Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his efforts to increase the traffic on canals by the introduction of power-driven barges have been successful; and will he give the number of these craft now employed.
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether during the period of unusually high electricity demand, the oil-engined generating plants kept for service in case of a breakdown were actively employed to assist the main stations, and, if not, why not, as they must have had stores of oil fuel in reserve.
Mr Alan Chorlton: Were not the Labour Party first in control? Did they do anything?
Mr Alan Chorlton: I have not spoken for so long that I feel almost inclined to ask for the indulgence of the House. I should like to congratulate the Minister on his courage in bringing forward this scheme. It is founded upon plenty of Royal Commissions and special Committees in the past and I am deeply interested in it—a parental interest, I might say, for I have some experience of producing schemes...
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position in the Gold Coast of the cocoa trade and also of the textile, cotton, imports into that district; and whether the results of the commission's recommendations have proved satisfactory and effective?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether any research experiments are being conducted with the gas turbine using coal-dust as fuel, in view of the national importance of increasing the use of coal?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consult with the proper trade bodies before his projected visit to Russia and the Northern Capitals?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the President of the Board of Trade when the India Trade Agreement will be completed; and if no agreement is reached on satisfactory deductions in the tariffs on textile cottons, will he take action to withdraw the great advantages at present enjoyed by India?
Mr Alan Chorlton: Can my right hon. Friend say any date?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether, in view of the national importance of the question, he will consider instituting a more ex tended series of research in connection with the use of fine coal-dust in Diesel-engine cylinders?
Mr Alan Chorlton: Does not my Noble Friend think, in view of the importance of this subject, that it is worth while starting up additional firms to undertake the work, as well as the fuel research laboratory?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider improving the total exports of textile goods by suitably proportioning the particular quota provided by the various Colonies?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the progress and present position of the trade agreement now being negotiated with India; and whether, in the negotiations, due regard has been taken of the present privileges and large exports of India to the Colonies?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the present position arising out of the cocoa difficulty; and whether the import of cotton goods into the territories concerned has been resumed?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give a list of the colonies, with the quota for each, for their import of cotton goods; and whether this was fixed by the local government or by the Government at home?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the committee lately set up by the Gold Coast Government has a member representing cotton textile interests?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps it is proposed to take other than the commission and the committee to prevent a situation arising in the West African market which would be likely to result in a boycott of British goods?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, as a result of the report of the Commission followed by the committee just set up by the Gold Coast Government, he proposes to assist the marketing of West African cocoa by the introduction of a scheme designed to assure to the producer a minimum price for his cocoa?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that £1,500,000 is still owed to this country by Turkey, mostly to Lancashire cotton concerns, which, until paid, makes it impossible to do further trade with Turkey; and is he prepared to earmark a part of the loan lately arranged for the reduction of this outstanding debt of £1,500,000?
Mr Alan Chorlton: asked the Prime Minister what has been the result of his inquiries into the complaint of British merchants desiring to send export goods to Tientsin from the interior of China that they have to negotiate for railway transport with monopoly transport companies under Japanese control, and that unfair discrimination is exercised in the allocation of space for cargo?