asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any representation from the Asiatic employés on the Uganda Railway in respect of dismissals; whether, during the last year, of 2,088 such employés 368 were dismissed; what is the reason for this reduction of staff; and whether he will receive a deputation from those employés who desire to represent the injustice of the action taken against them?

I have received no representations of the kind, and am not aware of any dismissals of Asiatic employés having taken place. No doubt many temporary engagements have expired and in many cases have been replaced by the employment of natives of Africa, and the report of the general manager shows that in 1923 the number of Asiatic employés was reduced from 2,088 to 1,720. During that year, as compared with the previous year, the expenditure decreased by 13 per cent., while the earnings increased by 13 per cent., and I conclude that the replacement as opportunity arose of Asiatics by Africans tended to economy without sacrifice of efficiency. The responsibility for the just treatment of Colonial officials rests with the Governor, and I am confident that it is in safe hands. As at present advised, I do not think that it would serve any useful purpose for me to receive a deputation representing such officials.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question as to whether he will receive a deputation from those employés?

To bring deputations such a long distance merely to be told nothing is a waste of money. I have no objection to receiving a deputation, but it would be equally unwise to incur expenditure, without being able to see any useful result.

What steps have been taken to train African natives to fill these appointments?

The result is shown in the figures which I have given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that these men have been replaced by Africans?

That is my information.?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of Asiatic employés of the Uganda Railway who were retrenched last year; what compensation has been paid in respect of retrenchment; and what saving will be effected by the reduction of the Asiatic staff?

I would refer to the reply which I have just given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Blackpool, from which it will be seen that, so far as I am aware, there have been no retrenchments in the sense of termination of the employment of permanent officials. In the case of non-renewal of temporary agreements, the question of compensation does not arise. I will inquire of the Governor as to the extent to which the large economy effected in the working of the railway is to be attributed to the reduction of Asiatic staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the lapse of time since the original announcement, he can now give the names of the Commissions to visit East and West Africa, their terms of reference, and the date and plans for their visits?

My consideration of this matter has been unavoidably interrupted, but if my hon. Friend would repeat his question to-day week, I should hope to be able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the position of the negotiations with the Government of the Turkish Republic on the question of the boundaries of Iraq?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement with reference to the breakdown of the Mosul Conference?

As the Turkish delegate at the Conference which has been sitting at Constantinople to settle the frontier between Irak and Turkey informed the British representative at the last meeting that he was unable to consider, even in principle, the proposals put forward by His Majesty's Government, it became apparent that no useful purpose would be served by prolonging a conference without any common ground for discussion. Sir P. Cox was, therefore, instructed to inform the Turkish delegate that he had received orders to return to London, since no other course remained open to His Majesty's Government than to submit the matter to the League of Nations in accordance with Article 3 (2) of the Treaty of Lausanne. Sir P. Cox left Constantinople on the 9th instant, and, as soon as the nine months' period provided for direct negotiation by Article VII of the Evacuation Protocol has elapsed, His Majesty's Government for their part will address the League of Nations on the subject and invite that body to give a decision regarding the frontier between Turkey and Irak. In the meantime they propose to communicate with the Turkish Government on the subject.

May I ask why we are delaying till the full nine months are over before applying to the League? Would it not be satisfactory from every point of view to get this matter settled at the earliest moment, and why should we not apply to the League straight away?

I am advised that we have to wait nine months according to the terms of the agreement, but in the meantime I am in communication with the Turkish Government, in order to smooth over any difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the inadequacy of the present embargo upon the importation of arms into China; and whether, seeing that it operates in favour of those countries which do not strictly observe the terms of the agreement prohibiting this trade, he will consider the desirability of modifying the agreement so that British manufacturers may have the opportunity of tendering for Chinese armament contracts?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government attach great importance to the arms embargo agreement, and, in order to secure that it shall be effectively and uniformly applied, are endeavouring to expedite the replacement of the existing agreement by a modified form which was proposed at the Washington Conference and elaborated by the Diplomatic Representatives at Peking. If the hon. Member is aware of any recent tenders by foreign manufacturers for the supply of arms to China, I should be glad to have particulars.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that foreign countries are sending arms into China now?

I think the hon. Member will gather that from the form of my reply. The important thing is that, in case he has any information as to specific cases, I shall be exceedingly obliged if he will send it to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which are the countries whose Governments have received de jure recognition by His Majesty's Government, but whose representatives in this country are not accorded full diplomatic recognition; and what are the reasons for this procedure in each case?

The only case is that of Lithuania, whose representative in this country has not been accorded full diplomatic recognition pending the ratification of the Memel Convention by the Lithuanian Government.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it is possible to facilitate the conduct of the matter of the recognition of Lithuania?

I am very anxious that there should be no delay. The fault is not with the Foreign Office here.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has yet reached a decision with regard to fees at present paid for cadets under training for the Royal Navy. His Majesty's Army, and the Royal Air Force; and whether he proposes to widen the field of selection of officers for His Majesty's Forces by abolishing these fees, as in the case of the American and Japanese forces?

Substantial progress has been made during the Recess in the consideration of this question by the Departments concerned, but I regret that I am not in a position at the moment to announce a final decision.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that Lieut.-Colonel Sir Brodrick Hartwell, Baronet, is using His Majesty's mails for the fifth occasion for the purpose of raising money to sell alcoholic liquors off the coast of the United States, whether he can now announce what steps the Government propose to take; and whether they have considered if similar action can he taken, as in the case of Mr. Edgar Speyer, who was deprived of the baronetcy and privy councillorship which ho had held?

As has been stated on several occasions in this House, the question of measures for the suppression of activities such as those of Sir Brodrick Hartwell was carefully gone into last year. Special legislation would be necessary before His Majesty's Government could intervene in cases of this kind, but it was found extremely difficult to frame suitable legislation without imposing restrictions which would seriously hamper legitimate trade. The matter is, however, receiving further consideration by the Departments concerned. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, a Treaty has been concluded with the United States, as a result of which it is hoped that the United States Government maybe enabled effectually to deal with the smuggling of liquor. With regard to the second part of the question, it is not the fact that Sir Edgar Speyer was deprived of his baronetcy. He was deprived of his Privy Councillorship on being denaturalised.

Are the profits of this industry assessable under Schedule D, or are they to be regarded as capital?

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Has the Prime Minister considered that, by some alteration in the bond into which the exporters enter, it would be possible, without any legislation, to put a stop to a good deal of this traffic?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, that is not an affair of the Foreign Office, but I am sure that the Departments concerned will take note of what he has said.

If it is not an affair of the Foreign Office, is it not an affair of the Prime Minister?

asked the Prime Minister whether the result of the negotiations with Zaghloul Pasha will be submitted to the House for its approval before any official British sanction is given to it; and whether it is the policy of the Government to retain its holding of the Suez Canal shares?

I would refer the hon. Member to the last sentence of my reply to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) on 25th February last. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the desirability of appointing a committee to consider whether the reduction of postal facilities now being carried out throughout the entire country is in the public interest, and what alterations should be introduced to meet the complaints which are now being generally made without result?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that a reduction of postal facilities is now being carried out throughout the country. On the contrary, efforts are being made to effect improvements.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British delegates to the International Labour Conference at Geneva in June will be specially instructed to propose any specific international legislation; and, if so, of what nature?

It will be the duty of the delegates of the countries represented to consider jointly the question whether the time is ripe for the adoption of a draft Convention in respect of the matters on the Agenda.

Has the Agenda been published?

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received representations from the Government of the Irish Free State to the effect that, as stated by the Free State Attorney-General, no question as to the interpretation of the Treaty has or can be referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; and whether any change in the proposed procedure is contemplated?

The reply to both these questions is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the present intention of the Government to hold an Autumn Session?

In the present state of public business, the Government cannot hold out any hope that it will be possible to dispense with an Autumn Session.

If the Autumn Session should not be reached, has the Prime Minister any idea of the date of the General Election?

I am perfectly certain that the Autumn Session will be reached.

In view of the fact that an Autumn Session is now inevitable, will the Prime Minister make arrangements for the rising of the House as early RS possible?

My experience in this House is that it is not the Government who are responsible for these dates, but those who have less sympathy with Government business than the Government have themselves.

Has it not been the policy of the Labour party to advocate the rising of the House on the 31st July, and will the right hon. Gentleman, now that he is Prime Minister, see that that is carried out?

I shall be very glad to enter into an arrangement with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Departmental Committee on Railway Extension in Nyasaland has yet reported; and when their Report will be published?

The Committee has not yet reported. As I have already stated, I will consider the question of the publication of the Report when I have received it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the new railways contemplated, but not actually commenced, in East Africa; whether in all these cases tenders are being called, or will be called, for their construction from independent firms of standing; and whether, in view of the expenditure of public money, he will, in the interest of economy and, efficiency, adopt this course?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hull on the Sth of May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the low prices received by fishermen for their catch and the high prices charged by the retailer to the consumer for fish in many cases; and whether he will set up a committee on the lines of the Linlithgow Committee to investigate the matter?

The question raised has been under consideration for a long time past, but I do not think that any inquiry would add to the knowledge already in my possession, or would be the means of discovering a remedy. A very considerable discrepancy between the wholesale and retail prices of fish is due to its perishable nature and the fluctuations in supply.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman sees no prospect of doing anything at all in the legislative field to remedy this?

That would go beyond the question. The information in my possession does not justify a Treasury inquiry. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will furnish me with more.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the interests of the health of the community and as Rome return for the heavy taxation imposed in the form of medicine duty, he will introduce legislation to enable patent medicines to be sold under licences only issuable after an impartial examination of the merits of the proprietary articles?

My right hon. Friend fears that in the present state of Parliamentary business it would be impracticable to attempt legislation on the subject this Session.

Is it the intention of the Government to proceed with the Therapeutic Substances Bill, which has been introduced?

It has come from another place.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received an application from the board of guardians for the parish of St. Mary, Islington, London, N., asking for sanction to close the Liverpool Road Dispensary, where poor persons from Nos. 3a, 6, 7, 9 and 10 relief districts receive medical relief, and to compel the sick poor to attend the Highbury Dispensary for treatment and medicine; whether, seeing that the population of Islington is 330,737, and that one dispensary is inadequate for the needs of the sick poor of that parish, he will make full inquiries before sanctioning the request; and if, in the opinion of his medical advisers, it is found that the present dispensary accommodation is inadequate, he will take steps to ensure that due provision is made for treating the sick poor in Islington?

My right hon. Friend is in communication with the guardians in regard to this proposal, and the application will be carefully considered from the point of view mentioned in the latter part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Glasgow Corporation has to pay for sites as follows: £8,000 for 20 acres at 13algray, £9,196 for 9½ acres at Mosside Road, and £6,296 for 6½ acres at Langlands Road for the erection of houses; and what steps he proposes to take through his housing scheme to curb these excessive demands?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland has asked me to answer this question on his behalf. I understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the first part of the question. If the local authority were of opinion that the prices asked for these sites were excessive, it was open to them to acquire them compulsorily and to have the price determined by the Official Arbiter in terms of the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the tonnage of zinc concentrates which the British Government have taken under contracts with the Zinc Producers' Association Proprietary, Limited?

1,298,489 tons of zinc concentrates (including slime concentrates) have been delivered to the British Government under the contract with the Zinc Producers' Association Proprietary, Limited.

Are the prospects better for this year than last year?

I believe there is very little change in the situation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a very large acreage of picking peas for the London markets is grown in the county of Essex; and, in view of the fact that the peas will be ready for picking continuously during June and July, and that there is sonic danger of this food being lost to the community owing to the lack of pickers, whether he will take such steps as to call the attention of the local unemployment bureaux of the necessity of diverting as much unemployed labour as is available into this channel?

I am aware that this seasonal demand for labour will arise shortly. The necessary steps have been taken to bring the opportunities to the notice of unemployed persons in the various districts.

Cannot some control of the living conditions of these workers be taken into consideration?

I am aware that there were some complaints last year, and my Department will take into account the conditions, when making recommendations to persons who seek work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he took with reference to the recent Derby draws advertised in a daily paper of the 4th June, of which particulars were sent to him; and whether any action was taken in respect of the paper which advertised such draws?

So far as I am aware, no proceedings were taken by the police in respect of the draws in question, and I do not know whether tickets had been offered to the public. My attention was not called to the matter until after the draws had taken place. I know of no case where a newspaper has been prosecuted for merely publishing the result of a draw.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that exactly the same treatment was meted out in this case as in the case of the Otley sweep?

The same treatment has been meted out where I was made aware of the draw before the draw took place.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the position in regard to the non-taxation by the United States of America of ships of those countries which were willing to extend reciprocal exemption of taxation of the United States ships; and if any other countries besides ourselves have accepted it?

I understand that exemption from Income Tax is granted by the United States of America under the provisions of Section 213 (8) of the Revenue Act, 1921, in respect of shipping of the following countries, which either impose no Income Tax or grant a reciprocal exemption, namely

• Argentine Republic.
• Bulgaria.
• Denmark.
• Egypt.
• Iceland.
• Netherlands.
• Norway.
• Paraguay.
• Persia.
• St. Lucia.
• Siam,
• Sweden.
• Venezuela.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this is likely to come into force at an early date?

I think I should hold out false hopes if I indicated anything of the kind. I am afraid that the negotiations will take a little longer than we expected.

As the offer was made in America and passed by this House, surely it could come into force at once.

It is impossible in reply to a question to go into details, but there are other considerations that have to be taken into account, and these I shall be glad to explain personally to my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount, to date, guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act and the Export Credits Act?

The total amount of loans guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Acts up to the 12th June is £46,164,145; the total amount of bills guaranteed under the Export Credits Scheme up to the 9th June is £8,223,772.

Does the figure of £8,000,000 include, all the guarantees which have been given and have expired, or does it only mean the amount now in operation?

I have no doubt that this is the total sum which has been guaranteed under this scheme.

Does the hon. Gentleman contemplate issuing, in some readily accessible form, a statement showing the results of the various enterprises in which this House is interested through these guarantees?

My hon. Friend must know that under the Trade Facilities Act there is already a regular return, and I should think that on the other point, more or less, there is complete information.

Showing the results as to profit and loss?

As regards the Trade Facilities Act, I think the best reply is that in only one case so far, and that for less than £4,000, has there been any call upon the guarantee, and that is out of a total of £46,000,000 guaranteed.

How much has been guaranteed under the present Government?

As regards the Trade Facilities Act, I think I am safe in saying that £7,000,000 or £8,000,000 of guarantees have taken place within recent weeks.

Has any guarantee been given for Russian business under this Act?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the smallest amount which has been offered to one individual firm?

I cannot give that without notice, but if the intention of the question is to turn to the smaller people, I may say that there are many small sums guaranteed of a few thousand pounds.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the waste and ruin of Government property and stores taking place on the Government estate at Gretna; whether he will state the estimated value of the stores and fittings at the date of the decision to dispose of the property; what sums have been received for stores sold; and what is the estimated value of the stores still on hand?

As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I am advised that all reasonable steps to conserve Government property and stores at Gretna have been taken. It was necessary to burn certain buildings which were contaminated by highly dangerous explosives as it was impossible to sell or otherwise deal with these buildings. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the factory at Gretna was only declared surplus to War Office require- ments in September, 1921, but sales of surplus stores had been proceeding there since the Armistice. The proceeds of sales at Gretna since the Armistice amount to approximately £2,000,000; but these sales include certain stores, e.g., railway rolling stock, which were concentrated at Gretna from other places, and it would be impossible without an examination of accounts, which in the present depleted condition of staff I am afraid I could not agree to undertake, to give exact figures for the stores pertaining to Gretna itself. The estimated value of the stores still on hand, apart from real property and fixed plant, which it is hoped to sell at auction in July, is about £200,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many dwelling houses are untenanted in the townships of Gretna and Eastriggs; if he is aware that these dwelling houses are falling into disrepair; if applications have been received for small holdings by the Disposal Board; and why such applications have been refused?

There are at present 25 brick houses and 80 wooden bungalows vacant at Gretna, and 46 brick houses and 59 wooden bungalows at Eastriggs. I am advised that reasonable steps have been taken to prevent these houses falling into disrepair. No applications have been received for small holdings by the Disposal Board.

Could not some of these houses be let?

I should be delighted to let them if my hon. Friend will help me to find tenants.

Will the hon. Member insert advertisements in the Scottish papers?

All kinds of advertisements have been inserted, in order to dispose of this property or to let it, but we have been unable to do better than has been done up to the present time.

Is the hon. Member aware that he cannot get these houses occupied until he makes use of the works that are going to waste there, which could be used in a hundred different ways, and is he going to take the trouble to see those works put into operation producing something that will not only benefit the community but give the houses a chance of being let?

Can the hon. Member tell us the rents of the houses?

I cannot give the rents without notice, but I do know that the rents are no higher than is usually charged in the district. As regards the supplementary question put by the hon. Member for Springburn (Mr. Hardie), I can only say that it is the settled policy to dispose of this property and, consequently, I am unable to suggest anything as to Government use of Gretna. An auction will be held next month in order to dispose of the property.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that millions of pounds worth of public property are going to rot and rust there, as is obvious to everybody who passes on the railway train, and can he say how long the Government are going to sit supinely by while this waste is going on?

It is quite true that there is a very large amount of valuable property at this centre, but I would remind my hon. Friend that every effort has been made to dispose of the property, and an offer cannot be obtained.