asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is an adequate supply of prismatic compasses and prismatic binoculars for Territorial officers to purchase at reasonable prices as part of their military equipment; what control he exercises to ensure that prismatic compasses offered to the public by retail firms are accurate at the time of sale, or does he insist on Territorial officers purchasing prismatic compasses direct from the Government?

Territorial Army officers are not required to provide themselves with these articles of equipment, which are not available for purchase by them from Army stocks. A training scale of both articles is issuable in peace to Territorial Army units for instructional purposes, and on embodiment a free issue will be made to Territorial Army officers. No control as regards the accuracy of prismatic compasses offered to the public by retail firms is exercised by the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many men aged from 21 to 31 are debarred from serving in the Territorial Army by reason of the fact that their occupations preclude them from going into camp for training; that such men include those engaged in agriculture and in seasonal occupations and that numbers of these men are desirous of serving; and will he consider making arrangements so that these men can obtain the required training at other periods of the year than July and August?

The camping season for the Territorial Army this year, which began early in May, has now been extended to include October. Every effort is made to fix dates for camp so as best to suit the majority in the units, and intending recruits may be able, by making preliminary inquiries, to join a unit whose camp they could normally attend. Those men who cannot attend camp with their own units can apply to attend camp with other units, or to be attached to Regular units or depots, at a time more convenient to them and their employers.

Can the hon. Member say whether, when a man exercises the right to train with another unit some distance from his home, his railway fare is paid by the military authorities?

I should like to have notice of that question. I rather think it is.

asked the Secretary of State for War which units of His Majesty's Army are at present supplied with ceremonial uniforms; and what is the annual cost of the same to the nation?

The units at present supplied with ceremonial uniforms are: Two regiments of Household Cavalry, 10 battalions of Foot Guards, "K" Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. With three battalions of Foot Guards serving abroad, the extra annual cost is approximately £42,000.

Is any further change contemplated in the supply of these uniforms?

I should like to know what the hon. Member means.

Is it intended to supply further regiments with ceremonial uniforms

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any financial provision has been granted for the dependants of the victims in the recent explosions in the Royal Arsenal works on 18th and 19th May; and whether the amount of compensation payable is the same on behalf of those who were engaged on civilian or military duties?

The widows of the soldiers who were killed in the explosion on 18th May continue to receive family allowance up to 15th June, and will receive awards of pensions thereafter in respect of themselves and their children under the provisions of the Pay Warrant. The dependants of the civilian staff killed in the explosions on 17th and 18th May are being considered for awards of compensation under the provisions of the Government Scheme of Compensation framed under the Workmen's Compensation Act. The provisions of this scheme are not the same as those of the Pay Warrant under which pensions are awarded to the dependants of soldiers, and there are various factors which make any direct comparison of the respective benefits difficult.

Will the Financial Secretary kindly expedite this question of allowances for dependants?

I do not think there has been any avoidable delay. It is a question of ascertaining the amounts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet come to a decision on the Highland Economic Committee's Report; if not, when can that decision be expected; and, as the matter is urgent, whether he will see that no further time be lost in taking action?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolutions dealing with a programme of reconstruction for the High lands, passed by a conference recently held by the crofters' unions at Mallaig, among which was one for the setting up of a representative commission; and whether he is now in a position to give any information regarding the steps the Government will take to assist in carrying through that programme?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement, but I hope to do so before the Recess.

Will the Secretary of State inform the House the reason for the delay on this very urgent matter? He agreed long ago that it was an urgent matter and that it would have his immediate attention.

The hon. Member knows that the Highland problem is exceedingly difficult to solve, and that we have to consult a number of local authorities.

Is it not the case that this has been a problem for many years, and is it not time that the Government took some action in the matter in order to prevent the depopulation of the High lands?

Does not the Secretary of State agree that there are a number of steps that might be taken immediately with general agreement in regard to the Highlands?

I am looking at the problem in all its aspects, and I have in mind the particular question referred to by the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean).

Is there not complete agreement on the part of Scottish Members of all parties on this particular matter?

There may be agreement that something should be done, but there is not agreement as to what the steps should be.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in 1892 the Deer Forest Commission reported that nearly 2,000,000 acres then devoted to sport in Scotland were suitable for crofters' holdings; and whether, as rearing human beings in the Highlands of Scotland is of more importance to the British Empire than raising deer, he is prepared to do something outstanding for the Highlands and Islands in keeping with the conscription of the youth of our country?

In their report of 1895 the Royal Commission, to which the hon. Member refers, scheduled areas totalling 1,783,000 acres in the crofting counties as suitable partly for small holdings and partly for moderately sized farms. The areas in question included large grazing farms, grouse moors and deer forests. Since the date of the report a considerable proportion of this land has been utilised for the settlement of small holders. It should however be borne in mind that there are several factors, including quality of land as well as the general change in standards of living, which limit the possibilities of land settlement in deer forests. With regard to the general question of improving economic conditions in the Highlands and Islands, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just given to his previous question.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the inter-departmental committee that was set up after the last War reported that about one-third of the area of the deer forests is no good for agriculture or forestry, that it is only fit for deer and nothing else, and has no other rate able value at all?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies to that question, is he not aware that the Highlands of Scotland, before the clearances, maintained a hardy and intelligent race and that the Island of Skye during the Napoleonic wars sent 20,000 men to the British Army?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that over one-sixth of the total area of Scotland is now returned as deer forest; that more than 1,000,000 acres have been withdrawn from cultivation for this purpose since 1920; and whether he will introduce legislation imposing a tax on the value of this land so as to bring it back into cultivation with the minimum of delay?

I am aware of the fact stated in the first part of the question, but I find that the hon. Member is not correct in his statement in the second part of the question, as the total area returned as deer forest in 1938 was some 80,000 acres less than in 1920. I am not prepared to adopt the proposal he suggests.

Could my right hon. Friend suggest that we would give to the hon. Member who asked the question a farm on a deer forest if he promised to make his living out of it?

Who is "we '?

Me.

I will accept the Noble Lady's offer, but I am not asking a farm for myself. I want the Highlands of Scotland to be opened up, so that with all our modern means we may be able to have tens of thousands of people living healthy, happy lives in the land of their forefathers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give information as to the number of pensions at 65 years of age and widows' pensions, respectively, which have been refused to applicants owing to the restriction imposed by Section 6 (3) of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1929?

I regret that the exact information is not available. I understand, however, that the number of claims for old age and widows' pensions which are disallowed by reason of the restriction referred to is small.

Would it not be possible for the Secretary of State to take out these figures for one or two years in order to show the size of the problem and the desirability of making a change in the law in this respect, because of its hardship?

I cannot give the hon. Member the exact figures but I can tell him that out of some 36,000 applications disallowed in Scotland since 1930 the number of rejections by reason of this restriction is of the order of 100. That gives some idea of the size of the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in 1923 or at any other time, any undertaking was given to the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland by the city and royal burgh of Edinburgh that the Tailors' Hall buildings would be reconstructed, and the architectural features preserved?

I understand that in 1923 when giving an undertaking to preserve features of architectural interest in an improvement scheme area the corporation stated that it was their intention to preserve as far as possible the facade of Tailors' Hall Buildings. They have since reconsidered the question and decided on demolition. I am informed that they propose to incorporate certain lettered and carved stones in the screen wall to be erected on the site.

Ought not the capital of Scotland to keep its promise and can any Scot view with complacency the destruction of this splendid example of seventeenth century architecture?

Why do not the Government resign?

The hon. Member must remember that this is the action of a local authority, and that the Government are not responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Scottish Agricultural Securities Corporation charges 4¼ percent, upon loans advanced by it, whereas the English Agricultural Mortgage Corporation charges only 4¼ percent.; and whether, under the Agricultural Development Bill it is proposed to recoup Scottish farmers for the extra charges made upon them for loans in the past and assure them of treatment in the future equal to that enjoyed by English fanner borrowers?

I am aware that different rates of interest have been and are charged on agricultural loans in Scotland and in England and Wales and that the present English rate for new loans is rather lower than the Scottish rate, and I am in consultation with the Scottish Agricultural Securities Corporation on the subject. It is not, however, the case that higher charges have fallen on Scottish farmers in general in respect of these loans since the inception of the two schemes.

Does not my right hon. Friend recollect that under Clause 32 of the Agricultural Development Bill, it is proposed to give a grant, or it may be a loan, to the English Corporation for 20 years, amounting to £60,000 a year, apparently to enable them to offer loans at £ per cent, less than the Scottish farmers have to pay, and why should there be that difference?

It would not be possible to explain this by means of question and answer. No doubt my hon. Friend will have an opportunity of discussing it on the Bill.

Is the Secretary of State standing up for Scotland in the Cabinet?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of acres in each of the crofting counties from which clearances of sheep have taken place in the last 15 years for purposes of sport, afforestation, and for other reasons, respectively?

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available. I should add, however, that the sheep population in these counties has increased by nearly 200,000 since 1921.

Since the increase of sheep is by such a number as 200,000, does not the Secretary of State consider that it would be advisable that steps should be taken to increase the man-power of the Highlands?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Chief Constable of Glasgow has appointed five superannuated superintendents to positions in Glasgow; and whether the police committee of the town council and/or the Lord Provost of Glasgow were consulted before those appointments were made?

I am informed that no such appointments have been made by the chief constable.

Is it not the case that that statement has already appeared in practically all the Glasgow newspapers, and that it is asserted that this was done without consultation with the police committee, and if the chief constable, as I understand, is taking steps to appoint these five individuals, will the right hon. Gentleman see that the chief constable consults with the police committee of the town council?

I have been in touch with the proper authority, and the answer is as I have given it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use the powers that he possesses to see that the chief constable does not make appointments without consulting the police committee of the City of Glasgow?

I have no doubt the chief constable recognises the need of consulting with the police committee.

Is it not the case that the chief of police of Glasgow comes partly under the power of the local authority, and that questions which the local authority considers to be important cannot be dealt with without consulting it?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the feeling created by the proposed Air Ministry encroachment upon the South-Eastern Counties of Scotland Sanatorium at East Fortune; and whether he will immediately take steps in consultation with the Secretary of State for Air to protect this health service?

I have received representations on the matter to which the hon. Member refers and I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air.

Will the right hon. Gentleman shed his dignity as Secretary of State for Scotland in this matter and deal with it as representative of a county that is prejudicially affected by this proposal?

I shall do my duty as Secretary of State and at the same time as representing my constituency.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Air Ministry could find ample room in the Caird shipyard in Greenock?

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the average out- put of coal per man-shift worked in the coal mines of Nottinghamshire for each of the years 1929 to 1938; the average pithead price per ton of coal disposable commercially; and the average wage per shift paid for the same period;

(2) the average weekly wage per man paid in the coal mines of Nottingham

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents to miners employed in the coal mines of Nottinghamshire during each of the last 10 years, stating the causes of these accidents?

In view of the size of the statistical statement involved, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, send him the information asked for and place a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the last series of pit trials were completed for the use of gas-alarm detectors; and whether any future experiments are to be made or are being made at the present time?

The last completed series of official pit trials of automatic firedamp detectors was that carried out on the Ring-rose Firedamp Alarms towards the end of 1937 on behalf of the Committee on the Firedamp Detector Regulations; and fresh regulations have since been made, based

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.

Can the Minister say how many remain to be tested?

I think two.

Has any progress been made with regard to the automatic detectors?

I think that is a different question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any steps are being taken to develop the oil-from-coal scheme for South Wales; will he also give the number of miners unemployed in the South Wales coalfield for the year 1938 and for each month separately for 1939 to the latest available date?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my predecessor gave to him on 14th March last. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the Official Report a statistical statement giving the figures asked for in the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether notification of outbreaks of fire on the coal-face or in the gob are sent to his Department immediately such fires are discovered; and will he consider exercising the power given to him under Section 81 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, to order, by regulation, that such out- breaks shall be notified to the inspector for the division and also to the person nominated by the workers as set down for notices of accidents in Section 80?

Yes, Sir. The law at present requires that all cases of fire below-ground and of certain other dangerous occurrences shall be reported forthwith to the inspector of the division. If loss of life or serious personal injury results, then notice must also be given to a duly appointed workmen's representative, but if no serious personal injury is caused there is no obligation on the management to notify the workmen's representative. I have no power to alter the law in this respect, but I will note the matter for consideration in connection with the preparation of the new Safety Bill.

Am I to understand from the hon. Gentleman's reply that notifica- tion of fires on the coal-face must be sent to his Department, and, if so, did an inspector visit the Ashley Green Collieries when the fire broke out there?

I could not give a detailed answer. I have no reason to believe that the regulations were not carried out, but I would not like to give a definite answer without notice.

How long does it take to put out a gob fire after there has been notification?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement concerning the progress of the negotiations with the United States of America concerning the exchange of American cotton and wheat for strategic raw materials?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to questions by the hon. Members for the Forest of Dean (Mr.Price), and for Oldham (Mr. Hamilton Kerr) on 23rd May.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these negotiations are proceeding smoothly and without hitch, and whether he anticipates their being brought to a conclusion before the end of the present Session?

I should not like to give any definite date. The hon. and gallant Member will realise that there are a large number of points to be considered but the negotiations are proceeding quite satisfactorily.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of tinned fish exported by Japan to this country in each of the last three years and up to the latest available date this year?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate such information as is available in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As I am only asking for four figures would it not be possible to give them now?

Perhaps I have over estimated the hon. Member's curiosity. I have given him figures for a number of different types of fish.

Is it not the case that there has been a considerable increase in Japanese exports to this country, and would not the British public be rendering considerable service to China in her resistance to Japanese aggression by declining to purchase these exports?

I have not yet got the figures for 1938, but the figures for 1937 in particular show a very considerable decline on those for 1936.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements, to the knowledge of his Department, exist between the Trafford Chemical Company, the I.G. Farbenindustrie A.G., and the Imperial Chemical Industries; have any licences been granted to any of these companies, and, if so, for what purpose; and, under the joint arrangements, are any Government contracts being carried out?

I am informed that the shares of the Trafford Chemical Company are held by the other two companies mentioned, and that the Trafford Chemical Company, when in operation, will devote itself primarily to the manufacture of certain speciality dyestuffs which have hitherto been imported. I am not aware that any Government contracts with this company are in contemplation. No applications have been made by the company for licences to import dyestuffs, but licences are granted frequently to I.G. Dyestuffs, Limited, and occasionally to Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited.

In view of the by-products produced by this industry, and in view of the aggressive intentions of two continental countries, are not arrangements of this character to be deprecated from the point of view of the people of this country?

It seems to me to be of immense advantage to the people of this country that dyestuffs which at the pre sent moment have to be imported should in future be manufactured here.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what form of association exists between the Trafford Chemical Company and I.C.I, and the I. G. Farbenindustrie A.G.?

I have already said that the shares of the Trafford Company are held by the other two companies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any Ministers on the Front Bench are shareholders in those companies?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in what proportion the shares are held by those two companies?

I.C.I, hold a majority.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement with regard to the precise form in which assistance which will be given to the British Mercantile Marine, and if not, when he expects to be able to make an announcement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (I) whether he can now say when definite proposals will be announced in connection with the assistance to be given for shipbuilding;

(2) whether he can now say when it is proposed to introduce legislation to give effect to the Government's proposals with regard to assistance for merchant ship ping?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the average rates of freight in the deep-sea and near trades for the first five months of this year were below those of the standard year of 1929, whilst at the same time working costs have risen sharply, and that at present no financial assistance is available towards the costs of current voyages; and when the necessary legislation in connection with the proposed shipping subsidy will be introduced?

The preparation of the schemes of assistance proposed in my statement of 28th March is nearly completed, and the Bill will be submitted to Parliament as soon as possible.

Can the Minister say when the Government intend to give assistance to old age pensioners?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the main purpose of the action which he is taking under the Agricultural Marketing Order dealing with the control of imports of processed milk is to ensure an economic price for that product in this country, whether it will be possible to make it a condition of the licences to be granted to importers that they shall undertake to sell their produce in conformity with the terms and conditions fixed for home-produced commodities of the same type by the appropriate trade associations?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance that in fixing the conditions of licences or certificates granted to importers of processed milk he will have regard to the desirability of ensuring that importers will sell their pro ducts on the same terms and conditions as those fixed by the various Processed Milk Associations for home-produced commodities of the same type?

The object of regulating imports is to maintain the effective operation of the milk marketing schemes, which has been threatened by the volume of supplies of processed milks coming on the market recently. I am confident that the limitations arranged will, with the co-operation of the International Conference which it is proposed to set up, achieve this object.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will lay it down as a principle of national policy when granting, on political grounds, credits to friendly foreign countries, that the transactions should not be by way of monetary loans or bank credits, but by the use of the Export Guarantees Act, 1939; and will he, if necessary, extend suitably the amount of guarantees to be available beyond the present total limit?

His Majesty's Government have no power to grant loans or credits to other countries, and have no present intention of asking Parliament for power to grant or guarantee loans or credits to other countries otherwise than in accordance with the arrangements set out in the Export Guarantees Act, 1939. In reply to the second part of the question, the possibility of increasing the limit of these guarantees would be considered when the necessity arose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, as a substitute for the flotation in London of loans to foreign borrowers while the loan market here is closed to such borrowers, make it more generally known to them that they can, by arrangements acceptable to British exporters, obtain on credit British productions by the facilities afforded under the Export Guarantees Act, 1939?

I think that the facilities available under the Export Guarantees Act, 1939, are already well known to all concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he has noted the conclusion of the medical officer of health for the Port of Liverpool, based on an examination of 500 vessels, that the fresh water storage of cargo vessels is ample for the modern requirements of a hot and cold water supply to wash-places, and that the need exists for an improved method of distribution of the water with better facilities and a sufficient number of conveniently accessible receptacles for ablutions; and whether he will have an inquiry made into this aspect of the question with a view to the issue of instructions designed to improve the standards in existing vessels;

(2) whether he has examined the results of the further inquiry made by the medical officer of health for the Port of Liverpool into the question of providing a pure, copious and conveniently accessible water supply in ships; whether he has noted that more than three times the number of foreign vessels had hot and cold water laid on to wash-places as compared with British vessels of similar type; and whether he will consider amending the instructions to surveyors so as to provide that fresh water is laid on to the wash basins in all new vessels?

I have seen the report mentioned. With regard to existing ships, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 21st February. In the case of new ships, hot and cold fresh water is usually laid on to the crew's wash-places, except in the case of some small vessels where the galley and the wash-places are both situated aft or amidships. The needs of the situation are, I think, met by the provisions of the current Instructions.

The right hon. Gentleman has stated what is happening in the case of new tonnage, but is it not the case, out of 500 ships examined two years running which have been reported to his Department, that on 350 of the ships the men have to go from the forecastle head to amidships for their cold water, and for hot water to the galley, and whether with an open bucket on a windy day he thinks it possible to get the water forward at all? Will he do his best to see that the water is properly conducted to the forecastle from those two places?

:The hon. Member knows that we are trying to do everything that is practicable in the case of the older ships, but he knows perfectly well the almost insuperable structural difficulties which may be met with in the older ships.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that some of the owners of these ships are trying as hard as the Government are trying? If not, should not they be made to?

I am not prepared to share the Noble Lady's inevitable suspicions.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider the report which he has had upon these ships as dealing with suspicion? Is it not a fact that they are perfectly abominable?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the excessive hours worked by officers and men in the coastal trade, which give the coastal owners an unfair advantage over their principal competitors, the railways and road hauliers; and whether any progress is being made in the direction of reducing the hours worked on coasting vessels?

As I informed the hon. Member on 14th February last, the general conditions of service in the coasting trade are primarily matters for the National Maritime Board. I may add that I understand that the sailors' and firemen's panels of that board have recently set up a special sub-committee to consider the conditions of employment of men in the home and coasting trades.

While what the right hon. Gentleman has said is true, is it not a fact that officers and men are working from 80 to 100 hours a week in coastal steamers, and are competing with internal transport people who are on an 8-hour day? I think the right hon. Gentleman ought to ask the Maritime Board to expedite this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that coasting vessels are seldom at sea for more than three days at a time and that as a result the crews, particularly those in colliers, get home much more frequently than those in deep-sea vessels?

It is 24 hours a day for three days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any second-hand tonnage is being purchased by the Government; and will he give the names of his Advisory Committee upon these transactions?

A considerable number of ships have been offered for the reserve of merchant ships and these offers are being considered by the Advisory Committee as quickly as possible. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a list of members of the Advisory Committee in the Official Report.

Is the Minister aware of any sales of British vessels to foreign buyers?

Offhand I cannot say that I am aware of any.

Is this a case of second-hand tonnage for a second-hand Government?