asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that prior to May, 1923, negotiations were in progress with the Soviet Government for compensation to be paid to Mrs. Stan Harding, Mrs. Davidson, and Mr. J. Martin, and that on 8th May, 1923, compensation in the two former cases was pressed for and secured, he can state why Mr. Martin's case was not similarly pressed at that time; and what steps are being taken to secure compensation for him and other British subjects who suffered personal injury by the Soviet Government from imprisonment and otherwise?

Mr. Martin's case was taken up with the Soviet Government in September, 1922, but owing to the un- satisfactory nature of the reply His Majesty's Government did not consider that any useful purpose would be served by further representations at that time. With reference to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the second half of the reply made to him on the 24th instant in answer to a question on the same subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it was found possible to obtain compensation from the Soviet Government in the case of Mrs. Stan. Harding and Mrs. Davidson and impossible in the case of Mr. Martin?

My predecessor who was responsible at that time singled out two cases as being, for some reason, of special urgency, or specially easy to obtain settlement. There is not merely the case of Mr. Martin outstanding; there are a good many others.

When the right hon. Gentleman mentions his predecessor, does he not mean Lord Curzon?

I mean my predecessor in September, 1922. I think it was Lord Curzon.

Are we to understand that the Foreign Office has abandoned the claims of these British citizens and that they are left to their fate?

My hon. Friend must not understand that.

In regard to Mr. Martin, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his eyes were put out by the authorities in Russia? Has he Mr. Martin's story?

I must ask for notice of that question. I believe we have full information, but I have not refreshed my memory lately and I cannot answer without notice.

I hope the Government will not abandon the cases of Mr. Martin and others. Will the right hon. Gentleman say what action the Government are taking in order to obtain redress?

I have said that I see no prospect of taking action at the present time with successful result. Whenever it would be possible to arrange these matters, we shall put forward this case and other cases in which we think compensation is undoubtedly due.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Martin stated in the Lobby that his blindness was due to lack of medical requisites, which were then being stooped by the British?

I do not know what passed in the Lobby.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics Embassy has issued, through its Press Bureau, to the Members of the House of Commons a publication, entitled Bulletin No. 88, criticising the Note of protest sent by the British Government to the Soviet Government in Russia; and whether he intends taking any steps to prevent this form of propaganda in future?

On a point of Order. Before Question No. 5 is answered, I desire to submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that the question is out of order, as making an aspersion on a Government with which we are supposed to be on friendly terms. In making that suggestion, I wish to remind you of a supplementary question which I sought to put in regard to propaganda which was being conducted by the French Government. You charactcrised that supplementary question as most improper. Some hon. Members have no particular liking for the Russian Government, while others have no liking for the French Government, and I submit—

Speech!

The hon. and gallant Member must not argue the point. I do not see any objectionable insinuation in this question.

May I remind you that, when I sought to put a question asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could take any steps to prevent French propaganda—

Speech!

The hon. and gallant Member cannot now raise that point. This is a question about action in this country, and not in another country.

No, Sir; I was not aware that Members of the House of Commons had received copies of this document, but the Soviet Mission furnished me with a copy of this number, as of others, of their weekly Press Bulletin. The passage in the Bulletin to which the hon. Member refers summarises an article in the "Izvestia" of the 15th June. I do not think that any steps Such as are suggested are called for.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to Treaty Series No. 16, 1926, Cmd. 2680, whether this closes the diplomatic proceedings for the economic partition of Abyssinia; whether the agreement of the Government of the French Republic has been obtained; whether the agreement of the Royal Government of Abyssinia has been obtained; whether arrangements have been made for road building, barrage works, etc., for the Blue Nile on Abyssinian territory; and by whom this work is to be carried out, and who will finance it?

The exchange of Notes with the Italian Government provides that the two Governments undertake to afford each other mutual support in furtherance of their respective interests in Abyssinia and cannot by any latitude in interpretation be held to import economic partition.

The recent Anglo-Italian Agreement, as the hon. and gallant Member is aware, has already been communicated to the French and Abyssinian Governments for their information, but, as it is a bilateral instrument, their acceptance of its subject-matter must be sought in separate correspondence. The French Government are considering the matter and no negotiations will be initiated with the Abyssinian Government until the latter have had time to consider the present Agreement in detail. Until this exchange of views between His Majesty's Government and the Abyssinian Government has taken place, there can of course be no question of making any arrangements for such works as are contemplated in the Anglo-Italian exchange of Notes.

Is it contemplated that these works will be undertaken by a company or by His Majesty's Government direct?

I have not begun to think how the works shall be Undertaken if the Abyssinian Government agrees to their execution. We have not reached that stage yet.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay Papers dealing with the correspondence between ourselves and the French Government?

I cannot say what I will lay until the correspondence is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representative of His Majesty's Government has given any promise, in the course of recent negotiations, to endeavour to facilitate a loan to the Turkish Government?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to give the House any official information received with reference to the recent happenings in China?

The question is rather a wide one, but if I may assume that it has reference to the meeting at Peking between Marshals Chang Tso-lin and Wu Pei-fu, which has recently taken place, I have nothing to add to the information which has appeared in the Press.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the incidence of venereal disease in the Navy has increased or diminished in the last three years; and whether he can state what is the general view of the naval medical service as to the value of the preventive measures that have been employed?

For the years 1922, 1923 and 1924 (the latest for which figures are available) the statistics indicate a slow but steady decrease in the incidence of venereal diseases in the Royal Navy. Various preventive measures are employed—moral, physical and medical—and it is generally considered that these have contributed collectively to the reduction.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there has recently been a serious leakage of oil into the waters of the Hamoaze; and whether the Government will take steps to compensate the boat owners concerned for the time, labour and expense incurred in making good the damage done?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what procedure is followed in the case of those men invalided from His Majesty's Navy who desire to question the decision of the medical officer, which deprives them of pension rights; and whether the medical officer's report, which is the basis of the complaint, is referred to and taken as evidence of the correctness of that Report?

All representations made by the rating prior to the medical survey are carefully considered by the board of survey. These and any further representations made by him or on his behalf subsequent to the invaliding are carefully investigated by the medical authorities at the Admiralty in conjunction with the rating's medical history and with reference to conditions of his service. Any medical report which may be the basis of the complaint is referred to and taken as evidence subject to further investigations or other evidence.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, when he reached his decision not to institute an appeal tribunal for those naval ratings who are invalided by Service doctors and who are dissatisfied with the decisions which deprive them of their pension rights, he had present in his mind that 95 per cent. of those invalided from His Majesty's Navy during the year 1925 were deprived of their careers and pension rights on the ground that their disabilities were not attributable; and whether he will reconsider this decision?

All relevant particulars were taken into account in arriving at the decision not to establish an appeal tribunal for ratings invalided from the Service. I would remind the hon. Member that although it is not within the powers of the Admiralty to compensate ratings for loss of career owing to invaliding for a non-attributable disability, ratings who have rendered a certain minimum period of service are granted pensions even if the disability is not attributable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what docks there are in the Pacific on British Territory large enough to accommodate the cruisers now being built for the Royal Navy?

The following docks in the Pacific on British Territory will accommodate the cruisers now being built for the Royal Navy:

Sydney.—Sutherland Dock (Cockatoo Island), Mort's New Graving Dock, Woolwich.

Esquimalt.—New Dominion Government Dry Dock (practically complete).

Hong Kong.—Taikoo Dockyard Company's Dry Dock, Hong Kong and Whampoa Company's No. 1 Dock.

Singapore.—King's Dock.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what docks exist on British territory in the Pacific capable of accommodating the largest units of the Royal Navy; and what docks of such size are being prepared in the Pacific other than at Singapore?

The following dock existing on British territory in the Pacific is capable of accommodating the largest units of the Royal Navy: Esquimalt—new Dominion Government dry dock, which is practically complete. With regard to the latter part of the question, it is understood that the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Company, Hong Kong, are proceeding with the initial stages of their proposed 1,200 feet dry dock.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered with the Australian Government an enlargement of the dock accommodation at Sydney in order to take the largest ships?

I cannot say that I have recently, and I cannot without notice tell the hon. and gallant Gentleman when the last communication took place.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of selling the land and docks at Hong Kong and devote the proceeds towards the building of the Singapore dock?

The hon. Gentleman must give notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that up to this year members of the Royal Naval Welfare Committee have been granted the usual allowances when absent on Welfare Committee business away from their own port, but that this year members are denied this allowance and are lodged in barracks where privacy is impossible and conference difficult; and if he will look into the matter?

Under the Regulations lodging and provision allowance are payable if the ratings cannot be accommodated and victualled in His Majesty's ships or establishments, and no departure from this rule is considered necessary. Ample facilities exist in the barracks for informal discussion among the delegates.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Welfare Committee is a very valuable asset to the Admiralty and a great stand-by for the lower deck?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now able to give the House an approximate figure of the amount lost in wages throughout Great Britain during the period of the general strike?

The amount lost in wages during the period of the general strike was, as nearly as I am able to estimate at present, between £14,000,000 and £16,000,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the approximate figure of what is being lost day by day through the present dispute?

No, I cannot. I must have notice of a question like that.

Is it not the fact that any trade unionist who has lost wages as a result of the general strike has a cause of action against his trade union leaders?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a Grade 3 temporary clerk, recently dismissed from the Claims and Record Office, Kew, on the ground that he was carrying on a bookmaking business in the office, admitted that he had been engaged in this unofficial occupation during official hours for a period of two to three years; that the permanent supervising and controlling officers, under whom the alleged bookmaker had served during the last five years, failed to detect the carrying on of this illegitimate business; and that a Grade 1 temporary clerk is now being reduced to Grade 3 rank, with a consequential loss in pay of 23s. a week, because he failed to detect and report the bookmaker, although he had been employed in the same section for not more than four months; and what action is he prepared to take to secure fair treatment of this Grade 1 temporary clerk, who has a good record of service with the Department?

Certain temporary clerks have been summarily dismissed from the Kew Office on account of their association with betting transactions within that office. Suitable disciplinary action was taken in all cases where the Department had sufficient evidence of complicity or of neglect of official duty in this connection. In the case of the clerk referred to by the hon. Member, I am satisfied that it would not have been proper to retain him in a supervisory post, and that in all the circumstances the position has been fairly met by his continuance in post as a Grade 3 clerk.

Is it not the case that this has been going on for the last four years, and is it not a fact that the clerk who has been dismissed had only been there for three months?

That is quite an incorrect idea of what has happened. There had been a certain amount of suspicion that betting had been going on inside the office for some little time, but naturally it was concealed from the authorities as far as possible. When suspicion was aroused, every effort was made to find it out, and when it was found out every officer who was culpable, as far as we know, was suitably dealt with. In the present case the clerk in question was in a supervisory capacity, and seated next to one of the people who were found out to be bookmakers, and therefore, having been seated next to him and a supervisor over him, the Department thought he was one of those who should be dealt with. The bookmakers were dismissed and the supervisor degraded.

Are these men to be reinstated when betting is made legal?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the writing assistants employed at Kew very much dislike having to work machines for cancelling stamps during the cancelling periods, whereas the temporary women clerks are anxious to obtain this work; and whether, under these circumstances, during the forthcoming cancelling period, he will consider the employment of the existing temporary women staff on this work?

The work is such as can properly be allotted to women writing assistants, and the employment upon it of officers of this grade or of women temporary clerks is regulated by the general requirements of the work of the office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that a number of night-watchmen employed by his Department, who have been employed continuously since 1911, have been informed that their service prior to 1918 will not be allowed to count for increment purposes, although they signed agreements when first employed which would entitle them to such gratuity as might be awarded under the Superannuation Act, 1887, but the Department cannot find any record of these men prior to 1918, although admitting that they were employed as night-watchmen from 1911; and whether, to ensure that the service rendered by these men shall be counted for gratuity purposes under the Superannuation Act, he will inquire into this matter and say what steps he proposes to take to remedy this complaint?

(for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): Prior to the 3rd February, 1918, the night watchmen to whom the question refers were in the service of the Corps of Commissionaires, and their wages were paid by that organisation, who claimed a refund from the Board, with certain establishment charges in addition, at regular intervals. No agreements were signed by the men until the aforementioned date, when they were taken into the direct employ of the Department, and thus for the first time became eligible for consideration for gratuities under the Superannuation Acts. In these circumstances, the First Commissioner regrets that he is unable to take any further steps in the matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these men all signed an agreement, and that this particular office acknowledged that they did sign an agreement?

No. They did not sign an agreement until 1918, when they were taken into direct employment. Since that date they have received all the gratuities to which they are entitled under the Superannuation Act.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of signatures per week required by casual dockworkers registered at the Walworth Road (Borough) Employment Exchange, together with the number of times of signing-on required by other classifications?

Dockworkers registered at the Borough Exchange prove unemployment by means of attendance cards presented twice daily except on Saturday at special port workers' offices. Other casual workers attend at the Exchange once daily. Owing to exceptional pressure of work at the Exchange the number of attendance of male claimants in other classifications has been reduced, as a temporary measure, from Monday, 28th June, from three to two per week. Women attend on three days per week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Belgian Chamber of Representatives has recently passed an Act to ratify the eight-hour day without reservation; and whether he will state the Government's policy in regard to ratification of this Convention by Great Britain?

I understand that the Bill in question passed the Chamber of Representatives on 4th June, but I am not aware that it has yet passed the Senate. On the second part of the question I regret that the attention of the Government has been and still is so far preoccupied by the industrial situation that I am not yet able to add anything to the statement made on the 30th April by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour during the Debate on the Hours of Employment Bill.

Will the Government take the earliest possible opportunity of disproving the allegation that they intend to make a general attack on the hours of the working people of this country?

I have denied that categorically in public, and in this House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how it is possible for the Government to ratify this Convention if they pass a Bill allowing eight hours' work at the coal face?

That question will have to be dealt with at another time.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the British Government representative at the recent Conference of the International Labour Office voted in favour of the recognition of the nominee of the Italian Fascist syndicates as the Italian workers' representative; and, if so, whether his vote was given on his own initiative or in accordance with previous instructions?

The British Government delegates to the eighth and ninth Sessions of the International Labour Conference voted for the admission of the credentials of the Italian workers' delegate. In so doing they followed the course adopted by their predecessors at the seventh Session in 1925.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the workers of Italy have actually chosen this representative or was he chosen by the Government without the approval of the workers?

That is a question concerning the internal affairs of another Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to fill the vacancies for short-service officers in the general branch of the Royal Air Force?

Vacancies for short-service officers in the general duties branch of the Royal Air Force are periodically announced in the Press, and candidates are selected by a board sitting at the Air Ministry. The flow of applicants is generally satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is able to make any statement on the result of the tests and experiments carried out with the 30 horsepower Bristol Cherub aeroplane designed by Captain G. T. R. Hill?

The objects of this aircraft are to obtain increased stability and control down to and beyond what is known as the stalling speed. The Air Ministry considered the results of the tests sufficiently promising to justify the purchase of the existing machine and the ordering of a further improved machine of the type.

asked the Minister of Health whether the report of the expert sent down by the Ministry of Health to investigate the circumstances of several deaths from puerperal septicæmia at Kingston has been submitted to him; and what steps are being taken to inform the public as to the result of such investigation?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on this subject yesterday to the hon. Member for Central Southwark.

In view of the extreme gravity of the case, will the hon. Gentleman give the name of the doctor, and his qualifications, who made the inquiry, and say whether any previous investigation has been made regarding the administration of this institution?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the relief scales in operation in the Greenwich and West Ham Unions which he requested should be lowered before giving sanction for future loans, and the scales in each instance suggested by him, which were accepted in the first instance by the Greenwich Union and afterwards rejected, and which up to the present are rejected by the West Ham Board?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of the relief scales which were in operation in these Unions before the last applications for loans were dealt with by my right hon. Friend. In neither case was a scale of relief suggested by him, but in both cases the Boards of Guardians were asked to submit proposals of their own which would lead to a substantial reduction of expenditure.

Is it not a fact that the Ministry did suggest certain reductions to the Board?

asked the Minister of Health whether he consulted his medical advisers before recommending

No, Sir. I have stated that the Minister suggested no scale. What he did suggest was that they should submit proposals which, when submitted, would show a substantial reduction in expenditure.

Is it not true that, although the guardians did suggest a scale, when that scale was put into operation they found it was inhuman, and they rescinded their previous decision?

No. The scale which has been recently adopted is still in operation.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Minister of Health considers 25s. a week for a man and wife an excessive scale of relief?

That is a matter for argument.

Is it the view of the Ministry that the longer people are on the list the less they want to live on?

My right hon. Friend has not recommended the West Ham Board of Guardians to make the substitution suggested. The dietary of this institution is supervised by the medical officer of the institution. With regard to the dietetic value of margarine I may refer the hon. Member to the special Report on "Diet in relation to normal nutrition" issued by my Department in 1921, of which I will send him a copy.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at the end of the War the medical officer of his Department advised all boards of guardians to change over from margarine to butter for their children and sick people?

I am not aware of that. The hon. Gentleman had better carefully study this Report.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to issue a statement showing the

May I ask the hon. Member himself to study the Reports of his own advisers?

asked the Minister of Health the total amount of loans raised and interest and repayments paid by the West Ham Board of Guardians for the purposes of relief during the past six years; the amounts of the loans at present outstanding; the number of able-bodied single men and the number of able-bodied married men and their dependants in receipt of relief on 19th June, 1926; the same figure for the same date in 1924 and 1925; and what is the average cost per person for outdoor relief in England and Wales, and the cost per person in West Ham?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the information available.

It is assumed that the hon. Member refers to the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund. A statement of the payments into and out of the Fund is regularly circulated, and I am sending him a copy of the last statement issued, namely, that for the half year ended 30th September, 1925.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House the amount of subsidy that the Government give to this Poor Law Fund every year?

I am not aware that the Government give any subsidy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of straw-paper made in Great Britain in 1925 and the localities where it was made?

There are, I understand, several factories in different parts of the country, but I regret that official statistics as to the output in 1925 are not available.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this so-called straw-paper, made in Great Britain, is made of straw?

It is made from the clippings of strawboards, which is made of straw.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the Debate the President of the Board of Trade stated specifically that he knew of such manufacture, and if there is no information in the Board of Trade on what did the right hon Gentleman base his statement?

I have the OFFICIAL REPORT here, and also a sample of British straw-board. I find that my right hon. Friend did speak of paper made from straw, and I think he was misreported. I am perfectly sure that he spoke of paper made from the clipping of straw-board.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that owing to certain action recently taken, placing wrapping paper under the Safeguarding of Industries, there will be an increase in the manufacture of straw-paper, and that the increase will not only benefit—

Order, order!

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the values of linen yarn and linen manufactured goods of all kinds, other than yarn, imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the years 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, and 1925, respectively?

The answer is rather long and contains some figures. It will accordingly be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, if my hon. Friend has no objection.

asked the Secretary for Mines the total amount paid as subsidy to the coal industry for the nine months ending 30th April, 1926; how much of the amount was taken as profits by the coal owners during that period; and how much was paid to royalty owners?

The total amount of subvention for the nine months is estimated to amount to £23,300,000. As regards the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ilford on 14th June. No payment has been made to royalty owners in respect of subvention.

Could the Minister not tell us what were the profits to the owners during the nine months, and how much was paid to the royalty owners during the nine months?

No, I cannot tell the hon. Member what was paid to the royalty owners. There was nothing to pay. I shall be able soon to give him the figures with regard to the owners, but I have not yet got the complete figures for the nine months.

If the Minister says there was nothing paid to the royalty owners, where did they get it from if not from the subvention?

They got it from sources other than the subvention.

Is it not a fact that during the nine months during which the subsidy was granted to the coal industry, 30,000,000 tons of coal was produced over and above what would have been produced without the subsidy, and that, therefore, the royalty owners got the royalty on that output which they would not have got otherwise?

Has the Minister not misapprehended the latter part of the question? It was not how much was paid out of the subvention, but how much was paid to the royalty owners.

Is it the case that because of the lower price the 30 million tons were in fact sold?

There is a doubt as to the latter part of the question. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down as a separate question.

Is it not the case that the royalty owners of this country last year drew £6,500,000?

Further questions should be put down.

When may I have a reply to the question to which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman referred?

As soon as I have the figures. I have not yet got the figures for last month, but as soon as I have them, I will give them to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal and other accidents occurring in mines in this country in each complete year immediately before and after the introduction of the Eight Hours Act and the Seven Hours Act, respectively; and the number of persons engaged in the mining industry during each of such years?

The reply involves a long statistical statement, and I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 20,000 stone of fish, principally hake, whiting, and bream, brought into the port of Fleetwood, Lancashire, have been consigned to fish-meal works because it was impossible to find buyers at 4d. per stone; and whether, in view of the shortage of food, particularly in the mining villages and towns of Lancashire, the Government will arrange for the distribution to the areas in question of such fish as may be surplus to the requirements of ordinary buyers?

I am aware that considerable quantities of fish are occasionally consigned to Fish Meal Works from the Port of Fleetwood. Such consignments take place when the landings for that port are abnormally large and the fish is of an inferior description. I am informed that 10,000 of the 20,000 stone mentioned by the hon. Member had been condemned as unfit for human consumption. With regard to the latter part of the question, I regret that it is not possible to set up an organisation to deal with the distribution of occasional surpluses of fish at "glut" periods.

In view of the fact that the fish would not have been condemned, in all probability, had it been despatched on being landed, and that 20,000 stone of fish would represent about 300,000 square meals for people in need of them in Lancashire, cannot the Government do something to prevent the fishermen's labour from being wasted?

Is it not the fact that if the policy of the hon. Gentleman, the Secretary to the Overseas Department, of developing the export trade in fish to Italy and other Continental countries, had been adopted, there would have been no glut, such as has been mentioned?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the occurrence referred to is a common occurrence, and that the disparity in the price paid by the purchaser and the price paid by the consumer is greater than—

The hon. and gallant Member is putting a speech into a question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware, in connection with the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among the cattle on a farm at Elmstead, that this is causing concern to the local farmers, who believe that the free importation of Dutch potatoes in skips covered with sacking often re-used may be the cause of the infection; and whether he will take steps to obtain information on this point and as to whether the sacking to the skips should be immediately destroyed in the same way as the straw packing is destroyed from potatoes sent from different parts of the Kingdom to the eastern counties?

Inquiries into the case in question have revealed no connection between imported potatoes and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. My information is that very rarely do skips and their sacking get on to farms where they would be brought into contact with animals, and I am advised that there is no necessity at present to take action on the lines proposed by my hon. Friend. I am, however, having the position carefully watched.

Would it not be safer if we kept out all foreign food from coming into this country, and thus kept up prices for the farmer?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if he has been able to establish any connection between wrappings of any kind—hay, straw, and such like—coming from the Continent and foot-and-mouth disease?

No; we have no evidence whatever, but if the farmers suspect these forms of packing material the remedy is largely in their own hands. They can take steps to prevent such packing material from being brought into contact with cattle.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any type of anti-dazzle headlight has yet been submitted to him which fulfils the necessary requirements of safety and efficiency?

I am not aware of any headlight which provides a complete solution to the problem of obtaining a full driving light without any dazzle. Many palliatives have been suggested, but their usefulness depends upon the. fitting and adjustment of the particular devices, and in many cases upon the courtesy of the driver, as to the manner in which they are used.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether tests are still being carried out?

Yes, the whole question is constantly under review.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the necessity for the use of dipping headlights?

All these matters are being considered.

Does that mean that some Government Department is engaged in this research work?

Yes, the Ministry of Transport, under the Act of 1925 has power to conduct research.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether his attention has been called to the increasing number of motor accidents; and whether he is contemplating any action in the matter;

(2) whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Bill for the control of motor vehicles introduced by him this Session?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I have constantly before me the question of motor accidents, and I would refer him to the answer, of which I am sending him a copy, which I gave on the 27th April, to the hon. Member for South-east Southwark (Mr. Naylor). As I have stated before, I hope as soon as Parliamentary time is available to introduce a. Motor Vehicles Bill, which will, among other matters, provide additional powers for dealing with dangerous driving.

Will that Bill also include the speed limit?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his answer definitely means that the Bill will not be proceeded with this Session?

Nothing is certain in this world, but it looks rather unlikely.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the annual training camp of the Sherwood Foresters Brigade, 46th North Midland Division, is to be held at Redcar and, if so, why is the 138th Brigade (Lincoln and Leicester) not allowed to proceed to camp at Rhyl, which was also arranged to take place after 15th July?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The training of the Regular Army this year has been kept within the limits of commands, and the same principle, when it could be made effective, has been applied to the Territorial Army. The 138th Brigade is not proceeding to Rhyl, which is outside the command and at a distance considered to be excessive in view of the restriction on traffic facilities.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

Speak up!

Written questions should be handed in.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the grounds on which Great Britain's claim to £750,000 under the financial agreement for communications and works in Iraq has been surrendered?

The claim, which amounts to a less sum than that stated in the question, has been waived in accordance with the recommendation of the Financial Mission which visited Iraq in the early part of 1925. The Report of the Mission was presented to Parliament last year as Command Paper No. 2438.

Do the Government intend to introduce a Bill to enable this House, in accordance with the usual procedure, to agree to this discharge of a debt?

I must have notice of that question.

Are we to understand that this large sum is going to be cancelled on the ipse dixit of the Minister, without the House being consulted at all?

Not at all. If the hon. and gallant Member will read the report and recommendations of the Mission presided over by my right hon. Friend the Member for Norwich (Mr. H. Young)—

I have read them.

—he will see the reasons set forth there, and how this has been a matter of negotiation with the Treasury.

It is not a question of the reasons, which no doubt are excellent, but of the authority of this House. Is this House to have no authority in the matter?

As I have already said to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain Benn), if the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question on the matter my right hon. Friend will no doubt be ready to answer it.

Are all the recommendations of the Mission being carried out?

I cannot, without refreshing my memory, say offhand as to all these recommendations how many have been carried out, and how many have not been carried out. It would be better if the hon. Member would put down a question later.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the estimated reduction of the expenditure owing to the agreement. between Britain and Turkey over the Iraq boundary?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 21st June, to which my right hon. Friend at present has nothing to add.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that answer conveyed no information whatever, and when will the hon. Gentleman be in a position to give an estimate of the Saving which is to be effected?

My right hon. Friend in that answer said the matter was being investigated, that it required very careful actuarial calculation, and that it would be some time before he could give the figures.

May I have an answer to the second part of my supplementary question as to when we shall be given this information?

When it has been compiled.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman quite certain that this saving, when it does accrue, accrues to the taxpayers of this country, and not to the Iraq Government?