asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will recommend that the terms of reference of the recently appointed. Tariff Board which is to investigate the cotton textile industry should be extended to include an investigation into the hours and condi- tions of labour, with a view to special consideration of the protection of these interests?

The specific terms of reference of a Tariff Board appointed by the Government of India is a matter which my Noble Friend prefers to leave to the discretion of the appointing authority.

Is it not possible to suggest the advisability of having the hours of labour and conditions included in the inquiry, as well as the purely capitalist side?

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by the purely capitalist side. As my answer shows, my Noble Friend does not contemplate making suggestions to the Government of India as to the method of procedure before the Committee. No doubt it will be possible for those interested in the industry, either workers or employers, to give evidence before the Committee if they should wish to do so.

Will the words "cotton industry" cover any suggestions as to the way the industry is financed?

That, as the hon. Member is aware, rests upon the interpretation by the chairman of the terms of reference to a committee appointed either in this country or elsewhere.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the amount, if any, of money advanced by the Indian Government to poppy growers in the last three years, with a view to the production of opium?

As the reply is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

following is the replay:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what amount of morphia has been manufactured in India during the last five years, and what amount of codeine and heroine?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the latest available figures showing the percentages of boys of school age attending school and the annual expenditure per school child in the Native Status of Baroda, Jaipur, Travancore and in British India, respectively?

Approximately 36½ per cent, of the boys of school-going age in British India were under instruction in 1921–22, the date of the last quinquennial review. The average annual cost per scholar in the same year was Rupees S in the case of primary school pupils, and Rupees 40 in the case of secondary school pupils. I am not in a position to give corresponding statistics for the States mentioned in the question, as the details asked for are not given in their Administration Reports.

Do not these figures compare badly with the number of children in Turkey?

As the reply is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

following is the reply

I am not responsible for Turkey, but it may interest the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and the House, to know that they are very much better than is the case of Russia.

Does the Noble Lord claim credit for Russia?

Is it possible to get the figures for the Indian Native States anywhere else than from the "Statesman's Year Book"?

While I sympathise with the request of the hon. Gentleman I do not see how it will be possible, without very great labour and expense, to get the figures. The question of education in the Indian States is purely a matter for the administration of those States. In order to make a useful comparison one would require to have the figures in all the Indian States, and not merely those in the question, but I will consider the matter.

Upon what facts did the Noble Lord base his comparison with Russia?

Public figures as supplied by the various authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount of opium is sent to this country from India; and for what purposes is it used?

116,000 lbs. of raw opium were imported into this country from India in 1925. 16,000 lbs. Were exported during the same year. The Indian opium retained in this country is used for the manufacture of morphine and other drugs and in medicinal preparations.

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?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has communicated with the Palestinian Government concerning the delay in issuing permits to the Jewish immigrants held up in Iraq?

I have now received reports on the subject from the High Commissioners for Iraq and Palestine. Lord Plumer informs me that the eases referred to are under investigation by the Palestine Zionist Executive, who will, presumably, make formal application to the High Commissioner in the matter as soon as they are in a position to do so. It is doubtful, I understand, how far the families concerned possess sufficient independent means to qualify for admission to Palestine, otherwise than under the Labour Schedule.

Will the right hon. Gentleman himself do anything to help these unfortunate people?

No, Sir; I have to consider whether these people would be described as eligible immigrants. Therefore, the question arises whether they have the necessary means so that they should not become a burden on the community there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate cost of the railways built in Iraq by His Majesty's Government; what is the value of the rolling stock supplied for those railways by His Majesty's Government; whether these railways and rolling stock have been handed over to the Iraq Government or are to be handed over; whether they are to be paid for by that Government; and, if so, on what terms and under what conditions?

The Iraq railways were valued in 1922 at, approximately, £3,750,000. The valuation included items of, approximately, £287,000 for locomotives, £404,000 for goods rolling stock and £186,000 for coaching stock. The ownership of the railways is still vested in. His Majesty's Government. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Cardigan on the 16th June, the question of their future disposal is still under consideration.

Are the figures quoted by the right hon. Gentleman of total capital value based on wartime estimates, or are they for normal times?

That is a very important point. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons are employed on the Iraq railways; how many of these are British or other Europeans; and whether the railways showed a profit or loss during 1925 and to what extent?

The latest available returns give the total number of persons employed on the Iraq railways, including those engaged on capital works, as 9,302. Of these, 284 are classified as British (including Anglo-Indian) and other European nationals. With regard to the last part of the question, there was a surplus of revenue over expenditure for the year 1925–26 of about £23,800.

May I ask to whom that surplus went? Did it go to our Government or to the Iraq Government?

At present the railways are the property of His Majesty's Government, and are being worked by the Iraq Government, who utilise such surplus as they can make towards the re-equipment and extension of the line.

Does that mean that. in the case of these railways, built with our money, we are not getting interest on the money lent. but that the Iraq Government are making what they can out of it?

The Iraq Government are enabling the railways to continue functioning. The railways are seriously in need of capital, and if we are ever to make any interest or profit on our ownership of the railways we shall have to find the capital necessary for their development.

What has been the total surplus since the railways started?

I should require notice of that question.

Is it not a fact that these railways arc not paying interest to anybody?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of the persons who will represent the Crown Colonies, Protectorates, and mandated territories at the forthcoming Imperial Conference?

I shall represent the Colonies, Protectorates, and mandated territories at the Imperial Conference. I shall have the assistance of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in keeping in touch with the interests of the Colonies and other dependencies, in particular on all economic questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether all the delegates to the Imperial Conference have now been appointed?

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to give the names of all the delegates to the forthcoming Imperial Conference, as the necessary particulars have not been received, but an announcement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will place before the forthcoming Imperial Conference the question of the legal disabilities of married women whose husbands have deserted them and acquired domicile in an overseas part of the Empire?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the question of maintenance of married women in the circumstances mentioned. In that case I would call attention to the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, 1920. Reciprocal legislation has now been passed throughout Australia, in New Zealand and in the Union of South Africa and in practically all the Colonies not possessing responsible Government and all the Protectorates. In the circumstances it would appear to be hardly necessary to bring the general question before the Imperial Conference.

Will the Imperial Conference consider the case of women who desire to take divorce proceedings against their husbands who have deserted them and gone to an Overseas Dominion, but who at present are debarred from taking proceedings in the Courts at home, owing to the fact that their husbands are deemed to be domiciled overseas?

We in West Ham have suffered from this —[Horn. MEMBERS: "Order!"] My question is whether the Minister will be prepared to bring before the Conference the question of men who have deserted their wives and families being proceeded against in the Courts of the Dominion to which they have gone?

Yes, Sir. That question was discussed fully in 1923, and legislation to meet that case has been passed in most parts of the Empire, but, in so far as difficulties still arise, the question can be brought before the Conference.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how Canada stands in this matter?

Owing to certain differences between the Provinces and the Dominion Government, the Provincial Governments have so far not seen their way to pass the necessary legislation.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the situation in Canada and the importance of the Prime Minister or some other responsible statesman being present, he will suggest postponement of the Imperial Conference till two or three weeks later?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has taken any steps to resolve the uncertainty as to whether a Canadian representative will be able to attend the Imperial Conference; and whether he has taken the sense of the other Dominions as to whether or not it would be desirable to postpone the Conference till the political situation in Canada has become more, stable?

I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in addition to the subjects already agreed upon for discussion at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, it will be open to the representatives of any of the nations taking part to bring forward any further questions of Imperial interest?

It will be open to any of the Governments taking part in the Conference to bring forward further questions for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether all-weather motor road communication is now being established between Northern Rhodesia and Lake Tanganyika; if so, what is the route; what are to he the terminal points at both ends; how much it is to cost; how it is being financed; what is the expected date of its completion; and whether branch communication of a similar nature is being tapped on to it from Lake Nyassa or from Nyassaland?

If my hon. Friend refers to communication between the Lake and the Rhodesian Railway, I may say that it is proposed to improve the existing dry-weather road from Kashitu via Mpika and Kasama to Abercorn, and to extend it to the Lake. My right hon. Friend has not yet received detailed estimates of cost or time of construction, but the former will probably be about £20,000, which it is desired to borrow under the proposed guaranteed loan. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Is it not possible to make it an "all-weather' road?

Yes, Sir; I think that is the object.

But I understood the right hon. Gentleman to say a "dry-weather" road?

Will the owners of the land adjoining this road be asked to pay towards this expense?

I think the land is in private or native ownership along the length of the road.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the objections to leaving any place in suspense as to its political future for a long period of time, he will consider suggesting to the League of Nations that Weihaiwei should be definitely mandated to Great Britain in trust for China for a specific period?

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the objection to which my Noble Friend refers, but the position of Weihaiwei is necessarily a matter between His Majesty's Government and the Government of China, and he does not feel that any form of application to the League of Nations would be likely to improve the position, which must be regarded as a part of the general situation in China.

Is it not the fact that administration there is being seriously hampered by this uncertainty?

We should be very glad if the situation could be cleared.

As the League of Nations exists to safeguard the interests of the people of each locality, should not something be done in this case?

I am not sure that the League of Nations would clear the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make any statement regarding the result of the mission to China to inquire as to the views held there regarding the application of the Boxer indemnity funds; and whether His Majesty's Government have assented to any departure from the principles laid down in the Chin% Indemnity (Application) Act?

The Report of the delegation to China will be submitted to the Buxton Advisory Committee at an early date. One of the delegation's recommendations has already been approved by the Committee and adopted in principle by His Majesty's Government, subject to Parliamentary approval. This is that, after the general lines of expenditure have been laid down, the control and administration of the fund should be entrusted to a joint board of trustees in China. The board would submit an annual statement of receipts and expenditure to the Governments of China, and Great Britain. This decision will render necessary an amendment of the Act, and legislation will be introduced in due course.

Will the Report, after it has been submitted to the Advisory Committee, be made public? Will it be laid on the Table of the House, or in some other way be made available for consideration by Members of the House?

No doubt it will be made public. Some of it has already been published.

Will there be Chinese members of the board referred to?

Yes, Sir; there are going to be three, I think.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made since the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923 in removing the disabilities of subjects of the British Empire in obtaining workmen's compensation under different Empire jurisdictions?

As regards the Dominions no change in the law, so far as I am aware, has taken place in pursuance of the Resolutions passed at the Imperial Economic Conference. of 1923, but the subject is one which may come up for) discussion at the forthcoming Conference in connection with the general question of Overseas Settlement. As regards the other parts of the Empire a Workmen's Compensation Ordinance has recently been passed in Trinidad and legislation on this subject is under consideration in certain other Colonies. Generally speaking conditions existing in the Colonies and Protectorates are so widely different from those of more highly industrialised countries as to render inapplicable legislation of the type appropriate to the latter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken in any of the self-governing Dominions or the Crown Colonies to implement the provision of the scheme which was enunciated by the British Empire Patent Conference in 1922, as approved by the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923, to achieve Imperial co-operation in the registering of patent designs and trade marks?

The Resolution of the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923 to which my hon. Friend refers was to the effect that the conference felt unable to make any recommendation so far as the self-governing Dominions and India were concerned, but that it was very desirable that the scheme recommended by the British Empire Patent Conference of 1922 should be adopted by the Colonies and Protectorates. Copies of this Resolution were sent to the Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates. Legislation giving effect to the recommendations of the conference of 1922 has been adopted, with few exceptions, by the Colonies and Protectorates.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the judgment in the Irish Free States Courts to the effect that a patent granted in Great Britain is invalid in the Irish Free State?

No, Sir; I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will give the House particulars of the Rhodesian Military Defence Bill;

(2) whether the Rhodesian Military Defence Bill includes a conscience clause and exemption for objectors to military service?

I fear I can hardly summarise the provisions of this Bill, but I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The Bill which has not yet been discussed in the Southern Rhodesia Legislative Assembly, includes a provision permitting the exemption from combatant service in time of war of a citizen who bona fide belongs and adheres to a recognised religious denomination, by the tenets whereof its members may not participate in war.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Dutch East Indies they have had military service for a great number of years; that the men have to serve out there either in—

The hon. Gentleman had better put that question on the paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Indian and native volunteers will be allowed to enrol in the defence force which is being formed in Kenya Colony?

No provision has been made for non-European membership of the Kenya defence force.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the Nairobi Municipal Council advertised for tenders for water-piping; that the German offer was £1,800 less than the British figure on an estimated £4,000 purchase; that the Nairobi Council decided to accept the German tender provided the terms of the proposed loan of £10,000,000 to East Africa contain no stipulation that goods purchased by means of this loan must be obtained in the United Kingdom; and if he will say when it is proposed to lay upon the Table of the House the terms upon which this proposed loan will be made?

I have no information regarding the first part of the question, beyond what is in the local Press. As regards the latter part, the advance to the Nairobi Municipality will be met from a future loan by the Kenya Government which will form part of the Colony's borrowings for services other than transport, and has nothing to do with the proposed East African guaranteed loan. The proposals of the Government with regard to the latter loan will be available to the House at a very early date.

May I ask whether it is not the first principle of Free Trade to buy in the cheapest market?

I never suggested that my hon. and gallant Friend who asked the question could have any other purpose in view.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in deciding the terms of the £10,000,000 guaranteed loan, he will take into account the feeling in this country that we should not guarantee any money which is not to be expended in this country?

Will the Minister consider giving the same terms to West Ham?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the importance of scientific research in connection with the profitable development of the tropical Colonies and Dependencies of East Africa, he will press forward the reestablishment of the college at Amani, which needed to supply the necessary information and advice for which at present no adequate facilities are available?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a director has been appointed to the Agricultural Research Institute at Amani, Tanganyika territory; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to make this appointment at. an early date?

I will answer these questions together. Everything possible is being done to expedite the appointment of a director and the re-establishment of the Amani Institute.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the Report of the Committee, presided over by Sir George Schuster, appointed to determine the priority of works to be constructed under the East African Guaranteed Loans Bill; and whether he will order the Report to be laid as a White Paper before the Committee stage of the corresponding financial Resolutions is taken?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any steps have been taken, in consultation with the Dominions, by which there will be such reciprocity of bankruptcy administration throughout the Empire as will ensure the assets of a debtor being distributed equally among the creditors wherever situated?

Despatches were addressed last year to the Governments of the Dominions and to the Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates inquiring whether the provisions of the legislation in force were similar in this respect to the law in this country under which equality of treatment is assured to creditors wherever situated. From the replies already received, it would appear that there. is a considerable measure of uniformity on this point throughout the Empire.

Will this question be discussed at the imperial Conference

In so far as the necessity may arise from want of uniformity I have no doubt it may be discussed, but, as I point out in my reply, there is already a considerable measure of uniformity.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) what special facilities, if any, will be afforded to coal miners who may wish to migrate from this country in the near future;

(2) asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the probability of a large permanent reduction in the number of coal miners employed in this country in the near future, the Government will consider the possibility of facilitating the migration to undeveloped mining areas in the Dominions of such British miners as may desire to avail themselves of these facilities?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will answer question 31 together with one which he has addressed to the Prime Minister on a cognate subject, and which the Prime Minister has asked me to answer on his behalf. The possibility of finding employment overseas for miners in their own trade has been considered, but I fear that there appears at present to be little prospect of any opportunities of this nature. The possibility of affording special facilities for the settlement of miners overseas as workers on the land is receiving consideration. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for South Edinburgh (Sir Samuel Chapman) on the 14th June, any scheme of this nature would require the full approval of the Oversea Governments concerned.

Would it not be desirable, in view of the urgency of the problem, that a special statement should be made as to what the special facilities for miners will be, as there are likely to be such a large number unemployed?

Will the Minister also consider the question of the Cornish miners, who are real miners and much more efficient?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring this question as a specific issue before the Imperial Conference?

Oh, yes, I will be glad to do so. As to the Supplementary Question of the hon. and gallant Member for Torquay (Commander Williams), I believe the Cornish miners are finding considerable openings at this moment in the expanding gold fields of Canada.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any prospect of an arrangement being come to before the Imperial Conference meets, or will it have to wait till then?

If we could make arrangements I would gladly complete them before the Conference met but I do not wish to give an answer that would encourage false hopes.

Before sending miners abroad to work on the land, will not the Government consider putting them on the land at home?

Any scheme for the training of miners to make them suitable for settlement on the land would give them an opportunity of finding an opening on the land here.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a brief statement as to the effect of the coal strike on deep-sea fishing operation and fish supplies?

Throughout the coal stoppage special consideration has been given to the needs of the deep-sea fishing industry which has been allowed the maximum possible share of the limited supplies of British coal available. The industry themselves have also shown great enterprise in obtaining coal supplies from abroad. As a result, supplies have so far been well maintained. The diminution in the catch of trawl fish as compared with the corresponding period of last year is only about 13 per cent. and prices have, on the whole, not increased materially. The catch of herrings is considerably larger than in 1925. Although this result is eminently satisfactory from the national point of view, it has involved very considerable sacrifices on the part of the fishing industry who have had to pay greatly increased prices for their fuel and are probably making little or no profit from their operations.

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question may I submit that in the way it is framed it is not, properly speaking, a question at all, but a request for a statement, or a sort of fishing inquiry, and if questions of this kind are allowed asking for a general statement it will be an abuse of the way questions are framed and the time of the House taken up.

I think the Minister can be trusted to give the right answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of coal being charged to herring fishermen is 63s. per ton, and does he think that that is a proper price, in view of the fact that it is being shipped in German ships on the other side at 18s. to 20s. per ton?

That has nothing to do with us. There is not now any Government control, but they make their own arrangements.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one of the Forth ports alone there are 60 trawlers laid up because they have to pay 55s. a ton for coal, and they cannot go to sea with coal at that price?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of Dutch ports are full of British trawlers trying to get coal, and they are prevented from doing so by the miners?

Why cannot we pay 65s. a ton for British coal

Do landings by foreign trawlers form a material factor in the recent supplies?

If the hon. Member will put down a question I will try to get some figures.

In view of the price of coal mentioned by hon. Members below the Gangway, does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would pay for the Government to give a little to the British miners by granting a small subsidy in order to get the miners back to work?

asked the Minister of Health how many boards of guardians have decided that relief to dependants of miners who are involved in the present dispute should only be given on loan; how many boards of guardians have decided that each person relieved shall be required to sign an undertaking as to repayment; and how many boards have decided that in the event of the non-fulfilment of this undertaking application should be made to the Justices, under Section 59 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834, to attach the wages in the hands of the master or employer towards the repayment of the loan?

I am afraid that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the steamer "Cambrian Countess" has just delivered 250 head of cattle from the Argentine at Zeebrugge, and that a British veterinary surgeon, appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, has subjected these animals to examination and has certified them to be free from disease; that the animals have been slaughtered and sent to the London market, via. Harwich, as fresh meat at considerably less than home-produced meat; and. having regard to the need of reducing the cost of living, whether he will permit similar regular shipments subject to the same veterinary inspection?

The vessel in question had sailed from Argentina before the date on which the Importation of Carcases (Prohibition) Order came into force. In view of the special circumstances of the case, careases from this cargo were allowed to enter the country subject to a special veterinary examination of the animals both before and after slaughter. I regret that cannot see my way to accede to the suggestion contained in the last part. The importation of live animals from South America is prohibited by Order on account of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in some parts of that Continent and the establishment of a slaughter house at Zeebrugge for the purpose of this trade is an evasion of the Ministry's Order. There is also the additional risk that infection might be brought from Belgium where foot-and-mouth disease is particularly rife at the present time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the steps he took in this case were safe, and if they were safe in this case why should they not be safe in similar cases?

It is very usual when an Order is suddenly imposed to give a period of grace, and the fact that I made that concession is no reason for withdrawing the whole of the Order, the necessity of which has been shown.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the most scrupulous care was taken in the inspection of these animals? Is he not aware that a competent veterinary inspector went to Zeebrugge and examined these animals as they were slaughtered, and that as they were slaughtered they were put into trucks—North Eastern Railway trucks—and sent to Harwich and the London market? Every one of these animals had been passed by the inspector—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] Will he tell the House why he will not allow similar shipments under similar inspection?

I think notice ought to be given of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that by wasting 2 cwts. Of extractable sugar in every 102 cwts. of molasses under the present sugar subsidy scales factories are enabled to make a net gain of 410s. 5d. per 102 cwts. of molasses, taking into account both sides of the production; and whether it is proposed by the Government to alter the scales of subsidy to prevent this?

I am aware that molasses may contain a small proportion of extractable sugar which if recovered would reduce the rate of subsidy on the remaining molasses, but for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 17th May last, I am not prepared to consider any alteration in the scales of subsidy on molasses.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to go on facing a loss of 5s. 5d. per cwt. to the Exchequer?

I am not prepared to accept the hon. Member's definition of molasses as waste, because it is applied to many useful purposes.

When the right hon. Gentleman stated that molasses was waste—

I did not say so.

I want to ask if there is this difference between one and the other why the Government cannot take steps now in the treatment of molasses to make power alcohol?

These scales of subsidies are very complicated. They were very carefully discussed when Parliament passed the Subsidy Bill, and I am not prepared to reopen the question of subsidies now as between sugar and molasses.

Why cannot we have an answer to a question so plainly put? Are we to understand that the Government, in giving the subsidy, have made no provision for the treatment of molasses for the production of power alcohol which would give a big profit to the industry?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether his attention has been called to the statement to the effect that German factories have increased their extraction from beet by 7½ per cent. by improved scientific methods, and does he not think that some method ought to be used to compel British manufacturers to rise to that standard as a condition of obtaining the subsidy?

Certain processes of extraction yield in this country a greater sugar content in the molasses than others, but on the whole I do not think the present scale works inadequately, and I do not propose to alter it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say the amount of alcohol yielded by each gallon of molasses?

Molasses varies very much in their sugar content, but if the hon. Member wants any information as to the polarisation perhaps he will put down a question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres. of tobacco leaf under cultivation in this country?

The acreage under tobacco in England and Wales in 1925 was about 20 acres.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much tobacco was yielded per acre?

May I ask who smokes this tobacco?

We know who likes to advertise it?

Does the right hon. Gentleman himself smoke this British-grown tobacco?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state under what legal authority it is proposed to appropriate a strip of Kensington Gardens for the widening of Kensington Road, in view of Section 19 of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, which provides that no land forming part of any common, open space, or allotment shall be taken for road purposes, without the sanction of Parliament, unless an adequate area of land is given by way of compensation?

Section 19 of the Act has reference to orders made by the Development Commissioners for the compulsory acquisition of land. It does not apply to the case in question where the strip of land was voluntarily surrendered in order to assist in a desirable road-widening scheme.

Can the hon. and gallant Member assure the House that advantage will be taken of this public improvement to straighten out the rather mean diagonal ending to the Broad Walk in Kensington Gardens, so that it may be straight and More suitable for the fine thoroughfare it was meant to be?

I understand that that matter is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action, if any, the Government proposes to take to prevent the pollution of coastal waters by oil from oil-burning vessels; and if any new Regulations have been issued, or are contemplated, by his Department with this end in view?

The text of the Final Act of the International Conference at Washington is with the printers and will shortly be laid before Parliament. The Conference recommended the delimitation of zones in coastal waters and on fishing grounds, normally 50 miles in width, within which the discharge of oil or oily mixtures should be prohibited by international agreements and action. To the Final Act was annexed a draft of an International Convention to give effect to this recommendation, and this is being examined to see whether it is acceptable in its present form.

Will the hon. Member lay as a Parliamentary Paper the Report of the British representatives at the Conference?

If I receive one, I will certainly do so, but I do not know that there is one in existence at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the price of copper and aluminium per ton in June last year and June this year?

During June, 1925, the closing quotations for electrolytic copper, as given in the "Metal Bulletin," varied between £62 10s. and £64 5s. per ton, and during June, 1026, between £64 and £65 10s. per ton. English aluminium was quoted at £118 per ton during each of these months.

asked the Prime Minister what proportion of the various forms of armaments required by the nation is made by the Government factories and by private firms, respectively?

The answer to the hon. Member's question depends, of course, on the definition of the term "armaments." In a matter of this nature, it would, obviously, be contrary to the pubic interest for me to enumerate in detail all the various forms of armaments and then furnish figures showing the exact proportion in each form which is derived from private firms arid from Government factories. I have, therefore, for the information of the hon. Member had the figures computed on a reasonable interpretation of the term "armaments." On this basis of calculation the proportion—over the whole range of war material, excluding ships and aircraft but including their armaments—works out to approximately:

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how he defines the word "armaments"?

Are we not under bond, according to the Covenant of the League of Nations, to exchange information as to the amount of our armaments?

I should like notice of that question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question?

I should like notice of that question also.

Surely, there is no need to put down a question? The Prime Minister has taken exception to the definition of the term "armaments," but he has used it himself.

The hon. Member knows perfectly well that to enumerate what is included in the term "armaments" would take a quarter of an hour's time.

It would be well spent time.

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

The delegation of His Majesty's Government at the Assembly of the League of Nations in September will be The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Sir Cecil Hurst, Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office, The Earl of Onslow, Under-Secretary of State for War, Commander Hilton Young, M.P., and Dame Edith Lyttelton.

asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of the Government in reference to the mandatory system; and, in particular, whether it is in accordance with the formal declaration made by M. de Caix at the meeting of the Permanent Mandates Commission on the 19th February last?

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to carry out in each case the terms of the different mandates in the various categories of territories committed to their charge by the principal Allied and Associated Powers. I have noted the declaration made in connection with the Syrian Mandate by M. de Caix on behalf of the French Government, which embodies principles similar to those followed by His Majesty's Government in regard to Iraq.

Do the Government accept the general principles that were laid down by M. de Caix as principles governing the mandatory system?

Those principles were, as I understand, laid down with reference to Syria and the "A" category of mandates. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, mandates differ very widely in their character. If he will look at what M. de Caix said, he will see that they will not apply in exactly the same form to "B" or "C" mandates.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now inform the House as to the constitution of the. Royal Commission on Bridges over the Thames in the London area and also as to the terms of reference to such Commission?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that the Commission is now complete, and the following gentlemen have been appointed members: Lord Lee of Fareham (Chairman), Sir Willoughby Dickinson, Lord Hambleden, Professor Charles Inglis, Sir William Plender, Lawrence Weaver. The terms of reference are as follow: To survey the whole problem of cross-river traffic in London; to report what provision should be made to meet future requirements, and, in particular, to consider the proposals made in connection with Waterloo and St. Paul's Bridges. Having regard to the urgency of the question, the Report should be completed at the earliest possible date.

Have the times of the sittings of the Commission yet been fixed?

That is in the hands of the Chairman. Of course, the ruling paragraph is the last one.

Will this Commission have the right to inquire into up-and-down river traffic as well as cross-river traffic?

I am afraid I can hardly say how wide an interpretation the Commission may put on the word "cross."

Will the Royal Commission's terms of reference include finance?

I have read out the whole of the terms of reference.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Port of London Authority, and others who are concerned with river traffic as a whole, are exceedingly anxious about the question of the reconstruction of Waterloo Bridge?

I dare say that may be so.

Will the Commission be empowered to report on the question of Charing Cross Bridge?

The words are, "the cross-river traffic." Of course, a bridge anywhere would be included in that.

asked the. Postmaster-General whether it is intended to erect a wireless telegraph station at Dar-es-Salaam; and, if so, when it is likely that the work on this station will be commenced?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Government of Tanganyika Territory intend to erect a wireless station at Dar-es-Salaam during the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the trades unions which imposed penalties of fines, expulsion, or refusal or benefit to their members on account of their action during the general strike; what were the numbers affected in each case; what were the amounts of the fines; whether these penalties have now been withdrawn; and, if not, what action he proposes to take to see that no victimisation takes place?

I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving details of 37 cases reported to my Department where trade unionists were said to have been threatened by their union, or branch of their union, with penalties of fines, expulsion or refusal of benefit. In the majority of the cases the threat has been withdrawn, usually on instructions from the executive of the union. Some of the complaints arose from misunderstandings, and these have been cleared up; in the cases still outstanding my Department is in communication with the unions concerned.

Is the Railway-men's Union included?

Yes, Sir. In the case of the Railwaymen's Union, eight cases were reported to the Ministry of Labour, the complaint being that these men had been expelled by branches subject to the decision of the executive of the union. The present position is that the executive of the union decided that the men should not be deprived of benefit or expelled from the union, and instructed the branches to this effect.

Where a member refuses to pay, is the union legally entitled to deprive him of the whole of his benefit and turn him out of the union?

That question should be put on the Paper.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many of the cases included in the list are outstanding?

Yes, Sir. Of the 37 cases to which I have referred, 21 have been settled, and 16 are now outstanding.

If a member of a trade union disobeys an order of his executive council, and if at the same time a member of the legal fraternity does something un-

professionally correct, is he not subject to penalties?