PALESTINE.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the High Commissioner has been given powers to prohibit and regulate transfers of land in Palestine in accordance with paragraph 16 of the Government's statement of policy?
Steps are being taken to confer upon the High Commissioner the necessary powers regarding transfers of land and, as indicated in the paragraph to which the hon. Member refers, the powers when conferred will be made retrospective to the 18th of this month.
CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS (DUTY).
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he proposes that films of educational value for exhibition only in schools and halls, connected with educational objects, should be now given some preferential treatment so that there may be some distinction drawn between films made for this purpose and those made for ordinary release under the usual conditions?
This is one of the matters I am at present examining in connection with the representations I have received regarding the duties on cinematograph film.
RUSSIA AND GERMANY (TRADE).
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the volume of trade for each of the last three years between Germany and Russia?
The following statement shows the value of the trade of Germany with the Soviet Union in each of the last three years, as recorded in the official German trade statistics.
Year. Imports into Germany. Exports from Germany. Million Reichsmarks Million Reichsmarks. 1936 … 93.2 126.1 1937 … 65.1 117.4 1938 … 47.4 31.8 Notes. (1) The above particulars exclude gold bullion and specie, and, in 1936, also silver bullion and specie. (2) For 1938, the particulars relate to the trade of the Old Reich (i.e. excluding Austria); from 1st October, however, the trade of the Sudeten areas adjacent to the Old Reich is included.
TITHE RENTCHARGE.
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that before the passing of the Tithe Act, 1936, tithe was recoverable only if it issued out of the land, and that the Tithe Redemption Commission is issuing bankruptcy notices in respect of tithe which did not issue out of the land during the past 12 years; and what he proposes to do to prevent the retrospective application of a personal liability for tithe which no one was under any obligation to pay at the time when it nominally became due?
My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension, since there was no tithe rentcharge which did not issue out of land and in respect of which there was no obligation to make payment when it became due. The Tithe Act, 1936, provides a personal remedy for the recovery of arrears of tithe rentcharge in addition to the remedies previously available and it is under that provision that bankruptcy proceedings may be taken. I see no reason for any amendment of the law.
MERCANTILE MARINE.
asked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of the necessity of placing the work and duties of the mercantile marine in a position of front rank importance, he will consider appointing a Minister to take charge of a special new department responsible to the House for all matters connected with the mercantile marine service and duties appertaining thereto?
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on the 23rd February to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).