asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received a report of the rioting which took place at Calcutta on Friday, 3rd February; and if he can give the House full particulars?

My Noble Friend has so far received brief telegraphic reports, but they contain no further particulars than those published in the Press.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the reasons for the action taken by the Government in ordering the suppression of the Wunthanu in 11 villages in Burma; and whether these institutions are recognised as lawful associations?

The local Government have found it necessary to declare unlawful certain associations in villages in the Tharrawaddy district owing to the activities of their officers and members in connection with the withholding of tax-payments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a decision has been arrived at by the Government with regard to the findings of the Indian Sandhurst Committee, presided over by Sir Andrew Skeen, Chief of the General Staff in India; and, if so, the terms of the decision?

I fear I cannot add anything at the moment to the reply I gave the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) on the 5th December last, of which I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy.

Is there any likelihood of the publication in the near future of these details?

In all probability an announcement will be made by the Government in India, in the Legislative Assembly, in the course of the present Session of that Assembly.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the lance is to be abolished as a weapon of war in our Indian cavalry?

I have not heard that any proposal has yet been made in India on this matter.

When is it proposed to do away with the cavalry themselves?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what response from the Indian political leaders has been made to the manifesto of Sir John Simon issued last Tuesday; and what is the present position with regard to the Statutory Commission?

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press. According to this, while certain gentlemen, representing the Congress, Nationalist and Independent parties, and Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, have declared their continued determination to hold aloof from the Commission, the Commission are proceeding successfully with their plans of establishing contact with other representative persons of influence.

Did not the Noble Lord explain to this House a little while ago that in the special circumstances of the case it was impossible to obtain representative Indian opinion by a Commission which was less numerous than one of 20 persons, and is not the offer of the right hon. and learned Member for Spen Valley (Sir J. Simon) in itself contra- dictory either of the Noble Lord's statement or inviting insufficient representation?

Is it not the case that the offer of the right hon. and learned Member for Spen Valley (Sir J. Simon) really goes almost further than any proposal made in this House to give the greatest amount of representation to Indian opinion?

I say with great respect that I think it would be rather inappropriate to have a discussion on this question in view of the fact that the Statutory Commission has been invested with full power not only by His Majesty's Government but by the unanimous vote of this House and of another place. I think it right that they, rather than this House, should discuss the matter of procedure.

Will the Noble Lord kindly explain to me if the right hon. and learned Member for Spen Valley has discovered that seven Indians can represent Indian opinion, whereas the Noble Lord told us that not fewer than 20 could represent it?

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he will inform this House as to the events leading up to shots being fired upon unarmed demonstrators at Madras on 3rd February; the number, respectively, killed, injured, and arrested on that occasion; and what efforts were made by the police authorities to disperse the crowd by other and less forcible methods?

My Noble Friend has not yet received sufficiently detailed reports to enable me to reply fully to this question, but fairly detailed accounts have appeared in the Press. His latest information is that the casualties resulting from the firing by the police were one killed and three injured—one seriously. The reason for the firing was that a large crowd was stoning the police and declined to disperse. The crowd had previously burned a motor-car, and according to the Press had looted a shop which had remained open.

Will the Noble Lord kindly inquire if it is not now the settled policy of the officials in India always to have some shooting?

That is a very improper question to put.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is evidence of Bolshevist activity in Palestine directed against this country among either Moslems or Jews?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the spread of Communist propaganda in Palestine and to the inflammatory leaflets that are being circulated there; and if he can say from what sources these publications originate?

I am aware that there is a small Communist party in Palestine, containing both Arab and Jewish members, which is carrying on a certain amount of propaganda against the British mandate. Its activities are also directed against the Zionist movement. I believe the influence of the party to be small; it obtained only 6 per cent, of the votes cast at the most recent elections to the Council of the General Federation of Jewish Labour. The High Commissioner is fully alive to the position and I am satisfied that matters may safely be left in his hands.

On a point of Order. With regard to Question No. 7, is Bolshevist activity a recognised and definite term, having a definite meaning?

The hon. Member will be able to understand what is meant?

What is meant by "activities against"? Is it legitimate propaganda?

Propaganda against the mandate and the Government of Palestine.

Is the position, then, that this small group of Communists in Palestine is advocating the same policy as the extreme die-hard section of the Conservative party in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will inquire as to the exact nature of the system of raising revenue now adopted in Palestine in lieu of werko?

So far as I am aware the werko tax is still in operation in Palestine.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries about this matter, because there have been notices appearing in the papers that werko have been abolished so far as the towns are concerned and will be abolished for the rural districts?

I know that the matter is under consideration, but as far as I am aware werko has not yet been abolished.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

Will my right hon. Friend explain what "werko" is?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, now that the Palestinian loan has been subscribed, steps have been taken to modernise the quarantine station at Haifa and to establish it in a healthy situation?

An expenditure of £E2,200 has been incurred on the improvement of housing conditions at the Haifa quarantine station. As regards the healthiness of the site, I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply which I gave him on the 28th of March, 1927.

Does that mean that this extra expenditure has been incurred on the present site, which is next door to a malarial swamp and lake?

Yes, I think it is on the present site, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will recollect that I did not take the view that it is quite so near to anything malarial as he suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I myself was able to throw a stone from Haifa station into these swamps on the spot, and is it not time this station was removed to a healthier place? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Agriculture Minister would not allow his pedigree herds to be put there and that a new farm was made for them up in the hills?

I have no knowledge of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's stone-throwing capacities.

Now that the right hon. Gentleman has returned like a giant refreshed, will he see into this matter?

If my hon. and gallant Friend's capacity was 100 yards, would that be considered sufficient?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement with regard to the platinum deposits which have been found in Sierra Leone; whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the conditions under which the right to mine has been offered to speculators; and whether he will consider the desirability of retaining control of these deposits in the interests of the Protectorate, and particularly for the benefit of the natives?

I can add nothing to the official announcement of the discovery which appeared in the newspapers on the 4th January. The grant of prospecting and mining rights is carefully regulated by the local law, and there does not appear to be any need for making inquiries on the subject. A new Minerals Ordinance has been passed recently with the object of vesting in the Crown full control of the deposits, and of securing a fair share of their value for the public revenues.

asked the Secretary of State for Colonies whether he is aware that game preserves in Kenya, under the existing ordinances, encourage the tsetse fly, and operate against native and development needs; and whether he will take steps to have such laws amended?

I have no reason to suppose that the existence of the game reserves in Kenya has the results referred to in the question, and I am advised that there is no evidence available to show that these insects are increasing or spreading anywhere in the colony.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a letter which appeared in the "Times" about two months ago from his colleague, the hon. Member for Blackburn (Sir S. Henn), who is an authority on East Africa, directing his attention entirely to this question of the dangers from these game preserves in Kenya?

No, I am afraid I have not seen the letter, but so far as I know there is very little tsetse fly in Kenya itself, and I think not in the neighbourhood of the game preserve areas.

Is there not a great deal of destruction of native herds by lions from these game areas?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received a copy of the Report of the Commission on Native Labour in Kenya in 1927; and, if so, whether he can make it available to Members of Parliament?

A copy of the Report will be placed in the Library of the House; but I should explain that the Acting Governor has pointed out that it cannot be accepted as an expression of the opinion of the Government of Kenya, but merely as a statement of facts based on statistics in regard to the present labour supply on estates, and of views expressed by the members of the Commission in regard to conditions outside the estates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the area of the land alienated to Europeans in Kenya for the years 1923–1927, respectively, and the area that it is proposed should be so alienated in 1928?

I am not in a position to give the figures for 1927 nor an estimate for 1928, but the areas of grants registered in the preceding years were as follow:—

Is the alienation of land continuing during the inquiries of the Commission, or is it being held up until the Commission has reported?

I do not think it is held up on account of the Commission.

May we take it that all the land which is alienated is not alienated in fee-simple, but on lease at reviseable rents?

Yes, that is the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a reply to his inquiries upon the rights of the natives occupying lands within the native reserves, as disclosed in the case of Douglas Morangi; and what action has been taken with a view to resettling the people dispossessed under the judgment in this case?

I have received a reply from the Governor, who informs me that the matter of native claims to individual rights over land will be taken up as soon as the question of the reserves generally has been settled by the proposed Native Lands Trust Ordinance. As regards the second part of the question, the Governor reports that, in accordance with Kikuyu land law, Douglas Morangi and his party had no rights to the land in question; that the Government, in compensation for the burning of the huts, offered, without prejudice or any admission of liability, a sum of shillings 2,000, which is stated to be far in excess of any damage that could possibly have been sustained, but that the natives concerned refused to accept any alternative to their reinstatement on the land, a course which the Colonial Government was unable to approve.

Cannot this matter be reconsidered, as these people have been deprived of land to which they consider they have a perfectly good title and are now wandering about without any lands at all, so that the amount mentioned is no recompense for them?

I understand these particular natives do consider that they have a claim to this land, but other natives of the same tribe, including the chief of the tribe, also consider that they have an indefeasible claim to this land, of which they have need. The majority of the displaced natives have alternative homes and means of occupation in other parts of the same tribal area, and the older people have been allowed to continue with the consent of the chief in the land which they occupy.

Having regard to the large amount of land that is being alienated in Kenya, would it not be possible to find equivalent land for these people who have been dispossessed?

It is not a question of dispossession. This is a problem concerning natives living inside the same reserve. Certain natives are claiming a kind of individual ownership on the ground of occupation, which tribal custom denies them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no natives are allowed, in Kenya, to own any land outside the reserve?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of British Somaliland has made any representations on the subject of the award given as to the Abyssinian attack on their caravan; what was their nature; and what action is being taken on them?

His Majesty's Government, in consultation with the Government of Somaliland, is considering the allocation of the compensation awarded by the Court of Arbitration. I am not prepared to make any statement on the subject at present.

Is it not a fact that the local government were not satisfied with the method of finding the award, and is the constitution of that arbitration court to be considered either as desirable or as a precedent in similar cases?

I am not prepared to make a statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any further negotiations have taken place between the Colonial Office and Mr. Novamesky in regard to the Dead Sea potash concessions; and, if so, what has been the result?

The Crown Agents for the Colonies, acting on behalf of the Palestine and Trans-Jordan Governments, have continued their negotiations with Major Tulloch and Mr. Novomeysky. The results of the negotiations to date are now under examination by the two Governments concerned.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Communist organisation has made any protest about this concession?

Not that I am aware of.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what casualties the Iraq forces sustained during the recent raids by the Wahabis; and whether the Royal Air Force took any part in the various engagements?

So far as I am aware no casualties have been sustained by the military forces of the Iraq Government during the recent Akhwan raids. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The Royal Air Force have on more than one occasion succeeded in locating the marauders and in engaging them with good effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether research work is now being carried out at the Amani Institute?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has now been done to give effect to the provisions of the East African Loan Act?

Sanction has been given for expenditure under the loan amounting to £3,086,642. Additional proposals are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to introduce legislation dealing with the constitutional position in British Guiana?

I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Has the deputation from the elective members of the combined Court arrived in this country from British Guiana?

I understand that it has.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no mention was made of referring the Stevenson restriction scheme to the Committee of Civil Research when the continuance of this scheme was announced on 1st February, 1928?

The announcement of the 1st February related solely to the percentage which might be exported for the quarter beginning on that date. The reference to the Committee of Civil Research did not arise in connection with that announcement.

Was the Advisory Committee on the rubber scheme consulted before that intimation was made?

I think I ought to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the promise given by him that long notice would be given to the trade before any change in the Stevenson scheme was carried out still holds good; and whether the Governments of Ceylon and Malaya have been asked to overhaul the machinery of this scheme with a view to increasing the efficiency of its working?

The assurance which I gave was that if any change in the scheme were to become necessary I should endeavour to give as long notice as possible. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the anxiety and uncertainty in the rubber trade owing to the intimation that the Civil Research Committee had been requested to inquire into the working of the rubber restrictions scheme, he will give an assurance that long notice will be given of any alteration, so that the trade may be able to carry on in the assumption that the present scheme will continue in force for at least 12 months?

I cannot anticipate either the nature of the Committee's Report or the action which the Government will take on its receipt.

May I ask if the Prime Minister cannot give some assurance that for the current year the trade may be allowed to continue under present conditions?

I cannot add anything to what I have just said.

Has the Prime Minister had his attention called to a report that there is grave dissatisfaction with his statement about the appointment of a Committee in regard to the rubber question, and that there was much resentment here because it was known to American speculators before his statement was made?

There is another question to follow.

Were the leaders of the rubber-producing industry consulted before this decision was arrived at?

I shall want notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the suddenness of the announcement of this particular examination has had a rather inconvenient effect upon business in the City of London, and, under these circumstances, will he consider the advisability of consulting those concerned in the industry before making any announcement as to the result of this present intended inquiry?

It is extraordinarily difficult to draft an announcement on any subject that shall not be sudden.

Is it not the most important thing to consider the users of rubber, who want cheap supplies?

asked the Prime Minister why the intimation that the rubber restriction scheme was to be referred to the Committee of Civil Research was not issued from the Colonial Office; why this information was known in New York before the City of London; and who was responsible for the issue of this information?

The appointment of this Inquiry was announced by my Office rather than by the Colonial Office because it had reference to the Commitee of Civil Research which is a Cabinet Committee. The announcement was issued about 6 p.m. on 8th February and was expressly marked

"For publication in the Press on Thursday morning, 9th February."

If the notice was made known in New York on 8th February, it can only have been by a misunderstanding of the terms on which it was issued to the Press representatives.

In view of the very serious situation which has arisen over this information, and in view of the great difficulty and uncertainty in the City of London, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would have been much better to have issued this information from the Colonial Office, who would have avoided issuing it at a time when New York could get the advantage over the City of London?

No, I think it was perfectly proper for my Office to issue that statement, and had the terms of issue been complied with, no trouble would have arisen.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise how detrimental it is to the interests of British merchants in the City of London that they are put in an infinitely worse position than the people in New York, and will he inquire how it was and why it was that this mistake occurred, and deal with those responsible?

Is not the explanation that his Department overlooked the difference in time between London and New York?

No, we are aware of that difference.

Has the Prime Minister made any attempt to find out who was responsible?

The main thing is to find that my Department is not responsible.

Surely somebody is responsible?

Has the Prime Minister's attention been called to the remarkable fact that no sooner was it announced that the question was to be referred to a capable and impartial Committee than the whole trade came to the natural conclusion that the scheme would be at an end when that Committee reported?

Was the Advisory Committee at the Colonial Office consulted before this intimation was made?

I shall want notice of that question, to be certain, but my impression is that they were.

I am sorry to press the right hon. Gentleman, but as there has been a repetition of leakages of information, will steps be taken to deal with those responsible, and especially with those who have been responsible for this leakage of information?

I do not know whether my hon. and gallant Friend has ever attempted to trace such a thing, but it is most difficult to discover.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the reason for the decision of His Majesty's Government that sums recommended by the Irish Grants Committee to be paid in settlement of claims shall not be paid in full but shall be assessed on a much reduced scale?

I hope to make a full statement on this subject, in presenting the Supplementary Estimate to cover these payments, during the course of the next few days, and I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await this statement.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while Irish Loyalists to-day are only to receive six shillings in the £, those who took up arms against the Government and whose houses were destroyed, receive full and immediate compensation; and what is the reason for this differentiation?

That is a matter which will naturally arise when the Supplementary Estimate is discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can now inform the House as to the result of the negotiations between the British Government and the Government of the Irish Free State as to the ex-British civil servants in Southern Ireland, some 400 in number, who are still waiting to retire under Article 10 of the agreement for a treaty between Great Britain and the representatives of the Irish Free State, but who are unable to obtain the pensions to which they are entitled, as the compensation committee set up to bear their applications has not sat for over two years; and whether he is aware of the serious hardship which this long delay has occasioned to these ex-servants of the British Crown?

I hope that it will be possible for an announcement on this subject to be made in the course of the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the total amount already expended out of the Empire Marketing Board Fund; and the estimated amounts under the general headings of expenditure in connection with the work?

The total actual expenditure brought to account in the books of the Empire Marketing Fund from the Board's appointment in May, 1926, to 31st January, 1928, is £376,900.

Of that total, about two-thirds have been expended on publicity activities of various kinds and about one-third on scientific research and economic investigations. In addition the Board have incurred considerable commitments in respect particularly of scientific research. Details of the Board's expenditure and commitments in that field, which together amount to a total of £821,825, were given in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Blundell) on 12th December last. A White Paper will this year, as last, be circulated in due course giving in greater detail the information, desired by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much money has been spent on bill-posting, including coloured pictures?

I should have notice of that question.

Did the right hon. Gentleman not say two-thirds of the expenditure?

Two-thirds of the actual expenditure up to date has been on publicity, but the greater part of the com- mitments actually incurred by the Board have been in connection with scientific research.

Is the right hon. Gentleman of opinion that the money is being well spent both from the domestic and the Imperial points of view?

Yes, certainly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us the proportion spent on home markets and Imperial markets?

That is given in the answer to which I have referred.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any demand has been received that a statutory committee should be set up to ascertain the reasons which have brought about the present depression in the cotton trade; and, if so, from whom this request has been received?

A resolution suggesting the appointment of a committee by the Government was received in December from the United Textile Factory Workers' Association.

Is the hon. Member aware that the cause of this depression in the cotton industry is perfectly well known? Is it not the fact that the real difficulty is to find an agreed solution? May I further ask him, does he not think that such a solution can be better found within the industry itself than by the appointment of any statutory committee?

The President of the Board of Trade explained on Thursday last that the whole matter was being investigated by a technical committee of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and, therefore, the point the hon. Member raises has been met.

Would it not be better if the Government undertook a policy in the Far East which would enable us to keep our customers instead of losing them?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the quantities of wheat, barley, oats and maize imported here in 1927 from countries other than British Dominions; what were the quantities produced at home; and if he will give the approximate labour costs of these various supplies expressed in percentages or otherwise?

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

Following is the answer:

The following table shows the quantities of the total imports of wheat, barley, oats and maize into Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the year 1927, which were consigned from foreign countries, and the production of wheat; barley and oats in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the same year.

With reference to the last part of the question, I regret that I am unable to furnish the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount and value of the gum arabic imported into this country for the last two years; and what are chief sources of supply?

All the available information has been prepared in tabular form, and, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

The following statement shows the total quantities and declared values of gum arabic and gum tragacanth imported

Figures showing separately the imports of Gum Arabic are not available. It is understood that, among the countries for which particulars are shown above, the principal sources from which Gum Arabic is consigned to the United Kingdom are the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Egypt and British India.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to recent experiments in the transplanting of wheat by the aid of machinery; and whether he proposes to take any steps to investigate the suitability of this process for adoption in this country?

I have recently read reports of experiments carried out in Germany with a German corn-transplanting machine. This is probably the machinery to which my hon. Friend refers. The agents for the machine in the British Isles have notified me of their intention shortly to arrange for trials to be made in this country. Such trials will be closely watched by my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the

into the United Kingdom during the years 1926 and 1927, distinguishing the principal countries whence consigned:

Dominions of Canada, Australia and New Zealand are now free of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether, in view of the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in this country, which have been traced to the importation of meat from South America,, he will consider the desirability of limiting the importation of meat from overseas to supplies from countries which are free from foot-and-mouth disease?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, in recent years no definite proof has been obtained that foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in this country have been due to infection by meat imported from South America. Suspicion has, however, arisen that certain outbreaks have been due to cloths in which imported meat was wrapped or to bones from such meat. To guard against this danger Orders have been issued which require meat, bones or other parts of a carcase, or cloths in which foreign meat has been wrapped, to be boiled or disinfected before they are brought into con- tact with animals. As a further precaution negotiations have been in progress for some time with the South American Governments which should result in the adoption in those countries of measures for preventing the introduction of infection into Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information to give the House as to the cure for foot-and-mouth disease reported to have been discovered in France; and whether any officials or bodies representing the Government have been invited to take part in the tests or to examine the results?

I have seen in the Press reports of the discovery in France of a new cure for foot-and-mouth disease, but I have no official information on the subject. No invitation has been received by the Ministry to attend the tests. I would remind my hon. Friend that our policy is eradication by slaughter, and would point out that this discovery seems to be merely a cure and not a preventive.

Alongside the present policy which the right hon. Gentleman is carrying out, does he not think it worth while making rather fuller inquiries as to what is happening in other countries?

We are, through the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee, doing everything in our power to keep abreast of scientific developments, but we are searching for a preventive. Long experience has shown us that, when we use cures, while the animals are being cured, the disease is so infectious that it is broadcast throughout the country.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman once again whether he will consider the advisability of offering a really large reward for some system of preventing this disease? Is it not clear that if some large reward were offered, there might be a chance?

I am advised that the method of offering a reward is not likely to lead to results in these scientific investigations, and we are not stinting the necessary resources to enable the Foot-and-Mouth Research Committee, which is presided over by Sir Charles Martin, Director of the Lister Institute, to find some method of prevention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what, if any, progress has been made towards solving the problem of' the disposal of the effluent from beet-sugar factories in such a way as to avoid any menace to the health, sporting facilities, and general amenities of the surrounding population?

I have been asked to reply, on behalf of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Satisfactory progress is being made with the experiments which are being conducted by the Department in the biological treatment of the waste waters of beet sugar factories. The data accumulated in the course of a semi-commercial scale trial at one of the factories during the manufacturing campaign just closed are now under consideration. While promising results are undoubtedly being obtained, it is as yet too early to say whether the experiments will lead to an economic solution of the problem. It is further understood that at most of the factories additional plant has been installed for the improvement of the effluent.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the object here is not to make the effluent harmless, but to prevent it coming into the river at all?

No!

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department exercises any powers of control, advice, or suggestion over the methods and curricula of the various agricultural colleges or county farm institutes throughout the country; and, if so, what is the general policy followed or amied at in the exercise of such powers?

The Ministry of Agriculture has no statutory powers of control over agricultural colleges or farm institutes, but it possesses the influence naturally derived from its position as a grant-aiding department. That influence is exercised not infrequently by way of advice or suggestion.

It would be impossible to explain within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary question what is the Ministry's general policy, but it is set out in the reports of the Intelligence Department of the Ministry for the years since the Armistice, and particularly in the report for the years 1919–21, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to introduce any general Bill to deal with land drainage this Session; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any particular steps to deal with the Ouse watershed?

The recommendations of the Royal Commission on Land Drainage are of a very far-reaching character, and I can hold out no hope of general legislation this Session.

I am dealing with certain petitions from the Ouse Drainage Board with regard to a continuation of the Suspensory Order and otherwise, but the main problems connected with the Ouse area must now be considered in conjunction with the Report of the Royal Commission.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that nothing is going to be done during this Session to relieve the situation so far as land under water is concerned?

No. We are going to proceed with certain amending Orders in the Ouse area, and our existing policy in the form of grants to certain areas will continue.

But was not one of the vital Clauses in the recent Commission's Report to the effect that by no sort of piecemeal legislation could we deal adequately with the problem of land drainage; and does not the right hon. Gentleman think the Government ought to do something tangible to find employment for those who are out of work?

If the hon. Gentleman will read my answer, he will see that it is in the sense which he has suggested; it is that we cannot deal with the Ouse problem by special legislation. We must recognise the objection of the district to be made an exception, and we must wait until we are ready to deal with the whole country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman adopting all ways and means to deal with this problem at the earliest possible moment?

We are giving careful examination to the Report of the Royal Commission, and I will make an announcement on the subject as soon as I am in a position to do so. It is quite evident that in a question of this size it is impossible to bring in a Bill this Session.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any decision has been arrived at with regard to the master builders' report on the facing of the Houses of Parliament; and whether the First Commissioner of Works proposes to adopt the recommendations of the master builders to obtain competitive estimates for typical portions of the work alternatively for restoring in Stancliffe stone and for entirely refacing in Portland stone, as suggested in their Report?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what action, if any, has been taken on the recommendations contained in the Memorandum on the defective condition of the stonework at the Houses of Parliament, which was submitted to Parliament in 1926?

My Noble Friend regrets that he is unable to contemplate the refacing of the building in Portland stone, as, quite apart from financial considerations, such drastic treatment is not considered necessary. As stated in a reply given on 12th December last, the question of the suitability of Stancliffe stone was referred to the Fine Arts Commission, who have reported that, in their opinion, the "weathered" colour of Stancliffe stone will not harmonise with the Anston stone at the Houses of Parliament and must be rejected apart from any question of its durability. An examination is at the present time being made regarding the suitability of various stones, and in the light of recent research, investigations are proceeding as to the effects of possible chemical reactions resulting from the blending of one stone with another. This examination is being carried out by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and will take some months to complete. In the meantime arrangements are being made for the necessary survey of typical sections of the building with a view to determining the extent and character of the repairs required. The First Commissioner of Works hopes that by the time this survey is complete, the problem of the selection of a suitable stone will have been solved, and he will be in a position to execute the repairs.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman deal with that part of my question with reference to obtaining competitive estimates for definite sections of the work, as recommended by the master builders?

My Noble Friend will certainly consider the possibility of obtaining competitive estimates, but he will not consider it so far as Stancliffe stone is concerned, because that is definitely turned down.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the existence of a substance used by the Admiralty, the Post Office, and the District Railway for the preservation of stone, which, if used on the stonework of the House, will prevent decay; and will he inquire into this matter?

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman advise the Noble Lord as to the necessity of using the stone of destiny for this purpose?

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what steps are being taken to secure a residence for the British Ambassador in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

Preliminary steps have been taken, and a Supplementary Estimate for the purchase of a site for building will be presented to, the House as soon as possible.

Do I take it that a definite site has been fixed upon and a definite building projected?

A definite site has been fixed upon, subject to Parliamentary sanction.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any applications have been made to his Department for the purpose of taking films showing scenes taking place either in Hyde Park or other Royal parks; and whether such facilities have been granted?

Applications have frequently been received for permits to take cinematograph pictures in the Royal Parks, and permission has been given, on the condition that there is no posing of actors or staging of scenes in connection with film plays.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that facilities are granted by the Admiralty, the War Office and the Air Force, and does he not think it would be advantageous to have these films taken in Hyde Park?

No. The parks exist for the convenience of the public. I am not aware that the public are in the habit of using barracks or His Majesty's ships or aeroplanes.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the use of these parks being allowed before seven in the morning?

I do not think that would be a suitable time from the point of view of light.

asked the Minister of Labour how many insured persons were refused benefit at the Quality Street Employment Exchange, Leith, in the months of November and December, 1927, and January, 1928, respectively, and the reasons for the disallowances?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the financial position of local authorities in certain important industrial areas, such as South Wales, he proposes to introduce legislation making the relief of unemployment a national charge?

As was stated in the Gracious Speech from the Throne at the opening of the Session, the Government are engaged upon inquiries into the possibility of affording some relief from the burdens of local rates on the producing community. I am unable to make any further statement on that subject at present. But I ought perhaps to point out that a very large part of the ex-

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

penditure for the relief of unemployment is already borne by the national fund established under the Unemployment Insurance Scheme. In 1927, for instance, 36¾ million pounds was paid in unemployment benefit out of that Fund, as compared with less than nine millions paid in domiciliary and out-door relief by Poor Law authorities.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the result of the Committee of Inquiry will be known?

No, I cannot.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that, in consequence of so many men and women being out of employment, the payments which have to be made by Poor Law authorities in the large industrial centres are crippling them?

That is a point which has been, and doubtless will again be, made the subject of debate.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-miners who have suffered from nystagmus, and who are unable to obtain work, were receiving unemployment pay on the last date for which figures are available?

I regret that no figures of the kind asked for are available.

If this unfortunate section of the community are deprived of their benefits under the Insurance Acts, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to have these figures prepared?

I will certainly give the hon. Member any information that we have, and if he cares to consult with me on the form of question which will enable me to give any information on the subject, I shall be only too glad to do so. If we have any figures, they are at the disposal of the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of copies of the "Labour Gazette" printed during each of the last two years; what percentage of this number has been supplied to the public, irrespective of those used and distributed amongst official Departments; what was the cost of production each year; and what were the total receipts of sales to the public?