asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers of various ranks in the Army retired as surplus to requirements subsequent to 1st April, 1935; the average amount of compensation given and the amount according to rank; also the number who received an increase in their retired pay under special terms?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the voluntary retirement, with special terms, of certain officers of the Infantry and the Royal Artillery under the schemes introduced in 1934 and 1935 to even the flow of promotion in these arms. The total number of officers who were retired under these conditions was 208, and the compensatory addition to their retired pay, irrespective of rank, amounted to approximately £54 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information to show what number of reservists called up for duty in Palestine and now returned to civil life have been taken back into their former employment?

No, Sir, I regret that I am not yet in a position to furnish a ay reliable information on this subject, as the majority of the reservists are only just completing a fortnight's leave. Perhaps my hon. Friend would be good enough to put down another question towards the middle of the month, when I hope to be in a position to give him the information he seeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any documents in the possession of the War Office which relate to the activities of the late Earl Haig during the last War; and whether, in order to protect the deceased general's memory from attacks, he will cause these to be issued as a White Paper?

The Official Historian of the War has access to all War Office records and papers, and I do not think, therefore, that a White Paper, even if it could conveniently be prepared, would serve any useful purpose.

If there is a conflict of evidence between the Official Historian and the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George), is it not desirable, in the public interest, to clear the matter up?

The impartial history has been written by the Official Historian; I do not think I can add anything to that.

Have the War Office no opinion on this matter, and are they going to permit these aspersions on the memory of a deceased general to pass, without expressing an opinion?

As I say, the Official Historian has had full access to all the papers at the War Office, and they are innumerable, and we are satisfied that the impartial account of Earl Haig's activities has been written.

What is the opinion of the Secretary of State for War?

He has not got any.

asked the Secretary of State for War who are the War Office representatives on the board of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute; and what control is exercised by his Department over the activities of this organisation and the disposal of the profits?

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institute is a corporation consisting of a council of 12 members, four appointed by each of the Service Departments, and the management is in the hands of a board of management which includes an officer appointed by each of the Service Departments. I would refer the hon. Member to page 942 of the current monthly Army List, a copy of which is in the Library, for the names of the representatives. The management is subject to directions of the council as regards policy, scope of trading, limitation of financial and commercial operations and any other matters which the Service Departments may instruct the council to reserve. The directions of the Council must have the general approval of the Service Departments. Under the terms of the articles of association the corporation is an association not for profit, and credit balances on trading, less transfers to reserves, are returned to members of the Services by means of rebates on purchases.

Are the accounts of this organisation published, and are they available to hon. Members?

I could not say off-hand, but I will be very glad to give the hon. Gentleman the information.

If I put a question down, will the hon. Gentleman be able to give the information?

indicated assent.

Are these accounts published in the annual report, and cannot they be put into the Library?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give, for the latest convenient year, the names of the county councils which are exercising their powers under Section 17 and Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, and the amount each council spends, respectively, on travelling expenses, personal expenses, and time ordinarily lost from ordinary employment?

I have asked county councils to submit returns giving the information desired by the hon. Member, and I will send him full particulars as soon as they are received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the various educational authorities in Scotland interpret in different ways the regulations with regard to the milk-in-schools scheme, and that, in consequence, in some areas children are receiving far more free milk than in others; and whether he proposes to take any steps to remedy this matter so as to increase further the consumption of milk by children in Scotland?

My attention has been called to a statement to the effect indicated in the first part of the question. The application of the statutory provisions governing the supply of food (including milk) for school children is, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, a matter under the local authorities. The whole question of milk supply is being considered in connection with the recently published report of the Re-organisation Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will institute a survey of school buildings in Scotland which will take account of such matters as condition of buildings, floor space, arrangements for heating, lighting, and sanitation, playground and shed accommodation, provision for physical training, and condition of staff rooms?

The school buildings in Scotland are under regular review by His Majesty's inspectors of schools, who submit the necessary reports to the Department. The inspectors have already been asked to classify the schools from the point of view of the condition of the premises. A list of those that will require reconstruction or replacement has been prepared. This will be considered in connection with the programmes of work required by the raising of the school age and the provision of adequate facilities for physical education. I do not think that an additional special survey is called for at present.

Will that information be available to persons interested?

I could not say without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider having on his staff an inspector of buildings? Does he realise that inspectors of schools are appointed on the basis of their educational attainments, and would he consider having someone specially to examine the buildings as buildings?

I will take the hon. Gentleman's suggestion into consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of Poor Law relief paid in Leith for the years 1933 and 1935, respectively?

Leith is part of the city of Edinburgh and as separate accounts of expenditure in the Leith area are not kept by the local authority I regret that the information asked for is not avail able.

In view of the answer he has given, does not the Minister consider it desirable that Leith should have separate figures, if only because of the fact that Leith has a Member of Parliament?

It would be very difficult to keep separate accounts for every part of every city that sends a Member to Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of school children in Glasgow receiving free meals as necessitous cases for the first six months of 1936?

The average daily number during the period referred to was 8,996. In addition, 52,648 necessitous children received free milk under a scheme approved under the provisions of the Milk Act, 1934.

Does the figure with regard to free meals represent children who have been defined as necessitous cases suffering from malnutrition?

These are necessitous cases.

Suffering from malnutrition?

The point is necessitous cases. If the hon. Member wishes a further definition and will put a question down, I will try to get it for him.

Is it not a fact that they must be suffering from malnutrition?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that instructions are being issued to public assistance committees in Scotland to refrain from supplying boots and clothing to necessitous children in view of the coming into operation of the Unemployment Assistance Regulations; and, as some time must elapse before new determinations can be made under these regulations, whether he will see that the public assistance committees continue to do their duty to the children meantime?

I have no knowledge of the issue of any such instructions to public assistance committees in Scotland. If the hon. Member has any information, I shall be glad to receive it and to make any inquiries that may be necessary.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the statement made at the meeting of the Fife County Council?

I say that any information that the hon. Gentleman can send me I will very gladly investigate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pairs of old boots, which had been worn by other children, were supplied by the education authority in Glasgow to children of parents in necessitous circumstances last year while their own boots were under repair; and whether he will take the necessary steps to put an end to this insanitary practice?

I am now informed by the local authority that the number asked for in the Question is approximately 13,400 in the last 12 months. Of this number, about 400 were issued on behalf of the education authority, and about 13,000 on behalf of the public assistance department. The authority state that these boots are only issued to children who have already received two pairs of new boots in a year; that the boots are always in good condition, and that they have no evidence that there is any medical risk in the exceptional procedure referred to. I am making further inquiry into the question whether this procedure involves any risk to health, and am inquiring from the local authority how the discrepancy between this information and the information previously supplied has arisen.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses built by the Glasgow Corporation in the years 1929, 1934, 1935, and 1936

The numbers of houses completed by the Corporation during the years in question are as follow:—

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the progress of housing in Glasgow is satisfactory?

No, Sir, I have already said that I am not, and I hope and believe that the corporation are not satisfied either.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the houses built by the corporation are superior in every way to the houses built by private enterprise?

No, Sir.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the statement made by Sir William Whyte, at the National Town-Planning Conference, that building trade labour on municipal schemes is being deliberately prejudiced?

I have seen Sir William Whyte's statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of single apartments in the Camlachie Parliamentary Division of Glasgow in which six or more human beings are living at the present time; and the number of cases in such houses in which members of the household are suffering from tuberculosis or other notifiable diseases?

According to information obtained by the corporation in the course of the overcrowding survey made at the end of 1935, there were at that time in the Camlachie Division 228 single apartments in which six or more individuals were living. The number of cases of tuberculosis or other notifiable disease in such apartments was two, living in different apartments.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schemes for rehousing in Glasgow were submitted for approval by his Department last year, the number of houses to be provided by such schemes, how many were approved, and the corresponding figures for the ensuing year; and whether he is satisfied that what is proposed is adequate in view of the housing conditions in the city and, if not, what steps he proposes to take to expedite the proposed programme of the corporation?

In 1935, 15 housing schemes were submitted and approved, providing in all for 2,765 houses which will be used for the replacement of unfit houses and the relief of overcrowding. In 1936, to 27th November, 14 schemes have been submitted and approved, providing for 2,729 houses. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Gorbals Division (Mr. Buchanan) on this subject on 24th November.

In view of the inadequacy of the preparation for housing, will the right hon. Gentleman seek for a special meeting of the Glasgow Corporation Housing Committee in order to get something done in the matter?

Can the Secretary of State take any steps to point out to the people who are lacking houses in Glasgow their lack of foresight in electing a Socialist corporation in Glasgow?

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in considering this question, advise the Glasgow Council that at least he will recommend the Government to increase the subsidy?

Is it the case that the Glasgow Corporation are now carrying out their housing schemes in some respects with direct labour; and will the Minister, in his negotiations with the Glasgow Corporation, insist on their employing the number of apprentices allowed by the trade unions, to train them in house-building?

I do not think that that arises out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses of two apartments and one apartment in Glasgow in which one or more of the occupants is suffering from tuberculosis or other disease which is notifiable?

The answer to the question is 3,760.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of single-apartment houses in Glasgow which are occupied by four persons or more; and the number of houses in Glasgow of two apartments occupied by six persons or more?

According to the recent report on overcrowding submitted by the corporation, 4,638 single-apartment houses were occupied by four or more persons, and 9,786 two-apartment houses were occupied by six or more persons. I should ad I that in arriving at these figures no account is taken of children under one year of age, and two children between the ages of one and 10 years are reckoned as one adult person.

In view of the conditions, cannot the Secretary of State again take up with the corporation this terrible question, which, apart from other reasons, is really a grave social question?

It was one of the first questions to which I directed my attention on taking up this office, and I assure the hon. Member that I am keeping it very closely under my consideration at the a present moment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House that these single-apartment houses, and the crowding of families into them, were not the responsibility of the Socialist administration in Glasgow?

Housing in Glasgow is the responsibility of the Corporation of Glasgow. It does not matter what its political complexion is; the main thing that is necessary is to get rid of these terrible conditions at the earliest possible moment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that Members from Glasgow should keep silent about this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses completed until the latest date this year and the number likely to be completed by the end of the year; the number of houses completed last year and in 1930; and the cost to the local rates for housing this year and the cost to local rates in 1935, 1934, and 1930?

I take it that the hon. Member's question relates to Glasgow. The corporation have completed 1,591 houses in 1936 up to the end of October, and I am informed that they hope to complete an additional 600 by the end of the year. In 1935 they completed 3,878 houses, and in 1930 3,228. The Glasgow housing rate for 1929–30 was 4.74d. in the pound. In later years no specific housing rate was levied, but on a comparable basis the estimated burden of housing on the local rates was, in 1934–35, 1.60d. in the pound, and in 1935–36, 1.39d.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to the effect that building trade workers are dragged away to the building of cinemas, banks, munition factories and so on, by higher wages, and taken away from municipal corporation schemes; and is that statement made upon the authority of Sir William Whyte?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men who are alleged to be dragged away are good trade unionists—as good as any? Might I ask him again to go into the whole question of housing conditions in Glasgow, and see if there is anything that he can do to expedite at least a facing up to this problem?

I have given my assurance that I have this matter under careful consideration. In reply to the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question as to the taking away of labour from one job to another, I think it is a very serious thing if in Scotland, where there is so much unemployment, it should be re- garded as a bad thing that there should be more jobs available than there are men to fill them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any statement regarding the housing conditions on the estate owned by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland at Terregles, Kirkcudbrightshire?

Of the six houses on this estate which have been declared defective, one has been replaced and occupied; three are being replaced by houses in process of erection and expected to be completed by the end of the year; and the local authority, in virtue of their powers under the Housing Acts, have approached the Department for land on which to erect houses to replace the remaining two.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government are taking any steps to prevent any further private monopoly in the remaining places in Scotland where water power can be used?

Any large-scale water power scheme can only be carried out if Parliament sees fit to authorise it by conferring the requisite statutory powers, and consequently there appears to be no necessity for taking any such further steps as are suggested.

Can the Government see their way, in order to guide the trade North instead of South, to ask for some of the surplus power generated there be given to other industries, and so help the Highlands to a better state of life?

Certainly.

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland now prepared to approach the Cabinet to see that something is done in that respect, not only on existing power contracts but on the work that is coming before this House soon?

I understand that the one coming before this House soon is in virtue of power required for local industries.

It is to attract industries that want to go there that they shall have a share of that power, is the reason for asking these questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to fill the position of chief technical officer for land settlement in Scotland, which is still vacant; and, if so, when?

No, Sir. After careful consideration I have come to the conclusion that the existing arrangement under which the three divisional land officers work in conjunction with the Assistant Secretary and the Chief Settlement Officer on the administrative side gives the most efficient and expeditious service in the particular circumstances of land settlement work at the present time. I have, therefore, decided not to fill the post of Chief Technical Officer. I propose, however, to make an improvement in the scale of remuneration of the Divisional Land Officers and the technical officers working under them in the field.

In view of the great unsatisfied demand for holdings, can we have the assurance that there is someone in charge here who really believes in land settlement?

Oh, yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the concern felt by the district welfare committees at the heavy expenditure on head office charges and the increasing difficulties placed in the way of district committees preparing schemes and incurring expenditure on behalf of the people who subscribe the money; and what steps will be taken to give district committees status and reasonable authority?

The responsibility for administering the Miners' Welfare Fund was placed by Statute upon the Central Miners' Welfare Committee. The district welfare committees are not statutory bodies, and I have no power to confer authority upon them. In any case, I am not convinced that there would be any justification for interference, since there is already a clear majority on the Central Committee of members directly representing the two sides of the industry. The Central Committee is, I am assured, always willing to discuss administration questions with the district commttees, and in fact holds a conference of district committees each year for that purpose. This year's conference met on 17th November, and I am informed that the question of the administration expenses of the Central Committee was raised on behalf of two or three district committees and fully discussed.

Did not the district committees, when the Bill was passing through the House, protest that this very thing would happen when power was taken away from the district committees? Has the Minister forgotten that?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the report on pit drainage in South-West Durham, prepared by Mr. A. M. Hedley and submitted on 20th July; and whether anything further is being done by the South-West Durham Reconstruction and Development Board and his Department to drain this area, which contains more than 13,000,000 tons of coal?

I have seen a copy of the report referred to, and I understand that the conclusions and recommendations in the report are receiving the careful consideration of the South-West Durham Reconstruction and Development Board, in co-operation with the Commissioner for the Special Areas. With regard to my own Department, although it possesses certain statutory powers, the support of the majority of the coalowners concerned in any given case must be secured before any effective action can be taken since it is upon them that both the cost of the scheme and the responsibility of working it would fall.

Is it the hon. and gallant Gentleman's intention to get into contact with the people responsible so as to deal with this serious flooding, which is a menace to the surrounding collieries?

I have said I understand that this report is now receiving the consideration of the people primarily concerned.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that this report has been in the hands of the Commissioner for two years?

No, I am not aware of that.

Is the Mines Department going to deal with this question?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that persistent overtime has been worked by miners at the Victoria colliery owned by the Huddersfield Collieries, Limited, Ferray Bridge, near Huddersfield, and that the company have admitted this to His Majesty's inspector; and will he state what action will be taken against the company for this infringement of the Coal Mines Regulation Act?

I am aware that some overtime has been worked recently at this colliery, and that the company admit the fact, but I am not aware of any evidence which would justify proceedings for the illegal working of overtime.

Is it regarded as being permissive for any colliery company to allow its workmen to work any quantity of overtime without coming into contact with the coal mines regulations?

Certainly not.

If the evidence is already available and it is admitted by the inspectors that the Coal Mines Regulation Act has been broken, and they are not going to take action, what is the use of the Act at all?

It is very useful indeed and, as far as that goes, since this question has been raised, the matter has been again gone into, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that both my eyes and those of the inspectors will be kept fixed on this colliery.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that they have had their eyes fixed on employers for the past four or five years, they have had numerous cases where the law has been broken and they have never taken any action? Does he expect colliery companies to take any notice of what he says?

Yes, I do.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any members of the Oversea Settlement Board have visited and inquired into settlement schemes abroad; and what have been the results of such visits?

Two members of the Board have recently made visits oversea in the course of which they were able to acquire much useful information in regard to migration questions. Lady Reading has visited Canada, and Brigadier-General Nation has inspected certain settlement schemes in the Argentine. The information gained by these visits has, I understand, been communicated to the Board. In addition, the Chairman of the Board is now visiting Australia and New Zealand.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that the visit of Lady Reading would be in any way useful from the point of view of emigration?

Lady Reading brought back a most valuable report containing much information on the subject.

Has the Over-sea Settlement Department received any communication from abroad with regard to this visit?

I am not aware that they have received any communication on that point from overseas.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any report as to the attitude of mind of the local inhabitants?

Actual settlers have been visited and, no doubt, their attitude of mind was conveyed to those making the visit.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any attempts have been made to invite the Dominions' Governments to cooperate in devising schemes of migration settlement?

As will be seen from the interim report of the Oversea Settlement Board which has been published as Command Paper 5314, the board have had the advantage of hearing orally the views of certain Dominion Ministers who have been in this country recently. No opportunity will be overlooked of such further consultation with Dominion Governments as can usefully be made.

Have any Dominion Governments expressed anxiety to receive settlers from this country?

The hon. Gentleman will have seen in the Press that the Australian Commonwealth Government have sent a circular on the question to the State Governments. I am not in receipt of any further information in regard to that up to the present.

Is there anything whatever in the report which says that the Dominion Governments are anxious for settlers to go from this country?

If the hon. Gentleman reads the report, he will see that the answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the new Bill for the renewal of the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, will contain a greater financial provision than the old Act, with a view to encouraging settlement in the Dominions?

I would refer to the Money Resolution in connection with Empire Settlement which is already on the Order Paper in the name of my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. I shall explain, in the course of the discussion on the Resolution, the Government's proposals regarding financial provision.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to encourage voluntary emigration societies financially?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait until the Debate takes place, when I can go into the matter very fully.

Are the numbers coming back from the Dominions still greater than the numbers going in?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any specific schemes for oversea settlement have been examined by the Board; and, if so, what have been the results?

I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the interim report of the Oversea Settlement Board for the period February to July, 1936, where it is stated that certain schemes of land settlement have been under examination by the Board, but that they have not yet been able to make a recommendation to me upon them. This remains the position, except that the Board have since informed me that they are unable to make a recommendation in favour of the scheme for settlement in Manitoba, which was one of the schemes referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Oversea Settlement Board are authorised to consider the subject of migration from the point of view of defence of the Dominions and the Colonies?

I have no doubt that in considering proposals for migration within die Empire the Oversea Settlement Board will take all relevant considerations into account, including the general defence position.

Is it the intention of the Government to give a lead on this subject to the Dominions oversea to show that they are ready to look into schemes?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider, when it comes to emigration, that they must be over 60 years of age?

If a lead is to be given on the matter, it must be by the Dominion Governments and this Government in co-operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what were the total numbers of migrants leaving Great Britain for Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, separately in 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936; and what are the numbers who have returned from the same Dominions to this country in those years?

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

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the position as regards the proposals to carry out measures for soil conservation in the Basutoland Protectorate; and from what source the necessary funds will be obtained?

A loan from the Colonial Development Fund of £160,233, spread over 10 years, to meet the cost of a scheme for combating soil erosion in Basutoland was approved in August. The Basutoland Administration has already taken preliminary steps to initiate the scheme.

Have all the proposed grants to the Protectorates from the Union of South Africa now been withdrawn

Those grants are held in suspense. So far as this year is concerned, they will not operate at all.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the exports, in yards, of woollen and worsted cloth from this country to Canada in the first six months of 1932 and in the first six months of the current year;

(2) the total exports, in yards, of woollen and worsted cloths from this country in the first six months of 1932 and in the first six months of the current year;

(3) the exports of woollen and worsted cloths, in yards, from this country to other parts of the Empire in the first six months of 1932 and in the first six months of the current year?

As the answer is in the form of a tabular statement, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the extent of the State subsidisation of the oil-engine industry in Germany; and what action, if any, is being taken to protect similar industry in this country, especially in Lincoln, from such unfair competition?

I am aware that the German Government have adopted a number of methods to assist German export trade, but detailed information is not available in regard to the application of these methods either to exports generally or to the export of oil engines in particular. As regards the second part of the question, I have, at present, no reason to think that the home market cannot be adequately protected under existing powers and my hon. Friend will appreciate the difficulty of effective steps being taken by His Majesty's Government to deal with this form of competition in oversea markets.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that British industry expects the Government to protect it?

Then perhaps British industry will show us a practical method of doing so.

Cannot more be done to obtain detailed information from our representatives dealing with this very important matter?

I think we are obtaining a great deal of detailed information. At the same time it would be impossible to tell the House that we know all about it.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman read the very detailed report published in Germany dealing with this matter, and are the Government going to give the attention which industry desires that it should to the report published by the Overseas Trade Department dealing with the question?

The Government always pay great attention to anything published by the Overseas Trade Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Lincoln firms are still experiencing difficulty in obtaining from the Danish Government the requisite number of import licences for the importation of machinery orders to that country; and what results have attended the action taken by his Department last July?

Yes, Sir. The difficulties in question will shortly be discussed with the Danish authorities. As regards the last part of the question, exports of machinery as a whole to Denmark have increased considerably as a result of the operation of the Commercial Agreement of 19th June.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that, in spite of the valuable assistance rendered to Lincoln firms by his Department, the distributors who are employed by Lincoln firms are met with a blank refusal on every application for any increased import licences?

I have already said that we are going to discuss this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information to give the House on the progress made up to date by the Cotton Spindles Board?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the powers of the Spindles Board under the Cotton Spinning Industry Act came into existence on 14th September, 1936. Their duties since that date have fallen broadly under four heads, namely:

To obtain, examine and tabulate returns of spindle capacity and of spindle activity;

to prepare a list of owners of cotton mills and to determine and collect the amount due from each by way of spindles levy;

to borrow money upon terms and conditions to be approved by the Board of Trade with the consent of the Treasury; and

to enter into and complete negotiations for the purchase of redundant spinning machinery, involving in many cases, not only questions of valuation, but also the legal examination of deeds containing covenants of various kinds to which many mills are subject.

I am informed that good progress is being made with the whole of this work. The required returns have been received, and statistics of spindle activity based upon them will, I understand, be available within the next fortnight; the assessment of millowners for spindle levy has been completed and practically the whole of the amount of levy due for the first quarter has been collected; the first instalment of the loan has been placed; and already purchases of spinning machinery have been concluded, while negotiations are in progress for a considerable number of mills.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, quite contrary to the alleged objects of the Cotton Spinning Industry Bill as expounded from the opposite side of the House during its passing, the prices of cotton yarns have risen during the last month, and that this may have a serious effect upon the manufacturing side of the trade, and particularly in its attempts to compete with such foreign competitors as the Japanese?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will send me the information he has upon that subject.

The information was given in the Press, and surely the hon. Gentleman has had it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) the figure of indebtedness of Spain to this country on the date of the suspension of the clearing agreement;

(2) whether he is able to make any statement on the indebtedness of Spain to this country under the suspended clearing agreement and the removal of goods and securities from Madrid

The Anglo-Spanish Payments Agreement has not been suspended but, as announced in the Press on 13th August by the Controller of the Anglo-Spanish Clearing Office, payments made to the Clearing Office are not being notified to the Spanish authorities for the time being. The sterling received by the Clearing Office is being held in reserve until the position has become clearer. The amount of indebtedness awaiting transfer to this country through the Clearing Office at present is approximately £4,500,000. As regards the removal of goods and securities from Madrid, I have no precise information.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is another and cognate grievance in that British importers of Spanish fruit have paid for goods in advance and that now the Spanish authorities will not allow the British importers to receive these goods without paying for them once again?

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say how much there is standing to the credit of British traders at the present time which has not yet been transferred?

I prefer not to answer either of those questions without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of textile goods, machinery, and other manufactures exported from this country to Bulgaria for the year ended 30th October, 1936; and also the value of the imports from Bulgaria by Great Britain for the same period?

The desired information is not readily available for the period mentioned in the question but I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a tabular statement giving the corresponding particulars for the ten months ended October, 1936.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable desire in Bulgaria to increase trade with this country, and has he taken any steps in the matter?

Efforts have been made in discussions with the Bulgarian authorities, and perhaps the hon. Member will have a word with me, and I can tell him something more about them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any trade agreement in operation between this country and Bulgaria; and, if not, will he consider the negotiation of such a trade agreement?

Apart from the exchange of notes of 12th November, 1925, which regulates commercial relations between the two countries on the basis of the most-favoured-nation principle, there is no commercial agreement between the United Kingdom and Bulgaria. The question of the balance of trade between the two countries, which has recently undergone a substantial change in favour of Bulgaria, is being actively considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of tons of iron and steel imported and exported in finished and semi-finished state under agreement with the continental cartel; the prices fixed for the home products consumed at home; the prices for imported products; and the prices received for exported products?

I am informed by the British Iron and Steel Federation that for the first year of the agreement with the Continental Steel Cartel 454,000 tons of semi-finished and 421,000 tons of finished material were imported under the agreement, and 1,365,000 tons of finished and 19,000 tons of semi-finished material were exported. It is impossible to give details of prices, which vary with place and time, as well as with the quality, shape and size of each of a wide range of products. I am informed that the prices of imported iron and steel are somewhat below, but tend to approximate to the prices of British material in the home market, while export prices, which increased in 1935 as a result of the agreement, have since in general appreciated further following the increased world demand.

Is there any reason why we are not making pig iron instead of importing it; and why we are not making the coke which we are also importing?

I think we shall find that the production of pig iron will show a steady increase, and that it will be necessary to continue to import pig iron for some time. With regard to coke, I think coke ovens may have something to do with it.

Is it not entirely due to the lack of foresight on the part of the Government on the industrial side?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can give an estimate of the total stocks of tin at present held in this country?

(2) what has been the average monthly consumption of tin in the United Kingdom during this year and how this compares with the average yearly consumption during the period of the Great War?

According to the Statistical Bulletin of the International Tin Research and Development Council the average monthly consumption of tin in the United Kingdom in the first nine months of this year was about 1,800 tons; comparable figures for the War years are not available. It is reported that 1,263 tons of tin were held in official warehouses in London and Liverpool last week. I have no official information as to stocks held by consumers and producers in the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the probable shortage of Spanish oranges during the forthcoming winter, he will, as a temporary measure, take special steps to permit the free entry into this country during the winter of oranges from the British mandated territory of Palestine?

Any question of the exemption of oranges from duty, during any part of the period 1st December to 31st March, is a matter, in the first instance, for the consideration of the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

Is it not the case that duties are imposed on oranges coming from Palestine because we take an unnecessary view in regard to the fiscal relations between Palestine and this country? Are we not entitled to give a preference to Palestine?

We are not so entitled.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the supply of oranges will be sufficient to meet the demand and maintain the usual prices?

In view of the vital necessity of children having oranges during the winter months, and in view of the fact that people who are getting very low wages cannot buy them at present prices, is it not urgently necessary for the Government to take this matter in hand at once?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and gross tonnage of the vessels ordered under Part II of the British Shipping Assistance Act; the number and gross tonnage of such vessels completed; what proportion of such vessels have been ordered and completed, respectively, on the River Wear; and whether any applications for assistance under that Act are still under consideration?

Proposals have been approved for the building of 57 new vessels of about 207,500 tons gross. Orders have been placed for 50 of a gross tonnage of about 189,000, and, of these, orders for 24 of about 98,000 tons gross have been placed on the Wear. Twenty-six vessels of 86,000 tons gross have been completed, and of these 12 of 46,000 tons gross have been built on the Wear. Two applications for assistance are still under consideration.

Does not my hon. Friend think that these figures show what can be done by a little Government initiative and assistance to start an industry in a Special Area, and will he urge upon his colleagues some similar action for other industries so as to absorb more of the unemployed?

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many vessels are being built for British companies in German shipyards?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement as to the result of the conversations that have taken place between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Governments in New Zealand and the Commonwealth of Australia with reference to the possibility of a withdrawal of the British mail service between Australia, New Zealand and San Francisco; and can he say what action has been decided upon to deal with the position?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 17th November to the hon. Members for Sunderland (Mr. Storey) and Whitechapel (Mr. J. Hall), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the inconvenience experienced during rough weather by passengers on the steamship "Queen Mary," many of whom have suffered injuries on account of the fact that the chairs and large furniture in the public rooms, and beds and trunks in the state rooms, cannot be made fast to the floor or walls, he will make representations to the Cunard White Star Company so that in future additional pro- tection should be afforded to the travelling public by making this provision; and will he state whether the present methods for making fast heavy furniture and trunks on this ship in rough weather comply with and satisfy the requirements of the Board of Trade?

There are no Board of Trade requirements in matters of this kind. I understand that the owners are taking steps to ensure that the difficulties encountered during the recent rough weather shall not recur.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the frequent cases of fraud and defalcations by secretaries of sharing-out and loan clubs and the comments frequently made in the courts upon these cases, he will consider giving facilities for the passage of a Bill through Parliament drafted on the lines of the Sharing-Out Clubs Bill of 1931, which received its Second Reading unopposed?

The Bill referred to by the hon. Member was carefully considered at the time, but the proposals were found to be unworkable. This fact was, I think, appreciated by the promoters of the Bill. I would refer the hon. Member to the very full reply given to him on Thursday last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman content to allow this unsatisfactory position to go on indefinitely?

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that most of these clubs are run by poor people for the purpose of being able to save money for their holidays; and will he also bear in mind that one of the best ways of dealing with the question is to allow the Bill which passed its Second Reading in this House last Friday to become an Act of Parliament?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under the recent agreement between the Treasuries of Great Britain, the United States, and France, countries adhering to the agreement will be permitted to take gold from the Issue Department of the Bank of England or only from such stocks as may be held by the Exchange Equalisation Fund; and whether any contraction of the currency would be involved in the former case?

The operations which my hon. Friend has in mind concerns only the Exchange Equalisation Account. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when reviewing next year block grants to county councils, he will consider abolishing Male Servant Licence Duty in such a way that the loss will not fall on the county councils?

As I stated in a reply yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson) this matter has already been noted as one of the subjects for examination in connection with the revision of the block grant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the negotiations now proceeding in the City of London for a loan in favour of Japan; and what the attitude of His Majesty's Government is to such a loan?

So far as I am aware, no negotiations of the kind referred to in the first part of the question are taking place; the second part does not therefore arise.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer be good enough to give us the assurance that no authority for the raising of such a loan shall be given without first consulting with this House?