asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of applications for enlistment in the Army during the past six months, and the number accepted?

The total number of men served with notice papers during the six months which ended on 30th June last was 25,804. Out of this number, 14,043 were finally approved.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the total shortage in the Regular Army at the present time?

Not without notice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what progress has been made in the matter of the new light machine gun mentioned by the Secretary of State for War in his memorandum on the Army Estimates for the current year?

As a result of trials extending over several years, the War Office has decided to adopt the Czechoslovakian light machine gun to be known in future as the "Bren" gun in place of the Lewis gun. Accordingly, an agreement has been made to use the patents for the manufacture of the gun in this country.

Is any change contemplated with respect to the heavy machine gun?

No, Sir; the Vickers heavy machine gun will be used in the future, as in the past.

Will a royalty have to be paid to Czechoslovakia?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where the gun will be manufactured in this country?

The new gun will be manufactured at the Royal Small Arms factory at Enfield.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has completed his examination of the records of employment of young persons released on licence from approved schools during the past 10 years; and whether he considers there is any general ground for instituting a more thorough and systematic supervision over such employments?

I have received particulars relating to 15 schools, covering 1,799 cases of licensing to employment. These do not indicate any ground for anxiety as to the welfare of the boys and girls in question. Returns from the remaining eight schools are still outstanding, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when the inquiries have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken by the Herring Board to carry out a scheme of advertisement in foreign countries?

I understand that the Herring Industry Board have not, so far, taken any steps to advertise in foreign countries. I understand that it is the view of the board that the diminution in our export trade is almost entirely due to currency difficulties and restrictions placed upon import by foreign governments. In these circumstances the board have not thought fit to expend their limited funds upon such advertisements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to inform the House of the results of recent negotiations in regard to farm servants' wages; and what steps have been taken to safeguard the interests of farm servants where branches of the Farm Servants' Union are weak or non-existent?

A scheme for promoting collective agreements with regard to wages and working conditions of agricultural workers in Scotland prepared as the result of meetings between representatives of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland and the Scottish Farm Servants' Section of the Transport and General Workers' Union was circulated in May by the National Farmers' Union to its branches with a recommendation that it should be adopted, but I am informed that replies have been received so far from only 48 out of 138 branches. The Union recently issued a further letter with a view to expediting the replies. As regards the second part of the question, no steps have yet been taken in the direction indicated but the scheme, of which I am sending the right hon. Baronet a copy, provides a means whereby local organisations may be recognised as bodies competent to act for the purpose of the scheme provided they are deemed to be sufficiently representative of the interests concerned.

As there has been so little response in this matter, can the right hon. Gentleman say what further steps he proposes to take to stop the decline in the wages of farm servants in Scotland at a time when the wages of agricultural workers in England are improving?

This effort has not yet come to an end. So far 48 answers have been received and the union has recently written to the bodies which have not yet replied asking them to do so. When all the answers have been received, a new situation will have arisen which will have to be considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not satisfied that if proper protective duties were put on agricultural produce farmers would be able to pay better wages?

In view of the public interest in this scheme, will not the right hon. Gentleman publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the details which he is sending to the right hon. Baronet, so that we may all know?

I will consider that suggestion.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what progress has been made in the negotiations between the War Office and the Edinburgh corporation for the purchase of land at Redford for a military hospital and new artillery barracks?

No final decision has yet been reached, but it is hoped that the scheme will be completed within the next few weeks.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that during the early hours of Saturday morning, 27th July, a large number of nets belonging to the Peterhead fishing fleet were cut adrift and damaged by German trawlers; whether he is aware that the damage is estimated at approximately £300; whether he is aware that the "Brenda," which is the fishery cruiser for the area, was lying off Leith harbour on Saturday forenoon and could not therefore be cruising in her area; what steps he intends to take to obtain compensation for the damage done, and to ensure that in future when any of the fishery cruisers are in Leith harbour, their area will not be left unprotected?

I regret to say that a considerable number of nets have been lost or damaged as stated in the question. The damage is estimated at £240. The "Brenda" arrived at Leith for coaling and other usual adjustments on Saturday forenoon, but the incident occurred about 60 miles east of Peterhead, whereas the normal patrol of the cruiser is along the three-mile limit. The fishery cruiser arrangements are at present under review, but the cruisers have no jurisdiction over foreign vessels in the open sea. With regard to compensation, so far as within my power I shall give assistance to the fishermen in submitting their claims.

Are we to understand that the German trawlers deliberately cut these nets adrift, and is there any dispute about that point?

I would not like to say, as I only got notice of the question about one o'clock. This incident took place in the open sea some 60 miles east of Peterhead. These incidents are sometimes carried out by one nationality or another nationality, and in the usual case under the Maritime Convention, 1882, claims are submitted to the proper quarters, and in many cases the men who are responsible and who do the damage pay compensation to those who have received the damage.

Is it not the case that the patrolling of this part of the coast by fishery cruisers leaves a great deal to be desired, that the "Brenda," this same vessel, was absent from this coast a fortnight or 10 days ago and was also in Leith Harbour, according to a reply given by the Secretary of State for Scotland, that at the present time another cruiser is now in Leith Harbour in dry dock, and will he take steps to see that the new marine superintendent to be appointed reorganises the patrolling of the area by these vessels, and see that they are on the job?

As the hon. Member knows, the patrolling arrangements are presently under review. They leave room for improvement, and the marine superintendent will address himself to this problem forthwith, and I might also mention to the House that a naval vessel has been sent to this spot forthwith.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement as to what progress has been made to date in the extraction of oil from coal at the Imperial Chemical Industries works at Billingham?

I think I can best reply to this question by furnishing the hon. Member with a statement recently supplied to me by Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited. As the statement is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it contemplated that works of a similar character will be established in the other coalfields in South Wales?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has made any approach to the Coalowners' Association on the question of a joint meeting between them and the Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain to deal with the application for an advance in wages; and, if so, with what result?

I have already raised the question in the course of informal discussions on other subjects with representatives of the Mining Association, but was given to understand that their attitude on this question has not changed. I am, however, addressing an invitation to them to meet the Mineworkers' Federation to discuss wages, and if such a meeting were to be arranged I should be glad, if desired, to preside over it.

While thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his favourable reply, I would ask whether he is aware of the intense feeling on this question among the miners, and whether he will do his best to see that there is no unavoidable delay in dealing with the problem?

Yes, that aspect of the matter has been brought to my notice.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the possibility of urging on the owners in the various districts the desirability of setting up selling pools?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, when ascertaining the average daily wage of the mine worker, the overtime worked is included in the ordinary shift, or is it treated separately to give the indication of the amount per shift of seven and a-half hours with one winding time added?

The figures given by my Department in respect of the average earnings per manshift worked relate to the ordinary shift only, overtime being reckoned as a fraction of a shift.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many coroners' inquests were attended by His Majesty's inspectors of mines during 1934; and the highest number attended by one inspector?

The number of coroners' inquests attended by His Majesty's inspectors of mines in 1934 was 854; in addition, they attended 140 fatal accident inquiries in Scotland, where there is no coroner's inquest. The highest number attended by one inspector was 44.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that the number of times that mine inspectors have to attend coroners' inquests shows that there are not sufficient inspectors adequately to inspect the mines?

That does not necessarily follow.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider instituting an inquiry into the adequacy of the welfare work carried on throughout the mining areas?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the whole question of miners' welfare work was fully investigated by the Departmental Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Chelmsford in 1932, and there is clearly no justification for another such inquiry. I understand, however, that following upon the extension of the period of the Miners'Welfare Levy by the Mining Industry (Welfare Fund) Act of last year, the Miners' Welfare Committee is approaching the various District Committees with a view to having separate surveys made of the welfare facilities available in each district. I may add that a welfare organiser has recently been appointed for Northumberland, who will commence a survey of that district shortly.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that under the present trade agreement with Spain there is a rebate of three pesetas (gold) per ton of coal up to 750,000 tons of British imported coal, and that this rebate has not been paid in same cases although the importers have qualified for and are entitled to it; and, as this is likely to prejudice importers in favour of cheap foreign coal, will he make the necessary representations to the Spanish Government in order to obtain payment of the drawback?

I am aware that difficulties have been experienced in securing the payment of drawback on United Kingdom bituminous coal imported into Spain. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware negotiations for a commercial agreement are at present in progress with representatives of the Spanish Government, and I can assure him that this matter will not be overlooked in those discussions.

Will the Minister urge on the Spanish Government the necessity for effecting a permanent and satisfactory settlement of this grievance and seeing that a similar difficulty is avoided in future?

The hon. Member can take it that we shall do our best to get a satisfactory agreement.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the annual report for 1934 will be published?

It is hoped to publish this report by the middle of September.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman issue this report as a Parliamentary Paper, through the Stationery Office?

I am prepared to consider that suggestion with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to say what steps he intends to take to prevent the excessive overtime that is being worked in the mines?

As I stated in the course of the Debate on my Department's Estimates last week, I propose to discuss with the representatives of both sides in the industry the whole of the facts as disclosed in the reports of the special inquiries in Lancashire and Scotland. The problem is not, I am afraid, one that admits of any simple solution; but I feel sure that by mutual co-operation and good will a solution will be found.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman look into the conditions in Scotland, where it is stated that 3 per cent. of overtime is being worked? Is it not a fact that a decrease of 1 per cent. in overtime would find employment for 7,000 men, and would not that be a big question in improving the unemployment situation?

I agree that this is a big question, but I could not accept the figures of the hon. Gentleman without further consideration. The House may take it that we shall do our best with both sides of the industry to find a remedy for the present situation.

Is it not a fact that 61,000 weeks' work were done by way of overtime in Scotland, according to the last report?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for unemployment benefit which have been disallowed by courts of referees during the last two years and the number disallowed during the last six months?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the recommendation of the special area commissioner to set up a central bureau of information to which industrialists could refer for advice and technical data relating to potential industrial districts, not only in the special areas but elsewhere; and whether he proposes to set up such a department to act as a permanent service of the Board of Trade?

This suggestion, together with other recommendations of the commissioner, is receiving consideration.

In view of the great unemployment in Lancashire, will the right hon. Gentleman consider advertising the fact that there is a special bureau for this purpose?

We have been giving information in the Board of Trade Journal, and also through the Press. The best work in that respect could be done by the committee itself.

Is it proposed to establish a university, complete with supermen, in connection with this, in order to teach people how to carry on their business?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in receipt of unemployment allowance under the Unemployment Act for the six months ended 30th June last?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the total annual volume of retail trade for 1934 or for any other year;

(2) the total number of shops in Great Britain?

I regret that I am not in a position to furnish the information for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will address communications to the National Chamber of Trade and to the Federation of Multiple Shop Proprietors inviting these organisations to co-operate actively with the Board of Trade in the compilation of statistics of retail trade, by encouraging their members to submit monthly returns to the Bank of England in accordance with the scheme at present operated by the Board of Trade?

The sample of retail trade covered by the existing statistics has grown steadily under the present arrangements. I am informed that the compilers have for some time been in touch with the National Chamber of Trade and other associations, as well as with multiple shop proprietors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during the first six months of the present year there were imported into this country from Germany 860,000 dozens of stockings and hose, and that these imports are being subsidised directly and indirectly by the German State; and what action he proposes to take to safeguard British interests?

Imports of stockings and hose of cotton and artificial silk from Germany were smaller in the first six months of this year than in the corresponding period of either of the two preceding years. I have no reason to think that the existing procedure is not sufficient to safeguard British interests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the balance of payments between this country, Japan, and the United States of America, respectively, for the latest known period was adverse to this country; and what action does he propose to take to secure a balance more satisfactory to employment in this country?

So far as I am aware, no estimate of the balance of payments with these countries has been made. The recorded imports of merchandise from the United States have exceeded the recorded exports for over 50 years, and in the case of Japan there has been an excess of imports in each of the past four years. I can assure my hon. Friend that the situation is under constant review with the object of increasing the export of United Kingdom goods to all overseas markets, including the United States and Japan.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will give to the House the results of the survey of industrial development in the United Kingdom during 1934; and whether these results will be related to the 1933 surveys, so as to indicate the trends and tendencies in development?

The report on the Survey of Industrial Development for 1934, which is now being printed, will be published as a Stationery Office paper within the next week or so, and I will send my hon. Friend a copy. The particulars given will include comparisons with the material collected in respect of 1933.

In view of the importance of this report and this survey to town planning, road schemes and housing schemes, would the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that they are communicated to his colleagues who are in charge of those developments?

I have no doubt that they will be aware of the question and of the answer to it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the armament used for aerial warfare covered by export licences issued during the period 1st June, 1934, to 31st May, 1935?

Export licences for aircraft armament, including bombs, were issued during the year ended 31st May, 1935, for material to the value of £131,763.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what countries the armaments used for aerial warfare covered by export licences issued during the period 1st June, 1934, to 31st May, 1935, were exported and, in particular, the destination of the machine-guns and bombs included in such exports?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the desired information.

Are many of those countries Empire countries?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of motor cars and chassis with engines imported into this country from the United States of America during the first six months of 1935; and what action he proposes to take to safeguard British interests?

During the first six months of 1935, 3,698 motor vehicles and 1,430 chassis with engines, were imported from the United States of America. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hanley (Mr. Hales) on 21st May.

In view of the fact disclosed by the President of the Board of Trade a few moments ago of the vast difference between imports from America and exports to America, does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that this would be a very good opportunity for trying the effect of a tariff?

I was under the impression that there was a tariff.

A ruthless one.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in order to reduce the cost to the Exchequer of Members travelling by air or railway, he will grant free landing facilities for Members of Parliament who use their own machines at Hendon aerodrome in view of its proximity to the Houses of Parliament?

I am afraid that for several reasons my hon. Friend's suggestion presents serious difficulties.

Is it not because there is a large amount of flying? Is it not also a fact that to get to Heston you have to fly right over the House of Commons, and that more flying takes place at Heston than at Hendon?

There are a good many Service squadrons.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which exists with the present machinery for inquiry into civil flying accidents, he will consider the setting up of a board of impartial experts whose duty it would be to hold public inquiries into all fatal accidents in connection with civil aviation?

I am not aware of any such dissatisfaction as the hon. Member suggests, and I think it will be generally agreed that the most complete arrangements already exist to insure a thorough investigation of all cases. Under the existing arrangements accidents can be investigated not only, as in the normal case, by the Inspector of Accidents, but also by a specially constituted court, sitting in public; or, if the cause is obscure and requires scientific investigation, by such a body as the Aeronautical Research Committee. Both these latter methods have been employed where circumstances have warranted. Accordingly, I see no reason for altering the present arrangements.

When does the Minister think that the report of the inspector into the recent accident at Heston will be published?

I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that several roads leading to the city of Stoke-on-Trent have been restricted to 30 miles per hour, even though there are no lamps or houses on either side of these roads; and, in view of the inconvenience and loss of time caused to people in the neighbourhood who have business in the city, will he take steps to get these road de-restricted?

I have already received representations in respect of the application of the 30-miles-an-hour speed limit to certain roads leading to Stoke-on-Trent, and am in communication with the city council on the matter. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the roads she has in mind, I will cause further inquiries to be made.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Act never intended that the roads mentioned in this question should be restricted, and will he inform the local authorities on that point?

We are in communication with the council of Stoke-on-Trent on the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will send down an official from the Ministry to inquire into the alterations in the omnibus services carried out by the London Transport Board in the Slough, Langley, Stoke Poges, and Farnham (Bucks) districts which brought about a failure of the service and are causing general discontent?

Parliament has given my right hon. Friend no control over the frequency and timings of the services operated by the London Passenger Transport Board. I understand that they have already met a number of complaints which were made in respect of the revision of omnibus services in the Slough, Langley, Stoke Poges and Farnham districts and that other criticisms are still being investigated with a view to further adjustments being made where necessary.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that residents in these areas are not satisfied with the changes that are being made and have repeatedly applied to the London Passenger Transport Board; and that the Board, like other monopolies, have not a soul to save or a body to kick?

I understand that representations were made on 3rd July and as late as 17th July, which ought to improve the services further.

Does the Minister realise that the latter complaint was made on 27th July and that these people who bought their houses in the district are unable to ride to their work in London and are absolutely stranded?

I received a deputation on this subject only last week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Government as to the future of the sugar-beet industry?

Yes, Sir. I hope to make a statement, by leave of the House, at the end of Questions.

The Government have given careful consideration to the reports of the Committee presided over by Mr. Wilfrid Greene, K.C. These reports have been of the greatest assistance to them in the determination of their sugar policy. The conclusions which the Government have reached, and the financial and administrative arrangements which will be necessary to give effect to them, are as follow:

It is desirable, on agricultural grounds, to continue to assist the beet sugar industry without any limitation of the period during which assisance may be given. It is necessary, however, to set a limit to the volume of directly assisted production. The limit will be the equivalent of 560,000 tons of white sugar, which is the estimated produce of the 1935 crop. It is proposed to appoint an independent Sugar Commission to be entrusted with such powers in relation to the sugar-beet industry as may be necessary for the carrying out of the Government's policy. It has been decided to adopt the recommendation of the Greene Committee that the beet sugar factory companies should be amalgamated in a single Corporation.

The Beet Sugar Factories Committee, representing all the beet sugar companies, have informed the Government that they are prepared to recommend in principle to the Boards of the respective companies that an amalgamation scheme should be prepared and submitted as soon as possible to the Sugar Commission, and, if approved by them, to the Government. The Factories Committee are of opinion that if the Amalgamated Corporation is to be formed, it should become operative before 1st April, 1936. In order to facilitate procedure, the Government propose to set up an informal tribunal to advise them upon any scheme of amalgamation which the factories may submit for approval.

The financial arrangements which the Government propose are based on the assumption that, as from 1st April, 1936, there will be a transitional period of not more than five years. During this period, assistance will be given upon a diminishing scale based upon certain standard levels for the world price of sugar, the price of beet and other factors, and liable to variation with any variation from those standards. Subsequently, the basic rate of assistance will be subject to review at triennial intervals. The basic rate of assistance for 1936, adjusted for the price of beet to which I shall next refer, will be reduced to 5s. 3d. per cwt. of white sugar. The price to be paid for sugar beet sown in 1936 is to be 35s. and 36s. per ton respectively, delivered to factories that are paying 36s. and 38s. per ton under current contracts. In the case of beet for the Cupar factory, the contract price will be 34s. per ton, payable free on rail as at present. These prices assume a factory output of not more than the equivalent of 560,000 tons of white sugar. The beet price in 1937 and subsequent years, and the terms and conditions of the contract, will be matters for negotiation between the Amalgamated Corporation and the growers and in the event of failure to agree will be referred to the Sugar Commission. The acreage to be contracted for in any year will be subject to a maximum limit to be approved by the Sugar Commission.

For the purpose of their immediate sugar policy, the Government do not propose to make any change in the details of the Customs, Excise or subsidy scales. They have, however, aimed at securing the financial effects, as regards all the interests concerned, which it is reasonable to expect would have followed from the adoption of the Greene Committee's recommendations with regard to the regulation of refined sugar production as between the beet sugar factories and the refineries. The refiners have undertaken to enter into a new agreement with the factories, under which the factories shall be allowed quota rights for the production of white sugar up to a total of 720,000 tons per annum, but during the currency of the agreement the annual white sugar production of the factories will not exceed 500,000 tons. In return, the refiners have agreed to purchase all quota rights offered to them at a stated price.

The Government have also reviewed the international sugar situation. They believe that the various producing countries can only set their sugar industries upon an economic basis by means of an international agreement for the adjustment of supplies to the requirements of the world market. State assistance being diminished as market conditions improve. The Government's domestic policy is in full accordance with this view. They propose to invite the Governments of the sugar exporting Dominions and Colonies to examine with them the possibility of a joint endeavour to reopen international negotiations if it should appear that there is a reasonable prospect of a successful issue thereto.

A White Paper setting out in greater detail the Government's financial and administrative proposals, with an estimate of cost, has been prepared and will, I hope, be available for hon. Members this afternoon.

While reserving any comments on the general scheme, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can give the House the estimated cost of the first five years, and whether when the amalgamation suggested in the scheme takes place it will be a private one, the factories remaining in private hands, or whether it will be a public service? If the former, will the amalgamated concerns have public utility society conditions imposed upon them?

It is not possible to give an estimate of the cost for the first five years, because during that period there will be a revision of the terms. As to the second question whether the amalgamated corporation will be publicly or privately owned, it will be owned by the companies, but will be subject to a fairly extensive control of the nature I have sketched in my statement, and which is given in greater detail in the White Paper.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the result of the new arrangements will be any reduction in the charge to the State of this industry in respect of subsidy and rebate of taxation next year and in the following year, and, if so, to what extent?

The result of the arrangement will be a reduction, but I am afraid that I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman the exact amount of the reduction across the Floor of the House.

In view of the fact that the statement bristles with points which call for examination and discussion, and which will require legislation to give effect to them, may we be assured that the House will have full opportunity of discussing and examining it before any further steps are taken in the matter?

Yes. In the first place, legislation will be required to carry out these proposals, and the House will have the fullest opportunity of discussing the legislation. Before that time opportunities will arise in the course of Parliamentary business in which a certain amount of discussion can take place.

May I ask whether action will be taken to prevent factories from making excessive profits?

Yes. If the right hon. Gentleman examines the terms of the White Paper he will see that the question of excessive profits is fully dealt with.

The Minister promised me that he would pursue the question of the cost of transport charges when he was framing his sugar beet policy. May I ask whether he has given consideration to that matter with the intention of easing the burden of the cost of transport on producers in counties a long way from the factories?

That is a matter of detail.

When the Sugar Commission ultimately decides on the scheme for amalgamation and the right hon. Gentleman is dealing with profits, which will be permanent profits for the amalgamated factories, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the colossal profits which these people have taken in the last 10 years?

The question of profits has been carefully considered in the arrangements made.

In view of the fact that legislation will not obviously be attempted until the autumn, may I ask whether the scheme will provide that there shall be no advantage to persons speculating in sugar shares as a result of the announcement?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is yet in a position to state when the examination by the Board of Education and other Departments into the question of school-leaving age is likely to be completed?

The detailed examination into the question of school-leaving age is still continuing, and I am afraid I am not in a position to say when it will be completed.

In view of the fact that it is now nearly six months since the examination started, does not my right hon. Friend think that everything that can be known on this subject must be known by now?

I am afraid I am not so confident that everything that can be known about anything ever is known.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult his Noble Friend the Minister without Portfolio about the Bill which he himself introduced two years ago dealing with this subject; and also the Bill introduced by the Member for South-West Bethnal Green, which his Noble Friend supported when it was presented to the House for Second Reading? Would not that be a possible alternative which might help the right hon. Gentleman in making up his mind?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Parliamentary record and see what happened to that Bill when it was introduced?

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion that everything that it is possible to know about this subject may not yet be known, may I ask him if he will make inquiries as to whether it is not a fact that the children in the Potteries, should they leave school at the age of 15, cannot obtain that dexterity in freehand drawing which is necessary for them, and whether it will be possible for them to have special tuition in drawing if they remain on at school?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the correspondence between the Board and the rector of St. Paul's, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, wherein the rector and other managers of the St. Paul's Girls' School complain of the behaviour of an inspector of schools for reproving, in the presence of the staff and the children, a little girl for having stated in an essay that England is the finest country in the world, and reproving, in the hearing of the children, a teacher in the school for having, as he alleged, taught the little girl in question old-fashioned imperialism; whether he is aware that the Board has not denied these facts but has refused redress; and whether he will now take disciplinary action in this matter?

The Board would consider as highly improper any attempt by one of their inspectors to discourage among school children love of and pride in their own country. I have made inquiries in this case, and am satisfied that there has been some misunderstanding. The words used by the inspector were in the nature of a casual comment to the teacher, and were not intended as a reproof either to the teacher or the child. While I deprecate casual remarks which may give rise to misunderstandings of this nature, I suggest that in all the circumstances it would be unwise to attach too great importance to the present incident; and I do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that what he calls a casual comment was felt by everyone who heard it to be a rebuke? What is the objection to informing the inspector that he was definitely wrong in publicly finding fault with a girl's simple expression of love of country in what was in fact a Jubilee essay on "My Native Land"?

I do not see how it is possible to point out more definitely, either to this inspector or to anybody else in the service of the Board, the line that the Board will take on any attempt to discourage love of their own country in the children.

Is it intended to take no action in this case?

I have already explained that the inspector in question has made it quite clear that his remark was not intended—although, as I have said, I deprecate his making any such remark—as a reproof to the children, and I am satisfied that there is no likelihood of any recurrence of incidents of this kind. I deprecate, therefore, the continuance against an individual who, I think, acted without any ill intention—[Interruption.]

Is it intended that the same excuse should be accepted on another occasion?

Why harbour such an official?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that, at the conclusion of Questions, I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.