asked the Under-Secretary of State for India id the Burma allowance, which was withdrawn from Central Government officials at Rangoon in 1924, will now be restored with full retrospective effect, in view of the fact that it was sanctioned in 1919 on a scale which was to last for 10 years?

As I stated in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend on Tuesday last, the whole question of the grant of Burma allowance has been under examination by the Government of India, and I shall be happy to communicate with him when their Report has been received and considered by my Noble Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many women, approximately, are employed underground in the Indian mines?

The average number so employed daily in 1926 was 31,889. The Government of India are considering making regulations to prohibit the employment of women underground, by progressive stages, in certain classes of mine (including the chief coal mines) and forthwith in others.

Will the Noble Lord be good enough to let me know when the first definite step is taken?

I will certainly inform the hon. and gallant Member when we have made progress, but he will appreciate that it involves consideration by the Provincial Governments and other authorities.

The Noble Lord is aware that I would like to give credit to his Government it the matter?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the total population of India.; how many of these have a vote in the Legislative Assembly; what were the numbers who actually voted at the election of the existing Assembly; and whether he can state what proportion of such votes were cast by persons resident in the towns and what by persons resident in the country districts?

The total population of British India was returned at the Census of 1921 as just over 247 millions. If my hon. Friend will study the Indian Electoral Return presented last year (Cmd. 2923) he will find the answers to the rest of his question so far as figures are available

Is it not a fact that the number of persons who voted in the election for the return of the existing Legislative Assembly is a mere fraction of the vast number of 247,000,000, and, in these circumstances, how can the existing Assembly be considered adequately to represent the millions of India?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to furnish particulars in regard to the arrest of Sirdar Diwan Singh, editor and proprietor of the weekly paper, Rayasat, at the request of the Patiala Durbar?

Mr. Diwan Singh was arrested by the Delhi Police on a written accusation by the Patiala Police, but the magistrate immediately released him on bail, and a subsequent application for his extradition by the Patiala Durbar was refused. The circumstances have been inquired into by the Government of India, and my Noble Friend sees no reason for any action on his part.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the apprehension existing in India lest a merger of the Marconi Company and Eastern Telegraph Company may deprive the Indian public, Press, and trading community of the benefit of the economies, reduced charges, and increased efficiency in the telegraph services to which the discovery of the beam system has given, and was expected increasingly to give, rise; and whether he can give an assurance that the Government will be vigilant to take all necessary measures to protect the Indian public against the dangers of monopoly and of an artificial inflation of cable charges to and from India?

My Noble Friend has not received any representations from India, but is fully alive to the dangers referred to in the last part of the question.

Will any Indian governmental rights be alienated through this merger?

No rights will be alienated. The Government of India is interested in the matter, but I shall have to have notice of the question in order to explain exactly the extent to which they are interested. Of course, no rights will be alienated.

Or property?

No, Sir.

Is the Noble Lord aware of the big reductions in charges which came into force last year, and can he give an assurance that these reductions will not be lost?

As my hon. Friend knows, this is a much wider question than an Indian question. It affects the whole Empire. If my hon. Friend wishes to know the effect of the merger upon cable rates, he must put a question either to the Leader of the House or to the Postmaster-General.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Governments receive royalties from the platinum and other sub-surface mineral concessionaires in the West African Colonies; and, if so, what percentage?

No mining has hitherto been done in Sierra Leone, but a royalty will be imposed on platinum before mining leases are granted. In the Gold Coast concessionaires pay a tax of 1s. in the £ on profits. In Nigeria there are royalties on all minerals mined, 4s. an ounce on gold, 5 per cent. on other precious metals, and at varying rates on other metals, with a sliding scale in the case of tin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any effort is being made by the representatives of the British Government to get into contact with Ibn Saud for the purpose of discussion of the present situation in Arabia?

Yes, Sir. As I informed the House on the 12th of March, His Majesty's Government have, on more than one occasion, suggested to King Ibn Saud that a meeting should take place between himself and the Resident in the Persian Gulf. As, however, the King has not seen his way to adopt this suggestion, His Majesty's Government have now offered to send out Sir Gilbert Clayton as a special envoy to discuss matters with His Majesty, with a. view to clearing up the whole situation.

Has any reply been received?

No; if I had received a reply, I should have been glad to communicate it.

Does not this again show the necessity for having a representative of His Majesty, who may be a Mohammedan, at Mecca or at the Court of Ibn Saud?

That is a matter to be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any further reports on the situation arising from the Akhwan attitude towards Iraq; and whether he can make a full statement to the House?

The hon. Member will understand that reports, of varying degrees of reliability, are constantly reaching me from various quarters. I have given the House from time to time such information as could be regarded as reliable, and I shall continue to do so as fresh information is received. For the moment I have nothing material to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has authorised the alienation of any of that land lying to the north of Laikipia, in Kenya Colony, which has for many years past been used by the Samburu for the grazing of their herds ; whether he can say whether any applications have been made to the Government of Kenya for allotments of land in this region; and, if so, who were the applicants and what reply has been made to them?

The land in question consists of about 2,000,000 acres of the former Northern Masai Reserve, into which the Samburu have penetrated, though, according to my information, that penetration has been slight in the southern part of the area. In November, 1926, I decided that the northern portion, rather over 500,000 acres, should reserved for the use of the Samburu, that a middle area, very roughly 600,000 acres, should be left open for further consideration when the possibilities of the remainder of the Samburu country had been adequately explored, and that the southern portion, say 850,000 acres, should be available for alienation to Europeans for pastoral purposes, subject to an equitable allocation of water and salt licks along the boundary separating it from the middle portion. I am riot aware that applications have been made to the Government of Kenya for allotments of land in this southern portion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the portion he proposes to take contains the only river water to which these people can take their herds during droughts, and, if it be taken away, the position of the rest of this area will become impossible ; and will he give instructions that their water rights in this old alienated area shall be preserved?

No, Sir; I am not aware of the facts stated by the hon. and gallant Member, but the need for seeing that the Samburu settlement in the northern part of the area should have water and access to salt has been carefully considered.

Why should these lands be taken away at all from this inoffensive and very law-abiding tribe?

The land did not belong to these people; they have quite recently come into it.

Have not the people who want the land come even more recently into the country?

What steps are being taken to delimit the reserves for the Samburu; and has there been any inquiry into the area required for the Samburu?

Yes, Sir; I thought I made that clear in my answer. An area of 500,000 acres has been definitely allotted for the use of the Samburu, and another 600,000 acres with water and salt facilities are being held in suspense, pending a fuller investigation as to what other lands are available to the Samburu in their own country.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware of the serious hardships which are being endured by ex-British civil servants in Southern Ireland, many of whom have been without salary or pension for several years notwithstanding the special rights conferred upon them by Article 10 of the Irish Treaty and the express guarantees of the British Government; and what action the Government propose to take in the matter?

So far as I am aware, the number of cases of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers is very limited, and I hope that circumstances will soon permit of these cases being disposed of.

Are there not many cases of people previously with substantial salaries who have had neither employment, pay, nor pension for two and a half years, and does not the right hon. Gentleman realise the terrible hardship which is entailed, many of the wives having to go out to work?

My information is that there are only a few cases of those who have not yet received compensation pending this matter being decided. If my hon. Friend has any information of cases of hardship, I shall be glad if he will communicate with me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the local legislation Bills now before Parliament, and the amount of agricultural land which is being yearly lost to agriculture through the urbanisation of rural areas and the spreading of big towns; and whether he will in future include in annual agricultural statistics the number of acres lost to agriculture on this account?

I am aware that a certain amount of agricultural land is lost to agriculture each year through various causes, including those mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. Owing to the difficulties experienced hitherto in getting accurate information on the subject it has not been possible to publish any reliable statistics. I am keeping the matter under review, but I cannot hold out much hope of being able to meet my hon. and gallant Friend's wishes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of compensation which has been paid, or agreed to be paid, in respect of the destruction of cattle destroyed under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order at King's Norton, Leicestershire?

The amount of compensation payable for the animals slaughtered by order of the Ministry in connection with foot-and-mouth disease at King's Norton, is £4,116 4s.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether (1) he has received any further evidence of disease in imported bulbs; and the nature of the evidence he requires before taking action;

(2) he will cause samples to be taken of all importations of imported bulbs; and will he cause such samples to be tested for the existence of disease before such importations are released for cultivation; and

(3) he can obtain information as to the steps taken by the United States of America to ensure that disseased bulbs are not admitted into that country, with a view to their adoption, if practicable?

I have received further complaints of disease in imported bulbs, and the subject was brought before the Horticultural Advisory Council on the 15th March. It appears that the complaints have special reference to the so-called "Yellow Disease" of hyacinths which cannot always be detected by an inspection of the bulbs. The council recommended that further steps should be taken to prevent the entry of these diseased bulbs, and I am now considering what practicable steps can be taken to this end. The sampling of all imported bulbs would involve a considerable increase in the inspectorial staff and also some dislocation of trade. As regards the American regulations I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Hurd) on the 27th February last.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to inform us of the result of these inquiries?

I cannot give any date, but I will be glad to inform my hon. Friend when I have any further information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman press the Chancellor of the Exchequer to impose an import tax upon both foreign flowers and bulbs, which are articles of luxury, and are quite suitable for taxation?

I do not think that I quite agree that foreign bulbs are articles of luxury. They are an important form of raw material for one side of the agricultural industry which grows them.

Are not daffodil bulbs and tulip bulbs suffering from "eel-worm" disease and "fire," respectively, imported into this country?

This particular disease is in hyacinth bulbs. There may be importation of bulbs with other diseases, and it shows the great difficulty of controlling the possibility of these imported infections, some of which already exist in this country.

Do the bulbs to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred come from any specific country, or from more than one country?

Mostly, this trade in bulbs is with Holland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has accepted the recommendations of the Drainage Commission relating to the area around the county borough of Doncaster; whether a drainage Court has been set up; and, if so, will he give the names of the personnel?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet reached any decision relating to the recommendations of the Commission on Mining and Drainage in an area around the county borough of Doncaster; and whether he intends to set up a drainage Court?

The Report referred to has only just been published, and it would be premature to say what course the Government will adopt with regard to the recommendations of the Commission. I may point out, however, that legislation would be necessary before they could be put into operation.

Is there any possibility of legislation being enacted this year to deal with this very peculiar problem?

No, I cannot promise that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate when he is likely to reach a decision, so that we may put down a question?

There is no chance of an early decision. The Report was published only on 12th March, and there are many complicated questions which will have to be examined before we can reach any decision.

Are we to understand from the reply that there is no possibility of land which lies derelict being dealt with during the present year?

I do not see the slightest chance of legislation on the subject.

Was not this Commission set up because of the great importance of having this question dealt with immediately, and now that the Commission has reported, are we not entitled to expect that the Report will be considered and a decision arrived at?

The Report is being considered, and we shall arrive at a decision as soon as ever we can, but the exigencies of Parliamentary time are such that it is quite impossible to hope for legislation during the present year.

In view of what has happened before, I am inclined to think that this is merely a means of putting off the whole business.

Does the Minister consider that this House ought to have five months' holiday in the year?

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) the approximate acreage of agricultural land that has changed hands since 1920 and the price paid for it;

(2) the total cost for transfer charges of all agricultural holdings which have changed hands since 1920?

I regret that I have no information which would enable me to reply to the hon. Member's inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state briefly what is the present military and political situation in China?

The Fourth Plenary Session of the Kuomintang was held at Nanking from the 3rd to the 8th of February with the object of reconciling the various factions and reorganising the Nationalist administration. As a result, there were formed a government council of 49 members and a standing committee of five with Tan Yen-kai as chairman, and a military council of 73 and a standing committee of 12 with Chiang-Kai-shek as chairman. Various ministerial changes were effected, the principal one being the replacement of Dr. C. C. Wu as Minister for Foreign Affairs by Mr. Huang Fu. The situation in mid-China continues very unsettled, and there are no signs of the healing of the breach between Wuhan and Nanking. Efforts were made to put in Tan Yen-kai as head of the civil administration, but the Wuhan party declined to receive him. It was also proposed to organise from Hupeh and Hunan a fourth unit for the northern campaign under this leader, but the attempt had to be abandoned, and His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow reports that Nanking appears to have given up hope of enlisting support from that region. On the 10th of March the Consul-General at Hankow reported a serious Communist rising in Hunan, where Communists had occupied Liling. A regiment of Cheng Chien's troops sent to suppress them mutinied and joined the Communists, and there was fear that other troops of the same command sent for this purpose would also prove unreliable. The Report further stated that Changsha was a hot-bed of Communism and that Hankow was also badly infected and that, in spite of almost daily raids and executions, the authorities did not feel secure, while in the country districts of Hupeh almost complete anarchy prevailed. The renewed northern campaign was to have opened on the 15th of March with a combined offensive by Chiang Kai-shek, Feng Yu-hsiang and Yen Hsi-shan, but, although General Chiang is reported to have left for the Front, no great activity has been shown by these commanders, each of whom has apparently been waiting for his allies to strike the first blow. According to a Report just received, a severe defeat has been inflicted on Feng Yu-hsiang by the northern forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office is responsible for making disbursements of the money granted to the Secret Service from public funds; and whether these disbursements are made in every case with the knowledge and approval of the Secretary of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs?

The Secretary of State is the person responsible for the disbursement of the Secret Service money allotted to his Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the provisions of the Bryan Conciliation Treaty are being discussed as part of the Anglo-American Arbitration Treaty now being negotiated with the United States?

I cannot give any further information on this point at present, except to say that no proposal has been made to His Majesty's Government in Great Britain for any revision or modification of the Bryan-Spring Rice Treaty of the 15th of September, 1924.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any complaints as to the working of the Foreign Office system of publicity both at Geneva and in London; and whether he is satisfied that the present arrangement gives British Press representatives an equal opportunity of obtaining necessary information with their foreign colleagues?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the answer to the second part is in the affirmative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that comparisons unfavourable to his system in contrast with the French system have been made by British and American journalists?

No, Sir. I am aware that, I think, two journalists did complain, but I am not aware that their complaints have any foundation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the surtax levied on the Income Tax of bachelor laymen in Spain is regarded by Englishmen in that country as a form of discrimination against the Protestant foreigners; and whether he will consider the advisability of representing the matter to the Spanish Government with a request that the Italian precedent should be followed and foreigners should be exempted from the tax?

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend that the tax in question discriminates either in respect of nationality or of religion, and I see no reason for representations by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether permanent un established clerks recently transferred from the Dublin area office to posts in England received any payments towards their removal expenses in excess of the prescribed allowances of 3d. per mile for married men and 1½d. per mile for single men?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has received any Reports from the Industrial Transference Board; and, if so, whether he proposes to make them available to Members of this House?

I have not received any report from the Board, but I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 7th March to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall).

How long does the Minister think this Transference Board will have to be in existence before he receives a report showing that they have found work for any men?

Perhaps the hon. Member would repeat the question, as I really could not hear it.

I was asking how long the Minister considers that this Transference Board will have to be in existnce before he recives a report showing that they have found work for any men?

From that point of view, no term is set to the existence of the Board., and I am in touch with it.

Is the Minister not aware that the President of the Board of Trade said that this Board would be set up on 7th December. Has there not been sufficient time for the Board to present a report showing that they have found work for at least one man?

I can assure the hon. Member that they have found work for a great many more than one man. I have explained a number of times that what they have been doing is to co-operate with the existing officials and have been trying to put extra power behind the different executive departments. I have no doubt that in due time, and if Parliament wishes it, I can produce a written statement of what the Board have been doing. I have no doubt, if there is interest in Parliament, that I can do it before long. I have been in touch with the Board and I know what they have been doing. For example, they are approaching different employers of labour in order to try to find places for men.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is wide public interest in the operations of this Board, and does he not consider that it would be wise for him to call for a report, so that Members of this House, and people in the country who have an interest in the matter, may know what is going on?

I will consider that point.

asked the Minister of Labour how many chairmen of the new Courts of Referees have been appointed; and whether only applicants with legal training are being considered?

No new appointments have yet been made. In general, legal qualifications are regarded as necessary but this is not an absolute rule.

May I ask if any of the chairmen are other than those who have had legal training?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that justices' clerks are not entitled to superannuation allowance on retirement under the local government superannuation scheme introduced five years ago; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to bring these officials under the scheme?

I have been asked to reply. I agree with the recommendation in the recent Report of the Committee on Superannuation of Local Government Employés that the scheme is not suitable for justices' clerks.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has recently issued any Regulations which authorise panel doctors to charge insured persons over the age of 65 the sum of is. for medical certificates?

No, Sir. There is no power under the Acts to fix a fee for certificates which are not required for National Health Insurance purposes.

Is it not a fact that insured persons over the age of 65, who are not entitled to cash payments, are still entitled to medical advice, and that that medical advice includes medical certificates, if required?

As my answer implies, a charge other than that authorised under the National Insurance Act is not a proper charge.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of nursery schools in the county of Lancaster?

There are three nursery schools in Manchester and one in Salford.

Has the Board of Education received a request from some quarters in Lancashire for the setting up of more of these nursery schools

I have heard nothing so far, but I will see that the hon. Member's question is conveyed to the President of the Board of Education.

How do those figures compare with other counties?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the considerable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Territorial officers in the discharge of their official duties; and whether he will make arrangements so that such expenses are deducted by these officers from their Income Tax returns in the same way as expenses in connection with the running of a business can be deducted?

I regret that I am unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. His proposal runs directly counter to an important principle of our Income Tax code which applies to all classes of taxpayers, including the trading community, and under which deductions for Income Tax purposes are confined to such expenditure as is necessarily incurred in earning the profits or income in respect of which the tax is charged.

Having regard to the very patriotic service of these officers and to the fact that, this expenditure was incurred in discharge of their public duties does the Financial Secretary not think that the Inland Revenue might well consider whether some concession could not be made?

The position is entirely governed by the principles laid down in the Income Tax Acts code, and I am not in a position to give a favourable reply to my hon. Friend's question.

While the hon. Gentleman may not be able to give a favourable answer to this question, having regard to the law as it stands today, will he consider whether the law should not be altered in the direction suggested in the question?

Would the hon. Gentleman be prepared to write a patriotic poem on this theme?

Does the hon. Member realise that this is a very serious question, seeing that the pay and allowances of these officers are very small, and could not some concession like the one suggested be made?

Are not these men giving voluntary service to the country?

I will most certainly give the matter careful consideration, and see that the views of my hon. and gallant Friend are laid before the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

When this matter is being considered will the fact be borne in mind that when these Regulations were first drawn up the Income Tax was very much lower than it is now and the pay of these officers has been increased by very little?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that during the past four years 956,420 tons of road-stone and 653,545 tons of setts and kerbing-stone have been imported into this country, mainly from Belgium and Norway; that the sum of £2,772,678 has gone abroad in payment of these goods, while at the same time there are British quarries equipped with the latest machinery and capable of supplying all possible demands; that over 2,000 men are at present unemployed in the British road-stone industry; and whether he will make it a condition of payments out of the Road Fund that stone from British quarries shall be used exclusively?

I must apologise for the length of the answer to this question. [HON. MEMBERS: "Circulate it."] I will do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the suggested railway bridge over the Zambesi is expected to be authorised at an early date?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Anglesey on Monday last. I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the tariff preferences now accorded by this country to several of the products of the Colonies and Protectorates in Africa, steps will be taken to terminate the treaties which prevent those Colonies and Protectorates offering preference to British products?

It is too early now to come to a final decision regarding the revision or renewal of the treaties debarring the grant of Imperial preference by Certain Colonies and Protectorates. I would, however, call the attention of my hon. Friend to the fact that various considerations besides those referred to in the question will have to be taken into account, and I am not in a position to hold out any definite prospect that the action suggested will be taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in all the Crown Colonies and Protectorates in Africa one sees an enrmous increase of foreign goods coming in, and surely the time has arrived when some action should be taken?

That point will be taken into consideration.

Is it not a fact that British trade with West Africa has been growing very steadily and rapidly?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of companies registered as engaged in the artificial silk industry?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

What are the statements made by the Department with regard to artificial silk based upon, when the hon. Member cannot tell us the number of companies in the country, although that information could be supplied by many hon. Members within the sound of my voice?

Artificial silk is subject to Excise Duty, and consequently there is full information as to the quantity of artificial silk produced in this country.

Is it not a fact that 15 companies against one are being or have been established during the last three years?

I am afraid that I have not the exact figures in my mind.

Has it not been stated by the great Dutch expert who is erecting a factory in this country?

Is it really the case that the Board of Trade have no tabular statistics as to the number and type of companies in this country?

The task of classifying and analysing the register of companies is an almost impossible one, except at great expense.

Is it not a fact that a great many companies which are registered for other purposes use artificial silk as one of their raw materials, and therefore it is impossible to get statistics with regard to them?

As the question does not ask for information regarding companies other than artificial silk companies, will the hon. Member endeavour to obtain this information?

I am afraid I cannot ask the Registrar-General at Somerset House to go through many thousands of companies to prepare an answer to this question?

Has the safeguarding of industries any bearing on this question?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the failure of auditors' certificates, as revealed at a recent company meeting, to prevent gross exaggeration in balance sheets of the figures purporting to represent stocks in hand; whether his attention has been called to a recent balance sheet of a shipping company in which ships and shipping investments and general investments are lumped together and valued at over £8,000,000; and whether, in view of the desirability of obtaining more adequate disclosure in balance sheets, he proposes, either by Amendment to the new Companies Bill or otherwise, to seek additional powers to meet such cases?

I have seen references in the Press to matters which the hon. Member probably has in mind. As he is aware, the Companies Bill is at present under consideration in Standing Committee, and any Amendments that may be moved will no doubt receive full consideration by the Committee.

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to his right hon. Friend the desirability of assisting any Amendment in this direction?

We are considering this and all other relevant matters on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in recent years there has been any general decrease in the infantile mortality in the colonies, protectorates, and mandated territories in Africa; and whether any special efforts are being made to deal with the problem of infant mortality in other countries?

It is exceedingly difficult as yet to obtain reliable returns of births and deaths among the populations of tropical Africa but in areas from which the returns may be regarded as fairly accurate, as in the Buganda Kingdom of the Uganda Protectorate and in certain West African towns, there is evidence of slow improvement in the infantile mortality rate. In most areas, however, the rate remains regrettably high.

As I informed my hon. Friend, the Member for Reading, in reply to a similar question on 21st March last year, the Governments of tropical Colonies are fully alive to the importance of this matter. Infant welfare clinics are being established and women doctors, nurses and health visitors appointed for special duty; the work of these officers, notably in Malaya, the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone, has been of a high order. In this connection I would specially mention the work of voluntary agencies such as the Child Welfare League of Kenya and the Child Welfare Society in Singapore, and the efforts which have been made in the West Indian Colonies to deal with this problem.

asked the Minister of Pensions what amount has been saved by the Ministry during the past financial year by withdrawals or reductions of dependants' pensions owing to the operation of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act, 1925?

A special record of these cases has not been kept. I may, however, remind my hon. Friend that, as has been stated more than once, the net result of any adjustment of a need pension, consequent on the grant of contributory pension under the Act, is probably in the majority of cases, an increase of the aggregate charge upon public funds.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that his Department ought to have the figures as to the effects resulting from the application of the Contributory Pensions Act?

No, Sir; I do not think there is any necessity for that at all.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has completed his inquiry into the increase in the number of places for the sale of alcoholic liquors in Jerusalem and at the railway stations in Palestine; whether he can state the precise increase in the number since that country was taken under our mandate; what is the relation of the increase to the growth of the population; and whether he can make any further statement on the subject?

As the answer to this question contains a considerable number of figures I will, with the hon. Gentleman's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

(for Mr. W. THORNE) asked the Prime Minister if he will give special facilities for passing the Bill to provide for the licensing of dog-racing courses, which was introduced on Wednesday last?

The Prime Minister regrets that at this period of the Session he can make no statement in regard to facilities for Private Members' Bills.

(for Sir FRANK NELSON) asked the Prime Minister when he will be in a position to make a statement on the rubber question?

The Prime Minister hopes to be in a position to make a statement on this subject before the House rises for Easter.

(for Mr. W. THORNE) asked the Prime Minister if the Government intends to introduce and proceed with the proposed Road Traffic Bill this Session?

As has already been stated, subject to the exigencies of public business, the Government intend to ask the present Parliament to pass this Bill into law, but my right hon. Friend cannot undertake to do so in the present Session.

(for Mr. W. THORNE) asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a number of films have reduced the wages of their employés, who are old age pensioners, by amounts varying from 2s. 6d. to 10s. per week in consequence of the new Act coming into force; and if he will introduce legislation to prohibit this practice?

My right hon. Friend has no information to the effect stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the remarks made by my right hon. Friend on this subject in the course of the Debate on the 22nd February on the Motion of the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Cove).

May I ask what redress old age pensioners have when they are faced with a demand from employers that they should accept lower wages because they are in receipt of a pension?

I would recommend the hon. and gallant Member to study the Debate which took place on the 22nd February.

As the right hon. Gentleman may be aware, I heard that Debate, and of course, as usual, enjoyed his speech; but of what use is it to recommend the Debate to these poor people who are faced with a reduction of wages, and has the right hon. Gentleman no power in the matter?

I cannot add anything to what has been said already.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this is being practised on any large scale throughout the country?

Not that I am aware of.

(for Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL) asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the wearing of a uniform practically identical with that of a British soldier by an organisation called the Labour League of Ex-service Men; and whether he will take action to prevent the wearing of the King's uniform by unauthorised persons?

My attention has been called to the uniform worn by members of this organisation; but I do not think it is correct to describe it as practically identical with any British Army uniform, and I do not propose to take any action in regard to it.

Is an ex-soldier allowed to wear uniform on ceremonial occasions?

asked the Home Secretary if, when there are vacancies for governorships of prisons and other higher ranks, he will consider the advisability of giving opportunities to experienced qualified officers already in the service to fill these posts?

The Selection Board, who submit names for my formal approval, tell me that the qualifications of serving officers are very carefully considered whenever vacancies in higher ranks arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage of men have been promoted from the ranks?

I really could not say that without notice. If the hon. Member will put down a question, he shall, of course, have the information.

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make a statement to the House concerning the reported trouble on board His Majesty's Ship "Royal Oak," which has caused the Admiral's flag to be lowered?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for having put down this question and for having given me such ample notice. The necessity for the disciplinary action taken by the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, against Rear-Admiral Collard, Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel arose as follows:

On Saturday, 10th March, immediately before the Fleet was due to sail for combined exercises with the Atlantic Fleet, Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel, of His Majesty's Ship "Royal Oak," handed in written statements to Rear-Admiral Collard, who was Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron, with his flag in His Majesty's Ship "Royal Oak," having reference to certain differences that had arisen between the Rear-Admiral and the two officers in question.

The sailing of the Fleet was postponed 15 hours, and a Court of Inquiry, consisting of a Vice-Admiral and two Rear-Admirals, was convened to investigate the matter. On receipt of their report, the Commander-in-Chief proposed to transfer Rear-Admiral Collard's flag to His Majesty's Ship "Resolution"; for reasons wholly creditable to him, the Rear-Admiral preferred to leave at once. The Commander-in-Chief, therefore, directed him to strike his flag and remain at Malta. Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel were relieved of their positions in "Royal Oak" by the Commander-in-Chief's orders, and were directed to return to England.

The Admiralty received the Commander-in-Chief's telegraphic report early on Monday, the 12th, the Fleet sailed a.m. Monday, the 12th, and for the remainder of the week the Commander-in-Chief was handling large forces under conditions approximating to those of war. On Monday, the 12th, the Admiralty requested the Commander-in-Chief to report the nature of the differences in question and the finding of the Court of Inquiry. The reply, which was received p.m. Tuesday, the 13th, stated that it was not possible to telegraph an adequate summary of the questions at issue, or of the finding of the Court, which would not be liable to misinterpretation Thus it will be seen that the Admiralty were not in a position to issue any definite statement until the Commander-in-Chief's written reports had been received and carefully considered. It should be noted that the careers and professional reputations of three senior officers are at stake, and that hasty generalisations might seriously prejudice their case.

Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel arrived in London p.m. on Thursday, the 15th, and requested by letter reinstatement in their positions in "Royal Oak" or, alternatively, trial by courts-martial. The messenger from the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, was unfortunately, delayed en route, and handed in his despatches at the Admiralty p.m. on Friday, the 16th.

A careful examination of the reports of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, and the Court of Inquiry has been made, and the Board concur in the action taken by the Commander-in-Chief, in regard to all three officers.

Rear-Admiral Collard has been relieved by order of the Admiralty, and is returning to England.

Certain issues, important from the point of view of discipline, remain, and the Board of Admiralty have decided, in the interests of the Service, that these matters shall be investigated by courts-martial on the captain and commander respectively. These trials will be convened at Gibraltar as soon as the proper observance of the Regulations will admit, and Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel will proceed to Gibraltar forthwith. It would obviously be impossible to discuss the matter in further detail, pending the decision of the courts-martial to be held at Gibraltar.

Is it possible to inform the House of what exactly was the nature of this serious trouble? The right hon. Gentleman will see, I think, that it is very important when an Admiral is ordered to strike his flag and a flag officer is suspended.

I do not think I can, without prejudicing the proceedings at the court-martial.

Why?

All that will have to be fought out at the court-martial, and as the House will agree, I am sure, that our chief desire is that justice should be done and fair play given to these three officers, I hope that they will not press me further.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that the attitude he is adopting is feeding suspicion and false rumour?

I do not want, at any rate, to be responsible for creating any suspicion, and, therefore, must adhere to what I have said, and take any blame there may be for not giving any further details.

Does this mean that the right hon. Gentleman cannot even say what the actual charge is?

Why should he?

Why should he not?

May I ask my right hon. Friend one question? Will the public be informed of the terms of reference to the court-martial before the court-martial takes place?

The terms of reference to the court-martial will be, of course, decided by the convening officer, who in this case will be the Commander-in-Chief. I do not know whether the practice is to communicate them direct at once to the Press or not, but I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know.

Will the officers be allowed to be represented by King's Counsel?

Yes, if they so wish.

Will the public, as usual, be admitted to the Court?

Yes, Sir.

I desire to make a short personal explanation. At the commencement of business on Friday, I had a private notice question to the Postmaster-General, and, as he was not here, I took it upon myself to pass certain strictures upon him. I received information afterwards that he was ill. I regret very much the cause of his absence and I unreservedly apologise to him for my innocent mistake, and I hope he accepts that apology.

I accept it without any hesitation whatever. I know the hon. and gallant Gentleman is quite certain that though at times I annoy him, I never willingly would be discourteous to him or to the House. The only thing I will add is that, if I had been actually in my place, the only answer I could have given was that I am not the competent authority to answer the question, which should have been addressed to the Prime Minister.