asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any decision has been arrived at on the proposal of Lord Inchcape's Committee to abolish the appointment of Public Health Commissioner in India?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the murder in the Purnea district of Mr. Sydney M. Smith, an English planter of over 60 years, by a gang of robbers, who killed him in his sleep under most revolting circumstances; whether any persons have been placed on trial for the crime; and whether any steps have been taken to render the position of Europeans in outlying districts less insecure than this crime shows them to be?

I have at present seen only a Press report of this brutal murder, which appears to have been committed by a gang of dacoits and not to be connected with any racial or political movement. I understand that the police are searching for the murderers. Apart from this tragic occurrence, recent reports do not indicate any general feeling of insecurity among Europeans in outlying districts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that many thousand Gorman sword-bayonets, adapted for use as wood or betel-nut splitters, have been recently imported into Calcutta; and, if so, whether steps have been taken by the Customs authorities to prevent the further importation of such articles, which readily lend themselves for use for criminal purposes?

Yes, Sir. Nearly two-thirds of these bayonets have been recovered by the authorities, and stringent precautions have been taken against further import.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what information he has about the reported outbreak of plague in India; what is its extent and nature and what steps are being taken to deal with it?

I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the full statement received on this subject from the Government of India, which has been communicated to the Press, and which gives the latest information available.

Is there any cause for alarm in regard to the statements in the Press as to the extent of the outbreak?

It is difficult to say that there is no cause for alarm. There is always cause for alarm when there is a fresh outbreak of plague, but I can inform the hon. and gallant Member, as stated in the Press communication, that the number of deaths for the last week in March, for which we have particulars, is less than the mean average for the 20 years up to 1917.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a meeting between the Finance Minister of India and certain Bombay merchants in which the Finance Minister expressed himself as opposed to the abolition of the 2s. standard of rupee exchange and the reversion to the 1s. 4d. rate, and foreshadowed the introduction of a Bill into the Indian Legislative Assembly to amend the Currency Act so that 12 crores of emergency currency can be issued against trade bills instead of five crores as at present; and if he will say whether it is the intention of the Government of India to make another attempt to raise the sterling value of the rupee above its present level of about Is. 4d.?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the view of the Government of India and the Secretary of State is, as was explained by the Finance Member in his Budget statement, that the time has not yet come for a new attempt to fix the rupee, whether at Is. 4d., 1s. 6d., or any other figure.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in connection with the religious riot between Hindus and Mussulmans that took place at Amritsar on the 9th instant, he will say whether any, and, if so, how many, casualties occurred; whether it was necessary to call out troops to quell the riot; and whether any detailed report on the subject has been received from the Government of India?

Detailed reports from the Government of India confirm generally the telegrams published in the Press as to the culmination in rioting on the 11th and 12th April, of tension which had existed between Hindus and Mahommedans at Amritsar. The local British garrison were called out to the satisfaction of the people of the city, and a section of armoured cars was despatched from Lahore, followed by a force of 100 cavalry. The number of casualties mentioned in the reports is 17 cases of injury, two being serious. An earlier statement that two deaths had occurred is now believed to be incorrect. The latest report of the Government of India, dated the 13th April, states that all was quiet since about midday of the 12th, and that the authorities are maintaining order.

Can the Noble Lord tell us the actual cause of the riot?

The cause of the riot is, I think, the same cause which has led to similar riots at Amritsar, namely, the extremely acute state of feeling between the people of these two religions.

Considering that British troops have to be called out to quell these religious riots between Hindus and Mahommedans, is not the proposed reduction of the British troops in India by 10,000 men a danger to the peace of India?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state the facts regarding the murder of Mrs. Ellis at Kohat, and whether he has any reassuring news to communicate to the House regarding the fate of the young lady said to have been abducted by frontier raiders?

I can at present add little to the accounts of this deplorable occurrence that have already appeared in the newspapers. The Government of India report that Mrs. Ellis was murdered early on Saturday morning, and Miss Ellis carried off, and that suspicion rests on certain trans-border offenders. The ladies were sleeping in a bungalow next door to the General's bungalow, where there was a military guard, but the raiders fired no shots and succeeded in escaping. The Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province, telegraphing later on Saturday, stated that he had arrived at Kohat that morning, and that the whole countryside had been set in motion on both sides of the border, and patrols were out in all directions, but that there was so far no further news. The Chief Commissioner added that he was sending up all Afridi Maliks and Elders from the Peshawar and Khyber side to the central Afridi areas to assist in clearing up the case. I regret that I have no news at present regarding Miss Ellis, but every effort is being and will be made to effect her rescue, and to relieve the great anxiety which must be felt by her relatives.

Is the Noble Lord satisfied that all reasonable precautions were taken prior to this outrage for the protection of British women at Kohat?

I should say, from my personal knowledge—and I have been to Kohat on two occasions in October— that both the military and police arrangements for the safety of the town were admirable, but, of course, it is difficult in the case of a town situated so near a turbulent frontier as Kohat to ensure absolute security in every circumstance. I have no doubt, however, that careful consideration will be given to all the arrangements, in view of this tragical occurrence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office has received from Colonial officials any information upon the existence of slavery in Abyssinia; whether Captain J. E. T. Philipps, M.C., whose statements on the subject have been recently reported in the Press, is an official in the Colonial service; and, if so, will the Secretary of State call for a report from him?

As explained by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his reply on the 27th March to a question addressed to him by the hon. Member, the internal affairs of Abyssinia would not be a matter on which the Secretary of State for the Colonies would expect to receive information from Colonial officials; and, so far as I am aware, reports on slavery in that country have not been made to the Colonial Office by any such officials. The report referred to by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 27th March was a special report from the Governor of Kenya called for as the result of an inquiry received from the Foreign Office. Captain J. E. T. Philipps, who now holds a junior administrative appointment in the service of the Government of Uganda, was for a short time in Abyssinia in 1917, and has not been there recently, and, therefore, the Secretary of State does not think it desirable to call for a report from this officer.

Has a report been received by the Colonial Office?

I believe that in 1917 a letter was received from Captain J. C. Philipps about this matter, but that is, obviously, out of date.

Does that report establish the existence of slavery?

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs stated the other day, domestic and other forms of slavery do exist in Abysinnia.

Will the hon. Gentleman call for another report?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information to the effect that British patrols upon the Abyssinian border have captured men raiding for slaves in certain districts of the Sudan; that the rifles of these raiders have been confiscated; and that the Abyssinian. Government stamp has frequently been found on the rifles; and whether he can make a statement on the subject?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative and the points raised in the remainder of the question, therefore, do not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the harnessing of water power for producing electrical energy from the River Jordan and are contracts for plant and equipment being placed in this country?

The actual work of equipping the station and plant for the Jordan hydro-electric scheme cannot be undertaken until the formation of the company which is to hold the concession has been completed; but I am informed that, concurrently with the legal procedure which this involves, good progress is being made with the preparation of plans and specifications, which will enable tenders for plant and equipment to be called for.

asked the, Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how the Palestine Loan will be floated on the same basis as other Colonial loans; and is the credit of the Palestine Government sufficient to guarantee the success of the proposed loan?

It has not yet been decided whether the Palestine loan m be issued through a finance house, as was the recent British Guiana loan, or by the Crown Agents. A prospectus will be issued giving all necessary information when the loan is issued which will set out all relevant facts, and in the meantime I cannot anticipate the statement which will be set out in the prospectus.

When will this prospectus be issued?

When the loan is issued. I hope it will be in the course of a month or six weeks.

Will the British Government be responsible for the loan?

No.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give any information as to when the British troops will be withdrawn from Palestine?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Kennington on the 26th February, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that David Hartery, Tottenham, was disbanded from the Royal Irish Constabulary in February, 1922; that in August last, being unemployed, he applied to have his compensation allowance commuted in. order that he might purchase a small business to earn a living; that between August and December he sent to the Resettlement Department particulars of five businesses, three of which were subsequently withdrawn by the vendors, owing to the delay of the Department in coming to a. decision, and the other two were declared unsuitable; that in December last he found a business which satisfied all the requirements of the Department, and after all arrangements had been made and his pension papers called in he was rejected on medical grounds, although two independent doctors have since certified and that he is in good physical health and free from any ascertainable organic disease; whether he is aware that, as a result of this unexpected decision after the man had been led to believe for five months that his compensation would he commuted if he found a satisfactory business, he is now in debt and for the past two months has been an inmate of Edmonton workhouse; and whether he will look into this case and allow this man to be medically examined by a medical man who is independent of the Pensions Commutations Board?

With the consent of the House, I will reply to this Question. The answer to the first, second and fourth parts of the Question are in the affirmative; as regards the third part, Mr. Hartery made in all five applications the last of which was approved by the tribunal in December last, but of the four preceding applications only one was withdrawn by the vendor; of the others, the first contained no concrete proposition, the second was withdrawn by Mr. Hartery, while the third was rejected by the tribunal as offering no prospect of success. As regards the fifth part, Mr. Hartery in common with other applicants was informed that commutation was conditional upon his passing a medical examination. This examination is held under the direction of the Pensions Commutation Board who are bound by statute to satisfy themselves in regard to the health of applicants before recommending commutation. Mr. Hartery was examined in the first place by a special independent Medical Referee of high standing, and subsequently by the permanent Medical Officer of the Board. In these circumstances, I cannot see my way to accept the suggestion contained in the last part of the Question. Mr. Hartery, who served for less than two years in the Royal Irish Constabulary, is in receipt of a compensation allowance for life at the rate of £50 14s. per annum, and I regret it is not possible to grant him further financial assistance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been come to regarding the return of arms taken by Government authority from civilians in Ireland; and to whom applications for compensation for the loss or damage to such arms should be. Addressed?

Arrangements have been made for the return of arms surrendered in Ireland in accordance with military proclamations to owners qualified for the possession of such arms. Owners resident in Great Britain and Northern Ireland who desire the return of such weapons, and who are in possession of the necessary licences and certificates, should apply in the first instance to the Secretary, the War Office, while owners resident in the Free State, who are in possession of the necessary authority, should apply to the Ministry of Defence, Dublin. In cases where it has been ascertained that guns, &c., so surrendered have been lost or cannot now be traced, application for compensation may be addressed to the Under-Secretary of State, the Colonial Office.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Free State was consulted before this decision was arrived at?

Yes. It was consulted, and a rather fuller statement than I have given will be published in the Press notice shortly.

Is it necessary for the owner of arms who lives in Southern Ireland to get a licence from the Free State Government?

Yes, it is necessary, because nobody is allowed to bear firearms in Southern Ireland without a special licence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether ho has received a Report from the Irish Claims Compensation Association with reference to the provisions of the Damage to Property (Compensation) Bill, which has just passed the Lower House in the Irish Free State Parliament; whether he is aware that the provisions of this Bill do not carry out the understanding which was arrived at between the representatives of the British Government and the representatives of Southern Ireland at the time of the signing of the Treaty with regard to the payment of compensation for injuries to the lives and property of Southern loyalists; and, if so, what action he is taking in the matter?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second and third parts, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 12th instant to a question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley.

Do the Government still recognise their moral obligation to see that adequate compensation is paid to these unfortunate loyalists?

That is a question of the interpretation of words which must be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether representations have been received from any non-official body in Kenya against the proposed removal of the Voi Taveta Railway; and if the proposed removal of the line from Kenya for the purpose of improving an existing line in the mandated territory of Tanganyika has the approval of the Kenya Government?

The Acting Governor of Kenya has recently telegraphed representations from the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Kenya against the removal of the Voi Taveta Railway. The Governor of Kenya bad previously asked that definite steps should not be taken in the matter pending further discussion, but, as I stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 27th March, the decision arrived at has been taken after long and careful consideration and the Secretary of State has informed the Governor that it cannot be reconsidered. I may explain that this line is not the property of the Kenya Government but of the War Office, and that its reconditioning was estimated to cost half a million, with a loss of £5,000 to £6,000 a year on its working.

Are we to understand that the decision was taken without consulting the Government of Kenya?

Reports were received from Kenya and from an inspector, and the matter was very fully discussed for many weeks, and in the interests of the Tanganyika Territory, as a mandated country, we had no option but to take up this extremely costly and military railway.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any communication from representatives of any of the Colonies, and, if so, which, expressing views unfavourable to the proposals relating to the marking of eggs or any other commodities included in the Merchandise Marks Bill?

Is it not. a mistake on the part of the hon. Member to have omitted the word "Dominions "? Should it not say "representations from any of the Dominions and Colonies "?

I am sorry for the omission.

The answer is in the negative, so far as the principle of the Bill is concerned, as regards both the Dominions and the Colonies, but representations suggesting modifications in the proposed method of marking certain imported foodstuffs have been made on behalf of some of the self-governing Dominions, and are under consideration

Should not the House be made acquainted immediately representations are made while the Bill is under discussion?

I do not think that that necessarily follows.

In view of the importance of the House being made acquainted with the views of the Colonies, will the hon. Gentleman not reconsider the decision?

These are representations of one Government to another Government. Any recommendations which are considered desirable will be stated by the Minister representing the Government on the Committee stage of the Bill.

Is it not the case that when representations affecting legislation are made between one Government and another within the Empire, the legislature affected should be acquainted with these representations? [HON. MEMBERS: "Agreed! "]

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communication from representatives in this country of any foreign Government, and, if so, which, expressing views unfavourable to the proposals relating to the marking of eggs or any other commodities included in the Merchandise Marks Bill?

Communications of the nature indicated by the hon. Member have been received from the French, Netherlands and Lithuanian representatives in this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether proposals have been submitted through the Governor of Nyasaland for the adoption of some scheme of military conscription in the Protectorate; and, if so, will he state what action has been taken thereon?

Legislation involving the principle of compulsory service for Europeans and Asiatics in Nyasaland was prepared, but it has been decided not to proceed with it, and the Governor has been so informed.

Was the scheme prepared with the sanction of the Governor?

The matter was, I think, the subject of considerable difference of opinion on the Executive Council of Nyasaland.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Indian inhabitants of the Federated Malay States comprise 23 per cent. of the population, but are unrepresented on the reformed Federal Council and will he have this fact taken into consideration?

Yes, Sir. The High Commissioner is considering, in consultation with the Malay Rulers, what arrangements can best be made for securing the representation of Indian immigrant labourers in the States comprising the Federation, which he considers would be more conducive to their own interests and generally preferable to their being represented on the Central Council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements His Majesty's Government propose to make for the protection of British trawlers fishing off the Murmansk coast during the winter season 1923–24?

I have been asked to reply. I am afraid it is not yet possible to say more than that we hope to be able to make arrangements to give some measure of protection throughout the whole of next winter season.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inform the House as to the action which has been taken by the British Government, in view of the affront to Great Britain contained in the Soviet Government's reply to the representations made by Mr. Hodgson, on behalf of the British Government, in connection with the condemnation to death of Father Butkevitch; and whether, in view of the refusal of the Soviet Government to make redress for the injuries to British citizens for which they are responsible, and also having regard to the continuance of Bolshevik propaganda within the British Empire, an intimation will be given forthwith to the Soviet Government that their trade delegation with its special privileges will no longer be permitted to remain in Great Britain

I am unable at present to add anything to the reply I gave on 9th April to the hon. Member for the Scottish Universities.

Would the hon. Gentleman say what object this trade delegation serves in this country, except to circulate propaganda?

In view of the fact that a considerable time has elapsed since I put a question on the subject, is it not possible now to announce a decision?

No decision can yet be announced.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Russian trade delegation in Great Britain have negotiated the sale in this country, on behalf of the Soviet Government, of goods which are the property of British citizens, and what action is being taken in the matter?

I am aware that in certain cases the title of the Soviet Government to goods sold by them in this country has been challenged, but where goods sold on behalf of the Soviet Government are claimed by British subjects as their property, it is for them to establish their right to these goods by proceedings in the courts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it is a fact that the Russian trade commission in London have diplomatic privileges, and are their couriers allowed to bring their luggage through free at the Customs; and if the Government will consider this question very seriously with a view of withdrawing this privilege?

The Russian trade delegation in London has no regular diplomatic status but enjoys the privileges set forth in Article 5 of the Trade Agreement. Its couriers are allowed to carry sealed bags which are exempt from Customs examination up to a limit of 10 kilos per week. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question of the hon. Member for the Scottish Universities on 9th April.

Is it not a fact that this so-called trade organisation is repeatedly abusing its privileges, and is it not high time that the whole question was reviewed?

That is a matter for debate, and not for a question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to the arrest of the Metropolitan Benjamin, of Petrograd, in November last; if there is any report of his trial issued by the Soviet Government; and is it known if he has been shot or otherwise executed?

The Metropolitan Benjamin, after a trial lasting three weeks, was condemned to death last July, and there is every reason to believe that he was shot shortly afterwards. It is not known whether any report of the trial was published.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether a British representative had access to this trial, and whether an official report has been sent to his Department?

I do not know whether there was an official report.

Will the hon. Gentleman ascertain?

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the protest against the ruthless warfare upon all forms of religious belief carried on by the Soviet Government which has been signed by leaders of most of the religious bodies in this country; and, if so, will he state what response, if any, the British Government propose to make to this protest and appeal?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I must refer the hon. Member to the reply I have just given to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison).

In view of the contradictory reports on this matter, will the Government request the British representative in Moscow to furnish an official report, so that the House may have a purely non-partisan statement on the subject?

I do not know that it is necessary to call for a special report. We are constantly receiving information.

May we not have publication of the information which comes through from the, British representative in Moscow?

I cannot promise that at the present time.

We should have it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, owing to the shortage of labour in France, foreign workmen are still being invited to that country from all parts of Europe; whether any invitations have been issued to workmen in this country; and whether, even admitting the difficulties of their position, there is any reason why the openings, such as they are, should not be explained to single men?

I have been asked to reply. I have no precise information as to the number of foreign workmen who are being invited to work in France, but no invitations have as yet been issued by the French Government as regards workmen in this country. The British Government is in correspondence with the French authorities on the subject, and I hope it may be found possible in the near future to notify a certain number of vacancies for the consideration of persons out of employment in this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inform the House of the terms of the representations made by the United States Government with regard to the export of liquor from West Indian ports?

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made to this country by the Government of the United States with reference to the unlawful importation of intoxicating liquor into America; and, if so, what these representations were?

I cannot, in answer to a question, give the actual terms of the representations made by the United States Government, but the suggestions they have made are that restrictions should be placed on the transfer of United States vessels to British registry, and that a treaty be concluded containing reciprocal provisions authorising the authorities of the British and American Governments respectively to exercise a right of search of vessels of the other beyond the three-mile limit of territorial waters.

Can the hon. Gentleman lay Papers on the Table of the House, or revert to the practice which obtained during the War, and lay Papers in the Library?

I will consider that.

Has any answer been made yet to the representations of the United States Government?

Will the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that in no circumstances will we agree to have our ships searched outside the three-mile limit.?

In reply to the hon. Member for the Bodmin Division (Mr. Foot), answers have been sent and we have shown every desire to meet the United States wherever possible.

Did you not say that we were in favour of the freedom of the seas?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French authorities have established an office in Cologne for the purpose of collecting French Customs duties; whether these functions are in competition with functions claimed to be within the rights of the German authorities; whether this office has been established by the French authorities with the approval of His Majesty's Government; and can he make a statement as to the effect which these competing claims have upon British trade in Cologne?

I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government agreed on 17th January, 1923, to the application in the British zone of the French Customs sanction and an office has been set up by the French, authorities in Cologne the functions of which arc, so far as I am aware, limited to the grant of permits for the export of goods from occupied to unoccupied territory and for the collection of export duties on such goods. If this is so, its functions can scarcely be regarded as in competition with the functions claimed to be within the rights of the German authorities, who, in the ordinary course, would not levy duties on such traffic.

Did the Government, in making that concession, take steps to protect British trade?

The question has been answered.

Why did the British Government consent to the setting up of this office, which harasses British trade? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer! "]

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of goods exported from occupied Germany to this country since the recent French advance into German territory, the value of goods exported from unoccupied Germany to this country in the same period, and the corresponding figures over the same period for 1922?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the particulars desired by the hon. Member,

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received any statistics showing the effects, and, if so, of what nature, on any British industries of the French occupation of the Ruhr and the commercial consequences resulting from it?

No statistics of the kind mentioned are available.

Is it not a fact that certain British industries, such as iron and steel, have benefited?

Are we to understand from the reply that the Board of Trade are not in possession of any information showing the alleged disastrous effect on British trade as a result of the occupation of the Ruhr?

I have no information.

No information whatever?

No special information.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman mean that he cannot state the amount of shipments from Cologne for the period mentioned?

Oh yes, if a question be put down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the increased activities of the French military authorities in the Ruhr area who are committing acts which are not sanctioned by treaty, international arrangement, or law, but constitute acts of war; and whether the British Government is giving transport and other facilities for such acts?

As the hon. Member is aware, His Majesty's Government have expressly dissociated themselves from the French action in the Ruhr, and they are giving no facilities other than those which were afforded before the occupation.

Is it not a fact that the Government have promised special transport facilities and have also facilitated the action of the French in rearranging the areas?

The facilities that have been given for transport are those which were enjoyed before the occupation began.

Has the hon. Gentleman read the speech in which General Smuts said that it was time we spoke out?

I have seen the speech.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has indicated to the French Government the policy of His Majesty's Government towards the proposal for the declaration of a Rhineland republic?

No such proposal has been made to His Majesty's Government?

Has His Majesty's Government indicated to the French Government their attitude towards the proposal to set up a Rhineland Republic?

It would be premature to indicate the attitude of this Government towards the proposal before the French Government have made it.

Is it not a fact that such proposals have been made—not, indeed, directly by the French Govern- ment—and have they been apprised of our attitude? [HON. MEMBERS "By whom? "]

By your Press—Lord Rothermere yesterday and the "Pictorial" and others. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order "] Well, you asked for it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the three licensing offices now in existence in the occupied area (Franco-Belgian, Ruhr and German) are all working against one another, and are causing great confusion; and if he will accede to the request of the British Chemical Trade Association that a new licensing office should be opened at Cologne, which should have full authority to deal with goods consigned to this country.

I am aware that the absence of a central authority for the uniform regulation of trade with the occupied territories has led to some confusion, but the present licensing arrangements are now under review, and His Majesty's Government are in communication with the French Government on the matter. I have every reason to hope that the new arrangements will improve conditions in this respect. As regards the last part, of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned to his similar question on the 26th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House of the present state of affairs in Memel; and whether the unrest and disturbances have arisen as a result of taxation to meet the cost of occupation by the Allies?

According to the information of His Majesty's Government there has been a general strike in Memel, but this has now ended and work has been completely resumed. I have no information confirming the suggestion made by the hon. Member in the last part of the question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) if he will arrange for the Oversea Settlement Committee to get into direct communication with boards of guardians with a view to interesting local authorities in Empire settlement;

(2) if he will state under which Act boards of guardians can contribute £10 towards the expenses of people, who are desirous of migrating; and whether the efforts of boards of guardians in the direction of migration can be co-ordinated with the work of the Oversea Settlement Committee?

The Over-sea Settlement Committee, which is working in close co-operation with the Ministry of Health, is preparing a circular letter to boards of guardians in regard to schemes under the Empire Settlement Act, which will, it is hoped, be issued at an early date. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a note of the statutes to which he refers.

Have not the Poor Law guardians the necessary powers already under the Poor Law Acts?

Yes. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a list of the statutes.

And the Poor Law authorities already emigrate numbers of people?

Yes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is now in a position to state what improvements he proposes to effect with a view to speeding up the machinery of the Oversea Settlement Committee for the migration of those families who wish to settle in the Dominions?

Delays in connection with family migration are not, I think, attributable to any defects in the machinery of the Oversea Settlement Committee, but to two great difficulties, namely, the lack of accommodation for families in the country districts overseas, and the question of providing maintenance for families overseas whilst the breadwinners are obtaining the necessary training in land work. As I have already informed my hon. and gallant Friend, these two questions are engaging my particular attention, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Have the Government any definite plan, or is a plan contemplated for laying before the Imperial Conference in October?

We are considering it. I cannot say that we have a definite plan yet.

Is there any need to await the Imperial Conference?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the existence of the European Settlers' League in Fiji; and whether, in view of the potentialities of this Colony, the Government is prepared to co-operate with that organisation in encouraging British settlement in that Colony?

I am aware of, and sympathise with, the feeling in Fiji in favour of British settlement but I am not at present in a position to give any assurance as to the prospect of His Majesty's Government being able to co-

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is in a position to give the names of the gentlemen who are serving on the Oversea Settlement Committee; whether any of them have never visited the Overseas Dominions or Colonies; and, if so, whether he can give their names?

In view of the length of the answer, I will, with the operate under the Empire Settlement Act in assisting persons in this country to settle in the Colony.

Will the Government be in a position in the near future to make a statement on the subject of encouraging settlement in Fiji?

The matter will have to be discussed very carefully with the Governor, in view of the financial position of Fiji, and I am afraid it will take a long time to communicate with him and to get his answer back.

Is it not the intention, as far as possible, that the various Crown Colonies are to participate in the Empire Settlement Act?

If they are suitable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number of persons who have been sent by the Oversea Settlement Committee to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand during the last 12 months?

The total number of persons who have proceeded to the three Dominions in question during the 12 months ended the 31st March, 1923, under the free passage scheme for ex-service men and women and the Empire Settlement Act, respectively, is as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is in a position to indicate what arrangements, if any, have been made by his Department, in conjunction or otherwise with the Oversea Settlement Committee, to extend credit facilities for the purchase of materials necessary for the opening up and development of new areas suitable for settlers overseas?

I am at present unable to add anything to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on the 10th April.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can give a list of the places where his Department have been in the past but fire no longer represented; how much this retrenchment save the Treasury directly: and, in view of the cost entailed upon the country indirectly through not bring so represented, whether he is prepared to regard the recreation of these posts, as the first call, when any further funds are made available for his Department?

Posts in the Commercial Diplomatic or Trade Commissioner Services have been closed at the following places:

• Bogota.
• Havana.
• Lisbon.
• Santiago.
• Sofia.
• Hong Kong.
• Lima.
• Montevideo.
• Singapore.
• Teheran.

In addition the junior officer has been withdrawn from the following posts:

• Buenos Aires.
• Brussels.
• Madrid.
• Rio de Janeiro.
• Washington.

The annual cost of maintaining these posts was, approximately, £31,000. As regards the last part of the question, I can assure my Noble Friend that I am fully alive to the importance of strengthening our commercial representation abroad as soon as the financial position permits, and at places where British interests will most benefit.

Would it not strengthen the financial position to re-create these offices?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity and value of decolourising carbon imported into this country during the years 1920, 1921, and 1922, with the amount and value of such imports from Holland, Germany, Austria, and America, respectively; and what amount during the same period was re-exported and to which countries?

I regret that I am unable, to furnish the particulars desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement as to the Government's policy for the extension of Imperial preference?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by the Prime Minister of Australia in a speech at Sydney on the 5th April, wherein ho complained of inequalities in regard to trade preference; and whether, seeing that in 1921 Australia gave a preference to Great Britain representing nearly £9,000,000, while Great Britain's preference to Australia amounted only to £45,000, he will consider the advisability of extending the preferential duties now given to Australia?

My right hon. Friend has seen the Press report of the statement by the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia. It has already been announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, in his speech on the 10th April, that the question of Preference will be included among the subjects considered at the Imperial Economic Conference.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? What is the policy of the Government in reference to the extension of Preference? Has the Government a policy, and, if so, what is it?

I have given an answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the economic importance of the Crown Colonies, he will consider inviting the leaders of the elected members of the legislative councils, and/or the most recently retired ex-governors of each of the principal of these colonies, to attend the Imperial Economic Conference in an advisory capacity?

I am not in a position at present to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dart-ford on the 20th March.

asked the Prime Minister whether the place and date for the resumed Peace Conference with Turkey has been decided upon; if so, what are they; who will be the British representatives at the Conference; and whether the Russian Government has been invited to participate in the resumed Conference?

The negotiations for a treaty of peace with Turkey will be resumed at Lausanne on 23rd April. The British representative will be Sir Horace Rumbold, His Majesty's High Commissioner at Constantinople-. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Why was the Russian Government invited to the first Conference and why is it omitted from the second?

That is a question for debate rather than for an answer to a question.

I submit that that answer should have been given, as the question is on the Paper. Am I not entitled to a reasonable answer?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Chester concessions in Asia Minor have as yet been the subject of discussion between His Majesty's Government and the French Government; and whether we may be assured that an attitude of hostility towards these American concessions will not be adopted by His Majesty's Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part, His Majesty's Government have; not yet received -definite information as to the exact nature of the concessions, but it is evident that there could be no grounds for hostility to the grant of new concessions by the Turkish Government in Turkish territory except in the event of their conflicting with concessions previously granted to British subjects.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Convention of Royal Burghs has again urged the creation of a Secretaryship of State for Scotland, and that many public j bodies in Scotland have reiterated their view that, in the interests of administration, the status of the Scottish Secretary should be improved, he can give an undertaking that action in the matter is in contemplation by the Government?

The Government recognise the importance of this question, but my right hon. Friend cannot hold out any hope of being able to deal with it this Session.

Having regard to the; important part which Scotland plays in national affairs, will the Government give immediate consideration to this question?

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember Wales in this connection?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all parties in the House are anxious for this reform?

I think that is conveyed by my right hon. Friend s answer, but he says he is unable at the moment to deal with the matter.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware that burghal members of county councils in Scotland are not allowed to vote on any question which entails expenditure by the county council, and is he prepared to consider the neces- sary amendment to the Local Government Acts to give all members of county councils absolute equality?

My Noble Friend is not aware that there is any demand for an alteration of the statutory provisions of the nature suggested by the hon. Member, and he does not contemplate legislation on these lines.

asked the Undersecretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he is aware that certain education authorities in Scotland have had difficulty in obtaining a water supply for certain of their schools; and that the procedure to allow them to get the same, laid down by the Education (Scotland) Act, 1S18, Section 11 (3), is both cumbersome and costly; and will he consider the simplification of procedure to obtain the necessary water supply for schools?

The only case involving water supply which has come under the notice of the Scottish Education Department recently was settled by agreement. On the information before him, my Noble Friend is not prepared to promote fresh legislation until he has had further experience of the procedure laid down in the Education ("Scotland) Act, 1918.

Is it not a fact that the County of Berwickshire Education Authority have had very great difficulty in getting a supply of water for some of their schools, and that it has been a, costly procedure, due to the fact that landlordism has kept them from supplying water?

There is only one ease which has come under the notice of the Department, and that case was settled by agreement. It does not, therefore, appear that landlordism has been responsible for holding up the water supply of these schools.

Of course, that is the answer of a landlord.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health why the Scottish Education Department, in pursuance of the policy laid down in Circular 44, are proposing to limit ox1 abolish the intermediate schools which provide for a three years' course in higher education, seeing that the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, Section 6 (1) (a), specifically enjoins upon education authorities a scheme for the adequate provision throughout the education area of the authority of all forms of primary, intermediate, and secondary education in day schools?

The hon. Member would appear to be under some misapprehension. Whilst Circular 44 foreshadows the discontinuance of the Intermediate Certificate in its present form, it does not propose to limit or to abolish intermediate schools as denned in the Education (Scotland) Acts.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any information to the House as to the progress which is being made by the Committee of Imperial Defence on the problems now before them, more especially on the subject of co-operation between the Navy and the Air Force?

Steady progress is being made in taking evidence and collecting material for the decision. Nine meetings have already been held.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the general approval given to the War Pensions Acts (Amendment) Bill by the central organisation and branches of the British Legion and other ex-service men's organisations: and whether, in the event of its being shown that the Measure meets with the general acceptance of the House, the Government will allow time this Session for the further consideration of the Measure referred to?

My right hon. Friend sees no prospect at present of being able to find time for this Bill, but an opportunity will arise for a discussion of the administrative principles involved on the Vote for the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Prime Minister whether the members of the Egyptian delegation, arrested and deported without trial, together with Zaghloul Pasha, are still in the Seychelles; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to keep them there now that their leader is at liberty?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state when the text of the Rent Restrictions Bill will be circulated and the date of its Second Reading?

It is hoped to make an announcement in regard to this matter within the next few days.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the provisions of the present Act expire in a few weeks, and that there is great anxiety in the country as to the intentions of the Government in this connection?

I have no information to add.

Is it the intention to delay the introduction of this Bill so long that the House will not have adequate opportunity of discussing it; and, consequently, may we not have another House of Lords decision as in the case of the last Act?