asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Esthonian Government have recently made large purchases of ammunitions of war both from Great Britain and America; whether such purchases have been made with the consent of the British Government; whether credits have been guaranteed Esthonia by this country; and, if so, what is the nature of the agreement?

I am not aware of any large purchases of ammunition having been made by the Esthonian Government in this country. I cannot, of course, speak for America. The answer to the remainder of the question is in the negative.

What is the amount of ammunition that has been purchased, and also the description?

I have no knowledge on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any effective steps have been taken by the Cuban Government to bring to justice those guilty of the ill-treatment of British subjects in that country; whether any representations have been made by the present Government; and, if so, whether it is proposed to issue another White Paper on the subject?

Last December His Majesty's Minister at Havana proposed that the Jamaican Government should provide an official to be attached to his staff who would look after the interests of all West Indian labourers from the time of their landing and travel about the country investigating complaints and settling them as far as possible on the spot and in co-operation with the local Cuban authorities. This suggestion was approved both by His Majesty's Government and the Cuban Government early this year, and the latter appointed a special official to co-operate with the new Jamaican official. The new arrangement has been most successful. His Majesty's Representative at Havana has recently reported that he has not had a single complaint of ill-treatment for the last three months, that better conditions prevail everywhere, and that relations with the Cuban Government are now most cordial. It has therefore not been necessary to make any further representations to the Cuban Government during the present year, although, as the hon. and gallant Member will be aware from a perusal of the White Papers issued last year, strong protests have been addressed to that Government in the past in regard to the treatment of British subjects. As regards the third part of the question, it is not considered that there is at present any necessity for the publication of a further White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the present potitioi1. with regard to the evacuation of Cologne by the British forces under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the date for the British evacuation of Cologne?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now make a statement regarding the probable date of the British evacuation of the Cologne zone?

The Allied Governments will order the evacuation of the Cologne zone as soon as the military requirements set forth in their Note of the 4th June have been made good by Germany.

( for Mr. G. THORNE)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is in a position to make a statement with reference to the terms of the Allied Note on disarmament delivered to the German Government?

The text of the Note has been presented to Parliament, and was published in full in the Press last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has been made in the settlement of outstanding questions with the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics; and what is the next step he contemplates towards settling these questions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I have nothing to add to the replies given to the hon. and gallant Member on the 23rd February, the 11th, 18th and 25th March.

Are any steps contemplated at all? The right hon. Gentleman refers to previous answers which are simply negatives. Is the matter under the consideration of the Foreign Office?

That is the question that was put to my right hon. Friend by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I hops he is not trying to induce me to express an opinion at variance with that of my chief?

Has no change taken place since the present Government took office, as they have done nothing at all in the matter?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman was informed that the next step lay with the Soviet Government.

Does that answer mean that the Government are not prepared to recognise Soviet Russia at all, and is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that practically all the other Governments under the sun have recognised Soviet Russia?

Is the hon. Member not aware that the Soviet Government is recognised by His Majesty's Government?

( for Mr. G. THORNE)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Government propose to enter into any negotiations with Russia with a view to the increase of our exports to that country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for the Western Isles on the 1st April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has anything to report on the Ottoman loans secured on the Egyptian Tribute?

I understand that judgment will be given on the 15th June in the action now proceeding in Cairo.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reason an official announcement was made by the Residency in Cairo to the effect that in no circumstances would negotiations be undertaken with the Zaghloul party?

Lord Allenby had full authority to issue such a statement, if he found it necessary, in order to correct the erroneous impression which interested persons were endeavouring to spread in Egypt that His Majesty's Government intended to discuss the political situation with Zaghloul Pasha.

Does that mean that if Zaghloul were successful in the new elections, when held, no negotiations would be undertaken?

That is quite hypothetical.

Is the statement issued by the Residency hypothetical or absolute?

The statement was made under existing circumstances.

Then the statement has no bearing on the future of the Government?

On that point, I have no information to give.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreement has been made with the German Government with regard to giving permission to British aeroplanes to fly over Germany?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith On the 7th May and to the hon. and gallant Member for Hull on the 21st May, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the taxation of the German population per head; and if Section 1, General Provision (236 and 244), Annex II, of the Treaty of Versailles is being carried out by the commission appointed by the Dawes Committee?

From the most recent figures available to me, the taxation raised by the German Republic (excluding taxation raised by the German States) represents approximately 117 Reichsmarks per head of the population. As regards the second part of the question, I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the provision of paragraph 12 ( b ) of Annex II. If so, the Dawes plan was based on an examination of the German system of taxation, and so long as Germany is fulfilling, as she is at present, the obligations imposed by that plan, the question does not arise.

May I point out that I was referring to the Clause in the Treaty of Versailles which, I understand, was incorporated in the Dawes Report?

We were not able to identify the particular cross-heading which the hon. Member gives.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into it, because the Clause states that the taxation of Germany per head should not be less than that of the Allied countries?

The Dawes Committee took that into consideration in framing their scheme, and until Germany is in default there does not seem to be any fresh situation calling for reconsideration.

Then it is not being carried out.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the German payments from reparations from 1st April, and the amount paid to this country?

The total net amount received during April and May, 1925, by the Agent-General for reparation payments in respect of the Dawes Annuity which covers all Allied claims against Germany arising out of the Peace Treaty) was 160,144,943 gold marks. Of this the total net amount paid by the Agent-General to or for the account of Great Britain was 31,468,901 gold marks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the calling, by the President of the United States of America or by the British Government, of a Conference on Disarmament?

As regards His Majesty's Government, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on the 14th May to the hon. Member for Shoreditch. I am not in a position to make a statement as to the intentions of the Government of the United States of America.

Will the present Government welcome a conference on the subject?

That is not a matter on which I can make any pronouncement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can explain the present position of the negotiations for a five-Power Pact?

If the hon. Member will be so good as to repeat his question when my right hon. Friend returns from the meeting of the Council of the League of Nations, which he is at present attending .at Geneva, he will, no doubt, get a more complete answer than could give at the present moment.

At what date?

I cannot say exactly. I think towards the end of next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Report of the Mosul Commission is expected?

I am unable to add anything to the answer given on the 27th May last to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make concerning the disbandment of the additional troops which the Bulgarian Government was permitted to raise?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I returned yesterday to the hon. Member for Shipley, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement with reference to the position in Morocco?

I am not quite sure on what particular point the hon. Member wishes for information. If he has in mind the situation created by the spread of the Riffian rising into the French zone, I would refer him to the statement in the French Chamber by the President of the Council, which was well summarised in the English Press on the 29th of May.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the three strongest naval Powers in the world other than our own give to their admiralties complete control over the provision, training, and development of the air arms of the fleet and air defences, supplementing the work of their navies defending commerce; and what steps the Admiralty are taking to remedy the present anomalous state of affairs in the British Navy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Admiralty are carefully watching the development of the system which was instituted by His Majesty's Government in 1923.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he 16 aware of the decision of the United States Navy Department that all midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy are to receive instruction in practical and theoretical aviation, so that they may qualify as pilots or observers according to their physical fitness; and whether any corresponding air training can be given under similar naval direction in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, part, arrangements are already in force in His Majesty's Navy, under which it will be compulsory in future for all executive officers to undergo a short course in elementary naval aeronautics in aircraft carriers during their service as midshipmen, or in some cases as junior commissioned officers. It will also be optional for all existing commissioned officers of the Military Branch and Royal Marines under a certain age to volunteer for this course.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he will be in a position to announce the Government's programme of new construction?

I cannot name a precise date.

Is this matter receiving immediate attention, in view of the discharges which are bound to take place in the dockyards and shipyards?

Yes, the matter is engaging my attention from day to day.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the present position of the negotiations for the payment of the French Debt?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday to questions by the hon. Member for Central Hull and the right hon. Member for Colne Valley.

Are we to understand that there have been no new negotiations since M. Caillaux took office?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the present position of the negotiations for the payment of the Italian Debt?

I can add nothing to the replies given on the 24th February and the 30th April to the hon. and gallant Member for Hackney, South.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the clinical thermometer industry male workers of full age are being paid wanes which average less than £2 for a full working week of from 48 to 60 hours; and is he prepared to accede to the request of the workers employed in that industry for the establishment of a trade board?

An inquiry was recently made into the earnings in this trade. The Report of the inquiry is at present under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to say what action will be taken.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that these people working from 48 to 60 hours a week and receiving £2 are working at a starvation wage, and will he accelerate this request?

The hon. Member persists in a statement which, as I have told him, I can neither affirm or refute until I have had an opportunity of examining the Report.

The hon. Member has had time to consider the question and examine the matter, seeing that the question has been on the Paper three weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, when considering the terms of his Unemployment Act Amending Bill, he will have regard to the opinions of local authorities as to the effect on their local poor rates of the enforcement of the present Act after October next if unamended; and will he frame his new legislation with the object of relieving the burden of local rates during the coming winter?

My right hon. Friend is bearing these points in mind in framing the Bill.

Will the hon. Gentleman suggest to his right hon. Friend that in framing this Measure he should follow the example of the Minister of Health and submit draft proposals to the local authorities before submitting the Bill to Parliament?

I will convey that suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

also asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed men, women, and juveniles, respectively, for the last convenient date, and for a comparable date last year?

The number of persons on the 2nd June, 1925, recorded on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 1,247,300, of whom 971,200 were men, 213,800 women, and 62,300 juveniles. The corresponding figure for 2nd June, 1924, was 1,002,915 (men 754,661, women 185,731, and juveniles 62,523), but the figure at the date of the Whitsun holiday, 9th June, was 1,027,515.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Minister of Labour told me some time ago that the Government had a remedy for unemployment? Are they going to bring it forward?

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us the reason for this extraordinary increase in the number of the unemployed?

I will certainly give the hon. Member such information as I have. It is largely owing to holiday suspensions for Whitsuntide. Last year during the corresponding two weeks the increase was just over 50,000. Of the 60,000 indicated yesterday, 30,000 come from the north-western area, and about 15,000 are cotton operatives.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what has become of the sense of security in the country since the return of the Tory Government?

That question does not arise.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a lot of unemployment in the theatrical profession is owing to guardsmen being employed as supers?

further asked the Minister of Labour when he proposes to introduce a Bill to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1924?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to introduce this Bill at an early date.

Can we have more precise information at an early date? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the altered Act comes into operation on 1st October, and that unless this Bill passes through all its stages in time, a serious position will arise?

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can inform the House what arrangements are made by the different museums in London in the way of explaining the nation's treasures to visitors; whether guides are available for specific parties of a certain number of visitors; and what is the type of guide employed?

The services of guide lecturers are now available at all the national museums and art galleries in London, with the exception of the Imperial War Museum. Regular lectures are given at stated times, as a rule twice daily. Extra tours for special parties of visitors can be arranged on application to the Director or Curator of the museum or gallery in question Full particulars of the arrangements at each museum and gallery are published monthly in a Stationery Office publication, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. The guide lecturers are men of university or corresponding educational attainments.

The right hon. Gentleman need not send me a copy, because I have one already. Is it not a fact that this excellent work is not sufficiently known, and will he see that every possibility is provided for people obtaining information other than buying for 4s. a document which is not likely to have a ready sale?

We should welcome the co-operation of the hon. Member in regard to this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the trouble to inquire into the conditions under which these lecturers do their work and the pay they receive.

I have inquired. I had a deputation from these museums, and as a result we have increased the remuneration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether some of these guides can be detailed for service in this Palace?

, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether instructions have been issued to tenants of surplus coastguard cottages that they are not to take in lodgers; whether, seeing that in many cases these tenants have been allowed to take in lodgers for a few weeks during the summer months in previous years, and in view of the hardship caused to them by these instructions, he will take steps to have them cancelled?

( for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, as has already been explained to the hon. and gallant Member, it is considered necessary on grounds of policy to prohibit lodgers, and as this is taken into account in fixing the rents of the houses, no real hardship is involved to the tenants.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these tenants have in previous years been allowed to take in lodgers?

The rule has not been rigidly observed hitherto, but, in the interests of the Board of Trade, it must be adhered to in the future.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that soap advertisements are printed upon the back of the notice of the requirements of vaccination; if he will state what amount is derived from this source; and whether it is intended to continue this means of raising revenue?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affimative, and to the last part in the negative. As regards the second part, the amount received for the sale of the advertising space in the current issue of the notice was £136.

asked the Minister of Health when the Report of the Committee on Prices of Building Materials with reference to the increase in prices of the National Light Castings Association will be available?

The Committee are still engaged on their investigation and my right hon. Friend understands it is not practicable to say when their Report will be available.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that it is nearly four months since the Minister of Health in this House made a statement which conveyed the idea that an immediate investigation was to take place, as to these increases in prices, and that nothing has been done for four months?

The Committee have met several times to consider this matter and they have made certain requests to the Association for information. Directly that information is available the Committee will sit again.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any approximate date when the Committee will report?

No.

In view of the fact that requests have previously been made to this body and those requests have not been answered, would it be possible to bring some pressure to bear upon them?

I understand that the Association have offered to allow their books to be inspected by a chartered accountant. When the Report is before the Committee their decision will be conveyed to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in many districts people are still crowded in houses which have been condemned by the local authority; that as a result these houses are not kept in a proper state of repair by the landlords; and that many of them are so dilapidated that the health of the inmates, and especially of the children, is suffering in consequence; and whether he will consider circularising local authorities to give priority to the question of re-housing such tenants and, if necessary, the introduction of legislation to provide special assistance in these cases?

My right hon. Friend has confidence that local authorities generally are fully alive to the desirability of re-housing persons living in over crowded and insanitary conditions, and that in considering the claims of applicants for new houses they give full consideration to persons living in condemned houses. My right hon. Friend is afraid that the provision of special assistance to meet such cases would not be practicable, and he cannot undertake to introduce legislation of the nature suggested.

Does the hon. Gentleman understand that people who are living in condemned houses are not having built any kind of accommodation which they can afford to take and that they are offered houses which they cannot possibly use, because the rent is impossible?

I cannot assent to that suggestion. A very great amount of progress has been made in re-housing the people at the present time, in a larger degree than at any time in the history of this country. Mr. STEPHEN: Will the hon. Member consider the introduction of legislation making it impossible for people to obtain rents for condemned houses?

No, Sir; I do not think we want more legislation, but we want more houses.

asked the Minister of Health the number of authorities that have taken advantage of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts to assist individuals to acquire their homes; and what amount of money has been loaned since the maximum price was raised to £800?

Loans amounting to £i3,615,783 have already been made or sanctioned to assist the acquisition and erection of houses. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPOET details of how this amount is made up.

The following are the details:

Loans under the Small Dwellings: Acquisition Acts have been sanctioned in the case of 236 local authorities. The limit of market value of houses in respect of which advances can be made was raised to £800 by the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, but has since been increased by the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, to £1,200. Since the passing of the former Act the total amount of loans sanctioned by my right hon. Friend's Department under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act for the purpose of advances to owner occupiers is £7,519,511, whilst the London County Council have sanctioned loans to Metropolitan borough councils or themselves made advances direct amounting to £384,685.

In addition, under Section 5 of the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, which authorises loans to persons or bodies of persons for the acquisition or construction of houses not exceeding a market value of £1,500. Two hundred and twenty-seven local authorities have had loans sanctioned amounting to £4,612,149, and the London County Council have advanced £478,930. The Birmingham City Council, under Local Act powers, have also made advances amounting to £620,508. These figures give a total of £13,615,783.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to consider legislation to permit local authorities to grant the full amount of the money necessary to acquire houses, because the workers to-day have not got the necessary amount to put down?

Will the details be given as to the number of individuals?

In reply to the first question, the hon. Member had better put it down on the Paper. The second question is not asked. All the facts asked for will be stated in the answer which is to be circulated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what increase of staff and what annual increase of salaries are estimated as being necessary to carry out the provisions of the Tithe Bill when it becomes law?

It is not anticipated that any additional staff will be rendered necessary in my Department.

I did not ask that. I asked what increased staff would be required. The provisions are to be carried out by the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, and I want to know what the increase of staff and the increased expense will be.

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Queen Anne's Bounty is not a Government Department. I have no information of what extra staff will be required. That will fall within their responsibility, and in regard to it they will assume financial liability.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated amount of the sums payable by the Exchequer in respect of rates under the Tithe Bill; and what is the estimated amount of the working expenses thrown on the Exchequer by the Bill?

I have been asked to reply. I must ask my right hon. and learned Friend to await the issue of the White Paper explaining the financial provisions of the Bill and its effect on administration so far as the Exchequer is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any steps are contemplated towards giving the full control of investigation into murder cases that occur throughout the country to the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland Yard; and if any opposition is being shown to the employment of these specially trained officers by the controlling bodies of the constabulary throughout the country?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Committer of Inquiry into Government printing establishments has completed the taking of evidence; if so, what was the date of the last meeting of the Committee; whether the Report of the Committee has been drafted and considered; and when publication of the Report may be expected?

I am informed that the Committee completed the taking of evidence on the 18th December last, the date of their last meeting, and that the Report has been drafted and will be placed before the Committee for their consideration at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the desirability of making the appointment of Governor-General of Australia harmonise with the political and social opinions of the majority of the States in the Commonwealth, he can say if the Government of Australia was consulted prior to the recent appointment of the hon. Member for Ayr Burghs?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the State in the Commonwealth of Australia, with one exception, are now under a Labour Government, and has he had cabled to him the comments of the Labour Press upon this appointment?

Sir John Baird has been appointed Governor-General of the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth Government is not a Labour Government.

Are not all the States of the Commonwealth, with one exception, under a Labour Government, and has the right hon. Gentleman had cabled to him the comments of the Labour Press on this appointment?

I have not had cabled to me the comments of the Labour Press. It is a fact that the local Parliaments of the Commonwealth are nearly all under a Labour Government, but it is a recognised rule that considerations of politics should be kept out of these appointments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the appointment has been very popular in Ayrshire?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the provinces in Canada appoint their own Governor-Generals, and have not gob them imposed on them from this country?

There is no parallel between the two cases. The Governor-General of Canada is appointed in precisely the same way as the Governor-General of Australia. The provinces in Canada have not got Governors as have the sovereign States of Australia. The provinces of Canada are in a different position entirely from the States of Australia. They have local. Lieutenant-Governors.

Is it not a fact that the basis of politics in this country is entirely different from that which exists in Australia, and that one of the strongest planks in the Labour position in Australia is Imperial Preference?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state when the Report of the Irish Boundary Commission is expected?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government has come to any decision as to the loan of money for the improvement of transport in the East African Dependencies?

It has not yet been possible for any decision to be taken on the question of a guaranteed loan for East African development.

Before any decision is taken as to the conditions on which the loan will be issued, will there be an opportunity for discussing them in this House?

No loan guaranteed by the British Government can be given without an Act of Parliament, which must be passed through all its stages in both House of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health the quantity and money value of liquid and dried milk supplied to mothers and children during the quarter ended 31st March, 1924, in the county borough of West Ham, the borough of Poplar, the

The information desired, as regards the country generally, is not available, but for the financial year 1923–24 the estimated gross expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales on milk supplied to mothers and children was £383,878, and the estimated net expenditure was £174,089.

asked the Minister of Health Whether he will inquire into the circumstances attending the fact that the casual wards of the West Ham Union central homes are so overcrowded that casuals have been compelled to sleep on the floors of the passage ways; and whether he will cause the necessary instructions to be issued to so augment the accommodation that all casuals have sleeping facilities, etc., in conformity with the orders of his Department?

My hon. Friend has caused inquiries to be made, and finds that there is a margin of accommodation available. It would appear that the hon. Member has been misinformed.

( for Mr. WIGNALL)asked the Minister of Health if, as a

city of Birmingham, and the country generally?

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

result of the inquiry conducted by his representative into the condition of the-Jubilee Road, leading to the Pump Hill' schools, near Mitcheldene, Gloucestershire, he has received intimation of the willingness of the local authority and the Crown Lands Department to put the road into a proper state of repair and thus prevent the serious danger to the health of the children attending this school?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiries in this matter at the instance of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, but it should be understood that he has no powers of active intervention, and no investigation on the spot has been made by any of his officers.

( for Mr. LIVINGSTONE)asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to set up a Committee to inquire into the reform of the franchise?

I can make no statement on this subject at present.

In consequence of the very large number of women who voted for the Tory party at the last election will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to extend the franchise so as to increase the number of women?

I will bear that in mind.

( for Mr. BRIANT)asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intends to take steps to carry out the recommendations of the Food Commission?

The Government have decided to adopt in principle the Royal Commission's main recommendation, and to set up a Food Council whose functions will be to carry out the general plan outlined in the Commission's Report.

Will there be a Bill to set up this Council, and, if so, when will it be introduced?

The matter can be fully discussed on the Vote for the Board of Trade.

We cannot discuss legislation on that Vote. Do I understand that a Bill will be required to set up a Council, and, if so, when will it be introduced?

I have not gone Very fully into it, but my impression is that a Bill will not be required.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is to be required? Is there to be tranquility once more— Baldwin's balsam?

( for Mr. BRIANT)asked the Prime Minister whether the Committee appointed to consider the reform of the House of Lords has come to any conclusions; and whether he is in a position to announce the Government's policy on the matter?

I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is of the same opinion as one of his predecessors—that the matter does not brook delay?

( for Mr. BRIANT)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under the proposed new import duties, it is proposed to levy a tax upon the clockwork motors imported by the gramophone manufacturers in this country: and, if so, is it also proposed to include condensers, transformers, valves and other parts of wireless instruments?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. I would, however, point out that wireless valves are liable to duty under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921.

Will clockwork engines be taxed?

Yes; that is in the first part of the original question.

( for Mr. H. WILLIAMS)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decisions have yet been arrived at with regard to large-scale schemes for the elimination of the tsetse fly in British possessions in Africa?

My hon. Friend has no doubt seen in the Press references to the recent meeting organised by the Health Section of the League of Nations, which was attended by representatives of the Powers having interests in Africa. Proposals were then formulated for the despatch of an international scientific expedition to Uganda, under the general direction of Dr. H. Lyndhurst Duke, of the East African Medical Service, and my right hon. Friend sincerely hopes that those proposals will be approved. That expedition, however, would be mainly concerned with further scientific research and the medical side of the problem, and my right hon. Friend trusts that it will prove possible to arrange a more comprehensive campaign for the destruction of tsetse fly in the British Dependencies in tropical Africa on the lines contemplated in the Report of the East African Commission.

( for Mr. H. WILLIAMS)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has been arrived at with regard to the Amani Institute, in Tanganyika Territory?

Yes, Sir; my right hon. Friend has decided that early steps should be taken for the establishment of the institute and for its upkeep as a centre of scientific agricultural research, for the benefit first of the British East African Dependencies, and secondly of tropical economic development generally. The necessary financial arrangements have not yet been settled, but I may say that he regards this matter as one of great importance from an Imperial point of view and that he hopes to obtain the assistance of the Treasury in meeting a portion of the expenditure involved, the bulk of the annually recurrent charges being met from the funds of the dependencies most immediately concerned.

In view of the fact that questions have ended somewhat early, can I put No. 22?

The hon. Member has already asked his three questions. I do not think I can depart from the general rule.

( by Private Notice )asked the Prime Minister whether the French semi-official version of the proposed Security Pact published in the Press correctly represents the arrangement agreed to by Great Britain; if the security of the western frontier of Germany is based on the principle of "mutuality" proposed by Germany; and whether Italy is a party to the proposed Pact?

I can fully understand the desire of the House to have the earliest opportunity of discussing this question and I have already undertaken in reply to a question yesterday by the right hon. Member for Aberavon (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald) that a statement shall be made on the return of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Meantime, I would ask the House to exercise patience in the full assurance that no security pact has yet been signed or will be concluded without the House being given an opportunity for full discussion.

Meantime, in view of certain misapprehensions which have arisen in the public mind, I think it well to say that the position up to date is that the British and French Governments, after careful examination of the German proposals to the French Government of the 9th February, have reached complete agreement on certain basic principles to which any such settlement must conform, and to which there is every reason to anticipate the adhesion of Belgium and Italy.

It is understood that these views will be communicated by the French Government to the German Government, and if the German Government see their way to share them the way will then be open for the actual negotiations of a pact to be negotiated between the Allied Powers interested in the Rhineland and Germany on a footing of equality. The settlement contemplated is of strictly bi-lateral character and is not one-sided as may possibly have been inferred from certain reports that have appeared. The view of both the British and French Governments is that the settlement must be such that it will give the fullest possible security to all the signatory Powers so long as they abide by their Treaty obligations, and that on the other hand it cannot be invoked by any guilty Power to protect it from the consequences of a wilful breach of its Treaty obligations.

I would only add that as soon as the French Government's reply has been despatched to Berlin I propose, subject to the concurrence of the French Government, to communicate its text to Parliament.

I do not want to press the right hon. Gentleman for a decision. Does this Pact refer only to the Rhinelands which the right hon. Gentleman mentioned? Is there any mention of Germany's eastern frontiers or of the frontiers in Eastern Europe generally in this agreement?

I think that had much better be discussed when the documents can be seen and the Foreign Secretary heard. It would be very difficult to answer those points without going at great length into a document which at the moment cannot be made public. I would like to add that, when the communication is seen, there will be nothing that differs in any respect from what has been already stated to the House by the Foreign Secretary.

May I ask the Prime Minister for a better idea as to when this statement will be made? Will it be possible for the Foreign Secretary to be back next week, or must the statement be postponed until the week after?

I am afraid that the Foreign Secretary will not be back until Thursday of next week. Whether it will be possible to have a Debate on Friday or at the beginning of the following week I do not know.

Are we to understand that the documents are to be secret until the House has an opportunity of discussing them? Is Parliament to be left in the dark until the matter is finally sealed and settled?

I have already explained, and if the hon. Member will read my reply, he will find that that point is met.