asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of milk depots in Scotland now owned by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board; and what is the average number of gallons handled per month at these depots?

The number of milk depots now owned by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board is 18, of which three are not meantime being operated, two are used as cheese-conditioning stores and one is leased to another concern. In addition, one depot operated by the board is held on lease. The average quantity of milk handled at these depots per month during the year 1935 was 1,651,000 gallons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses completed in Scotland with State assistance from 1919 till 31st December, 1935, or the last available date; and the total amount of State subsidy paid in respect thereof?

The total number of houses completed in Scotland with State assistance from 1919 till 31st March last is 200,961, and the total amount of State subsidy paid up to that date is £21,235,550.

Is the Secretary of State satisfied with the progress that is being made with house building for the working class in Scotland at the moment?

The local authorities have been very active in this matter and their efforts to remove overcrowding are being driven forward with success.

What does the subsidy amount to per head of the taxpaying population?

That is a question which ought to be on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will cause inquiry to be made on the question of juvenile crime in the Maryhill division of Glasgow?

My attention has already been drawn to the observations on the subject of juvenile delinquency contained in the annual report of the Chief Constable of Glasgow for 1935, and I am in communication with the Corporation on the subject.

Will the Secretary of State keep in mind the fact that in this division they have paid in juvenile fines two or three times the amount of any other division in Glasgow?

I will bear that point in mind when I receive the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the observations, at Dumfries, of His Majesty's inspector of constabulary regarding the increase in juvenile delinquency; and whether he will state the age level at which the increase in delinquency referred to was most pronounced?

Yes, Sir. The returns for 1935 show an increase in the total number of young persons found guilty of offences last year as compared with 1934, which is most pronounced in the 14 to 17 age group.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of post-1919 non-graduate school teachers, male and female, employed by the Glasgow Corporation; the annual cost of raising these teachers to full salary; and the names of any local authorities that have raised their non-graduate post-1919 teachers to full salary?

The answer to the first part of the question is 31 men, 526 women; the annual cost of raising the salaries of these teachers to the scales for pre-1919 non-graduates would be about £10,000 a year initially, and £40,000 a year ultimately. One education authority (Renfrewshire) has raised the non-graduate teachers as a whole to the graduate scales.

Has the Secretary of State any power to influence local authorities to raise the salaries of these men and women who have served for a very long period, and if he has that power, will he exercise it?

The local salary scales are within the discretion of the education authorities, and unless I receive grave complaints, I must leave it to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names and rank of the police officers who have been suspended from the Coatbridge police force and the reasons for suspension; whether his attention has been drawn to the attempt to set up an inquiry by the chief constable, who proposed to act as chairman, to inquire into the allegations made against himself; and whether he will set up an independent judicial inquiry with a view to allaying the unrest and suspicion in the Coatbridge police force?

My attention has been drawn to this case. I am informed that the police officers concerned have raised an action for suspension and interdict against the chief constable in the Court of Session and that an interim interdict was granted on the 11th instant. In the circumstances I cannot make any statement at present.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not himself institute an inquiry into the whole proceeding?

Not until the judgment has been given, and until further facts are forthcoming.

Referring to the original question, may I ask whether Coatbridge has been annexed by the Shettleston Division of Glasgow, and whether the hon. Member might not be directed to confer upon this matter with the hon. Member for Coatbridge?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that at Fraserburgh, on the 15th instant, 350 crans of fresh herring were thrown back into the sea owing to the glutting of the market; whether he is aware that there is a large percentage of the people, especially in areas where there has been prolonged unemployment, underfed and undernourished; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to facilitate the distribution of this surplus food among the needy sections of our population?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. According to inquiries made by the Department of Health there would not appear to be evidence to support the suggestion that a large percentage of people in Scotland are suffering from underfeeding or under-nourishment. I do, however, deplore the destruction of fish, and the Herring Industry Board are giving further consideration to the problem of organising special measures for the disposal of occasional gluts of herring in consultation with the Commissioners for the Special Areas and the Food Council.

Is not the Secretary of State aware that every Thursday in this country there are thousands of women who have nothing whatever to eat because they cannot get any scraps on the Thursday and have to wait for unemployment pay on the Friday?

That statement is not borne out by the evidence given to me by my officers and which I have given to the House this afternoon.

It is borne out by the people who cannot get anything to eat.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where his officers differ from the conclusions arrived at by Sir John Orr and the other officials of the Rowatt Institute regarding under-feeding and under-nourishment in Scotland?

That, I think, would be a more suitable matter for debate in this House than for dealing with by question and answer. I have given the House certain information that I officially possess on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Second Scottish National Housing Company have terminated the tenancy, for 28th May, of a steel house at Sandyhills, in which Mr. James Kirkpatrick, 58, Glenalmond Street, resided since May, 1931, because he has lost his situation; that they ordered the sequestration and sale of his furniture because he was one month in arrears of his February rent, which has now been paid; whether he is aware that Mr. Kirkpatrick served in the Army from 3rd September, 1914, to 28th January, 1919; that Mr. Kirkpatrick's case was so strong that the Glasgow Corporation housing department have, after inquiry, consented to offer him a house in one of their housing schemes; and whether he will arrange to have the eviction order cancelled?

I am informed that the Second Scottish National Housing Company terminated Mr. Kirkpatrick's tenancy of the steel house at Sandyhills occupied by him since May, 1932, because of his repeated failures, despite warnings, to pay his rent at the proper time. He was believed by the company to be in regular employment. A small debt summons was taken out on 27th March to recover rent of £7 due at 15th February, but the amount due was paid on 31st March before the case was called in court. At the same time a summons was taken out to secure payment in respect of the quarter's rent due at 15th May. This rent was however paid punctually, and no further action was taken. Mr. Kirkpatrick left the steel house at Sandyhills last week, having obtained tenancy of a house from Glasgow Corporation.

Is the Secretary of State aware that over that period of 5½ years the rent of the house was never more than a month in arrears at any time, and that the reason given by the house factor for the eviction was that the man had lost his job and had no guarantee of being able to pay the rent? Does the Secretary of State not think it a serious state of affairs that Government money supplied for the building of houses should be used for the purpose of evicting a man because he has lost his job, after he served over four years in the Army during the War?

Government money is not used for building houses from which to evict persons under the terms indicated by the hon. Member. This particular tenant was behindhand with his rent on several occasions, and, in view of that, those responsible for the houses took the action they did.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Glasgow Corporation, after inquiry, were prepared to give this man a house, showing the justice of the man's claim, and, apart from that, will the right hon. Gentleman give a guarantee that in future no tenant will be evicted from a house merely because he is a week or two in arrears with his rent?

I have made inquiries into this case, and I am informed that this particular individual had been warned and had refused to pay the rent at the proper time on several occasions. I have no information as to the terms on which the Glasgow Corporation let houses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a private factor would be far more lenient in a case like this; and will he give orders to this company that they should, at least, be as generous in their treatment of their tenants as ordinary factors?

The information which I have does not show that this particular company, which is a private company, acted more harshly than the ordinary factor would have acted in a case of this kind.

I wish to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the organised transportation of gangs of Fascists from English centres into Edinburgh on 15th instant; whether he has received reports from the police of the violence and bloodshed in connection with the meeting in the Usher Hall attended by these Fascists; and whether he will seek powers to interfere with any future concentration of these organised gangs when there is reason to anticipate a breach of the peace arising in consequence?

As regards the first part of the question, I understand that the meeting referred to was attended by a party of Fascists in uniform most of whom came from England. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given yesterday to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence). As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that under the existing law the police are entitled to enter and remain in a hall during a meeting, if they are requested by the promoters to do so; also, if they have reason to believe that a breach of the law is being committed; or further, if they have reasonable grounds for apprehending that a breach of the law is about to be committed. Further powers to prevent or deal with any breach of the peace arising in the circumstances referred to are, in my view, unnecessary.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that he does not consider it necessary to seek powers from this House to prevent the organised transportation from Middlesbrough to Edinburgh of a large number of these Fascist gangs, which resulted in bloodshed, turbulence and violence in Edinburgh; and are we to understand that he does not propose to take steps to prevent a repetition of this sort of thing?

Freedom of assembly and freedom of speech are implicit in a democratic country, and in view of the statement which I have made as to the law of the land in Scotland, the powers which the police possess at present, as I am advised, seem amply sufficient to protect the interests of His Majesty's subjects.

Inasmuch as I did not ask the right hon. Gentleman's opinion about free speech and am not trying to prevent it in any way, will he be good enough to answer my question? Will he not take steps, or ask for powers, to stop the organised transportation in this way of gangs of violence merchants?

I naturally deplore any action by any section of the community which leads to disorder, but, as I say, there is implicit in every democratic country that freedom of assembly which the right hon. Gentleman apparently wishes to restrict, and as I am advised at present further powers seem to be unnecessary.

Is it not true that in Glasgow it is very difficult to get a hearing?

It was not in Glasgow.

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether he is aware that domestic consumers of coal are now paying considerably more than an additional 1s. per ton as compared with a year ago; and whether the miners are actually receiving increased wages commensurate with the increased prices paid by consumers?

I am aware that, generally speaking, the retail price of domestic coal has been raised by more than 1s. per ton as compared with a year ago. I have no reason to believe that the increases do not in the main correspond with increases in pithead prices. Increased pithead prices operate to augment miners' wages in accordance with the usual machinery of the district wage agreements.

Having regard to the very large increase which has taken place in coal prices already, is it necessary to have these selling schemes to raise prices still higher?

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether, in view of the strong feeling among the miners for the restoration of the seven-hour day and of the opportunity it will provide for increased employment, he will take steps to restore the seven-hour day with a national guaranteed minimum wage to protect the miners' wages?

The answer is in the negative.

Arising out of that informative answer, would the Minister not consider the desirability of bringing in a Mines Bill which would give satisfaction to the miners, in view of the fact that the recent Bill had to be dropped because it gave satisfaction to nobody?

asked the Secretary of Mines whether he will consider, when introducing legislation dealing with reorganisation and selling agencies, arranging to have on the boards of control representatives of the Miners' Federation?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will undertake to secure adequate representation of the mineworkers on the committees or boards that will be responsible for the administration of the proposed central and district selling schemes for the coal-mining industry?

The proposed selling schemes do not provide specifically for the representation of the mineworkers. I would point out that no legislation is necessary to give effect to these schemes.

Seeing that there is so much contention now about the matter not being dealt with properly, could the Secretary for Mines not see his way to allow representatives of the Miners Federation to be put on these bodies?

In view of the importance of this scheme for the miners would he not permit this representation in order to secure that the increased prices are brought into the ascertainments and thus enable the miners' wages to be raised?

That raises a different issue from this specific question. The district executive boards which have dealt with various schemes under the Act of 1930 have no direct representation of the mineworkers on them and that Act was carried on the motion of the Labour Government of that time.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he proposes to have consultations with the Mineworkers' Federation in regard to the proposed central and district selling schemes before submitting them to Parliament?

The necessary draft orders in relation to the district selling schemes have now been laid before Parliament. As I have already indicated in this House, I am willing to meet representatives of the Mineworkers' Federation to discuss matters of this kind, if they so desire.

In view of the fact that these selling schemes were part of the settlement made between the Miners' Federation, the mineowners and the Secretary for Mines recently, does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman thing he was under a obligation to consult the Miners' Federation before these schemes were introduced to Parliament?

I think the hon. Gentleman overlooks the fact that a Joint Consultative Committee was set up, and they seem to be exactly the people with whom this question ought to be discussed.

Are we to understand, then, that the hon. and gallant Gentleman will consult with the Joint Committee?

I think there is a question about that later on.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman receive a deputation from the Association of Municipal Corporations?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will undertake to secure provision for the assistance of the exporting districts in the proposed central and district selling schemes for the coal-mining industry?

The draft orders for the Scotland, South Wales, Northumberland and Durham districts, which were laid before Parliament a week ago, include a provision which would enable the executive board for each of those districts, if it so desires, to collect levies for the purpose of facilitating the sale of any class of coal produced in the district. The draft orders for other districts do not contain such a provision and I understand that the representations to be made to me in respect of the central scheme are unlikely to do so. I have not yet received the formal representations covering amendments of the central scheme.

In view of the fact that unless there is such assistance a very large number of men employed in the exporting districts cannot hope for a wage increase, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman exercise his interest and bring his authority to bear to compel the inclusion of such provision in those schemes?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the proposed central and district selling schemes contain a provision for the payment of compensation to the owners of collieries that may be closed after the schemes become operative; and whether he will undertake to see that provision is made for the payment of compensation to the displaced workpeople.

The district selling schemes will not provide for the payment of compensation to the owners of mines that are closed down. The second part of the question does not therefore arise. The majority of the schemes will, however, contain a provision that if any owner, having made reasonable attempts to obtain business, does not secure his proper share of the trade of the district, he will receive compensation out of moneys provided by contributions paid by those owners who do more than their proper share of the trade.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider, when he brings in the Bill dealing with selling agencies in the coal-mining industry, placing on the board of control representatives from the consumers?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to an earlier question, no Bill is necessary for the establishment of organised selling schemes in the coal industry.

Does that mean that consumers can now have a say on the board?

It means exactly what it says, that no legislation is required in this matter.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman ought to be a little clearer in his replies, and treat us fairly, and not put us off in that way. Does the reply mean that consumers can have a voice on the board?

If the hon. Gentleman means the selling board, the consumers are not concerned with that. What the answer does mean is that the committees of investigation, which are bodies set up under the Act of 1930, have as half their membership representatives of the consumers.

asked the Secretary for Mines the output per man-shift worked in the coal-mining industry of Great Britain during the 12 months ended November, 1921, and for the comparable period ended in 1935?

Figures are only available on a quarterly basis and, owing to the stoppage in 1921, particulars for that year are only available in respect of the March and December quarters when the output of coal per man-shift worked was 14.46 cwts. and 17.73 cwts. respectively. The corresponding figures for the March and December quarters of 1935 were 23.40 and 23.89 cwts.

Does that include all the people employed in the industry? Does it include managers and clerks?

That is a suitable question to put down.

asked the Secretary for Mines what financial assistance in the form of subsidy or concessions in railway rates or any other assistance is given to coal exports from Germany, Poland, or any other coal-exporting country in Europe?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement embodying those methods, so far as they have come to my knowledge, by which European countries assist their coal export trade.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the serious falling off in the coal export trade of this country, especially South Wales; and, as this falling off of trade is creating serious economic difficulties and loss of employment in the Special Areas, will he state what action, if any, the Government propose to take to deal with the matter?

The special position of South Wales is recognised by the Government and receives their constant attention.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us what the Government propose to do for this matter, as it has received their attention for some years and nothing has been done?

The most immediate thing is that the Prime Minister is receiving a deputation from Welsh Members of Parliament to-morrow.

Is it not true that the losses complained of are to a considerable extent attributable to the policy of sanctions, of which hon. Members opposite are the strongest advocates?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is able to state the political and financial considerations which have influenced the large increase in the volume of the German coal export trade?

The hon. Member's question raises a number of involved issues which I regret it is not possible to deal with in answer to a question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will invite the Joint Standing Consultative Committee of Coalowners and the Mineworkers' Federation for consultation before the Coal Mines Bill is brought forward for discussion?

There is no occasion for a special invitation at the present time because as long ago as 7th April the Joint Standing Consultative Committee was informed that I would give the fullest consideration to any suggestions which it might wish to offer as to the best means for giving effect to the proposal for the amendment of Part II of the Coal Mines Act, 1930. I have as yet received no such suggestions.

Is not this committee of vital importance to the industry, and would not an invitation from the Minister to the committee help to make it of more value to the industry?

I want the committee to be of the greatest possible value to the industry. All I have said is that some six weeks ago I said that I was prepared to give the fullest consideration to any suggestions the committee might make, and it has not yet made any.

Is it not a fact that the Bill was killed last night in a Committee room upstairs?

In view of the fact that this committee was also set up as a result of the last settlement, did not the hon. Gentleman really think he was under an obligation to consult such an important body before bringing legislation to his House?

The hon. Member will see my reply to that question and similar questions in what I said to the House on Monday last week.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has had consultations with the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission with regard to the Amendments which the President of the Board of Trade announced would be moved to the Coal Mines Bill?

I have had no consultations with the Commission as such, but since the Commission is the body to be entrusted with the administration of the provisions of the Bill, if it becomes law, I have naturally been in touch with them, through their chairman, during the consideration of the proposed Amendments.

Are we to understand that the substantial Amendments which were suggested by the President of the Board of Trade last week were put forward without any consultation with the Re-organisation Commission?

I have explained the situation in my reply. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will study it.

asked the Secretary for Mines when he proposes to issue the White Paper in connection with the Mines Bill; and whether it is proposed to proceed with the Bill?

I regret that I am not in a position to make any statement.

Has the Minister seen reports in the Press to-day that it is the intention of the Government to withdraw the Bill?

Did not the hon. Gentleman yesterday make a statement to a meeting of private Members with regard to the withdrawal of this Bill, and would he not now take the House into his confidence as he did a private group?

The hon. Gentleman is, of course, referring to a private meeting, but I do not think I would betray any secrets if I said that I made no such statement there.

As legislation is a matter for the Prime Minister, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Bill or to withdraw it?

I shall be delighted to do that when I have had notice.

Could not the Minister—

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that there are more than 90 questions on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make a statement in regard to the expansion of the term "native" and consequent restrictions as embodied in the recent Southern Rhodesian Native Pass Consolidation Amendment Bill?

The definition of the terra "native" contained in the Bill in question is similar to that which has been adopted of recent years in other Southern Rhodesia legislation. I understand that the object is to clarify the position of half-castes who were born and live as natives in the native reserves.

Are we to take it that the question whether a man is a native depends upon whom he lives with?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the dissatisfaction with the Southern Rhodesian (Native Registration) Bill which has been expressed by representatives of the natives' interests and by the municipality of Buluwayo, he will advise His Majesty to withhold his consent to this Measure?

I am informed that no expressions of dissatisfaction at the Bill have been received by the Southern Rhodesia Government from representatives of native interests in the Colony, and that such criticisms as were made by other local interests were for the most part concerned with points of detail and have been largely met by amendments of the Bill in Committee. The Bill passed all its stages without a Division and has now been assented to by the Governor. I am now awaiting a copy of the legislation as amended, but in the circumstances I see no reason to suppose that I should be justified in taking the action which the hon. Member suggests.

May I ask whether, in the case of native legislation passed by a Dominion Government, the right of disallowance is still vested in the Imperial Crown despite the Statute of Westminster?

In the case of Southern Rhodesia, which is not a Dominion, the right of disallowance still continues.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what arrangements, if any, are being made for holding another Imperial Conference?

I am still in communication with the Dominion Governments on this subject, and I am not in a position to make any further statement at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been in communication with the Government of the Argentine Republic as to the duty upon foreign linseed imposed as a result of the Ottawa Agreements Act; and can he make a statement on the matter?

No, Sir.

Will this important matter be taken into consideration in the consultation which is now in progress with the Argentine?

My hon. Friend asked me whether I have been in communication with the Argentine on this subject, and I said "No."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give an estimate of the real trade balance for 1935 between Argentina and Great Britain, taking into account invisible as well as visible exports and making allowance for re-export from this country of imports from Argentina?

In the absence of reliable information regarding the invisible items, apart from the revenue from British investments in the Argentine, I regret that I am unable to furnish the desired information. As regards income from investments, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) on 12th May.

Having regard to the fact that the information is not available, will my right hon. Friend tell me how the trade agreement with the Argentine will be carried into effect, particularly its financial provisions?

If my hon. Friend cares to put down a question I will give him such information as he desires.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of sterling exchange allocated by the Argentine Government to United Kingdom interests in the period from the conclusion of the Roca Treaty to the end of 1935; and whether he is satisfied that this amount fairly represents the proportion agreed upon under the terms of the treaty?

£81,747,000. Subject to certain adjustments which are under discussion, I have no reason to think that the figure just quoted does not fairly represent the amount to which this country has been entitled under the Agreement of 1933.

Having regard to the earlier statement of the right hon. Gentleman that he had not got the information, can he tell me how he is now satisfied that we are to get a square deal?

That is a different question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been able to make any estimate of the advantage which is likely to accrue to exporters in the United Kingdom by reason of the tariff reductions recently made by the Australian Government?

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the Customs Tariff amendments recently discussed in the Commonwealth Parliament. These covered amendments of the tariff which had been brought into force provisionally since December, 1933. On the basis of recent import statistics, the reductions made affected United Kingdom trade amounting to £1,500,000, and the increases £150,000. As the House will be aware, the Commonwealth Government introduced important new proposals on 22nd May relating to the import of cotton and rayon goods, motor cars, and some other commodities. While it is not possible to estimate the exact effect of these new proposals on United Kingdom exports to Australia, I am very glad to say they include measures, notably those relating to cotton and rayon goods, which should prove of substantial benefit to United Kingdom trade. I share the hope of the Commonwealth Government that the arrangements will strengthen the trade between the two countries.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that his statement indicates the great importance of developing Imperial Preference by every means in our power?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when concluding a further agreement with Denmark, he will endeavour so to conclude the agreement that any benefits which it is proposed to confer upon Danish traders shall not be given simultaneously to other countries on account of the most-favoured-nation treatment clause?

The extension to third countries of any benefits to Danish traders, arising from a continuation after 20th June of the Anglo-Danish Trade Agreement, is dependent upon the stipulations of existing treaties between this country and third countries. These treaties normally provide for most-favoured-nation treatment to both parties in respect, inter alia, of Customs duties and import and export prohibitions and restrictions.

Would it not be wise to terminate the most-favoured-nation clause in order to give my right hon. Friend greater facilities for bargaining with those with whom we intend to make further trade agreements?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the manufacturers of cutlery who have orders for Denmark are unable to proceed with such orders owing to licences for cutlery not being issued; will he urge the importance of this matter with the Danish authorities; and will he bear the cutlery trade in mind when discussing any new agreement with the Danish Government?

I am aware that there have been complaints of inadequate licences for the importation of cutlery into Denmark, and the matter is being borne in mind in the negotiations now proceeding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has given any consideration to the effects of legislation in Germany and Czechoslovakia, limiting the establishment of one-price stores, and chain stores, elsewhere than in the chief towns; and whether he will consider the desirability of setting up an inquiry into the recent extension of chain stores and one-price stores in this country, with a view to ascertaining whether the expansion of such stores should be allowed to continue unchecked?

My attention has been called to legislation of this kind in various countries, but as regards this country, I see no necessity for an inquiry such as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the question of legislation to prevent chain stores from taking part in party politics and spending their dividends on political objects?

asked the President of the Board of Trade which commercial agreements at present prevent this country from imposing an import duty on newsprint and the date at which they can be terminated?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in future negotiations as to trade agreements and in negotiations concerning these agreements that are due to expire, he will safeguard the position of newsprint manufacturers in this country so that it may be possible to place a tariff on imported newsprint?

The position of the United Kingdom newsprint industry will be carefully borne in mind in any negotiations for the revision of trade agreements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman specially bear in mind that the places where newsprint is manufactured are mostly in the distressed areas or where there is a high incidence of unemployment, and that if anything can be done in the direction I have indicated it will be of great benefit to the newsprint industry and relieve unemployment

Yes, that important fact will be taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 63 British firms, who are importers of Italian goods, have already lost £95,000 in consequence of the sanctions imposed against Italy; whether he has considered the proposals submitted to him by the Association of British Importers from Italy; and will he make a further statement on the matter?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have seen statements in the Press to the effect mentioned, but I have no further information. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on this subject on 12th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the return to the Merseyside of the Elder Dempster shipping group; and is he now prepared to enter into consultation with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce as to ways and means to restore the West Coast of Africa trade to Liverpool?

The chief shipping services from this country to the west coast of Africa have always been maintained from Liverpool. As regards the second part of the question, I think this is a matter primarily for the commercial and shipping interests concerned.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not recall the various deputations which have approached him on this matter; and in view of this particular firm having come into the city, is it not possible to resume negotiations to get trade and workers together?

For some time past, certainly for as long as I can remember, trade between the West African Colonies and this country has been effected through Liverpool.

But is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of what I am getting at in regard to palm oil and kernels and whale oil? There is a difficulty, and I am anxious to get business relationships established, so that we can have better trade.

If the hon. Member will put down a question on oils, I will give him an answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage increases of exports from this country to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Argentine, respectively, for the year 1935 over the year 1932?

Comparing the year 1935 with 1932, the increase in exports of United Kingdom goods consigned to Canada was 30 per cent., to Australia 47 per cent., to New Zealand 29 per cent., to the Union of South Africa 86 per cent., and to the Argentine Republic 43 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the shipbuilding orders which are being placed in Germany were placed abroad by firms in possession of frozen credits or in respect of goods sold to Germany for which payment is available in sterling under the Anglo-German Payments Agreement of 1934?

I understand that the orders to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers have been placed for the purpose of liquidating some frozen balances in Germany, in respect of transactions for which exchange is not required to be provided under the Anglo German Payments Agreement of 1st November, 1934. This Agreement provides for the allocation of specific amounts of sterling for payment for United Kingdom goods exported to Germany, as well as for the redemption of debts due before 1st November, 1934, from persons in Germany to persons in the United Kingdom, in respect of the sale of goods.

In view of the fact that the answer which I have just received directly contradicts an answer which the President of the Board of Trade gave to me a few days ago, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House as to the reasons for the delay in the introduction of the new Regulations for the administration of unemployment assistance; and whether he is now in a position to indicate the date when they will be presented to Parliament?

I regret that it has not yet been possible to introduce the new Regulations. The Government have felt it necessary to make a very exhaustive examination of the possible effects of any changes. The variety of conditions existing in different parts of the country has rendered this examination much more protracted than was expected. I am not able to indicate the precise date when the new Regulations will be presented to Parliament, but I do not anticipate that final decisions will now be long delayed.

Could the Prime Minister tell the House whether the difficulties are with the Unemployment Assistance Board in preparing the Regulations, or with the Cabinet in accepting the Regulations?

Much as I should like to oblige the hon. Member, I am very much afraid that my Privy Councillor's oath would prevent me from replying in full.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that all these difficulties were known to the Government, as they were known to the Members of the House, at the last General Election, and that they are largely due to the operation of the means test and the difficulty of framing regulations to operate it, and why does he not end the whole thing?

I would not say particularly to what the difficulties are due, but the hon. Member knows and has indicated, as I know, that it is an extremely intricate and difficult subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless the new Regulations are very much more generous than the old ones we do not want to see them introduced?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is of the utmost consequence that these Regulations when they are introduced should receive the most dispassionate and cool consideration, and that these continued procrastinations and delays are creating an atmosphere which is very unfavourable to their proper consideration?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the strategic importance of the Netherlands in the event of an attack from the air, the Government have considered or contemplate any plans of defence in collaboration with the Dutch military authorities?

No such plans have been considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the direct route from London to Central Europe passes through Holland?

Yes, I was aware of that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has given further consideration to the report of the Bank for International Settlements at Basle; is he satisfied with the reasons advanced for there being a reduction of £1,000,000 only in the total British credits, used and unused; and whether any specific creditor or creditors have increased their credits to Germany during the past 12 months?

In reply to the first two parts of the question, I am of opinion that the statement published on Tuesday last by the Committee of British Short-term Creditors satisfactorily disposes of this matter. As regards the last part of the question, the statement points out that no new or increased credit can be granted by any creditor under the Standstill Agreement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question as, I think, my hon. Friend who put it down rather intended that it should be read, and that is with the latter part of the question not limited to the Standstill Agreement? The latter part asks whether any specific creditor or creditors have increased their credits to Germany in the past 12 months, that is inside or outside the Standstill Agreement?

I understood the hon. Member's question to refer to credits under the Standstill Agreement. If he refers to other financial credits as well, I have no knowledge of any specific instances of the kind.

In view of the very persistent statements that are made in the City of London, cannot the right hon. Gentleman take steps to inquire into the transactions of certain firms who are persistently mentioned—Messrs. Schroeder, for instance?

I have no power to make such an investigation.

Will the Chancellor take such powers, in order that we may not sit idly by and let funds go out for the armament of Germany?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider giving facilities for a Second Reading discussion on Private Members' Bills brought in under the Ten-Minutes Rule which have been introduced and carried their First Reading in two consecutive sessions?

No, Sir. I do not consider that the hon. Member's proposal is practicable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Private Members' Bills have not much chance in the House? I know that he has a philosophical outlook and that he knows the old adage that things come to those who wait. I have been waiting a couple of years with a Bill, and it seems that I shall never get on with it.

I would make two observations on that statement. The first is that, as the hon. Member knows, a considerable amount of time is allocated to Private Members' Bills in the earlier part of the Session. That is the right time, I think, for a Private Member to bring in a Bill, especially if it is of a, contentious nature. The mere passing of a Bill under the Ten-Minutes Rule does not, as the House knows, at all indicate that that Bill is non-contentious or popular. There is a generous feeling in the House that if a Private Member is sufficiently interested to introduce a Bill under the Ten-Minutes Rule, he should be given leave to do so, because they like to see the Bill in print, but afterwards most of them desire never to see it any more.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing imports of medals, flags, and other goods for the Coronation celebration; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to stop this inrush of foreign goods which should be made by British workpeople?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Sir R. Blair) on 4th May.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer not aware that the flags and medals required for the Coronation are made in Birmingham?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the estimated cost annually for the increase of the contributory pensions from 10s. per week to £1 per week?

The additional cost of increasing contributory pensions to persons between the ages of 65 and 70 and pensions to widows from 10s. to 20s. a week would be about £41,000,000 a year at the present time. The additional cost of the same increase in the pensions to persons over 70 (which consist partly of contributory and partly of non-contributory pensions which could not be separated) would be about £44,000,000 a year at the present time. Each of these figures would increase steadily in the future.

Money well spent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of money obtained for charitable purposes for the benefit of Service charities from Tattoo, Navy week, and Royal Air Force pageants during the past five years; and whether such receipts are subjected to Entertainments Duty?

During the five years, 1931–35, Service charities benefited to the extent of Approximately £75,000 from Navy weeks, and £61,000 from the Royal Air Force display and Empire Air Day. In regard to the Army, I understand that complete information as to these charitable funds is not available in the War Office, and could probably not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. In regard to the second part of the question, generally speaking, Service charity entertainments qualify for exemption from Entertainments Duty under one or other of the relevant provisions of the law relating to entertainments given for charitable purposes.

Does the Minister consider that the small amounts from these very big displays are sufficient?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Census Office, the Inland Revenue, the Home Office, the Ministry of Labour and the Board of Trade each compile and put into use their own classification of trades and businesses; and, if so, whether he will consider the advantages of co-ordinating such Government statistics with one code of definitions and classifications?

The desirability, in general, of the adoption of a uniform classification of occupations and industries in the statistics issued by different Government Departments is fully appreciated, and as long ago as 1921 a standard classification was drawn up. I understand, however, that for a variety of reasons it has not been possible for all Departments to follow that classification in detail. The whole matter is under constant consideration by the Departments concerned, and will necessarily come up for review by the Permanent Consultative Committee on Official Statistics in connection with the proceedings of the Conference of British Commonwealth Statisticians held at Ottawa last year.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the decline in the volume of work in his Department, he will state what arrangements are being made to place the redundant staff in other Government Departments?

There is no redundancy of staff at the present time, any decline in the volume of work being fully balanced by loss of staff through death and retirement owing to age, ill-health, etc.

Is the Department making arrangements to place in other Government Departments the female staff as well as the male staff that are found to be redundant?

Would not the best way of placing any future redundant staff be to form a separate Government Department for the express purpose of preparing answers to questions put by the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day)?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the shortages of seamen in the port of Sunderland in each particular grade?

Shortages occur from time to time, and I am informed that, while at the present moment there is no actual shortage at Sunderland, the number of ordinary seamen available there is small. There has this year been on occasions shortage in this grade.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was stated last week that 473 seamen of all grades were signing on and that this week it is anticipated there will be 408; is he also aware that in the speech made on 14th May, the statement was made by the right hon. Gentleman himself that there was a shortage of seamen in Sunderland? I want to contradict that by asking this question.

The exact words used by me on 14th May were:

"There is a shortage of ordinary seamen reported at…Sunderland."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th May, 1936; col. 649, Vol. 312.]

asked the Secretary of State for War what experiments and/or investigations have been made on behalf of the War Office into the prevention and cure of the common cold and influenza within the last six years; and what success, if any, has attended them?

Investigations have been undertaken in vaccine-therapy and in prevention by extensive hygienic precautions, without, however, satisfactory evidence being obtained as to the efficacy of vaccines in relation to either influenza or the common cold. An inquiry now being conducted in collaboration with the Medical Research Council, however, gives hope of more promising results.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the regulations of the Scottish Office which ensure that prisoners in Edinburgh police cells shall be provided with butter in their regular diet; and will he take steps to see that His Majesty's military forces are similarly provided?

I understand that no instructions to the effect that prisoners detained in police lock-up cells in Edinburgh shall be provided with butter in their regular diet, have been issued by the Scottish Office. My right hon. Friend has merely intimated to police authorities in Scotland that he considers that the maximum allowance for a meal for such prisoners should be ninepence, with a limit of three meals to any one prisoner per diem. The manner in which the money is spent is left to the discretion of the police authority. As regards the second part of the question, the matter is still under consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the communication from the Scottish Office to which he refers makes definite reference to the provision of butter, and does he further realise that if the Scottish Office are making the Scottish prison cell more attractive than the Army, it will have an effect on recruiting?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the contracts which are being given to MacLellan's Rubber Works, in the Mary hill Division of Glasgow, are being operated under a fair-wages clause or trade union conditions?

The usual clause, based upon the Fair Wages Resolution passed by the House of Commons on 10th March, 1909, is included in all contracts placed with Messrs. G. MacLellan and Company, Limited.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very definite persuasion among the workers in this factory, and will he make inquiries to see whether the fair-wages clause is being operated in regard to these contracts?

If the hon. Member will bring to my notice any complaint, I shall be most happy to make inquiries.