asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received any report from the committee which is considering the possibility of obtaining increased use of coal for bunkering and other cognate matters?

No, Sir.

Is this committee continuing its work and is it likely to report?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give a list of the plants and the processes in operation for the production of oil from coal in this country, together with the amount of coal carbonised and oil produced in each process?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will give a statement showing the countries which have oil from coal plants in operation; and the processes used, together with the amount of coal carbonised and the amount of oil produced in each country?

Apart from this country, plants for the production of oil from coal by the hydrogenation, synthesis or low temperature carbonisation processes are understood to be operating in Germany, France, Japan and the United States of America. Oil is also produced in these and many other countries by high temperature carbonisation. I regret that no reliable information is available regarding the quantities of coal carbonised and the quantities of oil produced by the processes named in each country.

Will the Minister give the information which he has at his disposal?

As it is so unreliable, I hardly like to do that.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many fatalities have occurred in the Thornley Colliery, in Durham County, during the past 12 months; and whether any fatality or accident has been due to defects in steel props?

During the past 12 months three fatal accidents have occurred at Thornley Colliery, but no fatality or other immediately reportable accident has been due to defects in steel props.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the committee appointed to inquire into the question of automatic gas detectors is likely to issue its report?

I am informed that the committee expect that their report will be issued by the end of February. Meanwhile they have recommended that the existing regulations relating to firedamp detectors should be continued for a further period.

Can the Minister say why it has taken two-and-a-quarter years or more for a report to be issued, and whether any interim report has been received?

There has been no interim report. The hon. Member is wrong in talking about two-and-a-quarter years. It is nothing like that.

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of coal that is being sterilised under the Team Valley Trading Estate, and the price paid to the owners per ton?

Information is not readily available as to the amount of coal sterilised under the Team Valley Trading Estate,

asked the Secretary for Mines the approximate present retail price of first-grade petrol per gallon in London, Paris and Berlin; and the amount of taxation in each case?

The system of taxation in the three countries varies considerably and the types and qualities of the motor fuels used are not uniform. Subject to these qualifications, the retail price of first-grade petrol in London is 1s. 7d. per gallon, and in Paris about 1s. 10d. per gallon. In Berlin the petrol sold consists of a petrol-benzole or petrol-alcohol mixture, and it is understood that the prices of the two grades are about 3s. 2d. and 2s. 10d. per gallon

asked the Secretary for Mines the world output of oil for each of the last 10 years, with the production for each country separately?

As the reply consists of a statistical statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Excluding the amount of taxation in London, is not the price of petrol here much higher than it is in any other country?

That is a little calculation the hon. Gentleman can make when he gets the reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make a statement on the announcement of the Australian Government to remove restrictions on certain imports from the United States of America, and the effect of the change on the Ottawa Agreement?

I have no information to add to the announcement made by His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia regarding some modifications of the arrangements which they introduced in 1936 prohibiting the importation of certain goods from foreign countries except under licence. I am sending the hon. Member particulars of these changes, which have been published in the Press. The agreement concluded at Ottawa in 1932 between the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Governments is not affected by the Commonwealth Government's decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much oil made from herrings was imported in the years 1934, 1935, and 1936; and from what sources did it come?

I regret that the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available, as imports of oil made from herrings are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from manufacturers in connection with any resumption of negotiations between this country and the Irish Free State on the question of a settlement of land annuities, requesting him to consider the desirability of securing the abolition of the present tariffs on cattle feeding-stuffs manufactured in Great Britain; and what answer he has made thereto?

I have received from the Seed, Oil, Cake and General Produce Association a copy of a resolution which they have passed on the subject. The matter is being noted for consideration in the event of any general trade negotiations taking place with the Irish Free State.

Are negotiations actually taking place on the lines suggested by the question?

Is it not possible for a statement to be made, in regard to land annuities, that efforts towards a settlement are being made?

Any question directed to the general point of trade negotiations should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

It is a question of the settlement of the land annuities, in regard to which these tariffs were put on, and I want to know whether it is possible to make a statement that a settlement is being considered?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been issued in the last 12 months for the export of aircraft fitted with engines of 500 horse-power or more; how many aircraft engines of the same class have been exported in the same period; and whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the countries to which these aircraft and aircraft engines have been consigned?

Since the 9th August, 1937, when the export of military aircraft was first made subject to the requirement of a specific licence, 19 licences have been issued for the export of aircraft fitted with engines of more than 500 horse-power per engine. As regards the last part of the question, exports of aircraft are not classified according to the horse-power of their engines, nor are exports of engines classified on this basis.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of classifying the exports of aircraft and aircraft engines by their horse-power in addition to any other classification which may be made?

I will consider that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the negotiations for a trading agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States of America, he will endeavour to ensure that the interests of British shipping are adequately safeguarded?

The necessity for safeguarding the interests of British shipping is constantly in mind, but I do not anticipate that the negotiations for a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States of America will embrace shipping questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the raw materials whose cost contributes to the cost of production of rods for reinforced concrete work, and in what proportions do these several materials and the necessary labour contribute to the cost of production; and what were the changes in the costs of these materials or in the wages of labour which occurred between 1st January and 1st May, 1937, which justified the increase of £2 8s. per ton, or about 28 per cent., in the price of rods on the latter date?

I understand that the cost of production of rods for reinforced concrete work depends mainly upon the cost of steel billets. The price of steel billets of tested and guaranteed quality rose by £2 per ton between the 1st January and the 1st May, 1937. Wages in this part of the industry are on a sliding scale related to prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the increase of, approximately, 600,000 pairs of women's footwear imported from foreign countries for the first 10 months of 1937, and that an application for increased duty has been refused to the British industry by the Import Duties Advisory Committee; and whether he will publish the grounds of this refusal, so that the position may be met and the application renewed in the interests of British employment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, the Import Duties Advisory Committee are not required under the Import Duties Act to make a report to the Government when they refuse to make a recommendation, and I understand that it is not the practice of the committee to publish a statement of the grounds of refusal.

Was the application made by the British manufacturers submitted to the foreign manufacturers for their observations before the committee gave a decision, and will the right hon. Gentleman now reconsider the matter in view of the deleterious effect that these importations are having on the trade?

It is not a question of my reconsidering the matter. If the industry in question has any new facts to lay before the Import Duties Advisory Committee, it is at liberty to renew its application.

Will my right hon. Friend ask the committee to reconsider this matter, as the right hon. Gentleman says has been their practice, and will he ask them to supply the British industry with the particulars on which this refusal is based?

No, Sir; this has been the general practice ever since the committee started; it has been satisfactory and I am not prepared to vary it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the latest figures in his possession of stocks of copper held in the public warehouses of the United Kingdom, and recorded by the Metal Exchange, as at the last convenient date; whether, in the event of national emergency arising, His Majesty's Government have available adequate supplies of copper; and can he state, from particulars in his Department, whether the production of copper is at present controlled by foreign interests?

Stocks of copper in public warehouses in the United Kingdom on 4th December were 29,055 tons. The supply position of copper, as of other essential commodities, in relation to a national emergency is under constant review. There is a large production of copper within the Empire in which both British and foreign interests participate.

Has the Minister any records of the quantity which is in private warehouses?

If the hon. Member means the amount of stock carried by manufacturers, I am afraid that I could not tell him.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the reason why exporters are not permitted to use packing straw when consigning goods to America?

I have been asked to reply. Regulations have been made by the United States Government regarding the treatment of packing straw from countries declared by the United States Department of Agriculture not to be free from infection. I will have a summary of the regulations sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the considerable delay in clearing samples through the Customs; why, when these samples are of no value except for copying purposes, they are charged at the full rate of duty; and whether he will consider firstly the freeing from duty, subject to the necessary safeguards, of samples which have no value other than that stated, and also ensure that, in the interests of trade, these imports are dealt with much more quickly by the Customs staff?

I am not aware of any general delay in the clearance of samples through the Customs; my hon. Friend has written to me about a particular case, and I am having inquiry made. As regards the second part of the question, there is no statutory provision under which dutiable samples could be charged with duty at less than the full rates applicable to the goods. As regards the third part, I understand that bona fide trade samples of trifling value are admitted free of duty, but I am afraid that I could not undertake to admit articles of appreciable value free of duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any complaints have been received from seamen concerning the absence of any deputies for the British consuls at Santos and Rio de Janeiro when the consuls have been absent either for health reasons or on holiday; and what arrangements are made in these ports for the transaction of business during the absence of the consuls?

No complaints of this nature have been received. When the senior Consular Officer at Rio de Janeiro or Santos is absent, the office is in the charge of the Vice-Consul attached to the post, who has authority to carry out all the usual duties of his office.

If I send to the Minister any complaint, will he give it his attention?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, at the time the import duty of track-laying tractors was increased, an assurance was given by home manufacturers that a suitable tractor would be produced in this country; whether he is aware that the National Farmers' Union are of opinion that that promise has not been fulfilled and that farmers are in consequence handicapped in their business; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The report of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, dated 9th June, 1936, which recommended an increase in the duty on track-laying tractors to the present rate, stated that the committee had taken into account the capacity of the British manufacturers to produce an adequate supply of track-laying tractors of proved capacity. I am not aware that the present rate of duty is a handicap to farmers; but if the National Farmers' Union are of that opinion, it is open to them to make representations to the committee.

If representations were made to the Minister with regard to unfulfilled promises, would he look into them?

No, Sir. This is a matter for the committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in furtherance of the plans for the storage of food in preparation for a national emergency, consideration is being given to the development of the food canning industry in this country; and whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the suitability of South-West Wales for this development where there is a large area of land suitable for food production in close proximity to the centre of the tinplate industry?

The creation of a reserve of canned goods as a part of a food storage scheme is receiving careful consideration. I should add, however, that I am not sure that this proposal, if adopted, would foster a development of the industry in the manner the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the Canadian Government are refusing permits for the import of cattle from Great Britain; whether this is due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; whether he is aware that exporters have cattle waiting for export at the ports; and whether representations are being made?

I am glad to say that the Canadian Government have recently intimated that, following upon the removal, on 9th December, of the foot-and-mouth disease Standstill Order which was in force in certain parts of Great Britain, they are prepared to grant permits for the import into Canada of United Kingdom cattle, through the London quarantine station.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that certain farms are so leased that the farmer is not allowed the necessary freedom to destroy rabbits; that fields of corn are often almost destroyed by these pests; and whether he can take steps to assist the farmer in this respect?

I am fully alive to the difficulties of some farmers in keeping their land free from rabbits, and to the extent of the damage they are liable to suffer. As regards rabbits on the farmer's own land, he has adequate rights under the Ground Game Act, 1880. The position arising from the incursion of rabbits from adjoining lands is dealt with in the report of the Select Committee of another place, and I am at present considering the question of legislation to give effect to the recommendation of the Committee.

Can my right hon. Friend say when that legislation is likely to be brought forward?

Is the Minister aware that whole fields of wheat are being destroyed by these rabbits, and that in many cases farmers who wish to destroy them are under certain limitations in their leases; and will he speed up such legislation?

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir J. Lamb), I should not like to commit myself as to when this legislation can be introduced. As the House is aware, I am making considerable demands upon its time already, and I hope the hon. Member will allow me to defer an answer until I see my way more clear. With regard to the question of the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson), the covenant in a lease which purports to restrict the rights of a tenant under the Ground Game Act is void by the Statute.

Will the Minister circulate to magistrates his wish that they should cease sending miners to prison for that sort of thing?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of awards for gallantry that have been made during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date to officers and men of the British Mercantile Marine by the British Government and/or foreign Governments?

I am glad to have this opportunity to say that during the 12 months, 1st December, 1936, to 30th November, 1937, awards for gallantry were made by His Majesty's Government to six officers and 30 men of the British Mercantile Marine and, during the same period, by the French Government to two officers and six men and by the Argentine Government to two men.

Will the Minister consider whether greater publicity can be given to these feats of gallantry?

Yes, I will certainly consider that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has come to any conclusion regarding the recommendations of the committee on the insurance of ships; and whether steps are being taken to make these recommendations compulsory upon the industry?

I am unable at present to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 27th July. As I then indicated, one of the recommendations of the committee was put into operation by the market. The other recommendation, namely, that the dual valuation clause should be adopted for all hull policies, is still the subject of discussion by the industry.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any indication as to when he proposes to carry out the second part of the recommendation?

If the hon. Member means carry it out by legislation, I have explained previously that I only propose to do that if we fail to get an agreement in the industry to carry it out without legislation.

Is the right hon. Gentlman taking any action which will ensure an agreement being reached?

Yes, Sir; before the hon. Member put down his question I had addressed a reminder to the Chamber of Shipping that it was about time this matter was settled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships and of what tonnage have been built or are under construction, respectively, for British owners in foreign shipyards and in what countries?

There are no official statistics of ships built or under construction for British owners in foreign shipyards, but the number of steam and motor vessels of 100 tons gross and over of recent foreign construction which have been registered in the United Kingdom since 1st January, 1935, is 76, totalling 180,810 tons gross. Of these, 46 vessels of 128,818 gross tons were built in Germany; 23 of 36,206 gross tons in Holland; four of 1,410 gross tons in Norway; two of 14,269 gross tons in Italy, and one of 107 gross tons in Yugoslavia.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an undertaking that, after completing the reorganisation of the Army Higher Command, he will carry out equally extensive reorganisation of the present system of promotion of junior officers in the Army; and whether, in particular, he will reform the present regimental system which results in many officers remaining in the respective rank of lieutenant, captain, or major for more than 10 years despite evidence of particular ability?

I understand that the question of the promotion of junior officers in the Army has been examined by the Willingdon Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War the length of training period to be given to soldiers before discharge under the new scheme lately introduced by his Department?

The training period is normally six months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give consideration to lowering the age at which marriage allowances are given to soldiers?

The age limit before which a soldier is not eligible for marriage allowance has been deliberately chosen, having regard to a soldier's liability to movement at relatively frequent intervals.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of this reform would be comparatively small, and that the reform itself is very desirable, and will he not agree to reconsider the matter?

I will always agree to consider any proposal, but there ought to be no doubt or mistake about this—that the Army deliberately appeals to celibates.

Does that policy fit in with the general policy of His Majesty's Government?

Does my right hon. Friend not think that it is a very bad thing that the Army is to appeal only to celibates?

I think that in fixing the marriage age at 26 we have not been unreasonable, because a soldier is subject to frequent moves in the Army, and that imposes hardship on his wife.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether he has received any representations on this subject from the Minister of Health?

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, are we to understand that if a recruit applies to join the Army and states that he is married and under this age, he will be refused?

The answer to the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Lewis) is that I have received no representations. In answer to the other supplementary question, no married man under 26 is enlisted in the Army unless he can show that his wife is financially independent.

Can the Minister say why, if the Army is to appeal only to celibates, he spends so much money dressing them up in nice unifoms?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of the Army who have served on the staff of or been students at the Imperial Defence College have now left the active list or are Unemployed?

Since the inception of the Imperial Defence College in 1927, 65 officers of the British Army have passed through the College, including those leaving this month. Of these, five officers have retired; the remainder are all on the active list and are all employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Willingdon Committee was appointed; what is its composition and terms of reference; and when its report is expected?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Keighley (Mr. Lees-Smith) on 27th May. I hope to receive the report of the Committee before the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate equivalent annual cash value to an officer of the recent concessions in respect of rations and ration allowances?

The average annual cash equivalent is estimated at £6 10s.; the actual amount for an individual officer varies, of course, according to the particular circumstances.

Does that include officers serving abroad?

They are particulars for all officers in the British Army.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that there is no prospect of many of the new contracts for house building now being entered into by Scottish municipalities being commenced within the next 18 months' time; whether he can make any statement as to the causes of this serious state of affairs; whether similar delays in the building programme are taking place in England and Wales; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the provision of urgently required houses in Scotland shall be expedited and not retarded?

There will, undoubtedly, be considerable delay in the completion of many of the new contracts being entered into by Scottish local authorities. At the present rate of building this might in some cases be 18 months or more. The causes are mainly the shortage of building labour and, to some extent, shortage of materials. I understand that no comparable delay is likely to occur in England, but for exact information as to the position there I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. With regard to the last part of the question, following discussions with representatives of the building industry, a joint consultative committee has been set up to carry out the agreement reached for augmenting the personnel of the industry, and steps have also been taken to encourage increased production of essential materials. In addition, a housing association has been formed for the purpose of supplementing the activities of local authorities in the Special Areas by the erection of houses in methods of construction alternative to brick.

In view of the serious nature of that answer, has the right hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of getting some of the new munition works built of cement instead of bricks? Would not that ease the position as regards house building?

We are in consultation with the industry seeing whether alternative methods can be employed anywhere to ease the strain on the more orthodox method.

Will my right hon. Friend urge the Special Areas Housing Association to proceed on a large scale with the erection of houses produced by alternative methods?

Has the Minister given any attention to the resolutions passed at the conference of local authorities in Scotland, and will he try to comply with the terms of it?

The local authorities were not dealing with the shortage of labour. It was a question of more money for the houses under construction, and I have explained that I do not think that would accelerate the housing construction programme in Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the conference dealt with other questions than that of money?

But my answer shows that the Government have already taken steps to deal with those aspects of the matter.

If it be the case that there is no delay in proceeding with contracts in England, and if there is 18 months' delay in proceeding with housing contracts in Scotland, could not arrangements be made to get some material from England, not leaving us in this parlous state?

It is open to anybody to bring material from England. There is no barrier against that.

Does the question of rising costs in any way contribute towards this delay of 18 months?

I do not think it does. I believe the shortage of labour is very considerable and I do not think the rising costs enter into that.

In view of the fact that the shortage of labour does not affect alternative methods of building houses, will not the right hon. Gentleman urge upon the Special Areas Housing Association to proceed on a really large scale with the building of these alternative houses?

The Housing Association has been formed for the purpose of proceeding by alternative methods, and it must, in the first instance, feel its way, but I hope very much that it will be able to press on actively in a very short time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that some of the tenants of houses at 5, Comely Park Terrace and 35, Comely Park Street, Glasgow, were ordered by the sanitary officer to strip the paper off the walls of their houses; that bugs were found infesting the plaster in some of the houses; that in one house there was evidence of gnawed woodwork, probably caused by rats; that the senior assistant medical officer of the Glasgow public health department has reported that the tenants were mostly of a good type and that their houses were kept in a satisfactory manner; and what steps are now being taken to compel the landlord to put the plaster work in a satisfactory condition and to redecorate the houses where the walls were stripped, so as to make the houses suitable for habitation?

I am informed that in order to reveal broken plaster and facilitate disinfestation the tenants, in their own interests, were advised, but not ordered, by the sanitary officer, to strip the paper off their walls. Slight bug infestation was found behind the wallpaper but not in the plaster, and in one house at 5, Comely Park Terrace, a hole was found under the sink which may or may not have been caused by rats. The answer to the fourth part of the question is in the affirmative, namely, that the tenants are mostly of a good type and that their houses are kept in a satisfactory manner. With regard to the last part, I am informed that the factors' tradesmen have already repaired most of the broken plaster and have sealed the holes in the house at 5, Comely Park Terrace. The corporation have no power to instruct a landlord in matters of decoration or redecoration. They have, however, provided the tenants in question with distemper, whitewash and size.

What is the official standard as to how many bugs constitute slight infestation?

I think that is a question which might be more properly addressed to the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider an increase in the grant to the Scottish Travel Association for the purpose of advertising overseas the attractions of Scotland to tourists and the special attractions afforded in 1938 by Scotland's Empire Exhibition?

The arrangements for advertising the Empire Exhibition to be held in Glasgow in 1938 are in the hands of a representative committee, which has been appointed by the Exhibition authorities and includes representatives of the Scottish Travel Association. I am assured that all possible means are being taken, and will continue to be used by that committee, to advertise the special attractions of the Exhibition, not only in this country, but throughout the world.

Would the money not be much better spent in providing houses for people who cannot get them?

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount received from Wales in respect of motor licences in 1936, and the total of grants made in respect of roads and bridges in that country during the same year?

During the financial year ended 31st March, 1937, the net proceeds of motor licence duties collected in Wales amounted to £1,249,000, and grants to Welsh authorities in respect of highway expenditure to £1,263,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the fact that insurance against third-party risks is compulsory, he will cause inquiry to be made into the practice of insurance companies in requiring serving officers in the Army under the age of 21 years to pay £10 excess in all sections of a motor-car insurance policy, an additional premium of 50 per cent., and to be excluded from any benefit for personal accident and passenger's risk, with a view to ascertaining what evidence the companies can produce to justify these heavy premiums and restricted benefits?

I have no reason to suppose that there is any agreement among insurers to impose the special terms mentioned by my hon. Friend, and there is complete freedom of contract in respect of motor insurance except in regard to the compulsory cover against third-party risks. Insurers have clearly the right to adjust their rates in accordance with claims experience, but I am satisfied that the market is sufficiently wide to ensure competitive rates.

Having regard to the fact that these restrictions are imposed because these men are in the service of the Crown, does not the Minister think that it behoves the Government to take note of this question; and, if I give him particulars of an actual case, will he have it looked into?

Certainly. If my hon. Friend will let us have the particulars we shall be glad to have them looked into.

asked the hon. Member for Ipswich, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he is aware that the waiters employed in this House receive a weekly wage of 31s. 6d. plus tips; and whether arrangements can now be made for the waiters to be paid a regular and reasonable wage and tipping to be abolished?

The Committee is quite in sympathy with the hon. Member's suggestion, but as wages at present absorb 34.68 per cent. of the total receipts, I regret that it is not possible to abolish the present system, unless hon. Members are willing to provide for the increased wage cost by agreeing to the addition of a fixed percentage on their bills.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is general agreement among Members of this House that the kitchen staff should be paid a regular and reasonable wage, and not be dependent upon precarious tipping, which may or may not be adequate to secure that wage?

If the majority of Members will assist the Committee in strengthening their hands with the Treasury on this subject, we shall be very grateful.

What wage would be required to cause the staff to agree to the abolition of the tipping system?

We made a computation this summer, and a special report was issued early this year that the sum would be £3,000.

Will the hon. Gentleman ascertain the views of hon. Members?

The Committee would be perfectly willing to do so.

asked the First Commissioner of works whether he is aware of the long distance that the porters have to carry the coal to the various rooms in this House; and will he consider the question of having the coal carried on small four-wheel carriers?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend understands that most of the men prefer to carry the coal in skips, as the effort is less than that which would be involved in loading and unloading a wheeled carrier. A wheeled carrier was available some years ago, but was withdrawn as the porters never used it.

I do not believe that that statement is true.

Withdraw!