asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India is appointing a committee to investigate the opium traffic in India; if so, what are the terms of reference; and whether the committee will include independent members?

The Government of India announced in June, 1926, that they had been considering suggestions for an inquiry of the kind referred to by the hon. Member, but had decided that it was unnecessary.

If there is an inquiry at any time, will steps be taken to see that the tremendous sacrifices made by the Government and peoples of India are brought out?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the proceedings 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 has been received by his Department; and is he in a position to make a statement?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

Will the Report of the proceedings be placed in the Library of the House, so that hon. Members can see it?

No, Sir, I cannot answer that at the present time. I shall have to see the Report first.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the discovery of a vaccine the use of which by the Bengal Health Association in Kulpi Thana, Bengal, has led to speedy recovery of patients suffering from cholera; and whether, in view of the great importance of such a discovery, the Government propose to offer special facilities to the association to carry out extended trials with the new vaccine?

My Noble Friend has no information on the subject beyond what has appeared in the Press.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has received any representations from bodies representative of Indian industrial and commercial opinion in regard to the Government's refusal to take action along the lines recommended by the Textile Tariff Board to protect the indigenous cotton manufacturing industry; and whether he will inform the House of the number and names of bodies from which such representations have been received and the terms of the representations?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the fall in cotton mill shares in Bombay and to the fears that, owing to the Government's refusal to take action to introduce a measure of protection on the lines recommended in the Report of the Textile Tariff Board, a number of mills will have to go into liquidation; and whether, in face of this position, the Government will reconsider the decision they have taken regarding the Board's recommendations?

The answer to the first part of each question is in the affirmative. A conference of representatives of the cotton mill industry in different parts of India was held under the auspices of the Bombay Mill Owners' Association on the 20th June to protest against the decisions of the Government of India. My Noble Friend has been informed by the Bombay Mill Owners' Association that the Upper India Chamber of Commerce and the Mysore Chamber of Commerce telegraphed their entire sympathy with the object of the conference. I do not know whether any other bodies have submitted represntations. The text of the representations cannot be given within the limits of a Parliamentary reply, but the main point is that a measure of protection adequate to the needs of the situation is asked for. I understand that on the 12th July the Viceroy received a deputation of mill owners and gave them an assurance that their views as presented would receive the most careful consideration of his Government.

Will the Noble Lord say whether these mill owners already have a measure of protection, and, if so, how much?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question if he wishes to know the details, as it would be rather a long answer; but it is a fact that they already enjoy a measure of protection.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has received from the associated chambers of commerce in India or other bodies any representations in regard to the problem of alleged evasion of import duty by smuggling of goods, particularly gold thread, into Madras; whether he will give the terms of such representations; and what action the Government of India propose to take in this matter?

My Noble Friend has no information beyond a Press report which states that such representations have been made and that the Government of India have the matter under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has caused any inquiries to be made regarding the assault upon an Indian servant at Spencer's Hotel, Madras; and, if so, what the results of his inquiries are?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend caused a letter to be sent to the Government of India by last mail asking whether the particulars furnished by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston (Mr. T. Shaw) are sufficient to enable them, after this considerable lapse of time, to obtain any information regarding the case. Some weeks must necessarily elapse before the results can be received. I would add that I have been unable to trace in the British or Indian Army List the name Bramby mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the facts of this case are well known in Madras and to many people now in this country, and that no assault was committed by a European officer on a servant in India, but that it was a European lady—woman—who committed an assault upon a servant, and can these facts not be made public at once?

I have received indirectly certain information from a responsible but not an official source, and I have taken steps to verify that information. The information appears to relate to the same incident as that mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Preston. but it differs in many important and material particulars from the version given by the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now state the facts as to the recent disturbances in Kenya Colony with the Somalis; and if his Department has yet received an official despatch as to the cattle troubles?

I have nothing yet to add to what I have said in reply to previous questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of Kenya Colony is contemplating granting a concession in a native reserve in the Tana Valley to a European group concerned with sugar production; that three administrative officers of increasing degrees of seniority have been sent in succession to that area; that these officers have used their influence to try to persuade the natives to give up land for the purpose stated; that the native chiefs have so far withstood any pressure brought upon them to give up land in this area; and whether he can assure the House that active persuasion of the natives shall cease and that disciplinary action shall not be taken against the native district council or the Ndia people?

I have no information on this subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

If the hon. Gentleman will furnish me with particulars as to the source of his information, I will try to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a reply from the Government of Kenya with reference to Mr. Pollok's complaints regarding his treatment in the matter of railway contracts?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is in a position to state the names of the members of the East African Commission?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give the names of the persons to serve on the Commission which has been appointed to inquire into the proposal for an East African Federation?

I am not yet in a position to give the names.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the event of the inclusion of the Tanganyika Territory in an East African Customs Union, steps will be taken to ensure that such a union will not prevent preference to British products entering British East African possessions?

The inclusion of Tanganyika Territory in a Customs Union will not affect the international obligations of the other British dependencies in East Africa.

Do I understand that the other British dependencies are debarred from affording any preference?

Yes, Sir, under the old Berlin and Brussels Act, which was revised by the Treaty of St. Germain en Laye, they are debarred from giving preference to British trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Report by the experts appointed to consider railway construction in East Africa has now been made; and whether he is in a position to make any statement on the matter of the bridge over the Zambesi River?

I would refer to the reply given to a similar question on 13th June. I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the matter of a bridge over the Zambesi.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to do so?

The matter requires a good deal of consideration. Naturally, am as anxious to push it forward as anyone else.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any development of the port of Walfisch Bay since the war; what tonnage of ships the harbour will accommodate; whether he can give any figures of annual trade; and whether it is intended to develop it as an important port?

This is a matter which concerns His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa, but I will send the hon. Member such information regarding this port as is available in recent Union official publications.

Will the right hon. Gentleman during his visit to South Africa make inquiries on the spot?

I may have an opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken to give effect to the proposals for the organisation of medical research in the Colonies which was made at the recent Colonial Office Conference?

In consultation with the Medical Research Council, I have appointed a Committee with the following Terms of Reference:

"To advise the Secretary of State and the Medical Research Council upon the initiation and promotion of medical research in the interests of the Colonial Empire; upon the recruitment and conditions of service of the necessary personnel; and upon the management and allocation of any funds available for these purposes."

The composition of the Committee will be as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give any information as to the cause of the recent riot in the mosque of Khadimain?

The causes that led to the riot are still somewhat obscure. I understand that the Iraq Government propose to institute a special Court of Inquiry on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how long the negotiations new in progress regarding the sale of the Cornerbrook Paper Mills are expected to take?

I am afraid that I am unable to give any forecast of the time that the negotiations now in progress are likely to take.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many cases have now been heard by the Irish Grants Committee; whether he can form any opinion as to when the labours of the committee will end; whether the final result of the recommendations to the Government will be communicated to the House; and whether, in each case, the recommendation by the committee will be communicated to the claimant?

In reply to the first part of the question, I am informed that the committee have considered 1,200 of the 3,036 cases referred to them. I regret that I am not at present in a position to reply to the other three parts of the question otherwise than by saying that I do not anticipate that the work of the committee will be finished much, if at all, before the end of the financial year, and that it is unlikely that the Government will reach a decision as to what final action they will take in the matter before then.

May I ask for an answer to the last part of the question, as to whether the amount of the recommendation will in each case be communicated to the claimant, so that he shall know where he stands?

No, Sir, the Government can only decide whether it is desirable to do that when it is in a position to review the whole situation, and to know how far it can satisfy all the recommendations of the committee.

Is it the case, according to the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, that the claimants may not get the full amount allocated by the Committee, and that it depends on the decision of the Government?

It does to some extent, but I hope we shall be able to satisfy the claimants substantially.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the interim payments being made to claimants before the Irish Grants Committee are made on a fixed proportion of the compensation recommended in each ease; and, if not on what method the interim payment is computed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part, I understand that the Committee only recommend interim payments in cases in which it appears from the evidence before them that the applicant is in need of immediate financial assistance; and that in such cases the amount of the interim payment recommended is arrived at, within the limits of the total recommendation which the Committee propose to make, after taking account of the applicant's needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the importance of migration to all parts of the British Empire, he will consider the reorganisation of the Overseas Settlement Committee for the purpose of enabling the particular problems of South Africa, Australasia, and Canada to receive that special attention that special circumstances demand?

I invite my hon. and gallant Friend's attention to my answer to his question on the 14th instant. I have no reason for supposing that the particular problems of the several Dominions have not received and do not receive such special attention as they require from the Overseas Settlement Committee as at present constituted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer which I received on the 14th inst. was that the constitution of the Committee is at present receiving consideration? The point of my question was whether one Committee, no matter how competent is capable of understanding the whole of these problems.

The Committee endeavours to work in liaison and close communication with the migration authorities of the several Governments. It does not profess in itself to have the fullest knowledge of the details in each colony and each Dominion. I believe it is more satisfactory for one Committee, through one executive head, to deal with the different Dominion organisations in this country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the migration Committees in the Dominions are under the control of the High Commissioners, or does the Overseas Committee deal directly with the Dominion Governments?

Normally the migration activities of each Dominion in this country are under the authority of the High Commissioner, and the Overseas Settlement Office deals with the High Commissioner's Office through the Migration Branch. Of course, we also deal directly with the Governments, and at the present moment the Canadian Minister of Migration and the Deputy-Minister of Migration are both in this country and have been in close communi- cation and consultation with Lord Lovat and the members of the Overseas Settlement Committee.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that he is quite satisfied that the present Committee is serving its purpose very well?

Yes, Sir.

Have any complaints been received with regard to these matters?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the full details of the Government export insurance scheme; and whether the scheme will apply to Russia among other countries?

The full details are too long to be given conveniently in reply to a question. I am therefore arranging to place in the Library copies of a publication describing the facilities, and also of the floating contract by which bills of exchange are guaranteed. I will send similar copies to the hon. Member. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Will the copy that is placed in the Library also show the different rates charged?

No, the rates depend on the character of each transaction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number of barrels, and the value, of cured herrings exported to the Continent of Europe for the six years 1911 to 1913 and 1924 to 1926, respectively, distinguishing the Scotch cure?

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the full answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The short answer is that in 1911 the total exports of cured herrings from the United Kingdom were £3,600,000 in 1926 £3,900,000 plus the Irish Free State exports for 1926.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any application has been made to bring jam manufactured from foreign fruit, whether abroad or in this country, under the Regulations of the Merchandise Marks Act?

No such application has been received. In any case, I would remind my hon. Friend that no Order-in-Council made under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, could apply to jam made in this country from foreign fruit, in view of the provision in Section 10 (4) (c), by virtue of which a sale for the purpose of the Act does not include the sale of any foodstuffs which have undergone a process of cooking, curing or preserving in the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, seeing that the value of imported eggs in shell for the six months ending June was £7,219,622, of which the value of eggs from China was £247,377, being a considerable reduction from normal years, he will say from what country has the deficit in eggs been made up; and what is the estimated value and number of eggs from British home supply, from British Dominions, and from foreign countries, respectively, that were bought and consumed in Great Britain in the six months ending June last?

The answer is rather long and contains a statistical table. Accordingly with the permission of my hon. and gallant Friend, it will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it the case that the importation of eggs is very largely in the hands of the same trust or organisation that controls the import of meat?

I have no knowledge to that effect.

Have the Government, in view of the large importation of eggs, done anything at all towards making the production of eggs in this country something that can be undertaken by anyone who cares to take it up, instead of its being in the hands of trusts, as is the case to-day?

We produced 1,500,000,000 eggs in this country in six months, against 900,000,000 imported from foreign countries, so I do not think we are doing so badly in regard to producing eggs in this country.

You are not making up for lost time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the weight and values of the imports of cotton yarn from Belgium for the last 12 months for which statistic are available; and can he state the amount of the subsidy per pound of yarn paid by the Belgian Government?

Cotton yarn, 4,000,000. lbs. in quantity valued at £340,000, was imported into the United Kingdom, consigned from Belgium, in the year 1926. The latest information in my possession is that no subsidy is paid by the Belgian Government on the production or exportation of cotton yarn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cases of foot-and-mouth disease that have been notified from the Staffordshire district, and the number of cattle slaughtered in consequence?

Two outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed on adjacent premises near Tamworth, Staffordshire, on the 7th and 10th of July. Thirty-seven cattle and one pig were slaughtered in consequence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what area has been proclaimed in the affected district?

I shall be glad to send on the details to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of smallholders in the six counties of North Wales; whether the number for the 12 months ending 30th June last shows an increase or a decrease as compared with that for the 12 months ending 30th June, 1926; and whether he will give a comparative return of the rents charged for these small holdings for the same two years?

I assume that the hon. Baronet refers to statutory small holdings. The answer contains a great many figures, and with the hon. Baronet's permission, I propose to circulate a tabular statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated daily consumption of fresh and tinned milk in Great Britain respectively; what proportion of the fresh milk is distributed by the large dairy companies; how much through the agency of co-operative retail societies; and what proportion of the daily supply is either Grade A or certified?

As the reply is rather long, I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of instituting an emergency inquiry into the depression in agriculture?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 28th June in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and Cocker-mouth (Mr. Dixey).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that visas have now been abolished for travellers between Germany and the United States, he will consider the desirability of acceding to the willingness of Germany for a similar action to be taken in the interest of British travellers?

Negotiations are in progress with the German Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Rumano-Hungarian Mixed Arbitral Tribunal on 10th January of this year delivered a considered judgment declaring itself to be competent to entertain cases brought before it by certain Hungarian nationals against the Rumanian Government, and that later the Council of the League of Nations appointed a committee to consider the question upon which the tribunal had given its judgment; by what authority such committee was appointed; and whether he will instruct the British delegate at the next session of the Council of the League to raise the question of the competence of the Council, or of a committee appointed by it, to question or review the findings of a tribunal established by international treaty?

My hon. Friend would appear to be under a misapprehension. He will find full information as to the occasion of the Council's intervention and its action on page 6 of Command Paper 2894 of 1927, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the policy of His Majesty's Government as regards the maintenance or otherwise of British trade in the Yangtse region under existing conditions; and whether it is proposed to take any and, if so, what steps in the matter?

The arrangements made with regard to the return of British residents to Hankow and the Lower Yangtse ports were stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power) on the 15th of June. At the end of May a consular officer was sent to Ichang, on a warship, to investigate the possi- bility of a resumption of British residence and trade at that port, but found that conditions there were such as to prevent an immediate re-opening of trade and to render residence risky and undesirable. Arrangements have been made for a further investigation next month, when the state of the river will be most favourable for an extension of the investigations to Chungking and Changsha. In the meantime the situation at the Yangtse ports above Hankow is being constantly watched with a view to ascertaining whether conditions there have so far improved as to render them safe for British residents and trade.

Is it the policy of the Government under present conditions to confine all trade in this region to Shanghai?

No, Sir. The policy of the Government would be better defined by saying that its object is to protect British lives in the first instance and preserve British trade in the second instance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the memorandum submitted to His Majesty's Minister in China on his recent visit to Shanghai by the British firms engaged in the distribution for sale and the collection for export of goods; and whether he is prepared to take action on the lines indicated in this memorandum?

The memorandum referred to has been forwarded to me by His Majesty's Minister. The importance of the distribution of British goods in the interior of China, and of the collection in the interior of goods for export to destinations in the British Empire, is fully reeognised by His Majesty's Government, who are prepared to consider any means which will effectively promote this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to state the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the question of the negotiations regarding the future status of Tientsin?

I can add nothing at present to the reply given to my hon. Friend on the 15th of June last.

Can the Foreign Secretary state whether the preliminary heads of agreement which have been initialled included provision for the resumption of British municipal control if the agreement is not effectively carried out by the Chinese?

No, Sir. I have told my hon. Friend that I cannot add anything to the information which I have already given.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any further information with regard to the negotiations, and can he say if the commercial interests of Tientsin are being consulted or their advice taken?

If my hon. Friend will look back to the last question, he will see that his point has been already dealt with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether when the two battalions of the brigade of Guards, now stationed in China, come home, he will consider the expediency of sending them home through Canada?

Consideration is being given to the suggestion.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend also consider the desirability of not sending them through Canada in the height of the winter or in the height of the summer?

All relevant considerations will be taken into account.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that it is a very comfortable journey either in winter or in summer?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has in his Department any information as to the circumstances in which the ships of Von Spee's squadron obtained coal from the s.s. "Lowther Range" during the War; and whether any action was taken against the owners of this vessel?

I should be glad if the hon. Member would repeat this question next week.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of capital ships in 1913 and in 1927?

The figures are as follow:

31ST DECEMBER, 1913.
—	Built.	Building.	Total.
Battleships	58	14	72
Battle Cruisers	9	1	10
			82

1ST JULY, 1927.
—	Built.	Building.	Total.
Battleships	14	2	16
Battle Cruisers	4	—	4
			20

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the greatest total number of armed vessels-of-war under British and Allied flags engaged in anti-submarine operations, including the escort of convoys, the patrol of trade routes and other areas, and in mine-sweeping and mine-laying, at any one time, or during any one week or other convenient period during the late War; what was this date; what were the sinkings of Allied and British merchant ships during that particular week; and what was the greatest total tonnage of British and Allied merchant ships sunk during any one week during the late War?

The greatest total numbers of armed vessels-of-war engaged at one time in the anti-sub- marine operations indicated were British, 3,971, and Allied, approximately, 1,550. The comparable figures for minesweeping and minelaying were: British, 935, and Allied, approximately, 350. The figures are for the month of October, 1918. During that month, 59,229 tons of British and 41,308 tons of Allied merchant shipping were sunk by enemy surface vessels, submarines and mines. The week in which the heaviest total losses were incurred in merchant shipping was that ending on 29th April, 1917, the figures being:

		Tons.
British	…	172,209
Allied and Neutral	…	67,045
Total	…	239,254

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how these figures compare with the figures that are being presented by the First Lord at Geneva?

No, I am not prepared to do that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the greatest number of cruisers, British and Allied, respectively, engaged in the protection of commerce, as distinct from work with the main battle fleets, at any one time during the late War?

The numbers are:

British cruisers	62
Cruisers of Allied and associated Powers	52

In addition to these numbers the four cruisers attached to the Mediterranean Fleet were employed in the protection of trade, and a considerable number of the older battleships were also employed for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the large amount of litter left

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the total British merchant-ship tonnage lost during the Great War by the action of enemy cruisers, enemy submarines, moored and floating mines, and other causes, respectively, but not including merchant ships seized in enemy ports on the outbreak of War?

The total British merchant-ship tonnage lost during the War, by the enemy action specified, amounted to 7,830,855 tons. The particulars have been collected in the form of a table, which, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to this matter. By-laws have been confirmed for the town councils of Birmingham and Richmond (Surrey) and the urban district council of Bexley. By-laws submitted by the urban district council of Dartford, the parish council of Great Missenden, and the trustees of the Alexandra Palace are now under consideration. My right hon. Friend will be fully prepared to consider any proposals for by-laws put before him by other local authorities. I may add that, where Section 81 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907, is in force, it is an offence to deposit litter or rubbish in a recreation ground under the control of a local authority.

Has the London County Council made any approaches in this matter in view of the many parks we have in London where this litter abounds?

I must have notice of that question.

Will the Minister of Health consider publishing the appeal made by His Majesty last year at High-gate on this matter which would have a great effect?

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the possibility of circularising the local authorities in London who have not made up their minds as to the desirability of doing so, and possibly His Majesty's appeal might be sent with the Circular.

I will consider both those matters.

asked the Minister of Health why branch secretaries of trade unions are debarred from signing forms in connection with applications for widows' pensions under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act?

This matter was under consideration recently, with the result that, in the latest print of the application form, branch secretaries of trade unions are included in the list of persons who are authorised to sign the forms.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why it is that a Member of Parliament is, perhaps, the only member of the public who is not allowed to sign these forms?

I did not know that that was so; I will make inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to introduce legislation for equalising the franchise as between men and women during the Autumn Session?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet set up a Committee to deal with the use of wheel-less tubs in the Somerset coalfields; if so, whether he is in a position to give the names of those serving on the Committee; and whether a Report giving their findings will be circulated for the information of Members?

I have been asked to reply. I hope to be in a position to announce to-morrow the appointment of this Committee. The findings of the Committee will certainly be made available for the information of Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the weekly cost of keeping a lad at, the Stranraer Industrial Reformatory?

The average cost of maintenance (including training) in Stranraer Reformatory School during the year ended 31st March, 1927, was 36s. 6d. per head per week.

Does that 36s. 6d. spent per week for each boy in the reformatory include the sum that he is allowed when he leaves?

I should require notice of that question.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman make representations to the proper quarter that the Government should spend one-third of this sum on reforming boys before they become bad, instead of spending a large sum after the boys have actually become criminals?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of ships cleared at the various ports in this country during the past year; the number in 1924 and in 1922; and the num- ber of inspectors employed under the Merchant Shipping Acts to certify as to the proper seaworthiness of the ships?

The answer takes the form of a table of figures, with notes;

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has sanctioned the proposal of the Hull Education Committee to establish a child welfare and school clinic in East Hall?

This proposal, which was only submitted on the 1st July is under consideration by the Departments concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Education how far the teaching of cookery is compulsory in elementary schools; and what education authorities make special provision for it by trained instructors and special cookery centres?

I would refer the hon. Member to Article 4 of the Code

Will the Noble Lord bring pressure to bear on those five to give the necessary instruction, so that it may become universal throughout the country?

I do not know which are the five.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the revenue derived during the last financial year from safeguarding duties from lace, gas mantles, cutlery, gloves and other safeguarding duties, respectively?

The net revenue derived from the several safeguarding duties during 1926–27 was as follows:

	£
Lace and embroidery	220,537
Mantles for incandescent lighting	11,031
Cutlery	76,775
Gloves	608,441
Packing or Wrapping Paper	494,851
Key Industry Goods	505,323
Total	1,916,958

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard key industries as coming under the category of safeguarding duties?

I think that is so; it says so in the Act.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any typewriters of foreign manufacture have been purchased by the Stationery Office since November, 1918?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what typewriters have been purchased from America since 1918?

From America?

From anywhere abroad?

Buy British goods!

I do not know exactly what the hon. Gentleman means by foreign typewriters. If he wishes to know of what makes the typewriters were, I can give him that information if he will put down a question.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate the value of this question as coming from the Labour benches? Does it not show that hon. Members on those benches recognise that British industry should be protected?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while foreign typewriters have been purchased by Government Departments, British typewriters well be produced which will good work?

Certain types of type-which are not made

asked the Minister of Transport why cheques for classified roads are sent through county councils; if he is aware that this method of working causes increased expenditure in both national and local administration; and if he will take steps to see that this method is altered?

The bulk of the classified roads are main roads for which the county council are financially responsible, or district roads towards the maintenance of which they contribute. It has, therefore, been found a convenient procedure to make all payments through the same channel. I am not aware that this has given rise to increased expenditure, and I see no reason to make any alteration in the procedure.

Is the Minister aware that certain rural roads, when corners on them have to be dealt with, are immediately put under the county council after they have been classified in that way, and that that puts the local authorities to considerable trouble and inconvenience?

I am aware, of course, of the fact stated by my hon. Friend, but I am also aware that in the great majority of the cases which go through the county councils that is found to be the most convenient way.

Will the Minister get into touch with the various local authorities on this matter, and try to find a means of effecting economy in this way?

Certainly, if my hon. Friend will give me instances, I shall be most happy to do so.

Is it not a fact that all of these so-called rural roads are very largely used by the general public while motoring?

That is so.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is prepared to introduce legislation with a view to obtaining for the public improved facilities for rail- way travel on Sundays, especially in connection with short journeys, in view of the fact that Sunday is becoming the chief day of recreation for many people?

Under the existing law railway companies are under a general obligation to afford reasonable services and facilities, and I do not contemplate the introduction of legislation dealing specially with the facilities to be afforded on Sundays.