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HOUSE OF COMMONS
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concentrated on a limited list of items, some of which have proved intractable. Our delegation have recently defined the United Kingdom's position on these out- standing matters and we expect a reply from the United States very shortly.
TEXTILE INDUSTRY (OVERSEAS MARKETS).
Sir J. Nall asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps arc being taken to secure a fair share for British textiles in overseas markets where British trade has declined?
Mr. Stanley: The interests of the textile industries are being and have been borne in mind in connection with the negotia- tion of trade agreements and commercial treaties. The countries with which such negotiations are proceeding at the present time include India and Burma, the United States of America, Colombia and Switzer- land. Further, a Lancashire mission is now discussing with the Egyptian authori- ties the difficulties surrounding the export of cotton textiles to Egypt. Officials of the Board of Trade are accompanying this mission in an advisory capacity.
SPAIN.
Mr. Grenfell asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the situation in Spain?
Sir G. Mitcheson asked the Prime Min- ister whether he has any statement to make on the situation in Spain?
Mr. Butler: Fierce but indecisive fight- ing has taken place at intervals on the River Ebro. Hostilities are still continu- ing in this area. On other fronts, with minor exceptions there has been little activity and there have been no important changes in the military situation since the House adjourned.
At the recent meeting of the Assembly of the League, the representative of the Spanish Government announced that it had been decided to withdraw all foreign combatants from the territory under the control of his Government. At the same time he invited the League to send an international commission to Spain to verify the fact of this withdrawal. This was agreed to; the Commission was set up by the Council and is now in Bar- celona. The Italian Government have also announced that, in agreement with
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General Franco, it had been decided to withdraw 10,000 Italians who had been in Spain for 18 months or longer. These men have now been withdrawn and have returned to Italy.
AIR-RAID PRECAUTIONS.
Sir G. Fox asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the importance of the smooth working of the scheme of evacua- tion and billeting in war, he will state how the existing scheme has worked to date; and whether it is proposed to obtain by Parliamentary sanction the powers to carry out such billeting?
Mr. Lloyd: My hon. Friend will be aware that the scheme improvised in the recent emergency was not put to the test except as regards the evacuation of a re- latively small number of children under arrangements made by the London County Council. The preliminary measures, how- ever, disclosed a number of matters of detail which are receiving attention in framing long-term plans. It would, of course, be necessary to obtain Parliamen- tary sanction for any powers exercised in the billeting of refugees.
Mr. O. Lewis asked the Home Secretary whether he will have specifications and plans prepared of the various types of per- manent air-raid shelters suitable for erec- tion in connection with dwelling-houses and business premises; and whether he will make these available to the general public in the form of a booklet?
Sir S. Hoare: My hon. Friend's sugges- tion will be considered, but I would point out that an exact specification suitable for all types of building would be difficult. The general principles have been indicated in A.R.P. Handbook No. 6, which is on sale, and so far as possible these will be amplified.
COAL INDUSTRY. EXPORTS LEVY.
Mr. Jenkins asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to a levy on inland-consumed coal to be used for the purpose of aiding coal exports?
Captain Crookshank: I presume that the hon. Member refers to certain proposals (which include, inter alia, a scheme for
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I NOVEMBER 1938
the assistance of the coal export trade) put before the Government by the coal indus- try in the summer. I cannot at present add anything to the statement which I made to the House on 26th July in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Mor- peth (Mr. R. J. Taylor) and Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths).
MINES ACCIDENTS.
Mr. Jenkins asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the total number of fatal accidents in the mines of this country during the months of January to October, inclusive, for the years 1937 and 1938?
Captain Crookshank: The total number of persons killed by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain this year up to the 22nd October, the latest date to which such particulars are available, was 697. The figure for the corresponding period last year was 673.
Mr. Jenkins asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of fatal accidents in the mines of this country to persons under 21 years during the months January to October, inclusive, for the years 1937 and 1938?
Captain Crookshank: The number of persons under 21 years of age killed by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain this year up to the 22nd October, the latest date to which such particulars are available, was 59. The figure for the corresponding period of 1937 was 79.
Mr. Watson asked the Secretary for Mines whether any steps have been taken to centralise the colliery accident funds detailed in the White Paper issued in 1936 (Cmd. 5167); and, if not, whether he is now prepared to institute an inquiry into the feasibility of having these funds centralised and the steps that would re- quire to be taken to achieve that object?
Captain Crookshank: No, Sir. As was explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. R. Davies) on 9th March last, there are a number of difficulties which render impracticable the suggestion to centralise relief funds connected with industrial and other disasters.
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CORNWALL COUNTY COUNCIL (QUARRYMEN'S WAGES).
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Mr. Kelly asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the decision of the Cornwall County Council on the wages of the quarry workers and what those rates are?
Mr. Elliot: I am sending the hon. Mem- ber a copy of a letter I have received form the Cornwall County Council which I think will give him the information for which he asks.
WAR DEPARTMENT (SEA-GOING CRAFT).
sea-
Sir J. Nall asked the Secretary of State for War how many sea-going craft or vessels of all classes are maintained by the War Office; whether any new going craft of any description are now on order; and whether the Admiralty was consulted on the design and cost of such craft before the orders were placed?
Mr. Hore-Belisha: There are 69 sea- going craft. There are nine vessels on order. One of these is of commercial design. In connection with the design and cost of the other eight there has been collaboration with the Admiralty and Air Ministry.
SOUTHERN RHODESIA.
Mr. Mathers asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the status in Southern Rhodesia of a coloured woman married to a white man; and what pension rights are enjoyed by her and her children in the event of her becoming a widow?
Mr. M. MacDonald: The fact that a coloured woman is married to a white man does not affect her status as a
coloured person under the Southern Rhodesia Old Age Pensions Act, and she
would retain this status if widowed. There is no scheme in Southern Rhodesia for the
payment of pensions to widows as such, or to their dependants.
All cases of Government relief to
persons under 60, or otherwise not eligible for Old Age Pensions are dealt with under measures for the relief of distress.
Mr. Mathers asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what are the respective contributions and qualifications
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