asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether the Anglo-French Trade Agreement expires this month; and, if so, whether, in negotiating a new agreement, steps will be taken to give some measure of protection to the manufacturers of British ribbon?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. Notice of denunciation of the Agreement can be given at any time, to take effect at a prescribed later date. His Majesty's Government have no present intention to denounce it, but the position of United Kingdom manufacturers of ribbon will be carefully considered in the event of any discussion for its revision.

If it is not possible to raise the import duty, would it be possible to establish a quota, taking the year 1932–33 as the basis, since the difficulties of the British producer are not due to the French import trade, but to Japanese imports?

As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, various discussions are now going on with the French, and I should not like to anticipate the result.

What amount of notice is required?

A quarter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will draw the attention of the Food Council to the fact that since:1st May farmers in Gloucestershire are receiving less for their milk, but no corresponding reduction has been made in the price of milk to consumers in the borough of Cheltenham?

I have asked the Food Council to look into the matter, but the hon. Member will understand that neither the Council nor I have any compulsory powers in such a matter.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask him whether he will also call the attention of the Food Council to the fact that it was announced last autumn that the price would be 6d. a quart in May and June, whereas 7d. is being charged, and that the producer is receiving only 1od. a gallon, whereas the consumer is being charged 2s. 4d.?

That appears to be exactly the kind of information for which the Food Council will ask.

asked the President of the Board of Tirade whether the promised review of the existing regulations under the Weights and Measures Acts has been completed; and, if not, when it is likely to be?

The review of the regulations under the Weights and Measures Acts to which the hon. Member refers is now well advanced, but has brought to light a number of problems which will require further consideration. I can assure the hon. Member that the work will be completed as rapidly as circumstances permit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when the review is likely to be completed?

I am afraid I cannot. The House will realise that from time to time my Department is very urgently engaged on urgent war preparations, which interfere with normal proceedings of this kind. I am pushing on as fast as I can, but these urgent matters must take precedence.

For what war is the right hon. Gentleman preparing?

Would it not be better to go into the question of the weights and measures themselves, with the idea of introducing the decimal system?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the urgent need to deal with the problem of the amount of calcium carbide produced in this country; and what steps are being taken to increase the production?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his two questions on this subject on 25th April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it will be a definite condition of licences granted to importers under the Agricultural Marketing Order dealing with processed milk that the said importers shall conform to the terms and conditions of sale fixed for home-produced processed milk by the appropriate trade associations?

I have no reason to doubt that the arrangements already made will, with the co-operation of the proposed International Conference, achieve the object in view, and, as at present ad- vised, I am not prepared to attach a definite condition of this character to the issue of a licence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade particulars of any further recommendations that have now been made to him by the Films Council for the purpose of introducing legislation to vary the quota clauses of cither the exhibitors or renters who are so affected; and what action he proposes to take?

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

In view of the great difficulty that both exhibitors and renters in the trade are experiencing in complying with these quotas, will not the right hon. Gentleman ask the Films Council to look further into the matter?

I have no doubt that the Council will make a further report before the date on which statutory action has to be taken, and no doubt by that time they will have had sufficient experience of the working of the Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many cinema theatres will be closed before that date?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that import licences for Chile are difficult to obtain, and that not only the Government but also the Exchange Control Commission prefer that business should be transacted with France, Germany, or Italy, which have compensation agreements; and does he intend to take steps to rectify the matter?

The Government of Chile have stated that the find themselves compelled to restrict the issue of licences for United Kingdom goods because the amount of sterling available in Chile is unfortunately insufficient to meet the demand. The question of the steps to be taken to meet the situation is being considered carefully in all its aspects in consultation with the Government of Chile.

Is the Minister aware that our exports to Chile have decreased by 75 percent. since 1927, while imports from Chile have practically remained constant?

I do not think that that gives a true picture unless one looks at the detailed statement showing the description of exports and imports between the two countries. If the hon. Member does that, he will see that we have a favourable balance of trade with Chile taking account of the position as regards copper.

Have not the compensation agreements with other countries been sufficiently satisfactory to warrant their extension to Chile?

It is not a question of compensation agreements, but of being able to take enough from Chile to provide them with the sterling to take our exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to act on any of the suggestions contained in the report on export trade presented by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce?

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade informed a representative deputation from the association in February last, His Majesty's Government are in full sympathy with the objects of the report, namely, the promotion of this country's export trade and the restoration of the freedom of international trade to the greatest possible extent, as well as with the view expressed that the fullest use should be made in trade negotiations of this country's buying power; though I would add that in pursuing this policy His Majesty's Government must consider the case of each country by itself. I could not undertake within the compass of a Parliamentary answer to deal with the numerous particular suggestions contained in the report, but the hon. Lady can be assured that they will be borne in mind with a view to their being applied so far as is found practicable and appropriate.

In view of the importance of the recommendations and the increase in value of our export trade, would my right hon. Friend consider arranging, through the proper channels, a debate, in order that the details may be considered?

A debate was arranged through the ordinary channels the week before last on the Estimate of the Board of Trade, and the whole question of the export trade was discussed by hon. Members who were then present.

Could we have a debate on the specific recommendations which are made in the report on this matter?

I think an opportunity was taken then to refer fully to the different methods to be adopted to help our exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will draw the attention of the Food Council to the present price of bread compared with the present price of wheat, which is the lowest since 1931 and ask them to consider whether the present official price of flour does not call for a reduction in the present price of bread?

The Food Council keep a continuous watch on the relation between the prices of wheat, flour and bread. The present price of bread in the London area is in accordance with the scale recommended by the Council relating the price of bread to that of flour.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the London area the price-fixing association of the Millers' Mutual manipulates the official price, that in the provincial areas there are insufficient concerns outside the price-fixing associations to ensure a genuine price, and that the whole thing is entirely fictitious and false?

A long report on this matter was published by the Food Council only a short time ago. If my hon. Friend has any particular points to bring to my attention, I should be glad to hear of them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those who are on the Food Council to protect the. interests of the consumers are suffering from a complete unawareness of the situation?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement as to the circumstances which have made it necessary for the International Sugar Council to meet in London this week; whether it will discuss a request of the British Government for the expediting of sugar exports from Empire countries to Great Britain; whether this request was communicated to the delegates of the countries represented on the council; and which delegates declined to accede to it?

As I informed the House on 23rd May, in answer to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans), a meeting of the International Sugar Council was called for 13th June to consider the recommendation of the council's Executive Committee that part of the additional sugar required during the current quota year should be obtained by increasing the quotas of the British Dominions and Colonies by 153,000 metric tons. The council had before it at this meeting a letter from the United Kingdom Government formally asking the council, under the terms of Article 51 (b) of the International Sugar Agreement, to remedy the shortage of supplies. The additional quotas were approved by the council unanimously on 14th June.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to have the International Sugar Agreement implemented, so that other countries shall not use it to delay this country?

I do not accept the suggestion. The increased quota has been agreed to, and agreed to unanimously.

If they have not complied with the Government's request, what action are the Government taking?

I said that they have complied with our request.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make any statement regarding the negotiations conducted in Greece by the Leith-Ross Commission?

The discussions to which the hon. Member refers are being continued in London; but I am not in a position to make any further statement.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea whether these discussions will be brought to an early and successful termination?

I could not say that. I hope the conclusion will be both early and successful.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the considerable increase during the first five months of this year in the export of horses, he can give the names of the countries which are importing them; and whether there is reason to believe they are being imported for war purposes?

Exports of horses from the United Kingdom totalled 1,220 in the first five months of this year, as compared with 901 in the corresponding period of 1938. It has not been possible, in the time available to prepare a statement showing the countries to which these animals have been sent, but I have no reason to believe that they are being imported for war purposes.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a great many horses are being exported from Southern Ireland?

Are there any from New Zealand?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit and prevent the purchasing and closing down of mills in the rural areas by the large milling combines in view of the national importance of the retention of these mills?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 14th June by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that unless immediate action is taken there will be one vast combine controlling all the milling interests, and the country will be exposed to danger in times of emergency and will be looted from end to end in times of peace?

I think that the facts do not bear that out.

The exact reverse is the case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the facts concerning the death in 1938 of Mr. James Richmond, on board the "Empress of Britain," have been brought to his notice; and what was the cause of death?

The death of James Richmond, a member of the crew of the steamship "Empress of Britain," at Manila on 17th March, 1938, was the subject of a statutory inquiry held under Section 690 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, on 1st June, 1938, at the Mercantile Marine Office, Southampton. The statement in the log of the cause of death, which was signed by the senior surgeon of the vessel, showed that the cause of death was acute gastro-enteritis, and the superintendent, as a result of his inquiry, certified that he found this statement correct and true.

Has it been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice that in the entry in the log it was stated by the medical officer that the cause of death was gastro-enteritis due to cholera germ, and that that fact was brought to the notice of the officers of the ship and of the superintendent of the line, but that it was concealed? Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to that?

That is not my information. My information is that the senior surgeon signed the log showing that the cause of death was gastro-enteritis, and that he supported that at the inquiry which was subsequently held.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the medical officer of the ship, while admitting the facts stated by the right hon. Gentleman, further certified that he informed the officers of the ship and the authorities of the line that the death was due to cholera germ; and that in fact the officers of the ports which the ship subsequently visited were notified of that fact?

No, Sir; that does not agree at all with the information given to me as to what the senior surgeon said at the inquiry which was held under the Merchant Shipping Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some further inquiry into the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the necessary legislation to give effect to the Government's proposals for British shipping, he proposes to make any subsidy retrospective?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make any statement with regard to his proposal to make an annual grant of £2,750,000 to tramp shipping; and when the first payments under this scheme will be made?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can now say at what rate, under what conditions, and in what circumstances a subsidy will be payable in respect of voyages of tramp ships;

Legislation will be introduced and full details of the schemes will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in normal circumstances the legislation would probably have been introduced earlier; and will he give consideration to the possibility of making the subsidy retrospective?

Is the right hon. Gentleman at the present time making promises or gifts of public money without any statutory authority?

Is there any intention, when the Bill is introduced, of providing a subsidy for old age pensioners?

asked the President of the Board of Trade who is responsible for the erection, maintenance, and repair of coastal marks, beacons, and lights, for which both Trinity House and the Development Commission disclaim all financial liability?

While it is within the power of the general lighthouse authorities to provide and maintain aids to navigation on or near the coasts of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, expenditure by those authorities is normally restricted to such aids as will be of benefit to general navigation. Aids to meet solely the needs of local navigation are provided by harbour authorities or other local interests. If my hon. Friend will inform me of the aids to navigation which he has in mind, I will inquire into the matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are several marks for which everyone disclaims all responsibility? Such a mark is that on the Cannis Rock, off the Gribben Head, which has been a bone of contention locally for over half a century. Does not my right hon. Friend consider that it is time a general review was undertaken of all marks, buoys and so on, with a view to ensuring that they are all properly provided for by one body or another?

My hon. Friend mentioned the Cannis Rock; he has given me the kind of information for which I asked, and I will certainly inquire into that point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the proportion of British ships chartered from the Argentine has continued to decline; and what action the Government propose to take to deal with this loss of trade?

I hope that the Government's proposals for the assistance of the British shipping industry, including the tramp shipping subsidy, will enable British ships to maintain and extend their share of world trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the price offered by foreign buyers for British ships is in excess of that obtainable in the home market; and whether, therefore, he is still advising that British ships should not be sold to foreign buyers in view of the delay in introducing legislation for the assistance of British shipping?

I am informed that in some cases higher prices are being offered for British ships from abroad than are obtainable in the home market. Since the House approved a Supplementary Estimate for the purpose of acquiring a reserve of tonnage, the Merchant Ship Reserve Advisory Committee has been constituted and the committee is now considering offers of ships for the Reserve. Pending my decision in particular cases, in the light of the committee's advice, I consider it preferable that in existing circumstances British ships should not be transferred to foreign flags.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the inflated prices being offered by foreign nations will have no effect on the prices that are to be paid out of this fund?

I quite agree with the hon. Member. The matter will be kept closely in mind. Any offer will be related to the value of the ship to us, and not to what might be offered by foreign countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the licence granted to Mr. Buchman's association to be designated as the Oxford Group, he will insist on an audited balance sheet being produced without delay, of all sources of receipts and all details of expenditure since the formation; and will he place a copy of the audited accounts in the Library of the House?

The effect of incorporation under the Companies Act, 1929, will be to place the Oxford Group in the same position with regard to accounts as any public company incorporated under the Act, in that it will be required to lay before its members in general meeting an income and expenditure account and an audited balance sheet not later than 18 months after incorporation, and subsequently once at least in every calendar year. A copy of the audited balance sheet is required to be included in the annual return of the company, which must be filed with the Registrar of Companies, and documents so filed are available for public inspection. I see no reason for imposing exceptionally on the association any condition beyond these statutory obligations.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it would be advisable, in view of the criticisms which have been made in this House, that an opportunity should be given, and, if possible, taken, of either substantiating or refuting those criticisms?

I am not prepared to treat these people in any exceptional manner; they will have to fulfil the ordinary obligations attaching to any public company. With regard to any allegations that may have been made, if such allegations have been made by subscribers to the fund I should have thought that the obvious course would be for the subscribers themselves to ask that an account should be sent to them.

Will the same publicity be given to the financial transactions of the political party to which the hon. Member belongs?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the nationality, and the number of ships of each nationality, which have discharged cargoes in the United Kingdom for Government account during the period 1st January, 1939, to the 31st May, 1939?

With the exception of one ship which brought wheat from Rumania, under arrangements of which the House is aware, no foreign ships arriving in the United Kingdom between 1st January, 1939 and 31st May, 1939 were chartered by the Government. Certain foreign ships have, however, arrived with cargoes purchased by trade organisations for Government account when afloat or after shipping arrangements had been completed by private shippers. I am circulating in the Official Report a list showing the nationality and number of ships concerned. I am not in a position to give complete particulars of ships which carried cargoes purchased by the Government on c.i.f. terms, of purchases under running contracts, or of coastwise shipments.

In view of the necessity for doing everything that is possible to encourage British shipping, will my right hon. Friend have an inquiry made into the whole question whether it would be possible to carry more goods in British bottoms?

I do not think an inquiry is necessary. I have said that no foreign ships are chartered by the Government, but, as I have explained before, in dealing with a matter like this it is often necessary to purchase cargoes afloat, and in such cases, of course, the nationality of the ship may be foreign.

I did not mean that the inquiry should be limited simply to Government-chartered ships, but that it should extend to all ships.

I have recently received a long communication from the British shipping interests on this matter, and it is after consideration of their representations that legislation is being introduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and tonnage of Japanese ships availing themselves of fuelling and storing facilities in British ports between Japan and Europe in the course of the last year for which figures are available?

I regret that there are no official statistics from which the information could be obtained.

Does that mean that in deciding what measures are to be taken against Japan His Majesty's Government are unable to determine because of this lack of information whether steps should be taken against Japanese shipping?

No, Sir. There are no complete official statistics, but some idea could be got.

What difference is there between Japan and Spain?

Is it not the case that if these facilities were no longer available to the Japanese Government, it would cause them considerable inconvenience?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the granting of an allowance to nursing members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment to enable them to purchase their uniforms before joining up?

As stated in an answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Colonel Ponsonby) on nth May last, an annual grant at the rate of £1 a head is made to the Voluntary Aid Detachment Council for the provision of uniforms for nursing members. The arrangements for the provision of uniform are left to the council to decide.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this allowance is quite insufficient to provide the uniform for these people who wish to join up?

No, Sir, that is not what was understood. I have answered the question. I think the allowance was decided upon after discussion.

The allowance of £1 is insufficient to provide the uniform in peace time.