asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any details of the mill strike at Cawnpore which is reported to have resulted in three persons being killed and 34 injured?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the firing on strikers at Cawnpore; whether the mounted police were beating the strikers with sticks or canes before there was any attempt at stone throwing by the men; and whether attempts were made by the Government to find out the men's grievances before armed police help was given to the mill owners?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information he can give to the House as to the causes of the labour

London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Bill,

As amended, considered; to be read the Third time.

St. Just (Falmouth) Ocean Wharves and Railways (Abandonment) Bill [ Lords ],

Read a Second time, and committed.

No further official information has been received up to the present as to the strikes, and the resulting disturbance, beyond what was given in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley on 9th April. I am hoping to receive fuller information which I will communicate to the House. With regard to the last two parts of my hon. Friend's question as to the steps taken by the Indian Government, I may explain that the subject of labour disputes is one of those for which, under the Rules made under the Government of India Act, responsibility rests with provincial governments. The subject receives the constant and anxious atten- tion of these governments, and periodical reports are transmitted by mail to the Secretary of State. He will, however, communicate the suggestion contained in the last part of the question to the Government of India, with a view to their considering whether there is any occasion for consulting provincial governments as to the utility of further, inquiry into the causes of these disputes, and into the practicability and desirability of devising measures that might tend towards diminishing the risk of their occurrence.

Is the hon. Gentleman yet in receipt of the report of the Director of Labour in Bombay? If so, is it a fact that the reserves held by the mill owners of Bombay are 300 per cent. above those of any previous year?

There is another question later on, I understand, about the report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to tie statement made by the Home Member on behalf of the Government of India in the Legislative Assembly on 1st March last, that they had not been consulted about the appointments of the reporting staff to the Royal Commission on the Public Services; that the Government of India was satisfied that Indian reporters were competent and available for this work, and that Indian reporters had been utilised in connection with other commissions of inquiry, e.g., the Industrial Commission, the Fiscal Commission, the Reforms Commission, and the Hunter Commission, and that a public protest meeting had been held protesting against the bringing out of English reporters; whether it is the policy of the India Office to make such appointments without consulting the Government of India when the pay is charged to the Indian taxpayer; and whether he will give an assurance that in future the Government of India will be consulted before any such appointments are made?

The reporting arrangements for Royal Commissions are a matter on which the Chairman is always consulted, and I understand that in this case the Chairman particularly asked that reporters should be taken out from this country. I have seen the statement to which my hon. Friend refers. My Noble Friend has not yet received the communication which the Government of India promised should be made to him, but will of course consider most carefully any representations that they may wish to make.

When does the hon. Gentleman expect the Report of the Royal Commission?

I understand that the Report of the Commission was due to arrive yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the home accounts of the Secretary of State and the accounts of the High Commissioner are subjected to review by the Public Accounts Committee in India, or by what authority?

The accounts of the High Commissioner are laid before the Public Accounts Committee in India. They are also included in the papers relating to Home Expenditure annually submitted to Parliament. Under Section 26 of the Government of India Act, the accounts of the Secretary of State in Council are laid before Parliament each year, and they are also laid before the Public Accounts Committee in India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that in India more than 50 per cent, of the total Indian Budget is non votable by the members of the Indian Legislative Assembly, it is proposed to take steps to make all the Budget votable by the Assembly?

The course suggested by the hon. Member would involve amendment of the Government of India Act. No proposal for this purpose has been made.

Have any representations been made toy representative Indians?

I am not aware of that, but will make inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any recent Amendment has been made or published in India of the statutory rules under Section 67 B of the Government of India Act; whether the Indian legislative assembly had been consulted; and when the Secretary of State's sanction was applied for and obtained?

My hon. Friend is presumably referring to Amendments of the Indian Legislative Rules to provide a suitable procedure for dealing with Bills recommended or certified under Section 67 B of the Act. Amendments with this object have been made by the Government of India with the sanction of the Secretary of State in Council and were published in India on 13th March. In pursuance of the statute they are now being laid before both Houses of Parliament. So far as I am aware, the Assembly was not consulted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government will consider the desirability of associating with the inquiry proposed by the Government of India into the working of the reforms some non-official Members or Ministers who have had actual experience of such working?

This question had been mentioned in correspondence with the Government of India, but that Government has not yet made any final recommendation with regard to it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the danger of the propaganda disseminated in the Indian Press by the extremist agitator, as quoted in the Behar and Orissa Legislative Council in which the Government of India is depicted as a cruel oppressor and a cunning exploiter, that its hands were stained with blood, that it dishonoured women and massacred children, and that the Government and all its works must be forthwith ended; and whether he will consult the Government of India with a view to the reintroduction of the Press Law which was repealed two or three years ago?

I have not seen any report of the nature mentioned in the question; but I would again remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Courts, in India exist and that use is made of them when offences or torts are committed. It is not contemplated to suggest to the Government of India to revive the Press Act.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the Courts in India are not made use of?

My information is-that the Courts are made use of.

Can the hon. Gentleman give me a single case?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the letter addressed by 41 members of the Indian Legislative Assembly, including well-known leaders of Indian public opinion, asking for a committee of officials and non-officials to make a thorough investigation into the firing at Jaito, and that a mere magisterial inquiry will not satisfy the needs of the situation; and whether, in view of the fact that the official and non-official accounts widely differ as to the whole affair, he will order a public inquiry to be made on the lines suggested?

I have not at present seen the letter referred to, though I understand such a letter was sent. As I stated in reply to a question on the 10th March, the Secretary of State has no doubt that the Government of India will take all necessary steps to ascertain the full facts, if they have reason to think that they have not already been ascertained, and he does not think it necessary to make any suggestion to them in this connection. The appointment of a committee to make a general inquiry into the grievances of the Sikh community has been under contemplation, and I now observe in the Press that it has just been announced in India.

Is it not the case that this inquiry was conducted by a Sikh magistrate?

That is true.

Then should not the Sikh magistrate's decision be considered as final?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will bring to the attention of the Secretary of State the advisability of associating with himself any competent military financial adviser from India like Sir B. N. Mitter, who holds that office in the Government of India, in conducting negotiations with the War Office regarding the amounts outstanding between it and India?

My Noble Friend will not fail to make use of the best expert advice at his command in negotiating the settlement of these questions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has yet inquired into the accuracy of the calculations supplied to him showing that a married British service captain ordered to serve in India loses pay at the rate of £22 per annum, a married lieutenant of over seven years' service £63 per annum, and under seven years' service £68 per annum, married quartermasters, whose pay depends on length of service as such, lose by service in India in every grade, and married warrant officers, non commissioned officers, and men lose, respectively, about £49 14s., £20 12s. 6d., and £16 2s. 6d. per annum; and, if so, whether, in order to put a top to this reduction of pay now inflicted upon these officers and men ordered to serve in India, he will grant the same marriage allowances in India as are granted at home?

My reply to the hon. and gallant Member's question of 7th April was based on a careful examination of the figures which he has been good enough to supply. A certain disparity in the case of the officers is admitted, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that we shall endeavour to remedy it in connection with the revision which is due next July. But I cannot guarantee that any particular solution will be adopted.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is the reply which he gave me the other day?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has now had an opportunity of considering the Memorandum drawn up by Mr. Findlay Shirras, the director of labour under the Government of Bombay, which Memorandum shows that the reserve funds of the mill-owners in Bombay had been increased by 345 per cent.; and whether he will recommend the Government of India to take any steps in the matter?

I have now seen a Press report of the Memorandum, which appears to have been submitted to the Bonus Dispute Inquiry Committee appointed by the Government of Bombay. It gives the figure named as the increase in the reserve funds of 38 of the mills, the total number of which I understand is 82. The Committee reported that the results of the working of the mill industry as a whole for the year 1923 are such as to justify the contention of the mill-owners that the profits do not admit of the payment of a bonus. The question of reserve funds does not appear to be one in which Government could interfere.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that last year was a most disastrous year in the industry in Bombay?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, as a result of his promised inquiries, he can state why the cases against the owner of the Ahmedabad Cotton Mill, in Bombay Presidency, were withdrawn by the collector after a conviction had been obtained in the first case and a fine of £100 imposed for employing women and children on night duty in contravention of the Indian Factories Act, 1922?

It will take sometime to obtain the report which is being called for through the Government of India. I will communicate with my hon. Friend when it is received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that, under the Assam Labour and Emigration Act, it is possible for a planter to have a labourer arrested for leaving his service, and that a labourer is made criminally liable for any breach of service; and whether there have been protests from Madras about the recruiting of labour from that Presidency for work on Assam plantations?

The provisions to which my hon. Friend refers in the Assam Labour and Emigration Act have been withdrawn some years ago. As regards the latter part of the question, no protests have been received by my Noble Friend or reported by the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will give a Return for the last General Election in India showing the number of electors in the case of each Provincial Council, the Legislative Assembly, and the Senate, respectively, the number who voted, the number of candidates, and the number returned, as given in the case of the elections for 1920?

I hope to receive shortly from India material for such a Return, which will be presented as soon as possible thereafter.

Thank you.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information with regard to the murderers who have escaped from Afghanistan to Afridi country; and whether pressure is being put on the Afridis to give them up?

Definite information as to the two missing members, of the Kohat gang is still lacking. The Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province has taken the matter up with a joint jirga of the Afridi and Orakzai tribes, and has secured satisfactory undertakings from most of the sections concerned. Further pressure will be applied if necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any further consignments of rifles and machine guns are being sent by French firms to Afghanistan; whether any consignments are still being held up in Bombay; and can he state the numbers of rifles and machine guns that are being supplied by French firms?

In reply to the first part of the question, His Majesty's Government have no information. The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the negative.

Have these consignments which were held up gone through?

Yes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is taking any steps to prevent the setting out of those Jathas of Akali Sikhs; and whether he is aware that such Jathas are stirring up unrest in districts which were previously undisturbed?

My Noble Friend has already made inquiries and has ascertained that the question has been fully considered by the Governments in India, who must necessarily be in the best position to judge of the effect of these Jathas and of the policy to be adopted in dealing with them.

Can the hon. Member say whether they are adopting the policy of stopping these Jathas?

Were these the same men whose aid was requisitioned in France and who proved capable, willing, and loyal at the time when we wanted them?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that complaints are made in India about the delay in delivery and, at times, confiscation of the following newspapers and periodicals: the "Crusader," the "Unity," the "Outlook," the "Freeman,'" the "Daily Herald," the "Islamic Review," the "Manchester Guardian Weekly," the "Living Age," the "Nation," the "New Majority," the "New Russia," and the "Saturday Herald"; why there is this censorship and delay in the delivery of newspapers and periodicals in the Madras Presidency; and will he take steps to put an end to the same?

On the 7th April I offered to have inquiry made into any specific cases. I can only repeat that offer, and the assurance that there is no such censorship.

Is it not specific enough to give the hon. Member the names of the journals which are not allowed to go in? What more information does he require?

Are we to understand from the reply that there will be no interference with the powers which the last Government had for dealing with these matters if they desired to do so?

My reply was that there is no censorship.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what are the views and recommendations of the Government of India on the Resolution passed by the Council of State at Delhi on 5th March for a fresh survey of irrigation possibilities both from the rivers and wells of India, as no such survey has been made since 1901?

The views and recommendations of the Government of India have not yet been received. An inquiry on the subject has been sent to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that an attempt is being made to compel all trawlers calling at Tromsoe, Norway, to pay pilotage dues; that this will place a considerable burden upon the Hull fishing industry, as all trawlers engaged in the White Sea fishing pass through the Tromsoe district both going and returning; and whether he will consider taking up the matter with the Royal Norwegian Government on behalf of His Majesty?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; I am in communication with His Majesty's Minister at Christiania, who will discuss the matter with the Norwegian Government if further examination of the regulations shows that British Treaty rights are being in any way infringed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and, if so, what restrictions are placed by the French Government on the export of French and English money, respectively; is he aware that English travellers are submitted to questions and search at the ports of embarkation in France in order to discover whether they have English money; is such action taken by agreement with His Majesty's Government; and, if not, will he make representations to the French Government?

The French regulations prohibit, except within defined limits, the export of any coin except coins which have never been legal tender in France. Travellers are forbidden to carry out of France more than 5,000 francs in Bank of France notes or the equivalent in notes issued by the banks of other countries. The French authorities are within their rights in making and enforcing these regulations. The fact that His Majesty's Government have not been invited to give their agreement does not constitute a ground for representations to the French Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Spanish Government has imposed on shipping using Spanish ports a tonnage tax from the proceeds of which Spanish shipping alone benefits, which discrimination is not in accordance with the League of Nations Maritime Ports Convention signed by Great Britain and Spain last December; and are representations being made to the Spanish Government on the matter as contemplated in Article 8 of the Statute appended to the Convention in question?

The Convention referred to is not yet actually in force, and the Spanish decree is so framed that it does not appear openly to involve a specific infraction of Spanish treaty obligations towards this country. It does, however, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, run counter to the spirit of those obligations, and representations are being made to the Spanish Government on this basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by the British Government to induce the German Government to fulfil its obligations under Articles 296 and 297 of the Treaty of Versailles, and to resume remittances to the British clearing house to meet in full the amounts due to balance the differences in the clearing house totals in favour of British claimants?

I have been asked to reply. The German Government has recently agreed to pay further instalments, up to a limited amount, on account of its monthly debit balances under Article 296, and has, in fact, paid two such instalments to the British clearing office and the other Allied clearing offices with credit balances. The whole question of clearing office payments is under consideration in connection with the general settlement of the reparation question.

Are these payments of any appreciable amount?

I would rather not go into details, but several thousand pounds have been received.

Will the British clearing house benefit to any material degree by these resumed payments?

I have already said that the whole question is to be considered in connection with the general question of reparations.

What is the amount of the last two payments to which the hon. Member referred?

I require notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister if he can make a statement regarding the Government's attitude towards the French and Belgian occupation of the Ruhr?

While discussions are in progress consequent upon the publication of the Reports of the Reparation Sub-committees of Experts, I would rather defer any statement on such a subject.

Does this Government consider the occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium to be illegal, in face of the Treaty of Versailles?

asked the Prime Minister if this country will participate in the reparations payments from the Ruhr received by the French and Belgian Governments; and can he state what amount we can claim from the moneys collected to date through the Ruhr occupation?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. A. A. Somerville) on the 19th March, in which I set out the position very fully.

Do the Government maintain the same attitude towards the occupation of the Ruhr as the last Government did; and if we obtain any money at all, do they consider we shall be in the position of receiving money obtained by illegal methods?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French Government has been invited to participate in the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an invitation has been, or will be, given to the French Government to participate in, or to be represented at, the conference about to be held with delegates from the Soviet Government of Russia; and whether he has received any intimation from the French Government that such an invitation would bra accepted?

I will answer these questions together. The forthcoming conference is one for the settlement of matters outstanding between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government, and the question of the participation of other Governments does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House regarding a new defensive Treaty of mutual guarantee between Rumania and Japan against the invasion of Bessarabia and Japanese possessions in Saghalien by Russia; whether the terms of this Treaty are to be made public; and whether he has any information as to whether this Treaty will be deposited with the League of Nations at Geneva?

I have no information regarding any such Treaty.

Has Japan yet ratified the Treaty which she signed with Great Britain and France and Italy in regard to Bessarabia?

I require notice of that question.

May we take it that the announcement to this effect that appeared in certain newspapers last week is incorrect?

Yes, as far as I know. We have no such information at the Foreign Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the grant by the British Government of 153,000 gold francs made in the past financial year to the League of Nations High Commission for refugees will be repeated in the ensuing financial year?

If the hon. Member will refer to the terms of the reply which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs gave him on 19th March he will see that the sum of 153,000 gold francs was not a grant by His Majesty's Government but the sum included in the League of Nations budget. I am unable to forecast what figure, if any, will be required for the expenses of the High Commission for Refugees in the next League of Nations budget.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the names of members of the Committee to be set up for the purpose of inquiring into the question of amending the Army and Air Force Act, and especially the possibility of abolishing capital punishment in the Army and Royal Air Force except for the crimes of murder and treason-felony; what will be the terms of reference; whether this Committee will be empowered to take evidence and summon witnesses; and by what date it will be asked to render a Report?

I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government propose to set up a Committee to explore the questions affecting the discipline of the Services which were raised by the Amendments on the Order paper of the 2nd April last, and to report to the Board of Admiralty and the Army and Air Councils. The Committee will consist of my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary of the War Office in the chair, the Second Sea Lord, the Adjutant-General, and the Air Member for Personnel, assisted by their expert advisers. It will be open to the Committee to summon witnesses should they think proper. The Committee will sit after Easter, and their Report will in due course be considered by the Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay before that Committee the Report of the Committee that sat and reported in 1919 on similar matters, especially the Report which recommended that the death penalty should not be awardable in so many cases as at present?

Certainly; they will have that Report. It is in their possession now. It would be impossible to conduct the inquiry without that Report.

Will the Report of the Committee be available to Members of the House?

That is for the Government to decide later, when the Government have fully considered the whole of the proceedings, and the Report, first of all, of the three Services and of the Committee. Following upon that, it is for the Government to say whether the whole matter shall be laid before the House.

How is the House to be made aware that the Report has been rendered, so that we may know the proper time to ask for it?

I suppose there will be the usual channels of communication.

Will the proceedings of the Committee be open to the public?

They will not. This is a Committee specially set up for the purpose of inquiring into definite amendments that were down on the Order Paper a fortnight ago, and in every case, with the exception of two amendments that, as I distinctly stated, no Government, Liberal, Labour, or Conservative, could ever accept, every amendment will be inquired into by this Committee. That is within the terms of reference, and the whole matter will be reported to the House in the ordinary way.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Committee inquiring into the case of the ex-ranker officers will take evidence and hold its sittings in public?

The Committee have already decided to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance that the Government holding of shares in the Anglos-Persian Oil Company, and thereby the controlling interest in that company, will not be sold without the sanction of Parliament?

As has been stated before by my right hon. Friend, the present Government have no intention whatever of selling the Government holding in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, and although I am unable to bind my successors in office, I should not consider that any Government would be justified in parting with the control of the company without the approval of Parliament.

Are we to understand that no negotiations are now going on with Sir Robert Waley Cohen and these people?

Not as far as I know.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he has taken, in view of the request of Monsieur Poincaré, to make representation to the Soviet Government in favour of the 18 members of the Intelligentsia who were placed on trial before the Revolutionary Tribunal at Kieff on the 20th of March?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether this question does not come within your ruling against questions affecting the internal administration of a foreign country?

The question asked? what steps he has taken," meaning what steps the Prime Minister has taken. I think it is proper to ask that question.

Will you allow a question as to the treatment of British prisoners in the United States or South Africa to be put?

This question refers to a communication from the French Government to the British Government. Therefore, the initiative has been taken apparently by another Government in writing to the British Government.

His Majesty's Government do not feel that this is a matter in which they can usefully make any official representations to the Soviet Union Government, who are, however, well aware of the views of His Majesty's Government.

Seeing that the majority of these people who are being prosecuted are of the same opinion as the right hon. Gentleman in politics, does he not think that he ought to move a little faster?

Seeing that the representatives of the Soviet Government are here, has the Prime Minister no other gesture up his sleeves which he can make to these people?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the plight existing amongst many pre-War pensioners; whether he is equally aware that the pre-War pensioners were promised that a Bill would be introduced at the beginning of the Session to remove the causes of their anxiety; whether he can see his way to introduce such a Bill immediately; and whether he can undertake that this Bill will have retrospective effect?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say when the Bill will be introduced to increase pre-War pensions?

I shall answer these questions together. I would refer the hon. Members to the answers which I gave on the 10th and 24th March in reply to questions by the hon. Members for North Portsmouth, Epping, and North Tottenham.

Does that mean that it will have a retrospective effect from 1st July of last year?

I said that the Bill would be introduced as soon after Easter as possible, and that until it was produced I had better not anticipate its provisions.

asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the future of the Island of Cyprus; and whether the inhabitants have been consulted, or will be consulted, as to their future destiny?

His Majesty's Government are not contemplating any change in the political status of Cyprus.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now give the House the result of the investigations into the conditions of housing prevailing in Glasgow and Clydebank in respect of evictions for non-payment of rent; will he state the number of cases brought before the Sheriff and Burgh Courts for both these places; the number of orders for possession granted; and the number of actual evictions during 1923 and the present year, respectively?

As my reply contains a table of figures, I shall, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these decrees were granted on the application of petitioners?

That information is contained in the reply which is being circulated.

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to summarise the general effect of the reply? Can he state whether the figures correspond with those published in the newspapers?

Will the right ton. Gentleman take an opportunity, before the House rises, of explaining to the House exactly the position of affairs as he found them himself?

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the figures which he has in his hand in any way bear out the statements made from the benches behind him as to evictions?

I have stated that the figures are to be circulated, and if my hon. and gallant Friend wishes to raise the matter, he can do so.

In view of the fact that a Committee is to sit to-morrow morning to deal with this subject, would it not be very much to the advantage of the House that these figures should be placed officially in the possession of hon. Members?

( to Mr. Adamson ): Answer!

On a point of Order. This is a matter which materially concerns the House. A Committee is to sit to-morrow morning, and unless the House is in possession of the figures, hon. Members can form no opinion upon this question.

Are the figures capable of being summarised?

I will read the reply: My investigations and negotiations regarding the situation in Clydebank are not yet complete, and I should prefer not

asked the First Commissioner of Works the number of evictions that took place on the Well Hall estate, Woolwich, prior to the 12th February, 1924, and, if there were any, under whose authority were they effected; and how many evictions have taken place since the 12th of February and, if any, by whose authority?

Up to and including the 12th February last 13 evictions had taken place. They were all under the authority of the County Court after application made by my Department. No evictions have taken place since the 12th February last.

to make any statement until these are completed—

I thought you were going to circulate a statement?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to finish? The Sheriff Court records do not enable cases brought on the ground of non-payment of rent to be distinguished from cases brought on other grounds, but I am informed that nearly all the ejection cases brought in the Glasgow Sheriff Court are on the ground of non-payment of rent. The following figures relate to all ejection cases on whatever ground they are brought:

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, but for the intervention of the County Court Judge, at his own instance, these evictions would have taken place?

The ordinary procedure is generally adopted by my Department, and it is only when the tenant makes default of payment on the order of the Judge that he can be evicted. The evictions can only take place after the Court has again been approached, and is satisfied that the order for payment has not been complied with. A warrant for eviction may then be issued.

What about the number you evicted?

The question has been fully answered.

asked the First Commissioner of Works (1) if he is aware that premises belonging to the Department at 56–58, Wardour Street, West- minster, now housing three families and being also their workrooms, are to be turned into offices and the tenants have notice of eviction; and whether, in the circumstances, a postponement of this order can be considered;

(2) whether he is aware that the property situated at 7, 8, 9, and 10, Little Dean Street, in the Parliamentary Division of Westminister, are housing families all under notice of eviction; and will he reconsider these notices?

I am afraid that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The premises to which he refers in his questions are not owned by the Government, nor are they in the occupation of any Government Department.

Has the First Commissioner satisfied himself that it is true that the evictions are taking place, or is he merely questioning the actual ownership of landlords?

Whether evictions are taking place it is not for me to answer; they do not concern my Department.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that house building is held up on Teeside owing to the local supply of bricks being taken for the erection of a new camp at Catterick; and whether it is in accordance with the policy of the Government that a new military camp should take precedence over working men's houses?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 9th April.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the present limited attempt to deal with the housing problem is being retarded by the drawing of 100,000 bricks per week from one firm alone; and that the Government can, if they wish, get their bricks without any increased cost and so allow this limited attempt to deal with housing to be proceeded with?

Do the War Office consult with the Ministry of Health in regard to their buildings as is done by the Board of Education and other Departments?

With regard to the question of the hon. Member for Cleveland (Sir C. Starmer), it is to be remembered that funds have been specifically provided by Parliament for the erection of certain works and therefore this Government is acting on the principle of carrying out the orders of Parliament in building these houses. These barracks contain quarters for married men, and married men in the Army have to find houses like anybody else. I have no information as to how far the drawing of bricks from that firm has interfered with other building, and I have no information as to the question of the Noble Lord the Member for Hastings (Lord E. Percy) with regard to consultation between the Departments.

I gave the information in a previous question. I now ask whether it is the Government's policy to proceed with erecting barracks rather than houses and I have received no answer.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that there are 61 Members sitting in the House of Commons representing county boroughs, boroughs, and urban district councils, representing Poor Law necessitous areas, which are areas where the poor levy over Poor Rate is 3s. 2d. in the £; and, in view of the fact that continuous unemployment is the cause of these areas becoming necessitous, will he reconsider the decision of the Government not to give grants-in-aid to such areas?

The case of the necessitous areas was very fully considered before the decision of the Government was given, and my right hon. Friend cannot undertake to re-open it.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that many areas, notably the Dartford Division of Kent, are levying a Poor Rate alone of 10s. in the £, and does he not consider that a grant-in-aid should be made, having regard to the fact that men are stranded there who would return to other parts of Britain if housing accommodation were available?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the answer to the telegram from King Hussein has now been delivered; and whether he can now tell the House the terms of the reply?

Instructions have been sent to His Majesty's Agent at Jeddah regarding the delivery of the answer to King Hussein, but I have not yet learnt whether the message has actually been communicated to His Majesty. The answer to the second part of the question must, therefore, be in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his despatch to the Governor of Ceylon on the reform of the Executive Council will be published before the elections to the new Legislative Council, in order that the public may be able to express their opinion on the proposed changes in the constitution of that body?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 25th February. To this, there is nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what amount the revenue of the Uganda railway has exceeded the expenditure during the last three years without making any allowance for interest on the five and a half millions of capital involved in the undertaking?

The surplus of revenue, without providing for interest and sinking fund and expenditure from capital account and from the renewals and betterment fund was £36,523 in 1921, £124,066 in 1922 and £364,656 in 1923. The capital account as at 31st December, 1922, was £7,177,806.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what possibilities there are for a native in Nigeria, when placed on trial for his life, being able to secure special permission from the Governor to engage counsel to defend him; and in how many cases of the 381 natives executed in Nigeria since 1920 was this permission granted?

The appearance of counsel is forbidden in any matter before a Provincial or Native Court, and the Governor has no power to make exceptions. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise. There is no bar to the employment of counsel in criminal trials before the Supreme Court, and any case can be transferred, with or without an application from the parties concerned, from a Provincial Court to the Supreme Court if it is one in which it is considered desirable by the judicial authorities that counsel should be employed. I am considering the whole position in order to see if any change in the system is desirable.

By whose orders are counsel forbidden to appear to defend anybody on a capital charge in the Provincial Courts?

I have already stated that the distinction is made in both Courts, and I have also answered my hon. Friend, who has put several questions on this subject, that I am calling for papers in connection with the whole matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in other tropical British Possessions not only may counsel be engaged, but where a defendant in a murder case cannot afford counsel, counsel is provided and paid for by the Crown?

By what process of reasoning is a prisoner tried on a capital charge allowed to have counsel in the Supreme Court and not to have council in the Provincial Courts?

The process of reasoning must be the reasoning of those responsible. With regard to the second part of the question, it is because of that distinction that I am having inquiries made.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that it is most important that prisoners to be tried on a capital charge should have the advice of counsel at the beginning of the proceedings?

It is because of that very fact, which appealed to me, that I am having inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what other Dependencies the Nigerian practice is pursued of denying to the inhabitants the right to engage counsel to defend them upon grave charges?

The right of representation by counsel is not allowed in Ashanti or the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast. In the Protectorate of the Gambia, Basutoland, and the Bechuanaland Protectorate, this right is subject to certain restrictions. I am not aware of any other instance in which the right of representation by counsel upon grave charges is restricted.

May we take it that in considering this position in Nigeria he will consider the position in these other territories as well?

The intention of the inquiry is to deal with the whole, and certainly to get uniformity.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that justice is meted out, and clear up the mess left by the other parties?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider how much more desirable it is that these cases should be tried by their own tribal chiefs in their own way?

I will certainly consider the whole question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of North Borneo has followed the practice of the Nigerian Government in withdrawing from the inhabitants the right to engage counsel to defend them in the courts when charged with grave offences; and whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to have restored to the people the privilege of engaging counsel?

I am not aware what is the practice of the Government of North Borneo in this respect, but I will cause inquiry to be made of the British North Borneo Company.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that many of the presiding officers in the provincial and native courts of Nigeria are unable to understand the language of the accused, and have to rely upon interpreters; and whether, seeing that in such cases the position of the accused is gravely prejudiced, both by the limitations of the presiding officer and by the fact that they are not permitted to employ counsel to defend them, he will authorise the employment of counsel in all such cases?

The presiding officers in the native courts are native authorities and would, of course, know their own languages. In the provincial courts the presiding officers are European administrative officers, all of whom are required to qualify in knowledge of a native language. Owing to the great number of different languages in use in Nigeria, it is not possible to dispense with the use of interpreters, and the employment of counsel would in the majority of cases only necessitate an additional translation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what railway construction is at present proceeding in Iraq; who is carrying out this work; how is it being financed; whether the railway north of Mosul is being extended or will be extended to meet the Anatolian railways; and whether we have any arrangements with the Government of the King of Iraq for the safeguarding and free use of the part of the railway from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf which will pass through Iraquian territory?

I am informed that the Iraq Government has approved a proposal to extend to Kirkuk the branch of the Iraq railways which runs to Kifri, and will furnish the necessary funds. No charge will fall on British revenues. I do not understand the second part of the question. There is no railway in Iraq north of Mosul. The northernmost point on the Iraq railways is over 90 miles south of that town. No extension in that direction is in contemplation. The reply to the third part of the question is in the negative.

What I mean in this: Is the right hon. Gentleman taking steps to safeguard our rights in case the line is extended?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman may rest assured that I am always safeguarding our rights.

May I ask if this railway pays at the present time?

What are our rights in Iraq?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will ascertain and state whether German syndicates of manufacturers are about to reintroduce the export rebate or bounty system; and whether any proposal has been made in Germany to reintroduce preferential or reduced railway rates and/or sea freightage for German exports?

I understand that a preferential railway tariff was introduced in Germany on the 1st March for iron and steel goods and railway rolling stock destined for exportation overseas, but I am not in possession of any details. This arrangement in its present form continues until the 30th June next. I am causing further inquiries to be made into the other matters mentioned in the hon. Member's question, and will let him know the result.

I am very much obliged to my hon. Friend. Will he make representations to the Reparation Committee so that, when railways are taken over under the scheme proposed, no such preferential rates shall be given to German manufacturers as against us?

Is it not a fact that certain preferential rates are contrary to the Treaty of Versailles?

I understand that it is not so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that the firm who is providing the catering at the British Empire Exhibition has deliberately ordered supplies of Belgian glass for use throughout their establishments in the exhibition; and whether, seeing that this is contrary to the rules of the exhibition, he will insist that the firm in question shall substitute adequate supplies of British glass so that the exhibition may maintain its claim to be completely representative of British and Imperial products?

I have no information on this matter, but am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that there is no reduction in the price of admission to the Wembley Exhibition for parties of children less than 100; that teachers who accompany these children have to pay the usual admission fee; that the amount charged for board and lodging in the hostel is 5s. per day; and that the price for a very ordinary tea is 1s. 6d. per child; and whether he is prepared to exert his influence to reduce the numbers for which lower admission fees are chargeable and also to secure a reduction in the cost of hostel and meal charges?

The answer to the first, second, third and fourth parts of the question is in the affirmative. I understand, however, that while the exhibition authorities do not feel justified in reducing the charge for admission in the case of organised parties of children below the scales which have already been fixed, they are prepared to admit children of any age as members of such parties, which will, in fact, consist almost entirely of children between 12 and 16 years of age. I understand, moreover, that arrangements have been made by the National Union of Teachers whereby it will be possible for the organisers of parties of children visiting the exhibition to take advantage of the full discount of 33⅓ per cent. which the Union has secured by taking a block of 100,000 tickets. The charge for tea, to which my hon. Friend refers, has been fixed by the caterers, but I am pleased to say that for the benefit of parties of children visiting the exhibition for the day only, arrangements have been made with the Y.M.C.A. for the supply of substantial meat meals at a canteen close to Wembley Park Station at a cost of 1s. per head or less. With regard to the charge for accommodation at the hostel, I should explain that the arrangements have been made by His Majesty's Government, in consultation with the Middlesex Education Committee, and I am satisfied that the inclusive charge of 5s. per day, which covers not only two hot meals and a supply of sandwiches for consumption in the exhibition, but also the cost of providing the hostel with the necessary bedding and sanitation and of the services of doctors, nurses and a hospital ward, is moderate.

Will the hon. Gentleman make further inquiries into the facts which my question contains?

Before the hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask, is it not desirable that the name of the exhibition should be changed from the "British Empire Exhibition" to the "Yiddish Exhibition"?