asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a copy of the agreement which has been reached between the Governments of India and South Africa in respect of Indians in South Africa will be presented to Parliament?

The agreement is not embodied in a formal document. Copy of the statement of conclusions, which was communicated to the Indian Legislature, and of the announcement made on 21st February, will be placed in the Library.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the reference of the Commander-in-Chief in the Legislative Assembly of India to the military aspect of the Bolshevist menace to India; and whether the existing British and native forces are regarded as sufficient to safeguard peace and security in that country?

I have seen a report of the speech referred to, which, as I read it, was intended to show, not that the strength of the Army in India as it stands is regarded as insufficient for its purposes, but that in present circumstances further large reductions in military expenditure cannot be expected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the speech of the Home Member in the Burmese Legislative Council, in opposing the enfranchisement of Burmese women, in the course of which he said that the question could only be considered by the Statutory Commission; and whether this is the view of the Government?

I have not yet received the official Report of the Debate in question, but have seen a newspaper report. The question at issue was not the enfranchisement of women, who already have the vote in Burma, but the removal of the sex disqualification for candidature for election to the Legislative Council. If the report I have seen is correct, the Home Member (who, I may observe, is a Burman) did not say that the question "could only be considered by the Statutory Commission." He opposed the motion on behalf of the Government on the ground that it was premature, and might well await the Statutory Inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the question of the separation of the judicial functions from those of the executive has been engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government and of the Government of India for the past 84 or 90 years, and that schemes have been worked out on various occasions with that end in view, he can state if the Government are now in a position to make a definite decision on the matter?

No, Sir. The Government of India are still awaiting the proposals of certain local Governments on this very difficult question and it will not be possible to make a decision until these have all been considered.

Does the Noble Lord suggest that 80 years is not sufficiently long to have got the opinions of these Governments?

The hon. Member must remember the saying that you "cannot hustle the East".

(for Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received a report, as a result of the visit to India of the superintendent of the "Worcester," on the proposed training ship for boys entering the mercantile marine to be stationed at Bombay?

The report has been received, and it has been decided to establish a training chip at Karachi. The training ship is expected to be in working order about six months hence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) if the Government of India proposes to bring all departmental ranks of the Indian unattached list into line as regards period of promotion from one rank to another;

(2) whether the revised pay for ail ranks of the Indian unattached list includes the allowances (such as free quarters, clothing, etc.) now enjoyed by similar ranks of the British service and their families;

(3) whether the Government of India will extend to warrant officers of indoor departments the same concessions as are at present enjoyed by officers when making road journeys on duty and by officers and other ranks when travelling by rail on leave?

With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will answer these questions together. I am afraid that I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Lieut.-Colonel Howard-Bury) on the 14th February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that. Mr. Subhas Chandra Bose was appointed chief executive officer of the Corporation of Calcutta in April, 1924, and that his appointment received the sanction of the Governor of Bengal; and whether, seeing that Mr. Bose was interned by order of the Government of Bengal within six months of his appointment and that he has been re-elected to that post, his re-election has received the sanction of the Governor of Bengal, in spite of his internment?

I am aware that Mr. Bose was appointed to hold the post in question; that this appointment, like several others made by the Corporation, is subject to the approval of the local Government, and that this approval was given. I understand that the Corporation have regarded Mr. Bose since his internment as being technically on leave with a substitute acting for him and that no question of his re-appointment or of re-approval by the local Government has arisen.

Is it not possible to expedite the release of this man, who apparently has the confidence of the Council still?

No, Sir. That does not arise out of this question, and I must point out to the hon. Member that, if a person in prison has the confidence of this or that organisation it is not a reason for a remission of his sentence or for dealing with him in a different way from any other person.

Will the Noble Lord not agree that perhaps the municipal authorities know as much about this man and his actions as tie people who put him in prison and kept him there without trial?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what arrangements are being made for the wives and dependants of the British soldiers sent to China from India?

The wives and families of officers and other ranks of British units which have been sent from India to China will be given the option of being brought home now at Government expense or of remaining in India, with the proviso in the case of officers' families that, if the officer returns to India, they will have no claim to be sent back to India at Government expense unless the officer has at least 12 months more to serve in India.

What is the position with regard to the wives of the men? Will they have the same option as in the case of the officers?

As I have explained, they will be in a better position than the officers; they will be allowed to return to India. The proviso in the case of officers is that they will not be allowed a return passage at the Government expense unless the officer has at least 12 months more to serve in India.

My question was really aimed at finding out what is being done for soldiers' wives and families who remain in India. Do they get any special allowance?

I am sorry if the hon. and gallant Gentleman did not get it clearly. May I read again what I said:

"The wives and families of officers and other tanks of British units which have been sent from India to China will be given the option of being brought home now at the Government expense or of remaining in India, with the proviso in the case of officers' families that, if the officer returns to India, they will have no claim to be sent back to India at Government expense unless the officer has at least 12 months more to serve in India,"

If they remain in India, will they get a special allowance?

They will get exactly the same allowances as they get at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he now has information about the situation at Ningpo and the occupation of the Ningpo Trinity College belonging to the Church Missionary Society; and whether negotiations are in progress between His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government, or the governing body concerned, for the return of this property, and also for the return of the Church Missionary Society's hospital at Hangchow?

I have not yet received any details about these events, or any reports on the action taken by His Majesty's consular officers in regard to them. I have no doubt the consular officers will have taken whatever steps are required.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform me when he has the information, as I should like to have an explanation?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the municipality of the international settlement at Shanghai has offered to, pay any part of the cost of the Shanghai Defence Force or whether he has approached them with a view to meeting some part of the cost; and, if not, will he so approach them, with a view to part of the cost of the Shanghai Defence Force being met by the inhabitants of the settlement?

No, Sir; the municipality has not made any offer, nor have I approached them on the subject. All the Powers interested have made their own preparations, naval or military, for the defence of their interests and no doubt all have incurred expense in so doing, but so far as I know none of them has approached the municipality for a contribution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman proposing to approach this very wealthy community, who pay no British taxes, to meet some part of the cost?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I have given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost to the British taxpayer is going to far exceed the cost to all the other nationalities concerned and that we are bearing the brunt of the expense for the benefit of other people?

No; we have taken the steps we have taken for the protection of British interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now received the full text of the Hankow Agreement?

I have not yet received the text of the new municipal regulations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the text of this agreement has already been published in Shanghai where it has caused very general anxiety, and will he take steps to expedite it?

The text of the agreement has been given in this House. It is the municipal regulations which I have rot yet received, but I hope to have them in a week or a fortnight.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the position of His Majesty's Government as a leaseholder from the Chinese Government of the land comprised in the British concessions in China, and the position of the sub-lessees of such land from the British Government, and the rights of both parties under the leases they hold will be affected in any way by any agreement which has been entered into at Hankow and Kiukiang or by any arrangements which may be contemplated regarding other British concessions in China.?

The whole question is now being examined by His Majesty's Government, whose object is to ensure that the interests of the sublessees will not he prejudiced by any arrangements that may he entered into.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the money which has been paid by the Nationalist authorities as compensation for the damage done at Kiukiang will be distributed by His Majesty's Government among those British subjects who sustained damage owing to such looting having taken place?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state how many prisoners at the Kingston penitentiary were flogged during the three months ending 30th September, 1925, and the three months ending 30th September, 1926, respectively?

I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply given to the hon. Member for Westhoughton {Mr. Rhys Davies) on the 22nd November, 1926.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Commission of Inquiry appointed to inquire into the system of prison administration at Jamaica, with special reference to disturbances in the Kingston Penitentiary during August and September of 1926, has yet made a Report; and whether this Report will be published?

The Commission reported in October last, and its Report was immediately published in Jamaica. Copies were placed in the Library of the House in January for the information of hon. Members. It is not proposed to republish the Report in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies {1) what were the prices paid to native suppliers in Nigeria for palm oil and palm kernels during the period of control; and what evidence with regard to the price paid to native suppliers was furnished by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce in connection with the question of controlled prices in 1919;

(2) what were the actual prices in 1913 and 1918 for palm kernels and palm oil in Lagos, on which Sir Frederick Lugard based the statement in his Report on the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria [Cmd. 468, 1920], that prices in 1918 were below pre-War prices by £3 18s. per ton for palm oil and £3 10s. 10d. per ton for kernels; and what were the prices in each year from 1900 to 1926 at Lagos and other centres, such as Benin and Ibadan?

With the hon. Member's permission, I propose to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the replies to these questions which consist mainly of detailed figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to receive a copy of the Feetham Report on local administration and taxation in Kenya?

I have to-day received one copy of the Report, which has, however, not yet been printed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman allow me to see that copy?

Certainly, as soon as I can get it printed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that in the autumn of 1925 the Governor of Kenya Colony had been asked to forward a Report upon the working of the detention camps system after it had been in operation a reasonable time, he is prepared now to request the Governor of Kenya to forward such Report?

As the first of the Gazette Notices relating to the establishment of such camps were issued only within the last few months, it is too early to expect a Report on the working of the system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, when the Assistant District Commissioners are relieved of the labour of assessing crops to tithe, he contemplates using them, as in South Africa, for the administrative and magisterial duties of their districts?

I understand that this question is intended to refer to Palestine. Sonic of the officers referred to exercise magisterial powers in their districts, and I have suggested to the High Commissioner for Palestine that, should the system of annual assessment of tithe be abolished, it should be possible to make more extended use of these administrative officers for magisterial duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any British Colony or mandated territory besides Palestine where British subjects are denied the vote; whether he is aware that, in British Guiana, all white residents of whatever nationality may vote; and will he have an amending ordinance enacted in Palestine so that British subjects, either exceptionally or in common with other alien residents, may enjoy equal rights under the British flag?

In British Colonies where there are elective legislative or municipal councils, British subjects are, of course, eligible to vote. In British Guiana the vote for municipal purposes, but not for the Legislature, is given after three years' residence without nationality qualifications. In British mandated territories they are accorded similar privileges except where, as in Palestine, a local Nationality Law has been enacted, in which case the franchise is confined to persons who have acquired the special status for which that law provides. I am not prepared to take the action suggested in the last part of the question.

How can the right hon. Gentleman say that it is our duty to deprive British subjects in any British Colony of a vote even for municipal purposes?

The position of Palestine is a special one. It is not a British Colony in the ordinary sense. What we are anxious to have is a strong local Palestinian feeling.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the estimated expenditure of public money during 1926–27 due to the acceptance of the mandate for Iraq?

Provision to the extent of £3,900,400 was made in the Middle Eastern Services Vote for 1926–27 on account of Iraq; but, as I explained to the hon. Member on 25th February, 1926, it is not possible to calculate with any accuracy how much of this expenditure could be said to be directly due to the acceptance by this country of the Mandate for Iraq.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to receive the Reports of the experts who are investigating the question of railway construction in East Africa?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the three experts visiting Nyasaland at the present Time. I hope to receive their Reports in about two months.

Will everything be done to expedite the forwarding of these Reports?

I am as anxious as my hon. Friend.

Will these Reports be made by the same individuals who reported on the Iraq railways?

One of them is the same. General Hammond has been reporting on both, but the other members of the Commission reporting on East Africa are not the same.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what sums have been expended from Crown Colony and other funds in obtaining expert advice with regard to veterinary matters affecting the Crown Colonies, Protectorates, and Mandated Territories?

I assume that my hon. Friend does not refer to expenditure on the maintenance of Veterinary Departments and their staffs, or to such expert advice as is given in the ordinary course of their work by the Imperial Bureau of Entomology or by the Bureau of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases in its "Veterinary Bulletin," but to special expert advice. A grant of £10,000 has been made from the Empire Marketing Fund for the pur- pose of carrying out an investigation into the mineral content of natural pastures in Kenya, acting under the advice of Dr. J. B. Orr, of the Rowett Research Institute. It is not possible to state how much of this sum will actually be expended in Kenya. At the request of the Nigerian Government, Dr. P. J. du Toit, Deputy-Director of Veterinary Education and Research in the Union of South Africa, visited the Colony in January last to investigate mineral deficiency in pastures and to report generally on local veterinary matters. The cost to Nigeria of the visit was approximately £450.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the second Report of the Lovat Committee on agricultural services in the non-self-governing Colonies; and whether it is proposed to issue this Report as a Government publication?

I have received the final Report of this Committee. The whole of the Report is being printed, and will be issued as a Command Paper shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any Crown Colonies are at the present time either requiring grants-in-aid to enable them to carry on their work of government or are showing deficits in revenue; and whether he will state in each case what are the reasons for this financial embarrassment?

The following Colonies, etc., receive formal grants-in-aid of ordinary revenue:

• Cyprus.
• Nyasaland.
• Somaliland.
• St. Helena.
• Dominica.

For particulars of these grants, which in some cases are in the form of loans, I would refer my hon. Friend to the explanations given in the Estimate for Colonial Services. It is not possible within the limits of a reply to a question to explain the circumstances and financial history of each case.

Deficits are estimated for in the following Colonies, etc.:—

• British Guiana (drought and serious agricultural depression).
• St. Lucia (depression in staple industries).
• Sierra Leone (short fall in import duties).
• Uganda (fall in cotton prices).
• Mauritius (fall in sugar prices).
• Hong Kong (situation in China).

Which of these subventions are not in the form of loans? Is it only in he case of Cyprus?

The Cyprus one is a subvention to meet part of the cost of the Ottoman. Debt.

All the others are merely loans now?

I am not sure that they are all. I should have to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to publish the Report of the High Commissioner for Zanzibar on road-making in Pemba; and, in view of the manner in which the Report shows the work to have been conducted, particularly the making of the Arascha Chaka road, what steps he proposes to take in this matter?

A Report on this matter was received from the late High Commissioner (Sir Robert Coryndon) in 1924, and action was then taken. I do not think there is anything to be gained by printing and publishing the Report so long after the event, and I am satisfied that no further action can usefully be taken in this case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the engineer who reported adversely on the route that failed has been, possibly, unfairly treated, and will he look into that question?

I have looked into it, and I do not think there is any justification for that suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the huts in the circular courtyard of the offices of the Board of Trade are derelict; and, if so, why they have not been removed?

(for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise.

Why does the Board of Trade require extra accommodation in huts?

The Board of Trade does not use this accommodation. It is used by the Board of Education.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has instructed Sir Miles Lampson to discuss with the Chargé d'Affaires of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics accredited to Peking the alleged breaches in China on the part of Russia of the terms of the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement of 1921, with a view to arriving at an amicable settlement of the questions in dispute in so far as they refer to diplomatic and other activities in China?

No, Sir.

Do we understand from the right hon. Gentleman that anti-British propaganda is being conducted by the Soviet Government in China?

I dealt with that the other day.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust acquired a site for the construction of 14 houses at Tralee, County Kerry, Irish Free State, over a year ago; why the construction of houses on this site has not vet commenced; and what sums are yearly expended in salaries by this body, and how many houses in the county of Kerry have been built by it?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am informed that the Trust have obtained and considered tenders for the construction of 14 houses at Tralee, that they have accepted one of these tenders, and that the contract is likely to be signed immediately. In reply to the third part I would refer my Noble Friend to the accounts of the Trust for the year ending 31st March, 1926, which were published in February last and a copy of which I am sending to him. I understand that no houses have as yet been built in County Kerry, for the reasons which I gave to my Noble Friend in reply to the question which he addressed to me on 28th February. I may add that a full and detailed Report on the work of the Trust down to 31st March last swill be issued as a Stationery Office publication on the 21st instant.

Will they speed up the scheme?

Yes; the Trust are most anxious to speed it up.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the amounts spent under the Empire Settlement Act in each year since it was passed into law?

The expenditure under the Empire Settlement Act has been as follows:

	£
1922–23	35,464
1923–24	424,897
1924–25	423,621
1925–26	569,875
1926–27 (estimated)	1,131,750

The final expenditure for the year 1926–27 cannot be exactly stated until some time after 31st March.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number of trade commissioners in each of the Dominions?

There are three Trade Commissioners in Canada, the Senior Trade Commissioner being also responsible for questions relating to Newfoundland; two in Australia; one in New Zealand; two in South Africa; three in India; one in British East Africa; and one in the British West Indies. I am forwarding to my hon. Friend a statement giving particulars of the posts at which these officers are stationed.

Is it intended to increase the number of these officers?

I cannot say.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been balled to the recent increase in thrift, as shown in the returns of savings banks and similar institutions; and, if so, whether he proposes during the coming financial year to abolish the expenditure of £81,579 incurred by the National Savings Committee, whose sole purpose is to inculcate the habit of saving, the value of which is now adequately realised?

While I am aware that there is some increase in savings of the type to which my hon. Friend refers, I think it is generally admitted that there is great need for a further increase in national savings, which are considerably below the pre-War figure, if allowance be made for changed values. I cannot, therefore, agree with the suggestion in the latter part of the question. I am satisfied that the work of the National Savings Committee greatly contributes to the encouragement of thrift in all directions and that it should be continued.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider setting up a Committee to increase the wages out of which the savings are made?

That is another issue?

asked the Prime Minister when the legislation for the reform of the factory laws, which it was promised by His Majesty's Government last year would be carried out in 1927, will be introduced?

I would refer the hon. Member to what I said in regard to this Bill in the course of the Debate on the Address, and to the reply given by the Home Secretary on 10th February, 1927.

asked the Prime Minister when the legislation to legalise the 48-hour week, which was promised last year by His Majesty's Government, will be introduced?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the names of the British delegate to bite Special Commission on the Private Manufacture of Arms which is to meet in Geneva on 14th March?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Shore ditch on the 3rd March, the British representative is the Viscount Cecil of Chelwood.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average amount peg acre of cereals, hay, and root crops produced in Wales, Scotland, and England, respectively, during the last year for which returns are available; and the number of cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs per 1,000 acres in each country for the same period?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT statements giving the information desired.

asked the Minister of Agriculture which beet-sugar companies in receipt of subsidy have issued shares to the public; and what proportion these bear to the total shares in each company?

Shares in the following beet-sugar factories controlled by companies in receipt of subsidy have either been issued or are available to the public:

Kelham.	Peterborough.
Ely.	Wissington.
Ipswich.	Kidderminster.
Greenock.

I have no information as to the proportion which the shares issued to the public bear to the total shares in each company.

also asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the amount of the foreign holdings, classified according to the nationality of the holders, in each of the beet-sugar companies in receipt of subsidy, showing also the total capital in each case?

I regret that I am unable to give this information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statistics or information showing the number of agricultural workers now unemployed and the number of farms unlet or involuntarily taken over by the owners as compared with the corresponding period of last year; and, if so, where such can be obtained?