asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will name the eight foreign countries with whom trade agreements have been entered into under which special concessions have been secured for United Kingdom herring; whether he can give figures showing what benefit, if any, has accrued; and what further steps he has under contemplation for promoting the export of herring, particularly from the Clyde?

Trade agreements under which specific concessions have been secured for United Kingdom herring exports have now been concluded with nine foreign countries, namely, Argentina, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and the United States of America. The agreement with the United States is of too recent a date for its results to be reflected as yet in the export statistics, but exports from the United Kingdom to the remaining eight countries of herring of the varieties for which concessions have been obtained in- creased from £716,000 in 1932 to £979,000 in 1938—an increase of 35 per cent. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which were given on the 6th and 7th February to the hon. Members for Fife, East (Mr. Henderson Stewart) and Stirling and Clackmannan, Western (Mr. T. Johnston).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the forthcoming trade discussions with Germany, Russia, and other foreign countries, the Government is consulting the Governments of the Dominions to ascertain how their interests may best be promoted by these discussions?

As I have already indicated, the discussions to which my hon. Friend refers are intended to be of an informal and exploratory character. The Governments of the Dominions will naturally be kept in touch with any developments which seem likely to be of interest to them.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether it is proposed to offer credits to China out of the moneys provided by the Export Guarantees Act, 1939, for the purpose of buying railway material in this country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give figures showing the value of the exports to New Zealand from the United Kingdom and from New Zealand to the United Kingdom for 1938; and to what extent this balance has been altered by the recent New Zealand restrictions?

The declared value of exports to New Zealand from the United Kingdom in 1938 was £19,533,000, including re-exports valued at £292,000; imports into the United Kingdom from New Zealand, valued c.i.f, amounted to £46,815,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the quantities of pure silk and artificial silk hose imported in the years 1933 and 1938, respectively?

During the year 1938 imports into the United Kingdom of stockings and hose of silk and of artificial silk amounted to 465,000 and 2,777,000 dozen pairs, respectively; the corresponding figures for 1933 were 65,000 and 1,151,000 dozen pairs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the average price per dozen of silk and artificial silk hose imported in 1933 and 1938, respectively?

During the year 1938 the average declared import value of stockings and hose of silk and of artificial silk imported into the United Kingdom was 18.6 and 9·7 shillings per dozen pairs, respectively; the corresponding figures for 1933 were 30·8 and 11.4 shillings per dozen pairs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that it will be possible to continue adequate purchases of mercury despite any loss of supplies from Spain?

The Board of Trade have kept a close watch on the mercury position and, as at present advised, I see no reason to expect that sufficient supplies of mercury from Spain and other sources will not continue to be available for the needs of this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any estimate is available as to the number of vessels required to convey foodstuffs and other commodities in the event of war; whether he is aware that there are 2,000 fewer vesels in the Mercantile Marine than in 1914, and that the total carrying capacity is less; and whether there is any early prospect of a decision being reached by the Government on this matter?

It is not possible to estimate the number of vessels required to convey foodstuffs and other commodities in the event of war, as the numbers will depend on the total capacity of the vessels employed. Owing to the fact that ships are now larger and faster and carry more cargo per gross ton, while the facilities for handling them in port give a quicker turn round, the total carrying capacity is probably not less than it was in 1914. As regards the last part of the question, I am not at present able to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 28th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that considerable hardship would be inflicted on the skippers of fishing boats if the Board insist on a strict application of Rule 20 of Statutory Rules and Orders, 1938, No. 1375, which is concerned with life-saving appliances for merchant shipping; and whether, in view of the provision for exemption contained in paragraph 45 of the same order, he will issue instructions that Rule No. 20 is to be applied in as lenient a manner as possible consistent with the provision of reasonable safety measures for the crews of the fishing boats concerned?

The new rules were drawn up in consultation with the representatives of owners and men, and their sole purpose is safety of life at sea. I am afraid I could not agree to exemptions from these rules in circumstances beyond those indicated in Rule 45.

asked the Secretary of State for War what firms have been promised compensation in respect of manufacturing capacity which may be redundant at the end of the expansion period, and what sums of money have been so promised?

There are two cases where the Department has a contingent liability, of about £30,000 in all, to increase its contribution to the cost of the firm's expanded plant, if certain orders fail to mature.

asked the Secretary of State for War what inquiries are made by his Department of contractors for work for the War Office as to the observance of the Fair Wages Clause; and whether any such observations only refer to actual work performed for the War Office or the general orders?

A Fair Wages Clause, based on the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons, is included in War Office contracts. The Department further requires contractors executing work for the War Office to pay fair wages to all their employés, whether or not they are actually engaged on work for the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the period of suspension of employés at the Woolwich Arsenal departments has been extended; and whether this is due to work being transferred to establishments, or for what other reason?

No, Sir. These suspensions are not being extended.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what ground the table showing the numbers of recruits rejected, attested and finally approved during the year, which has hitherto figured in the Army Annual Reports has been omitted from the report for 1938; and whether he will now give this information to the House?

Previous reports have contained numerous tables of figures mainly compiled for internal use within the War Office, and the new form is designed to present a readable document better calculated to interest the general public. It has also enabled the War Office to publish the report earlier, and give more up-to-date information. The number of applicants for enlistment was 61,552 in 1938 as compared with 52,147 in 1937, and the number finally approved was 38,827 in 1938 as compared with 26,094 in 1937.

asked the Secretary of State for War what the annual cost is of trooping, and what the increased cost in the Army Estimates would be, if the term for foreign service were reduced from six years to three years; and whether he will consider this with a view to helping recruiting for the Army?

The estimated cost to Army Funds of sea transport of personnel for 1939 is £562,000. The estimated extra cost, if the term of foreign service were reduced to three years, would be £300,000 annually, of which two-thirds would fall on India. Increased establishments would also be required.As regards the last part of the question, I hope to deal with the subject in introducing Army Estimates to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that junior officers of the Territorial Army who are members of the staff of railway companies lose their salary when attending annual training or courses of instruction; and whether he will see his way to represent to the leading railway companies that they should make some concession in the interests of national defence?

I regret that the railway companies have not seen their way to grant the same facilities as are given by other large industrial undertakings. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has agreed to look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what uniform allowances are permitted to officers and other ranks of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service; and for what other payment and allowances these individuals are eligible at the present time?

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the relevant pamphlet.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House the projected establishment of the reorganised Territorial Army Field Force consisting of two cavalry brigades, one mobile division, three motor divisions, and nine infantry divisions on the model of corresponding Regular formations, as stated in the memorandum issued with the Army Estimates?

The present establishment of the Territorial Field Army is approximately 130,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what ground the establishment for all ranks of the Territorial Army infantry has been reduced from 88,041 in 1938 to 69,207 in 1939?

The reduction in the infantry establishment is a consequence of the reorganisation of the field portion of the Territorial Army on the lines of the new Regular Army organisation. This has involved the fixing of a proper relationship of the number of infantry to the number of other arms, the reduction of each infantry brigade from four battalions to three, and the allotment of other infantry battalions no longer required as such, to new roles, such as tank battalions, anti-tank regiments and light anti-aircraft regiments, now incorporated in the Territorial Field Army for the first time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the theft of 2,000 sticks of gelignite near Falkirk, whether any have been recovered or any arrests made?

According to my latest information, the answer to both branches of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the acreage of each of the housing sites, Garvel Terrace and Hillfoot Terrace, Tarbert, Argyll; and what is the respective feu duty per acre?

I am informed by the county council that the Garvel Terrace site extends to 0.949 acres and the Hillfoot Terrace site to 0.862 acres, and that the feuduty in both cases is at the rate of £16 per acre.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to say if he intends to promote legislation designed to relieve the anxieties of local councillors in Scotland, who, because of their tenancy of municipally-owned dwellings, are subject to penalties under Section 107 of the Housing Act of 1925, if they have taken part in any decision relating to any municipal housing matter?

As indicated in the oral reply to-day given to a question by the hon. Member for Stirling and Falkirk (Mr. Westwood) I propose to introduce legislation to deal with this subject at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether contributions under the National Health Insurance (Juvenile Contributors) Act, 1937, are payable as from the date at which a juvenile starts work or only from the subsequent school-leaving date, and, if no contributions are payable between the date of employment and the first subsequent school-leaving date, whether the juvenile during that period is covered for workmen's compensation and medical benefit?

Under the National Health Insurance (Juvenile Contributors and Young Persons) Act, 1937, the date from which contributions are payable for a juvenile in employment, and from which he is entitled to medical benefit, is the prescribed school-leaving date next succeeding his fourteenth birthday. I understand that workmen's compensation is not affected by the question of insurability.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the agreements reached between various landowning and other interests over the access of the public to mountains in England and Wales; and whether he will take steps to see that Scottish rights and privileges are preserved before these agreements are applied to Scotland, in view of the differing legal and customary rights in Scotland?

I understand that certain agreements have been reached between various interests in England and Wales as the basis of proposed amendments to the Access to Mountains Bill which is now before a Standing Committee. In examining any proposal for the application of that Bill to Scotland I will carefully consider the Scottish circumstances and any representations which may be addressed to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will explain the discrepancy between the number of persons convicted for drunkenness in Glasgow in 1937, given by him as 6,605, and the number given by the chief constable of Glasgow in his report for that year, page 44, as 14,055?

Following is a statement showing how the figures referred to in the question are made up.The total of 6,605 given in my reply to the hon. and learned Member on the 17th February is the total number of convictions in the Glasgow Police and Sheriff Courts of offences in which drunkenness formed a specific part of the charge. It is made up as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what immediate steps are being taken to assist Scottish agriculture?

The whole question of further assistance to agriculture has been under discussion between my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and myself and the English and Scottish representative organisations concerned. As the hon. Member is aware, it has already been announced that additional assistance will be given to oats and barley, and that the long-term policy for these cereals will be applied retrospectively, as far as practicable, in respect of the 1938 crops.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has completed consideration of the Report of the Highland Economic Committee; and, if so, can he make a statement with regard to future plans for Scotland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 7th February to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the number of firms established on the Hillington Trading Estate that have factories in other parts of Scotland?

I am informed that 17 firms which are tenants of premises on the Hillington Estate have factories or depots in other parts of Scotland.

asked the Financial secretary to the Treasury what would be the approximate cost to the State of allowing the wives of old age pensioners to qualify for pension on their sixtieth birthday?

The immediate cost of reducing the pension age to 60 in the case of wives of insured old age pensioners would be £4,000,000 per annum, rising to about £4,750,000 in 10 years' time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that recently a careful examination has been made of the coast between Cape Cornwall and Padstow with a view to stationing the most efficient type of lifeboat capable of withstanding the local sea conditions and that St. Ives is considered by local and other specialised opinion as the proper station if its harbour is made adequate for such a lifeboat; and what steps he is now taking or is prepared to take to improve the existing situation in the interests of a national service?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware of the strong local feeling in favour of stationing at St. Ives a lifeboat of larger size than that which met with disaster in January last. I understand that this would be possible only if certain improvements were first made to St. Ives Harbour and my right hon. Friend is obtaining expert advice as to possible schemes of improvement and their probable cost. When this information has been received the position will be fully examined in consultation with the other Departments concerned in the light of all relevant considerations.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the widow of a Territorial soldier is debarred from receiving a widow's pension under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pensions Acts, in addition to the State pension provided, he will consider amending legislation to enable the widow to benefit by the contribution made by her husband during his civilian employment, in addition to being in receipt of the pension to which she is entitled as the widow of a Territorial?

The existing arrangements are in accordance with the provisions of Section 24 of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, which are reproduced in Section 25 of the Consolidating Act of 1936. Any modification of these arrangements would raise issues of great complexity and difficulty in the whole field of the non-effective benefits of the Services. This and certain related questions are, however, under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the inadequate water supplies in North Devon; and whether he will take steps to augment these supplies in view of the possible necessity of billeting children and others in that area during a time of emergency?

I am aware of the need for improved water supplies in some of the rural areas in North Devon. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 27th February.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the estimated number of insured persons 14 to 65 years of age in employment, with the number registered as unemployed in the several administrative divisions, Ministry of Labour, at the end of the following years, 1923, 1929, 1930, 1934, 1935, and at the latest date?

I am having the available information extracted and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour what number of new industries have been established in England, Scotland, and Wales, separately, for each year from 1931, onwards; and can he give any indication of enquiries now

The information asked for in the first part of the question is shown in the following statement, so far as it is available from the annual Surveys of Industrial Development compiled by the Board of Trade. 1932 was the first year in respect of which a survey was made, and the particulars for 1938 are not yet available. The surveys take account only of factories in which 25 or more people are to be employed or have been employed.In reply to the last part of the question the Commissioner for the Special Areas informs me that he is dealing with a large number of inquiries from persons who wish to establish industrial undertakings in the Special Areas, but it is not possible to give any reliable estimate of the number which will actually be established either in South Wales or in the other Special Areas.