asked the Undersecretary of State for India what were the circumstances which necessitated the appointment as private secretary to the Secretary of State of a gentleman not already on the staff at the India Office; and whether he will state the salary paid to this officer before and after his transfer?

It was considered that, having regard to the volume if work, justification existed for a special additional appointment of assistant private secretary to the Secretary of State for India. The salary paid to the gentleman appointed to this office- is at the rate of £5000 per annum, plus Civil Service cost of living bonus. He was receiving the same rate of salary before transfer.

May we understand that, when this gentleman is being engaged to play for the butterflies, that the duties which are so important are being performed?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to introduce a family pension fund for the uncovenanted services in India, as recommended by the Islington Commission and by the Lee Commission; and, if so, whether he can indicate the probable date by which the proposal will be formulated and announced?

The introduction of a family pension fund for uncovenanted services is under investigation, and it is hoped that it will be possible to make an announcement on the subject in the near future. No indication of the date can, however, be given at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether in considering the representations of the memorial submitted by the Foremen's Association of India, he will take into consideration the fact that the pay of these men does not permit them properly to educate their children, and hardly to educate them at all; and whether, as it is undesirable that the children should thus suffer, he will see whether, in respect to this particular aspect of the document submitted, he can make reasonable concessions?

My Noble Friend is in correspondence with the Government of India regarding the question of educational facilities for the children of officers of the foreman class in India, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the matter will receive careful consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State, for India whether arrangements have been made recently for the affixing of a largo notice on the India Once Stores overlooking the River Thames; whether the notice in question is an advertisement; if so, will he state what rent" is received for its exhibition: whether it is to be displayed for a fixed period and, if so, for how long; whether the policy of using Government buildings for disfiguring advertisements has received the sanction of the Cabinet; and if he will state whether the Government propose 10 give the necessary facilities for the Advertisements Regulation Bill passing during the present Session?

The High Commissioner for India, acting as the agent of the Government of India has leased the advertisement rights on the river front of the India Store Depot for a period of five years from the 10th February, 1925, at a rent of £525 per year. The latter part of the question should be addressed to the Home Office.

Are any precautions to be taken that the form of advertisements is approved, so that any eye-sore may not be created?

As the advertisement is already there I am afraid that the eye-sore is there and will stop.

I understood the Noble Lord to say that the contract for a period of five yeas. Surely some precaution will be taken as to the nature of the advertisement displays?

if my hon. Friend wants details, perhaps he will put a question on the Paper. All I can say is that the advertisement is there, and that the High Commissioner for India, acting as the Agent of the Government of India, put it up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government, will issue an Order in Council extending the provisions of the Colonial Solicitors As to the Irish Free State so that Irish solicitors may be permitted to practise? in England on the same terms as English solicitors are permitted to practise the. Irish Free State?

I am advised that under the provisions of Section 3 of the Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922 (Session 2), no Order in Council can be made; applying the Colonial Solicitors Act. 1900, to the Irish Free State unless and until the Parliament of the Irish Free State passes legislation to the effect that the Act may be applied to the Irish Free State as it may be applied to self-governing Dominions. No such legislation having been passed by the Government of the Irish Free State, His Majesty's Government are not in a position to take any action in the matter. I may add that on the passing by the Parliament of the Irish Free State of the Solicitors (Ireland) Act 1898 Amendment Act, 1923, which provides that English solicitors and Scotch law-agents may practice in the Irish Free State, the Government of the Irish Free State invited His Majesty's Government to consider the issue of an Order in Council applying the Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900, to the Irish Free State. His Majesty's Government in reply informed the Free State Government that they are ready to take into consideration in consultution with the appropriate authorities in this country the question of the issue of an Order applying the Act to the Irish Free State with such exceptions, conditions and modifications as might appear to be necessary so soon as the necessary additional legislation had been passed by the Free State Parliament, but they have received no further communication from the Fret State Government on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the circumstances and publish the Papers relating to the proclamation in the Irish Free State altering the terms of reference to the Wood-Renton Committee, which was appointed to consider and assess claims for damages in the Irish Free State?

The circum stances giving rise to the new terms of reference in question have been set out in the answer which was given to the hon. Member for Central Portsmouth on 16th December last, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. and gallant Member, and papers relating thereto have been published in the Command Paper (Cmd. 2,446) which was presented to Parliament in June last.

Was it not within the knowledge of the, Colonial Office, when they assented to the alteration of these terms of reference, that it entailed a heavy increase of liability to the British Government, to pay for compensation that it would not formerly have paid?

All those considerations were taken into account both last year, when the matter was under consideration, and right up to the end.

Is it not a fact that this proclamation actually varied the terms of an Act of Parliament passed by this House, and is that legal?

I am assured that it is legal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any reply from the Governor of the Bahamas with reference to the recently issued prospectus of the Bahamas International Trading Company, which indicated that the president, two vice-presidents, and other members of the Legislative Assembly are members of the board?

I have received telegrams from the Governor of the Bahamas which contain some information, but indicate that a full report will be sent by post. I propose to await the arrival of the full report before making any statement on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the large profits made by rubber companies, as is shown by the last report of a rubber company with head offices in London, the original shareholders of which have received an annual average dividend of 70 per cent. for the last 21 years, he will reconsider the policy of limitation of production of rubber in the Malay Peninsula which has been put-in force with the approval of the Colonial Office?

The legislation in the Malay Peninsula is framed to control the export of rubber and does not restrict its production. There is nothing to prevent an increase of production to meet a continued shortage and, in that event, the quantity which can be exported under the minimum scale of duty will be increased automatically. The whole matter is under the constant consideration of my right hon. Friend, but he is not, as at present advised, prepared to suggest to the Governor and High Commissioner that the present temporary rise in the price of rubber calls for a reconsideration of the existing ordinances.

If what the hon. Member characterises as temporary becomes permanent, will he look into the subject again?

The matter is constantly under review. In view of this sudden and rather unexpected rise in rubber it will necessarily, under the existing ordinance, mean that a greater amount of rubber will be released on 1st August automatically. But the matter is under constant review. If the price remains at the present extraordinarily high figure no doubt the matter will be re-examined.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not consider the advisability of increasing the percentage increase on 1st August from 10 per cent. to 20 per cent.?

Were these Regulations in order last year?

Yes, they were. In reply to the hon. Member for Shore-ditch (Mr. Thurtle) that could not be done simply by the Secretary of State. It is a matter of legislation. Legislation would be required in the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States and Ceylon, to give effect to it. We could not change it without great disturbance.

Speaking generally, the restriction has proved of immense advantage to this country, especially in our dealings with America?

It probably saved the British rubber industry in Malay.

Is the present price not very much below the price some years ago?

In the famous rubber boom prices were even higher than they are to-day.

Twelve shillings a pound.

We must regard the present price as abnormal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department why there is a charge of 6d. for admittance to the cinema hall at the British Government pavilion at Wembley; and, in view of the fact that the tour, of the Prince of Wales is at present being shown there and that the corresponding cinemas of our Dominions and Colonies are free, will he undertake to cancel the present charge?

The charge of 6d. was imposed in order to obtain revenue against the cost of running the cinema. As regards the second part of the question, I will consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, I may add that, so far as I am aware, the complete film of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales' tour could not be seen elsewhere at less than this small cost.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that bath-chair attendants, mostly ex-service men, employed at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley have found it impossible to pay the charge of 4s. per day for the bath chairs, and are asking that this charge should be reduced; and, in view of the hardship inflicted upon these men, who are obliged to pay this sum for the use of the same, irrespective of whether they do any business or not, will he suggest to the authorities that these charges be reduced?

I am informed by the British Exhibition authorities that the bath-chair concessionaires have been considering a reduction in the daily charge made to attendants for the hire of bath chairs, and that the Exhibition authorities have at the request of the concessionaires agreed to a reduction from 4s. to 3s. 6d. as from to-day.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that on many days these men earn nothing, and that 3s. 6d. a day, with their own expenses, is very heavy? Cannot a further reduction be made?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the total amount of the salaries of the 67 administrative officers of the British Empire Exhibition, showing separately the total amount of the five largest salaries paid to the salaried heads of the Exhibition?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that the total amount of the salaries of the 67 administrative officers of the Exhibition is approximately £4,000 per month; that is to say, an average of roughly £60 per person per month. As regards the latter part of the question, it is not usual to give such particulars as the hon. Member asks for. I can, however, assure him that, in my opinion and in that of the Financial Controller to the Exhibition, who was nominated by the Treasury, the salaries of the principal officers are reasonable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the forthcoming Danzig trade fair, which takes place from the 6th to the 9th August; and whether, apart from the announcement in the Board of Trade Journal, any steps have been taken by the Board of Trade to bring to the notice of British Manufacturers this opportunity of exhibiting British products, with the object of developing British trade in Central Europe?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. A considerable number of international fairs are hold every year on the Continent, and, unless any particular fair appears to offer an exceptional opportunity to British exporters to market their goods, it is not the practice of the Department to take special steps to suggest that firms should participate.

Does not my hon. Friend think that this Danzig fair offers a peculiar opportunity for the display of British goods?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total value of goods imported into the United Kingdom in the year 1924 from Denmark and Poland, respectively; and whether he can give the total value of British exports, including re-exports to Denmark and Poland, for the same year?

The imports during 1924 into Great Britain and Northern Ireland of merchandise registered as consigned from Denmark (including Faroe Islands) were valued at £49 millions, and those from Poland (including Dantzig) at £8i millions. During the same year exports (including re-exports) from Great Britain and Northern Ireland consigned to Denmark (including Faroe Islands) amounted to £105 millions and to Poland (including Dantzig) to £5 millions.

How are those credits used, and for what purpose?

They are used for whatever purpose the persons having the advantage of the credits think necessary.

Is there any difference in the way these credits are used from the way in which Russian credits are used?

I am not sure that I understand the question, but I assume that any person or any country possessing these credits uses them in the way which is considered by that person or country to be most advantageous.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider what his hon. Friend the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department said in reference to this matter to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Taylor) in the Debate last week?

I am very sorry; I am afraid I was not present when the Debate was going on, and I do not know what was said.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated result of the first six months of 1925 of the trade balances of the country after invisible exports have paid for the excess of imports over exports?

For the first six months of 1925 the recorded value of the imports of merchandise, together with that of bullion and specie, exceeded the value of exports of the same descriptions of goods by about £206,000,000. The information available does not suffice for monthly estimates of the amounts accruing in respect of the returns on investments abroad, the earnings of our mercantile marine, and the sums due on account of insurance and banking business done for overseas account, and other items included in the invisible exports. The inclusion or exclusion of a particular month may affect the monetary position to a serious extent. Our position in regard to payments in respect of our debt to America has also to be taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade approximately the value of the exports from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the first six months of the present year and the value of the imports during the same period?

The aggregate declared value of the total exports of merchandise from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the six months ended 30th June last amounted to £470,108,25V, including re-exports of imported merchandise valued at £77,449.037. The total imports during the same period were valued at £677,543,832.

asked the Prime Minister whether he expects to receive an interim Report from the Civil Research Committee on the position of the steel industry before the House rises?

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

In view of the grave uncertainty created in the mind of this important trade by recent Government pronouncements, can the right hon. Gentleman expedite the Report of this Committee and make some definite statement before the House rises?

If any uncertainty has arisen, I shall be only too pleased to dissipate it at the earliest possible moment that I am able to make an announcement.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the output from the Clyde shipbuilding yards for the first six month? of this year of 302,753 tons is the greatest since the record year of 1913; and if he can state the numbers of men engaged in the industry in that area in the respective years?

I am aware that, according to figures which have appeared in the Press, the total tonnage of vessels launched on the Clyde during the first six months of this year is higher than that for the first six months of any other recent year; but I understand that the total of all tonnage under construction has been less in recent months than in 1924. I regret that comparable figures are not available as to the numbers of men engaged in the Clyde shipbuilding industry in 1913 and at the present time.

May I ask how much of the tonnage competed during the last six months is tonnage the work on which was suspended for a long time, and finished off during the last six months?

I cannot answer that question so soon after the expiry of the six months period. The figures of Lloyd's are not yet available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that Russia is now exporting coal at a loss, in view of its inability to use it at home; and whether any other countries are adopting the same policy.

I am aware that Russia has been pushing her cal export trade in the Italian and other Mediterranean markets at what are believed to be un-remunerative prices In the case of Germany, also, it appears likely that the difficulty of disposing of colliery output has resulted in forced sales abroad, but I have no definite information on the point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform us what the Government propose to do?

Is this country exporting coal at unremunerative prices?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has satisfied himself that the Clause in the Trade Agreement between this country and the Russian Soviet Government, whereby it was expressly agreed not to conduct propaganda against the British Empire and also to refrain from any attempt by military, diplomatic, or any other form of action or propaganda from encouraging any of the peoples of Asia in any form of hostile action against British interests or the British Empire, has been loyally carried out by the Russian Soviet authorities?

No, Sir. I cannot say hat in my opinion this Agreement has been loyally observed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this Government and its various missionaries have also kept to their part of the Agreement, and have instituted no propaganda against the Russian Government?

Yes, I can certainly say that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this Clause, to which the House attached very great importance, was put into the Trade Agreement if it is not to be enforced?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department in which city, ports, or commercial centres of Russia, British Consuls are stationed: and whether it is proposed to appoint Consuls in other districts of Russia and Siberia for the assistance of British commerce and trade?

Assistant official Agents are stationed at Leningrad and Vladivostok under the superintendence at His Majesty's Mission at Moscow. I cannot say when any further appointments will be made.

Will these British Consuls be instructed in their duties to British nationals?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the majority of farmers understand and accept the provisions of the new Order providing for the slaughter of tuberculosis cattle: and what steps he is taking to make its contents known?

The terms of the Tuberculosis Order have already been fully discussed with representative bodies of farmers, and a copy of the Order, together with a simple explanation of its provisions, is being sent to every local authority, who are required to publish it. As the Order does not come into operation until the 1st September, there seems to be ample time for everyone concerned to become acquainted with its provisions.

What will become of these animals when they are slaughtered; will they be burned or how will they be disposed of?

Send them to the West Ham Board of Guardians.

Stop interrupting down there!

Order!

I did not Lear what was the remark.

Did you not hear what the hon. Member said just now?

No.

That they ought to be sent to the West Ham Board of Guardians —that is what he said. It is not the first time he has made these insinuations.

Order!

You will get a mouse on your eye some of these times.

Order.

It is always "Order "for us, and not for the other side. Is there only to be "Order" for one side?

Will the hon. Member please restrain himself, and allow me to speak? Hon. Members must not throw these interjections across the Floor. It is impossible for me to hear what takes place below the Gangway. It is very disorderly to throw interjections across in this way.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers could employ many more hands if lime, marl and fertilisers were more within their means; and whether he can take any steps to cheapen the production of these articles?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that it would be to the advantage of agriculture in this country if larger quantities of lime, marl and fertilisers were used, but my Department has no control over the production of these materials, or the price at which they are sold. At the same time, I would call my hon. Friend's attention to the terms of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, under which loans may be made to farmers societies for the purchase of lime or fertilisers. I would also remind him that the index figure for fertilisers is very much lower than that of agricultural produce, and that for the month of June the average price of fertilisers generally was only 14 per cent. above pre-War.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the improved outlook for employment on the land he will stimulate the movement of the workers from the industrial centres hack to thy land: and whether he is taking any steps, and. if so what, to that end?

I am anxious to give whatever assistance is possible in the direction indicated in the first part of my hon. Friend's question, and my Department has recently issued a special appeal in the Press and through the employers' organisations to call the attention of farmers to the facilities which are in existence at the Employment Exchanges for the supply of labour. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the notice in question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many town workers who, otherwise, would be disposed to revert back to the land, are prevented from doing so by the fear of being thrown out of work without having any unemployment benefit: and will he take steps to bring agricultural workers within the unemployment insurance scheme?

I have been in communication with the Minister of Labour on that point. Perhaps questions which bear directly upon it should be addressed to my right hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that farmers in West Sussex cannot get labour for love or money?

Yes, I have heard so, and it is in order to assist in such cases that I have taken the action referred to in the answer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the report of the Anglo-Scottish Sugar Beet Corporation, showing that a net profit of £3 l7s. 4d. per ton had been made on a production of 3,086 tons of home-grown sugar; and the amount of subsidy per ton paid by the Government in respect of this sugar?

Yes, Sir. The net amount of subsidy, after deducting Excise Duty, paid to the company in respect of this sugar was. £9 15s. 3d. person.

What has happened to the £5 odd which does not appear as profit? If they received a subsidy of £9 per ton and made a profit of only £3 17s. 4d., what has happened to ':he remainder of the public money?

I do not follow the hon. Gentleman's mathematics. Perhaps, if he gave me an opportunity or seeing his question on paper. I should be able to do so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any of the tithe rent- charge on lands in public ownership was redeemed during the years 1919–20; if so, whether any of it was redeemed by conversion into a terminable annuity; whether the redemption on that basis was compulsory on the tithe-owners at the option of the tithe-payer; and what was the amount of the annuity, to cover interest and sinking fund, fixed in respect of every £100 of commuted tithe so redeemed?

The answer to the first three parts of the Question is 'in the affirmative. The amount of the annuity was in cach case calculated in accordance with the method prescribed by the First Schedule to the Tithe Act, 1918, and varied according to the average amount of rates paid on the tithe rentcharge, the amount of the Land Tax (if any), the cost of collection, and the period of the annuity.

Does this represent a sum of £5,600 for every £100?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in how many cases proceedings have been instituted under Sector 9 (4) of the Agricultural Wages Regulation Act, 1924; how many cases have been to Court; and with what result?

Proceedings have been authorised in six and actually instituted in three cases. Of these, one has been taken in Court, with the result that the employer was fined £6 and £l Is. costs, and ordered to pay all arrears of wages.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to an outbreak of foot-find-mouth disease at Ottringham, Yorkshire; whether he can state the number of cattle effected and the number slaughtered; and whether ho is able to form any opinion as to the possible cause of the outbreak?

The reply to the first part is in the affirmative. Six cattle contracted the disease, and in all, nine cattle and seven pigs were slaughtered in connection with the outbreak. The origin of the infection is at present obscure, but inquiries are not yet completed.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he is aware that the matches used in the dining rooms of the House of Commons have printed on them in large letters, Made in Czechoslovakia; and, in view of the recommendation of the Prime Minister in favour of buying British goods and British goods alone, why this practice is not followed in this House?

The matches at present in use are supplied under a contract entered into last year; tenders for the supply for the ensuing six months have recently been received, and a contract entered into for the supply of British matches.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the major part of the matches used in the House are Bryant and May's?

They should all be British.

They are in our smoking room, anyhow.

Which is yours?

The common-sense smoking room, if you want to know.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what has become of the statues that were removed from Westminster Hall during its rebuilding and reconstruction; and, in view of their public interest, will he take steps to have these statues replaced in their original positions?

The statues in question were lent to the- City Corporation in 1013. The First Commissioner does not propose to have them replaced in Westminster Hall.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the leather used for the recent re-upholstering of the benches in the House of Commons was obtained from Germany: and what was the reason that skins of British origin were not selected, especially having regard to the fact that 60 per cent. of the goat-skins imported into this country come from the British Empire and from India?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the reason for using foreign leather for the upholstery in the Houses of Parliament instead of Empire leather?

I am informed that the leather used recently for re-upholstering the benches in the House of Commons was not obtained from Germany. The skins selected by the firm which undertook the work were of European origin but were entirely manufactured in this country. I am advised that European goat-skins give the most satisfactory results for the class of work required in this instance.

Will the hon. Gentleman say where the goat-skins came from if they did not come from Germany?

Some of them came from Scandinavia and the rest from Switzerland.

Was that contract entered into by the late Government?

Will the hon. Gentleman in future specify that all such contracts shall be fulfilled by British goods?

This question was gone into very carefully, and it was found that the European goat-skins were much more supple and much more durable than any of British origin.

Is not that contention entirely traversed by the best experts in the trade?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the attention of the Office of Works has been called to the obstruction caused to traffic by the new cavalry memorial at Stanhope Gate; whether he is aware that the memorial itself makes it impossible for drivers to see of coming traffic; and whether the question of moving- the gates a few yards to points where greater visibility can be secured will be favourably considered by the Department?

The First Commissioner has not hitherto received any complaint on this subject, but he will have the matter investigated, in conjunction with the police authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of British passport .issued by his Department to British and naturalised subjects for the years 1923 and 1924, respectively?

The total number of new passports issued at the Passport Office in London and the branch office at Liverpool was

1923	…	…	313,983
1924	…	…	233,124

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of Chinese persons killed and wounded by the recent machine-gun fire in Canton: and the number of foreigners of each nationality, respectively, killed and wounded during the course of that demonstration?

The numbers of Chinese casualties are not accurately known: they have been reported to be about 30 killed and 70 wounded, but may have been more. The foreign casualties, as far as known to me, were: Killed, 1 French; wounded, 4 British and 1 French.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make any further statement with regard to the, Government's intentions towards the Russian Government arising out of recent events in China?

I have nothing to add for the present to my previous statements on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is at present any Canadian official attached to the British Embassy at Washington, and, if so, what is his official status?

A representative of the Canadian Department of External Affairs has for some time past been accommodated with an office in His Majesty's Embassy at Washington. He is not attached to the staff of His Majesty's Ambassador, and he has no diplomatic status.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the statute governing the surveillance of the territorial waters of the Tangier zone and the control of the zone has not been put into practical operation although technically in force, and that as a result the whole situation is one of transition and confusion, whilst the commitments of Great Britain are indeterminate; and whether there is any proposal that British troops should be sent to reinforce the native police?

The Tangier Convention is now in practical operation except as regards the surveillance of the Tangier territorial waters and the amalgamation of the two existing native tabors into a gendarmerie under a Belgian commandant. Steps are now being taken to carry out the naval surveillance. The amalgamation of the tabors has been delayed for the reasons stated in the answer just given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland. It is not proposed to send British troops to Tangier.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any steps are being taken to organise a local gendarmerie in the Tangier Zone?

The Tangier Convention provides for the amalgamation of the two existing gendarmerie tabors, under the command of a French and a Spanish officer respectively, into a force of 350 men under the command of a Belgian commandant. This step has been postponed, first owing to the non-arrival of the commandant and now owing to the present troubles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present amount of the accumulated surplus which has arisen from the funds allotted to the payment of the interest on the Turkish Guaranteed Loan of 1855; how is it invested; and how will it be employed?

The accumulated surplus referred to has been invested from time to time in various securities issued or guaranteed by the British Government, and there is no present intention of modifying such arrangements. The nominal value of the securities now held is £642,400.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention to commence the next Session of Parliament before Christmas?

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

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the Government naval shipbuilding programme?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has yet been able be secure any measure of international co-operation to prevent or limit the discharge of oil at sea; whether he is aware that oil so discharged is at present causing a loss of fish and bird life and inconvenience to sea bathers; and whether he will take all possible steps to ensure that the nuisance is abated without delay?

It is hoped that an International Conference will be called by one of the leading maritime Powers to deal with oil pollution, and if such a Conference is called the Board of Trade will do all they can to assist it, but no definite proposals for international action have yet been made by any Government.

I am aware of the inconvenience and dangers caused by oil pollution, and would call the attention of my hon. and gallant Friend to a White Paper on "Oil in Navigable Waters" which has recently been published by the Board of Trade.

Is there any known method whereby oil can be separated from bilge water?

I know there have been a good many experiments in that direction, and a number of British shipowners have been making efforts, quite voluntary efforts, in that way, and, as my hon. Friend knows, as far as lies in our power, within territorial waters, we have done everything that is possible in reference to this matter.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department considered the question as to whether any attempt has been made to collect the exhaust into tanks, and since that has been a success is it because it would take up the same space as carrying coal and, therefore, make oil dearer, that that method has not been adopted?

No. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The prohibition against putting oil into the water within the three miles limit, which we can control, is absolute. The difficulty that arises to-day on the English coasts is, I think, entirely due to the deposit of oil outside the three miles limit, over which we have no control.

The statement has been made that we have no control over this, and yet all our sea-going ships from this land can be controlled so far as that is concerned, outside the three miles limit. I want to know whether anything has been done to control that.

The hon. Member again forgets that, while it is quite true that you can put certain obligations upon British ships which you cannot put upon foreign ships, unless you get the same obligations on the foreign ships you do not get the advantage for the people on the coasts, and yon merely put a grave limitation and expense upon the English ships.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the three miles limit has, in accordance with international law, been extended for certain purposes to a 12 miles limit, and might not a similar extension be adopted for the purpose of preventing the destruction of fish and birds by the discharge of oil fuel?

Thai does not arise.

asked the- Prime Minister what steps he intends to take at the present time to prevent the publication in arsenals and Government factories of subversive Communist literature?

I have been asked to reply. My attention has been called to several of these pernicious documents, but as at present advised I do not think it worth while taking legal proceedings.

Is it a fact, as stated in the question, that these publications have actually beer published in factories, or merely distributed in factories?

Distribution of the documents is technically publication. They have been distributed in and outside several factories.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the most useful form of propaganda for the Communist party is in consequence of the constant advertising it gets in this House?

That is one of the reasons why I do not think it worth while prosecuting.

But does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable to stamp out these things in the bud and not let them grow into a tree or a flower?

Arising out of the latter answer of the right hon. Gentleman, which was to the effect that the Government did not consider it wise to advertise the Communists, does he now agree that the attitude which was adopted was precisely the same in the Campbell case?

Did it not have very bad results on the Labour party?

Is the right, hon. Gentleman aware that this class of literature receives its widest circulation through the free circulation in the official documents of the Conservative party?

No, I do not think so, added to which the people who read the official documents of the Conservative party would, I think, not be 'harmed by this literature.

rose—

Party questions really do not arise.

asked the. Minister of Health whether Clause 24 of the Widows, Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pensions Bill, which makes provision against double pensions, applies only to those in receipt of allowances from the Ministry of Pensions; or will it prevent a man who receives an inadequate pension from a local Poor Law or municipal authority from taking an old age pension from the State?

There is nothing in Clause 24 of the Bill which would deprive a retired employé of a Poor Law or municipal authority of an old age pension to which he might otherwise be entitled under the Bill. I should, perhaps, add that many employés of local authorities will not be insured for old age pensions under the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Department is making full use of His Majesty's dockyard. Devonport; and what is the value of the stores and other supplies ordered from Devonport by his Department in the course of the past financial year?

As regards the first part of the question, full use is made, whenever possible, of the facilities afforded by this and other dockyards, the allocation to any particular dockyard of the orders for marine craft, marine craft repairs, cordage and other stores requisitioned by this Department being a matter for the Admiralty. As regards the second part of the question, the claims presented show that the cost of stores ordered and work done for the Air Ministry at Dovonport Dockyard in 1924–25 amounted to, approximately, £3,800.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if any stores that could be purchased from Government supplies are purchased from private concerns?

I could not say without notice. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put a question down, I will give him an answer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that children's allowances are stopped, in addition to marriage allowances, when a naval rating refuses to live with his wife, through no fault on the wife's part, and are payable to a guardian other than the wife, whereas it was obviously not the intention of the Regulation so to penalise a mother, who is better qualified to look after her children than any guardian, he will take steps to confer with the other Service Departments concerned with a view to modifying this Regulation?

The matter is not quite so simple as the hon. and gallant Member's question would suggest. Payment of marriage allowance in respect of such children would involve an allotment by the naval rating which he might not be willing to make. The question was discussed in September, 1923, by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Marriage Allowance, but I will look further into the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion, and let him know the result.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the assumption that the Bank of England note issue and the currency note issue had been combined, what was the total note issue and the value of gold held on the dale on which the gold standard was restored, and on the latest date for which the figures are available?

The combined figures for the Bank of England Issue Department and the Currency Note Account are:

	29th April, 1925.	8th July, 1925.
	£	£
Total notes issued	408,212,500	418,850,496
Gold held	153,906,315	157,047,415

Has there been an expansion of credit since the restoration of the gold standard?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as the first War Savings Certificates will reach maturity early next year, if he is going to give holders an opportunity of continuing their investment for a further period?

The matter is under consideration, and i have no doubt that some such arrangement will be made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps are being taken to dispose of the locomotives which have become sin-plus for disposal since the Armistice?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the reply, which is a long one, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the arrest of Mr. W. P. Rea in connection with a constitutional meeting of the unemployed at Peckham on 24th June; will he have inquiries made as to in what manner any breach of the law or regulations was committed by Mr. Rea's action; and will he define the regulations as regards open-air public meetings?

Rea's offence was obstructing the traffic on a public highway. He did this deliberately, after having been warned that the place ho had chosen for calling a meeting was unsuitable for the purpose. The law on the subject is quite simple; no one is permitted to obstruct a highway for the purpose of a public meeting.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the proposal to make compulsory the insurance of motor-car owners against third-party risks, he will say what percentage of the owners of private motor cars are at present insured against third-party risks; and what was the number of cases during 1924 in which an owner of commercial vehicles has been unable to pay the damages awarded against him in respect of an accident to a third party?

I regret that I am not in possession of the information sought by the hon. Member, nor indeed do I believe that any reliable figures are obtainable. From general information in my possession, however, I believe the proportion of motor vehicles (both private and commercial) in respect of which insurance policies against third-party risks have been taken out to be very high.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that at Blackfriars Bridge the granite setts are being removed and wooden blocks put in their place, whereas at the Elephant and Castle wooden blocks are being removed and granite setts put down instead; and if he will state the reasons for making these changes?

In each of the two cases referred to by the hon. Member the existing paving was due for renewal, and the highway authorities concerned in one case preferred to renew with wooden blocks and in the other with granite setts. I may point out that the nature of the traffic in the two places is not the same. At Blackfriars Bridge it is mainly through traffic, and at the Elephant and Castle slow moving cross traffic.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the two places in question are under one authority. That is what I want to know?

No, Sir. One is under the City of London, and the other under the Borough of Southwark.

What is the reason for all this chopping and changing about that is going on?

The hon. Member will agree with me that this is a matter primarily for the local authority to decide.

May I ask if there is any advice given to local authorities as to the way they mend their roads?

The general practice is to leave this matter to the decision of the local authority. But, undoubtedly, if the Department strongly dissented from any action taken, it could make representations because for certain roads they find a proportion of the cost.

Has the right hon. Gentleman got any control over local authorities when ripping up these roads from time to time, and has he attempted to advise them to have continuous work?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the steps taken by the Government and the Dominion Governments, as outlined in the Annual Report of the Overseas Settlement Committee for 1924, have failed to bring the flow of migrants from this country to the Dominions up to pre-War figures, what, if any, further steps the Government propose to take to extend the dimensions of Empire migration: can he explain how it happens that, whereas before the War the average number of migrants per year was 200,000 and this without any financial assistance from the Imperial Government, the average has now fallen to 150,000; and what sum of public money has been expended on Empire migration since financial assistance was sanctioned by Parliament?

Since the 8th August, 1919, when the Government free passage scheme for ex-service men was announced, the total expenditure on State-aided migration to the 31st March last was £3,347,000, of which £327,000 is loan money, and recoverable. In spite of this expenditure, and of corresponding expenditure on the part of Dominion Governments, the economic conditions in the various Dominions have not been such as to create a large volume of migration. A general discussion of all the factors influencing the situation is not possible in an answer to an oral question, and I can only refer my hon. Friend again to my reply of 8th July. I need not add that the Government here are most anxious to co-operate with the Governments of the Dominions in every way, in order to secure a better and healthier distribution of the population of the Empire.

Is it not a fact that, so far as Australia is concerned, the policies of the present Governments of the States are the main cause of the failure?