asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position of the negotiations with regard to the continuance of an Empire steamship service between Australasia and the North American Continent?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a further statement as to the Government's proposals with regard to the competition of subsidised foreign shipping between Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, and the West Coast of North America?

I am not at present able to acid anything to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Storey) on 6th February last.

Is it a fact or not that a meeting is to be held in this country in two or three months' time to deal with this question?

I do not know to what meeting the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers, but the subject has been under discussion, and will no doubt form the basis of further discussion.

If I put down a question on the same subject in a month's time, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give some more definite information?

I will give my hon. Friend the latest views at that time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the statement by the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee that any evasions of the manning regulations by shipowners are not to be attributed to the existing law but to weakness in its enforcement, he will undertake to strengthen the enforcement of the law in this and cognate matters;

(2) whether, in view of the statement by the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee that Circular 1463 fell short of that Committee's recommendations, he will now more specifically define the term, efficient deck hand, so that the definition of efficiency shall be precise, workable, and of exactly similar standard in all ports;

(3) whether, in view of the recommendations of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee on the deck manning of foreign-going cargo ships, he can now promise legislation in the near future to make those recommendations statutory?

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary stated in Debate on 20th February, steps are being taken to give early effect to the Committee's proposals. No new legislation is necessary for this purpose.

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman will strengthen the enforcement of the law in the matters referred to?

That is the meaning of my answer.

Will there be adequate time for discussion?

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect that the regulations will be enforced?

As soon as we can get them ready.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can specify the European countries providing subsidies to tramp shipping; whether any other countries have granted any financial assistance in 1935; and the sums expended in each case?

Among the European countries whose ships engage substantially in international trade, those which grant financial assistance to shipping extending beyond subsidies to liner services, include Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Russia and Spain. Japan and the United States of America are among the non-European countries of major importance which grant financial assistance. United States' ships, however, take little pan directly in tramp voyages. Except in the case of France, Italy and Spain, in respect of which information has already been furnished in reply to a previous question by the hon. Member, it is not possible to state the sums expended in assistance to tramp shipping as distinct front other categories.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of British mercantile tonnage burns oil fuel; and what proportion of such ships has been converted during the past four years from coal to oil users?

As the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increase in the cost-of-living figures in 1935 as compared with 1933; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware that in 1935 the cost of living index prepared by the Ministry of Labour was, on the average, approximately 2 per cent. higher than in 1933.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the published joint statement of accounts of the National Fixed Investment Trust, Limited, Commercial Fixed Trust, Limited, and the Amalgamated Fixed Trust, Limited, for the year 1935; and whether, as this type of statement is not up to the requirements of the Companies Acts, he can say in what way his Department ensures compliance by these concerns with the regulations under the Companies Acts?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but as the companies to which the right hon. Gentleman refers are private companies they are not required, under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1929, to publish their accounts. As I stated in this House on 11th February, the whole question of fixed trusts is to be considered by a departmental committee which is in process of being set up.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give approximately the date when he expects that report?

I have referred only to the setting up of the committee. It is proceeding as rapidly as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is need for the greatest urgency in this matter?

I am awaiting answers to the invitations which I have addressed to gentlemen who are being asked to compose the committee. I canont do more than that at the moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether pending the issue of the report of the proposed committee inquiring into matters relating to fixed trusts, he will issue a general advice to the public not to subscribe to any new fixed trusts which may be floated until the Government has laid down conditions under which such trusts will be allowed to operate?

No, Sir.

As there appears to be some doubt in the public mind regarding these trusts, why is the right hon. Gentleman not prepared to issue general advice?

Because I am not prepared to take action until I have received the necessary information.

asked the Secretary of State for War the names of the members of the advisory committee set up last year for the purpose of keeping the War Office in close touch with current Territorial Army problems; and how often that committee has met?

As the answer is rather long I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that married men under 26 years of age attending Territorial camps receive no marriage allow- ance or allowance for their children, though married men over that age receive both allowances; upon what grounds this difference in treatment is justified; and whether, in order to remove discouragement from younger men in the Territorials, he will consider amending the regulations so as to ensure for all married men the same allowances?

I hope to be in a position to make a statement on this subject when introducing the forthcoming Army Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made to prevent horses becoming the property of natives, in the case of mounted troops in Egypt which may be mechanised?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given yesterday to similar questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Reigate (Mr. Touche) and Islington, North (Colonel Goodman).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very small establishments on which these regiments are working and, in view of the fact that horses may at any time be required for operation in areas where mechanical vehicles cannot be used, will he consider redrafting these horses to units not mechanised?

That will be considered.

To whom do the horses belong?

They belong to the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for W it whether the scheme for the replacement and reconditioning of War Department cottage property at Imber has been approved and, if so, when work will be commenced?

The scheme for the replacement and re conditioning of War Department cottage property in the Imber area has been approved and work has been in progress since last spring on a number of cottages at Chitterne. I hope it possible shortly to make a start in Imber village itself.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to see that the work on this property is hastened on as much as possible?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers who enlisted as privates have been given commissioned rank, other than that of lieutenant-quarter-master, in the course of the last four years?

The number is 100.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the other ranks of the Army an opportunity of indicating, by means of a. referendum, or in any other way which may be suitable, whether or not they wish the present practice of compulsory church parade to continue?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the bishops and ascertain whether they wish private soldiers to be coerced into attending church services?

I am quite prepared to consider doing so.

asked the Prime Minister how many meetings of the Economic Advisory Committee have taken place during the current year; whether there have been any recent changes in the composition of this body; and whether any are contemplated in the near future?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Thursday last in answer to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby); the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister what is the nature of the costings clause upon which the Government rely to prevent profiteering in armament contracts; and whether it contains any provision against evasion by the method of profits made by sub-contracting or supply companies associated openly or secretly with the primary contractors?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will indicate the measure His Majesty's Government propose to take to implement the pledge given that steps would be taken to ensure that there is neither waste nor undue profits to the contractors responsible for supplying armaments to Government Departments?

I would refer hon. Members to what I said yesterday in replying to the question addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Central Division of Bradford (Mr. Leach). I may add that this whole subject is under the closest investigation and will be dealt with in the forthcoming Debate on Defence.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed the very specific point in the second part of my question which asks what is the nature of the costings clause and whether it contains certain provisions? Is it not possible to answer that question?

That question ought to be addressed to the Air Ministry.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the scientific research of the country is being organised and co-ordinated for defence service?

The research facilities at the disposal of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research are provided for the general advancement of scientific knowledge and its application to industry. As is the case with civil users of the work of the Department, specific problems can be submitted by the Defence Departments upon payment of the necessary charges. The Defence Departments are, moreover, represented on the appropriate Research Boards and Committees of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. I am satisfied that in these and other ways satisfactory coordination exists between the Defence Services and the Research Departments of the Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very complete organisation which has been got together in Germany to deal with this subject?

Yes, we are fully aware of it.

Will the research department consider the defence recommendations made by prominent pacifists during the last War?

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the provision of the Royal Charter granted to the League of Nations Union imposes any restriction on its political activities similar to those imposed on allied societies in foreign countries such as Germany?

The charter of the League of Nations Union provides that, in pursuance of the objects for which it was incorporated, the Union shall work as a non-party organisation for the good of the League of Nations. No other restriction is imposed by the charter on its political activities. As regards the latter part of the question relating to the activities of similar bodies in foreign countries, I regret that I am not in a position to give my hon. and gallant Friend the information required.

Has any ballot on the subject of peace and disarmament taken place in Germany?

I am afraid that that does not come under my eyes as Lord President of the Council.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that what takes place in Germany is a proper model for this country to follow?

We do it "on our own."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the £40,000,000 loan to France, recently arranged, had Treasury approval; and is it repayable in sterling or in gold?

The operation had my consent. I understand the loan is in sterling.

Has any precaution been taken to prevent credits becoming frozen at the end of the five months as they were in the case of Germany?

I have no anxiety on that score.

Is there any Government guarantee?

Was the loan made to the French Government or to the Bank of France?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

May I ask. whether the right hon. Gentleman in this matter regards the security of people who sell goods to France as well as the security of people who advance this large sum of money?

That question does not seem to arise.

Is this particular loan for the manufacture of armaments in France?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a further statement as to the intention of the Government with regard to the raising of foreign loans in London in future?

No, Sir. This is a matter which is always under my attention but I have no further statement to make at the moment.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate the very real risk of a boom on the London Stock Exchange if he continues artificially to restrict opportunities for investment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the net revenue derived from duties on spirits, beer, wine, sweets (including British wines), hops, and hop extracts during the calendar years 1934 and 1935 in the United Kingdom?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give consideration to the desirability of granting special relief to any taxpayer who supports a member of his or her family who would otherwise be supported by local authorities out of public assistance funds?

My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that relief from income tax is allowed under the existing law to taxpayers who maintain relatives who are unable to support themselves by reason of old age or infirmity and whose own incomes do not exceed £50 a year. I would remind my hon. Friend that proposals for an extension of this relief have been discussed in the course of recent Finance Bills but it has not been considered that there are adequate grounds for widening the scope of the existing provisions.

As family life is concerned, would my right hon. Friend consider increasing the allowance for dependants' relief from £25 to a more substantial sum, or, better still, recommend a revision of the means test under Part II of the Unemployment Act?

My hon. Friend cannot expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the occasion of the last two Finance Bills an Amendment was put down to this effect and voted against by members of his party?