asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it has yet been decided to hold an international exhibition and fair in Great Britain when the International Convention will allow of it being held; and will he consider the areas of Trentham, Manchester or Black-pool for the fair and that all forms of trade, sport and other human activities be represented and also consider the need for a representative committee in order that the best possible arrangements can be made to ensure a successful exhibition?

The International Convention on this subject would not permit of the holding of an international exhibition in this country before 1944. No proposal has been made to me for the organisation of such an exhibition in that or any subsequent year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider introducing legislation to prevent the continued practice of the large milling combines buying up smaller mills, since this practice results in men being thrown out of work and has a detrimental effect in the rural areas?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply he received to a similar question which he addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on 3rd April.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the milling combines have taken all the best and merely left the remnants, and it is with respect to these remnants that I ask him to consider introducing legislation; and is he aware that, if legislation is not introduced, there will not be a single mill left in the rural areas, and is he aware that this is vital?

Seeing that milling is being made a monopoly, is it not time that the Government took over the whole of this industry?

The effect of the reply to which I referred was that actually the number of mills had increased during the period.

Is it not the fact that it included the port mills and had nothing to do with mills in the rural areas, and that it is totally and wilfully misleading?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the figures for cotton textile exports for the first quarter of the year as compared with a similar period for 1938?

My hon. Friend will find the desired information on pages 165 to 183 of the March issue of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will discuss with the cotton trade representatives a Government scheme for employing unemployed cotton operatives to make coarse-count cotton goods for sale in the export markets at whatever price they will fetch, so that the Government may use the overseas credits thus created for purchasing materials for munitions, and benefit trade and employment by the export of grades of cotton goods hitherto produced and exported by foreign firms to the exclusion of similar British goods?

No, Sir. The Government do not consider that a proposal of this kind could provide a satisfactory solution of the problems of the export trade in cotton goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amounts of the tobacco exported by Greece and of the tobacco imported from all sources by the tobacco firms in this country?

During the last three years the quantity of leaf tobacco exported from Greece averaged 96,000,000 lbs. per annum; the corresponding figure for the total quantity of unmanufactured tobacco imported into the United Kingdom from all sources is 295,000,000 lbs. per annum.

Would it not be possible and reasonable for the British tobacco firms to buy more of the Greek tobacco crop, and so enable Greece very largely to escape from her economic subjugation to Germany?

The possibility of increasing the imports of these oriental tobaccos is being examined in detail, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that the difficulties are very considerable. It depends to a large extent upon public taste in this country as to the kind of tobacco they want to smoke. We are not yet a totalitarian country which can force people to smoke the tobacco we want them to smoke.

Is it not the case that the total export of tobacco from Greece only amounts to some 1 per cent. of the tobacco used by the British Tobacco firms, and, therefore, could not affect the quality or taste of tobacco in any way; and will he consider making some representations to the British tobacco firms on this matter?

I said that the possibility of increasing these imports is being considered, but the difficulties are very great.

Is it not advisable to buy more tobacco from the Dominions?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Imperial Economic Committee, in their tobacco report, unfortunately, on all the evidence put before them, came to the conclusion that, faced with the cigarette smoking in this country, it might be impossible to increase the amount even of Empire tobacco which they were very anxious to do, and that nothing could be done in that direction?

The matter is only one of 1 per cent. of all the tobacco used here.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of preventing Greece and Turkey from becoming too dependent on trade with certain states, he will consider whether arrangements can be made for British tobacco companies to take a small portion of their requirements from these two countries?

The possibility of increasing United Kingdom imports of oriental tobacco is being examined in detail, but the difficulties are very considerable.

Have any recommendations been made to the tobacco companies in this country?

It would be impossible to consider this question without finding out the views of the tobacco firms.

Is it not largely a matter of taste and palate?

That is what I have just previously said.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether or not representations have been made to the co-operative societies to push this particular tobacco?

Are you adding Bulgaria to the list?

The original answer says "oriental tobaccos.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that members of the National Association for Rolled and Re-rolled Steel Products, one of the bodies controlled by the British Iron and Steel Federation, have for more than two years been selling certain classes of steel at a lower price to the consumer than to the stockholding merchant; whether he has considered a letter from the London Chamber of Commerce drawing attention to this example of discrimination by manufacturers against merchants, only rendered possible by Government protection; and whether he will take steps to ensure that merchants shall not be subjected in any trade to unfair discrimination consequent upon Government intervention?

I understand that the same basic prices for re-rolled steel products are charged to consumers and to stockholding merchants but that the same rebates on purchases in large quantities are not allowed to merchants as to consumers. The rebates to merchants, however, have already been increased in some respects by agreement with the producers and the question whether any further modification is justified is a matter for discussion between the parties. The merchants are, of course, authorised to charge higher prices than the basic prices on re-sale in smaller quantities. I do not accept the suggestion that the terms on which these products are sold to merchants are a consequence of Government intervention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Import Duties Advisory Committee, in its 1937 report, stated, after exhaustive inquiry that, apart from products which were sold in bulk to a relatively small circle of consumers, there was little doubt that an experienced merchanting organisation could carry out the functions of distribution more efficiently and at a lower cost than the individual producer; and whether he is satisfied that the application of this principle in the case of the iron and steel industry has proved advantageous to both producers and consumers?

I have no reason to doubt that the working arrangements between the producers and merchants, under which a wide range of products of the iron and steel industry are sold both direct to the consumer and through merchants, have in the main proved satisfactory both to producers and to consumers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of scrap-iron exported from this country to Germany in the past 12 months; whether this represents an increase on the previous 12 months; whether any difficulties are being experienced in providing our own industries with the scrap-iron they need; and whether stocks are being accumulated for future requirements?

During the twelve months ended March, 1939, exports from the United Kingdom of scrap-iron and steel consigned to Germany amounted to 134,000 tons, compared with 51,000 tons during the preceding twelve months. As has been previously stated, the exports to Germany during recent months were made under contracts entered into some time ago when there was a surplus of scrap available, and there is no intention of entering into further contracts at present; some of the scrap recently exported was of a kind which could not be used here. I understand that the British Iron and Steel Federation have been giving the scrap position their close attention, and that they have made arrangements for the supplies needed to meet current requirements. As regards the last part of the question, the position is kept constantly under review.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations recently from some steel manufacturers that they have had some difficulty in securing supplies of scrap iron; and were the Board of Trade consulted before this largely increased quantity of scrap iron was exported to Germany in the last few months?

This was under an old contract entered into at a time last year when the steel industry was very depressed and there was no outlet in this country either for scrap or for pig iron. Conditions have now changed. The steel industry is operating at a much greater rate of production, and for that reason this contract was allowed to lapse and has not been renewed.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations that some firms are finding a difficulty in securing supplies?

I do not think I have received any such representation, but I know that the Iron and Steel Federation have the possible effect of this increased activity in mind, and it is to that I referred when I said in my reply that they had been giving the scrap position their close attention.

Was there not an obvious lack of foresight on the part of those responsible in allowing so many hundreds of thousands of tons of scrap iron purchased from America to be sold to Germany at a price less than the cost when purchased in America?

I must point out to the hon. Member, as I am sure many of those who know this industry will realise, that there are different kinds of scrap, and it may well be that you are selling to another country scrap which you cannot use yourself at the same time as you are buying scrap from abroad.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that what is really needed is some kind of central planning for the iron and steel industry, because the thing is getting into such a hopeless muddle that neither the Government nor the iron and steel combine know where they are?

There is central planning.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in these days when dispersed stocks of every type of material are so essential to the national safety, he is aware of the circular issued on 15th September, 1938, by the British Steel Makers' Association, indicating that stockholding merchants may not do trade, excepting with their approval, with Government Departments, a number of public bodies, and a long range of commercial buyers; and what he proposes to do about it?

The resolution to which my hon. Friend refers related only to heavy steel and applied only to merchants who do not hold stocks. I understand that the matter is now under discussion between the merchants and the producers of steel.

Does not my right hon. Friend know that this has been going on more or less for two years, and that six months ago I asked a question on this matter, and I was promised exactly what my right hon. Friend has said to-day?

I think that my hon. Friend's question referred to stockholding merchants, whereas this question refers to a resolution relating to merchants who do not hold stocks.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman realise that what is needed is some representation of the consuming interests, and that all that is being done is being done by the producers, and that the consumers cannot get the steel?

The consumers, of course, are entitled to make application to the Import Duties Advisory Committee who watch the operation of the iron and steel industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the increase in the wholesale price of straight-run flour to bakers in London from October, 1931, to the last convenient date?

The increase in the official wholesale price of straight-run flour on 8th May, 1939, as compared with October, 1931, is 10s. 6d. per sack of 280 lbs. This includes the wheat quota payment of 6s. 6d.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the difference between the wheat quota prices of 1935 and 1936?

Not without notice.

Is this not a case where the Food Council should do something to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission?

The rise in the price of flour, excluding wheat quota payments is, I think, proportionately less than the rise in the case of most other commodities.

Have not the variations been very steep and continuous?

Is it not the fact that with the prices which were prevalent in 1931 unemployment was at its greatest and everyone in a distressed condition?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has a statement to make as to Anglo-Rumanian trade talks, and whether it is now intended to increase the loan beyond the sum of £5,000,000 originally intended; and, also, whether the rate of interest to be charged is yet settled?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the progress of the trade negotiations with the Rumanian Government?

The negotiations are still in progress, and I am, therefore, not in a position to make a statement.

In view of the anxiety of certain British firms who are desirous of engaging in Anglo-Rumanian trade, is the matter being expedited as far as posible?

Yes, and I am hopeful of being able to make a reply shortly.

asked the Presidant of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the declaration of Herr Hitler that he desires a peaceful evolution of European tension, he is proposing a resumption of trade discussions in all phases with Germany, with a view to improved business between the two countries?

As the hon. Member knows, trade discussions had to be interrupted as a result of European tension produced by Germany's annexation of Bohemia and Moravia. Whenever this tension abates, I shall be only too glad to see discussions resumed, with a view to improving trade relations between Great Britain and Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reductions have been imposed on New Zealand meat exports to this country since January, 1939; and what gentleman's agreement with New Zealand is still operating with regard to the regulation of dairy supplies, including milk products, from that country?

The only reduction made in imports of meat from New Zealand into this country since January, 1939, is the reduction in imports of mutton and lamb (that is, 3 per cent. below the level of 1938), which I announced in this House on 16th February. There is no arrangement in operation for the regulation of imports of butter and cheese from New Zealand. With regard to processed milk, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for The Wrekin (Colonel Baldwin-Webb) on 4th May.

Is there not to be imposed upon the Governments of Australia and New Zealand a restriction on frozen beef in the third quarter of the year, and also is there not operating an understanding to restrict exports from New Zealand of agrarian produce?

There was, I believe, some years ago, an understanding of that kind, but there is no understanding now, and we are limiting ourselves entirely to calling the attention of the respective Governments to any case that may arise of an abnormal flood of imports which are having an effect on the market.

Is it not a fact that almost the total output of New Zealand is agrarian, and does not a restriction on production affect the whole farming community?

Yes, but you must put against that the largely increased facilities which we have offered in our markets to New Zealand imports during the last few years. There has been a large increase in the importation of food products from New Zealand.

Strictly on the basis of pound per pound?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the imports of women's dresses from America rose from 207,000 in 1937 to 456,000 in 1938; and whether it is proposed that any steps should be taken, by limitation or prohibition of imports, to safeguard British interests against this rapidly increasing competition?

Imports from the United States of America of women's dresses and skirts of silk and artificial silk were as stated by my hon. Friend. I have no power to impose a quota restriction or prohibition on imports of such goods.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the reasons there are so many imports of ladies' dresses from America is that women on this side are concerned with having longer dresses to cover their scrimpy legs?

I would not attempt to speak with the same authority as the hon. Member on the perfections or imperfections of the female form, but, if that be so, surely it should not be beyond the; ability of our manufacturers to make longer dresses which would equally well cover scrimpy legs.

Why not get the National Fitness Council to make the legs less scrimpy?

Is it not desirable to have British dresses for British girls?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the German Government are blocking the transfer to owners of patents in this country of considerable sums due by way of royalty from German licencees; and whether he will state what provisions govern the transfer to Germany of royalties from British licencees to German patent owners?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Difficulties and delays in connection with transfers of royalties do arise however from time to time and, if the hon. Member will send me particulars of any case that may come to his notice, I will make investigations. No restrictions have been imposed by His Majesty's Government on the transfer of royalties from United Kingdom licencees to German patent owners.

Would the Government be prepared to take retaliatory action if I produced evidence that British owners of patents are not allowed to get money from Germany?

I have said that we have no information that that is the case, but that they have been getting these payments for many years. If there has been any irregularity in regard to these payments, and the hon. Member knows of a case, I should be glad to look into it and see what I can do.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will consider appointing additional members to the Food Council with a view to assisting and enabling that body better to fulfil the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Food Prices of 1925, which laid down that, in view of the known existence of price-fixing associations, the Food Council should vigilantly watch these matters?

I have no reason to think that the membership of the Food Council is inadequate for the discharge of its functions.

Why does the Food Council consist of persons who refuse to act on the recommendations of the Royal Commission? Is it not up to the Food Council to act upon these recommendations, and will my right hon. Friend answer that question?

That applies to quite different points. I have told the hon. Gentleman on several occasions that, if he would prepare some evidence of the facts which he alleges, I am sure the Food Council would inquire into it, and it certainly would be their duty to do so, but up to now the hon. Gentleman does not appear to have made any attempt in this direction.

Will my right hon. Friend realise that I shall spend a great deal of time with him?

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will spend the time with the Food Council.

Is it not true that the Food Council are dominated by the Board of Trade?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, when the Food Council have made a report reflecting upon certain organisations whose charges are too high, the Board of Trade accepts their recommendation and acts upon it?

That is a different question, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put it down.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of ships and the tonnage which have been transferred from the British register to Germany and vice versa for the years 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939?

As the reply consists of tabular statements, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the balance is in favour of Germany or Great Britain?

I have not actually made up the figures, but I should think that it is fairly equal on both sides.

Following are the statements:

I. Number and tonnage of ships registered in the United Kingdom reported to the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen as having their registers closed on sale to Germany: Year. No. of Ships. Aggregate gross tonnage. 1935 7 47,514 1936 6 25,077 1937 26 64,565 1938 6 16,852 1939 (to the end of April) 6 23,710

II. Number and tonnage of ships reported to the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen as having been purchased from Germany and registered in the United Kingdom: Year. No. of Ships. Aggregate gross tonnage. 1935 8 17,764 1936 37 86,058 1937 7 19,529 1938 8 31,595 1939 (to the end of April) Nil. —

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now taking any steps to ascertain the views of the Dominion Governments on the report of the Imperial Shipping Committee on British Shipping in the Orient in view of the committee's conclusion that the problem of competition from Japanese shipping is urgent and of sufficient importance to merit early and serious consideration by the Governments of the Empire?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have not yet completed their consideration of the report. Steps are being taken to ascertain the views of His Majesty's Governments in the other parts of the British Commonwealth concerned, to whom copies of the report have been supplied.

As this report has been in the hands of the Minister for a good many months, and a month ago he promised that he would look into the matter seriously on the point as to the Japanese taking the trade from this country through their intercourse with the Dominions, will the right hon. Gentleman expedite his report, and also get into communication with the Dominions, as recommended by the Committee?

I am in communication with the Dominions. The reason for the delay is due to the fact that we have been considering proposals of our own to assist the liner services, and we have to see how these proposals fit in with this report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken to give effect to any or all of the provisions of the draft Agreement as to British Commonwealth Merchant Shipping which was prepared in the United Kingdom, examined in two successive years by representatives of the Governments concerned, adopted by the Imperial Conference of 1930, as a statement of the matters in which it was considered that concerted action on a voluntary basis between the parts of the Commonwealth is essential in the common interest, was to come into operation at the same time as the Statute of Westminster, 1931, and under which His Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom and the Dominions undertook to propose legislation and take such other steps as might be required for the purpose of giving full effect to its provisions relating to common status for ships registered in the British Commonwealth, standards of safety, the extra-territorial operation of laws, equal treatment for British ships in all parts of the Commonwealth, ship's articles, certificates of officers, shipping inquiries, relief and repatriation of seamen, wages and effects of deceased seamen, offences on board ship, and other matters?

I am afraid that it would not be possible to deal with this matter within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, but if the hon. Member has in mind any particular question among the numerous matters covered by the British Commonwealth Merchant Shipping Agreement, I should be glad to give him all the available information.

As the right hon. Gentleman is concerned with the whole of the report and of the recommendations, as I hope the Government are, if they are seriously determined to deal with the problem of shipping, will he undertake to send me an answer, or may I approach him immediately?

I would prefer that. The hon. Gentleman will realise that this deals with a large number of subjects, and action has to be taken on them by a large number of bodies, and it would be very difficult to deal with all this in a Parliamentary answer. If the hon. Gentleman will see me, I will give him all the information I have.

The right hon. Gentleman will note that the report was made in 1930, and it is now 1939.

It is a question of setting out the various recommendations and the action or inaction on them by the various Dominions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the steamship "Tuscania" which has been sold to Greece is a ship capable of use as a troopship in war time; and what representations to this effect were made by his Department to Messrs. Runcimans, Limited, the managers of the Anchor Line, to which the "Tuscania" belonged prior to the sale?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether in the contract for the sale of the steamship "Tuscania" to Greek buyers there is any clause prohibiting the resale of the vessel to Germany or other other Power;

(2) whether the steamship "Tuscania" was offered to the Government in connection with the scheme for the reserve of tonnage; and, if so, upon what date?

Although this ship, like any other passenger liner, is capable of use as a troopship the Board of Trade, when approached in December, after consultation with the Admiralty, did not consider it essential in the national interest that this ship should remain on the British register. The sale of the ship was completed before the announcement of the reserve tonnage scheme, but in any case I should not have considered this ship suitable for purchase under the scheme. I am informed that there was no clause in the contract as to resale.

May I ask whether this ship was delivered to the Greek buyers before or after the British Government had expressed the view that British ships should not be sold abroad?

I do not know about delivery, but certainly the contract was completed before the announcement on the matter of reserved tonnage.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this vessel was unsuitable to be purchased by the Government? Is he aware that it is not as old as the vessel which is carrying Their Majesties to Canada?

Yes. The anxiety of His Majesty's Government with regard to the requirements of the Mercantile Marine in case of war, is not on the question of ships which can be used as troopships but as to ships which can be used for carrying cargo, and it is to that purpose that I propose to devote the greater part of the amount to be allocated for a reserve of tonnage.

Why did not the right hon. Gentleman add a Clause against re-sale?

It was not a case of my adding a Clause against resale, as the contract had been completed. It is the case of sale to a company which is virtually under the Greek Government, and I have no reason to suppose that it will be used for any purpose except that for which it has been purchased.

Is it not elementary that when people want to sell a ship and the Government do not want them to sell, they do it by means of an intermediary? Why not stop the rat-hole?

I do not think it is elementary that the sale of a ship to a regular liner company which is largely under the control of the Greek Government is that the ship will be re-sold to Germany. I would point out, in reply to the implication in the last question, that I can conceive of no military purpose why Germany should want to buy a ship of this kind.

Are not ships made of iron and steel, and does not Germany want iron and steel?

I do not think anybody is going to buy a passenger liner of this expensive type merely for the purpose of converting it into scrap iron and steel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of ships which have been transferred from the British register to foreign ownership during the last six weeks; and the names of the owners by whom such transfers were effected?

As the reply involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the particulars required in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the particulars:

The names and British owners of the ships of 100 tons gross and over registered in the United Kingdom reported to the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen during the six weeks commencing 26th March, 1939, as having had their registers closed on sale to foreign buyers are as follow:

Name of Ship and Owners.

Isleworth: The Dalgliesh Steam Shipping Company, Limited. Cleveland: The Workington Harbour and Dock Board. Stanmore, Stanburgh, Stanbridge: The Stanhope Steamship Company, Limited. Thixendale: The Yorkshire Dale Steamship Company, Limited. Laleham, Peckham: The Alpha Steamship Company, Limited. Meopham: The Apex Shipping Company, Limited. Fredavore, Camden: Messrs. Angel, Son and Company, Limited. Tuscania: The Anchor Line, Limited. Essex Envoy: The Essex Line, Limited. Atlantic: Sir W. H. Cockerline. Heliopolis: The Skenderia Shipping Company, Limited. Dunstaffnage: The Scottish Navigation Company, Limited. St. Quentin: The Triton Steamship Company, Limited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of vessels registered in this country in which the accommodation for the crew is placed forward, aft, and amidships, respectively?

I regret that this information is not in the possession of my Department.

Are the Government so uninterested in the British Mercantile Marine that they cannot issue instructions as to the new quarters and accommodation, and that they do not take the trouble to discover where these quarters are?

There does not seem to be any point in having these statistics. After the regulations are issued all new ships have to have this accommodation and, therefore, any ship registered since then has to have the accommodation.

But as to reconditioned ships, surely the Board of Trade must know. Surely the right hon. Gentleman can help us to get this information.

Before the instructions were issued there was no obligation on the part of the owners as to the location of this accommodation, and it is not a matter which can be altered to any large extent even in existing vessels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals the Government have under consideration for the assistance of the coastal shipping trade, in view of the nature of the competition, both external and internal, to which that trade is subject; and, particularly, whether any steps have been taken to secure that Governmental and local bodies stipulate that consignments belonging to them, or ordered by them and carried coastwise, shall be conveyed only in British vessels?

The Government's proposals regarding the coasting trade were included in my statement in this House on 28th March, to which I would refer the hon. Member. Steps have been taken to encourage municipal and other public authorities to ensure that British tonnage is used for their coastwise shipments. The coasting trade has arrived at understandings with the railways in connection with the application of the latter to the Government and, as has been pointed out to the industry, it is in the direction of co-operation within the industry and coordination with the railways, road hauliers and canals that further progress lies.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us what are the Government's proposals with regard to the building up of a reserve of tonnage suitable for the coasting trade in case of an emergency?

Coasting steamers will be included within the ambit of the Government's scheme of a reserve of tonnage, and, of course, it will have to depend upon the suitability of particular ships engaging in the coasting trade as to whether they are bought for the reserve.

Would it be possible for my right hon. Friend to reconsider the question of shipbuilding grants for the coasting trade, so as to help the reserve of tonnage?

I am afraid I could not undertake to reconsider that. The trouble is that only a small fraction of the competition, with which only one section of the coasting trade meets, is from foreign sources. The principal source of competition is other internal forms of transport in this country. I could not subsidise one form of transport against another.

Would the right hon. Gentleman undertake to carry his counsel of perfection to the ordinary employers as well as to the local authorities and Government Departments?

Yes, Sir. I will certainly take any steps I possibly can.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in cases of hardship, assistance will be given to Territorials called out for emergency service in peace time who may find themselves unable to meet out of Army pay their existing commitments for rent, etc.?

I would refer hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Widnes (Mr. Pilkington) by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 4th May last.

Will that additional assistance include the £5 embodiment grant?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will wait for the statement which my right hon. Friend will make to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason for refusing applications from men to be re-engaged in the Army Reserve?

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind Section "D." Section "D" is a class of the Reserve for men who have done at least 12 years' service, and this particular section is in excess of requirements in certain arms.

Does not the hon. Baronet appreciate that these men, with all their experience, would be very useful in certain grades in the Army, and that many of them are willing to engage for a further term of service?

Yes, Sir. I fully appreciate the value of these men in an emergency, but such a man has reached a certain age. He is still entitled to Reserve pay, and there must be a time-limit beyond which it is not considered expedient or efficient to go on giving him Reserve pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Territorial units, in England and Wales, will attend annual camps this year at times other than the months of July and August; and how many units will camp in each of the months of May, June and September?

asked the Secretary of State for War what Territorial units in Scotland will attend annual camp this year at times other than the months of July and August; and how many units will camp in each of the months May, June, and September?

Under the programme as at present arranged, the figures are: England and Wales, May 34; to June, 59; September, 44; total, 137; Scotland, May, 4; June, 24; total, 28. The above figures are for "First Line" units only. Camps for "Second Line" units have not yet been finally arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for War with whom the contract for the manufacture of Bren guns in Canada has been made; and what are the terms of the contract?

The contract for the manufacture of Bren guns in Canada has been placed with John Inglis Company, Limited, Toronto, Ontario. The terms of the contract provide: For the manufacture of a number of Bren guns in conjunction with the concurrent manufacture of a number of guns for the Canadian Government; the British Government is subscribing a proportion of the cost of the plant, the cost of the balance being met by the Canadian Government; for payment of the actual cost of production with profit up to a fixed maximum amount; for fixing a standard cost for the gun after three months' full production of guns, and the provision of an incentive bonus consisting of a percentage of any saving achieved on the standard cost.

May I ask whether the Minister's attention has been called to the report of the Canadian Government inquiry into this matter, which indicates that this British contract was made with a gentleman who had no previous experience of gun manufacture, no plant or resources at his disposal for manufacturing guns, and who represented a company with several dummy directors?

No, Sir. I am not aware of those facts. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give them to me.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information to give the House with regard to the suspension from general circulation of the monthly Army List?

The Monthly Army List in the form in which it has hitherto been issued contains information which in present circumstances it is undesirable to publish. A book which will exclude such information is in preparation, and will be placed on sale and reissued monthly. In the meantime, publication of the Monthly Army List is suspended.

Is this procedure in accordance with that adopted by certain other countries which also exclude military information of this nature from the general public?

I think there are very few other countries that publish as much information as we do.

Is there any chance of units being able to obtain reference books giving the necessary information which they require for their administration?

Yes, there will be official issues available for units giving all the information.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the average contract price of 3.45-inch shells made from bar ordered from firms not normally engaged in armament manufacture during the latter half of 1936; how many of those contracts were at a figure above 17s. 6d. per shell; and how many of those contracts have been renewed year by year since they were first placed, and at what average price?

It is contrary to practice to disclose prices paid under contracts; but, in actual fact, no 3.45-inch shell was made from bar by any firm not normally engaged in armament manufacture.

Is the Minister aware that in 1936 contracts for 3.45-inch shells were let at 22s. 6d. a piece, and is it known, to him that, using the proper machinery, it is possible to manufacture these shells, including a wide margin of profit, at 14s. a piece?

The hon. Gentleman asked me for particulars of firms which are not usually armament manufacturers who manufacture these shells for 17s. 6d. I said that there have not been any such cases.

Were any contracts let to any firms at 22s. 6d. in 1936, as it is not giving information to an enemy?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

Why should not the House have information of this character?

It is a long established practice not to disclose contract prices.

Was not that practice established before the days of combines and telephones when manufacturers could not get into touch with each other as they do to-day and find out what each one is tendering?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has as yet decided to appoint a woman head of the auxiliary Territorial services at the War Office; and, if so, whether he is now in a position to state the name?

No decision has yet been reached.

Do I understand the matter is under consideration?

Yes, Sir.

May we have a guarantee that the lady in question will not be Lady Londonderry?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of claims for compensation for loss of trade due to the presence of anti-aircraft camps at Weybourne and Stiffkey, Norfolk, which are still unsettled for the year 1938; the amount of money involved; and the date upon which it is hoped to settle such claims?

There are no claims outstanding in respect of Weybourne. Two claims in connection with Stiffkey, amounting to £27, are under investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and a decision will be made as soon as recommendations are received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will recommend the immediate embodiment of the Territorial force for three months intensive training in order to shorten the period of delay after mobilisation before effective assistance can be afforded to our allies?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the announcement that the anti-aircraft units of the Territorial Army are to be called up for special service, he will, as soon as possible, give further particulars of the Government's plans in order to minimise the disturbance this will cause to civilian life?

My right hon. Friend will make a statement on the Second Reading of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for War the strength of the Territorial Army on 30th April; and what increase this represents in the last 12 months?

The total strength of the Territorial Army on 30th April last was 258,384, representing an increase of 83,325 in 12 months. These figures exclude men in process of enlistment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will follow the precedent of his Department in 1916 in regard to the vaccination of recruits and suspend the vaccination regulations so far as conscripts are concerned?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will provide the fullest facilities for all religious de nominations to meet the needs of soldiers in the Regular and Territorial Armies and those to be conscripted; and whether he will take steps to abolish compulsory church parades or to reduce them to the minimum required for ceremonial or disciplinary purposes?

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes, Sir." As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend is not disposed to vary the traditional practice common to the three Services.

Does not the hon. Gentleman recognise that among the troops and outside there is a growing feeling that compulsory religion imposed upon troops is an anachronism which should be abolished, and in the interests of sincerity will he not ask his right hon. Friend to reconsider this matter?

I am not aware that there is any strong feeling of that kind, but if the hon. Member suggests that there is, I would remind him that in 1936 instructions were issued with the object of reducing the formalities connected with inspections which precede church parades.

Would it not be desirable to make attendance at prayers in this House compulsory?

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to inquire of the troops what they think of compulsory church parades?

The hon. Gentleman says that he is not aware of any strong feeling on this subject, but has he ever served in the ranks of the British Army?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the continuous increase in the number of His Majesty's Army, he will consider extending educational facilities other than for military or technical purposes; whether to this end he will consult and make arrangements with organisations dealing with adult education; and will he consider making arrangements with public and county libraries for the supply of books with due consideration of the frequent transfer of men and units from one centre to another?

General education is compulsory in the Army up to the standard of the Army second-class certificate of education, which is approximately the standard reached in the top class of an elementary school; and facilities are provided, on a voluntary basis, for further education up to the standard of the Army special certificate of education, which is generally accepted as being equivalent to matriculation examination standard. In addition to books of an instructional nature, libraries of reference and other books are provided in each unit for the use of the troops.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman give me some answer to the part of the question dealing with the connection between the Army and county public libraries; and in view of the fact that shortly we may have conscripts in the ranks who, in some cases, will be younger than those who have joined voluntarily, will he not consider the possibility of linking up with these libraries so as to provide cultural facilities for these younger people?

I told the hon. Member that in addition to books of an instructional nature reference and other books are kept in each unit, and if he knows of a case where such books are not available, perhaps he will let me know.

Will the hon. Gentleman appreciate that all that I am suggesting is that there might be some organic connection with the county libraries, so that as regiments move about these young, men will be in touch with books of a wider range than those provided?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any approximate indication of the value of orders which will be given by his Department under the five-year rearmament programme to the cotton textile industry; what is the approximate value of orders anticipated during the current year; and whether arrangements have now been made to give these orders, as far as possible, directly to the manufacturers concerned rather than through agents?

For cotton goods bought in the piece, the estimated value of orders over the period 1936–39 is £2,000,000; for 1939, £1,500,000. This excludes the value of orders for ready-made goods, such as sheets, pillow-cases, etc., figures for which are not readily available. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Members for Burnley (Mr. Burke) and Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and would add that, as has already been announced, Sir Frederick Marquis has been appointed to advise the War Office in connection with purchases of textile stores generally.

Are steps taken by the Department to secure that these orders are distributed equitably throughout the country?

These contracts, like other contracts, are put out to tender and the lowest tender is accepted.

If that answer means that no such steps as I have suggested are taken, will the hon. Gentleman consider whether such steps should be taken?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with regard to the men of 20 years of age to be recruited in Northern Ireland on a voluntary basis, it is proposed to call them up for a period of six months training as in the rest of the United Kingdom?

They will be on the usual terms of service according to the branch of the Service in which they enlist.

Will the numbers who will serve six months be in proportion to the numbers raised in this country?

It is a question of the service in which they enlist. If they enlist in the Regular Army they will serve a Regular soldier's engagement, and if they enlist in the Territorial Army they will serve a Territorial soldier's engagement.