asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the nature of the decisions arrived at as a result of the Inter-Colonial Conference at Johannesburg in September, 1936, when the Union of South Africa proclaimed a new Munro doctrine for application from the Cape to Kenya; and to what extent the Portuguese acting-Governor of Mozambique agreed with the sentiments expressed?

As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 1st June last, the discussions of the conference were confined to technical questions relating to rail, road and air transport. There were no decisions of a political nature such as the hon. Member suggests. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Am I to take it that no understandings of any kind, official or unofficial, were arrived at?

None, except upon technical questions with regard to transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether further discussions have taken place with the Government of the Union of South Africa on the subject of the High Commissioner's Territories; and in particular whether any proposal for the transfer of Swaziland has been discussed; and what is the policy of the British Government on this matter?

The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the general question, I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on this subject to a question by the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Donner) on 4th February.

Are we to understand that at the moment no discussions are taking place in South Africa on the instructions of the Dominions Office, and is it a fact that Sir William Clark has not sounded the native representatives in the South African Parliament on the question of the transfer of Swaziland?

I dare say that from time to time all sorts of informal discussions take place, but no formal discussions of any kind have taken place, and the only discussions that are going on in South Africa at the present time are those between the High Commissioner, representing myself, and the Union authorities with regard to the correspondence to which I have often referred in reply to questions.

When may we hope to know the nature of these discussions?

I cannot promise any date, but in the not too distant future I hope that some announcement can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what are the terms of the new instructions issued to the British authorities in the South African Protectorates on the subject of the future relationships of the High Commission Territories to the Union of South Africa?

As explained in the reply which I gave on 4th November last, no new instructions have been issued to the officials in the Territories on this subject. I am, however, now considering, in communication with General Hertzog, what additional steps can be taken to carry out the policy agreed in 1935.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information as to the position in Australia with regard to the refusal of the Waterside Workers Federation to load war material for Japan; whether similar action has been taken in other Dominions; whether he is aware of the extent to which war material is being shipped by the Dominions to Japan; and whether any co-ordinated Empire policy exists in this matter?

I have no information about the incident mentioned in the first part of the question beyond what has appeared in the Press. The only similar incident of which I am aware in other Dominions occurred in New Zealand, where the waterside workers on one occasion refused to load cargo on Japanese ships. With regard to the third part of the question, I have no precise information, but if by the term "war material" the hon. Member means arms and ammunition, I am not aware of any such shipments. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member of the resolution adopted at the Assembly of the League of Nations last year to which all the members of the British Commonwealth are parties.

Are not these workers in Australia and New Zealand giving a very fine lead to individuals throughout the Empire, and have not they set an example which we all might follow?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the subjects discussed at the meetings held in January between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Government in Eire included the subject of the constitutional position established by the Constitution which came into force on 29th December and by certain Acts passed in the Parliament of the Irish Free State immediately after the abdication of His Majesty King Edward VIII?

No, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say what is the reason for that? Is it that there was nothing more to be said, or is it that there was so much to be said that there would be no time to say it?

I think my hon. Friend will remember that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom made a statement defining its attitude towards the latest constitutional development in Eire on the day following the coming into effect of the new Eire Constitution.

Arising out of that reply, has His Majesty's Government adopted the expression Eire as a correct and official way of describing what was formally known, by treaty, as the Irish Free State?

I think we are recognising and using the term which the people of Eire have constitutionally adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the approximate amount of British capital invested in Eire; the estimated number of British people who have settled in Eire during the past 12 months; and whether there are any restrictions to such settlement?

No particulars are available as regards the matters raised in the first and second parts of this question. The reply to the third part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to decisions in the courts in Southern Rhodesia respecting the requirement that African voters must carry passes in accordance with Act 14 of 1936, even if they have been previously exempted in the terms of Ordinance 15 of 1913 from certain pass laws; and, as these decisions are not consistent with the principle of consolidation urged in justification of the 1936 Act, will he make representations that these regulations imposing subordinate status on the African people should be repealed?

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) on 3rd February, I have made inquiries about this matter, but I am not yet in a position to give any further information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when last he had a report on the accommodation at Greenock for tourists landing from trans-Atlantic liners while they await attention from Government officials, in accordance with the law; and what proposals he has to make for the modernising of the accommodation, in view of the demands that will be made on it arising out of the Empire Exhibition at Glasgow during the ensuing summer?

I have had no report on this subject, but I understand that, following certain complaints, the interests concerned have been able to make improvements in the arrangements at Greenock, and that since these improvements were made there have been no further complaints.

Is the right hon. Gentle man keeping in mind that Greenock is the first and principal port of call for liners coming from Canada to this country, and will he consider representations that Greenock should have an appropriate landing stage?

I do not quite know what "an appropriate landing stage" is, but a number of improvements have been made, and I understand there is no complaint.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, until recently, the Fife education authorities provided free omnibus transit in the dinner hour for school children from the school in Kelty to their homes in Kingseat and that, as a result of the withdrawal of these facilities, the majority of the children now have to make their lunch off sandwiches eaten in the street; and whether, in view of the probable ill-effects on the health of the children, he will arrange for the re-institution of free lunch-hour travel facilities?

The children referred to were able from 1932 to 1934 to take advantage of a mid-day service of omnibuses with the season tickets provided by the education authority; but the authority have-provided since 1934 by arrangement with the omnibus company for the issue of tickets available only in the morning and the afternoon. These arrangements are in accordance with the general practice of the education authority. I am informed that there is a room available in Kelty Public School, with facilities for heating food. I understand that the authority are at present directing the attention of the local school management committee to the matter.

Is the Minister aware that a room allocated for cooking is not a suitable place for a large number of children, and in view of the fact that children used to be able to get home for their meals will he use his best offices to see that that practice is continued.

I understand that the authority are drawing the attention of the local school managers to the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the county of Ayr has as many as 338 attested tubercle-free herds out of a total of 1,618 registered herds, while the county of Renfrew has only 30 out of a total of 444, and the county of Midlothian only 10 out of a total of 271, respectively, the percentages being 21, 6.7, and 3.7; what are the numbers of cows in the said attested and registered herds, respectively; and what proposals he has with a view to increasing the number of tubercle-free herds in the counties of Renfrew and Midlothian, respectively?

The high percentage of dairy herds attested as free from tuberculosis in the county of Ayr as compared with the counties of Renfrew and Midlothian is due to the greater response which has been made by herdowners in that county to the inducements offered by the attested herds scheme as well as to the fact that dairying is generally more specialised and is of particular importance in Ayrshire. With regard to the second part of the question, as the reply contains a number of figures I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to the last part of the question, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1937, which confers extended powers upon my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to initiate schemes for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Great Britain. These powers will come into operation at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the operation of a gaming machine known as the Bell fruit-gaming machine; and whether he proposes to take steps to prevent gambling on this machine?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The use of gaming machines in shops and other places is already prohibited by the Gaming Machines (Scotland) Act, 1917. Convictions for contravention of the Act frequently take place.

Can the Minister say why, if the use of these machines is prohibited, the practice is so common in shops throughout Scotland?

I am afraid I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of the authorities which have submitted community centres for the approval of the Department of Health under the Housing Acts; what is the type of community centre approved; and do these centres become a charge upon the housing pool or the consolidated rate?

Under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1925, the Department of Health has approved the provision of community centres by the town councils of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Kilmarnock and Kirkcaldy and I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate particulars of these centres in the OFFICIAL REPORT. No other authorities have formally submitted proposals but a number have reserved space in layout plans for the provision of community centres, or otherwise have this question under consideration. With regard to the latter part of the question, the cost of community centres, so far as provided with approval under the Act, may properly be charged against the Housing Revenue Account.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these authorities may have to abandon the community centre owing to the inadequate subsidy provided?

That does not arise out of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of the two authorities which have applied for grants under the Physical Training and Recreation Act?

I am informed that 30 applications by local authorities for grants under the Physical Training Act are at present before the regional committees. The names of the two local authorities whose applications relate to the provision of community centres are the town councils of Aberdeen and Kilsyth.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland have taken powers under Clause 4 of the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937, to acquire, lay out, and equip holiday

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the other authorities should now have their attention drawn to this matter and be urged to provide such centres?

I will consider that.

I am informed that application for a grant towards the provision of a holiday camp has been made under the recent Act by the County Council of Ayr, and that under the appropriate statutory provision the education authorities of Dunbarton County and Aberdeen Burgh are considering the establishment of camps for children and adolescents in their areas. The position in regard to the facilities which have been provided by the Scottish Community Service Council for the benefit of unemployed persons and their families in the Special Areas has been fully discussed between the Special Areas Commissioner and the Physical Training Grants Committee; and I am glad to learn that arrangements are being made to renew the grants which have been given from the Special Areas Fund for this purpose. I have no doubt that the Scottish Advisory Council and the regional committees, in reviewing local needs, will have full regard to the desirability of encouraging the provision of adequate camping facilities in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities have exercised the powers or are taking steps to exercise the extension of powers given them by Clause 4 of the Physical Training and Recreation Act, to acquire, lay out, and provide with suitable buildings, gymnasiums, without grant from the Scottish Advisory Council, otherwise than those provided as community centres under the Housing Acts?

I am informed by the Scottish Advisory Council that in connection with the general survey which is at present being carried out, all local authorities have recently been requested to furnish particulars of the various facilities for physical training and recreation, which are available in their area, and to bring to the notice of Regional Committees as soon as possible any new proposals, whether or not they involve an application for grant. Pending completion of the general survey, I regret that I am unable to supply the detailed particulars for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken for the training of leaders for the various branches of physical activity that may come under the scope of the Scottish National Advisory Council for Physical Training and Recreation?

This matter has been receiving careful attention from the Scottish Advisory Council and the position is at present being investigated by the regional committees in the different localities. I am accordingly not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is contemplating any revision of the housing subsidies in Scotland; and, in particular, whether he proposes to increase the subsidy of £6 15s. per house granted under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1935?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, as a result of his discussions with the local authorities, he has any statement to make as to the rates of Exchequer subsidies that will be payable to local authorities after 31st March, 1938, under the Housing (Scotland) Acts, 1930 and 1935?

Following discussions between the Department of Health and a special sub-committee appointed by the three associations of local authorities, it is my intention to submit to Parliament a draft order designed to continue the existing rates of subsidy under the Acts of 1930 and 1935 The discussions with the sub-committee will continue, with a view to examining proposals made by the sub-committee for a revision of the subsidies to take effect from 1st January, 1939. I am advised that, according to the Act of 1935, the draft order must relate to the whole of the period from 31st April, 1938, to the date of the next triennial revision, but this would be without prejudice to any decisions arrived at after the examination referred to.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that since the housing subsidies were fixed by the Act of 1935 the cost of building the average house in Scotland has gone up by over £110 and that the rate of interest on borrowed money has also increased, so that there is a strong case for the revision upwards of the subsidy?

These considerations are being pressed on me very strongly by the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the total number of houses built by the Glasgow Town Council during the past year, and how this number compares with the previous year;

The corporation completed 1,841 houses in 1937 and 1,985 in 1936. I am not satisfied nor, I am sure, is the corporation, with this slow rate of progress, which has resulted mainly from the shortage of skilled building labour and to some extent of materials. There are signs, however, that more plentiful supplies of labour and materials are now becoming available and as the corporation are expediting the initial work of purchasing land, preparing plans, and constructing roads and sewers, they should be in a position to take full advantage of every improvement in the situation as it occurs. In addition, they propose to make experiments in the building of concrete and timber houses. I am in constant touch with the corporation and will continue to take every possible step to expedite housing progress in the city.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the Glasgow Corporation are, in fact, doing everything that lies in their power to expedite building?

I am not satisfied with any local authority or, indeed, with my own endeavours as long as the situation remains as it is.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Glasgow Corporation, in a recent by-election, placed their housing policy before the people in a certain area, and that the Labour candidate was returned by an overwhelming majority?

If that is the defence for keeping slums, then I give it as a present to the hon. Member for Maryhill (Mr. Davidson).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of air-raid protection schemes submitted by Scottish local authorities up to date, and the number accepted by his Department?

As indicated in my reply to a question addressed to me by my hon. Friend the Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart) on the 10th instant, nine local authorities in Scotland have submitted air-raid general precautions proposals and 22 have submitted fire precautions proposals either separately or in combination; these were all submitted before the regulations were circulated to local authorities on 28th January, and are of varying degrees of completeness. No schemes have yet been finally approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount paid in Poor Law relief in Scotland for the years ended January, 1935, and 1938, respectively?

The total cost of poor relief in Scotland for the year ended on 15th May, 1937, the latest year for which figures are available, was £6,693,237 and the total for the year ended on 15th May, 1935, was £6,563,337. Against these sums there falls to be offset grant under the Unemployment Assistance (Temporary Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1934, which was payable in respect of the period from 1st March, 1935, to 31st March, 1937. This grant amounted to £390,100 in 1934–35 and to £1,381,058 in 1936–37.

Is the Minister aware that, even taking into consideration the grant which was made to these authorities. Poor Law relief has increased by millions of pounds in Scotland since 1931; and may I ask whether there is any method in his Department whereby previously registered unemployed who are now obtaining Poor Law relief can be submitted with this figure in order to show the true position in Scotland?

The hon. Gentleman put down a question relating to 1935 and 1938. If he wishes the figures for 1931, perhaps he will put down that question, too.

I was asking the Minister whether he was aware that both 1935 and 1938 show considerable increases over the figures of 1931, and whether he has any method whereby he can show the number of registered unemployed year by year who are put on to Poor Law relief, because it is the opinion of many people that the increase is due to the transfer of registered unemployed?

I think the hon. Gentleman ought to put those questions down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of school children in Glasgow receiving free meals as a result of medical or teachers' recommendation for the years ended January, 1937, and 1938, respectively?

The total numbers of children who received free meals in the two years referred to were 12,245 and 11,764 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement of policy in relation to the poultry industry in Scotland?

My hon. Friend will be aware of the terms of the reply given yesterday to questions on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. I propose to confer as soon as practicable with producing and distributing interests in the poultry industry in Scotland to ascertain their views on the report of the Poultry Technical Committee and on the possibility of control of distributive functions.

In view of the fact that yesterday's answer and the answer now given by the right hon. Gentleman involve a certain amount of delay, which is serious for those concerned, may I inquire when it is likely that we shall have a statement of Government policy on this matter?

I could not say in advance until the consultations have been completed with the organisations concerned.

asked the Minister of Pensions when it is intended to remove the Edinburgh area office from McLeod Street to a more central situation in the city; and whether the exact location can be indicated?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that the removal of this office is not in contemplation. The present premises, which the Minister has personally inspected, are held by his Department on lease on very favourable terms; they are adequate to the Ministry's needs, and, being of one storey only, are convenient for limbless and other badly disabled pensioners. The office, moreover, is situated in a district in which many pensioners live, and is within easy access from the centre of the city and principal railway stations.

Am I to understand that answer to convey that the question of the renewal of this office has not been under consideration?

I do not think the hon. Gentleman should understand that. If he cares to confer with my hon. Friend on the matter, I am sure my hon. Friend will be very happy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to issue a circular to local authorities in Scotland upon the Factories Act, 1937?

A memorandum for local authorities containing information relative to the Act is in course of preparation, but there are various matters to be dealt with before it can usefully be issued, and my right hon. Friend cannot at present fix a date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give particulars of the licence granted during November, 1937, to Messrs. Vickers, Armstrong, for the export of machine-gun sets to Japan?

No licences were in fact issued during November, 1937, for the export of war material of any description to Japan; but, as I have 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.

Is it not a fact that licences have been given for the export of arms to other countries, and that they are re-exported from those countries to Japan?

I was merely asked about Japan.

Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to insist upon the condition that they shall not be re-exported to Japan? Has that not been done before, and should it not now be done, in the public interest?

That is a different question, and if the hon. Member wishes to ask it, perhaps he will put it on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether and in what manner representatives of the Dominions are taking part in the negotiations concerning a new Anglo-American trade agreement?

The Governments of the overseas Dominions are not taking part in the negotiations for a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States, but they have been, and will continue to be, kept informed of the progress of the discussions. The hon. Member will be aware that negotiations between Canada and the United States for a new trade agreement are likely to take place at Washington concurrently with the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the United States.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the negotiations for a trade agreement with the United States of America?

There is nothing that I can usefully add at present to the reply which I gave on 1st February to questions by the hon. Members for Colchester (Mr. Lewis) and Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) except that the Delegation which is to assist His Majesty's Ambassador in the negotiations will leave for Washington to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the recommendations made by the Import Duties Advisory Committee relating to ham and bacon preserved in air-tight containers, and dated 5th March, 1936, were not published till last month; and what action the Government propose to take upon the recommendations?

A decision on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee relating to ham and bacon preserved in air-tight containers was deferred pending discussions with representatives of the principal foreign supplying countries. As was announced in a Press notice issued by the Board of Trade on 3rd January, arrangements have now been made for reducing the exports to this country to a level which should enable United Kingdom manufacturers to secure a satisfactory share of the home market. In these circumstances, it has been decided not to give effect for the present to the recommendation of the Committee, provided that the voluntary arrangements for the limitation of exports to the United Kingdom operate satisfactorily. The recommendation was published as soon as practicable after this decision was reached.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these new proposals to limit supplies will not raise prices to the consumers, and does he not realise that this commodity is an essential food diet for the mass of the people?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consult with the Association of British Chambers of Commerce in order to ascertain, from its constituent chambers in the textile manufacturing districts, whether they would welcome the setting up of a national institute of costumes and textile fabrics as a means of educating fashion-designers for the trade, in view of the recent offer by a private collector to present his collection of costumes and fabrics of the past centuries for the use of the public?

If the Association of British Chambers of Commerce desire to make any representations to me on this subject, I shall be glad to take their views into consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is compulsory for manufactured goods imported from Japan to be marked with the name of the country of origin or whether the word "Foreign" is all that is necessary?

Where an indication of origin is required under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, on goods imported from a foreign country, it can consist, at the option of the person applying the indication, either of the word "Foreign" or of a definite indication of the country in which the goods were manufactured or produced.

In view of the fact that there is in this country a very large number of people who want not to buy Japanese goods, can the right hon. Gentleman make some arrangement so that Japanese goods are clearly marked with the name of the country of origin?

It is not a question of making arrangements. This is the law as it stands. The whole question of whether the law should provide for the definite indication of the country of origin or simply for the word "Foreign" was very fully discussed at the time of its passage not so long ago, and the conclusion come to was that the provisions of the existing Act were the best.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not know what is going on in London and other ports of the country, about the effort to boycott goods from Japan, and that people are in difficulties because they do not know in some cases where the goods come from?

Can the President say in what proportion of cases the word "Japanese" is put on and in what proportion only the word "Foreign"?

Not without notice. If the hon. Member will put the question down, I will try to find out.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the rate of duty levied upon corsets imported into the United States of America?

Corsets on importation into the United States of America are dutiable at 50 per cent. ad valorem or, if composed wholly or in part of elastic fabric, at 55 per cent. ad valorem, or, if ornamented with embroidery or lace, at 90 per cent.

Does the same duty apply to corsets for ladies and men?

I think the hon. Member had better put that question down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of corsets imported into the United Kingdom from the United States of America in each of the last five years?

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

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these figures show a steady increase?

My hon. Friend will have to judge from the figures. They appear to me to show some increase.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that what the House really wants to know is whether there has been any appreciable restriction in volume?

Cannot my right hon. Friend tell us in round figures?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the applications from more than 3,000 shareholders of Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Limited, representing upwards of 1,000,000 shares, asking for an investigation into the-affairs of the company; and what action he proposes to take?

An application has been received from certain shareholders of the Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Limited, for the appointment of an inspector to investigate the affairs of the company under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 1929, and the matter is under consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received applications from the statutory 10 per cent.?

Yes, Sir. This is the statutory application to which I referred.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason why at the time of the annual meeting they had only 75,000 shareholders, and now they have over 1,000,000?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty of persons buying their houses through building societies covering their property for insurance against damage by enemy aircraft; and whether the Government will take the necessary steps to ensure the provision of this class of insurance?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, I cannot add to the answers I gave on 2nd and 9th November to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is widespread anxiety about this question of insurance, and will he give it his very careful consideration?

As I have explained in answer to a number of questions in the House, the Government do not think this is a subject for insurance, but they are considering the possibility and practicability of a scheme for compensation which could be put into effect on the outbreak of hostilities.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House when he is likely to be able to make a statement to allay the anxiety felt by small house owners?

I cannot at the moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what circumstances compensation is paid to owners or occupiers of properties situated on the sea coast in respect of damage due to coast erosion or damage by the influx of sea water.

The general question of coast erosion was considered by a Royal Commission which reported in 1911, and recommended that there was no ground, from a national point of view, for assistance to be given from public funds towards the cost of sea defence works perse.) This recommendation has been accepted by successive Governments, and no provision is made either for grants towards cost of purely sea defence works or for the payment of compensation in cases where properties on the sea coast suffer damage from coast erosion or the influx of sea water.

In view of the exceptional damage done by sea water during the past few months, will the right hon. Gentleman consider taking some action in this matter?

While all this land on the coast is privately owned, does the right hon. Gentleman think it fair that the taxpayer should have to pay for the maintenance of other people's property?

Are the Government prepared to sit idly by and see a part of England swept away?

Surely that would be in accordance with the doctrine of the Little England school.

Have any of the other recommendations of the 1911 Royal Commission been embodied in legislation?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that people living in mining areas who suffer from mining subsidence should have the first call?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total tonnage of shipping registered under the British flag for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, and the amount of this tonnage that was fitted to bum oil under boilers?

During the 12 months January to December, 1937, the tonnage of ships reported as registered under the British flag under Part I of the Merchant Shipping Act, amounted to 1,127,148 tons gross. Of this, the total gross tonnage of steamships was 612,115, of which 220,666 gross tons are known to be fitted to bum oil under boilers.

Are figures available showing the amount of tonnage that bums oil and coal at one time?

If the hon. Member wants further information, perhaps he will put the question down.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the tendency is to burn oil?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the numbers of British subjects who were recorded as leaving permanent residence in Great Britain to take up permanent residence in Canada and/or Australia for the 12 months ended the last convenient date?

The numbers of British subjects who were recorded in the passenger returns furnished to the Board of Trade as leaving permanent residence in Great Britain to take up permanent residence in Canada and Australia in the year 1937 were 2,663 and 4,010, respectively. Residence for a year or more is treated as permanent residence for the purpose of this classification.

What funds do these Canadian immigrants have to find instead of finding their own passage money?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that the War Office regards the 15 per cent. profit on cost authorised by the Air Ministry in certain special cases as being an exceptional rate which would only be regarded as proper by the War Office in exceptional cases?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present position regarding the equipment of units in the Army with anti-tank guns; and whether there is any manufacturing delay in supplying peace-time establishment requirements?

I hope the hon. Gentleman will agree to the invariable practice of non-disclosure of such information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a shortage is obvious to foreign attachés when they come to our manoeuvres, so why cannot he give the House some sort of information on this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any further reorganisation in the higher command is to take place in the near future?

No, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that reorganisation of the higher command is now complete?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with three fires in the miliary building at Woolwich; and what was the amount of damage and the cause of the fires?

Three fires occurred between 29th and 31st January last. The first was at the offices of the Depot Brigade, Royal Artillery, the second at the Royal Engineers' Yard, Connaught Barracks, and the third at the Medical Inspection Room, the estimated damage being £400, £1,450, and £45, respectively. The circumstances have been investigated, but it has not been possible to establish definitely their causes.

Do I understand that they are laid down in a special report?

I do not think there is a special report.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to improve the facilities for physical training in the Territorial Army, he will arrange for qualified physical training instructors of the Regular Army, on completion of their seven years' service, to be attached to the Territorial Army instead of to the Reserve of the Regular Army?

I have no power to compel any such soldiers to extend their Colour Service from seven to twelve years. If the arrangement suggested were on a voluntary basis, there would be no means of ensuring a proper distribution of instructors.

Is it not a fact that at the present moment some 300 of these non-commissioned officers go into the Reserve and are not allowed to put in for this job, and, therefore, that all the excellent physical training given them is wasted at a time when these instructors are very much wanted?

It is the duty of the permanent staff instructors.

Is it not possible that these excellent 300 men can be included in the permanent staff that is so much wanted?

I have answered that part of the question and shown the difficulty.

Does my right hon. Friend mean that it is impossible to use this excellent material in the way required? Surely he can see some way round it?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any progress has been made in respect to finding an alternative site to Stiffkey, Norfolk, for the proposed anti-aircraft artillery camp?

Two possible alternative sites have been suggested by residents in the neighbourhood and are now-being examined.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many married men have recently been recruited; how many of these men have been allotted married quarters; and whether separation allowance is given to the wives of the remainder?

Married men under the age of 26 are not accepted as recruits unless they can show that their families are adequately provided for. During January last of 34 married men accepted, 17 fulfilling this condition were under 26 years of age. The remainder would be in receipt of marriage allowance.

What is the amount of the marriage allowance?

It depends upon the period served, on the rank, and so forth, but it is between 7s. and 10s.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average number of men who passed annually to the Reserve in the four years 1934 to 1937?

For the four years ending 30th September, 1937, the average number was 15,442.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state for some recent convenient date the deficit of officers in the Regular Army and Territorial Army, respectively?

On present establishments the Regular Army on 1st February was deficient of 731 officers and the Territorial Army of 1,133.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state for some recent convenient date the numbers of the Regular Army serving overseas and, separately, the number serving in India and Burma?

On 1st February, 91,868 officers and men of the Regular Army were serving overseas. Of this number 52,350 were in India and 1,502 in Burma. The above figures exclude some 3,660 locally raised regular troops.

Have not the garrisons in India been very much reduced? They used to be 60,000.

They have not been reduced in recent months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state for some recent convenient date the strength, respectively, of the Regular Army, the Army Reserve, the Supplementary Reserve, and the Territorial Army; and the deficit in establishment on the same date in the Regular Army and the Territorial Army?

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

asked the Prime Minister whether the special Cabinet Committee, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Health, appointed to examine the general question of British news services, will consider the use of foreign services in the Dominions overseas, in view of their possible anti-British bias being detrimental to the dissemination of accurate British news?

The hon. Member may rest assured that all aspects of this subject will be considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that an increasing number of short-term loans are being made to Germany by London financial houses; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to stop this aid to Germany's rearmament?

No, Sir. I believe the trend is the other way to that suggested in the first part of the question, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

On a point of Order. Is there any method of stopping hon. Members putting questions that contain assertions which have no foundations in fact?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the leading financial houses? He will find that the assertion in my question is correct. Will he say, if it is so, that the making of short-term loans to Germany is contrary to the policy and the desire of the Government and have it altered?

The hon. Member will, I am sure, appreciate that my original answer was based on what I believe to be very careful information. If he has any information to the contrary effect, and will kindly let me know what is is, I shall be very glad to have it.

I shall have much pleasure in doing so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that higher interest rates are paid by London banks on foreign short-term deposits than are paid in the other financial centres, thereby encouraging the influx of foreign currency to this country; and whether, in view of the fact that the operations of the Exchange Equalisation Fund in sterilising this influx involves heavy expense to the taxpayer, he will take steps to prevent this payment of excessive interest?

In reply to the first part of the question, the rate of interest obtainable is not the only, or even the most important, factor in determining the international location of foreign short-term deposits at the present time. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the appointment of members of the Council of Foreign Bondholders being under the Act of 1898 exclusively in the hands of the Central Association of Bankers of London, of the London Chamber of Commerce, and of the Council itself, he will consider taking steps to amend the Act in order to secure that the Council shall be more widely representative of British holders of foreign bonds; and whether he will consider taking steps to require the Council, when the revision of the conditions of any foreign bonds issued in the United Kingdom is sought by a borrower or guarantor, to call a meeting of the British bondholders concerned before deciding to recommend acquiescence in any departure from the obligations of the bonds?

The majority of the members of the Council of Foreign Bondholders are themselves holders of foreign bonds and large holders, such as the insurance companies and investment trust companies, are also represented on the Council. The Council is, therefore, widely representative of British holders of foreign bonds, and I do not consider that any alteration in the method of its appointment is called for. As regards the second part of the question, the Council call a public meeting when legal requirements make this necessary, but their usual practice is to consult a committee of representative holders of the bonds in question, and, in the light of the view of the committee and of those of the individual bondholders with whom the Council is constantly in touch, to publish an offer made by the foreign Government concerned and to state whether the Council recommend its acceptance or not. Such a recommendation does not bind the individual bondholders and it rests with them to decide whether or not to accept the offer. The Council have found by experience that the procedure which I have described is, as a general rule, the most effective method of ascertaining the views of bondholders and I see no reason to dissent from that view.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will so readjust the scales of Death Duties that only those portions of estates which exceed certain figures shall be liable to increased rates of duty?

I may remind my hon. Friend that the existing method of graduation of the Estate Duty scale has obtained since the inception of the duty in 1894, and I am not prepared to propose any change in the method of graduation of the scale of the kind suggested by him.

Is it not correct to say that under the present system it is often an advantage to beneficiaries if an estate is below rather than above a certain figure?

I should like to see the figures which the hon. Member has in mind.

But is not that true at certain stages—when the estate reaches fresh stages of £1,000, and so on?

If my hon. Friend has an anomaly that calls for correction, I can assure him that I should like to know it. I thought he was suggesting that there should be a change in the fundamental principle of the taxation affecting the total value of the estate.

But would not such a suggestion as is implicit in this question correct the kind of anomaly which I ventured to describe in my first supplementary question?

I should like to see what the anomaly is.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer give an assurance that no further special concessions will be made to landowners at the expense of the rest of the community?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to recent revelations in the Law Courts of the extraordinary exploitation involved in the football coupon gambling system; whether he is aware that the profits taken by the promoters, after all expenses are paid, amount to £2,000,000 per annum; and whether, in the public interest, he will consider the application of special taxation to these profits or adopt the Swedish system under which a statutory company conducts the monopoly on behalf of the State and provides the funds for the State physical fitness campaign out of the profits?

My attention has been drawn to a series of articles in the Press with regard to the activities of these promoters. As regards the question of special taxation on the profits of these concerns, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, East (Mr. Hepworth) on 5th May, 1936. The suggestion of conferring a monopoly on a statutory company operating on behalf of the State raises wide general issues which cannot be determined solely by considerations of revenue and finance, and is not primarily a Treasury question. I doubt, however, whether such a proposal would command any wide measure of assent.