asked the Minister of Labour how many local authorities in the Special Areas have provided the medical services for juveniles attending authorised courses; and what financial assistance is given by the Government in order that the service may be adequate?

Eleven education authorities conducting authorised courses of instruction in the Special Areas of England and Wales and Scotland, are understood to have made arrangements to a varying extent, for the provision of medical services for juveniles attending such courses. The standard rate of grant on this service is 75 per cent., but where certain conditions are fulfilled this rate of grant may be raised to 100 per cent. of the approved additional expenditure.

Can my right hon. Friend say what the varying conditions are?

There are two—not less than 30 per cent. of the average total of unemployment in the area of the local authority during the financial year for which the extra grant applies; and the total rate levied should not be less than 15s. in the £ for the financial year for which the extra grant is claimed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider establishing a medical centre in connection with the Government training centres?

The facilities at the local training centres which are being set up in the Special Areas in England and Wales will include the provision of medical, dental and optical treatment for men who cannot at present be admitted to the Ministry's centres owing to minor physical disabilities.

While thanking the Minister, am I to understand from the reply that such services will also be given to centres which are already established

These are for fit persons, but the hon. Lady knows that medical attendance is always available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies there are at present in the training centres for youths from the depressed areas?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to schemes of training for boys under 18 years of age, provided by public authorities or voluntary bodies and grant-aided by my Department. At the two domestic training centres for boys administered by the Y.M.C.A. and the Boy Scouts' Association in London and Monmouthshire respectively there are at present no vacancies. Under the various farm training schemes there are 35 vacancies out of 110 places. There are also vacancies in the schemes for training boys for the mercantile service, but I do not know the precise number.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed in the Hoyland area; and what percentage of the number of insured persons such a number represents?

On 23rd November, the latest date for which statistics have been compiled, there were 1,984 persons, insured and uninsured, on the registers of the Hoyland Employment Exchange. The number of insured persons recorded as unemployed at the same date was 1,869, of whom 1,009 were wholly unemployed (i.e., out of a situation) and 860 were absent from work owing to short time or temporary suspension from their employment. If the numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed are expressed as percentages of the total number of persons (estimated at about 5,000) holding unemployment books issued through the Hoyland Employment Exchange, the resulting percentages are: wholly unemployed, 20·2 per cent.; temporarily suspended, 17·2 per cent. I understand, however, that there are substantial numbers of insured persons in Hoyland holding unemployment books issued through Employment Exchanges in other localities. While precise information is not available as to the number of such persons, it would appear that the total number of insured persons in Hoyland is considerably in excess of 5,000 and that the actual percentages of unemployment among insured persons generally in that district will, therefore, be appreciably lower than those indicated by the above calculations.

Is it the intention to include such areas in the legislation for Special Areas?

I cannot answer that question now.

Is not all the trouble that has arisen in this House due to the fact that hon. Members are continually asking that not only Special Areas should be recognised as such, but that other areas equally hardly hit and not recognised should be dealt with?

That is a general question to which I have given an answer, and it is under consideration in view of the Bill to be introduced in the following Session.

Is that specially being considered? Have the Government already decided whether these districts should have something done for them or not?

I have nothing at the moment to add to previous answers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will request Sir George Gillett, as Commissioner for the Special Areas, to urge the public authorities in the north-east area and in South Wales to make greater efforts to train and transfer unemployed young persons of both sexes to the catering trades and household services in London and the Home counties where employment at proper rates of pay is awaiting suitable applicants?

Facilities for the training of adults and juveniles of both sexes for work in the catering trades and in household services are available at the various centres run by, or on behalf of, my Department or in voluntary organisations assisted by my Department. All possible measures are taken to draw the attention of suitable candidates to these facilities, but I regret that there is, and has been for some time, a shortage of recruits except in the case of boys. Recruitment is carried out by, or in cooperation with, the Employment Exchange service, but as I have already indicated, I should welcome any assistance which the local authorities in the north east area or in South Wales could give.

Before young women or girls are urged to proceed to London and the Home Counties to take up work of this kind, will the right hon. Gentleman see that proper rates of wages are paid and proper conditions of labour are available?

We always have that in mind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable opinion that the Government are relying too much upon transference of individuals?

I cannot debate that now.

What are the proper rates of pay? Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to tell us?

I am not.

Should the right hon. Gentleman not be in a position to state what the rates are? When young people are being transferred should not the Minister study the conditions under which they are to live?

May I remind hon. Members that there are 100 questions on the Order Paper?

Will the Minister undertake to see whether it is possible to set up a Trades Board for the catering trades?

That does not arise out of the question.

On a point of Order. Was not the question of the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) a reflection upon the Chair?

I did not take it as such.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in any reorganisation of the Special Areas, he will consider the inclusion of the Forest of Dean in the benefits of the Special Areas Act in order to facilitate the attraction of new industries to a district which is already classed as depressed?

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind the fact that in many parts of the Forest of Dean the percentage of unemployment is as great As in the Special Areas?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet sanctioned the appointment of the special travellers to work under the direction of the Commissioner for Special Areas; and whether he will state how many are to be appointed, the nature of their duties, and areas allotted?

No decision has yet been reached; but the whole question of the methods to be adopted for the attraction of new industries to the Special Areas, including the possible augmentation of the staff of the Commissioner for this purpose, is being actively examined in connection with the preparation of the new Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the bad conditions for boys transferred from the North to the Austrian velours hat factory at Aylesbury and whether he can undertake that no further boy labour will be sent there until conditions have improved?

I have just received a report on an investigation which was made in consequence of certain com-

asked the Minister of Labour the amounts of money paid out each year, under the several Un-employment Acts, in unemployment benefit, transitional payments, unemployment assistance board allowances, etc., commencing 30th June, 1924, up to 30th June, 1936, for the county boroughs of Cardiff and Swansea, respectively?

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

I do not ask only in regard to boys transferred through the right hon. Gentleman's Department, but boys transferred through another agency to this firm at Aylesbury. Will the right hon. Gentleman take notice of this matter? I have seen 12 boys who were working there with very bad sores on their arms.

With regard to the last point mentioned by the hon. Lady, she must know that that is a matter for the Home Secretary, and not for me. I pointed out in my answer that I have had a complaint but it did not refer to boys. I will consider the report I have received and then look into the matter.

How often shall we have to complain against firms that are really breaking the law? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that these small fines do no good at all?

Will the right hon. Gentleman include in his inquiries an inquiry as to who it is that sends these boys to Aylesbury and the relationship that exists between that person and the managing director?

I have said that no boys have been transferred through my Department.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, to the nearest available date, the number of unemployed persons transferred from each of the Special Areas; the number of persons whose removal has been subsidised from State funds; the number of young people transferred in respect of whom payments have been or are now made; and the total expenditure from State funds incurred?

From 1st January, 1935, to 31st October, 1936, 49,789 persons (comprising 23,174 men, 10,090 women, 9,184 boys, and 7,341 girls) from the Special Areas have been placed in employment in other districts by my Department. Of the 16,525 juveniles, 7,921 came from Wales, 6,467 from Durham and Tyneside, 1,164 from West Cumberland, and 973 from Scotland; maintenance grant has been, or is being, paid in 7,319 cases. Similar figures in respect of adults are available from September, 1935. Of 23,602 men and women transferred from the Special Areas since that date, 11,124 came from Durham and Tyneside, 9,064 from Wales, 2,615 from Scotland and 799 from West Cumberland. From 1st April, 1935, to 31st October, 1936, 8,585 families have been assisted to remove from the Special Areas. The total expenditure incurred over the period 1st January, 1935, to 31st October, 1936, is estimated at £230,000.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be much better to spend the money in the Special Areas and provide work there rather than transfer people from the Special Areas?

I should be glad to have new industries. I am sure that many of these men, women and boys are very glad to have opportunities of useful work.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the dates relating to the first part of the question?

From 1st January, 1935, to 31st October, 1936.

Are the Government in their coming legislation contemplating compensating the areas from which these youngsters come for loss of citizens?

Will the right hon. Gentleman before granting licences to foreign firms, such as the one at Aylesbury, to settle in the London area, insist as a condition of the licence that there should be proper conditions and that they should go into the distressed areas?

That does not arise out of the question.

Does it not mean that when these men are brought to various parts of London, unless some work is found for them, it is a case of removing them from one unemployment area to another?

That is not so. The situation from day to day and week to week at the exchanges in this district is that there are shortages.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge whether the persons who have been transferred have permanent employment and whether any have had to be re-transfered to the Special Areas?

We have a number of letters of thanks from boys who have been found work in this way.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the nature of the arrangements made in regard to the rent allowance by the various advisory committees in the administrative county of Durham and the county boroughs of Sunderland and South Shields?

I will, with the permission of the hon. Member, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving him the information he desires.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the West. Riding textile employers have yet notified their willingness to implement the findings of his Board of Inquiry, which was set up at their request?

I understand that a meeting between the employers' and operatives' organisations concerned is taking place to-day, and I am hopeful that they will find in the unanimous recommendations of the board a basis upon which to reach agreement.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the young women workers employed at the Haig distilleries, Markinch, prior to the recent strike there have been reinstated and how many have not yet been taken on again; and whether, in view of the fact that overtime is being worked in the duty-paid department, he will make representations to the firm to secure the reinstatement of those young women who have not received their jobs back?

I am making further inquiry into the position, and will inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these people are in an organised trade union and, if so, whether any negotiations have been conducted?

I prefer to add nothing to what I have said. I have had some correspondence about this matter, and I will complete my inquiries. If the hon. Member desires information I shall be glad to let him have it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, owing to the prevailing dissatisfaction in the Ministry of Health regarding the treatment of ex-Service S-class clerks, the functioning of Whitley machinery in that Department has been suspended; and whether he will place the conciliatory machinery of his Department at the disposal of the official and staff sides of the Ministry of Health in order to resolve the existing difficulties?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to, but see no reason to intervene in a matter arising in connection with the promotion procedure of another Government Department.

Is the Minister not aware that his conciliation department might very well be used in this matter?

I see no reason why it should not be settled within the Department concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce the Factories Bill early in the new year; and whether he will arrange for copies to be circulated to Members during the Recess in order that there may be time for adequate consideration before the Bill in introduced?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce the Factory and Workshop Bill in time for it to be circulated during the Recess and fully considered before the House meets?

asked the Home Secretary when the new Factory Bill will be printed and circulated to Members; and whether he intends introducing the Bill before the Easter Recess?

The preparation of this Bill has involved a great deal of discussion and consideration, but I am glad to say that it has now reached an advanced stage, and I hope that it will be possible to introduce it shortly after the Christmas Recess.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the preparation for this Bill has been going on for many years, and can we be quite sure as to the date when it will be forthcoming?

I am sure the hon. Member will realise that if you want a Bill of this sort to go through the House of Commons it is just as well to try to arrange as much as possible before the Bill is introduced. No method is worse than to have your controversy afterwards.

Did the right hon. Gentleman intend to answer the question with regard to circulation?

I thought I had. I said that I hoped it would be possible to introduce the Bill shortly after the Recess.

Will the Bill he something more than a codifying measure?

The Bill, I think, was described in the Gracious Speech as a codifying and amending Bill.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, immediately following the news of the disaster to the Dutch air liner on 9th December, representatives of certain newspapers telephoned first to the wife and then to the mother of a man who bears the same surname as one of the victims and caused them to fear that he had lost his life in the accident, thereby causing them anxiety and distress; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to put a stop to the growing tendency on the part of a section of the Press to intrude upon the affairs of private citizens?

I fully sympathise with the object which my hon. Friend has in view, but I do not think that the natural remedy is to be found in legislation directed against conduct of the kind to which he refers. It is a question of taste and of decency. During the past few weeks those who are responsible for the Press in this country have shown that they are fully able to exercise a wise restraint, and I have no doubt that they would be equally capable, if they were so minded, of putting a stop to inconsiderate and heartless intrusions upon private persons which are, I am sure, abhorrent to the vast majority of journalists and newspaper proprietors alike.

Does the right hon. Gentleman want the House to understand that what he considers "wise restraint" depends on whether it suits the Government or not?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that John Henry Wiltshire, of 150, Carling-ford Road, Tottenham, was charged at North London Police Court, on Tuesday, 1st December, with exceeding the speed limit on a motor cycle, and after pleading guilty a number of previous convictions were read out by a police officer; and, in view of the fact that Wiltshire had no previous convictions, will he make inquiries with a view to having the police records amended?

I understand that after the defendant had pleaded guilty the court was informed that one previous conviction was recorded against a person of the same name but residing at a different address. The defendant denied that it related to him, and steps were at once taken to mark the police records accordingly.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the suspension of his licence for six months for a first offence ought to be looked into with a view to reducing it?

That is rather a different question. I was asked whether there had been these previous convictions.

asked the Home Secretary the total cost of policewomen in England and Wales, including rent allowances, uniforms, and other incidental expenses, for the 12 months ended the last convenient date; and what is the present strength of the Metropolitan policewomen?

The Metropolitan police expenditure in respect of policewomen during 1935–36 amounted to £15,156. I cannot give a similar figure for county and borough forces, but the cost of pay alone in those forces in 1934–35 was about £19,000. There are at present 75 policewomen in the Metropolitan police force.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent it is proposed to increase the strength in the Metropolitan area?

Does the hon. Member mean women police?

Yes, Sir.

Authority has been obtained for an increase, but I do not carry the exact figure in my mind. The number of women police is steadily increasing.

Seeing that many local authorities have failed to obey, or are paying no attention to, his circular asking them to consider the advisability of having women police, can the right hon. Gentleman do something more drastic, bearing in mind that we should never have had men police but for the pressure of the central authority on local authorities?

I think the experience of the London area is probably an indication to other authorities, and I think we muse, expect a gradual development.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the question, as some local authorities absolutely refuse to consider the appointment of women police?

asked the Home Secretary the total profits received by the Treasury from the State management licensing scheme at Carlisle, Gretna and Cromarthy Firth, also the purchase prices paid for the properties and their present estimated value?

The total profits shown in the published accounts of the State management schemes from their inception to 31st March, 1936, were approximately £1,608,000. The cost of acquisition of the properties was £940,462, and the present book value of existing properties as shown in the last published accounts for the year ended 31st March last, after allowing for disposals and including additions and improvements, is £1,026,350.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider an extension of these schemes to other parts of the country?

Is it not the fact that the profit made last year was about £50,000?

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the increase in the brewing trade and see how much they have made out of drink?

asked the Home Secretary whether the conference on the draft rules for the prevention of coal dust explosions in pulverised fuel plants has been held; and, if so, whether any action has been taken in this matter?

Yes, Sir, and I understand that substantial agreement was reached and that the Chief Inspector is hoping to hear at an early date that the proposals have been definitely accepted by the members of the respective associations.

asked the Home Secretary whether the gas masks to be supplied to the civilian population in the event of war guarantee immunity against carbon monoxide and highly-dispersed arsenical smokes, respectively?

The civilian respirator protects against highly-dispersed arsenical smokes. It does not protect against carbon monoxide, but I am advised that carbon monoxide could not be used as a war gas.

Can the Under-Secretary say why carbon monoxide could not be used for war purposes?

One of the main reasons is the low temperature at which carbon monoxide becomes a liquid.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the appointment of a Departmental Committee to investigate the efficacy of corporal punishment for certain classes of crime and to prepare amending legislation to abolish same as a punishment for some of the offences for which it is now authorised by law?

I will consider this matter.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the whole question should be reviewed?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider adding to the list of offences liable to corporal punishment that of importuning by day?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a careful examination of criminal statistics shows that there is not a vestige of evidence that flogging is either desirable or necessary?

If there is going to be an inquiry I think we had better not pronounce judgment before the inquiry has concluded.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statement made by the Justices of the Holborn division as to the dangers arising from the consumption of "Red Biddie," and to the report of the Medical Officer of Health of the Borough of Kensington as to the harm arising directly due to the consumption of this beverage; and will he take steps to prohibit the sale of "Red Biddie"?

I have made inquiry and am informed that no statement has been made by the Holborn Justices on the subject to which the hon. Member refers. As regards the reference to a report by the Medical Officer of Health of the Borough of Kensington, I understand that a report on the subject was in fact furnished for the information of the Kensington Justices, but has not been made public. As regards the last part of the question, I have no power to take any such drastic step as the hon. Member suggests, and I am not aware of any such evidence as would justify me in proposing legislation for the purpose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman again look into the sources of his information, and is he not aware that the Holborn Justices circulated this statement to other benches?

Will the Home Office and the Government bear in mind that when they reduced the price of beer, they said there would be more beer and less alcohol consumed, and that that is not the case?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the convictions for drunkenness for each of the districts in London mentioned in the concluding paragraph of the introduction to the Licensing Statistiscs, 1935?

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the desirability of discussing with local education authorities the provision of materials in order that cooking may be adequately taught at domestic science classes?

This matter has been engaging my attention for some time, and I have prepared a memorandum on the subject, which I hope to discuss with representatives of local education authorities at an early date.

Am I right in believing that the right hon. Gentleman thinks that cooking materials should be provided in the classes?

My memorandum sets out the position, which I hope to discuss with the local authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education what authorities have special classes for backward children, the number of children per class, and to what extent are specialists appointed to administer intelligence tests?

The problem of dull and backward children is receiving close attention, and there is a marked increase in the number of schools which make special arrangements for them. I am afraid, however, that the information at my disposal does not enable me to give a precise answer to the hon. Member's question. The great majority of local education authorities employ one or more school medical officers who are qualified to administer intelligence tests to backward children. A few authorities employ pyschologists among whose duties is that of applying such tests.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is satisfied with the present system and the results of the provision of State scholarships at universities for pupils at State-aided secondary schools; and, as the reports from the examining bodies disclose the fact that the number of candidates who reach the standard of scholarship is considerably greater than the present number of scholarships available, will he consider increasing the number of scholarships offered annually?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Having regard to the other methods of assisting, with aid from the Exchequer, scholars from State-aided schools to proceed to the universities, I am not prepared at present to consider a further increase in the number of State scholarships awarded annually.

Will the Minister consider whether the conditions under which these scholarships are awarded can be improved?

That is a different question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the large number of persons in this country who are graduates of the various physical training colleges and who at present are not engaged in any employment connected with physical training; and whether he will arrange to obtain particulars of such persons with a view to devising some scheme for making use of their services?

I have not any precise information, but I am not aware that there is any unemployment among teachers who have completed a course of training at a physical training college. I understand that the Central Council of Recreative Physical Training is already compiling a register of qualified men and women who would be prepared to offer their services, but most of these are already engaged in physical training in the day-time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is important to get qualified physical training teachers before he begins to have the classes, and is it true that there is really a shortage of proper fully trained teachers?

Undoubtedly if the demand increases very much, as we hope it will, a greater supply will be needed, but I was asked a question as to the present position.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken by him, in conjunction with the Blackwell Rural District Council, to re-house the tenants of houses in Meadow Row, Pinxton, Derbyshire, as to which a demolition order was confirmed by him in May, 1936?

I have approved the acceptance of tenders by the rural district council and sanctioned loans for the erection of 34 houses in the parish of Pinxton and for the construction of the necessary roads and sewers. The council propose to use 20 of the houses for rehousing persons displaced from Nos. 27 to 46, Meadow Row, Pinxton, by the operation of a clearance order confirmed by me on 4th June last.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, when he passes the plans for these new houses, it will be part of the duty of the local authority to see that there is an adequate water supply?

I hope so.

asked the Minister of Health in view of the fact that New Year's Day is to be the second appointed day under the Housing Act, 1935, what steps will be taken to inform the public before that date as to their precise responsibilities and obligations with regard to overcrowding?

Local authorities are empowered to publish the information referred to by my hon. Friend, and I have in circulars and on other occasions stressed the necessity of their making full use of these powers. I have no reason to suppose that in any area for which the appointed day is 1st January next, the local authority have failed to give adequate information to the public.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulties which exist in connection with the sale of milk as the result of the judgments in the cases of Hunt v. Richardson and Grigg v. Smith which were decided 20 and 19 years ago, respectively; and whether he will now arrange for that reconsideration of the matter which was advised by the then Lord Chief Justice at the conclusion of his judgment in the latter case?

The matter is one which has already been the subject of much consideration. It raises, however, questions of considerable difficulty, and I am not at present in a position to promise any action with regard to it.

asked the Minister of Health whether the refusal to extend the free period of insurance to Mr. L. Stephenson, of 10, Richard Street, Jarrow, was due to his not being available for work during the period April-September, 1933; whether he is aware that this unavailability was entirely due to his serving a term of imprisonment because of his activities during an unemployment march in Durham; and whether, in view of the fact that his imprisonment was due to political activities and not to moral turpitude, he can review the case?

I am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. I have no power to vary the provisions of the Acts which make continuance of insurance during unemployment conditional upon availability for work.

In considering the question of availability or non-availability, must not some regard be paid to the circumstances in which the man is available or not available, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the man was imprisoned because of acts arising out of the protest during the unemployment agitation?

I understand he was imprisoned for assaulting the police.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the dissolution of the Association of Poor Law Unions consequent upon the operation of the Local Government Act, 1929, causing a reduction in the personnel of the Central Valuation Committee to the extent of five representatives from that association, he intends to submit to Parliament a new scheme to reconstitute the committee in accordance with the powers contained in Section 57 of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925?

I am advised that the dissolution of the Association of Poor Law Unions did not necessitate a new scheme reconstituting the Central Valuation Committee. I shall be glad to consider any representations that my hon. Friend may make to me as to the desirability of framing a new scheme.

Is it not a fact that the five members who are elected to the committee are nominees of the Ministry, and that therefore the representatives of local assessment committees have no opportunity of putting forward their view?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will allow me to look into that.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have yet decided what action they will take to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Private Manufacture of Armaments; and what action they propose to take?

No, Sir. It is not expected that the examination of the report will be completed before Christmas.

Is it not now three months since the Royal Commission presented their report, and can the right hon. Gentleman not give an assurance that the Government do not intend to shelve the report?

The answer I have already given, I think, expresses the attitude of the Government very fairly. I hardly think the hon. Gentleman will ask us to deal with the matter between now and Christmas Day.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in England and Wales are at present providing in their areas gymnasium facilities other than in schools; and what is the present approximate annual maintenance and capital expenditure on such gymnasiums?

I regret that I am not in a position to give any precise information with regard to either part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider making some grant to the clubs already in existence?

I would suggest to the hon. Gentleman that he should await the proposals which the Government will be making on this matter after the Recess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having in view the next revision of the Imperial preferences, he will re-examine the case for the granting of preferential rates of duty on such Empire wines as are fortified while in bond with cheap foreign spirits from Hamburg, Rotterdam and elsewhere, paying little or no duties, the mixture being sold as wine-cocktails at a price much below other beverages with a similar high alcohol content?

Due account will be taken of all relevant considerations when occasion arises.

Would it not be possible to make representations to the importers of wine as to the deleterious effect of wine-cocktails upon the social habits of the people?

I will consider the hon. Member's view.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give us an assurance that no avenue will be left unexplored and no stone left unturned?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that cases have arisen where a doctor is compelled to take out a male servant licence for his chauffeur, while at the same time the chauffeur is compulsorily insurable in respect of unemployment; and whether he will consider taking steps to put an end to this anomaly?

While I am aware that cases of this kind exist, I cannot accept my hon. Friend's contention that they are anomalous. On the subject of the Male Servant Licence Duty generally, I would refer him to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 1st December to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the New Forest and Christchurch (Major Mills).

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend think it right that an employer should have to pay this tax and at the same time make contributions to unemployment insurance?

I can hardly argue the point properly at Question Time, but if the hon. Member will refer to the answer which I have mentioned, he will see that the whole question is under examination.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the respective quantities of foreign wines and Empire wines imported into the United Kingdom, and the quantity of British wines produced, in the eight months ended 30th November, 1936; and the percentage increase in each case over the corresponding period of 1935?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that under the Anglo-Spanish Clearing Order payment for British fruit imports from the Canary Islands has to be sent through Madrid, and that since these islands are held by General Franco such payment is not reaching the producers concerned; and whether, in view of the considerable British capital invested in the Canary Islands, any steps can be taken to remedy the situation and to prevent the collapse of this trade?

Yes, Sir, and I must apologise for the length of the answer. His Majesty's Government have had under careful consideration the position which has arisen in regard, not only to the Canary Islands, but to all those Spanish territories which are covered by the Anglo-Spanish Payments Agreement of January last, and I am glad to have the opportunity of making the following statement:

The clearing procedure instituted under the Anglo-Spanish Payments Agreement of 6th January, 1936, has ceased to work satisfactorily and has placed serious obstacles in the way of Anglo-Spanish trade. It has accordingly been agreed between His Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government that the clearing procedure should be suspended. Under a Treasury Order which is being issued to-day, debts due in respect of Spanish goods imported into the United Kingdom after 19th December, 1936, are not payable to the Anglo-Spanish Clearing Office. Debts which are now due or may fall due hereafter in respect of Spanish goods imported into the United Kingdom up to 19th December, 1936, inclusive, must be paid to the Clearing Office. Information must continue to be supplied as heretofore to the Customs authorities in respect of Spanish goods imported into the United Kingdom.

It has been agreed in principle with the Spanish Government that the bulk of the sterling obtained from the export of all Spanish goods to the United Kingdom will be used for the purchase of United Kingdom goods. The necessary arrangements will be made by the Spanish Government in concert with His Majesty's Government. In existing circumstances traders will, of course, be well advised to exercise due caution in making arrangements for exports to Spain and exporters should satisfy themselves, before shipping, that the intending importer has obtained any necessary permission to import and pay for the goods to be shipped.

His Majesty's Government will, when circumstances permit, take all appropriate steps to ensure, so far as possible, that outstanding debts due from Spain to this country are fully liquidated. The Spanish Government have given to His Majesty's Government an assurance that they for their part will arrange for the complete liquidation of such debts in a relatively brief period as soon as they are in a position to do so.

Informal assurances similar to those referred to above, as regards the utilisation of sterling obtained from exports to the United Kingdom, have been obtained in regard to the parts of Spanish territory not under the control of the Spanish Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the aggregate value of the exports of cotton yarns and manufactures to British West Africa and British India, respectively, during the month of November?

During November the total declared value of the exports from the United Kingdom of cotton yarns and manufactures (except apparel and embroidery) consigned to British West Africa was £473,000 and to British India £487,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the dislocation of the Spanish orange trade and the consequent importation of larger quantities of oranges from Palestine, he will consider the desirability, as a matter of urgency, of removing the present duty levied on such oranges, in view of the fact that cheap oranges have now become a public necessity and that there is no trade organisation in this country which is in a position to make application to the Import Duties Advisory Committee?

Oranges are subject at this time of the year to the general ad valorem duty of 10 per cent. Any proposal that this duty should be removed is, in the first instance, a matter for the consideration of the Import Duties Advisory Committee. It is open to any United Kingdom interest concerned (for example, a wholesale or retail fruit trade association, of which there are several) to make representations to the committee in favour of the removal of the duty if they think fit.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what was the original purpose of this duty and whether it has been served?

Not without notice.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what grounds the Controller of the Stationery Office has refused the request of the North Eastern Development Board to have samples of work required on view in Newcastle-on-Tyne, so as to facilitate the tendering for work by firms in the distressed areas of the North East?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Storey) on 16th December. The difficulties in the way of accepting the proposal of the North East Development Board are explained in correspondence between the Stationery Office and the Board, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman whether the statement of the Stationery Office in the correspondence that they already have sufficient firms on their list for tendering is not in direct contradiction of the statement of the Prime Minister that it was desired, all things being equal, to give preference to the distressed areas?

I think the hon. Member must be referring to a different correspondence from that which I propose to send to her.

May I then ask, it being the fact that the Stationery Office have said that, whether the policy of the Department is not therefore in direct conflict with the policy indicated by the Prime Minister when he said that, other things being equal, a preference Would be given to the distressed areas?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's statement as being accurate that, the Stationery Office will not go outside the firms on their present list.

On a point of Order. The Minister has said that he does not accept my statement as being accurate. May I point out that it is a quotation from a correspondence between his Department and the North Eastern Development Board?

That is not a point of Order.

On a further point of Order. With very great respect, may I ask whether it is in order for a Minister to say directly to a Member that he does not accept a statement made by that Member although the authority for that statement is in a communication from the Minister's own Department?

I see nothing out of order in that at all.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with the work scheduled to the Railways Agreement Act, 1933?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Short) on 18th November, of which I am sending him a copy.