asked the Minister of Labour the cost of administration of transitional payments for the final 12 months of its administration by county and county borough authorities and the cost for the first 12 months of its administration by the Unemployment Assistance Board, and the costs separately on each for the county of Glamorgan?

The total cost of administration of transitional payments in the 12 months ended 31st December, 1934, prior to the first appointed day, was about £3,500,000, including about £780,000 paid to public assistance authorities in respect of additional administrative expenditure incurred by them. In the ensuing 12 months, the total cost of administration of unemployment allowances was about £4,250,000 of which about £1,700,000 was incurred by the Unemployment Assistance Board, including the cost of ancillary services rendered to the board by Government Departments and accruing liability in respect of superannuation allowances, the greater part of the balance being in respect of services rendered by the Ministry of Labour. Corresponding figures for the county of Glamorgan are not available, but the sum paid to public assistance authorities in respect of their additional administrative expenses under the transitional payments scheme in the 12 months ended 31st December, 1934, was about £25,500.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this means an increase of £1,500,000 in the cost of administration of unemployment allowances? Would it not be much better to abolish the means test?

asked the Minister of Labour the cost of transitional payments, apart from administration, in respect of the 12 months prior to the first appointed day, 7th June, 1935; the cost in respect of the ensuing period of 12 months for transitional payments and unemployment allowances; and the costs separately for the county of Glamorgan?

The cost of transitional payments, apart from administration, in the 12 months ended 31st December, 1934, prior to the first appointed day, 7th January, 1935, was about £43,130,000, and the cost in the ensuing period of 12 months for transitional payments and unemployment allowances was about £42,600,000. Corresponding payments (excluding transitional payments made through associations) in the county of Glamorgan during the same periods were approximately £4,130,000 and £4,480,000 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour the total amount paid out in unemployment benefit in Linlithgowshire during the year ended 1st May, 1936, or the nearest convenient date, and similar information for each of the preceding five years?

I am having the figures extracted, and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed workers on the registers of the Employment Exchanges in Linlithgowshire on 1st May, 1936, or nearest convenient date, and what proportion of those registered are in receipt of benefit; and comparable information for each of the preceding five years?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman, indicate now whether

asked the Minister of Labour whether there is any liaison between his Department and the War Office with a view to the giving of information as to training centres, etc., to men who have left the Army?

Under arrangements made between the Ministry and the War Office, men about to take their discharge from the Regular Army are registered in advance with the Employment Exchange nearest to their intended place of residence after discharge, so that they may receive every assistance in finding suitable employment. The facilities available under the Department's training and transference schemes are brought to their notice in all appropriate cases.

In view of the fact that there are many ex-Army men who seem to have no contact whatever with the Ministry of Labour, would the hon. and gallant Gentleman inquire whether the arrangements indicated work satisfactorily?

If the hon. Member has any specific cases where the practice that I have indicated

I should like the hon. Member, if he will, to see the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT; then he can put down a further question.

Is it not a fact that very complete facilities for training exist in the Army?

A great deal of trouble, I believe, is taken, but questions on that matter should be put down to the Secretary of State for War.

Is it not a fact that, when these men leave the Army, they have not sufficient strength to walk to the Exchanges after living on margarine?

asked the Minister of Labour whether it meets with the approval of his Department that under the Unemployment Assistance Board regulations a special advance made to an unemployed man for the purchase of a pair of boots for one of his children should be recovered by means of weekly deductions from the amount of his allowance?

I understand that the decision as to the recovery of advances of this kind depends on the circumstances of the particular case. It is a matter within the board's discretion and not subject to my right hon. Friend's approval. If the applicant is dissatisfied with the decision, he has the usual right of appeal to an appeal tribunal.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of families have been sent to London from the Rhondda Valley with a promise of work; that the cost of the removal of the furniture is borne by the Ministry, and when the families arrive in London no work is available and they are left stranded; and will be take the necessary steps to discontinue this practice and arrange for these families to be transferred back to the Rhondda Valley?

Assistance towards the removal of families from the depressed areas is given only at the request of the householder, and where he or some other member of the family has obtained employment in the new area. The arrangements are designed to prevent the occurrence of cases of the kind referred to in the question and I am not aware that such cases have arisen, but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars, I will have inquiries made.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman, after receiving the necessary information and proof of the transfer of these families, and no work is available, undertake to transfer them back to their homes?

I will certainly undertake to look into the cases, but I should not like, in advance of the information, to give any further specific undertaking.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles unemployed between the ages of 14 to 16 and 16 to 18, and the number receiving instruction at the latest available date?

At 25th May, 1936, there were 54,184 unemployed juveniles, aged 14 and 15 years, and 46,463 aged 16 and 17, on the registers of Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux in Great Britain. The number continuing to attend school is considerable and amounted on 23rd March, 1936, to 11,777. Of those who had left school the average daily attendance at junior instruction centres and classes during the week ended 20th May, 1936, was 29,988. The average daily attendance of unemployed juveniles during the month ended 26th April, 1936, at other educational institutions was 583.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been summoned in the Metropolitan area for exceeding the 30 miles per hour limit during the past 12 months?

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind prosecutions for exceeding the speed limit in built-up areas, under Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934. The number of such prosecutions in the Metropolitan Police District during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1936, was 45,870.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will obtain a police report upon the traffic congestion in the area Eastcheap-Cannon Street-King William Street; and, if satisfied that there is danger to life and property, will he take power with other proper authorities to close to vehicular traffic the dangerous parts of the streets named until passage through them has been rendered safe?

My right hon. Friend has obtained a report from the Commissioner of Police for the City of London to the effect that, while the volume of traffic converging at the intersection referred to is always heavy during business hours, such congestion is not more marked than in other busy thoroughfares in the City. In the Commissioner's view the risks are not greater than those which exist elsewhere, and the risk to pedestrians has been greatly diminished by the construction of a subway which was opened to the public on the 2nd December last. In these circumstances no action on the part of my right hon. Friend appears to be called for.

asked Minister of Transport how many licences have been issued for road passenger transport vehicles in Scotland; how many of these are operated by S.M.T., Limited, and by other companies; how many undertakings have been taken over by the S.M.T. Company, Limited; and what action he intends to take to prevent the establishment of a private monopoly in road transport services in Scotland out side the areas controlled by the four municipal undertakings of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen?

The number of public service vehicles licensed in Scotland on 31st March, 1936, was 5,259. I am obtaining the information asked for in the second and third parts of the question and will send it to the hon. Member. The considerations to which the commissioners must have regard when granting or refusing road service licences are set out in Section 72 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that cases are occurring where motor-cyclists who have a placard with the letter L on their machines carry a passenger as well; and will he take steps to stop this practice for learners?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is taking the necessary steps for making a regulation prohibiting this practice.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the housing shortage for the working classes in Central London, he would consider alleviating the difficulty of the housing authorities by allowing them to acquire the Holloway and Pentonville Prison sites, by removing these prisons further from the thickly populated area of London?

This question has been considered on various occasions in recent years, but in view of the difficulty of finding alternative accommodation for the large number of prisoners who would be displaced, it is not at present practicable to close either Holloway or Pentonville.

asked the Minister of Health whether the survey of overcrowded conditions, as defined by the Housing Act, 1935, has been completed; and whether he can give the House some indication of the number of houses which are overcrowded and the number of persons concerned?

asked the Minister of Health what number of local authorities had submitted on 1st June reports as to the amount of overcrowding in their areas under the provisions of the Housing Act, 1935; how many houses were inspected by these authorities; how many were found to be overcrowded; and will be state separately the corresponding figures for county boroughs alone?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a statement on the position of the surveys required to be presented to the Ministry by 1st June under the Overcrowding Act of 1935?

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

asked the Minister of Health the programme of the technical sub-committee of the Central Advisory Housing Committee who are now visiting different towns in the country to familiarise themselves with housing conditions?

The Central Purposes and Technical Sub-Committe of the Central Housing Advisory Committee have decided that some of their meetings should be made the occasions for visits to housing estates in various cities. Following this arrangement, the sub-committee have visited estates of the London County Council, and estates at Birmingham, Dudley, Liverpool and Manchester. I am not aware that any further visits are contemplated at present.

Will the Committee visit vacant sites which have not been properly cleared?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to send me some suggestions.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in England and Wales have given guarantees up to 31st March, 1936, under Section 2 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933; and the total number of houses involved?

Up to 31st March, 1936, 54 local authorities in England and Wales had given guarantees under Section 2 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, in respect of 10,107 houses.

Can the Minister give the reason why this Act, introduced by his predecessor, has so lamentably failed to produce any considerable number of working-class houses?

I regret these figures, and I wish that more use was made of the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the plans for the proposed new Doncaster grammar school have now received the endorsement of his Department; and, if so, when will reconstruction commence?

Plans for the proposed new Doncaster grammar school have not yet been submitted to the board, but I am informed by the authority that the competition for the preparation of the plans has now been opened, and that the closing date for receiving plans is 30th June.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can now make a statement on the question of maintenance allowances under Section 24 of the Education Act, 1921, and the position of local educational authorities in relation thereto; and, generally, on the policy of the Government in relation to the provision of State maintenance grants for children attending public elementary schools during the period of compulsory school attendance beyond the age of 14?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 5th March to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Sir J. Walker-Smith), a copy oil which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education the cost of each pupil in average attendance in the secondary schools in Chislehurst and the county of Kent; and similar information for Monmouthshire?

It is not possible to give the cost of school maintenance for the secondary schools in Chislehurst which is not a separate administrative unit. The cost of maintenance for schools on the Grant list is as follows:

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention that, in connection with the visiting by health visitors of all children under the age of five who do not attend school, such visitation will affect all classes of the community; and, if not, how the scope of such visits will be limited?

I will send my lion. Friend a copy of the circular which I have recently issued on this subject. The question of visiting in any particular case is one within the discretion of the local authority, who will naturally take account of the extent to which to their knowledge the health of the child is already supervised.

asked the Minister of Health the names of the non-county borough and district councils which are maternity and child welfare authorities?

I shall be happy to send the hon. Member a list of these councils who number well over 200.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the practice in some areas that before a patient recommended for treatment in a rate-aided institution is conveyed by ambulance the public assistance officer requests the old age pension book; and will he state whether this practice is with his knowledge and consent?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative, but if he has any particular instances in mind and will let me have details I shall be happy to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health what powers public assistance authorities are authorised by his Department to exercise in relation to the apprenticeship of young persons?

Public assistance authorities are empowered by Section 59 of the Poor Law Act, 1930, to bind as apprentice any child whose parents are not able to maintain him. This power includes the power to pay an apprenticeship premium, but Article 122 of the Public Assistance Order, 1932, requires that, in the case if a person of 16 years of age or over, the premium shall not take any other form than that of clothing or tools for the use of the apprentice. The exercise of these powers does not require my approval.

In view of the shortage of skilled workpeople, will the right hon. Gentleman consider amending the order, so as to empower public assistance authorities to pay money towards premiums of apprenticeship as well as give money for tools and clothing?

I will consider that suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that under Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, a purchaser of a security transferable by deed has to pay a stamp duty of £1 for each £100, whereas if a Stock Exchange dealer purchases a security value £100,000, which is transferred upon one deed, the stamp duty is but 10s.; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this anomaly, in view of the fact that the Exchequer would have benefited by £803,197 during the year to 31st March, 1936, had Section 42 of the said Act not operated during that period?

I am, of course, aware of the facts recited by the hon. Member, but I cannot agree that there is any anomaly. Transfers into the name of a dealer on a Stock Exchange differ essentially from other transfers in that stock so transferred represents not a purchase for investment but a part of the dealer's stock in trade. Consequently if the full £1 per cent, duty were made applicable to such transfers, the duty would act as a tax on the turnover of a dealer's business. The hon. Member no doubt appreciates that if a dealer does not sell the stock in his name within two months the full £1 per cent, duty has to be paid by him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what justification existed for supplying members of the public with transfer forms free during the financial year 1935–36 at a cost to the Exchequer of approximately £975; and will he take steps to see that a charge is made for such transfer forms in future?

As the hon. Member is probably aware, it is only forms with stamps on them that are supplied without charge for the form. The use of stamped forms, as compared with the alternative of stamping transfers after execution, enables savings to be made in other directions which counterbalance the cost of the forms. The cost of the separate forms is trifling and their issue free is a reasonable facility which I see no reason to discontinue.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he expects to be able to announce a long-term policy for the cattle industry before the end of June; and, if not, whether he will ask Parliament to approve an extension of the existing subsidy for a further period of four months?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make any statement now regarding the progress of the negotiations connected with a long-term policy for the livestock industry?

It is proposed to invite Parliament to approve before the end of June a resolution extending the provisions for the payment of a cattle subsidy under the Cattle Industry (Emergency Provisions) Acts, 1934 and 1935, until the end of October. I am not yet in a position to indicate the date of my statement on long-term policy for the cattle industry.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for his assurance in regard to the continuance of the subsidy which will do something to allay the anxieties of men who, in carrying on the live stock industry, are faced with great difficulties.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the recent visit of two Argentina diplomats to the South Wales coalfields may not be taken as foreshadowing an agreement with the Argentine Government on a coal basis at the expense of the live stock industry of this country?

I hope that there will be an agreement with the Argentine, but I do not think there is any reason to anticipate that it will be on a basis un-favourable to the interests of agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the result of the recent ballot on egg marketing policies shows that 83 per cent. of the voters favoured an increase in tariffs without any marketing scheme; and, as this ballot represents the opinion of 21,888 poultry producers owning 12,507,770 head of poultry, what action he proposes to take?

I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. As regards the second part, the recommendations of the Reorganisation Commission for Eggs and Poultry for Great Britain, in so far as they would involve initiatory action by the Government, are still (under consideration, and I am not at present in. a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of local authorities for Scotland which have been asked to undertake air-raid precautions; how many of these have refused to do so; and whether he is taking steps to bring home to these authorities a sense of responsibility for the safety of their citizens?

All county and town councils in Scotland have been invited to undertake the preparation of air-raid precautionary schemes within their areas, and I have gratifying evidence of the readiness of the majority of local authorities to undertake this work. Up to the present only two local authorities have officially intimated that they are not prepared to co-operate, but I understand that in a very few other isolated cases the local authorities concerned have indicated their unwillingness to participate in the schemes. In reply to the last part of the question, steps are taken, as occasion arises, to point out to local authorities the importance of undertaking these precautions.

What local authorities refuse to take precautions against air raids?

The County Council of West Lothian and the Town Council of Wick.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the No-More War Movement is publishing names of local authorities not complying with this request which are inaccurate and untrue?

I have not seen anything of that sort.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of road accidents to pedestrians and pedal cyclists through the excessive speed and negligence of motor cyclists and motor-car drivers; how many cases have been reported in which drivers have neither stopped when accidents took place nor made any report on such accidents; and whether any steps are being considered for the better regulation of road traffic and the imposition of appropriate penalties on guilty drivers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that the total number of pedestrians and pedal cyclists killed and injured in road accidents in Scotland showed a decrease in 1935 as compared with 1934. I have no information as regards the second part of the question. As regards the last part of the question, the problem of the better regulation of road traffic is a matter which is receiving the constant attention, of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Transport. The imposition of penalties on persons found guilty of offences is a matter for the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total area under wheat and barley in Scotland for the years 1913 and 1935, respectively?

The figures are as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the price of oats at Perth, or at the nearest market to Perth, for which figures are available at 1st June, 1936, 1935, and 1925?

The price of oats at Perth market on 3rd June, 1936, was 4s. 6d. per cwt., on 5th June, 1935, 6s. 8d. per cwt., and on 5th June, 1925, 9s. 6d. per cwt.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend not recognise that these are very serious figures? In spite of the large import duties on foreign oats, may I impress on him the importance of doing something to ensure higher prices for the producers of oats?

It is recognised that these prices are low.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to present to Parliament a Midwifery Bill for Scotland; and, if so, can he give any indication as to when he will introduce it?

Yes, Sir. It is the intention of my right hon. Friend to introduce a Bill this Session, but he is not yet able to announce a definite date. As the hon. Member is aware, the Scottish problem differs both in nature and extent from that in England and in framing proposals my right hon. Friend has thought it expedient to secure the fullest measure of agreement with local authorities and other interests concerned. Consultations to that end are actively proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of the Committee on Scottish Health Services will be available?

I understand that the report of the Committee on Scottish Health Services will probably be submitted to my right hon. Friend by the end of this month. Publication will follow immediately the report is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a boy of 15 years of age was killed in a pit in Newtongrange, Midlothian, while in charge of an engine; and, as it, is illegal to have a boy of that age underground in charge of machinery, what steps is he prepared to take to stop the practice and punish those responsible?

It is assumed that the case to which the hon. Member refers is that of James Melville Fletcher, whose death at Newbattle Colliery on 28th May will form the subject of an inquiry under the Fatal Accidents Inquiries (Scotland) Acts, to be held on 18th June. Pending consideration of the result of the inquiry, I am unable to make any statement.

Is the Minister aware that the manager of this colliery controls the life of the village in such a way that he forces the people to do anything, no matter what it may be, and that before the inquiry this question should be taken up?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider appointing safety officers at the large collieries in the federated areas for the purpose of investigating all accidents and suggesting remedies, making routine inspections to ascertain that the provisions of the Coal Mines Acts are being strictly observed, imparting instruction to boys on entering the mines, and keeping in touch with them until they have become accustomed to mining conditions?

If I understand the suggestion rightly it would involve greatly increasing the number of Government inspectors and enlarging their duties by transferring to them part of the statutory responsibilities of the mine owner and management. The whole question of the proper scope of Government inspection is being considered by the Royal Commission on Safety now sitting.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the managers of the collieries where these safety officers are employed are agreed that accidents are less than they would have been without those officers; that they place great confidence in these officers and are very pleased at such appointments?

Yes, Sir. I think that is probably a very fair statement of the case and that it is valuable evidence, such as the Royal Commission when making their recommendations, will undoubtedly have in mind.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, following the recent unfortunate flooding of the Loveston Colliery, Pembrokeshire, considerable apprehension exists among the men employed at collieries adjacent to old workings known to be waterlogged; whether he will take steps to secure that this problem is dealt with by the adoption of a comprehensive drainage scheme for the whole of the South Wales coalfield; and whether the Government are prepared to render such financial assistance as will make such drainage scheme possible and practicable?

Though no representations have as yet been made to me, I can well understand that there is anxiety, and I am considering what further measures might be taken to relieve it: but I am advised that the class of case in which there may be apprehension of water danger from old workings along the outcrops of the anthracite seams would not be amenable to treatment or be affected by any general drainage scheme.

Is it not a fact that the original inspector urged upon the Minister's Department for several years the necessity, in the interests of safety, of a scheme of this kind and that it has not been brought forward because of the financial difficulty; and will the Minister reply to that part of the question?

That is not really a part of the question. If the hon. Member will look at the second report of the Commissioner for the Special Areas, paragraphs 82 and 83, he will find the ease dealt with there and the reasons given why the scheme has not been adopted.

That is the report of the Commissioner who urged the Government to proceed with the scheme, but what the Government are going to do we do not know yet.

The Commissioner did not urge the Government to proceed with the scheme. Perhaps the hon. Member will refresh his memory by reading the paragraphs to which I have referred him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made in the development of the new flying-boat base at Portsmouth for the Imperial Airways service to Australia; what subsidy will be paid to the Portsmouth Corporation; and whether he is satisfied that a large flying boat can take off on the proposed site satisfactorily in all directions?

The question of the provision of a flying-boat base at Portsmouth has been the subject of preliminary discussions between the Air Ministry and the Portsmouth Corporation. The matter is primarily one for the corporation, but they have recently made an application for some measure of Government assistance towards the finance of the scheme in recognition of the Imperial value of the base. This application will be examined forthwith by the Inter-Departmental Committee on International Air Communications. As regards the last part of the question, I have no reason to suppose that any scheme sponsored by the corporation, after consultation with all concerned, would prove other than operationally satisfactory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to ensure that air ports in this country, and in particular Croydon, are being equipped with facilities to enable aircraft to land under conditions of low visibilty; and whether the Lorenz system installed at Heston has been tested to determine whether it meets with the Air Ministry requirements?

It is the general policy of the Air Ministry to encourage the use of blind landing wireless equipment, in the interests of safety in fog and other conditions of low visibility, but my Noble Friend has no powers to require aerodrome owners to install such equipment. So far as Croydon is concerned, the matter is receiving close attention and investigations are actively proceeding into the merits of different systems. As regards the last part of the question, the Lorenz system at Heston has been successful in use to date, but all the technical tests to which it is being subjected have not yet been completed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that on the 22nd of last month the German airship "Hindenberg" passed over Barrow-in-Furness flying very low and proceeding slowly; whether Barrow is scheduled as a prohibited area for foreign aircraft; if not, whether the Minister will, having regard to the nature of the industry of Barrow and to the increasing extent of the building of ships of defence and other defensive preparations in that town, consider the advisability of adding Barrow to the prohibited areas already scheduled as such; whether there is any convention in regard to the carrying and use of cameras by foreign aircraft passing over this country; and in what way does the Minister assure himself that any conventions for the prevention of air-photography of places of strategic importance, such as Barrow, are properly observed?

I have no information as to the exact altitude and speed at which the German airship "Hindenburg" passed over Barrow-in-Furness, which is not scheduled as a prohibited area; but no official report as to low flying has been received by the Air Ministry. The areas at present scheduled as prohibited are all in the immediate neigbhourhood of naval and military establishments, and my Noble Friend would be reluctant to add to their number in view of the effect of the creation of new prohibited areas upon the freedom of civil air navigation. The general question has however been under review for some time. As regards photography, the Anglo-German Air Navigation Agreement expressly prohibits, except with special permission, the carrying of cameras in German aircraft visiting this country, and no permission to carry photographic apparatus was applied for in the present case. My Noble Friend has no reason for thinking that this particular condition of air entry is not observed by German aircraft flying over this country, just as it is observed by our own aircraft when flying over Germany.

What is the answer to the last part of the question, as to the means taken to see that the terms of the agreement are observed in regard to the prohibition of air-photography?

I said in my answer that it was prohibited by the agreement which I mentioned. There are obvious difficulties in the case, and, as I said, it has been constantly under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is arranging with the Argentine Government that suitable transport co-ordination legislation in relation to the Anglo-Argentine railways shall form part of the terms for the renewal of the Anglo-Argentine trade agreement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the continued general ill-treatment by the Argentine authorities of non-Argentine capital, as again disclosed in relation to the, Buenos Ayres waterworks and the Primitiva Holdings Company, he will reserve power to review or terminate any Anglo-Argentine trade agreement at the end of every 12 months until he has established the policy that any such agreement rests upon fair treatment of Anglo-Argentine investments?

I understand that legislation of the character referred to by my hon. Friend the Member for North Newcastle (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) is already before the Argentine Parliament. The position of British public utility companies is being kept in mind in connection with the present discussions with the Argentine Government, and the suggestion of my hon. Friend the Member for Chester (Sir C. Cayzer) has been noted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why timber loaded at Archangel for United Kingdom ports is bought by British firms c.i.f. instead of f.o.b., with the result that British shipping does not transport the timber; and, if he is convinced that the terms should be c.i.f., will he stipulate through the trade agreement or by other suitable means that British shipping shall obtain its fair share of the timber freightage?

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the question of the terms of purchase of imported timber is primarily for the traders concerned. But the question of the use of British ships in this trade is receiving attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now able to state the names of those who have been nominated to serve as members of the Advisory Committee under the Cotton Spinning Industry Act?

Section 3 of the. Cotton Spinning Industry Act requires the Board of Trade to consult certain organisations regarding the persons to be appointed as members of the Advisory Committee under the Act. My right hon. Friend is in communication with those organisations, but he is not yet in a position to give the names of the persons who will serve on the committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of ships of British registry now engaged in the Pacific trade which are officered and manned almost entirely by Japanese nationals; and what are the present regulations with regard to the ownership and officering of vessels in order to enable the red ensign to be flown?

My attention has been called to one ship so officered. The qualifications for owning a British ship are contained in Section 1 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, which, in general, provides that only British subjects and bodies corporate established under and subject to the laws of some part of His Majesty's Dominions and having their principal place of business in those Dominions are entitled to own a British ship and thus to fly the red ensign. The Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, provide that no alien shall act as master, chief officer, or chief engineer of a British merchant ship registered in the United Kingdom except in the case of a ship employed habitually in voyages between ports outside the United Kingdom, and exception being made in favour of officers certified by the Admiralty to have performed good and faithful service in those capacities during the War.

What action has been taken to deal with ships which offend against the regulations?

The vessel in question is understood to be habitually employed between ports outside the United Kingdom.