asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that on Monday, 10th May, several men were attacked and batoned by police near Spennymoor, County Durham; and if he proposes to hold a public inquiry into the matter?

The hon. Member has apparently been completely misinformed. The facts, as reported to me, are that for a week a crowd had collected nightly at Ferryhill Colliery to steal coal and had persistently stoned any police who appeared on the scene. On the 10th May the police very properly took measures to deal effectively with this situation. They advanced on the crowd through a shower of missies and dispersed them, arresting 20, 17 of whom were charged, convicted and sentenced to imprisonment. There is no ground for any further inquiry.

Is the Home Secretary aware that three of the men and one boy who were batoned were not in the crowd, but were returning to Spennymoor, and had not been connected with the crowd at all? On those grounds, will he not grant the inquiry, because there is very clear evidence that they were not connected with the crowd?

If the men the hon. Member mentions were not connected with the crowd, I do not see how they could have been batoned.

As it is not possible to state now the evidence which I have, I beg to give notice that I will return to this question on the Adjournment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that just previously to the events referred to the hon. Member had made a speech at Spennymoor in which he said, among other things, that all the Reports of the Coal Commission ought to be collected and burned, and added, kindly, that the Commissioners ought to be hanged; and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that these disturbances may have arisen out of that?

Is the hon. Member aware that the Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) said no such thing?

Withdraw!

If the hon. Member says he never said such a thing—I read it in the papers at the time—I withdraw.

On a point of Order. Ought not the hon. and gallant Member to withdraw the serious allegation that he has made, in view of the statement of the hon. Member?

I have withdrawn it.

The hon. and gallant Member said that, in view of what the hon. Member had stated, he did withdraw.

I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not a fact that in cases of this kind the policeman's baton, like the rain from heaven, "falls alike upon the just and upon the unjust"?

That, of course, is probably correct, but the just ought not to be mixed up with the unjust.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Hill and Lockett, sentenced to 21 days' hard labour in connection with picket work in the borough of Stoke on Saturday, 8th May; and is he prepared, in view of all the circumstances of the case, to advise the reduction of the sentence?

I am asking the chief constable for a report, and when received I will give it consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman cognisant of the fact that a certain amount of inter-borough jealousy arises in these matters, and the mere fact that Newcastle managed to get through without any trouble whatsoever lends a certain gusto to the action by the Stoke police towards Newcastle people?

I assume that Newcastle-under-Lyme, very much favoured in its representative, is more peaceful than Stoke; but, as I have said, I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can inform the House of the total number of special constables and civil constabulary, respectively, sworn in during the period of the general strike in the Metropolitan area?

The total numbers of special constables and civil constabulary reserve enrolled in the Metropolitan Police district during the recent emergency were approximately 51,000 and 11,000 respectively.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has the figures for the country as a whole?

I have not got them made up yet, but I think the hon. Member may take it that, roughly, 250,000 special constables were enrolled throughout the country as a whole.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a special constable, wearing an armlet and carrying a truncheon, was arrested at the Criterion Restaurant at 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 12th May, on a charge of drunkenness; and will he cause an inquiry to be made into the facts of this case, in view of the complaint lodged by Drs. Brook and Imianitoff at Vine Street Police Station?

I understand that the complaint was to the effect that the man arrested ought to have been taken to the police station in a vehicle. The complaint has been investigated and found to be groundless.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that both of those doctors, who were independent witnesses of this occurrence, called at the police station, and the police practically ordered them out of the station and would not hear their statements?

I assume think that could be so, because my information is that one of these doctors is now out of the country, and the other has been seen by the police.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of these doctors is the Medical Officer of Health for South-wark?

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Moscow Trade Union International is about to remit 2,600,000 roubles to the Miners' Federation of Great Britain; if he will take steps to prevent this money coming into the country; and have any steps been taken under the Emergency Regulations in this matter?

My attention has been called to this transaction. As the House is aware, power was taken by Regulation to prevent the transmission of moneys from abroad in furtherance of the general strike. A payment in aid of the miners, who are engaged in a genuine trade dispute, clearly stands on a different footing, and, whatever view may be taken of the motives of either the donor or the recipient, the Government do not feel called upon to interfere.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that this sum represents deductions compulsorily made from the meagre wages of the Russian miners?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no justification whatever for making such a statement; and may I ask him whether the growing practice of hon. Members asking questions containing insinuations is in accordance with the procedure of this House?

I have to rely upon hon. Members personally vouching for the accuracy of any statement that they may make in their questions.

Is it not a fact that Mr. Cook did send the telegram which has been so widely reported?

Is the Minister satisfied that the position of the miners is such as to warrant them receiving financial help from whatever source possible?

It is not my responsibility at all; it is the responsibility of the miners and their leaders, from whom they receive subscriptions. All I say is that I do not think it is the duty of the Government to prevent anyone subscribing to the miners' funds. If the miners of Russia choose to do so, I cannot help it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain sums of money were offered by the Russian trade unions, and cheques were sent to the Trade Union Congress, but under the Emergency Regulations they were prevented from coming in?

Yes, I stopped £100,000. This sum of money is in a different position. I conceive it to be quite possible that the miners of Russia might desire that our mining strike here should be extended.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the people who made the collections which were not allowed to be received are the same people who have subscribed to this fund?

I think that is quite possible, but on the previous occasion the money I stopped was sent for the purpose of fomenting an illegal attack on the Constitution.

Did it come in as gold bullion or by telegraphic transfer?

It came in by telegraphic transfer from foreign banks to banks in this country.

Will that sum be liable to Income Tax?

I am afraid I must refer the hon. Member to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for an answer to that question.

May I ask whether this was a voluntary subscription by the workers, or were they compelled to subscribe?

I am afraid I have no information upon that point.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Edmonton Board of Guardians have paid relief at special rates to strikers' families during the recent general strike; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the ratepayers concerned?

I am in communication with the guardians upon the subject, and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the May Day celebrations in Hyde Park the vans and dust carts, the property of a London municipal authority, were used for propaganda purposes and advertising a journal known as "Lansbury's Weekly"; and whether he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent the use of the ratepayers' money for any kind of propaganda purposes?

I have no official information on this subject. If any expenditure for such a purpose is charged in the accounts of a Metropolitan Borough Council, it will come under the District Auditor's review at the audit, when there will be an opportunity for any ratepayers interested to raise objection

Does the right hon. Gentle man think that it is only a question of the expenditure which is involved in the use of the ratepayers' property for the purpose of advertising propaganda?

The question raised here is one which has been repeatedly raised in this House on previous occasions. My own personal view is that it is extremely improper that public money should be used for the purpose of political propaganda; but the answer I have given to my hon. Friend is intended to communicate to him the only way in which, as the law now stands, it would be possible to inflict any sort of penalty.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of my question, in which I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to take any action by legislation or otherwise to prevent this in future?

I have no such legislation under consideration at the moment.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the municipal corporations are not entitled to do what they like with their own property paid for by the ratepayers? [HON. MEMBERS: "The ratepayers' property!"] I have said it is the ratepayers' property paid for by them.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the decision of certain boards of guardians to compel all their employés to join trade unions; and under what authority such boards of guardians claim to deprive their employés of freedom of choice in the matter of joining a trade union?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether his attention has been called to the action of the Greenwich and Deptford Board of Guardians, who are reported to have issued an order requiring all their officers and employés to join the appropriate trade unions—

On a point of Order. I would like to submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that, a question having been called, it is not in order for another Member to rise to put a question which does not appear on the Order Paper.

It is quite in order.

I desire to ask the Minister whether he is aware that this board of guardians are reported to have issued an order to the effect that all their officers and employés are required to join the appropriate trade unions in or before the week ending on the 5th June, and that, in the case of those who do not do so, their engagements will be terminated? Is the Minister, further, aware that this action affects 780 employés and is ultra vires, and what steps does he propose to take?

In reply to my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I have seen in the Press a notice to the effect stated by him, but I have no official knowledge of it at present. In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Mr. H. Williams), I am aware that decisions of this kind have been taken by certain boards of guardians, who, I understand, make this condition part of the terms on which officers are employed by them. The matter is at present receiving my attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the names of those newspapers which offered their premises and plant to print a Government newspaper during the strike before the "Morning Post" offer was accepted?

The "Morning Post" was the first to offer its premises and staff; but the "Daily Mail" and the "Daily Express" both placed their resources entirely at Government disposal, and many other leading newspapers, like the "Daily Telegraph,' were also willing to give whatever assistance was required. Others, again, were engaged in important and valuable productions of their own. But, apart from all volutary offers, the Government, of course, possessed, under the Emergency Regulations, full powers of requisition, which we used impartially wherever necessary.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that the "Luton News" also offered its services to the Government?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the first issue of the "British Gazette," page 1, column 6, line 33, which states that the owners have agreed to nearly everything recommended by the Commission; if so, will he state on whose authority that statement was made; and will he explain those recommendations that the coalowners have accepted and rejected?

A full statement of the attitude of the owners towards the various recommendations of the Commission was handed to the miners' representatives and was published in the Press on 3rd April, from which the hon. Member will be able to form his own opinion about the accuracy of the statement referred to. The statement referred to is a mere repetition of what I said myself without challenge in the House on the 3rd May.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that neither before the lock-out of the men nor since have the coalowners accepted a single recommendation of the Royal Commission which calls for sacrifices from them; and is not that misleading, was it not intended to mislead, and is that strictly in accordance with the right hon. Gentleman's conception of what should be a clean Press?

Is it not the fact that there was no lock-out?

I do not want to argue the coal dispute now on this question, but it is a fact that this article repeated with close accuracy statements which had been made without dispute in Parliament, and which for my own part I believe to be substantially fair and true.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a misstatement in the "British Gazette," it being that the owners have agreed to "nearly everything"; and will he say if there is any single recommendation in this Commission's Report to which the owners did not agree?

rose —

We cannot debate the matter.

I beg to give notice that I shall refer to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that on the morning of Saturday, 1st May, being the day before the general strike started, the Civil Service Clerical Association, the Association of Civil Service Sorting Assistants, and the Union of Post Office Workers notified the Trade Union Congress that they would, respectively, call a strike of their members whenever required By the Congress and would place their funds at the disposal of the Congress; what disciplinary action will be taken in the matter; and whether he will cease to recognise these bodies in dealing with questions affecting the Civil Service?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply given to my hon. and learned Friend on the 13th May. The whole matter is receiving the close attention of His Majesty's Government.

In view of the gravity of this question, I beg to give notice that I shall draw attention to the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ascertained that the unions referred to emphatically deny the allegations in this question, and will he take steps to defend civil servants from baseless charges of this kind?

I have said that the whole matter is receiving the close attention of His Majesty's Government. When that process is completed, a statement of the facts as known to the Government can, of course, be made to the House and to the public.

Is it not the fact that one of these societies, the Union of Post Office Workers, has been in close touch with Post Office administration all along to ensure an efficient service in the circumstances?

Assuming that these associations did not enter into the commitments referred to in the question, is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that, in a document dated the 4th May, a copy of which I sent to the Treasury, three members of the Civil Service issued a manifesto in favour of a general strike, addressed to all members of the Civil Service in the country, stating as a fact that these societies had entered into the commitments referred to in this question; and, if that be so, will he take steps against these three civil servants for disseminating false and seditious information?

I think the questions asked on both sides of the House show that the facts at present are in dispute. Let us ascertain what the facts are, and state what in our honest belief constitutes the true version of the facts, and then make whatever recommendations to Parliament we think best.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the General Council of the Trade Union Congress, of which I am a member, who knew all the proceedings from A to Z, never considered this question for one single minute?

Why not?

Because they had no intention of doing anything of the kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of miles flown by machines under Imperial Airways during the period of the strike, together with the number of passengers and the amount of freight carried; and whether all passages were made without accident of any kind?

The answer to the first part of the question is 41,500 miles, 944 passengers and 70 tons of freight, including goods, mails, and passengers' luggage; and, to the second, that no accident of any kind occurred.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the Very efficient manner in which the telephone service was maintained during the general strike, he will say whether any additional arrangements were made in regard to staff by the London telephone service?

The only additional arrangements made in regard to the staffing of the London telephone service were the provision of special transport for those telephonists who could not otherwise have got to and from their work when the normal means of transport failed, and of sleeping accommodation at a few of the larger Exchanges. I should like to thank my hon. Friend for his complimentary reference to the work done by the telephone service during the general strike, and to say that the Postmaster-General is proud to record his appreciation of the way all ranks performed their duties under difficult conditions.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that the members of the Service mentioned in this question belong to the union mentioned just now by the hon. and learned Member for Moss Side (Mr. Hurst)?

Some of them do and some of them do not.

Will the Noble Lord convey to the staff the appreciation of this House of the loyal way in which the staff carried out their duties during the strike?

The Postmaster-General has already conveyed his thanks to the Service for what has been accomplished during that period.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the increase in the number of unemployed since the general strike?

The latest available figure is that for 10th May, on which date the number registered at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 1,576,000, as compared with 981,877 on 26th April In addition to the figure given for 10th May, there were on that date notices of claims to benefit in respect of about 325,000 workers not at work in the mining industry on account of the dispute, and about 200,000 on strike in other industries. These form part of a larger number, the total of which cannot at present be accurately determined, not at work in the mining industry on account of the dispute or on strike in other industries, none of whom are included in the total of 1,576,000.

Am I right in assuming that the general strike has added 500,000 to the unemployed?

I think far more than that.

Can the hon. Gentleman state how this appalling distress has in any way helped the miners?

asked the Minister of Labour if he has made any estimate of the number of working days lost by persons who withdrew their labour in the coal-mining and in other industries, respectively, during the period 30th April to 17th May, inclusive; and the number of working days lost involuntarily during the same period by other persons?

The necessary material for making such an estimate is at present being collected, and it is hoped that it will be available by the middle of next month.

Will it be published in the "Labour Gazette"?

Probably it will.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the nature of the sentences recently imposed in the Edinburgh Sheriff Court in connection with the strike, and will he reconsider these sentences, especially those where no violence or intimidation was alleged?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland proposes to obtain a return giving particulars of all these cases throughout Scotland. Until he has had an opportunity of considering the information so obtained, he is not in a position to decide as to any general action to be taken by him.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman in mind the fact that a number of these people concerned found themselves in the Police Court for the first time because it was understood that peaceful picketing was permitted under the Emergency Regulations?

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman's attention been called to a statement made by the Home Secretary, in reply to a deputation of the Trade Union Congress; and, seeing that the functions of the Home Secretary in Scotland fall on the Secretary for Scotland, in any future action will he consult with the Home Secretary so that whatever is done may be uniform in character?

I understand that the action of the Home Secretary is in close correspondence with the action proposed by my right hon. Friend.

Will the hon. Member see that in other cases the action taken will be uniform in character with that taken by the Home Secretary in this country?

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state approximately the effect of the general strike on the revenue, respectively, of the postal, telegraph, and telephone services?

I regret I cannot at present give even an approximate estimate of the financial effect of the general strike upon Post Office revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men employed in the ordnance factories are regarded as having discharged themselves if absent from work without leave for two consecutive days; that over 1,000 men in the Army ordnance services have been deprived of a week's wages although there is no signed agreement that one week's notice must be given; that in other departments over 8,000 men have received payment of wages due for the week's work previous to the dispute; will he explain why this discrimination has taken place in the case of the lowest paid workers; and will he take steps to remove this grievance by paying the amount due before the Whit-sun holidays?

There are two distinct classes of men involved—those in the Army Ordnance Department and those in the ordnance factories. The former have to give a week's notice to terminate their employment, and the latter can terminate it at notice sufficient to enable their pay sheets to be made up. In the former cases only a week's wages, as far as they had been earned, were withheld, but the Government has decided as an act of grace to pay the wages so withheld. All the men concerned returned to work at the first call on the 12th May before the general strike was called off.

Can the hon. and gallant Member tell me when this rule was made or published?

It is well understood. The test is that, if a man is summarily dismissed without reason, he has a claim against the Government for a week's wages in lieu of notice, and the converse holds good in regard to the men.

Can the hon. and gallant Member tell me whether there is any document or circular or settled rule which has been issued so that the men in the Arsenal may know it?

I am speaking of the Ordnance Department. It is in the ordinary terms of their engagement. I will let the hon. Member have the details if he requires them.

Does that apply to the small arms factory at Enfield also?

I shall require notice of that question. There are different forms of engagement. Some of the men are on terms of a week's notice, and the others, the general labourers in the ordnance factories are employed practically from day to day and can leave as soon as their pay sheets are made up.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that an undertaking was given to the men in the small arms factory that if they returned on Wednesday they would not be penalised in any way?

That is what I have said: they are not being penalised.

further asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the men in ordnance factories have not signed any agreement and know of no such rule to give one week's notice before stopping work; that there is a rule that, if men absent themselves from work for two consecutive days, they are regarded as having discharged themselves; will he explain why the inspection department (inspection of naval ordnance) have stopped two days' pay, while the naval ordnance department have stopped a full week's pay; and will he state the reason why this discrimination against the lowest paid men has taken place while over 8,000 men in the ordnance factories have been paid for all the time that they worked before the stoppage took place?

The Statements in the question are not quite in accordance with the facts. Where the Regulations under which the men of the various Departments are serving require a number of days notice to be given before men can take their discharge that number of days' pay was withheld from the men who were absent without leave. This money will, as an act of grace and without prejudice, be paid to the men serving under the Admiralty at Woolwich at the next regular pay day.

When will that be?

I will find out.

As it is possible that these men may want to go away on holiday, could they not have the money by to-morrow?

I will see what can be done about it.

asked the Home Secretary the attitude of the Government in regard to the recent deputation urging the need for legislation which will give to mercantile companies and corporations the right to vote in municipal elections?

The Government have not yet had an opportunity of considering the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education what arrangements now exist for the education of semi-mentally deficient children in England and Wales?

My right hon. Friend assumes that the hon. Member is referring to the children who are educationally retarded, but are not certifiable as mentally defective. Provision is made by an increasing number of local education authorities for the education of such dull and backward children in special classes on the general lines indicated in paragraph 14 of Circular 1341, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether any condition as to overcrowding attaches to subsidy houses, tenancies or purchasers; whether he proposes taking any steps to avoid such overcrowding; and whether he Has any statistics or can give any estimate as to overcrowding in any such post-War houses?

No general statutory condition as to overcrowding attaches to the grant of subsidy under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924, but local authorities may, with my approval, impose conditions, and I have no doubt that local authorities administering housing schemes are fully alive to the importance of taking all possible steps under their general statutory powers and otherwise to prevent; the occurrence of overcrowding in houses under their control. I have no information which would enable me to reply to the last part of my Noble Friend's question.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken by his Department to deal with the housing shortage within the area of the Erith District Council?

I have approved proposals submitted by the district council for the erection of 230 houses under the Housing Acts, 1923 and 1924. Contracts have been entered into for 126 of these houses and 54 of these have been completed: the remaining 104 were approved as recently as the 29th April. Proposals for the grant of assistance in respect of 68 houses to be erected by private enterprise have also been approved.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to bring in a Bill to extend Section 2 of the Housing Act, 1925, and the corresponding Scottish enactment, to houses occupied by miners in part remuneration for their work?

Similar proposals to those suggested by the hon. Member were discussed during the passage through this House of the Housing, Etc. Act, 1923. As I then pointed out, I consider that the powers contained in Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925, offer a more effective method of securing the object desired.

In considering the proposals that are going forward will it not be desirable to keep in view the suggestion contained in my question in any legislation that may be introduced affecting the miners?

If the statement made by the hon. Member be well founded, then the most effective method of achieving what he wants is by means of a Section that exists in the Act of 1925, and that is, I think, more effective than what he proposes.

asked the Minister of Health whether the attention of local authorities has been directed by his Department to the judgment in the case of Bennett v. Harding (1900) as to their power to inspect offices and insist on their sanitary condition; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of doing so?

Yes, Sir; the attention of local authorities was drawn to this judgment in a Home Office Memorandum of 1912. The judgment does not expressly refer to offices, and it may be well to have a test case to make the position clear.

Is there an attempt being made to smoke out this House?

I fancy it is something that has happened on the river.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent the swelling of the number of vagrants by men displaced from industry on the lines proposed by the Bishop of Exeter with regard to vagrancy reforms?

The available information does not support the view that there is at present any unusual increase in the number of vagrants. The question of this branch of administration is being considered, with other aspects of the Poor Law reform proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any representations urging the Government to inquire into the possibility of a system of strict rationing of all spending Departments as a means of relieving the strain on the present financial position; and whether he will state the attitude of the Government in regard to this matter?

As I have frequently stated, His Majesty's Government have explored, and are continuing to explore, all possible avenues of economy. Departments are already rationed in the sense that they are restricted to the Estimates voted by Parliament. I do not feel sure what the hon. Member means by "rationing"; but, if he means that all Departments should have their expenditure reduced by a fixed percentage, I think reflection will convince him that this is impossible.

Would my right hon. Friend say which is the best way of exploring an avenue of economy?

We made one determined effort to progress along one of those avenues before the introduction of the Budget.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he is aware that Government staffs when reducing temporary staff treat ex-service men who served overseas after the date of the Armistice as on an equal footing with men who did not serve overseas at any time; and, if so, whether he is prepared to take steps to have these men treated as overseas ex-service men, provided their discharge papers show that they served overseas on active service;

(2), whether he is aware that ex-regular soldiers who served overseas before the Great War and were retained in this country for the purpose of training the new armies are now being dismissed from Government Departments as home service men; and if he is prepared to take steps to ensure that as far as possible these long-service men are retained in employment?

So far as concerns the preference given to ex-service men as regards retention in temporary posts in the Civil Service, to which reference was made in my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 3rd May, it is the practice of the Joint Substitution Board of the Treasury and Ministry of Labour to regard as "overseas service," not only service rendered overseas between the 4th August, 1914 and the 11th November, 1918, inclusive, but also service rendered overseas in any campaign, whether before the outbreak of War in August, 1914, or after the Armistice. I see no reason for any modification of this practice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the Excise Duty which has been received from home-grown beet sugar factories during the last season on molasses containing 70 per cent. or more of sweetening matter; on molasses containing less than 70 per cent. and more than 50 per cent.; on molasses containing 50 per cent. and not less than 45 per cent.; and on molasses containing less than 45 per cent.?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures promised:

The amount of Excise Duty collected up to the end of April, 1926, on molasses manufactured from home-grown beet during last season, was as follows:

Molasses containing less than 45 per cent. of sweetening matter is not separately distinguished for purposes of Excise Duty.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters are being delivered to the Plebs League, 162, Buckingham Palace Road, opened; and whether, if it is considered necessary to have examined the letters of this purely educational labour organisation, he will give instructions that the letters should be closed in some proper manner and not merely delivered with slit envelopes?

I have been asked to reply. It would be contrary to the public interest to give information about any exercise of my powers in connection with the post.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it contrary to-the public interest to have letters delivered with their contents bulging out, and no attempt made to close them properly after they have been opened by his Department?

Certainly not. If the hon. Lady will give me any correspondence which has been opened and delivered in the way she suggests, I will cause inquiry to be made, and if the correspondence was directed to her personally I need hardly say she need only send the envelopes.

Is it a fact that none of us have any guarantee that letters sent through the post may not be opened?

I think anyone who has a good conscience may rest satisfied that he is in no danger.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I myself received a letter addressed to the House of Commons the other day, marked "via Siberia," which had been opened?

It may have been opened in Siberia.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only way to have a clear conscience in the House is to have no opinion at all, or to side with him?

That may be so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a book called "Kenya," by Dr. Norman Leys, is adversely referred to in Command Paper 2629; whether the Government accepts responsibility for this attack; and, if so, will he state which specific statements in that book, relative to the subject of the Command Paper, are alleged in any way to be inaccurate?

The Command Paper contains no adverse reference to the book "Kenya" except in regard to a quotation on page 157, from a letter to the "East African Standard," in which a person identified in the index as Lord Delamere was accused of dummying, that is, of obtaining an undue amount of land by the use of other people's names. The charge was quoted by Lord Olivier in another place, and the publication of the paper is the result. There has been no attack on Dr. Leys' book, but as regards Government responsibility I am glad to have the opportunity of saying that in my opinion there is no foundation whatever for the accusation against Lord Delamere which Dr. Leys has been ill-advised enough to resuscitate in his book.

Is it not a very dangerous precedent for the Government to come to an almost judicial decision on the question of the evidence put forward by Doctor Leys without giving the man who is being charged with inaccuracy the opportunity of appearing in any way before the Commission?

I think there is no necessity in that case. Doctor Leys re-published, apparently, without any investigation, a false charge made in a newspaper some time before—a false charge investigated by the Government and found to be false.

Is it proposed to take action in the Courts?

It is not necessary for the Government, when false statements have been made which affect the action of a Government Department, in every case to bring an action against the person con- cerned. It is enough for the Government to express its own view that the charges were inaccurate.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that if there were a case for a legal action Lord Delamere was in a position to take it, and is the Government justified in taking the responsibility off Lord Delamere and bringing forward this ex parte report without any evidence being taken from the other party to the dispute?

I really think the right hon. Gentleman misunderstands the position. Lord Delamere's freedom to bring any action he likes is in no way affected. All that has happened is that the Government has expressed its opinion, after examining the Report, that, as far as the Government is concerned, there is no substantiation of the charge in Lord Delamere's case.

Is it not the case that a, reflection on Government administration is implied in these charges and that it is clearing itself?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the various areas set forth on page 6 of Command Paper 2629 as having been acquired by Lord Delamere with the Government's approval (in addition to his original grant of 100,000 acres), during the three years immediately following that original acquisition, were acquired in accordance with, or contrary to, the terms of the Crown Lands Ordinance then in force?

There was nothing in these acquisitions contrary to the Crown Lands Ordinance then in force. The Secretary of State had decided that grants raising any person's total holding beyond 1,000 acres freehold or 10,000 acres freehold and leasehold combined, should not be made without reference to him, and it was therefore necessary in 1906 that this sanction should be obtained to the transfer, arranged but not yet sanctioned, which are referred to on page 6 of the White Paper.

Would it not be a good thing if a great many Lord Delameres could be found to develop the British Empire?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the fact that there are 500 families and 12,000 individuals accepted for assisted passages to Australia and awaiting shipment, he has satisfied himself that there is enough tonnage at the disposal of the companies concerned to enable them to sail with the minimum amount of delay?

The total number of persons who have been accepted for the grant of assisted passages to Australia and who have not yet sailed is 4,607, composed of 1,080 single persons and 3,527 members of families. I understand that the available tonnage is sufficient to enable all these persons to sail without undue delay.

What is the reason these people cannot be sent after they have been accepted?

There are a good many administrative delays of one sort or another. I imagine they are going to get away in the next few weeks.

Would it not be possible, if there is any delay, to make use of some of the £3,000,000 grant to assist emigration to help them to get away more quickly?

These are people who are being assisted out of the grant.

Is it not the case that these emigrants were held up owing to the shipping strike? I know those who went from Argyllshire were held up.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the amount of revenue derived annually from Press telegrams, and what is the amount of expense entailed in connection with such telegrams?

The revenue from Press telegrams in 1925–26 was £84,000, and the expenditure involved is roughly calculated to be in the neighbourhood of £330,000.

Will the Noble Lord consider whether, if savings were made by Press telegrams being put on a paying basis, he could utilise them towards the setting up of an agricultural parcels post?

That does not arise.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the benefits, especially to rural districts, of the service of broadcast news during the strike, he will consider, in the coming revision of the powers possessed by the Broadcasting Company, the desirability of recommending a more general distribution of news bulletins at fixed hours of the day?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Blackburn.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the progress of the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Turkish Republic in regard to the settlement of the boundary question between Turkey and Iraq; and whether he is aware that, just as soon as there is any definite indication of a satisfactory arrangement being arrived at, there are many British firms, long associated with Turkey, ready to co-operate with that country in its development?

As regards the first part of the question, I have as yet nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull on the 29th April. As regards the second part of the question, I readily accept the assurance of my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the instructions given to the representative of this country at the preparatory conference on disarmament now sitting at Geneva in connection with the League of Nations?

I regret that I do not feel able to comply with the hon. Member's request. Publication at this stage of the instructions referred to would be likely to hamper rather than help the work of the British representative, and so militate against the success of the conference.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is now intended to publish any statement regarding the loss of His Majesty's Ship "Hampshire"?

This question is receiving consideration.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Minister of Health how soon the Report of Sir Harry Goschen's Departmental Committee on Grants-in-Aid to Necessitous Areas will be available for Members?

This question only reached me by this morning's post. The Report would have been published last week but for the strike of printers. I hope it will be available shortly.

On a point of Order. Are we not to have a second round of the questions?

It is not the practice to have a second round when the House meets at Eleven o'Clock.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the protest of the Edinburgh railway men against the allegations of the Superintendent of the London, and North Eastern Railway respecting the callous behaviour of the railway men on the occasion of the accident 10 days ago at St. Margarets, and whether he has considered their request for a public inquiry?

Perhaps the hon. Member will take opportunity in the Debate later on to put his question.

On a point of Order I understand that part of the Adjournment is to be taken up debating the question raised by my hon. Friend, and the question of victimisation of workers. Is that to be the case? If so, can we know when the Debate is likely to take place?

I understand that that will be taken as part of the Debate after three o'clock.

Will there be some representative of the Scottish Office here this afternoon, in order that I may get a reply to my question, which is considered a very urgent one by the railway men of Edinburgh?

I must apologise to the House. I had no idea that there was any further question for me to answer, and I had left the House to attend an important Departmental Committee. I had no idea that the hon. Member was going to ask a question. I shall be very glad to give him any information in my power.

I put in this Private Notice question yesterday, in good time. I am sorry to hear that the hon. and gallant Member has not received a copy of it.

I have received no copy of any Private Notice question.