asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Royal Commission on Agriculture in India is likely to issue an interim Report; and, if so, when?

I understand that a series of interim Reports, containing the evidence taken in India, will be published, commencing in June.

Does that mean that it will be the full conclusions and the evidence?

I cannot say without notice, but I imagine that it will be a full Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what number of pilgrims have proceeded from India to Mecca this year as compared with the two previous years; and whether the arrangements for their security and journey between Jeddah and Mecca have been satisfactory?

I have no information as to the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the arrangements last year were reported to be satisfactory and no information has so far been received indicating that a different state of things is to be expected this year. The date of this year's pilgrimage is 9th June.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have received any representation from the Chamber of Princes in India in regard to the position of Indian States and the safeguarding of their interests when the constitutional question is again reviewed?

So far as I am aware, the Government of India have not received any such representation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give the names of the prisoners detained under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1925, who have, or are suspected to be suffering from, tuberculosis; and whether the Government have under consideration removing these prisoners to surroundings more conducive to the restoration of their health?

The two persons in question are Jiban Lal Chatterjee and Subhas Chandra Bose. The former was removed to a sanatorium a month ago. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement about Mr. Bose in the course of the next two days.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India which of the provincial Governments have published Draft Rules under the Indian Trade Union Act?

All except those of Coorg and Ajmer-Merwara had done so by 14th April.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any conference have taken place between the Government of India and rulers of the Indian States with regard to the position of the Indian States in relation to the inquiry to be carried out by the Statutory Commission provided for in the Government of India Act, 1919; and whether the relation between the Indian States and the paramount Power will fall within the view of the above Commission or whether this matter will form the subject of an independent inquiry?

Some informal discussions have taken place recently between the Viceroy and certain rulers of Indian States. I am not in a position at present to say what passed at those discussions or to make any statement in regard to the matters referred to in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether, in connection with the strike of employés of the Burma Oil Company at Madras, he will state the nature of the grievances alleged by the strikers; and whether any action has been taken by the labour commissioner to help the employés affected to place their case before the company;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the clash which occurred on 10th May between the employés of the Burma Oil Company at Madras and other members of the company's establishment when the latter opened fire on the strikers; whether he will state the number of casualties resulting from this action; and whether any arrests have been made among those responsible for firing?

The origin of the strike which began on 19th April among the Burma Oil Company's employés was the removal on 21st March of a bench used by three or four men, and a notice suspending 94 men on the ground that alterations were going to be made to certain machines. The Assistant Labour Commissioner took a deputation from the men to the management, and the management agreed to take back all the men sent away on 19th April and promised to give a bench for the four men affected by its removal within one week after the men rejoined for duty, but the men raised other points to which the management did not agree. The Asiatic Petroleum Oil Company's employés struck on 9th May. On 10th May strikers from both companies employés obstructed and attacked three petrol lorries. The installation staff went to rescue the lorries, whereupon the strikers threw stones and caused many injuries both to the staff and the police. The installation staff fired several shots with private firearms and also retaliated with stones. Fifteen strikers were injured, six severely and the rest slightly. The installation staff retreated to their buildings, whereupon the strikers burnt two lorries. The Chief Presidency Magistrate and the Commissioner of Police are holding an inqury.

Can the Noble Lord say how it came about that the police were not armed on this occasion, and what special permission had been given to the installation staff to carry arms and use them in this way?

If the hon. Member requires any further information on those points, he had better put a question down. I have given him all the information in my possession.

Has the Noble Lord any information about the taking away of the benches, not only from the three or four members to whom he referred, but practically from the whole of the workers concerned?

I have already said that I have given the hon. Member all the information in my possession in my lengthy answer.

Will the report be available to hon. Members of this House?

I will inquire into that and see if it is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Chinese citizens engaged in trade in British Malaya at the last census; and the number of Chinese immigrants into British Malaya for the latest year for which the figures are available?

At the last census, out of a total population of Chinese origin of about 1,170,000 roughly 110,000 persons of Chinese race were engaged in trade, as distinguished from manual or clerical labour and other forms of service. As regards the last part of the question the number of Chinese immigrants into the Straits Settlements in 1925 was 214,692. The figures for the Malay States are necessarily not complete, but 19,337 Chinese immigrants are reported to have entered the Federated Malay States by sea in 1925.

In the return to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred does he include Straits-born Chinese who are British subjects?

Yes. I carefully framed my answer so as to cover both.

Are there restrictions on the citizens of the Chinese Republic engaged in trade in the Malaya?

Not so far as I am aware.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether oil has yet been discovered in paying quantities in the vilayet of Mosul or any other part of Mesopotamia; whether it is being worked; and, if so, how much has been extracted up to date?

So far as concerns the Turkish Petroleum Company's concession the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the remaining parts do not therefore arise. The company did not start drilling operations until the 5th April of this year. The only part of Iraq in which oil is at present being worked is in the area near the Persian frontier known as the Transferred Territories. The production is not at present large, though I have not got the actual figures. Some reference to this area was made in the chairman's statement at the meeting of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company on 2nd November last, which the hon. and gallant Member has perhaps seen.

Is the Turkish Petroleum Company the only concern searching for oil in Mesopotamia?

Yes, so far as I am aware.

What proportion of the capital of the Turkish Petroleum Company is British?

I could not say off-hand, but a certain proportion is held by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, which is a British company; and another portion—I think 20 per cent.—is held by the Shell Company, which is 40 per cent. British.

Would it not be much better to take the oil from our own coal?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the proposed harbour for large ships at Haifa, in Palestine; whether all the surveys and the final plans for this harbour have been completed; when the work is expected to be completed; and what is the estimated total cost?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply on 21st March to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme. Steps are being taken with a view to sending out an engineer to prepare detailed plans and estimates.

Can the Colonial Secretary give any idea to the House as to when it is expected that the work will begin?

No, Sir. I am afraid it would be difficult to give a precise date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the question of Imperial Preference is included in the agenda of the Colonial Office Conference?

No, Sir; it is not proposed to discuss Imperial Preference on this occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is in any other Crown Colony a conscription law similar to the Conscription Bill which has received a Second Reading in the legislative council of Kenya?

In several Crown Colonies provision for compulsory service exists though not exactly on the same lines as those contemplated in the Kenya Defence Force Bill. Ordinarily the enrolment of those not engaging themselves voluntarily is postponed until, owing to inadequate numbers or special emergency, the necessity should arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in these cases there is an oath of allegiance?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the present position with regard to restrictive covenants in the sale of building plots on Mombasa Island?

The position is still as I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Lincoln on 14th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) whether the new status of the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, as announced by the Prime Minister of the Union to come into effect on the 1st July next, will involve any difference between the status of this particular post and its counterpart in the other Dominions, and, if so, in what respect; whether any steps will be taken to bring them all into line; and whether any such formal changes have already taken place or are about to take place in the other Dominions;

(2) whether, in view of the declaration of the Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, despatches will no longer be sent to the Governor-General from his Department; and if he will state what is the position in other Dominions; and whether any new functionary will be established in that and other Dominions to carry on the continuity of correspondence and liaison with the United Kingdom when in the case of the Union it lapses on 1st July?

The position of Governors-General in the Dominions was defined in Section IV (b) of the Report of the Inter-Imperial Relations Committee of the Imperial Conference of 1926. It will be seen from the passage in question that it was agreed that the Governor-General should cease to be the formal official channel of communication between His Majesty's Government in Great Britain and His Majesty's Government in any of the Dominions which desired that the existing practice should no longer be continued. In accordance with this agreement and the desire of His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa, official communications will not be addressed to the Governor-General after the 1st July, from which date the principle of direct communication between Government and Government takes effect.

A similar change has already been made in the case of official communications to His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State as from the 1st May, and will be made in the case of such communications to His Majesty's Government in Canada as from the 1st July.

As regards the latter part of the second question (No. 16), I would refer my Noble Friend to Section VI of the Report of the Inter-Imperial Relations Committee. As to the application of the principle laid down in that section, I cannot at present add anything to the replies which I gave him on the 14th February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the great interest taken in the question of State trading, he will obtain from His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in Australia a report showing the results of the extensive experiments in State trading which have been carried out in Queensland?

I understand that the Report on State Enterprises in Queensland for the year ended 30th June, 1926, and the Report by the Auditor-General on the Acounts of State Enterprises for the same period, issued by the Queensland Government, can be seen in the Library of the Dominions Office, and my hon. Friend may like to refer to them there.

Would it be possible to place it in the Library of the House?

I will inquire.

Would it be possible to add to that report an explanation of the intimate relationship of State Socialism and protective tariffs in Australia?

I think that is too wide a subject to deal with in reply to a question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to give any further information with regard to the proposed long and short term credit schemes?

Negotiations are still proceeding with regard to both long and short term credit, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any announcement on the subject.

Can my right hon. Friend give me any indication as to when he will be in a position to make a further statement?

It is a very intricate subject. The Treasury are in communication with various financial interests, and I can only repeat that as soon as any conclusion is reached I shall be happy to give the earliest information.

Is it likely that any information will be available before, say, August?

I have explained to the House the difficulty of prophesying. In any case, it is out of the question to pass any legislation during the current Session.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that these agricultural credit societies have been an absolute failure?

No, I do not think that that would be an accurate statement, because the Land Improvement Company, which is, probably, what my hon. Friend is referring to, deals with a much smaller class of need than that which we hope to meet.

Arising out of the first part of my right hon. Friend's answer, is he satisfied that any progress is being made with the negotiations?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not the case that the success of schemes of this kind largely depends on the system of land tenure, and the question of security of tenure?

That is too large a matter for Question Time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to make any progress with the Ouse Drainage Bill before Whitsuntide?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on the 28th April, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to a recent resolution passed by the Birmingham City Council requesting that he should make an Order as contemplated by Section 2 of the Importation of Animals Act, 1922, thereby authorising the importation into Great Britain of non-tubercular Canadian cows and heifers; and if he is prepared to accede to the request submitted by the council?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar question which was addressed to me on the 7th of April last by the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Purcell), a copy of which I am sending to him.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had many of these resolutions from councils both in London and in the provinces?

Yes; I think a sealed pattern resolution was sent round to all the local authorities. A great many urban authorities responded and forwarded these ready-drafted resolutions, but I believe I am right in saying that not a single rural county council accepted the advice given.

Is it not the case that such an Order would require the consent of this House?

Yes, that is so. There is an overwhelming feeling among agriculturists against any such Order, and there is a great feeling of resentment against this body which, with no foundation, has made most alarmist statements about the health of British cattle.

Has the Minister any information as to what are the vested interests responsible for sending round these circulars to local bodies?

That does not arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of male clerical officers in his Department who are classified A or above average for promotion purposes?

The number of such officers varies from year to year. As these reports are regarded as confidential, I am not able to give the particulars asked for, as this information might be regarded as tending to prejudice the confidential nature of the reports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is proposing to institute an inquiry into the conditions of the fishing industry in England and Wales, with a view to the provision of credit facilities for this depressed industry where necessary?

I do not propose to institute any such inquiry as is suggested by the hon. Member, as I have no reason for believing that the fishing industry is suffering from lack of credit facilities.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister made a statement some time ago to the effect that an inquiry would be made?

We have. made inquiries—we are continually in touch with the fishing industry—and I have not seen any evidence that such facilities are now necessary. The hon. Member will recollect that certain facilities were given in Scotland, and very small advantage was taken of them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that credit facilities are necessary for the small fishing people who have neither sufficient money nor material to carry on their normal work, and are obliged to work for large companies, which results in restricting the quantity of fish and increasing prices?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for the Colonies promised, when the £1,000,000 was voted for Empire development, that he would favourably consider the granting of help to British fishermen?

An inquiry is being conducted now, I think, by the Imperial Economic Committee, which is in close touch with the Empire Marketing Board, on the question of the production and sale of fish.

Might not some of these funds be used to great advantage in helping the harbours of these fishermen, which are often not in a very good state of repair?

I do not think the claims of the harbours could very well be brought under a grant for Empire marketing, admirable as those claims may be.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how many cases of breaches of the Fair Wages Clause have been reported in regard to any contracts during the last five years?

The Department does not keep a separate record of all cases in which allegations of breaches of the Fair Wages Clause have been made to them, and the labour entailed in ascertaining the exact number of such cases during the last five years would not appear to be justified.

If it is difficult to give a detailed reply to that question, is it possible for the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department to give a summary of the cases, or some idea of the approximate number in which a breach of the Clause was committed?

From such information as is available, I can say that, out of a total of 5,000 contracts, certainly not more than 75 breaches of the Fair Wages Clause have been reported to us.

Is it not the fact that the Government always insist on the Fair Wages Clause being inserted in their contracts?

It has to be done.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether it is a condition of all contracts that a fair wages notice shall be exhibited on the works; if so, what steps are taken by the Department to see that this condition is observed; and whether such notice is exhibited in the case of all contracts now running?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The condition is enforced whenever it is brought to the knowledge of the Department that the notice is not exhibited, and so far as is known, it is being exhibited on all contracts now running.

If I bring a case to the notice of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department, will they look into it?

If it is brought to the notice of the Department by anyone, the Department will take the matter up.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the fires that have destroyed many acres of heath land, he can state whether any special notices have been issued, in respect of land under the control of Commissioners, to motoring associations or motorists drawing their attention to the danger caused by motoring picnicking parties leaving bottles or other glass about which is likely to act as burning glass from the rays of the sun, which in many cases may originate these fires?

The Forestry Commissioners asked the Automobile Association to urge upon their members the necessity for taking all possible steps, when visiting woodlands and young plantations, to prevent fires which might be caused (a) by leaving bottles or other glass about which is apt to act as a burning glass for the rays of the sun, (b) by dropping lighted matches, etc., or (c) by lighting fires and failing to extinguish them.

Are notices posted up, so that the public can see them?

No, they are not; I see no reason why they should not be.

Will steps be taken to see that they are posted?

Has my hon. Friend's attention also been drawn to the danger of incendiary speeches?

asked the Minister of Health what classes and quantities of canned goods are imported into this country which, because of the presence in them of preservatives, artificial colouring matter, or for other similar reasons, are barred by law for use in the countries of origin?

The Preservative Regulations, which prohibit or restrict the addition of preservatives or colouring matters to foodstuffs, are so drawn as to prevent the importation of articles which do not conform to their requirements, and my right hon. Friend is not aware that any canned goods are imported into this country the sale of which is prohibited in the countries of origin for the reasons stated in the question.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the number of miners, in the county of Durham, who have applied for Poor Law relief during the last two years owing to their unemployment benefit being stopped?

My right hon. Friend regrets that this information is not available.

Is it not possible to ask for the information? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of these boards of guardians have passed resolutions complaining of the miners having been cut off unemployed benefit and come on to the Poor Law, and would it hot be possible to get the numbers?

No. I do not think so.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the occupation of each applicant is placed upon the paper, and if the figures are sought for they can be obtained?

Not that I am aware.

Is it, not a fact that the hon. Gentleman has only to ask the boards of guardians for the figures and they will gladly give them?

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the boards of guardians if they can give the information asked for?

May I direct your attention, Sir, to the studied offensiveness of the Minister?

May I complain of the answer for this reason, that last week the Scottish Office gave this information? If they could do it, why cannot we have it?

The hon. Member should argue the matter on another occasion.

What is the use of arguing with the Minister?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women, respectively,, who received unemployment benefit in 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924, respectively, and the amount expended in each of those years?

Statistics of the number of individuals who receive unemployment benefit in a particular year are not available. The amount expended in unemployment benefit in each of these years was approximately as follows:—

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what proportion of these sums was contributed by the State?

Not without notice. If the hon. Gentleman puts down a question, I will get the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any overtures from the Russian Government expressive of its willingness and readiness to open negotiations with His Majesty's Government for the purpose of eliminating the existing misunderstanding between both nations and to create friendly relations?

The Soviet Chargé d'Affaires expressed again some three months ago in general terms the desire of the Soviet Government for improved relations, but there was no indication of any readiness to meet the conditions previously laid down by His Majesty's Government and stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Lincoln on 8th December last, and the situation therefore remained unchanged.

Has the hon. Gentleman had his attention directed to a speech by M. Rekov, President of the People's Commissars, with regard to this question?

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the advisability, in order to facilitate these negotiations, of recognising the Leader of the Opposition as the official representative of Russia in this House?

Have the Soviet Government ever withdrawn their expressed repudiation of British national and private debts?

That is exactly the answer I was going to give. I have noticed the speech the hon. Member referred to, but there are certain prior conditions that the Soviet will not carry out.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that in that speech M. Rekov expressed the desire of the Russian Government to consider the matter that has been mentioned?

Were these overtures made to His Majesty's Government or to His Majesty's Opposition?

Is it not a fact that in the last paragraph of the Trade Agreement of 1921 it is laid down that Russia recognises the principle of compensation, and has the British Government ever laid down conditions upon which they would be willing to negotiate a settlement since they came into office this time?

It is true, as the hon. Member says, that in the Trade Agreement the Soviet Government said they recognised the principle of payment of their obligations, but, unfortunately, since then categorical statements have been made by the Soviet Government that they do not consider themselves bound by any of these obligations.

Have those statements been made to His Majesty's representative officially?

Will the hon. Gentleman rehearse the conditions the British Government have laid down for the resumption of negotiations which the Soviet Government have refused?

That cannot he done now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has recently received any expression of the desire of the Russian Government to consider the question of very radical disarmament; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government will take advantage of such expression to take the necessary steps towards calling-a conference of the Powers to discuss the question of disarmament?

No, Sir. No such communication has been made to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the nature of the diplomatic immunity enjoyed by the staff and premises of the Russian trade delegation?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the whole trade delegation of the Soviet Government in Great Britain enjoys diplomatic immunity or only the head of the delegation?

Neither the trade delegation, its staff or premises, nor the head of it as such, enjoys diplomatic immunity. The head of the delegation is the Official Agent appointed under Article 5 of the Trade Agreement and the privileges he enjoys are those prescribed by Articles 4 and 5 of that Agreement.

May it not fairly be said that its Official Agent does in fact enjoy what is known as diplomatic immunity—the Official Agent himself?

No, I was referring to the Official Agent. There is only one and he is not on the diplomatic list at all and he does not enjoy diplomatic immunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with how many States the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics is in official relations?

According to my information the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics has at present official relations with 22 States.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, once they have been in relations, there has been any case of relations being broken off again?

I would like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that an action for sedition is being brought against the Indian Nationalist Committee in Shanghai, and that several Indians have been lately arrested in Shanghai; and whether he will inquire how many Indians are now under arrest and the nature of the offence with which they are charged?

I know nothing of the Indian Nationalist Committee at Shanghai or of proceedings against any such body. Five Indians were arrested in Shanghai in March on a charge of attempting to seduce soldiers in His Majesty's Army from their allegiance; two of them were discharged, and the remaining three were committed and sentenced to 18 months' hard labour followed by deportation, after trial by jury in His Majesty's Supreme Court. One Indian was arrested and committed for trial early in April on a charge of murdering a loyal and distinguished Sikh police officer. Eleven others were arrested on 9th May on a charge of complicity in murder.

What facilities were given for the proper defence of these Indians who were arrested in Shanghai?

There is a proper Court at Shanghai where these cases are tried, and the prisoners had every opportunity of having their counsel to defend them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the mission which is being sent by the Japanese Government to investigate the condition of the Japanese communities on the Yangtse, and to report what steps might be taken to reinstate them; whether he proposes to take any similar steps on behalf of the British communities; and whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the policy of His Majesty's Government as regards securing the resumption of British trading at Chinkiang, Nanking, Wuhu, Kiukiang, and Hankow?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio reports that three secretaries left Japan on 10th May to investigate the condition of Japanese refugees on the Yangtse. Their instructions are not to negotiate with anyone, but only to investigate and report on the situation. His Majesty's Government would only need to consider the adoption of some similar course in the event of their finding their present sources of information inadequate. The almost complete cessation of trade at Hankow and Kiukiang and its total cessation at Nanking and Chinkiang are due to the general insecurity for life and property on the Yangtse, and a satisfactory resumption of trade can hardly be expected until some Chinese authority is in a position to discharge the ordinary functions of civilised government and to secure protection for peaceful and law-abiding citizens. As my right hon. Friend stated a week ago, His Majesty's Government reserve full liberty of action as to the future, and in particular in respect of any further outrages which may be perpetrated on the British flag, British nationals and British property.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware how great is the anxiety among the British community in China regarding the consequences of this prolonged evacuation of the Yangtse ports, and how serious those consequences may become if the present conditions continue indefinitely?

The Government are fully aware of all those facts and our representatives there are doing their utmost for our nationals.

Does not the anxiety show up in a fierce light the failure of the policy of the War Office?

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate cost of the China expeditionary force to as near a date as possible; and what is the approximate cost per week at the present time?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answers to him on 26th April and to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on 2nd May.

Is there any immediate prospect of our getting the cost of this China Expeditionary Force?

I do not gather what the hon. Member means by "getting it." We are paying for it.

May I ask what the actual cost to the country is?

I have referred my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to him on the 26th April, and also on the 2nd May. I have given in detail the figures up to the 31st March of the current year.

As far as I remember, there was no detail in the reply.

I shall have the pleasure of sending a copy of the reply to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any treaties or agreements have been negotiated recently by this country with the Government of Finland; if these treaties or agreements have been registered with the League of Nations and published; whether His Majesty's Government have made any overtures to any of the Baltic States for the purpose of obtaining a lease of a Baltic port for this country; and, if so, for what purpose?

No treaty or agreement has been negotiated recently by this country with the Government of Finland, and His Majesty's Government have not made any overtures to any of the Baltic States for the purpose of obtaining a lease of a Baltic port for this country.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can state the number of Durham miners who have obtained employment in Yorkshire since the 1st December, 1926?

I have been asked to reply. Exact figures are not available, but so far as I have been able to ascertain the number of Durham miners who have obtained employment in Yorkshire collieries since 1st December, 1926, is about 1,800.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the quarterly statements of the coal industry will be again issued by the Mines Department?

My right hon. Friend hopes to publish in a few weeks the particulars that his advisory committee have recommended should be published for the last nine months of 1926. The summary for the March Quarter, 1927, will probably be published about the end of June.

Is not the end of June late to publish the figures for the March quarter? Prior to the stoppage last year the Department published them within six weeks of the end of the quarter.

That is what I am informed.

Where is the Secretary for Mines? Has he already been supplanted?

Is the lateness of the report in any way due to the fact that the Mines Department is to be reorganised?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what privileges diplomatic immunity confers in this country?

I fear it is impossible to compress a satisfactory answer to a question of this sort within the limits of a Parliamentary reply. The privileges conferred in this country are those prescribed by International Law, as to which my hon. Friend will find full information in any of the recognised text books.

Is one of these privileges that of engaging in subversive propaganda?

That question does not arise.

Has the hon. Gentleman had his attention called to a speech by a member of his own party, saying that the Russian Embassy at Chesham House was soon to be put to the same fate as the Russian Trade Delegation?

We cannot go into that.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of times during the last two years employers of labour have asked for a Court of Inquiry into an industrial dispute under the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, and the number of times an inquiry was held; and the number of occasions trades unions made similar applications and how many times the requests were granted?

Since January, 1925, 10 requests have been received for the establishment of a Court of Inquiry under the Industrial Courts Act, 1919. Seven from trade unions, two from joint bodies representative of employers and workmen, and one from employers. In one case a Court was set up, and in this case the application had been made by a trade union. Two cases were referred to joint committees of investigation and conciliation and two to arbitration. In three cases the applicants were referred back to the existing machinery of conciliation, which had not been exhausted. One other case was settled by conciliation, and one is still under investigation.

Is it not a fact that, under this Act of 1919, if there is any quarrel between either employers, on one side, or workmen, on the other, you have power to deal with them as to whether they are prepared to go under this Act nr otherwise without any further legislation?

Yes, Sir, that is so. It would be within the discretion of the Minister.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that on Monday last standard grade flour was increased in price from 46s. to 47s. per 280 lbs.; that two weeks prior to that date it was increased by 1s.; and if he can state whether the Food Control Committee are dealing with the matter?

Yes, Sir. These increases follow recent advances in the price of wheat. The Food Council are fully informed of the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in consequence of the recommendation contained in the Report of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research for 1925–26, that the direct expenditure by Government on textile researches should be increased, he intends to take any steps to set up a committee of inquiry into the state of the cotton textile industry?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Elland on the 15th February last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will postpone any action in regard to the Department of Overseas Trade until he has received and considered the Report of the Balfour Committee which has taken evidence on the value and efficiency of that Department?

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the reply given on the 4th May to the hon. Member for Tamworth.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, owing to the decision of the Government to abolish the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Overseas Trade, and the Mines Department, a considerable number of unestablished officers, the majority of whom served in the Great War, have received a month's notice to terminate their employment; and whether, instead of discharging these officers, who are in many instances between 40 and 50 years of age, arrangements will be made for them to be transferred to other departments?

In the departments referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question, four members of the temporary staff have recently been given notice of discharge. The notices were not given in consequence of the decision of His Majesty's Government to terminate the separate existence of these three departments but on the ground that the temporary work on which the four employés were engaged was approaching completion.

In considering the future requirements will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration before increasing the number of candidates for examination the utilisation of the services of some of the ex-service men who have done excellent work?

We always do take that into consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether the functions of the present Mines Department will remain under the control of one Minister, as hitherto, or will be distributed between different departments?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 26th April to the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. Morrison).

May I ask whether the functions of the Department are to be continued under the reorganisation scheme, or is the staff of the Mines Department likely to be abolished?

asked the Prime. Minister if he is prepared to take the initiative in calling a conference of the signatories to the Locarno Treaty with the object of considering how best these Powers can stop competition in armaments amongst themselves?

No, Sir. As. the hon. Member must be aware, the League of Nations is in course of preparing the ground for a general disarmament conference, and a restricted naval conference convened by the United States Government is due to open next month. The success of these several efforts in the cause of disarmament would hardly be furthered by the introduction of fresh proposals similar in object but dissimilar in kind.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think it is thoroughly illogical that all these Powers, having signed the Pact of Peace, should be continuing to pile up armaments against each other?

Can my hon. Friend say whether the Soviet Government has taken part in the Disarmament Conferences referred to?

Will my hon. Friend repudiate the statement made in this question of competition in armaments, as there is no competition at the present time?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the opportunities offered by Malta as a centre for fuelling commercial aircraft; what steps are being taken to add to landing places available for commercial liners; and whether he will consider arrangements for allowing the restricted use of military places for civil purposes?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, only Service landing grounds have so far been provided in Malta, but all requests for the use of Air Force facilities for civil air traffic purposes are. sympathetically considered and granted wherever this can be done without detriment to Service requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, owing to the present system of teaching script writing in schools up to the age of from 12 to 13 years, when the teaching of longhand commences, the handwriting of the rising generation is degenerating; and if, in consultation with local education authorities, he will consider reverting to the system taught in schools prior to the introduction of script writing?

My right hon. Friend is afraid that he cannot accept the suggestion made in the first part of the Question or the assumption upon which it is based. The subject of penmanship will be fully dealt with in the forthcoming edition of the Board's Volume of Suggestions to Teachers, but I may say that the Board have no desire to prescribe any particular system of handwriting, and are content to leave the matter in the hands of the teachers and local authorities.

Will the President of the Board of Education ask for the opinions of local authorities and the teaching profession?

Will the Noble Lady ask some of the mothers who have had children taught this way? It really is ruining their handwriting.

My right hon. Friend will, no doubt, be prepared to consider representations from competent authorities.

Is the Noble Lady aware that the handwriting of the rising generation is always degenerating?

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of local education authorities in England and Wales which permit the teaching of a foreign language in public elementary schools; and are there available any statistics showing the number of elementary schools in this country in which a foreign language is taught and the number of pupils receiving instruction in foreign languages?

The information asked for is not available, nor could it be collected without a considerable expenditure of time and labour which my right hon. Friend does not think would be justified in the circumstances. French is, of course, taught in a number of central schools, and in a few such schools other languages, e.g., German and Spanish, are taken.

Am I to understand that a great number of schools do teach French and foreign languages, or is it limited to a few?

I think I can only repeat that we have not got the information as regards the public elementary schools. The information relates to a number of secondary schools.