asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether Reports concerning the murders of the Post Office runners on the Patagram, Mathabhanga, and the Kasipalayan Kurumandur lines in May and September last, respectively, were forwarded to his Department; can he say whether any compensation has been awarded to the next-of-kin; and whether, in view of the increase in the number of such murders, recommendation will be made to the Indian Government as to the arming of runners?

No such Reports have been received. In accordance with their usual practice, the Government of India will no doubt grant compensation to dependants in these cases if the circumstances justify it. Runners are at present armed with spears, but the Government of India are examining the question of the advisability of providing them with revolvers.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army is a member of the executive committee of the Council of State; and, if so, under what authority he occupies that position?

There is no executive committee of the Council of State. The Commander-in-Chief is appointed a member of the Governor-General's Executive Council under Section 36 of the Government of India Act by Royal Warrant. He is nominated as an official member of the Council of State by the Governor-General under No. III of the Statutory Electoral Rules for that body.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the introduction of Mr. Pradhan's modified Local Option Bill into the Bombay Legislature was vetoed by the Governor, Sir Leslie Wilson, after consultation with the Viceroy and the Secretary of State, he will say on what grounds the Secretary of State took the step of refusing permission to allow discussion of this subject?

Sir Leslie Wilson did not consult my Noble Friend before refusing to allow the introduction of this Bill.

May I ask whether Sir Leslie Wilson has given any grounds for his refusal to allow discussion of this Bill?

Is it not the practice that no grounds need be given?

Is it not the policy of the Secretary of State to leave to local government and governors discretion in these matters?

The answer to all three questions is, I think, that it is within the statutory competence of the Governor of Bombay to refuse to allow the Bill to be introduced, and there is no obligation upon him, tinder law or by constitutional practice, to give any reason for so doing.

May I ask whether, in view of the moderate character of this Bill, we are to understand that the Governor will not allow any discussion of any question of local option?

That is a question, if I may say so, that I do not think I am entitled to answer.

Will the Noble Lord—

On a point of Order. Is it not the rule that the proper place for questions of this sort is the Legislature of Bombay, and not here?

I did not see anything in the original question to which I could take objection, but I do not think the matter ought to be pursued.

What I wanted to ascertain was whether we in this House can find out in any way the grounds of the Governor's objection to this Bill.

That has been already answered by the Minister.

Is it to the advantage of this House or the administration of Indian affairs that matters of this kind should be discussed, question and answer, in the way the right hon. Gentleman is doing?

I do not wish to fly in the face of your ruling, Mr. Speaker, but are we not entitled to find out what actuates the Governor in preventing this discussion?

It is not a matter for this House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the recommendation of the majority of the Muddiman Committee that politicians who had been imprisoned for political offences should now be permitted to stand for legislative councils and assemblies has been rejected by the Government of India; and, if so, why?

The Government of India have given effect to the recommendations of the majority of the Muddiman Committee on this subject, and then notifications were presented to the House on the 16th November. I shall be glad to send the hon. and gallant Member a copy of a resolution issued by them on the 20th October in further explanation of the matter, if he requires it.

Are we to understand that this concession by the Government meets absolutely the point of the Muddiman Committee Report; for instance, are people now barred to be allowed to stand for the Councils?

The position is that under the now regulations it is open to any person who by reason of the regulations is barred from being nominated, to apply to the local government, or to the Government of India, as the case may be, for permission to stand.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the cost to the Exchequer of the Council of the Secretary of State for India in 1913–14 and in 1925–26?

No charge fell on the Exchequer in respect of the Council of India in 1913–1914, the entire cost of the Secretary of State's establishment being then borne by Indian revenues. Since the passing of the Government of India Act a contribution has been made by Imperial revenues to the cost of the India Office. The approximate amount included, in respect of the Council of India, in the contribution for 1925–1926, was £18,400.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India the amount and what is being done with the large sums of sterling remitted to this country by the Government of India as a means of pegging the rupee exchange at about 1s. 63/16d.; and when does the Secretary of State propose remitting the amount back to India?

The remittances from India in the current financial year amount to about £26,500,000. Apart from £3,000,000 credited to the paper currency reserve against the issue of notes in India, the balance (namely, £23,500,000) remains at the account of the Home Treasury towards meeting the estimated remittance requirements of the year. The utilisation of drawings from India depends on their amount, money market conditions in India, and other factors which it is not possible to predict. My hon. Friend will understand that Government's permanent policy regarding the rupee exchange cannot be determined pending the Report of the recently appointed Royal Commission.

May I ask whether the pegging of the rupee exchange in this way does not affect our trade?

I cannot altogether accept the hon. Gentleman's interpretation of the situation as it stands, and I hope he will allow me to answer any farther question on the subject when the permanent policy is decided on, which will not be until after the Report of the Royal Commission.

In view of the effect of the pegging of the exchange on the export trade of Lancashire, are we to understand that there is. as stated in the question, a definite pegging of the rupee exchange at 1s. 6 3/16d.?

No, I have already said I cannot accept my hon. Friend's premises.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will state, actually or approximately, the total number of officers of the provincial services who have been officially recognised as of non-Asiatic domicile?

The information required can be obtained only by reference to the Government of India, to whom a telegram of inquiry has been sent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will state the conditions under which Europeans are recruited in India to the subordinate services; whether the question of domicile arises; whether they are engaged for permanent service or liable to dismissal at notice; and whether generally they are subject to conditions of leave, pay, pensions, or allowances in any way analogous to those under which the members of the All-India and provincial services hold their appointments?

Conditions of entry to the subordinate services in India are fixed by the Government of India and local Governments under whose control those services are, and I regret that information is not available as to the Regulations in force in different provinces, or as to the points referred to in the second and third parts of the question. As regards the last part of the question, the leave and pensions of the subordinate services are at present regulated as in the case of the All-India services by the Fundamental Rules and the Civil Service Regulations; but, subject again to the Fundamental Rules, the fixation of their pay and allowances is a matter for the local government concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what decision, if any, has been come to as the result of the consultations between the Government of India and the provincial governments in regard to the consideration of applications from individual officers of the provincial services of non-Asiatic domicile for the extension to them of all or any of the privileges accorded in accordance with the All-India services in accordance with the recommendation of the Lee Commission?

My Noble Friend hopes to receive the recommendations of the Government of India on this subject at an early date. A decision on it will be expedited as much as possible, once those recommendations have been received.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he can state the reason why Mr. S. C. Bose, who is at present under detention at Mandalay as a political prisoner, is not allowed to receive copies of the Calcutta newspaper, "Forward"?

Mr. Bose already receives two newspapers, the maximum number permitted under the Regulations. My Noble Friend proposes to consult the Government of Bengal as to the possibility of substituting "Forward" for one of these.

May I ask whether there will be any objection to Mr. Bose having warm slippers and a hot-water bag?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will lay Papers relating to the negotiations between the Government of India and the Union Government of South Africa in connection with the anti-Indian legislative proposals of the latter Government?

Communications are. still passing between the two Governments, and I do not think that any good purpose would be served by laying Papers.

Can we be assured that Papers will be laid before any legislation by the Government of South Africa is passed into law?

It would be quite unconstitutional to promise that, for the reason that the Government of South Africa have an absolute right to pass any such legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the policy of the Government with regard to the Amani Institute?

I am glad to be able to say that the Governments of the East African territories are prepared to grant sufficient funds to enable the Institute to be reopened. The necessary capital expenditure in this connection can be found from the proposed guaranteed loan for which a Bill will in due course be laid before Parliament. His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the importance of Amani for the future development of East Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies out of what funds the Tabora-Shinyanga line in Tanganyika Territory is being constructed; whether a suitable route to connect Shinyanga with Mwanza has been surveyed; and whether there is any prospect of the Tabora-Shinyanga line being prolonged to Mwanza at an early date, in view of the rapid development of cotton-growing in the region that would be served by this line?

Up to the present construction has been paid for out of loan grants-in-aid provided in current Colonial Services Estimates. The preliminary surveys of the Shinyanga-Mwanza section are expected to be ready early this December, and I hope that it will be possible to start construction as soon as the route has been settled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if representations have been made to him with regard to the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture; and whether he can state what are the intentions of the Government with regard to the college?

Representations have been made to me with regard to the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture and are receiving the serious consideration of His Majesty's Government; but I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the intentions of the Government in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large sum of money is required for this valuable institution before it can really do the work that is necessary, particularly for a hostel, and there is no accommodation at present for the students?

I am fully aware both of the great importance of the work and of the amount of money still required to make that work possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the average amount spent per head upon the education of white and African children, respectively, in Kenya Colony?

The average amount per head spent by the Government of Kenya in 1924 on European, Indian and native; and Arab education, respectively, is shown in the following table:

—	No. of Pupils.	Expenditure.	Cost per head.
		£	£	s.	d.
European	554	23,107	41	14	2
Indian	1,475	11,768	7	19	7
Native and Arab	22,269	31,744	1	11	2

The expenditure on native and Arab education shown in this table includes the education grants by Government to the mission societies, but does not include the expenditure of the mission societies themselves on education.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that there is any justification for the Government spending six times as much on the education of a white child as upon the education of an African child?

That question cannot be argued at Question Time. It should be dealt with on the Estimates.

My question was whether the Colonial Secretary considered that there was any justification for the Government spending six times as much on the education of a white child as on the education of an African child, and may I have an answer to that question?

It would be necessary to bring forward an argument or justification, if justification there be, and that cannot be done at Question Time.

May I ask what proportion of the grant for native education is given to the missionaries and what proportion is for the schools?

I should be glad to answer that question if the right hon. Gentleman would give me notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any further quota of the 4,000 conscripted labourers in Kenya Colony has yet been called out; and, if so, what is the total to date recruited by forcible measures since the permission of the Government to conscript labour for railway construction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The total number recruited was 3,094. It was decided in July that there should be no further recruiting, and all the men had returned to their homes before the 13th of August.

Is there any voluntary labour doing this work?

Yes, Sir. It was only because there was not enough voluntary labour forthcoming for this urgent work that we took steps to conscript labour.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the number of hours these conscripted labourers work and the rate of pay they receive?

I think there is another question on the Order Paper on the rate of pay, and I will inquire as to the question of hours if the hon. Member will put down a question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what is the difference between conscription and slavery?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the rate of pay to the conscripted labourers in Kenya Colony for railway construction; and how this compares with the market rate of wages?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 4th August to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme and to Cmd. Paper 2464. The conditions laid down for the employment of compulsory labour provide that the wages should not be less than those of voluntary labourers by more than 2s. a month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of settlers now occupying the lands which were granted to them under the original Soldier-Settlers' Scheme in Kenya Colony?

According to the latest figures available, approximately 400 farms are actually being worked, and in most cases occupied by the original allottees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of cases of yaws in Kenya Colony last year; and how many of these received adequate medical treatment?

29,402 cases of yaws were treated at Government hospitals and dispensaries in Kenya during the year 1924; and, in addition, 16,125 cases were treated by Government medical officers while on tour in their districts either at out-dispensaries or otherwise. I fear it is impossible to estimate the number of cases which did not come to the notice of medical officers.

What are yaws?

If the hon. Member will write to me. I shall be very glad to give him the medical definition.

Is there any possibility of the Research Institute concerning itself with the investigation and research in regard to this disease?

The Amani Institute is not for the purpose of investigating human diseases but for plants and agriculture. I am certainly very anxious to promote research into health questions as well.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of qualified medical men in the public service and in private practice in Kenya Colony?

According to a return published on the 21st January last, there were 76 registered medical practitioners resident in Kenya of whom 32 were European Government medical officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether be can state the total sum which has been paid to date to King Feisal for personal and diplomatic purposes by this country?

No payment has been made to King Feisal by this country for diplomatic or personal purposes since he became King of Iraq.

Has any payment of any kind been made to King Feisal since he became King of Iraq?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the loan of £10,000,000 to be spent on East African transport has been assigned to research?

No decision has yet been arrived at as to the precise allocation of the funds which will be provided by the proposed loan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether legislation will be proposed during the present. Session for carrying into effect the recent Cabinet decision to accept the recommendation of the East Africa Commission in regard to a transport loan for £10,000,000?

Legislation will be introduced as early as possible in the coming Session to give effect to the Cabinet decision to guarantee loans up to £10,000,000 for developing transport facilities in East Africa.

Prior to the introduction of the Bill or discussion will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to give the details in advance so that we may know what we are discussing?

I will endeavour to see that the Schedules of the Bill are prepared in advance, and we will give all the information we can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the case of Lieut.-Colonel A. C. Tompkins, who was recently employed in the Colonial administration in Cyprus; whether he is aware that Colonel Tompkins has been retired after more than 42 years' public service without any pension; whether a petition from Colonel Tompkins to His Majesty the King has been received at the Colonial Office in which complaint is made as to his treatment while in the public service; and what action has been taken in the matter?

Lieut.-Colonel Tompkins's service was not entirely under the Crown and was for the most part in non-pensionable posts. His service under the Colonial Office amounted in the aggregate to about 6½ years only and the second and third periods of that service were separated by an interval of 27 years. The laws of the colonies concerned do not admit of the grant of a pension in such a case. A petition from Colonel Tompkins to His Majesty was received in November, 1923, asking for an extension of the period of his service in Cyprus or for transfer to another colony; but my predecessor was unable to advise His Majesty to accede to his prayer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how Lieut.-Colonel Tompkins can get all the serious charges he makes in that petition investigated, and why no investigation has been allowed?

I do not think it is a question of charges, but if my hon. Friend would like to raise this question as a separate question I will endeavour to give him an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the growing importance of the tobacco crop in Nyasaland; whether he is aware that the development of that country is held up for want of a bridge over the Zambesi river; and what steps the Government proposes to take to enable this country to develop the tobacco industry as an imperial asset?

The improvement of the communications of the Nyasaland Protectorate with the outside world, a question fully discussed in the report of the East Africa Commission, is engaging the attention of the Government. In the meantime provision has been made for the appointment of an expert tobacco inspector, a step strongly recommended by the unofficial members of the Legislative Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the proceedings of a conference held at Tukuyu last month, presided over by Lord Delamere; whether he is aware that this conference passed a resolution urging that freehold titles to land in Nyasaland should be substituted for the present system of leasehold titles; and whether he is prepared to make it clear to the settlers of East Africa that His Majesty's Government is not prepared to agree to any change in the existing procedure?

I have not yet received a copy of the resolutions of the Conference. The whole question of land titles in Nyasaland is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the work which is being carried out by a committee of the legislature of Jamaica to increase shipping communication with England, and the better marketing of its fruits and other products; and if he can hold out any prospects of assisting a subsidised shipping line between the island and this country?

The reply to the first part of this question is in the affirmative, and to the second part that I shall always be prepared to give very careful consideration to any recommendations which I may receive on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the greater part of the shipping at Jamaica is now in the hands of the Americans, and that the trade of Jamaica is also falling into their hands and is being financed by them?

May we take it that the reason why this trade has fallen into the hands of American shipping lines is because the British shipping lines have shown a lack of initiative and private enterprise?

The shipping is in the hands of Messrs. Elders and Fyffes, who are a registered British shipping line.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information regarding the migration of natives from Portuguese East Africa into adjacent British territories?

Natives of Portuguese East Africa have been migrating into the Nyasaland Protectorate in considerable numbers for many years. At the census taken in Nyasaland in 1921 the number of Anguru, a tribe inhabiting Portuguese East Africa, was computed at 108,204. and it was supposed that there were many more immigrant Anguru who had been adopted into other tribes in the Protectorate. There is also some migration of natives from Portuguese East Africa into the Tanganyika territory, and on a small scale into Northern Rhodesia, but statistics are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which are the railways in Kenya and Uganda that are being constructed with the loan for £3,500,000 authorised by Parliament in March, 1924; what is the present state of construction of those railways; and whether their cost will be wholly covered by the loan?

The new railways to be constructed under this loan are the following:

• Turbo-Malaba River (about 75 miles) in Kenya.
• Mbulamuti-Malaba River (about 110 miles) in Uganda.
• Tororo-Mbale (say 30 miles) in Uganda.
• North Kavirondo Branch (say 35 miles) in Kenya.

The first two are now under construction. It was intended to complete the first by December, 1925, and the second by December, 1926. I have no information showing that these expectations will not be realised, but, owing to the late completion of the Uasin Gishu Railway, of which the first in a continuation, and difficulties in transporting construction material up the main line, some delay may occur. The construction of the other two lines will follow. I have no reason to believe that the cost of these lines will exceed the amount provided for new construction under the loan.

May I ask whether any steps have been taken, or are necessary, to recover for the community the increase in land values alongside these railways?

No special steps have been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the transport loan for £10,000,000 recommended by the East Africa Commission and approved by the Cabinet, will include provision for the construction of the Zambesi bridge?

The importance of the Zambesi bridge is fully recognised, but my hon. Friend will realise the difficulties in the way of utilising loans raised for transport development in British Dependencies for the construction of a bridge in Portuguese territory, the concession of which has been granted by the Portuguese Government to a private company.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the rapid growth of trade with the Crown Colonies and the importance of increasing those Imperial markets, the Government intend to set up any commission or committee to inquire as to the desirability of complete re-organisation of the Colonial Office?

I am, of course, entirely in sympathy with the object that my hon. and gallant Friend has in view, but I doubt whether it would be materially assisted by an inquiry of the kind suggested. One of the objects of the recent separation of the Dominions Office from the Colonial Office was to enable the latter to deal more effectively with the increasing magnitude and importance of the tasks before it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the recent, division of the Colonial Office into the Dominion Office and Colonial Office, the Government propose to set up any inquiry into the functions of the Crown Agents, as there has been no official definition of the Crown Agent's duties since 1905?

I am not aware of any sufficient reason for the inquiry suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. If he has any suggestions to make for the amendment of the existing definition of the duties of the Crown Agents, I shall be glad to give them careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Takoradi harbour will be completed within the time and at the cost stipulated in the estimate given in 1924 by the engineer now in charge of the work; and, if not, what revised estimate has been submitted?

The estimate has had to be revised in the light of fuller information as to local conditions, and the estimated total expenditure is now £3,066,000 and the contract date for completion! 31st December, 1928.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who was responsible for fixing the price of issue of the recent Gold Coast loan; and, in view of the damage done to the Colony by the failure of the public to subscribe more than 2½ per cent. of the issue by reason of its unattractive terms, what steps the Government propose to take to ensure that future Crown Colony loans are issued on terms which will prove reasonably attractive to investors?

The price was fixed in accordance with the usual practice by the Crown Agents, after consultation with their City advisers and with my assent. It is not always possible to judge accurately beforehand what will attract the investing public, but naturally every effort will be made to ensure success in this respect.

Is it not a fact that the last West African loan that was issued met exactly the same fate as this, and will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that in future these West African loans are properly floated?

Every care will be taken to make sure that the loans are floated successfully.

If judicious inquiries had been made in the City, is not the right hon. Gentleman of opinion that it would have been known full well that a loan coming out at 94 on a 4½ per cent. basis must have been a non-success? No one, of course, could have contemplated such drastic results.

Are the underwriters in any way compelled to take up these loans?

No, I presume they thought the public would respond.

Who are the advisers on Crown loans?

asked the Prime Minister if he will, following the regrettable loss of life by the sinking of the Submarine Ml, make representations to the countries concerned suggesting the revival. of the proposal made at the Washington Conference for their abolition?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on Wednesday last in reply to questions on this subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what would be the attitude of other Governments if these representations were made?

asked the Prime Minister in what form, and when, the House will be asked to grant £1,000,000 for the encouragement of the sale of Empire produce in this country; whether, for the purposes of this grant, Great Britain will be regarded as part of the British Empire; and, if not, whether an equivalent and simultaneous grant will be made to encourage the sale of British Home produce?

asked the Prime Minister when he will make a statement as to what action the Government proposes to take in order to give effect to the recommendations contained in the first Report of the Imperial Economic Committee?

The whole matter is at present under the consideration of His Majesty's Government, and it is hoped to make a statement later.

Having regard to the fact that an important Committee has been sitting for some months, can we be assured that we shall get the decision of the Government before Christmas?

I think there are points raised in these questions that were not dealt with when the Committee to which the hon. Member alludes was set up. I cannot say at this moment when we shall have further information to give.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution from the National Building and Engineering Brick Federation protesting against the embargo by the Ministry of Health on the use of bricks, in view of the heavy capital expenditure made by brickmakers at the direct request of the Government during the last few years, with the object of materially increasing output; whether the resolution has received his consideration; and, if so. with what result?

I have been asked to reply. A communication has been received from the Federation protesting against an embargo on the use of bricks on public buildings. In order to permit of the maximum amount of building work being undertaken during the present shortage of bricklayers, my right hon. Friend is encouraging local authorities where there is a shortage of bricklayers and substitution of other methods of construction is possible, to adopt alternative methods of construction for public buildings. My right hon. Friend is afraid that, in present circumstances, it will not be possible to vary this procedure.

In face of that statement, has the hon. Gentleman considered the question of the cost of materials?

Yes, Sir; obviously, that consideration has to be taken into account. While bricklayers are scarce and housing is urgent, we are asking local authorities to consider other methods of construction.

How can the hon. Gentleman state, as a fact, that there is a shortage of bricklayers, when there is any number of bricklayers registered at the various Exchanges? It is no use the hon. Gentleman shaking his head; it is true.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that a large number of newsvendors in London and the provinces have for some weeks been prevented from obtaining supplies of papers and periodicals, by which they earn their living, owing to the action of the printers' trades union in sympathy with a strike in the book trade with which the newsvendors have no concern whatever; whether he is aware that the printers' trades union has forbidden the proprietors of all newspapers throughout the country to supply any newsvendors who previously obtained papers or periodicals through the wholesale newsagents, Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Company; and whether he proposes to take action, by legislation or otherwise, to bring this state of affairs to an end?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that an arrangement has now been made under which the news- agents concerned will receive the supplies of papers and periodicals which they require.

On the facts indicated in the question, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the Government do not intend to take any action to protect these unfortunate men from having their businesses ruined at the caprice of a union with which they have no concern? As this is a very serious matter for my constituents, one or two of whom have been nearly ruined, may I ask the Prime Minister to let me have a reply?

I have nothing further to add to the reply that has been given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the newspapers this morning have notices posted up that the strike is settled?

asked the Prime Minister whether the accountant's statement in relation to the shale workers' dispute in Scotland contains figures showing the watered capital in the business?

I have been asked to reply. The Report will be published shortly, and I would ask the hon. Member to defer any questions he may have regarding its contents until he has had an opportunity of reading it.

Is the Prime Minister, in view of the serious situation in the Scottish shale industry, prepared to consider the holding of a public inquiry, so that the whole matter may be investigated? May I press for an answer, seeing that the subject is of importance? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

The hon. Member must please resume his seat when I rise. This is a new matter, which should be given to the Prime Minister on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether it has been decided that a conference of representatives from various Governments will be held at Peking on 18th December to inquire into and discuss the present practice of extraterritorial jurisdiction in China; and whether any representative from China will be among those taking part in the conference?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Chinese Government will appoint a representative to sit as a member of the Extra-Territoriality Commission, in accordance with the Resolution of the Washington Conference.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House which of the Chinese Governments will be represented?

There is only one Chinese Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to provide legislation for the continuance of Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921, which expires on the 18th August, 1926, either in its present or in some revised form?

I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this matter.

asked the Prime Minister if, in order to prevent dumping, he will introduce legislation for the automatic imposition of a duty on any goods which form the subject of inquiry by a Commission set up under the Safeguarding of Industries procedure, such duty to be levied from the date of the public announcement that such an inquiry is to be held, with the proviso that if the Committee's Report is adverse the temporary duty would be refunded?

I have noted my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, and I would refer him to the reply which I gave on Wednesday last in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford (Sir F. Wise).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Post Office now levy 6d. on all parcels coming in here for examination?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government has yet come to any decision regarding the application of the Safeguarding of Industries Act to the superphosphate industry, in view of the fact that the Committee inquiring into the conditions of this industry reported on 24th June, 1925?

As was stated by the President of the Board of Trade, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith on the 28th July last, the Government, in view of the findings of the Committee, do not propose to take any further action in this case.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has further considered the possibility of a new Disarmament Conference; whether he has had any communications with the leaders of other Governments on this subject; and, in particular, whether he contemplates the possibility of another conference on naval armaments?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answer given on the 18th November to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. G. Thorne).

May I ask, arising out of that, if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that this matter was being considered when first he took office, and now, as nearly a year has passed, can he not report any progress?

I do not see how that can possibly arise out of the answer to which I have referred the hon. and gallant Gentleman, as to which, I think, he is not informed.

asked the Prime Minister when the Government intends taking the Second Reading of the Education (Scotland) Bill?

I hope that an early opportunity will be found for the Second Reading of this Bill, but I cannot make any definite statement at the moment.

Since, as the right hon. Gentleman may be aware, this is practically an agreed-upon Measure, can he not bring it forward on an early day? It would have gone through last week but for the action of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and of the Home Secretary as well.

No!

My experience is that few Bills need more discussion than agreed Bills.

As this is a matter affecting Scotland, and Scottish Members were deprived of the opportunity of getting it passed last Tuesday, will the right hon. Gentleman introduce it this week, and have it passed this week?

It all depends on how the business progresses.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to introduce during the present Session of Parliament the Bill for the Prevention of Seditious and Blasphemous Teaching which passed the House of Lords in the Session of 1924.

I have been asked to reply. The question whether any amendment of the law in regard to sedition is desirable is under consideration. I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a publication entitled "The Grammar of Anarchy," containing speeches by such well-known sedition-mongers as himself, Lord Carson, and other noted men?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government possesses, and can supply this House with, detailed and authoritative information as to the extent of the proposed reductions in the Japanese naval estimates; whether the Japanese programme in the largest class of cruisers is thereby affected; and whether, if so, it holds out any hope, consistently with the due maintenance of British maritime interests, or economies in the British Government's naval programme?

I have been asked to reply. The only authoritative information received in the Admiralty as to the Japanese naval estimates is that they show an increase from 227 million yen voted in 1925–1926 to 239 million yen proposed for 1926–1927. With regard to the last part of the question, no reduction in the British programme of new construction is contemplated.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not seen a Reuter telegram to the effect that the Japanese Diet has postponed the whole naval programme for 12 months?

I have seen reports in the papers, but I am asked to give all the information I have authoritatively, and I have given it.

How is it that a very important matter like this has not been reported, in view of the fact that we have a Naval Attache at Tokio?

Of course, it has been reported to the Admiralty.

If it has been reported to the Admiralty, is it a fact that the programme has been postponed for a year?

I have said I cannot give any authoritative statement, except what I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many natives of Nigeria were tried, sentenced to death, and executed without being allowed the assistance of counsel in the courts during the year 1924?

The number of persons executed in 1924 after trial in the provincial and native courts was 72.

I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would state the number of persons executed without having had the assistance of Counsel. That is the question on the Paper.

I think there is a full answer.

Does that mean that none of these people had the assistance of counsel at all?

I am certain they were tried fairly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the peace of the mandated territory of Palestine has been disturbed in any way by the risings in Syria; and whether any of His Majesty's forces or gendarmerie have taken any part in the fighting on or near the frontier of the two mandated areas?

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

Has the right hon. Gentleman given any undertakings to M. de Jouvenel in reference to co-operative action, and if so, do they imply any military commitments?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before any action is taken upon the forthcoming Report of the Irish Boundary Commission, this House will be given an opportunity of discussing it?

In view of the situation created by the resignation from the Boundary Commission of the representative of the Irish Free State it is not possible for me to say at the present stage what course will be adopted.

Does the resignation of a member from the Boundary Commission render any report it may give inoperative except in an advisory capacity?

There is another question at the end on the same subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he had any communication to make to the House on the present situation of affairs with reference to the Irish Boundary and Boundary Commission?

I have nothing to say, except that I have learned in the last 10 minutes that the Boundary Commission themselves intend to issue a statement forthwith. I will keep in touch with the right hon. Gentleman as to that.

May I have an answer to the question I asked earlier in the afternoon, whether in this case of the resignation from the Boundary Commission, the Report that is forthcoming becomes inoperative because of the resignation of a Commissioner, and can only be held to be of an advisory capacity?

I cannot make any statement on that subject at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any settlement has been arrived at of the claims for compensation' for wrongful detention at St. Laurent of the captain, first officer, and engineer of the British steamer "Edith Cavell"?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris presented a request to the French Government on 29th August for a grant to these men. He has now been informed that in view of the fact that French Colonies enjoy financial autonomy the request had been referred to the Governor of French Guiana, who alone was competent to decide what action should be taken in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will give comparative figures showing the number of persons who attended the British Empire Exhibition last year and this year?

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that the total number of persons who paid for admission to the Exhibition in 1924 was 15,080,490 and that the corresponding figure for this year was 7,589,704.

How much will the loss be this year?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department when the accounts of the British Empire Exhibition will be issued; and whether, having regard to the guarantee given by His Majesty's Government having to be met. an opportunity will be given to this House to discuss the accounts?

I am informed by the liquidators of the British Empire Exhibition that the final accounts cannot be ready for a considerable time, but I hope shortly to be able to give the House approximate figures up to the 31st October. The matter can be discussed when the House is asked to give effect to the Government guarantee.

Will all the guarantors be treated on the same basis?

All private guarantors, of course, will be treated on the same basis.

All of them?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture which, if any, of the farm settlements started under the Land Settlement Act of 1919 is being run at a profit, and the expenditure to date which has been incurred in this direction by the State?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. and gallant Friend's question presumably refers to the profit-sharing farms established by the Ministry under the Small Holdings (Colonies) Acts, 1916 and 1918. Out of six properties acquired for this purpose, four are no longer retained by the Ministry; of the remaining two, one is at Amesbury, Wiltshire, and the other at Patrington, East Yorkshire. The Ames-bury farm is being worked without loss, the average return obtained over the six years that it has been in operation being about 487 per cent. per annum on the farming capital originally invested in the undertaking. For further particulars of the results on these two farms reference should be made to the volume of "Trading Accounts and Balance Sheets, 1923–24," where the facts relating to each are fully set out.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what progress is being made in scientific research into the causes of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he is considering proposals from the National Farmers' Union or any other representative agricultural body for the development of research methods;

(2) what steps have been taken by the veterinary staff of the Ministry to test the inoculation and other suggestions for the cure of foot-and-mouth disease, and with what results?