asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it is necessary to introduce military conscription among the European population of Kenya Colony?

In the circumstances of a small and scattered white population living among a large native population it is obvious that the provision of an efficient and disciplined military force in on emergency, whenever that emergency might arise, cannot easily be ensured on a purely voluntary basis, and as the principle of compulsory enrolment was urged upon me by the representatives of the people concerned and was supported by the local Government, I agreed to its adoption.

Is the introduction of compulsory service in East Africa likely to produce good relations between blacks and whites?

The natives are not concerned in any way in Kenya more than any other part of Africa. We have had questions in regard to raids from Abyssinia and circumstances on the frontier and the whole European population are, I think, unanimous in desiring a reserve force to be used in case of an emergency.

Is it not a fact that the Dutch East India Colonies have had this regulation for the last 50 years?

Is it not also a fact that we in Ceylon have not had this regulation in force, though we have been there for a 100 years?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the composition of the Commission of Inquiry in Kenya under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Feetham; and whether there will be an Indian representative on the Commission?

The Governor is addressing me by despatch on the membership of the Commission, and at present I cannot make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that about 140 Jewish families from Iraq and Kurdistan are stranded at Bagdad on their way to Palestine, where they are desirous of settling; that these settlers are possessed of sufficient means, having sold up all their property, but are being discouraged by the delays and are being put to considerable expense; what are the reasons for these delays; and whether he will give instructions for permits to be given as soon as possible to these people?

I informed the hon. and gallant Member on 5th July that I would make inquiries on this subject. I have not yet received a report.

if I repeat the question on Monday, can I have an answer.

If we get a telegram.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he contemplates putting a Customs duty on articles imported or consigned to the forces in Iraq?

A recommendation was made on this subject by the Financial Mission which was presided over by the right hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. Hilton Young), and whose report was published as Command 2438. The matter is under consideration, but no decision has yet been reached.

Is it possible to have a differential tariff in favour of British goods in a mandated territory?

I could not answer that question off-hand. I think it is certainly impossible if it is a "B" mandated territory. Whether that is equally true of an "A" mandated territory I cannot say.

Have our forces in any other part of the world the privilege of free imports?

I should require notice of that question.

When is this decision likely to he taken?

It is bound up with a good many other questions which are the subject of rather voluminous despatches passing between the High Commissioner at Bagdad and my right hon. Friend dealing with the whole financial and revenue situation of that country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has yet been arrived at regarding the manner of calculating the pensions of officers who have been transferred between different Colonies in East and West Africa?

Not yet. This is part of the general question now under consideration, of the future arrangements for pensions in respect of service in more than one Colony. It also turns on the introduction of pension legislation, which is now being drafted, in the East African Dependencies.

Will it be possible to expedite the matter, seeing that it has been hanging fire for a number of years?

I sincerely hope so. I have come across several cases in my own experience of extreme hardship and difficulty. The adjustment of the different services is a very complex question. Everything that can be done will be done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will call for a Return from Sierra Leone of the number of eases under the working of the present assessors' ordinance, in which the assessors, by majority or unanimously, have found the accused not guilty and the presiding Judge has found them guilty and imposed sentence?

The Return for which the hon. Member asks would be of no value unless it were complete and detailed, showing in each ease the reasons for the decision arrived at. The preparation of such a Return would throw a great deal of work on officers whose time is already fully occupied, and think the hon. Member will agree with me that I would not be justified in calling upon them to undertake it, as I doubt whether it would serve any purpose of value commensurate with the trouble involved.

asked the Secretary of State, for the Colonies what action has been taken by the Dominions and Crown Colonies to admit the free entry of British commercial travellers' samples and trade catalogues, as recommended by the Imperial Economic Conference in 1923?

In Canada, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and Southern Rhodesia provisions substantially in accordance with the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Conference are in force. In the Irish Free State the question does not arise, as no duty is charged on printed matter of any kind. The resolutions of the Conference, relating to the treatment of British commercial travellers' samples and on the subject of trade catalogues and price lists, were communicated to the Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates in June, 1924. I have no reason to think that action has not been taken where needed in the sense of the resolutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will inquire as to what steps have been taken by the Governments of the Empire to carry out the recommendations of the Empire Forestry Conference in 1923?

It is likely that forestry will be one of the questions which will be discussed at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, and in that case it is hoped to ascertain what progress has been made by the various Governments concerned on the lines suggested in the Report of the Imperial Forestry Conference in 1923.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he has taken to encourage Empire countries to undertake public utility works and to apply for a contribution from the Imperial Government to enable them to initiate these development works on the lines recommended by resolution of the Imperial Economic Conference in 1923?

Effect was given to the resolution of the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923, to which my hon. Friend refers, by Section 2 of the Trade Facilities Act, 1924, and copies of that Act were sent, as soon as it became law, to the Governments of all the Dominions and to all Colonies and Protectorates, who were also informed of the establishment of the Advisory Committee set up to consider applications for assistance under the Section and of the procedure with regard to such applications.

Has any application been received by the railways of British Guiana?

The British Guiana question is really a separate matter. It has not gone through this particular Committee, but the question is being investigated at this moment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can now use his good offices with the Government of India to get the Departmental warrant officers of the Department (India Unattached List) brought on to exactly the same footing as regards pay, allowances, and other concessions as warrant officers of the British service who are serving in India, and who as a rule go to India for only a brief tour of duty?

The conditions for the India Unattached List are necessarily devised so that, taken as a whole, they offer attractions to volunteers from British Service units in India. I was not aware that they were proving inadequate but am asking for a report on the subject from India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the anxiety prevailing among the officers of the provincial services of non-Asiatic domicile, sonic of whom have been placed in positions of hardship, he can now make public the decisions already come to in regard to the extension to these officers of the provisions of the Lee Commission Report in accordance with the undertaking given by him?

Of the recommendations referred to in the second part of my reply to the hon. Member for Penryn on 7th June, part, are now under consideration and part have yet to he received from India. My Noble Friend is not therefore in a position to make any announcement of the decisions taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when the Report of the Indian Currency Commission is likely to be published; and whether it is the Government of India's intention to bring their proposals regarding the Commission's recommendations before the present Legislative Assembly?

Arrangements are being made for the simultaneous issue of the Report in India and this country, and I anticipate that publication will take place towards the end of this month. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's question, I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the procedure to be followed in regard to the Report.

Does not the Noble Lord agree that it is highly undesirable to have any publication of the Currency Committee's Report during the interim period between publication and the announcement of the Government of India of what measures, if any, they propose to adopt? Does he not agree that such an interim period would produce very great speculation?

The intention of the Government of India is to publish the Report towards the end of this month.

When the Government of India publish this Report will they also be able to publish the attitude the Government take towards the Report and the action they propose to take on it?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 179 of the Report of the Taxation inquiry Committee, which suggests the granting of a strictly temporary advantage to Indian salt manufacturers either by way of a rebate of duty or of the imposition of a preferential duty on imported salt; and whether it is the intention of the Government of India to give effect to either of these suggestions?

The Committee considered that it is desirable that India should be made self-supporting in the matter of salt supply, if this end can be secured by the means referred to, and that an inquiry should be made by the Tariff Board into the aspect of the question. The Report of the Committee is under the Government of India's consideration.

asked the Ender-Secretary of State for India what action has been taken by the Government of India to admit the free entry of British commercial travellers' samples and trade catalogues?

Duty on samples brought by commercial travellers from the United Kingdom may under certain conditions be deposited or guaranteed by bond, and refunded on re-exportation within a prescribed period. The Geneva Convention on the simplification of Customs formalities, which has been ratified by India, provides for similar facilities as between the contracting States. Trade catalogues imported by packet, book or parcel post are admitted free of duty?

Have any changes been made since the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923 made its recommendations on the subject?

The Regulations were very voluminous. I will send my hon. Friend a copy. They are too voluminous to quote in a reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the statement which has just been made in Calcutta by the Director of Military Intelligence in India as to the menace to the safety of India owing to Bolshevist activity in Afghanistan, where it is stated that an Afghan air force is being developed, with Russian pilots and mechanics, with new aerodromes and landing grounds, and new military roads and railways; and what action is being taken by the Government of India in the matter?

I am aware that the statement has been reported in the Press, and my Noble Friend is inquiring by whose authority it was made. The situation in Afghanistan is being carefully watched by His Majesty's Government.

May I draw your attention, Sir, to this question and to the fact that Afghanistan is an independent State in friendly relations with this Government, and has a representative at St. James's? Is it a proper question to put?

The Director of Military Intelligence in India is a British official, and surely we have a right to inquire with regard to reports made by him.

It is the last part of the question.

I think the first part makes it quite in order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the importance attached by the imperial Conference in 1923 to a policy of overseas settlement in the attaining of Empire well-being, he proposes to submit to the forthcoming Conference a Report of what His Majesty's Government have achieved since 1923; and, if so, whether, in view of the small results obtained since 1923, he will submit at the same time any concrete schemes for the provision of financial assistance from Great Britain to help in a continuous and scientific distribution of population within the Empire?

It is proposed that the question of oversea settlement within the Empire should be considered at the forthcoming Imperial Conference when the results which have been achieved since the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923 will be reviewed. His Majesty's Government are anxious to co-operate with Dominion Governments to the fullest extent possible in this matter; and the best means of further developing their policy in this respect will, I hope, be thoroughly discussed during the Conference.

Has there been any change in the Imperial Conference arrangements, in view of the political conditions in Canada:

I have not heard of any.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a petition from the Panadura Mahajana Sabha with reference to the action of the Ceylon Government in overriding a Resolution of the Legislative Council of Ceylon and renewing a hotel licence in Panadura after the residents had, by the exercise of local option, voted for the closing of all licensed premises within the area; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the circumstances of this case with a view to determining the matter in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants?

A copy of the petition has been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice unofficially, but it has not yet reached hint through the official channel prescribed by Colonial Regulations. The Governor will doubtless forward it to him in due course with his Report and observations, and it will then receive his careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been done by various Empire countries since the Imperial Economic Conference in 1923 to secure the uniformity of Customs invoices and certificates throughout the Empire?

One or other of the forms of invoice and certificate recommended by the Imperial Economic Conference in 1923 is in use in the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and Newfoundland, and generally in such of the Colonies and Protectorates as require certificates in respect of goods imported and where such forms are otherwise applicable.

Is there any special reason why Canada is not included?

I should have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what action has been taken by research organisations in Great Britain and other countries of the Empire to exchange scientific and technical information, as recommended by the Imperial Economic Conference in 1923?

Arrangements have been made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for communicating regularly published and other information as to the work done under its auspices to Dominion Government research organisations and to the principal unofficial research centres. Similar communications are sent to the Governments of India and the Colonies. In return valuable information is being received by the Department from the oversea parts of the Empire. As regards agricultural research somewhat similar arrangements for the exchange of information between organisations in this country and overseas are in force; and it is proposed that a Conference on the subject of inter-Imperial co-operation in agricultural research should be held in the autumn of 1927. Invitations to this Conference were issued last year to the Governments of the Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates.

Is there any interchange of information with the Dutch and French Colonies?

No direct interchange, but I may say that practically all our research officers get reports from places like Guiana and Java, and we follow the work of the French in this matter in the proper institutions of research in this country.

Are the research institutions of the British Empire in touch with the great International Research Institute in Italy?

Yes, the great. International Institute at Rome, which deals with wheat and other primary products, is kept in close consultation. We consult with it, but that does not deal with the whole position.

Would it be possible to have a Government publication setting out the present condition of these different research institutions?

I have been going into that matter recently. There is a suggestion that by co-operation with the Imperial institute we might have more regular publication of the names of the research officers in different parts of the Empire and the main subjects with which they are dealing. It is by no means yet decided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware of the fact that at a recent auction held to dispose of the Wembley Exhibition site and buildings an offer was made of £315,000, at which time the auctioneer stated that he had a better private offer and withdrew the sale of this property; whether he will state under what circumstances the sale was so withdrawn and what was the exact nature of the said private offer; what were the expenses for advertising, etc., and/or the fees which were incurred for and by the withdrawal of this sale; whether the present purchasers have agreed to pay the said expenses and fees in addition to the purchase price; and under what circumstances was it afterwards decided to accept an offer of £300,000 for this property?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The liquidators inform me that the property was withdrawn because a better offer than any made at the auction had been handed in in writing. Certain conditions in regard to existing liabilities were, however, attached to this offer, and, as a result of subsequent negotiations, the liquidators decided to accept a net sum of £300,000, the purchasers assuming the liabilities in question. The expenses of advertising, etc., which have to be defrayed by the liquidators, amounted to £6,000.

What are the liabilities mentioned by the hon. Gentleman in his answer?

There were various liabilities. There were certain items in regard to the Stadium, of which, I believe, the hon. and gallant Member is fully aware; there were other items for rates and taxes, and several liabilities for-upkeep, all of which are now borne by the purchasers, and the consequence is the £300,000 offer is better than the other offer received to which I referred in my reply.

What is the value of these liabilities, outside those in respect of the Stadium?

They all amount to much more than the difference between £300,000 and the best offer received in writing.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that £6,000 for a sale of this magnitude is out of all proportion to the usual charges in the profession of auctioneering?

If that expenditure is very high, the reason is that, owing to the strike, the sale had to lie withdrawn and the advertising had to be done over again. To the strike must be attributed that high cost.

Was any Member of this House interested as a director, or in any other financial capacity, in any of the syndicates offering to purchase?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department when the conditions governing the new scheme for insurance against bad debts in export trade will he available?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department when the Regulations relating to the credit insurance scheme will be issued?

The conditions which will govern the new Export Credits Guarantee Scheme have been drawn up and are now available. Applications for copies should be addressed to the Export Credits Guarantee Department at 31, King Street, London, E.C. 2.

Is the scheme now to be available for exporters?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to assure an adequate and continuous supply of seeds for the new sugar beet industry in this country?

Practically the whole of the beet seed used in Great Britain is supplied to growers by the factories with whom they have contracts, and the maintenance of a supply of suitable seed is, in my opinion, a matter that should properly be left to the industry in conjunction with the seed trade. We would naturally welcome the production of British-grown seed, and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany and the Crop Testing Stations have arranged experiments which would assist any grower wishing to establish beet seed production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the special inquiries by the crop reporters are sufficiently advanced to justify detailed surveys of selected areas on the lines of the survey conducted by the Scottish Board of Agriculture?

I would remind the right hon. Gentleman of my reply to a similar question on the 15th March last. I have again considered the suggestion that a survey should be undertaken into agricultural conditions in selected areas, but I feel that the best course to pursue in this matter is to wait until the general statistical Report, which is now in hand, has been published. I may add that a survey of agricultural conditions which was confined merely to a descriptive account of existing methods of farming would not be of great value, and would not justify the expense involved, while if it went beyond this stage it would involve the expression of opinions on points of a very contentious nature. I am, therefore, very doubtful of the desirability of adopting the proposal, but I will give the matter further consideration at a later date.

When may we expect the statistical Report and is not the method of survey which is being adopted in Scotland one which has been carefully examined and which might be adopted here?

We have examined the results of the survey in Scotland, and though the matter is of great interest, I do not think it would give the results for which many of those who are asking for this survey are pressing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that there is no evidence as to the danger of infection to British livestock from imported pigment which was consumed as pork, and that it is impossible to distinguish between pork imported for consumption and for other purposes, he will state whether before issuing a general embargo against pork imports from the Continent any inquiry, Departmental or otherwise, was held as to the possibility of distinguishing between pork as imported for the last three years to the London meat market and pigs unscalded and unscraped, such as were alleged to have caused foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland?

No, Sir. As I have already stated, scalding and scraping of a pork pig does net destroy the virus. The scraping off of the epidermis which follows the scalding merely makes the disease more difficult to detect.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that unless something is done between now and September, when pork comes into season, that there is a prospect of the price jumping up another 25 per cent.?

That is not the advice I have received. I am told that the present position of the London market is quite exceptional, and there is no reason for supposing that if London buys its pork from the rest of the country that any considerable change in the price will result.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many parts of the country the price of store pigs has increased considerably?

There are fluctuations every year. There is no side of agriculture which suffers more from gluts and shortages.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the North of England the price of pork has declined by half a crown per score during the last few weeks?

What is your evidence?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that as a result of numerous outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, early this year in East Yorkshire, involving the closure of local markets and affecting an area in which 60,000 fat sheep were ready for sale, in order to cope with the difficulty of marketing the animals within the infected area a co-operative abattoir was set up, from which meat was consigned to carious dead-meat markets under the supervision of his officers, he will explain what steps were taken in this case to ensure that this meat from an infected area did not spread contagion to districts free from the disease; and whether Regulations, similar to those adopted in this instance, could equally be applied to meat imported from the Continent?

In the case in question the animals concerned had been under observation by the Ministry's veterinary inspectors for a considerable period, and the Ministry was satisfied that foot-and-mouth disease did not exist among them. Further examinations were made by the veterinary inspectors both before and after slaughter, and these precautions were considered sufficient to justify the action taken by my Department. In the case of foreign animals the position is entirely different, inasmuch as foot-and-mouth disease is so prevalent on the Continent that it would be practically impossible for any foreign Government to certify that animals or carcases proposed for export had not been exposed to Infection.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses built in rural areas under the housing Act of 1924 for which a rent of 3s. 6d. per week or less is charged?

The authorised building schemes of local authorities include 6,883 houses which have been recognised as eligible for the additional subsidy available for houses in agricultural parishes, but statistics of the rents charged in respect of houses provided under the Housing Act, 1924, are not available.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that these figures show that the need fur rural houses is being adequately met?

Considerable progress has been made, as the right hon. Gentleman knows. I should be glad to see further progress made in this direction.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether it would not be desirable to obtain evidence from typical districts of the present rents paid for Council houses?

I will consider that.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the Bill which he proposes to introduce for the reform of the Poor Law, he will see that the right of the necessitous poor to adequate relief of their necessities given by 43 Elizabeth, cap. 2, will he safeguarded?

The scheme which my right hon. Friend has under consideration contemplates an alteration in the machinery of the administration of relief, but not in the law.

asked the Minister of Health whether the small municipalities who buy Government coal during the present emergency will be permitted to distribute it?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir, where this cannot be done satisfactorily through the ordinary trade channels.

Who is to judge whether it can he done satisfactorily?

The Minister of Health will leave it to the local authority.

Is this the position, that the Minister of Health is to tell the Secretary for Mines whether they will be able to distribute the coal they buy from the Secretary for Mines?

indicated dissent.

Then it is most unsatisfactory.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that during the months of May and June the Poplar Electricity Station consumed 6,182 tons of coal, and that during .this period the borough council were charged various prices for coal, these ranging from 100 per cent. above the contract prices; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into this state of affairs and take the necessary steps to put an end to this profiteering?

I have been supplied with particulars of this case, and I understand that of the amount of coal consumed 4,500 tons was taken from stock and was not affected by any rise in price. I am having the figures of the remainder analysed, but I may remind the hon. Member that in present circumstances, substantial increases over pre-stoppage prices are inevitable and do not necessarily involve profiteering.

Why are these rises " inevitable "?

A great deal of coal has been diverted from its normal course; a great deal has been distributed in much smaller quantities and in a great many cases there has been an expense in lifting coal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not a single one of the reasons he has given applies in this case?

I am having these figures analysed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this cake costs any more to produce, or whether the Government are simply relying on the law of supply and demand?

Of course, we cannot ever ignore the law of supply and demand.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the danger of a stoppage which is profitable to coal-owners?

I do not think there is much fear of this stoppage being profitable to anybody in the coal industry.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that money prizes in every important country have played no small part in the development of aviation, he will consider the advisability of offering substantial money prizes for the most efficient and economical process for low-temperature carbonisation of coal, high-temperature carbonisation of coal, and the commercial utilisation of the by-products yielded by the respective processes, and, in view of the fact that we are very far behind other countries in using pulverised coal, if he will consider offering a substantial money prize for the best system for obtaining complete combustion of powdered coal, as the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have expended £124.380 for the years 1924 and 1925 without lifting any of the existing processes from the experimental stage to be commercially practicable; and will he set up a small committee, the members having no connection with the coal industry, to get out conditions governing the award of the prizes, these prizes to be open to the scientists of the world, the committee to be formed on the lines of Lord Rayleigh's and Dr. Glaze- brook's Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, that did sound reasoning and research work in helping aviation in the early days, and to be entirely independent of all existing coal-research organisations, and to have the first call on the resources of the National Physical Laboratory and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in making a really big attempt to restore prosperity to the coal industry?

I have been asked to reply to this question on behalf of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The suggestion made in the question was brought to the notice. of the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry (1925) (Question No. 11,152), and they have made no recommendation of the kind, though they recommended several other means of promoting the end in view. Nor are the Government prepared to adopt the suggestion. I should add that the expenditure by the Department mentioned in the question applies to the whole of the Department's work on fuel research. Only about one quarter of the figure quoted has been devoted to research on low-temperature carbonisation.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the terms of the Durham coalowners on which the pits will be restarted mean an increase of coal hewers' hours from one to two hours per shift, an increase of surface workers' hours of two hours per shift, a reduction of percentage from 110 per cent. to 89 per cent. and a reduction of the subsistence wage from 7s. 6½. to 6s. 8½d. per shift; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure a modification of these terms?

I have been asked to reply. The maximum time which men are allowed by law to be below ground is the same in Durham as in the other coalfields. Subject to that, the conditions in regard to both hours and wages are matters for arrangement between the mineowners and their employés, and I understand that the mineowners in Durham, as in other districts, have invited the representatives of their workmen to meet them and discuss the offer which has been made.

Will the right hoe. Gentleman say whether, under these terms, the coal hewers' hours in Durham are being raised by as much as two hours per day, and whether the subsistence wage is being decreased from 7s. 6½d. to 8½ a day, which is altogether contrary to what the Prime Minister promised?

The Government are not responsible for the details of these offers at all. As regards the subsistence wages, the hon. Member has forgotten that the wages which he quoted carry with them certain allowances for rent and free coal.

has the right hon. Gentleman any reply to the statement that the owners of Durham have increased the surface hours from eight to 10, and is that part of the assurance that was given to the Prime Minister by the coalowners?

No, bin. As I said before, the assurance was general. The subject which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned is one which will have to be negotiated between the parties. That is the only way in which a settlement can be arrived at.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister promised that the miners would get a square deal, and that these terms are not a square deal?

Then the miners must negotiate something better.

Is it not a fact that the Government came to the conclusion that in the case of Yorkshire the owners had violated the Agreement, and are the Government not of the opinion that this is an even worse violation of the assurance given by the Prime Minister?

No; the point that arose in connection with the Yorkshire offer does not arise in the case of the Durham offer, where the ratio, which was not offered in Yorkshire, is offered. The hon. Member must remember that in the case of Durham and Northumberland the losses shown in the Report of the Coal Commission were worse than in any other district.

May we take it that the Government stand by a policy, not only of eight hours below ground, but of 10 hours for surface workers?

As this is really an important question to us, and I put to the Prime Minister a question which has been answered by the Secretary for Mines, would I be allowed to repeat this question to-morrow to the Prime Minister, for we would like his reply?

No, Sir; certainly not.

The Prime Minister is quite entitled to delegate the answer to the Minister particularly responsible.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, at a. meeting held under the auspices of the National Unemployed Workers Committee movement near the Green Man, Leytonstone, on Sunday the 4th instant, a collection was made on behalf of the miners' children fund, that the speaker who made the collection publicly admitted that only 50 per cent. of the money collected went to the said fund, and that 25 per cent. went to pay the miners' speakers and 25 per cent. to the organisation he represented; and whether. in view of the proportion of the sum collected which was retained for organisation purposes, any steps are proposed to be taken in the matter?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, the Regulations as to street collections do not apply to collections taken at open air meetings, and I have, therefore, no Power to take any action.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the money from Russia is distributed in the same proportion?

That I cannot say. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will be interested to know that the total collection at the meeting was £1 12s.

Is the right. hon. Gentleman aware that this has no connection whatever with the official policy of the Miners' Federation, and that. the people are giving their services free?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and gallant Member for Hitchin (Major Kindersley) has a mind on all fours with a London County Council sewer?

Withdraw!

I could not hear the remark of the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. W. Thorne).

The hon. Member said that I had a mind on all fours with a London County Council sewer.

That. is a grossly improper remark. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw!"] I call upon he hon. Member to withdraw.

Is it unparliamentary, Mr. Speaker?

Yes.

Then I am sorry for the Standing Orders. I withdraw

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the inability of nursing association committees to deal with the technical side of their activities, he will introduce legislation enforcing the composition of an advisory committee of local medical men in all cases in addition to the Regulations for inspection now in force?

It is clearly desirable that a nursing association which undertakes the management of an institution such as a maternity home should have the benefit or medical advice, but my right, hon. Friend doubts whether it would be expedient to attempt to enforce, by legislation, such a condition as my hon. Friend suggests.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider any alternative way of doing this? Seeing that these institutions rely to a large extent on local subscriptions, it would create confidence if they had local medical men to inspect them periodically.

The hon. Member knows that in particular cases the Minister of Health has already made various sugges- tions for improvement. If the hon. Member has any suggestions to make, I shall be happy to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can say when and where the Disarmament Conference of the League of Nations will take place?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the names of the delegates to the Assembly of the League of Nations in September?

I would ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to postpone this question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the information has appeared in the "Times"?

I have not seen it

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government has been in correspondence with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Canton?

It has always been the practice of His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton to correspond directly with the competent Chinese authorities in that city and it still continues. This does not imply any degree of recognition of the local government as other than the provincial administration of Kwangtung.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the total revenue of the salt gabelle for 1925; and who has now the control and administration of the revenue?

The net revenue from the salt gabelle for 1925, after meeting administrative expenses, amounted to ․73,634,000, of which sums amounting to ․33,030,000 were either retained locally or appropriated by provincial authorities or military Leaders. The system of collection of the salt revenues of China was reorganised with foreign assistance in accordance with, the terms of the loan agreement of 1913. Under this system the revenue is received locally by collecting banks and remitted to the foreign banks charged with the service of the loans secured upon the salt revenues. This system is still in force, except in the Province of Kwangtung, bust the amount appropriated by provincial authorities and military authorities has tended to increase in recent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the authorities responsible under the 1899 Agreement have been consulted in regard to the resignation of the Governor-General of the Sudan?

Yes, Sir; His Majesty's Government, for their part accepted Sir Geoffrey Archer's resignation but that resignation does not become effective under the 1899 Agreement without the concurrence of King Fuad, which was duly obtained.

When will the new appointment be made?

I cannot say. I am not prepared to make any recommendation at present, but the concurrence of King Fuad must be obtained, as it was, for the resignation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that branches of trade unions are imposing fines, with the alternative of expulsion, upon members who remained at work during the general strike; and if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to give protection to such persons?

Up to the present, 31 cases have been reported to the Ministry where penalties of fine, expulsion or refusal of benefit were imposed by unions on their members on account of action during the general strike. In 21 cases the penalty has been cancelled, and in the remaining 10 cases the Ministry is still in communication with the unions concerned. Up to the present, therefore, the position does not seem to be such as to call for special steps in advance of the general consideration which is being given to these and allied matters.

When will the hon. Gentleman get the hundreds that have not been reported?

That is obviously a question which I cannot answer. Up to the present the number is as I have stated.

Why is it that in some cases the leaders of the unions systematically refuse in any way to take these fines away?

Is not the practice suggested in the question a common practice among employers when their interests are involved?

I cannot reply. The question I was asked was about certain blanches of trade unions which have imposed fines upon members who remained at work during the strike.

is not this practice common among federated bodies of employers

That I cannot answer.

Can the hon. Gentleman let the House have the names of the unions? It is unfair to have a general statement. He knows, as we know, that he has taken up the matter with certain unions, and it would be fairer to let the names be known.

I will certainly consider that with my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Transport Union is inflicting fines of £1 on loyalists who worked at the Manchester and Salford Docks?

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the rank and file of members did not themselves make their own rules, and agree to abide by them?

In pursuing his inquiries will the hon. Gentleman investigate what happens to a doctor or a lawyer who is not loyal to his own class?

No doubt all these considerations will be taken into account.

Will my hon. Friend particularly look into the case of the builders' unions, which deliberately stopped the men building houses under the Chamberlain scheme?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the sentences inflicted at Stratford Police Court, on 19th and 26th June, on certain residents of Dagenham, Essex, who were found guilty of fraudulently obtaining relief from the Romford Board of Guardians during the general strike and, if so, whether he is taking any steps to review these sentences?

I am in consultation with the Justices about these cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction which has been occasioned in the Civil Service by reason of the action of the staff side of the Civil Service National Whitley Council, in approving of the action taken by the General Purposes Committee during the general strike, when it called upon all civil servants not to volunteer for any emergency duties for which volunteers were asked in the national interest; whether he is aware that out of 27 members composing the staff side of the Civil Service National Whitley Council 13 are not civil servants at all; and what action it is proposed to take to protect the Civil Service from being exploited for political purposes?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I cannot for the moment add anything to the reply which has been given to previous similar questions, but I hope to be able to make a statement on the subject before the House rises.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very serious dissatisfaction among members of the Civil Service, and, seeing that it has been the proud boast of the Service for so many years that they are not influenced by polities but only by their duty to the State, is it not very urgent that this matter should be dealt with as soon as possible?

I think I know as much on that subject as my hon. Friend can tell me, and more.

asked the Prime Minister what subjects will be considered by the Imperial Conference which is to meet in October next; what will be the dates of meeting and the order of business; and what will be the probable duration of the Conference?