asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a danger of fire in ships due to the use of insecticide having a paraffin base; and whether he is-prepared to introduce regulations in regard to this matter?

The question of the use on ships of insecticides having a paraffin base was fully investigated by the Board of Trade some time ago, and it was decided that the issue of special regulations was unnecessary. I am not aware of any new circumstances which call for a reconsideration of this decision.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that when electric wires are placed behind woodwork so treated there is considerable danger of fire?

This investigation was carried out as recently as 1930, and it was found then that there was no undue risk involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the information supplied to his Department shows that there is still a general shortage of junior officers in the British Mercantile Marine; to what extent this can be attributed to the severity of the Board's examinations; and has he had any complaints that the standard is unduly high?

I understand that there is no general shortage of junior navigating officers in the British Mercantile Marino at the present time, but that there is still a shortage of engineer officers. The system under which engineers are examined by the Board of Trade for certificates of competency has recently been the subject of a comprehensive inquiry by a Departmental Committee. That committee, whose report was published on 3rd January and is now being very carefully considered, has recommended a number of changes in the system, but they stated that the present overall standard of the examination is appropriate and should be maintained.

Is it intended to modify the standard of this examination?

No, Sir. The recommendation of the committee was that the standard should be maintained.

Would the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter of the shortage of engineers, and see whether it is because of the bad conditions that prevail for engineers and the low standard of wages?

That, of course, would be be a matter for the industry itself.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make regarding the mutiny of the Japanese members of the crew of the British steamer "Silksworth" off Hong Kong?

I have no information about the incident to which the hon. Member refers, but I have cabled to Hong Kong for a written report, and will communicate the result of my inquiry to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the excess of imports into this country over exports from this country reached a total of £432,000,000 for the past year; whether, in view of the fact that a large part of the raw materials now being imported are being used in connection with the rearmament programme and not for manufacturing goods that will subsequently be exported, he is satisfied that the balance of trade is not being endangered; and whether he can make a statement upon the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I do not consider that the position need cause anxiety, but the subject is hardly capable of discussion by way of question and answer. An article will be published shortly in the Board of Trade journal, which will contain a statistical examination of the relevant facts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of licences for the export of arms to Japan issued during the last three months, the number under consideration at the present time, and the sums involved?

During the last three months two licences have been issued for the export of war material to Japan. No applications for similar licences are at present under consideration. As has been previously explained in this House, His Majesty's Government consider that it is contrary to the public interest to publish particulars of licences issued for the export of arms and ammunition to particular destinations. I may add, however, that the value of exports of arms, ammunition and naval and military stores to Japan during the three months ended 31st January, 1938, was £36,314.

Do I understand that we are to some extent supplying the Japanese Government with arms, in spite of the resolution of the League of Nations Council?

That matter was very fully dealt with in replies to questions put to my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs just before Christmas.

Would not the figure have been higher but for the action of the Middlesbrough and London dockers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before agreeing to reduce or stabilise the duties on any import goods in connection with the Anglo-American Trade Agreement, he will undertake to consult representatives of the producers or manufacturers of such goods in Great Britain?

I would refer my hon. friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. H. G. Williams) on 2nd December.

In view of the uncertainty which that must represent in many specified trades in this country, will my right hon. Friend reconsider the position that must arise?

The position is this: I asked for representations from organisations that thought they might be affected, and I received information from a large number of them. I have asked certain other industries for, up-to-date information so as to have a complete a picture as possible, and, so far as I can foresee, I have had information and representa- tions from every industry in this country that might possibly be covered by any negotiations.

Would my right hon. Friend, later on, receive personal representations from people in an industry whose case has a special bearing on the matter?

I cannot undertake myself to receive them, but we have had a number of personal calls at the Board of Trade from representatives of industries, and of course, if any industry that thinks it is likely to be affected wants to supplement by a personal interview the information it has already given, we shall naturally be glad to see its representatives.

Is there any way by which this House, which is assumed to be the taxing authority, can be made privy to these letters and correspondence, and the pressure brought to bear on the Board of Trade?

There is no question here of pressure. It would be absurd for a delegation to go out to America to negotiate a most interesting treaty without having before it information from those industries which might possibly be affected.

Would it be too much to ask that the House of Commons should know something about these new taxes?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that no vested interests are allowed to stand in the way of a real constructive trade agreement between this country and the United States of America?

I agree with the hon. Member's point, but I do not see what it has to do with this question. I do not regard the desire of an industry to see that my delegation shall have every possible information as necessarily standing in the way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the forthcoming negotiations for a trade agreement with the United States of America, the questions of currency stability and the level of world commodity prices will be taken into consideration?

No, Sir.

Does my right hon. Friend think that a mere agreement to reduce certain tariffs is going to be of any value at all unless we have some understanding with regard to these two other much more important questions of currency and commodities prices?

I agree as to the importance of those two matters, but they are not necessarily appropriate matters for a trade agreement.

Will steps be taken to safeguard the interests of agriculture in this agreement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to review the trade position between this country and Russia?

The whole question of commercial relations between this country and the Soviet Union is receiving careful consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, under the existing Russian Trade Agreement, the imports and exports relation, so far as payments due in 1937 are concerned, is 1: 1.2; and, in view of the answer that he gave yesterday with regard to the trade balance, is he not aware that the trade balance is extremely unsatisfactory?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this year the Russians have only bought 16,000 barrels of herring, as against 1,000,000 before the War; and what is he going to do about that?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of hose, stockings and knitted underwear imported into this country from Japan for the year 1937; and whether he can approximate the employment that would have been provided for the British hosiery industry by the manufacture of those goods in this country?

With my hon. and learned Friend's permission, I will circulate particulars of the imports in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the second part of the question, I regret that, as has been previously explained to my hon. and learned Friend, owing to the number of unknown factors I cannot give an estimate.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this is a matter that has been considered by the Import Duties Advisory Committee on their own initiative, as they have power to do under the Act?

I could not say without notice.

Are these goods which are imported from Japan always marked with the country of origin, or are they sometimes marked with the word "Foreign"?

If the hon. Member will put that question down, I will give him the information.

Who buys this stuff from Japan before it is sold in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what British firm or firms have any arrangements with the Mitsui Company; what are the arrangements; and what are the financial arrangements?

I have no information about any arrangement between undertakings in this country and the Mitsui Company of Japan.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department have any knowledge whether any relations or arrangements of any kind exist between any British firms and the Nippon Steel Company or the Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Seiko-Sho Company; are any British patents or rights used by these companies; if so, through whom; and what are the financial arrangements?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the remainder of the question, two United Kingdom patents have been granted during the past 15 years to the Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Seiko-Sho Company. These patents are still in force, but no information is available as to whether they are being worked in this country, nor does the Register of Patents contain any entry recording any dealings therein by means of licences or otherwise. I have no information as to whether these companies have acquired any rights or interests in any other United Kingdom patents.

In view of the fact that a number of big steel monopolists in this country have financial interests in these Japanese companies, will not the President of the Board of Trade use his influence to deal with this matter?

I have given the hon. Gentleman all the information that I have on the subject. If he has something in mind which I do not know, perhaps he will let me know.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, as a result of the Ottawa Agreements, the firm of R. A. Lister and Company agreed to distribute in this country certain products made by the Cockshutt Plow and Frost and Wood Companies in exchange for a preference in favour of English-made cream separators; and whether he can give any figures for 1937 showing the value of Canadian-made products sold in this country under this agreement and the value of English-made separators exported?

I regret that I have no detailed information about the arrangement to which my hon. Friend refers, and do not know what Canadian-made products are covered by it. Figures of the value of cream separators exported from the United Kingdom to Canada are not yet available for 1937, but in 1936 the value of these exports was £15,919.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of a proposal to remove the British preference under the Canadian tariff schedules on cream separators; and, having regard to the serious repercussion which would accrue to the two-way trade between the Dominion of Canada and this country if such a decision was taken, will he make the strongest possible recommendations to the Canadian Government that the present tariff preference should not be disturbed?

I am aware of a proposal contained in a report of a Select Special Committee of the Canadian House of Commons on Farm Implements that cream separators should be placed on the free list. As regards the second part of the question, I am afraid that there are no grounds on which representations to the Canadian Government could usefully be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what have been the results of recent conversations

Will my right hon. Friend draw the attention of the Canadian authorities to the fact that firms in this country have bought from Canada to an amount approximately double the value of the goods they have exported?

As I said in my previous reply, I do not know anything about the arrangements. If my hon. Friend has any facts that he can communicate to me, I shall be glad if he will do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the wholesale prices for various kinds of beef in Smithfield Market on 24th January, 1938, and the nearest parallel date in 1935, with the percentage increases or decreases?

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

Has any official information been obtained as to whether the increases are considerable, and has consideration been given to the effect of the beef subsidy?

That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.

The discussions to which my hon. Friend refers were of an informal character and were initiated with a view to guarding against a recurrence of the disturbance of the market which took place last winter. In the event, the need for considering special measures did not arise.

Have these discussions, in fact, had any good result?

They were to guard against a possible contingency which, in fact, did not arise. Last year, there was a very great increase in exports in December, which flooded our market. This year there was a decrease, and no corresponding effect on prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the effect of the high protective Customs duty on cotton goods imported into India, and in particular of the effect on Lancashire; and what steps does he propose to take in order to improve the prospects for the cotton industry?

Yes, Sir. This is one of the questions now under discussion with the Government of India in the course of negotiations for a new trade agreement to replace that concluded at Ottawa in 1,932.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in the event of the Caledonian Power Bill for the production of calcium carbide at Corpach, near Fort William, being approved by Parliament, the Government will consider the advisability of establishing a system of State control whereby the prices of carbide will be regulated in such a way as to prevent the British Oxygen Company, or any other semi-monopoly, exacting prohibitive prices from the consumers?

Any calcium carbide made in this country will be in competition with the imported product, which at present enters free of duty. If an application for an import duty comes before the Import Duties Advisory Committee, they must, as part of their statutory functions, consider the interests of the consumer before making any recommendation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that at Fort William the housing conditions of the workers are not in such a scandalous state as at Kin-lochleven?

I am afraid that that is not a matter for me. The Board of Trade covers many subjects, but not housing.

Is it not the case that certain requirements have to be laid down by the President of the Board of Trade, and should not one of them be that the workers in the industry must be well housed?

I do not have to lay down any requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the annual import value of Empire-grown tobacco was 2,250,000 pounds, as against 14,500,000 pounds from America, both before payment of duty; what steps are being taken by British overseas authorities to obtain a larger share of this trade; and what tobacco manufacturers in the United Kingdom are doing to assist Empire growers to produce tobacco suitable for retail sale in the United Kingdom?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the latter part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the recent report on tobacco of the Imperial Economic Committee, of which I am sending him a copy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that in the forthcoming trade agreement with the United States he will not prejudice the interests of Empire tobacco growers?

I am fully cognisant of the interests of Empire tobacco growers, but I am not prepared to limit the course of the negotiations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a suitable committee for the purpose of making an exhaustive inquiry into our present wheat supplies?

No, Sir. Exhaustive inquiries have already been made, and all the relevant information is available.

Are inquiries still going on, or are they completed?

I said that all the relevant information is now available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average price at which sulphate of ammonia was sold for export from the United Kingdom in each of the last six months for which statistics are available, together with the corresponding average prices to users within the United Kingdom?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of track-laying agricultural tractors which have been imported into the United Kingdom since July, 1936; the total amount of duty collected in respect of these tractors; and the number of this type of tractor manufactured within the United Kingdom in that period?

During the 18 months ended December, 1937, 743 track-laying agricultural tractors were imported into the United Kingdom, and the approximate amount of duty collected was £94,000. No information is available as to the number of track-laying agricultural tractors manufactured in the United Kingdom during this period.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that the best agricultural machinery is still obtainable only at Lincoln?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the House any account of the positive measures now being taken by the Swedish Government in a time of prosperity to safeguard against the possibilities of another slump, instead of waiting to make hasty improvisations should an emergency situation arise?

I have been asked to reply. I have seen it stated in the Press that the Swedish Government intend to put forward proposals for this purpose before the Riksdag, and His Majesty's Minister at Stockholm is being instructed to furnish a report as soon as such proposals are made public.

Will this report be made available to Members of Parliament?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the answer to the next question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will have a copy of the report of the committee of five, set up by the Swedish Government, on measures necessary to safeguard against a slump, made available to Members in a translation at the Vote Office?

I have been asked to reply. I have not yet seen the report of the committee, but if it is the desire of the House my right hon. Friend will certainly consider the possibility of making it available to Members as soon as the text is received.

Will this report be available in the Vote Office, because this is the first time a mission has been set up to investigate this matter, and it would be of great advantage?

Will the Noble Lord consider sending qualified experts to Sweden to discuss this matter with the Swedish Government to see how far their practice may be valuable here?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the whereabouts of the Spanish steamship "Rita Garcia"; on what terms this steamer was released from arrest; and how many of the present crew are British citizens?

As regards the first part of the question, Lloyd's index reports that the "Rita Garcia" arrived at Hamburg on 30th January. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed by the Admiralty Marshal that on 28th January the owners, who were plaintiffs in an action for possession of the ship, withdrew their warrant for arrest and served on the Marshal an Instrument of Release. As no caveat against the release had been entered, the Instrument was thereupon executed, and the Collector of Customs at Grimsby was directed by the Admiralty Marshal that the vessel should be released from arrest. The vessel sailed on the same day. As regards the third part of the question, as the vessel is not a British vessel, the Board of Trade have no official information as to how many of the crew were British citizens.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 12 members of the British Union of Fascists were obtained by General Franco's agent in London to go down, seize the vessel, and sail out with her to Hamburg where they were replaced by a German crew?

I have seen reports to that effect in the Press, but, owing to the fact that this is a foreign vessel, I have no official information as to the nationalities of the crew.

But if the crew are signed on at a British port for a foreign vessel, do not they have to go through the usual channels of the Board of Trade?

No, Sir; I understand not.

On a point of Order. I put this question down to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and I received a deputation representing the British Herring Trade Association and the Scottish Herring Producers' Association on this subject on 3rd February. The matter is under active consideration, in conjunction with other matters relating to the herring industry, and, as I stated yesterday, an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of legislation this Session?

I would prefer that the hon. Member should await the announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that William Buchan, skipper of the herring fishery boat "Boy Arthur," P.D. 1, applied to the Herring Board for a loan to refit his boat; that the Herring Board promised him a loan up to £375 on condition that he arranged for a survey; that he got a surveyor from Lloyd's, who estimated that £251 would be sufficient to put the boat in condition; that he applied for a loan to this amount; and that, after months of waiting, the Herring Board sent up another surveyor, who estimated that it would take £800 to put the boat in condition and thereupon condemned the boat; and will he make inquiries into this case and the cause of the wide discrepancy in the survey estimates?

I am informed that Mr. Buchan applied to the Herring Industry Board on 30th March, 1936, for a loan for re-conditioning his boat under a scheme published on 5th March, 1936, which provided that no loan would be granted in excess of £375, but that no promise of a loan was made to Mr. Buchan. On 1st May, 1936, the board's surveyor, after an inspection in accordance with the scheme, reported that the cost of re-conditioning would be at least £728, and on 4th May Mr. Buchan was informed that a loan could not be granted as the cost was so much in excess of the maximum of £375. The estimate of £251 referred to in the question was, I understand, obtained by Mr. Buchan in February, 1936, before he applied for a loan. I am informed that it did not cover many items of repairs which the board's surveyor found necessary.

Is not the Minister aware that the Herring Board, when the application for a loan was made, offered a loan on condition that Mr. Buchan got a survey made, and that a Lloyd's surveyor estimated the cost of the repairs at this sum? Is the Minister further aware of the very deep bitterness that exists among the fishermen at the scandalous treatment they are getting from the Herring Board?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to increase the export of cured herring to the Continent, and particularly to Germany and Russia?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 9th November last.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of making direct representations to the Russian Government in view of the very small number of herring they have purchased this year?

I am receiving representations in the next few days on the whole question of trade with Russia.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the most helpful course which the Government can take to increase the consumption of herring will be to make illegal the dyeing and chemical treatment of the fish which is now carried on?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland have exercised powers under Sections 4 and 6, as explained in paragraph 5 in the memorandum on the powers of local authorities under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937, issued as a White Paper in July last?

I am informed that applications by two local authorities for grant under the Physical Training and Recreation Act towards the provision of community centres are at present before the Regional Committees, and that a number of other authorities have similar proposals under consideration. In addition, four out of five of the community centres which have recently been approved by the Department of Health under the Housing Acts will include provision for physical training and recreation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is the intention of the Scottish Advisory Council for Physical Training to issue a pamphlet for Scotland similar to that issued for England and Wales, which is entitled "National Fitness—the First Steps," giving particulars and details as those on pages 10, 22, 23, and 24 appropriate to Scotland?

A survey throughout Scotland of the facilities available for physical training and recreation is at present being carried out, and immediately the necessary returns have been received the Council propose to issue separate "Guides to Fitness" for each of the five regions in Scotland, incorporating full particulars of all the facilities in every locality, and details such as those to which my hon. Friend refers. I am informed that the Scottish Advisory Council do not intend to issue a publication in a form similar to that of the pamphlet referred to.

Can the Secretary of State for Scotland inform the House why they are not going to issue the same pamphlet as was issued in England?

Because it is a separate country.

I want to know why they are not issuing any instructions or guide in order to see whether the young men and women in Scotland are physically fit and adequately fed so as to be able to undertake this physical training?

The hon. Member cannot have heard the terms of the answer. I said that we are issuing these pamphlets. We are issuing them in separate pamphlets applicable to the five regions in Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a majority of the Scottish people have already received these pamphlets in England and Wales?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Grants Committee of the Scottish National Advisory Council for Physical Fitness has paid any grants to organisations concerned with physical fitness; if so, to which organisations; and what were the methods by which these organisations were selected?

On the recommendation of the Scottish Grants Committee and after consultation with the Advisory Council, I have agreed to the payment of grants to four national organisations, namely:

The Scottish Athletic Federation.

The Scottish Association of Boys' Clubs.

The Scottish Association of Girls' Clubs.

The Scottish National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations.

Applications from 10 other national organisations are at present under consideration by the Grants Committee. In addition, over 100 applications for grant and more than 50 inquiries have been submitted by local authorities and local voluntary organisations. These applications are being considered by the regional committees which have been appointed under the Act to co-ordinate facilities in their area and to encourage the promotion of schemes. Each application for a giant is considered on its merits in relation to the objects and aims of the Fitness Campaign.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what they have got to show in Scotland for the efforts which have been made up to date by these committees and the money which has been spent since the month of July?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say approximately how many individuals are affected in those organisations by those grants?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the residents of Milton of Balgonie are still paying drainage rate; and has he any information as to when the Fife County Council intends to proceed with the River Leven drainage scheme?

I am aware that Fife County Council have imposed a drainage rate for the current financial year on Milton of Balgonie. With regard to the second part of the question, I am informed that the county council have not yet succeeded in reaching agreement with all the parties concerned but negotiations are actively proceeding. Meantime, I understand that the county council's engineers are engaged in the necessary surveys.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the inhabitants of Milton have no objection to paying the rate once the scheme is started, but that this scheme has been discussed for 20 years, and if it is discussed for another 20 years, will they have to go on paying the rate?

I have indicated that that is a matter within the competence of the county council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received any report from the Prison Commissioners regarding the advisability of demolishing Duke Street prison, Glasgow; whether any plans have been prepared to construct a new prison for women on the outskirts of the city; and when it is intended to proceed with the scheme?

Following on a report by the Prisons Department for Scotland, a site at Greenfield Farm near Shettleston was purchased last year for a new prison to replace Duke Street prison. In view of the present pressure upon the building industry in Scotland, of the need for concentrating on the urgent problem of housing, and of the heavy building programme now in hand to the Prisons Department, the preparation of plans and the construction of the new prison are being deferred for the time being. The work will be begun as soon as alteration of existing circumstances permits.

Seeing that the Secretary of State for Scotland has taken great interest in the Empire Exhibition which is to be held at Glasgow this year, will he not do what he can, at any rate, to remove the great black wall of the prison in Duke Street, which is about 200 yards long, and help to brighten the scene for all the visitors whom we are bringing to Glasgow this year?

I will look into that possibility, but, of course, accommodation must be found for the prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of gasmask distribution centres now established in Scotland; and where the distribution centre for Glasgow and district is located?

A regional store has been set up at Galashiels with a total capacity of about 3,000,000 gas masks. Supplies will be transferred from the regional store to the local stores in Scotland so soon as these are provided by local authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question—where the distribution centre for Glasgow and district will be established?

I understand that schemes have not yet been forwarded from the local authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling in Glasgow that the store is to be established in Edinburgh, and that they are very much perturbed in Glasgow, with its important docks and shipyards, that they should be situated so far away from a distribution centre?

I hope that Glasgow will put in its scheme as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons receiving public assistance relief in Glasgow for the years ended December, 1933 and 1937, respectively?

The total number of persons, including dependants, receiving public assistance relief in Glasgow on 15th December, 1933, was 127,601, and on 15th December, 1937, 101,508.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many smallholdings are in existence in Scotland; how many groups of holdings exist; and whether he has under consideration schemes of co-operative marketing of holders' produce to assist in improving their economic position?

The last published agricultural returns indicate that there were 49,147 agricultural holdings in Scotland exceeding one acre but not exceeding 50 acres. This figure includes 4,389 smallholdings formed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland on 524 schemes or groups of holdings. With reference to the last part of the question, the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society is assisted from State funds for the purpose of encouraging co-operation in the agricultural industry in Scotland, and the services of their organisers are readily available to any group of smallholders who desire to combine in the buying or selling of produce.

May we ask the right hon. Gentleman to give his well-known active consideration to the furthering of schemes of this kind, because if they can be serviceable to groups of unemployed men transferred to holdings they can be equally serviceable to those who are more definitely established in holdings?

I shall be glad to do all I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotand whether, in view of the development of municipal housing, he will take steps to amend the law under which councillors who are tenants of municipal houses are prevented from voting on any proposal affecting rents and conditions of tenants?

The position is governed by Section 107 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1925, by which a member of a local authority is prohibited from voting on a matter arising under the Housing (Scotland) Acts if it relates to any house, building or land in which he is beneficially interested. I am unable to make any statement as to amendment of the provision in question.

Will the Minister reconsider his decision as this is a terrible hardship on working-class representatives, because nobody in Scotland except local authorities are building houses for that type of man and he cannot live anywhere else? In those conditions, will he reconsider his decision so as to enable these men to fulfil the duties for which they are elected? I should like to put this question if the Minister will not reply to the other—will this also apply to Members of Parliament?

It is governed by Statute. It is not a ruling of mine, but a decision of the House.

Does it also apply to Members of Parliament living in municipal houses?

I do not think there is any statutory ban in that case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the financial difficulties against which the scholars and research workers responsible for the production of the Scottish National Dictionary are labouring; that Part 2 of Volume II has been withheld from issue for lack of funds; and whether, as in similar circumstances in 1896 the late Lord Balfour secured a grant from the Royal Bounty Fund, thereby enabling the English Dialect Dictionary to be completed, he will cause inquiry to be made as to any source from which assistance could now be secured to enable research work for the Scottish dictionary to be proceeded with?

I regret the circumstances referred to in the first two parts of the question, but I am afraid that there are no funds at the Government's disposal from which financial assistance towards the cost of preparing and publishing the dictionary could be given. In the circumstances I would suggest that an approach should be made to bodies with funds available to help in such work, and I shall be glad to discuss this possibility with the right hon. Gentleman.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also discuss with me the latter part of my question which he has not answered?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the reiterated contention of associations of house-owners and house-factors in the West of Scotland that the Scottish local rating system whereby the owners are separately rated from the tenants is responsible for the inclusion of the owners' rates in the rent and the subsequent imposition of rates upon rates; to what extent is this system a prime cause of the retardation of house building in Scotland; and whether, in view of the necessity of discovering the real causes of the shortage of houses in Scotland, he will take some early opportunity of making a considered statement on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the remaining parts of the question, I doubt whether a statement such as the right hon. Gentleman has in mind would be of advantage, but I am giving the matter consideration. I do not think there is any doubt, however, that at present the main cause of the retardation in house building is the shortage of labour and, to some extent, of material.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the principal reasons given in Scotland for the shortage of houses is the contention advanced by the associations mentioned in the question, and in view of the importance of this matter, could he or the Lord Advocate make a public statement on the matter?

I am giving the matter consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the recent decision to give the Navy control of its own air arm, it is proposed to take any steps to obtain separate control for the Army air arm; and what is the present position in this respect?

No such proposals are under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is sufficient collaboration between the two Services at present?

There is the closest collaboration.

asked the Secretary of State for War, (1) whether he can make some statement to the House regarding the issue of the Bren machine-gun in place of the Lewis gun to Territorial units; and whether all Territorial units will be provided with these before the end of 1938;

(2) whether he is satisfied that there is now an adequate supply of anti-aircraft ammunition in this country;

(3) whether the Government will give an assurance that the new Bren gun will be available for all units, both Regular and Territorial, before the end of 1938?

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present position with regard to the supply of the Bren machine-gun to units of the Army; and whether units are now receiving supplies in accordance with peace-time establishments?

I would refer the hon. Members to the second part of the reply given to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Mr. Acland) on 11th November last.

Is it not rather discouraging and unnecessarily curt to be referred back in that way? We all want to know. I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that horse transport is being extensively used in connection with the building up of the new German army; and whether this fact will be borne in mind before final decisions are taken with regard to the remaining horse transport of the British Army?

The mechanisation of the horse transport of the Army is now an accomplished fact.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that conditions may arise in which horses and horse transport may still be required, and is that not considered by the Army Council?

Certainly it was considered before the policy was embarked on. Our small Army requires the maximum of mobility and flexibility.

Is not this one way to do away with cruelty to horses?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has made any suggestion to the British Broadcasting Corporation that their assistance should be given to his Department in its task of obtaining recruits for the Regular Army and of increasing enlistments in the Territorial Army; and, if so, with what result?

The British Broadcasting Corporation has given repeated facilities for informing the public of activities in both the Regular and Territorial Armies, for which I would express gratitude.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of applicants for enlistment in the Regular Army, and the number of these men accepted in each month from January, 1937, till the latest available date?

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

Will it be possible, in circulating this information, to include also the Parliamentary divisions from which the recruits come?

If the hon. Gentleman will put that question down, I will do my best to supply the information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will enumerate the steps taken since the month of January, 1937, to render service in the Regular Army more attractive?

The information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks is somewhat lengthy. I would refer him to columns 1901 to 1909 of Volume 321 of the OFFICIAL REPORT, and for further details I would ask him to await my Estimates for 1938.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his own appointment to the War Office was not one of the steps taken to this end, and are the results satisfactory?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of persons recruited into the Army for the three months ended to the last convenient date; and what further steps are now suggested towards the problem of maintaining the strength of the Army?

During the period 1st November, 1937, to 29th January, 1938, 9,061 recruits for the Regular Army were finally approved, being an increase of 32 per cent. on the figure for the corresponding period of the previous year. As regards the last part of the question, I trust the hon. Member will await the introduction of Army Estimates.