asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that at midnight, on Saturday, 29th August, William Brown, 177, Sandyfaulds Street, and Alex Grassie, 135, Sandyfaulds Street, Glasgow, were arrested at their homes on the charge of shop-beraking; that their homes were searched, but nothing was found in any way showing their guilt; that they were detained in prison until Tuesday morning; that they had never been in any trouble before and were not concerned in any act of shop-breaking; that the wife of one of them was in an advanced state of pregnancy and was seriously affected in health as a result; whether he has caused inquiry to be made; and what steps he proposes to take to have these men compensated?

I am aware that in the early morning of Sunday, 30th August, the two men referred to were arrested on a charge of breaking into a public house, that Mr. Brown's house was searched by the police but no incriminating evidence was found. I am also aware that both men were liberated on Tuesday, 1st September, the proceedings against them having been dropped; and that neither of the men had been previously convicted. I understand that the wife of Mr. Brown was in an advanced state of pregnancy at the time her husband was arrested, but I have no information as to whether her health was affected. As regards the last two parts of the question the cases have, as I recently informed the hon. Member in correspondence, been the subject of inquiry by the police authority of Glasgow who, after carefully considering the whole circumstances, decided to take no action. Any question as to payment of compensation in these cases is not a matter in which I have any jurisdiction.

Could the right hon. Gentleman not go into this matter again, seeing that the two men were in prison for such a time without any charge having been made against them?

I am afraid it is not possible or competent for me to express any opinion as to whether compensation should or should not be paid by a police authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average cost of a suit of clothes and coat supplied to men by the Public Assistance Committee of Glasgow Corporation; and whether he is aware that people receiving such clothes are being called upon to pay one shilling a week from their allowance to repay the cost of such garments?

The average cost of a suit of clothes supplied by the Public Assistance Committee of Glasgow Corporation to able-bodied persons out of employment is 22s. The average cost of a coat is 18s. The relief allowances to the able-bodied are intended to cover the cost of clothing, but where suits or coats are supplied deductions, usually at the rate of 1s. per week, are made from the allowances in cases where the committee so decide.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the fair wages clause is observed with regard to the production of those clothes, and will he ascertain what the material is, whether it is paper, or what other material?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Public Assistance Committee of Glasgow Corporation are providing old boots which have been worn previously by other children for children of the sick poor when their own boots are under repair; and whether he will take the necessary steps to stop this practice with its grave risks of infection?

I am informed that the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question does not arise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries, because a constituent of mine came to me with a pair of worn boots, which I sent back, and her boy had to go without boots until his own boots were repaired?

Any information which the hon. Member can give me I shall be very glad to look into.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that on 16th June his predecessor stated in reply to a question that the Glasgow Corporation were aware of the insanitary condition of the house at 18, Soho Street, Glasgow, and that early steps would be taken to rehouse the people concerned; that so far nothing has been done; and whether he will take steps to see that the assurance given in the House is fulfilled?

I am aware that in the reply referred to the late Secretary of State stated that the Glasgow Corporation hoped to take early action with respect to these houses, but I am informed that they have not yet been able to deal with them. The corporation state that they are proceeding with all possible speed with their housing programme, but that there are still many worse houses in the city with which they have to deal first.

Will the right hon. Gentleman address himself to the point, that an assurance was given to the House, through the former Secretary of State, that they hoped to be able to rehouse these people at an early date, and the Glasgow Corporation has not carried out that assurance?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask him what are the means by which he can force or induce this Socialist corporation to carry out its duties in a humanitarian way?

May I have an answer?

The question on the Paper relates to the condition of Glasgow housing. I think we must all agree that it is a scandal which we desire to terminate at the earliest possible moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not realise that an assurance was given publicly to this House, through the Secretary of State, by the corporation, and can he not take steps to secure that the corporation will make good the assurance that it gave to the House?

I have a copy of the answer in which the late Secretary of State distinctly said:

"The Corporation of Glasgow inform me that they are aware of the condition of the houses referred to and that they hope to take early action with respect to them."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 16th June, 1936; col. 813, Vol. 315.]

I do not think that can be construed as a pledge.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses in Glasgow at present occupied which are of one apartment; the number of houses without lavatory accommodation in the house; and the number without bathroom and lavatory accommodation?

The number of one-apartment houses occupied in Glasgow at the end of October, 1936, was 34,375. In regard to the second and third parts of the question, I cannot give exact figures, but the number of houses in Glasgow without a separate water closet is about 100,000; very few, if any, of these houses have a bath. Additional to these the number of houses with a separate water closet but no bath is about 53,000.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these terrible housing conditions, inherited by the present, Corporation of Glasgow, are the result of a century of neglect by his friends?

I think they are due to a century of neglect by everyone, but that does not mean we should not do something now.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in the Gorbals Division in Glasgow large numbers of families are living in one-apartment houses with no lavatory accommodation; that in some cases the house is occupied by five or six children and two adults and in other cases occupied by members of a family who suffer from tuberculosis; that these folk have made repeated efforts for houses without success; and whether he proposes to take any steps in this matter?

I am aware that conditions in the Gorbals Division are substantially as stated in the question, although I understand that in letting houses to overcrowded families the corporation are guided by their medical officer of health, who gives full weight to the existence of an infectious case of tuberculosis in a family applying for a house. It will take time to eliminate all the unsatisfactory houses in Glasgow, but I am in constant touch with the corporation to ensure that the maximum possible progress is maintained.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied at the moment with the rate of progress in the provision of houses for these poor, unfortunate people?

No, Sir, I certainly am not, and I hope and believe that the corporation is not either.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the rate of progress in any other part of the country?

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the oats question is still being examined by the Government; and, if so, when he expects to be in a position to make an announcement of policy?

Yes, Sir. But I am not yet in a position to indicate when it will be possible to make a statement.

Does my right hon. Friend not recollect that this question has been under consideration by the Government for several years, and in view of the fact that the Prime Minister gave an assurance to a deputation last July that it would be reconsidered urgently, and under his personal supervision, does the right hon. Gentleman not think he might give us an assurance that another year will not be allowed to elapse before we know what is the Government's policy?

I have recently taken over the responsibilities of the Secretary of State, and certainly am not going to give any assurance at the present moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to use his past experience?

I certainly will not undertake that.

Is it not a fact that the farmers in the North of Scotland cannot be held responsible for changes in the Government?

There has been an improvement in the price of oats.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the doubt which still exists as to the right of citizens to fly, as well as to display, the lion rampant flag, owing to declarations made by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; and whether he will make the position clear beyond any possibility of doubt?

It would be quite impossible within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question to indicate the numerous Statutory and other restrictions which apply to the use of armorial bearings in general, and of the Royal Arms or any part thereof in particular. I can, however say that in the Royal Warrant of September, 1934, which directed that no official cognisance should be taken of the display of the lion rampant flag as a mark of loyalty by His Majesty's loyal subjects, no qualification is made as to the method of display.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter, of little importance in itself, does assume importance because of the rampant attitude of the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and may we take it quite definitely that no proceedings will follow the flying and displaying, in any circumstances, of this flag in future?

I think I have given a full answer to the question, and I think it would be undesirable for me to go beyond it. If the answer is studied, I think it will clear up all the points of difficulty.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether in the course of preparing the Bill for dealing with the mining royalties, he will inquire from the local authorities where mining operations are in progress what is the extent of the damage caused by mining subsidence, so that provision can be made in the Bill for recompense to them?

No, Sir. A radical alteration in the Law of Support, such as the hon. Member suggests, is not within the scope of the proposed legislation.

In view of the fact that the hon. Gentleman will have to meet an amendment on this particular point when the Bill is brought forward, and I want him to be prepared for it, will he try to get this information?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has appointed the committee to examine the working of the 1935 lighting regulations in coal mines; and, if so, will he supply the names of the members of the committee

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the Firedamp Detector Regulations in regard to which I propose to appoint such a committee forthwith. I cannot yet give the names of the members, but I may say that the committee will be fully representative of the industry and will also

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys under 16 years of age employed on the surface and underground, respectively, in each of the districts in the country; and also the number of persons aged 65 years and over employed underground

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say when the committee is likely to be appointed or state who are to be invited to become members?

I could not answer the last part of the question as regards invitations to membership. I am considering the matter at the moment.

If I put down a question, say, on Wednesday will the hon. and gallant Gentleman be able to give me a reply?

Perhaps the hon. Member will talk to me about the matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of juveniles who are at present employed in the mining industry and the average number of hours they work per week?

As I do not know what age limits the hon. and gallant Member includes in juveniles, and as I presume he would wish underground and surface workers to be given separately, a number of figures are involved. I will, therefore, with his permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the last part of the question, the hon. Member will find the available information on pages 140 and 141 of my Annual Report for 1935.

The latest information in regard to boy wage-earners in the various districts will be found on pages 132 and 133 of my Annual Report for the year 1935. No recent information is available as to persons over 65 years of age, but a special return obtained in November, 1933, showed that the number on the colliery books was less than 10,000.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys between the ages of 15 and 18 employed in coal mines in this country, and the number of such boys who work in coal mines between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.?

With regard to the first part of the question, figures are not available in the form asked for by the hon. Member, but for such information as is available I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have just given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Barkston Ash (Colonel Ropner). I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many miners have lost their lives through accidents in Yorkshire, collieries during each of the last three years?

The figures are as follow: 1933, 128; 1934, 107; 1935, 171.

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether he is aware that Stotts Pit, Westhoughton, is again threatened with flooding; and will he take steps to initiate a co-operative pumping scheme for this area?

I have been informed of the position at this colliery, but, as the hon. Member is aware, in order to establish a joint pumping scheme it is in practice necessary to have in favour of such a scheme a majority of the colliery owners who would have to work it. My Department would, of course, be ready to give any assistance in their power to the colliery owners concerned.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that during the last 10 years 16 collieries have been closed down within a four-mile radius of this pit; and that other pits in the neighbourhood are likely to be flooded unless a co-operative pumping scheme is established?

I think that is a matter of opinion.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether a report has reached the Mines Department of the inrush of water at the Stott Colliery, Westhoughton; is he aware that there are a number of collieries within a few miles that come within the danger zone if the water reaches a certain height; and will he cause full inquiries to be made so that effective safety precautions can be taken?

Yes, Sir, I have received a report on the flooding of the Stotts Pit of the Westhoughton Colliery. From the investigations already made it would appear that at present it does not give rise to any question of danger in relation to other collieries since the only workings in the immediate vicinity have already been abandoned. A close watch is, however, being kept on the position by His Majesty's inspectors.

In view of the large number of collieries which have suffered in various parts of the country through adequate protection not being given in time, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see to it at once that the colliery companies are brought together to investigate this matter along with the mines inspectors?

I have already answered a question touching on that topic.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that pumping was stopped in this neighbourhood years ago and that several collieries have been flooded in consequence of the rising of this water; and is there any possibility of getting the companies together to start a co-operative pumping scheme?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that certain pits further south will suffer the same fate within ten years unless steps are taken and that the cost of saving those collieries would not be more than £4,000 per annum?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the post of mining engineer to the Safety in Mines Research Board is now vacant; and whether steps are being taken to fill it to the best advantage?

This important post is vacant, but the duties are being carried on temporarily by its former holder until his successor is appointed. There is some difficulty in finding a successor with the necessary high technical and personal qualifications and the board attribute this difficulty in part to an impression prevailing in certain quarters that the duties of the post may be merely temporary. The board wish, therefore, to make it known that they regard the whole-time services of a highly qualified mining engineer as an indispensable part of the organisation for carrying out safety research, and that their policy will be to maintain such a post for the whole period during which a substantial income is assured them by statute and endowment. I am in full agreement with that policy, and take this opportunity to make it generally known.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will take steps to satisfy the growing feeling among mineworkers that it would lead to greater safety if the firemen and deputies were under direct control of the Mines Department and their whole time devoted to examination of the districts under their charge

I have nothing to add at the present time to the reply which I gave on 17th March to the late Member for Clay Cross.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that expenses have been cut down by 50 per cent. under the direct control of the colliery owners and that unbiased opinion is that under Government control there would be much greater safety?

The hon. Member has just said that it is a matter of opinion and he is, of course, aware that there is a Royal Commission dealing with these problems and that evidence on this point has already been laid before them.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is no longer a matter of opinion but a matter of knowledge?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of deaths among coal miners that were attributed to silicosis or anthracosis by the verdicts of coroners' inquests in each of the respective inspectorate divisions for each year from 1929 to 1935, inclusive?

I regret that the information desired is not available.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there are any negotiations now proceeding between his Department and the royalty owners in regard to the proposed legislation to unify the ownership of royalties; what are the organisations acting for the royalty owners; and whether it is proposed to settle the terms of the purchase of the royalty rights by the State before the proposed legislation is submitted to Parliament?

Discussions have taken place and will continue to take place between representatives of His Majesty's Government and of the Mineral Owners' Joint Committee in regard to the proposed unification of coal royalties. It is obviously advantageous with these as with any other legislative proposals that they should command the widest possible measure of agreement, and this applies to the terms of purchase as to other questions. But I need hardly remind the hon. Member when he speaks of "settling" these terms, that that is a matter for Parliament.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman state the names of the organisations with which these consultations are taking place; and can his answer be construed as an assurance that no price will be fixed until the matter comes before this House?

I have just said that the body is the Mineral Owners' Joint Committee.

Are we to understand that no agreement has yet been reached with the mineral royalty owners as to the purchase terms

That is a separate question.

asked the Secretary for Mines the names of European countries which give financial or other assistance to coal exported from those countries, and the value per ton of such assistance given in each case?

The European countries which give financial or other assistance to their coal exports are, so far as I am aware, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Poland and Turkey. I regret that I have not sufficient data available to answer the second part of the question.

Can the information be given in respect of some of the countries?

I will consider that. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will have a word with me about it.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend in touch with the Board of Trade on this question with a view to getting adjustments of trade agreements?

My hon. and gallant Friend forgets that I am part of the Board of Trade.

For that very reason, will my hon. and gallant Friend get into touch with the trade agreement Department of the Board of Trade?

asked the Secretary for Mines what action, if any, is proposed by the Government to bring about an improvement in the coal export trade of this country?

The position of the coal export trade is continually under review, and the hon. Member may rest assured that no oportunity of bringing about an improvement is or will be overlooked.

Is the matter of an export subsidy under the consideration of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department?

The hon. Gentleman had better put a question down if he wants to know.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any new type currency has been issued by the present Provincial Government in Alberta; and to what extent it is in circulation?

My hon. and learned Friend is presumably referring to the Prosperity Certificates, which are documents promising to pay the bearer the face value of $1 on the expiration of two years from the date of issue if the correct number of stamps has been affixed to the back. According to Press reports, of some 250,000 certificates which were issued by the Provincial Government of Alberta last August, a large percentage is no longer in circulation, having been accepted in payment of taxes.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make a statement on the present financial position of Alberta?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and learned Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of occasions this year on which the Tariff Board in Canada has considered applications for tariff reduction by manufacturers of this country in pursuance of the Ottawa Agreements; the number and particulars of tariff items covered thereby; and the items in respect of which reductions have been ordered and the amounts thereof?

There has been no occasion for the Tariff Board in Canada to meet this year in order to consider applications on behalf of United Kingdom manufacturers for reviews of Canadian duties under the provisions of the Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and Canada concluded at Ottawa; but, as my hon. and learned Friend is aware, they presented a report on cotton textiles in April which recommended a reduction in the British preferential tariff on these goods.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for what he has said, may I ask whether this question of a tariff board sitting at Ottawa will be one of the matters that will be reviewed at the forthcoming Imperial Conference

The whole question of the Ottawa Agreements and the possible revision of the trade agreement with Canada is, as my hon. and learned Friend has no doubt noticed in the Press, under consideration.

Are the Dominion Government taking steps to give effect to the recommendations which my right hon. Friend has mentioned?

The recommendations have already been given effect to by the Dominion Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether advantage is to be taken of the denunciation by the Government of India of the Ottawa Trade Agreement to accord to British manufacturers in this country, where it is necessary, some measure of protection against Indian manufactured goods, while continuing to accord such goods substantial preferences over similar foreign goods?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the interests to which he refers will be carefully borne in mind during the negotiations.

Is my right hon. Friend prepared to advise his colleagues in necessary cases to impose duties at preferential rates on goods coming from India?

I think my hon. Friend had better put that question on the Paper.

Is there any reason why the preference on linseed should not be at once removed?

I certainly cannot answer a question about linseed without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the balance of payments still due from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on 31st December, 1935, for goods supplied from Great Britain?

On 31st December, 1935, a sum of approximately £2,000,000 still remained to be paid in respect of goods consigned from the United Kingdom to the Soviet Union.

May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman has no fear whatever that these payments will be met?

I understand that about four-fifths of these outstanding claims have already been paid off.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, as Great Britain has purchased from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the 14 years 1922–35 goods to the value of £298,000,000 while the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has only purchased from us £66,000,000 worth of United Kingdom products and £60,000,000 worth of re-exports, and has therefore a trade balance of £172,000,000, was it necessary to give the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics what is in effect a five year loan of 10,000,000 in order to increase her purchases in this country?

Since 1934 the balance of payments between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has been regulated by the arrangements contained in the Schedule to the Temporary Commercial Agreement of 16th February, 1934. In these circumstances, statistics going back to 1922 would not seem to be relevant to the arrangement, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, for stimulating the export to Russia of United Kingdom manufactures.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that by giving this loan of £10,000,000 he is really financing the arming of Spanish Reds and propaganda against this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value and particulars of exports of manufactured goods to Soviet Russia for the 12 months ended to the last available date?

As the answer is in the form of a tabular statement I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the majority of those exports have not been paid for?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the amount of Denmark's purchases of British goods, apart from the re-export trade to that country, completely fulfils her obligations under the trade agreement with this country; and, if not, will he make representations to the Danish Government with a view to their issuing additional licences for the importation of cutlery which Danish importers urgently require?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matter referred to in the second part is shortly to be discussed with the Danish authorities.

asked the Chancell of the Exchequer how many orders have been issued to date by the Import Duties Advisory Board; and how many in all have been refused Treasury consent?

The Import Duties Advisory Committee is, as its name implies, an advisory body and does not issue orders. Excluding recommendations relating to the licensing of individual consignments of goods it has made 309 recommendations. Of these 309 the Treasury decided not to give effect to one, namely, a recommendation relating to electric lamps. In that case a voluntary agreement for the regulation of imports was reached.

Would it be unfair to characterise the Treasury in this matter as a rubber stamp?

May I ask how many recommendations the Treasury is sitting on at the moment?

If my hon. Friend means how many recommendations are still under consideration by the Treasury, I think there are about six.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether foreign vessels trading on the British coast are manned in accordance with British standards and the crews paid at Maritime Board rates; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action to enforce such standards?

By Article 48 of the International Safety Convention, contracting Governments undertake to ensure that, from the point of view of safety of life at sea, their ships shall be sufficiently and efficiently manned. The Board of Trade can intervene in regard to the manning of a foreign ship sailing from a United Kingdom port only if by reason of undermanning the ship is unfit to proceed to sea without serious danger to human life. As regards rates of pay, the National Maritime Board rates apply only to vessels whose crews are engaged in the United Kingdom on Board of Trade articles.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that powers should not be taken to enforce Maritime Board rates of wages on those foreign vessels to compete solely with British vessels?

It has been found impracticable to enforce rates of wages upon foreign vessels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of foreign motor vessels engaged regularly in the British coasting tramp trade?

The precise number of foreign vessels engaged in the British coasting trade during any year is not known, since the navigation returns furnished to the Board of Trade include the repeated voyages of the vessels concerned. These returns, which do not distinguish tramp vessels, show that during the year 1935 the aggregate of the arrivals and departures with cargo of foreign motor vessels in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom was 2,708, out of a total for all foreign vessels of 3,246, as compared with a corresponding total for all British vessels of 199,939.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of a recent case in which the master of a foreign vessel was fined for overloading, and an official of the right hon. Gentleman's Department gave evidence that no fewer than 62 Dutch motor vessels engaged solely in the British coasting trade came from Hull regularly, and does he not think that action should be taken to protect British coasting tramp vessels from such competition?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage of coastwise traffic carried in foreign vessels to total coastwise traffic other than that carried in liners and large colliers, for each of the last three years?

I regret that the information desired is not available.

Would it not be in the national interest to obtain information on these lines?

I have no doubt it would, but the information for which I was asked was the percentage of coastwise traffic carried in foreign vessels to total coastwise traffic other than that carried in liners and large colliers, for each of the last three years, and that information is not available.

Is it not time that the Board of Trade brought itself up to date and gave information of this kind?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large number of coloured seamen recruited by shipping companies abroad and left stranded in home ports, he will seek powers to ensure that such seamen be repatriated; and to what extent his Department do, under the existing law, endeavour to arrange for the repatriation or re-engagement of these seamen?

I have no reason to think that any appreciable number of coloured seamen are recruited by shipping companies abroad and left stranded in this country. As regards the repatriation of any such as may be left behind, I understand that a very strict control is exercised under the Aliens Order of 1920 over the entry of any who are not of British nationality. There is, however, no power to enforce the repatriation of British subjects. My information is that the main problem arises from the presence in this country of coloured seamen who first came here many years ago and are domiciled here, and that there will be no delay in carrying out the examination of this question, which, as I have already stated, is receiving the attention of the Departments concerned.

As a committee has been sitting for three years, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when it will report?

No, I cannot do so without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much neutral tonnage was employed by the British Government during the War and immediate post-war period until the Government had redelivered all neutral tonnage; what were the rates of hire and total sum paid for its services; how far were such services procured by the exercise of what was known as bunker control; what were the corresponding rates paid by His Majesty's Government for requisitioned tonnage; and what were the world market rates which free neutral tonnage could obtain in the market?

According to available records, the amount of neutral tonnage (excluding tankers) employed in the import service of the United Kingdom was as follows:

On 31st July, 1918–270,000 tons deadweight.

On 31st March, 1919–373,000 tons deadweight.

The rates of hire averaged 35s. per ton deadweight on a net form of time charter. The corresponding average rates of hire for requisitioned tonnage were about one-fifth or one-sixth of this figure. The corresponding world market rate as published in the Press ranged between 23s. and 43s. in 1918. No information is now available as to the total sum paid, nor is it possible to say how far the services of neutral tonnage were secured by bunker control or by other means of pressure available to the Government at that time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of applications made to the Special Areas Reconstruction Association, Limited, together with the total amount of the loans required, and also the number of the applications with the total amount of loans actually granted

I am informed that the total number of applications received by the Association to date is 358, of which 65 were not within the scope of the Association and 104 were indefinite in character. The total amount of loans required cannot be stated as the applications are in many cases indeterminate on this point. The Association have up to the present agreed to grant 14 loans for a total of £52,300.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the numbers for each of the Special Areas?

If I have notice I think I probably can.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that reputable companies situated in Special Areas and requiring loans for the expansion of their businesses, but which cannot raise sufficient guarantees in the usual way, are refused these facilities by the Special Areas Reconstruction Association unless they find substantial guarantees such as would be asked for by any ordinary finance house; and will he endeavour to remove this refusal to advance capital to such industries as being contrary to the spirit of the Special Areas (Reconstruction Agreement) Act, 1936?

I am informed that, such guarantees are not required as a general rule, but that when circumstances make it necessary they may be asked for to ensure that the applicant has sufficient faith in the business proposed by him.

Owing to the unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of Mr. Malcolm Stewart's very strong criticism of this Association in his third Report?

I do not think that it would be a correct appreciation of what is said in the Report to call it strong criticism, but I have already stated that all the recommendations of the Commissioner are now being considered.

asked the Minister of Labour, when the test case, as affecting casual workers' claim for benefit and refused because of a dispute between the dockers' union and the stevedores and employers at the Glasgow docks, is likely to be considered?

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the following age groups: 18 to 21, 21 to 24, 24 to 30, and 30 to 35, in the administrative county of Durham, the borough of South Shields, and the borough of Sunderland; and what steps the Government are taking to provide them with work?

The reply to the question includes a table of figures, and I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the estimated cost to the Exchequer if the Regulation by which the Public Assistance Board reckons 50 per cent. of a reservist's pay were abolished?

This is not a question which could be dealt with as a separate matter apart from other issues, but, in so far as it is possible to make an estimate, the cost to the Exchequer, if reserve pay were disregarded in calculating allowances, would be in the neighbourhood of £50,000.

In view of the small figure concerned, will my right hon. Friend use his influence to have this concession given, to remove a real grievance felt in every part of the country?

I will note what the hon. and gallant Gentleman says.

How do the Government expect to get recruits if they continue this kind of thing?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider making a special grant at Christmas week to all old age and widow pensioners?

No, Sir. The Government are not pre- pared to introduce the legislation which would be necessary to give effect to this suggestion.