asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the number of elected members in the Legislative Assembly of India; what is the average number of constituents who recorded their vote for each of those members at the election of 1920; and what was the total number of persons entitled to vote?

The hon. and gallant Member will find these figures on pp. 2–3 of the Return presented to Parliament in 1921, showing the results of the elections [Cmd. 1,261].

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what decision has been arrived at on the representation addressed to the Secretary of State by the All-India. Association of European Government Servants on the 18th April, 1923, praying for the grant of ad interim relief pending the issue of orders on the Report of the Royal Commission?

The representation referred to will be brought specially to the notice of the Royal Commission. Till the Commission has had an opportunity of examining the materials laid before it, my Noble Friend is not in a position to arrive at a decision in regard to the grant of interim relief.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the number of political murders committed by the Akalis in the Punjab since 1st January of this year; and, seeing that the increase in murder and crimes of violence is due to hasty reductions in the numbers of the police force in the Punjab, and that it is now realised that that policy was a mistake, can he state whether that policy has been reversed, and whether increased numbers of police are now being recruited to bring up the force to its original strength?

I understand that 10 such murders have been committed this year. Special police have been enlisted and military forces are cooperating in the pursuit of the gangs. One hundred and eighty-six persons have been arrested.

Does the Noble Lord admit that these murders are due to the hasty reduction of the numbers of the police force?

This matter of keeping order is primarily one for the local Government, and I should be averse to making any comment, favourable or otherwise, as to the action taken. I am satisfied that adequate steps are being taken to deal with the situation that has arisen.

Why is the Noble Lord unable to offer any comment?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman puts a question down, I can answer it. I did not say that I was unable to offer any comment, but I was averse to doing so, as the matter is one primarily for the local Government. I hesitated to comment upon it at this stage when the situation is actually going on. I believe adequate steps are being taken by the local Government to I deal with the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to the fact that many regiments of the Indian Army have only five or six British officers with them instead of the 12, which is the authorised peace establishment; that, as a consequence of this shortage, British officers are now unable to obtain the privilege leave due to them in the hot weather, and double work is entailed upon all; and what measures have been taken to remedy this shortage?

I have called for a report from India in regard to my hon. and gallant Friend's inquiry.

Will the Noble Lord ask the Indian Government in the Return to show exactly how many officers are doing regimental duty at the present time?

That is exactly what I hope they will give in the Report for which I have asked; but I will have that point specially brought to their notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Government of India, when revising the pay of the military officers of the Military Accounts Department, have stated that they reserve to themselves the right to appoint to any post in the Department an outside officer; and whether the Secretary of State will give the military officers of that Department an assurance that no military officer whose record during and since the War has been satisfactory will be passed over in favour of an officer from outside the Department in the case of vacancies for promotion?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as to the second part my Noble Friend is unable to give the assurance asked for. The duties of the Military Accounts Department are important and Government must reserve to itself the right to make appointments to this as to other Departments from the outside in special circumstances.

Is not the Noble Lord aware of the anxiety felt by the senior officers of this Department?

I have not had any particular instance brought to my notice in this connection.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any information with regard to increased concentrations of Russian troops at Bokhara, Merv, Kuskh, and along the Afghan frontier; whether he has any information indicating that such concentrations are with the object of bringing pressure to bear on the Afghan Government; and whether he has had any communications with the Amir with regard to these Russian forces?

Reports to the effect that the Soviet Government has been moving large bodies of troops in the regions mentioned have reached His Majesty's Government, but they have not been confirmed from official sources, and there is nothing to show, assuming them to be correct, with what object such military measures have been taken. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the agreement entered into between the British Government and the Irish Provisional Government which is referred to in paragraphs 2, 3, and 5 of the British Government's letter to the Irish Provisional Government, dated the 26th July, 1922, Command Paper 1736, and is known as the heads of a working agreement for implementing the Treaty so far as the same relates to undertakings given by the Provisional Government for the safeguarding of the lives and property of the loyalists in Southern Ireland, and of their rights in respect of damage for malicious injuries to person and property?

Yes, Sir; I will lay this Paper on the Table of the House at an early date.

Can the hon. Gentleman say now whether the effect of the document in question is to guarantee, on behalf of the Free State, the position of the loyalists in Southern Ireland conditional on the removal of the British troops and the disbandment of the police force?

I think the hon. Gentleman had better see the actual terms.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Crown solicitors in Ireland whose claims for compensation have been assessed by Judge Wylie at a-half up to a maximum of the equivalent of two years' salary have the right to appeal against the assessment; and, if not, whether some ex-gratia payment will be given them to make up for the deprivation of their livelihood under the Irish Free State?

In answer to the first part of the question, the Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Wylie does not award compensation, but recommends what compensation should be paid by the Free State Government. There is no provision for appeal against such a recommendation, but I know of nothing to prevent any person who is dissatisfied with the amount awarded to him making representations to the Minister of Finance in Dublin. I cannot hold out any hope of this class of public servants being singled out for ex-gratia grants from the British Exchequer. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that such a concession would only open the door to similar claims by other classes of public servants affected by the constitutional change in Southern Ireland.

Would the hon. Gentleman be prepared to include the claims of the Crown solicitors for compensation with the claims of others for compensation?

I will consider that.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether an undertaking of any kind was obtained by the Coalition Government, safeguarding, or providing some compensation for these public servants?

Yes, there is a provision for compensation in the Treaty and that it is not to be less than granted under the Act of 1920. When all these assessments are in, and it is ascertained how much the Free State are prepared to pay, then we shall have to consider here whether the amounts are anything like what would be paid under the Act of 1920.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, owing to the present financial position of the Irish Free State, as indicated by the deficit of £2,500,000 on the 1922–23 Free State Budget and the deficit of £20,000,000 on the estimates for the present year, apart from other liabilities amounting to 45 millions, the British Government has been approached with a view to giving financial assistance; and, if so, will he state what attitude His Majesty's Government has adopted, or intends to adopt, towards such requests?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure us that, in any arrangement which may be made with regard to the financial position of the two countries, His Majesty's Government will make it perfectly plain that they will enter into no arrangement unless and until full and adequate compensation has been given to all who have had their compensation assessed under the Malicious Injuries Act, and until adequate compensation has been given to the members of the Civil Service?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office intend restoring the title of resident-general in the Federated Malay States in substitution of that of chief secretary?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the slow progress being made with the Rutenberg concessions in Palestine; and, in the event of further prolonged delay, will he recommend withdrawing these concessions?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the similar question put by him on 18th June.

Has not the hon. Gentleman any idea of the progress the concession is making? If he has no idea, it seems to prove it is making no progress—and that is the point I wish to show, that no progress is being made.

The hon. Gentleman is making a speech.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state of whom the Arab Congress at Jaffa consists; by whom it is was summoned; and who is presiding over its meetings?

I have not received any official information on this subject. The hon. Member is, of course, aware that the Arab Congress is not in any sense an official body. I understand that the Congress is being presided over by Moussa Kazim Pasha.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Sir Hugh Clifford, the Governor of Nigeria, has described the harbour works at Accra as a costly and deplorable failure; how much money was spent on these works; and by whom they were carried out?

My attention has not been called to the alleged observation by Sir Hugh Clifford. I assume my hon. Friend refers to the works carried out by the Gold Coast Government at Accra on the advice of Messrs. Coode and Matthews (now Coode, Matthews, Fitzmaurice and King) between the year 1910 and 1920. These works certainly did not effect the improvement hoped for, but I should hesitate to describe them as a "complete failure." The exact cost of these works, prolonged during so many years, and involving charges for maintenance as well as for construction, is not easily determined without a good deal of research, but, should my hon. Friend wish, I will ask the Colonial Government to furnish a Report.

Were the works offered for public tender?

I do not know, but I do not think so. I think these engineers were consultative engineers employed by the Colonial Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Acting-Governor of Kenya recently informed the Kenya Legislative Council that all future railway construction in Kenya would be carried out by the administration; and whether this announcement was made on instructions from his Department?

The Acting-Governor's announcement has not been reported, but it no doubt followed the receipt of a telegram sent on the 17th May stating that the Secretary of State had "decided in favour of departmental construction of future railways in the Colony." The telegram was sent in reply to a despatch from the Governor as to the arrangements for the construction of particular railways and extensions which are the only future railways now in prospect in the Colony, and I have no doubt that it was understood by the Acting-Governor as relating only to those railways. No general decision has been taken, nor would such a decision be possible, either in the Colonies generally or in Kenya only, as a policy for all time.

Has that policy been adopted for recent work?

Yes, I believe that is so. This particular decision to construct these railways departmentally is due to the fact that there is a staff in existence in the Colony in question, and the necessary survey work has been done. They therefore decided to do it departmentally.

Then will the Administration have to run them?

Not necessarily: but it depends entirely upon the circumstances of each case. As I replied to my right hon Friend the Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Sir Walter de Frece) last week, each case is considered on its merits, and we either construct the railways departmentally or by contract, as the circumstances warrant.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there are any persons who are not permanent members of the Civil Service who are still employed in the Irish Branch of the Colonial Office; and if he will give the names of such persons and the amount of their remuneration, and state the date when their appointments will terminate?

There are still employed in a temporary capacity in the Colonial Office and Home Office Branches of the Irish Department, 75 persons who are not permanent members of the Civil Service. They are for the most part employed in winding up business connected with the disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary and with compensation; and my hon. Friend will find the details in the published Estimates for civil services for the year ending 31st of March, 1924, under the heading "Irish Department, Class II, No. 39." This temporary staff is being reduced as rapidly as possible, but it is not possible for me to state at the present time when the appointment in any individual case will terminate. In addition, Mr. Lionel Curtis is employed at the Colonial Office as adviser to the Secretary of State. Mr. Curtis was invited by the late Secretary of State to assist him and the Department in implementing the Irish Treaty: and this invitation was renewed by my Noble Friend the present Secretary of State when he assumed office. At the present time Mr. Curtis is employed in the main upon Colonial Office business connected with the Irish Free State, but it is my Noble Friend's intention also to make use of Mr. Curtis's exceptional experience in connection with the forthcoming Imperial Conference.

Does not the Noble Lord think that the time has now arrived when Irish affairs should be administered by the Dominion branch of the Colonial Office, especially having regard to the fact that so many Irishmen look with such grave suspicion upon the old Irish Office?

I should only be too pleased to get rid of the separate Irish Office. There are only four officers in the' Dominions Department at the Colonial Office. Their work is enormous, as my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York (Sir J. Butcher) knows. There are a great number of letters concerning the Royal Irish Constabulary, and it would overwhelm the Dominions Department if they had to deal with them. We are most anxious to get rid of the work and to wind up the separate Irish Department at as early a date as is practicable.

May I——

There are many questions on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the cost of the Electricity Commissioners for the year 1922 and the estimated cost for 1923; and what are the salaries of the Commissioners and the staff?

I have been asked to answer this question. The expenses of the Electricity Commissioners are, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, defrayed by the industry and not from moneys voted by Parliament. The expenses, apart from the repayment of past advances, in respect of the year 1922–23 were £35,567, and the estimate for the year 1923–24 is £46,250. This includes £15,227 in respect of salaries of Commissioners and £20,273 for staff.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether the British Protectorates and Mandated Territories are to be represented at the forthcoming Imperial Conference; if so, who will represent them;

(2) whether at the forthcoming Imperial Economic Council the smaller islands will be represented by the Dominions or Crown Colonies nearest to them, so that their economic interests may not be overlooked?

I have been invited to represent at the Imperial Economic Conference the Colonies and Protectorates, which would, of course, include the smaller islands. It is not proposed that the Mandated Territories shall be separately represented at the Conference, but should any question affecting any of them arise, I shall do my best to safeguard their interests.

Will my hon. Friend consider the advisability of making some statement on this question?

I have put that down among the list of subjects with which I hope to deal, but there are a great many subjects to be discussed, and I should take up the time of the House a very great deal if I attempted to cover the whole of them.

asked the Prime Minister whether, at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, His Majesty's Government intend to submit any proposals with regard to the consultation of the Governments of the Dominions in matters which concern our international relations and their participation in the control of foreign policy?

His Majesty's Government will welcome the opportunity of personal discussion with the Dominion Prime Ministers at the forthcoming Imperial Conference on all questions connected with our international relations and the conduct of foreign policy; but I would remind the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government are already in close touch with the Dominion Governments on these matters.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received information that 45 Indian merchants at Lindi, in Tanganyika Territory, were arrested by the senior commissioner on the ground that they had failed to take out a new form of trading licence; that the merchants were fined 40 shillings each; that an application on their part to postpone the case in order that they might have the opportunity to engage counsel was refused; that the merchants thereupon declined to pay the fine and were sent to gaol; and that the sentence was then altered by the court to one of a fine of 40 shillings in each case and 10 days' imprisonment in addition; whether it is competent for a magistrate in Tanganyika Territory in this manner to alter a sentence once promulgated; and what action has been taken by the Tanganyika Government in the matter?

All the information which has reached the Colonial Office on this subject is as follows: In April, 43 British Indians and one Goanese were, fined 40 shillings (not rupees) each at Lindi for non-compliance with the Trades Licensing Ordinance, but preferred to undergo 10 days' simple imprisonment in default. The fines were levied by distraint, and the prisoners released as soon as this was effected, in accordance with the Indian Penal Code which is in force in the Tanganyika Territory.

Is it not a fact that these people were refused the opportunity of getting legal assistance, and is that the usual custom in this Colony?

It is not a Colony; it is a Mandated Territory. I have read out the only information we have received by telegram.

Will the hon. Gentleman be very careful, especially as this is a Mandated Territory, to see that no injustice of this sort is perpetrated?

Certainly. I do not know that any have been perpetrated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, for the purpose of facilitating intercourse between the constituent parts of the British Empire, the suggestion as to the elimination of the necessity of a passport for British nationals travelling from one part of the Empire to another may be considered by the Imperial Conference and so follow the example set, in this matter, between Great Britain and the Dominion of Canada?

I am advised that the abolition of passports would not be to the convenience of British subjects when called upon to prove their nationality and identity on arrival in various parts of the Empire. I may, however, observe that arrangements have been in force for some time past, under which British passports, unless otherwise endorsed, are valid for travelling anywhere within the British Empire, though they do not of course exempt the holder from compliance with the Immigration Regulations in force in the various countries of the Empire. In the circumstances, I hardly think that the suggestion can suitably be brought before the Conference.

Does that apply to America?

I only replied in regard to the Empire. Some of the Dominions require that anyone who enters their dominion must have a passport.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are any special restrictions on British passports used in Mexico; whether the Mexican Government demand any special visas on British passports; whether he has official information showing that American citizens are allowed to enter Mexico without any passports; and, if so, if he will consider if the same privilege can be obtained for British subjects?

I am not aware of any special restrictions as regards British passports for Mexico. An ordinary Mexican visa is required which is valid for 12 months. I have no official information on the subject referred to in the latter part of the hon. Member's question, but I believe that a local arrangement exists between the United States and Mexico by which the possession of passports for crossing the frontier is waived. His Majesty's Government are not prepared to ask for a similar concession as regards British subjects entering Mexico. Such a request would lead to a demand for reciprocity which could not be accorded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why his Department demand, on a renewal of a passport, a further guarantee form from the applicant signed by a responsible person; whether the fact that the original passport was issued after such guarantees had been supplied and inquired into is sufficient guarantee of the applicant; and if he will consider if Form D, now necessary to be filled up on a passport renewal, can be altered or withdrawn and passports renewed on a simple application?

In dealing with an application for the renewal of a passport it is clearly necessary to establish the identity of the applicant with the rightful holder of the passport and the requirement of the form referred to by the hon. Member is mainly for that purpose. The only alternative would be to require all such applicants to attend in person, which would be inconvenient to the applicants and require a largely increased staff to interview them. In cases of urgency, and when the applicant attends personally, it is the practice to waive the requirement of a guarantor in most cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Canadian Government has confiscated £37,000,000, mainly of British capital, expended on the construction of railways in Canada.; and whether he proposes to make representation to the Canadian Government on this subject at once or at the forthcoming Imperial Conference?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

Is it not a fact that the Canadian Government refused facilities to the Grand Trunk Railway to enable it to raise its rates in order to enable it to maintain its working expenses, and is our Government not going to take any action in the matter?

I should certainly deprecate this House taking action in any matter which is before the Canadian Parliament.

Is it in Order, Mr. Speaker, for an hon. Member to put down a question alleging confiscation and unworthy motives against another Government in one of our Colonies?

The hon. Member's point of Order is well-founded. This question had escaped my notice, and it ought not to have appeared on the Order Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office issues British official news for daily distribution by wireless; and, if so, whether a copy of such official news may be supplied to the Library of the House for the information of Members?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The hon. Member's suggestion would involve an increase of departmental work which would serve no useful purpose, but I shall be happy to show the hon. Member a sample of the daily distribution if he will call at the Foreign Office.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having a listening-in outfit in the House of Commons?

Does the hon. Gentleman not appreciate that, in a matter of grave concern like the propaganda which is being issued throughout the world by the Foreign Office, the Members of this House should be the first to know the nature of it?

I think if the hon. Member will accept my invitation to the Foreign Office he will see how little ground there is for that statement.

If we had the listening-in apparatus in the House, the hon. Member could listen to the propaganda as it was being sent out.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French Government have refused at Lausanne to accept payment of the Turkish debt in French francs on behalf of the French bondholders; and if he can tell the House the amount of money which is standing in the way of the settlement at Lausanne?

It is not a dispute about a sum of money which is standing in the way of a settlement of the Debt question at Lausanne. The Turkish Government demand to have it recognised in the Treaty that they may discharge their public debt by tendering depreciated paper francs in the place of the gold francs for which the debt was contracted. This would mean a default on two-thirds of the interest payable to the bondholders of all nations. The Allied Governments have no legal right to sign away the rights of the bondholders by endorsing a Turkish repudiation of their contractual obligations. It has so far been impossible to get the Turkish Government to understand that in view of this legal position their demand is impossible of acceptance by the Allies.

Is it not a fact that it has been expressly stated that an arrangement has been made under which French bondholders should 'be paid in francs and the English bondholders in shillings?

That does not conflict with what I have said, that there is a difference between the gold franc and the paper franc.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the total amount of claims by British nationals against the Turkish Government for war damage and seizure of their property in Turkey; whether it is proposed to indemnify them out of the funds at present held by the Government on account of the two Turkish battleships detained on the outbreak of war; and, if not, to what purpose these funds are to be devoted?

The total amount of these claims, so far as can be ascertained, is about £40,000,000. As regards Part II, no funds are in the hands of His Majesty's Government in respect of the battleships mentioned, which were in 1914 requisitioned and subsequently appropriated by His Majesty's Government as the property of an enemy State. The third part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the, assessor who was sent to Constantinople to assess claims for compensation of British subjects and of British business firms has submitted his Report; and whether and when it is intended to make any advances for recognised claims pending their recovery from the Turkish Government?

Claims in respect of personal injury in Turkish territory are covered by the first Report of the Royal Commission, and awards in these cases have already been paid, or will be paid shortly. Claims in respect of damage to property are being dealt with as indicated in my answer to the hon. Member on 18th June. It will not be possible to make any payments in advance unless a claimant proves that he is in necessitous circumstances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British subjects visiting the United States and possessing all passport requirements detained on Ellis Island have been granted immediate facilities to communicate with friends or officials on the mainland?

According to the information in the possession of the Secretary of State, persons detained on Ellis Island have every facility for communicating with whomever they wish. If the hon. Member has any information to the contrary, I should be grateful if he would give me an opportunity to investigate it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the experience of a captain of the English mercantile marine at Ellis Island on the 28th of April last; whether he is aware that this officer was proceeding on business, and had his return ticket in his pocket; that the United States official asked him in a whisper if he was in a hurry to land, and suggested that he might be able to do something; that all the papers and passports of this officer were in perfect order; that the American Consul had informed him that he would have no trouble; and that this officer was landed into a wire cage with 30 foreigners and one Englishman, and subsequently made to strip naked for examination for disease; and whether the Secretary of State will see this officer in order to obtain a further statement with regard to his examination on Ellis Island?

The only information which the Secretary of State possesses on this case comes from my Noble and gallant Friend himself; and is to the effect mentioned in the question. I doubt whether the officer concerned can tell us anything as to the conditions prevailing on Ellis Island which we do not already know, but I shall be glad to secure an interview for him at the Foreign Office if he so desires. From what my Noble and gallant Friend has told me, there seems to be a case for representations to the United States Government, provided the officer concerned is prepared to allow the use of his name. In the absence of any guarantee that innocent travellers will not be subjected to these indignities, I would recall what I said in reply to the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness on the 18th inst., that the only real remedy is for British subjects to abstain from proceeding to the United States.

Is it not the fact that the Financial Secretary of the United States will shortly be in this country on a visit, and cannot His Majesty's Government get into touch with him to see if it is not possible to make some arrangement on this question?

I have very little doubt that that will be done.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that only six months since I drew attention to a similar indignity perpetrated on one of my constituents? Is it not time that the British Government made some serious representations to America regarding these continued affronts?

That is the question over again.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government seals placed upon the supply of liquor in the s.s. "Berengaria" and "Olympic" were put on with the consent and approval of the Government; and whether the breaking of these seals by American officials within territorial waters and seizure of the liquor is recognised by His Majesty's Government?

It is the practice for the British Customs to affix their seal, as a matter of routine, to dutiable ships' stores taken out from this country under bond, to prevent consumption of the stores in territorial waters. The seal must not, of course, be broken within British territorial waters, but otherwise it is in no way inviolable. Foreign Customs' seals are habitually broken, when necessity arises, within British territorial waters. His Majesty's Government, therefore, see no ground for protest should British Customs' seals bs broken within United States territorial waters by officials of the United States Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the approaching visit of the Financial Secretary of the American Government to these shores, and will the right hon. Gentleman confer with him to see whether some arrangement could not be arrived at which would obviate the necessity for these incidents?

Is the Government prepared to take steps to prevent the illicit whisky-running from British ports, which is so potent a cause of these new American regulations?

rose ——

I do not think that that arises out of the answer which has been given.

The question I was about to ask arises out of the answer.

The hon. Member has had a very full share of the time to-day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of Ras Tafari that the Abyssinian Government is willing to come into touch with the League of Nations, and to place at its disposal information upon slave-trading and slave-owning; and whether His Majesty's Government will take any steps to obtain official confirmation of this statement in order that Great Britain's representative may be able to bring it to the notice of the Council of the League?

The attention of the Secretary of State has been drawn to a Press statement in this sense and His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa has been instructed to report upon it. Any further steps to be taken by His Majesty's Government must necessarily depend upon the reply received.

Has the attention of the Under-Secretary been called to the statement of Ras Tafari that there has been a recrudescence of slave-trading?

I have seen the Press statement which is referred to in my answer.

further asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any request has been received from the Council or Secretariat of the League of Nations for information upon the existence of slavery; and whether, as a member of the League, His Majesty's Government have supplied this information to the League in order that it may effectively carry out its work in regard to slave-owning and slave-trading?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The reply of His Majesty's Government to the request for information was to the effect that nothing had occurred in territories under the control of His Majesty's Government of a nature to justify apprehension of a recrudescence of slavery.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what International Agreement, to which this country is signatory, a large French military force continues to be stationed in the Saar Valley, seeing that the Treaty of Versailles only provides for the maintenance therein of a local gendarmerie, and the present total number and composition of the force; if it includes coloured troops, and in what numbers; if it is directly under the orders of the Governing Commission or of the French Government, and who pays for its upkeep; whether His Majesty's Government are consenting parties to the presence of this French military force in the territory in question; and, if so, whether he will state on what grounds the consent is based?

There is no definite Treaty provision for the presence of French troops in the Saar. The Governing Commission is, under the Treaty, responsible for the protection of persons and property in the territory. For this reason, the Commission was allowed to retain French troops, pending the establishment of the local gendarmerie provided for by the Treaty. His Majesty's Government have no reliable information as to the present total number and composition of the French force. They understand that it is under the control of the French Government, who pay for its upkeep. So far as I know, it does not comprise coloured troops. In view of the delay which has undoubtedly occurred in the constitution of the gendarmerie, the Council of the League decided at their last meeting that the Governing Commission should be requested, before adopting its budget for the financial year 1924–25, to submit for the consideration of the Council its programme for the increase of the local gendarmerie during that period.

Is there any provision in the Treaty covering the period before the local gendarmerie is established?

Is it in order for large bundles of flowers to be brought into this House?

I do not see anything calling for my intervention.

Is it not the colour to which the hon. and gallant Member objects?

Has your attention, Sir, been called to "the flower-girl" at the door?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any British Consular Officers are now resident in the Ruhr district; and, if so, in which towns?

There is a British vice-consul at Essen.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can obtain a Report as to how many deaths by violence have occurred amongst the French troops and the German civilians since the occupation of the Ruhr; and what is the number of Germans and French who have been condemned to death as a consequence?

I do not possess the information asked for, and have no means of obtaining it.

asked the Prime Minister how many persons have been expelled by the French military authorities from the Ruhr and from the French area of occupation in the Rhine-land, and how many women and children are included in the total; whether any of these expelled persons have taken refuge in the British area of occupation in the Rhineland and, if so, what is their number and what proportion the number of working-class families bears to the total; and, seeing that these expulsions cannot be reconciled with the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles which regulates the relations of Germany with other signatory Powers, whether His Majesty's Government are making representations to the French Government on the matter?

His Majesty's Government are not in possession of the figures and details asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can state the duties attaching to the position at present occupied by Mr. Wintour in relation to the Empire Exhibition and the emoluments thereof?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been called to the proposed payment of £14,000 to Mr. Wintour, lately general manager of the British Empire Exhibition; and, having regard to the Government guarantee of £100,000 towards the expenses of the exhibition, has any communication been made to the management committee of the exhibition in regard to the proposed payment?

I understand that Mr. Wintour, the general manager, was given under his original agreement certain exclusive powers of management in connection with the exhibition, not only for the period of preparation and while the exhibition remains open, but until it was wound up. I am also informed that, in the opinion of the Board, which was recently appointed in pursuance of the recommendations made in the Report of my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, such powers were inconsistent with the system of organisation considered by the Board to be essential for the discharge of the responsibilities imposed upon them. Mr. Wintour's agreement has therefore been cancelled under an arrangement by which he received the sum of £14,730. Mr. Wintour has also been appointed consultant to the Board. His duties are to afford the Board any information which they may require, and to place at their disposal in an advisory capacity his experience in the organisation of exhibitions. For these duties he is to receive payment at the rate of £1,000 a year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, as Chairman of the Executive Council of the Exhibition, was consulted in regard to these arrangements, and has approved of the course adopted.

Who was responsible for this appointment in the first instance, and what do the Government expect to get out of this further payment of £14,000?

The appointment was in the first instance made by the Executive Council of the exhibition. It is not a question of what the Government expect to get; it is what the management of the exhibition expect to get, and that is their own affair.

Is it within the power of the Executive to utilise subscriptions for such a purpose as compensating a man who has proved inefficient in his work?

Is the Government not aware of the fact that this gentleman had" previously received a very large sum of money on the cancellation of an agreement?

Has not this Gentleman given very distinguished service to the exhibition, and did not the committee in discharging him retain his services in an advisory capacity?

Hon. Members are now giving their opinions.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the names of voluntary bodies under whose auspices emigration schemes are promoted, and who receive financial assistance from Government funds?

The following voluntary bodies interested in migration and settlement overseas are receiving Government assistance in respect of schemes under the Empire Settlement Act, namely, the Salvation Army, the British Dominions Emigration Society, the Society for the Overseas Settlement of British Women, and the Craigielinn Farm, Paisley.

To what extent are they subsidising per head?

I think that point arises on the next question.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if any voluntary body sending children (boys and girls under 14 years of age) to any of the Dominions receive any assistance from Government funds; and to what extent?

Under recent agreements with the Government of the Dominion of Canada, a joint grant of 80 Canadian dollars (approximately £16) is paid to approved voluntary societies in respect of each boy between 8 and 17 years of age and each girl between 8 and 15 years of age who proceeds to Canada with the approval of the Superintendent of Emigration for Canada during the current financial year.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what the £16 covers?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Does this expenditure of £16 include fares, or is it just for provisions? That is a very important point for us.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman cannot be expected to answer that question now.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to the deplorable plight of those emigrants to Canada from the Hebrides of Scotland who were induced to go there by promises of land settlement, and who are now stranded at Red Deer, in Western Canada; under whose auspices were these men sent there; whether the Government gave its approval or not; what steps the Government intends to take to relieve their distress; and is the Government prepared to inquire into all proposed emigration schemes so that the interests of emigrants may be safeguarded?

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that the Canadian Minister for Immigration has stated in Parliament at Ottawa that he has ascertained from a Deputy-Minister, sent specially to Red Deer, that the settlement was satisfactory in the case of all but five people, and that it was expected that those five people would also be satisfactorily settled. The settlers from the Hebrides went out under the joint auspices of His Majesty's Government and the Government of Canada—the latter undertaking all arrangements for settlement.

Is it not the case that for some period 200 of these emigrants were living in a hall, for which they paid no rent, but in which they had to maintain themselves at their own expense, while waiting for settlement, after their arrival there?

I have no information about that.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how much money has been advanced or guaranteed under the Overseas Trade (Credit and Facilities) Act since 1st January, 1923?

No advances have been made under the Export Credits Scheme since the 1st January, 1923, the advances part of the scheme having been discontinued. As regards guarantees, sanctions have been granted since 1st January last to the amount of £4,794,427, and, during the same period, guarantees have been given to the amount of £1,260,554. I should explain that business for which guarantees are arranged frequently requires many months before it is completed.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how much money is left for this year for these guarantees?

I am afraid I cannot off-hand.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the advertisement of the sale of 200 fat Canadian cattle at Worlingham, Beccles, on 21st June; and, in view of the undertaking given that only Canadian stores are to be imported, if he will explain why these fat cattle were not slaughtered at the port of arrival?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 19th instant, in reply to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Simpson).

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any and, if so, what instructions have been issued by his Department to the veterinary inspectors of the Ministry to guide them in determining whether Canadian cattle landed at British ports are to be classed as fat or stores?

Definite instructions on the point referred to have been issued to the Ministry's veterinary inspectors. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the text of these instructions in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but I would point out that the exact amount of obesity that justifies "immediate slaughter" must always be to some extent a matter of opinion.

Following are the instructions mentioned :

Extract from Instructions to Veterinary Inspectors at Landing Places for Imported Animals.

10. Your attention is directed to Section 1 (8) of the Importation of Animals Act, 1922, in which the expression "Canadian" in relation to "animal" means "born and reared in the Dominion of Canada," and the expression "store cattle" means "castrated male or spayed female bovine animals which are intended for feeding purposes and not for immediate slaughter."

In order that effect may be given to this provision of the Act, veterinary inspectors are charged with seeing:

(1) That no licence is to be granted by the inspector for the movement out of the landing place of any cattle from Canada sent as stores, which, in the opinion of the inspector, are ready for immediate slaughter. On no account, however, is the inspector to order such animals to be slaughtered, or even to advise their

(2) that licences are not issued from the wharf for cattle consigned to a butcher unless in the opinion of the inspector they are bona fide store animals; and

(3) that no animals are to be licensed from the wharf to an abattoir.

asked the Prime Minister whether any final decision has yet been reached by the Cabinet with regard to putting into effect the recommendation of the Economic Tribunal as regards the importation of potatoes?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for South Norfolk (Major T. Hay) on the 20th April last, in which I announced that the Government are not at present prepared to adopt adopt the proposal of the tribunal that imports of foreign potatoes be permitted only under general licence of the President of the Board of Trade, and to which I have nothing to add.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the appalling state of the potato industry at the present time in East Anglia, and particularly in my own constituency; and is he also aware that a large percentage of last year's crop is still unsold and practically rotting in the ground?

I am aware of that; it would not be the fault of the hon. and gallant Member if I were not, but I would remind him that the proportion of potatoes imported into this country, including those from Ireland, is only 6 per cent, of the total consumption.

In view of that statement, may I ask one further question?

The hon. Member is giving his own views.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will inform the House of the acreage of land owned by the Crown, showing the acreage in each county of this country?

As the reply includes a statistical statement, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the statement:

I presume the hon. Member refers solely to the Crown lands in the charge of the Commissioners of Woods. Excluding purely urban property, foreshore, and lands (other than those in the New and Dean Forests) subject to common rights, the approximate total area of Crown lands in Great Britain is 245,093 acres, made up as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the new Order, regarding sheep scab, will contain a provision that no prosecution shall be made before the expiration of two years against farmers who do not take thorough steps to eradicate the disease among their own sheep; and, if so, what is the reason for delaying prosecution for such a long period?

The answer to the first part is in the negative. The proposed new Order will come into operation on the date of issue, but will provide that in the case of proceedings instituted on or after 1st July, 1924, the burden of proving the Order has not been complied with will rest on the person charged and not on the prosecutor. It is considered that a period of 12 months is necessary to enable farmers to ascertain and put into operation the measures required to free their sheep from scab.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the serious injury inflicted on fruit and vegetable growers through excessive railway rates and decreased facilities; and what action the Ministry proposes to take to bring railway rates and facilities for the conveyance of agricultural produce into harmony with the prices that the producer receives?

My attention has been drawn to the difficulties to which my right hon. Friend refers, and I have already discussed the matter with the vice-chairman of the informal committee of representatives of the railway companies and agriculturists, mentioned in my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Ely on the 19th March last. I am informed that the committee are giving this question their immediate considera- tion, and will use every endeavour to suggest means of securing improvements in the direction desired.

Does the Ministry itself take these questions up where small owners are unable to do so, lacking the skilled assistance necessary to meet the skilled experts of the railway companies?

I am sending a. representative of the Ministry to the conference, and shall certainly give any assistance I can.

In view of the fruit season now upon us, especially in the southern counties, will the committee get to work as soon as possible?

Yes, certainly. I hope it will report very soon.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by fishermen in providing nets and other gear for the prosecution of their calling, owing to the depression in the fishing industry, and to the losses which they have sustained during the War, he is prepared to take steps to institute a credit scheme under which advances could be obtained for this purpose?

I have been asked to reply. So far as England and Wales are concerned I have not received any recent representations from fishermen as to the necessity for providing credit to enable them to purchase nets and gear, and with regard to Scotland, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given by the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health on 18th April last, when this question was raised on the Motion for the Adjournment. The Government do not see their way to alter the decision then announced by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that further representations have been made since then, and that the need has become more urgent: and will he see that the same provision which is being made in connection with agriculture is made in the case of deserving fishermen?

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to make his promised statement on the Government's air policy; and whether there will be an opportunity to discuss the same?

I propose to make a full statement on this subject to-morrow.

Might I ask for a reply to the second part of my question—"whether there will be an opportunity to discuss the same"?

The best opportunity would be on the Air Vote.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that there is a considerable body of opinion in the United States of America favourable to the British West Indies being ceded to America in settlement, or part settlement, of the British debt to the United States; whether he has examined the proposal; and, if so, whether he will consider its adoption?

In reply to a similar question on the 8th March, 1920, the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) stated that there was not the slightest intention on the part of His Majesty's Government to barter or sell any portion of the British West Indies, whose inhabitants are loyally attached to the Crown and intensely proud of their membership of the British Empire. I am entirely in accord with that answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to appoint an assistant Postmaster-General?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given on the 30th November last to a question by the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Middleton). I do not propose to make any appointment at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has been reached as to the future control of the naval wing of the Royal Air Force; what that decision is; and whether any fundamental change will take place before the matter has been before Parliament?

No, Sir; I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on the 28th May.

Might I have an answer to the second part of the question, "whether any fundamental change will take place before the matter has been before Parliament"?