asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, arising from a recent communication from the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce on the question of the importation of whale oil, he can now inform the traders concerned of the future policy of his Department in regard to trade agreements as to whale oil, as compared with West African palm oil and other oil nut and seed products?

The views expressed in the communication to which the hon. Member refers have been noted, and will be borne in mind in any negotiations for the revision of any trade agreements which affect these commodities; but I cannot forecast the course of such negotiations with regard to particular commodities.

Has the right hon. Gentleman informed the Chamber of Commerce of his views on this subject?

I shall always be glad to consider any information that is given to me.

My question was whether the right hon. Gentleman had informed the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce as to his views on the subject, and how he had come to those views?

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the length of time that this matter has been under consideration, give some more specific information with regard to this question of preferential treatment for whale oil?

I am afraid I cannot.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be willing to receive a deputation on this subject from the Chamber of Commerce?

Yes; I have already said that I shall be glad of any information that can be given to me.

I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would receive a deputation?

I imagine that there would be no object in sending a deputation except for the exchange of information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that wool textile goods of Italian manufacture are being imported into this country via Austria; and whether he is prepared to take such action as may be necessary to stop this breach in the sanctions against Italy?

I am not aware that wool textile goods of Italian manufacture are being illegally imported into this country via Austria. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that goods with an added value of 25 per cent. attributable to processes carried out since the goods left Italian territory fall outside the scope of the prohibition of imports from Italy. This exception, which follows the terms of the relevant proposal of the Co-ordination Committee of the League of Nations, is subject, in the case of wool textiles from Austria, to the production of satisfactory certificates of origin.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to the Foreign Secretary the information that he has just now given to the House, because that gentleman is under some delusion on the matter?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, from the indications that reach him, whether there is any great enthusiasm on the part of traders for sanctions?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consent to withdraw the regulations of his Department which allow importers of textile goods from Japan, Italy, Austria, and elsewhere, in the grey to have such goods dyed, bleached, or finished in this country, and then to re-export them as being of British origin?

As I explained to the hon. Member in reply to his question of 28th April, the decision whether foreign textiles finished in this country and re-exported are thereafter to be regarded as of United Kingdom or foreign origin rests not with His Majesty's Government, but with the Government of the importing country. In these circumstances no regulations laid down by my Department are applicable. In certain countries, however, in pursuance of trade agreements or otherwise, a reserved share of the market has been in some way guaranteed for United Kingdom textiles (as, for example, under the operation of quotas or exchange restrictions). In such cases the desirability is recognised of ensuring that the benefit should so far as possible inure only to textiles which are wholly of United Kingdom manufacture. As previously explained, special steps designed to bring about this result have been, or are being taken, in these cases. As regards imports of textiles into this country from Italy, I would remind the hon. Member that such imports are at present prohibited.

I should like to be clear about this. Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that textile goods brought into this country in the grey and then re-exported as of British origin after being finished here are under an arrangement with which his Department has no power to interfere, and that the certificate that they are of British origin is not delivered by his Department at all?

No, what I said was that in the circumstances described in the first part of my answer no regulations laid down by my Department are applicable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large quantities of Japanese cloth are being bleached and dyed in Lancashire and Cheshire and being exported to the West Indies as British cloth?

Does not this constitute a sort of fraud on the customer?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to state what action the Government propose i o take with regard to the renewal or non-renewal of the trade agreement with the Argentine Republic?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take, if the negotiations for a new agreement fail, to prevent the Anglo-Argentine Trade Agreement from continuing in force after October next?

The informal discussions with the Argentine Government are still proceeding, and I am unable at the moment to add to I he replies already given on this subject.

Would the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer Question 19, as to what action he proposes to take, if the negotiations for a new agreement fail, to prevent the Anglo-Argentine Trade Agreement from continuing in force after October next? Could we have a clear answer on that point?

On a point of Order. May I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, as a matter of Order, that Question No. 19 is essentially a hypothetical one, and, therefore, not a proper one to be on the Paper?

There is an "if" in it.

There is in the agreement itself provision for notice being given for the termination of the agreement. That is a matter that is naturally very much in our mind at present.

Has that notice been given and, if it is not given, will not the agreement continue after October?

I cannot say that notice has been given, because it is not due to be given until to-morrow.

Will the right hon. Gentleman resist the demands from the opposite benches for the denunciation of an agreement which, if it is denounced, may have serious effects on many industries?

Is notice going to be given to-morrow? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the agricultural industry is expecting such notice to be given and that, in its view, the Government will not be carrying out its pledges until it is given?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is making some assumptions which are not justified. We are quite capable of holding our own in negotiations with that country, and we are certainly keeping in mind—in their mind as well as our own—the fact that denunciation may take effect as from to-morrow.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us that, in the event of this agreement being renewed, Lancashire will have a fairer field than it had under the last agreement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether orders for Welsh tin-plate have increased or decreased during the last five weeks and to what extent?

I regret that this information is not available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman secure the information?

A good deal of this information is confidential, and what is confidential I cannot obtain.

Is it confidential because the steel cartel makes it so, and is it not possible to secure that the cartel shall disclose the information?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present number arid position of wireless directional stations on the South Coast; and whether there are any plans under consideration for the increase of these stations, in view of the assistance which they provide to vessels navigating in the Channel under foggy conditions?

There are radio-beacons on the south coast of England at Dungeness, Start Point, Caskets, Round Island (Scilly), Rame Head (near Ply- mouth), and on the Nab Tower (Spit-head), the last of which was completed only in December last. The wireless telegraph stations at Niton and the Land's End give, on request, bearings to ships. Only radio-beacons or other wireless facilities proposed to be established by the General Lighthouse Authorities at the cost of the General Lighthouse Fund are dealt with by my Department, and there are no applications before me at present for financial sanction to establish additional facilities on the South Coast.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information showing to what extent foreign competition with British coastal shipping has increased or decreased during the past 12 months?

Of the aggregate tonnage of the vessels, including their repeated voyages, that arrived and departed with cargoes in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom, foreign tonnage represented 1.3 per cent. in the year ended 31st March, 1936, as compared with 0.8 per cent. in the preceding 12 months.

In view of the numerous complaints that are made, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these statistics actually represent the position?

As far as I can tell, they do, but I have been doing my best to alter the method of the statistics so that we may get the tonnage actually handled as well as the nominal entries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the Government are responsible for any portion of the present marine risk of the new Cunarder the steamship "Queen Mary"?

The Board of Trade will undertake marine risks insurance of the steamship "Queen Mary" to the extent of £1,800,000. This is the amount by which the insurances placed on the open market fall short of the value of the vessel for insurance purposes.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the open-market insurance was taken up by foreign market?

I could not say without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which companies participated in the recent North Atlantic Shipping Conference; what decision was reached, so far as affects the public, on the classification of cabin ships; how many ships in regular North Atlantic service from and to this country are of the non-cabin class; and whether, if size has now no relation to this classification, it is proposed to encourage the building of smaller tonnage vessels more approximating to those previously known as cabin ships?

I understand that all the British and foreign North Atlantic passenger lines participated in the Conference to which my hon. and learned Friend refers, and, that as a result of the decisions reached, the upper grade of accommodation of all passenger ships plying between North American ports and this country will be described as "cabin class." The matter referred to in the last part of the question is one for the consideration of the various lines in the North Atlantic Conference.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for what he has said, do I understand that all the vessels on this service will in future be classed as cabin ships, irrespective of their tonnage?

I am afraid I could not say without notice. If my hon. and learned Friend wishes for any extension of the information I have given with regard to the Conference, and will put a further question on the Paper, I shall be very glad to do my best to supply it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with regard to the freights agreement in the Baltic, he has any information as to its operation and its ability to hold freights at an economic level?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the scheme known as the Balt-White. Scheme organised by the Baltic and International Maritime Conference with a view to establishing minimum rates of freight in the timber trade from the Baltic and White Seas. I have no information on the working of the scheme beyond what has appeared in the Press.

In view of the fact that the Russians, apparently, have not been keeping their bargain in relation to this agreement, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making representations to the Russian Government on that point?

I cannot, without refreshing my memory, say exactly what is the action of the Russians towards the scheme, but my recollection was that they remained outside it, and have not been bound by the minimum rates provided in the agreement.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider encouraging them to come into the scheme?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there has been any appreciable increase of idle tonnage on the Tyne during the past few months?

According to the quarterly returns of laid-up tonnage published by the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, the tonnage laid up on the Tyne on 1st April, 1936, was 91,000 tons net, which was 7,000 tons more than on 1st January, 1936, but 72,000 tons less than on 1st April, 1935.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recent increase is believed to be due to the fact that Russian ships are cutting into the freight market in the Baltic?

I imagine that such little change as there has been has been due to a variety of cause s, of which that may quite possibly be one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the medical officer of health for Liverpool has reported to the port sanitary authority I hat the crews' quarters in most vessels, whether recently constructed or not, are not improved in design or equipment, and that most vessels visited which catered for the comfort of the crew were designed and built by foreign firms; and what steps he proposes to bring the design of all new British vessels into line with the best modern practice?

I am aware of the report referred to. The committee appointed by the Shipping Federation, to which I referred in Debate on 11th February, has now submitted recommendations which are under consideration by the Board of Trade.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that British shipowners should lag behind foreign shipowners in providing a measure of comfort for seamen?

I am certainly in favour of a measure of comfort being provided on ships, and I hope that the steps now being taken will conduce to that end.

When will the recommendations of the Shipping Federation receive the right hon. Gentleman's consideration, and when will he be able to make a statement?

They are being examined at the present moment, and I hope that at an early date I shall be able to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken to prevent employment of foreign officers and men in British ships; and whether he will consider holding a public inquiry into the conditions of employment in the merchant navy with special reference to manning?

The Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, contains provisions regulating the employment of aliens in British merchant ships. It is, also, the declared policy of the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee that British crews should be employed wherever practicable on vessels receiving subsidy. There already exist appropriate methods of discussing conditions of employment in the Mercantile Marine, and I consider a public inquiry unnecessary. The question of manning, from the point of view of safety, has recently been considered by the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, and the Department's proposed instructions based upon those recommendations are now before that committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when the proposed instructions will be available?

I am afraid I cannot name a date, but very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the tonnage of ships of British ordering which is being constructed in German shipyards?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 4th May to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Storey).

Arising out of the fact that the answer contained no information, can the right hon. Gentleman obtain this information?

I have no official means of obtaining it. I can only get vague figures on the subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement in the Press than on the first of last month 44 British ships were under construction in German shipyards?

Yes, I saw that paragraph, but I have not been able to verify the exact figure.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to find out whether there is any truth in the statement? Is he not aware that the tonnage amounts to 144,000 tons?

I am not aware what the tonnage is. We have no means of obtaining information from foreign shipyards.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman the right to ask British ship-owners whether they are having ships built abroad?

I have the right to make any inquiries, but it does not lie within my province to compel them to give the information if they do not wish to.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the financing of tramp-ship building by the State, he can state the estimated percentages of such sums represented by labour and material, respectively; and how much of the latter is imported from abroad?

The precise information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available, but according to the report on the Census of Production, 1930, the cost of materials at that time represented about 52 per cent. and wages of operatives about 28 per cent. of the gross value of the shipbuilding and ship repairing output in Great Britain. Information with regard to the last part of the question is not available.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any steps to avoid the expenditure of public moneys on foreign materials for these ships, as in the case of rivets, when factories in this country are not employed to full capacity?

There have been a good many questions on the subject of rivets in the last two weeks, and there is nothing that I can add to what I have stated.

Could not the price of rivets be reduced by reducing the duty on steel?

rose—

We cannot have a debate on every question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that, owing to the fact that Dutch coastal trading vessels are subsidised by their own Government, they are able to undercut our cargo boats, with the result that numerous small shipping firms are suffering severe losses and unemployment is being caused among British seamen; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this position;

(2) whether, in view of the damage to British shipping caused by the undercutting by foreign ships, he will consider prohibiting foreign-owned vessels, of less than 1,000 tons, trading from port to port round the coasts of Great Britain?

I am aware that in recent months there has been an increase in the tonnage of vessels under foreign flags arriving at and departing from United Kingdom ports in the coasting trade, and the position is being watched. Apart from difficulties arising out of treaty obligations, it is by no means certain that the action suggested in question No. 18 would be to the benefit of British shipping. With regard to Dutch vessels in the coasting trade, my information suggests that they are not in receipt of subsidy from the Dutch Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Great Western Railway Company to the increase of shipping in docks in South Wales with a view to persuading them not to curtail facilities for British ships in those ports?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the increased expenditure on the Army Estimates, he will consider making arrangements for Members of the House of Commons to attend the Army manoeuvres this year?

I shall be happy to arrange facilities for a number of Members to attend the manoeuvres this year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Frederick Rogers, of 299, Battle Road, Hollington, aged 18, joined the Royal Engineers in March, was stationed at Chatham, and according to Army Regulations was vaccinated, this operation almost immediately causing illness that resulted in his death five weeks after joining the Army; and whether, in. view of the admitted danger of vaccination causing inflammation of the brain, he will allow exemption from vaccination in the Army?

This soldier died of cerebro-spinal meningitis. I am assured that there is no causal connection between vaccination and diseases of this character. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in the town of Airdrie there are some 104 families who have taken possession of dwelling-houses which have been vacated following the issue of closing or demolition orders, and that some 23 of these have been convicted, and heavy fines and imprisonment imposed for squatting in condemned houses; whether he will prevent further proceedings against those in occupation of these houses; and whether he can hold out the prospect, by legislation or otherwise, of providing State subsidies towards the building of houses to accommodate such families?

Yes, Sir; the position is generally as stated. I have, however, no power to prevent proceedings being taken against persons in illegal occupation of condemned houses. With regard to the last part of the question, the decrowding operations of local authorities under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1935, will, it is expected, release habitable accommodation which will be available, among others, for the class of persons referred to.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries to ascertain whether these people who have squatted are desirous and agreeable to pay nominal rent?

I will make such inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman in the meantime co-operate with the local authority in providing that these people should not be prosecuted for securing alternative accommodation, as I understand that it will be a considerable time before any other houses are free?

As the hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware, Parliament has delegated these powers to local authorities, and it is only on representation by local authorities that the law is put into operation, and I must trust, there- fore, the local authorities to deal fairly and justly with the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the extensive destruction of ancient buildings now going on in Scotland; and whether he will advise local authorities, wherever possible, to recondition old houses instead of building less substantial new ones?

No, Sir. I am not aware that extensive destruction of ancient buildings is taking place in Scotland, but if my hon. Friend will supply me with particulars of any cases which he has in view I shall be happy to have them investigated. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular issued on the passing of the Housing Act last year in which local authorities were specifically reminded of the importance of preserving existing works of architectural, historical and artistic interest. Arrangements have also been made for consultation between my Department and the Office of Works in the case of orders submitted by local authorities for confirmation which involve the demolition of property under the Housing Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider the Circulars 1437 and 1443 of the Board of Education which provide for the supply of milk and meals for children attending public elementary schools with a view to extending similar provisions to Scottish schools?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his similar question of 19th March, 1936, in which it was indicated that a circular (of which I am sending him a copy) dealing with the school milk schemes and with the general powers for feeding in schools was issued to all Scottish Education Authorities on 31st October, 1934.

Is the right hon. Gentleman contemplating building restaurants in connection with the schools in Scotland, and, if not, will he give the matter consideration?

That is a matter which must rest with the education authority in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of authorities operating the Court of Session decision given in the case of the Aberdeen public assistance committee regarding exemption of £1 per week disability pension; if he is aware that the Glasgow Corporation are operating this decision in a way contrary to the Act of Parliament; whether he will inform the corporation that, while the subject is under appeal to the House of Lords, they should not operate such decision; and will he take steps to see that the Act of Parliament in its intention is carried out either by administration or fresh legislation?

Local authorities are not required to inform me of the details of their administrative practice, and I regret that I am not in a position to supply the information asked for in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, I am informed that Glasgow Corporation are dealing with new applicants in accordance with the decision of the Court of Session. In regard to the remaining parts, that decision, so long as it stands, represents the law on the subject, and I have no power to instruct local authorities to ignore the decision. Pending the result of the appeal to the House of Lords which, I understand, will be heard at an early date, I am unable to make any statement as to what action, if any, may be necessary.

In view of the fact that Parliament did mean that the first £1 should be exempt, and that that is the law in England, will the right hon. Gentleman write to the Glasgow Corporation asking them to carry out the law as it was intended that it should be carried out?

The Glasgow Corporation in this matter must administer the Statute as interpreted by the Court of Law, and they have no authority, and indeed they would be acting illegally, to deal otherwise with this matter. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that we are dealing only with new cases.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a previous Government in similar circumstances intimated to the local authority that this was the intention of the law and that it should be carried out, and that if they carried out the intention subsequent steps should be taken to indemnify them; and will he not take a similar decision in a case of this character?

I will look into the matter again, but I am informed that they have no power to go beyond or behind the decision as interpreted in the Courts of Law.

To-night, if possible, I will call attention to this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the new tenant of the registered small holding at Woodhouse, Tarbert, Argyll, has not been given the opportunity of cultivating the ground and putting in his crops?

The holding to which the hon. Member refers is not situated on property under my control, and I am therefore unable to give him the information he desires.

Are not all those holdings registered at Edinburgh, and does not that Department come at all under the regulation of the right hon. Gentleman?

The matter was inquired into, and I understand that this particular holding does not come under the jurisdiction of my Department.

Is it not a fact that, under the law of Scotland in relation to holdings, anyone taking a guarantee to hold for a year has the, protection of the Government Department of Scotland for that period?

There are certain exceptions in particular cases in which that rule may be relaxed, and I think that this is one of those exceptions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether Captain Campbell applied for a grant under the provisions of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, at the request of Angus Shaw, so that improvements could be carried out at Woodhouse, Tarbert, in keeping with the improvements on the same estate?

I am informed by the County Council of Argyll that no application has been received from Captain Campbell for a grant under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts in respect of the improvement of Woodhouse Cottage, Tarbert.

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that the whole idea behind this has been to reserve that land for pheasants, and that already pheasants have been put there this season in order that there should be shooting upon land which was formerly a fine piece of cultivated land giving a good return?

I have no knowledge of that.

If I give the right hon. Gentleman the knowledge, will he act?

As far as it lies within my power.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been drawn to the violent assault on Renee Houston at an Edinburgh theatre, where she was dragged from her dressing-room, forced into a waiting, motor car by Edinburgh students, that she suffers from injuries to her body and was left in a hysterical condition of collapse; whether he will take steps to ensure that the law will be set in motion against the persons responsible for this outrage?

Yes, Sir. I have already taken action with regard to this regrettable occurrence, two persons having been apprehended and brought before the Sheriff on Saturday, and a third on Monday. The number of persons who may be implicated directly or indirectly is considerable, and, pending completion of the police investigations now in progress, I am not in a position to decide what further action may be necessary.

While thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for the speedy and energetic action in this case, and also appreciating the fact that students have rendered very good service in many charitable causes, I should like to ask him whether he will assure the public that the police authorities in future will be instructed to see that persons are not embarrassed, molested, insulted or assaulted when they are either without the means, or have not the inclination, to contribute to funds in the way that has been done in the public streets of our cities in recent times?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is considered satisfactory that, in a case of this sort, the accused should be offered a £5 bail, and whether he is also aware that in any other country but this, kidnappers would be taken to the nearest lamp-post and strung up?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mrs. Colquhoun, of 27, McKinlay Street, Glasgow, was sent by the Glasgow South Side exchange to a situation for one day of 11 hours' work for which the Glasgow Corporation paid her only 3s. 6d., out of which, after paying her travelling expenses and insurance, she was left with 1s. 3d. net; that if she had remained unemployed she would have received 3s. for the day, and that her benefit was threatened to be stopped unless she went to the situation; and whether in future he will ensure that such employment will not be a reason for stopping benefit, and that no Employment Exchanges shall send any person to be employed by the Glasgow Corporation at such low wages?

I have received a report on this case. According to my information the remuneration of the situation which the Glasgow Corporation offered Mrs. Colquhoun was 3s. 6d. in cash wages together with three meals. I understand that this is the usual daily rate paid to casual waitresses employed in the public park cafes of the corporation. When this employment was offered to Mrs. Colquhoun she said that she would have household duties to perform which would prevent her accepting work on that day, and it was pointed out to her that the question arose whether, in those circumstances, she could satisfy the availability condition for the receipt of unemployment benefit. I do not think it would be proper for Employment Exchanges to refrain from bringing to the notice of applicants opportunities of work notified by employers. As the hon. Member knows, the question of title to unemployment benefit is decided by the independent statutory authorities.

Is it the policy of the Department—in this case it is undeniable—that the lady should receive in net wages 1s. 3d. while her unemployment benefit would have been 3s.? Is it not possible for his Department, seeing that for holidays trade unions demand at least time and a-half, to ask this Labour majority to see that the lady shall not suffer in this way?

The Government cannot be held responsible for the wages which the Glasgow Corporation give to its employés and, as I have said in the latter part of my reply, it is obviously the duty of the Employment Exchange to bring to the notice of applicants work which may exist in the district. The question as to the suitability of the work is one for the independent statutory authorities.

Seeing that this is sweated employment, is it not the duty of the Government to deal with the matter?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can now give information as to the average pit-head prices received in the first quarter of this year compared with the last quarter of 1935?

Complete particulars for the first quarter of this year will not be available for some time, but such figures as have been received indicate that in January and February, 1936, the average pit-head proceeds were about 14s. 10d. per ton disposable commercially as compared with 13s. 11½d. in the December quarter of 1935.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give an assurance that detailed figures will be available before we discuss the details of the central selling scheme?

I cannot possibly give an assurance on that matter, because I do not know when the discussion is going to take place, and it takes a long time to collect these figures.

Will the Secretary for Mines hurry them up?

asked the Secretary for Mines the names of the members of the Coal Reorganisation Commission; the amounts paid to each member from the formation up to the latest date; and whether the committee is still operating?

The Chairman of the Commission is Sir Ernest Gowers and the members are Mr. Lawrence Holt, Mr. Joseph Jones, Sir Felix Pole and Sir William Whyte. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 11th February to the hon. Member for Seaham Harbour (Mr. Shinwell). Since then the normal increments have accrued. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Can the hon. And gallant Member give more recent figures?

I gave figures up to 31st January the other day, and that is only a few months since. If the hon. Member wants the difference between these months I shall be ready to give them to him.

That is the object of putting down the question. I frequently put down questions asking for information and am put off in this way. I resent it.

asked the Secretary for Mines what rate of increase has there been over the last five years in the coal pits of Great Britain in the use of steel rather than timber props, bars, arches, and other coalpit requirement; and what is the estimated increase in the rate for the next five and 10 years?

The increase in the use of steel supports has been very substantial but the available information, which has been published in the reports of His Majesty's inspectors, is not sufficient to enable any general statistical comparisons to be made, having regard to the many factors involved. Information as to the increased use of steel for other pit purposes is not available. As regards the last part of the question, I do not consider it possible to make any reliable estimates.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any offer has been made by the owners of coal royalties to transfer their rights to the State, and at what price?

The Mineral Owners' Joint Committee have informed the Government that, while they are still opposed in principle to the compulsory purchase of coal royalties by the State, they are prepared, on the assumption that the mineral owners will receive fair compensation, to render such assistance as is in their power in connection with the framing of the Government's proposals; and they have suggested that a fair price for the minerals to be purchased would be £150,000,000.

Are the Government proposing to concede the claim of the mineral royalty owners?

The hon. Member must not try to anticipate the terms of the Bill.

May I ask what point has been reached in the negotiations Have the Government given a flat refusal to the demand, or do they propose to favourably consider it?

Will the Secretary for Mines say—

Answer.

We have done only 35 Questions in three-quarters of an hour.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will give the House any information as to the manner in which any of the Dominions are increasing or expanding their defence forces?

As regards Canada, I understand that defence expenditure in the year 1934–35 showed an increase of over 2,500,000 dollars as compared with the expenditure for the previous year, and that this expenditure is being generally maintained in the current year, with some further increased provision for the Air Force. His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia are at present engaged in carrying out a three-year programme of defence expansion which is due to be completed at the end of the financial year 1936–37. The total cost is understood to be in the region of £20,000.000 (Australian). For full particulars of this programme I would refer the hon. Member to the speech by the Commonwealth Minister of Defence on 2nd December, 1935, of which I should be happy to send him a copy, if he so desires. Proposals for strengthening the defences of the Union of South Africa have recently been announced by the Union Minister of Defence in a. speech in the House of Assembly on 27th April, reports of which appeared in the Press here on the following day.

Can the Secretary of State say whether any of that expenditure is for Naval or Air Force armaments?

In Australia the main provision is for naval expenditure, and in the case of South Africa I understand that the greater part is for Air Force expansion, but perhaps the hon. Member will wait until I can send him the full particulars I have promised.

Are they going to supply butter instead of margarine there?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Native Preachers Bill, brought forward in the Southern Rhodesian Legislature, has been withdrawn or is being proceeded with?

I have been informed that this Bill has been withdrawn.

Does that mean that nothing is going to be done to curb the activities of Jehovah's witnesses?

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, by what date will the spruces which have been planted and which are now being planted by the Forestry Commissioners in the Lake district be ripe for felling; and what other commercial use than for pit props has the spruce which the Forestry Commissioners plant?

The spruces will arrive at maturity for felling in 60–70 years. Thinnings commence at about the twentieth year and are repeated periodically thereafter. Spruce timber is used for numerous commercial purposes, for example, scaffold and other poles, dockyard shorings, bond shooks, saw timber and wood pulp.

Will the hon. and gallant Member bear in mind that pit props, which is one of the principal uses for this timber, will be no longer required by the time these trees are ready to be used?

It is only the thinnings which are used for pit props, not the final crop.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many trees has the Forestry Commission planted in Dunnerdale up to the present; how many are sycamore or other broad-leaf trees and how many are conifers; and will he state whether the Council for the Preservation of Rural England was consulted as to the lay-out of these trees before they were planted?

Of the area selected for planting this season approximately 30 acres have been planted with 51,000 conifers, 20 acres have been set aside for broad-leaved species, which are not at present available, and will be planted later. The Joint Committee of the Forestry Commission and the Council for the Preservation of Rural England have been consulted as to the general principles to be followed.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that the information sent to me is that the Council for the Preservation of Rural England was not consulted until after they had been planted?

Then the hon. and gallant Member's information is incorrect.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the heavy highway rates in Durham County, he will go into the question of grants from the Road Fund, not to be on any specific percentage basis, but that the local authority's highway rates should be stabilised and that all other money necessary for the maintenance, repairs, and improvements of the highways, together with the costs of any new highways or bridges constructed, should be borne by the Road Fund or other national source?

Apart from other considerations, the hon. Member's suggestion does not appear to be one which could be adopted without transferring from the local authority their responsibility for and control of their highways. Such a change, even if it were thought to be practicable or desirable, could not be limited to a particular county.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that owing to the low rateable value, the rate in Durham County is 3s. 10d. in the £ against an average of 3s. in the £ for England and Wales, and is he prepared to give increased grants so as to make the highway rate there comparable with the rest of the country?

I think that is a different question. The Question on the Paper deals with another subject altogether.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is contemplating any change as regards the street traders in the North End Road, Fulham; and whether he has yet taken any action in this matter in the interests of traffic?

I have asked the council of the Metropolitan borough of Fulham as the responsible authority for licensing the street traders in the North End Road, Fulham, to examine the possibility of deleting this street from the list of streets in which street traders are allowed to trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the great possibilities of the pigs marketing scheme in Lincolnshire providing that a bacon factory is erected in that county; and will he recommend the Bacon Development Board to grant a licence for the erection of such a factory in what is the second largest county in England?

In a reply given yesterday to a question by my hon. Friend, my right hon. Friend indicated the position with regard to the establishment of a bacon factory in Lincolnshire. There is nothing I can usefully add to that answer.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Bacon Development Board will come to a decision to-morrow and that the success of the Pigs Marketing Scheme of the Government largely depends upon whether a bacon factory is erected in the second largest county in England?

If the decision of the Bacon Development Board tomorrow is not satisfactory to the applicants, they will have the right to go to arbitration.

asked the Postmaster-General upon what date representatives of British Continental Airways were first informed that no tender from them for the carriage of air mails to Scandinavia would be considered?

The company was formally informed to this effect on 25th January of this year, but I understand that a prior intimation had been conveyed to them by the Air Ministry.

asked the Prime Minister in view of his declaration on 18th April to the effect that collective security without military sanctions is unworkable and of the impracticability of imposing military sanctions at this stage of the Italo-Abyssinian war, whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to urge at Geneva the abandonment of economic sanctions?

Future policy with regard to the Italo-Abyssinian dispute will be a matter for joint consideration by the States concerned at the forthcoming meeting of the League Council. I cannot make any further statement this afternoon.

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister's statement referred to differs materially from previous statements made by the Foreign Secretary, can the Prime Minister say whether this denotes a change of attitude on the part of His Majesty's Government towards the question of collective security?

I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.

Is the Government's policy still to support the policy of collective dishonour? [Laughter.] Hon. Members may well laugh: there is no honour at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are satisfied that sanctions are achieving the purpose for which they were imposed; and, if not, whether they will urge at Geneva the reconsideration of the League's policy in the light of experience?

The situation that has arisen as the result of recent events in Abyssinia will form the subject of joint consideration by the States concerned at the forthcoming meeting of the Council.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he has authorised the payment of any grant in respect of the year 1936 to the British Film Institute out of the Cinematograph Fund; if so, what is the amount of such grant; arid whether, in view of the complaints made respecting the work of the institute, he will make a statement on the matter?

A grant of £7,000 from the Cinematograph Fund to the British Film Institute was authorised for the current year. As regards the last part of the question, I am not clear what complaints my hon. Friend has in mind. The work of the Institute generally, however, is at present under consideration, but I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject.

Is any action proposed in this matter?

We must await the results of the inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will submit a statement of the primary commodities that have increased in price by 45 per cent. Since 1932?

The Bank of England index of primary products is calculated from the wholesale prices of the following commodities: Wheat, maize, sugar, bacon, tea, copper, iron, lead, silver, tin, cotton, hides, linseed, rubber, wool. The index was 100 on 19th September, 1931, 96 at the beginning of July, 1932, and 147.8 on 18th April, 1936.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of estates from officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force who have been killed while on flying duty which have paid duty to the Treasury during 1935, and the total amount so received?

The number of estates of officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force killed on flying duty which paid Death Duties during 1935 was 12, and the amount paid was £46,403. The above figures include officers of the Auxiliary Air Force.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any information about the annual expenditure on lipstick, face powder, and other cosmetics; and whether he has considered these articles as a possible source of revenue?

As regards the first part of the question, I have no information which would enable me to distinguish the annual expenditure upon the articles named. As regards the second part, imported cosmetics are already taxed under the tariff, but as at present advised I am not prepared to propose the imposition of an Excise Duty on home products.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to abolish all Scottish banknotes and substitute notes of legal tender which will be fully accepted in England and Wales?

The answer is in the negative.

In view of the inconvenience caused to many travellers from the North arid the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has already declared that these Scottish notes are not legal tender, will he riot substitute for them a universal note to be accepted all over Britain?

I wish not unnecessarily to affront Scottish opinion, but the hon. Member is no doubt aware that the Bank of England notes for £1 and 10s. are legal tender in Scotland.

May I ask my right hon. Friend how he justifies the position in which Bank of England notes are legal tender in Scotland and Bank of Scotland notes are not legal tender in England?

On historical grounds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the attention of the Treasury has been drawn to a practice whereby merchants may hire from farmers land carrying growing potatoes, but upon the profits of these transactions neither Income Tax nor Super-tax is paid by the merchants; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent this form of tax evasion in the future?

Under the provisions of the Income Tax Acts, potato growers are assessable under Schedule B on the annual value of the land they occupy and not upon profits. Where potato growers are also merchants dealing in potatoes, they are further assessable to Income Tax under Schedule D and to Surtax in respect of any profits arising from their merchanting business. Any alteration of the basis of assessment under Schedule B would, of course, necessitate legislation.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that the sums which escape annually are very considerable?

Is it not a fact that Schedule B is paid by the farmer in these transactions and that Schedule D is paid by the merchant, and that not only is there no evasion of Income Tax, but double Income Tax is paid?

I understand that the question addressed to me refers to merchants who are also growers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if the potato grower of this country has any more taxation to bear he soon will not grow potatoes?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any recent attempts has been made to secure any payment by the United States of America or the Southern States of North and South Carolina and Georgia of the debts incurred during the course of the American Civil War to this country?