asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is considering amending legislation on the lines of the resolution, unanimously approved by the Fife Small Burghs Association, dealign with the position of the provosts of small burghs who, prior to the passing of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, were ex officio justices of the peace and, as such, eligible to act as justices of the county licensing and licensing appeal courts?

This question is, I am informed, under consideration by the committee appointed in December, 1937, to review the existing legislation affecting local authorities and local government and public health in Scotland. I propose to await the committee's report before deciding whether any action is called for on this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many provosts at the moment are put in an invidious position?

I will bear in mind all relevant circumstances.

During the period when the right hon. Gentleman is waiting for the report of the committee, can he not consult his friend the Lord Chancellor and get individual cases, where necessary, dealt with?

I am hoping to have the committee's report before very long, but I will bear in mind what the right hon. Gentleman has said. I think it is wise to await the report before deciding on any action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (I) the total number of new houses required in Aberdeen to replace unfit houses and to put an end to overcrowding; how many houses were built for these purposes during 1937; and how many is it estimated will be built for these purposes during 1938;

(2) the percentage of overcrowded houses in Aberdeen and how long will it take to end overcrowding in that area at the present rate of building?

The report on the overcrowding survey carried out by the corporation in the winter of 1935, which contains the latest information available on the subject, shows that 23.8 per cent. of the fit houses in the city were overcrowded and that 7,088 new houses were required to put an end to overcrowding and to replace unfit houses. For these two purposes the corporation completed 526 houses in 1937, and they expect to complete 800 in 1938.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how this progress compares with the progress in other burghs in Scotland?

I should require notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless something is done for the fishing population of Aberdeen, they will be quite unable to pay the rent for these new houses when they are taken out of their overcrowded conditions?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been built by the Scottish Special Areas Housing Association?

Tenders have been approved by the association for 66 houses in timber, of which two have been completed and occupied. In addition, the association have commenced to build 494 concrete houses and have schemes in hand covering 1,350 additional houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the needs of Glasgow in new houses for the purpose of slum clearance, overcrowding, and those who at present are unhoused; the number of houses built last year; the number per month to be built this year; and how many years it will take to rehouse those sections at the present rate of building?

At the beginning of 1936, the latest date for which information is available, the corporation estimated that a total of 65,000 new houses were required for the relief of overcrowding, the replacement of unfit houses and ordinary requirements. The number of houses completed by the corporation during 1937 was 1,841. With regard to the last part of the question, the corporation completed 1,081 houses during the first five months of this year and they expect to complete 2,054 additional houses by 31st December next, making a total of 3,135 for the whole year or an average of 261 per month.

As regards the last part of my question, how long will it take to house the population at this rate?

It is really impossible to make a forecast, because the rate does not necessarily continue the same, but I am hopeful from the improvement which is shown that there will be an acceleration in the provision of houses.

In view of the great dissatisfaction regarding the rate of progress, will the right hon. Gentleman set up some form of inquiry into the housing question in Glasgow in order to see that all various methods of providing houses are gone into, as there is no chance of home life for a large percentage of the population unless this housing problem is solved?

Will the right hon. Gentleman send a deputation from these towns in Scotland to Lancashire, to towns like Manchester and Bolton, where they will get lessons in housing?

I do not think I can deal with this subject by way of question and answer, but there may be an opportunity on the Estimates of discussing what I agree is an important point, that is, the progress of housing.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the first available opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the negotiations with the local authorities, with reference to the rates of subsidy for housing in Scotland, are still proceeding and with what results?

The negotiations are still proceeding, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when these negotiations will be concluded, because local authori- ties are afraid to proceed with their housing programme until they know exactly what the housing subsidies are to be?

I cannot name a date, but I can assure the hon. Member that I realise the importance of arriving at a decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities in Scotland have already erected timber houses; and what is the number of houses erected in each case?

Figures relating to the number of wooden houses built by local authorities in Scotland since 1918 were given in reply to a question by the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 28th March. Since that date the Department of Health have approved tenders for the erection of 262 timber houses by the County Council of Lanark and four by the County Council of Angus.

As the people of Scotland could be housed in good solid granite and sandstone 100 years ago, will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that he does not descend to this inferior substitute now?

I understood that the hon. Member's colleague a few moments ago wanted me to investigate every method which would help the housing conditions in Glasgow.

I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will not understand that he is expected to start jerry building?

No, Sir, but timber may well be examined as an alternative building material in the present situation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long it would take to build a house of granite?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will obtain statistics to establish the number of old age pensioners in receipt of public assistance but whose wives are not entitled to any pension allowance?

The statistics desired by the hon. Member could be obtained only by means of a special inquiry on the part of local authorities, which I do not feel justified in asking them to undertake.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider this information of vital importance having regard to the constant demand which is made for an increase in 'old age pensions? Does he not consider it would be well worth while to obtain this information?

I can assure the hon. Member that I did consider that aspect of the matter, but, as he knows, local authorities sometimes complain of the tasks they are asked to do, and it would involve a separate investigation into every case to get the figure required.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider setting up a Select Committee of this House to consider the question of old age pensions and to end all these anomalies?

Has the right hon. Gentleman personally made any approach to any local authorities to ascertain their opinion on this particular line of investigation?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the burgh prosecutor in Ayr burgh police court refuses in all cases under Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, tried in that court, to furnish, on application by the accused person or his solicitor prior to the trial, the names and addresses of the witnesses for the prosecution; and whether he will take steps to make universal the practice followed by the instructions of the Lord Advocate in similar prosecutions in the sheriff courts in Scotland?

It is the practice of this prosecutor, unless satisfied that there are special circumstances to justify him in giving the names and addresses of witnesses for the prosecution, to refuse these particulars. I have already represented to him the desirability of altering his practice so as to bring it into line with the practice followed in Sheriff Court cases, and I am now in communication on the subject with the town council, from whom he holds his appointment.

Is the Minister aware of the considerable degree of prejudice which in cases similar to those referred to, is suffered by the accused person, and will he at the same time keep in mind the undertaking given by the Lord Advocate to hon. Members in the Scottish Standing Committee when this important problem was discussed, that he personally would bring pressure to bear on the Crown Office and all prosecutors, burgh and otherwise, to deal with this particular matter?

The hon. Member will note the action that I have taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the kinds, quantities, and respective value of fish landed at Greenock during each of the first four months of 1938, and the corresponding figures for 1937?

As the reply involves a statistical table, I propose, with the hon. and learned Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Have the figures gone up this year as against last year?

There has been a remarkable increase in herring, but a reduction in cod.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, in cases where persons appeal to the Board of Health against either refusal of relief or the amount received, such decision is given in all cases without the person appealign being heard, and that in Glasgow the person so appealign is never heard at any time in person by a committee; and whether he will take steps to see that in all cases the person is given the right of hearing?

In considering statutory complaints of inadequate relief, it is the practice of the Department, if they have any doubt about the adequacy or suitability of the relief offered by the local authority, to remit the complaint to a general inspector to make local inquiry; and the complainer is visited and interviewed at his home whenever the facts of the case indicate that this course is necessary or desirable. This practice is followed in dealign with complaints from any part of Scotland, including Glasgow.

If this is to be a proper appeal of a quasi-judicial kind, why cannot the person affected have the right to appear personally when his case is being adjudicated on?

I am not prepared to suggest an alteration of the Department's practice without evidence that the present practice is unsatisfactory, and I am told that in fact there is little complaint of the manner in which appeals are conducted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that frequently in the course of our duties we get applicants who have not been seen, and that a false case has been presented to the committee against the individual and he has had no chance to rebutt false evidence brought forward?

If the hon. Member has a case in mind and would like to show it to me, I will look into it, but I have seen no evidence to suggest that I ought to propose an alteration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take this question as being a complaint against the present practice?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that at the Glasgow eviction court, when a decision is given to evict a tenant from his house, the decision is given as settled with the factor; that the tenant usually thinks this is not final, but means that he is to make an attempt to find a settlement, and in this he has failed to understand a decree for eviction was made; whether he will take steps to have this altered so that the tenant will be under no disadvantage in following the decision; and whether he will also take steps to see that in all such cases the decision is given in writing?

I am informed by the Sheriff that where a decree of eviction is pronounced by the Sheriff Substitute in favour of the pursuer, with whom its enforcement rests, the tenant may sometimes be told to see if he can come to a settlement with the pursuer to obviate its enforcement. This suggestion which is made in the interest of the tenant, should not give rise to misunderstanding. The decrees are given in writing.

Is it not a well-known fact that in these eviction cases the individual tenants definitely have the right of suspension proceedings, and would it not be better to make that fact known to the tenants throughout the whole of Scotland?

Where do these evicted tenants go after they have been evicted?

Will the Minister personally investigate this, as I am quite sure his information is not exact, and this really is a scandal that ought to be investigated?

Here, again, my information is that the suggestion which is made by the court is in the interests of the tenant, but I am prepared to examine the procedure in order to see whether it works satisfactorily.

Can the Minister state where these evicted tenants go? Do they go to prison, or to the workhouse?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the considerable amount of travelling expenses incurred by Scottish local government officials attending anti-gas schools in England; and whether he proposes to establish an anti-gas training school in Scotland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Reply given on 2nd June to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since then the combined local authorities of Scotland have made representations that an anti-gas school should be established in Scotland and thus save them those expenses, and in view of the fact that this is a reasonable and legitimate demand from the Scottish local authorities, and that the refusal tends to act against efficient air-raid precautions schemes, will he reconsider the whole proposal?

No, Sir. I should require to have fresh evidence submitted to me that, in fact, the present arrangement is unsatisfactory.

Will not the Secretary of State accept as evidence the fact that the whole of the Scottish local authorities say that it is unnecessary and expensive?

I have received no such representation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of the Economic Committee of the Scottish Development Council will be issued; and whether the report will be submitted to Scottish local authorities for their observations?

I understand that a report by the Economic Committee of the Scottish Development Council on its second year of work will be available in the near future. The report will no doubt be available to local authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question? Will he, as Secretary of State for Scotland, issue this report to the local authorities and ask for their observations?

The report is not made to me, but by the Committee of the Scottish Development Council to the Council. It is generally available in booklet form.

Will not the Secretary of State accept it as advisable that this report affecting Scottish affairs should be circulated to local authorities so that he could be fully informed of their beliefs on this question?

It is not primarily a matter for me, but for the Council.

May I suggest to the right hon. Gentleman that it would do him a lot of good?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the memorandum submitted by the Royal Sanitary Association of Scotland calling for the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into local government administration in Scotland; and whether he is prepared to comply with the request made?

I have seen the memorandum referred to and have consulted my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. As at present advised, I am not satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into Scottish local government administration, but the views expressed by the association have been noted and a careful watch will be kept on the working of Scottish local government arrangements, particularly in their relation to central Departments and commissions.

Does not the Prime Minister realise that this agitation has been going on for a number of years; and does he not recognise that in this memorandum there are very powerful reasons why a comprehensive inquiry should now be held into the question of Scottish local government?

Is the Prime Minister aware that Scottish local administration is retarded in its efficiency by bad national administration?

I am aware that this is a question which has been raised from time to time over a considerable number of years. The matter has been carefully examined in the Scottish Office I understand, and the result of that examination is that, as at present advised, there is not sufficient ground for the appointment of a Royal Commission. But as I have said to the hon. Member, I myself have read the memorandum in question, and I recognise that there are important matters raised in it which will be kept under consideration.

Are we to understand that at some future time when more informa tion has been gathered, the question of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole matter will be considered?

That is not excluded.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Coal Distribution Committee under Sir W. Monckton will sit in public; and whether the evidence tendered will be printed and published as the inquiry proceeds?

This committee will take evidence in public except when it decides that it may be advisable to hear evidence from firms or individuals in private. The evidence taken in public will be printed and published as the inquiry proceeds.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any action is contemplated by either the Government or the colliery owners to deal with the serious decline in the export of coal from this country due to competition with heavily subsidised foreign coals, and, if so, what?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 2rst June to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths). I am informed that the position of the coal export trade is engaging the serious attention of the coal industry: bat no detailed proposals for dealign with it have yet been put before me.

Is not part of this decline due to the failure of the Government to protect British shipping from attack?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of underground wage earners on colliery books in South and West Yorkshire, respectively, on the latest date available, and the comparative figures for 1937, 1932, and 1933?

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

Do the figures to-day show any improvement over a year or two ago?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs which of the Dominions have agreed now to introduce legislation comparable and covering the Sections introduced in the Cinematograph Films Act, 1938?

The Premier of New South Wales stated in March last that he was considering the amendment of the existing law in that State so as to provide for reciprocity with other British countries giving similar treatment to Australian films, but I am not aware that any Bill for this purpose has yet been introduced. I have no information as to the intention of Governments in the Dominions elsewhere. I would add that legislation of this nature is necessarily related to the conditions prevailing in the film industry in the country in which it is passed and that legislation similar to the Cinematograph Films Act, 1938, would not, therefore, necessarily be appropriate to the varying conditions in each of the several Dominions.

Are any communications passing between this Government and the Governments of the Dominions to see whether the Dominions intend to bring in legislation with regard to the working of this Act?

None that I am aware of. Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.

Was it not suggested in the Moyne Report that negotiations should take place with the Dominions on the subject? Are not the Government going to do anything about this?

Yes, Sir. In both cases they show an improvement over last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Commissioner for Finance in the Government of Newfoundland is an official of His Majesty's Treasury; whether he acts under the direct instructions from the Dominions Office or the Treasury, or whether he uses his unfettered judgment on matters which come before the Commission; and whether he exercises over the expenditure of the Departments under the other Commissioners any control analogous to that exercised by the Treasury in Great Britain?

The present Commissioner for Finance in Newfoundland is an officer seconded from the Treasury in this country. As regards the second part of the question, any instructions from the Secretary of State are given to the Commission of Government as a whole, and not to individual Commissioners, and the position of the Commissioner for Finance is precisely the same in this respect as that of the other Commissioners. As regards the last part of the question, the position is analogous to that in this country, in that the control exercised by the Commissioner for Finance is subject to such decisions affecting expenditure as may be taken from time to time by the Commission as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the negotiations for the Anglo-American treaty, he will consider the desirability of so framing the treaty that Japan will not be able under the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause to take advantage of all the concessions made to this country in respect of imports into the United States?

The tariff treatment by the United States Government of imports from Japan is entirely a matter for that Government. I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that the question of ensuring that tariff concessions accorded to the United Kingdom under a trade agreement with the United States are so framed as to ensure benefits to those classes of goods in which the United Kingdom has a major interest is being fully kept in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in the trade negotiations now proceeding with the United States Government, he will consider the advisability of arranging extensive tariff concessions on trade to and from the Colonial Empire?

The negotiations now in progress embrace trade between the Colonial Empire and the United States. I can assure the hon. Member that I am maintaining close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that tariff barriers do affect very adversely the natives in our Colonial Empire, and can we take it that as a result of these negotiations the burdens upon these natives will be materially lightened?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the excessive depreciation of the Japanese yen and of the fact that wages in the Japanese textile industry are only about one-fifth of those ruling in Lancashire, he will take steps to have countervailing duties imposed in British Empire markets to compensate for this unfair advantage held by the Japanese cotton export industry?

The problem of Japanese competition in British Colonial markets has been dealt with by a system of quotas which have been applied generally except in cases where international engagements preclude that course. In my view this method is more effective than that suggested by my hon. Friend.

Does the right hon. Gentleman look forward to the day when everything coming into the country will be tariffed and everything going out subsidised?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that £1,391,000 of cotton textiles were imported into Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Nyasaland in 1936 from Japan, and £197,000 worth of such goods from the United Kingdom; and when action will be taken to modify the Congo Basin Treaties and thus enable us to limit the imports of Japanese textiles into these territories?

I am aware that the position is as stated by my hon. Friend, except that imports from Japan amounted to £1,296,000. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the answers which I gave on 31st May to the hon. Members for Withington (Mr. Fleming) and Burnley (Mr. Burke).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reason why the natives cannot buy goods from this country is because they are paid less wages than the wages paid in Japan?

Are we to understand from that answer given in May that the Congo Basin Treaties cannot be altered at all?

Yes, Sir, except by general agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, while British cotton exports to India have to overcome a tariff barrier of 20 per cent., the cheaper Indian products are rapidly displacing the products of British industry in the home and world market; and whether he can state the extent to which the Indian cotton trade is owned and controlled by British bankers and financiers?

I am afraid I cannot accept the statements in the first part of the question. There is no evidence of any recent substantial increase of imports of Indian cotton yarns and manufactures into the United Kingdom; while total exports of Indian cotton piece-goods to all markets, although they have increased, are still very small compared with United Kingdom exports. The situation in Empire markets, in which Indian goods enjoy free entry, is being kept well in mind in the negotiations for a new trade agreement between the United Kingdom and India; and one of the major objects in these negotiations is a satisfactory settlement in regard to United Kingdom trade with India in cotton goods. I have no official information on the subject of the second part of the question, but I am not aware that United Kingdom bankers or financiers have any substantial interest in the Indian cotton industry, and I understand that the extent of the interest of United Kingdom industrialists and merchants in that industry is relatively small.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has taken note of the fact that while imports into the United Kingdom from Switzerland in the first quarter of 1938 have increased by £200,000, as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1937, exports to that country have declined by £300,000; and whether he is making any representations to Switzerland in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As my hon. and gallant Friend is doubtless aware, negotiations are in progress for the conclusion of a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Switzerland, and the facts to which he has drawn attention will be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that a substantial increase in the imports from Norway during the first quarter of 1938 as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1937 has been accompanied by a decline in the British exports to that country; and whether he can offer any explanation of this situation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 23rd May to a similar question relating to Belgium by my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that imports from foreign countries in the first quarter of 1938 are £13,500,000 higher than in the corresponding quarter of 1937, whilst the exports of British goods to foreign countries are nearly £4,000,000 lower, and re-exports to foreign countries £3,000,000 lower; and whether, in view of the adverse balance of trade at the end of the year 1937, he will take some steps to rectify this position?

Though there was an increase in the excess of imports over exports of merchandise for the first quarter of this year compared with a year earlier, a decline was recorded in each of the subsequent two months. The latter improvement in the adverse balance applied to both British and foreign countries. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on 24th May to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of fish landed direct by British vessels in the last year for which statistics are available and also the value of the importation of fish from foreign countries?

During the year 1937, the value of fish landed direct in the United Kingdom by British fishing vessels was £15,934,000, and the value of fish imported into the United Kingdom from foreign countries was £8,335,000. The latter figure includes canned and preserved fish as well as fish brought by foreign vessels from the fishing grounds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as a result of the Government purchases of wheat, he anticipates that the total amount of wheat in the country will be the normal amount of wheat usually estimated on plus the additional Government purchases?

The answer is in the affirmative. The existence of the Government wheat reserve, maintained at a constant quantity, will not affect the requirements of the grain and milling trades and consequently should not affect either the price of wheat or the quantities normally held in stock by the trades concerned. The millers who have undertaken the custody and supervision of the Government wheat have given an undertaking that the amount of stocks which they normally hold will not be reduced because of the existence of the Government reserve.

Is the Minister aware that concern is felt in certain quarters that dealers in wheat in this country will tend to reduce their normal stocks, and does his reply mean that all persons connected with wheat who normally hold stocks have given a guarantee that they will not reduce stocks in view of the Government's purchases?

As I said, we have a guarantee from these large millers, but I cannot be expected to get guarantees from everybody. The point is that these stocks are immobilised. Nobody can rely on these stocks, and there is therefore no inducement to them to reduce their own stocks.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government imports of wheat are shown in the trade return?

That is another question.

What steps are being taken to increase storage accommodation, in view of the Government's policy?

That is a rather different question.

Unless the Minister can give the House an assurance that the vast majority of dealers will not reduce their stocks at all, is not the taxpayers' money being spent in vain?

If the hon. Gentleman will read my answer he will see that I state that there is no inducement in this method to private dealers to reduce stocks. I cannot get a guarantee from all the innumerable traders concerned, but our information is that in fact they are not doing so, and will not do so.

Is it not clear that unless there is additional storage accommodation, the Government's intention will be defeated?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the date and exact provisions for the abolition of the Spanish Government shipping regulations whereby foreign vessels are now permitted to engage in Spanish coastal trade; and what are the details of that information?

I have not received any detailed information on the matter referred to by my hon. Friend, but I understand that for some time past foreign (non-Spanish) shipping has been allowed by the Spanish Government to participate in the coasting trade between their ports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of calcium carbide used by armament-producing firms in the United Kingdom during the years 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average price per ton of the calcium carbide imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1935, 1936, and 1937, respectively?

The average value of the calcium carbide imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1935, 1936 and 1937 was –10.98, –11.03 and –10.88 per ton, respectively.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that this is a reasonable price?

That is a rather different question.

Adams asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a large proportion of Japanese tea is sold in England as China tea; and whether he will insist on a clearer definition of origin so as to avoid any deception of the public?

I have not received any representations on this matter, but if the. hon. Member will communicate to me any evidence that he may have in regard to it, I shall be glad to consider it.

I shall be glad to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent we are bound by treaty to admit Japanese goods into our Crown Colonies?

His Majesty's Government are not in a position to discriminate between Japanese and United Kingdom goods in the territories to which the Congo Basin Treaties apply, nor in Mandated territories. Discrimination between Japanese goods and the goods of other foreign countries is not possible in other parts of the Colonial Empire so long as the provisions of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of 1911 apply to them, though this does not prevent the imposition of duties or quotas as long as such measures are applied to all foreign countries.

Is it not possible to give notice for the abrogation of the Congo Basin Treaties and the Treaty of 1911 under which English trade is suffering so severely?

It has already been explained in the House that it is not possible to give notice to determine the Congo Basin Treaties, and the Anglo-Japanese Treaty does not prevent the imposition of quotas in the Colonial Empire, provided they are imposed against all foreign goods.

Are we to understand that the Congo Basin Treaties are made for ever and can never be abrogated in any possible way?

That is a matter which has often been discussed in the House, and the opinion given by our legal advisers is that they cannot be determined by unilateral action but only by general agreement.

Is it not possible to get all the signatories of the treaty together? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman take the initiative?

It would of course be possible, but the hon. Member will bear in mind that one of the signatories is Japan.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the treaty is still in operation as between this country and Germany?

Would not the consumption of British goods in these colonies be much increased, if the purchasing power of the natives was raised?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total imports of foodstuffs into the ports of Lancashire and what proportion they bear to the total imports of the country?

During 1936 the value of food and drink (including living animals for food and feeding stuffs for animals) imported at ports in Lancashire amounted to £71,000,000, almost one-fifth of the total value of such imports into the United Kingdom. The proportion was the same in the previous two years; figures for 1937 are not yet available.

Can my right hon. Friend say what amount of foodstuffs there is in the county?

Not without notice.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has recently approached the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with a view to negotiating for the re-opening of the British consulate at Leningrad and the establishment of consulates at those Soviet ports where British trade is heaviest?

No, Sir.

Are the Government proposing to take any further action, in view of the hardship of British traders having no representation at all?

In view of the attitude adopted at the time by the Soviet Government in regard to the closure of these consulates, we think that it would be useless to approach them again in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the new chairman of the Films Council will be engaged full-time on his duties; and what salary will be paid to him?

The Chairman of the Films Council will devote such time to the work of the Council as may be necessary, but it is not expected that his duties will absorb the whole of his time. He is receiving an honorarium of £500 a year for this work.

Are any of the other members of the Council to be paid?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can furnish an approximate estimate of the cost, in a full year of operation, to the Exchequer and to the local authorities, respectively, of the legislation since the last General Election, including the Government Bills now before Parliament and excluding from the total any expenditure due to the Defence programme?

As the answer is of considerable length, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the statement include a full list of all direct and indirect subsidies which have been granted to various industries since the last General Election?

If the hon. Member looks at the statement he will see that it does not err on the side of brevity.

Following is the statement:

The incidence and nature of expenditure under Acts of Parliament vary so widely between one case and another that it is impossible to give a figure of total cost "in a full year of operation." While in some cases the cost reaches a stable figure as soon as the service has come into full operation, and thereafter continues at about that figure, there are other cases where the service is expressed to be temporary or where a specified sum is allotted to a service, and where therefore the expenditure disappears after a period, and there is a further type of case of long-term subsidies (e.g., housing subsidies) where the cost grows by annual steps over a long period of years because the expense of the subsidy granted in each year is added to the subsidies already in payment in respect of the sanctions of preceding years. In estimating the cost of particular measures of legislation it is also necessary, in the majority of cases, to proceed upon certain assumptions and to attach various reservations.

In these circumstances it appears that the information sought in the question can best be furnished in the form of a statement showing as far as possible the estimated cost of particular Acts or groups of Acts in chronological order and indicating the main assumptions made and the reservations attached to each. In the statement the phrase "cost to the Exchequer" means annual cost except where the contrary is clear from the context. Fuller explanations of the financial effect of the various measures are given in the Financial Memoranda which were attached to the Bills on presentation.

In compiling the statement which follows, certain measures involving expenditure of relatively trivial amount have been ignored, as have also any additional administrative costs due to changes in taxation under the various Finance Acts or administrative costs where only incidental to the main purpose of an Act. It has also been assumed that the question does not cover cases in which liabilities have been assumed in the form of guarantees, cases of remission of taxation or waiver of claims to payment, and cases in which expenditure in certain directions has been covered by increased receipts or reductions of cost in other directions. The exclusion of defence expenditure mentioned in the question has been treated as applying to expenditure under the Air-Raid Precautions Act, 1937, and the Essential Commodities Reserves Bill, 1938.

Subject to the above, the information required is as follows:

Milk Acts, 1936 and 1937, and Milk Bill, 1938.

The estimated additional cost to the Exchequer is £742,000. These measures extend the period of operation of the Milk Act, 1934. Section 9 of that Act relating to the Improvement of Quality of Milk Supplied was repealed by the Agriculture Act, 1937, which provided for such expenditure to be defrayed from the Diseases of Animals Account (see under Agriculture Act, 1937).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the fact that the ratio of purchase of Mexican products by Britain, as shown by the Board of Trade Return for the past three months, is as 11 to 3 of United Kingdom products exported to Mexico, an exchange clearing is not being set up to remedy the confiscation of British savings by the Mexican Government?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 19th May, to which I cannot at.present add anything.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to induce the Brazilian authorities to honour their obligations to British subjects, he will discontinue the protests and consultations with the Council of Foreign Bondholders which have proved themselves to be sterile, and put into operation prohibition of entry of imports from Brazil, as being the only method which will convince Brazil that £80,000,000 worth of British savings entrusted to Brazil cannot be annihilated with impunity?

No, Sir. I do not consider that the prohibition of imports from Brazil would be likely to succeed in achieving the object which my hon. Friend has in mind.

Did not people who invested this money do so at their own risk, and if the suggestion made in the question were put into operation would it not lead to international complications and even war?

I do not know whether the consequences would be as serious as those suggested at the end of the supplementary question, but, as I have said, I do not think the method proposed is a good one. As to the investments, we shall be glad to do what we can to protect them, but not by this method.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the payment by Brazil of their debts would be rather helped by increasing the imports to this country from Brazil?

The hon. and learned Gentleman has correctly penetrated one of the reasons behind the original answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of guaranteeing a loan for the supply of military material to China on the basis of the precedent set in the case of Turkey and in pursuance of our obligations under the Covenant of the League of Nations?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14th June by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald).

Are there not important British interests at stake here that would justify action on these lines, apart from anything else?

The considerations are known to the hon. Member, and I cannot amplify my answer to-day.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will propose to the League of Nations the immediate consideration of means by which the economic needs of China and Japan can be assisted through League of Nations action and international agreement at the conclusion of hostilities, or earlier if opportunity offers?

The League Assembly at its last session recommended Member States to consider how far they could individually extend aid to China, and the Council at its meeting last May urged Members to do their utmost to give effect to previous recommendations on this subject, and to take into serious and sympathetic consideration requests received from the Chinese Government. Also there has been in existence since 1933 a committee, appointed by the League Council, for technical collaboration with China. No request has been received for economic assistance to Japan through League of Nations action.

Does the hon. Member realise that the economic factor is one of the most important causes of war, and requires far more initiative for His Majesty's Government to deal with it than they have exhibited up to now, and will he do his best to see that this important factor is kept in mind?

As I have already informed the House, the importance of this matter is fully realised by Members of His Majesty's Government.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that everything possible is being done?

Yes, Sir.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the failure of economic cooperation broke the heart of the late Mr. William Graham?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the sums contributed to the revenue by road users which have been appropriated for general taxation for the three years ended to the last convenient date?

The revenue from hydrocarbon oils used on the roads is estimated in round figures at £40,600,000 in 1935, £43,250,000 in 1936 and £45,500,000 in 1937. Motor vehicle duties retained in the Exchequer and sums transferred from the Road Fund to the Exchequer totalled £9,400,000 in 1935 and £10,500,000 in 1936. In 1937, the full produce of the motor vehicle duties, amounting to £34,600,000, remained in the Exchequer and the expenditure on roads was provided for in Votes of Parliament.

Does that include all luxury taxation on private motor cars?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of money invested by the late Duke of Devonshire in the company known as the Chatsworth Estates Company; the amount of money left in this company; the total amount of taxation paid or due; and the amount which would have been paid, or due, if the capital had not been in this company?

No, Sir. I am not prepared to disclose information relating to the estate of an individual taxpayer.

Are we to take it that the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to divulge evidence which has already been divulged in the Press but which he himself stated last week he was not prepared to accept? Is he not prepared to correct it, and can he say why there should not be a statement made on an issue of this kind if there is collusion on the part of a Member of the House of Lords to prevent himself paying tax?

It is a very well understood principle, and one which the House will support, that information relating to the estate of an individual should not be made the subject of Question and Answer in the House of Commons. If that rule were departed from, it is obvious that many evils would result.

On a point of Order. If a question is put on the Order Paper and is passed after consideration, are we not to take it for granted that it is a legitimate question, and is subject to an answer by the Minister responsible?

The Minister has said that it is not the practice to give this information, and it is not obligatory on the Chancellor to give it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the many questionnaires which are addressed to unemployed working-class men and women?

Does not another question arise here concerning Members of the Government holding directorships?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the formation of a company named Shenly Park Estates for the purpose of conveying a private fortune to the heir without giving to the British Exchequer the necessary taxation; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this form of evasion?