asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps it is intended to take to deal with the growing adverse balance of payments?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on 8th February to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of aeroplanes and aeroplane parts for which export licences were given during the years 1936 and 1937 to Germany, Italy, and Japan, respectively; and what was the value of small arms and munitions for which export licences were given in 1936 and 1937 to the same countries?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 15th and 22nd February in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher).

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Opel motor cars were imported into this country during the years 1935 and 1937, respectively, and during the first three months in the years 1936, 1937, and 1938, respectively?

This information is not available from the trade returns of the United Kingdom, which do not distinguish the individual make of motor cars imported.

In view of this increase in the importation of these cars, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to get this information?

That, I am afraid, is a very much wider question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of motor cars imported into Britain during the years 1934, 1935, and 1937, respectively?

During the years 1934, 1935 and 1937, the total numbers of new private motor cars imported into the United Kingdom were 10,177, 12,331 and 18,005, respectively, while the numbers of new commercial vehicles were 65, 64 and 615, respectively.

In view of the fact that many of these cars are being made under slave conditions, and that a particular country is adopting the policy of subsidising its export trade, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to deal with this menace to British trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the negotiation of a trade treaty with the United States of America?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke) on 5th April, to which I am unable at present to add anything.

I have no information that the German Government is subsidising any particular trade. If the hon. Member has any information to prove this we should be glad to have it.

Is it really the case that, through the system of exchange control, Germany is subsidising most of her competitive exports?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that three years ago the German Government took off the whole of the direct taxation on motor cars, and much stimulated the production?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and value of motor cars imported from Germany into Britain during the years 1934, 1935, and 1937, respectively?

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

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs particulars of any communications that have passed between his office and the Dominions, in order to see whether they are prepared to introduce legislation corresponding to and including the quota and other important clauses contained in the Cinematograph Films Act, 1938?

Copies of the Bill were communicated to the Dominions, and they were kept informed of developments during its passage through Parliament. They have now received copies of the Act as passed. I understand that the Premier of New South Wales has stated that he is considering the question of introducing some amendment to the relevant law of that State, but I have no information as to the intentions of Governments in the Dominions elsewhere.

Will the Minister use his endeavours with the other Dominions to see that they bring in legislation in line with ours?

If there is any way in which we can help, we shall not lose an opportunity.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total value of export credits guaranteed by the Export Credits Department to Germany, Italy, and Japan, respectively, during 1936 and 1937?

Guarantees were given during 1936 and 1937 in respect of the export of United Kingdom goods to every country in the world, including those mentioned in the question. It is not the practice, however, to state the amount of the Department's guarantees in respect of exports to any particular country.

Can the Minister say whether it is any considerable proportion?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Bill to amend the Companies Act will be introduced this Session?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible to introduce the Bill to which I referred in the answer given to the hon. Member on 12th April.

Does that mean that it will not be introduced this Session?

No, not necessarily.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps the War Office are taking to ensure that Territorial soldiers who have been enlisted for a period of over six months and who are going into annual summer training shall have supplied to them the necessary uniform?

Grants are made by the War Office to Territorial associations for this purpose, and I am not aware of any failure to use them as intended.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of units are still without uniforms; is he also aware that the nation has made up its mind that these men must be properly clothed; and will he do something about it?

If the hon. Member will supply me with the name of any unit that is not fully clothed, I will see that the deficiency is immediately remedied.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the meetings of the Departmental Committee on Courts-Martial procedure are to be held in private and that possible witnesses are assured that none of the evidence given will be published; whether this decision was reached with his approval; and whether he will give further consideration thereto having regard to the public interest in this matter and the large number of individuals affected?

The committee has adopted, with my approval, the procedure best calculated to give confidence to witnesses and to obtain the material required for its report, and is following the course pursued by the Darling Committee in 1919.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of suggesting to the chairman of the committee that non-service witnesses should be examined in public, so that their evidence may be made public in order to stimulate public interest?

I think that would be a course for the chairman himself to suggest, and, if he did so, it would be received with sympathy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average number of joiners and bricklayers, respectively, employed in the Empire Exhibition, Glasgow, during the week ending 23rd April; and how many of these are expected still to be employed there after the Exhibition is opened on 3rd May?

I am informed by the Exhibition authorities that 1,375 joiners, with 27 apprentices, and 42 bricklayers, with eight apprentices, were employed in the Exhibition during the week ended 23rd April. The authorities do not anticipate that it will be necessary to retain any of these men after the opening of the Exhibition on 3rd May, other than a few who may possibly be required for maintenance work.

May I take it, then, that there will not be workmen available for the building of houses in Scotland?

They will all be available.

But there will be no surplus after the Exhibition has opened?

Yes, the whole of the men now employed will be surplus.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many firms and what types of firms desirous of erecting new factories have had their attention directed by the Commissioner for the Special Areas in Scotland to the old Caird Shipyard in Greenock; and whether he has any suggestion to make regarding the utilisation of that site?

I am informed by the Commissioner that he has brought the old Caird Shipyard to the notice of three firms in search of a site requiring dockyard accommodation and that the attention of various Government Departments has also been drawn to the site. The Commissioner will continue, as opportunity arises, to bring it to the notice of firms for whom it is thought likely to be suitable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what are the prospects of this site being used in the near future?

I am afraid not.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure has been incurred by the Government in providing and equipping industrial factories at Hillington and at other and what places in Scotland, respectively, up to 31st March, 1938, or other convenient date?

The provision and equipment of factories at Hillington is being undertaken by Scottish Industrial Estates, Limited, a company limited by guarantee and having no share capital, financed by loans from the Commissioner for the Special Areas in Scotland. The sums advanced to the company by the Commissioner at 31st March, 1938, amounted to £247,213 5s. A factory is also under construction at Barrhead which will be let on completion to an industrial undertaking. The amount spent as at 31st March, 1938, was £1,792 11s. No expenditure has been incurred by the Commissioner up to date on any other factory.

Instead of expending money on these new sites, would it not be better to make use of sites like that of the old Caird shipyard and so save this expenditure?

Enormous sums of Government money are already being spent in Greenock, and the hon. and learned Member must not be greedy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member is not asking for further expenditure, but is very anxious to save public funds to the tune of over £250,000?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the payment of expenses allowances to members of district councils in Scotland?

No, Sir. The questions raised in the memorial which was recently submitted are under consideration, but I cannot give any undertaking as to legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a detailed statement of persons in receipt of poor relief in England and Wales, which includes an elaborate national analysis of poor relief and classified totals, etc., for each public assistance authority, is published quarterly; whether he is aware that there is no such publication, covering similar ground, for Scotland: whether he will state why Scotland is behind England and Wales in this matter; and whether he will give an undertaking that a similar quarterly statement for Scotland will be published?

I am aware that no quarterly statement relating to poor relief is published in Scotland. Each month, however, the Department of Health issue to the Press a statement of the numbers of poor persons chargeable in Scotland, and detailed figures relating to Scottish poor relief are published in the Department's Annual Report. I am unwilling to add without good cause to the statistical returns supplied by local authorities, but if the hon. Member, after considering the figures already published, will let me know in what respect he considers them as capable of improvement, I shall be glad to look into the matter further.

Is there any reason why there should be dissimilarity between England and Scotland in this matter?

I understood from recently published accounts that the hon. Member objected to exact similarity between England and Scotland.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these figures have gone up very materially since the last Labour Government went out of office?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the 1934–35 Local Government Financial Statistics for England and Wales were published during 1937, but that the much less elaborate Local Taxation Returns for Scotland published in 1937 related to 1933–34; whether he will state why Scotland is so far behind England and Wales in this matter; and whether he will give an undertaking to expendite publication in future?

The delay in the publication of the 1934–35 returns has been caused by the difficulty of obtaining certified accounts for that year from certain local authorities. It is hoped to obtain the necessary accounts from these authorities at an early date, and this will enable the returns to be completed and published without further delay.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the shipment of anthracite coal from this country to France declined from 693,030 tons in the six months ended in February, 1937, to 499,496 tons in the six months ended in February, 1938; that this decline is attributed to the changes in the exchange value of the franc; and that the exports of German coal to France are increasing on account of the fact that the currency fluctuations are offset by the subsidy available for German exports; and whether he proposes to take any steps to recover this market for this country?

I am aware of the decline in anthracite exports to France, which, as I explained to the hon. Member in reply to a question on 15th March, results from the currency situation. With regard to the increase of 68,000 tons in German exports to France in the six months ended February, 1938, as compared with the six months ended February, 1937, I would remind the hon. Member that, over the same periods, United Kingdom exports to France of coal other than anthracite have similarly increased by 61,000 tons. With reference to the last part of the question, I am at present in consultation with the Central Council of Colliery Owners and the British Coal Exporters' Federation regarding the position of United Kingdom coal exports under the French quota system.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not satisfied that the Germans are able to offset disadvantages of that kind by subsidising their coal?

That does not arise out of the question.

But that is the question which I asked. Do not the Germans sidise their exports, and in that way have they not an advantage over exports from this country?

I think the general position is well known to the hon. Member and to the House.

May I have a plain answer to a plain question? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman now satisfied that the Germans do subsidise their exports?

It all depends on what is meant by subsidising, but there is no question about it that a certain form of assistance is given.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is taking any steps to secure an increase in the export of Welsh anthracite coal to Canada during this year?

I would remind the hon. Member that the sale of coal in overseas markets is not a function of the Government but of the coal trade. The function of the Government is, so far as possible, to secure that the United Kingdom coal trade enjoys fair treatment in such markets. This it is carrying out to the best of its ability.

While I appreciate that it is no function of the Government to sell coal, am I to understand that it is no function of the Government to protect Dominion markets against German competition which means loss of work for British workpeople

I do not think I can go further than the statement which I have made, but, of course, the hon. Gentleman recognises the position of the Dominions in this matter.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of tin mines in operative working in December, 1936, and March, 1938?

At the end of December, 1936, seven mines were producing tin ore and development work was being carried on at three other mines. Comparable figures at the end of March, 1938, were nine and three respectively.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman any information as to the development of new mines in North Cornwall?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Newfoundland?

I have received the annual report of the Commission of Government for 1937 and will present it to Parliament as a Command Paper shortly. Generally speaking, substantial progress has been made in Newfoundland during the last year, and figures both of revenue and of employment conditions have shown a marked improvement. In the last few week, however, economic prospects for the immediate future have taken a less favourable turn, owing partly to trade difficulties in certain foreign countries which are normally among the largest importers of Newfoundland fish, and partly to the recent decline in industrial activity in the United States, as a result of which the paper mills in Newfoundland are now working on part time. So far, however, the revenue of the island has not been adversely affected, and employment as a whole still shows an improvement on recent years. A further stimulus will, it is hoped, be afforded by the Commission's reconstruction programme.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that the foundation of permanent economic recovery has been laid in any industry in Newfoundland up till now by the Commission?

I think I can certainly answer that question in the affirmative.

When may we have the report?

I hope it will be in the hands of Members next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make as to the relations between this country and the Irish Free State; whether any decisions have been reached on outstanding questions; and whether it is proposed to make arrangements for further meetings?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the progress of the conversations with the representatives of Eire towards the completion of a trade agreement between Great Britain and the Government of that Dominion?

I would ask the hon. Members to await the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister proposes to make at the end of questions to-day.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the statement, before it is made, about this agreement, which is going to settle almost all the questions between this country and Ireland, may I ask whether the £1,000,000 means the settlement of all the land annuities, past and future, and whether or not the coal agreement will include free imports of coal into Ireland from the United Kingdom?

The hon. Member had better await the statement at the end of questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether legislation will be required to implement the Agreements reached between the United Kingdom and Eire?

Yes, Sir. As the House is aware, as a result of discussions during the past weeks between the two countries, Agreements were signed yesterday by representatives of the two Governments. The texts of the Agreements, which have been presented to Parliament as Command Paper 5728, are already in the hands of hon. Members. The Agreements are subject to Parliamentary confirmation, both in this country and in Eire. Three Agreements have been signed, but it will be possible to deal with these in one comprehensive Bill, and notice of the presentation of this Bill to confirm and give effect to the Agreements will be given immediately. I feel sure that the House will welcome the accord which has been reached. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom believe that it will lead to closer friendship and co-operation between the peoples and Governments of the two countries.

May I express the hope, in view of the extremely technical and somewhat complicated provisions of the Agreement, that the Bill will not be introduced until it has been possible to consider closely the very complicated and important matters contained in it?

I can give no assurance to-day as to when the Bill will be discussed.

Is there any possibility of a similar satisfactory arrangement being come to with all the European countries?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will cause suitable inquiries to be made whether, in view of its prime strategic importance both to local and to Imperial defence generally, the Federal Government of Australia are actively considering the immediate linking up by railway of Port Darwin with the nearest railhead in the interior of the Continent?

I am causing inquiries to be made of His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia, and I will let the hon. and gallant Member know the result.

Would it not be far better to construct a great motor road or speedway than a railway?

asked the Attorney-General what steps are being taken to appoint women justices in the 36 county petty sessional divisions and the three borough divisions which are still without any women justices?

The attention of the advisory committees has been drawn to the desirability of ensuring the presence of women justices in all divisions, and before additional appointments are approved the question of the availability of suitable women for such appointment is carefully considered.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman say what is the reason for this long delay in making these appointments? Is it that there are no suitable women living in these areas at all?

The fact is that it rests in the hands of the advisory committees, and the pressure now indicated is being brought. The hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that since he asked a similar question on 10th February, the numbers have been reduced to 33 in the case of petty sessions and two in the case of boroughs.

Is it not a fact that the Lord Chancellor can, if he likes, act without the advisory committees at all?

Are there any women on the advisory committees, and will my hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that there are over 30,000 men Justices of the Peace and only slightly over 3,000 women, and that it is certainly absurd?

In answer to my Noble Friend, it is, of course, the case that there are women on these advisory committees, and when the matter comes to my Noble Friend he invariably takes into account the representation of women on the local benches. With regard to the hon. Gentleman's question, no doubt my Noble Friend has certain powers in reserve, but for a precise definition of them I should like to have notice.

Are not these advisory committees very unsatisfactory?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he has any statement to make with reference to his negotiations with the trade unions for increased production of munitions?

I made a full statement on this subject in reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. E. Smith) on 13th April, and I have at present nothing to add to that statement.

Is it not a fact that the Amalgamated Engineering Union has postponed any decision until the end of May?

I have no information to that effect at all.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the number of people employed in the shadow factories for which he is responsible in June, 1937, and March, 1938?

I have been asked to reply. During the period covered by the hon. Member's question, the number of persons employed in the shadow factories increased approximately fivefold. It would not be in the public interest to give particulars of the actual numbers employed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Austrians have been given permits to reside in this country since the German occupation of Austria?

From 13th March to 24th April, 1,671 persons holding Austrian passports were given leave to land for varying periods. A number of these have since left the country, and I cannot say how many of those who arrived since 13th March may wish to settle here.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a committee has been considering for two years the question of the appropriate uniform for auxiliary fire services and have not yet reported; whether it is proposed that a committee should inquire into and decide upon the appropriate arm-band for air-raid wardens; whether he is aware that in at least one city the authority have refused to wait any longer and have designed their own uniform; and whether steps will be taken to end these delays which are holding back the air-raids precautions arrangements of local authorities?

The items of uniform to be provided were specified in the Home Office Memorandum issued in February, 1937. One or two local authorities intimated, shortly afterwards, that uniforms were being provided for their auxiliary firemen. Standard specifications for auxiliary fire service uniforms have been under consideration and are about to be issued for the guidance of all local authorities. The design for a standard arm-band for air-raid wardens is already being considered and will be notified to local authorities as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary what directions have been given, or are contemplated, for the information of the general and special hospitals in London, as to the measures they should take for dealing with patients and as to the functions they are desired to fulfil in the event of air raids?

Instruction in the methods of dealing with gas casualties is being given to the medical and nursing staffs of London hospitals as part of the Home Office scheme of medical anti-gas instructions. A handbook on the structural protection that can be arranged in hospitals for the additional safety of staff and patients will shortly be issued. As regards the last part of this question this must await the completion of the survey which is being undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Is it seriously suggested that it is necessary that a survey should be completed of the hospital accommodation of the whole country before the London hospitals can be given any guidance or information?

No; I was referring to the survey actually taking place in London which, I have informed the House, is shortly to be completed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have in my hand a letter from the Air-Raid Precautions Department of the Home Office stating that, pending the completion of the survey of hospital accommodation throughout the country, it is regretted that it is not possible definitely to allocate to individual hospitals the part they may be called upon to play; and that that letter is addressed to a hospital adjacent to this House? Is this in accord with the policy of the Home Office?

I do not know the date of that letter—

19th April.

We must have a little further information, but I do not think it will be necessary for the survey to be completed all over the country before dealing with the London hospitals.

Has my hon. Friend also given directions to the medical schools so that the doctors coming from those schools will be equipped to do their work?

asked the Home' Secretary whether, in view of the fact that, in the event of air-bombing attacks on towns, telephone wires above and below ground would be vulnerable to fracture along their whole length, he has considered requiring the provision of means of communication from call points to life defence units and fire brigade stations by the use of short range wireless telegraphy worked from storage batteries?

The possibility of using wireless during air raids as a stand-by for normal means of communication is receiving full consideration. For a variety of technical reasons, however, it is doubtful whether its general use for such purposes, including that now suggested, would be practicable.

Are actual tests being carried out, or is it only a matter of consideration?

No, Sir; the Home Office have been carrying out a number of tests in a considerable number of towns with the police wireless systems.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Government will consider requesting the Canadian Government to build large aeroplane factories in Windsor, Ontario, with a view to ensuring a practical supply of aircraft for this country in the event of emergency; and whether the Government will be prepared to consider lending to the Canadian Government the money for the erection of these factories at a nominal rate of interest?

The question of the possibilities of the supply of aircraft from Canada will be considered in all its aspects in connection with the inquiries which are being undertaken by the party of experts which left for America last week.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the setting up of factories in Canada would be a valuable addition to the defensive strength of this country, and that they would not be so vulnerable as factories in this country?

A rather more comprehensive question on the whole subject is being asked by private notice to-day, and I propose to make a full reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether orders for military aeroplanes are to be placed with firms in Canada or the United States of America or whether any steps have been taken with that object in view, and, if so, can he state the numbers it is proposed to obtain from either or both of these countries?

The party of experts who are now visiting the United States of America and Canada are concerned solely with exploratory inquiries. The party will investigate whether types of aircraft, which might be suitable for certain Royal Air Force purposes, are available for early delivery. They will also examine the capacity and potentialities for the production of aircraft in Canada. The investigations to be conducted by this mission are part of the review referred to by the Prime Minister in his speech on L.4th March, and are supplementary to arrangements for production in this country. As soon as the Government decided that circumstances had made it necessary to accelerate and extend the programme for air expansion, a comprehensive review was made of the maximum production that would be possible in this country with additional labour by all the firms capable of producing types of aircraft suitable for use in the Royal Air Force. Acceleration and the further expansion imply two requirements: firstly, an increased output of appropriate types now in production; and, secondly, the introduction at the earliest possible date of the latest improved types which are on order. It is the intention and the determination of the Government that all British firms suitable for the production of aircraft to the requirements of the expanded programme, shall be in a position to give the maximum output possible during the next two years. The bulk of the orders for production on a large scale have been placed, and the further orders necessary to secure the maximum accelerated output will be given without delay. I should add that the scale on which factories have been planned and orders have been given make it possible to secure a greatly increased production if additional labour is available.

Does this statement indicate a considerable extension of the plans laid before this House in respect of the Air Force, and, if so, do His Majesty's Government propose to lay any further information before the House as to what their programme for the future consists of?

Yes, Sir, I have already made it clear that this is in pursuance of the statement made by the Prime Minister as to the acceleration and expansion of the programme.

Does the reply of the Noble Lord mean that, in the opinion of the Government, the difficulties with regard to labour and skill and materials can be overcome by America, Canada and Germany, but that in this country the difficulties are insuperable?

No, Sir; I do not think my reply indicates anything of the sort.

Has it been necessary for any communication with the United States Government to take place in regard to this matter; and has this been done with the consent of the Government of the United States?

I should prefer a specific question to be put on the subject of communication. I think that this announcement and the previous announcement mentioned in the Press make the position clear.

When my Noble Friend refers to factories capable of constructing aircraft, does he mean existing aircraft factories, or does it include factories which could be converted?

It includes all factories capable of producing aircraft.

Is Scheme F, on which we have been working hitherto, for 1,750 aircraft by March, 1939, now superseded by the new expanded Scheme G; and when can we know what is the objective, in first-line aircraft and reserves, of the new Scheme G, and how long that scheme is planned to take?

I do not think I could, in answer to a supplementary question, make a statement on that point; obviously there will have to be a Debate.

In view of the light that the Noble Lord's statement throws on the programme of aircraft construction, I should like to give notice that I shall take an early opportunity of raising, on the appropriate Estimates, the whole question of aircraft production.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to state the source of his information that Olley Air Service, Limited, is under the control of British subjects in Eire?

No, Sir, since I have no recollection of having made a statement to the effect suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation at an early date to amend Section 36 of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, in order to include al/ able-bodied unemployed, whether coming within the conditions laid down by that Section of the Act or not, and the repeal of Section 45 of that Act, with the object of the Government assuming responsibility for the full 100 per cent. maintenance of all able-bodied unemployed?

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on 17th June last and the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 25th November last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the maintenance of the able-bodied unemployed in the administrative county of Durham cost about £30,000 this year, and will he not amend the Act so as to make the maintenance of these people a national and not a local charge?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the Great Western Railway Company is working short time at Wolverhampton and elsewhere and making discharges, he will arrange for the services of the skilled engineers displaced to be made use of in connection with the arms programme?

I have no information that any substantial number of skilled engineering workers is being discharged from the workshops of the company. I would, however, point out that any skilled engineer who becomes unemployed can be put in touch at once through any Employment Exchange with aircraft work or other work on the Defence Programme, for which he is suitable.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are something like 1,200 first-class workmen involved, and will he, therefore, go into the matter further?

The facilities of my Department will be available to each and all of the unemployed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consult with the railway and other transport companies with a view to providing facilities and cheap fares for schoolchildren from all parts of Great Britain to visit the Empire Exhibition in Glasgow, similar to what was provided for schoolchildren to visit the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924?

My right hon. Friend is informed by the railway companies that they are providing facilities and cheap fares for children visiting the Empire Exhibition at Glasgow which will be more favourable than those which were available for the Exhibition at Wembley in 1924–25. I have no doubt that the operators of road transport will appreciate the desirability of facilitating the attendance of children at the Exhibition, but my right hon. Friend's position under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, precludes him from consulting with them on the question of facilities or fares.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that the German Government are carrying out the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 18th June, 1935; if the Government have made known their naval armaments programme for 1938–39 to the German Government; and what additional naval power that will give to the German Navy?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the tonnage allowed to the German Navy under the Anglo-German Agreement of 1935 depends on the total tonnage of the aggregate naval forces of the British Commonwealth of Nations, which is not necessarily dependent upon the annual building programme.

Do I understand from the First Lord that if the Government decide to build more battleships they inform the German Government, andvice versa?

Yes, that is the case; we keep the German Government informed of our naval programme.

Do they let us know what they are doing?

Yes, Sir.

Have the German Government notified any intention to build in ratio to the new battleship programme of the British programme?

The German Government have not yet laid down the battleships which they are entitled to lay down in accordance with the treaty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he can now state what progress has been made in regard to the provision under the Education Act, 1936, in connection with non-provided schools in Liverpool?

I regret that I am not yet able to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 14th April.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the suggestions from the education authorities in Liverpool mean council schools to meet the situation; and in view of the national compromise which has been arrived at, will he be willing after 1st May, when Liverpool has deliberated, to answer in this House in regard to the preparations that Liverpool is about to undertake?

Perhaps we had better wait until 1st May.

Does the new Act leave it to the discretion of local authorities whether or not they will provide money for these non-provided schools?

That is so.

Is it not a fact that the national compromise made by the Minister of Education did not resolve any such thing, and that the position is that provision has to be made under the Act for the schools?

I was asked whether it was in the hands of the local authorities, and that is so. The spirit of the Act is that they should work together.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the recent appointment of a pensioned officer of the Criminal Investigation Department to the post of inspector of doorkeepers, this has been made necessary because of any increase in the number of offences committed within the departments of the Post Office?

No, Sir. The appointment was made for the reasons given by my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General in reply to the hon. Member's question of 14th April.

Is the Minister persuaded that there is no one other than this officer equally capable of performing this duty in view of his being in receipt of a pension of over £5 per week?

The question of pension does not affect his merits. It was decided that he was the most suitable man for the post.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is in a position to state the results of the regional form of Post Office organisation which was set up experimentally in 1936 in Scotland and North-East England following the recommendations of the Bridgeman Committee; and whether he proposes to extend the regional organisation to the rest of the country?

The experiment to which the hon. Member refers has now been proceeding for upwards of two years. The results have been satisfactory in all respects, and I have now decided to adopt the regional organisation permanently in London, Scotland and North-East England and to extend it also to the rest of the country.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the conclusions of His Majesty's Government with regard to the van Zeeland report?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 3rst March to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in Germany a citizen who successfully obtains exemption from given taxation on some point of law may yet be compelled to pay on the ground that it is equitable, if not legal, that he should pay; and if, in view of the difficulty of creating completely effective legal safeguards against tax evasion, he will take steps to alter the law in this country in order that, in appropriate cases, the Inland Revenue authorities might have recourse to a plea of equity where the legal claim had failed?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the German Taxes Law of 1934 which provides in its first section that the taxation laws shall be interpreted in the light of National-Socialist views. My right hon. Friend does not think that any provision of the kind proposed by the hon. Member would be consistent with the principle of Parliamentary control of taxation, nor can he agree with the hon. Member's suggestion that the Legislature is not able effectively to deal with avoidance.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that this is the only really effective way of stopping tax evasion?

Is it not lamentable that a member of the Socialist party should ask that we should be guided by a totalitarian State?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of appeals during the past five fiscal years to the general or special commissioners against assessment to Income Tax or Surtax; and in how many of the same the taxpayer has succeeded?

Information is not available in regard to the very large number of appeals heard annually by the General and Special Commissioners of Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of appeals during the past five fiscal years from decisions of the general or special commissioners of Income Tax; and in how many of these the judgment of the court has been in favour of the taxpayer?

The number of appeals to the courts from decisions of the general and special commissioners of Income Tax during the five years 1933–34 to 1937–38 was 371. The taxpayer was successful in 141 of these cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will consider adjusting rates of interest on long-term national loans raised hereafter while alteration in currency management can inflict hardship on private investors who lend their savings at fixed rates of interest at a time when managed money is kept artificially cheap;

(2) whether, in order that re-armament loans may be taken up more widely by small private investors rather than again by public departments, he will consider taking steps to ensure that future medium and long-term national loans shall have their rates of interest adjusted to meet each 10-point rise in the Board of Trade cost-of-living index?

My right hon. Friend does not consider that either of these suggestions is practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that any maintenance or stabilisation of the yen above its economic level is calculated to have the effect of facilitating the import of warlike supplies by Japan; and whether he will assure the House that no guarantee, direct or indirect, has been, or will be, given by any Department of His Majesty's Government which might have the effect of thus maintaining the Japanese currency?

No guarantee of the kind referred to has been asked for or is contemplated.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with regard to the situation in China?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in the Far East?

The only major military operations which have taken place recently have been in South Shantung, but their significance is still in doubt. In many other districts guerilla warfare is in progress, and the Japanese lines of communications are being harassed by the Chinese even in the neighbourhood of Peking and Shanghai. A special congress of the Kuomintang was held at Hankow on 29th March and succeeding days, as a result of which General Chiang Kai-shek was given a vote of confidence and his policy of continuing resistance was approved. The situation as regards access to property at Shanghai and difficulties in the way of navigation on the Yangtze by British vessels have been made the subject of representations to the Japanese authorities.

May we assume that the statement made by a Japanese statesman on returning to Japan recently that England was in sympathy with Japan was in no wise expressing the opinion of His Majesty's Government.

I have not seen such a statement.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among local authorities and old age pensioners with the present regulations whereby the value of maintenance of such pensioners whilst inmates of a hospital or local institution for reasons of ill-health is calculated as means, resulting in the discontinuance or reduction of such pension and the imposition of the cost of maintenance upon the local authority; and whether he proposes to take any steps to alter the present practice?

I would refer the hon. Member to the full answer I gave on this subject on 29th April last to the hon. Member for Bradford, Central (Mr. Leach), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Europe?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the international situation?

A statement has just been made concerning the situation in the Far East. With regard to the situation in Spain, the results of the Anglo-Italian conversations, and British interests in Mexico, I would ask the hon. Members to be good enough to await the replies to questions on the Order Paper on those subjects. I am, however, happy to take this opportunity to state that the French Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs are arriving in London on a short visit on Wednesday evening, when my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and I hope to discuss with them the principal international questions interesting our two countries.

Can the Prime Minister say anything about the situation in Czechoslovakia arising out of Herr Henlein's speech on Sunday?

No, I do not think I have anything to say about that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the situation in Spain?

General Franco's forces have made a further advance on the Aragon front, which, as the House is aware, has resulted in the severance of land communication between Catalonia and the rest of Government Spain. The British Agent at Burgos has been promised particulars of such British members of the International Brigade as have been taken prisoners. A further meeting of the Chairman's Sub-Committee of the Non-Intervention Committee was held on 25th April to consider the financial position of the Committee. The Secretary explained that, as a result of the Soviet Government having stopped payments since September, 1937, other Governments had also ceased contributing, and that unless £80,000 were received by the end of the month it would be necessary for the Non-Intervention Board to wind up its whole organisation. The Soviet representative stated that his Government maintained their refusal to continue their contribution, at any rate until the withdrawal of foreign volunteers had become a reality. The United Kingdom, Italian and German representatives, however, informed the Sub-Committee that their respective Governments were prepared to make the payments which were in arrears up to 8th December last. The subscription of the French Government has already been paid. I am glad to say that these undertakings enable the Non-Intervention Board and the observation scheme to remain in being. The representatives on the Sub-Committee further undertook to ask their respective Governments for instructions about the resumption of regular monthly payments. Finally, a further sum of £4,000 was authorised to be applied by the Board for the purpose of studying technical questions connected with the plan for the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from Spain.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether His Majesty's Government are effectively in contact with both sides in Spain, whether any steps are being taken to safeguard the lives of non-combatants—the civilian population—and whether in the event of a breakdown of the defence on the Government side this country will have any influence in safeguarding the lives of the people on that side?

We have special representatives in touch with both sides in Spain. As the hon. Member knows, His Majesty's Government have done all they possibly could from the beginning of this conflict to assist in saving the lives of non-combatants.—

Only on Franco's side.

—on both sides, and have met with considerable success, and we shall continue to use our best endeavours to continue with that work, and I hope that we may be as successful in the future as we have been in the past.

Is the Prime Minister aware that very great injury can be done to the international position of this country by allowing it to be trailed behind Germany and Italy—