asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an estimate of the sums paid in respect of films made abroad and exhibited in this country for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and how this compares with the amount expended on the hire of British films produced under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, for the comparable period?

No information is available from official sources.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that under the Anglo-Italian Trade and Payments Agreement there was, on 5th February, £1,386,740 outstanding in this country to the credit of Italian exporters, whereas on 4th March there was £1,280,073 outstanding, while during the same period the total transfer into sterling for payment to United Kingdom creditors in Italy was, respectively, £3,730,660 and £3,798,620; and whether he will take steps to see that no transfers are made from this country which will lessen the amount of sterling available for British creditors?

I am aware of the figures to which the hon. Member refers. The difference between the amount transferred to Italian exporters in the period 5th February-4th March, 1936, under the Anglo-Italian Payments Agreement, and the amount transferred to United Kingdom exporters under the Agreement in the same period is approximately represented by a corresponding increase in the balance available in the Sterling Account for payment to United Kingdom exporters. This balance has under the arrangements agreed with the Italian authorities to be used by them for payments to United Kingdom exporters in accordance with the terms of the Payments Agreement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the working of this agreement?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now give any further information respecting the order for 700 tons of tinplate which the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics intimated its intention to give to this country and which has been prevented by an international cartel; and whether this order is now being, or will be, placed in this country?

I am unable to add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 17th March.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries to see whether the statement in the question is true; if it is true, does he not consider it is detrimental to the trade of this country that the action of a cartel should be such as to divert trade in this way?

I informed the hon. Gentleman the last time he put a question on the Paper on this subject that negotiations were proceeding. While they proceed I do not care to say anything on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will find out as early as possible exactly what the position is?

We are being kept well informed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that an application has been submitted to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for a revision of the tariffs on manufactured or semi-manufactured articles from timber; and whether he will take any steps possible to facilitate the early consideration of this urgent matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; but I have no doubt that the Committee will avoid any unnecessary delay in dealing with any application made to them.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of cases of cerebro-spinal fever reported and admitted to hospital at Aldershot and/or Catterick during the previous 12 months; and whether there have been any reports from other camps in Great Britain?

The number of cases of cerebro-spinal fever for 1935 were:—Aldershot, 7; Catterick, 2. In addition there were 14 cases from various stations throughout Great Britain, making a total of 23. The number of cases from 1st January, 1936, to date are:—Aldershot, 1; Catterick, 4. In addition, there were 7 cases at Woolwich, 2 at Chatham, and 1 at Windsor, making a total of 15.

Are these cases more prevalent in military camps than among the civil population?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Edward Clarke, 13, Forest Street, Forest Gate, enlisted in the Royal Artillery, 29th March, 1928, No. 779951, and for six years 266 days he was accepted as a very fit man, and that he was transferred to the Army Reserve, December, 1934, an equally fit man, but was invalided from the Army Reserve, April, 1935, on account of disability alleged to have been contracted in civil life; and whether he will state the date of the medical examination which determined the decision?

I am aware that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. The date of the medical board which determined the decision referred to was 15th April, 1935.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to remove the pay anomaly existing against those persons who joined the Army Reserve between September, 1931, and June, 1934, who receive remuneration of 9d. per day, whilst those who joined the Army before the earlier date or after the later one now receive pay of 1s. per day?

I think the hon. Member is under some misapprehension in regard to this matter. The present daily rates of pay of Army Reservists who enlisted into the Army on or before 30th September, 1931, are: Section A, is. 6d.; Section B or D, 1s. Men enlisting into the Army after 30th September, 1931, are eligible for the following rates only on transfer to, enlistment into, or re-engagement for, the Army Reserve: Section A, 1s. 3d.; Section B or D, 9d.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider altering the regulations so that both officers and men of the Territorial Army may be eligible for long-service medals after 10 years' service?

The Royal Warrants governing the award of the Efficiency Decoration and the Efficiency Medal, to members of the Auxiliary Forces throughout the Empire, were drawn up as recently as 1930 after very careful consideration. To make the change suggested by my hon. Friend would require the concurrence of the several Dominions, Colonies and Departments concerned, and I am not satisfied that any revision of the conditions is necessary.

Will my right hon. Friend make inquiries to ascertain whether this change is desirable because officers and men might remain longer in the service?

I am willing to keep the matter under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to issue walking-out uniforms to the Territorial Army as an aid to recruitment?

This with other suggestions to improve recruiting is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War which units of the Territorial Army have turned away recruits during the past year through being over strength?

The information sought by my hon. Friend is not available at the War Office, and could only be obtained by circular inquiry of all County Territorial Army Associations who are responsible for the recruiting.

Will my right hon. Friend consider allowing units which can get more recruits to recruit above their establishment in order to off-set deficiences in other units?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for War which county councils allow their employés who are members of the Territorial Army to attend camp without loss of pay or normal holidays; and whether he will consider making representations to all county councils as to the desirability of establishing this practice?

The information asked for is not available at the War Office. I will, however, gladly consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the lance-bombardier of a physical-training squad at Woolwich was not court-martialled for striking Lance-Bombardier James Hastie, of the Second Training Battery Depot, Royal Artillery; and what was the offence for which Lance-Bombardier James Hastie was court-martialled?

Tie hon. Member appears to have been misinformed in regard to this case. Lance-Bombardier Hastie was not struck by anyone, but was himself arraigned before a district court-martial for the offence of striking a soldier.

I must apologise for making a mistake in putting down the matter in the wrong way.

asked the Secretary of State for War the principal items comprised in the £629 a year, the cost for each student at the Staff College, Camberley?

The principal items are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for War the purposes to which the allowances to cadets (page 87 of Army Estimates) amounting to 69s. per week are put?

The allowances to cadets at the Royal Military Academy and the Royal Military College average 27s. 11d. and 28s. 9d. a week respec- tively, and not 69s. a week as stated. I would refer the hon. Member to the note at the bottom of page 85 of Army Estimates for information as to the purpose of the allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when allotting contracts for the War Office, he will make it a condition that the firms successfully tendering for such contracts shall give facilities for members of any of the auxiliary forces in their employ to be allowed to attend annual training without loss of wages and without loss of ordinary holidays?

I fear that this suggestion is open to many objections, not the least important of which is the danger of deterring firms from employing members of the auxiliary forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army chaplains are paid on a basis of capitation grants or otherwise?

Chaplains to the Forces receive pay and allowances as officers of the Army. Civilian officiating chaplains are normally paid at capitation rates.

Is not the system of payment an inducement to them to compel as many soldiers as possible to attend church parade?

I am sure that they have other and far stronger inducements than that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the inducements are?

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman has a very high opinion of the clergy?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to ascertain the views of commanding officers in the Home Command on the question whether or not the abolition of compulsory church parades would be popular with the other ranks?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied that Scottish local authorities are giving sufficient attention to architectural design, and other amenities, in the preparation of their building schemes?

The practical importance of design and amenity in housing schemes has been strongly impressed upon Scottish local authorities during the last few years and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that much more attention is being paid to the matter than formerly. A recommendation of the Scottish Architectural Advisory Committee that local authorities should submit sketch plans to the Department of Health for approval has been adopted and the architectural staff of the Department has been recently strengthened in order that these plans including design and amenity may be given expert scrutiny. The services of Professor Abercrombie as consultant architect are also available.

Has my hon. and gallant Friend's attention been drawn to the new housing scheme for the burgh of Johnstone, and will be consider recommending to other local authorities the example of this burgh which has successfully addressed itself to this important subject?

I understand that good work has been done in that area, and I will consider the suggestion.

Has my hon. and gallant Friend directed the attention of local authorities to the report of the Department of Health for Scotland on continental housing?

The report is well known.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount of money spent by the Department of Agriculture during the year 1935 in repairing and reconditioning Borgie Lodge, on the Department of Agriculture s estate at Borgie, Sutherland; and why such expenditure was necessary?

The expenditure incurred by the Department of Agriculture in 1935 on repairs and improvements to Borgie Lodge amounted to £1,235 15s. 4d. The main structure of the lodge was an old building in need of considerable repair and the shootings themselves being attractive, it was considered necessary to renovate the lodge in order to improve the lettability of the subject.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say how many smallholders will be affected?

The area in question has been for some time let for the shooting, and the action taken by the Department has been in order to get an economic rent for something which they had in their possession.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Department of Agriculture has now let Borgie Lodge; will he state the rent and term of years; and whether the full rent has been received?

The shootings and fishings on the Department's estate of Borgie, including the lodge, have been let for a period of 10 years as from Whit Sunday, 1935, at a rent of £550 per annum. The rental due to date has been paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Borgie Lodge is no longer available for use as the village school; and can he say what was the cost of building the new school and who paid for this building?

I am aware that a room in Borgie Lodge is no longer available for use as the village school. The cost of the new school building was £442, and this was met by the Sutherland Education Authority from grants and rates.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend think that his Department has executed a good bargain from the point of view of the taxpayer and the local rentpayer in spending all this money on the lodge, at the same time leaving the local authority to spend money on providing a school?

Yes, Sir, because there is an increase of rent of £250 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the success of the experiment of the Potato Marketing Board in the disposal of ware potatoes surplus to market requirements to the unemployed families in the Bishop Auckland district of Durham at the reduced price of 4d. per stone, he will consult with the Potato Marketing Board and arrange for a similar experiment in Scotland?

The attention of the Potato Marketing Board has been drawn to the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion, but my right hon. Friend understands that, having regard to the present supply position, the board do not contemplate further experiments of this kind during the present season.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the shortage of potatoes at the moment is due to this policy of steadily reducing the acreage under potatoes, and will he again press on the Potato Marketing Board the desirability of increasing its acreage and extending such experiments as proved so successful in the case referred to in the question?

The position in reference to supplies is constantly under review by the Market Supply Committee, and the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion has been brought to the notice of the Potato Marketing Board.

Is it not a fact that the other day a farmer was fined £50 because he grew too many potatoes?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds he has come to the decision not to adopt the recommendations of the committee of investigation which recently reported on the complaints of the distributors against the scale prices fixed by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board for the year 1935–36; and whether, in view of the indignation created in Scotland among distributors and consumers of milk by the announcement of his decision, he will reconsider the matter?

I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the reply given on the 12th instant to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen and East Kincardine (Mr. Boothby) to which my right hon. Friend has nothing to add. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, but I would remind the hon. Member that the decision does not affect the prices of milk to the consumers or the provision for the reduction of these prices in the months of May and June.

Has the Secretary of State for Scotland any evidence other than was given at the inquiry which would entitle him to pay no attention to the recommendation of this committee which is supposed to be a safeguard for the interests of the public?

The Secretary of State exercised his discretion in this matter with all the knowledge which was available to him, and he acted in the way which would be fairest to the parties all round.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of private firms for which work is done by inmates of Scottish prisons?

No, Sir. It would not be in the public interest to publish the information asked for. The amount of prison work involved in these orders is small in comparison with the work performed for Government Departments, and the orders are placed by a constantly changing number of firms.

Is it not the view of the Department that this practice should entirely stop, and can the hon. and gallant Member give any indication as to when the Department will take action to see that it is stopped?

I suggest that the hon. Member should read the report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Prisoners, which was issued in 1933, and after he has read that report, which deals very fully with this subject, I shall be glad to try to answer any further questions he may wish to put.

Could not the work done in prison for these private firms be done outside by other workers?

Again I would refer the hon. Member to the report of the Departmental Committee, which no doubt he knows well. Every effort is made to have regard to the possible effect of such work on outside competitors and to charge only fair market prices. I may say to the hon. Member for Maryhill (Mr. Davidson) that every effort is being made to replace these private orders by Government orders and to make the percentage of private orders as low as possible.

Are the names of the firms mentioned in the report?

No, Sir, the names are not given, but there is much information regarding the subject in general.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of children, 12 years of age and under, summoned to the juvenile court at Mary-hill division, Glasgow, and the number of convictions?

During 1935, 150 children of 12 years of age and under were summoned, of whom 123 were found guilty.

Will the question of juvenile crime in Glasgow be further considered, as I understand there is great indignation at the number of convictions against children for perfectly trivial offences?

I shall look into the question which the hon. Member asks. The number of children found guilty last year was considerably less than in the year before in the area to which he refers.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say what is the meaning of "guilty" as applied to a child of 12 or under?

The word is used purposely instead of "convicted," so that the child is not branded with a conviction.

Are the Government aware of a speech made last Thursday in Glasgow in which it was said that the increase in juvenile crime was entirely owing to the means test which had been put into operation?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet arrived at a decision on applying the provisions of the Money Payments (Justices Procedure) Act, 1935, to Scotland; and, if so, will he state such decision?

The inquiries which my right hon. Friend is making into this subject have not yet been completed, and I am not in a position to make any statement.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in this matter Scotland is at a great disadvantage by comparison with England, and, in view of the considerable time the question has been under consideration, will he take steps to come to a decision at an early date?

That will be done as early as possible, but there are large local authorities which have not yet given us the replies which we require.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that on the 27th February, 1936, a sheriff officer entered the house of a Mr. Irving, residing at Howat Street, Govan, Glasgow, and took away from the home, under arrest, the wife and two children, one aged nine months and one aged three years, for an alleged debt of about £20 for certain articles of furniture; that the wife and child aged nine months were kept in prison at Duke Street one night and the other child was sent to Stothill; whether he is aware that during that time the husband was away at sea working; whether he has caused inquiry to be made; and whether he proposes to take any action against the sheriff officer for his conduct to the woman and young children?

I have made inquiry and am informed that in May, 1931, Mrs. Margaret Irving entered into a hire purchase contract with the Hackney Furnishing Company, Limited, for the hire purchase of certain articles of furniture. Decree was obtained by the company (now in liquidation) and by the liquidator for delivery of the furniture and on 23rd March, 1935, Mrs. Irving was duly charged to implement the decree for delivery under pain of imprisonment. This charge was not complied with and the sheriff officer was accordingly instructed by the creditors to carry out the orders of the Court and the debtor was arrested on 27th February, 1936. One child of six months who needed maternal attention was admitted along with the mother to Duke Street Prison and the other child was taken charge of by the public assistance authorities. Part of the furniture in question was delivered to the creditors on the following day and the debtor was thereupon liberated. On the information before me it appears that the execution of the warrant by the sheriff officer against Mrs. Irving was regular. It will be noted that the contract which was the basis of these proceedings was concluded prior to the passing of the Hire Purchase and Small Debt (Scotland) Act, 1932.

Why were proceedings taken against the woman? If the money was owing, why were proceedings not taken when the husband was home from sea? Why did the sheriff officer deliberately wait until the husband was absent on a sea voyage? Cannot the Department take steps to see that in a non-criminal offence a child of six months is not marched to prison with its mother?

I shall be glad to discuss the circumstances of the case with the hon. Member. So far as the husband is concerned, my information is that the contract was not between him and the company but between the woman and the company, and therefore they could not take action against the husband. [HON. MEMBERS "No!"] I had inquiries made into the circumstances in which the child was admitted to prison, and the point I would emphasise is that since the Act of 1932 such cases will, I hope, be very rare indeed, but this contract was concluded before that Act operated.

Why was it not possible to take the furniture instead of the mother and two children, seeing that the furniture was delivered and the woman released on the following day?

I could not answer that question without a lengthy explanation of the civil law. The action of the sheriff officer appears, upon the information of my right hon. Friend, to have been regular.

rose—

The hon. Member had better put another question down on this matter.

It is difficult to cover this matter by question and answer. I will take an early opportunity of raising it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether in view of the serious plight of the herring fishing industry in Scotland what steps he proposes to take to give immediate assistance, pending the developments that may take place as a result of opening up markets in Russia, Palestine, the United States of America, and other countries?

The Government have recently agreed to make advances amounting to £100,000 to enable the Herring Industry Board to purchase redundant drifters, and to make loans for reconditioning drifters and the provision of new nets and gear. The Government are also providing, in the current Estimates, the sum of £35,000 for grants for promoting market development and schemes of research or experiment. These steps have been taken under the Act which was passed last year after a, comprehensive review of the herring industry. Grants for reconditioning vessels and for subsidising fishing operations and wages which have been suggested in representations made to the Government, are not permitted by the Act, and my right hon. Friend can hold out no prospect of legislation to alter the financial provisions of the Act.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware of the fact that various councils in the area affected by the fishing industry have discussed this question and have come to the conclusion that the proposals are of no immediate value to the fishing industry and that something special must be done if the industry is to be saved? Will the Minister arrange for a meeting with representatives of these towns and the Scottish Members in order that this matter may be discussed and settled, as this is a very desperate situation?

I suggest that the scheme of the Herring Industry Board might have a fair trial because of the strenuous efforts they are making.

Will the Minister not consider the suggestion of getting the representatives together?

Is the Minister not aware that the trouble here is not the necessity for increased production but for increased consumption of the product, and can he do anything to increase the development of the home market for herring?

This suggestion is very prominently before the Herring Board. I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that the matter is one of concern in the home market as well as the export market.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a dispute has now been in progress for 21 weeks in Inverness between certain building trade unions and the local building trade employers owing to the latter refusing to recognise the national agreement arrived at both by employés and employers under the Scottish National Joint Council for the building trades, and that this is having serious effects on the provision of housing; and whether he proposes to take action to bring the parties together and to recognise trade union agreements?

Officers of my Department have been in touch with the parties to this dispute, and efforts to bring about a settlement are being renewed this week.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of local miners' welfare committees in existence during 1935; and whether there has been a tendency recently to discourage these appointments?

I cannot give an exact figure, but I am informed that there are at present about 1,500 local miners' welfare committees. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. On the contrary, I understand that the Miners' Welfare Committee have recently taken steps to encourage and assist these committees, and that their number tends to increase rather than to diminish.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make any statement as to the progress made in setting up coal-selling schemes?

These schemes are still in active preparation by the Central Council and the district executive boards, in consultation with my Department.

What precautions have been taken to protect the consumer against exploitation by the coal monopolies?

I cannot answer questions of detail without notice.

Could the Minister answer it as a question of fundamental principle?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the mineworkers employed by the Leeds Fireclay Company and Allen and Sons (Halifax), Limited, are not receiving the increase of wages granted under the recent agreement between the Mineworkers' Federation and the Mining Association; and whether, in view of the fact that these mines have always been regarded as part of the mining industry, he will have inquiries made as to why the advance has been withheld?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have made inquiries and I understand that both these minas produce only a negligible quantity of coal, all of which they consume themselves, and that therefore neither of them is a member of the Coal-owners' Association. I am further informed that the wages of their employés are not in fact regulated in conformity with the wages of coal miners, and that they suffered no corresponding reduction when the district percentages were revised in 1927 and 1928.

Is the Minister aware that there has been a reduction in the wages in the mining industry during the last 10 or 12 years, and these men have suffered corresponding reductions; and will he not inquire why this discrimination has been made?

The statement of the hon. Gentleman is exactly contrary to what I have just stated; they have not suffered reductions.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he has ascertained whether, in keeping with the promises made, the miners' families are receiving the full benefit of the special advance in wages recently granted?

The promise made by the coalowners was that wage increases would be given to the full extent of the voluntary increases in contract prices for coal. I have every reason to expect that this assurance will be honoured.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the average wage paid per man-shift worked in the coal mines of Lancashire; what was the average output of coal per man-shift worked in the year 1925; and can he give comparative figures for the year 1935?

Separate particulars for Lancashire and Cheshire for 1925 are not available. In 1935 the average cash earnings per man-shift worked were 9s. 2d. and the average out- put per man-shift worked was 19.08 cwts. For Lancashire and Cheshire and North Staffordshire combined, the corresponding figures for 1925 were 10s. 0½d. and 14.68 cwts. and for 1935, 9s. 4d. and 20.35 cwts.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the output per man at the coal face in Yorkshire for December, 1927, and December, 1935; what was the output per person working at the mines in Yorkshire for the same dates; and what were the wages for December, 1927, and 1935?

In December, 1927, the average output per man-shift worked at the coal face in Yorkshire was 56.06 cwts. and per manshift worked by all workers 22.06 cwts. The average cash earnings per manshift worked by all workers employed below and above ground was 10s. 5.10d. The corresponding figures for December, 1935, were 72.46 cwts., 27.15 cwts., and 10s. 4.57d.

Is it the fact that the miners, according to the Minister's answer, have produced about 18 cwt. per shift more, and have received 6½d. per day less for doing it?

asked the Secretary for Mines what were the profits in the Yorkshire coal mines for January and February, 1936, separately?

The average profit per ton of coal disposed of commercially in Yorkshire in January, 1936, was 2s. 2½d. Similar information for February, 1936, is not yet available.

Is that not 2s. 2½d. per ton profit?

asked the Secretary for Mines how many men were employed in the coal mines now owned by the Harton Coal Company at South Shields in 1913, 1920, and 1935?

The figures were 10,196, 12,762 and 4,365, respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys between the ages of 14 and 16 employed in the mines of county Durham?

At 14th December, 1935, 3,370 boys under 16 years of age were employed below ground and 2,411 on the surface at mines in the county of Durham.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of pits in commission in the South Wales area and the personnel employed from 1919 to date?

As the reply involves a statistical table, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the nature of the work upon which the members of the Coal Re-organisation Commission are now engaged?

The Commission are engaged in carrying out the duty assigned to them by Statute, that is, of promoting and assisting the amalgamation of colliery undertakings. I may add that a voluntary scheme for the partial amalgamation of six large colliery companies in Yorkshire has just been referred by my Department to the Railway and Canal Commission for confirmation. The Re-organisation Commission have been, and still are, assisting in this scheme, as well as proceeding with informal inquiries and discussions with a view to encouraging other voluntary amalgamations.

When are steps likely to be taken to give the Commission the extra powers that were indicated?

I have already answered that question.

Can the Minister say how many amalgamations have been made by the Commissioners, and what each amalgamation has cost?

Oh, no; not without notice.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, when letters are received by his Department relating to conditions in mines and signed by persons who complain of such conditions, care is taken to prevent the name of the complainant reaching the management?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, when unsigned letters are received by his Department complaining of conditions in mines, any action is taken by his inspectors?

Yes, Sir. All complaints of conditions affecting safety or health are investigated by the inspectors.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether complaints by miners sent to the Inspector of Mines, George Street, Edinburgh, regarding conditions of labour in Scottish coal mines for inquiry are in all eases dealt with privately and confidentially by the officials concerned?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of inspections of coal mines by His Majesty's inspectors of mines that have been made without notice to the owners of the mines during 1934 and 1935, respectively?

The total number of inspections at mines under the Coal Mines Act was 23,167 in 1934 and 22,845 in 1935. All these inspections were made without notice, except in the comparatively few cases when it was essential to the purpose of the visit that the inspector should see some particular person or persons.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the privacy of communications between miners and mines inspectors is always observed; and whether any exceptions to this rule have been brought to his notice?

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes," and to the second part "No."

If sent the hon. and gallant Gentleman a case, will he consider it?

I certainly will, but I did have one case brought to my notice, and the allegation was completely unfounded. I do not know whether it is the same case, but I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average inland selling prices for coal produced in the Durham coalfield since the termination of the coal dispute, and the average price for the December quarter of 1935?

I regret that particulars of inland selling prices are not available. The average pithead proceeds per ton of all coal disposable commercially in Durham in the December quarter, 1935, were 12s. 7¼d., and in January, 1936, 13s. 2¾d. The figure for February is not yet known.

Is it not possible for the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department to distinguish as between the inland price and the export price?

The question asked was what is the average selling price, and I have replied that those particulars are not available, as the hon. Gentleman ought to know.

Do I understand that it is impossible to ascertain what is the actual inland selling price of coal in a particular coal area?

I have explained in my answer that the particulars are not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average export selling price for coal produced in Durham since the termination of the coal dispute, and the average price for the, December quarter of 1935?

Separate figures for Durham are not available, but the average f.o.b. value per ton of coal exported from the north-east coast ports during the December quarter, 1935, was 13s. 6d., in January, 1936, 13s. 9d., and in February, 1936, 13s. 10d.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the inland price has been substantially increased, whereas the export price remains the same or is even less than before, and that inland consumers are being asked to subsidise our export trade?

All these inferences seem to me to be inaccurate. The reply I have just given shows that the f.o.b. prices have been rising in the last three months.

How can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say that the inferences are inaccurate with respect to the Durham coalfield, when he was unable to give an answer to the question I put just now?

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the name of the country to which most coal was exported from Tyne dock in each of the years 1913, 1920, and 1935, respectively; and the tonnage exported to such country;

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the amount of British coal that has been exported under the trade agreements since 1933 to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and the Argentine; and how many miners have been placed in employment in this country owing to those agreements having been made?

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

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of schemes of pit-head baths provided under the miners' welfare scheme; and in how many districts such provision yet remains to be made?

The number of completed installations provided wholly or partly out of the miners' welfare fund up to the end of 1935 is 188, and they afford accommodation for 238,634 men and 366 women. With regard to the second part of the question, if the hon. Member means districts under the Mining Industry Act, 1920, the answer is that there are three districts in which there are not yet any pit-head bath schemes.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he proposes to take steps to fix minimum dimensions in return airways as an assurance to a good ventilating system and removal of dangers of explosion from gas accumulation?

The Royal Commission on Safety in Coal Mines is now investigating this and other matters concerning ventilation, and, pending their report, I do not propose to amend the existing requirements of the Coal Mines Act,.1911.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has con- sidered the loss of life on the coal face due to machine mining and the noise therefrom; and what action he proposes to take to reduce this toll of human life?

A general review of the problems has now been commenced by the Royal Commission on Safety in Mines. The specific question of mitigating noise has been taken up with the manufacturers of coal face machinery.

asked the Secretary for Mines the reasons why he is unable to ratify the Hours in Mines Convention, agreed to in Geneva in 1931?

As has been stated on many previous occasions, His Majesty's Government are prepared to ratify this convention at the same time as the other six countries named in the text of the convention.

Has any approach been made to other countries to induce them to append their signatures to the Convention?

If the hon. Member will refer to the reply that I gave him on 9th December last, he will see the answer.

Am I to understand from that reply, since my memory fails me as to the answer that the hon. and gallant Gentleman gave, that it is in the negative or in the affirmative?

Perhaps the hon. Member will read it and see.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of men employed in the Fife pits; the number of miners unemployed in the same area; and an estimate of how many of those unemployed would be absorbed in the Fife pits if the seven-hour day were restored to the miners?

At the end of February, 1936, the number of wage-earners on colliery books in the County of Fife was 21,066. On 24th February, 3,294 persons in the coal mining industry classification were registered as wholly unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Fife and 97 persons as temporarily stopped. As regards the last part of the question, so many unknown and incalculable factors enter into the matter that I am not prepared to give an estimate.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to recommend the restoration of the seven-hour day and so find out how many of the unemployed would be absorbed?

That is quite another question.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend consider the experiment that was carried out some years ago, and which had to be abandoned?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of accidents to boys under 16 years of age employed in or about the coal mines in Fife during 1935?

In 1935, 95 boys under 16 years of age were injured and disabled for more than three days by accidents at coal mines in Fife-shire. No boys under 16 years of age were killed.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal miners under and over 16 years of age, respectively, employed in the county of Linlithgow during each of the last three years to the latest date for which particulars are available?

In December, 1933, 1934 and 1935, the numbers of persons under 16 years of age employed at coal mines in the county of Linlithgow were 183, 240 and 315, respectively. The corresponding figures for persons 16 years of age and over were 5,279, 5,479 and 5,794.

As there are so many unemployed among the miners, would it not be a good idea to prohibit the employment of children under 16?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents occurring to coal miners in the county of Linlithgow for each of the last three years to the latest date for which particulars are available; and whether he will state how many of these accidents were to miners over and under 16 years of age, respectively?