asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the collision which took place in the North Sea between the oil tanker "Helka," owned by the Empire Steamship Company, and the German liner "Pretoria"; that the only British rating aboard the "Helka" was the wireless operator; that her master was a Latvian and the remainder were composed of foreigners; and what action will he take to see that all ships on the British register shall carry British crews?

I am informed that the facts as to the composition of the crew of the steamship "Helka" were as stated in the question. Legislation requiring the universal employment of British officers and men in United Kingdom ships would not be likely to increase the employment of British officers and seamen, but would probably lead to the transfer of some ships from the register.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this trade there are only 17 British ships? Do the Board of Trade Regulations not, in fact, lay down that at least the captain and the wireless operator should be British, whereas in this case the skipper was Latvian?

I do not think that that is a fact, but there is an exception to this provision for ships which are trading completely abroad, and this ship was of that class.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that, in the event of war, if foreign seamen in British ships under the British Register got control of our coast system, this country would be landed in a very serious position?

I am always ready to consider matters of that kind, and one of the things which I have to consider is that a ship on the British Register would, in an emergency, be liable to be taken over as a British ship.

Is it not the duty of the Government to see that unemployed British seamen are given an opportunity of employment on British vessels?

We make every effort in that direction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Government of the United States of America intends to subsidise the construction of a fleet of 95 vessels by a grant of £32,000,000 in addition to a substantial sum from the Maritime Commission's revolving fund of £40,800,000; and whether, as this action is inconsistent with a policy of either freer or fair trade between this country and the United States of America, he will so inform the Government of the United States of America or consider the advisability of making an equal grant to that section of the British mercantile marine which will suffer most from this form of economic nationalism?

I have seen recent statements in the Press in the sense of the first part of the question, but I have not yet received official information. With regard to the second part, the position will be watched but I am not at present prepared to express any view on the matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines how much oil is used annually by ships of the mercantile marine; what are the sources of supply; and how much tonnage is required for its import?

As regards the first part of the question, the only information available is that the quantity of oil fuel shipped in this country for the use of ships, etc., of all nationalities engaged in foreign and in coastwise trade amounted in 1936 to 343,124,000 gallons. The information asked for in the second and third parts of the question is not available.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman regard it as of the first importance to satisfy himself that there is enough tonnage under the British flag to guarantee the necessary imports of oil?

That may be so, but it does not arise out of this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any announcement on the discussions which have taken placce at the Imperial Conference with regard to the conclusion of an Anglo-American trade pact?

I cannot usefully add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) on 8th June, and to what I said in the Debate on the Committee stage of the Finance Bill on 9th June.

In view of the widespread interest in the discussions, which, I take it, have been going on, can the right hon. Gentleman not give us a little more than this scanty information?

I quite realise the interest taken by hon. Members, and I shall always be glad to give the House any information which I think I can give without prejudicing the course of the negotiations. I know that hon. Members realise that negotiations of this kind are difficult and necessarily confidential, and would not want any disclosure which might make matters more difficult.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any estimate of the present balance of trade for the United Kingdom?

The excess of imports over exports of merchandise in the trade of the United Kingdom during the first five months of 1937 was £154.4 million. It is not practicable to furnish, for periods other than a calendar year, an estimate of the invisible items entering into the balance of payments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the Government's declarations in favour of the lowering of economic barriers, he has yet expressed his approval of the Oslo Agreement signed recently at the Hague; whether the Government intend to initiate negotiations with a view to adhering to this convention; and whether they will, in any case, abstain from any action which might hinder the success of the agreement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the text of the Oslo Trade Agreement; and whether the suppression of quotas on certain commodities in the present customs tariff is likely to be of benefit to British exporters?

I have received the text of this agreement, and it is hoped to publish it in the Board of Trade Journal on Thursday next. His Majesty's Government are considering the agreement in all its aspects, and meanwhile I am unable to make a detailed statement on the subject. I would add, however, that information has been received from the Netherlands Government and the Belgian Government that the facilities granted by them under the agreement will be extended to imports from the United Kingdom.

While the Government are making up their minds, may we have an assurance that there will be no rigid interpretation of the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause?

That is another question, which, perhaps, the hon. Member will put down.

Then may ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has seen the last part of my question?

Before I give any answer to it, it would be better if I had time to study the actual text of the agreement.

As long as the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause is operated, will the right hon. Gentleman see that we get all the advantage we can from it?

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a statement in the "Times" that considerable benefits will accrue——

Order.

May I put the supplementary question in a different way? Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is stated that some benefits will accrue to British exporters under this agreement, and does he agree with that suggestion?

It will be better, before I answer that question, that I should have an opportunity of studying the text of the agreement, as I said I was going to do.

If the right hon. Gentleman is in favour of reducing trade barriers, why does not he reduce them?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any poison gas has been exported from the United Kingdom since January, 1936; and, if so, whether he will specify the persons to whom such poison gas was despatched and the total amount so exported?

The desired information is not available, as exports of poisonous gas are not separately recorded in the United Kingdom trade returns. There is, however, no reason to think that there has been any export trade in poisonous gas for military use in the period covered by the question.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that this country should have nothing to do with trade in poison gas, and can His Majesty's Government not take steps to prohibit the export of poisonous gas for any purpose?

The hon. Member must realise that there are several gases which are termed poisonous, and which have a very wide and legitimate commercial use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the discussions have now been completed with the various trade interests concerned in the proposed amendments necessary to carry out the recommendations made in the report of the Committee on the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and, in view of the uncertainty that prevails in this industry, can he now make a statement on the Government's proposals?

On nth June I received representatives of the various trade interests and placed before them suggestions for their consideration. As soon as their comments have been considered, the Government will be in a position to reach a final decision.

In view of the fact that this Act comes to an end at the end of this year and of the difficulty which British film users are experiencing in arranging their future programmes, can something not be done to facilitate a decision in the matter?

I think I am right in saying that the Act does not come to an end till next March or April. We have clearly got that time-table in mind when we are thinking of the drafting of a Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the supplies of minerals from the Spanish mines in the territory controlled by General Franco are being exported to British customers or are being diverted to Germany and Italy; and whether iron-ore supplies from the territory controlled by the Basque Government are still being exported to this country?

There have been some diversions to Germany and Italy of part of the minerals produced by the mines in the territory controlled by General Franco. Such difficulties as at present exist are being examined in relation to informal assurances received from General Franco's administration that, as far as territory within his control is concerned, there will be no interference in supplies of minerals to the United Kingdom. No substantial complaint has been received regarding supplies of iron-ore from territories controlled by the Basque Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the Government's proposals, if any, for dealing with the position of the Lancashire cotton trade?

Certain representations made by the Lancashire cotton industry are being considered, but I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

In view of the fact that the industry is so sectionalised that it will take time to evolve a plan, can the Minister give us an assurance that consideration will be given?

The hon. Member will realise that I have not been very long at this Department, but this question is one with which I was very long connected and one which I want to investigate personally. I can assure the hon. Member that I will take no more time over it than is absolutely necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that representatives acting for the cotton industry have repeatedly appealed to the Government in the last five or six years to take effective action, and does he not think that some earlier statements should be made to the House?

The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I am referring to a deputation which visited my predecessor some weeks ago and laid some definite considerations before him.

Was not that deputation one of a number which recently approached the Government, in addition to the memorial which was sent to the Board of Trade?

The particular deputation and the composition of it were rather unusual, in that it represented more fully all the cotton interests of Lancashire.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Regular and Territorial Armies are still short of men; and, if so, by how many?

The Regular Army is short of 23,760 other ranks, and the Territorial Army of 46,641 other ranks.

Are matters improving or going back?

They are not going back.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the decision that soldiers should not be burdened with stoppages, there are still any regiments which insist on men baying articles of clothing or equipment and their wearing such articles instead of the issued pattern?

Special instructions have been given that soldiers shall be protected from unauthorised expense on account of Regimental customs.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the wives of soldiers serving overseas cannot afford to live decently out of the pay allotted to them; that many wives of soldiers are making applications to public assistance committees and are being relieved at the expense of the local rates; and will he make a statement on the matter?

The enlistment of married men under the age of 26 years is forbidden, and unmarried soldiers are fully aware that if they marry below this age they will not receive marriage allowance.

Would the Minister consider amending the Army Regulations so as to make a soldier a free man, able to marry if he chooses; and will he grant marriage and family allowances irrespective of age?

The soldier enlists under well-known conditions. I am always prepared to give the same consideration to these proposals as has been given in the past.

Will the cessation of stoppages in respect of men serving abroad, recently announced, enable men serving in India to receive their pay the moment they reach India?

That is repeating the question which I have already answered.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that, no matter how well a regulation may be known, if it is detrimental it ought to be removed?

Of course, there are two views upon this subject. A soldier is bound, by his conditions of service, to be separated for a long period from his wife, and an appeal is made to unmarried men under 26 years of age to enlist on those conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements or provisions are in force in the Army for the purpose of providing medical attention for the families of men serving in His Majesty's Forces?

As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the answer state whether the families of men at military stations are provided with hospital treatment?

Yes, Sir, that matter is dealt with in the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in addition to his other changes designed to make service in the Army more attractive to recruits, he will abolish the present practice of compulsory church parades?

I am not persuaded that to vary the traditional practice common to the three Services in this matter would have the effect suggested. Men are not compelled to attend services of denominations other than their own, and instructions have been issued to reduce formalities connected with inspections which precede the church parade.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if he wishes to popularise the Army, the abolition of these compulsory church parades would be extremely popular with the private soldiers and noncommissioned officers?

rose——

On a point of Order. Was not that a proper supplementary question, and may I not have an answer to it?

It is clearly a matter of opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House any information in connection with the damage done by the thunderstorm on Thursday last at the Aldershot tattoo to the Coldstream Guards' scarlet tunics and costumes; and who will pay for the damage done?

No particular damage was done, and no expense falls upon the soldier or the public.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the normal hospital staff at Gibraltar is too small to be able to cope with 35 unexpected patients, or whether there were other reasons, and, if so, of what nature, for the despatch of four nurses to Gibraltar to nurse the wounded from the "Deutschland"?

The staff of the Military Hospital, Gibraltar, is adequate to deal with a normal number of patients. The 55 casualties from the "Deutschland" were abnormal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent local authorities exercise powers under the Scottish Local Veto Act to establish or allow licensed premises at fairs, show-grounds, or exhibitions in areas where the people have voted no licence?

While the general returns furnished by licensing courts do not specifically relate to Temperance Act areas, I understand from inquiries made that comparatively few hotel or restaurant certificates under Section 3 (1) of that Act or special permissions under Section 4o of the Licensing (Scotland) Act, 1903, have been granted in no-licence areas.

Can I have an assurance from the hon. Gentleman, on behalf of the Secretary of State, that any applications for licences in respect of shows or exhibitions of this kind in areas where the people have voted "dry" will be examined very carefully, in view of the desire of the people in the area?

They are examined carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the petition of the Annandale and Eskdale branch of the East of Scotland Milk Producers' Federation presenting reasons why they should be included in the eastern region instead of the southwest; and whether he is prepared to grant the producers' request?

My right hon. Friend has received the petition in question. The representations made will be fully considered in the examination of the recommendations of the Milk Re-organisation Commission, but pending decisions on the Commission's main recommendations it would be premature to consider the hypothetical question of regional boundaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that over 250,000 houses are still required to replace unfit dwellings in Scotland and that, owing to the present condition of the building trade, it will not be possible to erect more than some 25,000 houses per annum, he can state what special steps he proposes to take to encourage temporary reconstruction and reconditioning in order to improve the present position?

In view of the present pressure on the supply of building trade labour in Scotland, my right hon. Friend is not satisfied, on the information at present before him, that a policy of temporary reconstruction and reconditioning would make any material contribution to housing needs, but, following representations made to him by the Convention of Royal Burghs, he is making further inquiries on the subject.

Does not my hon. Friend consider it lamentable that, in this vital part of our social services, Scotland should lag behind England?

The question relates to reconditioning, and I ought to point out that this is likely for the time being to reduce the available accommodation, and also to divert a great deal of labour from the building of new houses, which must be our principal object.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of authorities who have indicated that they cannot proceed with their housing schemes because of the rising costs and the need for increased housing grants; the number of authorities who have stopped schemes of building and the total number of houses involved; and what action, if any, he proposes to meet the demands of the local authorities?

Eight local authorities have indicated to the Department of Health that they propose to postpone further housing developments involving approximately 1,584 houses. With regard to the latter part of the question, I regret that I am not in a position to add anything to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 23rd March in reply to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers).

Cannot we have an assurance from the Scottish Office that at least they will consult these local authorities, with a view to removing these difficulties in regard to housing?

We have been in continual consultation with them for several months, and that has been stated in reply to questions several times.

In view of the statement made by the Secretary of State for Scotland that he was again getting in touch with the representatives of the operatives, may we have some indication when a further statement on this matter is likely to be made?

I do not think that it would be useful for me to say anything on that point until a definite decision has been arrived at, but I have every reason to be hopeful from the attitude which is being taken by the various authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of classes in Glasgow schools with 50 or more pupils?

At 31st May, 1937, there were in Glasgow 262 classes with 50 pupils, and 134 with over 50 pupils, on the roll.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of school children medically examined in Glasgow up to the last available date; the number of medical examiners employed: and the total number of children termed defective?

The number of school children medically examined in Glasgow during the year 1935–36 at systematic routine inspection was 54,882. The medical staff comprises 16 whole-time and one part-time medical officers. The number of children found to have irremediable defects was 2,359, while 44,231 had defects which were more or less readily remediable. A further 15,899 children were specially examined at the request of parents, teachers, etc. Most of these children were found to have some defect requiring attention. There was also a reexamination of 27,005 children who had been found to have defects at previous examinations.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the serious number of defective children in Glasgow is caused by the poverty of their parents; and will he ask the Minister of Labour to give Glasgow all the assistance he can in the future?

Does the Under-Secretary recognise the connection between these conditions and those to which he referred in answer to Question No. 25?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the new outbreaks of grass-sickness among horses in different parts of Scotland; and whether he can make any statement on the steps now being taken to abate the scourge?

My right hon. Friend is aware that grass sickness, which is a seasonal disease, is again becoming prevalent in certain parts of Scotland. The disease has been the subject of intensive research over a long period by the Animal Diseases Research Association, Edinburgh, and in view of its economic importance the Government, during the current financial year, have made a grant to the Association of £9,800 for the extension of their premises, and a further grant of £3,200 for an intensification of their research into the subject. This large-scale investigation now in progress is not sufficiently advanced for results to be known.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received any communication from the town council of Lerwick regarding the proposed conversion of the burgh's rapid chemical filtration plant into water strainers; whether he is aware that the raw water supply contains an excessive quantity of peat and vegetable debris, and is therefore unsuitable for straining; that there is strong local feeling in Lerwick against the proposed conversion; and whether he will cause impartial inquiries to be made into the matter in the interests of public health?

No recent communication has been received from the town council. An investigation was made by officers of the Department of Health for Scotland in May, 1935. If an application is made by the town council to the Department in connection with any proposed alteration of the filtration plant, the question whether further inquiry is necessary will be carefully considered.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can make any statement about the preservation of Cumberland House, in Aberdeen?

I understand that the site, part of which is occupied by Provost Skene's House (Cumberland House) has been considered by the town council of Aberdeen for a new Town House, but that the possibility of extending the existing Town House is now being investigated. If, on investigation, this latter course proves to be feasible, it will, I hope, be possible to preserve Provost Skene's House, which is an important example of seventeenth century Scottish domestic architecture.

Is it not the fact that we have a good deal to learn from Germany in this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of attendants and nurses on the staffs of, or employed at, mental institutions in Scotland as at 31st May, 1937; how many of these individuals had a tour of duty extending to 84 or more hours, 78 and under 84 hours, 72 and under 78 hours, 66 and under 72 hours, 60 and under 66 hours, 54 and under 60 hours, 48 and under 54 hours, 42 and under 48 hours, and under 42 hours wer week, respectively; what are the corresponding figures for the Smithston institution in Greenock; and whether lie has any statement to make regarding the introduction of legislation to restrict the working week of such individuals to a maximum of 48 hours?

The information desired is not immediately available but steps have been taken to obtain it, and I will communicate with the hon. and learned Member when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reasons for the recent decision of the police committee in Ayr in which they passed a vote of no confidence in the chief constable; and whether he will inquire into the reasons for considerable discontent in this force?

Before this question is answered, may I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, as to whether it would not be to the advantage of the House that Members should concentrate on matters affecting their own constituencies, rather than putting questions affecting other constituencies?

There is no actual rule of that kind.

I am informed that no vote of this nature has been passed by the police committee. The suggestion contained in the second part of the question that there is considerable discontent in the force is being brought to the notice of the police authority who are responsible for the efficient maintenance of the force.

I beg to ask question No. 31.

On a point of Order. Is it in order for an hon. Member to put another hon. Member's question without having been asked by that hon. Member to do so?

Strictly, the rule is that an hon. Member who is not present should ask another hon. Member to put his question for him.

Seeing that an hon. Member should not put a question without having secured permission, may I ask whether that has been done in this case?

I cannot say.

Having regard to the circumstances in which certain hon. Members occasionally refrain fromputting questions which stand in their names on the Order Paper, is it not desirable that it should be made clear that no hon. Member should put the question without the assent of the hon. Member who is absent?

Since the hon. Member who put down this question and attached his name to it, is not here to put it himself, and since he has not considered the rights, or duties, or privileges of the hon. Member who represents that constituency, as to whether he should put that question, have I not the right to put the question for him?

May I ask for an answer to my question?

Mr. Maxton.

I beg to ask Question No. 31.

I am informed that Superintendent and Deputy-Chief Constable Duffus, who is 61 years of age and had his pension approved in May this year by the police authority, has had his period of service extended in terms of Section 1 (1) of the Police Pensions Act, 1921, on the ground that the extension is in the interests of efficiency, and that the extension of Superintendent Leslie's period of service beyond the age of 60 was made on the same statutory ground. I understand that it is anticipated that both officers will shortly retire.

May I raise a further question on the point of Order and ask for your help and guidance, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and other hon. Members? If the hon. Member who put down this question had been aware of local conditions, he would never have put the question, because he would have been aware of the facts.

No point of Order arises from that.

Further to the point of Order. If the hon. and gallant Member wishes to become a Member of our party, he must make his application in the ordinary way, and we will consider it.

On that point of Order——

There is no point of Order.

I wish to raise a fresh point of Order. I understand that it is your Ruling on the practice of the House that an hon. Member makes himself responsible for the accuracy of statements he makes in a question. May I ask what penalty attaches to an hon. Member who makes inaccurate statements?

The inaccuracy must first be proved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of constables, sergeants, inspectors and superintendents of the Glasgow Police Force who are at present drawing retiral pensions; the amount of pension for each rank; the number of each rank who are still employed in civil employment; and whether he proposes to prohibit these men from engaging in ordinary civil employment?

On 31st May, 1937, 419 constables, 136 sergeants, 118 inspectors and 20 superintendents who had retired from the Glasgow Police Force were in receipt of police pensions. The approximate average pensions for constables, sergeants, inspectors and superintendents were £138, £185, £227 and £351 respectively. Information as to the number of pensioners in civil employment is not available. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of shots fired in anthracite coal mines in South Wales in the year 1936; what was the total tonnage of coal raised at these collieries in the same year; and whether the number of shots fired and tonnage raised were greater or less than in 1935?

Using round figures, during 1936, 2,555,000 shots were fired in anthracite mines in South Wales, and 5,581,000 tons of saleable anthracite were produced. Both figures were lower than in 1935, the decreases being 128,000 shots and 293,000 tons.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the representations made to him that the sale of Welsh anthracite in the Dominion of Canada is being seriously prejudiced because of the excessive profits made by the distributors in the Dominion and also because other coals, including German coals, are being sold as Welsh anthracite, to the detriment of Welsh coal; and, in view of the importance of this trade to the South Wales anthracite coalfield, whether he will take this matter up with the responsible authorities in the Dominion?

These and other matters connected with the sale of anthracite in Canada have been the subject of investigation by a Royal Commission appointed by His Majesty's Government in Canada. I understand that the report of the Commission, of which a copy has been placed in the Library of the House, is under consideration by the Dominion Government.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman, since the publication of that report, had any consultation with the Dominion Government on this matter, in view of the fact that there is considerable controversy in Canada on these points, which are having an adverse effect on the sale of Welsh anthracite?

I have already stated that the report is now under the consideration of the Dominion Government. I cannot, of course, go further than that.

May I repeat my supplementary question? What I desire to ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman is whether he or any member of his Department has been in consultation with the Dominion Government since the publication of the report. May I have a reply to that question?

Really these matters, which concern another part of the Empire, must be left primarily to the Government concerned. Unless we hear something from the Government of Canada, I do not think it would be proper for us to take action on the Royal Corn-mission's report.

Do I understand from the hon. and gallant Gentleman that his Department does not concern itself with a matter which is having a very serious effect on the export trade of this country?

All of these matters are, of course, matters of concern to us.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the high prices which are being charged for Welsh anthracite by the distributive agencies in Canada are driving Welsh anthracite out of the Canadian market; and will he not do something in the matter?

asked the Secretary for Mines the quantities and the average prices, f.o.b., of coal exported from the Bristol Channel ports for the month of May, 1936, and the corresponding month, 1937?

The quantity of coal exported from the Bristol Channel ports during May, 1936, was 1,185,680 tons and its average declared value per ton f.o.b. 20s. 6d. The comparable figures for May, 1937, were 1,251,357 tons and 20s. 7½., per ton respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines the quantity of bituminous and anthracite coals, respectively, exported from the British coalfields since 1928, each year to date, and countries of disposal?

I am having a statement prepared which I will send to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information as to the progress made in the proposed pension scheme for elderly miners in the South Wales coalfield?

I understand that the proposed scheme has been prepared and agreed by the Joint Sub-committee appointed by the owners and workmen's representatives on the Conciliation Board, and that the committee are at present in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in regard to the effect of the proposed pension on public assistance grants. Pending a decision on this matter, the scheme has not yet been submitted to the individual colliery companies or to the individual al workmen for approval and confirmation.

May I ask whether representations also have been made to his right hon. Friend the Minister for Labour that he should exercise his influence with the Unemployment Assistance Board not to apply the means test Regulations to any pensions that may be paid to elderly miners?

Yes, I think they have, but, of course, questions can be addressed to the Minister.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total subsidy per ton of coal exported from Germany during 1936 and for the first five months of this year; and whether any negotiations are now proceeding with the object of bringing about a discontinuance of subsidies on export coal?

There is no uniform rate of subsidy per ton of coal exported from Germany. It is estimated, however, that in 1936 the gross proceeds of the levy of the Rhenish-Westphalian Syndicate amounted to about RM.374 million, and in the first quarter of 1937 to about R M.ro5 million. Later information is not available. These sums, less expenses for administration, were, therefore, available for assisting the syndicate's sales of coal in contested markets both inland and export, but in what proportion is not known to me. With regard to the second part of the question, the Government have repeatedly stated that they regard an international marketing agreement as the appropriate solution of the problems of the coal export trade, but, as I informed the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 23rd March, this is a matter for the trade itself.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the increase in the export of coal from Germany during the first four months of this year; that the coal was sold to countries which formerly got their supplies from this country; to what extent this increase in the quantity of coal exported from Germany is attributable to heavy subsidisation; and what steps does he propose to take to protect the British export coal trade?

I am aware of the increase in German coal exports this year. Exports from other European countries including Poland and the United Kingdom have also increased. A discussion of the relative importance of the various factors underlying both the general increase and the proportion in which it has been shared by different countries could hardly be compressed within the limits of a reply to a question. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not clear as to what the hon. Member has in mind. He will recall that, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour informed the House on 9th March, the coal industry's request for financial assistance for coal exports has been withdrawn for the time being.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the increase in the exports of coal from Germany in the first four months of this year amounts to about 40 per cent., as compared with an increase of only 10 per cent. in the case of this country, and does he not regard that as being of sufficient importance to take immediate steps to help the trade and make some arrangement in order to secure a fair share of export trade for this country?

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make representations to the Foreign Office that, unless effective action is taken, we shall soon lose another important market for British and Welsh coal in Spain?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys under 16 years of age injured at mines in Great Britain in 1936?

During 1936, 5,932 persons under 16 years of age were injured and disabled for more than three days by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mineworkers injured in South Wales and Monmouthshire in 1936?

During 1936, 24,762 persons were injured and disabled for more than three days by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, in South Wales and Monmouthshire.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that local authorities are having to bear the cost of dental treatment to persons in receipt of allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board; and will he seek to secure an early amendment of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, to enable the board to meet the needs of persons who are receiving allowances from the board?

Section 38 (4) of the Unemployment Act, 1934, provides that the "needs" to be met by the board under that Section do not include medical needs, which by Section 54 (1) are defined to include dental needs. No amendment of this provision is proposed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large sums of money are being spent by local authorities, and is it not possible to amend the Act so that the charge for dental treatment can become a national charge?

The question has already been decided by Parliament in the Act.