asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the appeal made by Mr. Ghandi to the Government of India on the occasion of the death of Mr. C. R. Das, in which he expressed the hope that political prisoners would be released as a tribute to the memory of Mr. Das and to placate Indian opinion and to ensure the inauguration of a favourable atmosphere: and whether the Government proposes to take any action in the matter?

My Noble Friend is always glad to consider suggestions for allaying animosities in India, but this suggestion does not seem to be practicable.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is no better time than the present, and no better chance of showing our good faith than by the release of these prisoners?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when the Public Services Commission, recommended by the Lee Commission, to consider the grievances of those services, will be constituted?

Correspondence is still proceeding with the Government of India and no date can be fixed at present for the constitution of the Commission, but it will be set up without avoidable delay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a decision has yet been reached on the memorials from officers of the Indian Service of Engineers serving in the buildings and roads branch of the Public Works Department in the United Provinces which complain of reorganisation adversely affecting their pay and prospects; and whether he will explain the, reason for this reorganisation, in view of the policy concerning the all-India services as set out in the proviso to Section 96B (2) of the Government of India Act, 1919?

The memorials referred to have not yet been received from the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of cases in which European employés of the Government of India have been superseded by Indians without adequate reason and in which compensation for the injustice so done has been refused: and whether he will intervene in such cases to procure justice for officials superseded?

The Secretary of State in Council has in recent years received memorials in which unfair super-session has been alleged, and has, in consultation with the Government of India given most careful consideration to the circumstances of each case. But he has not found any case in which it could be held that the local government, in whom the discretion is vested, of selecting officers for the higher posts, had so used that discretion as to justify his intervention.

Will the Noble Lord answer the last part of the question—whether any compensation is to be given to these officials?

The last part of the question asked whether my Noble Friend would intervene and procure justice.

I refer to the question as to compensation.

Of the cases that have come to his notice, my Noble Friend is not aware of any where a grievance has been established. There is, under the Statute, provision made for the consideration of these cases by the appropriate authority, which is the Government.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether any instructions have been issued to the Commander-in-Chief in India in consequence of the Chinese crisis; and, if so, what is the nature of these instructions?

It would be contrary to the public interest to answer questions of the kind, and my Noble Friend is not prepared to give any reply.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he is aware that torture is practised in the Multan Gaol, situated in the Panjaub, the torture consisted of ear holding, shoe heating, indiscriminate thrashings, extortion of money from prisoners' relatives by maltreating, and threat of maltreatment; and what steps he proposes to take to put an end to such practices?

I have seen a Press report of a judgment dealing with the practices in this particular gaol. The Government of India have been asked by telegram for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Auxiliary Force, which is strictly confined to the European community, and the Indian Territorial Force, which is a similar body for Indian citizens of education and responsible position in life, receive similar treatment in respect of pay, railway travelling, hospitals, and barrack accommodation, and the granting of King's commissions; if not, whether he can state the differences; and why they are maintained?

Questions of this nature were considered by the Auxiliary and Territorial Forces Committee, but my Noble Friend does not propose to go into them, until he has received the views of the Government of India on the Report of that Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Parsis of Bombay, who formed in March, 1922, the first territorial battalion of the Bombay Pioneers, were granted the rights and privileges of the Indian Auxiliary Force; and why these rights are now being gradually withdrawn?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) on 29th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Ordinance brought into force in Hong Kong to permit the flogging of strikers is permanent or temporary; if the latter, for how long it will remain in force; and whether his approval of this Ordinance has been given?

No Ordinance has been passed in Hong Kong which permits the flogging of strikers: flogging is only permitted under the recent Ordinance as a punishment for intimidation by violence and other grave offences. I do not know whether the Ordinance is of a permanent or temporary character, but when it is received in this country that aspect of the matter will be fully considered.

Will the hon. Gentleman report when this document is received?

I doubt very much whether we are likely to receive this Ordinance before the House rises. It was enacted by the Hong Kong Legislative Council as an emergency measure only on 1st July, and probably it will not be here until the end of the second week in August.

I do not complain of that; but I shall be glad to be informed.

Has the hon. Gentleman any information as to how many people, if any, have been flogged?

Yes; we have had an intimation from the Governor that none has been flogged. The object of the Ordinance is to prevent outrage rather than to inflict punishment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to be in a position to publish particulars regarding forced labour in Kenya Colony?

I hope that the Paper will be published on or before 29th July.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that about two months ago he promised that we should have this Paper shortly?

It has been in the hands of the Stationery Office some time, and it is wholly a question of the urgency of other Government printing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the average rate of wages paid for native labour in the Colony of Kenya; and whether the maximum penalty that can be inflicted on a native who refuses to fulfil his agreement to work may be, approximately equal to a year's wages?

The normal rates for unskilled farm labour in Kenya are eight to twelve shillings a month, with food in addition. Higher rates are, of course, paid for railway construction, wharfage work, etc. The maximum penalty, apart from imprisonment, for offences under the Ordinance is 100 shillings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of grants of land originally made under the soldier settlers' scheme in Kenya Colony, and the number of the original grantees now occupying their grants?

1,031 farms were allotted, of which 215 have reverted to the Government and 46 have not yet been taken up, as the allottees are still serving. Of the remaining 770, 734 are being worked, and as it is known that 225 have been transferred from the original allottees, the number being worked, and in most cases occupied, by the original allottees is between 519 and 545.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Federated Malay States Government have permitted the release of 5,000 tons of non-coupon rubber, held by Chinese dealers, upon the payment of an export duty of 42 cents per lb.; if the whole of the amount must be exported or any part thereof; and, seeing that it would be in the interests of rubber producers and actual consumers that when any action such as this is contemplated a declaration should be made by His Majesty's Government beforehand, so as to check as far as possible speculation in the commodity, will he consider taking some such steps in the future?

I have been informed by the High Commissioner that, acting under legal advice, he has released some 6,000 tons of non-couponed rubber consisting of stocks held by dealers prior to the imposition of restriction. I understand that the owners of this rubber will under this decision be at liberty to export all or any part of it at the rate of duty mentioned by my hon. Friend. As regards the last part of the question, I will bring his suggestion to the notice of the High Commissioner.

Will the hon. Gentleman endeavour, if at all possible, in effecting what he considers to be best in the interests of the industry and of the country, to leave no uncertainty in the minds of the public as to the intentions of the Government?

My right hon. Friend, I understand, is making some reference to this matter in his speech this afternoon.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is complaint made in many of the industries throughout the country that they are already suffering for lack of the raw material?

Yes, we have had representations. This sudden and unexpected and partly artificial rise in the price of rubber has, of course, been taken very seriously into consideration.

Is it not inevitable that if you have artificial production and distribution of rubber there will be artificial rises in the prices?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received information that the Malta Trade Unions (Constitution) Act was not passed in the Assembly by the majority of two-thirds required by the Constitution; and whether, under the circumstances, he is prepared to advise the issue of letters patent to effect the purpose of the Bill or to indicate what other course he proposes to follow?

The Governor has informed me by telegram that he has reserved the Act for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure, and that a despatch transmitting it is on its way. On receipt of the despatch I will give full consideration to the points raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of direct taxation paid by the white population in Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Tanganyika, Kenya, and Uganda?

In Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland an Income Tax is imposed, the incidence of which is almost entirely upon Europeans. In Northern Rhodesia the estimated receipts for 1925-26 are £35,000 (of which approximately 90 per cent, will be paid by companies); and in Nyasaland £15,000.

In the Tanganyika Territory there is at present no Income Tax or direct taxation upon Europeans.

In Kenya the estimated receipts from the non-native Hut and Poll Tax in 1925 are £25,000. The sums collected from Europeans and other non-natives are not shown separately, but the Europeans numbered 9,651 out of a total non-native population of 45,633 in 1923.

In Uganda the estimated non-native Poll Tax receipts for 1925 are £7,170. The European population in 1923 was 1,289 out of 7,810 non-natives.

Is there no longer any Income Tax in Kenya?

No.

( for Mr. Morris) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated native population and the total amount produced by the Hut Tax in Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Tanganyika, Kenya, and Uganda?

As the statistics desired by the hon. Member are somewhat complicated, I am circulating them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the discussion to-day, could the hon. Gentleman let us have a copy of it before the Debate takes place?

I will ask my right hon. Friend. If the matter is raised in Debate, I understand that I am to reply. The answer is a very complicated one. It deals with the question of the poll tax and other things, and there is a long statement dealing with two sets of figures.

The desired statistics are as follow: — Native Population. Tax (Estimated). Northern Rhodesia 980,000 100,000* (Poll Tax) (estimated) Nyasaland 1,210,344 115,000* (Hut Tax) (estimated Dec, 1924) Tanganyika 4,107,000 550,000*‡ (House, Hut and Poll Tax) (1921 Census) Kenya 2,500,000 517,90 † (Hut and Poll Tax) (estimated Dec. 31, 1923) Uganda 3,119,645 379,730† (Poll Tax) (estimated Dec. 31, 1923) * Financial year 1925–26. † Financial year 1925. ‡ A very small part of this total represents House tax paid by non-natives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Dr. N. K. Lanitis, advocate, of Limassol, Cyprus, has been refused by the British Government in Cyprus a certificate of British nationality, thus depriving him, a Greek Cypriot, of political rights in his own country; whether he is aware of the long connection of Dr. Lanitis with Cyprus, and that his father's grandfather was a priest in the village of Lama and his mother belonged to two old Limassol families, and that Dr. Lanitis himself, though an Ottoman subject, was a volunteer in the Greek army in the Greco-Turkish war of 1912-13, after which he was granted a Greek passport though unable to obtain Greek nationality without living two years in Greece; and whether he will have the matter investigated and the application for British nationality accepted before the elections take place in Cyprus in September?

My right hon. Friend is not fully informed as to the facts regarding Mr. Lanitis's nationality, and he is asking the Acting-Governor of Cyprus to report fully on the matter as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of bales of cotton produced within the Empire in the years 1913, 1922, 1923, and 1924, respectively, and the estimate for the current year?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply: Bales of Cotton produced within the Empire. — India. Other parts of Empire. Total. 1913–14 … 5,066,000 77,000 5,113,000 1922–23 … 5,196,000 109,000 5,365,000 1923–24 … 5,042,000 249,000 5,291,000 1924–25 … 6,058,000 350,000 6,408,000 The figures given refer to bales of 400 lbs. The 1924–25 figures are estimated,

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the South African Minister of the Interior has introduced in the House of Assembly at Cape Town a Bill aiming at a very considerable reduction in the Indian population there, not by forcible means but by application of pressure; has His Majesty's Government here ascertained how application of pressure will be accepted as being different from force by His Majesty's Indian subjects in Africa; and how does the Government propose to ascertain and protect the opinions and rights of the British-Indian population in South Africa?

I have seen the reports of the Minister's speech which appeared a few days ago in the Press, but I have no further information on the subject, and I am not in a position to make any statement. The hon. Member will, however, have seen from the reports of the speech that the Indian Government is at present in communication with the Government of the Union of South Africa regarding the position of Indians in South Africa.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure us he will make the necessary investigation and obtain confirmation or otherwise of the report?

I rather think we are supplied with the South African "Hansard" but it is not customary, in dealing with a self-governing Dominion, to ask for a special report of a particular speech by a Minister responsible to the Parliament of that Dominion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Government is prepared to alienate for settlement land in the southern highland region of Tanganyika: will he state the conditions and the localities, if any, where such alienation of land is to be permitted; and will he undertake that the interests of the native population will be carefully safeguarded?

Under the Tanganyika Land Ordinance. 1923, the object of which is to safeguard the interests of the native population, public land cannot be alienated in freehold title, but rights of occupancy may be granted for terms not exceeding ninety-nine years. I would refer the hon. Member to the Ordinance, a copy of which is in the Library, for the conditions of such grants. No general scheme of alienation is under consideration, and in any alienation the interests of the natives will be carefully considered. There is a limit of 5,000 acres to any single right of occupancy by non-natives except with the special approval of the Secretary of State.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the value of the exports from the United States of America and from this country to Soviet Russia during 1924; and the corresponding figures for the present year up to the latest date for which they are available?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the memorandum of the British Foreign Office of 29th May, 1923, in which it was stated that His Majesty's Government would be quite willing, in case of future infringements of the undertaking about propaganda by the Soviet Government, that the case should be brought immediately to the attention of the Government concerned rather than that such incidents should be allowed to accumulate before complaint is made; and whether he proposes to observe this engagement at the present time?

Yes, Sir. I have borne this engagement, in mind, and in my interviews with M. Rakovsky I have

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the United States are selling more to Russia than we are?

I will give the figures roughly. The exports from the United Kingdom in 1924 totalled over £11,000,000 and from the United States the total was over £9,500,000.

Following is the reply:

The following statement shows the total) exports from the United Kingdom and the United States of America recorded as consigned to Soviet Russia during the periods named:

drawn his attention to the character and continuance of the activities of which His Majesty's Government have reason to complain. I do not, however, consider that any useful purpose would be served or friendly relations promoted by a constant stream of detailed complaints.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, considering that the Government engaged that it would give detailed instances, that it would be advisable to give M. Rakovsky some of the incidents of which he complains?

I have indicated quite sufficiently clearly what it is of which His Majesty's Government have reason to complain. There is no occasion to give details.

Before we rise for the Recess, would it be possible to give the House of Commons that information, which we have not yet had, in detail?

Yes. It is the general failure of the Soviet Government to comply with those undertakings of the Trade Agreement which stipulate that neither party to the Agreement will use its influence to promote or will encourage movements hostile to the other in other parts of the world.

I am aware of that. Might we have the details of where this failure has occurred?

I do not think any particular purpose is served by a string of detailed complaints. The facts are almost notorious, and I cannot think that I am called upon to give details of particular occasions or to disclose the information which is in my possession.

Is it not a fact that members of the Soviet Government have actually boasted openly of their success in undermining the interests of the British Empire?

If they have made that boast, I think they have boasted prematurely.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the claim for compensation of Mr. Joseph Martin, now blind as a result of his wrongful imprisonment by the Russian Soviet Government, has formed the subject of negotiation with the Soviet Government in accordance with the pledge given by the Under-Secretary of State in his reply concerning the settlement of this class of claims to a question put in this House on 23rd July, 1923; whether there has been any result: and, if not, what is the present position in relation to this particular claim?

Yes, Sir, this claim formed the subject of negotiation with the Soviet Government, the result of which was communicated to the House in a reply to a question asked by the Hon. Member for Salford on the 9th May, 1923. No further explanation has been offered by the Soviet Government, and in view of the attitude adopted by them no useful purpose would be served by approaching them at the present time in regard to this and the numerous claims of a similar nature which have been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is acting on behalf of the usual authorities for the enforcement at the British Empire Exhibition of the provisions of the Shops Act, Factory Acts, and Public Health Acts so far as they are applicable?

No, Sir. But I assist, where necessary, by representations to the Exhibition authorities, or otherwise, in securing that the law is duly observed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a decision has yet been arrived at with regard to an extension of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1923, to buyers of agricultural land who have purchased their holdings since the repeal of the Corn Production Act?

Apart from the large financial considerations raised by my hon. and gallant Friend's question, it would, of course, also involve legislation with regard to which I am afraid I can give no undertaking.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the grant to British barley-growers of the same privilege as is given to British hop-growers; and whether he will now consider the desirability of assisting the distressed state of agriculture by the imposition of a duty of 10s. per quarter on foreign malting barley or its equivalent on foreign malt?

I cannot anticipate the provisions of the next Budget, but the hon. and gallant Member is, I think, mistaken in supposing that there is an analogy between the case of malting barley and that of hops, which were the subject of special war restrictions.

Is it not a fact that the last Conservative Government did actually propose a duty on imported malting barley?

There was a proposal for Excise Duty which was found to be inconsistent with the provisions of certain commercial treaties. There was no mention made of this matter in either of the last two Election programmes of the Conservative party.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that where people grow hops the conditions of the soil are quite different from those in which you grow barley, and where the latter is so poor, should not assistance be given to barley-growers?

( for Mr. T. WILLIAMS) asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that six agricultural labourers who were employed by a farmer at Temple Bruer, near Lincoln, have been dismissed and ordered to leave their cottages because one or more of them refused to accept a wage less than that settled by the county wages committee; that the farmer intends to fill their places by Irish labourers who come over ostensibly to work at sugar-beet factories; and will he state what steps he intends to take to prevent sugar-beet corporations and farmers from obtaining surplus Irish labour as a means of escaping their obligations under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924?

The case has been fully investigated and, according to my information, is not accurately represented by the statements in the question.. There seems to have been a great deal of misunderstanding, but there is no evidence of anything in the nature of victimisation. With regard to the last part of the question, I would point out that, even if there were no local labour available and a farmer was, in consequence, obliged to employ labour from other sources, such action in no way enables him to evade his obligations under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act to pay all workers employed in agriculture at not less than the minimum rates fixed under the Act.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that, in the working of the Sugar-Beet Subsidy Act they have to import both labour and capital?

Is it not a fact that one of the inspectors at the present time is investigating allegations of the kind referred to in North Lincolnshire?

That is true. The investigation is actually going on. As to the question of my hon. Friend opposite, he is quite wrong in drawing any deduction that is unsupported by my answer.

Has British labour preference in the sugar-beet factories, having regard to the fact that the British taxpayer pays for the subsidy in connection with them?

The hon. Gentleman may rest assured that, as far as it lies within me, preference will always be given to British labour.

Is it not a fact that Irish labourers are being imported in order to do this work?

There was one case of Irish labour being employed in Suffolk, with regard to which Questions were addressed to me in this House.

Is it not a fact that in the working of this Act one recommendation of the Committee was that the labour should not be British?

Is it not a fact that Irish labourers are employed for the simple reason that no other labour is available?

I believe there are two Irish labourers who are employed, but my information is that they did not come to the farm from Ireland.

Is not Ireland part of the British Empire; and ought these labourers to be regarded as foreigners?

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Depart- ment, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the reasons which induced the First Commissioner in November last to enter into a contract for the supply of matches of foreign instead of British manufacture; and what was the difference in price between the tender actually accepted and the lowest tender for British matches?

( for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): The tender for foreign matches was accepted because the difference in price was such that the acceptance of the British tender could not be justified. I regret that it is contrary to the usual practice to disclose the amount of the difference.

Was it the Government's intention when this tender was accepted on 10th November last, to recommend the purchase of British goods and British goods alone, irrespectice of price?

As a matter of fact, I understand the November transaction was really completed and arranged for before the present Government came into office.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the tender was not completed until 10th November, which was after the present Government came into office?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he can give particulars as to the ownership of the buildings now standing between the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey; and how many of these houses are in private ownership?

The houses referred to are 18 to 29, Abingdon Street, and 5, 6, and 7, Old Palace Yard—that is to say, 15 houses. Five of these houses (5, 6, and 7, Old Palace Yard, and 28 and 29, Abingdon Street) are Crown property, and are in official occupation. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners are the owners of the freeholds of six houses (18 to 23, Abingdon Street). The remaining four houses (24 to 27, Abingdon Street) are in private ownership.

Then only four of the houses are in private ownership?

That is so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the- Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the Epstein bas-relief which has been erected in the bird sanctuary in Hyde Park is now the property of the nation, by whom was the gift made, and by whom was it accepted on behalf of the nation?

The bas-relief was erected by a Committee formed to commemorate the work of the late Mr. W. H. Hudson. It is now the property of the nation in the sense that the First Commissioner has, with the assent of the Treasury, undertaken that his Department shall be responsible for its future care and maintenance.

Do I understand that, if the House of Commons refuses to vote supplies for its care and maintenace, it will be removed to some other position?

Will my hon. Friend represent to the First Commissioner of Works that, in view of these constant disputes, he should cease to sanction the erection of any of these memorials, and leave the parks to the trees and the grass?

The difficulty is that we really do not know which way public opinion is in this matter?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this bas-relief has nothing to do with the memorial to W. H. Hudson, which is a bird sanctuary and lily pond: that the memorial inscription is on the stone work round the lily pond; and that the bas-relief could easily be removed to some other place, where the lady would suffer no further disfigurement?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the space allotted in the Imperial War Museum is inadequate for the display of naval exhibits, and that many interesting naval trophies are now stored in the open air and gradually going to ruin; and whether he can see his way to making early arrangements to remedy this state of affairs?

The First Commissioner is aware of the inadequacy of the existing exhibition space. A number of naval exhibits, although in the open, are covered with tarpaulin and are kept cleaned and well greased by the museum attendants. As regards the last part of the question, it will not be possible to arrive at any final decision as regards the provision of additional accommodation until there has been an opportunity to consult the new governing body of the Imperial Institute.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that in the last eight months no fewer than 150.000 people have been admitted to that museum, and that grave disappointment is invariably expressed at the condition of affairs in regard to the naval exhibits?

The First Commissioner of Works is quite aware of that fact and we are only too anxious to find proper accommodation. We hope to get that accommodation as soon as possible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that about one-third of the collection cannot possibly be exhibited in the present circumstances; that most important exhibits are stored in the most unfortunate places, between barrels of oil and other inflammable subjects on the one side and heaps of empty boxes on the other side of the storage; that they may at any moment catch fire and that a fire has taken place in the immediate vicinity—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—and that, unless something is done at a very early date, this important collection is in danger of destruction?

It is impossible for me to answer all these questions to the First Commissioner.

The hon. Member was really giving information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the intention in regard to the use to be made of the Geological Museum in Piccadilly; and where the Geological Museum is in future to be housed?

Provision has been taken in the current year's Estimates for the erection of a new Geological Museum on a site adjoining the Natural History Museum at South Kensington. When this building has been completed, the disposal of the existing premises in Jermyn Street will rest with the Commissioners of Crown Lands, who are the freeholders.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of putting: the existing building into a good state of repair and utilising it for the Imperial War Museum?

I believe the Ministry of Agriculture is the Department to which my hon. and gallant Friend should refer, but I will mention the matter to my right hon. Friend in charge of that Department.

Will the cost of this museum come on the nation?

In the current Estimates there is an Estimate for £1,000, to start with.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that Warwick Priory, a fine Elizabethan house with a later wing in the English Renaissance manner, is threatened with early demolition; and whether the Ancient Monuments Department of His Majesty's Office of Works is putting The Ancient Monuments Act, 1913, into action with a view to preventing the loss of this building?

The First Commissioner is aware that this building is threatened, but he very much regrets that, for financial reasons, he is unable to intervene under the Act. I may say that the First Commissioner is acutely conscious of the loss which the district would suffer by the destruction of this fine old mansion. He very much hopes that a local effort will be made to save it, and has appealed to the Mayor of Warwick to use his influence to this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the independent commission appointed by the League of Nations to investigate the Turkish-Iraq question returned with their recommendations several weeks ago, it can be ready in time to enable Members to have an adequate opportunity to consider and, if necessary, to discuss it in Parliament before the Adjournment in August?

The hon. Member appears to be labouring under some slight misapprehension. The commission will submit their report, not to His Majesty's Government, but to the Council of the League of Nations. Should that body decide to publish the report, I shall be perfectly willing, if Parliament is still sitting when actual publication takes place, to place a copy in the Library for the use of the hon. Members until such time as additional copies are obtainable.

The hon. Member will, in view of the above, realise that a discussion in Parliament before the matter has been discussed by the Council of the League of Nations, would scarcely be decorous.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when that Report will be presented to the League?

I cannot say that, because I do not know. The hon. and gallant Gentleman continues to question me as if this Commission were an agent of the British Government. It is not; it is an agent of the League.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has made any representations to the Icelandic authorities with regard to their treatment of British fishermen since he assumed office; if so, on how many occasions, on what dates, and in connection with which cases; and what was the result of such representations?

Instructions were sent to His Majesty's representative at Copenhagen to make representations to the Danish Government in regard to fines imposed on masters of British trawlers for technical offences against the Icelandic fishery regulations, in the following cases: on 5th March in regard to the "Veresis"; on 7th March in regard to the "Malvolio"; on 20th March in regard to the "Waldorf"; on 15th May in regard to the "Ninus," and on 24th July in regard to the "Quercia." No replies have yet been received to these representations, and His Majesty's representative has been instructed by telegram to endeavour to expedite matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a Report on the case of Skipper Mason, of the Hull trawler "Lowther," who, on running into Dyrafjord after breaking his arm and thigh, was fined £125 by the Icelandic authorities for not having his gear properly stowed; and what action he is taking in this case and other cases of severe sentences on British fishermen for technical offences inflicted by the Icelandic authorities?

I cannot yet add anything to the reply given in answer to a similar question put by the hon. Member for South-West Hull (Mr. Grotrian) on the 22nd July last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inform me when a reply has been received?

Yes, I will. May I qualify that, however, by stating that I will inform the hon. and gallant Gentleman when I am in a position to give him any further information?

Thank you; that is what I want.

I think it is not a question of a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a note from the United States Government relative to the proposed appointment of a commission to inquire into the question of extraterritoriality in China; and whether he will make known the terms of the American proposal?

Communications have passed on the subject between His Majesty's Government and the United States and other Governments, but have not reached a stage at which I can make any public statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any representations have been received from the Government of Afghanistan regarding the construction of the railway through the Khyber Pass; and, if so, what is the nature of these?

Some representations were received two or three years ago to the effect that misgivings were felt in Afghanistan as to the object of the railway. I hope that any such misgivings have since been removed by a realisation of the fact that its construction implies no motive inimical to Afghanistan but should, on the other hand, be a source of advantage to that country.

May I take it that no more recent representations have been received than those referred to by the right hon. Gentleman?

I think that that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the British Vice-Consul in Montenegro is being transferred, he is in a position to give the name of his successor?

Mr. R. H. Tottenham Smith has been selected for appointment as His Majesty's Vice-Consul at Cetinje.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to call an international conference to deal with the necessity of preventing the discharge of waste oil on the sea, which is causing serious loss to seaside watering places and endangering our fishing industry, as well as causing cruelty to sea birds?

I have been asked to reply. It is understood to be the intention of the Government of the United States of America to convene an international conference to discuss the matter as soon as they consider that the time is ripe for such a conference, and sufficient information bearing on the question has been collected. His Majesty's Government have already supplied the Government of the United States with such information as they possess on the matter, and have expressed their desire to co-operate in the conference.

Is it not possible that some of the oil found on the shores round our coasts comes from ships sunk by the submarines during the War round our coasts that have been breaking up?

Yes, I think that is quite possible, and probably that source of oil pollution is already diminishing, but wherever it is coming from that source, it is known.

Is it not a fact that the places where most submarines were sunk show less oil than a great many of the others?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make it a condition in future for holding the office of Governor or Viceroy of territory in the British Empire not to hold directorates in limited liability companies or corporations that are run for profit?

I understand that the hon. Member's question was prompted by two cases of directorships in a company the primary object of which is social betterment in this country. It is the practice that directorates of ordinary commercial or industrial companies should not be held by Governors, and I think it desirable in the future that there should be complete dissociation even from corporations working primarily for social objects.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to increasing the time available to Members for debate, he will consider the advisability of recommending a Standing Order of the House whereby Members who have put down Questions for oral reply, and who are not present when their names are called from the Chair, shall not be granted a second opportunity, cither in person or by deputy, of putting their Questions on that day?

No, Sir. I do not propose to recommend any alteration in the practice at present in force as regards questions on the Paper for oral reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Meston Committee, appointed as far back as 1921 to deal with percentage grants, has not yet considered its Report; and, seeing how close a bearing this question has upon economy in the public services, if he will inquire if the Report of the Committee can be expedited?

to the TREASURY (Mr. Guinness): I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for York (Sir J. Marriott) on the 23rd July.

May I ask whether, as a matter of fact, it is not a different question?

It was exactly this question. The answer was that the Report is in draft.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to a recently published book on export credits and credit insurance; and if he will include within the terms of the newly appointed committee on export credits a full inquiry into the operations of the British Trade Corporation, with a view to ascertaining whether the corporation is carrying out the fundamental objects for which it was granted a royal charter?

I have read the book on export credits, which, I presume, my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. With regard to the second part of the question, I do not think that the suggested inquiry falls properly within the scope of the Credit Insurance Committee. I am unable, therefore, to accept my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has prepared a scheme to stabilise pensions; and, if so, when he proposes to make an announcement to the House?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statements already made to the House on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the question of the unsuitability of the present Employment Exchange at Victoria Street, Bristol, was raised at the meeting of the main committee in September 1923; that as a result of care- ful investigations the Department was recommended to acquire the adjoining premises; that owing to the delay in reaching a decision these premises were acquired for other purposes; that the Department declined to receive a deputation early in 1924; and that after a most careful search for suitable accommodation the premises sub-committee met representatives of the Office of Works and the Ministry of Labour when the proposed new premises were inspected; and whether, seeing that the promise given at that time that a decision would be expedited has not been kept, he will inquire into the matter?

I am aware that the present Exchange premises in Victoria Street are inadequate. The adjoining premises were found on examination to be unsuitable, and the hon. Member is therefore mistaken in thinking that the delay in reaching a decision affected the matter. It has been difficult to find suitable alternative accommodation, but, as the result of an intensive search, my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works is now considering some alternative proposals. Heavy expenditure is, however, involved, and while I appreciate the interest of the local committee in the matter, it is obviously necessary to examine the proposals very carefully.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the position of this office is in a most unsuitable place, as it exposes the unemployed to the view of the people passing through the main road of the city, and will he refer to the Report of the Estimates Committee on this very subject?

As stated in the answer, I am quite aware that the present premises are inadequate and not very suitable, and I am also aware of the Report of the Estimates Committee on the subject.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the pressure under which the staffs of the Employment Exchanges have been working for many months past, he can make arrangements for some alleviation in order to prevent undue strain on the health of the staff?

Arrangements already exist for the prompt adjustment of staff to meet increase of work While I fully recognise that the staff have been unavoidably required to perform a heavy task, I cannot accept the view that the Exchanges are inadequately staffed for their work. Machinery exists for discussion with the staff of particular cases and of the matter generally, and the Department is always prepared to give prompt consideration to representations with regard to alleged staffing difficulties.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the situation has become so serious that a letter has been circulated among Members of this House, pointing out that some are working till midnight, and taking work home for Sunday, and can he say why this state of affairs is allowed to exist?

As stated in the answer, my right hon. Friend does not think that the arrangements on the whole are inadequate. It is quite true that at the beginning of June there was considerable overtime work, but that amount of overtime has been diminishing ever since.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women at present registered as unemployed who have been offered but have refused employment as domestic servants, and have subsequently drawn unemployment benefit?

I regret that no statistics on this point are available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total cost of the Government dockyards in 1913–14 and the estimated cost in 1925–26?

The figures are being prepared, and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The details promised are as follow:

The establishment and incidental expenditure (salaries, works, and machinery costs, general yard expenses, police, pensions, etc.) on the Royal Dockyards at home in 1313–14 was £1,496,806. The estimated figure for 1925–26 is £3,217,062.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of ranks and ratings in the Royal Air Force Depot at Uxbridge?

The strength of the Royal Air Force Depot, Uxbridge, on the 30th June last, was 170 officers and 1,549 airmen; this figure. includes 127 officers who, though technically on the strength of the Depot and posted there for various reasons (namely, sickness, employment on courses of instruction at universities and elsewhere or on other special duty) are not borne against the establishment of the Depot or actually employed there, I officer and 95 airmen belonging to the Royal Air Force Central Band, 727 recruits under training, and 202 airmen awaiting posting or on leave pending discharge.

Do these figures include the instructional and teaching staff?

I have not the exact figures, but I will give them to the hon. Member if he will ask me another question on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health what official expert investigation into the effect of mental deficiency upon the national life is now in progress; who are investigators; and when may their Report be expected?

The Board of Control, in conjunction with the Board of Education, are about to undertake an inquiry into the incidence of mental deficiency; an inspector of the Board of Control has been detailed to carry out the investigation; it is estimated that the inquiry will ake at least a year to complete; and it is not anticipated that any report will be available before that time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of his appeal to the public to buy British goods, he will consider introducing a Regulation that all British-made goods must be so marked, instead of allowing foreign goods the sole privilege of that form of advertisement.

There is no power under existing legislation to introduce the Regulation suggested by my hon. Friend. There is, of course, nothing to prevent British manufacturers from voluntarily marking their goods with an indication of British origin, but I do not think that a Measure to make this compulsory would meet with general support.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that a teacher whose qualifications when employed in a State-aided secondary school entitled him to be paid on the full non-graduate scale rates for salary and pension purposes is treated as an un-certificated teacher if he transfers to an elementary school; what are the reasons for this loss of status and salary of such teachers who transfer from secondary to elementary schools; and will he take steps to put an end to this practice?

In the case of elementary schools the Burnham scales refer only to certificated and uncertificated teachers and teachers of domestic subjects and handicraft. In the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member the teacher would be paid upon the scale (not necessarily that for uncertificated teachers) upon which his qualifications under the Code of Regulations for public elementary schools entitled him to be paid. As regards the last part of the question, the matter would be one for the consideration, in the first instance, of the Burnham Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the annual leave with pay which is granted to men viewers in the stores and clothing inspection department is withheld from women viewers; and whether he would be prepared to rectify this inequality?

I find that leave with pay was granted to the male viewers many years ago as an exception to the general rule that such leave is not granted to workers of this grade. I regret that it is not possible to make further exceptions now, particularly as the Government so recently as March last found it necessary to refuse an application for paid leave for Government industrial employés generally.

May I ask whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman thinks it fair that men and women working on exactly the same type of work should not be paid the same?

I would point out that we are treating the women as the general industrial workers, most of whom are men, are treated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, seeing that commercial travellers are entitled to be placed on the absent voters' list under certain conditions, ho will remind all registration officers of the existing Regulations in this matter before the autumn register comes into force?