asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has been made in calling a conference of Spanish and French representatives to discuss the question of Tangier?

It is hoped that this conference will take place in England in the latter part of July.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has been agreed that the future position of this country in the Sudan is a point reserved for future discussion between the British and Egyptian Governments; and, if so, whether the question of surrendering any existing British rights or authority in the Sudan will be a subject reserved for discussion?

In regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to pages 29–30 of Command Paper 1592, and; in regard to the second part, I can only repeat the categorical statement made by the Prime Minister on the 28th February last to the effect that His Majesty's Government cannot agree to any change in the status of the Sudan that would in the slightest degree diminish the security for the many millions of British capital which are already invested in its development—to the great advantage of the Sudan.

Will the hon. Gentleman say definitely what are the subjects reserved for discussion?

Perhaps the hon. Member will look at the Command Paper of which I have given him the number in my reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that Belgians can enter France and Algiers on the simple production of a card of identity, without a passport, and that while the French visa has been dispensed with in the case of Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Paraguay, Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Salvador and Siam, it is still in force against Canada and other British Dominions and Colonies; and whether, in view of these facts, the Foreign Office will make representations to the French Government to secure equal privileges for British subjects to those enjoyed by other nations, and will specially ask that any disability now distinguishing the treatment which our Colonies of South Africa receive as compared with the treatment accorded to other Colonies may be abolished?

As the reply is a little long, and very dull, perhaps my hon. Friend will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to affairs in China at the present time; and whether peace has been arranged between the various contending parties?

President Hsu Shih-chang having resigned his office on 2nd June, General Li Yuan-Hung on 11th June took up the duties of President of the Republic. The new President has appointed a Cabinet of Acting Ministers, with Dr. Yen as Acting Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The latest report received is to the effect that fighting in North China has temporarily ceased, and that an armistice was arranged on the 16th instant between delegates from Generals Wu Pei fu and Chang Tso-lin, who met on board H.M.S. "Curlew" at Chinwangtao. It is hoped that further discussion between the delegates will result in definite peace between the belligerents.

In South China Press reports indicate that fighting between Chen Chiung-ming and Sun Yat-sen has resulted in the defeat of the latter, who is said to have taken refuge on a Chinese man-of-war. A later report states that a truce has been arranged between the contending parties.

Has the hon. Gentleman any knowledge of any post in the Government being taken by Mr. Wellington Koo?

No, I have no information to that effect, but I will inquire, if the hon. and gallant Member desires me to do so.

Is the hon. Member aware that many congratulations are due to His Majesty's Government for bringing about peace, or the beginnings of peace, in at any rate one country?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what date is fixed for the withdrawal of British post offices from China as agreed on at Washington; whether Japan has already withdrawn most of hers; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to imitate this example?

The Washington Resolution provides for the abolition of the post offices at latest by 1st January, 1923. The necessary arrangements are accordingly being made for the withdrawal of the British post offices by that date. His Majesty's Government have no information as to the present position in regard to the withdrawal of Japanese past offices.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has been made in regard to the granting of British nationality to descendants of British citizens born in Japan; whether, seeing that such people, being of purely British descent, are entitled to look solely to the British Government for a settlement of this matter, and as their interests are confined to a definition of their position as regards their mother country, further delay will be avoided with regard to this practically agreed subject; and can he say when the necessary adjustment of the law may be looked for?

I have been asked to reply. The hon. Member's point is met by the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill, which my right hon. Friend introduced yesterday.

May we look for that Bill being passed this Session?

We hope so. We introduced it with that intention.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say when it will be put forward for Second Reading, as it is of a non-contentious nature?

That question should be addressed to the Leader of the House.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the shortage of water in the London area owing to the drought, what steps have been taken by the Metropolitan Water Board to complete forthwith their new storage reservoir at Littleton; if any special steps have been taken since the War to complete the work; and whether, as it is necessary to complete more water storage for London consumers, his Department can take any steps in order to urge completion of this necessary reservoir?

The construction of the Littleton reservoir was interrupted by the War, and a fresh contract became necessary. Considerable progress has been made, and I am assured by the Metropolitan Water Board that the work is being proceeded with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has had any communication from the Merthyr Tydvil Board of Guardians urging the amendment of the Lunacy Acts of 1890 and 1891 so as to enable the statutory forms to be altered by substituting the words "mental patient" for "pauper lunatic," "mental hospital" for "lunatic asylum," and "institution" for "workhouse"; and whether he can give an assurance that such legislation will be promoted?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have nothing to add to my reply given on the 14th instant to a similar question by the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Sir T. Bennett).

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the recent correspondence in the "Times" on the subject of the probable causes of cancer; and whether, in view of the need which exists for more precise information as to the extent of the increase in the death rate from that disease in the various countries of the world, he will obtain and publish the fullest possible statistics as to the death rates from year to year in every country where such records are available?

My attention has been called to this correspondence. While fully aware of the importance of investigating the causes of cancer by all possible means, I am unable to undertake that the subject should be pursued in the manner proposed in the question, as there are insuperable difficulties in drawing accurate inferences from comparison of recorded cancer deaths rates in the different countries of the world. The question of international study of cancer prevalence is, however, receiving attention in my Department, and is being brought before the international bodies concerned with public health questions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware-that on certain instruments, which are used in the cure of cancer, there is a duty of 333 per cent., and, therefore, is interfering with the progress of science?

I am not aware of that. I shall want notice.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in appointing his promised Royal Commission to consider the whole question of borough extension, he will also consider, either through the mediation of this body or otherwise, the possibilities of greatly cheapening and simplifying the present authorised procedure of attaining this end?

Yes, Sir; I should certainly propose that this should be considered as part of the general question.

Will local authorities have representation upon that Royal Commission?

I will certainly consider that.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to await the findings of the Greater London Royal Commission before setting up another Royal Commission to consider the whole question of borough extension; when he anticipates these findings will be ready; whether he is aware that various towns have all prepared cases for the creation of county boroughs; and whether he can arrange for the appointment of the second Royal Commission without the delay which would otherwise appear inevitable?

I understand that it is possible that the Report of the Royal Commission on Greater London may be made by, or not long after, the close of the year, and I think that there will be advantage in not appointing the new Royal Commission until that now sitting has reported. I sympathise with the councils whose cases are delayed, but, having regard to the need for the strictest economy at the present time, the delay may not be altogether an evil.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the increasing practice of many medical men to certify successful vaccination on the production of one vesicle with commercial lymph, he will authorise public vaccinators to use their discretion, in cases of objection to four marks, to insert a smaller number, but not fewer than two, in order that a larger number of children may become protected by the more effective and purer lymph supplied by the National Vaccine Establishment?

I regret I cannot do as my hon. Friend suggests. It is essential that vaccination performed at the public expense should be maintained at a high level of efficiency. I am advised that the number, area, and character of the vaccination marks have an important bearing upon the degree and permanence of the protection afforded by vaccination against smallpox.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that cocaine is not a drug which is essential to the medical and dental professions, owing to the manufacture of many less toxic substitutes; and will he therefore take steps to prohibit the importation of so pernicious a drug into this country, if necessary, by legislation?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Home Office is in consultation with the Ministry of Health as to the need for cocaine in medical and dental practice, and I am not prepared at present to express any opinion as regards the suggestion in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, the importation of cocaine except under Home Office licence is already prohibited.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the serious hardship caused by the continued appropriation of the private property of British-born wives of ex-enemy subjects; and whether, with a view to the property of innocent people being restored to them, he will arrange for an early adjustment of the claims of British subjects against the German Government?

I have been asked to reply. On the recommendation of Lord Justice Younger's Committee, whose Report has just been laid before the House, steps are being taken to set aside the property or its proceeds belonging to certain classes of German subjects, including those referred to in the question, in case it may prove possible to return it when British claims have been satisfied. In reply to the second part of the question, every effort is constantly being made to expedite the settlement of the claims of British subjects.

Am I to understand that what the hon. Gentleman has just said applies to the British-born wives of other ex-enemy subjects as well as Germans?

It applies to the conditions contained in the Report of the Committee to which I will refer my hon. and gallant Friend for figures.

Does it apply to the British-born wives of Austrians, Hungarians and Rumanians?

I shall want notice of that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will lay papers showing the correspondence and minutes of interviews with French statesmen relative to the four questions of cancellation or funding of debt, the Turkish Question, Tangier, and reparation and sanction?

I am unable to lay papers regarding the cancellation or funding of debt, and until the situation has developed no decision can be taken regarding the publication of correspondence on the Turkish Question. The desirability of laying papers in regard to reparation and sanctions is under consideration. In regard to Tangier, it is hoped that a conference will take place here in the latter part of next month, arid pending this discussion it would be premature to consider laying papers.

Could we get any papers laid on the question on the cancellation or the funding of the debts before the House rises—may we have these papers shortly?

I could not say whether it is possible to lay papers before the end of the Session. At the present time I am not in a position to lay any.

Are we to understand that when the conference takes place in London on Tangier it is to be between the British and French Governments or between the British, French and Spanish Governments?

Between the French, British and Spanish Governments.

Has the British Government suggested to the French Government that it is undesirable to proceed with the building of the fort at Tangier, in accordance with their order, until after the conference has been held arid a decision arrived at?

I must ask my hon. and gallant Friend for notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to pass into law this Session of Parliament a Minimum Wage and Maximum Hours Bill?

No, Sir.

In view of the fact that this has been promised by the Government ever since they came into office in 1919, is this pledge not to be honoured before we come to a General Election?

I am not aware of a pledge.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will appoint a Joint Committee of both Houses to review the present Departmental procedure in submitting names for the Honours List?

No, Sir; we are not prepared to adopt this suggestion.

Is the Lord Privy Seal aware of the growing dissatisfaction in this House and outside in regard to the way in which these Honours Lists are made up?

I have, been a long time in this House and at recurrent intervals I have heard dissatisfaction expressed, and have known allegations to be made, which, for the most part, I believe have been entirely unfounded. I do not know that this Government should hope to escape the fate which has befallen most of its predecessors.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think, in that case, that the time has not really arrived for a full inquiry into these complaints which have constantly been expressed, with more or less foundation?

Personally I do not think that an inquiry by a Select Committee, or a Joint Committee of the two Houses, into the exercise of the prerogative is desirable.

Would it not he possible to indicate when announcing the honours the services for which they have been given?

That has been the practice in recent years.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give facilities for a discussion into the allegations made? There is great feeling in this matter. Would it not be much better that it should be ventilated rather than suppressed?

I should like to know exactly what my hon. and gallant Friend means by "ventilated"? It has been ventilated pretty freely—at any rate, charges have been made pretty freely. I am not prepared, in present circumstances, to offer special facilities, and I am somewhat doubtful whether there is a general wish for them.

What steps are taken to investigate the private characters of those persons whom everybody knows ought not to be submitted?

Well, I am rather inclined to think that what everybody knows is apt to be a very false guide.

How does it happen that nearly always it is only rich men who are made peers?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will look at the lists of peers for the last ten years, I do not think he will find that that is borne out?

The hon. and gallant Member said "nearly always."

Perhaps the Noble Lord will allow the hon. and gallant Gentleman to put his own question in his own way. I think my hon. and gallant Friend will find that these allegations are not sustained.

Is it not the fact that there has always been supposed to be a very strong connection between the Honours List and the party funds, and will the right hon. Gentleman allow the House to have a discussion on the matter?

I am not prepared to provide special facilities for this or many other questions for which I am asked to provide special facilities, to the abandonment of Government business for the day, in order to enable some section of the House to raise a question in which they are interested—

All sections!

If the action of the Prime Minister be challenged, the House can ask for the salary of my right hon. Friend to be put down, and can challenge his actions—

That will not be in order.

It is in order to challenge the action of the Prime Minister upon the salary of the Prime Minister—the Noble Lord no doubt knows better than I do—but I should have thought it would have been in order to challenge the action of the Prime Minister, or the advice he tenders to the Crown, upon his salary. It is not possible for me—

This is a case where the prerogative comes in. It has been the rule that it is not possible, on the Prime Minister's salary, to raise questions about advice given to the Sovereign on these matters.

If that be so, Sir, then I think it would be a very grave matter for me to make a breach of the rule a special opportunity for such a discussion. Apart from that, it is quite impossible for me to give all these special opportunities. Hardly a day passes when which I am asked by some section of the House to allot a day, at the expense of the Government business for which we have been called together.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether as a matter of order, the only way of raising this question is not by direct Motion in the House?

I think that would be the case, though I am not quite clear as to the form the Noble Lord suggests. I am sure it is the duty of the Chair to uphold the rule with regard to the prerogative.

asked the Attorney-General whether arrangements have been made for the hearing of divorce cases at assizes; and at what date such arrangements will become operative?

The Supreme Court Rule Committee has approved rules by which such divorce cases as are prescribed under the Act will be triable at Assizes. It is hoped that the rules will come into operation before the end of July so that cases may be set down for the Autumn Assizes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the principle adopted in Palestine in valuing the railway work done by the British Army and charging that value as a debt against the present Government has been, or will be, adopted in regard to the railway or road construction and repair work done by the Army in Iraq, Kenya, Tanganyika, or Persia?

In the case of Iraq the answer is in the affirmative. In the case of Kenya, it has been decided that capital expenditure shall be borne on the Common Charges Account of Military Expenditure, the apportionment of which is under consideration. In the case of Tanganyika, the answer is in the affirmative, subject to the settlement of certain matters of detail which are being considered by the Colonial Office and the War Office. The situation as regards railway work in Persia is not a matter in which the Secretary of State for the Colonies is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the League of Nations has made any inquiry of His Majesty's Government as to the traffic in opium conducted by the British North Borneo Company for consumption by the labourers on the plantations; and whether His Majesty's Government proposes drawing the attention of the company to the undesirability of any administration under the British Crown profiting by this traffic?

No, Sir, no inquiries have been received from the League of Nations relating specifically to North Borneo; but at my request the British North Borneo Company has from time to time furnished for the League of Nations information relating to that territory similar to that supplied regarding the Colonies generally. With regard to the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that apart from the limitations imposed by the Charter, the administration of North Borneo is a matter for the company, and I would add that so long as the complete suppression of opium smoking in the Far East cannot be attained, it is, in ray opinion, essential that the traffic should be under strict Government control and that any profits should accrue to the administration rather than to private persons.

Is it not extremely undesirable that this company should engage in this traffic?

However undesirable that may be, it must be regarded as less undesirable than that this traffic should pass into private hands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who is responsible for the granting of Palestine concessions?

Responsibility rests with the High Commissioner, who exercises it subject to instructions from the Secretary of State.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, as a consequence of the discharge of a tar-like effluent from the gasworks situate above Holme Bridge, Bakewell, Derbyshire, a large number of fish in the River Wye have been killed; and will he use his powers to prevent any recurrence of such discharge of poisonous effluent from this or any other source along the banks of the Wye?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware of the occurrence referred to, and understands that legal proceedings are pending. He has no powers to prevent the pollution of rivers, but it is hoped that by means of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Bill, now under consideration in another place, more adequate powers may be conferred upon Boards of Conservators for preventing the pollution of rivers in their districts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he will state the price of fat beasts per cwt., and the price of home-killed beef for each month during the year 1921;

(2) whether he will give particulars showing the number of cattle of one year

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that before the War farmers paid between 2s. 4d. and 3s. 6d. for shoeing all round for horses, whereas now they are charged from 9s. to 12s. 6d. for four shoes, although iron was never so cheap; and, seeing that this bears hardly on small carters, carriers, and other small traders, will he have an inquiry made into the matter?

As the answers to these questions contain a number of figures, I will, with the permission of my hon. and gallant Friend, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

My right hon. Friend (Sir A. Boscawen) is aware that the charges of farriers have increased considerably since 1914, but as the Government have abandoned the policy of fixing prices, he does not think that any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry into the matter. He would point out that this question was fully investigated at the end of 1919 by a sub-committee of the Standing Committee on Trusts.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents for the period January, February, and March, 1922, and the period January, February, and March, 1913, occurring in mining industries other than coal mining or metalliferous mines, i.e., open quarrying; and whether the statistics of fatal and non-fatal accidents in 1922 in mines other than coal mines or metalliferous mines; i.e., open quarrying, show an increase when compared with the figures for the year 1913, having regard to the numbers of persons employed and the hours worked?

In the first three months of the present year deaths from accidents at quarries more than 20 feet deep numbered 10 and the number of persons injured (excluding minor injuries) was 132. In the first three months of 1913 the figures were 16 deaths and 326 persons injured. There is no record of the hours worked at these quarries in either year or of the number of persons employed in 1922. But from such data as are available the relative number of fatal and non-fatal accidents, particularly of the latter, appears to have been considerably less in 1922 than in 1913.

asked the Minister of Pensions why longer notice has not been given that the Ministry of Pensions will.cease to be responsible, except in certain cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus, for the cost of special diet, where it has been medically certified to be necessary as part of the treatment provided by the Ministry for certain disabled men?

Between four and five weeks' notice was actually given. My right hon. Friend considers this period ample, and is not prepared to extend it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the inadequate accommodation for officers at the signal training centre, Maresfield; whether he is aware that two officers are in many cases allotted quarters originally intended for one officer; and what steps he is taking to remedy this defect, in order to keep up the supply of suitable officers for this important corps?

I am aware of the shortage of accommodation at Maresfield, which is due to the fact that expenditure there is being advisedly and necessarily postponed pending decision whether the Signal Service Training Centre shall be permanently accommodated there.

asked the Secretary of State for War what compensation is proposed for those D.A.D.'s M.S. of the Territorial Army whose appointments, originally made for a period of four years, have been prematurely terminated at the expiration of two years or less?

Those Deputy Assistant Directors of Medical Services of the Territorial Army whose appointments, originally made for a period of four years, have been prematurely terminated from 1st March last, will be given as compensation for the professional loss involved in the premature termination of their Army contracts, a sum representing one-third of what they would have received in pay and allowances if they had been allowed to complete the term of their appointments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Inland Revenue Department are supplying, or have at any time supplied, information to local justices or to the Magistrates' Association as to the sales of intoxicating liquors in clubs; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that the clubs supply these particulars to the Inland Revenue for taxation purposes only, he will state the authority for disseminating information of this character?

I am having inquiry made in the matter and will communicate further with the hon. Member in due course.