asked the Undersecretary of State for India what steps have been taken on the recommendations of the Railway Commission, accepted by the Government of India, to the effect that 75 per cent. of the new railway appointments each year should be given to Indians?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the recommendation of the Lee Commission, in pursuance of which revised regulations for recruitment in India to the Railway Services were framed by the Government of India in 1926. The Indians successful at the examinations held under these regulations are now coming into the Service.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the attention of the Government of India has been called to the need for an imposition of a cess on coal and coke and of a substantial reduction of railway freight on domestic coal; and whether it is proposed to introduce legislation for this purpose?

I have seen Press reports regarding the matters referred to by the hon. Member, but have no official information. Legislation would not be required for a reduction of railway freight.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether, seeing that it has been proposed by the Government of India that an inquiry should be made into the affairs of the State of Bharatpur, he will make a full statement as to the reasons for such an investigation and under whose authority it was proposed such an inquiry should be instituted?

The proposal to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into financial and administrative conditions in Bharatpur was in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Government of India in 1920 to give effect to one of the recommendations of the Report on Indian Constitutional Reforms, namely, that when, in the opinion of the Governor-General, the question arises of depriving the ruler of an important State temporarily or permanently of any of the rights, dignities, powers or privileges to which he as a ruler is entitled, the Governor-General will appoint a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the facts of the case and to offer advice unless such ruler desires that a Commission shall not be appointed. The Government of India's intervention was necessitated by the facts that under the Maharaja's government that State was heavily in debt, and that the chaotic state of the finances had led to gross maladministration in many directions.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether any offer has been made to the Maharaja of Bharatpur of a commission to inquire into the financial and administrative conditions of his State; if so, what are the grounds for such intervention; and what is the present position of the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for West Islington (Mr. Montague). The Maharaja in the end preferred that the measures considered necessary for the rehabilitation of the State should be taken without the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry, and arrangements are being made accordingly by the Government of India.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the Government of India propose to cause an inquiry to be made into the whole question of industrial wages, hours of employment, and provision for sickness, with a view to introducing legislation for the improvement of the condition of the working classes in India?

I am not aware that any such comprehensive inquiry is proposed. Conditions of labour are under the constant consideration of the Government of India and of Provincial Governments, and much legislation for their improvement has been passed in recent years.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether a concession has been granted by the Government of India in the Arakan district for the exploitation of bamboo forests; and, if so, to whom the concession has been made and on what terms?

My Noble Friend has no information on the subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India what amount of opium was exported from India in the years 1926 and 1927; what was the total amount of opium produced in India in those years and the revenue derived therefrom; and to what countries was the exported opium consigned?

In 1926, exports were 1,224,140 lbs., including 88,000 lbs. of medical opium sent to this country; the other destinations being French Indo-China, Malaya, Netherlands East Indies, Siam, Hong Kong, Sarawak, State of North Borneo, Ceylon, and Zanzibar. In the same year the produce of the acreage in British India was 1,082,700 lbs. The net opium revenue of the Government of India for 1925–26 was Rs.2,03,52,437. Later figures are not available.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India what action the Government proposes to take following the refusal of the auxiliary of the Swedish match combine in India to supply the Indian Tariff Board, even in camera, with particulars regarding the cost of production of matches by the combine and other matters falling within the terms of reference of the Board's inquiry into the match industry in India?

The latest information received here is that some months ago the Swedish Match Company withdrew its refusal to supply the required particulars.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the criterion for judging the productivity of irrigation was discussed at the recent conference of provincial financial officers convened by the Government of India at New Delhi; whether the proposal that the rate of 6 per cent. on capital invested, at present taken as the criterion, should be reduced, in view of the fall in the market rate of interest, was discussed; and whether any decision was arrived at with regard to this matter?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. My Noble Friend has received no recommendation from the Government of India for a reduction of the rate now in force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to proceed with the scheme for a grand trunk canal between Calcutta and the eastern districts of Bengal; and whether the Committee appointed to consider the matter has issued a Report?

I have no recent information, but will inquire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any investigation is to be made into the recent disappearance of the steamers "Tukaram" and "Jayanti," off the Indian coast, with all hands on board; and whether the services of the Royal Indian Marine were employed in the search for the lost vessels?

I have seen references in the Press to an investigation of the case by a Marine Court at Bombay, but I have no official information. I will, however, make inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government intend to hold any further inquiry into the allegations of corruption which have been made the subject of a libel action against the superintendent engineer in connection with the Back Bay development department?

My Noble Friend has no information, but will inquire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to an assault by a prison warder on an Indian prisoner detained in Benares Central Prison which resulted in the death of the prisoner assaulted; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

A Report is now on its way from India. Perhaps the hon. Member will be so good as to repeat his question in three weeks' time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in. view of the undesirability of emphasising caste differences, the Government will consider the discontinuance of the policy of debarring members of certain castes from recruitment for the Indian Army?

There is no policy of debarring members of any particular caste as such from recruitment for the Indian Army. If the hon. Member refers to recruitment by classes, it is the policy to rely on the classes which have hitherto supplied the best material. All castes and communities are represented in these classes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Government of India has been called to the traffic in girls in the mofussil of Sind; and whether it is proposed to institute an inquiry with a view to preventing such traffic?

If the hon. Member will give me particulars of the facts on which his question is based, my Noble Friend will consider them with a view to consulting the Government of India. The existence of any evil of this character in Sind has not been brought to his notice.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether work has yet begun in connection with the erection of India House in London; and whether, in view of the fact that it was found necessary to employ a European architect on account of the nature of the site, the Government of India propose to make provision for the employment of Indian artists and craftsmen in the decoration and fitting of the interior of the building?

The work has commenced. The internal decoration of the building, on which I understand Indian artists will be employed, is still under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether representations have been made to the Department of Commerce regarding grievances of seamen in the matter of recruiting through shipping brokers; and, if so, whether it is proposed to take any action in the matter?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of the action to be taken is under the consideration of the Government of India and the local governments concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether a decision has yet been arrived at by the Government concerning the prevention of the evasion of import duty by smuggling goods, particularly gold thread, into India through Madras?

My Noble Friend has not heard of any special difficulties in dealing with smuggling at Madras, but has no doubt that, if they exist, the authorities are taking all necessary steps in the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to take any action on the recommendation of the Indian Tariff Inquiry Committee regarding a levy on the export of oil-seeds, bones and other forms of manure from India with a view to promoting the interests of agriculturists in India?

The Government of India do not propose to take any action on this recommendation pending the Report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what action it is proposed to take with regard to the representations received from bar asso- ciations and similar bodies asking for the abolition of honorary benches of magistrates in India?

I have no knowledge of any such representations, but I should doubt whether any provincial Government would regard the abolition suggested as a practical proposition.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the arrangement made by the Indian Railway Board with Messrs. Tata's to buy at a fixed price the whole of their estimated output of rails for seven years is designed to meet the total requirements of the Indian Railway Board during that period; and, if not, what proportion of the requirements of the board it is estimated will be open to general tender?

It is probable that the arrangement with the Tata Iron and Steel Company will cover the total requirements of the Railway Board for State-worked lines. It is, however, not possible to say whether, during the currency of the contract, some purchases elsewhere may be necessary or not.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the deprivation of American citizenship suffered by Indians in the United States of America, as a result of a decision of the United States Courts, includes the rights to hold land already in possession of those Indians or if such rights will be retained?

I regret that it is not possible for me to return any definite reply to the hon. Member, because each of the 48 States of the Union has its own Alien Land Laws, and the position varies in accordance with the local legislation in force, in each State.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and, if so, what arrangements were made during the negotiations for the new administration at Hankow as to the recognition by such administration of the rights of the debenture holders of the municipal property and the security for the debentures; and whether any arrangements which were made were duly carried out by the new administration?

Between the 19th February, 1927, the date of the signature of the Hankow Concession Agreement, and the 15th March, the day fixed for the dissolution of the British Council, detailed arrangements were worked out for the assumption by the new administration of the financial obligations, mainly the debenture issues of the British municipality, and the transfer to the former of the municipal properties on which these obligations were secured. The debentures, which were already secured generally on municipal revenue and assets, were registered as specific charges against the immovable properties of the municipality. These properties were thus formally transferred subject to these charges to the new administration, which undertook to meet the debenture obligations at due date. As regards the last part of this question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have made to his immediately preceding question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that this country accords to tobacco grown in Nyasaland and Southern Rhodesia a preferential rate, his attention has been drawn to the fact that this country is unable to absorb more than a small proportion of the tobacco now grown under preference in these territories; and, if so, if any steps are proposed to be taken?

I am aware that the policy of preference has been so successful that the production of tobacco in Nyasaland and Rhodesia has increased to an extent which has led to certain difficulties as regards absorption in the home market. The situation is being watched, but the most obvious remedy is for the public to make a more insistent demand for Empire tobacco.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Ordinance abolishing the legal status of slavery in Sierra Leone is inconsistent with the provisions of Part VII of the Protectorate Ordinance which prohibits the exodus of any man from his chiefdom except on payment of a sum. of money which is beyond the means of the average slave; and whether he will abolish slavery in fact by repealing Part VII, and by taking the step to see that all slaves are informed of the change in their legal status?

I am asking the Governor for a report as to the bearing of Part VII of the Protectorate Native Law Ordinance upon the slavery question. The Sierra Leone Government have been taking steps for some time past to make the abolition of the legal status of slavery known throughout the Protectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representation has been received from the descendants of the Kandyan royal family living in exile in South India regarding the question of a permanent financial settlement; whether the committee set up by the Government in Ceylon to inquire into the future of these pensioners has presented its findings to the Government; if so, whether he will inform the House of the terms of the committee's recommendations; and what action the Government propose to take in the matter?

Representations of this nature have been received, and the Government of Ceylon have appointed a committee to investigate the existing system of payment of pensions to the descendants of the former royal family of Kandy and to make recommendations thereon. So far as I am aware, the committee has not yet reported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the recent labour riots in Palestine caused by the introduction of Arab labour at a wage below that at which Jews can live; and whether, in order to avoid similar trouble in future, the Government will set the example by inserting a. fair wage clause in all Government contracts?

I am aware that there was a disturbance in December at Petach Tikvah. As regards the latter part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the right hon. and gallant Member for New-castle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 28th February, 1927.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the name of the Jewish Communist in Palestine who was recently sentenced to deportation and ordered to receive 12 lashes; and what is the reason for this sentence being inflicted?

Neither I, nor the High Commissioner for Palestine, to whom I have telegraphed, have any knowledge of such a case, and the High Commissioner states that, so far as he is aware, no Jewish prisoner has been so punished in Palestine since the British occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reason why an organisation known as the Palestine Red Aid has been suppressed in that country; for what reason workers have been deported for membership of that organisation; and why Mr. Arie Karp has been sentenced to deportation and 50 days' hard labour for writing a pamphlet?

I am not aware that special steps have been taken to suppress the Palestine Red Aid, but I understand that it is an illegal association under the law in force in Palestine. Mr. Karp was deported as an undesirable character. I am not aware that he was charged with writing a pamphlet. He was convicted on charges of resisting arrest and of membership of an illegal society. On the former count he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. On the latter he was fined £5 and recommended for deportation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any insured persons have been disallowed sickness benefit in Scotland, owing to the receipt of old age pensions, from 65 to 70 years of age; and, if so, how many?

In accordance with the provisions of the Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, the title of insured persons to sickness benefit ceased as from the 2nd January, 1928, on their attaining the age of 65. I have no knowledge of the number of insured persons between 65 and 70 actually in receipt of sickness benefit on the above date.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons in the borough of Merthyr Tydvil have been refused pensions under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925; and upon what grounds they were refused?

The information asked for is not available, as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received two resolutions from the Merthyr Tydvil Board of Guardians, in one of which they state their opinion that the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act will add to the burden borne by Poor Law authorities in areas where considerable unemployment exists, and in the other express their grave concern regarding the operation of the Widows', Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925, and calling for immediate amendment of the Act; and what reply he proposes to return?

My right hon. Friend has recently received these resolutions and they are now receiving his consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons in the borough of Merthyr Tydvil have been deprived of unemployment benefit because they became eligible for the old age pension under the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925?

The only available figure is that for the number of persons aged 65 and over with current claims to benefit at the Merthyr Tydvil Employment Exchange at the beginning of January, 1928, namely, 93. The number then in receipt of benefit was something less than this total, but I cannot give the precise figure.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Class A Army Reservists who were called up for the defence of Shanghai; how many have been discharged; if he is aware that over 1,000 of those already discharged have found on their return that their jobs have been filled; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on the 9th February to the hon. Member for Springburn (Mr. Hardie) and on the 14th February to the hon. Members for Richmond (Sir N. Moore) and Stourbridge (Mr. Wellock).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received an invitation from the Edmonton Board of Guardians to send a representative of the Ministry to a conference held on the 9th instant of all local authorities within the area of the Edmonton Union to consider schemes of work for able-bodied unemployed at present chargeable to the guardians; and why no reply was sent to the invitation?

A request was received on the 30th November last from the Edmonton Board of Guardians that a representative of the Ministry might attend a conference of local authorities on a date not stated. A reply was sent on the 8th December. I can trace no subsequent correspondence.

asked the Minister of Labour in which counties the percentage of insured persons registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges is less than five per cent; and the percentage registered as unemployed in each of these counties?

The counties in which the number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges at 13th February expressed as a percentage of the insured population was less than 5 per cent., were Northamptonshire (4.3), Surrey (4.1), Hertfordshire (4.0), Bedfordshire (3.4), Buckinghamshire (3.2) and Leicestershire (2.9).

asked the Minister of Health the number of men and women in the Borough of Southwark who are in receipt of old age pensions?

The information asked for is not available, as the claims are not arranged on a territorial basis.

asked the Minister of Health if he is taking any and, if so, what steps to encourage the building of houses at rents which the poorer-paid section of workpeople can afford to pay; and if any progress is being made in the provision of houses of this nature?

It has for some time past been the policy of my Department to encourage the erection, under the subsidy schemes, of houses which can be let at rentals within the means of the less well-paid workers, and a circular which was issued by my right hon. Friend more than a year ago referred to this matter. He has reason to believe that the type of house in question is being erected in an increasing proportion under the subsidy schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses built and authorised but not completed under each of the Housing Acts by local authorities and by private enterprise, distinguishing between urban and rural areas?

It is not possible to give the information asked distinguishing between urban and rural areas as there are no such Local Government areas in Scotland. The following table gives as at 31st January, 1928, the number of houses completed and the number authorised but not completed under each

In addition to the above, the following is a note of the number of steel houses completed and the number authorised but not completed in respect of which payments have been or will be made out of the Vote of the Scottish Board of Health. ( a ) 17 demonstration steel houses completed by local authorities of which 14 are in burghs and three are in county districts. ( b ) Of the 2,542 steel houses being provided on behalf of the Government by the Second Scottish National Housing Company (Housing Trust), Ltd., 1,750 have been completed in burghs and 620 in county districts. The remaining 172 steel houses authorised but not completed are to be erected in county districts.

asked the Minster dredgers are deposited; and, seeing that it has been found that it is silted up, with the result that it blocks the mouth of the Thames, if he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have been asked to reply. I assume that the hon. Member refers to the authorized deposit area in the Black Deep, Thames Estuary.

of the Housing Acts by local authorities and private enterprise in Scotland, distinguishing between burghs and county districts:

The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to the shoaling which has been occurring in the Edinburgh Channel, and it has been suggested that this shoaling is due to the deposit of silt and sludge in the deposit area in the Black Deep. The matter has been carefully considered from this aspect, but the evidence at present available affords no ground for attributing the shoaling to the deposits or to causes other than natural, as the Edinburgh Channel is known to have undergone in the last century periodical changes of a radical nature. The situation is being carefully watched.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the question of increasing the pensions of disabled ex-Service men who have married since the War, so as to include allowances for their wives and dependants, in view of the many difficulties experienced by disabled ex-Service men in obtaining employment owing to their disability?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Ham North (Miss Lawrence) on Thursday of last week, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will explain why, in some cases, ex-service men who lost a limb during the War, and were found to be entitled to an increase of pension on account of the site of their amputations, have been refused arrears of pension with effect from 3rd September, 1919, when the new rates came into force, having regard to the fact that in other cases arrears have been paid; whether he is aware that a number of disabled men do not know that they may be entitled to an increased rate of pension; and whether he will give instructions for the cases of all men whose limbs were amputated before 3rd September, 1919, to be reviewed?

It has been the practice of the Ministry to review these cases by medical boards or otherwise. Where, in exceptional cases it can be shown that adjustment of the rate of pension properly due to be made was, owing solely to official error not made as at the date mentioned, it is the practice to pay arrears in full; but each case must, as regards the question of the extent of error, be judged individually. I know of no ground for the suggestion that a number of men of this class of disability are not in receipt of the correct rate of pension, and there is no sufficient justification for undertaking the elaborate review suggested by the hon. Member. If the hon. Member has a particular case of difficulty in mind, I shall be glad if he will communicate with me.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been directed to the closing down of the Taylor's Navigation pit at Nantgarw, South Wales, due to the proprietor company going into liquidation; and whether his officers are in touch with this situation, with a view to facilitating the reopening of this pit?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Taff Rhondda Steam Coal Company's Nantgarw Pit. I have received notice of the abandonment of this pit, and I can therefore encourage no hope of its being reopened.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what steps, if any, have been taken to secure land for the planting of trees in the Neath and Dulais valleys in order to absorb the large number of unemployed in the Neath area?

The Forestry Commissioners have acquired over 2,000 acres of land in the Neath and Dulais valley districts, and planting operations are proceeding. The acquisition of an additional 350 acres will be concluded shortly, and negotiations for other areas are proceeding.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider making provision in the forthcoming Budget to allow rebate on Income Tax to those parents who have taken out life assurance policies in respect of their children during the time the children are at school, and are consequently incapable of paying the premiums themselves?

I cannot anticipate the Budget statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Moneylenders Act to prevent moneylenders registering under fictitious names as a company instead of under their own names?

The provisions of the Act which permit of moneylenders registering under the name of a company have not yet been in force two months, and it is far too early to consider whether legislation to amend them is necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that nearly 400 accidents per day occur throughout Great Britain in consequence of the increasing use of mechanically-propelled vehicles upon the roads; and whether it is proposed to adopt remedial measures to reduce this rate of casualties to a minimum?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 15th February to the hon. Member for East Ham North (Miss Lawrence), and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of vehicles that pass daily at the following points:—Junction of Lillie and Fulham Palace Roads, S.W., and the junction of Gold-hawk and Paddenswick Road, "Seven Stars," W.

I regret that I am not in possession of the information which the hon. Member seeks.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the views of certain local authorities with regard to the growth of greyhound racing and of the gambling facilities associated with it; and whether it is the intention of the Government to legislate, with a view of giving local authorities power to prohibit or license greyhound racing tracks and to make betting illegal thereon?

I am aware of the views of certain local authorities. As stated on the 16th instant, in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Ward-law-Milne), I should be glad if an opportunity could be found of testing opinion on the subject, but I can at present hold out no prospect of a Government Bill.