asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports of British manufactures to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the nine months July, 1936, to March, 1937; and how these figures compare with the value of similar exports in the period July, 1935, to March, 1936?

During the nine months ended March, 1937, exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom registered as consigned to the Soviet Union were valued at£2,415,000 as compared with£2,487,000 for the nine months ended March, 1936.

Are we to understand from the reply that there has been practically no result from the£10,000,000 guarantee which was announced last July?

Not necessarily. The effect of that on exports would not be apparent.

Up to date has there been any result from it?

This is a credit which is used in the ordinary way of trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to renew the£10,000,000 financial credit agreement of July, 1936, between the Export Credits Department and the Russian Soviet trade representative which terminates on 30th September next; and whether, owing to the recent changed conditions in Soviet trade, negotiations will be renewed prior to the termination of the said agreement with reference to the settlement of private debts?

The Agreement referred to by my hon. Friend provides facilities for the purchase by the Soviet Government of goods from United Kingdom manufacturers up to a limit of£10,000,000 on condition that the orders are placed by 30th September, 1937. The question of entering into another agreement of this nature is not at present under consideration by His Majesty's Government, nor has any such proposal so far been made by either party to the present Agreement. As regards the latter part of the question, I can add nothing to the reply given to my hon. Friend yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

What is the object of this semi-permanent temporary agreement when the Russian Government would be glad to have something in the nature of a permanent agreement, and that in order to get that permanent agreement for the purchase of British goods would be prepared to consider a scaled down figure for these private debts? Will the right hon Gentleman undertake to start negotiations with the Russian Government to see if that is not so?

I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs would be very glad to get information from the hon. Member as to the intentions of the Soviet Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that up to now it is the heavy industries which have bene-

Is it not true that no British workman has benefited at all from the agreement?

That is quite wrong. Something like£5,000,000 worth of orders has already been placed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of British firms who, in the last two years, ordered ships to be constructed in Germany?

There are no official statistics of orders placed by British firms for the construction of ships in Germany, but I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the registered owners of the steam and motor ships of 100 tons gross and over recently built in Germany which are shown in the returns of the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen as having been registered in the United Kingdom since March, 1935.

May I ask to what date the figures go? Do they include the construction for the last two years?

We have no figures of construction. All we can give are those of vessels which have been registered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has observed that at the end of 1936 importers were buying at prices less than 1914; that wholesale prices in this country were 39 per cent. higher than 1914 and the cost of living 52 per cent. higher; what is the explanation of these discrepancies; and whether any steps can be taken to reduce or abolish them?

All imported goods are not included in the movements in price recorded by any wholesale prices index number, and the cost of living index number is even more limited in scope as regards the commodities included. Moreover, both these index numbers include home-produced as well as imported goods, and the cost of living index number also includes rent. In the circumstances no correspondence can be expected between the three movements in prices to which the hon. Member refers. He will remember in this connection the more detailed explanation given to him by my predecessor in July last.

Does not the President agree that there is a relationship between these three sets of figures; and is not one of the chief reasons for the discrepancies the tariff policy of the Government, which the right hon. Gentleman has himself condemned?

It is not one of the reasons, I have not condemned it, and, as I have said, there is no exact relationship between these three price movements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Food Council have had under consideration the increase in the cost of commodities, particularly as regards foodstuffs; and whether any action is proposed?

I cannot usefully add to the answer given by my predecessor to the question which the hon. Member put on the same subject on 13th April.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell the House what is the use of the Food Council?

The Food Council produces very valuable reports, and when appropriate their report is acted upon by the Government.

Do I understand that the Minister is satisfied with the Food Council and its investigations?

Of course we all recognise that many individuals and bodies require stimulating in some way.

Can the President confirm the fact that while the level of wages is rising, the average level of food prices for 1937 is still ten points below that of 1930 when the hon. Member and his party were in office?

Is it not true that the rise in the cost of living has wiped out any advance in wages.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of foodstuffs of all categories imported into the United Kingdom from the Dominions and foreign countries, respectively, in the first five months of this year?

During the five months ended May, 1937, the value of food and drink (including living animals for food and feeding stuffs for animals) imported into the United Kingdom from British countries amounted to£79,800,000, and from foreign countries to£79,727,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of shipping and the authoritative statements recently made that coal orders available abroad cannot be filled because of the shortage of tonnage, he will cause inquiry to be made into the activities of National Shipbuilders Security, Limited, with a view to the removal of the ban they have placed on certain yards?

The question of the sufficiency of shipbuilding capacity is kept under constant review and is discussed from time to time with National Shipbuilders Security, Limited. I understand that at present, in spite of the improved conditions, the work obtainable is sufficient to occupy only 65 per cent. of the available capacity.

Is that not partly due to the fact that certain smaller and inefficient yards are out of action? Is it not a fact that the more efficient and larger yards are already absolutely full, and cannot take any more?

We are watching the position closely, but I think it is a fact that there is still available capacity.

In view of the fact that this index figure is rising, surely we ought now to be taking some regard to the future with a view to removing the ban?

I am glad to say that the figures are rising. The last time this question was asked, the figure was 55 per cent. instead of 65 per cent. now. We are keeping an eye upon the position.

May I ask when the question was asked?

I cannot remember, but it was quite recently.

Is it not the case that some of the yards closed down were big yards like Beardmore, and that they were closed down owing to voluntary co-operation among the shipowners themselves? Would it not be a very improper thing to interfere with these contracts freely arrived at among the shipowners themselves?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much is still owing by Italy to United Kingdom creditors under the Clearing Agreement concluded with the Italian Government in November last?

I regret that precise information is not available, since the Italian exchange authorities do not normally furnish particulars of the debts until they advise the Anglo-Italian Clearing Office that payment should be made to the creditors concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the Clearing Agreement there are complaints from English creditors that the Italian debtors are not paying the right amounts in Italian currency to those creditors in England?

Yes, Sir. I answered a question by the hon. Member on that point a few days ago. The hon. Member refers to the extra payment that ought to be made owing to the devaluation of the lire, and, as I explained then, the remedy of the English creditor is with the Italian court.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to negotiate a new trade agreement with Italy to replace the Anglo-Italian Commercial Agreement which shortly expires?

No, Sir. Unless denounced by either of the contracting Governments, the Anglo-Italian Commercial Agreement of 6th November, 1936, will automatically continue in force from quarter to quarter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say offhand whether there is a favourable balance of trade for this country under that commercial agreement?

I cannot say that offhand, but the export of United Kingdom goods to Italy has risen from£34,000 in October to£372,000 in April of this year.

If there were any denunciation, would the right hon. Gentleman see that the interests of the coal trade were properly safeguarded?

Certainly I would, but, as I said, there is no question of a denunciation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade details of the imports and exports of iron and steel products for the four months ending 30th April, 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively?

The hon. Member will find the desired information on pages 67 to 70 and 143 to 150 of the Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom for April, 1937.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties of Ductile Steels, Limited, Willenhall, in obtaining steel billets and slabs for re-rolling; that a productive capacity of 600 tons per week is completely at a standstill and that substantial unemployment has resulted; and whether he will endeavour to arrange that such steel as is available from home or foreign sources shall be fairly distributed on a proportional basis to users?

I was not aware of the recent difficulties of this particular company, but I have made inquiries and understand that its production this year has been at a higher rate than last year and that it is a member of the Re-rollers' Association, which has an understanding with the steelmakers regarding the distribution of available supplies of billets. Every effort is being made to meet the great increase in demand for steel, and I have no reason to think that this company is not obtaining a fair share of the available supplies.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this firm is well satisfied with the results of the action recently taken to help it in the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any indication as to when the report of the steel inquiry may be expected?

This report reached me last night, and I am arranging to publish it as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade particulars of any prosecutions that have taken place during the previous three years under Part III of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and the number of meetings that have been held by the Advisory Committee appointed under that Act during the 12 months ending at the last convenient date?

During the three years ended 31st December, 1936, proceedings were instituted in 61 cases for infringements of Part III of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927. Thirty-six of these cases were in respect of failures by exhibitors to furnish their returns, four for exhibiting without a licence and 21 for defaults in exhibitors' quota. During the 12 months ended 31st May, 1937, five meetings of the Cinematograph Films Advisory Committee were held.

How many exemption certificates were issued during that period?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the Government's decision upon the comments made to him on 11th June by the interests concerned in the cinematograph film trade of Great Britain upon the Government's suggested amendments to the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and will he make a statement of the Government's proposals and when the draft Bill will be introduced?

I hope that in the course of the next few days the observations of the various sections of the film trade on the suggestions which I put before them on 11th June will have reached me. When these have been considered, the Government will be in a position to reach a decision.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a definite date when this Bill will be introduced? Will it be before the Summer Recess?

No, Sir; there is no chance of it being introduced before the Summer Recess.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the diversion of British mineral supplies to Germany and Italy in territory controlled by General Franco, he will take steps to see that British iron-ore interests in the neighbourhood of Bilbao do not, in the event of General Franco capturing that city, suffer similar coercion?

His Majesty's Government have received informal assurances from General Franco's administration regarding the supply of iron ore to the United Kingdom from territories under his control.

Is there any truth in the allegation that up to the present there has been deliberate diversion of ores, which normally come to this country, to Germany and Italy? Has the right hon. Gentleman any information on that matter?

The hon. Member will realise that the question refers to the iron ore at Bilbao. Therefore, it has not been within the power of General Franco to divert any of it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the slightest fear that General Franco will not protect British interests?

In view of past events, has the right hon. Gentleman any faith in General Franco?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Rolls Royce and how many other aero-engines were the subject of export licences in the past financial year; if not subject to export licences how many were, in fact, exported; and whether he will state, in either case, the countries of first destination?

No specific export licences were issued in respect of aircraft engines during the financial year ended 31st March, 1937. The aircraft engines exported during this period under the open general licence of the Board of Trade numbered 666. With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving particulars of the countries of consignment. Separate particulars of engines of particular makes cannot be given.

Is there any safeguard against the reconsignment of these aero engines to countries other than the country of first destination?

I cannot answer that off-hand. As the hon. Member knows, as a consequence of the Royal Commission of the Private Manufacture of Arms, the system is to be altered in some respects, and in future military aircraft will not be exported under a general licence, but under a particular one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the emphatic desire expressed by the representatives of every part of the British Commonwealth represented at the Imperial Conference, that all steps should be taken to secure the stimulation of international trade, what steps are being taken to this end?

As has frequently been stated in this House, His Majesty's Government attach the greatest importance to the stimulation of international trade. With this object, they propose to continue their policy of concluding, in appropriate cases, bilateral trade agreements of which the benefits are generalised under the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause. Moreover, as the House is aware, in conjunction with the French Government they have invited M. van Zeeland, the Prime Minister of Belgium, to undertake informal explorations as to the possibility of some wider action; these explorations are now proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of the clothing allowances issued to guardsmen; and what kit they are expected to provide and maintain out of this amount?

The clothing allowance received by a guardsman at home is 4s. 3d. a week. He is supplied free with an initial issue of necessaries and clothing, and the allowance is provided to cover their maintenance. As the list of necessaries and clothing is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the reasonable complaints that have been made against the cost incurred by the guardsmen in providing new tunics at a cost of£3 14s. each in connection with their duties on the Coronation route, and the fact that they were seriously damaged due to the heavy rains, he will consider granting to the men this amount of£3 14s. each as a special Coronation concession?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that, in those cases where a guardsman provided himself with a new tunic out of his clothing allowance and had that tunic ruined on the day of the Coronation, the cost of replacing that tunic by another new one shall be borne by public funds if the clothing allowance is insufficient to provide such replacement?

My right hon. Friend will consider any facts which may be brought to his notice.

Why cannot the War Office do the decent thing about this matter, seeing that these men have suffered in that they have had to pay for new uniforms specially for the Coronation? Why cannot they be recouped in these special circumstances?

The hon. Member has no right to assume that the War Office is not going to do the decent thing. There is no intention that any men should suffer as a result of the unusual circumstances of the Coronation.

Is it not a fact that the only answer the House has had up to the present is that certain regulations are laid down and that they operate? How can the regulations apply to the special circumstances of the Coronation?

As I said, the regulations will not be used in any harsh manner.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether, in fact, guardsmen whose uniforms were damaged are to be recouped for the loss they sustained?

The position is that at the moment we do not yet know fully what the claims are going to be. As I said, there is no intention that men who suffered losses as the result of the unusual circumstances of Coronation day shall suffer.

Does this not show the desirability of clothing all soldiers in the kilt, which never suffers from the rain?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is no officers' mess at Tientsin and that the officers use a private house for this purpose one and a-half miles from barracks; and whether, in view of the undesirability of having officers so far from barracks in a country such as China and the discomfort to the officers themselves, he will authorise the building of a mess in barracks?

My right hon. Friend cannot accept the suggestions made in the second part of the question.

Is it not a fact that the officers' mess is a mile and a half from the barracks?

I understand that the accommodation is very comfortable, and that it is about a mile away.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that there is constant complaint in Tientsin at the lack of military equipment there and that, since last October, there have only been, on the average, two groundsheets between 120 men; and whether steps will be taken to provide sufficient equipment;

(2) whether he is aware that there is an insufficient reserve of equipment in Tientsin and that if anything has to be replaced it has to be sent from Didcot, which takes about six months; and whether steps will be taken to provide adequate reserves of equipment?

I am not aware of any shortage of equipment at Tientsin, but, if my hon. and gallant Friend will let we know what grounds he has for suggesting that such a shortage exists, I will look into the matter.

Is it not a fact that the statement has been made that there is a considerable shortage of equipment, and as I cannot possibly go to see for myself, will my hon. Friend have a look into the circumstances to find out whether it is true or not?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received a report on the recent happenings at Portsmouth where a considerable number of soldiers were threatened with stoppage of leave and loss of other privileges for failure to pass educational tests?

Yes, Sir, I have caused inquiry to be made into this matter. It is not the case, as suggested by the hon. Member in his question of 8th June, that any deprivation of leave has actually occurred or that withdrawal of permanent passes or restriction of the privilege of wearing plain clothes was contemplated. No complaints have been made by the men concerned, nor has any discontent been apparent at the efforts of the commanding officer to improve the educational standard of his unit.

Is it not the case that a threat of this kind was made?

I do not think there was a threat but the commanding officer, in the interests of the men themselves, was anxious that as many as possible should pass this educational test. If they passed it they got increased efficiency pay.

But is it not the case that the commanding officer gave the men to understand that these privileges would be taken away from those who did not pass the test?

Would the hon. Gentleman note that the Communist party is opposed to education?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will amend the Army regulation which forbids a soldier to marry under the age of 26 years or, alternatively, produce Army regulations which provide marriage and family allowances for soldiers who are already married or who marry before 26 years of age, the same to be applicable to all new enlistments in His Majesty's Forces?

There is no Army regulation which forbids a soldier to marry before he reaches the age of 26, but he is made aware that, if he does so, he will not be entitled to marriage allowance. This qualifying age was fixed after careful consideration and my right lion. Friend sees no reason to change it.

In view of the fact that representations have been made to the Department by the Ministry of Health and, as there is considerable feeling in the country on this matter, will the Department take steps either to amend the regulation or to abolish it?

I do not think I can add anything to the reply I have already given.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the wives of many of these men are in receipt of public assistance?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the changed circumstances since this decision was made; and in view of the fact that we are living under changed conditions, will he not agree to reconsider the matter?

I will represent the views of hon. Members to my right hon. Friend.

Will the hon. Gentleman note that both sailors and soldiers undergo a medical examination which other people do not undergo?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish a schedule showing recent variations in the cost of the main classes of materials required by the Army?

As the answer includes a table of figures, I will, with the permission of the hon. Member, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange to discontinue the artillery and rifle practice at the Barry and Buddon camps, in Angus, on Sundays?

My right hon. Friend has received no complaint in this matter. but is prepared to consider representations.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the discount allowed to regimental units by the Navy, Army, and Air Force canteens is still being expended on sports gear and cleaning materials?

Regulations provide that rebates received by commanding officers may be expended on improving the amenities of institutes or on any subject which collectively benefits the soldier, such as sports gear. I am not aware of any case where such discounts have been used for the purchase of materials for cleaning personal or unit equipment.

Does the Territorial Army participate in this arrangement, and, further, will the hon. Gentleman invite the Secretary of State to review this policy in order to see whether it would not be in the interests of the soldier and of the Service that this money should be paid back into the food account?

I would like to have notice of the first part of the question. I am prepared to consider the second part.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of the recently announced cessation of stoppages of payment for kit, soldiers are now receiving full pay on and from their arrival in India?

I have been asked to reply. I assume that the hon. Member is referring to additional articles of tropical clothing required by the soldier who is sent overseas. The recent decision was that, as from next trooping season, a free issue will be made of the third khaki drill suit, and helmet, which hitherto the soldier has paid for out of his clothing allowance. This concession applies to soldiers going to India. There are certain other small items, required by the soldier to complete his kit to the Indian scale, which at present he pays for by instalments from his clothing allowance. The question whether he should also be relieved of the cost of these items is under consideration.

Is the Noble Lord aware of the great dissatisfaction which exists on the part of men arriving in India who have very little pay to draw for the first six months and who are often reduced to a condition of very serious hardship; and would he look further into the matter?

I think in many cases the hardship has been abolished altogether, and in other cases it is under consideration.

Is the Noble Lord aware that this change would be much appreciated by the soldiers; and will he recommend that free judgment should be exercised by the War Office in these matters as in the other matter of the Coronation parade?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from local authorities in Scotland to the effect that, owing to the rise in the price of materials for house-building, it is now necessary, if houses are to be produced at rents within the competence of the working classes, that the present subsidy of£6 15s. should be cancelled and the previous subsidy of k9 restored; and what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?

I have received representations from the Convention of Royal Burghs and from a number of individual local authorities that the present subsidy of i6 15s. available under the Act of 1935 should be increased and some of these representations suggested that the increased figure should be 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 I made on 23rd March in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers).

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that he was warned in advance of the probable consequences of the Government's expenditure on the rearmament programme in regard to house-building; and if he cannot increase the subsidy, can be take any steps to prevent a continuous rise in the price of building materials?

Yes, Sir, we are taking all the steps we can.

What steps?

We are taking steps, for instance, to secure a larger supply of bricks—one of the main housing materials.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the action of Lochgelly Town Council in refusing to accept any of the tenders for 8o houses, urgently needed to relieve overcrowding in the burgh, on the ground that the building costs are so high that the tenants would be unable to pay the rents that would be required after allowing for the Government subsidy and the local authority's contribution; and whether he proposes to increase the subsidy of k6 15s. to enable the town council to proceed with this scheme?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the full statement regarding housing subsidies which I made on 23rd March in reply to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers), and to which I am not in a position at present to add.

What progress does the right hon. Gentleman expect to make with his housing scheme if 4-apartment or 5-apartment houses are to be rented at n, a year?

That is part of the general question which will, no doubt, arise in the Estimates Debate this week.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a final or interim statement regarding the progress made towards expediting the provision of housing accommodation in Scotland, in the light of his consultations with the local authorities and the representatives of employes and employers in the building industry?

A further meeting with representatives of employers and operatives was held on the 19th instant. With a view to ensuring better progress, particularly on the housing schemes of local authorities, the operatives at that meeting made proposals for the working of overtime and for the adjustment, where necessary, of the apprenticeship quotas through the established machinery of the industry. In the bricklaying trade, which is the one in which shortage of labour has been most apparent, it was estimated by the operatives that these proposals, taken together, would provide increased labour equivalent to at least 500 men. In the discussion of these proposals a substantial measure of agreement with the employers was obtained, but certain details have still to be discussed. I am assured both by the employers' and the operatives' representatives that there is every prospect of a definite agreement being reached.

Realising the difficulty of giving full details in reply to a question, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will be prepared to amplify this statement when his Vote is under discussion on Thursday?

That depends to some extent whether progress has been made in settling the outstanding details. If further progress has not been made it will be difficult to amplify them.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that this agreement will cover rural as well as urban districts, where up to now the main force of housing has been concentrated?

I understand that it will be a general agreement covering all districts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any statement to make as to the projected action by the Government to meet the position caused by the depredations of deer, as indicated in the representations made to him by the members of the subcommittee of the National Farmers' Union for Scotland and Blackface Sheep Breeders Association?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the memorial from the National Farmers' Union for Scotland and Black-face Sheep Breeders' Association; whether he accepts the statements contained therein relating to the increasing number of red deer and the extending damage to grazing and arable land caused by them; and, if so, what action does he propose taking to deal with this growing danger to Scottish farming?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the statement, to which his attention has been drawn, circulated by Scottish agriculturists relating to the depopulation of the Highlands of Scotland and the damage to agricultural interests by herds of red deer outwith the boundaries of recognised deer forests; and whether any legislative action is intended by the Government?

I would refer to the reply given on 17th June, to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart), copies of which I am sending to the hon. Members.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those who are competent to judge reckon that something like 6,000,000 acres of Scottish soil are now covered by deer; and in spite of their picturesque appearance does he not recognise them as vermin, and think they should be dealt with as such?

Until I have considered the petition I am not in a position to make a statement upon it.