asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the question of Russia joining the League of Nations; and whether His Majesty's Government intends to propose an invitation being sent to the Russian Government to join the League, either through our representative on the Council or at the next meeting of the Assembly?

My right hon. Friend has been unavoidably prevented from attending to- day by his official duties, and I have been asked to reply.

I have nothing to add to the very full statement which I made in reply to a question by the hon. Member for West Leeds (Mr. Stamford) on the 21st February.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to state the attitude of His Majesty's Government with reference to Article 36 of the Protocol of the International Court of Justice; whether he is aware that a decision of Great Britain to adhere to the principle of this article would be welcomed by every State member of the League of Nations as a definite indication that Great Britain is prepared to make the League of Nations' machinery effective in the cause of peace?

I cannot at present add anything to the replies given to previous questions on the subject, which is one requiring careful consideration, and is receiving it.

Is it not true that this has been receiving careful consideration now for over two years, and is it not time that we decided one way or the other in regard to this important question of arbitration?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a copy of the recent Treaty between Germany and Turkey; and whether he has taken care to see that this Treaty in no wise conflicts with the provisions laid down in the Treaty of Lausanne, especially Article 56?

His Majesty's Government have received the text of this Treaty. It does not conflict with any of the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne.

Could not a copy be laid on the Table of the House, for the information of Members?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information with regard to the reported tension on the Syrian-Turkish frontier and the reported movements of troops?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the inter-action of events in the mandated territories of Syria, Palestine and Iraq, respectively, he will request the Government of the French Republic to communicate to him a statement which can be given to this House regarding the situation on the Syrian-Turkish frontier?

His Majesty's Government has no information of a nature to justify so unusual a procedure as addressing an inquiry to the French Government regarding the situation in the territory administered under a French mandate.

Is it not a fact that His Majesty's Government have constantly communicated information to the French Government with regard to events that have happened on the borders of Palestine and Iraq in territories for which we have the responsibility of mandate?

That may be so. His Majesty's Government do that spontaneously, and the French Government do the same.

Is the hon. Gentlemen aware that my question merely asked whether the Government will request the French Government to give similar information on this question to that which has been constantly given by His Majesty's Government to the French Government?

That is the point with which I have dealt in my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can see his way to bring the information contained in the White Paper, Miscellaneous No. 5, 1910 [Cd. 6102], on the treatment of international questions of Parliaments in European countries, up to date as regards those counties in which there has been an alteration in the constitution of the country?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will request His Majesty's diplomatic representatives abroad to supply the information desired, and will consider publishing their replies as a White Paper, or placing them in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Soviet Delegation who are at present in negotiation with His Majesty's Government in London have plenipotentiary powers to conclude a definite agreement with the British Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to M. Rakovsky's speech at the opening of the Conference in which he described the power and authority of his delegation.

Have any representations been made by the Government to this delegation with regard to the continued abuse of the Prime Minister and the Government, and how can the hon. Gentleman expect an arrangement to be arrived at with this delegation when the authorities in Russia are making these continued attacks?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state what action, if any, has His Majesty's Government taken, or proposes to take, in connection with the premises formerly used as the Russian Embassy in London?

His Majesty's Government have received a request from the Chargé d'Affaires of the Soviet Union Government to hand over to the latter the buildings, furniture and archives which formerly belonged to the old Russian Imperial Government and the Provisional Government which succeeded it. His Majesty's Government have explained to the Soviet Chargé d'Affaires that they have no power to compel the present possessors of such property to hand it over to him, and, further, that failing an amicable arrangement, the Soviet Government must avail itself of the ordinary legal procedure in this country. His Majesty's Government have, however, intimated both to the Soviet Chargé d'Affaires and to those persons whom His Majesty's Government believe to be in actual possession of such property at this moment that, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, such of this property as actually belonged to the former Governments of Russia should be handed over to the representatives of the Soviet Union Government, which is now considered by His Majesty's Government to be the de jure successor of the old Provisional and Imperial Governments.

Are we responsible in any way, under any Vote, for this property, and, if not, is it the business of His Majesty's Government to interfere in any way in this matter?

Has this at any time ceased to be Russian soil?

We are not responsible under any Vote for this property.

Is it the duty of the Government of this country to express an opinion on a legal matter of this sort?

Do the Government consider the Soviet Government the successors of the liabilities as well as the assets of the Imperial Russian Government?

I think His Majesty's Government have very properly expressed the opinion they have.

Is it the duty of the Government to express a legal opinion?

The Government have not expressed any opinion on that head. I shall be glad if hon. Members will put down any further questions.

But did not the hon. Gentleman state that the Government had advised the present occupiers that these premises ought to be handed over? [HON. MEMBERS: "NO, no!"] Was not that giving a legal opinion?

When certain claims are preferred against the Russian Government, surely that Government must be helped to get to its own archives in order to investigate the claims?

Further questions had better be put down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that Brahmins have hitherto been nominated to represent Indian labour at the International Labour Conference at Geneva, the Secretary of State will now consult the Government of India, with a view to the appointment of members of the backward and working-classes of India to represent labour at the next conference?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the discretion of Government in nominating the workers' delegate at the International Labour Conference is not unfettered, as under Part XIII of the Treaty of Versailles the delegate must be chosen in agreement with the organisations most representative of the workers, if such organisations exist. In India, before a nomination is made representative organisations are consulted. As a matter of fact, however, the workers of India were represented by non-Brahmins in 1920 and 1923, and this will also be the case at this year's Conference. In 1919, 1921 and 1922 the workers' delegate was Mr. Joshi, of the Servants of India Society.

May I ask whether the workers' organisations in India are, for the most part, considered illegal by the Government of India?

No.

Who is representing them this year?

Joseph Baptista.

Where does he come from? Is it Bombay?

Bombay, I think.

What nationality?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the tonnage of iron and steel goods imported into India for the year ending 31st March, 1924, and, of this total, what percentage was British?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the hon. Gentleman state what percentage was British?

From the British Empire, 58 per cent.

Following is the reply:

Figures for the year ending 31st March, 1924, are not yet available. The following figures give the tonnage of imports, private and Government, into India during the year 1922–23 of iron and steel, including all the goods classed as "iron and steel goods" in the trade return except iron ore and pig iron, and including also the following goods classed in the trade return as "railway materials," namely, rails, chairs, fishplates, sleepers and keys of iron or steel, and bridgework: — Tons. Percentage. From British Empire (almost exclusively United Kingdom). 549,064 58.3% From Foreign Countries 392,799 41.7% Total 941,863 100.00%

These figures do not include particulars of iron and steel goods included in the trade returns under such heads as hardware, cutlery, machinery, locomotive engines and tenders, carriages, wagons, etc. The returns do not separately distinguish iron and steel goods under these heads; the published statistics, moreover, relate only to value of imports, not quantity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the repeated murders that have taken place on the North-Western frontier of India, and of the satisfactory results that have occurred from the making of a good motor road joining the Tochi valley with the Takki Zam and the establishment of a cantonment at Razmak, he will see his way to run a road through Tirah from Thai to some point on the Peshawar-Landikotal road via Khanki-Bazar and the Bara River valley and to establish a permanent cantonment at Khanki-Bazar as has already been done at Razmak?

I appreciate the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion, but there is no necessity for the construction of the road through Tirah, where the conditions that prevail are quite different from those prevailing in Waziristan, and permit of control over the tribes in this region being exercised from British territory.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is no more civilising influence than the making of roads in tribal countries, and that if he wants to avoid these murders in the future, this is the only way to do it?

That may be, but the position in the two cases is not analogous.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations made by the Joint Select Committee of Parliament, in paragraph 11 of their Report in 1919, relating to the levy of certain classes of taxation in India by executive action without, in some cases, any statutory limitation of the rates and in other cases any adequate prescription by Statute of the method of assessment; whether the same Committee's recommendation that the imposition of new burdens should be gradually brought more within the purview of the legislatures has been acted upon in any way in any part of India; and whether there have been public protests in any part of India against the impositions of additional burdens without the sanction of the Legislative Council concerned?

The Government of Madras recently introduced a Bill in their Legislative Council on the lines of these recommendations of the Joint Select Committee, but it has been rejected. No such Bill has yet been introduced in any other province. I have no information of public protests of the kind mentioned at the end of the question. The Government of India will be asked for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, as a result of the capitation grant, any contribution, direct or indirect, is made by India to the maintenance of the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich; if so, what is the amount of this contribution during the last three years; whether there is any order made by the War Office or by the India Office which excludes an Indian from joining this academy; and whether the whole question of the admission of Indians to these institutions will be taken up with the War Office for reconsideration?

India contributes indirectly to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, through the capitation payments, but it is impossible to state the amount. This institution trains exclusively for the British Service, for which Indians are not eligible. The present policy as regards the Indian Army is to train Indians for commissioned service in infantry and cavalry, and until sufficient time has elapsed to enable the authorities to judge of the success of the present policy, it is not proposed to consider the question of their training for other arms.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the recommendations of the Medical Services Committee were forwarded by the Government of India to the Secretary of State for decision some two years ago; that no decision has yet been given by the Secretary of State for India, especially about the transfer of certain appointments ordinarily held by the Indian Medical Service officers to the provincial medical services in the various provinces; that the question regarding medical research and the reduction of the military assistant surgeons and sub-assistant surgeons, forming part of the recommendations, is still undecided; and whether, in view of the protests made lately in the Indian Legislative Assembly, he will undertake to expedite his decision?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the reply, which is somewhat long, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman considers that this delay is not seriously prejudicing the recruitment for this most important service?

I should like to remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that this question was recently considered by the Lee Commission.

Following is the reply:

It has been found impossible to adopt the fundamental proposal of the Medical Services Committee— i.e., the creation of a single medical service in India. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a Paper showing the extent to which civil posts are now reserved for Indian Medical Service Officers in the provinces. With the addition of posts under the Central Government these number 333 as compared with 380 recommended for reservation by the Committee and 422 before the War. In the interests of economy the research service has been reduced to a skeleton cadre of six posts, all held by Indian Medical Service officers. In the case of military assistant surgeons no question of reservation arises and the provincial authorities are, I believe, in some cases effecting reductions. In regard to sub-assistant surgeons, I am not clear what information the hon. Member desires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether an official inquiry will be held into the firing of six volleys on a crowd outside a cotton mill at Cawnpore, on 4th April, causing three deaths and many injuries?

An official inquiry has been made by the district magistrate, and a summary of the report made by him appeared in the London Press on the 25th April. We have not yet received a copy of the report officially, but I will let my hon. Friend know when it arrives.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Pandit Jagdamba Prasad is a political prisoner in Benares Gaol, United Provinces, and that the pandit has been compelled to drive an oil mill for extracting mustard oil, and that he was blindfolded while doing so; whether such work is usually done by bullocks; and whether an inquiry will be made into the whole matter?

I have no information as to the individual case, but will inquire. The working of an oil press is an authorised form of hard labour in Indian gaols.

Is the hon. Member aware that information of this is contained in the report of the United Provinces Legislative Council, copies of which are in the India Office library?

On a point of Order. I have desired many times to put questions relating to political prisoners in India, and I have been informed that is a matter for the Government of India, and that I could not put them on the Paper. May I ask, therefore, whether this question is in order, according to that rule?

The question has already been answered. My attention had not been called to it, but I will look into the matter before further questions are put down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, despite a resolution passed by the Bombay Legislative Council that the land cess for the Sangola Taluka, in Sholapur district, should not be raised, find in spite of the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee of 1919 that such taxes should not be increased without the consent of the Council, agriculturists are being compelled, under penalty of land forfeiture, to agree to pay the increased cess, and that where the agriculturists have refused to pay their bullocks and implements have been attached; and whether he will see that the wishes of the Bombay Legislative Council and the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee are carried out?

I have not received any information regarding the events brought to notice by my hon. Friend. The Government of India will be asked for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the claim of the Nizam of Hyderabad for the rendition of the province of the Berars, which has been before the Government of India for some months, has been dealt with, or whether a committee will be appointed by the Secretary of State on which all parties to the dispute, including the Beraris, will be represented?

The Secretary of State is not at present in a position to state what action has been taken upon the letter addressed to the Viceroy, nor is he prepared to state what action he himself will take in the event of this matter being brought before him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the calculations supplied to him, showing the reduction of pay inflicted on married officers serving in India, had been verified and what is the exact disparity between the home and Indian rates of pay, which is admitted in the case of each of these married officers?

I have had the hon. and gallant Member's calculations verified as far as possible. In certain respects the rates do not admit of exact comparison, and the degree of disparity fluctuates with the exchange. At the approximate current rate of 1s. 5d. to the rupee, and after the deduction of British and Indian Income Tax, respectively, the comparison between married British Service officers at home and in India is as stated in the table which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the table: Comparison of pay per mensem of married British Service Officers at home and in India. — British pay and allowances converted at 1s. 5d. less Income Tax. Indian pay less income Tax. Superiority of Indian over British pay. Rs. as. Rs. as. Rs. as. Captain 726 9 726 9 — Captain after 15 years (2 children) 783 3 810 3 27 0 Major (2 children) 888 11 905 8 16 13 Major after 5 years (2 children) 982 14 1,000 13 17 15 Major (senior) (2 children) 1,000 0 1,048 7 48 7 Lt.-Colonel in command (2 children) 1,333 13 1,525 0 191 3

asked the Prime Minister if France has paid the whole of her War debt to Spain; and, if so, what was the amount?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the loan of 455 million pesetas advanced by a consortium of Spanish bankers to the French Government by instalments during the period March, 1918, to March, 1919. I understand that these advances have been repaid.

Will the hon. Gentleman say when these were repaid?

It is a little difficult, but I understand that the last of them were repaid in December last.

What is the hon. Gentleman doing about the debt due to us from France?

The question hardly bears on this, because strictly speaking this was a loan by bankers, no doubt in the form of Government support to other bankers. The hon. and gallant Gentleman raises a much larger issue which I must not now discuss.

Was not this loan made by private individuals or by the Government?

No, it was made to French bankers, but there does not seem to be any doubt that it was in large measure a Government arrangement.

Is there any difference between bankers and citizens?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has discovered, since he became Foreign Secretary, any secret treaties or agreements in existence when he took office, or in existence when the War began, or entered into by His Majesty's Government since the commencement of this century?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for East Bristol (Mr. Baker) on the 3rd March. All treaties, whether secret or not at the time, have now been published or their contents are known.

Will the hon. Gentleman look at the specific point in the question: Whether the Foreign Secretary has discovered the existence of any such treaties?

That, I think, is fully dealt with in my reply.

Is the hon. Gentleman able to explain the specific statement of his colleague the First Commissioner of Works (Mr. Jowett), that these treaties were in existence—a statement made 10 days ago at Bradford

I have not seen the statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is taking steps to secure the election to this House of at least one of the two Scottish Law Officers?

On a point of Order. May I, Mr. Speaker, call you attention to the phraseology of the question, which seems to imply that the representation of constituencies in this matter is a thing which may be secured in the direction of preference to Ministers?

I do not take responsibility for the implication.

On a point of Order. Ought such a question to be put down?

It would be imposing too severe a task upon me to censor questions in that way.

The answer is in the negative.

In view of the vacancy in the Kelvingrove Division of Glasgow, has any effort been made to nominate one of the Scottish Law Officers?

In the meantime, are these gentlemen drawing full trade union wages?

I understand the work is being done, and, therefore, the proper rate of wages is being paid. The reply to the first supplementary question is in the negative.

Have the Government no generous followers in Scotland who would gladly surrender their seats, and whose departure they would have the fortitude to survive?

That question, I am afraid, is meant to be sarcastic.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to fix a limit of time within which Ministers at present without seats in this House must either be returned as Members or vacate their respective offices?

No such time limit could be imposed without legislation, which the Government at present do not propose to bring before the House.

Is it intended to continue the full remuneration of Minister, whether or not they are able to attend the House; do not the salaries include their attendance?

Has not the House—and the work in Committee A—suffered severely from the absence of the Attorney-General, and is it not vitally necessary that the Solicitor-General should be found a seat in the House?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give facilities for discussion of the Motion on a further conference of the Washington Treaty Powers in the names of the hon. Members for Central Hull and North Hackney?—[" That this House is of opinion that the time has come for proposals to be made by His Majesty's Government to the Powers concerned for the calling of a conference to consider the further limitation of Naval armaments, especially in those types of vessels, including surface and submarine craft of 10,000 tons displacement and less and aircraft, which are outside the scope of the Washington Agreement ."]

I regret that, owing to the state of Parliamentary business, the Government cannot see their way to find time for the discussion of this Motion, but as the Prime Minister has already indicated, a discussion on this matter could be raised on the Estimates. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the Government needs no prompting on this matter.

But is not my right hon. Friend aware that the Prime Minister has stated in this House that he would welcome such a Resolution, and is he aware that such a Resolution cannot be brought in in Committee of Supply?

I can conceive of much good being done by discussion without the instrument of a Resolution, and I do not think the Prime Minister used the words in the sense mentioned by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of the Government to reinstate the 2,000 policemen who were dismissed for taking part in the strike in 1919?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative, but there are certain points, apart from reinstatement, which are still under examination.

Is the answer of the hon. Gentleman in keeping with the terms of the letter that the Home Secretary communicated last week, giving a definite refusal without qualification in this case?

I have already given a full reply to the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether and, if so, when he proposes to restore to litigants the right of trial by jury as it existed before the War?

I have been asked to reply. I cannot add to the answer which I save to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Turner-Samuels) on the 17th March last, to the effect that an opportunity will occur to ascertain the general sense of the House, on this question when the Administration of Justice Bill comes under discussion.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to introduce the Bill providing for the allocation of the unpaid balance of the Boxer indemnity for the purposes of education; and whether, in view of the constant postponement of action in this matter, he can expedite a settlement of the Government policy in respect of it?

The details have now been settled, and the Bill will be introduced at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that segregation of Asiatics still prevails in the Government railways and steamers in Kenya Colony; that separate accommodation is reserved for persons of special races; and that waiting rooms, refreshment rooms, and lavatories are not open to all travellers irrespective of race; and whether steps will be taken to see that equal facilities are provided for travellers of whatever nationality who pay the same fare?

Separate accommodation is provided in some of the matters mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member, but in such cases every effort is being made to ensure that equal facilities are available for persons who pay the same fare.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Indian residents in Kenya Colony are refusing to pay the Poll Tax as a protest against communal franchise; whether any, and, if so, how many, such residents have been prosecuted; in how many cases the defaulters have been imprisoned; and whether in any case a sentence of imprisonment has been passed without preliminary attempts to recover the arrears by distress and sale?

A number of Indians in Kenya have refused to pay the Poll Tax as a protest against the white paper policy. The Poll Tax ordinance provides that persons defaulting shall be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six weeks or until payment is made if earlier, provided the magistrate is satisfied that the defaulter has the means to pay and that his default is intentional. I am not in possession of particulars of the number of Indians who have been imprisoned, but the law is being enforced impartially on defaulters of all races.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government have received any further information from the Free State authorities in con nection with the detection of those responsible for the murder and wounding of British soldiers at Queenstown?

I am in constant communication with the Governor of the Free State on this subject, and am satisfied they are doing everything humanly possible to bring the criminals to justice.

Seeing that the right hon. Gentleman has been in communication with the Irish Government, has he asked what steps have actually been taken to secure the apprehension of these criminals?

Is the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has given not in identical terms with an answer given three weeks ago, and are we to understand that no improvement has taken place in the situation since then?

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman in the House directly after these murders that he thought the murderers would be captured within 48 hours?

My hon. Friend must have been reading someone else's statement and not mine. The House generally is aware of the difficulty in this matter. Hon. Members have only to remember that the murderers of the McMahon family in Northern Ireland have not yet been caught, and you have only to remember the difficulty in catching murderers when the whole of our troops were there to appreciate the difficulty. I repeat that I am satisfied that the Free State Government are doing all they can to bring them to justice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the large Rolls-Royce car from which the machine gun was worked has disappeared into thin air?

I believe the inquiry has gone to the extent of locating the Rolls-Royce car, and, apart from any feeling between North and South, everybody is desirous of bringing these people to justice. I could say more as to the particulars, but it is sufficient to say that they are doing everything they can. It is only fair for me to add that, unless the population assist in this matter, you can have no hope.

What has the feeling between North and South to do with the murder of British soldiers?

I have answered a question which rather suggested that no steps had been taken, and I merely stated that there was a difficulty in bringing murderers to justice in the North as well as in the South of Ireland, and I gave an illustration to prove it.

On a point of Order. I challenge the right hon. Gentleman—

That does not sound like a point of Order.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any right to challenge any hon. Member for having made a statement that steps were not being taken? That was not my supplementary question.

The only inference one could draw from the supplementary questions that were put to me was that those putting them were not satisfied that everything was being done.

Is it competent for a Minister, in answer to a question like this, which clearly has nothing to do with the North and South, to bring in a comparison with regard to the action of the North?

It is most undesirable to have inferences in a matter of this kind on one side or the other.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the effect of Article 12 of the Irish Treaty of 6th December, 1921, upon the Act passed in 1920, supported by specific guarantees by the British Government of the day establishing Northern Ireland as a separate self-governing State, consisting of the Parliamentary counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone, and the Parliamentary boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry, he will say what course the Government proposes to take in view of the refusal of the Ulster Government, relying on the pledges given to Northern Ireland in the past, to appoint a Boundary Commissioner?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government of Northern Ireland has refused to appoint a Boundary Commission; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government intend themselves to appoint one for the representation of Ulster on the Commission?

The answer to the first part of Question No. 35 is in the affirmative, a despatch to that effect having been received this morning. With regard to the second part, the whole subject is receiving the immediate consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government has now received any information as to the action taken by the Canadian Government to secure the assent of the other Dominions to publication of the correspondence between Great Britain and Canada on the Treaty of Lausanne; and whether he has informed the Dominions that Great Britain would take no objection to publication?

A communication on the matter has now been received from the Canadian Government and is under consideration.

Has the right hon Gentleman now received the statement made by the Canadian Prime Minister in the Canadian House of Commons on 24th April, which he said he was awaiting, and in view of that statement has he informed the Canadian Government that the Government here have no objection to the publication of all the correspondence between Great Britain and Canada?

As I have said, a communication direct from the Canadian Government has just been received and it is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statement, in Report No. 1,194 of the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast, that special efforts have again been made by the political officers and mine recruiters to induce young men to go down and see the world and, incidentally, work in the gold mines in the south; if he will say what is the nature of these special efforts which are being put forth by the political officers; and whether these efforts are primarily directed towards persuading the young men to go south and see the world or to labour in the gold mines?

My attention has been called to the conditions under which natives of the Northern Territories are recruited for service in the gold mines, and I shall take an early opportunity of discussing the matter with the Governor of the Gold Coast, who is now on leave.

May we take it, in the meantime, that political officers will no longer be allowed to secure labour for the gold mines?

I want to be satisfied first that that is being done, and I prefer to discuss the matter with the Governor, who is now over here.

It states in the Government Report that that is being done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the form and amount of taxation imposed upon the people of Nyasaland; and whether, seeing that in addition to a monetary taxation there is a further imposition of forced labour, he will state for what periods and purposes this labour exaction is, or may be, made?

The only tax imposed upon the natives of Nyasaland is the Hut and Poll Tax, which is paid at the rate of 6s. per hut per annum by every native who owns or occupies a hut or huts for any portion of a year, or who resides in the Protectorate for a period exceeding six months in all during any year. I have already furnished the hon. Member with copies of the Hut and Poll Tax Ordinance of 1921, and of the District Administration Ordinance of 1924, which deals with compulsory labour. He will observe from the latter that it is incorrect to speak of forced labour as a further imposition in addition to taxation. I may explain that the provisions of the Nyasa- land Ordinance follow closely the general principles with regard to native labour which were laid down in the case of Kenya in September, 1921, and which met with the full approval of the Conference of Missionary Societies. The despatch to Kenya on the subject was laid before the House at the time in the White Paper "Command 1509."

Does not this Ordinance incorporate the principle which the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor took exception to in so far as Kenya was concerned?

On the contrary, I am satisfied that it follows precedent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Report of the delegation from the Overseas Settlement Committee which has recently visited Australia and New Zealand has yet been completed; and, if so, what steps, if any, will be taken to give publicity to its recommendations?

The Report is now being printed, and will be laid before Parliament at the earliest possible date, which will certainly be not later than the end of this month.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the agreement recently concluded between His Majesty's Legation at Budapest and the Hungarian Government for granting import licences for certain types of British goods to enter Hungary; whether his attention has been drawn to a similar agreement concluded by the Italian Legation at Budapest with the Hungarian Government; whether he is aware that the latter agreement affects larger quantities of goods and is wider in scope than the British agreement; and, if so, whether it is proposed to take any action in the matter?

I understand that the Italian Government have concluded a formal arrangement with the Hungarian Government as to the quantities of a large number of goods in respect of which import licences are to be issued. His Majesty's Consul-General at Budapest is constantly in communication with the authorities with a view to securing the greatest possible facilities for the importation of British goods. Up to the present, definite contingents have only been promised for a few principal classes. The hon. Member can rest assured that there will be no relaxation in the efforts which have been made hitherto, not without success, to secure advantages for British trade. I hope that the whole vexatious system of import restrictions will not long be maintained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the average percentage of reduction of duties given by the Dominions, respectively, for British goods imported into the Dominions in 1922 and 1923?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given, on 29th February, to the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir G. Doyle), a copy of which I am sending him. No additional information, enabling the estimates then given to be extended to later periods, is yet available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether county councils are now being encouraged to provide small holdings for ex-service and other unemployed applicants; if so, how many such holdings have been provided during the past year; and whether any have been provided in Leicestershire?

As the reply is necessarily long, and contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has the hon. Gentleman any knowledge that in Scotland these holdings are still being given to the workers, while in some counties in England none can be got?

I think the hon. Member had better read the answer when it has been circulated.

Following is the answer:

As was stated in reply to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir R. Winfrey) on 13th March last, small holdings are still being provided under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, but since 31st July, 1920, the Ministry has, in the interest of economy, laid down certain rules limiting the maximum capital cost and annual loss in the case of holdings provided on land acquired since that date. As a result of these restrictions, the acquisition of additional land for the provision of holdings has practically ceased. My right hon. Friend is, however, carefully considering whether it is possible to relax these conditions. According to returns furnished by councils, up to the end of 1922, 18,600 men had been provided with small holdings since the Armistice, of whom 16,801 were ex-service men. From the returns similarly furnished at the end of 1923, 21,358 men (19,190 being ex-service men) had been provided with holdings, of whom 2,750 (2,565 ex-service men) had left for various reasons. The returns furnished at the end of 1922 did not distinguish the men who had vacated their holdings, and did not in every case include such men. For this reason, it is not possible to give exact figures of the number of men who were settled during the year 1923 in England and Wales. As regards Leicestershire, the total number settled up to the end of 1923 was 193, including 186 ex-service men, of whom 21 had vacated their holdings up to that date. I have ascertained that the number actually settled in Leicestershire during the year was 15, including 13 ex-service men, in addition to which, two of the council's existing ex-service tenants were provided with additional land during the year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount by which the tithe holders have profited under the provisions of the Tithe Act, 1920; and whether the whole of this sum has fallen upon the ratepayers of the parishes concerned in the form of increased rates?

There are no available statistics as to the total amount of relief from rates accorded to clerical tithe owners by the Ecclesiastical Tithe Rent-charge (Rates) Act, 1920, which, I may remind the hon. Member, expires at the end of next year. The compilation of exact figures would necessitate asking specially for particulars from upwards of 10,000 parishes, and a considerable amount of labour and expense would be entailed, which, in my right hon. Friend's opinion, would be unjustifiable. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

Are the Government proposing to do anything when the Act expires to remedy the position?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make any further statement as to the retail prices of milk in the Administrative County of Warwick and the prices paid to producers in the same area?

My right hon. Friend is taking steps to obtain additional information in regard to the prices paid to producers, but the inquiries will necessarily take time to complete. With regard to the collection of information as to retail prices, this is carried out by the Ministry of Labour, and I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that the information at present obtained is regarded as sufficient for the purpose for which it is used, and that no further inquiries, therefore, appear to be necessary.

Could not the hon. Gentleman ask the milk combine for the prices they pay? Is not that all the information that is required?

I have no information that the milk combine has jurisdiction so far as Warwickshire is concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give particulars of the circumstances where an inspector of the Board found that two agricultural workers were working 63 hours and 53 hours per week for a wage of 20s., and where one labourer was receiving 17s. per week?

In one case the man was a farm worker and milker working 62 hours a week, including Sundays, and in the second he was a general farm labourer working 52 hours per week. Both these men were able-bodied and married. My right hon. Friend has no details of the circumstances relating to the man who is receiving 17s. per week, as he was not among those interviewed personally by the Ministry's inspector.

Can we have the names and all particulars of the men who are paying agricultural labourers at these scandalously sweated rates?

I am afraid it is impossible for my right hon. Friend to give the names.

As this information comes from an inspector of the Ministry of Agriulture, is not the House of Commons entitled to the information that is furnished to the Ministry by an inspector whom the taxpayer pays?

Would not this be better dealt with by passing a Minimum Wage Bill?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the large amount of money which is annually expended on repairing the stone work of national buildings, he is carrying out any research work to find a suitable preservative material?

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has appointed a Committee, with a research staff, to investigate the whole problem of stone decay and the possibility of its prevention.

Would not the best way to deal with this matter be to pass a Smoke Abatement Bill?

That is a matter which should be referred to the Ministry of Health.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Windsor Radio Society has been informed that wireless sets at Windsor are adversely affected by serious oscillation; and whether he will state what practical steps he can take to minimise this nuisance in this and other districts?

No complaints have been received by the Post Office concerning interference with the reception of broadcast programmes in the Windsor district by the misuse of reaction by persons in possession of valve receiving sets. Such misuse is generally the result of want of knowledge; and the British Broadcasting Company, the wireless societies, the wireless trade and the Post Office are endeavouring in various ways to promote the more careful use of apparatus in this respect. The Post Office has made representations to a number of persons who are suspected of causing interference; and, as a last resource, a wireless licence could be cancelled in any case in which the persistent misuse of reaction could be proved.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the proposal to broadcast the speech at the opening of the Empire Exhibition at Wembley led to an enormous increase in the sale of wireless apparatus, as a result of which the Marconiphone firm exhausted their stock; and whether, having regard to the profits which are being made, he is satisfied to leave the control of broadcasting to a private company?

I have no specific information as to the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, the British Broadcasting Company do not manufacture or sell wireless apparatus, and I see no reason why increased sales by other firms should affect the arrange- ment under which the Broadcasting Company is licensed to undertake broadcasting in this country.

Are not the profits of the Broadcasting Company very greatly in excess of what was anticipated when the company was formed?

Is it not owing to the fact that this matter has been left to private enterprise that the profits have been so great; and, so far as Government wireless is concerned, has it not always resulted in a loss?

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to maintain the embargo on the importation of foreign sets?

I do not think the last question arises. With reference to profits, under the terms of the licence issued to the Broadcasting Company they cannot distribute more than 7½ per cent. to their shareholders. Any additional profits must be used in developing the service.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received any further representations with regard to postal and telegraph facilities in Rugby?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to an advertisement appearing in the "Times" newspaper on 29th April last stating that, by direction of His Majesty's Government, ex-enemy properties in the British sphere of the Cameroons, West Africa, are to be sold without reservation; whether he is aware that these properties would during the War have become derelict and valueless but for the care and foresight of certain British officers acting with the view that the properties eventually would come under British ownership; and whether purchasers of ex-enemy nationality are now to be allowed to recover their ownership without exception?

The advertisement in question was issued by my direction. These properties were maintained during and after the War, first under the orders of the General Officer Commanding the Cameroons Expeditionary Force, and then by direction of the Administration of the British Sphere of the Cameroons. In accordance with the general arrangement respecting ex-enemy property, they will be sold by auction and the proceeds used to pay claims of British nationals against Germans. Ex-enemy subjects will be allowed to bid at the auction on the same terms as anyone else, and, if they purchase and pay for any of the properties, will be allowed to take possession of them. These properties were put up to auction in 1922, ex-enemy nationals being prevented by the conditions of sale from becoming purchasers, but hardly any of the properties were sold.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us why there has been a change of policy in this matter?

Yes, Sir; it is because we are anxious that the British nationals shall get something. They did not get anything by the old policy, and we hope to get something from this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make any announcement as to the personnel of the Commission which is to investigate the potentialities of unified administration in the various East African Colonies?

I am now going fully into this matter, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Is it possible to give us the name of the Chairman of the Commission, or is he not yet appointed?

The Chairman has not yet been appointed.