asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with the negotiations for ending the trade boycott of Hong Kong?

The opening of negotiations for the ending of the trade boycott has been fixed for the 15th July.

May I ask who the British negotiators will be?

I must have notice of that question. I cannot carry the names in my mind.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the British senior naval officer at Wuchow closed the Port of Wuchow to Chinese shipping for 10 hours on 24th June last; whether this step was taken after consultation with His Majesty's Government; whether a demand for an apology and for compensation has been received; and what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take?

I am awaiting a report from the Commander-in-Chief. As soon as it has been received, I will let the right hon. Member know.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty s Government has yet resolved to recognise the Government of Canton as the de facto Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply returned to the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. Rennie Smith) on Monday last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now received the Report of the firing upon the British steam trawlers "Thomas Thresher" and "Abroria" by a Danish gunboat, on the 8th May, whilst fishing outside the territorial waters off the coast of Iceland?

His Majesty's Consul at Reykjavik has been in communication with the Icelandic Government on this matter, but it will not be possible to clear it up until the return from Greenland of one of the gunboats patrolling the Icelandic coast at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there has been any result from the representations made to the Icelandic authorities regarding the penalties inflicted upon British trawlers for offences against the law relating to the stowage of fishing gear in Icelandic territorial waters?

Yes, Sir. I am happy to state that a Bill passed by the Icelandic Alting amending the Act of the 8th May, 1920, has now received the assent of the King of Denmark. The effect of this Measure is to add a new paragraph after Article III of the above Act, in the following terms: If it is evident from all circumstances that the vessel has neither fished inside the territorial waters nor made any preparations for this purpose, the case may be settled by a caution where first offenders are concerned and by fines from 400 to 1,600 gold Kroner in case of repeated offence. His Majesty's Government have expressed to the Danish Government their gratification at this change in the law, and at the readiness of the authorities concerned to give consideration to their views on the matters with which it deals. I trust all engaged in the British fishing industry will do their best to observe the Regulations of the Danish and Icelandic Governments.

May I, on behalf of the fishing industry express my deep thanks—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech"!]— to the right hon. Gentleman for the great trouble which he has taken in this matter.

asked the Secretary of- State for Foreign Affairs when the Report of the Commission for the assessment of damage suffered in Turkey may be expected?

All possible steps are being taken to expedite the work of the Commission, but it is not yet possible to state by what date a Report if any may be expected.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information how far progress has been made?

No, I am afraid I cannot give any information on that point.

Does the Commission meet weekly or monthly?

I must have notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has replied to the questionnaire on the private manufacture of arms sent to the Governments by the Secretary-General of the League of Nations on 9th January, 1926; and, if so, what were the terms of his reply?

Yes, Sir. The reply is too long to read, but I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Can this be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

It is rather too long for printing. If the hon. and gallant Member desires, I will place a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the preliminary draft Convention on the Private Manufacture of Arms, Munitions and Implements of War which has been drawn up by the Committee appointed by the Council of the League of Nations for this purpose has been published and is available for examination by Members of the House of Commons

No, Sir. The draft which was drawn up merely as a basis of discussion has not been published.

Is it the view of the Government that the private manufacture of arms is undesirable, and should be brought to an end as set out in the Covenant of the League?

I do not think that arises on this question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the decision of the Naval Committee at Geneva, in connection with the question of disarmament, that, for the purpose of comparison, tonnage should be the only test, irrespective of the type of ships concerned, cuts across the principles laid down at the Washington Conference; and will he state whether, if this decision is confirmed, it will have any bearing upon the naval programme of this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, this majority decision of the Naval Sub-Committee dealt only with the methods of comparison of naval armaments. Pending the consideration of other questions by the Sub-Committee and the conclusions of the Preparatory Commission and the holding of a Disarmament Conference, the naval programme cannot he regarded as in any way affected by the decision mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what safeguards exist for minority views in the experts' preliminary investigation as to international disarmament; and whether the three conferences are proceeding along lines approved of by the British representatives?

All minority reports have to be forwarded to the Preparatory Committee, and will necessarily be taken into consideration by that body when framing its own report Any country which may dissent from the opinions expressed in that report will be able to state its views before the conference when the latter eventually meets, and to reserve its liberty if ultimately it still finds itself in a minority. As regards the second part of the question, the British representatives on the Military and Air Sub-Committees have agreed subject to one or two reservations, to the reports adopted by those sub-committees. The British representative on the Naval Sub-Committee associated himself with the minority report signed by a number of his colleagues.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the international organised employers have submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice the question as to whether the International Labour Organisation is acting outside its competence in dealing with the extension of the prohibition of night work in bakeries to employers; and, if so, can he say whether a. decision has been reached and the terms of such decision?

At the request of the governing body of the International Labour Office, the Secretary-General of the League of Nations has submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice a general question as to the competence of the International Labour Organisation to propose legislation which would affect personal work by an employer. I have no information yet as to the decision of the Court.

May we take it that the British Government are adopting a neutral attitude on this very important point?

Obviously the British Government ought to await the decision of the Court.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Ruanda-Urundi is mandated territory under the League of Nations; and whether legislative ordinance, No. 52, conferring powers upon the resident to compel natives to perform work in connection with plantations and other undertakings carried on for profit has the consent of all signatory Powers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the consent of the Signatory Powers of the Treaty of Versailles is not required. The Permanent Mandates Commission have asked the Belgian Government for further information regarding the Ordinance to which the hon. Member refers.

Have the other signatories any say in a matter which is imposing slavery on these people? The Ordinance says that, if they do not do the work to the satisfaction of the Resident, he can send them to penal servitude.

In the first place, I express no judgment on the merits of the Order. That is not really strictly necessary for the purposes of the information the hon. Member desires. It is not for the signatory Powers to deal with this matter, but for the Council of the League of Nations, if they think proper, to call for a report from the mandatory Commission.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the general treatment of native labour under the mandatory scheme since 1919, and does he not think it would help if we had a fuller statement?

The hon. Member should put that question down. The right hon. Gentleman cannot be expected to answer without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make any further statements with regard to the alleged scandals in the Tangier police force; and what progress is being made with the inquiry into the alleged irregularities?

The administrator has informed the Assembly that the police officer primarily concerned will be brought before a disciplinary Court. Steps are being taken by a British member to procure the convocation of a further meeting of the Assembly to discuss the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many cases of imprisonment and ill-treatment of British subjects in Soviet Russia out of the number referred to in Lord Emmott's Interim Report, 1920, were taken up singly with the Soviet Government in 1922; who were the individuals affected; and how many of them have since received compensation, and what amount?

Yes, Sir. Two of the cases referred to in Lord Emmott's Report of 1920 were taken up with the Soviet Government in 1922—those of Mr. Charles Davison and Mr. Joseph Martin. Mrs. Davison has received £10,000 from the Soviet Government as compensation for her husband's death.

May I infer that in the other case nothing was received?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will press the claims submitted to the Claims Department on the 13th June by Miss Olga Charnock, a British subject and a member of the staff of the British Consulate in Moscow, who since the 4th August, 1918, has suffered front paralysis produced by the shock of her father's arrest by Cheka agents in Moscow on that date?

Yes, Sir. Miss Charnock's claim will be presented to the Soviet Government together with other claims registered with the Russian Claims Department of the Board of Trade as soon as a suitable opportunity offers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the calibre of the guns arming the 7,000-ton and 10,000-ton cruisers respectively, recently built by Japan?

The 7,000-ton and 10,000-ton cruisers will both have 8-inch guns.

Is there any connection between the shipbuilding referred to and the reopening of the Singapore base?

There is no connection at all.

also asked the First Lord whether he is aware that cruisers of 7,000-ton standard displacement have recently been built by Japan; and whether, having regard to the difference in cost as compared with 10,000-ton cruisers, he will consider in his building programme that the cruisers shall not exceed 7,000 tons displacement?

As stated in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member on the 24th June, the Japanese Government laid down two cruisers of 7;100 tons displacement in 1923 and two more in 1924. One of these cruisers has since been completed. Since then, four cruisers of 10,000 tons displacement have been laid down, two in 1924 and two in 1925. In the circumstances and having regard to our own needs, there appears no reason for modifying the projected programme of construction outlined in Command Paper 2476, which allows for the builling of two types of cruisers of 10,000 and about 8,000 tons displacement respectively.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he has given are a very great modification of the projected programme he gave in the Return of Fleets to this House?

I am not aware of that. What figures?

The number of the Japanese cruisers is much less than the number foreshadowed by the right hon. Gentleman in the case he presented to Parliament.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men invalided from the Service in 1925 and denied pensions on the ground of non-attributability appealed to the Admiralty against the original decision; and in how many cases was the decision modified?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on the 9th June on this subject [OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 1463] and to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth on the 10th February last [OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 1030]. Particulars as to the number of men who appeal are not recorded.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what causes the Admiralty attributes the fact that 95 per cent. of those invalided from His Majesty's Navy are denied pensions on the ground of non-attributability, seeing that every one of these men has passed a severe test of physical fitness on entering the Service?

A disability is not regarded as attributable to the Service when it is due to ordinary conditions of service such as might equally have arisen had the invalided rating been engaged in a civilian occupation, or when it is due to conditions of health that are normally constitutional in origin. Every officer or man is subjected on entry to a thorough physical examination, but from time to time disabilities of an obscure or latent character are bound to escape detection. Moreover, the mere passage of time may produce a condition of health which, although it does not necessarily unfit a man for civil occupation, renders him unsuited to a fighting service where the highest state of physical fitness is required, and his invaliding then becomes necessary. I would remind the hon. Member that pensions are granted in non-attributable cases where the invalided man has a certain minimum period of service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling on this subject, and does he not consider that the fact that every sailor has to pass a very high standard of physical fitness ought to give him some ground for appeal in eases where he is invalided shortly after joining the Service?

He has an appeal to the Board. The question is engaging my attention, and I would like to look into it a little further before giving a final reply.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will explain the method and the procedure followed whereby boys are entered into employment at His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport?

Boys are entered in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, as apprentices, storehouse boys or yard boys. In accordance with the Dockyard Regulations, apprentices and storehouse boys are entered by competitive examination, yard boys by nomination. Registers of boys who are candidates for entry in the Dockyard are kept by the local officers, who are responsible that due care and strict justice are observed in granting entries. Preference is given to the sons of men who have lost their lives, or who may have been permanently disabled, or who have served meritoriously in the service of the Crown.

Seeing that such a high standard of selection is made, could the Admiralty see its way to give some guarantee to these boys that they would not be dismissed from employment after having undergone such a strict test?

I am afraid that that is impossible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the command of the Royal Naval Barracks is given for a definite period of years, or if all Admiralty appointments are to be based upon a two-year rule?

Appointments in command of Royal Naval Barracks are normally for two years, but this length of time is liable to be modified according to the exigencies of the Service or through unforeseen circumstances, such as the date of an officer's promotion. Admiralty appointments generally are of varying length according to the circumstances of the case. No change in the present length of appointments is anticipated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether service in command of destroyers and submarines is to be considered on an equal footing with specialised service, such as gunnery or torpedo qualifications, for promotion to commander; and if honours awarded for service in action are considered when such selections are made?

The answer to both questions is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour how many typewriters are used by the clerical staff in his Department, and how many of these typewriters are of British make?

The total number of typewriters in use in offices of the Ministry at 1st June, 1925, was 969. None of them is of British make. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. and gallant Member for the Basingstoke Division on 22nd February.

When the present typewriters are worn out, will the right hon. Gentleman replace them with British machines?

If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to the answer I have mentioned, he will find in it much of the information that he requires.

How many of of these typewriters were ordered in 1924?

None of them, so far as I am aware.

How many were ordered previously by the Conservative Government?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some assurance that he will have regard to the Brighton speech of the Prime Minister with regard to this matter?

I always have regard to any speeches of the Prime Minister.

Does the question put down by the hon. and gallant Member indicate that the Labour party at last appreciate that it is advisable, to buy British goods?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that in future all typewriters in his Department will be of British make?

I should certainly be prepared to ask the proper Department to have regard to British makes, provided that they are sufficiently good, as I have no doubt they would be.

Does this not show the necessity for the safeguarding of industries?

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present constitution of the staff side of the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service; how many members of the staff side are non-civil servants; whether the council is working now that the joint consultative committee have withdrawn from membership; and whether it is proposed to reconstitute the council so as to ensure that all members of the staff side shall be civil servants and free from control or dictation by outside organisations, and that the powers and functions of the council shall be limited to bona fide staff matters?

I am not yet in a position to add to the replies I have recently given to questions on this subject.

Will the Government consider rescinding the resolution enabling non-civil servants to represent the associations?

I must respectfully ask my hon. and gallant Friend to believe that when I say I have nothing to add, am speaking the truth.

Is it not a fact that the Irish Free State passed a regulation to that effect, so that there should be no interference or tampering with the Civil Service?

Notice must be given of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there is any staff in his Department continuously engaged in dealing with the problems arising out of successive Imperial Economic Conferences?

These problems are dealt with by the appropriate Departments of the Board as part of their ordinary duties.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the cost of publishing and issuing the monthly list of Government publications; how many are printed each month; and how are they distributed?

The cost of publishing and issuing the monthly list of Government publications is about £900 a year. An average of 4,125 copies per month is printed. With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate particulars of the distribution in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the particulars referred to:

The distribution is as follows:

In addition to the regular monthly distribution set out above, 200 copies of the June and December lists (which are cumulative) are sent to British Consuls abroad.

asked the Minister of Labour if any of the Employment Exchanges in important streets have been sold or let, as recommended by the Estimates Committee's Report in 1925?

The recommendations of the Estimates Committee in this connection involve in moss cases a considerable outlay of money, and the limited sum available in the estimates is nearly all earmarked for other urgent requirements. Action has been taken, however, in two cases and nine other cases are under consideration; the remaining cases, numbering probably less than 20, will be dealt with as opportunity arises.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the names in the two cases where action has been taken?

Certainly; Bolton and Kendal.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the position of men employed as stewards and ships' cooks who have been paying unemployment insurance and have been disallowed unemployment benefit on the ground that their employment did not come within the category for such benefit?

The question of the insurability under the Unemployment Insurance Acts of men employed as stewards and ships' cooks on privately-owned yachts has been referred by me to the High Court for decision in accordance with the provisions of Section 10(1) of the principal Act. Pending the decision of the High Court the cases of men referred to cannot be proceeded with.

In view of the long time that has passed since these cases were put before the right hon. Gentleman, will he take steps to see that a decision is reached, in view of the fact that it is affecting employment during the present yachting season?

As to expediting the procedure in the High Courts, I cannot lay any representation before the competent authorities with regard to the judiciary?

Will the arrangement apply to the men on the great liners as well as to those on yachts?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the comment made by the magistrates at the Western Police Court, Glasgow, that the majority of the 131 men, whose ages ranged from 16 to 65, who were tried and convicted of gambling were receiving unemployment pay; and what action he intends to take to see that in the case of married men the unemployment benefit is paid to their wives and children?

I have seen a Press report of this case, and have caused inquiries to be instituted, so far as the payment of unemployment benefit is concerned. As regards the second part of the question, I have no authority to pay benefit to any person other than the insured contributor or his duly authorised deputy.

In fairness to the British taxpayer, will the right hon. Gentleman consider withdrawing, or at least reducing, the amount of unemployment benefit paid to unmarried men who are convicted of gambling while in receipt of unemployment benefit?

It would mean legislation. I have yet to ascertain exactly what number of these 131 persons who were convicted of being gamblers were in receipt of unemployment benefit.

If the right hon. Gentleman does find out that the facts as stated are correct, will he endeavour to introduce legislation?

Has not the attitude of the Government changed towards this form of amusement since the introduction of the Betting Tax?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of garages built for privately-owned aeroplanes; arid what steps are being taken in this regard by his Department with a view to popularising privately-owned aeroplanes of the Moth variety?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the question, so far as I am aware the only case of the kind referred to by the hon. and gallant Member is one in which a garage has been built to take six small folding aeroplanes. As regards the second part, I am not sure what the hon. and gallant Member has in mind, but on the assumption that he is referring to facilities provided for the accommodation of privately-owned aeroplanes, the answer is that this class of aeroplane can be housed at Government civil aerodromes on payment of the usual scale of charges, which amount for the Moth type to 2s. 6d. for a night's accommodation, with ls. landing fee or£ 10s. per month.

Is any staff kept at the first garage for repairs to these aeroplanes?

I must have notice of that question.

Are they not lock-up garages?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now give any further information upon the subject of special insurance facilities for other ranks in the Royal Air Force whose duties necessitate their presence in; aircraft?

I have been asked to reply. The question is still receiving the close attention of the Air Ministry, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a further statement on the subject.

Will the Minister, in his consideration of these insurance facilities, take into account the question of extending them to cover "third party risks," in view of certain recent accidents?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the present strength of the Air Force of the Afghanistan Government in machines and men; what is the increase compared with 1923; whether the training and development of this force is under native direction; and, if not, what is the nationality of those principally responsible for advising the Afghanistan authorities in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first and second parts of the question, the present strength of the Afghan Air Force is understood to be approximately 12 machines and 36 men, nearly all the men being Russians. These machines represent a net increase since 1923, when, although there were a few machines in Afghanistan, they were unairworthy, for which reason they are not included in the figures for present strength here given. As regards the last part, the force is commanded by an Afghan, but Russians are advising in regard to training and development.

Is not this a menace to the peace of India?

The Noble Lord cannot be expected to anwer that question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the 2s. 6d. taken by his Department out of each 10s. received for a wireless licence includes anything other than the cost of collection , and, if so, will he say to what the surplus is applied?

The whole of the revenue from wireless licence fees is paid into the Exchequer. The sum payable to the British Broadcasting Company is provided by Parliament and is charged upon the Post Office Vote, which also bears the cost of the issue and renewal of licences, the detection and prosecution of defaulters and general administrative control and accounting.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any change has been proposed in the wave lengths of any existing stations for the purpose of broadcasting; and has he any propositions for any material alterations in the technical regulations?

The British Broadcasting Company have recently been authorised to make certain alterations in the wave lengths of several of their stations to meet the changing conditions caused by the extension of broadcasting in neighbouring countries. They have also been given authority to conduct certain experiments, but no material alteration in their system of stations has yet been decided upon.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there remain any appointments under his control which are not open to ex-service combatant officers or men on the ground that, though in good health, they have not the physical strength or height necessary to fulfil their duties?

An ex-service man is given preference for Post Office employment wherever possible, but it occasionally happens that a candidate does not reach the required standard of physical fitness—modified, I may say, in the case of disabled ex-service men—or is below the minimum height fixed by definite Regulations.

Does "physical fitness" include the questions of lack of height or physical strength, as opposed to actual ill-health?

In certain cases it may involve both or either.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter this afternoon on the Post Office Vote.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the value of rubber imported into the United States from 1st January to 30th June, 1926;

(2) the value of tin imported into the United States from 1st January to 30th June, 1926?

I regret that figures later than those for April are not yet available. During the four months ended April, 1926, the recorded value of the imports of crude rubber into the United States was £51,563,000. Imports of tin during the same period were valued at £7,157, 000.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the policy of the Government offers little hope of a speedy settlement by agreement of the mining dispute, the Government will announce its intention of accepting the Report of the Royal Commission and ail that it implies?

The position of the Government in relation to this Report has been stated in this House on several occasions, and I cannot attempt to restate it within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the First Lord of the Admiralty at the Aldwych Club on 9th July represents the policy of the Government in respect of the coal industry, particularly with regard to the adoption of district and even pit settlements?

My right hon. Friend informs me that in the speech referred to in the question he was expressing his own views on the subject of the alleged failure of private enterprise, and in his reference to the risks of excessive centralisation did not profess to he laying down any policy on behalf of the Government. The Government's view is that the extent to which various agreements should be national or local is primarily a question for the coalowners and miners to settle between them, and in this connection the hon. Member will recall that the necessity of having regard to the different capacities of different districts and of varying settlements accordingly, to which my right hon. Friend referred, was irecognised by the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry.

Do I take it that the Government do not stand by a national agreement or national minimum terms?

No, the hon. Member must not infer anything of the kind. I said in my reply that this question of agreement must depend on negotiation between the two parties and, in spite of what is so frequently said on those benches, we are not taking sides in this matter.

Will the Prime Minister see that members of his Cabinet., in making these statements, will make it clear that they are not voicing the opinion of the Government, but their own individual opinion?

Is it not a fact that the first Lord of the Admiralty did make that clear, and is this not substantiated by everyone who was present and heard the speech?

How can the Prime Minister say that the Government have no part in these negotiations, in view of the millions of money which have been spent and of the Government's interference already?

I only said that these are matters primarily for settlement between the two parties.

If an important Minister expresses an opinion of that description what becomes of the theory of Ministerial responsibility?

Has the Prime Minister any information to prove that there is a likelihood of the owners and the miners agreeing at all?

May I put it to the Prime Minister, if an important Minister of the Cabinet can express a private opinion about an important matter of this description, what becomes of the theory of Ministerial responsibility?

May I answer the hon. Gentleman? My private opinion, which I expressed and which I have just as much right to express as anybody else, in no way was that there should not be any national agreement, and if the hon. Member had read a complete report of what I said, he would have seen that I said nothing which was in conflict with the Commission's Report.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman said—and this is in italics—that "it was impossible to get a national formula which would fit every coalfield in the country"?

Are we to understand quite clearly that the right hon. Gentleman expressed his own private opinions and was not expressing the opinion of the Cabinet, although he was selected by them only a day or two before, in order to voice their views tin this House?

I must correct the last statement. The right hon. Gentleman was not selected to deliver this speech.

I said he was selected by his colleagues here to express their views in this House on the same subject.

Answer the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the terms posted by the Durham coalowners include an increase from eight to 10 hours a day for the surface workers; and whether this is in accordance with the assurances the owners gave him?

I have been asked to reply. My information is that the surface hours proposed by the mineowners in Durham are 49 per week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that inconvenience is being caused to dairy farmers by the delay in paying for milk supplied to the milk pool during the general strike; and whether he can state when payment of these accounts may be expected?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Lamb) on 22nd June, a copy of which I am sending him. Farmers' accounts are being settled rapidly, and it is hoped that they will be finally disposed of shortly.

Is it not the case that a promise was made that this matter would be settled by the end of June; and is not great hardship being caused to farmers who are not getting the money which is due to them.

I understand they are being rapidly settled in the Eastern district—at the rate of about 100 per day—which is big work, as many of them do not always submit their accounts in quite a clear fashion.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this matter affects the Western districts, as well as the Eastern?

Yes, I am aware of it, and we are doing our best.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, seeing that Colonel J. W. Pringle, who was appointed to inquire into the fatal railway accident which occurred at St. Margaret's, Edinburgh, on 10th May, reported that after the accident had occurred railwaymen on strike, trained and normally employed on breakdown work, were asked by others who were loyal to the company to assist in clearing the debris and rescuing passengers, and they refused to assist, he will introduce legislation to make such conduct a punishable offence?

I have been asked to answer this question. Sir John Pringle refers in his report to evidence given at the Inquiry on this matter, but I do not consider that legislation would serve any useful purpose,

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider this inhuman conduct conforms at all with "peaceful picketing"?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the £16,000 allocated as the cost of producing the official organ known as the "British Gazette' includes the cost of its distribution by motor car and aeroplane; and, if so, what sum has been allocated for payment of this transport?

No allowance is made in this Estimate for the cost of the aeroplane service, which was regarded by the Air Ministry as taking the place of experimental and practice flying, and it was only practicable to earmark an expenditure of £450 on motor car distribution as definitely on the service of the "British Gazette." The bulk of the distribution was carried out by volunteers receiving free petrol only.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that in making out a table of profit and loss for this great journalistic venture something should be shown for the cost of distribution?

That is a matter for the Auditor-General.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the difficulty which has arisen with regard to the London County Council slum clearance scheme in Bermondsey, by reason of the refusal of the tenants in the slum area to accept new accommodation in Southwark provided by the London County Council on the ground that the scale of Poor Law relief in Bermondsey is greater than that given in Southwark; and whether he is prepared to take any steps to deal with this difficulty?

This particular difficulty has not been brought to the Minister's notice but, as my hon. and gallant Friend is perhaps aware, the question of co-ordination of Poor Law relief in London is one of the elements the Minister is considering in connection with his scheme of Poor Law reform.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if any animals exhibited at the Royal Show at Reading came from a restricted area; and, if so, whether the animals had started for the show before the restriction was made?

Certain animals from the Staffordshire infected area were exhibited at the Royal Show. The movement of the animals to the show took place before the restrictions were imposed. As soon as the Restriction Order was issued the animals were removed from the show ground to other premises for isolation and detention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that there has been no continental meat sent to Smithfield Market since 4th June; that recently foot-and-mouth disease broke out again in Colchester, Chelmsford, and Cheshire coast districts; and if he can state why Dutch meat cannot be imported in the same way as Argentine meat is imported?

A second hon. Member rose to ask tide mine question.

The answer to the first two parts is in the affirmative. The importation of fresh meat, from Europe has been prohibited because conclusive evidence was obtained that foot-and-mouth disease had been introduced into this country by the carcases of pigs from the Continent. As I have already explained, there is no evidence that frozen meat such as that coming from the Argentine is the means of carrying infection.

asked the Under-Secretary of state for India, whether he will represent to the Government of India the undesirability of any interim period between the publication of the Currency Commission's Report and the announcement by the Government of India of what part, if any, of the Commission's findings they propose to submit to the September session of the Legislative Assembly for legislative sanction; and is he aware that any such interim period may conceivably produce violent fluctuations in Indian exchange?

My noble Friend the Secretary of State fully realises the importance of the considerations referred to in my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the statements made at the last Conference of the International Labour Organisation with regard to the superiority of labour conditions in India over those in Japan and China, the Secretary of State will suggest to the International Labour Organisation that a conference on this subject should be held between the representatives of India, Japan and China, similar to the conference recently held in London between certain European Powers, to consider the question of labour conditions and, in particular, of the hours of labour?

My Noble Friend will transmit the suggestion to the Government of India, for an expression of their views.

Is the Noble Lord aware that India is the only country in the world which honoured its signature at the Washington Convention, and that India is subject to extraordinary competition from a country which has refused to honour its signature?

I am aware of that most important fact, though I cannot accept the statement entirely in the form in which the hon. Member made it.

Why not?

For reasons which it would be impossible to explain in answer to a question. I sympathise entirely with the point of view the hon. Member put, but that is quite a different matter from doing what the question asks that the Government of India shall do, that is, to be responsible for suggesting that these friendly foreign Powers should take part in a conference. The matter is receiving the consideration of the Government of India and is also under the purview of the International Labour Bureau.

asked the Minister of Transport the total present cost of administering the car-parking Regulations in London, including the provision of the paper forms authorising a motorist to park his car; and upon what fund this cost falls?

I have been asked to reply. The administration of these Regulations does not appear to involve any cost to public funds. The cost of printing the tickets and notices to date has been more than covered by the receipts from the advertisement which is printed on the back of the tickets. Such police supervision as is required is provided in conjunction with other duties, and does not involve any calculable additional cost. The licensed messengers employed at some parking places are not paid from police or other public funds.

If that is the case, would it not be desirable to extend the parking facilities?

That question should be addressed to the Ministry of Transport?

It was addressed to the Ministry of Transport.

Yes, but the part that was addressed to the Ministry of Transport ought to have been addressed to the Home Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the East African Loan Bill will be introduced?

I hope that the Financial Resolution to the Palestine and East African Loan Guarantee Bill will be tabled in the course of the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received representations from Trinidad regarding the surtax of 30 per cent. imposed by the Venezuelan Government upon all goods imported into that Republic from the British West Indies; and, if so, whether he is prepared to take any steps with a view to its removal?

I have not received any recent representations from Trinidad, but the matter has frequently engaged the attention of His Majesty's Government I am, however, not in a position to make any statement' in regard to it.