asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to make a further statement of Government policy in relation to the development and increase of home-grown food supplies?

No, Sir.

In view of the possible shortage of world food supplies, how long is the progress of home cultivation to be delayed? Will the right hon. Gentleman give me some answer to that?

The whole policy of the Government in agricultural matters is designed to secure an increase in production, and it has achieved that in many important respects.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the half measures which are being taken are both futile and fantastic? Do it now—grow more food!

I am not aware of that.

Is not the Minister aware that the whole position is thoroughly unsatisfactory?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is now the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to amend the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, with a view to the creation of an agricultural finance corporation, or some similar body, based on the same principle as the railway finance corporation, with an authorised and issued capital in £1 shares of £100, with powers to issue debenture stock, guaranteed as to principal and interest by the Treasury, with a view to providing long-term credits to assist the increased production of homegrown foodstuffs?

I have nothing to add to the answer given to a similar question by my hon. Friend on 15th June, 1937.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the farmers cannot plan for future development without cheap money, and is he further aware that it is over two years since I asked him questions on this matter, and that nothing has been done?

I would not agree that nothing has been done. The matter has been under consideration.

Is the Minister not aware that these curt answers to the hon. Member are in the nature of cruelty to children?

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the whole matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious condition of the sheep trade; and what steps he proposes to take to improve this side of the agricultural industry?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that large numbers of sheep are being placed on the market at prices substantially lower than have been experienced for some years; and whether, in view of the dry season and the scarcity of feeding stuffs, he will take steps to regulate the import of mutton until the home producers can recover from these abnormal conditions?

I am aware that the present prices for fat sheep and lambs are lower than in recent years. Marketings for the first four months as a whole do not appear to be abnormal. For example, entries for fat sheep at certain representative markets in England and Wales totalled 680,617 up to the week ended 4th May, 1938, as against an average of 687,521 for the comparable periods of 1935–37. Home supplies during the last two weeks have, however, been rather heavier than usual at this season, owing possibly to temporary causes. Supplies of mutton and lamb from foreign countries to the United Kingdom are already limited in accordance with the Ottawa Agreements to approximately 65 per cent. of the standard year (July, 1931-June, 1932). I am in consultation with representatives of the Governments of the Commonwealth of Australia and of New Zealand in regard to supplies from those Dominions during the current year. The situation is being kept under close review.

In view of the great importance of sheep to the agricultural industry, will the right hon. Gentleman hurry up these consultations and see that the matter is dealt with as quickly as possible?

I agree as to the importance of sheep to the agricultural industry, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there will be no avoidable delay in these consultations.

Why is it that when anything happens in agriculture, hon. Members who believe in private enterprise always come to the State to ask for a remedy?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken, not only to stop the decline but to increase the area under allotments, in order to increase home food supplies and improve national fitness?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hanley (Mr. Hollins) on 5th May.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the action of a great many local authorities in recent years in appropriating for other purposes land which was being used for allotments, and in view of the great desire of urban workers to have allotments, will he do what he can to prevent this?

I have at present statutory powers to interfere in some degree in this matter, and I will certainly continue to watch it.

Is it not a fact that in a number of urban areas the local authorities have been absolutely compelled to take some allotments for the purposes of carrying out their building programmes?

There are cases in which the local authorities are compelled to take land of that kind for other purposes, but it is generally possible to secure alternative accommodation for allotments.

asked the Postmaster-General what contract work is done for his Department by Messrs. B. and F. Carter and Company, Limited, of Abion Works, Waterloo Street, Bolton; what are the articles supplied to the Post Office by this firm; and whether the firm is bound by the fair-wages clause in Government contracts?

So far as I have been able to ascertain, no work is done for the Post Office by the firm mentioned.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that since this question was put on the Order Paper, the firm have met the claim made on behalf of their workers and are paying an increased rate of wages?

I am glad to hear that. I still say that we have not been able to trace any connection between this firm and the Post Office, but if the hon. Member has any information to the contrary, I should be glad to go into it.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the repeated representations that his Department has received in the past to the effect that the existing system of ventilation in the Chamber is prejudicial to health, he will now undertake to have the necessary alterations made for the improvement of the same?

Although, admittedly, the present system leaves something to be desired from the point of view of comfort during the summer months, the results of exhaustive study of the conditions in the Chamber, together with the advice which I have received from various expert authorities, point to the conclusion that the conditions are in no way prejudicial to health. Much careful study has been given to an improved ventilation scheme: but, in view of the heavy demands at present being made by the defence programme on the engineering industry, it is desirable to keep this scheme and others of a comparable character in reserve for consideration when the peak of the rearmament programme has been passed, and when it will be both more advantageous and more opportune for the industry to have ordinary civil works available for execution.

Are we to understand from that answer that the Government are not going to take notice of the recommendations of the committee which has investigated this matter?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is some years since streptococci in this Chamber were supplied with broth, and does he not think that it is time the experiment was tried again?

The rearmament programme puts great pressure on the engineering firms.

Are we to understand that the Government accept the arguments often used on these benches that a supply of public works schemes should be kept in reserve until the armaments programme is over?

What has this really to do with rearmament? Why must hon. Members be kept for years longer in a thoroughly lethargic and dull atmosphere?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has given further consideration to the position of housing in Greenock and elsewhere in Scotland, and the need for a Government grant appropriate to, or proportional to, the size of the house provided; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

My right hon. Friend is in constant touch with the Greenock Town Council and the other local authorities in Scotland to secure the utmost expedition in the provision of new houses for the working classes. With regard to the second part of the question, as my right hon. Friend stated during the Debate on the Housing (Scotland) Acts (Continuation of Contributions) Order on 29th March, the whole question of housing subsidies is at present under discussion between the Department of Health and a sub-committee appointed by the Associations of Local Authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that unbranded products are imported into New Zealand and other countries; that after their arrival seals are placed on them, such as "Longton," "Burslem," "Windsor," etc., thus misleading the public; and will he consider taking steps to deal with this problem?

I am not aware of the practice described by the hon. Member, but if he will send me particulars of any specific cases I shall be glad to make inquiries into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the growing practice of erasing the stamp of origin of products produced in the Far East; that people have been misled by this action; and can appropriate action be taken in order to make it compulsory to brand all products with the country of origin?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, but if the hon. Member would furnish me with particulars of any cases in which an indication of origin required under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, is being removed I will certainly consider what action can be taken. There is no power under that Act either to require all imported goods to be marked or, where an indication of origin is required, that the indication should necessarily be the name of the country of origin.

Am I to understand from that answer that no representations have been made by the organised manufacturers in this country to deal with this matter?

I think that must be so, because if such representations had been made, I should not have said that my attention had not been called to the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have any information that subsidies on goods exported to this country are being paid by the government of any Continental country other than Germany?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has certain information regarding export subsidies in one form or another which are understood to operate in several European countries. The information is, however, of varying reliability, and the existence of a Governmental subsidy is often difficult to establish. If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me know the countries in which he is particularly interested I will send him such information as is available.

Is it not the case that when goods are imported into this country at a lower price than that which obtains in the country of origin, it is fairly conclusive evidence that there is a subsidy, or else that there is pure dumping, and, if so, what action is being taken?

I think that is a rather larger question, and I would like to see it on the Paper.

Is the Minister aware of the importance of the case of the Opel car?

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information he has offered to the hon. and gallant Member.

If my hon. and gallant Friend will tell me the name of the country in respect of which he wants the information, I will give him what information I can and I will certainly circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but if I were to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT all the information, of varying degrees of reliability, which we have on this subject, it would fill several volumes.

Will the Minister make special inquiries with regard to the case of the Opel car?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the general conditions necessary for highly-manufactured goods, labeled "Empire" or "British product," to qualify for duty-free importation into this country; and what steps are taken to see that these conditions are complied with?

The conditions to be fulfilled in order to establish claims for admission of imported goods free of duty or at reduced rates of duty under Imperial Preference are explained in a public leaflet, issued by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I can assure my hon. Friend that all practicable steps are taken to ensure that these conditions are fulfilled.

asked the Minister of Health whether the decision not to print or publish the minutes of evidence of the Departmental Committee on Rent Restriction was taken by the chairman of the committee or on instructions from the Treasury, and on what grounds?

The evidence in question was placed in the Library. The chairman of the committee did not make any request, nor was there any demand for publication and, as in the case of the two previous committees, the evidence was not published.

Is not the growing practice of omitting to print the evidence given before committees a part of the general policy of the Government in the approach to a system of Fascism, of which the hon. Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson) so much approves?

I do not think so. It is for them to make up their own mind on the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether the decision not to print the minutes of evidence of the Departmental Committee on Nursing was taken by the chairman of the committee or on instructions from the Treasury. and on what grounds?

No decision has yet been taken as to the publication of the evidence given before this committee.

Would my right hon. Friend ask the members of the committee to consider publishing the evidence at convenient intervals as it is given, because objections are entertained to representative persons giving evidence which is not available to those whom they represent?

I hesitate to interfere with the discretion of the chairman of the committee in this matter.

Does the Minister appreciate the fact that many witnesses purporting to give evidence as representatives of various organisations, give evidence which would not be tolerated by the members of those organisations?

asked the Minister of Labour what difficulties exist in respect to granting a labour permit to the American boxer Phil Zwick, as he is not in the category of boxers banned by the British Boxing Board of Control?

I am informed that Mr. Zwick's licence to box in this country has been suspended until 27th June by the British Boxing Board of Control, following an inquiry by the stewards. I understand that an appeal against the suspension has been made to the board's stewards of appeal and will be heard shortly.

Can the Minister tell me why the Ministry of Labour did not grant a permit to this man as he is not in what we call the inferior category?

It has been for a long time the practice of the Ministry to pay due regard to the recommendations of the British Boxing Board of Control. It is a practice which has been continued under different Governments, and I think, as this matter is now under appeal, it would be undesirable to discuss the matter further at this stage.

May I take it that the Minister is not paying undue regard to the British Boxing Board of Control?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons on the register in the area served by the Middleton-in-Teesdale Employment Exchange, County Durham, on 31st January, 28th February, and 31st March, respectively, in 1931; and the corresponding number of persons signing on as unemployed?

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

The number of insured persons in any area can be ascertained only once in each year on the basis of the number of unemployment books exchanged by insured persons at the annual exchange of books beginning in July. At the July, 1931, exchange of books 540 unemployment books were exchanged by insured persons, aged 16–64, at the Middleton-in-Teesdale Employment Exchange. The numbers of insured persons aged 16–64 recorded as unemployed at that Exchange in the first three months of 1931 were as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there has been a reduction in the amounts of the winter allowances made by the Unemployment Assistance Board, and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

There has been no change in the Regulations governing this matter. By virtue of the general discretionary powers contained in these Regulations, additions to the unemployment assistance allowances have since November last been made in many cases, in order to meet the special circumstances arising out of the concurrence of winter conditions with an increase in the prices of certain commodities. With the passing of winter and the fall in the cost of commodities the Board's officers are no longer legally empowered to make or maintain additions on this basis and must now have regard to the changed circumstances when making new assessments and in reviewing current assessments. The Board have issued an instruction to their officers on the subject, of which I will place a copy in the Library. I understand that the Board have had the whole position under consideration with a view to securing specific authority by Regulation to enable them in appropriate cases to meet the additional expenses arising out of winter conditions as such, and that they propose accordingly to submit a Draft Regulation to me at an early date. Such a Regulation would require the approval of Parliament before it came into force.

Did the Board consult with the local advisory committees before this reduction was agreed upon, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this announcement will cause consternation in hundreds of thousands of the poorest homes in the country and that it will be regarded as mean and contemptible to bring about this reduction?

I cannot understand that because this is the first time this has been done by way of increase in the winter allowance. More than that, since the London County Council's public assistance winter allowance runs only from about 20th October to 19th April as a maximum, and the Board's winter allowance has been longer, I fail to see where the "mean and contemptible" comes in.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question whether the local advisory committees were consulted before this reduction was agreed upon?

As I pointed out in the answer, this was done under the general discretionary powers of the Board.

What is the real function of the local advisory committees if they cannot be consulted on matters of this kind?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London County Council a few months ago raised the allowances of those on public assistance because of the increased cost of living and other reasons, and made that increase permanent?

On the proper occasion, when the new Regulation is produced, I shall be happy to compare the Board's figures with the London County Council's figures.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to the House what is the actual difference between the winter prices and the so-called summer prices? Is he aware, for instance, that old potatoes now are almost uneatable and that new ones cost 6½d. a pound?

That is a particular case which does not give the picture. The picture as we have it over the whole field is that on 1st November the cost-of-living index figure was 160, and on 1st April 154.

As my right hon. Friend is proposing to introduce an amending Regulation, will he consider at the same time any other amending Regulations if they are considered necessary?

That is another question. This deals with the specific point about the Board's winter allowance.

Is it not the case that the Minister and his policy in connection with unemployment have been definitely repudiated by his constituents in Leith?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the fact that wages of under 2s. a day are being paid by Messrs. Tate and Lyle to their employé's on sugar plantations in Jamaica, he will take steps to institute a minimum wage for that island?

I have been asked to reply. The Governor has recently appointed, with my right hon. Friend's approval, two Commissioners to examine labour conditions generally and to collect particulars of the wages of the lowest-paid classes of labourers. It would be premature to attempt to fix a minimum wage until the Commissioners have reported and the Governor has made recommendations on the report. My right hon. Friend has no particulars regarding the various rates of wages now being paid, but from such information as is available it appears that the average daily wage of field labourers on the plantations in question is in excess of the figure quoted by the hon. Member.

Is the Minister aware of the terribly depressed condition of the field labourers; and would the Department not state that one of the first things any Commission ought to do, is to make an immediate recommendation for increased wages for these labourers?

I have already indicated that my right hon. Friend is making the inquiries which he must necessarily make before taking any action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any kind of trade union organisation exists in Jamaica; and, if so, whether it is recognised by employers or the Government?

As my right hon. Friend has stated before in this House, machinery exists in Jamaica for the setting up of trade unions. He is not aware how many such unions have been registered under the law, but he has recently been informed by the Governor that, while no trade union for workers in the sugar industry only exists, there is a union which claims to represent all classes of labour and may have sugar workers amongst its members. The Governor intimates, however, that owing to dissensions among its leaders, the union has lost influence amongst many of the labourers in different parts of the island.

Have the workers in Jamaica the right to form their own independent trade unions, apart from existing Government machinery for setting up trade unions?

Is the Minister aware that there is a definite interference with the right of assembly and also with the legitimate functions of trade unions; and will he make representations to have the existing restrictions removed?

I will inform my right hon. Friend of the hon. Member's question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the facilities for forming trade unions in Jamaica are equal to, less than, or more than, those in Soviet Russia?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of skilled workmen received notice to terminate their employment at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, on 30th April last, on the ground that there was a shortage of work; and will he state the reasons for this and whether there is a prospect of re-employment of these workmen?

The workmen referred to, about 10 in number, were engaged on a temporary basis for a specific piece of work, entirely outside the main production programme, which has now been finished. Should a suitable opportunity arise, the re-employment of these men could be considered.

Does the Minister feel that such action is likely to assist the Government in their desire to get the trade unions to expedite the output of munitions?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether employé's of railway companies are being permitted by their employers to enrol as volunteers under local authorities air-raid precautions schemes?

I am informed that the companies are placing no obstacle in the way of employé's desiring to enrol as volunteers under air-raid precaution schemes of local authorities, but have warned them that their hours of duty under such schemes must necessarily be subject during an emergency to the railway service having first claim upon their services.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that railway employé's feel that the warning has been given in such a form, that they are receiving no encouragement to join in the local authorities' air-raid precautions schemes; and is he further aware that uncertainty as to the attitude of the employers as to these schemes, is one of the biggest factors in preventing people from volunteering?

The hon. Gentleman will, I am sure, appreciate the importance in the air-raid precautions schemes of the railways themselves as essential services, but I will look further into the point.

Is it not a fact that the railway companies are going to considerable trouble and expense in training and organising men for this work?

Will the Minister not ask the railway companies to make a public statement to the effect that they have no objection to their employé's volunteering under local authorities' schemes, provided that the work required from them by the local authorities is done in their off-time?

In view of what the hon. Member has said I will inquire further into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary which local authorities in Northumberland have submitted air-raid precaution schemes; and which schemes have been approved?

As regards air-raid general precautions schemes under the Air-Raid Precautions Act, no formal schemes have yet been received from any authority in the county, but the preparation of schemes is progressing steadily in accordance with the normal practice under the Act of advance authorisation, and in the City of Newcastle in particular the detailed preparations are well advanced. Fire precautions schemes have so far been received from eight authorities in the county, and two of these schemes have been substantially settled with the authority concerned.

How many other of the advanced provisional schemes have been agreed upon?

I think I ought to inform the hon. Lady that the normal procedure under the Act is not to wait for formal schemes, but whenever any particular detailed proposal comes forward, such, for example, as arrangements for training or the appointment of an organiser, to approve that particular proposal at once, so that the general work of the scheme can proceed as quickly as possible.

How many volunteers have come forward from Newcastle?

I understand there are about 2,000 wardens in Newcastle, and about 50 per cent. of these are already trained.

How is it that the Irish Free State have not bothered about air-raid precautions? What is the reason?

asked the Home Secretary the number of approved short-term police officers that have left the Metropolitan Police Force since the introduction of the regulation allowing them to do so; and will he give particulars of what portion of the gratuity amounting to, approximately, £180 to be received by constables of approved short service on leaving the Metropolitan Police Force after completing 10 years' service, will have been paid by them as subscriptions and/or deducted from their pay?

No special regulation has been made nor is one necessary to enable policemen to resign, and the total number of short-service men who have left the Force since the scheme began is, including all causes, 346. A man retiring at the completion of To years' service will have had rateable deductions amounting to approximately £95 made from his pay during that time.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, in cases where these officers resign and join other police forces, any payment is made by those forces to reimburse the expense of their training?

asked the Home Secretary the number of prosecutions for exceeding the speed limit on the Mall and on Constitution Hill for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; the number of police officers engaged during this period in working these particular speed traps; the amount of time occupied on this duty; the estimated cost of their salaries for loss of time and expenses whilst so occupied; and the total amount of fines and costs imposed upon motorists who were charged with these breaches of the law?

During the 12 months ended on 30th April there were 630 such prosecutions; six sergeants and 12 constables were employed for a total number of 3,672 hours at an estimated salary cost of £560. The total amount of fines and costs imposed on the persons convicted was £626 14s. 6d.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider that it may be better to have these officers employed in uniform so as to prevent breaches of the law rather than hiding behind hedges to catch people after they have inadvertently exceeded the speed limit?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the continually increasing congestion of traffic at Victoria Gate, Hyde Park; what is the cause of the great delay in carrying out the urgently needed traffic improvements at this point, which have been approved by the Ministry and all public bodies concerned for many months past; and how the necessary expenditure is being apportioned between the Ministry of Transport and the London County Council?

I am fully aware of the traffic difficulties at this point. My right hon. Friend has offered to the London County Council a grant from the Road Fund of 50 per cent. towards the cost of an improvement scheme. The council inform me that alternative schemes have been submitted to them and that until these have been examined they are not in a position to reach a decision.

Is it not a fact that for some two if not three years past every kind of alternative scheme has been considered, and how is it that the London County Council are so behind the times in not considering these schemes?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that every application for running commercial vehicles by road haulage contractors is being opposed by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company, and that in most cases the Commissioner is refusing these licences; and, as the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company have been on many occasions unable to supply main-line trucks for the convenience of traders, and that, therefore, serious delay and inconvenience has been caused, will he introduce legislation with a view to preventing such hindrances to trade in future?

My information does not accord with the statements made in the question, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in Manchester it is impossible on several days to get mainline trucks from the railway companies at the same time that they are opposing all applications for road vehicle licences?

The position is rather complicated, and I understand that the case is not as stated. Therefore, I want more information.

Is it not the case that traders are put to enormous expense through the fact that the railway companies oppose in a great many unnecessary cases, and cannot my hon. and gallant Friend use his influence with the railway companies not to pursue this dog-in-the-manger policy much longer?

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in the Special Areas fail to provide, where necessary, additional nourishment to expectant mothers at all stages of pregnancy?

All the 35 authorities responsible for maternity and child welfare services in the Special Areas supply additional nourishment in the form of milk to expectant mothers, and all but five of them do so at all stages of pregnancy. Twenty-two of the 35 authorities supply other forms of additional nourishment to mothers, the great majority at all stages of pregnancy. In addition, the scheme introduced by the National Birthday Trust Fund for providing other additional food for certain groups of expectant mothers is in operation in most of the Special Areas.

Will my right hon. Friend consider making representations to the various authorities which do not do so, to ask whether they will carry out what I understand is the policy approved by my right hon. Friend himself?

I am following these matters up.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the best nourishment comes from fresh produce from the Vale of Evesham?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any evidence as to the extent to which the Shops (Sunday Trading Restriction) Act is causing hardship to small one-man businesses?

My right hon. Friend has received complaints during the last two or three months from about 30 shopkeepers in different parts of the country, at least half of whom indicated that they were proprietors of one-man businesses. My right hon. Friend has also been informed by various hon. Members and others that they have received similar complaints.

What is my hon. Friend proposing to do about it?

Is my hon. Friend aware that this Act is also causing considerable inconvenience to the shopping public in certain districts in West Birmingham, and is it not possible for him to give the matter consideration on those lines?

Has not my hon. Friend received evidence that this Act has caused great satisfaction and pleasure to many single-shop proprietors, and also to many of the larger establishments, and that the greater benefit has resulted to the vast number of shopkeepers throughout the country?

Is it not the case that this matter is bound to be controversial, whichever way it is settled, and that the present difficulty is due to the absurd anomalies which have arisen under the last Bill; and will the Department take steps to have it settled properly one way or the other?

Is it now the policy of certain sections of the Government still further to commercialise the Sunday?

asked the Home Secretary whether the attention of the Metropolitan Police has been called to the cases of sabotage in various cinemas as a result of the refusal of the cinema industry to recognise the claims of the electrical trade union; and whether he will instruct the Chief Commissioner to investigate any action of the kind?

During the last two weeks the Metropolitan Police have received reports of a few cases in which malicious damage has been done to apparatus in cinemas, and these cases are now under investigation.