asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make any statement as to the negotiations which have taken place between representatives of oil interests in Great Britain and the German Government or oil interests in Germany during the last three years; and what have been the results of these negotiations?

I do not know to what negotiations the hon. Member refers. If he will give me some further details, I will see whether I can furnish him with any information.

Is the Minister aware that statements have appeared in the German Press to the effect that negotiations have been conducted between well-known oil interests in this country and representatives of the German Government, with a view to organising an oil monopoly?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether an invitation has been, or will be, issued to the Governments of those countries concerned in the Ottawa Agreements to attend a further conference of the same nature with a view to continuing those Agreements in the same or another form?

As the House is aware, the Agreements between the United Kingdom and the Dominions concluded at the Imperial Conference at Ottawa in 1932 do not terminate on any fixed date, but each Agreement continues in force unless, at any time after 19th February, 1937, six months' notice of denunciation is given by either party to it. The most convenient method of dealing with questions arising out of the Agreements which any of His Majesty's Governments may wish to raise is now under discussion between the Governments affected. In the view of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, it would be most appropriate to proceed by way of discussions with the individual Governments affected as occasion offers, and they have brought this view to the notice of the Dominion Governments.

In the discussions to which my right hon. Friend refers, will favourable consideration be given to the interests of this country in relation to any new agreements that may be made?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of imports from those countries which concluded Ottawa Agreements with the United Kingdom in the years 1932 and 1935, respectively; and the amount of exports of United Kingdom goods to those countries in the same periods?

Imports of merchandise consigned from countries which concluded Ottawa Agreements with the United Kingdom were valued at £177,144,000 in 1932 and £207,419,000 in 1935. The exports of United Kingdom goods to these countries during the same years amounted to £100,840,000 and £138,479,000.

Are not these figures striking evidence of the importance of concentrating the statesmanship of this country on the development of our inter-Imperial relations?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the increase in imports of motor cars and parts into Canada from the United States of America since the agreement was made between those two countries; and whether there is any indication that the Canadian motor car trade with this country is likely to be affected?

Sufficient time has hardly elapsed since the coming into force of the agreement in question to enable any definite conclusions to be drawn from the figures available. I may say, however, that during the first quarter of 1936 the value of motor cars and parts imported into Canada from the United Kingdom was greater than in the corresponding period of the previous year, whereas such imports from the United States declined in value.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of rabbits imported for consumption during the latest available period?

During the first four months of this year e imports of fresh rabbits into the United Kingdom, less re-exports, amounted I o 24,436 cwts. and of frozen rabbits to 54,453 cwts. The number of rabbits imported is not recorded in the trade returns.

Were these live or cooked rabbits?

Some of them were frozen rabbits.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where all the Australian canned rabbits have gone? There are none on the market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will terminate the subsidies to Argentine agriculture conferred by the Roca Agreement, seeing that a revenue yield of less than 2 per cent. arises from the nominal amount of Anglo-Argentine investments, and that much of this yield fails to reach Great Britain as goods, services, or cash?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The Roca Agreement does not deal with subsidies to Argentine agriculture. The position of British companies is not being overlooked in the present discussions with the Argentine Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is in operation at this moment a duty against poultry imported from Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia and, if so, what is the amount of the duty; and whether there has been any recent increase in imports from these two countries?

Under the Treaty of Peace (Covenant of the League of Nations) (No. 4) Order, 1935, certain quantities of dead turkeys and fowls, the produce of Yugoslavia, may be imported into this country at a duty of ld. per lb. The import duty on any other dead poultry imported from Yugoslavia and on all poultry imported from Czechoslovakia is 3d. per lb. As regards the last part of the question, the imports of poultry from these two countries in the first four months of this year were substantially less than in the corresponding period of 1935.

Is there any other country that gives corresponding advantages against agriculture?

I cannot say without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who it is that eats these chickens? Our people get very few of them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, on account of German eurrency restrictions, British firms are frequently unable to obtain payment for goods which have been sold in Germany, except by arranging to take German goods; and, if so, whether the Government will take the necessary action to prevent the German Government from compelling British creditors to place orders in Germany?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the placing of shipbuilding orders in Germany by British firms for the purpose of liquidating frozen balances. This matter has been the subject of a number of recent questions in the House, but, as I have previously explained, I regret that there is no action which the Government could take to secure that these orders should be placed in British rather than in foreign shipyards.

Does the President of the Board of Trade consider it possible for private individuals to compel the German Government to remove currency restrictions, when our own Government are either unwilling or unable to take that action?

I do not think it is possible, but payment for United Kingdom goods sold to Germany is available in sterling under the Anglo-German Payments Agreement, 1934, and does not come under the heading of frozen balances.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to find out the names of firms who are having ships built in foreign countries?

I have answered questions on that subject several times.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to tell me he cannot find out?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been directed to the large amount of pottery manufactured in Japan and imported into India; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

I am aware that considerable quantities of pottery are imported into India from Japan. The duty on such imports is 30 per cent., whereas imports from the United Kingdom pay 20 per cent. I have not heard that the Government of India contemplate taking any further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, what has been the result of the correspondence passing between his Department and the Dominions who had agreed to pass legislation on similar lines to that contained in Part I of the Cinematograph Act, 1927?

There has been no question of specific agreement on the part of any of the Dominions to legislate on the lines of Part I of the Cinematograph Act, 1927. I understand, however, that legislation on similar lines has been passed in New Zealand.

What has been the result of the inquiries of the right hon. Gentleman's Department, which were promised some time ago, of Dominions which have agreed to pass legislation on these lines?

The result is contained in the latter part of my answer.

May I point out that the latter part refers only to New Zealand, whereas a previous answer given in the House referred to New Zealand and Canada, and stated that the other Dominions had promised to introduce legislation on these lines?

No promise was given at any time to legislate on these lines. I think the previous answer to which the hon. Gentleman refers was concerned with another part of the Cinematograph Act, 1927.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all the proved and admitted claims of British nationals against Hungary and Germany have been liquidated and cleared off; and what was the total gross amount paid to British nationals through this Department?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except for certain interest payments, under the provisions of the Anglo-Hungarian Convention of 1921. The gross amount paid to British nationals through the Clearing Office (Enemy Debts) in respect of claims against Hungary and Germany is £91,400,000. The total gross amount paid through the office in respect of claims against ex-enemy countries is £97,000,000.

Has the staff that was dealing with this matter been finally disbanded?

I could not say without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement of the result of his consultation with the representatives of Australia and New Zealand on the position of British shipping in the Pacific?

Consultations are proceeding with the Governments of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the "Franquelin," the new all-welded motor ship which left Grangemouth on 11th May for Montreal, is fitted with wireless and carries the necessary wireless operators, or whether permission has been given by the Board of Trade for such equipment to be dispensed with on this voyage?

The "Franquelin" is fitted with a wireless telegraph installation and carries a qualified operator in full compliance with the requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships sold to Japan by British shipowners in the past 10 years are now sailing under the Japanese flag and used in the Siamese trade?

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available.

As Board of Trade officials have already supplied information, what is to prevent it being circulated?

If it had been available, I should have given it to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War what quantity of beef and mutton was supplied to the Army at home for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and how much of this meat was home-produced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12th May to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Sudbury (Colonel Burton.)

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to recommend the remission of the sentence of three years' imprisonment passed upon Robert Venten, No. 3310629, late private of the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, while on service at Nowshera?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to grant auy remission in this case at present.

In considering this decision, did the hon. Gentleman have regard to any representations as to character from the commanding officer of the regiment?

I can assure the hon. Member that the decision was come to after full consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the London County Council to refuse permission to cadet corps to use school premises for training purposes after school hours; and whether, in view of the importance of encouraging all defence organisations, he will make representations to reconsider this decision as being contrary to the national interest?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to the decision, but the matter is one in which he fears that any intervention on his part would be ineffective. I can only hope that, despite the discouragement given thereby to the cadet units affected, they may still be able to continue their activities, which are highly desirable in the national interests.

How does my hon. Friend expect these units to continue their patriotic action if the Government do not put pressure on unpatriotic local authorities to force them to give them facilities for their work?

Is it not a fact that the Government give the London County Council very large grants from Imperial funds, and could they not in that way bring immense pressure to bear on the county council so that they should not interfere with Government policy?

MY hon. and gallant Friend must know that our powers are very limited and, where you have no power, it is difficult to exert pressure.

Is it not possible o consult with the Minister of Education to stop grants to these unpatriotic authorities?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider asking Parliament for powers to prevent local authorities from obstructing the essential defence services of the country?

Will the hon. Baronet consider issuing a financial appeal to these people who are so anxious for this form of training for young people to be carried on?

asked the. Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Southwark Borough Council that those of its employés who are members of the Territorial Army who attend Territorial camp shall no longer receive a week's pay which had previously been granted during their absence from duty; and what steps he is taking to remove such discouragement to recruitment for the Territorial Army?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to the decision, but he regrets that he is unable to take any action in the matter. I am glad to say that many individual employers are showing a greater appreciation of the urgent necessity for encouraging enlistment into the Territorial Army in a practical manner, by giving just those concessions that the Southwark Borough Council are now withdrawing.

Will the hon. Baronet consider publishing the names of the organisations that give these concessions?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to be in a position to make a statement regarding the nature of his plans for recruiting boys into Army service; and whether he will bear in mind the undesirability of inducing boys to contract for a long period of service, in view of the immature state of their minds?

I cannot say at present when I shall be able to make a statement. All aspects of the question will receive full consideration before a decision is reached.

Will the hon. Baronet impress upon his right hon. Friend the undesirability of inducing young boys who do not know their own mind to engage in a long period of service?

What is wrong in training boys to be prepared to assume the responsibility of manhood service?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds the city of Glasgow is not scheduled as a special area under the Special Areas Act, 1934; and whether it is the intention of the Government to include the city of Glasgow as an area which will be entitled to operate the provisions of the Special Areas Reconstruction (Agreement) Bill?

It was decided by Parliament that the experimental treatment provided for in the Special Areas Act should be concentrated upon the areas specified in the Schedule thereto, which cannot be extended without legislation. It has been made clear in the House that it is not. proposed to apply the further experimental scheme provided for by the Bill to which the hon. Member refers outside those areas at present.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that, although Glasgow is not scheduled, it is much worse than areas that are scheduled, and will he not see that legislation is brought in to bring Glasgow within the Schedule?

I cannot promise legislation, but all relevant factors are taken into account.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the whole report shows that things in the Western area of Scotland are worse even than they are in Wales, and is he not ready to do something in the matter?

The matter was very fully debated when the Act was passed, and all circumstances were taken into account. It was decided to concentrate in the first instance on certain areas.

Will not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the publication of the appendix of the report of the Special Commissioner in order that the House may know exactly what the circumstances were in Glasgow at the time the investigations were made, and whether or not Glasgow ought to be included in the Schedule?

That is a separate question which I cannot answer without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government are now in a position to announce the action which it is proposed to take on the report of the Sea Fish Commission?

It is desirable that the views of the different sections of the white-fish industry should be available before the Government reach a decision on the recommendations contained in the report as to the organisation of the industry, and steps have been taken to obtain these. The recommendations cover a wide field, and some time must elapse before the views of all the sectional interests concerned can be received and considered.

In view of the grave depression in the fishing industry, can the hon. and gallant Gentleman assure the House that this procedure will be accelerated as much as possible?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the annual report of the Herring Industry Board is going to be presented to Parliament?

I am informed that the board expect to forward their report to the Ministers at the end of this month. It will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Charles Curries of Oakley, West Fife, was arrested and imprisoned for non-payment of rates; that after he had been in prison several days his son took on the responsibility for payment of his father's debt and thereby secured his release; that the amount originally owed for rates has now been paid by the son, but he is still being forced to pay a further sum for the maintenance of his father while in prison and for expenses incidental to his arrest; that the charge for prison accommodation is higher than the charge in the average hotel; and will he take steps to stop this additional charge?

The records of the Prisons Department for Scotland show that Mr. Charles Currie was lodged in Edinburgh Prison on 4th November, 1935, for failure to pay rates due by him to the Fife County Council; that he was released on 20th November, 1935, on notification being received from the county clerk that satisfactory arrangements for making payment of arrears of rates had been made; and that the amount charged to the county council in respect of Mr. Currie's aliment while he was in prison was at the rate of 9d. per day. I have no further information as to these matters, and, as my right hon. Friend has already informed the hon. Member, he has no authority to intervene.

In view of the charge of 9d. per day by the prison authorities, can the hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why the local authority charged Currie over £5 for maintenance while in prison, and will the Department see that the son, who paid the original debt for rates, is entitled to refuse any further payment over and above the 9d. per day charged by the prison authorities?

So far as the rate for maintenance is concerned, my information from the Prisons Department is that he was charged 9d. per day only.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, while the local authority is charged 9d. per day by the prison authorities, it charges over £5 for the cost of Charles Currie's maintenance in prison?

Is it not the law of Scotland that the authority who puts the debtor into prison has to pay his maintenance, and not the debtor?

I understand that the arrangement was made between the son and the local authority, and that these payments are being collected from him, but, as I have stated, it is not a matter in which ray right hon. Friend can intervene. If the hon. Member has any information to lay before me as regards the question of payment, I shall be glad to see it, but my information is that the prison authority charged at the rate of 9d. per day.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of uniformed policemen and the number of plain-clothes officers attached to the Maryhill Division of Glasgow?

I am informed that the total number of police officers attached to the division referred to is 213. Of this number 23 do duty in plain clothes.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how this percentage of plain-clothes officers in Maryhill compares with other districts in Glasgow?

Not without notice.

May I have an assurance that it will be looked into?

If the hon. Gentleman would like information on that point, I would suggest that he should put down another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount of money received by fines inflicted in each of the juvenile courts in the various divisions of Glasgow for 1935?

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

Is the Department or the right hon. Gentleman himself making any investigations into the unrest caused by big fines inflicted upon children in Glasgow for perfectly trivial offences?

I suggest that that is a separate question. If the hon. Member will read the Table which I am sending him, he will be able to gauge the extent of the matter.

I raised this question before, and the right hon. Gentleman made several replies indicating that some inquiry would be made, and I am asking if that has been done?

That is a separate question, and I suggest that the hon. Gentleman should first read the Table.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any steps have been taken by the Scottish Office to assist employment in Scotland by abolishing the system of work being done for private firms in Scottish prisons?

As explained in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 2nd March, work in Scottish prisons for private firms is gradually being discontinued in favour of work for Government Departments. Meanwhile it is not practicable to abolish entirely work for private firms.

Why is it not practicable to abolish work done in prisons for private firms who are competing with other private firms paying trade union rates?

The hon. Member will be aware of the report of the Departmental Committee on the subject of the employment of prisoners in which it is clearly stated that it is to the benefit of the prisoners that they should be given work to do. If Government contracts are not available to take up the total amount produced it is necessary at present still to allow some to go to private persons, but it is the deliberate policy of the Government to reduce that as soon as possible.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman really mean to infer that there are no Government work and Government contracts for prisoners in Scottish prisons, and that, therefore, you have to go outside to private firms, and is this consistent with the hon. and gallant Gentleman's own speech to the Scottish Development Council?

Yes, Sir; the Government contracts are certainly a source of employment, and at present Government contracts have not absorbed all the work at the prisons. As far as the effect on outside employment is concerned, I would add that, at the most, 500 prisoners are affected by this system.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland at what stage the proceedings of the committee set up last December to inquire into the employment and remuneration of farm workers in Scotland have now arrived and how soon a report may be expected?

I understand that the committee have completed the hearing evidence, except some evidence of a specialised character, and are now engaged on the preparation of their report. It is not yet possible to indicate precisely when the report will be available, but I am assured that here will be no avoidable delay.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend in a position to give the approximate date of the report?

I hope that the committee may find it possible to submit the report during next month.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman inform us whether the trade unions affected by the farm workers were considered in regard to this report?

I understand that a very wide number of people were consulted, but I cannot, without notice, say exactly who were brought before the committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether attendance at classes in shorthand and typewriting in commercial colleges by children of school age is accepted by his Department as efficient education within the meaning of the Scottish Education Acts; and, if so, will he state the number of pupils in Scotland who are at present receiving this type of instruction?

From inquiries I have made I understand that a course embracing shorthand and typewriting only would not be accepted by the education authorities in Scotland as efficient education for a child of school age. Other essential subjects are required in the small number of cases which arise. It is for the education authority and not for the Department to decide whether a parent is providing efficient education for his child, and any appeal from that decision is to the Sheriff.

Cannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman answer the latter part of the question as to the number of pupils?

I have no statistics available, and I have no reason to believe that there are any attending colleges in which only these two subjects are taught.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland at what date the small holding of Woodhouse, Tarbert, Argyll, which was let to Angus Shaw as from Whitsunday, 1935, ceased to be a small land holding under the Acts of 1911 to 1918; and under what section of these Acts did the proprietor resume possession?

According to information supplied by the proprietor on 31st July last, Angus Shaw had then renounced the tenancy of Woodhouse, Tarbert, to which he had previously agreed to enter at Whitsunday, 1935. In November, 1935, the landlord represented that the holding had been vacant for six months and on 31st December, 1935, consent was given, under Section 17 of the Act of 1911 as amended, to let outwith the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts.

Is it not the fact that the statements which were made with regard to the tenant, who understood that he was taking over the holding, were twisted about in order to allow the proprietor to have this area for breeding pheasants for the shooting season, and is that not the basis on which the whole thing rests?

I have no information to lead me to believe that that is the case.

If I can provide the information, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take up the matter again; and can he say now whether or not the local court and the court in Edinburgh were consulted in regard to this change at the time?

I shall be glad to look into any fresh information which the hon. Gentleman can give, but the proceedings, as far as my information goes, have been quite regular.

Were there no other applicants for small holdings in Scotland who could have been allowed to obtain this particular small holding; and why was it necessary for it to be transferred to the proprietor?

The question of the accessibility of the holding, I understand, entered largely into the matter and it remained unlet for a certain period before the change was made.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is prepared to bring in legislation rendering competent in Scotland appeal in court actions where the judgment of the first instance has been obtained upon evidence which ultimately proved to be perjured?

The conditions regulating the review of decisions pronounced by Lords Ordinary or Sheriffs now fall within the jurisdiction of the Rules Councils set up under the Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act, 1933, and can be amended, if any change in procedure is deemed advisable, by Act of Sederunt without the necessity for legislation. I am therefore sending a copy of the hon. Member's question to the Rules Council for their consideration.

May I take it from the right hon. and learned Member that he has applied his attention to the article in the Scottish Law Gazette of March, 1936?

Yes, Sir, and I shall bring that to the attention of the Rules Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the London County Council has refused a Territorial anti-aircraft unit permission to use a public park for their legitimate training; and whether he will take steps to remove this interference with the training of London's defence forces?

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he proposes to take in view of the refusal of the London County Council to allow an anti-aircraft unit of the Territorial Army to train in a park?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the London County Council to allow Battersea Park to be used on 24th May for a recruiting display on behalf of antiaircraft units of the Territorial Army; and whether, in view of the importance of recruiting in the interests of national defence, he will make representations to the London County Council with the object of obtaining the reversal of this decision?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the refusal of the London County Council to grant permission for the holding of a recruiting display in Battersea Park on 24th May, he will consider drawing the attention of all local authorities to the importance of affording all possible facilities for recruiting?

I understand that statements which have appeared, to the effect that this application for authority to stage a recruiting display in Battersea Park had been refused, are premature, and that a final decision on this matter has not yet been taken by the London County Council. I am, in fact, informed that they are considering the question at this moment.

Does the hon. Baronet not think that in matters of national security and safety the Government ought to be the supreme authority?

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what progress has been made in the scheme for additional tree planting in or near Special Areas to help in reducing unemployment?

Forestry nursery operations have started in the English and Welsh Special Areas, negotiations for plantable land are proceeding, a number of forest workers' holdings have been planned and the erection of the houses and outbuildings will now be proceeded with. The planting season does not begin until November, but draining and fencing will be undertaken as soon as possession has been secured of new land.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many unemployed have been set to work on this scheme?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question, but the number must be considerable. Over 5,000,000 plants have been lined out in Wales alone.

Are similar developments being contemplated in Scotland?

We have not received instructions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will have made a complete investigation of the unemployment registers to find out how many of those on the registers at the date of the next monthly report are for any reason unfit for regular employment; and will he consider deleting from the live register those who are found to be unfit for work?

It is a condition for the receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment allowances that claimants shall prove that they are capable of, and available for, work. Subject to this, I have no power to require persons registering as applicants for employment to satisfy a test in order to determine whether they are unfit for regular employment, even if it were possible to define that expression with sufficient precision. As regards the second part of the question, I have no reason to suppose that persons who are completely unfit for work remain on the register. There are always a number whose capacity for work is for various reasons very limited, but it is very difficult to identify them accurately, and in any event I have no authority to strike their names off the register or to refuse them such assistance in finding employment as the exchange may be able to give.

asked the Minister of Labour, seeing that there are a number of persons unemployed from 16 years of age and upwards, single and married, daily seeking work, what steps he is taking to carry out the recommendation of the Commissioner for the Special Areas to take those from 14 to 16 years out of the labour market?

The policy of the Government in regard to this matter is embodied in the Education Bills now before Parliament.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Special Areas there are many thousands of young men between the ages of 18 and 21 who are unemployed, and who will never have an opportunity of work as long as boys between 14 and 16 are allowed to be absorbed into industry?

I cannot accept that statement. There are numerous opportunities for training, and if the hon. Member and his friends will help me to persuade them to volunteer for them, we will do what we can to place them in employment.

If the employment policy of the Government is contained in the Education Bill now before the House, does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that we are expected to wait for three years before anything is done?

I mean exactly what I say in my answer.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any experience of these training camps?

I did not mention training camps. We have many varieties of training efforts, and most successful they are at the moment.

asked the Minister of Labour the average cost per person relieved through transitional and unemployment assistance for each year since the Order in Council of 1931?

The average cost per person relieved of transitional payments under the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (National Economy) (No. 2) Order, 1931, and on unemployment allowances, cannot be stated, as information is not available as to the number of dependants in respect of whom payment was made. The average weekly payment in each year since the Order came into operation has been at the annual rate of:—

asked the Minister of Labour whether any progress is being made towards the reduction of overtime working?

In the discussions my predecessor and myself have had with the representatives in the various industries we have emphasised the necessity of restricting overtime working to a minimum and my information is that increasing efforts are being made to this end. The hon. Member will appreciate, however, that when industry is on the upgrade it becomes more difficult to avoid the working of overtime to a certain extent. I regret that I have no comprehensive statistical information concerning the amount of overtime worked.

When may the House expect a report of the negotiations with the employers?

I cannot say yet.

Is it not the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to let the House have a report?

Naturally, but the hon. Member will understand that we are carrying out a very extensive series of consultations with all sides of the industries, and they reveal a very complicated situation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that about the only place where there is any belief that there is a reduction of overtime working in this country is on the Ministerial benches, and that so far as employers and workers are concerned there is no doubt that there is excessive overtime working?

The hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of complaints which have been made by trainees at the working conditions in operation at Briggs Bodies, Limited, of Dagenham; and whether he is satisfied that trade union conditions are being observed at this firm?

I am not aware of the complaints to which the hon. Member refers; with regard to the latter part of the question, conditions of employment are, subject to the provisions of the law, a matter for arrangement between the employers and workpeople concerned.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman does not remember receiving a letter from me some time ago and also more recently a letter from another hon. Member?

I have answered the question on the Paper. If the hon. Member desires an answer to the point he has put, I will give it to him.

I have asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has received any complaints; and I am now asking whether he did not receive a letter from me regarding these complaints?

The question does not refer to complaints from hon. Members, but from trainees.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of firms in this country where the system of the five-day week is in operation and the number where a scheme of work-sharing obtains?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 26th March to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen). As regards the second part of the question, I regret that information is not available as to the number of firms operating work-sharing schemes; in this connection I would refer to the reply given by my predecessor on 3rd April, 1935, to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker). I am sending my hon. Friend copies of these replies.

Are the right hon. Gentleman's consultations with representatives of industry taking place on all relevant matters, including the shorter working week and work-sharing generally?

All the subjects coming under those heads are under discussion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any information as to what is the money value of the contributions per head of the population made by Great Britain and each of the Dominions towards the costs of the defence of the Empire?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Armaments Year Book, published by the League of Nations, which contains particulars of defence expenditure and population for each of the countries referred to. As regards the United Kingdom, a statement giving particulars of defence expenditure over the last 10 years is being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Are any conversations proceeding with the Dominions as to contributions to the new armaments programme?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put that question on the Order Paper.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to