asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with the bravery displayed by Private Mott, 1st Battalion the Essex Regiment, in Palestine when a bomb was thrown into the Jordania café in Haifa and fell at the feet of Private Mott, and he picked it up and hurled it through a window into the street?

The facts are as stated in the question, and the announcement of the award by His Majesty the King of the medal of the British Empire Order has already been made.

A medal is all right, but will the right hon. Gentleman be inclined to have conversations with one of the officers who has a recommendation to make?

Any recommendation that might be made would, of course, be treated in the proper manner.

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept a recommendation from me?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the personnel of mounted units which have been mechanised feel it a hardship that they are being deprived of most of their horses; and whether he proposes to afford such personnel any opportunity of purchasing Army horses rendered surplus by mechanisation?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the personnel of mounted units which have been mechanised feel it a hardship that they are being deprived of most of their horses and forage allowance; and whether he proposes to afford such personnel any opportunity of purchasing Army horses rendered surplus by mechanisation?

Yes, Sir. It is proposed, in the special circumstances, to give such personnel an opportunity to buy surplus Army horses at Government auction sales.

Does that include the troopers, or does it apply only to the officers?

To both.

Will they be allowed to pay for them on the instalment plan?

Will they be at a reduced price?

They are sold by auction, and it will be at the auction price, therefore.

That is not a concession.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the present equipment of the Army in anti-tank rifles and light guns is equal in each type to that of Germany and France?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that they are the equivalent of the German and French corresponding weapons, both in type and quantity?

The hon. Gentleman asked me a question about quality, and I have answered it. Of course, we do not pretend to have the same quantities as Continental armies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a birth certificate has to be shown when a recruit enlists in the Army; and whether, in view of the undesirability of enlisting boys under age, he will amend the recruiting regulations with a view to putting an end to this practice?

The recruiting regulations already provide that where there is the slightest suspicion that the recruit is under the age limit, full inquiries will be made before final approval.

Are these pensions generally refunded to the pensioners when application is made?

The short answer is that pensioners who fail to draw their pensions for a period of more than 12

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this soldier is now in trouble and declared in the court that he was only 16 years old last May and that if it had not been for enlisting so young, he would not have got into the trouble he is in now?

Is it not a fact that the educational facilities in the Army are far better than those in civil life?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of pensions awarded to soldiers that have been forfeited during the three years ended to the last convenient date through the pensioner failing to draw his pension for a period of 12 months; and the amount of money involved by such forfeiture?

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the answer with the particulars required in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to obviate the loss of valuable tradesmen from the postal and transportation units of the Royal Engineers, Supplementary Reserve, he can arrange to increase the age-limits for compulsory discharge from these units?

Yes, Sir. In the case of Postal units the age limit for discharge of warrant officers, Class I, has been increased from 46 years to 50 years. In the case of transportation units specially selected tradesmen, who are now discharged at age 46, will be allowed to re-engage up to the age of 50, and thereafter, subject to War Office approval, for periods of one year at a time up to age 55.

Will the same concession be granted to those below the rank of warrant officer?

That is not the question on the Paper. If it is put down, I will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to receive the report of the committee set up to consider the organisation of the Territorial Army?

As this matter is in the hands of the committee itself, I cannot precisely say.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made with the accommodation for the Anti-Aircraft Divisions of the Territorial Army; whether any units are refusing recruits owing to want of suitable accommodation for training; and, if so, what steps are being taken to accelerate the provision of the necessary buildings?

There are only 10 cases where sites have not been obtained. Such of the programme as remains to be completed is proceeding with the utmost possible despatch. Temporary accommodation has been provided in those cases where permanent accommodation is not complete, and I am not aware that any units are refusing recruits owing to the want of suitable accommodation for training.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the strong public opinion in Scotland in favour of legislation to prohibit the commercialisation of marriages at Gretna Green and other irregular centres; and if it is the Government's intention to give effect to the recommendations of the Lord Morrison Committee which would make it compulsory for all marriages to be registered at State offices and thereby end the scandal of profiteering in these marriages?

I hope shortly to introduce a Bill which gives effect to certain recommendations made in the report of the Committee on the Marriage Law of Scotland to which the hon. Member refers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman let it be known throughout the length and breadth of the land that these marriages are not legal until they are registered in Dumfries?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Scottish law in regard to the offspring of these irregular marriages is much more humane than the corresponding English law?

Will my right hon. Friend say that the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) is quite wrong, and that these marriages are legal, even though they are not registered? If they are registered in the sheriff court, they preserve the evidence of the marriage.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are certain individuals who have gone through the regular forms of marriage who are not very happily married?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases has notice to remove from their houses been served on tenants of the Scottish National Housing Company at Rosyth; and whether steps are being taken to ensure that alternative accommodation will be available for the displaced families?

Notices to remove at Whitsunday have been served on 12 tenants whose houses are required for Admiralty employés for whom they were primarily built. I am informed that the houses are not controlled and that no obligation rests on the company to provide other accommodation. I am, however, in touch with the local authority with a view to seeing what can be done to mitigate any hardship that may arise.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the houses that are to be affected are the dearer rented houses, and as the Scottish National Housing Company have had difficulty in getting these houses filled originally, will he do what he can to make sure that no inconvenience or as little inconvenience as possible will be given to these tenants who are going away?

The hon. Member will find that in the last part of my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made to date in the building of houses by the housing association for the Special Areas?

The association have approved sketch plans for about 600 houses, which will be built at Tannochside, Carluke, Holytown and Douglas, in Lanarkshire. At a very early date the detailed plans will be submitted to the county council and, where necessary, to the superiors for their approval. The association are making every effort to hasten the commencement of actual building.

Are the association investigating the possibilities of building many more houses?

I think they are. They do not regard this as the final programme.

Does this apply to all Scotland? The right hon. Gentleman has only given information about Lanarkshire, but am I to take it that this association's work is confined to Lanarkshire?

So far, yes, but it does not restrict itself to Lanarkshire, and several other county and town councils have asked for houses to be erected in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses with a yearly rental between £35 and £45 in the Maryhill, Kelvingrove and Hillhead divisions of Glasgow, respectively?

Figures in the Valuation Roll (which gives actual rents in the case of let houses) show that the total number of houses referred to is as follows:

Maryhill	…	…	633
Kelvingrove	…	…	1,783
Hillhead	…	…	1,593

Does that reply refer only to let houses?

No. The other rents are estimated, but actual rents are given in the case of let houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, of the insured members of the building trade aged 16 to 64 years in Greenock, 31.9 per cent. were unemployed at 13th December, 1937, and 25.3 per cent. at 17th January, 1938; that there is a serious shortage of housing accommodation there; and whether he has any proposals to make to the local authority for the purpose of increasing the housing accommodation available?

I am aware that the figures are substantially as stated, but they include both skilled and unskilled workmen. The hon. and learned Member will be aware that one of the difficulties affecting housing progress at present is a shortage of bricklayers, and I am informed that on 14th February, the latest date for which information is available, there were no bricklayers unemployed in Greenock. With regard to the second part of the question, the Corporation have under construction or waiting commencement over 2,000 brick houses and they are considering the possibility of accelerating their building programme by the use of alternative methods of construction which make a minimum demand on the services of bricklayers.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the provision of sufficient workers to increase the output of houses in Scotland is very largely a matter of organisation; and is that organisation beyond the wit of his Department?

It is a matter for the organisation of the trade itself. There is a joint council in existence for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received a report of the blackout air-raid precaution test held at Glasgow on 25th February; and, if so, is he satisfied with the measures taken?

Yes, Sir. The test as a whole was a great success, although the presence of ground mist made it impossible to use aircraft to observe the effect of the lighting restrictions from the air. The test has shown that very considerable progress has been made in the organisation of the various air raid services, has given useful practical experience to the personnel engaged in it, and has provided information which will be most valuable to the local authority and to the central Departments in the further development of the services.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that officially notice or information has been given that in order to put out the gas-lit lamps in that particular area, the men employed had to start an hour before the sirens gave the warning, and have any steps been taken to obviate this very dangerous delay?

I could not say; I have not fully examined the report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman examine that particular question?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount paid in public assistance relief to old age pensioners in Glasgow for the years 1936 and 1937, respectively?

The amount of relief paid to old age pensioners in Glasgow during the year ended 31st May, 1937, was £355,186. I regret that the figure for the year ended 31st May, 1936, is not available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local authority are now paying practically as much as the State with regard to old age pensions in this area in public assistance relief, and will he not at least make some representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer with regard to this very important question?

I do not think that arises out of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the proceedings of a sub-committee of the Wigtown education committee, held at Stranraer on 6th January, 1938, where the convener of the committee was reported as the purchaser of a hut belonging to the authority; and whether he is satisfied as to the price and circumstances of the transaction generally?

I am informed that the transaction referred to has not been proceeded with and that the county council have now authorised their architect to advertise the hut for sale and to accept the best price obtainable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is now the position regarding the approved project for a pier at Portnaguran, Isle of Lewis?

A proposal by the County Council of Ross and Cromarty to construct a pier at Portnaguran with the aid of a grant from public funds is under discussion. I understand that the question of providing an adequate local contribution is at present being investigated by the county council.

In view of the fact that this matter has been discussed for nearly half a century—certainly for over 40 years—will the right hon. Gentleman do the best he can to expedite the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any statement as to the progress which has been made in the development of the Scottish industrial estate at North Hillington?

I am informed that since its acquisition in June, 1937, 45 factories and five sites have been let on the North Hillington estate to 50 undertakings and that over 150 applications and inquiries are at present before the Industrial Estates Company. Six factories have been completed and 85 are under construction. Nine hundred persons are employed on the work of developing the estate and building factories and the contracts for the work amount to £650,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Herring Board has considered the representations of the German importers with reference to the curing of herring during May, the freshing of herring during May, and the starting date for herring fishing in Shetland; and what reply has been returned?

I am informed that, apart from a statement that German importers do not propose to accept herring cured before 15th June, the matters referred to in the question have not been the subject of representations by these importers to the board. The question of an agreed starting date for curing is now the subject of discussion between the board and interests affected in Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the local authorities in the larger burghs and cities of Scotland have endorsed the official evidence tendered in writing by the Corporation of Glasgow to the Rent Restrictions Acts Committee in July, 1937, paper 53 B, paragraph 5, recommending the continuance of control of B-class houses under the Rents Restrictions Acts for at least five more years?

The Corporations of Edinburgh and Dundee submitted independently evidence to the Rent Restriction Committee to the effect, in the case of Dundee, that the Rent Restriction Acts should be continued as they at present stand and, in the case of Edinburgh, that decontrol should take place as soon as this could be done without hardship. The Corporation of Glasgow submitted that the provisions of the existing Acts should be continued in force for at least five more years. The Government's proposals, following the recommendations of the Ridley Committee, provide for the division of class B houses into two sections, decontrolling houses above £35 annual value in Scotland, and stopping the decontrol of houses below that figure. Since the publication of the Ridley Committee Report the Town Council of Dumbarton has sent me a resolution opposing in every way the recommendations of the Ridley Committee; and the Town Council of Kilmarnock has expressed the opinion that any proposal to decontrol rents is inopportune and has urged the Government to continue the present regulations on the subject.

In view of these protests, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making an inquiry of local authorities all over Scotland in order to obtain their views?

The inquiry has been held, and the decision has been announced.

Can we have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that when going into Committee on the Rent Restrictions Bill he will give the full facts in connection with Glasgow's case instead of trying to mislead the Committee as he endeavoured to mislead the House of Commons.

rose—

It is rather hard that I should be accused of attempting to mislead the House of Commons without having an opportunity of replying.

The right hon. Member can reply if he cares to do so.

I repudiate entirely the suggestion that I have in any way attempted to mislead the House of Commons, and I challenge the hon. Member on the printed report of my speech in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

We shall endeavour to accept the challenge when we are in Committee.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to a conference held by the Lancashire and Cheshire mineworkers protesting against overtime being worked, as it is contended it is a breach of the 7½-hours Act; whether his Department is keeping a careful watch on this overtime question; and whether steps are being taken to stop it?

I have seen references in the Press to a conference of this nature, in which it is stated that the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Federation intend to approach the colliery owners in order to discuss the question. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, it is part of the duties of His Majesty's inspectors of mines to deal with infringements of the law in regard to hours of work in coal mines.

Is the Minister aware that the miners are of opinion that the inspectors do not take this matter as seriously as they should, and will he impress upon the inspectors the need for watching this matter?

I have explained what the duties of the mines inspectors are in dealing with infringement. What the opinion of the miners is I can receive, of course, only through the usual channels.

Is it not also the duty of the Secretary for Mines to deal with this question? Is the Minister aware that his predecessor started to deal with it, but that it has since been dropped?

The hon. Member is quite wrong. We have a special inspector to deal with this matter. What is more, I have received no representations from the Miners' Federation, the Lancashire Federation or from any other official body.

Is it not a fact that the Lancashire and Cheshire miners are more satisfied now than they have been for a dozen years?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the independent accountant's joint report on coal prices for November and December, 1937, in Scotland, issued on 31st January, shows that the average all-in cost of producing a ton of coal in Scotland, for sale at the pit-head, is 13s. 1¼d. per ton; and what action he intends to take to protect consumers in Glasgow and the West of Scotland, who are paying 30s. to 45s. a ton for coal bought in small lots?

I am aware that the wages ascertainment for Scotland gave for the month of December last an average cost of production per ton of coal raised and weighed at the pit-head of 13s. 1¼d. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to a question asked by the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell) on 17th February.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the coalowners made a net profit of 2s. 5½d. per ton in Scotland in January, exclusive of gains from selling agencies and byproducts; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to curtail these profits so that working-class households may be able to buy coal at prices within their means?

I understand that the wages ascertainment for Scotland showed a credit balance of approximately 2s. 5½d. per ton for December last. In January, the credit balance was lower, being approximately 2s. 1d. per ton. It is not proposed to introduce legislation on this subject.

What satisfaction can we have in putting down these questions? In a previous reply the Minister referred to a reply which had been given by the Prime Minister. Now, when we put a further question to him, the Minister whose office it is, and who is responsible for this matter, refers us back to the Prime Minister. What is the use of the Secretary for Mines?

When some of us proposed an inquiry into this matter, did not the Labour party vote against us?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the reproduction of British designs and products by Japanese firms, and that in some cases the products are stamped in such a manner that they give people the impression that they are produced in Britain; and what steps have been taken or are contemplated to deal with this matter;

(2) whether he is aware that British ideas, designs, etc., in china and earthenware products have been copied by Japanese firms, are stamped in a misleading manner, and are imported into New Zealand; and what action is it proposed to take to deal with this question?

As the answer to these questions is somewhat long and technical, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the whole of the large cinema circuits from falling under the control of one person, and particularly to prevent such combined circuits being sold or leased to any foreign interest without the consent of the Board of Trade?

As recommended by the Moyne Committee, my right hon. Friend intends to watch the transfers of interests in British producing, renting and exhibiting units, but at the present moment he sees no ground for proposing legislation.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary see the danger which now exists to independent cinemas, both as regards the prices that may be charged to them and as regards the difficulties that may be created for them in fulfilling their quota requirements?

I think it was for that reason that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, in the Debate the other day, gave an assurance that the Films Council would be asked to consider the possibilities of co-operative booking.

Have the Board of Trade any power to prevent the contingency referred to in the question?

At the moment I do not think they have.

Then they are helpless.

May I ask what advantage the Board of Trade will derive from their observation of these transfers if they are carried on in the names of nominees, as they frequently are?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether steps have yet been taken to ascertain whether the committee which has asked for an inquiry into the affairs of a film company is being financed by the whole of the signatories to the application or mainly by the head of an opposition company who desires to extend his control?

The application for the appointment of an inspector to investigate the affairs of the company to which the hon. Member no doubt refers is still under consideration. The Board of Trade are only concerned at present with the question of whether there is a prima facie case for inquiry under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 1929. No evidence has been submitted which would support the suggestion in this question, nor would such evidence necessarily invalidate the case for an inquiry.

Is it not possible for the Board of Trade to take some steps to see that this does not occur?

Any evidence that can be produced to the Board of Trade which goes to show that this demand for an inquiry is either frivolous or inspired by malicious motives, would undoubtedly

Would the Board of Trade, in an ordinary case, attempt to ascertain who were the signatories that were contributing?

The Board of Trade will take every step to see that the pro-visions of the Section are carried out; but I must point out to the hon. Member that the fact that all the signatories to an application of this kind have not contributed equally, or that some have not contributed at all, does not necessarily disprove the necessity for an inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information with regard to discussions with Signor D'Agostino, Director-General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Trade, for assistance to Italy under the Export Credits Guarantee Department?

The negotiations on trade matters with Signor D'Agostino are making satisfactory progress. As I explained last week, in reply to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price), they raise no question of extending credit facilities to Italy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the figures of exports to, and imports from, Italy for the years 1913, 1925, and 1937, respectively?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the large increase in the imports of mats and matting from India; and whether, with a view to preventing the extinction of the British coir mat and matting industry, he will introduce legislation prohibiting the import of Indian mats and matting?

I am aware that there has been an increase in the imports of coir mats and matting from India. The matter is being borne in mind in the trade negotiations with India, but my right hon. Friend is not prepared to introduce legislation prohibiting the import of these goods.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend see that at any rate this industry has adequate protection, in view of the fact that the Indian workers do not get nearly the same wages as the British?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the importation of Italian cotton textiles into this country in the piece which are then laundered or made into sheets and sold as of British manufacture; and what action he proposes to take to prevent this counterfeiting of British goods in British markets?

I am informed that sheets made up in this country from imported material have been sold without an indication of the origin of the material, but it has not been brought to my notice that the sheets are sold as of British manufacture. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with particulars of any such case, I will certainly consider whether action can be taken under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that I received a letter, dated 24th January, which I sent to the President of the Board of Trade, stating the experience of certain people who had purchased these goods as British goods?

I have seen that letter, but my hon. and gallant Friend appears to be making a rather different charge in this question. If he will come and discuss the matter with me, I shall be very pleased to explain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to assembling all the necessary statistical information with regard to the contraction or expansion of trade, he will consider making arrangements for contractors to notify monthly the amount of actual expenditure in respect of building plans approved, and requiring Government contractors to notify monthly the amount of actual expenditure by them, including capital expenditure in respect of rearmament, also monthly returns from principal steelworks, shipbuilders, electrical manufacturers and contractors, road contractors, railways, and motor manufacturers, of the amount of actual expenditure and unfulfilled orders?

It would not be possible to obtain complete information of this kind without statutory powers. Partial information obtained on a voluntary basis would, in the opinion of my right hon. Friend, be of no value for the purposes which the hon. Member has in mind.

Would not information of this kind be very valuable in dealing with unemployment during the coming slump?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many aeroplanes, military and civil, have been exported to the Scandinavian countries during 1936, and also 1937, giving if possible also the total from August last to date?

Thirteen each and seven.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many of the 300 military aircraft exported in 1937 were delivered in Spain and to whom they were consigned;

(2) the numbers and types of modern aircraft exported in 1937?

During the year 1937, 507 complete aeroplanes of United Kingdom manufacture were exported from this country. I am not in a position to state how many of these were of modern design or to indicate the types of aeroplanes exported. None was registered as consigned to Spain.

As regards the type of aircraft exported, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Under-Secretary stated last week that very few modern types were exported?

That may well be so, but the information the hon. Member desires is not at the Board of Trade. If he wants it he must apply to the Air Ministry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question was addressed to the Air Ministry, and was transferred to the Board of Trade?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also ascertain which Minister is responsible for giving permission for the export of up-to-date military aircraft to our potential enemies?

On a point of Order. I put down a question to the Air Ministry and it was transferred to the Board of Trade. Now, when I ask for a reply, the right hon. Gentleman informs me that I should apply to the Air Ministry. Will you give me your guidance, Mr. Speaker?

I suggest that the hon. Member should put it down to both.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the exports of Germany and Italy for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date for which figures are available in his Department were consigned to the United Kingdom; and what proportion of imports into those countries were from the United Kingdom?

The official trade returns of Germany and Italy show that, during the year 1937, exports to the United Kingdom represented 7.3 and 6.1 per cent., respectively, of those countries' total exports of merchandise and silver bullion. The corresponding proportions for imports from the United Kingdom were 5.6 and 3.9 per cent., respectively.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of the exports were re-exported?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in the imports of miscellaneous starch and preparations therefrom from 427,000 cwts. in 1936 to 2,391,000 cwts. in 1937; and the sources of this increased importation?

The increase referred to is due to larger imports of cassava (or tapioca) in the form of flour or starch, other than the foodstuff tapioca, which rose from 205,000 cwts. in 1936 to 2,245,000 cwts. in 1937. Of these imports, the amount consigned from Java increased from 143,000 cwts. in 1936 to 2,070,000 cwts. in 1937.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the sizes of chains imported into this country during 1937 from Czechoslovakia; and whether such chains were machine-made, foundry-casted, or forge-welded?

I regret that the desired information is not available from the trade returns of the United Kingdom. The Czechoslovak export returns indicate that some 70 per cent. of the chains exported to the United Kingdom in 1937 had links over 6 millimetres thick; the links of the remainder were between 2 and 6 millimetres thick.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the fact that our imports from Spain in 1937 amounted to £8,627,000, while our exports were only £2,423,000, he will make arrangements to allocate part of the large balance of payments in favour of Spain to the liquidation of the debts due to our exporters?

The balance in favour of Spain becomes very much less than would appear from the figures quoted by my hon. Friend if account is taken of re-exports and of the very considerable deductions from the United Kingdom import figure necessary in respect of freights and other charges. The position, however, is being closely watched.

In view of the fact that there is a very large balance of trade in favour of Spain with this country, cannot the Department evolve some scheme whereby assistance might be given to many of our exporters who, as the right hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, are very seriously financially embarrassed at this time?

Might it not help if the Government were to export some munitions of war to the Spanish Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the distress amongst lobster fishermen, especially in the West of Scotland, through the low prices obtained for lobsters, particularly during August, September, and October, owing to glutted markets; what are the quantities and value of lobsters imported into the United Kingdom for each month during the last three years, respectively; and whether he will set up a committee to advise on steps to be taken to regulate the imports and supply of lobsters so as to secure a reasonable price to fishermen and a proper development of the lobster fishing and canning industry, particularly in the West of Scotland?

I am informed that the Fishery Board for Scotland have received no representations confirming the statements in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, particulars of imports of fresh lobsters are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom, but I understand they are not considerable. The figures of imports of canned lobsters are published in the monthly accounts relating to trade and navigation. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that the position of the lobster fishermen is a matter that would properly come under the review of the White Fish Commission proposed to be constituted under the provisions of the Sea Fish Industry Bill. There is an import duty of 30 per cent. ad valorem on fresh lobsters and 10 per cent. ad valorem on canned lobsters.

Does the Board of Trade recognise the lobster industry in the West of Scotland as being one which is worth preserving?

Every industry is worth preserving.

Will the right hon. and gallant Member pay a visit to Scotts Lobster House in Piccadilly, where he will find that the prices are not getting low?