asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the president (Mr. Pathik) and the secretary (Mr. Chodhri) of the Society of Servants of Rajasthan have been arrested on the grounds of sedition; that Mr. Pathik is still awaiting trial, although arrested about eight months ago; that the society in question is nonviolent and law-abiding, and is formed for the mutual service of villagers, and that peaceful and unarmed men and women have been suddenly attacked and beaten with lathis at Amergarh and twice fired on at Begun; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the circumstances which gave rise to these incidents?

I am not at present in possession of official information in regard to all these matters; but I have seen a report that Mr. Pathik was arrested by the authorities of the Udaipur State in September last in connection with recent disturbances in that State and in Bundi. I understand that in both States the local troops and police forces had to repel attacks made by armed mobs, and that the disturbances were provoked by Mr. Pathik and other outside agitators. I observe that, in answer to a question on this subject in the Legislative Assembly on the 25th March, the Government of India promised to make inquiries into the circumstances of the arrests, and I will ask them to let me know the results of those inquiries.

Are native States themselves not perfectly entitled to withstand any attack?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what facilities are open to the people of India to enable students to secure a training in industrial and commercial pursuits; and whether he will supply a list of the technical schools in India where a first-rate economic and commercial education can be obtained?

Detailed information regarding facilities for industrial and commercial training provided in Government educational institutions in India is given in the Review of the Progress of Education in India, 1917–22, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. In the year 1921–22, 276 institutions of the kind were being maintained, with 14,082 students. A complete list of all these institutions could not he obtained without reference to each of the local Governments in India which are separately responsible for education.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether degrees in commerce and engineering are obtainable in India by Indian students; and, if so, whether there are any obstacles which prevent such qualified students practising their professions within British India?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second pail, in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the rates of pay of British service officers and men of the Army in India are based upon the rates in operation in the United Kingdom upon a basis of 2s. to the rupee and that the present rate of exchange is under 1s. 5d. to the rupee, the revision of pay on let July next will be based on the rate of exchange then in existence or on the 1s. 4d. rate?

I am not yet, in a position to say how the exchange problem will be met in the revision of the pay of commissioned ranks, which is due on 1st July next. Other ranks at present receive in effect British rates converted at, 1s. 4d.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when it is proposed to take action to give effect to the recommendations contained in the Report of the Railway Risk Notes Revision Committee; and can he explain the reason for the delay in dealing with this subject?

The Government of India stated in February last that the forms had been revised in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee, and that steps were being taken to introduce them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that indignation prevails in Bastar State, Central Provinces, owing to the action of the political agent, who, contrary to the wishes of all concerned, has arranged the marriage of the Rani Saheba of Bastar, in Mayurbhanj State, in Orissa, with a son of a Girjadar, who is the cousin of the Maharajah; and why such an interference in the private personal affairs of the parties concerned has taken place?

My Noble Friend has no information to the effect indicated in the question, but he will make inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what steps the Government propose to take to meet the demand of the people of India to transfer the funds standing to the credit of the gold standard reserve in London to India?

The reserve is at present held in the form of sterling investments which could not suitably be held elsewhere than in the United Kingdom.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the Indian merchants have demanded that the Indian Currency Act should he amended by substituting the rate of exchange to be 1s. 6d. instead of 2s., what steps is it proposed to take in the matter?

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the views of the Indian Merchants' Chamber, Bombay, advocating the restoration of the pre-War rating of the rupee at 1s. 4d. gold. The Government of India have explained at length in a letter dated the 25th January to the chamber their reasons for holding that in the existing uncertainty of world economic conditions it would be inexpedient to make any immediate attempt to fix the future gold value of the rupee. My Noble Friend concurs in this view.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Indian Government failed to maintain the rupee at 2s., and, that being so, would he ask the hon. Gentleman who put the question, how he would propose to maintain the rupee at 1s, 6d., seeing that the natural balance of trade even now only maintains the rupee at 1s. 4½d.?

It is not for the Minister to question an hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that opinion in India favours the establishment of a gold standard and the opening of the Mint for providing gold coinage; and whether he will state the intentions of the Government in regard to these matters?

While the effective restoration of the gold standard is the objective of Government policy, economic conditions throughout the world have not yet reached a degree of 'normality which would justify at present an attempt to stabilise the gold value of the rupee. In present circumstances, owing to the existing premium on gold in India, the question of the internal circulation of gold currency does not arise.

Is it not a fact that gold has been pouring into India for tens of centuries, and that it is always made into ornaments, and disappears from circulation? Is he aware that a drain of gold to India would injure our own gold reserves, sinking into the quick-sands of India without going into circulation as currency? What then would be the use of coining gold?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Indian Merchants' Chamber and Bureau of Bombay suggested to the Government that at least 17 crores of rupees worth of currency notes should be issued as emergency currency to meet the seasonal demands at 5 per cent., 5½ per cent., and 6 per cent. instead of 12 crores of rupees only at 6 per cent., 7 per cent., and 8 per cent.; why that suggestion was not adopted; and what are the intentions of the Government for the future?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to take any steps, and, if so, what steps will be taken, to prevent a recurrence of a great stringency in the money market in India leading to a rise in the bank rate of interest from 4 per cent. to 9 per cent., and to a consequent demoralisation in the trade and industries of that country?

I am aware that in April, 1923, when the note circulation was about 170 crores of rupees, the Indian Merchants' Chamber, Bombay, suggested that additional currency should be issuable up to 10 per cent. of the note issue at rates varying from 6 to 7 per cent. The actual decisions embodied in the Paper Currency Amendment Act and rules thereunder were taken after careful consideration of the views of various representative bodies in India. In addition to expanding the currency up to 12 crores of rupees against commercial bills, a further expansion of 12 crores was effected this busy season against sterling securities in London, making a total expansion of 24 crores this winter. The important problem referred to in these questions is being carefully watched by the Government of India.

With regard to Question 41, am I to understand that the Secretary of State for India acquiesces in the statement in the hon. Member's question that there is disaster in the trade and industries of India? Is he not aware that the total of the trade in and out of India is now higher than ever it was, except in the boom years of 1919, 1920 and 1921? Is there any ground for the implication contained in the question, No. 41?

There is no demoralisation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, what action, if any, has been taken to give effect to the decision of the Government of India on the resolution passed by the Indian Legislative Assembly for taking over, under State management, the East Indian and Great Indian Peninsular Railways from their respective companies on the expiry of their present terms of lease?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the Melton Division (Sir C. Yate) on the 10th March last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the resolutions passed at the Maratha Educational Conference, held at Morsi, in the Berars, on the 21st April, calling upon the Government to establish military schools for the education of fighting races with accommodation for Maratha youths, etc.; and whether he will consider the advisability of urging the Government of India to take action on the lines proposed?

On the information as yet available, my Noble Friend is unable to form any opinion on the proposal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to reconsider the question of the Indianisation of the superior ranks of the Indian Army?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to reconsider the question of the Indianisation of the superior ranks of the Indian Army?

The process of Indianisation of the superior ranks of the Indian Army which was recently inaugurated is not yet sufficiently advanced to make it necessary to consider what form the later stages are likely to take.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Committee appointed by the Government of India to go into the question of the working of the reforms has yet reported; and, if so, whether a copy of the Report will be laid upon the Table of the House?

My Noble Friend understands that the Committee of Inquiry which has been appointed by the Government of India has completed the preliminary stages of the work, that is to say, the investigation of the legal and constitutional practicability of action under the Government of India Act, and that the Government are now in a. position to proceed to the next stage, namely, to consider what recommendations, if any, can be made for action within these lines. My Noble Friend has not received the Report of the conclusions arrived at in this preliminary stage, which must be of a purely formal character, nor would he consider it useful to lay a copy of it upon the Table of the House. The House will be fully informed in due course of any material results of the Inquiry that may affect considerations of policy.

Do I understand that it is the intention of the Government to provide the House with the Report at the earliest convenience at some later date, and is it their intention to give a copy of this Report to the Standing Joint Committee?

The question refers to the inquiries that have been already completed, and the answer to that is there would be no useful purpose in laying a copy of the Report upon the Table.

Is it not the case that one of the functions of the Standing Joint Committee is to consider and report on any proposed changes?

How are we to understand the further Report which is going to be published unless we see this Report, on which the further Report is to be founded?

I think the Noble Lord had better wait until he sees the Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact, that the published forms of reference of the Committee set up by the Government of India to inquire into the working of the Government of India Act includes the power to recommend amendments to that Act in order to rectify administrative imperfections, he can state if the Com- mittee will report to the Viceroy or the Secretary of State, and whether there is any precedent for entrusting to an official Committee, which has on it no Member of this House or of another place, the duty of suggesting alterations in an Act of Parliament?

The answer to the first part of the Noble Lord's question is that the Committee will report to the Government of India, by whom it will be appointed. As regards the second part, the terms of reference to this Committee were closely foreshadowed in the speeches of Sir Malcolm Hailey in the Legislative Assembly on the 8th and lath February, the relevant extracts from which were circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of this House of 3rd March. It was then indicated as possible that the proposed inquiry might "show that some changes are required in the structure of the Act in order to rectify definite and ascertained defects experienced in actual working," as distinct from changes involving amendment of the Constitution. I have had no time to search for actual precedents, but I have little doubt that alterations in Acts of Parliament have frequently been, and will frequently be, suggested by Committees containing no Member of either House of Parliament.

Am I to understand the hon. Gentleman to say that the constitution of the Committee was foreshadowed in the speech which he made in this House in March?

No; I said the terms of reference.

Are not the terms of reference somewhat wider than the hon. Member foreshadowed in his former speech?

Can the hon. Gentleman say when this Report will be submitted to the Joint Committee, which was established for the purpose of considering such questions?

I think we had better wait for the Report.

I beg to give Notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what action, if any, the Government proposes to take on the Report of the North-West Frontier Committee; and whether this Report was received from the Government of India in 1922?

My Noble Friend is awaiting the proposals of the Government of India on this matter, and I am, therefore, not in a position to answer the first part of the, question. The Report was first received here in December, 1922.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what action has been taken by the Government of India for the appointment of the proposed Committee of Inquiry on Central and Provincial Taxation; who are the Members of that Committee; and what are the Terms of Reference?

The intention of the Government of India is to constitute the Committee in the autumn. It will be constituted as follows:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the letter addressed to him by the president of the European Association of Calcutta, on 5th April last, regarding the difficult conditions under which Chelsea pensioners are residing in India; and if he can state what action is being taken in the matter?

I have brought the association's letter to the notice of my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, to whom any further inquiries should be addressed.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether he can do anything to help these military pensioners?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to my answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, in the recruitment of emigrants from the ceded districts of Madras for the Assam Tea Estates, no agreements are given to employés, the agents at the depot are only expected to read a questionnaire to the intending emigrants and to take their thumb impressions, and a male coolie who has worked or been in a tea garden for only 15 days can become a sirdar or a female coolie a sirdarini by undertaking to recruit coolies; and whether he will take steps to secure the publication of the questionnaire referred to and the avoidance of abuses in the matter of such recruitment?

If my hon. Friend will communicate with me regarding the particular cases and questionnaire which he has in mind, the matter can be inquired into, but I do not at present fully understand the nature of the abuses which he apprehends in free recruitment of the kind which he describes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, under the Assam Emigration Act (No. VI. of 1901), the Workmen's Breach of Contract Act (No. XIII. of 1859, amended in 1920), and Section 492 of the Indian Penal Code, a workman can be compelled to work for an employer with whom he has made an agreement for service, and that in case of refusal he may be punished with imprisonment as a criminal offender; that by an agreement entered into by members of the planters' association in Assam all labourers living within the area of a particular garden are considered coolies of that garden, and the employment of labourers of one garden by another is prohibited under penalties, and that an outsider makes himself liable for prosecution for trespass if he should approach a labourer on any tea garden in Assam, thus making it impossible to start any agency for social, religious, or educational work without the express permission of the managers of the tea gardens; and whether he will take steps to secure the repeal of the Acts referred to and the enactment of legislation regulating the conditions of life and work on tea gardens in India, and for the proper inspection of such conditions?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the letter written by the Secretary of State for India to Mr. Satyamurthi, a Swarajist member of the Madras Legislative Council; and whether this letter was published with the, consent of the Secretary of State?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative and to the second that my noble Friend's consent was neither asked, granted nor refused.

Is not the proper channel for such a communication through the Government of India, and can the hon. Gentleman state whether there is any precedent for an important communication of policy being made by the Secretary of State for India in such an unorthodox manner?

I do not understand that there is anything in the letter beyond what was stated by Noble Friend in his speech in another place.

Is it not a fact that the new policy announced by the Secretary of State cuts at the root of representation under the existing Statute, and should not an important new declaration of policy of that kind be made in this House rather than to a private individual in India?

Is it not a fact that Mr. Satyamurthi is an extreme cooperator, and how can he come under the definition of the Secretary of State when he said the Government would cooperate with those who were willing to co-operate with them?

Is not this precisely one of the points which was referred to the Joint Committee of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, upon which a Report was made, and before any change of policy is made by the Secretary of State should not the question be again referred to that Joint Committee? I ask the hon. Member to make a statement on that point.

I understand that there is another question on this subject.

It is quite different.

My question is not on the same subject.

I ask the Under-Secretary for a distinct statement of policy on this point.

If hon. Members will read the speech which my Noble Friend made in February, they will find all their points mentioned.

Is it not the case that this very question dealt with in the letter was decided in a particular way by the Joint Committee, and that the decision still prevails?

Before any action is taken to change the policy, will it be again referred to the Joint Committee? Upon that point the hon. Gentleman has not replied.

I have nothing to add to my answer.

I give the hon. Gentleman notice that, in view of the difficulty of extracting any information from him on this point, I shall endeavour to raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment for the Whitsuntide Recess.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the Judge's decision in the Cawnpore conspiracy trial has been given?

The Judge has convicted Muzaffar Ahmad, Shaukat Usmani, Range and Nalini Gupta and sentenced them each to four years' rigorous imprisonment. The charge against Gulam Husain was withdrawn. Proceedings against Singaravelu Chettiar were suspended owing to his ill health; and his request to be tried in Madras or Bombay is being considered.

Has the hon. Gentleman come to any decision with regard to the question I placed last week, whether, in view of the great interest taken in this House and in India, he will publish a White Paper showing the ramifications of this case, and the fund from which the defence was paid?

I should like notice of that question.

In publishing that White Paper, will the hon. Gentleman also publish the evidence upon which these men were convicted?

Do I understand that if I put a question down next week the hon. Gentleman will be able to give me a definite answer?

I will endeavour to give an answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether any, and what, new arrangements have been made, or are proposed, for the selection of probationers for the Indian forest service; and whether graduates of any university will still continue to be eligible for selection without further conditions being imposed;

(2) whether any new arrangements have been made, or are proposed, for the training of probationers for the Indian forest. service; whether such probationers will still continue to be able to be trained at any university having a forestry department, or whether they will be compelled to be trained at Oxford; and, if so, whether an opportunity of discussing the question in the House will be given before any such regulation comes into force?

The question of the training of forest probationers has been under consideration for some time, but this is closely connected with the question of the future of the service. Recommendations on this subject have been made by the Royal Commission, presided over by Lord Lee, whose report will be published to-morrow. Until these recommendations have been considered by the Government of India, my Noble Friend is unable to make any statement.

Up to the present has any alteration been made in the existing state of affairs, first as regards selected candidates, and, secondly, as regards their training, because large sums of money appear to have been spent upon them?

No.

Has any Regulation been made confining the training of these candidates to the University of Oxford to the exclusion of other Universities?

I am not aware of it.

May I ask if there is ever going to be any alteration, and are we always going to keep on in the same old way?

If I put down a question a week hence, will the Under-Secretary endeavour to give me an answer?

Yes, I will endeavour to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the state of unemployment, any efforts are being made by the Government Departments concerned to deal with the question of railway level crossings over main arterial roads, with a view to doing away with them wherever possible?

I have been asked to reply. I recognise that such crossings are a hindrance to traffic, and, on that ground, am anxious to get them abolished wherever possible. Schemes for this purpose are eligible for grants from the Road Fund or, at present, from the Unemployment Grants Committee. Assistance has been given in many cases.

Is the Minister himself taking any active steps in this matter?

Oh, yes.

Has assistance been given in certain cases, and will the hon. Gentleman tell me whether any amount of work has resulted from such assistance?

Beyond what I have said? If the Noble Lord has any particular case in mind, and will bring it before me I shall look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the present grant to local education authorities of 100 per cent. of the cost of juvenile unemployment centres for young persons between the ages of 16 and 18 will be continued in the case of similar educational facilities provided by the local education authorities for children between the ages of 14 and 16 under Section 5 of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill; and whether he can say what educational facilities are to be provided, and by whom, under Section 11 of the Bill and from what source the 50 per cent. of expenditure not provided for in that Section will be derived?

The 100 per cent. grant is already applicable to children between the ages of 14 and 16 as well as to those between 16 and 18 years of age, and there is no intention to discontinue this grant during the period up to 1st April, 1925, for which it has been promised. The Unemployment Insurance Bill does not propose to set up educational facilities directly what it does is to recognise the advantage which the Unemployment Fund would derive from appropriate centres for unemployed boys and girls by offering to make a grant towards the cost of such centres. No such grant has hitherto been payable out of the Unemployment Fund. The question how the remainder of the cost is to be borne is one which will have to be dealt with separately when the 100 per cent. grant comes to an end.

Would it not be better and cheaper to keep these children at school until the age of 15?

That is not a question for my Department.

asked the Prime Minister if he can announce the acceptance by the German Government, of the conclusions arrived at by the expert Committee on German Reparations?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the letter dated 16th April, in which the German Government informed the Reparation Commission that they, too, considered that the experts' reports offered a practical basis for the rapid solution of the reparation problem, and in which they, therefore, declared their willingness to collaborate in the execution of the experts' plan. The letter was published and appeared in the newspapers of the 17th April.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that merchant ships now being built in Germany, especially those ships being built with Diesel engines, are being designed with a view to eventual military use in respect of protection of buoyancy, provision for additional motors and semi-immersion emplacement for guns, and provision for carrying aircraft; whether he is aware that the new German liners "Ballin" and "Deutschland" are fitted with elaborate bulges; whether these fittings, etc., are in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles; and whether His Majesty's Government can give the matter their consideration?

His Majesty's Government are not in possession of any evidence to show that the German Government are infringing the terms of the Treaty of Versailles in this respect.

Will the Government direct attention to the points alluded to in the question, and to the last part in respect to the Treaty of Versailles?

If the Noble Lord has any evidence that will help the Government in this matter we shall be glad to receive it.

asked the Prime Minister whether the German military forces are now in excess of the strength allowed under the Treaty of Versailles; and whether the German Government have carried out the requirements of the Treaty as regards the abolition of the great German general staff and similar organisations?

To the best of my information the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, so far as the regular German military forces are concerned. As regards the latter part of the question, the great German general staff has been abolished and there is now a single Ministry of Defence which, however, includes a general staff section.

When the right hon. Gentleman uses the words "the regular German military forces," does he mean the troops that have now been provided are not in excess of the Versailles Treaty?

The Government are far from being satisfied with respect to the point covered in the first part of my answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to get in touch with the German Government to see that they carry out the most important. Clauses; and what steps do the Government intend to take to see that the Treaty in enforced?

The terms of the second part of my reply raise a point of law which I am unable at the moment to answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how it comes about that the Government are the only people who do not know these facts?

Are not many socalled patriotic societies running a regular military control in Germany?

That is covered by the first part of my reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to continue the British military occupation of the Cologne zone until the terms of the Versailles Treaty are fully carried out?

It is the intention of His Majesty's Government to conform to the provisions of Part XIV of the Treaty of Versailles, which regulates the occupation by the Allies of German territory.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been practically a violation of the Treaty terms with regard to the disarmament of the German Army, and does ho not think steps should be taken to bring this home forcibly to the German Government?

That is a supplementary question which raises many points of opinion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say from what date the period of occupation laid down in the Treaty began to run?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state the result of his communication with the Governor of Ceylon regarding the statements made by Shaukat Ali and Dr. Kitchlew in which they described English statesmen as damned liars and hypocrites, and stated that a lakh of Englishmen did not require much killing; and what action is to be taken in the matter?

I regret to inform the House that my right hon. Friend has been taken ill rather suddenly. I hope it is not serious. I have to apologise for his absence, and I have been asked to take his questions.

The Secretary of State has received a Report from the Governor, who states that he fully considered the matter prior to the arrival in Ceylon of these persons, whose chief object appeared to be to collect funds, and decided that no action should be taken to prevent their landing in the Colony. They have now left the Colony, and the Governor states that the political effect of their visit has been extremely small. The Secretary of State sees no reason to take any further action in the matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if these statements were made before he took office?

I think I should explain that these answers were drafted for my right hon. Friend, and have been just handed to me.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that they were certainly made before he took office?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has agreed to the appointment of a Trade Commissioner in London for the Colony of British Guiana; whether any appointment has yet been made; where the office will be situated; and what will be the annual cost of maintaining it?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. The office would, no doubt, be established in London, and the Secretary of State understands that the Combined Court has voted £2,000 to cover salary, office expenses and all incidental expenses.

Is it intended that this post—which, presumably, is partly under the hon. Gentleman's Department—shall be filled by somebody who is thoroughly familiar with the actual conditions in British Guiana, and appointed practically from the Colony?

I will mention that to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it is that Austrian, German, and Turkish subjects, who arrive at Malta in passenger vessels staying for a few hours, are not allowed to land and see the island as in the case of other passengers on board?

The Secretary of State was not aware of the existence of this restriction, and he will ask the Governor to report on the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Secretary of State to let me know the result?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in accordance with his promise, he has sent forward the inquiries put with regard to the administration of the Island of Nauru; whether any explanation in reply has been received; and whether he can give full information with respect to the conditions under which Chinese labour is now employed on the island?

In accordance with his undertaking given on 3rd March, to which, I understand, the hon. Member refers, the Secretary of State sent the Report of the Debate of that date to the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Austria for communication to his Ministers, He did not undertake, and he does not propose, to ask the Australian Government for any reply to the strictures on their administration. He is not aware that the information given to the House on the conditions of labour in Nauru has been deficient.

Cannot the Minister give the information asked for in regard to the actual facts now obtaining in the Island of Nauru?

I would suggest that my hon. Friend put down a further question as to that.

Will the hon. Gentleman let the House know the conditions of employment of the Chinese on this island, and the wages paid to them?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that planting and other industries in Trinidad and British Guiana are cancelling orders which they had intended to place in Great Britain for machinery and other supplies on account of the attitude of the Home Government on the question of Imperial Preference; whether any communications in this sense have been received at the Colonial Office from the West Indies; and whether any representations have been made to the Colonial Office by manufacturers in this country?

The answer to each part of this question is in the negative.

May I ask my hon. Friend—within the purview of whose Department this question comes—whether he has received any representations from the West Indies as to difficulties anticipated in view of the fact that they are not getting a fair share of preference in this country?

I am not aware, but will ascertain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will undertake to inform this House, as soon as His Majesty's Government arrive at a decision, of the nature of the instructions to be sent to the official members of the Jamaica Legislative Council in regard to the attitude to be adopted by them upon the proposal of the elected members to reduce the preference granted to Great Britain, and to obtain leave to negotiate reciprocity agreements with other countries; and whether His Majesty's Government will instruct the Governor of Jamaica to procure, if possible, the adjournment of the discussion of these proposals by the council until the final decision of Parliament in regard to the sugar preference shall be known?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies has just received by telegraph the text of a Resolution adopted by the Legislative Council of Jamaica, stating that the Council views with concern the proposals in the Budget as affecting tariff preferences granted to the Colonies, and indicating the possibility of a reconstruction of the Jamaica tariff on lines which would deprive this country of the preference now existing. A copy of the Resolution will be placed in the Library of the House. No instructions were sent as to the attitude of the official members.

Does the hon. Gentleman think that the reply received from the Colonies on these subjects coincides with throwing our markets open to German and other competition?

Would the hon. Gentleman suggest to the Colonial Office the course indicated in the last part of the question, that is to say, that an endeavour be made to secure that the effective Debate on this proposal in the Council should be postponed until the final decision is reached by this Government? Might not suggestions in that sense be communicated to the Governor, and also in the case of British Guiana?

I will bring that observation before my right hon. Friend.

Do not the hon. Gentle man and the Government think it better to give preference to foreigners?

That is a matter of debate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to sanction the ordinance which has been introduced into the Gold Coast Colony at the instance of parties interested in the local diamond mining industry, and which prevents the winning and selling of diamonds by the native inhabitants of that Colony?

The ordinance to which the hon. Member refers has not yet reached the Secretary of State. When it does, he will give due consideration to the point which the hon. Member has raised.

May I present the hon. Gentleman with a copy of the ordinance?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the aggregate expenditure in Tanganyika for the years 1918–19 to 1923–24, inclusive, ordinary, extraordinary, and capital; and the revenue for the same period?

The totals for the six years mentioned are: Expenditure, £8,118,348; Revenue, £5,542,101. The actual figures for 1923–24 have not yet been received, but the estimates for that year have been adopted in these totals.

Does the hon. Gentleman hope to get a report about this harbour in the near future?