asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of Mr. Mackenzie King, the Prime Minister of Canada, in the House of Commons at Ottawa, on 3rd May, indicating some concern regarding the export of nickel and other war materials to Germany; and whether any communications have been exchanged with the Dominions, with a view to initiating a policy of controlling such exports throughout the Empire?

I have seen the text of Mr. Mackenzie King's statement in the Canadian House of Commons on 3rd May, in the course of which he stated that the Canadian Government regard the whole question of control of exports of commodities which may be used for war as well as industrial purposes, as one of importance and that this question was reviewed fully in a statement which he made last year and has been continuously under review. The Canadian Prime Minister, however, observed that the recent statements in this House to which his attention had been called did not present any new facts or considerations which required a restatement of Canadian policy. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to recent answers on the subject, to which I have nothing to add.

Are we to understand that the Government are still determined not to take any action to prevent these raw materials getting to aggressor countries so as to become a menace to the British Empire?.

Every raw material which is in common use to-day is wanted for war purposes and the effect of adopting the hon. Gentleman's suggestion would be to place an embargo on commerce all round.

Although it may be used for other things than war purposes, is it not a fact that without raw materials from the British Empire no combination of aggressor nations could be a menace to the Empire?

That is a matter for argument.

Will the Minister put some fact before the House which will indicate that it is a matter of argument?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of brass

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of nickel

and copper products shipped from this country to Germany in the first quarter of the last 10 years; and the total value for the whole of each of these years?

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

Do copper products include electric wires?

My hon. Friend will see the descriptions set out in the answer.

Is there any increase in this year's imports as compared with last year's.

No, Sir, there is a very large decrease.

Following is the answer:

and nickel ore, respectively, imported into this country in each of the last three years, showing the percentage from Canada?

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

Is the President aware that Britain and France hold the world monopoly of nickel, and that without nickel it is impossible to manufacture munitions of war? Does not the British Empire hold 90 per cent. and France 10 per cent., and will not the Government take some action to prevent its export from the Empire and France?

I have answered this question before. Nickel, besides having uses for war material, has a very large peacetime use. I am informed that even at the present time with the enormous scale of rearmament in this country, the use of nickel for war material is only about 10 per cent. of the use of nickel in this country. It is clear that if the British Empire puts an embargo on the export of

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since Japan is almost wholly dependent upon imports for the war material used in her air-raids against civil populations in China, any such war material is still being exported from this country to Japan?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has recently granted any licences to export war material, either finished or in the rough, to Japan capable of use in bombing operations such as those now being carried on against civil populations in China?

No licences have been issued for the export of war material to Japan since 4th February, 1938.

nickel it will bring to an end a large number of peace-time activities all over the world.

Since the success of such an action might be to prevent the outbreak of a world war, will not the Government consider whether it is worth while instituting negotiations with other Governments on this matter?

There are many people who think that the institution of all-round world economic boycotts is the surest way to start war.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that although the facts may be as he has stated, the way he has put them presents an entirely untruthful picture?

Are not hon. Members opposite advocating economic sanctions?

Following is the answer:

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences were issued for the export of arms during the six months ending 30th April; and the countries to which the arms were consigned?

During the six months ended 30th April, 1939, 369 licences have been issued for the export of war material to 27 foreign countries. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the countries concerned.

Can any reason be given for the great increase over the numbers stated in April, 1938?

I am glad the hon. Member has given me an opportunity to make an apology to the House. A similar question was asked by the hon. Member a year ago and the number of 207 licences was given. Unfortunately, the number of licences given to Egypt was reckoned as only 18, whereas in fact they amounted to 160. If the number of licences given to Egypt in these periods is excluded, the comparison with last year shows a decrease.

Are there any later figures with regard to Japan?

No licence has been given to Japan since February, 1938.

Following is the list: Statement showing the foreign countries of destination for which licences for the export of war material have been granted during the six months ended 30th April, 1939. Argentina. Netherlands East Indies. Belgium. Bulgaria. Norway. Chile. Peru. China. Philippine Islands. Colombia. Poland. Denmark. Portugal. Egypt. Rumania. Estonia. Siam. Finland. Sweden. Greece. Switzerland. Iraq. United States of America. Latvia. Lithuania. Yugoslavia. Netherlands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of slipper cloth imported into this country from Germany for the years ending 1936, 1937, and 1938, respectively?

I regret that the desired information is not available as imports of slipper cloth are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, as the trade treaty between the United States of America and Czechoslovakia has now ceased to operate, the duties on British gloves entering the United States of America have been raised from 50 per cent. to 60 per cent.; and whether, in view of the recent Anglo-American Trade Agreement he will represent to the Government of the United States of America that the lower rate of duty be restored in respect of British gloves?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to certain kinds of cotton gloves on which, under the most-favoured-nation provision, the United Kingdom enjoyed the lower rate of duty provided for in the trade agreement between the United States and Czecho-Slovakia. With the termination of that agreement this lower rate is no longer operative, and I understand that the United States Government have no power to restore it except by negotiating a new agreement covering the goods involved. In these circumstances, I fear that representations on the subject would serve no useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any information concerning free zones on the banks of the Danube granted by Rumania to Germany in connection with oil supplies to Germany from Rumania?

I understand that no such free zones have as yet been established.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Film Council, appointed under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1938, have arrived at any decision with reference to varying the renters' quota as stipulated in that Act?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on 4th April.

Do we understand that the question of the renters' quota will be reconsidered at the time the exhibitors' quota is dealt with?

The renters' quota cannot be varied until 1st April next year, and any proposals for doing so can only be made at the end of this year, and no doubt between now and then the council will reconsider the position.

Did the right hon. Gentleman say that this quota would be considered at the end of the year? Will the renters' quota be considered at the same time?

As I say, between now and the final date upon which consideration can be given, the council will consider the question of the renters' quota.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of diesel engines and the aggregate horsepower thereof imported into the United Kingdom during each of the last three years; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the internal-combustion engines required for new shipping qualifying for Government grant under his recently-announced scheme will be manufactured in this country?

During the year 1938 imports into the United Kingdom of internal-combustion engines of diesel, semi-diesel and similar types, including parts thereof, amounted to 7,115 tons, valued at £578,000. These imports are recorded by weight and value only. I regret that corresponding figures for earlier years are not available, as such imports were not separately recorded prior to 1938. The Shipbuilding Conference have assured me that British materials will be used so far as possible in the construction of vessels built under the Government's scheme for assisting shipping.

Does that matter come within the purview of the Board of Trade? Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department the power to give directions, or is the Department merely consulted?

I have expressed the hope that, as far as possible, British material will be used, but ever since Protection was introduced the principle has been maintained that it should be possible to import those engines which alone can be obtained from abroad.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is already considerable unemployment in this branch of engineering in Greenock and a danger of further unemployment? Will he keep that point in mind when further orders are placed?

Has the Department considered the question of giving a grant for speed over a certain number of knots, instead of, as at present, dealing with the question on the basis of the number of ships laid down—2,000,000 tons—with a maximum speed of 10 knots only?

No, Sir, we are not differentiating on the question of speed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the International Sugar Council have yet decided to release 5,000 or more tons of sugar to reduce the present shortage?

I regret that I cannot add to the answer which was given yesterday on the subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans).

Does not the President of the Board of Trade recognise the very great hardship which is occasioned to families with a number of children by the holding up of so much sugar, and is it not possible to take some action?

As stated in the answer, I believe that the International Sugar Council has circulated a recommendation. If that recommendation is not acted upon, and not acted upon promptly, then the Government may reconsider the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that shipbuilding firms carrying out Government contracts and proposed subsidised shipbuilding have obtained and are obtaining the required steel castings from abroad; that pattern makers and moulders in the vicinity of the firms are unemployed; and what action is it intended to take to deal with this matter?

I should be glad to consider any instances which the hon. Member cares to bring to my attention where foreign castings are being used in the construction of merchant ships when British castings are available at competitive prices. Admiralty shipbuilding contracts require the steel castings used to be of British manufacture.

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering the advisability of issuing a regulation that where shipbuilding contracts are subsidised the material and castings should be ordered in Britain or in the Colonies?

No, Sir. I have to take into consideration the questions of time and availability, because it is my desire to get ships as quickly as possible, but I have expressed the hope that wherever possible British material will be used, and I have received an assurance on the point. If the hon. Member has any information which leads him to believe that it is not being observed, I shall be very glad to have it.

Do we understand that the Board of Trade is not aware of any steel castings for this purpose coming from Germany?

No, Sir. I said that I should like instances in which British castings available at competitive prices were not being used.

Is it not a fact that British steel castings are not available anywhere at any time at competitive prices?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Liverpool City Council has resolved to build and lease a factory to be used by a firm, consisting of refugees, for the manufacture of flush doors; that manufacturers of flush doors in Liverpool, and elsewhere, object to the proposal on the grounds that existing factories are only on half production capable of rapid expansion; and what steps he is taking to see that the facilities granted to these refugees will not adversely affect the production of flush doors in existing factories?

I understand the Liverpool Corporation propose to build a factory which could be used for the manufacture of flush doors under powers conferred on them by the Liverpool Corporation Act, 1936, which enables them to build and lease factories on their Speke estate. In doing this, they are acting in accordance with the powers which Parliament has given them; and it is not open to me to take any action in the matter.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, and while not wishing to stand in the way of refugees settling in this country, might I ask whether he could take some steps to protect this trade in this country which is suffering severe competition from Canada and the United States, particularly in view of reduction of the tariff from 2s. 6d. to Is. 6d.?

Would my right hon. Friend draw the attention of the Home Secretary to this matter with a view to limiting the refugees who come into this country and displace British labour?

I did not understand that other than British labour is to be employed in this factory.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, according to the representations of the manufacturing associations, there is ample plant already existing in England which is idle and could be used very much more effectively; in other words, that there is no need for further factories?

There is a certain amount of under-employment in factories of this type, though I am not aware whether all the goods are supposed to be produced by these factories; but, as I say, Parliament gave to the Liverpool Corporation power to take action of this kind and I have no power at all to intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst traders with regard to the merchandise marks law; and whether he can see his way clear to introduce legislation in order to have all imported goods stamped with the country of origin?

Organisations representing the interests concerned in this country have been asked for their views regarding an alteration of the law such as is suggested; but replies have not yet been received from a number of them. I am, therefore, not yet in a position to add to the answer which I gave on 28th March to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Sudbury (Colonel Burton).

Is the Minister aware that most large manufacturing nations refuse to allow goods of foreign manufacture to be imported unless they are stamped with the country of origin?

When the Merchandise Marks Act was originally introduced the opinion of industry and commerce in this country was against that proposal. There are signs that the opinion since has been changed, and in order to ascertain whether that is so, I have circularised representative bodies asking for their views. I am sorry to say that some of those bodies are taking an extremely long time to reply.

Cannot the Minister take action without waiting for those replies?

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that poultry producers have always been in favour of imported eggs being marked with the country of origin?

Are not many poultry producers very doubtful as to the wisdom of marking imported eggs?

It just shows how wise I am to wait for those replies. I do not know about eggs. Certainly with regard to some eggs there is considerable doubt in the country whether it is wise to mark them with the names of the importing countries.

Are eggs manufactured products?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the trade between this country and Bulgaria for the years 1936, 1937, and 1938; and whether his Department is taking any steps to increase the trade between the two countries?

The hon. Member will find the figures for which he asks on page 191 of the January, 1939, issue of the Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom. The possibility of steps being taken which would facilitate United Kingdom purchases of Bulgarian goods, on which the maintenance of United Kingdom sales in Bulgaria depends, is being actively examined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the tonnage of wheat to be purchased under the Anglo-Rumanian Agreement, and the loan to be made under the Exports Credit Act, are maximum or minimum figures?

I would refer the hon. Member to the text of the Protocol regarding Commercial and Economic Relations with Rumania which has now been issued as a Command Paper.

I have read the Protocol, and the figures are up to a certain maximum. Does that mean that if an application is made by the Rumanian Government for an increase of those figures such application would be considered?

It means what it says. It means that the agreement provides for credit up to a maximum of £5,000,000 in regard to one species of credit, although it would be possible under another section to give a guarantee to the trade organisation to be set up.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of His Majesty's subjects who have been deported from Canada or Australia to the United Kingdom for the 12 months ended the last convenient date?

I understand that during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1939, the number of British subjects deported to the United Kingdom from Canada was 106 and from Australia 11.

Have any representations been made to His Majesty's Governments overseas with regard to deportations?

I am not aware of any representations recently.

May we have the numbers of male and female deportees?

I have not got them.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will consider the setting up of civilian conservation camps for the young unemployed in Newfoundland for work on the Government forestry belt on the lines of the civilian conservation camps in the United States of America?

I am somewhat doubtful whether conditions in Newfoundland are suitable for action of this kind, but I will communicate with the Commission of Government in regard to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is meant by a "conservation camp"?

I understand it is a name given to an experiment or policy in the United States whereby young men from 17 to 20 or 21 in groups of about 200 are employed on all sorts of work in connection with forests, soil erosion, and so on.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what new plans of a far-reaching character are contemplated in the near future for the rehabilitation of Newfoundland; whether His Majesty's Government have accepted the recommendations of Mr. Gorvin; and whether he can state the precise terms of these recommendations?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave on 25th April to the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day). As regards the second part, the position is that the recommendations made by Mr. Gorvin in his recent report to the Commission of Government have been accepted in principle, and that measures to give effect to them are now in course of preparation by the Commission in connection with their Budget proposals for 1939–40. Mr. Gorvin's report covers a wide field, and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

Is it a fact that Mr. Gorvin has been made a Commissioner of Government?

Perhaps the hon. Member will ask me in a few days' time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that steps are really to be taken to do something of a progressive and really good character to overcome the troubles in Newfoundland; and that in future we may not have such complacent reports from the Commissioners as we have had up to the present?

I hope I may say that still further good steps are being taken towards relieving the state of things there.

Has my right hon. Friend seen the statement in the Press to-day that Mr. Gorvin has been appointed a Commissioner?

I was not aware that the statement had appeared in the Press. Perhaps I may say that Mr. Gorvin's name was submitted some days ago, but I was not aware that it had been published.

Does that mean that his report, which is of a far-reaching character, will be put into operation now for the relief of the depressed position of the people of Newfoundland?

I have stated that his report has been approved and that detailed measures are in course of preparation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of cases in which verminous bunks and bedding are detected in crews' quarters; and whether any special attention is being given by his Department to this problem?

The cleanliness of crews' quarters is primarily a matter for the shipowners and the officers and men, and special attention is being given to the question. At the end of last year a joint committee of the Shipping Federation, the National Union of Seamen, and the officers' societies, was set up to consider the matter. The report of that committee was adopted on 3rd May by the National Maritime Board, who are now in consultation with the Board of Trade on certain questions which arise on it.

Will the right hon Gentleman tell the House what the Board of Trade itself is going to do in this matter? Those people are the people who are the culprits. What is the Board, whose business it is to see that conditions on board ship are healthy and clean, going to do?

I should have thought that an agreement between all the interests concerned, voluntarily entered into, was the very best way of ensuring the quickest improvement, and the Board of Trade will certainly lend every assistance in their power to see that it is done.

The point is that those people are, in fact, the delinquents—we cannot get away from that—and will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to introduce a regulation requiring that in every case the ship should be reported not only to the master but to the owner, and that the inspector should see that the owner carries out a proper fumigation, so as to secure cleanliness?.

I will certainly look into any point the hon. Member brings forward.

Is it not possible for the Board of Trade, in this day and generation, to issue instructions that verminous bunks and bedding must cease on board British ships?

Such instructions have been given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the extent to which masters of vessels are carrying out the recommendation contained in the instructions as to the survey of masters' and crews' spaces that the result of their inspections of crews' quarters should be entered at least once a week in the official log and in the owners' log?

From reports which the Board of Trade have received from superintendents of Mercantile Marine offices, I am satisfied that masters of ships are generally carrying out the recommendation in so far as the official log book is concerned. I have no information in respect of the entries made in the owners' logs.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to see that both recommendations are carried out? Would it not be one of the most effective means of declaring to everybody the condition of the ship?

I have no reason to suppose that they are not being carried out. I should have thought that the fact that they were being made in the official log book was more important still.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the conveyance of grain from Rumania to this country under the terms of the Rumanian Trade Agreement will be reserved exclusively for British shipping?

In accordance with the general rule applicable to the conveyance of Government-owned cargoes preference will be given to British ships, if they are available at appropriate rates and conditions.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the very unsatisfactory arrangements that were made last year and make a really big effort this year to ensure that British purchases are brought home in British ships?

Yes, Sir, I will certainly make a big effort, if the shipowners will respond, and not, as last time, decline the opportunity that was given to them, though I agree that owing to the haste with which the purchase was concluded then it was rather a belated opportunity. Under this transaction there will be more time to make arrangements in advance, and I hope that shipowners will take advantage of the opportunity I am giving.

Will the Minister see to it that shipowners who do not respond to his appeal for the benefit of the country do not get any share of the subsidy?

Why is it not possible to conscript ships?

I am hoping that it will be possible to arrange in the normal way for these cargoes to be carried in British ships.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of these imports into Britain come from Danzig and Hamburg and almost all of them come in foreign bottoms, and will he consider whether some means can be found to deal with the Baltic side of the imports into this country?

There will be no "Baltic side of the imports." These grain purchases by the Government will come from Black Sea ports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large percentage of coastwise traffic which is carried by foreign vessels; and whether he can introduce legislation to ensure the increased employment of British vessels and British crews in this coastwise traffic in the United Kingdom?

The share of foreign vessels in the United Kingdom coastwise trade, as measured by arrivals and departures of vessels with cargo, was less than 2 per cent. in 1938 and the first four months of 1939, but the incidence of foreign competition is greater in some trades and in some areas than in others. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 9th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne) regarding British shipping in the coasting trade.

Does my right hon. Friend really mean to tell the House that only 2 per cent. of the coastwise trade is carried by foreign ships?

Yes, it is a fact.

With the greatest respect to my right hon. Friend I say that he is labouring under some delusion.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not given the average percentage, and does he not agree that in certain coastwise trades there is a very high percentage of foreign vessels engaged?

I would not agree that it was very high, but I agree that it is higher than the average, and that is the reason why I put in my answer that foreign competition is greater in some trades and in some areas than in others.

Is it not a fact that it is 13 per cent. if the passenger coastwise trade is eliminated?

No, Sir, not so much as that.

May I ask the Board of Trade not to take the line of least resistance, but really to give us some accurate figures?

I do not think I have taken the line of least resistance. I have given the hon. Member accurate figures. If his question was so framed that he did not get the figures he wanted, perhaps he will put another question down on another day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in the case of those ships transferred from the British register to foreign ownership within the last six weeks, the Board of Trade were consulted prior to the transactions taking place?

The Board of Trade were notified prior to the completion of the sale to foreign owners in the following cases: "Laleham," "Peckham," "Meopham," "Essex Envoy" and "Tuscania." The remaining ships concerned were sold before owners generally were asked to notify the Board of Trade of proposals to dispose of vessels on the United Kingdom register to foreign buyers.

In view of the criticism which has been levelled by the right hon. Gentleman against certain owners who sold their ships abroad recently are we to understand that the strictures apply equally to all owners who sell their ships contrary to the wishes of the Board of Trade; and what is to be the position of these owners if they apply for Government subsidy?

The case to which the hon. Member refers was that of an owner who asked for the views of the Board of Trade and, on being told that the views of the Board of Trade were against such sale, then completed the sale. I have pointed out that, except in five cases, including the case referred to by the hon. Gentleman, which have already been referred to in the House of Commons, all the cases occurred before the general notification by the Board of Trade.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that unless the Board of Trade take power to prevent shipowners from transferring vessels to foreign flags, the Board of Trade are helpless in the matter?

Or unless the Board of Trade take power to purchase those vessels and hold them in reserve, a matter which I understand will be brought up later this afternoon.

Such circumstances as the right hon. Gentleman has indicated do not prevent certain shipowners from transferring their vessels, if they so care?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in the position to inform the House of the result of his examination of the question of compensation for loss or damage to stocks held by the retail trade arising from enemy action; and, in particular whether he can now give a definition of essential commodities?

I cannot at present add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 31st January, except to say that considerable progress has been made with the preparation of the scheme to which he referred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a property association has formed a war risks mutual society, which is already providing limited cover to property worth about £70,000,000; and has he any further statement to make on this subject?

I am aware of a case of the kind mentioned by my hon. Friend although I have no detailed information as to the society's operations. The Government have undertaken no liability to the society or to its members.

I wanted to know whether my right hon. Friend would make any further statement about the Government undertaking responsibility to the property owner, even if it was only partial cover?

The considerations which I have previously mentioned still apply. If my hon. Friend will refresh his memory, he will find that I made quite a definite statement about partial cover.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider his decision? There are very grave doubts about the effect of this on building schemes?

The circumstances to be considered have not changed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to have large scale manœuvres next September over the Yorkshire wolds; why this exceptionally well-farmed area is to be used when the adjoining moors are available; and whether he will consult the Minister of Agriculture with a view to avoiding the destruction of large quantities of food?

It would be disadvantageous at this stage to disclose to the commanders concerned the particular parts of the Yorkshire manœuvre area that will be mainly used this summer. But, if the farming area of the wolds is so used, there is no reason to anticipate any considerable damage, as the usual steps will be taken for the protection of animals and crops.

Might we be assured from the right hon. Gentleman that the shooting of grouse will in no way vitiate any position taken up by the War Office when deciding the area in which the manœsuvres are to take place?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the whole of Yorkshire is exceptionally well-farmed?

Do not the usual notices for the protection of grouse mean in the end that the troops are not able to get on the land at all?

asked the Secretary of State for War the value of orders placed within the last 12 months with mills or contractors in Scotland for the supply of cloth for Army purposes?

Approximately £75,000.

Does my right hon. Friend anticipate that it will be possible to increase the amount of these orders placed in Scotland, with the idea of giving the Scottish mills, which at present are not fully at work, a greater share of this work for His Majesty's Army?

Yes, Sir. If satisfactory deliveries are made, there is no reason why these orders should not be increased, and our augmented requirements indicate that that might be the case.

Can my right hon. Friend say how the figure compares with that of the previous year?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate weight of woollen products, clothing, blankets, etc., supplied to his Department for the years 1937 and 1938, respectively, and the estimated weight of similar products for the present year?

I regret that the required information is not readily available, and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that home-produced wool is used to a large extent in the manufacture of these products?

I think so.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many contracts for 3.45-inch shell made from bar, were placed during the latter half of 1936, and at what average price; how many of those contracts have since been renewed under a renewal clause, and at what average price per contract?

There was one such contract for 3.45-inch shell, but in the event the majority of the shell were made from forgings. There was no renewal clause in the contract. It would be contrary to practice to disclose contract prices.

Is the Minister aware that these shells from bar can, at to-day's prices, be made at 14s.; and will he assure the House that no such contract is at present running above that figure?

What steps will be taken to obtain a revision of prices when these contracts come up for renewal this year?

I do not know that they are coming up for renewal this year. The usual practice will be followed.

Is it not the fact that forged shells are far superior to those made from bar?

Yes, Sir, for shells of this size.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that all these contracts that were made in the autumn of 1936 are subject to renewal year by year? Surely it is unsatisfactory to hear that he is unaware that these contracts are subject to annual renewal?

If the hon. Gentle man will accept what I say, there was no renewal clause in the contract to which J have referred.

That was a very exceptional contract.

Will these contracts be under the control and supervision of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Luton (Mr. Burgin), the new Minister in charge of supplies?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not a fact that the price now being paid is 50 per cent. higher than that mentioned by the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes)?

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps were taken to give publicity to the cancellation of the War Office instruction broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation on 26th April that men between the ages of 20 and 21 years would come within the scope of the Military Training Bill after midnight on that date and be refused enlistment in the Territorial Army; and when and by what means it was made clear to the public that these men would still be accepted for the Territorial Army?

The War Office announcement broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation on 26th April was to the effect that men who joined the Territorial Army before midnight on 26th April would be exempt from the provisions of the Military Training Bill, and was not as suggested in the question. The decision referred to in the second part of the question was communicated to the Press and appeared in many newspapers at the end of April and the beginning of May.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the use of the British Broadcasting Corporation to give publicity to a statement of the Prime Minister before it had been passed into law was to make the right hon. Gentleman a dictator; and will not steps be taken to get equal publicity for the amendment which was made last week to that announcement?

It is perfectly clear that the position was unaffected by that. The question was discussed in the House. My right hon. Friend is not a dictator. It is for Parliament to pass the Bill or not as it desires.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the point about equal publicity for the amended position.

asked the Secretary of State for War the extent to which tinned or preserved milk is at present supplied to the various units in the Army at stations at home and/or abroad?

At home stations, milk is purchased under regimental arrangements from the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes out of a daily cash allowance, and information is not available as to the amount of tinned or preserved milk so obtained. The milk supplied to units abroad is principally in the form of full cream unsweetened tinned milk, the bulk of which is of home origin.

Do the authorities impress upon the officers the importance of using fresh milk where possible?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not a matter of interest to the War Office to know what proportion of fresh milk is consumed by the troops, particularly having regard to the pressure by the Army and Navy Institutes to push the sale of tinned and canned products, to the detriment of the health of the troops?

The matter is in the discretion of the units concerned. While it is a very interesting matter, they are given the cash and are allowed to purchase what they think best.

Is it not a matter of concern to the War Office if the cash is expended on foods which do not give the necessary nutritive value to the Army which the right hon. Gentleman administers?

Of course it is a matter of interest, but I have explained to the hon. Member that this matter is within the discretion of the units, and therefore the amount purchased varies at different times.

asked the Secretary of State for War the date from which the recently agreed-upon allowances to the wives and dependants of married soldiers will commence?

The date from which the reduction in the qualifying age for family allowance will take effect has not yet been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether His Majesty's Government will consider extending the annual period of training for those serving in the Territorial Army who are under the age of 25?

To adopt the proposal would not be advantageous, as it would mean that complete units would not be present.

Is the general question of the amount of annual training for the Territorials under the consideration of the War Office?

I made a statement on that subject a day or two ago.

Is not some increase in the period of training necessary to enable these units to go overseas within a reasonable time after the outbreak of war? If the period of training is not increased, will not the militiamen who have joined up know a great deal more about the work than some of the Territorials?

Yes, Sir; but my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that we are dealing with people who are engaged in civilian occupations, and there is a limit to the amount of training they can undertake.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction which will be caused in the Territorial Army by the proposal to terminate the existing service and status of all Territorial soldiers, however efficient, on their being called up for six months' compulsory training; and what steps he is taking to see that the implied lack of appreciation of Territorial training and standards of efficiency does not have an adverse effect on voluntary recruiting for the Territorial Army?

Men serving in the Territorial Army who were accepted before 27th April are not liable, under the provisions of the Military Training Bill, to have their service as such terminated and to be called up for six months' training in the Militia. In the case of those accepted after that date who become liable for service in the Militia, their Territorial service will reckon in diminution of the period of three and a half years' Militia service after the completion of the six months' course; and, further, they may then, subject to the approval of the Army Council, return to the Territorial Army in order to complete the balance of that period of service instead of remaining in the Militia. The value of Territorial Army service is fully recognised.