asked the President of the Board of Trade why, under the Anglo-Spanish Payments Agreement insurance premiums are not given equality of treatment with payment for goods or tramp freights?

In giving priority to tramp freights, His Majesty's Government have recognised the position which existed throughout the period of exchange control in Spain and their action has prevented the trade from being driven to foreign vessels. The question whether priority should be given to remittances in respect of insurance premiums has been very carefully considered, but it has been decided that priority cannot be given in this case. His Majesty's Government have made an arrangement with the Spanish authorities, however, under which claims in Spain may be met by the insurance companies from the pesetas which have been paid into the Clearing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a proposal by the Brighton Corporation to build two collier ships; and whether, in view of the undesirability in the national interest for local authorities to enter the field of shipping, bearing in mind the distress in which British shipping stands to-day, he will confer with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Transport upon the matter?

I was not aware of this proposal, but it is not unusual for municipalities and private undertakings with large shipping requirements to own their own vessels. So far as concerns the Board of Trade, I am not aware of any sufficient grounds upon which the proposal could be resisted.

Having regard to the fact that the cost of dealing with such schemes by municipalities is generally very much more than by taking advantage of private enterprise, will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps that are possible to protect the interests of ratepayers?

Is it not possible to have a tax on fresh air?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the import duty on a Shetland pony, for which the crofter gets £3 to £5, is £25 into Germany and £22 10s. into France; and whether he will endeavour to get some remission of this prohibitive duty in the interests of the Shetland pony trade and the Shetland crofter, and to avoid the slaughter of hundreds of ponies?

I am aware of the high rates of duty on Shetland ponies imported into Germany and France, but I fear that there is no prospect of these duties being reduced at the present time as a result of representations from His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 57 vessels, ranging from 340 to 20,000 tons, are under construction or on order in German shipyards; and, in view of the fact that this total represents nearly three times the tonnage of a year ago, what steps he proposes to take to secure that ships for British companies shall be built in British shipyards?

I am aware that the tonnage of merchant vessels now under construction in German yards includes a substantial quantity to the order of British firms, but I have no precise information regarding the number of vessels concerned. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 16th June.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman a list of the ships being built in Germany together with the British companies for whom they are being built, could he take some action in view of the distressed condition of British shipping?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider once again the possibility of placing something in the nature of an import tax on these foreign-built vessels when they are first registered under the British flag?

We have no power in the matter, but I shall be glad to receive any information the hon. Member cares to send.

Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to obtain powers to deal with this important matter? Are we to understand that this valuable amount of tonnage is to be sent abroad in view of all the unemployment that exists here?

If I send the right hon. Gentleman figures of the exports of cotton yarn from Lancashire to Germany, will he take into consideration the question of reciprocity in trade?

I could not undertake to say I will take up any subject of that kind without consideration. If the hon. Member cares to send me particulars, I shall be glad to go into them. With regard to the placing of orders in Germany, I have no powers in the matter whatever. I do not know whether the hon. Member realises that this is one of the methods by which English firms have been able to secure payment of their debts.

Is this happening under the right hon. Gentleman's scrap-and-build policy?

No, it has nothing to do with it.

Is it not one of the manoeuvres of German importers to refuse to pay debts to British exporters so that they can liquidate the cost of building these ships?

It is much more complicated than that.

Before this matter is finally disposed of will the right hon. Gentleman consult his colleagues in the Cabinet to see if anything can be done?

The hon. Gentleman is really out of date. We have been dealing with this matter now for nearly a year.

Seeing that they rationalised and closed down shipyards because there were more shipyards in the country than there were ships to build, will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this business, and do something?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the new French regulations with regard to the selling of coal; whether these regulations will adversely affect the British coal exporters; and, if so, whether he proposes to make representations to the French Government?

Yes, Sir. I have received a draft of the Bill dealing with the organisation of the marketing of coal in France. It will clearly have some bearing on the position of our export trade, but so far as can be judged at present, it deals only with matters of French internal economy and does not discriminate against this country. I have also seen reports in the Press of an amendment affecting shipping, but I am not yet in a position to make any official statement. I am making further inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many countries impose currency restrictions on their nationals who wish to come to England as bona fide tourists; and whether, in the interests of the British tourist industry, he will make it a term of all future trade treaties that ample currency facilities shall be granted to all bona fide tourists wishing to come to Great Britain?

I have no complete information as to the number of countries which impose currency restrictions in connection with tourist traffic. As regards the second part of the question, I will bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the estimated revenue from foreign tourists staying in Great Britain during each of the last three years?

I have been asked to reply. No official information has been compiled in respect of revenue from foreign tourists. I would, however, draw the attention of my hon. Friend to an article entitled "Trade and the Tourist" by Professor F. W. Ogilvie, the Vice-Chancellor of Belfast University, which appeared in the "Times" of 12th July last year. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of this article.

In view of the importance of the tourist traffic to this country will the Government take active steps to encourage it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the master of the steamship "Baron Graham" landed two seamen, Thomas Morris and Robert Jones, at Havana, handing them over to the police there; that they were charged with mutiny and sentenced to 31 days' imprisonment and £12 was deducted from their wages for costs of pilotage; that the master failed to consult the British Consul; that no entry was made in the log book; and that thereby sections of the Merchant Shipping Act referring to discipline and deductions from wages were broken; and will he take steps to see that the record is expunged and the money refunded to the men and take action against the master of the ship?

An entry regarding the conduct of these seamen was made in the log book. They were charged with a grave breach of the peace and a minimum sentence of 31 days' imprisonment was imposed by the local court. The master's explanation of the circumstances in which he left these seamen behind in Havana without obtaining the certificate of a proper authority as required by Section 36 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, has been obtained and I am advised that the case is not one for proceedings against the master. I have no power to intervene on the question of the deduction of pilotage costs from wages.

Is it not the fact that no effort was made to get the British Consul or any representative when these men were charged, and is that not an abrogation of the Act?

No, Sir, my information is that the certificate could not have been obtained without unreasonable delay.

Was it not the officer's duty to proceed to another court and to hold his men prisoners until such time as he could do the thing which the law demanded of him?

I cannot agree with that view.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the status of the committee appointed to advise the Board of Trade on proposals submitted by the three general lighthouse authorities; and what is the composition of the said committee?

The committee was set up in 1899 in accordance with an offer made by the Board of Trade to a deputation of shipowners and others to consult such a committee if the bodies interested in proposals for new lighthouse works chargeable to the General Lighthouse Fund would submit names of persons who would adequately represent their views on such matters. The committee is composed of eight shipowners, of whom four represent England, two Scotland, two Ireland, all nominated by the Chamber of Shipping together with two merchants selected by the Council of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, and two underwriters selected by the committee of Lloyd's. The committee has no statutory basis.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that sweeping changes in the constitution of this committee were recommended by a Royal Commission on Lighthouse Services as long ago as 1908?

Yes, Sir, I am well aware of that fact, but this arrangement has worked well during the last few years, and I do not propose to alter it.

Will he not at least consider the advisability of giving some representation to fishermen, bargees and the coastal vessels?

No, Sir, I do not propose to alter the composition of the committee, which works very well. The lighting of our coasts is admirably done, and I need not revise it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that a great impetus will be given to recruiting if it were made clear that the services of recruits are required solely for support of the collective system of the League of Nations and would not be used for any other purpose, he will consider issuing an appeal on these lines?

I am not satisfied that an appeal on the lines suggested by the hon. Member would have the effect which he foresees.

Would not a greater impetus be given to recruiting if we limited and clarified our international obligations?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that he is not likely to get his recruits on any other basis?

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to secure that nobody is allowed to fight without a signed permit from the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander)?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Glamorgan County Council through its roads and bridges committee has refused leave of absence to two of its officials who are officers in the Territorial Force to attend camp this year; and whether he will take the matter up with the council?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a recent decision of the Glamorgan County Council roads and bridges committee, whereby two members of the clerical staff, after making all arrangements, have been prevented from going to a Territorial camp; and will he communicate with this authority and urge them to reconsider their decision?

I understand that leave was refused under a rule made by the council in 1925, to the effect that temporary staff should not be entitled to leave until completion of 12 months' service, and this rule has been adhered to although the officers in question offered to waive any pay from the council during their camp leave, or alternatively to surrender their ordinary leave when it becomes due. Active representations were made by the local Territorial Army Association, but without success, and I can, therefore, only express my deep regret that a rule which may be appropriate in relation to ordinary holidays has been applied in this way to the annual training leave of members of the Territorial Army.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as a result of this unpatriotic action by the Glamorgan County Council the 53rd Division of Engineers have gone into annual training understaffed this year?

Arising out of the answer and the desire of the Minister to waive the rule which stands in the way of such an act as this, will he be able to waive the rule which did the man Salisbury out of his £34?

Does not my right hon. Friend see that the Glamorgan County Council regard service in camp as a holiday?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House any information in connection with the case of Guardsman R. W. Branch, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, who was court-martialled for insubordination; and whether he can state the reason why the charge was made and what sentence was passed?

Guardsman Branch was found guilty by a district court-martial of disobeying a lawful command, and was sentenced by the court for this, and for an earlier offence, to which he pleaded guilty, of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, to 28 days' detention. Fourteen days of the sentence were subsequently remitted.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that Guardsman Branch was found not guilty of offering violence to his superior officer; that Private Curry knocked the Guardsman's head through a window; that the Guardsman was damaged very badly, and produced a blood-stained towel in court to prove that Private Curry had done this to him; and is it the duty of a superior officer to strike a private?

Private Curry is not a superior officer to anybody, but I have looked closely into the facts. There was a slight divergence of testimony, and the court-martial had to decide upon the facts that were presented to them, and I am satisfied that there was no miscarriage of, justice.

Is it not the fact that the publicity caused by a question such as this is not particularly good for the maintenance of discipline?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the general officers commanders-in-chief of commands in the United Kingdom, and how many of the general officers commanding Territorial divisions, are over 60 years of age?

The numbers are four and two, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements are being made to give all general officers and commanders-in-chief of commands in the United Kingdom an opportunity this year, and in subsequent years, of exercising high command in manoeuvres or, failing that, in military exercises without troops?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the assurance given by him in May, 1935, that all general officers on the active list of the Army are medically examined annually as to their fitness in all respects for active service, whether since then any have died or been found either permanently or temporarily unfit in any respect for active service; and whether any of those so found unfit are still on full pay or holding any command or appointment?

One general officer on the active list has died since May, 1935. Two general officers are at present unfit for general duty and, in consequence, are on the half-pay list as officers who are not holding any command or appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of hours each night the military guard are on duty at the Bank of England; what, if any, refreshments are supplied to the officer and men of this guard during this period; and will he give particulars?

The military picquet is on duty at the Bank of England between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the summer and 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. in the winter. The bank provides the officer with dinner, and the other ranks with gratuities so that they may purchase refreshments from the guard-room canteen as they desire. In addition, supper is provided by the battalion supplying the picquet.

Is the gratuity sufficient to provide food for the men on duty?

Is there any evidence to show that people suffer more from night starvation than they do from day?

asked the Secretary of State for War what units of the Territorial Army are given the duty of the defence of London against air attack; what is their total authorised strength; and what is their present strength?

As the list of units is rather a long one, I will, with the permission of my hon. Friend, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The total establishment of the 1st (London) Anti-Air-craft Division is 16,892 all ranks and the strength on 1st July was 6,450.

Are any of the new Territorial companies which are to be open to men of over 45 among the list which the right hon. Gentleman proposes to circulate?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has in contemplation any immediate steps to improve the situation created by the shortage of recruits for the Regular Army?

Yes, Sir. I propose to create a new infantry section of the Supplementary Reserve, with an initial establishment of 17,000. Enlistment will be for general service in the infantry for six years with an option of re-engagement for a further period of four years, and will be open to unmarried men between the ages of 17 and 25 years in all parts of the United Kingdom. Men enlisted into this new section of the Supplementary Reserve will be required to do 26 weeks training in the first year of their service, and 14 days training annually thereafter. They will receive a free issue of clothing on enlistment, and during the training periods full pay as for Regular Infantry of the Line, with an annual bounty of £6 conditional on their carrying out the required annual training.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that very welcome announcement, may I ask whether the Supplementary Reserve will do their training with Regular units?

Yes, Sir.

Will the members of the new unit be required to certify that they have been frightened out of their wits?

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman seeks to enlist in this unit young men upon whom the Government are imposing the means test in South Wales?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring pressure to bear upon university students to enlist as privates?

Will the right hon. Gentleman call this the U.A.B. regulations battalion?

Has there been any such improvement in recruiting for the Regular Army as would cause the right hon. Gentleman to revise the figures which he gave to the House on the introduction of his Estimates?

Recruiting for the Regular Army does not arise out of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Civil Service Clerical Association has been waiting for nearly two months for the commencement of negotiations on the position of machine operators, etc., employed in his Department; what is the reason for this delay; and when he anticipates that negotiations will be opened?

This question has been under active consideration, but it is a matter which requires detailed examination. It is hoped that negotiations will be opened without undue delay.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in matters of this kind any delay is a very serious source of irritation, and will he do his best to avoid it?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that discontent exists in the Civil Service at the slowness with which matters affecting the staff are dealt with by the Treasury and Government Departments generally; and whether he will cause instructions to be given to the establishments division of the Treasury and the establishment officers of Departments that such matters shall be treated with reasonable promptness and despatch?

I do not agree that there is delay on the part either of the Treasury or of Government Departments generally in dealing with staff matters. I see no need, therefore, for the issue of instructions as suggested in the last part of the question.

Surely the hon. and learned Gentleman is aware that there is discontent that the grievances are not remedied, and will he do his best to see that arbitration proceedings are started as quickly as possible?

As I said in my original answer, I have not been able to discover any cases of undue delay on the part of the Treasury or any Government Departments. If the hon. Member has a specific case in mind, I hope he will bring it to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of ejection orders passed against tenants during the years 1933, 1934, and 1935 in the sheriff courts at Dumbarton, Glasgow, Hamilton, Airdrie, Edinburgh, and Falkirk; and in how many of these cases the subjects were decontrolled?

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

In regard to the latter part of the question, may I take it from

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the approximate number of children entitled to benefit under the milk-in-schools scheme, as adopted for certain areas in Glasgow and, if possible, the effect which the scheme has had upon the general health of those taking full advantage thereof?

Any child between the ages of two and 15 years in Glasgow may call at one of the children's milk centres established by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board in the Anderston, Bridgeton, Gorbals and Govan districts, to buy milk at the reduced price for consumption on the premises. The scheme only started on 29th June, and the Board are not in a position to assess the effects on the health of the children.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to give me any specific information with regard to the number of children who are entitled to benefit under this scheme?

All the children in Glasgow under the ages specified will benefit under this scheme. I have not the exact number of children in the particular area referred to. I made inquiries but they were not available.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any in formation about the incidence of grass sickness in horses in Germany; and what steps are taken there to deal with the problem?

I have no information at my disposal about the incidence of the disease in Germany or the steps, if any, taken to deal with it. I am endeavouring, however, to ascertain the position in that country.

Is it my right hon. Friend's intention to present his remarks to the German Government in the form of a questionnaire?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many producer-retailers, producer-wholesalers, and certified producers, respectively, are registered under the Scottish milk scheme; how many of these have been paying a levy based on gallonage since payments per cow were instituted; what is the total amount of levy paid on a gal lonage basis by these producers since the inception of the scheme; and how much of this consists of payments declared to be illegal in the recent House of Lords' decision in the Ferrier case?

I am in communication with the Scottish Milk Marketing Board with a view to obtaining for the Noble Lady the information she desires so far as it can be made available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman impress upon the board the need of completing this investigation as soon as they can, as there are many milk producers who are affected by the recent House of Lords decision?

I will certainly do that, but the Noble Lady is no doubt well aware that her request involves a considerable amount of information. Directly it is ready it will be communicated to her.

If the information is not available until the House is in recess, will the right hon. Gentleman make the information public?

I will certainly do so.

If the investigation elicits the fact that illegal deductions have been made, will the right hon. Gentleman bring pressure to bear upon the board to see that refund is immediately made?

That is another question which does not directly arise out of this question.

In regard to those people who were sold up, their cows scattered and they themselves reduced to public assistance, will the right hon. Gentleman see that they are restored to their status quo, or will he leave it to a jury of their fellow-countrymen?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Milk Marketing Board has come to any decision on the situation arising out of the judgment in Ferrier v. Scottish Milk Marketing Board; and whether he has any statement to make on this subject?

I am informed that the board are closely examining the whole position but have not yet reached a decision. They are meeting again to-day to consider the matter further in the light of the advice obtained from their legal advisers.

In view of the importance of this matter to a great number of retailers in the East of Scotland, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a rather fuller statement before the House rises for the Recess?

It will depend on the discussions which are taking place today in the Scottish Milk Marketing Board. Until they are in a position to inform me what steps they propose to take, I cannot make any further statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer to the Milk Board that they are taking the earnings of one small section and handing them to another small section? Is not that a breach of the Eighth Commandment—"Thou shalt not steal."?

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that charges have been made by the Board which are illegal?

The Board have decided that there are some charges which are illegal, and they are now considering what steps they shall take to put the matter right.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any decision has been made as to the introduction of legislation concerning Scottish public records and, in particular, concerning the return of certain public records from London to Edinburgh?

No decision has been taken regarding the introduction of legislation on this subject. The matter is however being actively discussed with the various authorities and departments concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is strong feeling in Scotland that there is grave injustice in this regard?

I do not incline to that view.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the number of boats operating the seine-net from the South side of the Firth of Forth during each of the years 1920, 1925, 1930, and 1936; and what is the number to-day?

The numbers of boats operating the seine net from the South side of the Firth of Forth during 1920, 1925, 1930 and 1935 were 19, 15, 35 and 33 respectively. The number operating at present is 22, but this number will probably be increased to 35 during the year as at present some boats are either lying idle or absent at herring fishing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what were the grounds given by the Fishery Board for Scotland for recommending an extension of the area for seine-net fishing in the Firth of Forth; and is he aware that this method of fishing is in fact destructive of nursery grounds, with consequent loss of mature fish round the Scottish coast?

I regret I cannot at present give the reason which led the Fishery Board for Scotland to make the by-law in question. These will however come up and be fully considered by me at the end of the period of advertisement, along with any objections lodged including objections relating to the possible effect of the by-law on the stock of fish on the Scottish coast.

How is it possible for those who object to state their case effectively if they do not know the ground on which the decision was made? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider in special cases making public the grounds for the recommendation?

I will consider that.

Is it not a matter of common knowledge that there are no nursery grounds within the proposed extended area?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in the process of equalising rents the burgh council of Leslie is increasing the rental of some two-roomed houses from £7 16s. to £14 per annum, of three-roomed houses from £10 8s. to £17 per annum, and of four-roomed houses from £13 to £20 per annum: and, in view of the fact that he has complained to the council that certain houses built with State assistance have been let to persons whose income does not entitle them to a subsidised house, he will intervene to see that persons in this Category do not benefit from the equalisation of rent at the expense of poorer tenants in the hitherto lower-rented houses?

I am aware that the town council in revising the rents of municipal houses as from 28th August have decided to charge uniform rents for such houses, and that this will involve increases of approximately the amounts referred to in the question in the case of certain houses. The local authority have, however, notified their tenants that they will be prepared to give rebates from rent where in the opinion of the authority the financial circumstances of any tenant justify the granting of a rebate. The fixing of rents and the control of the houses are, under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1935, matters for the local authority.

Is the Minister not aware that the Department in Edinburgh complained that the council had refused to give particulars concerning the occupants of a particular estate, that the Department were of opinion that these occupants had no right to be in the houses, and that the occupants, who are not workers, are those who are going to benefit by this equalisation?

I am not aware that the Department in Edinburgh had given specific instructions about particular people in particular areas, but if the hon. Member has any information I shall be happy to consider it.

Are we to understand that the Communist party are in favour of a means test?

Arising out of the answer—

We have a lot more questions on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any further information with regard to the delay of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in providing new houses on the estate of the Department at Terregles, Kirkcudbrightshire?

The agreements were signed by the holders concerned and plans of the new houses were lodged with the local authority at the end of last week. On the approval of the plans by the local authority offers already received for the erection of the houses can be accepted. No avoidable delay has occurred.

In view of the answer, and the special point which the right hon. Gentleman has made with regard to local authorities in the South West of Scotland having done so well in housing schemes, will he impress on the Scottish Office that they may be setting a very bad example?

I shall have to have the views of the local authorities on that matter before I say anything like that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will issue instructions to the public assistance committees in Scotland that, when fixing up a scale for any claimant a member of whose family is in receipt of Unemployment Assistance Board's allowance, they will disregard the amount paid by the Unemployment Assistance Board in the same manner as disability and wound pensions are disregarded.

No, Sir. The responsibility for deciding the amount of relief necessary in any individual case rests primarily with the Poor Law authority concerned and I have no power to issue instructions to the authorities on the point raised by the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform his colleague the Minister of Health that his strictures on the Glasgow Public Assistance Committee, in view of the answer that has been given, are entirely unwarranted and unjust?

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that in summary cases it is the practice of procurators-fiscal to refuse to give the defence the names and addresses of witnesses for the Crown; whether he appreciates the hardship thereby imposed on the accused; and whether he will give instructions that procurators-fiscal should furnish such information when required by the defence?

In cases tried on indictment provision is made by Statute for the mutual exchange of particulars regarding witnesses proposed to be examined for the prosecution and the defence. No such provision is made as regards summary proceedings. It is, however, the practice for the names of witnesses for the Crown to be furnished to the defence in cases arising out of motor accidents and in any other case in which Crown Counsel consider that it is reasonable that such information should be supplied. The whole question has been frequently considered by the Law Officers for Scotland and I see no reason to depart from the present practice.

Is the Lord Advocate aware that grave hardship is inflicted, and that this refusal, except in the cases he has mentioned, is universal?

I am not aware that any grave hardship is inflicted by this rule, and I would remind the hon. Member that if an attempt is made to import into summary proceedings the whole machinery of indictment they would cease to be summary. I can assure the hon. Member that by the administrative action I have indicated in my answer every endeavour is being made to ensure that no cause for complaint arises.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will consider the provision of a shorthand note of all evidence in all criminal proceedings, as is at present the case in the High Court?

Shorthand notes of the evidence are taken in all cases tried on indictment whether in the High Court or the Sheriff Court. In 1934, the latest year for which complete figures are available, nearly 103,000 persons were charged before 292 Summary Criminal Courts in Scotland. In a large proportion of these cases the charges were of a trivial character. The cost of providing a shorthand note of all evidence in summary criminal prosecutions would be prohibitive, and in many instances such provision would be impracticable. Further, in view of the very limited rights of appeal available in summary proceedings, verbatim notes of evidence would serve no purpose. I therefore regret that I am unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

In view of the fact that imprisonment may follow conviction in a summary court, will the Lord Advocate reconsider the matter?

I am afraid that the figures I have indicated show the enormous magnitude of the task and the enormous cost which would be incurred if the suggestion were adopted. The hon. Member knows very well that the penalty of imprisonment for a small offence imposed by a court of summary jurisdiction is imprisonment for a comparatively short time.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the serious consequences to the master of a trawler convicted of illegal trawling, he will give instructions for verbatim notes of evidence to be taken in sheriff courts trying such cases?

Offences under the Illegal Trawling (Scotland) Act, 1934, are tried summarily, and, in view of the limited right of appeal available in such cases, no purpose would be served by the provision of verbatim notes of evidence. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence).

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will consider taking the necessary steps to provide nautical assessors in sheriff courts when evidence of illegal trawling is being considered?

There is no statutory warrant for the employment of nautical or other expert assessors in criminal cases. As the issues raised in illegal trawling prosecutions are issues of fact which are rarely, if ever, complicated by questions of practical seamanship on which the opinion of a nautical assessor would be of value, I regret that I am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he has considered the complaint of Mr. T. S. Taylor, Milton Cottage, Burntisland, regarding the treatment he received and the accounts rendered for that treatment in the Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick, from 22nd June to 29th July, 1933; whether he can state the amount of money charged and recovered by the hospital authority; whether it is proposed to take any action regarding the charge of perjury and falsification of evidence advanced by Mr. Taylor against the surgeon and matron of the Gilbert Bain Hospital; and whether, in view of the fact that this charge has recently been publicly repeated and ignored, independent inquiry can now be made in order to ascertain the facts relating to Mr. Taylor's treatment in hospital?

The answer to the first part of the right hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. A civil action at the instance of the hospital authorities against Mr. Taylor was decided in their favour by the Sheriff Substitute at Cupar-Fife, and this decision was adhered to on appeal to the Sheriff Principal. I am unable to say how much has been recovered under this decree. As I informed the right hon. Member in my letter of 7th December last, the complaint of alleged perjury has been investigated fully both by my predecessor and myself and no justification whatever for proceedings has been discovered. I see no need for any further inquiry on this point, and my right hon. Friend has no power to review the decision of the civil courts.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of consulting the leaders of parties in this House to endeavour to arrive at an agreed defence policy that can be recommended to the nation with the backing of all parties?

In the event of my receiving such a request from the official leaders of the parties in this House, I should certainly give it my sympathetic consideration, but I have at present no reason to suppose that any request of the kind is likely to be made.

In view of the great urgency and importance of our presenting a united front on this question, if we can, would it not be more desirable for the Prime Minister to take the initiative and invite the leaders of other parties to confer with him even before the Adjournment?

I have nothing to add to what I have said.

Would it not be very difficult considering that the Opposition parties are against the ordinary defences of the country?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the plans of the Government with regard to the conscription of wealth and man-power in the event of the outbreak of war; and whether these two subjects would be dealt with simultaneously?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member in reply to a supplementary question arising out of the question which he addressed to me on 24th March last.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say whether these two matters will be dealt with together?

I really cannot meet every hypothetical circumstance in every hypothetical case, but I am quite certain that if such a tragedy occurs, whatever Government is in power, steps will be taken against any anti-national action.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the increased cost of paying 15s. per week to all old age pensioners; and what would be the cost of paying a pension of 15s. a week to all people at 60 years of age?

The extra cost of increasing old age pensions to 15s. a week (including blind persons' pensions and contributory old age pensions but not including widows' pensions) would be about £32,000,000 a year at the present time. The extra cost of a universal pension of 15s. a week payable at age 60 would be about £155,000,000 a year at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider amending the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919, to provide for an increase in the maximum allowance of earned and unearned income of applicants which is taken into account when assessing the amount of pension due?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give consideration to the need of legislation to amend the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919, to provide for an appreciable increase in the maximum allowance of income in the assessment of the amount of pension to be paid and to other suggestions dealing with pensions made by many local authorities?

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer given on 14th May to the hon. Members for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) and Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of French treasury bills still held by His Majesty's Government; and can he give particulars of how these bills fall due and the amount of instalments payable on the same?

The answer to the first part of the question is none, and the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to take any action to relieve Income Tax payers in this country who are held liable by the Inland Revenue authorities on all income arising from sources abroad, whether remitted or not, the blocking of currency from foreign States pressing heavily on many people in this country who are obliged to meet their Income Tax claims from slender reserves of capital?

My right hon. Friend does not consider that any action such as my hon. Friend suggests is called for. In the type of case which he has in mind, reasonable arrangements for payment are made if the taxpayer is genuinely unable to pay the tax at the proper time.

In view of the fact that many cases have been brought to my notice of people who have been quite unable to meet their liabilities, will the Financial Secretary convey to his right hon. Friend the necessity of giving careful consideration to this matter?

If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind in which proper treatment has not been meted out and will bring it to my notice, I shall be glad to inquire into it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Stamp Duty on feu writs was charged by the Inland Revenue in excess of that legally due, having regard to the decision in the test cases of Paul, Span and Blair versus the Commissioners of Inland Revenue; that these charges were made on misinterpretation of the effect of the case of McInnes by the Inland Revenue; and whether he is prepared to consider the refunding of the overcharges?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. Guy) on 21st July.

While I appreciate the terms of the answer to which the hon. and learned Gentleman referred, is it not a fact that the payments which have been made were charged by the Inland Revenue under a misapprehension with regard to the extent and effect of the judgment?

There is a definite rule of law that money paid over under a mistake of law is always irrecoverable. It is a point which cuts both ways. If the Revenue take a view of the law which is unduly favourable to the taxpayer, they would never attempt to get the money back after a decision the other way.

That is no satisfaction to the taxpayer. An injustice has been done to these individuals, and why not adjust it?

May I point out to the Financial Secretary that a definite question of principle arises? Do I take it from his answer that if payment is made under a mistake, the Government are to insist on their legal rights?

My answer means this, that there is a definite rule in the law of this country that money paid over under a mistake of law is irrecoverable, but money paid over under a mistake of fact is recoverable. The equity of this whole matter demands that the same rules should apply between the Crown and the subject as apply between subjects.

Is it not a mistake if too large a sum is demanded?