asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the credentials of any Indians have been examined for the appointment to the Railway Board of India; whether any applications have been made for this appointment; and the number of such applications

In the case of vacancies on the Railway Board, as in the case of other appointments, it may be taken for granted that the qualifications of all eligible persons are considered by the Government of India. I have no information regarding the second and third parts of the question.

Are we to understand from that that there is not an Indian of requisite standing or experience available?

No. The hon. Gentleman is to understand that the Railway Board, who are responsible to the Indian Government, give due consideration to the question and appoint for promotion those persons who are most suitable, whether Indian or European.

Did not the Noble Lord state in the House that as soon as an Indian of requisite standing and experience was available he would be appointed?

Exactly. That is what I mean when I say it is a matter for the Railway Board. The Railway Board and the Department responsible probably have to answer more questions in the Assembly than any other Department of the Government of India, and I would suggest that the matter might well be left to the Assembly and the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have accepted the Tariff Board's recommendations that all the Railway Board's requirements of rails should be bought from Messrs. Tata's over the next seven years; and, if so, whether the Government have received representations on the matter from other steel-making interests?

The Government of India have entered into an arrangement with Messrs. The Tata Iron and Steel Company, to buy, at a fixed rate, the whole of their estimated output of rails for seven years. I am not aware that representations on the matter have been received by the Government of India from other steel manufacturers.

Is the Noble Lord aware that this will have an effect on the production of steel in this country, and also add to the unemployment already existing in that trade?

I hope the hon. Member does not take up an attitude that is not taken up by any party in the House, that in these matters we have to have regard primarily to the interests of manufacturers in this country. The Government of India naturally have to have regard primarily to the manufactures of India itself.

Does the Noble Lord suppose the price that is being paid to Messrs. Tata for these steel rails is less than the price in South Wales? Does he suggest that the people of India get the benefit of this?

No, but we have given to India a large measure of fiscal autonomy. It has been the deliberate policy, not only of the Government of India but of the Assembly of India, speaking for those who have votes for that Assembly, to adopt a certain policy. It is not possible in question and answer to discuss whether that policy is a wise one or not, but it is the policy that has been adopted.

Does this agreement cover a case where rails could be supplied from this country cheaper than they could be obtained from Messrs Tata?

On that detail, perhaps the hon. Member will put a question down, although I think the answer is that the agreement is a fixed one for a period, quite irrespective of price.

Surely the Noble Lord is aware whether the agreement was made or not. There is a protective tariff which protects Messrs. Tata's steelworks, and there is also a bonus to pay to Tata shareholders for every ton of steel produced, and this guarantee for seven years is something in addition to what the Assembly has already done.

We cannot argue the matter now.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, following the resolution passed in the Burma Legislative Council stating that in the opinion of that body the best interests of the province are likely to be served by the State management of the Burma railways on the termination of the present contract in 1928, and the resolution in similar terms passed by the chief body representative of commercial and industrial opinion in that province, the Secretary of State has now received the recommendations of the Government of India in this matter; and, if so, whether a decision has yet been arrived at with regard to taking over the railways in the province and running them under State management?

My Noble Friend has accepted the recommendation of the Government of India that the working of the Burma railways shall be transferred to State management after 31st December, 1928.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to make a further statement regarding the loss to life and property owing to the Orissa floods, especially as to the damage to crops and with regard to the total amount contri buted by the Government towards the reconstruction and restocking of the dis tricts devastated?

My Noble Friend has no later information than that given on 14th November in reply to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. Dunnico).

asked the Under- Secretary of State for India the number of cases in which the sentence of solitary imprisonment has been awarded in Indian courts during the last two years; and whether the Government will consider the advisability of deleting solitary imprisonment from the Indian penal code?

I have no figures of the cases in which sentences of solitary confinement have been passed by the Courts in the last two years, but by an Act of 1925 the old extreme form of solitary confinement was abolished as a gaol punishment and "cellular confinement" substituted.

Does not the Secretary of State think that the time has arrived to abolish this sort of punishment altogether, and will he try to find out how many cases there have been in the last two years of this most terrible punishment?

I think the hon. Member does not appreciate that there has been a change. Cellular confinement is a form of punishment which is given for gaol offences, much in the same way as punishment is given in the gaols of this country. It merely means that there may be no communication with other prisoners and that it may not last more than 14 days at a time, with an interval of at least 14 days before it is repeated. With regard to publishing information, it would involve writing to every provincial Government and would involve them and the Government of India in great labour and expense, but I will consider whether it is possible to supply the information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any action has been taken by the Government of India on the resolution recently moved in the Council of State by Mr. Ram Das Pantalu with reference to the abolition of the Devdasi system?

No question can arise of taking action on the resolution referred to, as it was withdrawn without being put to the House. But my Noble Friend is in correspondence with the Government of India on the question of further legislation on this subject.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for India if the Gov ernment of India contemplates under taking the supervision of the education of the nine-year-old Prince of Nabha, son of the ex-Maharaja and Maharanee, irrespective of the wishes of his parents?

My Noble Friend understands that no decision has yet been reached regarding the future education of the Tikka Sahib of Nabha.

Do I understand the question is being considered whether the boy's education is to be taken away from the parents and he is to be educated by the Government of India?

No. The hon. Member is to understand that no decision has been reached on the question of the future education of this young Prince. The House will appreciate that, in view of the fact that the administration of Nabha has been taken away from the Maharajah, it is a question of great importance to the future of the State how the young Prince, who will reach his majority in 10 years time, is going to be educated, and that question must naturally be a matter for the consideration and concern of the Government of India.

When is a decision likely to be reached, and will the Department bear in mind parental rights when they are considering this matter?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the attention of his Department has been drawn to the statement contained in the Report of the Accountant-General, Central Revenues, of the Government of India, to the effect that frauds and embezzlements appear to have occurred under almost every budget head; and, if so, what action, if any, is contemplated by the Government of India?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to the question by the hon. Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Gardner) on 28th July last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the date on which Mr. Rutenburg and Mr. Novomeysky became registered Palestinians, and upon what date they became British subjects?

I am not aware of the dates on which these two gentlemen acquired Palestinian citizenship, but will ask the High Commissioner for the information. Palestinian citizens are British protected persons, not British subjects.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Major Tullock and Mr. Novomeysky represent different groups; and which is the group behind Mr. Novomeysky?

Negotiations with Major Tulloch and Mr. Novomeysky are being carried on with them as principals, and not as representatives of any persons or groups. I am not in a position to answer the last part of the question.

What I wanted to know was whether there is a group behind Mr. Novomeysky, and he is merely a stalking horse?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any of the Palestine Chambers of Commerce were consulted as to the new Customs agreement between Palestine and Syria?

So far as I am aware, the answer is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is taking appropriate steps to secure that purchases of material required for development purposes in Palestine, following the flotation of the Palestine loan, as guaranteed by His Majesty's Government, will, so far as possible, be made in this country?

I am not able to add to the full statement on this point which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made in Debate during the passage of the Bill on 9th December, 1926.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to keep in touch with British manufacturers so that they may have the advantage of any development that may take place?

As was explained in Debate, every opportunity is taken invariably by the Crown Government and every preference is given to British manufacturers. The matter has been raised at Geneva, but it is impossible to give an absolute guarantee.

Is any preference given to Palestinian growers of fruit on importation to this country?

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which have occurred in England and Wales for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; the number of counties in which these outbreaks have occurred; and how many of these outbreaks have been reported during the last six weeks?

During the 12 months ended 9th December, 1927, 80 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease occurred in England and Wales in 17 counties. Of these outbreaks, 34 (in four counties) have occurred during the last six weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the chief veterinary surgeon of the Ministry of Agriculture has been in South America since last April investigating the whole system of dealing with the export of beasts to this country and that it is now proposed that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry should now join him there, he can state why it is necessary for the Parliamentary Secretary to go to South America instead of the chief veterinary surgeon being brought back to report; the nature of the negotiations the Parliamentary Secretary is to conclude with the South American authorities; how long he will be absent; and what is the estimated cost of his visit?

In March the Ministry asked three of the Governments of the countries in South America which export meat to this country to accept certain proposals which were designed to prevent the introduction of the virus of foot and mouth disease into Great Britain. With the consent of these Governments, Mr. Frood, a senior veterinary inspector of the Ministry (not the chief veterinary officer) was sent to South America more fully to explain these proposals to the Governments concerned and to collaborate with them in adapting them to local conditions. Mr. Frood has been given every facility to study the disease position, and reports that he has reason to believe that the Governments of the South American countries concerned will find a way to give effect to the Ministry's suggestions. The Parliamentary Secretary, who is going on a pleasure cruise to Rio de Janeiro, will extend his voyage to confer with representatives of the Argentine and Uruguayan Governments and Mr. Frood, in the hope of completing the negotiations in relation to measures for the control of animal diseases which these countries propose to adopt with a view to removing risk of transmission of foot-and-mouth disease to this country. He will he absent for about seven weeks altogether. The estimated cost to the Ministry is £50.

Is it not of great importance to the settlement of this question in South American countries that the Parliamentary Secretary should visit South America personally and confer with the authorities?

Is it not also important that our own diplomatic representatives on the spot should be utilised for this purpose?

They have, and they have been most useful; but the negotiations have reached such a stage that I think it will be of value for the Parliamentary Secretary to be able to take part in them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the reasons which caused the United States to take a line entirely opposite from that which he is taking on this matter?

The action taken by the United States is to prevent animal diseases being brought in, particularly rinderpest.

Has any meat contaminated with foot-and-mouth disease been brought into this country from South America

We have no evidence of that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fluctuation in the price of British wheat as witnessed during the last three years, he is contemplating any steps that may lead to stabilisation over long periods?

During the last three cereal years ended 31st August, the average price of British wheat as returned under the Corn Returns Act has been, 1924–25, 12s. 6d.; 1925–26, 12s. 3d.; 1926–27, 11s. 11d. I am not proposing to take any steps in regard to the stabilisation of wheat prices. This subject, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, was considered by the Royal Commission on Food Prices in 1925, and the objections are fully set out in their Report.

Have the recommendations made by one of the Departmental officials on the question of stabilisation been disposed of for all time?

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire from the Opposition what is meant by the stabilisation of wheat prices?

Will the right hon. Gentleman carefully consider the recommendations of the Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture in 1925 on the stabilisation of prices?

Yes, we have carefully considered this matter, but we cannot find any way which would be satisfactory.

Does not that particular Report point the way to stabilization?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the two unsuccessful applicants for the village farm at Horbling were tenant farmers: whether the successful applicant occupies any other farms; and, if so, how many?

Of the two unsuccessful applicants one is already the tenant of a large farm on the Crown Estate at Horbling, and the other, according to my information, occupies a farm near Boston. The successful applicant is the owner of a small farm adjoining the Village Farm, and I have no certain information as to whether or not he still occupies any other farms.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what progress is being made regarding the repairing of the stonework of the Houses of Parliament; and what stone, if any, has been chosen?

No stone has yet been selected, and it has not therefore been possible to make any progress with the work of repair.

How can the hon. and gallant Member say that no stone has been selected, since it was published that a stone had been selected? If stone cannot be found from the ground, would it not be wise to try some of the synthetic stones, if for nothing else than to prove whether or not they would give more resistance to the atmosphere of London than ordinary stone taken from the ground?

It was stated that the Office of Works had selected Stancliffe stone as probably the most suitable; but that stone has to be referred in the first place to the Fine Art Commission to ascertain whether they see any objections to that stone in use with the existing stone in the building, and their reply has not been received. If they raise objections, I think those objections will have to be accepted. At the same time, it is necessary to refer the question to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to find out whether they consider that the mingling of the two stones would have any unfortunate effect. In certain cases the mingling of two stones does have an unfortunate effect. Their reply has not yet been received. When these replies have been received, it will be possible for the Office of Works to make further progress. In regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, I will have that considered.

Has the Office of Works considered the suggestion which I made some time ago, without waiting for the whole of the repairs to be completed, that they might deal with the top of the central tower, which is now without a top and disfigures the whole of the Palace of Westminster? Could not that be done at once without great expense?

That does not quite arise, and the question should be put on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, as the Scottish picture has been removed from St. Stephen's Hall, this space can be allotted to Northern Ireland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to a reply which I gave to a question in this House on the 17th ultimo, of which I am sending him a copy.

Could not this space be occupied by a representation of the recent discovery in Northern Ireland of an ammunition dump and an armoury?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have any intention of starting negotiations with Japan with a view to renewing the Anglo-Japanese Alliance?

The Anglo-Japanese Alliance Agreement was merged into the Four Power Treaty signed at Washington on the 13th of December, 1921. A return to the former dual alliance has not been suggested by either Government.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of notifications of interrupted cable com munication between Orkney and or Shetland and the mainland for the years 1925, 1926 and 1927, to date, respectively, and the chief contributing cause of the interruptions?

On no occasion during 1925, 1926 or 1927 has communication with either the Orkneys or the Shetlands been entirely interrupted. There are three cables from the mainland to the Orkneys, one to the Shetlands, and one between the two groups of islands (via Fair Isle). Nine repairs have been necessary on this group of cables since the beginning of 1925. Seven were necessitated by breakage believed to be due to a trawler or a ship's anchor; in the other two cases the damage was due to chafing or corrosion.

Has any notice been given to the trawling ports, so that the men on the trawlers may know where the cables come ashore?

Yes, I think so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received a memorandum from the Association of County Staffs of Scottish Colleges of Agriculture relating to the salaries of Scottish county organisers; and, if so, what action, if any, does he propose to raise the salaries of Scottish county organisers to the same level as that of county organisers in England?

I have received the Memorandum referred to. An increase in the scale of salary of the county organisers has been approved as from April, 1926, subject to adjustment of certain details relative to the assimilation of existing salaries to the new scale, and proposals submitted by the governors of the colleges for an improvement of the scale approved are under consideration by the Board of Agriculture. The position and duties of the county organisers in England and Scotland, respectively, are not altogether comparable, and this must necessarily affect the amount of the salaries paid.

Is it not a fact that these increases which have been approved are not at all satisfactory to the staffs or to the directors of these colleges; they are too small to be adequate?

Is it not the case that the higher salaries paid in England induce the best Scottish brains to come to England?

It is very regrettable that sometimes the higher salaries paid in England attract some of the best brains. With regard to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair), the matter is under consideration by the Board of Agriculture at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received Resolution No. 2, as passed at the Scottish Churches Conference on Gambling held on 21st November in Glasgow; and, if so, will facilities be granted for the passing of the Betting (Juvenile Messengers) Bill as a non-contentious Measure?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I cannot give any undertaking as to facilities next Session, but the hon. Member is aware that I approve the principle of the Bill.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the new pattern mackintosh will be introduced as an article of kit for ratings in the Royal Navy?

The mackintosh as at present supplied conforms to the general trade standard for this class of article, but it has been decided that future purchases of mackintoshes shall have a dark grey lining instead of blue in order to avoid the possible staining of white uniform.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the mackintoshes were made in England?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider granting to chief petty officers serving in shore establishments the privilege of going on leave and returning from leave in plain clothes, since this is a request which has often been advanced and which would be much appreciated?

I should be glad if my hon. and Gallant Friend will repeat this question in a week's time.

asked the Minister of Health the number of urban district authorities in England and Wales with full time medical officers of health?

There are 118 non-county boroughs and 182 urban districts in England and Wales with full time medical officers of Health.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Italian Government exercises discriminatory treatment between French brandy and Scottish whisky in favour of the former; whether Scottish whisky is entitled to the benefit of the Most-favoured Nation Treaty Clause; and whether he is prepared to make representations to the Italian Government on the subject?

I am aware that lower duties are levied in Italy on brandy than on whisky, but as these are regarded by the Italian Government as distinct articles, I do not think that representations based on the Most-favoured Nation Clause would serve any useful purpose.

Is it not a great injustice to a product of my country that it is now receiving unfair treatment from the Italian Government, and could not some representations be made either by the Board of Trade or the Foreign Office in regard to the conditions?

I have said that they are two distinct articles, as the hon. and gallant Member knows. One is made from malt and the other from grapes. The hon. and gallant Member probably knows which is which. They are distinct articles. We cannot expect the same treatment as if they were the same thing and of the same nature.

In spite of the fact that they are distinct articles, could not representations be made?

No, Sir. Under the Treaty with Italy we do get the most-favoured nation treatment. We are getting the most-favoured nation treatment on all articles exported there.

Is the hon. Member not aware that although they are two distinct articles they have the same effect?

No, Sir. I am not aware of that fact.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the formation of a steel cartel embracing the chief iron and steel producing European powers; and whether, having regard to the Report of the departmental committee on shipping and shipbuilding that the steel cartel of Germany prior to the war had deliberately plotted to cripple our forges, what steps he proposes to take in view of the heavier imports of the more powerful cartel organised by Germany?

The answer to the first part part of the Question is in the affirmative, and as regards the second I have nothing to add to the statement which I made in this House on the 10th November in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Flint (Mr. Goodman Roberts).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the serious position of the iron and steel trade and the coal trade and their intimate relationship to one another, he will consider setting up a committee to consider the joint position of the two trades?

I do not think any useful purpose would be served by a further enquiry of the kind suggested.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary consider that the time has now arrived when deeds are wanted, not words?

The question has been again and again answered in the House, particularly by the Prime Minister.

Would not a Royal Commission be much better than a Committee, as it will take so much longer to report?

May I ask whether the condition of the iron and steel industries, as stated in the Question, has received the consideration of the Government, and whether it would not be possible for some attention to be given to it having regard to the recommendations of the Royal Commission?

The whole question has had most careful consideration.

As the matter has received careful consideration of the Government can we have the report on the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether his Department is giving its attention to the proposed changes in the Australian tariff; and if representations are being made to the Common wealth Government in order to secure the continuance of preference which has hitherto been given to British exports by the Commonwealth Government?

I have been asked to reply. The proposals in question, though involving higher duties on a certain number of United Kingdom goods, do not reduce the amount of the preference accorded to such goods except in the case of certain descriptions of iron and steel. Indeed in many cases increases in the British preference are proposed. I do not think that any official communication to the Commonwealth Government on the subject is called for.

May I ask whether it is not very important to consider the interests of iron and steel in relation to our trade and industries?

Yes, Sir; very important.

Is it not a fact that these taxes are almost prohibitive of British trade?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is giving consideration to the tendency which obtains in certain Dominions, Colonies, and Dependencies for an increase of tariff duties for the protection of secondary industries within these component parts of the British Empire; and if he will consider the desirability of making an effort to establish a broad economic policy within the Empire, with the object of creating inter-Imperial agreements in relation to the industries in which Dominions, Colonies, and Dependencies should specialise?

I feel sure that my hon. Friend will appreciate that this subject is not one which could be dealt with adequately by means of Parliamentary question and answer. As regards the latter part of the question, I would only add that arrangements by industries for complementary development in different parts of the Empire would appear to be advantageous; but it is obvious that such arrangements could only be the result of negotiations within the industries themselves.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to say what are the results of the negotiations between the granite trade union representatives and his Department?

My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. No such negotiations have taken place.

asked the Prime Minister whether Parliament will be given an opportunity to discuss the new agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Iraq; and, if so, will it be before final ratification?

As this Treaty cannot be ready for ratification for some months to come there will, in the ordinary course, be ample opportunities for Parliamentary discussion before ratification.

May I ask whether this Treaty will be put down for ratification by Parliament in the same way as the Peace Treaties after the War, in view of the great issues involved?

I think I must have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to make a statement in Parliament as to the results of the conversations with the representatives of the Egyptian Government as to the future relations of His Majesty's Government and the Royal Egyptian Government?

As I informed the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Sir J. Power) on the 1st of December, I am unable at present to make any further statement. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that my right hon. Friend will take the House into his confidence at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will assure the House that Members of Parliament will be allowed on the introduction of the pro posed Franchise Bill to give a free vote on the question whether 'both sexes should in future have the vote at the age of 25, especially having regard to the con clusions expressed in the recent Report of the Registrar-General that the age of responsibility and prudence appeared to be reached by men and women alike at about the age of 25?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave in repy to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Sir J. Ganzoni) on the 27th April last.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that a vote so cheaply and easily gained is not appreciated, and that not more than 20 per cent. voted in many of the local elections?

I think we had better reserve speeches until we have the Bill.

Arising out of the answer—

Not another speech?

No, Sir. Is it not a fact that every hon. Member has the right to vote as he likes on every question before the House?

asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has yet been reached as to the legal position of half-pay officers and their political activities; and what action has been taken in regard to any orders issued as to the political activities of such officers?

The matter is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now received a full account of the disarmament proposals of the Russian Government at Geneva; and what is to be the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards this proposal at the next conference or commission?

Yes, Sir. The proceedings at the recent meeting of the Preparatory Commission will receive careful consideration before the attitude of His Majesty's Government at the next meeting of the commission is determined.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that the Soviet Government could not exist for one week but for the armed forces that support it?

That is a matter for argument.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether it is a fact that the Soviet Government have offered to disarm in 12 months if we offer to follow suit in four years?

Is the Prime Minister aware that the head of the Soviet Government, Comrade Stalin, in a speech last week stated that as war was inevitable between this country and Russia, the first duty of the Communist party was to increase their military organisation?

That sounds like a declaration.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Secretary of State for India and the Secretary of State for the Colonies retain certain rights of control over the Commonwealth Trust, Ltd., the attention of His Majesty's Government has been called to the directors' Report and the proposed proceedings for the annual meeting on the 15th instant, in which the directors intimate in advance that they will not oppose a motion which will be brought forward for voting to the trustees a sum of money, namely, £2,500, out of surplus profits not yet earned; and whether, in view of important negotiations now taking place with regard to the future of this company and of the fact that such a vote would prejudice the interests of the shareholders, His Majesty's Government is prepared to intimate to the directors that the intended procedure will require a full explanation?

I have been asked to reply to the hon. Member's question. I have not received this year the Annual Report of the Commonwealth Trust, Ltd., and I have therefore not seen the proposed proceedings for the annual meeting on the 15th inst., but I am asking the directors to furnish me with an explanation of the proposal to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Act authorising the indenture of Native juveniles in Southern Rhodesia includes no minimum age for juveniles who may be indentured; and will His Majesty's Government bear this fact in mind in considering the matter?

The Attorney-General of Southern Rhodesia stated in the course of the Debate in the Legislative Assembly on the Native Juveniles Employment Bill, that he did not anticipate that children younger than eight or nine years of age would be engaged to perform a contract of any sort. Inquiry will, however, be made of the Southern Rhodesia Government as to their precise intentions in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Factories Bill next Session?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the formal announcement of the legislative programme for next Session as contained in the Speech from the Throne.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is intended to publish the results of the investigations that have been made at the fuel research station on the Bergius process for the extraction of oil from coal; and can he state whether any and, if so, which English systems for the foregoing purpose have been investigated?

The question of publication of the results hitherto obtained at the Fuel Research Station, Greenwich, is now under consideration, but it is probable that publication will be delayed until the investigations have been further advanced. No English process for the conversion of coal into oil by hydrogenation has been brought to the notice of the Fuel Research Board. As regards low-temperature carbonisation, besides the work undertaken at the Fuel Sesearch Station, investigations have been conducted into, and reports have been published on, the following English processes: The "Parker" plant at Barugh. The Midland Coal Products, Limited, plant at Netherfield. The "Fusion" rotary retort. The "Freeman" multiple retort of the British Oil and Fuel Conservation, Limited. The "Crozier" retort. The report on the last-mentioned is now in the Press.

Can the hon. Member say, in view of the great importance of this Report, how much longer it will be before it is published?

I regret that I am not able to answer that question without notice.

Has the hon. Member seen a report in the Press of the £12,500,000 capital for a German process?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any conclusion has yet been come to in the matter of establishing a more satisfactory definition of miners' nystagmus; and whether he is aware that the present definition is differently inter preted by different ophthalmic surgeons and makes it difficult for the medical referees to give equitable decisions in many of these cases?

I fully realise the unsatisfactoriness of the present position, but the matter is one of very considerable difficulty, and I have found it necessary to refer again to the Medical Research Council for further advice on certain points. I regret, therefore, that it is not yet possible to come to a final decision.

asked the Home Secretary whether the case, Lovett v. Yorkshire Coal Owners In demnity Company, Limited, has now been considered by the Public Prosecutor; and, if so, with what results?

The Director of Public Prosecutions informs me that the matter is under investigation, and he is not yet in a position to come to a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many British troops are now in Shanghai;

(2) how many more British troops are now in China than were in the country prior to the sending out of the Shanghai Defence Force?

In addition to the normal establishment of three battalions, there are now nine infantry battalions in China, of which six are at Shanghai.

Does that include the troops on their way to China now?

I answered that question last week. The only troops on their way are drafts for reinforcements.

Is it proposed to set aside a day for Parliament to thank the troops in China for the exemplary conduct they have displayed?

Are we to understand that there are only British infantry in China now, and no tanks or guns?

No; ancillary troops, as I have said. They include those necessary for the support of the infantry. With regard to the other question, Wednesday's Debate would give the hon. and gallant Gentleman the opportunity he wants.

Is it proposed to make any reduction in the numbers of the Shanghai Defence Force in the near future?

There is no reduction beyond those that have previously been notified.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Indian troops were taken to China during this year; how long they remained there; and whether they have now all been returned to India?

Four infantry battalions, together with ancillary troops, were sent to China from India at the beginning of the year, Of these battalions, two were British and two Indian. Two battalions returned to India in July and most of the rest of these troops returned in September and October. There are now only a few invalids from this Indian contingent remaining in China.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in considering the question of the totalisator with regard to betting, he will consider the advisability of a recognition of State lotteries?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has accrued to the Treasury from film companies engaged in making films with Government assistance, specifying the details?

The amount in question is £13,544. I am afraid that it would not be in the public interest for me to give details of the receipts.

Does that amount include the amount received by the Treasury for the hire of official British War films?

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that it is very much in the public interest to state how much the Treasury has received from this source? What possible cause can be injured by the publication?

My hon. Friend perhaps did not hear my answer, in which the amount was given, namely, £13,500. As to details, may I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister last week—on December 6th?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I asked that question of the Prime Minister, who said that if I wanted to obtain detailed figures I should ask a specific question about them. I have now done that, and why have we not had the figures given?

I have given these figures to the best of my ability.

Is there any reason why we should not have a proper balance-sheet showing how much was paid or lost by the Treasury on these films?

Is there any reason to hide this transaction or any reason why we should not have the particulars of these films?

The Prime Minister gave a long answer with full details to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy). He actually gave the information for which the hon. Gentleman now asks.

Is it a fact that, in reply to the supplementary question I put, the Prime Minister said that if we wanted any further details with regard to the profit on each film, that question should be put to the Departments?

What the Prime Minister said is a perfectly sufficient answer to the question.

In this question I have asked for specific details, and the hon. Gentleman keeps on avoiding the point by referring to some previous answer that has no reference to it. What has the Treasury to conceal?

The Treasury has nothing to conceal. My reply is that I cannot better the answer given by the Prime Minister.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that very great assistance has been given to these companies, and that when he says he cannot give details he simply makes people suspicious?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the practice of the Civil Service for medical tests of candidates to be made subsequent to their passing examinations for Government appointments; and whether, seeing that a number of successful candidates, who have spent money and time in preparation for these examinations, are disqualified for selection owing to failure to pass the medical tests, he will consider the possibility of making arrangements for candidates to be medically examined before they embark on their preparation for the educational examinations?

It is not the practice of the Civil Service Commissioners to examine the physical qualifications of persons who apply for admission to Civil Service examinations. Their physical eligibility for appointment is investigated in the event of their success. The number of candidates unsuccessful at an examination is normally much greater than the number of successful. The medical examination of all applicants would put the majority to unnecessary expense in payment of medical examiners' fees and would involve an expensive and unprofitable addition to the work of the Civil Service Commission. The Commissioners issue a memorandum for the guidance of intending candidates, setting out physical qualifications of importance, and recommending intending candidates, who are in doubt as to their eligibility, to be examined by their own medical advisers before they begin preparation for a competition.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many cases of very great hardship arise owing to young men who have prepared over a period of years for these examinations being subsequently rejected on some minor defects of eyesight or what not, with the result that their period of preparation has been wasted?

That is the question on the Paper.

Would it not be possible to charge applicants fees for a prior medical examination, so that if anyone wanted to be examined 12 months before he sat for the examination, he could be examined at his own expense? Civil Service doctors would be very glad to get such fees from the public.

That would cause a great deal of labour and expense. In one examination last year there were 20,000 applicants and only 8,000 places open to them; so 12,000 would, if the suggestion now made were followed, have to pay for being examined without any chance of their getting any place in the examination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, as a point of principle, any written agreement was made with the new economic adviser to his Department as to his being debarred from unofficial activities of any character which were of a nature similar to those of his official post?

The conditions attaching to Sir George Schuster's appointment as economic and financial adviser were not embodied in any written agreement.