asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of a recent decision, the Ministry will make the necessary inquiries as to whether the Milk Marketing Board is going to persist in the policy of a levy upon producer-retailers for the purpose of equalising prices with others engaged in the milk industry?

Producer-retailers licensed by the Milk Marketing Board are required by the scheme to make certain contributions to the board. The question of the amount of these contributions is at present receiving my consideration in connection with the draft amendments of the scheme. No further inquiry would, therefore, seem to be necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give, in terms of sterling, the approximate amount of taxation per head of population in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States of America, respectively, on the latest available date?

Calculations of this kind are an inadequate guide to the true burden of taxation owing to the differences between the financial systems of the various countries concerned, and I must give this warning in conveying the following information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the reasons which determined the British Sugar Corporation to obtain the whole of their factories' coal requirements through a single buyer?

I understand that the British Sugar Corporation anticipate that by employing a single buyer they will be able to purchase their coal on more advantageous terms than would otherwise be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of widows drawing widows' pensions in the county of Lanark who are having their pensions augmented from public assistance?

The number of widows in the county of Lanark including the burghs who, at 15th May, 1936, were drawing widows' pensions and who were also in receipt of poor relief was 6,613.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of persons in receipt of old age pensions in the county of Lanark who are having their pensions augmented from public assistance?

I would refer the hon. Member to the table contained in my reply of the 17th June to a question by the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. D. Graham), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the increasing difficulties confronting the trawling industry in Aberdeen and of the large number of trawlers laid up; and whether he has any further statement to make on this subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and I received on the 18th June a deputation from the British Trawlers' Federation and discussed with them the situation of the industry. We are at present awaiting further information which the deputation agreed to furnish.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution passed in Aberdeen on the 17th instant by the Aberdeen Skippers and Mates Association; whether the information he has confirms the statements made therein regarding the state of the industry; and whether any action is proposed on the matter?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, and am considering it along with a memorial submitted by the British Trawlers' Federation. With regard to the last two parts of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have just given.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will state the number of persons now in receipt of benefit from the Employment Exchanges under the Unemployment Act in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Dundee; the number of dependants to whom benefits are paid; and the corresponding figures in each of the last six years;(2) whether he will state the number of persons and the number of dependants now receiving payments from the Unemployment Assistance Board in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Dundee, and the corresponding figures in each year since the board came into existence?

These particulars are being extracted and will be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War, what was the amount received in 1935 and 1936, respectively, by the War Office in respect of sub-lettings of Territorial drill halls; and whether he will consider allowing units of Territorial associations to retain the proceeds of lettings to be applied towards the expenses of the units concerned?

The amounts received by the War Office in 1935 and 1936, in respect of sub-lettings of Territorial Army property, were approximately £12,000 and £13,000 respectively. At present fifty per cent. of the proceeds from casual lettings of drill halls is retained by Territorial Army Associations who are required to apply it for the benefit of the units.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, whether he can state the nature of the announcement made by him to the Prime Minister of the South African Union on the future of the Protectorates?

During his recent visit to this country the Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa took occasion to discuss with me the position as to the High Commission Territories in South Africa as it has developed since the agreement two years ago between my predecessor and him. I explained to General Hertzog that the policy of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is still that set forth in the Aide Memoire of the 15th May, 1935, published as Cmd. 4948. I am considering what further steps may be practicable to implement that policy.