asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the remarks made by the magistrate in connection with the proceedings taken recently against a man for making a false declaration when applying for unemployment benefit; and if he will state whether any alteration has since been made in the precautions taken to prevent frauds of this kind?

I have been asked to reply. Reports have appeared in the Press of the case which my hon. and gallant. Friend apparently has in mind. The case was one in which a claimant for benefit, who had stated that he had applied for an old age pension, denied that he was actually in receipt of one, though repeatedly questioned on the subject. The instructions are that in such circumstances the facts should be ascertained from the old age pensions office, and it is regretted that in the present case these instructions do not appear to have been carried out.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the recent conviction of two men, members of a Bethnal Green gang of warehouse and shop thieves, who, at the time of their conviction, were drawing unemployment pay and also receiving relief from the local guardians; whether, in order to prevent this form of fraud, the guardians are furnished with particulars of persons within their jurisdiction who are receiving unemployment pay; and if he will state whether the two men in question will be treated as entitled to receive unemployment benefit again when they come out of gaol?

Inquiries are being made as regards the case referred to in the question. Generally, I may say that arrangements have been made for co-operation between the Employment Exchanges and boards of guardians, and for supplying the latter with information as to the payment of unemployment benefit in the particular cases specified by them. The question whether the two men mentioned by my hon. Friend will be eligible for unemployment benefit after serving their sentences will depend on the decision of the statutory authorities to whom any claim that the men may make will be referred.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of members on the rota committee in Bishop Auckland, giving the numbers representing the employers, the employed, and the co-opted members, respectively, and the attendances in each case during six months to the last convenient date; who issues the invitations to attend the meetings of the committee; and whether action is taken to ensure that representatives of workpeople are present at all meetings of the rota committee in numbers equal to the other members representing the employers and co-opted members?

:The information requested is not available without local inquiry. The hon. Member will be communicated with as soon as it has been obtained.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether arrangements will be made for the introduction of the promised Unemployment Insurance Bill before the Summer Adjournment, in order that Members may be able to examine it, and, if necessary, consult their constituents during the Recess?

I am afraid that would be quite impossible. The Bill contains a number of technical details which have yet to be arranged, and I am afraid some little time must elapse before they are settled. I will take steps to see that the Bill gets into Members' hands in ample time before the Second Reading is taken.

May I ask to what Bill the right hon. Gentleman is referring, because we could not hear a word of the question?

The Unemployment Insurance Bill.

The Prime Minister says that he will see that hon. Members get ample time to examine this Bill before the Second Reading. Does he mean that there is absolutely no chance that we can have it during the Recess?

I cannot say when the Bill will be taken. In the event of the Bill being taken early in the Autumn Session, I will see that it is supplied to hon. Members during the Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case which occurred on the 18th of June last, when a person arrested for non-compliance with a judgment order for the payment of a debt in respect of Income Tax was detained in prison until Monday because there was no person authorised to receive payment when tendered on Saturday afternoon; and whether he can make arrangements for the police to receive payment in such circumstances with a view to the consequent release of the debtor?

I have no control over the arrangements for obtaining release by making payments in such cases and I do not think it within the province of the police to receive payment on behalf of sheriffs; but I am consulting the authorities concerned with a view to seeing whether the present arrangements can be improved upon.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was a case a fortnight ago in which a man was kept in prison until Monday although the money was tendered to the Governor of the prison and the police, and can some arrangement be made whereby a man, whose friends are able and willing to pay, can be released? Will he take that into consideration?

Personally, I am painfully aware of that case, because I was rung up in the country about it. As I say, I have no power, and I will consult the authorities to see whether an improvement can be made.

Is not the remedy to keep out of debt?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many persons who are purchasing their houses through the Small Dwellings Act, building societies, and on the instalment system, are being served with notices to pay Income Tax under Schedule A (Property Tax) although their incomes are below the Income Tax limit; and, in order to remove their doubts, will he make a statement on this matter?

If a house-owner's income is of such an amount that he is not liable to Income Tax, he can claim exemption from any tax under Schedule A charged in respect of his property. Where the property is subject to annual charges, such as ground rent or mortgage interest, the exempt owner will merely be called upon to pay to the Revenue the tax which he deducts from his ground landlord or mortgagor, upon whom, and not upon the owner, the, charge of such tax therefore falls. If the hon. Member has in mind any case in which it is alleged that an exempt owner is being called upon to pay—and ultimately to bear—Income Tax under Schedule A in respect of his property, and will furnish me with the necessary particulars, I will gladly have the matter investigated and will, in due course, communicate to him the result.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the number of complaints which have been made respecting the emission of smoke, steam, and sparks by steam tractors as a result of the circular to Chief Constables and the Chief of the Metropolitan Police which he promised to issue on the 3rd March last; and whether, in view of the continuance of this danger on the main roads leading out of London, he will ask the Chief of the Metropolitan Police to see that the matter has his special attention?

With regard to the provinces I have no information, but I understand from the Commissioner that no specific complaints on the matter have been received by the Metropolitan Police since the issue of the Home Office Memorandum on 10th March last. The Metropolitan Police are fully alive to their duties in the matter, and I do not think it is necessary for me to issue any further instructions on the subject. If, of course, the hon. Member has any information which I have not, I will gladly consider it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the complaint I sent to him at the beginning of the week of a flagrant breach of Regulations in regard to this matter?

I cannot charge my mind as to whether I have seen it. I know there was a letter from the hon. Member a few days ago, but I have received so many letters that I cannot keep all of them in my head. This question does not refer to any particular letter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a daily occurrence on the main roads leading out of London for steam tractors to pollute the atmosphere in the way of which complaint is made?

All I can say is, that, with the exception of the possible complaint to which the hon. Member refers, I have had no complaints, but I will communicate again with the Commissioner of Police and ask him to let me have a report of what takes place during the next 10 days.

Having regard to the nuisance caused by the cut out of the exhaust on petrol vehicles and other nuisances caused by petrol vehicles, does he not think this is really a gross exaggeration?

Candidly, I have not had any number of complaints, and I am having the matter inquired into.

Is not the Minister aware that a year ago I put a question on the same lines to the Minister of Transport, and that in reply to my question he said he was leaving the matter in the hands of the Secretary of State, because it was his business to deal with these wagons that travel through London?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the smoke and steam let out by these great steam tractors cause a regular fog on the roads?

asked the Home Secretary the number of traffic accidents, resulting in injury to persons or death, which have occurred in the Kingsland Road, at the point where this main road is joined by Pearson Street and Harman Street, Shoreditch, for the six months ending 30th June; and how many deaths have resulted from these accidents?

Two accidents, resulting in personal injury, have occurred at this point during the period in question. Three persons were injured, one fatally.

Will the Home Secretary be goad enough to use his influence with the police to take better precautions for the safety of the public at this point, because there is very strong local feeling on the matter?

I will call their attention to the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the East End of London there are many similar points where, owing to the defective or narrow construction of the streets, a succession of accidents occurs, and will he take some action to have these points scheduled and re-constructed?

That matter does not arise here.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the feeling in the country in favour of a tax on petrol instead of a tax on horse-power and in view of his statement in last year's Budget, he will appoint a committee to go into the whole question of the possibilities of a petrol tax?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies which my right hon. Friend gave on the 30th June to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank).

Is the Financial Secretary aware that there is a strong feeling about this form of taxation; that in the United States all the provincial States have adopted it and are drawing a very big revenue from it; and that they have overcome the objections and difficulties raised by the officials of his Department and have proved them to be without foundation.

I am aware of these circumstances, but they do not affect the answer.

If this be pressed will it not end in both a horse-power tax and a petrol tax?

If people go on talking about a petrol tax, are they not likely to get it in addition to the other?

asked the Minister of Transport when the Report will be issued of the inquiry recently held into the dispute between the borough of Darlington and a local omnibus company?

No Report wall be issued regarding this inquiry but in accordance with the Order of Court, I have settled and communicated to the parties, the terms upon which licences are to be granted.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the miners are protesting against the description in the recent Order issued by him dealing with industrial diseases under the Workmen's Compensation Act, which contains the definition subcutaneous cellulitis or acute bursitis arising at or about the knee (beat knee), subcutaneous cellulitis or acute bursitis over the elbow (beat elbow), as they are of opinion that the word acute should be struck out; and will he give further consideration to this question?

Before issuing this Order I considered a request from the miners to omit the word "acute." This request, however, was not supported by any evidence, and as the Report published by the Medical Research Council showed that bursitis is not a disabling condition except when there is acute inflammation, I was unable to adopt the suggestion. I have received no further representations, and see no grounds at present for reconsideration.

Arising out of the unsatisfactory answer—I realise it is difficult to discuss this matter by Question and Answer—I want to warn the right hon. Gentleman that I will raise the question on the Estimates, and I should like him to let me have the information upon which he has based this particular Order.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as far as this disease to the elbow and the knee is concerned, there are certain classes of work performed in the mines when, while it may not appear that the man is suffering very acute pain, the mere "touch" is torture?

I agree that the word "acute" is in and that, if the disease is acute, then there is pain to the touch and so forth, but, when there is no acuteness, my information is that it is not painful.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it sometimes happens that when a man is actually hurt and is in action, he may be suffering very great pain, though it may appear not to be acute when he is in the surgery undergoing examination?

May I press upon the right hon. Gentleman to let me have the information we have asked for?

The right hon. Gentleman says he is going to raise it on the Estimates, and as soon as my Estimates are put down, I will, of course, get all information and be prepared to give it.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman supply the hon. Member who has put down the question with a copy of the statement of the Medical Research Council on which he has based his Order?

That rather looks like supplying him with ammunition with which to shoot at me

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children between the ages of 14 and 15 at public elementary and secondary schools, the estimated number at other schools, and the estimated number not at school?

In the year 1925–26 the numbers of pupils in the age-group 14–15 in the grant-aided elementary and secondary schools were 164,410 and 62,632, respectively; there were also 5,056 pupils in this age-group attending other State-aided schools and institutions. I regret that I am unable to give corresponding figures for schools not in receipt of assistance from public funds. As regards the number not at school, I think the best indication I can give is that the number of pupils in the age-group 13–14 in grant-aided elementary schools in 1924–25 was 581,416. The number of children in the age-group 14–15 will, of course, fluctuate greatly in future years owing to fluctuations in the birth-rate, and in this connection I may refer my hon. Friend to page 17 of the Memorandum on the Board's Estimates for 1926, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) how many plans for new or reorganised schools approved in each of the last two educational years have provided for the traditional basis of boys, girls and infants, or mixed and infants; and how many have provided for schools organised with departments for junior children and senior children, respectively;

I could not, without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and labour, supply the hon. Member with information which would reliably indicate the extent to which proposals for new schools or for the reorganisation of existing schools are based on the principles outlined in Circular 1350, but I can assure him that full regard is paid to these principles in the consideration of individual proposals. As regards the Building Regulations, I would refer him to paragraph 5 (d) of Circular 1375, a copy of which I am sending him.

I do not want to trouble the right hon. Gentleman to give figures, but can he give some indication as to whether there has been a large number of instances where this Regulation has been carried out? Has it been on a large scale?

All I can say, is that I think the tendency to organise schools as senior and junior is steadily growing throughout the country. That is all I can say.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the decision that teachers absent from school on account of ill-health for periods which involve a loss of pay are liable to have their salaries re-assessed and reduced is a decision of the Board of Education or of the Burnham Committee; and whether this decision applies to teachers working under the elementary, secondary and technical awards, respectively?

The decision, to which the hon. Member refers, is embodied in Section 11 of the Third Report of the Standing Joint Committee on Salaries of Teachers in Public Elementary Schools, a copy of which I am sending him. Historically, the decision was originally made by the Board in 1923, and it was subsequently accepted by the committee. The procedure for dealing with this matter under the Secondary and Technical Reports is somewhat different. I will furnish the hon. Member with the particulars if he so desires.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a circular inviting the closing of State elementary schools on the occasion of a co-operative society's gala has been issued by the Staffordshire education authority; and whether he will prohibit the closing of schools for such purposes?

My attention has been called to this matter. The closure of schools on particular days is within the discretion of the local authority and school managers, and is not a matter in which the Board intervene.

Is it not contrary to high policy that factional bodies of this or any sort should be recognised by the State?

I do not see anything contrary to high policy or any other policy. I do not see why a gala organised by a co-operative society should be excluded from the discretion of the authority any more than a gala organised by any other society.

Well, I do.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in many of these towns the members of the co-operative society include half the population, and that this meets the convenience of that population?

Would not this holiday be included in the schedule of holidays for organised societies?

There is no schedule of organised societies.

Is it not a fact that they are allowed a certain number of holidays in each year and that local authorities have to work within that schedule?

No.

As this was an important event in young children's lives, should they not have been allowed to attend such a gala?

asked the President of the Board of Education what action has been taken by the local education authorities concerned in connection with the absence from their respective schools of the six children who have gone to Russia to receive instructions in revolutionary propaganda work; and whether he has made any representations to these authorities on the matter?

I do not know whether any of the authorities concerned have taken any action in this matter. I have made no representations to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware who is bearing the cost of this expedition?

No.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has considered the Report of the Committee on Education and Industry; and, if so, whether it is his intention to put into operation any of the recommendations suggested therein?

I am afraid I could not make a statement on this subject within the limits of an answer to a question. The Government's attitude towards these recommendations was explained in another place on 9th March, and a statement on one point was made in this House by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board on 24th March.

asked the Minister of Health whether there have been any recent cases in which notices have been served by inspectors of his Department on guardians prohibiting the guardians keeping children in institutions which are under the control of the Ministry?

My officers regularly draw the attention of boards of guardians to any instances in which they may find children retained in an institution contrary to the provisions of the Poor Law Institutions Order, 1913. It is not, however, any part of their duty to serve anything in the nature of formal notices on a board of guardians in this connection. An Order requiring a board of guardians to provide alternative and separate accommodation for the children receiving institutional relief from them was made by me in the case of one union last year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the union?

Helston.

Is he aware that reports have appeared to the effect that the Minister of Health has served notices on the Cardigan Board of Guardians that 30 children under 14 years of age have to be removed from the workhouse; and will he make an investigation into the matter?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that an inspector of his Department has recently informed the Gisborough Board of Guardians that they must not discharge casuals from the workhouse on Sundays; and whether this is in accordance with Regulations?

The inspector has informed the guardians that they should see that better compliance with the Regulations is enforced. The Casual Poor Act, 1882, and the Casual Poor (Relief) Order, 1925, provide that a casual may not discharge himself on Sunday unless there are special circumstances which, in the opinion of the master, require that he should be discharged on that day.

May I take it that boards of guardians have discretionary powers to keep these men in?

It is not a question of the board of guardians. It is within the discretion of the master of the workhouse.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons vaccinated in the years 1924, 1925, and 1926, and the number of deaths, if any, certified to be the result of vaccination in the years referred to?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate such particulars as are available in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health the monthly return of the number of small-pox cases certified in England and Wales, including London, from January, 1927; and the number of districts in which these cases have occurred?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a non-service man with no flying experience, whose employment prior to going to the Air Ministry had been at the Board of Education, was recently appointed to the post of Deputy-Director of Civil Aviation; whether he considers flying experience an essential qualification for such a position; and whether he will give an assurance that in filling the now vacant post of Deputy-Director of Civil Aviation in Egypt the post shall not be given to a non-service man, but to one who has actually been a flying officer?

No new appointment has recently been made to a senior post in the Directorate of Civil Aviation at the Air Ministry, but there has been a certain measure of reorganisation and redistribution of the existing staff and duties, which have been accompanied by certain changes in nomenclature. The gentleman who now holds the appointment of Deputy-Director of Civil Aviation, the duties of which are administrative rather than technical, has for some years past been one of the senior officials of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, and I consider him fully qualified to carry out the duties of his appointment.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that a number of service men have an idea that the policy of the Minister of Air is biased against them, and can he give us an assurance that service will not be counted against people making application for posts of this kind? Does he not think it is essential, for posts of this kind, that men should have actual experience in the air, whether civil or military, before he takes charge of a branch in which young lives are at stake?

It is difficult to answer so many questions at once. This is not a new appointment, as the gentleman has been in the Air Ministry for several years, and it is only due to the reorganisation that he receives a different title.

If the person in question cannot fly, why should he have this post?

Does reorganisation involve any reduction in administrative costs?

We always hope so. And this reorganisation has been carried out with this particular object in view.

Can the Under-Secretary give us an assurance that in the Air Service, where so many short-service commissioned officers are being dismissed every year, that no administrative posts shall be filled by any but ex-flying officers?

That does not apply in this case.

No, but I am asking whether he can give us an undertaking in the general sense.

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put down a Question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has reconsidered the previously announced policy of the Government in respect to the Ministry of Transport, Mines Department, and the Department of Overseas Trade; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?

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

Is there any truth in the statements made very definitely in the Press that there is a decision to retain the Ministry of Transport and the Overseas Trade Department?

I have not seen those statements myself, and I should advise the hon. Member to wait until we make an announcement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a discussion on the Mines Department is due to take place at an early date—I think next week—and can he see his way to make a statement before that discussion takes place?

I will bear that in mind.

Will the present Ministers still be in charge of these Departments in the Autumn Session; and are we still to send communications to them then?

That is rather a hypothetical question. I think it is probable that whatever legislation may be required will be taken in the Autumn Session.

Before any decision is made to dissolve the Mines Department, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the grave conditions prevailing in the mining industry and the need for a separate Department?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind the fact that, even to-day, we are unable to get necessary information concerning the mines of Great Britain?

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate being in a position to make a full statement in regard to the three Departments before the House rises?

That I think is extremely doubtful.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the overlapping between the Ministry of Transport and the Home Office in regard to the constantly recurring question of safety on the roads; and is there not urgent necessity that all matters concerning safety on the roads should be consolidated under the Home Office?

It is of course questions like that which take time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the officers of these Departments are to be kept in prolonged suspense as to their future, and in view of that suspense will he not expedite his decision?

We are being as quick as we can, and the disability to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is inevitable in the circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value and amount of the exports of edible vegetable oils from this country to Portugal in each of the last three years?

The exports of edible vegetable oils refined in the United Kingdom and consigned to Portugal amounted in 1924 to 53 tons, valued at £2,750; in 1925 to 63 tons valued at £3,006; and in 1926 to 1,007 tons valued at £41,757.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this welcome increase in the activity of this industry will be seriously affected by the recent flag discrimination decree of the Portuguese Government?

That was dealt with yesterday, and strong representations were made to the Portuguese Government, but, I regret to say, without success.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the figures for the amount of petrol imported into this country in 1913 and 1926, respectively; and what amounts came from the Russian oilfields in 1913 and 1926, respectively?

101 million gallons of motor spirit were imported into Great Britain and Ireland in 1913, of which 14·9 million gallons were consigned from Russia. In 1926, 562 million gallons were imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of which 55·2 million gallons were consigned from the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics.

May I ask whether the recent propaganda against the consumption of Russian oil has had any effect on the importation of oil into this country?

I have no statistical information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the long-promised repairs necessary to make the Burnhouse, Carron, Stirlingshire, habitable have not yet been commenced; and whether he can take any steps to expedite matters?

I understand that the contract for the repairs to be carried out on this house has been placed with a contractor. The work has not yet, however, been commenced owing to the inclement weather making it impracticable to transport the material to this out-of-the-way site.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate annual cost to the State of a soldier, infantry and cavalry, respectively, when with the colours and stationed in Great Britain?

The hon. and gallant Member will find on pages 264 and 265 of the current Army Estimates an estimate of the annual effective cost of a cavalry regiment and an infantry battalion when stationed at home and the establishment to which the estimate relates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these figures would include among other expenses which I do not wish to reckon the officers' pay and that kind of thing, and could he not send me, later on, the exact figures for which I have asked him?

I want to give the hon. and gallant Gentleman the information for which he has asked, but if I were to tell him that the approximate figure is £125 a year I would mislead him, because in the case of the cavalry soldier the cost of the horse must be taken into account. If he looks at the pages, to which I have referred him, he will see that the whole cost has been set out in detail, and he can take out and use what he likes of the various figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War what types of tanks are in use and under construction for His Majesty's Army; and what is the first cost of each type?

The uresent standard tanks in use are the Mark I, Mark IA and Mark II light tanks. The average cost of these three marks varies slightly, but, excluding the guns, is approximately £7,700. Apart from these, there are some tanks of wartime manufacture which are gradually being replaced as opportunity offers. It would not be in the public interest to give information as to the types of tanks which are under trial and have not yet been adopted into the service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a tank of small size known as the Merlin Morris tank costs £400?

I am aware that there are some one-man and two-men tanks, and they are being tried out now. I do know their cost.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received a report of the conference which took place at Mount Abu, on 27th June, between the representatives of the Government of India and the maritime States in the Kathiawar Peninsula; whether he will give the names of the States chiefly concerned which were represented at the conference; whether any decisions were arrived at; and can he make a statement?

My Noble Friend is aware that at the recent conference held at Mount Abu an agreement was not reached, but as a full report of the proceedings has not yet been received I am not in a position to make a statement. The States chiefly concerned were Nawangar, Morvi, Junagadh, Porbandar and Baroda.

Is the Noble Lord in a position to say if the Report will be published?

I am not in a position to state at the moment whether the Report of the proceedings will be published or not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India are at present considering the proposal to appoint agents in British Colonies like Kenya, Trinidad, and others, to which Indians have emigrated and settled in large numbers, on the same lines as the appointment of the right hon. V. S. Srinivasa Sastri to South Africa?

Agents have been appointed in Ceylon and British Malaya. I understand that the question of appointing agents in certain other Colonies is under consideration of the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what action has been taken by the Government of India in regard to the recommendation of the Geneva International Labour Conference of 1920, urging the introduction of a system of seamen's unemployment insurance?

The recommendation was laid before the Indian Legislature, which recommended that no action should be taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many meetings were held by the special tariff board on the textile industry; how long the inquiry lasted; and whether any of the principal suggestions either of the majority or of the minority Reports have been accepted by the Government of India?

The number of meetings was 40. The inquiry began on the 5th July, 1926, and the Report was signed on the 21st January, 1927. The Government of India have announced their intention of introducing in the next Session of the Legislative Assembly legislation for the removal of duties on machinery and certain mill stores. They have declined to accept the recommendation that the spinning of the higher counts of yarn should be stimulated by the grant of a bounty, and have decided to propose no alteration in the import duties on cotton manufacture. Other recommendations of the tariff board are under consideration. A copy of the Report and of a Resolution published by the Government of India containing their decisions will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the questionnaire which has been circulated amongst European Government officials in India, in which they are asked to indicate before the sitting of the Statutory Commission whether they have any intention of resigning their services and retiring on proportionate pensions, it is the intention of the Government to appoint the Statutory Commission in time to sit during the next cold weather?

I know nothing of any such questionnaire; I am not in a position to make any statement about the Commission in extension of what I have said in reply to previous questions and in my speeches on the Whitsuntide Adjournment on the 2nd June and in Committee of Supply on the 17th June.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received any representation on the subject of the Statutory Commission on Indian Constitutional Reforms from a body called the Indian Farmers' and Peasants' Federation, Ahmadabad; and, if so, whether he will give the terms of the representation?

Yes, Sir. The representation urged including in the personnel of the Commission a person with intimate knowledge of the needs of agricultralists, and instructing the Commission to secure a scheme of Government which should be not merely responsible, but also should conserve the needs and interests and the educational, economic, social and political well-being of the Indian peoples.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Opium Committee recently appointed to make a special investigation regarding the consumption of opium in Bengal is taking evidence only with regard to the consumption of opium in that province; and whether it is proposed to appoint similar committees to deal with the consumption of opium in other provinces?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My Noble Friend has no information regarding the appointment of similar Committees by other Provincial Governments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the, Government have reached a decision on the proposed arrangement whereby British officers whose units are not borne on Indian establishment but who are in staff or extra-regimental employ in India will, on the termination of their employment in this capacity, be returned to England, and, notwithstanding that they may be temporarily attached, pending absorption, to units on the Imperial establishment, their pay and allowances will continue to be borne on Indian revenues; and whether the proposed scheme contains any provision for the repayment to the Government of India by His Majesty's Government for the services received in cases where British officers returned to this country under the scheme are temporarily attached to Imperial units?

It has recently been decided that such officers, if further temporary employment cannot be found for them in India, shall be sent home for attachment to their own units. This does not affect the incidence of their pay for which Indian revenues have always been liable until a vacancy occurs in the establishment of their unit in which they can be employed.

Am I to take it from that reply that officers may be employed upon duties here at home, while the cost of such officers has to be borne by the Indian revenues?

I think I can, without trespassing on the time of the House, explain the situation. An officer lent by the British Army to the Government of India for staff duty, when he has ceased to hold those duties is often surplus to the establishment of the unit to which he belongs. Therefore, he cannot be absorbed in that unit until there is a vacancy. The salaries of these officers are, therefore, chargeable to the revenues of India; but it is cheaper to the revenues of India that the officers should come to this country than that they should remain in India where they receive higher rates of pay. Consequently the change results in an economy for the finances of India. It does not impose any further burden, but has rather the opposite effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India are at present giving consideration to the question of improving the professional status of accountants and auditors in India; and when a decision on this matter may be expected?

I have no information, but if the hon. Member has any suggestion to make, the question of communicating it to the Government of India will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Greek Government has submitted a case to the Permanent Court of International Justice at The Hague concerning the Mavrommatis concession for the supply of water and electric power in Palestine by the British Government in its capacity of mandatory in Palestine; whether His Majesty's Government is entering an appearance at the Court; and whether the Court is recognised as having jurisdiction in this case?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. I am not at present in a position to reply to the last part of the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman let me know when he is able to reply to the last part of the question?

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will explain why the despatch printed on pages 28 and 29 of Command Paper 2895, Russia No. 3 (1927), appears over the signature of J. Ramsay MacDonald, in view of the fact that the original document was signed by a Departmental head in the Foreign Office in the absence of the Secretary of State; and why, if this alteration was to be made, the consent of an ex-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs was not obtained before his name was made use of in this way?

It is the ordinary routine practice of the Foreign Office in printing, either for Departmental use or publication, a note or despatch purporting to be written by the Secretary of State, to print his signature, without consultation with him, even though the document may have been signed by an Under-Secretary or head of Department on his behalf.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask whether it would be possible for the correct signature to this document to be printed in a re-issue of this Paper in order that those who are referring to this document in future may see precisely what the circumstances were?

Certainly, in any reprint that will be done.

Is it not possible, in the case of those books which have not been already distributed, for a copy of the question and answer to be put in the back of the book?

I think the question and answer in this House will be quite sufficient notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the number of British subjects at present in prison in Russia and as to whether any British subjects have been put to death since the breaking off of relations?

So far as I am aware, no British subjects are at present imprisoned in Russia, nor have any British subjects been executed since the suspension of relations.

Can the hon. Gentleman inform the House through what channels he gets his information now?

We are represented, as the hon. Gentleman knows, by the Norwegian Government, and we get our information through them.

May I ask if the hon. Member has had any recent information bearing upon this point?

Yes, it is recent information that I have given to the House.

May I ask how recent? What is the latest date?

Any question as to the date ought to be put down.

With all deference, Sir, this is a very important matter, especially to all of us who represent constituencies on the east coast, where they are very much disturbed because of this breaking-off of relations. We would like to know what is the latest date of the information which the Minister has given to us.

If the question is so important, it had better be promptly put on the Paper.

I will do that.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Norwegian Government are the only source the British Government have at present of obtaining information from Russia?

Ah!

I have already explained that the Norwegian Government are representing British interests in Russia, and that is the source of our information.

Is it usual in cases where diplomatic relations are broken off to use the Secret Service for getting this information?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there is any prospect of the Hungarian-Rumanian question now before the League of Nations, and committed to him with the Japanese and Chilian representatives for inquiry, being reported upon to the Council at its next session; if not, what is the cause of the delay; and, if there is any difficulty in the presentation of a Report, whether steps will be taken to submit the matter forthwith to the Permanent Court of International Justice?

The Committee over which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State presided thought it necessary that further time should be given for the representatives of both States to consult their Governments, and they therefore advised an adjournment until September. The Council approved their proposal, and the committee will make a further Report in September. It would be improper, as it is in fact impossible, to say what that Report is likely to contain.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of the 58 requests put forward by the 1926 Welfare Conference were approved; how many were not approved; how many were partially approved; the number still under consideration; and if he will furnish particulars of the general requests that were approved, with an estimate of the cost?

Of the 58 requests, three were approved, 39 were not approved, two were partly approved and eight are under consideration. The replies to the remaining six requests, namely numbers 3, 20, 21, 31, 33 and 50, cannot be classified.