asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has received a report of the conference on the opium-growing Indian States for the Government of India, held at Simla on 28th May; and whether he can make a full report to the House?

Copy of the opening speech of His Excellency the Viceroy and a Press communique regarding Sir B. Blackett's speech have been received and will be placed in the Library. A report on the further proceedings of the conference has not yet been received.

Can the Noble Lord say whether poppy cultivation has been suppressed in some of the States in India?

No; the hon. Member does not ask that question; he asked whether I have received the report of the conference, and I have told him that I have received a communique, and that I am going to have it placed in the Library.

Having seen the report, can the Noble Lord say whether it contains that information?

The report, as the hon. Gentleman will see, is a rather long one. Perhaps he will be good enough to read it before he addresses to me further questions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give information as to the precise nature of the criminal proceedings which have been instituted following the inquiry by the district Commissioner into the recent clash between the police and a Moslem crowd at Kulakati, Bengal?

I understand that the proceedings are the prosecution of the Maulvi who incited the crowd and possibly of other persons who were amongst the crowd (though I am not sure of this) on charges of rioting and membership of an unlawful assembly. These prosecutions are not consequential on the Commissioner's inquiry, which was directed to the circumstances surrounding the firing on the crowd.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India propose to introduce legislation on the lines of the Truck Acts in this country?

The inquiry addressed by the Government of India to local Governments, which was referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member for the East Division of Bristol (Mr. W. Baker) on 21st March last, relates to certain matters covered by the Truck Act of 1896 in this country, namely, deductions from wages or payments in respect of fines. The present position in regard to this inquiry was stated in reply to questions by the hon. Member and the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Johnston) on 16th June.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that manual workers in India are compelled, in many cases, to wait as much as six weeks for the payment of wages due to them; and whether it is intended to introduce legislation to make the payment of weekly wages compulsory?

In the case of some skilled workers who are paid by the month, wages are paid a fortnight in arrear and in such a case an initial period of six weeks elapses after the commencement of a worker's employment before his first wages are paid. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Would the Noble Lord say whether, in the meantime, before they get their pay, they have to go to some of the shops and obtain commodities, for which they have to pay an extra price?

I think that the same circumstances occur in certain industries in this country. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Well, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that, as has been made plain by answers I have given to other questions, the Government of India and the local Governments are giving the matter very close attention, to see what steps are necessary, by legislation or in other ways, to deal with the matter.

Is my Noble Friend aware that the same practice obtains in His Majesty's dockyards, the period being a fortnight?

Is the Noble Lord not aware that a simple instruction compelling owners to pay wages weekly would obviate the necessity for people to borrow money from moneylenders at 300 per cent.?

We cannot give a simple instruction to employers. We would have to pass legislation, and in order that legislation may be passed a number of authorities in India would have to be consulted. The Government of India are giving close attention to the matter to see what remedies are necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when the right hon. V. S. Srinvasa Sastri will take up his duties in South Africa as agent for India in that country; whether Mr. Tyson, the chief presidency magistrate of Calcutta., has been definitely appointed as Mr. Sastri's secretary; and whether Mr. Sastri was consulted and approved of Mr. Tyson's appointment?

My Noble Friend has no information except the references which he has seen in the Press to Mr. Tyson's reported appointment and to the expectation that Mr. Sastri would sail early this month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the result of his inquiry concerning the incident at Diburgarh, when a man named Rasih Nandi was sentenced by the first-class magistrate to receive 15 stripes, but the warder whose duty it was to execute the order inflicted the stripes on another prisoner, Ghana Mahut, whose case was still pending; whether a full inquiry has been held into the incident; and what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?

The facts of the case as reported by the local Government are briefly as follows:—Two persons were charged together with theft, one of whom, a boy aged 15, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 stripes with a cane on the hands to be administered forthwith in Court. Both the accused persons were in the dock together, and the constable in charge handed over the wrong prisoner by error, with the result that the latter received four or five strokes on the hand before the magistrate detected the error. The man whipped in error was also found guilty of participation in the theft, and in consideration of the mistake was given three months less sentence by the magistrate than he otherwise would have received—nine months instead of a year. The local Government has censured the magistrate for failing to exercise due care and attention. It appears that no substantial miscarriage of justice occurred.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any appeal has been received by the Government of India from workers in Madras who are members of the tribes known as Erukulas in Telugu and Kuravans in Tamil districts, asking that, in view of the hardships they suffer on account of these tribes being classified as criminal tribes under the Criminal Tribes Act, they should be exempted from the Working of the Act; and whether it is the intention of the Government to take any action in this matter?

I am not in a position to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on the 9th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India to what extent, expressed in sterling at the current rate of exchange, has the Government of India deflated the Indian currency from 1st April to date; and whether he is satisfied that such deflation, designed to support the rate of exchange at or about 1s. 6d., resulting as it does in dear money throughout India, is in the best interests of Indian trade and Commerce.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what amount of rupee securities in the Indian paper currency reserve have been sold within the last two months in order to prop up the value of the rupee; and whether he is aware, of the effect that this policy is having on Indian trade, commerce and industry, and especially agriculture

On a 1s. 6d. basis the contraction of currency in India between 31st March and 15th June was £10·8 million, of which £1½ million represents the repayment by the Imperial Bank of seasonal currency. As the hon. Members are aware, the exchange rate has recently been fixed by Act of the Indian Legislature, and I am satisfied that the measures taken by the Government of India in discharge of their responsibilities as the currency authority, are in the best interests of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the Textile Tariff Board will be placed before the Indian Legislative Assembly and their decision taken before the Government of India take any action on that Report?

None of the principal recommendations of the Report could be carried out without a vote of the Legislative Assembly, but it cannot be said for certain that action on some recommendations of secondary importance will not be taken before the next session of the Assembly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what action has been taken on the Report of the Deck Passengers' Committee; and whether he is aware that the Report has been before the Government of India for three or four years?

Draft amendments to the rules dealing with the more important recommendations of the Committee were published in 1925. The Government of India stated in March of this year that the opinions received on the draft amendments were then under their consideration. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

In view of the reply, are we likely to have any report as a result of the consideration?

Yes, I think so. The opinions received on the draft report published in 1925 have, I understand, now been received by tile Government of India, and I think, therefore, a decision may be expected shortly, but inquiry will be made of the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in 1922 the Government of Bombay prepared a draft Bill in connection with the settlement of industrial disputes, to which the Government of India refused sanction on the ground that it was going to bring forward legislation for the whole of India; whether such legislation is under contemplation; and whether a Bill is likely to be introduced into the Legislative Assembly at some early date?

The action of the Government of Bombay which is referred to took place in 1924. As regards the last two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on 4th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange for a current copy of the Standing Rules and Orders of all Colonial Legislatures to be placed in the Library of the House of Commons?

Yes, Sir. I am arranging for a set of duplicate copies to be sent from the Colonial Office Library immediately. In certain cases, however, it will be necessary to ask Colonial Governments to send home copies, as no duplicates are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will arrange for a current copy of the Standing Rules and Orders of Dominion Assemblies to be placed in the Library of the House of Commons?

I will ascertain from the Governments concerned whether copies can be supplied for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made by King Feisal, at the opening ceremony of the Alwand Refinery on 3rd May, that there will be a pipe line from Iraq to the Mediterranean; and whether he has any information that confirms the foregoing statement?

I have seen a newspaper report on the speech, from which I gather that King Feisal merely expressed the hope that he would soon be able to make such a statement. Beyond this I can add nothing to the reply I gave the hon. and gallant Member on 23rd May.

In the surveys for the pipe line will the right hon. Gentleman not overlook that Haifa will be the principal port concerned, and arrange accordingly?

Certainly I will not overlook any of these considerations, but it is, of course, a matter of private and not of Government action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any statement to make with regard to the position of affairs on the north-east frontier of Iraq; and whether any military operations are being undertaken in that area; and, if so, whether any British officers or men are involved?

I would invite the attention of the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 15th June to the Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the recent reports of large German immigration into Tanganyika, it is possible further to encourage and assist British settlement in that territory?

Information which I have received from the Territory indicates that the reports to which my hon. Friend refers are much exaggerated. The number of German traders, settlers and visitors, including women and children, who landed in Tanganyika Territory between 1st January, 1926, and 31st, March, 1927, was 453. It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to afford British enterprise in the Territory all possible assistance and every encouragement consistent with the terms of the Mandate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what the relationship will be between the new Colonial Research Committee and the recently created Civil Research Committee?

The proposed Colonial Agricultural Research Council, the establishment of which was recommended by the Committee on Agricultural Research and Administration in the non-self governing dependencies and more recently still by the Colonial Office Conference, will be a permanent body. No doubt the council will, as soon as it is constituted, take the necessary steps to ensure co-operation with the other research committees and organisations in this country, including the Committee of Civil Research, which has from time to time by means of its sub-committees dealt with questions in which the Colonies are interested.

What relation have these various committees to the Imperial Institute? Are they linked up?

The Imperial Institute is a body which does a certain amount of research, and naturally will take care not to duplicate and will take full advantage of the valuable work done by them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Governor of Nyasaland, in a speech in November, 1926, stated that the rapid extension of tobacco growing by the natives was not likely seriously to affect the supply of labour for European plantations, since it had been found in Kenya, as in Nyasaland, that the tribes which were the best producers for themselves were also those which most readily supplied labour for European enterprise; and whether, in view of that pronouncement, he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not agree to any attempt to discourage tobacco growing by the natives?

I have not seen any report of the speech to which the hon. Member refers, but I can assure him that the policy of the Nyasaland Government, which is to encourage the growing of tobacco by natives as well as by Europeans, has the full approval of His Majesty's Government. I have received no suggestion that this policy should be altered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much is being spent by the Empire Marketing Board by various means, and especially poster newspaper advertisements, to encourage the habit of buying British Home and Empire foodstuffs?

The expenditure of the Empire Marketing Board generally is designed to further the sale of Empire produce, which includes home produce, in this country. The amount which has been provisionally allocated for the Board's scheme of poster advertising in the current financial year is £125,000. The amount allocated for newspaper advertising for the same period is also £125,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that pig-iron is at present being sold and delivered at steel works in Lanarkshire and Glasgow district from the Continent at 72s. 6d per ton, while the price of the same class of pig-iron at the blast furnaces in Scotland is 76s. to 77s. 6d. per ton, exclusive of railway carriage to steel works; that Continental steel plates are being delivered at the shipyards and works on the Clyde at 145s. to 152s. 6d. per ton, as against 162s. 6d. to 167s. 6d. per ton from Scottish steel works; that steel bars are being delivered at 103s. 6d. per ton from the Continent, as against 150s. per ton from the local works; and whether he can give any information as to the conditions as to subsidies, etc., in Continental countries which result in the undercutting of British manufacturers of these commodities?

From inquiries I have made I gather that the figures quoted by my hon. Friend are substantially correct, although they may not relate to identical classes of material. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not aware of any direct sub sidies by Governments on the Continent to the industries concerned.

Will the hon. Gentleman make himself informed upon this subject as this matter is of great importance owing to the unemployment in these industries?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the difference in quality between Scottish pig-iron and foreign pig-iron and between British steel and foreign steel, is more than counterbalanced by the difference in price?

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House the relative positions of our imports and exports of iron and steel?

Yes, Sir, I think I can give my hon. Friend that information. First, I will deal with the question of the hon. Member for Mossley (Mr. Hopkinson). I am aware that the foreign pig-iron referred to in the question is not of the same quality as that produced in Scotland. With regard to the relative position of exports and imports, in May, 1927, the last month for Which we have figures, we imported 356,000 tons of iron and steel and exported 422,000 tons. That is to say, we exported more than we imported; and we exported last month more iron and steel than we have exported in any month since the end of the War except doing the month of May, 1923, at the time of the Ruhr occupation, when we exported about 3,000 tons more.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Scotland can produce any class of pig-iron?

Is not one of the big factors in the price in England the high railway rates in this country and are the Government considering a change in the method of arriving at these rates?

No, I suggest that the reasons for the difference in cost are these—lower wages and longer hours on the Continent; probably indirect subsidies which I cannot trace in the form of low rates of interest granted to the industry: the fluctuations of the franc, which have pulled down the price of iron and steel in France and therefore all over the Continent; rebates by producers of pig-iron to export houses, and possibly a certain amount of rebate advantage given by foreign railways for export iron and steel.

rose—

This Debate must be continued on another occasion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present situation in the shipbuilding trade; whether during the past six months there have been any shipbuilding or ship repair orders placed with foreign builders by British shipowners; and how does the position compare with that of the corresponding period for the last two years?

The tonnage under construction in Great Britain and Ireland at the end of the March quarter of 1927 was 1,217,000 gross tons, as compared with 843,000 tons and 1,165,000 gross tons at the end of corresponding quarters of 1926 and 1925, respectively. The tonnage commenced during the March quarter was 580,000 gross tons, as compared with 193,00 gross tons and 202,000 gross tons in the corresponding quarters of 1926 and 1925, respectively. Complete information as to orders placed abroad is not available, but there is nothing to indicate that in respect of such orders there has been any marked difference between the past six months and the corresponding periods of the two preceding year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what have been the exports during the past six months of British motor cars and parts of motor cars to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa; and what were the figures for the corresponding periods of 1925 and 1926?

The answer takes the form of a table of figures, and my hon. Friend will perhaps agree to its circulation in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Have the figures of exports to New Zealand decreased since 1925 and 1926, while the American exports to New Zealand have increased, and can the hon. Gentleman offer any explanation of that?

It would take some time for me to dissect the figures, but—

We cannot argue on the figures now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the figures for the import and export, of offals from the United Kingdom from 1st January to 1st June, 1927; and whether the import of offals is increasing?

The imports of corn offals (feeding-stuffs for animals) into the United Kingdom from January to May, inclusive, amounted to 139,532 tons, and the exports to 36,656 tons. The imports in the same period in 1926 were 150,502 tons, and in 1925, 163,847 tons. Accordingly, there has been a successive decrease in the imports in the first five months of the last three years. There has also been a successive decrease in each of the calendar years 1924, 1925 and 1926.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether all assisted migrants have been carried on British-owned vessels?

Yes, Sir; all assisted migrants are carried on British-owned vessels.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has entered, or will enter, into negotiations with the Government of the Irish Free State with a view to southern Irish ex-service men, who are in want, being afforded the same facilities as their counterparts in the north and in Great Britain as regards the provisions of the Overseas Settlement Act?

This question is under consideration, but I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any definite statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is prepared to consider making it a condition of any new lease to the Royal Zoological Society that they shall open their grounds for the benefit of the public on Sundays?

The suggestion made by my hon. Friend has been considered on several occasions but has not been found practicable.

Is it not a fact that a great many people are only able to visit the gardens on Sunday and that foreigners and other visitors to London are prevented from inspecting this public institution by this Regulation; and will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Fellows of the Society that they should have some privilege other than the exclusive right of seeing the grounds on Sunday?

There would be enormous difficulty in this proposal. The Sunday opening is the only valuable privilege which Fellows enjoy, and its withdrawal would inevitably mean a great shrinkage in revenue. At the same time, apart from the loss of revenue entailed this proposal would involve the society in heavy additional expenditure, because admission, under the law, would have to be free, and the society would have no resources out of which to find the expense of providing a staff of attendants to deal with the great crowds to be expected on such occasions.

Is it not fair to the society to realise that they have made the finest Zoo in the world and that they are entitled to some privileges?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the length and date of the termination of the lease under which the Royal Zoological Society holds its grounds in Regent's Park; whether any conditions as to the opening of the grounds to the public are attached to the lease; and, if so, what are these conditions?

The tenancy under which the Royal Zoological Society holds its grounds in Regent's Park is of very old standing and is not for any fixed period. No conditions as to the opening of the grounds to the public are attached to the tenancy.

Is the rent an economic rent or considerably below the value of the land?

I should require notice of that question. There have been negotiations with the society from time to time and to any suggestion that we should terminate the arrangement, I would say that in my opinion any departure from the agreement on the strength of which costly buildings have been erected would be a breach of faith with the society.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the interest that is being taken by the agricultural community in possible schemes for the extension to agriculture of special credit facilities; and, if so, whether the Government are now in negotiation with any group of bankers with regard to such schemes?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to a similar question addressed to me on the 16th of May by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Maldon division of Essex (Lieut.-Colonel Ruggles-Brise), to which I have nothing to add.

Can the Minister contradict the rumours that banks are tending to restrict credit facilities to farmers?

I have no evidence of it.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give us the information which we are all anxious to have on this subject?

I have nothing to add to what I have already said in answer to a similar question.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to add something.

It is impossible to say.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the aggregate rent received from Crown land in Regent Street during the year 1926 under the new leases granted since the scheme of reconstruction was initiated?

The total amount received in the financial year ended 31st March, 1927, in respect of ground rents reserved under new leases was £345,405.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the buildings erected on these lands have increased in rental value 1,700 per cent. since the War, and does he consider that to be attributable to the increase in the ground rents?

It is due to the increase in the market value of the land, and I see nothing to regret in that fact, as the public is getting the benefit of it.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public is getting no benefit, because these offices are to let, and no one can afford to pay such rents?

Anyhow, we are receiving £345,000 out of it.

Is it not the case that that sum is from the ground and not from the offices?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what arrangements have been made for the unveiling of the paintings in St. Stephen's Hall?

The paintings in question will be unveiled by the Prime Minister on Tuesday, the 28th instant, at 11.30 a.m. Standing space will be available for Members and a limited number of their friends who wish to attend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the settlement arrived at between Great Britain and Egypt with reference to the retention of foreign officials necessary to guarantee Imperial communications and safeguard foreign interests which, under the declaration of 22nd February, 1922, Great Britain has undertaken to protect?

I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to answers returned to similar questions asked by him on the 2nd May, and the 13th June, respectively. I do not think that I have any further information to add on this subject.

Will the rights of foreign officials be protected by that arrangement?

I should like notice of any question of details of that kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Chinese are complaining that girls of 15 years of age are being introduced into maisons tolerées for the soldiers in the international area at Shanghai; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai telegraphs that, so far as he and the Shanghai Municipal Police have been able to ascertain, there is no foundation whatever for this report. All remaining licences for houses of ill-fame in the international settlement were withdrawn on the 31st December, 1924, by order of the municipal council.

While welcoming the hon. Gentleman's reply, may I ask whether any steps have been taken to make that dementi known to the Chinese authorities?

I think the hon. Gentleman's question and the answer will give it full publicity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a request has now been received from the Foreign Minister of the Nanking Government that British military aircraft shall henceforth not fly over Chinese territory without authorisation; whether he has information to the effect that Chinese soldiers have been instructed to fire on any aeroplanes flying over strategic points; and whether instructions will forthwith be issued to the British naval, military, and air authorities in China to observe on all occasions the provisions of international aerial conventions, to which Great Britain is a party, in so far as Chinese territory is concerned?

I have seen reports in the Press that the member of the Nanking Administration who is in charge of foreign affairs has made a protest of this nature and that Chinese troops have been instructed to fire on British aircraft, but I have no official information on the subject. It is not proposed to modify the instructions that have been given to the Naval Commander-in-Chief, regarding which I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's reply of the 1st June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended to inform Parliament of the substance of the conversations at Geneva of members of the Council of the League of Nations on certain matters affecting Russia, and the results of these conversations, if any?

The conversations refererred to were presumably private, but the hon. and gallant Member will perhaps repeat his question when my right hon. Friend has returned to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether General Sir Jocelyn Percy holds any official mission in Albania?

General Sir Jocelyn Percy holds an appointment under the Albanian Government as Inspector-General of the Gendarmerie. He is not in the service of His Majesty's Government, who are not responsible for his appointment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the diagrams prepared by the Harper Committee have not been reproduced with Cmd. 2870, Record of the Battle of Jutland; and whether they will be made available for Members?

As stated in the explanatory note at the beginning of the Blue Book, the expense of reproducing the diagrams is prohibitive, but copies can be seen at the Admiralty, by anyone interested, on application to the Secretary of the Admiralty. This applies both to Members of Parliament and to the general public.

Have copies not been reproduced for the use of the staff and for the staff colleges and naval colleges; and would additional expense be involved in having some copies placed in the Library?

To my knowledge no such copies have been reproduced, and I can only refer my hon. and gallant Friend to what I have already said. The expense is prohibitive, but if he wants to see the diagrams he can do so by calling at the Admiralty.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to lay papers before Parliament relating to the conversations and arrangements made with Italy early in the year 1919 for the occupation of the territory of the Republic of Georgia?

I have been asked to reply. The hon. Member is presumably referring to some discussions which took place at the time of the Peace Conference about the possible relief of British troops in the Caucasus by Italian troops. The matter was dealt with largely in informal conversations, of which no record exists, and ended in nothing.

Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been drawn to the statements made by Signor Nitti, the late Prime Minister of Italy, in a book republished in this country last week, wherein he states definitely and as a positive fact that the Entente countries urged the Italian Government in 1918 and the beginning of 1919 to invade and seize the territory of the Republic of Georgia, and that he, Signor Nitti, scrapped those arrangements?

The hon. Gentleman is, of course, aware of the fact that the conversations referred to were conversations carried on by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George). The hon. Gentleman has written a letter to the Foreign Office in which he mentions this book, but we have not seen the book yet, and, therefore, have not had the opportunity of studying this particular matter.

Is it the case that the present Government have got no record of these incitements to the Italian Government by the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs?

No. I understand that these were practically conversations which were not embodied in any document. Therefore, if one gave any information at all with regard to them, it, would probably be very partial and misleading.

If I hand the hon. Gentleman a copy of the book, and put down a further question on the subject for next week, will he be able to give me a fuller answer?

I should certainly be happy to receive the book.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the nonpayment of principal due on loans incurred by the West Ham Poor Law Union; that under the provisions of the Act, 22 and 23 Victoria, Clause 49, Section 1, all debts contracted by the guardians should be paid within the half-year they have been incurred or become due; that relief orders, each and kind, are being made by members of the Union Road staff, who are neither guardians nor relieving officers; and that relieving officers have no power to grant relief in money; and if he intends taking any action in consequence of these illegalities?

My right hon. Friend has, on the recommendations of the Goschen Committee revised the terms upon which advances were originally made to the guardians, and postponed the date upon which certain instalments of principal would otherwise have been due. These instalments, therefore, do not become due on the dates originally fixed; and there has been no such failure to make due payments as is suggested in the question, and no contravention of the Act cited by the hon. Member. As regards the second part of the question, Article 4 of the West Ham Union (Default) Order, 1926, directs that the Orders and Regulations in force in the Union shall have effect subject to such adaptations as the circumstances may require. As regards the third part, my right hon. Friend understands that the relieving officers are not granting relief in money on their own authority. In these circumstances, there seems to be no ground for action on his part.

Is it not a fact that in consequence of this postponement the Commissioners are being relieved to the extent of something like £50,000 in one year, which is equivalent to a 4d. rate which they have remitted?

No. I think that what my right hon. Friend had in mind, in making the arrangement referred to, was that the present guardians have ceased to borrow at the rate of some £450,000 year to meet current expenditure, and, in view of these great economies, he has thought fit to make the arrangement referred to.

Is it not a fact that had the late board of guardians been functioning, they would have been called upon to pay over £50,000 more than the Commissioners have already paid?

Is it not also the case that they would have borrowed the money to repay the debt?

No, that is not the case.

I hesitate to say what would have happened by this time.

Is it not a lot of eyewash from top to bottom?

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the selling price of coal imported into France before the, embargo was imposed; and what was the cost of the coal at the pit-head?

My right hon. Friend regrets that statistics are not available which would enable him to answer this question.

Are we to understand that the Department of Mines has been wound up already or that it has not got this very elementary information that ought to be available?

The hon. and gallant Member is to understand nothing of the kind. My right hon. Friend, of course, has figures giving the average pithead prices of coal, but very many varieties of coal are concerned, at very many different prices.

Cannot we have them published? It is very important in view of the unemployment that has been caused.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any information was made public about the return of Lieutenants Carr and Gillman, of the Royal Air Force, to London after their flight of 3,425 miles; what steps were taken to see that the public generally had an opportunity of welcoming them on their return if the people so desired; and whether, in the event of another successful flight, especially if India is reached in one flight by officers of the Royal Air Force, an opportunity will be given to the public to welcome the officers on their return to this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but I may add that steps were taken to convey to the officers immediately on their arrival in London my congratulations on a flight that, though it did not succeed in establishing a record, can certainly be numbered among the great achievements of British aviation. If a successful flight is made in the future, as I hope will be the case, I shall certainly consider how best, to reconcile the desire of the Service to treat these and similar flights as undertaken in the course of duty with the desire of the public to show their appreciation of a fine achievement.

In the event of a flight to India being successful, surely the right hon. Gentleman will not hesitate to allow the public to make some demonstration of congratulations to these people?

I certainly cannot, even if I so wished, prevent the public making any demonstration they desire to make. One has at the same time to consider the point of view of the Service, the officers of which regard these flights as duty flights, undertaken in the course of their duty, and the feeling among officers of the Air Force is against publicity. It is my duty to attempt to reconcile this very legitimate desire on the part of the officers in the Air Force with the equally legitimate desire on the part of the public to show their appreciation of a fine achievement.

I can quite appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's view, but has he considered this side of the question, namely, that it is of great assistance to British prestige that the world should know that these great flights have been made?

I have certainly considered that side of the question, and I have told the hon. and gallant Member that I am anxious to reconcile the legitimate desires both of the Air Force and of the public.

Will my right hon. Friend say if there is another attempt likely to be made before the Autumn?

We are at present considering that question. So far as I can see, it will not be possible to make another attempt before the early Autumn, owing to the monsoon having broken in the north of India. I think, on the whole, it is better to await a time when no unnecessary risks will be incurred.

Is it true that there are very few Navy men who really like publicity?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any steps are taken to give instruction to school children regarding the undesirability of leaving litter, such as paper, bottles, etc., lying about not only in the streets and public parks but also in the countryside generally?

I understand that local authorities take steps to impress upon the children at school the necessity for avoiding untidiness in public places, and the programmes of school journeys which have come to my notice all contain a reference to this subject, to which attention is also called on pages 10 and 66 of the Board's pamphlet "Notes on Camping," a copy of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to provide that public parks and squares which have sufficient area for playing fields shall be thrown open for the benefit of the youth of the country.

I have been asked to reply. There are already powers in the general law, which are freely used, by which local authorities may set aside parts of public open spaces under their control for playing purposes, and my right hon. Friend has every reason to think that local authorities generally fully appreciate the need for playing fields.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that there are over 8,000 taximeter cabs in the London streets, and that a crawling taximeter cab holds up the traffic more than does a horse-drawn vehicle or an omnibus, he will take steps with the Minister of Transport to regulate the number of four and two-seater taximeter cabs, and prevent a still greater congestion on the streets?

There is no power under the present law to restrict the number of licences. It is hoped that congestion on the streets will be greatly minimised when the Regulations at present under consideration with regard to crawling cabs are made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when those new Regulations are likely to come into force?

No, we must wait until we hear from the Minister of Transport.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that crawling taxicabs are a great convenience to people waiting in the wet for a taxi-cab?

Yes, and I have tried to reconcile the desires of the people with the needs of traffic.

Cannot people go by tube?

Has the right, hon. Gentleman ruled out entirely the desirability of prohibiting horse-drawn vehicles using certain streets at certain hours of the day? [HON. MEMBERS: "why"?]

I have not had any idea in my mind of attempting to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received the resolution passed by the Association of Municipal Corporations on the 18th May last, stating that it viewed with alarm the policy adopted of diverting part of the Road Fund from the purposes for which it was formed, namely, the maintenance, improvement and construction of roads; and if he will state what reply he has sent or proposes to send?

My right hon. Friend has received a copy of this resolution, which, in view of the various statements he has made in this House, did not appear to him to call for more than a formal acknowledgment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is now a new name for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he is better known as the highway robber?

asked the Home Secretary the names of the county boroughs that have issued local orders under the Wild Birds Protection Acts, 1880 to 1908, extending the close time after the 1st August, and give a list of those county boroughs who have also made additions to the 1880 schedule?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Home Secretary if he proposes to give effect to the unanimous recommendation of the Medical Research Council contained in Cmd. 2880 that Section 3 (5) of the Dogs Act, 1906, should be repealed?

This recommendation has not yet been considered by the Government.

asked the Home Secretary why, in view of the need for economy, he refuses to sanction the appointment of voluntary probation officers?

The appointment of probation officers outside Landon rests with the magistrates whose duty it is to make appointments in accordance with the Act and Rules which contemplate the appointment of salaried officers whether full-time or part-time. I appreciate fully the value and importance of voluntary assistance in probation work, but the view of Parliament was that it should be put upon a more definite footing.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that very often voluntary men do the work better than paid workers?

No!

I have known of extraordinarily good work done by voluntary men, but I think the work has now become of such importance that paid men should be substituted.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what will be the additional cost to the Treasury if the Government policy of preference for British, Home, and Empire over foreign goods were applied to the meat contracts of the Army, Navy and Air Forces?

My hon. Friend's question is based on a misapprehension. The general contract policy of His Majesty's Government to give substantial preference to British (Home and Empire) over foreign goods is applied to the meat contracts of the fighting forces.

Did I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that there is a policy of preference in operation? Can he tell us the amount of the preference?

Yes, the general policy of giving preference to British goods applies.

What percentage of preference?

Oh, there is no definite percentage. The policy is to give a preference where the difference in price is not too great.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of foreign contracts for meat is accepted, in spite of this preference?

I could not say that without notice.