asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the report of the Food Council on schemes for the regulation of bread prices; and what action he pro poses to take thereon?

The report is under consideration. Before reaching a decision on it I desire to give the trade organisations concerned an opportunity of furnishing observations and they have been asked to submit any such observations at an early date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at this stage undertake that he will not give approval to any scheme which will prevent bread being sold at reasonable prices to the public?

We will certainly give what protection we can.

If the President sets up this court of referees or arbitration, will representations be made for the operatives on the question of hours and wages?

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean when he says that the Government will give what protection they can? Is it not the case that we can give the public every protection?

We cannot give every protection because the price must be affected by the price of world supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what ex tent raw materials entering this country duty free are used in the production of motor fuel?

A relatively small quantity of imported molasses is used in the production of power alcohol. I know of no other imported raw material which enters duty free and is used in the production of motor fuel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, now that sanctions against Italy have been raised, he can state the aggregate estimated cost to this country in loss of trade?

No, Sir. In the seven months December, 1935, to June, 1936, United Kingdom exports to Italy (including re-exports) were valued at £482,000, as compared with £6,181,000 for the seven months December, 1934, to June, 1935; but it is not possible to attribute the whole of this decline to sanctions. Owing to payment difficulties and Italian import restrictions, United Kingdom exports to Italy were declining before sanctions were imposed. It is not possible to form any estimate of the effect on our trade with other countries.

Would it not be true to say that British traders have borne the greater burden due to sanctions than those of any other countries who are members of the League?

I could not answer that question without having information with regard to the other nations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of what the cost of armaments is likely to be now that sanctions have been proved to be ineffective?

Have the special privileges with regard to Czechoslovakia been removed?

That is a separate question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what sums have been received under the Anglo-Turkish debt agreement; and whether he is satisfied with the working of this agreement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement with regard to the working of the Anglo-Turkish trade agreement?

On 11th July the total sum paid into the Bank of England was approximately £350,000 and the total payments out up to that date were approximately £345,000. The amount awaiting transfer was on 30th June equivalent to approximately £915,000. The Turkish Government have accepted the invitation of His Majesty's Government to send representatives to this country at an early date to discuss measures to improve the working of the agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the increasing volume of imports of Canadian footwear; and, in view of the fact that these are imported free of duty, whereas Canada imposes a heavy tuty on British footwear, he will endeavour, in any future agreement, to secure more equitable treatment for this important industry?

I am aware of the increase in the imports of rubber footwear from Canada. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the interests of the United Kingdom boot and shoe industries are being kept in mind during the present trade discussions with the Canadian Government.

Does not this indicate that the provisions of the Ottawa Agreements are in many respects defective?

It only means that all agreements are subject to revision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to negotiate a new commercial and trade agreement with Soviet Russia, in view of the inequalities operating under the present treaty and the treatment which has been accorded British shipping engaged in trade between this country and Soviet Russia?

On the general question of the trade relations with Soviet Russia I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Pudsey and Otley (Mr. Gibson) on 1st July. As regards the position of British shipping, I am hopeful that, as a result of recent discussions between the Chamber of Shipping and the Soviet Chartering Organisations, more British ships will be employed in the trade between this country and Russia.

Does my right hon. Friend think it fair that in balancing the trade between the two countries the Soviet Government are allowed to count re-exports as exports to this country?

The calculation is the result of an agreement which was entered into, and as long as that agreement lasts, I fear that we must take it into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government have agreed or propose to agree that Dominion agricultural exports to this country should not be taxed on arrival; and, if so, which is the Dominion concerned and in respect of what commodity?

In the case of meat, the proposals at present under discussion with the Dominions concerned do not provide for any duty on Dominion beef, mutton or lamb. As regards butter and cheese, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given to him yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. If my hon. and gallant Friend has other commodities in mind and will let me know what they are, I shall be glad to inform him as to the present position.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement has been made by the Premier of the Dominion of Australia that there is an understanding with regard to dairy products?

No, I have not seen any statement to that effect made by the Australian Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that, should such an agreement be entered into, the House will be the first place in which an announcement will be made?

I shall have to consult the Australian Ministers about that.

Will the agricultural community be consulted before any agreement is entered into?

The agricultural point of view is being kept fully in mind.

Will they be consulted?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in view of the effect of the new Australian tariff proposals on the general relations between Japan and the British Empire, whether the Commonwealth Government consulted him before making such proposals?

No, Sir. The Commonwealth Government reached their decision without prior consultation with His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

Should not the United Kingdom have been consulted on matters which affect the general tenor of the agreement?

There was no necessity for consultation in this case either on account of the Ottawa Agreement or any other agreement, and such consultation did not take place.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has addressed any remonstrance to the Manchester Corporation on account of the alleged dismissal of corporation employés during their absence on territorial training, and with what result?

I understand that representations were made to the Manchester Corporation by the local Territorial Army authorities, and that the employé in question has been re-engaged.

I suppose the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Manchester Corporation is a Conservative authority?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the action of the Gateshead Labour party in opposing the decision of the Mayor of Gateshead to agree to the public use of a road, belonging to the corporation, leading to the grounds of Ravens-worth Castle, where the military tattoo was held; and, if so, what action does he propose to take?

I have, no information beyond what has appeared in the public Press, to the effect that during his absence from the city the Gateshead branch of the Labour party expelled from membership the Mayor of Gateshead for the alleged offence of failing to oppose a proposal which would facilitate the passage of visitors to the Northern Command Tattoo at Ravensworth. There is no action that I can usefully take in the matter, and I can only express regret that the Labour party should carry their hostility to the forces of the Crown to such extreme lengths.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet reached any decision on the question of forming a national defence force?

Yes, Sir. It seems to me to be anomalous that responsibility for home defence should be shared by the Territorial Army and a body not fully identified with it, namely, the Royal Defence Corps, and I have decided, therefore, that the Royal Defence Corps shall be replaced by National Defence Companies of the Territorial Army. The companies will be formed on a county or, in some cases, a city basis, and each will be linked with a Territorial infantry battalion. Enrolment, which will start on 1st September next, will be open in peace to ex-members of His Majesty's Forces, normally between the ages of 45 and 60 years, who express themselves as willing to be commissioned or enlisted for home service in a local national defence company when required. The role of the new force will be to protect important points in Great Britain when war is threatening or has actually broken out, but members of the force will not be called up until these conditions arise, nor will they be called up on account of civil disturbance. A total of approximately 8,450 officers and men, distributed among the various counties in Great Britain, will be required, and I have every confidence that I shall have no difficulty in securing this number of men in a very short time. I have indeed been most gratified by the general interest taken in matters of national defence, as evinced by the numerous letters containing offers of help or suggestions which I have received, and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking all those who have assisted me in this way, particularly, in this matter of the national defence companies, my hon. Friend the member for Deritend (Mr. Smedley Crooke).

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the announcement which he has just made will give widespread satisfaction?

Can my right hon. Friend say why the lower age limit is as high as 45?

It is thought that anybody under that age who has served in the Forces would be still serving in some branch of the Forces. I am quite prepared to make exceptions should it seem advisable to do so.

When this National Defence force is set up will the right hon. Gentleman ask those gentlemen who enlist whether, should war break out, they will give active service in less than four years after the war has taken place?

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount now paid weekly to private soldiers on enlistment; and what extent the low rate of pay offered is related to the difficulty in obtaining recruits for the Army?

The pay of the private soldier on enlistment is 14s. a week, but this takes no account of the value of what he receives in kind, in respect of lodging, clothing, food, fuel and light, etc. If the pay of the soldier were higher, there might be a greater demand to join the Army, but how much greater it is impossible to say.

In view of the fact that the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence said that he was anxious that employés should get adequate remuneration, will the Secretary of State for War see that the ordinary soldier gets adequate remuneration?

Does the Russian soldier get anything like the same amount of pay?

If the Minister wishes to discuss the Russian Army in this House, I shall be only too happy to take part.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average amount paid per person, respectively, in the last financial year to commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers, and men in the Army?

The payments to officers and other ranks vary considerably according to rank and arm of the Service, and in the case of the former, to the extent to which allowances are paid in cash as apart from issues in kind. Any statement of the average amounts paid to commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and men, even were the information available, would therefore be misleading, but the right hon. Member will find much information as to the pay and allowances of officers and the pay of other ranks in Appendices VI and VII of Army Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total costs of all sections of the Army from the beginning of the financial year 1919 to the latest year for which figures are complete, and also for the years 1912 and 1913?

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the permission of the hon. Member, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War for how many years the military guard supplied to the Bank of England has regularly carried out these duties; what has been the extent of same; has any contribution towards the cost of this guard ever been defrayed by the Bank of England; and whether any other banks have ever applied for and/or been supplied with a similar military protection?

A military guard has been supplied to the Bank of England for over 150 years. It was originally composed of one officer and 29 other ranks but was reduced to one officer and 24 other ranks in 1900. No payment is made by the bank to Army Funds in respect of the cost of this guard. No record can be traced of any other bank having applied for or been supplied with a guard in similar circumstances.

Will the Minister consider suggesting to the Governors of the Bank of England that they should provide their own private guard and dispense with the military?

Will the Minister consider the wisdom of utilising this guard in a more useful form of national defence?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the campaign to enlist unemployed men in His Majesty's Forces, he will state what further steps the Government propose to take to ensure that civilian employment is offered to time-expired men on leaving the Army; and will he give particulars?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour on 29th June last.

Does not the Minister think that if some guarantee of employment after their service were given to these men it would assist his recruiting campaign?

asked the Secretary of State for War when his Department will take possession of the land recently purchased at Waterton Court Farm, Bridgend; and whether, apart from buildings for manufacturing purposes, houses will be erected on the site?

The War Department will take possession of part of the farm at the end of the December quarter, and of the remainder as the construction of the factory proceeds. No houses will be erected on the factory site generally, other than those required for the resident managerial staff and for persons necessarily resident for the safe custody of the factory.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department, before purchasing Water-ton Court Farm, Bridgend, consulted the district commissioner for South Wales as to the suitability of this land in relation to other possible sites for the purpose in view?

The War Department did not consult the district commissioner for South Wales, but the site to be selected was exhaustively considered by a committee on which all Departments concerned were represented. I may add that it was essential that the site should possess certain features which are not commonly present together. In view of the obvious desirability of having a factory in South Wales the district was thoroughly explored and a suitable site was found near Bridgend after several other sites in the Special Area had been examined and found unsuitable.

Will my right hon. Friend consider making a rather fuller statement than he has done—though I thank him for that—because there is a certain amount of discussion going on in the area as to why this particular site was purchased?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that line fishermen on both sides of the Firth of Forth are unanimously opposed to the extension of the seine-net area; and will he take steps to meet the wishes of these men, who represent a large majority of the fishermen who make their living from the waters of the Firth of Forth?

If the line fishermen in question lodge objections to the confirmation of the bylaw made by the Fishery Board, such objections will be fully considered by me, along with any other representations received. I cannot, however, make any statement in anticipation of my decision.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a very large body of opinion against the extension of seine-net fishing?

I am aware of the objections held in many quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of land were acquired for land settlement by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in each of the counties of Inverness and Argyll during 1934 and 1935; how many small landholders have been settled thereon; how many applicants are on the list for holdings in each of these two counties; and how many had applied for holdings prior to 1931?

No new properties were acquired for land settlement in the counties of Inverness and Argyll during 1934 and 1935. During those years 47 holders were provided with holdings in Inverness-shire and 12 in Argyllshire, either on lands previously acquired and in process of development or on vacated holdings. At 31st December, 1935, 958 applications for new holdings were outstanding in Inverness-shire and 492 in Argyllshire: the corresponding figures at 31st December, 1930, were 836 and 485.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement to me some time ago that Scotland was not becoming a wilderness will he take the opportunity that is presented by these figures of rescuing Scotland from that position?

Yes, we have the matter under consideration. More new holders were settled last year than in any year for many years past.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of land which previously formed part of deer forests in each of the counties of Inverness and Argyll have been utilised for the settlement of small landholders since 1933; and whether he will take steps to remedy the present position whereby large areas of land in the Highlands suitable for farming remain under deer and game to the exclusion of men able and willing to work the land and pay rent for it?

Since 1933 approximately 13,600 acres of land which previously formed part of deer forests in the county of Inverness have been utilised for the settlement of smallholders; no such lands in the county of Argyll have been so utilised. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that the utilisation of deer forests to the best advantage is a vexed and complicated question, and I am not prepared to admit that any extensive action could usefully be taken by the Government on the lines indicated in the question. I shall be glad, however, to examine on its merits any specific proposal which the hon. Member cares to bring to my notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the amount of land devoted to farming purposes is greater or less than that which was divorced from farming and reverted to deer forest?

I have not that information in my possession, but if the hon. Member cares to put a question on the subject I will endeavour to answer.

Is it not the case that on a great deal of the land devoted to deer forests you can hardly keep a deer, let alone anything else?

In view of the intervention of the Noble Lady, will the Minister bear in mind that according to the Brand Commission in 1895 there were 1,782,785 acres of land presently devoted to deer forest that was available for the extension of smallholdings?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what quantities of milk have been supplied in the counties of Roxburgh, Berwick and Selkirk under the milk-in-schools scheme?

No milk has been supplied under the milk-in-schools scheme in the counties named.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is a shameful state of affairs that, under the administration of his Department, there should not be, in the three counties specified, one pennyworth of milk supplied to the schoolchildren?

The right hon. Gentleman knows that the matter rests with the local authorities, and in these counties the local authorities refuse to accept any milk other than certified milk from their own areas, on terms and conditions that are at variance with the conditions of the scheme. I have no power to overrule these local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the scope and character of the land drainage works to be undertaken in the Kelvin Valley, and when operations are to begin?

The proposed scheme of drainage in the Kelvin Valley includes the excavation of rock, the removal of a weir, and the general deepening and improving of the bed of the river. The area affected is approximately 4,250 acres, of which some 2,500 acres are liable to flooding. A draft scheme will be published about August next, but owing to the statutory procedure involved I regret I am unable to state when operations will begin.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give an assurance that "S" class clerks employed in the Department of Health for Scotland are still eligible for consideration for vacancies in the clerical grade?

Yes, Sir.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that the last promotion was in December, 1934, and that there has been a considerable amount of anxiety on that score?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government will take into further consideration the introduction of legislation prohibiting the use of electricity in all mines and substitute therefor compressed air in the interest of safety of life and security to plant?

This matter is being considered by the Royal Commission on Safety in Coal Mines, and consideration by the Government of the question of legislation must await the commission's report.

May I ask whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman's mind is settled, or otherwise, within himself that accidents, where machinery of this nature is in operation, can fire gassy mines? Is his mind settled on that?

I do not think that this is a time for discussing my own mind, when a great deal of evidence is being collected on this subject. After that has been received, the matter will be considered.

Is it not a fact that the evidence ought to be taken from those who have personal experience of these things happening in the mines, and not from people who have no title whatever from experience to decide?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that for the year 1934 Yorkshire Barnsley seams mechanisation tonnage inflicted 162 compensatable accidents per 100,000 manshifts on machine faces as against 133 on hand-worked faces; and how does he account for this high accident variation, especially having regard to the continuous fall in the number of employés?

These figures are specially given, and their significance discussed, in the annual report of the divisional inspector for 1935, recently published. It is there stated that the higher accident rate of 162 for 1934 relates only to Barnsley Bed Seams, then recently mechanised, and that the corresponding rate for 1935 was much lower at 134, the implications being that the temporarily higher rate may have been due to lack of experience of the new methods of working and that eventually, as for other seams in the division, the accident rate may become lower for mechanised than for hand-worked faces. A variation in the number of persons employed is not relevant to this comparison of accident rates per 100,000 shifts worked.

What is the experience in 1936; is there any improvement?

I could not say without notice. The figures are made up only from time to time.

The figure which the Minister has given to the House for 1935 is a normal figure, but the 1934 figure is abnormal; can the Minister account for it?

I have answered that question. If the hon. Member reads carefully what I have said, he will find that I have in mind.

In order that we may have data from which proper conclusions may be drawn, will the hon. Gentleman arrange for separate compilations of statistics, first with regard to hand operation, secondly with regard to machine work?

I do not know whether that is practicable, but I will certainly consider it and will let the hon. Gentleman know.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many accidents due to underground haulage occurred in the mines of England and Wales during 1935; whether such haulage conditions are a prolific cause of accidents; and, if so, what steps are being taken to remedy the evil?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is that the number of persons killed or injured by haulage accidents belowground at mines under the Coal Mines Act in England and Wales in 1935, was 31,002, and that this figure represents 28 per cent. of the total number of persons killed and injured by accidents below-ground. It would be impossible to deal adequately by way of question and answer with the point raised in the third part of the question in regard to which I must refer the hon. Member to the published official reports, including those of His Majesty's inspectors and the Safety in Mines Research Board.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many accidents due to conveyors occurred in the mines of England and Wales during 1935; and whether there is sufficient evidence to justify the view that the installation of conveyors reduces the risk of accident?

Though no precise figures have been taken out, the number of accidents due to the conveyor as a machine is quite small. The more important matter is the effect on the accident rate of the changes in the methods of working which are often associated with the use of conveyors, and that question, on which there is some conflict of evidence and opinion, is one of the most important of those now being studied by the Royal Commission on Safety in Mines.

As there is so much mechanisation going on in the mines of this country, second to nothing in the world, is the Minister satisfied that every precaution is taken to safeguard the lives of the miners working underground?

Yes, Sir, every precaution is taken, and what is now being considered is whether any further precaution can be taken; and if so, what.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that there is a feeling among the mineworkers that some of the stone-dust used to prevent the danger arising from coal dust is injurious to health; and will he instruct His Majesty's inspectors to pay close attention to the kind of stone-dust used?

His Majesty's inspectors of mines are under standing instructions to watch the matter, to investigate all complaints and to take steps to prevent the use of unsuitable materials for stone-dusting. If the hon. Member has particular cases in mind where harmful effects are alleged and will send me details, I will have them fully investigated.

I will take advantage of that suggestion, Mr. Speaker. May I ask the Minister whether he would instruct his inspectors to take samples of this stone-dust in various colleries, and have reports posted at the pit-head, as other reports are that relate to combustible matters? It would reassure the miners.

Will the Minister have regard to the fact that all the stone-dust utilised is injurious to the workmen, and would he not insist upon his Department seeing that proper ventilation is installed to remove the necessity for this dust?

I cannot accept the statement that all this dust is injurious to health. [HON. MEMBERS: "It is."] I have no evidence of that.

Try some.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount of the administration expenses of district committees on local welfare work in the years 1925, 1930, and 1935?

The administration expenses of the district miners' welfare committees in 1925, 1930 and 1935 amounted to £8,256, £10,839 and £9,949, respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the total number of staff employed by the Miners' Welfare Fund Central Committee for the administration of the welfare fund; and the total amount of the expenditure of the central

My reply will include the information asked for by the hon. Member in a similar question which he put down, for Written Answer, on 16th July:

"To ask the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the total number of the staff employed inside and outside by the Miners' Welfare Committee for welfare work and for pit-bead baths, combined; and the total amount of the administrative expenditure of the central committee on welfare work and on pit-head baths combined, in each of the years 1927, 1931, and 1935?"

Has the attention of the Minister been called to the apprehension that exists among local welfare committees that all the money is being concentrated in this committee in London, instead of in the mining areas?

I have answered the question on the Paper, which asked for statistical information. Any other question would need to be put down.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of his suggestion that the erection of hydrogenation works at Jarrow should receive further consideration, the Government contemplate taking steps to extend coal-oil production in the near future?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government are prepared at the present time to give any assistance to interests wishing to establish hydrogenation plants in this country, other than by the absence of any excise duty on home-produced petrol?

On a point of Order. I put my question down to the President of the Board of Trade, because he had made the suggestion, and the fact that it has been handed over to the Secretary for Mines—of which I make no complaint—certainly alters the effect of my question, because I am not asking this question in relation to anything that has been said by the hon. and gallant Gentleman, but in relation to something that was said by the President of the Board of Trade.

The rule that has been followed in this case is that which is always followed, of transferring the question to the Minister most concerned. There is no indication in the question of any previous speech or anything of that kind.

With great respect, this does seem to me to involve a point of principle. The President of the Board of Trade made a suggestion to the effect indicated in the question, and it was upon that reference that I ventured to put down the question. It has been handed over to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, but it was addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.

May we know exactly where we are going to be in this matter? One Minister makes a statement giving us assurances; the Prime Minister contradicts it; and then, when a question is put to the Minister, it is handed on to someone else. Where are we?

That question opens up a rather wide subject.

So far as the development of the hydrogenation process is concerned, the Government does not consider it feasible, until more definite results are available of the commercial scale experiment which is being carried out at Billingham, to decide whether, in order to secure the further development of the process, any revision is necessary in the form or measure of assistance which is afforded to such processes by the British Hydrocarbon Oils Production Act, 1934, which is very considerable. The possibility of stimulating the production of oil from indigenous sources in this country is constantly under review, and the Government will not hesitate to take any further steps which they are satisfied would be practicable and desirable to secure this.

If the Government cannot go beyond what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has indicated, can he explain why his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade advised that the proposal for the installation of hydrogenation plant at Jarrow and elsewhere should be pursued? What was meant by that reference?

I have replied on the general position of all these processes, and it is quite clear that when and if any of them are found to be commercially feasible, all sorts of considerations will arise. I think that that is all that my right hon. Friend has in mind—that those interested in the matter should keep alive to the situation which may develop.

Can we get a direct statement of policy from the Government on this matter? Is it not true that contradictory statements have been made by members of the Government, including the Prime Minister and the President of the Board of Trade?

I cannot accept that any contradictory statements have been made.

Could I just ask this question? The Secretary for Mines says that we should go on making inquiries in this matter; but, if the Prime Minister states that the North East Coast is unsuitable for coal hydrogenation, what on earth is the use of the Secretary for Mines telling us to go on inquiring into the matter? This is really a deadly question, and the Government just hand it from one Department to another.

I think that, if the hon. Lady will very carefully read what my right hon. Friend said the other day, and will not read into it what is not there, she will see what he had in mind.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman any better authority than the "Times," which gives the statement of the right hon. Gentleman? Where are we? What is happening? This is really very serious, Mr. Speaker. May I appeal to you on a point of Order? I want to ask you if there is any way in which I can raise it? Can I raise it on the Adjournment? Really, these people at Jarrow are simply being made fools of. Could I raise the matter on the Adjournment?

If the hon. Lady gets the Adjournment, she can raise that question.

Could I now give notice?

Certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to proceed with the draft Bill, or a modified form of the Bill, prepared and drawn up by the committee which was set up nine years ago by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer to prepare a Codification Bill, with a view to the simplification of the Income Tax?

As was stated in reply to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) and the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) on 21st April, the committee's proposals are being examined, and I have undertaken to consider recommendations which may be made to me by important representative bodies who are also studying the report. I am, however, unable at present to indicate when it may be possible to introduce legislation, or the form which legislation may take?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as almost all the community now pay Income Tax, and owing to the increasing complexity of the Income Tax Act, he is aware that an increasing number of Income Tax payers have to employ a solicitor or an accountant to advise them in compiling their returns; and will he consider granting to the individual the same privilege as is granted to a company by allowing such professional charges to be deducted from the income before arriving at the net amount upon which Income Tax and Surtax are chargeable?

I regret that I cannot adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the assumption in the question that almost all the community now pay Income Tax is a correct one?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate annual cost of granting pensions to spinsters at the age of 55 years?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 23rd June to my Noble Friend the Member for Kinross, and West Perth (Duchess of Atholl).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the decision of the Court of Session in the stamp cases of Paul, Span and Blair v. the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, in February, 1936, in which it was held that the Inland Revenue were not entitled, in a transaction for feuing lands for building, to charge additional Stamp Duty on the value of the building to be erected thereon, if he will consider the refunding by the Inland Revenue of such additional Stamp Duty illegally charged in cases between May, 1934, the date of another decision misinterpreted by the Inland Revenue, and February, 1936, where it has been paid by the feuars under protest but without formal adjudication?

No, Sir. It would be contrary both to law and to well-established rule to apply decisions of the courts retrospectively except in cases where the necessary steps have been taken to keep the matter open.

Does not the hon. and learned Gentleman consider that in this case there is a strong equitable ground for exemption?

No, I think the rule is one which should apply on both sides. If decisions of the court were applied retrospectively, when those decisions are in favour of the Crown, this would be justly resented by taxpayers.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will recommend the refusal of the Royal Assent to the Southern Rhodesia Natives Registration Act, in view of the fact that a native entering a township without a pass, certificate, or permit will now be guilty of an offence under the Act and before being employed or granted a certificate of service in such township must submit to a medical examination, compulsory vaccination, and have his fingerprints taken?