asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed at the latest available date at Barnsley, Wakefield, and South Kirkby, and the corresponding figures for the same date during the past five years?

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

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the county of Durham, including the boroughs, who are being paid by the Unemployment Assistance Board the full amount of benefit and the number who are paid less than the full amount at the latest available date?

The number of such persons is not known and could not be ascertained without an examination of each individual case, which I should not feel justified in the Board to undertake; but I would point out that unemployment allowances are not related to unemployment benefit. Allowances are paid according to need and may be higher or lower than benefit, according to the circumstances of the case.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount of money spent in the county of Durham by the commissioner of the special area in order to provide work for the unemployed and the number of men provided with employment?

As has frequently been stated in reply to similar questions, the undoubted benefits accruing to the special areas from the expenditure incurred by the commissioner for England and Wales cannot be apportioned on a county basis and, as the hon. Member is aware, it is not a function of the commissioner to provide relief works. It is not possible, therefore, to give the statistics asked for by the hon. Member.

Was it not understood when the House voted £2,000,000 that the commissioner would provide work for the unemployed and not give it to girl guides and boy scouts?

This amount is not included in the £2,000,000 voted by the House.

Can the Minister say what amount has been spent?

I have already answered the question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed at the Aberdare and Mountain Ash exchanges, giving the figures for the month of July in the following years 1930, 1932, 1933 and 1935?

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

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have been unemployed for periods in excess of six months up to the last date for which figures are available?

Statistics are available only in respect of persons applying for insurance benefit or unemployment allowances. At 23rd September, 1935, there were 560,931 such persons who had been on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain for six months or more. A proportion of these, however, will have had one or more short spells of employment, lasting not more than three days each, during this period.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dispute between the workmen's assessors and the chairman of the Court of Referees in Darlington; and what steps he proposes to take about this matter?

I am aware of the difficulties which have arisen. The court is continuing to function without detriment to insured persons and I am satisfied that, given good will, there need be no further friction.

Is the Minister aware that this dispute has been going on for a long time? Cannot something be done to bring the matter to an end?

As the hon. Member knows, time is a great healer.

asked the Minister of Labour the total increased amount which has accrued to the Unemployment Insurance Fund due to the increased contributions paid by the workmen since 1931 up to the most recent date; and the total amount of which the fund has been relieved by the reduction of benefit by 10 per cent. from 1931 until the restoration this year?

The share of the employed persons in the increased unemployment insurance contributions paid from 5th October, 1931, to 30th September, 1935, was approximately £24,500,000. The reduction in the amount of benefit, chargeable to the insurance account of the fund, by reason of the lower rates of benefit which were operative during the period 17th October, 1931, to 30th June, 1934, was about £15,000,000.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Unemployment Assistance Board are acting illegally, and contrary to Subsection (3) of Section 38 of the Unemployment Act, 1934, in applying the needs test to the unemployed in the absence of amended regulations; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this illegal action and make amends to the persons who have suffered from it?

No, Sir, I know of no ground for the hon. Member's suggestion that the Unemployment Assistance Board are acting illegally.

Has the Minister consulted the Law Officers of the Crown as to the action of the Unemployment Assistance Board?

I am quite satisfied that the legal opinion I have given is accurate.

Has the Minister consulted the Law Officers of the Crown?

No. I have been asked a question and given the answer in the terms which will be seen in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-morrow.

I take it that the Unemployment Assistance Board's scales will not be less than the scales when the regulations were drawn up?

That is another issue.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the establishment of advisory committees to the Unemployment Assistance Board under Part II of the Unemployment Act, 1934, has now been completed?

As I informed the right hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood) the whole problem of the future arrangements is receiving the anxious consideration of the board and myself. One part of the problem is the functions within the Unemployment Act to be exercised by the local advisory committees which the board is under a statutory duty to set up, and I have suggested to the board that in the present circumstances it would be premature to take the formal step of constituting them finally.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of abolishing the household means test forthwith?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood) on Tuesday.

In view of the fact that all the other economy cuts have been restored does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time to abolish this test in view of the great hardship involved?

I have nothing to add to the statement I made on Tuesday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has been taken with regard to the second appointed day under Part II of the Unemployment Act, 1934?

No, Sir.

May I ask whether this matter is to stand over until the Spring in accordance with the statement the right hon. Gentleman made this week?

It stands over until the whole decision is arrived at.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the communications between his department and the Herring Industry Board have now been completed; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the proposal to bring share fishermen within the scope of Part I of the Unemployment Insurance Act?

I regret that the collection of the necessary information is not quite completed yet, but I hope that it will be possible shortly to proceed in this matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say approximately the date?

I think I shall be able to give the date quite shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that in 1932 Mr. William Wick, of 12, Moor Crescent, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, suffered a term of imprisonment for an offence under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930, he was again penalised for the same offence by deductions from his unemployment benefit upon becoming temporarily unemployed in 1935; and whether, in view of the fact that he has already been punished for his offence, the deductions so made will be refunded to him?

I am advised that Mr. Wick's conviction and imprisonment did not relieve him of his liability to repay to the Unemployment Fund the amount of benefit wrongly obtained. The court of referees authorised the recovery of the debt by deductions from benefit subsequently payable to Mr. Wick, and I have no power to refund them.

Is the Minister aware that the effect of the provision is that the man's child is penalised for the man's misdemeanour, and is now being penalised, years later, under the terms of the Act? Will he not reconsider the matter?

I have no power.

asked the Minister of Labour how much money has been spent on subsidising the transport of juvenile labour and on maintaining it where the employer pays wages below standard rate; what has been the cost of partly financing hostels run by voluntary associations, such as the Young Women's Christian Association and the Girls' Friendly Society, in order to accommodate juvenile labour; what arangements are being made for ensuring inspection and safeguarding the hours of work and conditions in the expanding industrial areas where inspection has hardly overtaken the growth of the factories; and what proportion of the children of 14 transferred to the factories or workships and of those encouraged by the Ministry to enter domestic service have returned home?

The terms of my right hon. Friend's question appear to show that he has seriously misunderstood the juvenile transference scheme. No transfers under this scheme take place if the standard rate is not offered or if there is otherwise any ground for thinking that the conditions of employment are not satisfactory. In the nine months since 1st January last the amount paid in free fares under this scheme and in allowances to the juveniles when their earnings are temporarily insufficient to enable them to be self-supporting away from home was about £18,400. This figure includes sums paid in respect of juveniles accommodated in hostels, except for a grant amounting to £460 in aid of the running expenses of a hostel which was opened in June exclusively for the use of juveniles transferred under the scheme. Comparatively few juveniles are transferred under the age of 15, and in the case of girls these are almost entirely those going to resident domestic service in vacancies which have been investigated by the Department. I would add that the endeavour of the juvenile transference scheme is to place the boys and girls in permanent and progressive work. I regard it as of vital importance for the future well-being of many of the young people now living in areas of heavy unemployment, and I am particularly anxious therefore that its object and method should not be misunderstood. I should add that the question of factory inspection is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs.

Can some arrangement be made by which juveniles who are slightly out of health—quite small matters—could be put immediately into good health and so get the benefits of the transference scheme?

I will take note of that suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour the position with regard to the extension of unemployment insurance to agricultural workers?

The position remains as stated by my predecessor in answer to questions by the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Lewis) and others on 16th May last; namely, that the Government have decided to accept the principle of unemployment insurance for agriculture.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is going to be the position of the unemployed in agriculture this coming winter? Is he not aware that owing to the second appointed day not being brought in these men are debarred from receiving what they would have received under the regulations? There is a feeling in the country that the Government have not played the game in this matter.

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have considered any new schemes for dealing with unemployment; and, if so, what they are and how far it is estimated they will reduce the number of unemployed in the country?

As regards the special areas, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Tuesday to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle). In general, I may say that the policy of the Government has throughout been directed to the only effectual means of reducing unemployment and of providing the basis on which alone any exceptional measures for the assistance of particular areas can be successful; that is, by assisting in every possible way the recovery of trade and industry in this country. The measure of success which has attended this policy is shown by the fact that since the Government came into office the number of insured workers in employment has increased by 1,100,000.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see in that answer a confession that the Government have no policy whatever and nothing whatever to offer for the tragic position in which the unemployed are to-day and in which they are likely to be in the future?

Does not my right hon. Friend think it better to reduce unemployment by 1,000,000 than to increase it by 1,500,000?

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were employed in the mining industry on 1st October, 1931, and for the latest date for which figures are available?

At 1st October, 1931, the number of wage-earners on the colliery books in Great Britain was 823,500. At 12th October, 1935, the corresponding total was 748,100.

May I ask whether between now and 14th November these figures will be placarded before the country?

If that were done we should also have to placard the figures between May, 1929, and October, 1931, which show a decline in the number of employed of 114,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines how much the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission has cost since its inauguration; and how many collieries have been amalgamated as a result of its efforts?

The cost of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission from the date of its inauguration to 30th September, 1935, amounted to £123,150. This figure includes £32,583 in respect of fees and expenses paid to professional and technical agents, which in certain circumstances are recoverable under the provisions of Section 12 (3) of the Coal Mines Act, 1930. No recoveries have been made to date. With regard to the second part of the question, since the formation of the Commission amalgamations involving 228 pits have been effected, but I am unable to state how many of these are due directly or indirectly to the activities of the Commission.

May I ask whether, if my hon. and gallant Friend must spread despondency and alarm among the coalfields, he cannot find some cheaper way of doing it?

Is it not a fact that in one case at least, where the Commission made a recommendation and the majority of coalowners were in favour, it was turned down owing to the action of a minority; and does the Minister propose to give more power so that where a majority of the coalowners and the Commission are agreed the recommendation will be carried out?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that public utility concerns are making long-term contracts for the purchase of coal; and whether, in forthoming legislation, he will see that any forestalling against increased prices is negatived by a clause making them applicable to existing contracts?

I am aware of the circumstances mentioned in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I do not know to what legislation my hon. Friend is referring, but in any case I cannot answer a hypothetical question of this kind.

Can the Secretary for Mines undertake to give a warning to those concerns which are engaging in this reprehensible practice that they will not be allowed to get away with it at the expense of the mining industry?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the possibility of reopening the Hetton, Lyons, and Hazard collieries in the county of Durham?

I have at present no definite information, but I understand that there is a probability that the seams in these two pits will, in the course of development, be worked from adjoining collieries.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether in the event of the mineowners refusing voluntarily to meet the representatives of the Miners' Federation, any machinery exists which could be utilised for compelling the owners to meet the men's representatives; and, if so, whether it is proposed to invoke such machinery?

asked the Secretary for Mines the present position in the coal industry with regard to the mine-workers' demand for an increase in wages; and what steps the Government are taking to bring the two sides together?

asked the Secretary for Mines what action he proposes to take to assist the initiation of wage negotiations in the coal-mining industry?

asked the Secretary for Mines in view of the threatened stoppage in the coal industry, whether he will, having regard to the disastrous effect this would have on the industrial life of the nation, call the representatives of both sides to discuss the issues involved?

As I have already stated in this House, the Government would welcome the establishment of some form of machinery for the discussion of wage issues on a national basis, and both I and my predecessors in office have done all we could to this end. It is obvious, however, that to be effective, such machinery must command the confidence and support of both sides in the industry. The coalowners have consistently maintained an attitude of resolute opposition to any form of national machinery for this purpose; and hon. Members will, no doubt, have seen in to-day's newspapers the letter which the Secretary of the Mining Association addressed yesterday to the Mineworkers' Federation, in which the Association's position is fully explained. In view of the coalowners' attitude, I can at present see no way of bringing the two sides together. During the last few days, I have had meetings with the representatives of both owners and miners, and I have found on both sides the most sincere desire to avoid the disaster of industrial conflict. I am still in touch with them, and in these circumstances I am unable at present to say anything further.

In view of the importance of the subject, could not the hon. and gallant Gentleman indicate to the House what course of action he proposes to take to bring about a meeting between these two national bodies? His reply seems to indicate that he is considering the matter, but I suggest that at this moment it would be better to know from the Secretary for Mines what action he proposes to take to get a meeting.

If the coal owners maintain their resolute attitude not to meet the Miners' Federation representatives, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman intimate just what steps the Government are likely to take to avoid an industrial stoppage?

I submit to the hon. Gentleman that when I am in the course of discussions with both parties as at present, I do not think it is really wise for him to press me at Question Time.

Is the Minister aware that there has been an Act upon the Statute Book for nearly five years? The miners have been very patient in the face of very low wages, and are they not entitled to some lead from the Government as to what steps they are going to take in order to implement the law?

Has my hon. and gallant friend had reports from the districts, because there is machinery by which they can meet together by districts?

I assume that it is common knowledge that there is district machinery for the district settlement of wages, but, of course, that is not in question at the moment.

May we not ask the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to stand by and allow this dispute to drift into a national stoppage?

Will any miners who wish to continue working pending these negotiations be protected?

In view of the fact that the owners indicated yesterday that they are not going to do this, and that the whole thing has reached an end, what are the Government going to do? Are they going to allow it to drift?

May we ask the Prime Minister whether, now that the mineowners maintain their resolute attitude not to meet the Miners' Federation, it means in effect that the miners can hope for nothing? Is the Prime Minister willing to apply economic sanctions to the mineowners to prevent industrial war?

The hon. Gentleman has had as much experience in these matters as I have, and I am convinced that nothing I can say at this

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that coal is being sold, particularly to gas and electricity undertakings, considerably below the cost of production, and that many mine-workers, as a result, are not receiving an adequate wage; and whether he will impress upon the industry the urgent need for a reorganisation in the methods of selling coal?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of accidents which have taken place at the Hilton Main Colliery during the last three years and up to the latest available date?

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

I am aware of the circumstances mentioned in the question; the desirability of reorganisation of the methods of selling coal has been repeatedly impressed upon the industry by the Government.

May I inquire whether the Minister accepts the implications in the question?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Metropolitan police constables are expected by their superior officers to bring in a large number of summonses daily in regard to infringements under the motor-car regulations; and will he issue instructions that fair play shall be observed both to police constables and the public?

My right hon. Friend is assured by the Commissioner of Police that there is no foundation for my hon. Friend's suggestion. It is the duty of the police to deal with any infringements of the law that come to their notice, and, with the great increase in the volume of traffic in recent years, these infringements have become exceedingly numerous.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that I have personal knowledge from five constables in Islington that the statement contained in the question is true, and that there is a growing discontent among the police at having to give what is virtually false evidence in order to secure a conviction?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will confer with all interests concerned to consider the advisability of scheduling as car parks those streets in the West End of London contiguous to theatres, restaurants, and other places of amusement, which are little used after 7 p.m., and placing licensed ex-service attendants in charge thereof, thus relieving police for more important duties and facilitating business and pleasure in an area where accommodation for motor vehicles is at present limited?

The suggestion made by my hon. Friend has already been considered on several occasions, but the conclusion has been that the parking of vehicles in a public street is a privileged use of the highway and should, so far as it is permitted, be confined within narrow limits. In pursuance of this policy a number of parking places have been appointed in the West End and elsewhere where cars may wait for limited periods not exceeding two hours. My right hon. Friend is not, however, prepared to authorise the appointment of further parking places in the West End for vehicles which in his opinion should in the general interest be accommodated in garages off the public highway.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend realise that my request is for after the hour of 7 p.m., when the streets in the West End are practically deserted?

I think there is a difference of opinion as to whether these streets are deserted. The Commissioner of Police makes rules for picking up and setting down at theatres and other places, which usually meet the case.

Could I invite my hon. and gallant Friend to accompany me one night?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the proposals for a Forth road-bridge submitted to him by a deputation of local authorities concerned on 18th October; and whether he can make a statement?

I received a deputation a few days ago when for the first time the responsible authorities were able to submit proposals upon which they were agreed for a new bridge across the Forth. Many important aspects of the proposals require to be taken into account, and no time will be lost in giving them consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to make any statement in connection with the proposals which have been put forward for a bridge over the Severn?

My right hon. Friend has informed the Gloucestershire County Council that, subject to approval by Parliament of the proposals for a road bridge over the Severn at English Stones, and to satisfactory contributions being received from the authorities who can properly be held to benefit by its construction, he is prepared to make a grant of 75 per cent. from the Road Fund towards the cost, not exceeding £2,480,000 of an approved scheme. The project is one which has been recommended for favourable consideration by the Commissioner for the Special Areas.

While thanking my hon. and gallant Friend for his most satisfactory answer, I presume that by legislation he means private Bill, so that the navigation interests will be able to have their case represented?

That is so.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider the advisability of installing automatic traffic-lights in Regent's and other appropriate royal parks with a view to regulating the increased volume of traffic which now passes through these parks?

Automatic traffic lights have been installed by the local authorities at certain of the gates to the royal parks and inside Hyde Park near Albert Gate, but I have received no suggestion that this system of traffic control would be an improvement at any other points inside the parks.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the restrictions imposed on motorists in the main thoroughfares tends to concentrate motor traffic in the parks to the consequent danger to children and pedestrians in the parks?

I am fully aware that the quantity of vehicles using routes, particularly through routes, in the parks is on the increase, but I am not clear that at any particular point inside the parks automatic lighting control would be better than the existing police control.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the use of electric welding as an industrial process consideration has been given to the question of the effect on the health of the workers so engaged?

Certainly, and steps have been taken with a view to preventing injury to health. I may refer in this connection to Number 18 of the Shipbuilding Regulations under the Factory Acts, requiring adequate ventilation, and to the Factory Department Memorandum (Form 329) on Electric Arc Welding, copies of which I will send to my hon. Friend.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in a recent issue of the "British Medical Journal" the statement was made by medical authorities that it is doubtful whether the regulations applicable under the circular mentioned would, in fact, meet the difficulties arising in this matter?

If the Regulations do not meet the points my hon. Friend has in mind, no doubt my right hon. Friend will consider amending them.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the case of the Bethnal Green man who at Old Street Police Court was sentenced to two months' hard labour for stealing two loaves of bread off a doorstep; and whether he is prepared to revise this sentence, special consideration being given to the fact that he lives with his mother, who is a widow with five children still at school?

The relevant facts to be considered in this case are not limited to those stated in the hon. Baronet's question, and it has not been possible yet to reach a decision, especially as the time within which this man could appeal against his sentence has not expired. My right hon. Friend will communicate the decision to the hon. Baronet as soon as possible.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give full consideration to the family conditions of this man's widowed mother?

All these matters will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of taking early action to prevent the reletting by landlords or their agents of all property which may become vacant after its inclusion in a compulsory purchase order, slum clearance, pending demolition; and also of publishing an official notice on the site of condemned property that such property is condemned and must not be relet after the date of the compulsory purchase order under penalty?

Action of the kind suggested could not be taken without further legislation, and while I shall be glad to consider any information which my hon. Friend is able to give me, I am not as at present advised, aware of any facts indicating further legislation to be necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make a statement showing the result of the letter written to him by the secretary of the Brewers' Society in 1033, regarding the use of home-grown barley?

In the letter to which my Noble Friend refers the then chairman of the Brewers' Society stated that:

"in order to give the maximum assistance to British agriculture the Society will recommend all brewers to increase as far as possible the proportion of home-grown barley in the brewing of all classes of beer."

At my request the Brewers' Society collected figures in March last showing the result of their recommendation for the previous season, and these figures I gave to the House in an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Lewis) on 21st March. I have no more recent figures, but I am informed that the Society has not ceased to impress on its members the importance of continuing to implement the recommendation made in 1933.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a report on the tests of the Spahlinger treatment of tuberculous cattle carried out by His Majesty's Government in Northern Ireland, and whether he can make a statement regarding his intentions in relation thereto?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has read the report with much interest. It is now being examined by the Committee on Tuberculosis appointed jointly by the Medical Research Council and the Agricultural Research Council. The views of the Committee in detail will not be available for some days, but it is understood that they will probably recommend that, arising out of the report, further investigations should be undertaken in Great Britain. Any such recommendations will be promptly and sympathetically considered by my right hon. Friend.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say whether, broadly speaking, the results of the test have shown that the claims on behalf of this treatment have been substantiated?

I shall be happy to draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of persons who were employed in agriculture on 1st October, 1931, excluding owner-occupiers and farmers, and at the latest date for which figures are available?

The total number of workers employed on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in England and Wales on the 4th June—excluding occupiers, their wives and domestic servants—was 716,600 in 1931 and 672,100 in 1935. Figures are not available of the numbers on the 1st October in either of these years.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give the House any idea why there has been this terrific reduction in the numbers of people employed in agriculture?

Is not the reduction primarily due to the mechanisation of agriculture?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make a statement regarding the progress of amalgamation of beet-sugar factories?

The Beet Sugar Factories Committee are, I understand, actively engaged in drawing up a scheme of amalgamation which at the appropriate time will be examined by the temporary Sugar Tribunal under the chairmanship of Sir Francis Humphrys, set up for that purpose by my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Agriculture. For the convenience of Members, a copy of the Press notice which was issued on the appointment of this Tribunal is being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the population of the island of Jura in the years 1911 and 1931, respectively; and how many crofts and small holdings were in occupation on the island in these respective years?

The population of the island of Jura in 1911 was 570 and in 1931 382. The number of agricultural holdings not exceeding 50 acres in 1912 was 35, and in 1931 was 26.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make any statement in regard to his recent conversations with the representatives of the Church of Scotland on the question of irregular marriages in Scotland; and whether he can state the composition and terms of the committee of inquiry which he has promised to set up?

I regret that the terms of reference and the personnel of the committee have not yet been finally settled.

Can my right hon. Friend give any information as to whether legislation will be introduced when we return—when Parliament meets?

We must wait for the findings of the committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the fishermen of Avoch, Cromarty, Balintore, and Portmahomack complain of the damage done by seine-net fishing in the Moray Firth; whether there have been any prosecutions recently for this offence; and whether, in order to prevent any further damage being done to the fishing grounds there, he will take steps to provide adequate vigilance by cruisers?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There have been eight detections of alleged illegal seining in the Moray Firth during the last three months. In four of these cases the offenders have been successfully prosecuted and in the other four cases prosecution is being considered. The fishery cruisers have instructions to exercise special vigilance in detecting such offences in these areas and a new cruiser designed for the supervision of seining is being built, and is expected to be in commission next February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to ensure that the concessions to level milk producers under the Scottish Milk Marketing scheme, made last winter for the period of one year, will be continued until the scheme has been amended?

In accordance with the statutory provisions I have directed the Committee of Investigation for Scotland to consider and report on this matter.

Will my right hon. Friend do everything he can to expedite the full report of the Reorganisation Committee, because there are many level producers in the areas concerned who are struggling on under great difficulties, hoping that before long there will be an amendment of the scheme which will make it operate more fairly?

I am very well aware of the anxieties which are being experienced by several producers in these areas, and the Committee of Investigation has been asked to give the matter its attention forthwith and to report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the corporation of Glasgow received £69,000 from the additional moneys provided by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to restore the remainder of the cut on teachers' salaries; that no part of this sum has been used by the corporation to reduce the cut on the salaries of their teachers, but that it has been added to the general educational income of the city; that the circular of the Scottish Education Department, of 25th September, 1931, recommended that all authorities should frame their schemes in such a way that the salary of no teacher shall fall below 90 per cent. of the amount payable under the local scales in force on 1st January, 1931; and, in view of the effect which the failure of the corporation to use the £69,000 to reduce the cut on teachers' salaries has had upon the pensions of all teachers who have retired since August, 1931, whether he proposes to take any action?

As my hon. Friend is aware, I recently received a deputation from the Glasgow branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland on this subject. The matter is somewhat complicated, and it is difficult to deal with it adequately by question and answer. Accordingly, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, send him a full statement of the position. I regret, however, that I am unable to take any further action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the frequent broadcasting in Arabic of Italian propaganda for reception in Palestine, Transjordania, and the surrounding districts; whether copies of such propaganda are available; and whether steps are being taken by his Department or by East African Governments to counteract this propaganda?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to certain statements broadcast in Arabic by the Italian station "Radio Bari," and copies of the reported text in a number of instances have been communicated to him. He understands that the matter has been brought to the notice of His Excellency the Italian Ambassador. It may be added that the arrangements for the Government of Palestine's own broadcast service are now almost complete, and that this will be operating in the near future.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman ask the Colonial Office to get a report from Palestine on the Italian propaganda in that country? It has been going on for many years and is increasing.

I will direct the attention of my right hon. Friend to that point.