…	80	10	75	10	1	5¼	1	5¼	21	2*	21	2*
1920	…	…	…	95	11	89	1	1	10¾	1	9½	36	11	34	6
1921	…	…	…	88	0	78	2	1	7¾	1	5¼	26	11	24	9
1922	…	…	…	64	5	56	6	1	5¾	1	3¼	22	3	20	4
1923	…	…	…	59	10	53	0	1	4¾	1	2¼	19	9	18	1
1924	…	…	…	60	0	53	3	1	4¾	1	2½	16	4	14	9
1925	…	…	…	59	11	52	2	1	4½	1	2¼	18	11	17	5
1926	…	…	…	55	10	48	4	1	1¾	0	11¾	21	1	19	6
1927	…	…	…	50	6	43	8	1	1¼	0	11¼	18	0	16	5
1928	…	…	…	55	0	47	9	1	2¾	1	0¾	16	2	14	8
1929	…	…	…	52	4	45	10	1	1¾	1	0	18	11	17	6
1930	…	…	…	52	1	45	6	1	1¾	1	0¼	19	0	17	6
1931	…	…	…	47	6	42	3	0	11½	0	10	14	3	13	0
1932	…	…	…	44	10	39	7	0	8½	0	7¼	11	7	10	4
1933	…	…	…	39	10	34	10	0	9¾	0	8¾	12	9	11	6
1934	…	…	…	39	2	34	3	0	11	0	9¾	13	9	12	8
1935 (Jan. to June)				36	5	31	11	1	0	0	10¾	13	3	12	2
* Prices per score live weight during food control period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the wholesale price for first and second grade English-produced fat stock for each year from 1913 down to the present time, and the retail price per pound for the same years of the most popular cuts?

The following statements give the information desired by the hon. Member so far as it is available. I should explain that retail prices for fresh pork are not collected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent farmers are endeavouring to eradicate the warble-fly by voluntary action?

Whilst there is evidence that measures to eradicate the warble-fly are receiving increasing attention by farmers, I am not able to state in precise terms the extent of the action which is being taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet any statement to make on the Government's policy for sugar beet?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the protest of St. Andrew's University against the recent proposals submitted by the Poisons Board; and if he can give the assurance that no attempt will be made, by vesting powers in an outside institution, to infringe the independence of the university as regards the teaching of chemistry?

My right hon. Friend will give the fullest consideration to the representations of St. Andrew's University in conjunction with the other representations which he has received. I am not in a position at the moment to make any further statement in the matter, since the statutory period for making representations in regard to these rules only expired yesterday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the number of aliens employed in this country in the film industry, including manufacture, processing, sale, and distribution of photographic films of every description and the production of pictures, whether moving, advertising, or otherwise, has increased since 1st January, 1933, and, if so, the percentage of such increase; and whether he is satisfied that, in the case of each of such aliens, a British subject could not equally well be employed?

Statistics of the number of foreigners at present employed in the film industry in this country are not available, but the number of permits issued during the last two years shows an increase on the number for previous years. Careful inquiry is made by the Department to ensure, before issuing a permit, that a British subject is not available for the post for which the foreigner is required.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any additional steps will be taken by his Department to improve the service which it provides in connection with the elimination of interference with broadcasting reception as a result of the publication of the British standard specifications for apparatus dealing with such interference?

The Post Office will bring the British standard specification to the notice of manufacturers of electrical apparatus and wireless equipment as occasion arises.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a housing scheme of the Panteg Council, now amalgamated with Pontypool, to build 50 parlour and 50 non-parlour houses is being held up by his Department owing to a small difference in price; and, in view of the fact that the houses are to be built without any charge on his Department, will he have further inquiries made into the matter?

The facts are not quite as suggested by the hon. Member. My right hon. Friend has approved the erection of 40 houses proposed to be built by the Pontypool Urban District Council and is prepared to approve 10 more of the same type when the Council have acquired a site. My right hon. Friend is at present awaiting a reply from the Council to suggestions which have been made to them with a view to effecting economies in 50 houses of another type. The tender received for these houses was much higher than the price obtained for comparable houses by other local authorities in the neighbourhood.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider instituting an inquiry into the advisability of setting up a court of appeal in the Bahama Islands, in the interest of justice to all concerned?

I have recently received proposals from the Officer Administering the Government of the Bahamas for the establishment of a court of criminal appeal for that colony. These proposals are now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inquire as to the amount of delay in the British passport office; and whether, in view of the coming holidays, he will take steps to quicken the procedure?

If my hon. Friend has, any specific case of delay in mind I shall be happy to make inquiries if he will furnish me with particulars. But I would point out that arrangements are made to deal with the increased demand for passports during the summer months, and I am satisfied that these arrangements meet all reasonable requirements.