asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the proposed widening of Church Road, Stanmore, is to be accompanied by the erection of shops on the village green and the consequent destruction of the amenities of that village; and whether he will refuse any assistance from the Road Fund for this proposal until he is satisfied that the character of the village will be preserved?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have given to a similar question by the hon. Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Gardner), and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of new houses which have been built the rents of which are uncontrolled; the number of old houses the rents of which have been decontrolled; and the number of houses with rents still controlled under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest. (Restriction) Acts?

The Rent Acts do not apply to new houses erected after or in course of erection on the 2nd April, 1919, or to houses which have been since that date or were at that date being bona fide reconstructed by way of conversion into two or more separate and self-contained flats or tenements. The number of new houses erected to which the Acts do not apply is approximately 1,050,000, but I have no particulars of the numbers of houses which have been converted. Statistics are not available of the numbers of houses which have been decontrolled and the numbers which are still controlled.

asked the Minister of Health the price of British-made bricks now and pre-War; and the quantities of bricks imported in each of the last three years, with the average price?

The prices of bricks vary according to grade and locality. According to the reports published from time to time by the Interdepartmental Committee appointed to survey the prices of building materials, the price of Fletton bricks at Willesden in April, 1914, was 22s. 6d. per thousand. The corresponding price at Willesden at the present time is, I understand, 55s. The imports of bricks of earth or clay during the last three years, and the average declared value, were as follow:

Year.	Number.	Average declared value per 1,000(c.i.f.)
		Shillings.
1925	158,900,000	56·46
1926	228,892,000	56·95
1927 (Jan.-Nov).	263,290,000	50·94

asked the Minister of Health if he has received representations from owner-occupiers of new houses in Manchester calling attention to their objections to the requirements of the local authorities who have served notice requiring the making up of streets; whether he is aware that such notices do not state under what Statute they are issued; that the schedule of work is more costly than is provided by the same authority in respect of municipal houses; and what steps he proposes to take to mitigate this discrimination against the owners of privately-built houses?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Moss Side (Mr. G. Hurst).

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that some villages in England and Wales are many miles away from the relieving officer of the district and that some other relieving officer is more easily available, he will make a Regulation empowering such other officer to give relief in cases of sudden urgent necessity, or whether he will take steps to secure an amendment of Section 35 (1) of the Poor Law Act, 1927, so as to make it clear that a relieving officer may assist any person in sudden urgent necessity outside his union without any risk of incurring the penalties provided by Section 227 of that Act?

The suggestion of the hon. Member would require legislation, which my right hon. Friend cannot at present contemplate.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a case before the Mansfield magistrates on 28th November, when 24 casuals were convicted for refusal to do work, and, if so, whether he has investigated the men's complaints that the ward was overcrowded and some of them had to sleep on the boards and were not provided with three blankets each; what was the number of casuals which under the Regulations the ward was intended to accommodate, and what number there was in the ward on the night in question; whether the men were provided by the guardians with the sleeping accommodation and bed-clothing required by Article 16 (1) of the Casual Provisional Order, 1925; and whether it reached the reasonable and proper standard which the Circular accompanying the said Order declared to be essential?

Yes, Sir. The existing accommodation at the wards is for 53 men, and I have no reason to suppose that a deficiency of the accommodation or of the provision made was connected with the offence for which the men were prosecuted. I will, however, make inquiries on the further points raised by the hon. Member, and will communicate with him in due course.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the issue of forms of return under the Rating and Valuation Act which comprise questions as to the capital cost of the hereditament and of any improvements or additions thereto, questions requiring detailed descriptions of the machinery and plant in industrial hereditaments, and also questions, involving matters of opinion and not of fact, as to the estimated value of the hereditament and the plant and machinery which is to be deemed to form part thereof in accordance with Schedule 3 of the Act; and whether he will take steps to bring to the notice of rating authorities the fact that such questions go beyond the scope of the information specified by him in his Order No. 795, prescribing the matters in regard to which information will normally be necessary, and that, unless more uniform procedure is adopted, unnecessary expense to ratepayers will be occasioned?

My attention has been called to certain questions of the nature referred to in the forms of return issued by some rating authorities. I am advised that I am not empowered to limit the discretion of local authorities to ask such questions as may be reasonably required for the purposes of carrying out the Act, and I am not, therefore, in a position to issue directions to rating authorities in the matter. The question of the reasonable necessity of any information asked for is one that could in the last resort only be authoritatively determined by the Courts, though I am confident that any differences of opinion as to the reasonableness of questions should generally admit of amicable settlement by conference between the ratepayers and the officers of rating authorities. I, personally, should deprecate any action which would tend to cause avoidable expenditure in the administration of the Act, and I propose to refer the matter to the Central Valuation Committee for consideration at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health whether any and, if so, what alterations have been made or are proposed in the arrangements described in his answers on 8th and 18th February, 1926, 29th July, 1926, and 11th November, 1926, for the hearing of appeals by applicants whose claims to pensions by virtue of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, are rejected by the Minister; whether the proposed précis of the more important cases decided on appeal has yet been published; and, if not, when it is likely to be published?

As regards the first part of the question, there has been a temporary increase in the number of referees, but, apart from this, no alteration has been made or is proposed in the arrangements for the hearing of appeals under the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925; as regards the second and third parts, the précis referred to, "Précis of Decisions on Appeals," has been on sale since November.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that, in order to utilise the stocks of ground nuts in Spain that have accumulated this year, the mixing of oil from these nuts with olive oil has been authorised; and whether he will take steps to prohibit the importation of this adulterated oil into this country?

Yes, Sir; my right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to this matter, but he has no power to prohibit the importation of the mixed oil. It would be illegal under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts to sell the mixed oil as olive oil, but there is nothing in those Acts to prevent its sale under some accurate description.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of promotions of male clerical officers to the junior executive class and the higher clerical class, respectively, since 6th August, 1925, and the names of the Departments, and the number of promotions involved, in which the promotions have been made?

According to the information in my possession, the number of promotions of male officers of the clerical or Departmental clerical classes to the executive class (£100-£400) in the various Departments since 6th August, 1925, is as follows:

Admiralty	43
Air Ministry	1
Civil Service Commission	1
Customs and Excise	9
Friendly Societies Registry	1
India Office	5
Ministry of Labour	2
Ministry of Pensions	3
General Post Office	68
Paymaster-General	1
Public Trustee Office	1
Scottish Education Department	1
Welsh Board of Health	1
	137

The above figure relates only to substantive promotions; in addition to the above, a number of promotions have been made on an acting basis. Particulars as to the number of promotions of male clerical officers to higher clerical posts in the period in question are not available, and could not be obtained without considerable labour.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many established civil servants are officials of or are employed by any person or organisation outside the Civil Service; and whether those who are so employed and receive a salary for their services receive that salary in addition to their pay from the Civil Service, or whether such salary is refunded to the Treasury?

I do not appreciate the issue to which the hon. Member's question is directed, but I would remind him that under Clause 17 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, permanent officers in His Majesty's civil establishments are precluded from accepting any post in the management of any society, or any trading, commercial, industrial or financial firm or company, which would require their attendance at any time between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. This matter is also the subject of detailed Departmental Regulations dealing with the special circumstances of particular Departments, and based upon the principle that no civil servant may at any time engage in any activity which would in any way tend to impair his usefulness, or be inconsistent with his position, as a public servant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that William McCarfrae, painter, Brodick, Arran, was on the 18th August, 1927, requested by the inspector of taxes in Bute to send his bank books for perusal and early return; that he at once complied with this resquest; that he only received one of the bank books back on 3rd December; whether it is usual to hold up the bank books of businesses in this manner and, if not, what were the exceptional circumstances in this case; and can he state the number of businesses during 1927 in Bute and in Scotland that had a similar request?

Inquiries are being made into this matter, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that His Majesty's inspector of taxes, Portsmouth, first district, is sending a memorandum to naval pensioners asking for information as to rank or rating and number; regiment, ship or service; pension number; department or office by which the pension is issued; and whether, in view of the fact that only the two last questions appear to be necessary for the purpose of assessing Income Tax and the objection taken by naval pensioners against these methods, he will issue instructions that those two only are to be asked?

I will cause inquiry to be made into this matter, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the disquietude among women aged 70 and over, wives of insured persons aged between 65 and 70 on 2nd January, 1928, in that while the husbands have been informed that pension will be payable on 6th January, 1928, no intima- tion has been received by the wives; and if he has any reason to anticipate that the pension of these women will not be payable during the first week of January?

As regards the first part of the question, the answer is in the negative; as regards the second part, there is no reason to anticipate that the women concerned will not receive payment in the first week of January.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the policy and practice of the British Broadcasting Corporation to make the utmost use of British artists in the designing and drawing or painting work carried out for the Corporation?

This is a matter within the discretion of the British Broadcasting Corporation, but if the hon. and gallant Member will let me know what precise work he has in mind, I will bring the matter to their notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government of India to introduce legislation for regulating insurance business in India, and to impose Regulations demanding deposit of security in the case of foreign companies engaged in insurance business in India?

A Bill for the purpose indicated was introduced in the Indian Legislative Assembly and referred to a Select Committee in 1926. I am not aware how matters now stand, but will inquire. The Bill required deposit of security in the case of Indian as well as foreign banks, with certain exceptions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received any information with regard to the famine in the district of Burdwan, caused by the failure of rain; and, if so, what steps are being taken to meet the distress?

My Noble Friend has no information on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of police or civilians who have been killed by the Wahabi raiders in Iraq and the amount of damage done or property stolen on the occasions of these raids?

Information in regard to the casualties resulting from the Wahabi raids was given in my replies to questions put by the hon. Member of the 25th November, and the 14th December. I have nothing to add. I can give no details as to damage done or property stolen on the occasion of these raids.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the name and nationality of the artist who designed the posters issued by the Empire Marketing Board urging us to buy British Empire goods, and the total cost to the taxpayers of his services;(2) whether, and, if so, how many, tenders were received for the designing of posters issued by the Empire Marketing Board; whether the lowest tender was accepted; and, if not, on what basis was the contract awarded?

The posters issued by the Empire Marketing Board have been designed by a large number of different artists who have been invited from time to time to submit designs for the Board's consideration, and whose fees have been settled by individual negotiation in each case. It would be most undesirable to employ only one artist as suggested in the question, or to put out designing work to public tender. It is the policy of the Board to invite the leading artists distinguished for their poster work to submit designs from time to time, and designs from approximately 50 artists have been accepted to date, and the total cost in artists' fees is £3,448 5s.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the value and political importance of the Dead Sea salts, he will assure the House that no concession to deal with them shall be granted to any applicants except on the lines of a chartered company for working such concession in furtherance of Empire interests under adequate British control?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a question in similar terms put to me on the 19th December by the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Government of Kenya is selling the residential plots at Mombasa subject to the condition that Europeans only can reside there; and whether he is taking any steps in the matter to safeguard the rights of the Indian community?

There are certain areas in Mombasa in which, owing to previous legal commitments, racial restrictions as to leases and occupation will have to continue. The reasons for this state of affairs were fully set out in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on the 10th June, 1926, to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has given approval to the recommendations of the Feetham Commission in regard to North Nairobi?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 17th November to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a letter submitted to the Chief Native Commissioner in Kenya by the Kikuyu Central Association, expressing the desire of the native population to retain direct control by the Colonial Office; and, if not, whether, in view of the importance and difficulty of ascertaining native opinion on this question, he will take steps to obtain this letter and give it his consideration?

No, Sir. The subject comes within the reference of the East Africa Commission who will no doubt take such representations into account before making their recommendations.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he is aware that some of the footpaths in the Delamere Forest have been, and others are about to be, forbidden to the public; and whether he will take steps to restore the rights-of-way, which are of age long establishment?

For the protection of young plantations in Delamere Forest, it is necessary, for the time being, to close some of the footpaths which the public have been permitted to use, but no public rights of way have been or will be closed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the French Government is enforcing an Order that all goods exported to France and liable to an ad valorem rate of duty must be accompanied by an invoice bearing a French consular legalisation stamp; that a charge of 11s. 8d. is made for such stamp on all goods of the value of £4 and upwards; and that this Regulation is seriously affecting the export of small parcels of goods; and whether he can make any representations to the French Government with a view to inducing it to abolish or reduce the charge now made?

My attention has been called to the matter, and His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris has already been instructed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to approach the French Government on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that a consignment of woollen and silk rags consigned to a Dewsbury merchant is lying at the Goole Docks; that although the consignee, on the request of the Customs authorities, has certified that the rags will be carbonised and the silk destroyed, the Customs officers insist on a duty of 1s. per lb. being paid before releasing the rags, and that the rags cost 5½d. per lb.; and whether he will have the matter investigated?

Inquiries are being made into the matter referred to in the hon. Member's question, and I will communicate with him when they are completed.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any restrictions have hitherto been imposed by the Polish Government on the quantity of British-caught fish permitted to be imported into Poland and, if so, what these restrictions are; and whether any alteration has recently been made or is anticipated in regard to these restrictions?

The importation of certain kinds of fish into Poland, including salted herrings in which the United Kingdom is mainly interested, has been prohibited except under licence for some time past. Recently the Polish Government, in response to representations by His Majesty's Government, undertook to issue licences for a substantially larger quantity of these herrings. I understand that the question of a further relaxation of the prohibition is now being considered by the Polish authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education in view of the fact that the area statistics relating to elementary, secondary and technical education, and the financial statistics, have been omitted from the Statistics of Public Education for 1925–26, and in view of their importance as an indication of the progress made by local authorities, if he proposes to publish them in a separate paper?

I propose in future to publish, from time to time, such area statistics as may appear desirable in the form of separate pamphlets. One such pamphlet (on the Staffing of Public Elementary Schools in England) has already been published and another is now in press. As regards financial statistics, I do not think that the tables previously included in the Annual Volume of Statistics were of any value for the purpose to which the hon. Member refers. Comprehensive particulars are given annually in the Memorandum on the Board's Estimates and in the Notes to the Appropriation Account.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many aeroplanes known as the Isacco Heliogyre have been acquired or are being built; and what is the approximate cost?

The Air Ministry has purchased a plan of the machine referred to and the right to build one aircraft of this type, but no such aircraft has been acquired and it will be some time before sufficient technical preparation can be made, conjunction with the inventor, for building a machine; the second part of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the instalments in respect of subsidy to Imperial Airways are paid in arrear or in advance; and for what periods and in what sums have they been paid for the European and Eastern routes in arrear or in advance?

As regards the European services, the subsidy of (at present) £137,000 per annum is paid monthly in arrear, and the amount so far paid has been £498,680, made up of three amounts of £137,000 each in respect of the three years ending 31st March, 1927, and £87,680 in respect of the current financial year to date. As regards the Eastern services, the possible maximum subsidy of £93,600 per annum is payable up to a total of £85,000 by instalments in advance, the balance of £8,600, so far as it is earned, being payable in arrear. The instalments so far paid have been; £30,000 in December, 1926; £30,000 in June, 1927; and £25,000 in September, 1927.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the making of a grant of marriage allowance to married naval officers when placed on half-pay, having regard to the fact that half-pay, as a rule, means about one-third of the pay actually received by them when they are employed?

I regret that it is not possible, in view of the decision of His Majesty's Government on the question, to introduce any form of allowance for married naval officers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of expenditure, as near the correct figure as possible, originally defrayed from public funds, that has been incurred in the production of films made for public exhibition, which have depicted either His Majesty's ships, vessels, naval establishments or personnel, giving the details of each film separately; and whether this amount has been duly recovered from the film-producing company by the Admiralty?

Up to the present the additional expenditure incurred amounts to about £430 which has been recovered from the film-producing companies. I may remind the hon. Member that when His Majesty's ships, etc., are photographed for film purposes they are merely carrying out their ordinary duties and are not required to perform special evolutions for the benefit of film producers. Moreover, the latter largely employ ex-service men to take the part of naval personnel in the films. The expense imposed on public funds on account of facilities given to producers is therefore small.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the terms of the contract for the repair of the floating dock at Rosyth provide for the necessary labour being engaged through the Dunfermline Employment Exchange; and whether, in view of the growing unemployment in the district, he will cause this condition to be observed in any future contract?

The contractor will be urged to engage any necessary labour he may need through the Dunfermline Employment Exchange, but it is not practicable to make it a condition of contract that the contractor should recruit his workmen through any particular Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, men and women, respectively, above the age of 65, who are in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit; and what is the estimated saving to the Unemployment Insurance Fund for the 12 months from 2nd January, 1928, following the stopping of benefit to all persons aged 65 or over?

There are no statistics available which show the number of persons above the age of 65 who are at present in receipt of unemployment benefit. A sample inquiry made in April last indicates that at that time rather less than 34,000 men and 1,000 women aged 65 or over were making claims on which benefit was authorised. Allowing for the loss in income arising from the reduced contributions in respect of persons aged 65 or over, it is estimated, on the basis of the above numbers, that a saving to the Fund will arise amounting to approximately £1,000,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of persons over 60 and over 65, respectively, who are insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts and also the numbers of such categories who are employed in the mining industry, the shipbuilding industry and the iron and steel trades?

TABLE showing for certain industries the estimated number of persons of various ages insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in Great Britain at July, 1927.
Industry.					Estimated number insured aged
					60 and over.		65 and over.
					Males.	Females.	Males.	Females.
All insured industries	…	…	…	…	669,000*	53,000*	319,000	23,000
Coal mining	…	…	…	…	78,400	Not available.	34,200	Not available.
Shipbuilding	…	…	…	…	18,200		7,100
Pig iron (Blast Furnaces)	…	…	…	…	3,600		1,500
Steel melting and iron puddling furnaces, iron and steel rolling mills and forges.					15,700		6,400
These figures include unemployed insured persons as well as those in employment.
*Excluding persons insured under Special Schemes as to which particulars for age groups are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour the total sum expended in out-of-work donation and unemployment benefit since 1918 to the present time?

The total sums paid since the 1st January, 1918, to 10th December, 1927, by way of out-of-work donation and unemployment benefit are approximately as follow:

		£
Out-of-work donation	…	62,448,000
Unemployment benefit	…	316,940,000

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that John Wilshire, of Aberbeeg, Monmouth, who was formerly employed at the Aberpergwm Collieries, Glynneath, Glamorgan, prior to the coal stoppage of last year, applied to the Resolven Exchange, case No. 4,120 A.D., and was refused payment on the ground that he was idle because of the coal trade stoppage; that he has travelled the whole coalfield but has failed to secure employment; that he applied at the Abertillery Exchange, No. 5,271, on 17th November, 1926, and was again refused; and that he again

Exact figures are not available, but the following table gives the best estimate that can be made on the basis of such information as is at my disposal:applied to the Crumlin Exchange in November last and is still refused unemployment payment although he has done all he can to secure employment; and will he cause inquiries to be made so that his claim shall be granted?

I regret that inquiries in this case have not yet been completed. I will expedite them and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the confusion that exists in the entertainment industry with regard to the application of the Unemployment Insurance Acts; whether he is aware that many men who are engaged on Monday mornings and sometimes also on Monday afternoons unloading scenery, etc., and fixing it up in theatres and music halls have recently been declared to be uninsurable if they are engaged as scene-shifters in the evenings; whether this decision was given with his knowledge and approval; how this decision is to be reconciled with paragraph 11 of Memorandum 282/X; why limelight operators, who come within the category of part-time employés, and who usually work less hours than any other section in the industry, have been declared to be insurable; whether any consideration has been given to the representations made with respect to the present position and the different interpretations given at various Exchanges; and, if so, will he state the result?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the confusion that exists in the entertainment industry with regard to the application of the Health Insurance Acts, and that many men who are engaged on Monday mornings and sometimes also on Monday afternoons unloading scenery, etc., and fixing it up in theatres and music halls, have recently been declared to be uninsurable if they are engaged as scene shifters in the evenings; whether this decision was given with his knowledge and approval, in view of paragraph 11 of Memorandum 282/X; why limelight operators, who come within the category of part-time employés and who usually work less hours than any other section in the industry, have been declared to be insurable; whether any consideration has been given to the representations made at the conference held with the Department in June last; and, if so, will he state the result?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has no reason to suppose that the requirements of the Acts are not generally understood in the industry. Men engaged on Mondays as described in the question are usually non-insurable under an Order referring to subsidiary employments, and my right hon. Friend has so decided in a particular case under Section 89 of the Health Insurance Act, with due regard to the Memorandum referred to. The position was fully explained to representatives of employers and employés at a conference in June last, and steps have subsequently been taken to secure uniformity of practice. Limelight operators are also non-insurable if they fall within the category of part-time stage hands.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Dutch pigs are being sent to the Irish Free State for slaughter there, and the carcases dressed by Dutch dressers and exported to this country and admitted as the produce of the Irish Free State; and whether, in view of this evasion of the embargo on the importation of pork from Holland, he will extend this prohibition to its importation from the Irish Free State?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 9th November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Sudbury (Colonel Burton), a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported in Birmingham or district during the last fortnight; what areas if any, are thereby affected; and, what number of cattle, sheep, and pigs, respectively, have been slaughtered in consequence?

Six outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease were confirmed in the Birmingham district during the period 10th to 21st December, of which four were in the city itself. The infected area restrictions apply to an area of approximately 15 miles round Birmingham, which embraces portions of Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. Sixty cattle and 70 pigs have been slaughtered by the Ministry as affected, or as having been exposed to the risk of infection.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the appropriateness of discussing with Japan and the United States the desirability of ascertaining whether an offer of the joint good services of the three Powers in endeavouring to assist in effecting a settlement of the present imbroglio would be favourably entertained by all parties in China?

His Majesty's Government are in constant communication with the Governments of Japan and of the United States of America on all matters concerning their joint interests in China. While His Majesty's Government are anxious to take any proper action lying within their power that might assist towards the restoration of peace in China, I do not see any reason at present to believe that the stop suggested by the hon. Member would contribute towards the attainment of this end.