asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any public assistance is being paid to persons in full-time employment in the counties of Ross and Cromarty, Argyll and Inverness; and, if so, can he give the numbers of the counties, respectively, and the total sums being paid weekly?

From inquiries which I have made I find that in the counties referred to one person in full-time employment is being paid public assistance. The county is Inverness and the amount of relief being paid is 10s. per week. I am obtaining full particulars of this case, the circumstances of which are very exceptional, and will communicate them to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the membership of the justices of the peace advisory committee of the county of Stirling; when they last met; and when there was issued the last list of newly-created justices of the peace for the county?

At present, the advisory committee consists of the Lord-Lieutenant, Sir George Murray Home Stirling, Baronet (Chairman), Sir Norman A. Orr-Ewing, Baronet, Captain Howard J. Kennard, David Weir, Esquire, and Bailie John Jarvie. There are two vacancies, which have occurred since the last meeting of the Committee on 17th April, 1936. The last list of newly created justices was issued on 29th June, 1936.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when these two vacancies are likely to be filled?

I am afraid I cannot say. I understand that these appointments are made by the Lord Chancellor.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Fife County Council decided to instal electric light in the village of West Wemyss in place of gas; that they removed the gas fittings; that the electric light has not been installed and that the village has been without light of any kind all the winter; and will he take steps to see that this is rectified at the earliest possible moment?

I am informed that the position as regards the street lighting of West Wemyss is substantially as stated by the hon. Member. The matter is one within the control of the local authority, who are in negotiation with the other interests concerned. I hope these negotiations will be completed at an early date, and I will communicate further with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the difficulties has been the refusal of one of the landowners to allow the cable to go through his grounds, and cannot steps be taken to see that there is no further hold up?

I understand that it is a question of possible damage to the retaining walls of a county road which may follow from the digging of a trench. It is a question of obtaining security against that. I understand that negotiations are proceeding.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this village is willing to be amalgamated with Kirkcaldy, and will he arrange that that should take place so that the services of Kirkcaldy can be carried out in that village, which is not being attended to by the County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many holdings have been constituted by the Department of Agriculture in the industrial belt of Scotland during the last five years; and how many have been provided from the commencement with equipment for development on intensive lines?

878 holdings have been provided outside the crofting areas in the last five years. As regards the second part of the question, holdings intended for intensive cultivation are furnished with a standard equipment which the tenant is free to adapt or augment for his own purposes.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, especially for small holders with small resources, it would be well for the State to undertake further duties in this regard?

It might be well to provide for equipment, but, of course, that would raise the cost to the small holders.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints he has received during the last three years from smalholders, regarding dampness and insanitary conditions in houses on holdings; what is the largest number of complaints from any single scheme; and whether the dwellings are properly inspected and passed as fit for habitation prior to occupation and, if so, by whom?

I regret that the information asked for in the first two parts of the question is not readily available. As regards the last part of the question, all dwellings are inspected during construction and completed ready for occupation to the satisfaction of the appropriate officers of the local authorities in whose districts the work is being carried out and of qualified officers of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.

Is there any continuing examination of these dwelling houses?

I think they are only examined if and when a complaint is made about them. I think that takes place quite frequently.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what negotia- tions, if any, have taken place between himself or his Department, the building trade organisations, and the Corporation of Glasgow for the speeding-up of working-class houses in that city?

I am at present discussing with representatives of the building trade organisations the question of the measures to be taken to secure better progress in housing in Scotland as a whole, and as part of that object I have recently had an informal meeting with members of the Glasgow Corporation Housing Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now had time to consider the report of the Morison Committee on the Marriage Laws of Scotland and if he proposes to bring in any measure to give effect to the recommendations this Session; and, if so, will he before such proposed legislation is framed receive representations from, and have consultations with, the representatives of the Salvation Army with a view to that religious organisation being added to the list referred to on page 15 of the report who are recommended to receive power to proclaim a marriage and to issue banns of marriage?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on 28th January last to a similar question by the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire (Mr. Cassells). As regards the second part of the question, I should be glad to consider any representations by religious or other organisations regarding the committee's recommendations.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that agents of the Communist party have recently procured for military service in Spain, under false pretences, a number of young men in Scotland, by promises of well-paid work in peaceful pursuits, whereas on arrival in Spain they were forced to undertake military service; and, if evidence as to this is furnished, will he take steps to prosecute the persons responsible?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I shall be obliged if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with any particulars in his possession.

May I ask whether the Scottish law at present is capable of dealing with such an offence, or whether these persons are to be allowed to go free?

I should like to see the particulars first.

Is there any way of ensuring prosecution against the purveyors of these slanders?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the miners at the Lindsay pit, West Fife, made an application for the installation of pit baths in 1930 and that they have repeatedly raised the matter since but, owing to the many demands before the welfare committee and the lack of finance, no hope can be offered of an early installation; and what steps, if any, his Department is taking to expedite the general installation of this essential part of pit equipment?

I understand that, except for a notification from the colliery company in 1930 that the workmen of Lindsay Colliery had ballotted in favour of pithead baths, the Central Miners' Welfare Committee did not receive any communication on the subject until February of this year. Meanwhile, baths have been or are being built in the Fife and Clackmannan District at a number of other collieries in the order recommended by the District Miners' Welfare Committee who have considered the application from Lindsay Colliery. With regard to the second part of the question, I am in consultation with the Central Miners' Welfare Committee regarding the question of accelerating generally the provision of baths at collieries.

In view of the many collieries in West Fife and other places that are urgently waiting for baths, can the Minister give us any hope that there will be big acceleration, and that some ways and means will be found of accelerating the provision of pit baths?

Will the Minister inquire into the necessity of there being more finance for the purpose? That is the only impediment in the way.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the committee of shipowners, engineers, and shipbuilders which is considering questions relating to the use of coal and oil fuel in the merchant marine will be charged with the investigation of the problems arising from the difficulty of obtaining bunker coal of the right quality, at the right time and place under the marketing schemes, and the consequent tendency to convert coal-burning tonnage to oil?

This Committee, on which coal interests will be represented as well as shipping and marine engineering interests, is to examine the possibility in the national interest of obtaining an increased use of coal for bunkering purposes and to formulate proposals designed to secure that object. I think that these terms of reference are wide enough to enable the Committee, in its discretion, to consider all aspects of the problem, but I must not be taken as accepting the suggestion in the question that difficulties of supply are due to the marketing schemes.

Is the Minister fully seized of the fact that it is not the present policy of the coal trade to facilitate trade in bunkers, and that the gradual extension of oil burning is inevitable?

It is in order to consider these matters in their widest aspects that the committee has been appointed.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Mines Department informed the British Trawlers' Federation in 1930 that bunker coal for fishing vessels should be classed as export supply, but that the Northumberland Committee reject this view, to the detriment of the fishing in- dustry in Aberdeen; and whether he will make representations to the Northumberland Committee?

In 1934—not 1930—bunker coal for fishing vessels was classified in the Northumberland scheme as export supply. This relates only to quantitative regulation and does not affect price regulation, which, I presume, the hon. Member has in mind. If the British Trawlers' Federation is dissatisfied with prices fixed under the Northumberland scheme, it is open to it to complain to the district committee of investigation.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of horses, ponies, and other animals used for haulage purposes in the mines of Great Britain; the number in each district; the number of horse inspectors in the service of the Mines Department; and the number of prosecutions, if any, for cruelties and other infringements of the law for each year since 1926?

There are at present eight horse inspectors in the service of the Mines Department. As the reply to the remainder of the question involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there is any shortage of coal for export from the North-East Coast to Norway; and whether that country is experiencing any difficulty in obtaining from this country the quantities of coal which form the quota Norway must take from Britain under the Anglo-Norwegian trade agreement?

I have recently received from the Norwegian State Coal Committee two complaints of inability to obtain particular qualities of coal, and they are at present under investigation by my Department.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information about the prospects of reopening the Whitehaven Collieries?

Negotiations between the Nuffield Trustees, Special Areas Reconstruction Association, Limited, Coltness Iron Company, Limited, Whitehaven Collieries, Limited, and the Lowther Estates, Limited, have resulted in an agreement being arrived at whereby a new company will be formed immediately to work the Whitehaven Collieries. This is a large colliery undertaking in West Cumberland which ceased operations in October, 1935, causing unemployment to nearly 2,500 people who formerly worked at the mines. The Coltness Iron Company, Limited, which has wide colliery and other interests in Scotland, in Warwickshire and in South Staffordshire, has agreed to become responsible for the management of the Whitehaven Collieries, and the new company will be under its control. The effect of the arrangement will, I anticipate, be that in a large measure the problem of unemployment in Whitehaven will have been solved and the hope of prosperity restored to the town and district.

Has a definite agreement been arrived at, and, if so, how many men are likely to be immediately employed?

I understand that repair work will commence at once, and the company inform me that they hope within four months to be employing 400 men, rising to 1,000 at the end of the year, and then to get back to full production.

In the event of an expansion in coal sales, will this not mean the closing down of some other colliery?

The hon. Gentleman knows that that by no means happens.

Is there not an acute shortage of coal at this moment?

While appreciating aid from any source, may I ask what element of enterprise has been brought in by the Nuffield Trustees which could not have been brought in by the Government at an earlier stage?

If the hon. Gentleman will put that question down, a good deal of information will be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will open negotiations with the whole of the Dominions in order that the maximum amount of bulk trading can be arranged between the United Kingdom and the Dominions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him to a question on 25th February. The object of all our trade discussions with the Dominions is to facilitate the expansion of inter-Imperial trade to the maximum that is consistent with the interests of home producers and consumers and of export trade generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) whether, in view of the official declaration made by the Minister of Finance for New Zealand that his Government desired an expanding market, he will say what steps are being taken to co operate to bring about this object;

(2) whether he has considered the offer of the Finance Minister of New Zealand to utilise the whole of the credits that come from the sale of their products in Great Britain for the purchase of manufactured goods from Great Britain if mutual arrangements are made; and whether he will take steps to accept and act upon such offer?

Discussions are in progress with the Minister of Finance of New Zealand with regard to matters arising out of the trade agreement between the United Kingdom and New Zealand and to trade questions generally. Pending the outcome of these discussions I am not in a position to make any statement.

Has not the Minister of Finance for New Zealand asked that there should be more butter coming this way than has come lately?

That is a question which is covered by the question already asked me, and I have just given an answer to it.

In view of the very important statement which the Finance Minister for New Zealand has made as to increasing the purchases of manufactured articles here in certain conditions, can the right hon. Gentleman say when those negotiations are likely to end?

Naturally, the very important statement which the Minister of Finance has made is receiving very careful consideration, but it would be impossible for me to give any approximate date when the discussions which are going on may be concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the amount of British capital invested in Australia?

There are no official estimates available of United Kingdom investments overseas. I have, however, obtained, through the courtesy of Sir Robert Kindersley, a tentative estimate which is based on careful but not yet fully completed research. According to this the amount of United Kingdom owned securities and private investments in the Commonwealth of Australia is £540,000,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to what extent South Africa and Australia subsidise the production of sugar; and what is the present approximate cost of this assistance per ton of sugar produced in each case?

I am informed that no subsidies are paid in respect of the production of sugar in the Commonwealth of Australia or the Union of South Africa. There is, in fact, an excise duty of £ 1 per ton on all manufactured sugar retained for consumption in the Union. As I said in answer to a question by the hon. Member on 23rd February, there is a system in each of these Dominions by which the internal price of sugar is maintained at a fixed level. I understand that the level in the case of Australia is approximately £13 sterling for raw sugar per ton and in the case of the Union of South Africa approximately £12 10s. per ton.

Have not the various States, apart from the Commonwealth, got schemes for subsidising sugar?

The answer I have given covers all the States, but in fact there is only one State which has any very great interest in sugar; and that is Queensland. Practically no sugar is produced outside that State.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the internal price compares with the world price?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons for the recent heavy increase in the price of pure glycerine; whether there is any connection between this increase in price and rearmament; and what action is being taken to prevent profiteering in this commodity?

I understand that the rise in the price of glycerine in recent months is due to an expansion of normal industrial demand, and that the effect of the Government's rearmament programme on the position can be regarded as negligible.

Does the answer imply that the Government are taking no steps whatever to prevent this gross profiteering in what is not only a necessity for rearmament, but also in medicine?

I have pointed out that 'the rise in the price is a natural movement of the market.

In view of the statements made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, that the public would be safeguarded against excessive profiteering in connection with the rearmament policy, do the Government intend to take any steps to prevent this profiteering in medicine?

We cannot control world prices in London, but every effort will be made to prevent undue profiteering in connection with the rearmament programme.

Is it not the case that only one firm in this country produces pure glycerine and, therefore, that it would be an easy thing to find out the source of this profiteering?

I am afraid that I cannot accept that statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total volume of imports into this country of goods for which there is no provision for manufacture in this country?

I regret that this information is not available.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to the information being prepared?

If the information could be collected and prepared, I should be glad to see that done, but I am afraid it is not available.

In view of the need for the establishment of new industries in this country, will the right hon. Gentleman consider having a complete survey made of all new industries which might be established?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what advantage, measured in pence per 1b., is derived by exporters to the British market of dairy products from Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Australia and New Zealand by reason of depreciated currencies and export subsidies direct and indirect?

If my hon. Friend will let me know any particular country or commodity which he has specially in mind, I shall be glad to give him whatever information is available. I fear I could not give a comprehensive estimate in reply to my hon. Friend's question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to observe that the question does in fact specify the commodities—dairy products—and also the countries?

If my hon. Friend will let me know on what products he would wish to have inquiries made, I will have that done.

Is it possible to take measures to give fair play to British producers if we are not told what is the extent of these currency and other discriminations?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether replies have now been received from the various sections of the cinematograph trade with their suggestions on the proposed amendments necessary to the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and whether he can now give particulars as to when it is proposed to introduce the necessary amending legislation?

Further observations have been received from certain sections of the industry in regard to the report of the Departmental Committee on Films and these are receiving consideration. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on this subject to the hon. Member on 23rd February.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the delay in making an announcement in regard to the amendment of this Act, which shortly expires, is causing very grave harm to the industry?

Are we to understand now that the amending Bill is not to be introduced during this Parliamentary Session?

No, Sir; the right hon. Gentleman is not to understand that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the estimate of the Board of Trade that net payments for film royalties contributed over £5,000,000 to the United Kingdom's adverse balance of international payments of a revenue character for 1936, the Government will consider taking steps to secure that in future payments for foreign films shown in the United Kingdom shall be more evenly balanced by receipts for British films shown abroad?

My hon. Friend's suggestion has been noted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Departmental Committee which reported in November last recommended that only further measures could correct the present situation, and will he endeavour to make an early announcement of the Government's policy?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet given notice to terminate the trade agreements with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Sweden, in order that the Government may be free to deal with the present situation in the poultry industry; and if such notice has not been given, when he proposes to give it?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers to his questions on this subject of 16th February.

If the right hon. Gentleman is not taking effective action in this matter, will he make way for somebody who will?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the urgent need for further stability in the poultry industry, he can give any guarantee that the new trade agreements will be completed by the end of this year?

It is impossible for me to say how soon the new trade agreements can be made.

Is it in order for an hon. Member to give notice to the President of the Board of Trade to get out of his job?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the present difficulties of the poultry industry in the country, he will consider the advisability of exempting feeding stuffs used by poultry farmers from Import Duties?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) on 18th February.

As maize in grain, which has not a duty, has risen most in price, does not that show the fallacy of Free Trade economics?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of paint, varnishes, and dyes exported to Russia during the year ended December, 1936, and the week ended 15th February, 1937, or the nearest available date; and what was the value of the same material imported into Russia from Germany for the same period?

During the II months ended November, 1936, the value of colours, dyes, varnishes, etc., imported into the Soviet Union from the United Kingdom and Germany amounted to 270,000 roubles and 4,404,000 roubles, respectively. Comparable particulars for any later period are not yet available.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it rather strange that, while the two countries in question are at loggerheads politically, they can kiss one another when it comes to trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take with regard to the recent serious increase in the importations of Japan cotton cloth to this country which is exported, after being finished here, as cloth of United Kingdom origin?

As I have previously explained, the nationality to be attributed to goods imported into other countries is determined by the regulations of the importing country and not by United Kingdom regulations. As regards Empire countries, cotton and rayon tissues must have been spun, woven and finished in the United Kingdom in order to obtain admission as United Kingdom goods into most of the Colonies. In the Dominions generally and India there are regulations laying down the amount of Empire labour and materials required before goods can secure admission at the preferential rates of duties accorded to British goods. In the case of Australia, the minimum percentage of United Kingdom content was increased for cotton piece goods in the summer of 1936; the question of increasing the content requirements in Canada and in the Union of South Africa is under examination. As regards foreign countries, where a reserved share of the market is in some way guaranteed to United Kingdom goods, His Majesty's Government endeavour to ensure that the benefit should only accrue to textiles spun, woven and finished in the United Kingdom. Such requirements are in operation in Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Uruguay; the possibility of enforcing similar requirements in Argentina is under discussion with the Argentine Government at present.

Is the Minister aware that, in spite of what has been done, in the course of the last few years the amount of such cloth has risen from nil to nearly 20,000,000 square yards, and that this is causing very great anxiety among the cloth manufacturers of Lancashire?

I am afraid the figures that have been quoted by the hon. Member are more or less correct. There is undoubtedly an enormous increase, and we are watching the matter with very great attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction throughout the whole of the textile industry regarding this sort of thing, and will he consider amending the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act, or something of that description, in order to prevent this sort of thing being done?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the accusation that is being made that materials manufactured in other countries are shown at the British Industries Fair as manufactured in this country, and if so, what steps is he taking to deal with it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any estimate of the percentage increase in the price of steel during the last month; and whether he is doing anything to secure that users should obtain supplies at a reasonable price?

So far as I am aware there has been no increase in the price of the main steel products during last month. I am assured by the British Iron and Steel Federation that they are endeavouring to control prices at a reasonable level. In this they are acting in consultation with the Import Duties Advisory Committee who are keeping a close watch on the position.

As the steel producers now have more or less a monopoly as a result of Government legislation, will the right hon. Gentleman make it his business to see that the users of steel are not exploited by the producers?

I have already pointed out that this matter is being very carefully watched by the Import Duties Advisory Board, and until we have information on the subject we cannot do anything.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has told us at least four times that he is keeping close watch on situations? When is something likely to accrue from that watching?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the duty on Coronation novelties imported into the Dominion of Canada from this country has been raised; and, in view of the terms of the Ottawa Agreement, what action he proposes to take?

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the steps recently taken by the Canadian Government to fix the value, for duty purposes, of Coronation goods at 100 per cent. in excess of the invoice value of such goods. This valuation, however, does not apply to United Kingdom and other goods entitled to entry under the British Preferential Tariff, and the second part of the question accordingly does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the speech of the President of the Board of Trade at the National Liberal Club on 24th February, to the effect that the best thing that could happen to the world is to have a free exchange of commodities and services, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

I have seen only summarised Press reports of this speech, but it is clear from them that the words mentioned were part of a sentence in which my right hon. Friend expressed the sympathy which: His Majesty's Government feel with the views urged by the Secretary of State for the United States. For a statement of the policy of His Majesty's Government, I would refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my right hon. Friend at the British Industries Fair Banquet on 15th February, in which he remarked that there can be no great volume of international trade unless it works on the principle that in return for the goods we sell and the services that we render we are prepared to accept goods and services in return.

Is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to be in favour of the free exchange of commodities and services between all countries?

That is a repetition of the question on the Paper.

Is it not a fact that the range of duties in the United States described as free trade has usually been approximately 30 per cent. in the past?

We cannot go into that now.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the position as regards the Natives Registration Act in Southern Rhodesia; when it will come into force; and whether any modifications or alleviations of the restrictions will be made by administrative action?

The date on which the Act will come into operation, which was originally fixed for 1st January last, has been postponed until 1st June. I am informed that the postponement is due to certain difficulties in determining the boundaries of townships for the purposes of the Act. As regards the last part of the question, I feel sure that in so far as the Act provides for administrative action, it will be the desire of the Southern Rhodesia Government to administer it sympathetically.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, under an agreement concluded last month, the claim of the Union Government of South Africa to purchase a section of the railway from Vryburg to Palapye, in Bechuanaland, is recognised; if this recognition was accorded in consideration of an undertaking not to press the claim for 33¾ years; whether, seeing that under section B of this railway agreement the consent of His Majesty's Government is essential, such consent has been given; and whether he is prepared to give an assurance that this agreement will in no way affect the full and free consideration of the political future of the Protectorate of Bechuanaland?

An agreement of the nature referred to in the first two parts of the question was recently concluded between the Governments of the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia and the Mashonaland and Rhodesia Railway Companies. It was explained to the parties concerned that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom feel that as under the agreement the option to purchase the section of the line in question is not exercisable until a period of 331 years has expired, it would not be possible for them to bind themselves now to a definite course on the expiry of that period. His Majesty's Government in the Union have, however, been informed that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will gladly undertake to maintain contact with them on this question and will give careful consideration to such proposals as the Union Government may wish in due course to make. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that destitute persons who have come from Northern Ireland into Great Britain, and are unable to obtain employment, are repatriated into Northern Ireland, whereas the much larger number of destitute persons who have come to Great Britain from the Irish Free State are not deported back to the Irish Free State, but remain a charge on British funds; and whether steps will be taken to prevent the continuance of this anomaly and to protect the British taxpayer from this burden, especially as reciprocal treatment for British unemployed citizens in the Irish Free State is not obtainable?

The position is that under existing legislation persons becoming destitute in any part of the United Kingdom may be returned to that part of the United Kingdom to which they properly belong, though they do not on that account cease to be chargeable to public funds in the United Kingdom. There is, however, no provision for deporting British subjects from the United Kingdom, from whatever Dominion they may come, and therefore it is impracticable under existing legislation to remove persons compulsorily to the Irish Free State. As regards the second part of the question, the possibility of making a reciprocal arrangement with the Irish Free State Government for the repatriation of destitute persons has in previous years been under examination, but so far it has not been found possible to conclude any such arrangement. I am informed that it is not correct to suggest that in this matter there is discrimination in the Irish Free State against British unemployed citizens.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the position of the Irish Free State is quite different from that of any other Dominion, and will the Government consider what steps are necessary to prevent this unfair differentiation between Northern and Southern Ireland which operates unfairly on the British taxpayer?

The position of the Irish Free State is, of course, different from that of other Dominions in this matter on account of the geographical situation. On the other hand, a matter of principle is involved which is of interest to all the Dominions, and I can assure the hon. Member that I am watching the situation very carefully.

Would it not be possible in putting this question for the hon. Member to specify the particular areas from which they come so that we could have definite information? In particular localities they have to be domiciled for 12 months before any relief can be given. Is it not the same in other parts of the country?

Would it not be possible to put an import duty on Southern Irish human beings as is placed on Southern Irish animals?

That question had better be put on the Order Paper.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is possible to get a fairly reciprocal agreement with the Government of the Irish Free State?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a Dutch vessel, the "Atlas," was loaded at Grangemouth on 11th February with a cargo of iron bars for the Thames; whether there is any shortage of British coastwise shipping; whether profits made upon charters taken by foreign owners are subjected to Income Tax by the British Treasury; and whether it is intended to compel the ironmasters who receive advantages from a British tariff to give a preference to British-owned vessels in the British coastal trade?

I am aware that the "Atlas" loaded a cargo of steel bars at Grangemouth on 11th February for the Thames. I am advised that there is no general shortage of British coastwise shipping, but I am unable to say whether a suitable British ship was available at the time required to load this cargo. The third part of the question is for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I understand that the profits arising from the business of shipping carried on in the United Kingdom by a foreign shipowner would be within the general charge of Income Tax. Section 18 of the Finance Act, 1923, authorises the conclusion of arrangements with foreign countries for the exemption of such profits on a reciprocal basis, and an arrangement of this character has been concluded with the Netherlands. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Arising out of that amazing answer, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to give the House the name of the ironmaster who took this charter?

That is not the question on the Order Paper.

In view of the public interest which has been aroused by this matter will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to give the name of the iron-master?

I cannot do so without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether equal facilities are afforded to British shipping on the coasts of Europe, as were accorded to this Dutch craft on our coasts?

The hon. and gallant Member should put a question on that point on the Order Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the results of the operation of Part II of the British Shipping (Assistance) Act, 1935?

The result of Part II of the Act is that 50 vessels of approximately 186,000 tons gross have been or are being constructed. The total estimated cost of these vessels was £3,686,923, while the total amount advanced to the shipowners concerned was £3,548,124. Ninety-seven vessels of 386,000 tons gross, including 49 British vessels of 238,000 tons gross, have been or will be demolished.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the practice in operation in fixing the wages of masters of foreign-going vessels; what standard is adopted in this matter by the Tramp Shipping Administrative Committee in examining claims for subsidy; and if he is aware that on certain ships to which subsidy payments are made the wages are as low as £22 per month?

Rates of pay for masters are fixed by private agreement between the owners and the master concerned. So far as I know, no standard rates of pay for masters have been agreed upon and the second part of the question therefore does not arise. With regard to the last part of the question, I have no information on the matter?

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to the Maritime Board the necessity of re-establishing the masters' panel?

That is another matter, but I will convey that suggestion to my suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will obtain and place in the Library of the House of Commons a copy of the British Columbia Security Act against financial fraud?

Copies of the Security Frauds Prevention Act of British Columbia and of three amending Acts have been placed in the Library of this House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the activities of a firm of share operators called F. Reid Price and Company, offering for sale shares where profits are unlimited; whether he is aware that on previous occasions this firm has failed to settle with customers and has pleaded the Gaming Act as a defence; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has been drawn to the activities of the company referred to by the right hon. Member. The whole question as to the steps to be taken in respect of operations such as these is being considered by the Departmental Committee on Share-pushing which I appointed last December.

In this particular case, seeing that the Gaming Act has already been pleaded as a defence, can the right hon. Gentleman not get into touch with the Director of Public Prosecutions in this matter?

I would prefer that the matter should be dealt with by the committee in the first place, and if action were then considered necessary, I should be prepared to take it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to relieving unemployment in the depressed areas, the Government will undertake, at an early date, an industrial survey for the purpose of ascertaining the employment capacity of existing industries and the possibilities of new industrial expansion and development?

Industrial surveys of the regions of heavy unemployment were made for the Board of Trade by the Universities in those regions in 1932 and have recently been, or are being, brought up to date.

Were any of the trade unions consulted when these inquiries were made?

I have no doubt that the Universities took advantage of every means they had for collecting the information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total premiums paid to insurance companies in respect of workmen's compensation; the total amount paid to injured workpeople; and the total costs of administration and profits for each year from 1926 to 1936?

It will take some little time to extract the information desired by the hon. Member as far as it is available, and I will, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the possibility of raising units for the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland?

It is proposed to form a Territorial Army and Air Force Association for the County of Antrim and to entrust it with the responsibility for raising and administering certain units of Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers required for the manning of coast defences at Belfast, together with an auxiliary Air Force Squadron which will be formed by conversion of the Ulster Special Reserve Squadron. I am glad to announce that Viscount Massereene and Ferrard, Lord Lieutenant of the County, has consented to be president. I hope that the Association will be formed in the near future, and that recruiting for the units in question will start immediately.

Are any units to be raised in County Down?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is able to make any statement regarding the raising of additional battalions of the Regular Army?

In 1922 it was reluctantly decided, as part of the post-war economy measures, to disband the 2nd Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and to amalgamate the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's). I am glad to announce that the two additional infantry battalions whose formation has been approved will be raised by restoring both these historic regiments to their former two-battalion basis, and provision is being made accordingly in the Estimates for 1937.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind when considering the desirability of drafting any senior officers to these new battalions, that promotion in the one-battalion regiments has been abnormally slow?

Will the right hon. Gentleman state exactly what has been done about the formation of those four new battalions which was announced a year ago in the Army Estimates?

Steps have been taken to form these two. The question of forming the other two is still being considered.

When shall we hear about the other two battalions?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether the commander-in-chief, India, when granting confirmation of the proceedings of the general court-martial, held at Quetta on 8th January, 1934, for the trial of Major Sandford, R.E., had before him the original record of the proceedings in the handwriting of the Judge Advocate of the court;

(2) whether the proceedings of the general court-martial held at Quetta on the 8th January, 1934, for the trial of Major Sandford, R.E., which are presumably in the custody of the Judge Advocate-General, are the original record of the court in the handwriting of the Judge Advocate as taken down by him at the trial in accordance with Rule of Procedure No. 94?

The proceedings of the general court-martial referred to, which are now in the custody of the Judge Advocate-General and were before the commander-in-chief in India at the time of confirmation by him, are, although typewritten and not in the handwriting of the Judge Advocate, the original proceedings of the trial within the meaning of the Army Act and Rules of Procedure, being properly signed by the Judge Advocate as responsible for their accuracy and duly authenticated by the signature of the President of the Court, in accordance with that Act and those Rules. Rule of Procedure 94 does not require that the original proceedings shall be in the handwriting of the Judge Advocate.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is not aware that the original proceedings at the court-martial were, in accordance with Rule 94, written in the handwriting of the Judge Advocate at the trial and were accepted there as the original proceedings; were these proceedings not re-copied in his own handwriting, and was not a third edition typed; and will the right hon. Gentleman say by what authority the president of the court-martial signed such a copy without initialling the alterations and without the assent of the accused according to Rule of Procedure No. 100?

I understand that the original copy was re-copied and then typed out for greater accuracy, and signed by the president of the court. I do not think that that is an unusual procedure.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman understand that, according to the Rules of Procedure, the president must initial any alterations that there may be from the original? I beg to give notice that on the introduction of the Army Estimates I will call attention to the court-martial of Major Sandford, R.E., and move a Resolution.

This is not the time to give such notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total area of land owned or held by the War Department in Great Britain for military purposes, in addition to the land hired during the training season?

The total area of land, including foreshore, owned or held under leases exceeding 21 years by the War Department in Great Britain on 1st January, 1937, was 250,648 acres. I regret that information regarding leases under 21 years is not readily available and could only be obtained by a considerable expenditure of time and labour.

Could the Minister give the figures separately of land owned or held?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that troops ordered to Palestine were charged with the cost of sun-helmets; whether any part of the sum so charged has since been refunded; and why any charge should be made?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Kincardine and Western Division of Aberdeen and Kincardineshire (Sir M. Barclay-Harvey) on 10th November last.

Can any justification be advanced for making a charge to soldiers for equipment with which they must be provided when going on active service?

I dealt with that point in a reply to a supplementary question on the occasion referred to.

Am I to understand that unemployed men on the Army Reserve who were called up were also charged?

Those called up were all treated in the same way.

It was stopped out of their pay, was it not? And they expect to get more men!

asked the Lord President of the Council whether it is intended to locate the Coronation seats already reserved for the relatives and friends of Members of Parliament in the immediate vicinity of Westminster?

It is hoped to allocate two seats, on payment, to each Member of Parliament; these seats will be situated in New Palace Yard.

If any hon. Member feels that it is not right that his relatives should be, to some extent, a charge on the taxpayer, will the Lord President arrange that he will receive the gift of the difference between the cost of the seat and the charge for the seat?

Yes, if any hon. Member takes that view, and wishes to pay the full cost of the seat.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that unmarried women wage-earners with dependants receive no Income Tax allowance for a housekeeper, whereas a widower or widow has an allowance on £50 in respect of a housekeeper, and also receive no allowance for a female relative employed for the care of an infirm parent, the allowance only being given in respect of a female relative in charge of a brother or sister of the taxpayer; and, as in the first case the unmarried woman taxpayer is in the same position as a widow or widower and in the second case the unmarried woman taxpayer has more frequently to provide a relative for the care of an infirm parent than for a brother or sister, will he consider extending the appropriate allowances to the unmarried woman taxpayer?

I am afraid I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to him on 5th November last in reply to a similar question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can estimate what sums will be expended this financial year and in each of the three succeeding years on armaments and Defence which will not come within the Estimates for the three Services or other Defence Votes?

Provision for expenditure on Defence preparations is made in the current financial year under certain Votes other than Defence Votes; for example India Services Vote, Home Office Vote, Board of Trade Vote, etc. The provision proposed for such services in 1937–38 is included in the Estimates which will shortly be laid before Parliament. I am not prepared at the present time to forecast the rate of expenditure in succeeding years.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the figure for this year? I have asked him for the total figure which does not come within the orthodox Votes?

I said that it will be in the Estimates that will shortly be presented.

I am asking whether for the more convenient information of the House the right hon. Gentleman can assemble the figures and give us the total.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has consulted with representative industrial organisations as to the effect on overhead costs of the present heavy taxation of road transport; and, if not, whether he will arrange to do so at an early opportunity?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him on 16th February by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade which, although it applied to a narrower form of inquiry, is equally applicable to that which my hon. Friend now suggests.