asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the activities of the recruiting staff at agricultural shows and markets; and whether, in view of the need for the maintenance of food supplies in time of war and of the consequent need for labour on the land, he will cause this field for Army recruitment not to be so closely exploited?

I see no reason to restrict the activities of the recruiting authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the desirability of encouraging recruiting and of the work already done by the Army vocational training centres, he will reconsider the decision to close them, and to transfer the training of men approaching the termination of their Army engagement to the centres of the Ministry of Labour?

The purpose of the decision referred to by my hon. Friend, and announced in connection with Army Estimates, is to enable all soldiers on leaving the Army to receive vocational training, if they wish to, instead of confining it to the limited numbers who can now receive such training in Army vocational training centres.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the Ministry of Labour training centres an old soldier with seven years' service receives no preference over an unemployed man who has not served his country, and that this is disappointing, and does not help recruiting?

This is the first question of the kind that has been addressed to me since I became Secretary of State for War, but when my predecessor announced his decision it was extremely well received in the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that during the War there were thousands of miners who could not go though they wanted to go? Are they to be marked out because of these chaps?

Would there be any Army if there were not men in the workshops to keep the Army going?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Labour Ministry's training centres are disliked by soldiers; and will he arrange that the Aldershot, Leeds and Southampton Army vocational centres shall offer to train men leaving the Army and the Navy as chefs and as skilled workers for the catering trades and private houses, to enable them to fill the well-paid permanent situations awaiting them in civilian life?

The training centres at Leeds and Southampton are administered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, to whose attention I am bringing my hon. Friend's suggestions for extended training facilities. There are no facilities for training chefs at Aldershot.

Will the Minister engage the services of Scotland Yard to fill the well-paid jobs in the catering industry?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to have the regimental coal issues made adequate, so that it will not be necessary for all ranks to supplement them from their pay?

The scale of fuel issuable to units and detachments has been increased with effect from 1st June, 1937; I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the relevant Army Order. The scale for officers' and serjeants' messes is at present being considered.

Presumably this will obviate a source of discontent which has existed in the past as indicated in the question?

I hope so, Sir, but I cannot guarantee that discontent can always be removed, however much one may try.

It is a step in the right direction.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of beef consumed by the forces of the Crown for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; what proportion of this came from within the Empire; the quantity that constituted preserved beef and the value of same; and the country from which such beef was purchased?

Some 30,800,000 lbs. of fresh and frozen meat were purchased during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1937, for the Army and the Royal Air Force at home. This was almost wholly of Empire origin. In addition, 1,275,000 lbs. of preserved beef were purchased for delivery during 1936 at an approximate cost of £32,000. This supply was of South American origin, no offer of Empire preserved meat being received.

Do we understand that no inquiries were made for preserved beef from within the Empire?

I said that no offers at all were received from the Empire. As regards ordinary beef, 90 per cent. came from the Empire.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex-Private Thomas Giggle, 56, Orr Street, Glasgow, formerly of the Bedford Regiment, has been awarded a special campaign pension of 2s. per week after 16½ years of service in the Army after 12 months of correspondence and investigation by the War Office; and whether he will take the necessary steps to see that this man is granted an adequate pension?

Mr. Giggle was sent an application form on 31st July, 1936, and did not supply all the particulars required till 7th June, 1937. His service does not entitle him to an ordinary Service pension.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this is a disgraceful pension to give a man, after all his service, and will he take steps to see that the man is decently treated?

The man had given 13 years' ordinary military service and the proper period for pension is 21 years. On compassionate grounds a special pension was awarded, and he will be entitled to as much as 10s. per week if his means justify it. He is not entitled to an ordinary Service pension, as his service does not justify it.

The man is drawing unemployment benefit; is it not obvious that he should be drawing the maximum amount of 10s. per week? There is not much compassion about two bob.

I understand that he has income from other sources of 18s. per week. He has no entitlement to a pension, and we provided him with a special allowance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman recommending this soldier to the Ministry of Labour for special treatment for jobs?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he encourages emigration of fishermen and others from the Western Isles to Canada or elsewhere; and whether there are no means of providing employment for the fishermen in our own fishing industry?

The question whether the emigration of fishermen to Canada or elsewhere should be encouraged has not yet come before me on any concrete proposal. As regards the last part of the question, the provision of employment in our own fishing industry depends essentially on the restoration of prosperity to that industry, and the Government are giving constant attention to that difficult problem.

Before the right hon. Gentleman gives consideration to the fishing or any other industry in Canada, will he consider first the problem of finding employment for these men in their own fishing industry, which is in a deplorable state?

I will certainly do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless something is done to expedite measures for the reorganisation of the fishing industry, thousands of trawl fishermen will be added to the burden of the Unemployment Fund?

I take it that the hon. Gentleman is not referring to the Western Isles, but to the Aberdeen area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many married persons and unmarried persons, respectively, were in receipt of old age pensions in Scotland as at 1st January, 1937, and how many of each class were in receipt of public relief as at that date; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the steps, if any, the Government propose to take in order to make the old age pension adequate and thus avoid the clerical expense involved in double applications and administrative charges and, at the same time, safeguard the dignity of the old age pensioners?

The total number of persons in receipt of old age pensions in Scotland at 1st January, 1937, was 264,966, and the number of such pensioners who were also in receipt of poor relief at 15th May, 1936, the latest date for which figures are at present available, was 37,020. I regret that information as to the numbers of married and unmarried pensioners is not available. I have no statement to make in regard to the last part of the question.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered, in relation to the subject-matter of this question, the increase in the number of aged persons received into mental institutions in Scotland in recent years?

I am afraid that that does not arise out of this question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend an increase in old age pensions, in order to obviate this necessity?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of widows in the county of Linlithgow who are in receipt of old age pensions and who have had their means augmented by public assistance?

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.

Has not the same informaation been given with regard to other counties; and what prevents it being given in the case of West Lothian?

I do not think it has been given with respect to other counties. I could give any information that has been given with respect to other counties, but my information is that this special information is not available.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that the Minister of Health last week gave exactly the same figures to me with regard to the West Riding County Council?

Will not the right hon. Gentleman make some effort to obtain this information, which is asked for in reference to one particular area only?

I could not ask for the information with regard to a particular area; it would need to be given for all areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons in the county of Linlithgow who are in receipt of old age pensions and who have their means augmented from public assistance funds?

The number of persons in the county of West Lothian in receipt of old age pensions who had their means augmented from public assistance funds at 15th May, 1937, was 827.

Do not these figures in the county of Linlithgow and in other counties in Scotland encourage the right hon. Gentleman to press upon the Government the desirability of making such an augmentation from Poor Law funds unnecessary?

I gave the answer to that question in replying to a previous question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if Linlithgow were even more generous to the old people, the number would be decreased?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of old age pensioners receiving extra relief from local authorities in Scotland for the years 1933 and 1936, respectively?

The number of old age pensioners in receipt of poor relief at 15th May, 1933, was 27,786, and at 15th May, 1936, 37,020.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of this continued increase of old age pensioners receiving Poor Law relief in Glasgow, and why are the Government refusing to old age pensioners some benefit in their alleged new prosperity?

Does that figure include old people in institutions receiving not only financial assistance but also care?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that an instruction has been given to the presiding officers at the next Scottish Universities Parliamentary Election to prevent Parliamentary Agents from finding out how individual electors recorded their votes; whether he can state the name of the individual issuing the said instruction; whether he has in view the statutory method of postal voting at such elections and the statutory rights of candidates and their agents to be present and object to the validity of any voting paper; what action he proposes to take in regard to such instruction; and whether the Government have any proposals to make regarding the university Parliamentary franchise?

I am not aware that any such instruction has been issued. I understand, however, that, at a recent meeting of the General Council of St. Andrews University, the Vice-Chancellor said that, if he had occasion to act as presiding officer at a Parliamentary Election, he would ask the agents of candidates present at the opening of the voting papers to refrain from making a written record of how individual electors recorded their votes. No action on my part appears to be called for, and I have no proposals to make regarding the university franchise.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that at that meeting the Principal of St. Andrews University made the statement that he had in fact received such an instruction? Has the right hon. Gentleman investigated that matter?

I shall certainly do so. I was not aware of the issue of any such instruction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a writ of summons was issued by four milk producers and was served on the Scottish Milk Marketing Board on 15th June, and that the said summons craves for the production of the minutes or other documents of the board by which they authorise themselves to make the levies now found to be illegal by the decision of the House of Lords, and for repayment of the moneys which were demanded and received in terms of such minutes; and when was he made aware of the service on the board of such summons?

Yes, Sir, I was informed on 30th June that such a summons had been served on the board.

Why did not the Secretary of State tell the House of the action when he introduced the new Milk Marketing Scheme, which provides for a levy upon these very people to provide the money to recompense themselves? It might have had an important effect on the voting. Does he consider that it was right not to disclose such a very important fact to the House?

I am surprised that my hon. and learned Friend, who is learned in the law, should suggest that I should make any comment on a matter which is sub judice.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it was his duty to tell the House that the action was served, and not introduce a Measure to alter something which was sub judice?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the terms of a letter signed by D. Sinclair Hay, p. manager and secretary of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, dated 23rd October, 1934, and addressed to P. McCluskey, Fairfield House, Dalkeith, wherein it is set forth that the Court of Session, in a special case submitted to them, decided that the board's method of assessing contributions was legal, but that if any superior court revised this decision, and held the method of assessment to be illegal, the board would refund any excess paid to all milk producers; and why has it not been implemented in terms of the Ferrier decision?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the letter referred to. After the House of Lords' Judgment had been issued, however, the board were advised that the terms of the judgment did not warrant the payment of compensation to those producers who had paid their contributions without reserving a right to retrospective adjustment; and the board were thereby precluded from making such payments except in those circumstances. Undertakings given to individuals whose rights were reserved, have been or will be implemented.

Then I may take it that the Secretary of State has consulted his legal advisers, and they have told him to be dishonest in this matter and not refund the money? Is he not satisfied that, when he loses the action for reduction of the board's minutes referred to in Question No. 14, it will then become a question of fact, and not of law, and all the funds must then be refunded? Is that why he brought in his new scheme to stop it?

As I specifically announced in the House, the Amendments had nothing to do with any legal rights enjoyed by any individual. All these were specifically reserved, and I informed the House to that effect.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment. These answers are too unsatisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received any report of the inquiry, held some months ago at the instance of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland by Mr. Mackintosh, K.C., into proposed amendments to the milk marketing scheme; whether it is intended to publish this report and, if so, when; and whether milk producers who lodged objections to any of the proposed amendments will receive notification of the Commissioner's decisions?

I received Mr. Mackintosh's report on 22nd February last. The report is confidential, and, following the usual practice, it is not intended to publish it.

Since objections were invited, were not the objectors informed of the result of the hearing by Mr. Mackintosh of their objections?

The objectors were informed of the decision of the Minister in the statement of the Minister to this House. There can be no division of responsibility.

May I put this point to the right hon. Gentleman? He invites objectors to state their objections, and their objections are heard by his officer. Surely it would at least be courteous to inform the objectors of the result of the hearing?

The right hon. Gentleman is well acquainted with the Agricultural Marketing Act, and he will remember that the Amendments are the responsibility of the Minister in this House.

Why do we not get the report? Does the report justify the amendments?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the drift of population from the isles of Coll, Tiree, Islay, Jura, Gigha, and Mull to the mainland; and what is the estimated loss of population of each of such isles in the last five years?

I am aware that successive Censuses show a reduction in the permanent population of the islands mentioned in the question. I regret that there are no available statistics on which the estimate requested in the last part of the question could be based.

Is the emigration from these islands any greater than the emigration from agricultural districts throughout the world at the present time? Is it not the case that one of the great problems to-day is to get people to stay on the land?

I think it is a little greater. The islands are outside the area of the Milk Marketing Board.

Is not one of the reasons the fact that transport is very expensive?

Does not the decline in the human population coincide with a rise in the deer population?

That does not apply in the small islands of the sea.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Island of Iona is not included in the list? Is there any reason for that?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the refuse from the burning bing at Buckhaven, swept down by the tide, has now completely blocked the harbour so that no fishing-boats can get out or in; and will he take steps to restore the harbour and dispose of the burning bing?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The very limited fishery interest would not, I fear, justify the expenditure required to restore and maintain the harbour, but an inspection made by a technical officer of the Department of Health for Scotland last month showed that the colliery company's efforts to control the fires in the bing have had considerable success.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the redd from this bing now forms a huge barrier across the mouth of the harbour, so that nothing can get in or out of the harbour, and you can now walk dry-shod across what was the deepest part of the harbour? Is he going to do anything to stop the alarming injury that is being done by this obstruction?

On the wider question of dealing with the bing on the foreshore, communications with the company are in progress, and I hope that some scheme will soon be received as the basis of consideration.

I am not dealing with the foreshore. The bing on the foreshore is from 8 to 12 feet deep, but the bing in the harbour, which forms a huge barrier, is over 20 feet deep. Is the right hon. Gentleman going to do anything about that.

I think that that is covered by my reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a unanimous decision was passed by the Fife County Council in favour of a conference in Edinburgh of Scottish Members of Parliament and representatives of burgh and county councils to consider the serious problem of housing; and will he give further consideration to this proposal?

I am informed that the Fife County Council have not reached any such decision. With regard to the second part of the question, I regret that I am not in a position to add anything to the answer given to the question by the hon. Member on this subject on 29th June.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I have been informed on the very best authority that the decision was made and I am quite satisfied that it would be supported by every other council? Will he therefore not arrange such a conference in view of the serious situation?

I specially rang up the clerk of the County Council of Fife and was told that they had not come to this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses in the Gorbals Division which are either condemned as being slums or unfit for human habitation, and the number of houses in which families are overcrowded; and the figures for last year?

I am informed that the number of houses in the Gorbals Division which are being dealt with under the Housing Acts as unfit for human habitation or are at present on the Corporation's list awaiting such action is 1,773, and that the corresponding number a year ago was 1,799. The latest available information with regard to the number of overcrowded houses in the division was obtained as a result of the overcrowding survey at the end of 1935 when the number was 7,619.

At this rate of progress, which represents less than 100, can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of overtaking arrears?

The progress is extremely unsatisfactory. We are in constant communication with the local authority as to how it can be expedited.

Are we to take it that these people are to live there for ever?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the number of houses now being built by the Corporation of Glasgow; the number which are for slum clearance, the number for overcrowding, and the number of ordinary houses; and how this compares with the same date last year?

As the reply involves a table of figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret that it is not possible to show separately the numbers of houses being built for slum clearance and for the relief of overcrowding as the Corporation are dealing with these problems together and the purpose for which particular houses are to be used is not determined till the houses are completed.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this Socialist local authority is genuinely endeavouring to overcome the appalling housing conditions existing in their city?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of applications which have been received by the Corporation of Glasgow for houses; the figure on the same date last year; and the number of the same periods from the Gorbals division?

The corporation estimate that the approximate number of live applications in hand for houses was at the end of June, 1936, 61,000; and at the end of June, 1937, 70,000. I regret that I am unable to state how many of the applications were from the Gorbals division.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the tenants of the property at 155, Orr Street, Glasgow, are being threatened with eviction from their homes; whether these houses have been condemned as unfit for human habitation; and whether any steps are being taken to see that the tenants are provided with houses at rents within their capacity to pay?

I am informed that the houses have not been condemned by the Corporation of Glasgow as unfit for human habitation. I have no information regarding the threatened eviction. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on this subject on 8th July.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these are poor people,

Is not the state of housing in Glasgow the work of the Tory majority?

I shall discuss all these questions with the Lord Advocate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of ex-service men at present receiving poor law relief in Glasgow?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

In view of the importance of recruiting, will the right hon. Gentleman not make some attempt to obtain the figures in order that they can be put side by side with the recruiting posters of the Secretary of State for War?

Such figures could be obtained only by interviewing personally thousands of men receiving relief.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be more honest—

The hon. Member is not allowed to ask supplementary questions which would not be allowed as questions on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of cases dealt with in the Maryhill juvenile court and the number of convictions for the first six months of 1937?

I am informed that during the period in question 177 cases involving 292 juveniles were dealt with by the court, and that in 168 of those cases findings of guilt were recorded against 280 juveniles.

Why should there be this large percentage of convictions in one constituency more than in any other?

The figures for the first six months of 1937 compare with 499 for 1935 and 479 for 1936 for the same period, so it is declining.

How many of these children were Scottish and how many Irish?

That does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the legal entitlement of local authorities in Scotland to recover amounts paid in the form of relief to poor persons from poor persons' parents and other relatives operates harshly in cases where parents, with domestic responsibilities of their own and very small incomes, are held to be legally liable for the maintenance, for instance, of widowed daughters and their children in necessitous circumstances; and whether he will take steps to restrain the action of local authorities seeking to recover weekly sums to meet the cost of relief in such cases?

I am not aware that the powers of local authorities to recover poor relief expenditure from poor persons' parents or other relatives legally bound to maintain them operate harshly or that local authorities seek to recover from parents with very small incomes. The question whether any relative against whom a local authority bring an action for recovery of relief expenditure is able to repay the sum claimed is a matter for the courts to determine and I have no power to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had submitted to him proposals put before the Convention of Burghs in Scotland by the Commissioner for Buckie for a disposal, by agreement with Russian buying agencies, of any surplus catches of herring at a specially reduced price; and, seeing that this guaranteed outlet would reduce overhead charges of the Scottish herring fleet to such an extent as to restore stability and a measure of prosperity to the industry, whether he will forthwith enter into negotiations with the Russian buying agencies on the matter?

I am aware of these proposals which were discussed by representatives of the Convention with members of the Herring Industry Board in November last. The Board, however, did not consider the proposals to be practicable. In particular the prices proposed did not seem to be such as would commend themselves to the industry.

Would the right hon. Gentleman, in the interest of the herring fleet, at least open up negotiations with Russia?

That is a different question: This is whether these proposals discussed at the Convention were considered.

The last sentence of my question specifically asks whether he will forthwith enter into negotiations with the Russian buying agencies.

The Herring Board is the proper agency for entering into negotiations on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of new holdings provided under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts in each of the last five years to the nearest convenient date; and whether he has under consideration methods for increasing such settlement on the land?

As the answer to the first part of the question involves a number of figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to the last part of the question, the Government will continue to proceed with land settlement as opportunities offer and suitable lands become available.

In view of the fact that so little is taking place in this regard—I know that without the figures—will not the right hon. Gentleman consult his technical staff with a view to expediting such settlement?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 4,000 people have been waiting for years in the Western Isles and that there are millions of acres unused except for his pleasure and that of his hon. and right hon. Friends?

The hon. Member would be very disappointed if I entered upon a discussion of this matter at Question Time.

asked the Lord Advocate the number of cases which have been before the Sheriff Court in Glasgow in each of the past four years in which the summonses were issued for arrears of house-rent for less than £1, less than £2, and less than £3, respectively?

I regret that the particulars asked for are not available as the records of the sums sued for do not show rent cases separately. It is estimated that the majority of the actions in the small debt court for arrears of rent relate to sums under £5, that the average of such sums is £3 and that cases of less than £1 are very rare.

Is it not the case that decisions and settlements are recorded in the court register when arrived at between sheriff, factor and tenant, and, if they are not, why is this? Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make that inquiry, because a large number of cases have come to my knowledge of sums under £1 for which tenants are being sued?

What the hon. Member is asking for is the record of the settlements arrived at. His question is down for the sums sued for.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that several house factors are summoning to the Glasgow sheriff courts tenants who are only a few shillings in arrear with their monthly rent, and the legal costs which are added are sometimes equal to the amount of arrears; and whether, in view of the congestion in the sheriff courts, he will take any steps, by legislation or otherwise, to alter this practice?

On the information available to me, it does not appear that there is any practice of the nature suggested in the first part of the question or any consequent congestion of business in the sheriff small debt or ejection courts in Glasgow. If the hon. Member has any further information on the subject, I shall, however, be glad to look into it.

Is it not the case that every day one of the courts of the sheriff in county buildings in. Glasgow has to be set aside for the hearing of cases of arrears of rent; and will the Secretary of State for Scotland take some interest in what is going on in the city, part of which he himself represents?

Already I have offered, if the hon. Member has any information, to discuss it with him.

I will give the right hon. Member some from Kelvingrove.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he intends to have any further investigation made into the working of overtime in coal mines?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) on 28th June, of which I am sending him a copy. In answer to a supplementary question by the same hon. Member, I indicated that I was prepared to have further special investigation made when I had reason to think that there was sufficient cause for it, but that at present I had no such reason.

Can the Secretary for Mines state whether the special inspectors he appointed some time ago to watch this matter have solely confined their attentions to Lancashire and Scotland, or have they been asked to make investigations elsewhere?

That is another question which I answered the other day also.

Is not the Secretary for Mines aware that the inspector of mines for Yorkshire stated 12 months ago that 25 per cent. of the books on overtime were incorrect? Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman know about that?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that many long wall faces worked by coal cutters are over 100 yards in length, and that no outlets are provided other than the openings at each end of the face; and will he instruct his inspectors to examine such faces to see if it would be safer to have more outlets?

I am aware of the facts in relation to such outlets, but I am advised that the limitation of the number of gateways on longwall faces tends to ensure greater safety from falls of ground, since a large proportion of the accidents from falls of roof at the face occur at and about gate-ends. As regards the second part, the matter has already been closely studied by His Majesty's inspectors, and it has been raised in evidence at the Royal Commission. I do not think that any specific instructions to His Majesty's inspectors are called for at present.

Will the Secretary for Mines ask the inspector to have a talk with the workmen on these cases in order to see what their opinion is about more outlets, and I venture to say that he will be advised to have further safety outlets?

Of course, all matters of safety are always considered by the inspectors.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman at the same time ask his inspectors what effect less speeding up would have on the accident rates?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Foot Committee have yet submitted any report on automatic alarms; and, if so, whether such report will be made public?

No report has yet been submitted to me.

When does the hon. and gallant Gentleman expect the report of this committee?

I cannot say, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are doing our best to hurry it up.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether we are likely to have the report before the House adjourns at the end of July?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the investigation undertaken by his officers into the comparative freedom of the French coal mines from explosions has been completed; whether he can indicate what conclusions the investigators have reached; and whether he intends to publish their report?

The investigation has been completed and a report now in preparation will be submitted to me shortly. I will then seek the concurrence of the French Government to the publication of the report; meantime the hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate its findings.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman making arrangements for that report to be submitted to members of the Royal Commission, who are now preparing their report?

Oh, yes, Sir, they are sure to have a copy of it.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the tonnage of coal cut by electrically-driven coal-cutting machines in 1928 and the number of separate ignitions that took place in that year, and the comparative figures for 1936; and the number of His Majesty's inspectors of mines specially charged with the inspection of electrical apparatus in the mines in 1928 and 1937, respectively?

The tonnage of coal cut by electrically-driven coal-cutting machines was, in round figures, 40,500,000 tons in 1928 and 89,750,000 tons in 1936. The number of separate ignitions of firedamp from all causes, which involved death or injury during the same two years was 48 and 40. There was one electrical inspector of mines in 1928, and there are now five.

Is it intended that any of the 16 new inspectors, the appointment of which the hon. and gallant Gentleman announced last week, shall be specially appointed for this purpose in view of this increase of electrical machinery in the pits?

I do not know that I have quite decided upon their functions. I cannot answer that question to-day.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider whether some of these 16 inspectors should not specially be appointed for this task?

Of course, the general object of this inspectorate is to increase the inspectors in the night shifts, and I will consider whether that will fall in with the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman.

Is it not the fact that most of this electrical coal-cutting machinery is used on the night shift and, therefore, what I am suggesting will fit in with what the hon. and gallant Gentleman says are his functions?

asked the Secretary for Mines how many of the 350 men selected by lot under the terms of settlement of the Harworth trade dispute have been re-engaged by the Harworth Colliery Company since 29th May last?

I am informed by Messrs. Barber Walker and Company that the answer is 144.

Is the Secretary for Mines aware that there is some local complaint among the men who ought to have been started that the agreement is not being observed by the owners either in the spirit or the letter; and will he use his good offices in those cases which I am able to bring to his notice?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that.

Will he use his good offices, if I am able to bring cases to his attention?

I had better wait and see what the cases are before making any promise about them.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, although the funds collected for the dependants of those who were killed in the Cadeby Main disaster of 1912 are exhausted, there are still many widows left for whom no provision is made; and whether he will consult the trustees of other disaster funds with a view to making provision for these women?

I am aware of the facts as stated by the hon. Member, though I would remind him that the exhaustion of this fund was definitely contemplated by the committee originally responsible for its administration. With regard to the second half of the question, although the administration of these funds is not a matter over which I have any control, I will see whether it is possible to secure assistance from other funds if this should prove to be necessary.

Is the Secretary for Mines aware that there are 16 widows who have been widows now for a quarter of a century for whom no provision is made, while at the same time there are similar disaster funds that are locked up where no dependants are left?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will seek powers to enforce payment of compensation for damages upon housing and other properties when a colliery company goes into liquidation, and in cases of change of ownership arising therefrom?

I am not quite clear as to the hon. Member's meaning. The existence of a right to compensation for subsidence damage to surface property depends upon the terms on which the minerals concerned are being worked. If the hon. Member is suggesting that when a colliery goes into liquidation a person claiming such compensation should be given some additional preferential right over ordinary creditors, I am afraid that the proposal is not likely to commend itself to Parliament.

Is the Minister aware that, apart from private individuals owning property, the local urban and rural district councils are complaining considerably of the position arising out of the liquidation of these companies?

Yes, Sir, whether they are private individuals or public corporations, what I have said in my reply still applies.

Could not any portion of the royalty subsidy be set aside for this purpose?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many British and foreign emigrants, respectively, have entered Canada during the two years ended May, 1937; and whether any negotiations are at present taking place between His Majesty's Government and the Canadian Government with a view to facilitating the settlement of British subjects in the Dominion of Canada?

The latest available statement issued by the Canadian authorities as to immigration to Canada by nationalities relates to the year ending 31st March, 1936. In that year 11,103 immigrants arrived in Canada, of whom 2,973 were British subjects, 4,338 were citizens of the United States of America, and 3,792 of other nationalities. As regards the second part of the question, some discussion took place at the time of the Imperial Conference with the Canadian Minister concerned, from which it appeared that the Canadian Government feel that the time has not yet arrived when they could co-operate in the resumption of assisted migration to Canada from this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate to all those hon. Members who want a discussion on migration what has taken place between this country and the Dominions, and the impossibility of any scheme of migration being established?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that three of the Provinces of Canada have definitely stated through their Governments that they are ready to reconsider the question of migration?

The Government with which we have to deal in this matter is the Government of the Dominion. In answer to the question put by the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn), I am sure that those who are interested in this question, as many hon. Members are, will follow very closely the answer that I have given to this question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable number of foreigners or naturalised foreigners have entered Canada recently?

The figures for the year following that which I have given seem to be very similar. There is a slight increase in most categories in those given for 1937, but they are figures relating only to the origin of the immigrants. There is a slight variation between those figures and the figures which describe accurately the nationality of the immigrants.