asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any further statement about the efforts of the city and Royal Burgh of Edinburgh, to preserve the buildings of Taylors' Hall in the Cowgate?

I am informed that the Corporation recently decided to demolish the buildings and have applied to the Dean of Guild Court for the necessary authority.

Is it not a fact that when in 1923 the city bought these buildings a written agreement was made with the Ancient Monuments Board that they would be preserved, and not demolished?

I cannot say that I have any knowledge of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any statement to make regarding communications he has had with the Clyde Fishermen's Association regarding the basking sharp menace in the Clyde; and what consequential steps he has in view towards combating the menace caused by such sharks?

I am unable to trace any recent communication on this subject from the Clyde Fishermen's Association. The last letter received was dated October, 1937. The instructions to the Fishery Board's cruisers mentioned in the answer given on 23rd May to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) remain in force; and according to my most recent report the commercial vessel engaged in shark hunting has been at sea daily on the outlook for sharks during the last 10 days.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not know that since the date of the last question and answer on this subject the menace of basking sharks has become much more obvious and much more dangerous all round the coasts of the Firth of Clyde and the West of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and what steps is he taking to preserve the safety of those who have to use the sea as a means of earning a livelihood?

I have explained that the fishery cruisers have been given certain instructions as to dealing with these sharks and if the hon. and learned Member has any further information as to the whereabouts of the sharks I shall be glad to have it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman supplement the present ship which is chasing the sharks with a few tanks for the land sharks?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the erection of timber houses in Scotland is being held up for lack of timber, much of which is imported from Canada; and what steps he proposes to take to facilitate the importation of such timber and to expedite the erection of houses in Scotland?

I have made inquiries and I understand that the building of timber houses in Scotland is not being held up by any general shortage of timber supplies.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the fact that the building of 100 timber houses in Greenock has been held up because it is alleged that a cargo of timber bought from Canada was held up, and will he look into the matter?

I have had information about the Greenock case and am told that there have been some site difficulties, and that consequently certain orders were delayed, but I understand that the timber has now arrived.

Will the Secretary of State tell us whether wooden houses are a success in Scotland?

Yes, Sir. In some cases they have been proved to be very successful.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken to expedite the erection of these timber houses?

I could not, within the compass of an answer to a question, say all that is being done, but a good deal of effort is being devoted at the present time to the building of these houses.

Is it the case that there is such a great lack of houses that in many places, including Greenock, people are only too anxious to get timber houses?

That is true.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether farmers who, desiring to improve their land in a time of emergency, ploughed up poor permanent grass this year before the policy of the ploughing subsidy was announced, will be enabled to receive this assistance?

My hon. Friend will remember that when the scheme for assisting the ploughing up of old grass land was announced on 3rd May it was explained that it was to apply to a programme of summer ploughing undertaken after that date. In the circumstances I regret that I can hold out no hope of grant being paid in respect of land ploughed up before the announcement was made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate what response has been made already by farmers under this scheme?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the average price received by the producer of white fish in Aberdeen in the month of April this year was only 1.87d. per pound; that the prices obtained are affected by, among other factors, the practice of sharing among fish merchants and by the practice of allowing foreign quotas to be imported in the form of fillets, thus doubling the value thereof; that the prices are leading to laying up of vessels and hardship to crews in increasing numbers; and whether the White Fish Commission has submitted any proposals to him for the betterment of the industry which they are charged to supervise?

The price of white fish landed at Aberdeen during April was approximately as stated in the question. In neither of the factors referred to by the hon. Member has there been any recent change and the depression of prices has probably been due to heavy landings generally and to seasonal deterioration in the quality of the fish. I am at present considering, in consultation with the other Departments concerned, whether some arrangements can be made by which fish imported in filleted form will be computed for quota purposes at the equivalent weight of whole fish. I regret that the depression, as is not unusual in summer, resulted in the laying-up of a number of trawlers; some of these, however, are undergoing overhaul. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer on this point given on nth May by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to the hon. Member for South Aberdeen (Sir D. Thomson).

:While sharing the sparse consolation to be found in the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask him what he proposes to do to increase the tempo of operations of the White Fish Commission; and is he further aware that the statement that there has been no change in the conditions was not founded on fact in that new proposals for laying-up on an unprecedented scale are now before the industry?

If the hon. Member reads my answer he will see that I said that two factors have not altered, the factors being those mentioned in his question which, in his view, might conduce to the laying-up of ships.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain away the fact that fish landed at Aberdeen quay is being sold at less than 2d. per lb. while in the retail shops the price is 10d. and 1s., and even more per lb.?

I am advised that such sharing as exists is on a limited scale and does not eliminate competition among rival groups of individual buyers.

Who advised the right hon. Gentleman of that? May I have information on that point, because that is contrary to all well informed and impartial opinion?

Is it not the case that there is a great deal of sharing in the Aberdeen market?

I shall be glad to look into any information which my hon. Friend or the hon. Member cares to give me, but the sources of information which are normally open to me have advised me in the sense stated.

Can my right hon. Friend say how far the price quoted in the question falls short of an economic price?

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the average output per person employed in the Yorkshire coalfield each year from 1920 to the year 1938; how many persons were employed; and the average wages paid per person during the same period?

(2) The number of mines engaged in the production of coal, together with the numbers of persons employed in the Yorkshire coalfield, above and below ground, during the years 1920 to 1938; and further, the comparable figures for the whole British coalfield for the same periods above-mentioned.

As the replies involve a number of figures, I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed, including clerks and salaried persons, and output of coal in each of the districts of the mining industry in Great Britain in 1938?

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the average number of persons employed in the coalmines of Nottinghamshire, and the number of conveyors and coal-cutting machines in operation, for each of the years 1929 to 1938;

(2) the total amount of coal mined in Nottinghamshire, and the amount of coal

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

With the hon. Member's permission, I will answer these questions in the form of a statistical table which I will circulate in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary for Mines in view of the fact that the Agreement made in December last between the Governments of Great Britain and France stipulated that at least 49.5 per cent. of the normal imports of coal by France should be purchased from this country, how does he account for the imports this year being far below the agreed level, and for April last only 21.5 per cent.; and what steps does he propose to take to effect an improvement?

The stipulated percentage to which the hon. Member refers does not apply to total imports, as certain classes of coal, such as that for bunkers and metallurgical purposes, are excluded from the normal quota to which the Agreement applies. I am not yet in possession of the information which would enable me to say whether, during the current year, the share of the trade to which we are entitled has been secured. The hon. Member will, however, appreciate that performance under the Agreement cannot be calculated by reference to a portion only of the year.

May I ask the Minister whether it is or is not a fact that in the Agreement of 10th December last the French did undertake to allow Britain 49.5 per cent. of the normal quota and to limit the licences issued for the importation of coal from Holland, Germany and Poland, and also to wipe out the arrears that had accrued as a result of the timber and coal barter arrangement of 1934, and whether, despite those undertakings, there was during the first quarter of this year as compared with the first quarter of last year a substantial reduction in the amount of coal imported from this country?

I appreciate the hon. Member's anxiety. It is true that there have been difficulties with regard to the coal Agreement with France, but I understand that arrangements have been made whereby it is hoped that the position will improve. I am not in a position at the moment to say definitely whether the Agreement has had the results we desire, because we are at present awaiting the official French figures which are necessary to enable us to say whether or not the Agreement has been fulfilled.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to give me a definite answer?

No, I cannot give a definite date.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give particulars of the number of workmen certified as disabled from the various scheduled industrial diseases in coal mines in 1938; and if he will indicate whether the incidence of any of these diseases reveals an increase on previous years, and the reasons for such increase?

I regret that this information is not available at present, but the returns will be completed in a few weeks, and I will send the information to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the memorandum drawn up in South Africa upon closer co-operation between the Union territories and the High Commission territories is now in the hands of His Majesty's Government and of the South African Government; and whether it is proposed to publish this memorandum at an early date?

The Joint Advisory Conference established in pursuance of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and General Hertzog on 29th March of last year have submitted a first report dealing with certain matters affecting the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland. The report will be considered in consultation with the Union Government, but I cannot say at present whether it will be published.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider placing a copy in the Library of the House?

I will consider that.

Is not publication extraordinarily desirable?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the scrap-iron merchants in this country, who are refraining for patriotic reasons from exporting scrap which, in many cases is their normal business, are being penalised by the British steel ring, who are buying scrap-steel at a much higher price from foreigners than they will agree to pay their own countrymen for similar material; and whether he approves of the subsidy paid to the steel industry to help in its recovery being used in this way rather than being spent in this country, in which case the Exchequer would benefit by a decrease in unemployment?

There is an arrangement between the British Iron and Steel Federation and the Scrap Merchants' Federation, under which the latter have agreed to offer the former all available scrap in this country at a price which is settled between the two bodies. Under this arrangement material is sold for export only when it is not required for use in this country. In spite of this arrangement, home supplies of scrap have recently proved insufficient, and I understand that it has been necessary to negotiate purchases abroad. I am not aware of the price paid for imported scrap, or that the steel industry is receiving a subsidy.

Is the Minister not aware that, under this arrangement between the steel federation and the scrap merchant, the British Iron and Steel Federation have actually suspended some of the contracts with some of the scrap merchants in this country and are purchasing scrap at 50 per cent. above the home price?

I am certainly not aware that the Iron and Steel Federation have suspended contracts with the scrap merchants in this country.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman full particulars will he look into them?

Yes, Sir.

Would the right hon. Gentleman accept the possibility of allowing local authorities to organise the collection of scrap, as they can produce enormous amounts at very reasonable prices?

Are the old British ships that are being sold abroad being used as scrap?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of trawlers in the fishing industry which were lost in the last year; the number of such vessels which were replaced; and whether all these vessels were constructed in British shipyards?

The number of trawlers lost by casualty during 1938 was 20. I regret that the remaining information asked for could only be obtained by special inquiry of the owners of the trawlers which were lost.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of trawlers lost through old age and wear and tear is far in excess of the figure which he has just given and that that diminution of the fleet is having very serious consequences upon our Defence requirements?

I was asked to deal with a question of trawlers lost, and I presumed that it meant, in the normal parlance, trawlers lost by casualty.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men that have offered their services to the Territorial Army for the three months ended to the last convenient date, and the intake of recruits during this period; and comparable figures for the corresponding period of 1937 and 1938?

The number of applications for enlistment into the Territorial Army during the period 1st February to 30th April, 1939, was approximately 166,000. Comparable figures for 1937 and 1938 are not available. The numbers of recruits finally approved for the Territorial Army during the three months ended 30th April, 1937, and the corresponding periods in 1938 and 1939, were 18,220, 24,254 and 62,965, respectively.

Does the Minister consider that that is very satisfactory?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Has the right hon. Gentleman included Scotland in those figures?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been decided to issue a medal to those concerned in the operations in Palestine; and, if so, what are the conditions or qualifications on which it will be issued?

I hope that a decision will be reached very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having in view the fact that Lincolnshire in England, Fife in Scotland, and Flint in Wales, are the first counties to complete their unit establishments of the Territorial Army, he will make any suitable recognition to the county authorities concerned?

Information received since I answered my hon. and gallant Friend on 23rd May last now indicates that Westmorland was, in fact, the first county in England to complete its increased establishment, the date being 6th May. Congratulations have been sent to all units which have reached their full strength.

Is it not a fact that Westmorland has not a separate Territorial Association, but is joined with Cumberland?

Nothing can detract from the enthusiasm of Lincolnshire.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulties in which Territorial units are being put owing to the delay, sometimes of months, in getting new officers of whom the units themselves have approved gazetted by the War Office; and whether he will speed up the machinery in order that the thousands of new men may have their proper establishment of officers?

The increase in the establishment of the Territorial Army involves some 9,000 appointments to commissions, and a large number of recommendations is being received daily. Every endeavour is being made to accelerate their examination, and officers commanding units are permitted, as a temporary measure, to authorise eligible candidates to join and attend drills and annual training, before they are gazetted. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular cases of delay in mind and will send me the necessary details, I will gladly took into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can yet make an announcement on the pay of Territorial adjutants in view of the fact that at present Territorials who are employed as full-time adjutants receive only about half the emoluments of Regulars employed as full-time Territorial adjutants, in spite of the fact that the former are not qualifying for pensions?

With effect from 1st June, a Territorial officer employed as adjutant in a Territorial unit will receive the full pay and allowances of his rank in the Territorial Army, not exceeding that of captain, and the rate of additional pay drawn by a Regular officer similarly employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers and non-commissioned officers being appealed for from the Territorial Army as full-time instructors for the Regular Army, and, as the Regular Army, when convenient, ask the Territorial Army for their best non-commissioned officers, he will reconsider the question of recognising the rank earned by Territorials who are compelled to serve with the Regular Army during their Militia service?

As regards the first part of the question no separate quotas have been fixed for the Territorial Army or the other sources from which instructors may be found. As regards the second part, the matter is not one which at present arises.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the arrangements for the calling up of men under the military training scheme?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I have given to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams) on 16th May and to the hon. Members for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) and Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 25th May, copies of which I am sending him. Some modification may be necessary in the calling up arrangements as announced on 16th May, as the men for the air defence of Great Britain are required in three-monthly groups, while men for the Field Army are required in two-monthly groups. The effect of this on the calling up arrangements will be that while in general men will be called up for training at intervals of two months, approximately half the September group will have their calling-up notices postponed to October, and half the March group to April. The first group of men to be called up will consist of about 34,000, and they will receive their calling-up notices on or about Saturday, 1st July, requiring them to report to their units a fortnight later.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement on the contractual obligations of the men who will be called up?

That is a matter of business, but surely the answer is "Yes."

Could the right hon. Gentleman be more specific on that point, because the matter is of great concern to many people?

Yes, Sir, and that is quite understood by His Majesty's Government. The House can be assured that there will be no delay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement later on as to the number rejected on physical grounds?

The medical arrangements do not begin until Thursday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the medical inspection of militiamen preparatory to training, he will take into consideration the desirability that it should include an X-ray examination of the chest?

The arrangements for medical examination include provision for the services of expert radiologists in all cases in which this is considered by the medical boards to be desirable in order to establish a man's fitness for service. In addition, information in the possession of the tuberculosis officer of the local authority will be available.

Would it be possible for a man who has failed in his medical examination for the Territorial Army to be subsequently passed for the Militia?

I could not answer that hypothetical question.

If a man has made application to join the Territorial Army before the required date, and has been unsuccessful in passing the medical examination by reason of defective eyesight or some such defect, what will be his position then?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has completed his inquiry into the matter of allegations made at the Manchester assizes on the 19th May to the effect that the German consul in Liverpool had, at an earlier date, assisted a man named Joseph Kelly to make contacts with foreign agents on the Continent to whom he sold plans of the Government factory at Euxton, Lancashire; what are the results of the inquiry; how far was the German consul in Liverpool and/or his staff implicated; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent a continuation or recurrence of such activities on the part of this consul and/or his staff?

If the hon. Member will repeat his question in two or three days' time, I hope to be able to give him a reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the reasons why Lord Hankey has been appointed a member of the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations in succession to Lords Hailey and Lugard; and what experience he has had of Colonial administration?

The constitution of the Permanent Mandates Commission provides that members should be appointed for their personal merits and competence. It was on the grounds of Lord Hankey's exceptional administrative experience and acknowledged qualities that his appointment was proposed at the recent Council by the Rapporteur for Mandates Questions, the representative of Latvia, and approved by the Council.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the latter part of the question?

There is no specific requirement that members of the Permanent Mandates Commission should have Colonial experience, and, in fact, several of them have not that experience.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer that part of the question? He has not answered it.

I should have thought that, in view of Lord Hankey's record, his knowledge of Colonial and other administration must be very considerable.

While appreciating Lord Hankey's long and distinguished public service, may I ask whether it has not in fact been the practice to appoint as members of this body experts with know ledge of native Colonial administration, and whether there was no one in the Civil Service in this country who possessed that knowledge?

As I have already said, there is no requirement that members of the Permanent Mandates Commission should have Colonial experience, and not all the present members of the Commission possess that experience.

In view of the fact that most of the important members of the Commission have had such experience, is it not very unfortunate that His Majesty's Government should depart from that practice, which has no doubt contributed largely to the great authority of the Mandates Commission?

asked the Prime Minister the date when the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations will be meeting to consider the British Government's new White Paper proposals with regard to Palestine?