asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any Report has been received from the Committee appointed to inquire into the Army Canteen Board (India); if so, what are the general conclusions of the Committee; and whether he will make the Report available for Members of Parliament?

Some preliminary conclusions relating to the present financial position of the board have been received, but a final Report dealing with the general question of the future of the board is still awaited. My Noble Friend will consider the question of publication when the Report is available.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be better if the same body which has charge of canteens all over the world should have charge of canteens in India?

Surely that is a question which will arise when the report has been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what qualifications the present director and manager of the Army Canteen Board (India) possessed for his appointment; and whether other persons were considered for the appointment in competition with him?

This appointment is not an official one. The qualifications are fixed and the selection is made by the Board itself. The present holder is described as being of Bombay and as having wide commercial experience, but otherwise I have no information.

Is the present holder now under notice?

No. The present holder is now officiating in his position. He has just been found guilty of a serious offence and has appealed against the conviction. Until the appeal is heard he remains in his position. If he is found guilty by the final Court, he will not he allowed to retain his position.

Is he actually in prison at the moment?

If a man appeals against a conviction, it would be very unfair to deprive him of his position until his appeal has been heard. That is only elementary justice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the result of the trial recently held in which the controller of the Army canteen board at Simla was charged with kicking a native rickshaw coolie to death?

I would refer to my reply given on this subject to the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Livingstone) on the 8th March, to which I have nothing to add.

Is any further action contemplated? Does the noble Lord intend to take any further disciplinary action?

If the hon. Member will read my answer on the date to which I refer, he will see that this case is under appeal. By the Rules of this House it is impossible to discuss by way of question and answer any case which is under appeal, and I must respectfully decline to make any comments upon it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if, in view of the fact that the validity of every order of restriction under the Bengal Criminal Justice Act is limited by law to a period of one year, he will recommend that as and when these orders expire in future there shall be no renewals without a public examination of the evidence upon which the orders are based, in accordance with the ordinary procedure of the law?

No, Sir. A public examination of the evidence is no more practicable at the end of the year than at the beginning.

Does the Noble Lord wish to convey to the House that the Government of India propose to keep those men confined for lifetime without trial?

The hon. Member was himself a member of the deputation which discussed this matter fully with the Secretary of State, and I shall be pleased to answer the question he has put very fully if he will raise the matter in debate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, with a view to extending British markets and relieving unemployment, he will do everything possible to arrange for preferential treatment of British goods in our Asiatic Colonies and Dependencies, namely, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Straits Settlements, Malay States, North Borneo, Brunei, Sarawak, and Aden, which at present do not appear to reciprocate our preference for Empire products?

With one or two exceptions goods imported into Hong Kong and Malaya are not subject to impart duty and my right hon. Friend informs me that there are no customs duties at Aden. I am not in a position to interfere in the internal administration of North Borneo and Sarawak. The question of granting preference to British goods was discussed by the Legislative Council of Ceylon a few years ago and was rejected, and I am not prepared to reopen the matter at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the exceptions are?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why British imports have no tariff preference in the African Colonies not possessing responsible Government, namely, Kenya, Zanzibar, Sudan, Somaliland, St. Helena, Gold Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Gambia, although some of their produce enjoys preference in the British market; and, in view of the promises of the Government at the 1924 Election to extend Empire Preference, will he use his influence to bring these Colonies and possessions into line with the self-governing African Colonies on the subject of preference for British goods?

Of the dependencies mentioned, Kenya, Zanzibar, the Gold Coast and Nigeria, differential treatment is excluded by international agreements. The Sudan is not under the supervision of the. Colonial Office. As regards the others the matter will receive consideration, but the peculiar conditions, geographical and financial, of the Gambia, St. Helena and Somaliland render it unlikely that an extension of Imperial Preference would be beneficial to those dependencies or materially assist British trade.

What does the Sudan come under?

The Foreign Office.

Do we receive the same treatment with regard to other nations which they mete out to us under the agreements to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred?

Yes, Sir. One set of agreements is that initiated by the Berlin and Brussels Act; which affects all European Powers within certain degrees of latitude in Equatorial Africa. Another agreement is the agreement of 1898, between ourselves and France, under which in certain West African territories of both Powers no discriminating duties are to be imposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the rule which previously existed in the Palestinian Civil Service that the office or capacity of the official should determine the rate of payment and that men and women should be paid equally for the same work has now been departed from, so that a different scale of salaries is being paid as between men and women in the junior service?

The present arrangements were introduced in 1924, as part of a general revision of the salaries of the junior service in Palestine. They are in accordance with precedents in the home and Colonial services.

In view of the fact that this is causing a good deal of feeling, will the right hon. Gentleman consider this method of payment?

I think that is a matter which can best be left to the discretion of the authority on the spot.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Canton Government has offered to act as mediator between the strikers and the Hong Kong Government, and to use all its influence with the strikers to bring about an early settlement if the. Hong Kong Government will agree in principle to accept the economic terms; that the Hong Kong Government has declined to resume negotiations on this basis, declaring that it will never agree in principle to strike pay or compensation for non-reinstatement of strikers; and what action, in view of the consequences of a continuation of the strike and boycott, is the Government prepared to take with a view to the resumption of negotiations?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the third part, the offer of the Canton Government to act as mediators only is based on a claim that they are not parties to the strike and boycott. In the view of the Hong Kong Government, however, this claim is vitiated by the fact that the Canton Government have taken no steps to put an end to the intimidation of workers, or to the other illegal activities of the Strike Committee, by means of which alone the strike and boycott at Canton are maintained in being in flagrant violation of treaty obligations; and in these circumstances the Hong Kong Government finds itself unable to, regard the Canton Government as other than principals on whom the responsibility for the continued boycott lies. In adopting this attitude the Hong Kong Government has the full support of His Majesty's Government, and it now remains for the Canton Government to give proof of its; sincerity and to translate from words to deeds its professed desire to see the present state of affairs brought to an end.

Could not the Canton Government put an end to this strike in a moment if they wanted to, and is the only reason they do not want to because they are influenced by the counsel of the Russian advisers?

I think that is the case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House the grounds upon which he alleges that Russian agents are responsible?

This is hardly a suitable occasion for that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the restrictions on the importation of alcoholic liquors into the Gold Coast were removed in 1922, and that the quantities of gin imported have risen from 9,782 gallons to 527,888 gallons in consequence; and whether steps can be taken to replace the restrictions at once?

It is not the case that the restrictions on the importation of alcoholic liquors into the Gold Coast were removed in 1922. The importation of gin was very severely restricted in 1919 pending a decision as to the regime to be applied to the trade in spirits, and this accounts for the very low import of gin — 9,782 gallons—in that year. It was decided in accordance with the Liquor Traffic Convention of 1919 to prohibit only trade spirits and injurious spirits, and the importation of other spirits consequently became more normal. As the imports of spirits in 1924 were not much more than one-third of the imports in 1913, there seems no sufficient ground for altering the present restrictions.

May I ask whether this 527,000 gallons now imported excludes trade spirits, or whether it includes any of the trade spirits smuggled in over the borders from adjoining territory?

Anything that is smuggled would not, I fancy, come into these statistics. I imagine this total includes all the spirit allowed into the Gold Coast.

I should not have used the word" smuggled"; I should have said brought in in contravention of the Regulations we enforce as to the importation of spirits. Does it include trade spirits?

I think it does, but if the right hon. and gallant Member will ask a specific question on that point, I will give him a definite answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount of native land which has been alienated in Kenya Colony during the last three years; and how much of this land is known to have passed into the ownership of one individual?

From 1923 onwards the alienations of native land have amounted to 1,485 acres, of which 871 acres have been applied to purposes for native benefit such as trading centres, sites for factories dealing with native products, Government experimental farm, and Mission plots. Of the rest, 500 acres were required for a township site in a newly administered native area, 110 acres were exchanged for an area of 65 acres of more value to the natives concerned and with their full approval, and 4 acres were leased for a saw mill site. The only instance of the land going to an individual was that of the lease of a 3-acre maize-mill site to an Indian, and there is no reason to believe that in any other case has the land subsequently passed to an individual. My information on this subject extends up to August, 1925.

, asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has received a request from the State Governments of the Commonwealth of Australia that, after the termination of present appointments, only Australian citizens should hold State Governorships; and what reply has been sent?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the fact that unofficial surmises have been published in Australia, he will issue officially the text of his despatch on the subject of the memorial as to the appointment of State Governors?

I will answer these questions together. I received last autumn a letter, signed by the Premiers of all the Australian States except Victoria, in which, in effect, it was proposed that it should be laid down as the Constitutional practice to be observed in the future that all vacancies hereafter occurring in the office of State Governor should be filled by Australian citizens nominated by the respective State Governments of the day. I propose to lay papers at an early date, but, in the meantime, I am arranging for a copy of my reply, as conveyed by telegraph on the 8th March, to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that a tax on betting is imposed throughout the Commonwealth of Australia; will he inquire as to what was the sum collected during the latest year for which figures are available; and to what that sum amounts per head of the population?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have not information as to sums derived from this source later than that which appears in the Report from the Select Committee on Betting Duty, 1923, but I will make inquiry and communicate further with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that certain British Dominions are charging agents income tax on the estimated profits of absentee principals; and, in. view of this handicap to the development of Empire trade, will he bring this matter to the notice of the Dominion Governments concerned at the next Imperial Conference?

I have received a Resolution on this subject recently passed by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, and it will have consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will give the House the number of persons accepted by the Dominion authorities for migration but still awaiting transportation?

The numbers are as follow:

That is the number of families. Can my right hon. Friend state the number of persons included in those families?

I am afraid I could not. I imagine that they would be about three times the number stated.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will circulate in tabular form the number of persons

The BALANCES outward of PASSENGERS of BRITISH NATIONALITY from the UNITED KINGDOM to CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND and the UNITED STATES (the only measure available for all the years specified in the question) were as follow:—
Year			British North America.	Australia.	New Zealand.	Other parts of the British Empire outside Europe.	United States.	Other Foreign Countries outside Europe.	Total non-European Countries.
1900	…	…	7,803	6,259		9,376	47,978	228*	71,188
1901	…	…	7,121	6,570		11,548	45,883	894	72,06
1902	…	…	14,730	4,366		30,596	51,617	238	101,547
1903	…	…	45,866	3,693		31,477	65,392	608	147,036
1904	…	…	51,284	5,240		3,015	66,790	525	126,854
1905	…	…	62,503	7,251		7,305	60,997	1,309	139,365
1906	…	…	91,263	3,672	6,248	3,995	85,941	3,552	194,671
1907	…	…	117,525	7,608	6,288	12	99,944	3,715	235,092
1908	…	…	41,455	11,476	8,947	3,286*	31,451	1,113	91,156
1909	…	…	52,378	17,318	7,884	4,142	56,377	1,594	139,693
1910	…	…	115,681	25,332	7,393	10,472	73,569	1,262	233,709
1911	…	…	134,765	56,337	9,432	9,848	49,732	1,695	261,809
1912	…	…	133,561	68,673	11,053	6,701	45,817	2,680	268,485
1913	…	…	127,656	46,012	11,251	3,716	52,155	1,207	241,997
1914	…	…	29,793	20,426	5,301	2,586*	15,637	5,237*	63,334
1915	…	…	12,049*	2,702	977	3,290*	9,533*	3,540*	24,733*
1916	…	…	2,904*	21	51*	1,661*	1,929*	1,651*	8,175*
1917	…	…	3,999	680*	182	773*	2,157*	1,019*	448*
1918	…	…	872	1,739	289	1,717	2,047*	665*	1,905
1919	…	…	29,679	6,801	1,515	6,949*	6,971*	2,927	27,002
1920	…	…	75,435	19,048	9,936	14,017	49,783	4,528	172,747
1921	…	…	39,049	21,915	9,547	13,567	33,756	1,104	118,938
1922	…	…	30,666	30,385	9,911	745	27,689	486	99,882
1923†	…	…	81,917	30,447	7,412	546*	70,848	305	190,383
1924	…	…	46,469	28,156	8,836	1,826	3,251	127*	88,411
1925	…	…	25,426	27,056	10,541	4,854	18,908	271	87,056
* Excess inward.
†From 1st April, 1923, the figures are exclusive of passengers who departed from, or arrived at, ports in the Irish Free State.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will give the details of the loans for Imperial Grant towards interest on certain overseas loans where the contribution does not exceed three-quarters of the interest? leaving the United Kingdom for Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, respectively, during the years 1900 to 1926, showing each year separately; and whether he will give the emigrant figures for the same period to the United States of America?

, Sir. I will have the figures circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The Treasury have undertaken to pay three-quarters of the interest payable for five years on a loan of £155,653 raised by the Government of Newfoundland for the purchase of railway material and on a loan of approximately £195,000 raised by the Government of West Australia for the purchase of a ship, The Treasury have also agreed to pay three-quarters of the interest payable for four years on a, loan of £ 130,000 to be raised by the Sudan Government for the purchase of railway material. The statutory Return showing these grants will be presented to the House next month.

Could my hon. Friend say whether the financial status of Newfoundland is now satisfactory?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what quantity of bananas available for export is produced annually in Jamaica, and how much of that quantity comes to Great Britain?

Yes, Sir: 12,000,000 stems of bananas were exported from Jamaica during the year 1924, and 15,000,000 stems during 1925. Of these, approximately,1¾ millions and 2½ millions, respectively, were sent to the United Kingdom.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, as a result of the Trade Agreement with Russia, he can state what was the amount per head of population of British goods imported by Russia during the year 1925; and how that compares with similar figures in Australia and New Zealand, respectively?

The declared value of exported produce and manufactures of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, registered as consigned to the countries specified during 1925, in proportion to their respective populations, was as follows:

Can the hon. Gentleman give us the totals per head of population of other countries in Europe?

I cannot offhand, but I think they are very much greater.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us the purchasing power per head of the population of British India?

British India buys from us about £ 100,000,000 worth of goods per year. She is our best customer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the Agricultural Wages Act, 1924, makes no distinction between men and women, he will take steps to require that the provisions of the Act are carried out in respect of women?

The provisions of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act that minimum rates of wages shall be fixed for all classes of workers employed in agriculture have been duly carried out in respect of women by every Agricultural Wages Committee. I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the Noble Lady who represents the Sutton Division of Plymouth, on the 3rd instant.

:Is it the case that in the great majority of districts the orders do not provide for a weekly guaranteed term as well as wage?

I think it is often the case that women have only an hourly rate, and that, of course, precludes arrangements about overtime. But my predecessor made representations to the Committees on this subject, and certain changes have since been made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the growing movement for centralised export of wheat in the Dominions, he is prepared to instruct the Committee on Stabilisation of Agricultural Prices to pursue its inquiry into the facilities for bulk purchase of wheat by a British Governmental agency, as proposed by the Committee in its Report?

This matter was considered by the Royal Commission on Food Prices, and, having regard to the views expressed by the Commission, I do not propose to take any further steps at present.

Has not the matter become more urgent on account of the fixing of the Imperial Conference at an early date?

I do not think that that gets over the difficulty. Even with stabilised prices the State is pretty sure to make big looses. While the stabilised price is below the world price, of course the consumer will get the benefit, but if it ever rises above the world price it is practically impossible for any Government to resist the demand for reduction, and there is a heavy loss.

In view of what the right hon. Gentleman has told us, will he give instructions for the discontinuance of this operation?

The question was whether they would be instructed to pursue their inquiries?

Is the object of this central buying and fixing of prices to keep the price high for the benefit of the British farmer, or to keep it low for the benefit of the consumer?

The right hon. Gentleman had better consult his colleague as to that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what the loss to date is on the farm settlement at Patrington; whether it is intended to bring the experiment to an end; and to what use it is now proposed that the land should be put?

The latest date to which the annual accounts have been made up is 31st March, 1925, when the accumulated loss in the balance sheet for the farm was £ 62,101, and for the estate £ 24,176. It has been decided to bring the farm settlement to an end at Ladyday, 1927, from which date the land will probably be dealt with in separate farms.

Is this farm leasehold or freehold?

I think it is freehold, but I will let my hon. Friend know.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, owing to the refusal to allow Argentine cattle to be brought to our ports for slaughter, they are being taken alive to Zeebrugge and slaughtered there; that sides of beef from these cattle are being sent to Smithfield market and are indistinguishable from home-killed English beef; that this results in edible offals, and the hides, and other offals for manufacture being retained in Belgium, to the great advantage of the slaughterers, merchants and manufacturers in that country; and that there is a proposal to build large new abattoirs in Zeebrugge for the enlargement of this trade; and whether he will reconsider the question of relaxing the regulations so as to allow clean cattle to be brought to our own ports for slaughter?

In the light of former experience that the trade in live cattle with Argentina cannot he conducted without risk of the introduction of disea-e, I am unable by the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, to allow the entry of such cattle, even for slaughter at the port. The establishment of abattoirs at Zeebrugge, from which fresh carcases of animals newly landed from South America are immediately railed to London is causing me grave concern, and I have instituted active inquiries to ascertain to what extent we are thereby exposed to the danger of the introduction of disease.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been no disease at all introduced into Belgium by this method in recent years? In view of that, is it not time that this policy was reconsidered?

I do not know on what information the hon. and gallant Gentleman bases his statement, but there is so much disease throughout the Continent of Western Europe that, naturally, there is no objection to cargoes from other diseased countries being landed there.

My information comes from those in the trade, who are in touch with this matter. Is it not a fact that there has been no disease introduced into Belgium from these Argentine cattle?

The fact remains that the Argentine at present has a great deal of foot-and-mouth disease. We had a terrible object lesson in 1900, when 26 diseased cargoes from the Argentine were landed at Deptford, and since then, in 1923, we have had the object lesson of the steamer" Hartington," in which disease broke out in a large cargo of cattle, which were thrown overboard in consequence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give a list of the sugar-beet factories which are now actually operating, the names of those built but not operating, the names of those being built, and the names of those for which capital is actually secured; and whether he can state which factories have a substantial or controlling interest of Dutch capital, which factories have an interest of Hungarian capital, and which factories are owned by purely British capital?

The beet-sugar manufacturing campaign has now ceased, but the following factories operated during the past season: Cantley, Colwick, Kelham, Ely, Ipswich, Kidderminster, Wissington, Bury St. Edmunds and Greenock. The Spalding factory was built, but did not operate. Factories are now being built at Cupar (Fife), Felstead (Essex), Poppleton (York) and Peterborough, the capital for which, I am Informed, has been secured. The Ely, Ipswich and Cantley factories have a substantial or controlling interest of Dutch capital, the Bury St. Edmunds factory has an interest of Hungarian capital, Peterborough has an interest of American capital, and, so far as I am aware, the remaining factories are solely owned by British capital.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the factories now being built have secured capital under the trade facilities scheme; and, it so, how many?

I think a certain proportion have, but I should like notice of the question.

Is it the case that any of the machinery for these factories has been bought abroad, instead of being bought from British manufacturers?

A proportion of the specialised machinery was, in the early days of the factories, bought abroad, but, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, there is a condition in the Act relating to this matter ensuring that a large percentage shall be bought in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government propose to adopt the recommendations in the Report of the Imperial Shipping Committee on certain aspects of the Canadian cattle trade?

With regard to the first recommendation, I am prepared to authorise the use of further additional ports for this trade, if port authorities or private enterprise on whom the onus lies will provide suitable accommodation. I understand that a private company is in process of formation, which intends to provide a landing place for Canadian cattle at Tilbury. I have given careful consideration to the second recommendation as to the three days' quarantine in Canada, but find most grave objections to any revision of the existing requirement. This condition formed part of the original agreement with the representatives of the Canadian Government in October, 1922, as announced in the Press on 3rd November, 1922, and was embodied in Section 1 (2) (c) (i) of the Importation of Animals Act, 1922, as a necessary safeguard against the introduction of disease. For the same reason I consider there are no less cogent objections to any amendment of the Diseases of Animals Acts to exempt cattle, consigned as fat and not undergoing the throe days' quarantine, from slaughter at the port at a foreign animals' wharf, as required by Section 24 and Part I of the Third Schedule of the Act of 1894.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the approximate value of fish landed in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1925; bow much of this fish was landed from British fishing vessels; and how much was landed from British steam trawlers, as distinguished from other types of fishing vessels?

The approximate value of fresh fish landed in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1925 was £ 23,082,000. The value of fish landed from British vessels was £ 19,340,000, and from British steam trawlers £ 12,400,000.

Will my right hon. Friend endeavour to ensure facilities for British seamen and British trawlers depositing fish in Germany as good as those afforded to Germans for depositing fish in this country?

I think the Foreign Office have always tried to improve the facilities for the landing of our fish abroad.

asked the Under-Secretary of Stale for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what facilities are offered in the Royal Parks for the encouragement of games and sports; and whether every effort is being made to grant these facilities to the people at the lowest possible price?

It has been the policy of the Department to endeavour to meet the increasing demand for space for games in the Royal Parks, with due regard to the interests of all classes using the parks. In the outlying parks, facilities are provided for playing football, cricket, hockey, tennis, and golf. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Department endeavours to give these facilities at very reasonable rates, considering the cost to the public of the general upkeep of the parks.

May I ask whether park golf has been a success?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the resolution of the National Playing Fields Association calling attention to the dearth of playing fields and recreation grounds; and will he consider the advisability of causing an inquiry to be held into the existing facilities for the physical recreation of school children and adult work-people?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the resolution and of the need for more playing fields and recreation grounds, but he doubts the advantage of an inquiry such as that suggested. Local authorities were given powers in 1925 to provide and equip playing fields, but undoubtedly the present need for economy must delay the full use of these powers.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider whether such an inquiry would not be advantageous?

I have already stated that I do not think it would be.

asked the Minister of Health what steps, if any, he is taking to encourage local councils and housing authorities to use British bricks, tiles, and cement in their housing schemes, in view of the increasing import of foreign building materials?

Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1924, provides that, in approving proposals for the construction of houses, the Minister of Health shall not impose any conditions which would prevent the materials required being purchased in the cheapest market at home or abroad, The Government have, however, urged local authorities to arrange that all contracts for or incidental to works carried out by them should, in the absence of special circumstances, be placed in this country.

Does the hon. Gentleman think the greatest benefit to the largest number in this country is obtained by always buying in the cheapest market, irrespective of all other considerations?

No, Sir. I think my hon. and gallant Friend will be glad to know that the quantity imported during 1925 was under 3 per cent. of the total estimated requirement.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether he does not think some alteration in his reply would be advisable, so that there may be no misunderstanding in the country?

Will the hon. Gentleman arrange for supplies of these materials for public housing contracts at the same low prices as those which can be secured in connection with Government contracts?

That is another matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the enormous quantity of foreign tiles now being imported, especially into Scotland, which has the finest slate quarries in the world and are we not paying the quarrymen unemployment benefit, which is more expensive—

This is not the time for the hon. and learned Member to give information.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a considerable number of families are living under unhealthy and insanitary conditions in the Borough of Poplar; that during the past 25 years the public health authority for that borough has made repeated applications and representations to the London County Council, urging that action should be taken to put an end to this condition of affairs; that the inspectors of the Ministry of Health have condemned certain areas as unhealthy, the latest date on which this was done being 10th December, 1924, and the areas thus condemned being Birchfield Street, Bromley, Dunbar Cottages, and Baker's Alley; and, in view of the failure of the London County Council to carry out its statutory duties, will he take such steps as are within his power to compel that authority to deal with those areas?

My right hon. Friend is aware of insanitary conditions in the Borough of Poplar. The particular areas to which the hon. Member refers were included in an improvement scheme made by the London County Council which my right hon. Friend confirmed. The County Council are taking steps to carry out the scheme and I understand that considerable progress has been made in regard to the acquisition of the property in these areas.

How long will it be before the effort succeeds; and is it not the case that it is over 25 years since representations were first made?

That may be so, but under the present administration much more expedition is to be expected.

What procedure is followed where an inspector condemns property and the local authority does not carry out the recommendation of the inspector?

That question involves a very detailed reply, but if the hon. Member puts it down, I shall do my best to answer it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that buildings known as Stewart's Cottages and High Street, Bow, areas, which were some years ago acquired by the London County Council for educational purposes, having been condemned as unhealthy and slum areas, still remain untouched and inhabited, and though repeated efforts have been made to compel the County Council to deal with these areas, no action is taken; that an adjoining school, which has also been condemned for many years past, is still being used as an educational centre; and will he take steps to cause the County Council to deal with these unhealthy areas forthwith?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an assurance, in reference to the Amendments of the Poor Law in process of being drafted, that the centralising of Poor Law administration will stop short of absorbing local authorities of the size, importance, and historical traditions exemplified by Lancaster?

My right hon. Friend could not properly make any further statement as to the position of any class of local authority while the provisional proposal regarding Poor Law reform are under discussion with the Associations of Local Authorities.

the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the imminent encroachment on the amenities of the South Downs by speculative building syndicates; and whether the Government propose to take any action to preserve the downs for the benefit of the public?

Measures are already being taken by a number of local authorities for preserving the amenities in the South Downs, and the Minister of Health is encouraging action. The First Commissioner of Works has also scheduled a number of earth works and tumuli on the Downs for preservation as ancient monuments.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in filling vacancies on the body of trustees of such institutions as the Wallace Collection, he will consider the undesirability of appointing dealers in objects included in the collection?

Appointments to vacancies arising among the trustees of these institutions are made with the purpose of providing the most suitable candidate available in the conditions existing at the time.

asked the Prime Minister if he will bring before his colleagues in the. near future, for appropriate Departmental action, the desirability in all cases where it is found necessary, owing to reduction of Government establishments, to dismiss members of the staff, of inserting adequate advertisements in the public newspapers, setting out the qualifications of these surplus employés and their suitability for specific kinds of work, and thus aid in the re-establishment of such employés in ordinary civil life?

I am afraid that I am unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister the result of his conference with the leaders of the other parties with regard to the proposal to broadcast the Budget speech; and whether in that case he will give the decision reached, together with the motives actuating it?

I have consulted with the leaders of the other parties, and have obtained information through the usual channels. I have come to the conclusion that there is a greatly preponderating body of opinion against broadcasting the proceedings of this House.

May I thank the Prime Minister on behalf of a long-suffering public?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think there is a section of the community which would like to have this matter investigated; and will he consider the provision of some machinery, whereby the question can be further examined?

Will the right hon. Gentleman provide an opportunity for discussing the matter in the House?

It is quite obvious that if there is any body of opinion in this House whose views have not been brought before me, I shall be pleased to consider those views; and it is possible there may be an opportunity before the end of this Session to discuss the matter. I cannot say more at present.

asked the Prime. Minister whether his attention has been called to a speech last Friday evening, and broadcast by the British Broadcasting Company, advocating the Government electricity proposals as" Socialism in small doses"; whether he is further aware that on the same occasion the Chief Electricity Commissioner, Sir John Snell, in a speech delivered by hint and broadcast, advocated the Government proposals; whether political propaganda is permitted in terms of the licence of the British Broadcasting Company, and what, disciplinary action he proposes to take in connection with the action of the Chief Electricity Commissioner engaging in political propaganda in connection with legislation pending in this House, and closely identified with the executive functions of the Electricity Commissioners?

I have read the report of the speeches delivered on the occasion referred to. Permission was given for broadcasting on this occasion, in accordance with the usual practice as regards public dinners, and upon the usual understanding that the speakers would refrain from controversial statements of a political character.

As regard's Sir John Snell, I am informed that he gave a review of the electrical position in this country, and stated his view as to the line of technical improvement desirable. His only reference to politics was a statement that a Bill embodying the scheme was before Parliament, and it was not for him to hazard any opinion as to how it would emerge. He further appealed to the electrical experts present to give constructive criticism.

I do not think that these references to Parliament in an after-dinner speech can he considered to be political, and I am assured by Sir John Snell that in his speech he was dealing with a technical problem in a technical manner.

Is it not a fact that in considering a highly technical matter of this kind it all depends upon the technical facts which are alleged, and that on this occasion the speech was directly intended to convey that the proposals to be submitted to this House in a few days' time were, in fact, sound and right; that being so, I should like to know whether the Prime Minister does not consider that a highly technical matter of this kind was, indeed, most flagrant political propaganda?

I do not agree with the conclusion of my hon. Friend. If speeches are to be delivered entirely free from any possible cause of complaint such as my hon. Friend has indicated, the only way to avoid trouble is to bar broadcasting of such speeches altogether. Whether that should be done or not is a legitimate subject for consideration. It is not an easy matter for the Postmaster-General to have to decide what may or may not be 'broadcasted at dinners of this kind. My awn view is that the subject-matter is one of great interest, and that my right hon. Friend did right in giving permission. I do not think there has been any breach of propriety, and there I frankly disagree with my hon. Friend. But, as I said before, the only way to obviate all difficulties of this kind in future is to prevent speeches of this kind being made at all.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that a public servant in the position of Sir John Snell has no business to be making speeches of this kind after dinner or at any other time?

I have read the speech, and I see nothing to object to.

Did I understand the right hon. Gentleman in his original answer to say that nothing controversial at speeches at a banquet should be broadcast by the British Bread-casting Company? Is that the Government instruction; because, if so, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman, does tie think it possible that these gentlemen know what they are going to say on all occasions beforehand? Is it not hampering broadcasting in a very unreasonable manner?

My hon. and gallant Friend has misunderstood me; I did not say what he alleges. What I said was that the only way to avoid the kind of complaint that has been made was to prohibit the broadcasting of such speeches.

is that proposed?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a school medical officer of the Liverpool education authority performed a surgical operation on a scholar named James Thomas Cheetham, aged 13, in school, without the parents' permission, using a pair of ordinary non-surgical scissors, iodoform gauze, common soap, stitching the wound with ordinary needle and sewing cotton, and that the boy died three days later; whether there has been any breach of the regulations, and, if so, to what extent; and whether, in view of the distressed circumstances of these working-class parents, mentally and financially, consideration is being given to the question of a generous grant from public funds?

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been called to a case in Liverpool where a boy of 13 died three days after a school medical officer had performed an operation upon him in the school; if so, has he inquired or will he inquire whether the death of this boy can be attributed to the operation; and, in that case, whether his Department assumes responsibility for the payment of proper compensation to the parents?

I am aware of the occurrence referred to, which I deeply deplore. At the coroner's inquest the jury, after hearing the medical evidence, found that the boy's death was due to septicemia from a wound on the finger, and was in no way connected with the operation. The performance of this operation appears to have been a contravention of the local authority's instructions to their school medical officers and of the practice of the school medical service.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how far the responsibility of the local education authority stands in respect of the operation that was performed on this child during the time he was under the control of the education committee?

I do not know whether the hon. Member is referring to legal responsibility or moral responsibility, but I cannot give a legal opinion on that matter.

If there is no legal responsibility, and even if there is, would it not be far handsomer if this matter could be approached in the ex gratia spirit of a grant, and may I ask the right hon. Gentleman how far he will undertake to inquire into this matter, and to see whether an ex gratiagrant can be made from public funds?

So far as I am concerned, I have no power, I am advised, to make any grant. I must leave the other matter to the local authority.

If the Noble Lord has no power to make any grant, may I ask if he will do his very utmost to make representations to the local education authority, which, I am sure, if representations were received from him, would give consideration to this question in a very generous manner, if the Noble Lord allowed them to do so?

I really think this is a matter that I must leave to the local education authority, who are as much impressed with the importance of the matter as I am.

May I ask the President of the Board whether, in the event of the local education authority giving generous consideration to this matter, he will approve of their policy?

That is a hypothetical question

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in any suggestions made by the Board to local education authorities, the admission of children under five years of age to public elementary schools will be definitely encouraged in necessitous areas?

This is a matter which the Board has always left to the discretion of local authorities, and I do not think that the Board should interfere with that discretion.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the practice in the United States of refusing to compel children under seven to attend school and to use the money saved in this way to extend educational facilities to those over 14, and if he is prepared to adopt the same policy; and if he can state the percentages of the population in the age groups five to seven and 14 to 16 which attend school here and in the United States?

I am aware that in the United States compulsory attendance at school both begins and ends at a later age than in England and Wales. Strictly comparable figures between England and Wales and the United States are not available. On the basis of the 1921 census of the United Kingdom about 85 per cent. of the child population in the age-group five to seven, and about 17 per cent. of those in the age-group 14 to 16, were attending State-aided schools and institutions in England and Wales in the school year in which the census was taken. In the case of the United States the corresponding percentages were, on the basis of the United States census of 1920, about 41 and 80, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State far Foreign Affairs what is the present position with regard to the three-mile limit off the coasts of certain foreign countries beyond which deep-sea fishing is permitted to all nations; and what is being done to resist the claims of Norway, Iceland, and other countries to extend this limit as agreed by International Convention?

The limit of territorial waters is a matter not of International Convention but of International Law. His Majesty's Government adhere as heretofore to the rule that the limit of territorial waters is a line drawn three miles from the coast at low-water mark, and will continue to resist any claim to an extension of that limit. The three-mile limit applies for fisheries as for all other purposes.

Now that the hon. Gentleman is at the Foreign Office, will he pay particular attention to this matter, as it affects the interests of the deep-sea fishermen of this country?

asked the Prime Minister whet her he is aware that large numbers of men are in the process of being transferred to Devon-port from the closed dockyards at Pembroke and Rosyth, and that 300 have already arrived; that no satisfactory accommodation can be found for these men owing to the housing shortage in the borough, where there is a waiting list of over 3,000 for the council houses, although the list has been closed for a considerable time; that some of those men who have succeeded in obtaining accommodation have had, in some cases, to contract to pay as much as between 17s. 6d. and 25s. a week for one room to accommodate a whole family; that there are already over 5,000 unemployed in the borough; and that the new arrivals are to replace men who have already work in the dockyard; whether, in view of the anxiety, distress, and disorganisation that is already prevalent in the borough, he can withhold instructions to send any further batches of men into the town; whether he can make any special arrangements to utilise barracks, naval or military encampments, or other accommodation in the possession of the Government to house the men already sent; whether the Government can take in hand immediately the provision of special housing accommodation and work to absorb the unemployed; and whether he is prepared to receive a deputation from the town council?

I have been asked to reply. The larger problem of housing at Devonport is one which concerns the local authority in the first instance. The number of dockyard men still to be moved from Pembroke and Rosyth is not large, and we are not able to postpone their transfer beyond the time already fixed. But the Admiralty are investigating all possible schemes for affording some temporary accommodation for the newcomers.

May I ask the Prime Minister, to whom I addressed this question, whether he is aware that this is a matter which concerns three Government Departments, namely, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Health, and the Admiralty, and that it is impossible to get any satisfaction if one is referred from one Department to another and will he answer the last part of the question as to whether he will receive a deputation?

I will answer that in the negative.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible for the local authority to provide houses for these people, who are being poured into the town by the Government, and whether, seeing that he is always so ready to express his sympathy with those who suffer from bad housing conditions, the Government can do nothing to remedy this congestion, which they have caused?

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if it is not possible for him to speak to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, so that some of the barracks, at Portsmouth especially, which arc now empty, and in the hands of caretakers, can he given over to these people?

The question on the Paper applies to Devonport.

I beg to give notice that at the first opportunity I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the net reductions in the establishment of His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, between November, 1924, and February, 1926, and to the number of men who are now under notice of discharge from that dockyard, whether he can hold out any hope that there will be an increase in the establishment, seeing that there is an influx of personnel from Rosyth into the town, and that, if no increase of personnel is made in the establishment, the unemployment problem in Devonport will become even greater than it is?

If the hon. Member refers to numbers on the established list. I would refer him to my reply of the 17th Mach (OFFICIAL REPORT, column 403–4). If he refers to the total number of men employed, he will be pleased to know that the number to be employed at Devonport will be considerably greater, owing to the transfers from Rosyth and Pembroke Dock, than would otherwise have been the case.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure me that no men will be discharged as a result of the influx of personnel from Rosyth and Pembroke?

No, I cannot give that assurance.

asked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that approved societies under the National Health Insurance Act are required, after disbursing fixed benefits, to devote any surplus in the grant of additional benefits, he will state What is now the amount of the undistributed surpluses of approved societies?

On the closest estimate of which the conditions permit, the aggregate amount of the surpluses at 31st December, 1925, is computed to be about £ 65,000,000. I may point out that a society is only allowed to apply to the provision of additional benefits such part of its surplus as is certified by the valuer to be disposable.

Has any part of that amount of £ 65,000,000 to which the hon. Gentleman has referred been certified as at his disposal?

There may be cases, but I do not think the whole of the valuation is yet completed.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give an analysis of unemployment statistics for 23rd February, 1925, similar to that given for 22nd February, 1926, in the March issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette?

The analysis given for February, 1920, was based on a new series of returns instituted this year. The material is not available for a corresponding analysis for February, 1925.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that jurymen have been called three times in two years in, Enfield, and that the under-sheriff has refused to excuse a business man so called, although he pointed this out and pleaded age and pressure of business owing to the absence of his colleagues; and if he will take the necessary steps to insure that in future previous service on juries is considered when issuing summons?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed by the Under-Sheriff that no juryman has been summoned in respect of any one address in Middlesex and required to attend the Court for jury service more than once in a calendar year and that the persons qualified are summoned in rotation. In view of the number of persons qualified for jury service, excusals cannot be granted except upon the strongest grounds. I should like to add that if my hon. and gallant Friend will give me any particular case, I will certainly inquire into it.

asked the Secretary of State for the. Home Department on what grounds, and to what extent, he has sanctioned the practice of subjecting juvenile offenders to experimenters in psycho-analysis; and what precautions he is taking against any possibly dangerous results?

My hon. and gallant Friend will be pleased to know that I have not sanctioned any such experiments, nor have I any intention of doing so. I may add that the question whether any further provision should be made for the medical examination of young offenders, which is a very different matter, is being considered by the Committee now inquiring into the treatment of young offenders.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any communication from the London Traffic Advisory Committee with reference to the effect upon London traffic congestion of the proposed licensing of two-seater taximeter-cabs; and if he will indicate the nature of his reply?

The London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, which was consulted by the Ministry of Transport, recommended that before two-seaters were licensed, powers should be sought in order to enable me to limit the number of taxicabs and taxicab drivers. It appeared to me, however, that any proposal to limit the number of these vehicles, which are in quite a different position from omnibuses plying on fixed routes, is beset with very great difficulties and open to many objections, and I did not, therefore, find it possible to accept this advice.

May I take it then that the right hon. Gentleman refuses to take action in this matter without any considerable amount of consideration for the London Traffic Advisory Committee, who are charged with the responsibility of endeavouring to avoid further congestion?

The Home Secretary is charged with the responsibility of issuing licences for taxicabs, and neither the Home Secretary, the London Traffic Advisory Committee, nor anybody else has any power to limit the number of those licences, and I do not propose to ask Parliament to give me that power, because I do not believe it is desirable in the interests either of the taxicab drivers, the men who may desire to drive, or of the general public.

What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking in order to see that before licensing additional two-seater taxicabs, there are ranks for them to occupy?

The police are always seeing where they can get new ranks, and new ranks are frequently being instituted, and they will be instituted as far as possible to meet the requirements of the taxicabs in London.

Have any representations been made to the right hon. Gentleman by the London Traffic Advisory Committee?

As the hon. Gentleman would have heard if he had done me the honour of listening to my reply, I have had the recommendations of the London Traffic Advisory Committee, and with the deepest respect I regret I have been unable to accept their advice.