asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government of India to attempt to deal by legislation with the subdivision of land in India, which has resulted in some places in a considerable drop in the area under wheat?

The matter is one for the Provincial Governments rather than the Government of India. My Noble Friend is not aware that any legislation on the subject is projected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the steamers "Kurmark," "Frankenfels," "Rotenfels," "Freienfels," and "Braunfels," formerly prizes of war, which have been managed by the Indian Government or the India Office for some years, have been run at a profit; if so, at what profit; whether it is now proposed to sell them to Greek shippers; what is the reason for this policy; and what provision is to be made to maintain the employment of the British officers and seamen employed in these ships?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The total profit earned on the five ships named amounts to something over £1,700,000. These ships were condemned to detention only, and condemnation as prize cannot be obtained. They therefore have to be handed over to the Reparation Commission under the Treaty of Versailles. It is understood that the Reparation Commission will allot them for final ownership to the British Govern- ment. The remaining parts of the question should therefore be addressed to the Board of Trade.

May I take it that, so far as the India Office is concerned, they will endeavour to continue the management of this very profitable undertaking, and not allow these ships to be sold over their heads?

No. As I have already explained, it does not lie with either the India Office or the Government of India; it is a matter under the Treaty of Versailles, and my answer stated the legal position.

I want to get this matter clear. The Reparation Commission will presently have the vessels to dispose of, and is there any reason why they should not be made over to the India Office?

That is a matter for the Reparation Commission. It has nothing whatever to do with the India Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the following publications, Hyndman's "The Awakening of Asia," Bryan's "British Rule in India, "M. N. Roy's" Evolution of Economic Organisation of India," Lala Lajpat Rai's "England's Debt to India," and "Labour Monthly Magazine," have been prohibited entry into India tinder the Sea Customs Act: and will he state the reason for such prohibition?

The entry into India of the first four of the publications mentioned is prohibited by notifications under the Sea Customs Act. The reason in the case of three of them was that the publications contained false and malicious misrepresentations of the British administration in India. Roy's hook was prescribed because all his writings and those of his wife are prohibited, in view of their complicity in a. foreign organised conspiracy to overthrow British rule in India. I have no definite information regarding the fifth of the publications mentioned; but it occasionally contains articles by these persons and this would, no doubt, bring the particular issue within the general bar against those writings.

May I ask the Noble Lord whether he has read the books himself?

No, Sir. I am prepared to leave the matter to the Government of India, who are the proper authority to deal with it.

That may very well be, but surely this House has something to say. I should like to ask the Noble Lord whether this House has not something to say on the question of whether hooks written by a British subject like the late Mr. H. M. Hyndman should he prohibited from going into India at the present time?

It is open to the hon. Member, if he gets an opportunity to do so, to move a Vote of Censure OD the Government.

I do not want to do that until you have read them.

Is the Noble Lord aware that all these books may be purchased in this country?

Yes, Sir; but the conditions in this country and those in India vary very greatly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have introduced a Bill to the Legislative Assembly dealing with the restriction of trade unions in India; and, if so, whether the Bill restricts the expenditure of funds to purely trade union purposes of a nonpolitical character?

The Government of India have introduced a Bill for the registration of trade unions, and to define. in certain respects the law relating to registered unions. The Bill limits the expenditure of registered trade unions to certain specified objects which do not include any of a political character.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when the Government will state their proposals for dealing with the recommendations of the Lee Commission with regard to the medical services in India; and whether the House will be given an opportunity of discussing them before any decision is arrived at?

My Noble Friend has not yet received the Government of India's recommendations though he expects them very shortly. He would prefer to await them before giving any undertaking in reply to the last part. of the question.

May I ask in what form they will be published?

I am afraid I could not answer that question until they actually arrive.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the hardship caused to the poorer Indian peasants thereby, he will explain why an ad valorem tax of 15 per cent. is placed upon hand looms entering India whilst the duty on power looms is only 2½. per cent.; and if he will say whether it is proposed in the near future to put into operation the recommendation as to hand looms contained in paragraph iii, pages 61–62 of the Report of the Indian Fiscal Commission, 1921–22?

The principle on which machinery, including power looms, is admitted into India at a low rate of duty is apparently that it is considered desirable to open the door freely to such articles as represent what may be called the fixed capital employed in productive industries. The Government of India have not stated that they propose to take any action on the recommendation of the Indian Fiscal Commission referred to by the hon. Member. A copy of his question will be forwarded to the Government of India.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, when he forwards the question to the Government of India, draw attention to the iniquitous burden placed on those British firms who have, at a very high cost, developed this industry, and who have been penalised as compared with the traders in power looms?

It is difficult within the recognised limits of an answer to a question to define the position of the. Secretary of State in a matter of this kind. No doubt the matter which the hon. Gentleman has brought forward was present to the mind of the Government of India when they imposed this duty, but the other reasons were considered by them to be overwhelming.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India to what extent the sovereign States of India of the importance of Hyderabad, Mysore, Kashmir, and Bhopal have freedom in their internal affairs, such as the appointment of their Ministers, including the Chief Minister, and the succession to their thrones in consonance with the traditions and religion of the peoples concerned; and, if there is any interference in such internal affairs by the Government of India, under what authority is it taken?

I cannot within the limits of a reply to a question go into details, but, generally speaking, the rulers of States such as those mentioned enjoy full liberty in the appointment of Ministers and in other matters of purely internal administration, subject always to the right of the British Government to intervene for special reasons, such as the prevention of gross misrule. Successions require the recognition of the British Government, but where there is a natural heir in the direct line are a matter of course. The British Government intervenes authoritatively in all cases of disputed succession. The right to intervene is inherent in the position of the British Government as paramount Power.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the taking of the finger prints of natives engaged in industrial and domestic work in Kenya Colony and the Gold Coast is carried out by administrative officials or by the police whether he can state the cost to the territories in question of this procedure; and whether the results are such as to warrant the extension of the practice to other territories under the direct control of the Crown?

The recording of finger prints in the eases referred to is carried out by officials of the Native Affairs Department in Kenya and by the police in the Gold Coast, where the new rules only came into operation on the 1st January last, and where there is at present no separate finger print bureau as in Kenya. The annual cost of Kenya is about £5,000 for staff, plus a proportion of other charges general to the Native Affairs Department as a whole, which cannot be accurately estimated. The question of extending the practice to other Colonies must, of course, depend on local conditions obtaining in these Colonies, as well as on the results in Kenya and the Gold Coast.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total cultivable area in the Kenya Colony and Protectorate; how much of it is included, respectively, in the highlands, lowlands, and coast lands; how much of the cultivable area in the highlands is in the exclusive possession of Europeans and how much in that of natives: how much of the cultivable area in the lowlands and the coast lands has been alienated to Europeans and how much has been included in the native reserves; and how much cultivable area is included in the land yet available for alienation to non-Europeans?

I regret that I have not the information necessary for a detailed reply to the points raised by the hon. Member, as no census of cultivable land in Kenya has, to my knowledge, been made, while as regards the lands alienated, my information as to the division among highlands, lowlands, and coast lands is not definite. I may observe that the area for which these particulars are required amounts to 215,000 square miles. In the circumstances, I am consulting the Acting Governor of Kenya, and on receipt of his reply I will inform the hon. Member, in order that he may repeat his question if he desires he do so.

Is it not possible for the Colonial Office to obtain this information without great trouble or expense?

I am afraid is will be impossible to obtain an estimate of the cultivable land without a complete economic survey, but the area of the lands already alienated to European occupation, and lands delimited as native reserves, probably could he obtained.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that figures for the land actually cultivated are given in the Annual Report of the Native Affairs Department?

Yes: the Reports of the Native Affairs Department and the Agricultural Department, published each year, give the acres of land actually under cultivation, but. that is very different from the cultivable land.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state what is the ruling of the. Supreme Court of Kenya on the application recently made on behalf of the Nairobi Ratepayers' Association impugning the validity of amendments made in 1924 to the Nairobi Rating of Unimproved Site Values Ordinance?

The officer administering the Government of Kenya has reported by telegram that, on the application of the defendant in the suit referred to, the Supreme Court issued a writ of certiorari and gave judgment, on the 10th February quashing the proceedings in the Civil Court, because that Court took no proof of debt and issued a warrant without notice to show cause.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether an inquiry has taken place into sickness and death rates amongst the native mine-workers of the Gold Coast Colony; and whether the-Report will be published?

Yes, Sir. Sir William Simpson's Report will be published by the Crown Agents in a few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the existence of diamond fields on the Gold Coast; that such a discovery was made by a public official called the Director of Geological Survey for the Gold Coast in 1919; that the sole rights for prospecting were immediately acquired by Akim, Ltd.; will he say what considerations, if any, were given in return for the prospecting rights; is he aware that the shares of Akim, Ltd., have since been acquired by the West African Diamond Syndicate, Ltd.; and will he say if the public revenues of the Gold Coast benefit in any way from any diamonds secured by this company?

I am aware that diamonds were discovered by the. Director of Geological Survey in 1919. This discovery did not operate to vest the mining rights in the Government; under the Gold Coast law they remain with the native communities, which can, subject to the supervision of the Supreme Court, transfer them. This was, doubtless, the course followed in this case, though I have no details of the transactions, which are not subject to my control. Under Ordinance No. 12 of 1919 the Gold Coast Government levies a duty of 5 per cent. on the value of diamonds exported.

Does the Gold Coast Government take any steps to protect the natives in seeing that they are fairly treated in parting with their rights?

That is under the control of the legal administration and not under the administration of the Government. It is the duty of the Supreme Court to deal with all these land questions. The Government keep out-of the land question on the Gold Coast as far as possible. Practically all the land belongs to some native owner, either collectively or individually.

Am I to understand that the Supreme Court of the Gold Coast is independent of the Gold Coast Government?

Certainly, on legal questions.

Do we get no benefit at all from the discovery by our servant of these diamonds? Ought not we to have some discoverer's claim, or something beyond the mere export duty?

I certainly think that it would be very wrong for us in this House to demand payment from the Gold Coast.

By "we" I mean His Majesty's Government of this Crown Colony.

The revenues of the Crown Colony do not belong to us in this House. They belong to the Crown Colony.

When I say "we" I am talking of the. Government of one of His Majesty's Crown Colonies, and the right hon. Gentleman knows that well.

It has never been the policy of this House to endeavour to exploit the national resources of Crown Colonies in the interests of the taxpayers.

What about your syndicates?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is a great disparity in the freight rates to Canada for settlers' effects charged by conference lines and non-conference lines and whether, in the interests of British emigrants, he will endeavour to secure reasonable flat freight rates for settlers' effects

I have been asked to reply. I have seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers about freight rates to Canada for settlers' effects, but am unable without investigation to say whether it is correct or not. I understand that the whole question of freight rates to Canada, will shortly be investigated by a special Parliamentary Committee in Canada.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in accordance with the Preston Report, which is a Canadian Government Official Report, that that colony is intending to treat the disparity of the freight rates between, or the favouritism between Germany and other countries as against British exports and imports from Canada —that they are about to make it a first-class political issue, having regard to the fact that they claim that the British peers, knights and directors of the shipping conference of this country have whittled away the preference that was granted to them!

No doubt that will be-the subject of the investigation to which I have referred. We must await the result of it.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House some idea of the date of the inquiry, and how it will be constituted?

I have no particulars about the inquiry, because it is not our inquiry, but the Canadian Government's inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Reports submitted by the British and Dominion Governments to the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations on territories under their mandate will be presented to Parliament; and whether he will cause the most recent Reports to be presented as soon as possible?

It was decided in 1923, and the decision has since been followed, that the Reports on territories mandated to this country, like the Annual Reports on the Colonies and Protectorates, should be published, not as Parliamentary Papers, i.e.., in the series known as "Command" papers, but in a separate series of publication issued by the Stationery Office. I shall be happy to give my hon. and gallant friend a list of the most recent such Reports. The question of the publication of the Reports en the territories mandated to the Dominions is one for the Governments of the Dominions concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, at the council meeting of the League of Nations beginning on 9th March, he will press for the appointment of a neutral president of the Saar Commission in place of M. Rault?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me to the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair) on the 18th February.

Are there no members already sitting on the Commission who have the necessary qualifications, to which the right hon. Gentleman referred in his previous answer, other than a Frenchman or a Belgian?

I think it is obviously undesirable that I should discuss in this House the individual qualifications of gentlemen sitting on a Commission of this character and drawn from several different countries, but I have arrived at the conclusion that, in the interest of all the parties concerned, the most suitable candidate for the chairmanship at the present moment is the present chairman. I make that statement in order to be quite frank with the House, but I would beg hon. Members, and the House at large, not to tie the British delegate to these international conferences too tightly by pledges or public statements beforehand. The whole object of these conferences is that we should come with open minds and put what we have to contribute into the common stock out of which a common agreement may arise, and if each of us in our own Parliament is to be pledged in advance to a particular course of action, T think the whole object of the League meetings will be destroyed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for five years now there has been a French President of this Commission, and that throughout the country there is, especially among the friends of the League, a growing concern that the whole idea of the League is not at all being satisfactorily carried out?

My answer to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative.

rose—

We cannot now have a Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, in tile course of an inquiry in 1905 into the high death rate in Singapore, it was pointed out that one-fifth of the population was permanently on the sick list and that much of the death and sickness was preventible; and can he state what has been done since that time to improve housing and sanitary conditions and what amount of money has been spent on such improvements?

I am calling on the Governor to supply a comprehensive report on the points raised in this question and will communicate further with the hon. Member as soon as it is received.

Will the hon. Gentleman send this report to the Admiralty also when it is received?

I have no doubt that both the Admiralty and the War Office will receive a copy.

And the Air Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in 1917 a Commission was appointed to inquire into the cause of the then housing difficulties in Singapore and the steps that should be taken to remedy such difficulties, arid that the Commission stated in emphatic terms their opinion that a very great deal of the housing difficulty has been caused by the failure of Europeans to house their assistants, and expressed the view that an official declaration by the Government of its opinion on this point would have some result; whether any action was taken, and, if so, what; and whether it has had any effect?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, I will call upon the Governor for a report.

Will not this housing shortage shortly be removed by the Government buildings to be put up at Singapore?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Crown Colonies and Protectorates are to be represented on the Imperial Economic Committee to consider the importation of fruit; and, if so, by whom?

The Colonies and Protectorates will be represented on the Committee by Sir Gilbert Grindle, the senior Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the Colonial Office, with a second representative, who will he specially chosen by a panel, the members of which will be named by the various bodies in this country concerned with the business interests of the Colonies and Protectorates. This representative will be selected according to the particular question coming before the Committee.

When are they likely to meet? When will the first meeting take place?

I have no knowledge of the exact date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to give any further information with regard to the setting up of the Imperial Economic Committee?

I hope that it may be possible to make an announcement regarding the composition of the Committee within the next few days.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) whether he will state, in pre-War values, the annual totals of British exports to, and imports from, all countries outside Europe, except Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and India, in 1922, 1923 and 1924, as compared with the total exports to, and imports from the same countries in 1913;

Unfortunately all the material for furnishing a complete answer to these questions is not in the possession of the Board of Trade. In so far as information is available or can be obtained, the work involved in getting reliable results would entail an expenditure which would not be justified by the value of the results. I would, however, refer the hon. and gallant Member to the tables given in the "Board of Trade Journal" of 19th February, which give the proportionate distribution of exports, imports, and re-exports, by markets in 1913 and 1924. A copy of the Journal shall be sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can state the total number of persons employed in Great Britain by the Russian trade delegations and connections; and how MAW of these persons are employed at the headquarters in London?

The total number of persons employed is 856, of whom 472 are British subjects. All of these persons have their headquarters in London. The number employed in the offices of the Trade Delegation itself is 43.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Russian Government has ever signed or ratified the Straits Convention annexed to the Treaty of Lausanne; whether it has refused to appoint a representative on the Straits Commission set up by that Convention; and whether he can give the House any information as to the work of the Commission up to the present time?

The Soviet representative in Rome signed the Straits Convention on behalf of the Soviet Government on the 14th August, 1923. No information has been received of the ratification of the 'Convention by the Soviet Government, and no such ratification having yet been deposited in Paris, as provided for in Article 20 of the Convention, the Convention is not yet in force as regards Russia. The question of the appointment of a Russian representative on the Commission has not, therefore, yet arisen. The Commission has already met, and will, as provided for in Article 15 of the Convention, report to the League of Nations annually on its activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information regarding the proposed commercial treaty between Germany and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?

Negotiations for a commercial treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union opened in Moscow on the 15th November, and are new, understand, being resumed after an adjournment. So far as I am aware, the negotiations cover the subjects ordinarily treated of in commercial treaties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the serious diminution of the number of green plover throughout. the country; and whether he proposes to take any steps to protect the eggs of these birds during the breeding season?

I have been asked to take this question. Representations are received from time to time that this bird is diminishing in numbers, and in order to give it more adequate protection than can he given under the existing law, special provisions relating to it have been included in the Bill for the amendment of the Wild Birds Protection Acts. I regret that owing to the pressure of other business, I am not in a position to state whether it will be possible to introduce this Bill this Session.

Is it not a fact that seven to-day various sea birds do their best to supply an approximate egg?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now announce the scale upon which heavy horse grants will he made for the coming season; and whether the conditions upon which they will be paid are to be the same as in 1924?

A direct grant not exceeding will be payable this season to a heavy horse society on the same conditions as last year. I am glad to say, also, that I am able to restore this year the grants of a similar amount for the award of assisted nominations which were discontinued after the 1921 season. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Regulations governing the award of these grants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give information as to the progress made by the Scientific Committee on Foot-and-mouth Disease?

I fear that I can add nothing to the reply which 1 returned to the hon. Member for Dewsbury on the 11th December last, except that the experimental station to accommodate larger animals is now practically completed. The Committee will issue a first Progress Report as soon as possible after the 31st March, 1025.

When will the Report of the Committee on Foot-and-mouth Disease presided over by Mr. Pretyman be available?

I think it has already gone to the printers, and will therefore be laid almost immediately.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps, legisla- tive or otherwise, towards carrying out a survey designed to ascertain the extent to which agricultural land in England and Wales is under-cultivated, in view of existing economic possibilities?

The survey which is suggested by the right hon. Gentleman would present. exceptional difficulties in execution, especially in view of the fact that the interpretation of the expression "under-cultivated" must. be largely, if not entirely, a matter of opinion. For this reason, while fully alive to the desirability of obtaining information as exact as possible on this matter, I am unable to give the undertaking the right hon. Gentleman desires.

In spite of these difficulties, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the degree of under-cultivation is so serious as to demand an inquiry of some kind?

I have already said that I am fully alive to the desirability of having full information, and if the right hon. Gentleman can suggest any way of overcoming these difficulties I shall be only too happy to consider it with him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the intention of the. Government to proceed with the proposed Agricultural Conference?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he is aware that there, exists a widespread desire that the Agricultural Conference called by the Government should meet as early as possible; and whether he can afford any information as to the date upon which the first meeting of the Conference will take place?

In view of the refusal of both of the Labour Unions to take part in the proposed conference of agricultural interests, the Government have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to establish a conference on the lines originally suggested. It was proposed by the Government in the hope that, if an agreement between the different sections of the industry could be attained, this alight prove the foundation of an agreement between political parties as to a permanent national policy. The refusal of the Labour Unions to participate in the conference has destroyed this hope.

I have carefully considered the possibility of providing representation of farm workers other than from the two unions to which invitations were issued, but apart from the fact that such action would be unlikely to contribute to that political agreement which it was the main purpose of the suggested conference to secure, I am informed that in such an event the Council of the National Farmers' Union would withdraw their representatives.

In these circumstances it will be the duty of the Government, on their own responsibility, to frame such proposals for the assistance of agriculture as are consistent with the necessity of protecting the industry from the danger of sharp reversals of national policy, and with this end in view the Government propose, in accordance with their declared purpose of arriving at the greatest possible measure of agreement, to seek the co-operation of, and invite considered suggestions from the representatives of the different sections of the industry.

Can the Minister inform the House when the Government will do this?

We propose to do it forthwith.

Is it not the case that the Scottish Conference on Agriculture is to take place?

I think that question should be addressed to the Secretary for Scotland

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can inform the House as to the progress being made in the reclamation of the Wash?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information with reference to the rebellion now in progress in Kurdistan; and whether the disturbances in connection therewith are confined to Turkish territory?

My information does not extend beyond the news which has already appeared in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give a list of the particulars in which the German Government has already complied with the demands of the Allies with regard to disarmament

I have been asked to reply. The final Report of the Inter-Allied Military Commission. of Control on the general inspection carried out in Germany between September, 1924, and January, 1925, is now being investigated by the Allied Military Committee of Versailles, and it would be premature to issue any statement until the Report of the Allied Military Committee of Versailles has been received and considered by the Allied Governments.

I fear that my question has been misunderstood. I asked what measures of disarmament the German Government have already taken. I am not speaking of defaults.

There is a report which deals with that question, and I think it would be premature to make any statement until that report has been considered.

Are the Government unable to make any general statement as to what degree Germany has disarmed?

We are only unwilling for the moment for fear of misleading the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

Can we be assured that the report will be published?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government is prepared to support the Riffis in their appeal to the League of Nations to settle their dispute with Spain; and, if not, on what grounds?

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government is prepared to support the Riffis in their appeal to the League of Nations to settle their dispute with Spain; and, if not, on what grounds?

So far as I am aware no such appeal has been made. In any case this is not a matter in which the League would have jurisdiction.

Is it a fact that medical supplies are being withheld from the Riffis that have been offered by Red Crescent Societies?

As far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, I defined their attitude in an answer to a question put to me in this House, I think about a fortnight ago. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will be good enough to refer to it; I will try and get him the reference.

I was asking the right hon. Gentleman if the attitude of the British Government is to support the withholding of medical supplies if offered by Red Crescent Societies?

I was inviting the hon. and gallant Gentleman, if he would be good enough to do so, to read the answer I gave to a similar question, and I offered, in order to facilitate his researches, to find the reference for him.

What is the reason for stating that the League of Nations will have no jurisdiction on this question?

I would sooner not make a statement on a matter of that kind without notice, but broadly speaking, it is because it is not one of the cases which, under the Covenant, can properly come before the League of Nations. It is a domestic question, and not an international one.

Are not questions of that sort allowed to be brought before the League under Article 11?

No, Sir; domestic questions are not proper ones for consideration or interference by the League.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that on 12th February last an order was issued to local employment committees depriving unemployed persons of benefit who have not paid eight contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts since 3rd July, 1922; that this order has deprived about 500 miners of benefit at Nantygle arid Blaina, Monmouthshire, since 19th February, 1925; that there are 30,000 miners out of employment in South Wales and Monmouthshire at the present time; that it is impossible for the unemployed miners to obtain work; and will he, therefore, revoke this order and restore unemployment benefit to these persons?

The requirement referred to in the first part of the question was announced and explained in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to the hon. and gallant Member for Bury (Major Aims-worth) on the 11th February. The requirement is imposed in exercise of the power given to the Minister of Labour to suspend temporarily the full effect of the condition imposed by the Act of last August, namely, that 30 contributions must have been paid since the beginning of the last. insurance year hut one. Those who have been disqualified in the Blaina and Nantyglo district have been in receipt of benefit out of the Unemployment Fund for so long that. I fear that it is impossible to restrict the recent order and allow them to remain on benefit for a further indefinite period.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the effect of that order will be to drive these people to the boards of guardians, and that the Bedwellty Board of Guardians have already involved themselves in a loan of £400,000 for the unemployed?

I am well aware that the position of these men is very serious, but I am sure the hon. Member will agree that I cannot, in answer to a question, give a fuller answer than I have given now. without becoming involved in a discussion as to the whole extent and application of the Unemployment Insurance Act. I would, therefore, ask the hon. Member if he will raise the question in the discussion which is going to take place in the course of the next few days.

Is it the policy of the Government to sweep the Employment Exchanges of these cases so as to throw them on the boards of guardians in England and the parish councils in Scotland, with a view to raising the local rates?

That question can be dealt with in the Debate this day week.

asked the Minister of Labour the existing number of unemployed. classified as to men, women, and boys and girls, and the corresponding numbers in 1913: the present number of inmates of workhouses and prisons, and the corresponding numbers of inmates in 1913; and the number of persons who to-day are drawing benefits from Poor Law relief, and the corresponding number of such persons in 1913?

I have consulted the Home Office and Ministry of Health in connection with this question, and have obtained the information which my hon. Friend desires. As the reply is necessarily somewhat long, T will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many appeals upon the ground of tuberculosis have been heard by the tribunal during the past two years: how many have been refused; and how many allowed?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the records of the Ministry do not enable these particulars to be given.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a very large number of men who were gassed in the War have since developed tuberculosis of the lungs, and that there is great dissatisfaction because of the enormous number of men suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs who have been turned down by the tribunals?

That is not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Pensions, and I can only repeat that the records of the Ministry do not enable the particulars asked for in the question to he given.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a man who has lost both legs as a result of war service is entitled to the maximum constant attendance allowance of £1 per week?

Men who have had both legs amputated at or above the middle of the thigh are eligible for the constant attendance allowance of 20s. a week in addition to their pensions. In other cases of double leg amputation the amount of the allowance would depend on the extent of the personal assistance ascertained to be required.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Minister of Pensions in the last Parliament but one—the same right hon. Gentleman who is Minister to-day—definitely laid it down in this House that all men who had lost both legs as a result of war service were entitled to the maximum attendance allowance?

I am afraid I cannot say what happened in the Parliament before last, because I was not here, but as a matter of fact the regulation has always been that it depends on the amount of personal attendance that is necessary to the pensioner, what amount he should receive as weekly allowance.

In view of the various statements that have been. made by Ministers of Pensions in this House, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman set up a Committee to inquire into the different statements which have been made and the regulations which are now being quoted?

I do not think there have been many different statements, but I will look into the facts.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is considering the formation of a Foreign Affairs Committee, on the lines adopted by several other great Powers, and containing a representative, or representatives, from each of our self-governing Dominions?

No. Sir, nor have I had any indica- tion that such a proposal would be acceptable to the Dominions; but the question of working in closer co-operation with the Dominions in connection with the conduct of foreign affairs continues to engage the serious attention of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will recommend to the proposed joint conference that women be given the vote on the same conditions as men; and whether the Government will recommend that women be given the vote at the age of 21?

I cannot at present add anything to what was said in the course of the Debate of the 20th February.

Would the Prime Minister say what age he had in mind when he gave his pledge at the election?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is acquainted with the views of the Dominions on the subject of air and naval disarmament, and will he communicate them to the Hon?

As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, the question of disarmament was among the subjects discussed at the Imperial Conference of 1923, and I. would refer him to the conclusion published on page 17 of the Summary of Proceedings (Cmd. 1987). I am confident that the conclusion there recorded still represents the views of the Governments of all parts of the Empire.

In view of the fact that the situation is rapidly changing, and that the Foreign Secretary is going to Geneva next Monday, will the Dominions be able to, represent their views in the event of the reported rejection of the Geneva Protocol by the Government?

I think the Dominions are in pretty close touch with us on all these matters.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the amount of poor rate levied in the parishes of Blantyre, Cambuslang and Rutherglen, respectively, for each of the five years, 1909 to 1913, and for the years, 1920 to 1924?

I have been asked to reply. As the question involves a tabular statement, my right hon. Friend proposes, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, with a view of demonstrating the possibility of further aerial warfare, he will see that in the next aerial pageant organised by his Department, besides the demonstrations of the bombing of warships and tanks, there shall be demonstrations of the bombing of the residences of noncombatants?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative.

Do you, Sir, consider that this is a question which should have been asked, insinuating, as it does, that His Majesty's Forces bomb non-combatants?

I think it does carry an imputation which is not usually allowed in questions.

On a point of Order. Is it not a fact that this question does not indicate that this bombing is by this country any more than by our enemies?

I would rather not give other than a considered opinion on the point.

Is it not a fact that the British Air Force does bomb unarmed people in Iraq or elsewhere?

The hon. Member must not expect me to express an opinion on that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of works, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that matches manufactures in Czechslovakia are now being supplied to the House of Commons; and whether he can assure that, as far, as is possible, only articles of home or Dominions manufacture shall be use in all Government Departments?

I am aware that foreign matches are being supplied to the House of Commons. The present contract expires on the 31st May next, and I will certainly give full weight to the Hon. Members suggestion before entering into a new contract.

When was this contract made?

Is not the House of Commons prepared to receive light from whatever source it may come?

Is the House aware that when Members go to the Dining Room they are supplied with foreign meat, foreign tea, foreign butter and foreign sugar, and are we going to see that we are supplied with good, wholesome homegrown food?

The hon. Member should try to get himself appointed to the Kitchen Committee.

Will the hon. Gentleman when he replaces the matches also replace the foreign-made globes on the electric lamps on the writing tables? They are all marked "Made in Germany and Bohemia."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the reassessment of the balance of civil pay of certain grades in the Office of Works has now been readjusted on the basis of the bonus which the officers in question would have received had they remained in a civil capacity, in accordance with the recent legal decisions as accepted by His Majesty's Government?

Claims are now being examined and payment of sums-due will shortly be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any Government Departments require an explicit relinquishment of trade union membership from all candidates for posts on the establishment?

There are no general regulations on this matter, which is within the discretion of the heads of Departments. There is no regulation requiring candidates for posts on the establishment to relinquish trade union membership in any of the Departments immediately subordinate to the Treasury.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some such condition is imposed by the War Office?

This is a matter within the discretion of the head of the Department, and I am sorry that I am not familiar with all the details of administration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the post office in Spring burn is inadequate for the business done and will he state how soon more commodious premises will be provided?

I am aware that the space in the Spring burn Town sub-office premises is restricted: but, unfortunately, it has not been possible to obtain more commodious accommodation at a reasonable rent. The lease of the existing office has been renewed until Whit-Sunday of next year only, in the hope that by that date the search which is being maintained for larger premises may have proved successful.

Has inquiry been made regarding three other sites which have recently been disposed of close to the present Post Office, and, further, is the hon. Gentleman aware that the living and working conditions inside the post (Ace as at present arranged are far from being healthy?

I am quite aware that the conditions in the office at present are not good. As regards the first question, I have no doubt those propositions were considered. If the hon. Member will address me a further question in regard to details I shall be happy to give him an answer.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that certain sites have been acquired for picture houses and entertainment businesses which could have been got quite, easily for the post office, and why did he not get them?

The hon. Member had better put that question down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether users of oxalic acid still have to pay an import duty, although this commodity is no longer manufactured in this country?

Duty is chargeable on all oxalic acid imported into this country when not of Empire origin. The manufacture of that commodity in this country has been in suspense for some time, but I understand that preparations are now being made for its production here by a new process.

Do we understand that the duty on this acid has had no effect on manufacture in this country at all?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the setting up of an appeal tribunal for the officers of the police and prison services?

As stated in reply to previous questions. my right hon. Friend is giving the whole question his careful consideration, but he is not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Home Secretary, with reference to his offer specially to consider the case of those police pensioners who were advised to retire from the service prior to the new scale of pensions which came into force in April, 1919, how many applications his Department has received for such special consideration; whether he has been able in any case to arrive at a decision favourable to those concerned; and whether he will state what the estimated cost would be of making a general concession in this matter?

So far as I can discover, no such oases have been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice since his promise to the hon. Member. Two cases, and only two, had come to light previously in which a pensioner's retirement had been advanced at the instance of the police authority or the Chief Officer of Police, and in both these cases the pension has been re-assessed by the police authority, with the Secretary of State's concurrence. I do not know on what basis it is suggested that any further concessions should be made, and I am unable to give any figure in reply to the last part of the question.

Is it not within the recollection of the hon. Gentleman's Department that I have sent in many such calks, and cannot the Secretary of State see to it that those who retired a few days previous to the increase in pensions may in some cases have the benefit of it where the hardship is particularly great?

That is just my difficulty. I understand that no cases have been sent in by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. If he has sent in cases they do not seem to have reached the Department. Perhaps he will send them again.

Has my hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the fact that a great many of these men were asked by the authorities to retire on 31st March in order that the younger men who had gone to the Front might come back to the service at once and so save increasing the whole number of the Force, and, if so, does he not consider that that is a case which should be favourably considered by the Home Office?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will send any special cases he has in mind to the Home Office.

I have sent them.

asked the Home Secretary how many children have been born in prison during the year ending-31st December, 1924; and whether he will consider the provision of extra food and nourishment for expectant and nursing mothers whilst in prison?

It will take a short time to obtain the information as to the number of births. Inquiry is being made. Extra, or special, diet is provided for all expectant and nursing mothers.

From the humanitarian point of view, will the hon. Gentleman make provision that these children shall be born elsewhere than in gaol?

It would require legislation to carry that out.

Will my hon. Friend introduce legislation?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the Poplar women prisoners was permitted to leave prison because of the condition in which she was?

When the confinement is going to take place at the end of a sentence, the mother is released.