asked the Minister of Pensions the number of ex-service men's widows who have been granted the widows' pension during the last six months ended the 31st March, and the number of those who have been refused?

Precise figures for the half-year ended on 31st ultimo cannot as yet be given, but I understand that out of the total number of claims matte during the period pension will probably be granted in about 840 cases, while the number of claims rejected will be about 660.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why such a large number of them were rejected for special reasons?

Because all this time after the War other causes naturally operate. Those who served in the War are not exempt from the ordinary vicissitudes and illnesses of civil life.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very great dissatisfaction throughout the country at the manner in which these cases are being dealt with?

No, Sir. I have visited every part of the country, and the hon. Member's statement is not accurate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government will be ready for presentation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 29th March.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to cases in Blackpool where shopkeepers have been induced by agents of shop inspectors to break the laws affecting shop hours; and if it is with his approval that such means are used to secure convictions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not therefore arise, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases to which he refers, I should be happy to look into them.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the dangers to asbestos workers from asbestos dust; if he will take steps to have a periodical examination of the workers; and if inquiry is being made as to the dangers attending this industry?

Two cases of suspected danger to health have been recently reported to the Factory Department and the matter is being carefully investigated by the Medical Inspectors. Should their inquiries show that any special precautions are required, the necessary steps for the purpose will be taken.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Bank of England notes found on persons described as Irish gunmen, arrested before Easter for being in illegal possession of firearms, have been traced back to a Russian banking institution in this Country, he will make inquiries as to whether any of the moneys standing to the credit of Russian trading organisations in this Country are being used in attempts to foment and organise revolutionary action here?

My honourable and gallant Friend's information is correct. I am constantly making inquiries and am satisfied that Russian money is being used as suggested in the question.

Will His Majesty's Government make representations to the League of Nations that a Power which uses the fomenting of revolution as an instrument of policy, should not be associated with its deliberations?

That is a matter on which I should have to consult my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Will the Home Secretary kindly make clear what the question means as well as the answer? During the process of circulation a particular banknote may have passed through two dozen banks, different British banks. Does he insinuate that this note went directly from the Russian bank to the person in whose possession it was found, or does he mean that during the process of circulation the note passed through a certain bank several times, as through any other hank, before passing into the hands of the person in whose possession it was found?

I have answered the question. It is not for me to explain what the question means. The question asked whether certain notes had been found and whether they had been traced to a Russian bank. That is correct.

I hope the Home Secretary does not want to be an instrument for the spreading of untruth. Does he mean that the note was traced back immediately to the Russian bank before it came to the culprit, or does he mean that it was also in the Russian bank just as much as it was in two dozen other banks before it came to the culprit?

If the hon. Member can tell me that it passed through two dozen banks between its issue by the Rusian bank and its receipt by the culprit, I shall be prepared to consider the information which he gives. I am satisfied that the note found in the possession of the gunman had quite recently been issued by the Russian bank.

Are the persons concerned accurately described as Irish?

Yes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the seriousness of the statement that he has made in answer to the question, as affecting the possible future relations between this country and Russia, and has he satisfied himself that his sources of information are as reliable as those which produced the Zinovieff letter?

I was not in office at the time of the Zinovieff letter, and I am not responsible for the Foreign Office. All that I am responsible for is my own Department, and I am quite satisfied that the information is thoroughly accurate and can be substantiated in every detail.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the recent report of the Boilermakers' Union in regard to the activities of Soviet agents in that union?

May I ask another question of the Home Secretary?

I think we have had quite enough questions on this subject to-day.

asked the Home Secretary the number of hours policemen directing traffic in the Metropolitan area are engaged in each duty period; and what break, if any, is allowed them for meals during this period?

Almost all the Metropolitan police engaged in regulating traffic are employed for a duty period of eight hours, including a break of half an hour for refreshment.

Is not the period too long, in view of the very great strain that this kind of work entails? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make some other arrangement, whereby the men would not be employed for such a long period of time on this work?

I have no evidence at ail of any strain or of any complaint from the police themselves.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the policemen have complained to me about the heavy strain which the work involves?

While I do not wish to depreciate the importance of the hon. Member, I cannot accept complaints from the police through him. If they have any complaints to make, will the hon. Member tell them to communicate with their chief officer or with the Secretary of State?

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the publication by professional bookmakers during recent Parliamentary by-elections of odds for or against the different candidates; if he is aware of the danger which may result from the interference of betting with the free functioning of the polls; and whether he will consider the introduction of a short Measure to make betting at Parliamentary and local elections illegal?

My attention has not officially been called to this matter. If there is any evidence that the practice is rife and causes harm I shall be glad to look into it.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the issue of betting figures is likely to influence the electors for or against a particular candidate?

I agree that, if anything of the kind took place on any sufficient scale to influence elections, it would be exceedingly improper, but I have no official evidence of the kind. If the hon. Member will submit evidence, I will inquire into it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of this authentic information is published in the columns of the "Daily Herald"?

I cannot say.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a copy of a resolution from the executive of the National Union of Teachers with respect to the withdrawal of free places at Dulwich College, in which suggestions are made for the revision of schemes and the widening of the scope of educational foundations which have increased in value or the objects of which are met by the public education service, so as to provide an increased number of leaving scholarships from secondary schools to universities and similar educational institutions to be available for pupils from unendowed aided and maintained secondary schools; and whether it is intended to take such action as suggested?

My right hon. Friend has received a copy of the resolution referred to, but he does not think that the suggestions contained in it would be practicable. If an increased number of scholarships tenable at universities and similar institutions is needed in any particular area, it is within the competence of the local authority for higher education to provide them.

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities, to the latest available date, who are taking advantage of the Act of 1923 to co-operate with building societies in the provision of houses?

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind the power given to local authorities to guarantee the repayment of any advances, with interest thereon, made by building and other societies. Up to the 30th September last, the latest date for which complete information is available, 84 local authorities had given such guarantee.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the Report of the East Sussex Insurance Committee with regard to a case in Hove, where it is alleged that the panel doctor was visited by a regional medical officer of the Ministry, who criticised his methods of prescribing, and that subsequently the doctor was threatened with action on the part of the Ministry unless he prescribed medicines of a cheaper character; and what was the reason for such an interference with the jurisdiction and authority of the panel committee?

My attention has been called to this case and I am carefully considering the report to which my hon. Friend refers. I must point out, however, that the visit of the regional officer was in fact directed to ascertaining, in accordance with the Medical Benefit Regulations, whether the case was one which should be referred to the panel committee and that the warning issued to the doctor indicated that in certain circumstances such a reference might have to be made.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the value of massage and electro-therapeutic treatments in hastening the return to physical fitness of persons who suffer from accident or disease, causing loss of time or efficiency in industry, he will consider making these treatments an additional benefit in national health insurance?

Under the National Health Insurance Bill now before the House provision is made for the inclusion in the list of additional benefits of a new benefit under which approved societies will be able to make payments towards the cost of massage and electro-therapeutic treatment of their members in approved institutions.

May I ask whether the answer means that massage will be a direct additional benefit, or will it be given indirectly through institutions?

It takes the form of a new benefit. Power is given to make contributions towards the cost of massage.

asked the Minister of Health what regulations or principles will be observed in deciding whether the earnings from his employment or regular occupation of a man in receipt of a full disability pension represent a substantial proportion of his weekly income, under the qualifying conditions for full sickness and disability benefits of Section 60, Sub-section (1), of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, as amended by the National Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill, as at the Second Reading on 3rd April, 1928?

It rests with a man's approved society to determine in the first instance whether the remuneration derived from his employment or occupation in any week is such as to provide a substantial contribution towards his means of livelihood, and, if dissatis- fied with the decision of his society, the man has a right of appeal in accordance with the rules of the society, and ultimately to the Minister. This is not a matter for regulations, and I have no reason to think that societies apply the provisions of the Sub-section in a harsh or unreasonable manner, but if any case of apparent hardship were brought to my notice, I should be ready to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the aggregate increase in the nominal amount of the National Debt through conversion operations from November, 1924, to the present time; and what is the annual saving of interest by these conversions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet (Mr. Harmsworth) on the 15th November last and to the hon. Member for Leicester (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) on the 14th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the action of a booking agent, who has purchased several thousand tickets from the Football Association for the final of the football cup, in charging 2s. extra on all tickets under and up to 10s. in value and 4s. on tickets over that value; and whether any Entertainments Duty is paid on the extra price charged for the tickets?

I am not aware of the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, but in general fees charged by outside booking agents for the convenience of booking are not regarded as payments for admission to an entertainment.

Has the attention of the Financial Secretary been drawn to the fact that a firm describing itself as the Star Printers, of Charlotte Street, London, is selling 2s. tickets for 10s. each, and other tickets in the same proportion? Can he take any action in this matter?

If the hon. Member will send me particulars I will make it my business to look into it.

Are we to understand that the Department does not charge Entertainments Duty on these excess profits?

No, Sir. If the hon. Member will look at leaflet No. 17258 he will see the whole case defined there.

Would it not be a good thing, in cases of gross profiteering such as this, to make the Football Association responsible for the collection of the extra duty and thus compel them to keep better control over the tickets?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the resolution carried at the International Conference at Genoa in 1922, whether the Treasury were consulted by the Bank of England with regard to the scope of the international meeting of delegates of central banks now being held in Paris; and whether he can now indicate a date when the proposals for the further meeting to deal with currency and price stabilisation adumbrated at Genoa, are likely to be implemented?

The meeting at Paris of which I am aware, is concerned, I understand, solely with statistics, and the Treasury are not specially concerned in it. With regard to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the previous statements by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the subject, except that I believe that the co-operation among central banks, to which reference has more than once been made, is continually increasing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the fact that Scotch and English meat has gone up about 1½d. a pound wholesale in the last week, and that butchers are charging 3d. to 4d. a pound more, he is prepared to remove the existing embargo against the importation of certain kinds of meat?

There has been some recovery in the wholesale prices of British beef and mutton from the low levels obtaining in January last. This upward movement has been specially marked over the past week owing to the prevalence of a keener demand. The level of pork prices is practically unaltered. I can see no reason for considering any modification of the existing embargo on the importation of fresh meat from the Continent, which was imposed on disease grounds, and in any case is totally unrelated to the recent rise in prices of beef and mutton.

Surely the Minister of Agriculture must see that an embargo upon various kinds of foreign meat is the means of jumping up the price; and does he not recognise that the workers of this country who have to pay one penny a pound extra for their meat, are being robbed of the opportunities of purchasing other commodities?

I do not think the embargo has had any effect—

Rubbish!

—on the price of beef or mutton. The embargo applies almost entirely to veal and pork, and, if the hon. Member examines the figures since the beginning of the year, he will see that there has been no rise in the cost of pork.

What is the embargo put on for, if riot for the purpose of raising the price of meat?

The purpose of the embargo is to prevent infected pig carcases from coming in.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's original answer that he regards an increase in the cost of living as a recovery?

The hon. Member cannot have heard my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Koweit is still occupied by British forces; and how long it is proposed to occupy this territory?

I have been asked to answer this question. At the desire of the Shaikh of Koweit naval ratings were landed from His Majesty's ships in the Persian Gulf to assist the Shaikh in defending his territory against Akhwan raids. An armoured-car section and a flight of aeroplanes were also detached from the Iraq garrison for this purpose. The naval landing parties have now been re-embarked, and it is hoped that the detachments from Iraq will also be withdrawn in the near future. My right hon. Friend is not yet, however, in a position to state definitely when this withdrawal will be effected.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the exhibition of Empire timber now showing at the Imperial Institute; and, if so, whether he has taken any and, if so, what steps to bring it to the notice of traders generally in this country?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of my hon. Friend the Secretary for Overseas Trade. Yes, Sir. All trade associations likely to be interested in this exhibition have been circularised, as well as a number of other bodies, including architects' associations and technical schools. Many of these bodies have already sent representatives to visit the exhibition, and others are to follow.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps are being taken by his Department to catalogue abandoned tin mines; and do such steps include inspection by his Department before including mines in such catalogue?

The catalogue of plans of abandoned mines has been prepared in the interests of safety, and is intended to assist owners of mines or those proposing to sink shafts to ascertain where plans of neighbouring abandoned mines can be inspected. For this purpose it is not necessary for the abandoned mines themselves to be inspected by my Department. It has been decided to publish the catalogue in sections as the work of examining and classifying the plans is completed in the different areas.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give us any idea as to when these sections will be published?

No, Sir. Of course, it will be when the work of examining and classifying the plans has been completed, and I hope that, will be before long. I do not think there will be any great delay.

What possibility is there of making a complete catalogue of these mines, some of which have been abandoned for over 2,000 years?

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of men employed in lead-mining operations in Great Britain, and the districts where such men are engaged?

The number of persons employed in 1927 at mines at which lead was the principal mineral produced, and in prospecting or development work, was 2,249. Of these persons, 1,094 were employed in the North of England, 419 in the Midlands, 315 in Wales and the Isle of Man, 381 in Scotland, and 40 in Cornwall.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received Reports as to the difficulty of securing the working rights for minerals in the tin-mining area of Cornwall; and, if so, will he take steps to facilitate matters so that those who are willing to work the minerals may have the opportunity?

No, Sir. No such cases have been reported to my Department. If there are any I suggest that the interested parties should consider the terms of the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act, 1923.

Do I understand that, if cases are brought to his notice, the hon. and gallant Gentleman will go into them?

I will make inquiries, but I think the hon. Member will find that there are already powers under that Act.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that three men lost their lives as the result of an explosion at the Temple Pit, Waterloo Main Colliery, Leeds, on Friday last; and whether he proposes to set up a Government inquiry into the causes of the explosion?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the investigations which are being carried out by His Majesty's inspectors have not yet been completed; but the case does not at present appear to be one in which a public inquiry will be necessary in addition to the Coroner's Inquest.

Is that the report from His Majesty's inspector; and has the hon. and gallant Gentleman given consideration to the evidence at the inquest by the widows of the men who lost their lives in this unfortunate disaster? May I put down this Question again for Tuesday next, so that the hon. and gallant Gentleman may have further time to consider it, before giving a definite reply as to whether an inquiry shall be held or not?

I shall be pleased to give the information as soon as I have it. As I have said in my answer, the investigations of the inspector are not yet completed. When they are completed the adjourned inquest will take place. It has been adjourned until the inspector's report can be considered, and I do not think that, when the inquest is over, there will be need for an inquiry.

I asked the hon. and gallant Gentleman had he considered, or would he consider, the evidence given at the inquest by the widows of these men. In view of that evidence, does he not think that an inquiry is necessary? At all events, may I put down the Question for Tuesday next so that he may have further time to consider the matter?

Oh, yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any further statement to make on the Hebridean steamer service?

I have been asked to answer this question. The new contract with Messrs. David MacBrayne Limited for the Western Highlands and Islands steamer services has been signed, and is about to be laid before the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the contributions to current journalism being made or announced from the pens of the Secretary of State for India and the Chancellor of the Exchequer; whether these contributions, actual and prospective, are a violation of the pledge announced in reply to questions on 18th June, 1925, and amplified on 7th December, 1925; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer informs me that any literary contributions which he may publish while in office will strictly conform to the conditions I laid down in my statement on this subject on the 3rd March, 1927. In that statement I gave a full and carefully considered account of the conditions which should be observed by Members of the present Administration. I drew a clear distinction between journalistic articles on questions of current party controversy and Departmental matters on the one hand, and literary, historical or philosophical writings on the other: and I had also in mind the difference which clearly exists in practice between publications in daily or weekly newspapers and publications in books or magazines. For this latter class, as I pointed out, there are numerous respectable precedents over a long period of time and under many Governments. I see no reason to modify the statement which I then made.

With reference to the Secretary of State for India, his articles on the subject of criminology fall within the class I defined as permissible, and I understand they will be shortly published in the form of a book. A single article upon the subject of the position of women in modern life appears from its topic to touch the fringe of current controversy, and to touch it in a sense different from the general view of the Government; but my Noble Friend informs me that it treats the subject in so general a form that he had not expected exception would be taken to it on this ground.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Birkenhead's series which was brought to a premature close in 1925 as a result of the Prime Minister's ban was exactly of the same character and for the same periodical as that which is now appearing? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that two pledges were given to the House? There is a second one which he did not quote. On 7th March, 1927, he said:

"The prohibition is perfectly clear; it is a prohibition against writing articles in the Press."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th March, 1927; col. 840, Vol. 203.]

Is that position still maintained by His Majesty's Government?

May I ask a further question? Does the Prime Minister not consider that the reply given this afternoon considerably modifies his own former statement on the matter; and that the statement of his Noble Friend indicates a real difference between his Noble Friend and the Cabinet on current politics?

With regard to the first part of the question, the distinction as to what is journalism and what is not is a very fine distinction, and a very difficult thing to decide upon. The answer which I have given is quite clear and is within the terms of the considered answer on the whole subject which I gave on 3rd March, 1927.

May I press the right hon. Gentleman to say whether he still holds to the opinion or to the decision which he announced in this House on the 7th March, 1927, he used these words:

"The prohibition is perfectly clear; it is a prohibition against writing articles in the Press."

I do not consider that this is an article in the Press. I said the distinction was very fine. There has been a practice of recent years, which is a modern practice, that when books are being compiled, portions of those books very often appear before publication. That is a state of things which did not exist many years ago. This particular chapter which has appeared is an isolated chapter of a work on which my Noble Friend has been engaged for some time, and which he will have time to complete at some future date in his leisure, hut if in this matter there has been an error of judgment on his part, that is the worst that I can say.

Does the Prime Minister recollect the fact that the late Mr. Gladstone frequently contributed to the "Nineteenth Century" during the time he was Prime Minister articles which were non-political?

That is one of the respectable precedents to which I alluded.

Does the Prime Minister realise, when he speaks of the indirect nature of Lord Birkenhead's contribution, that in this article, Lord Birkenhead definitely refers to an occasion when he spoke against the enfranchisement of women, and says that he stands on these views?

Doubtless the hon. Member will recollect that in the time of the Coalition Government Lord Birkenhead introduced the Enfranchisement Bill in the House of Lords giving votes to women.

Is it not the case that even those with the most elementary knowledge of literature are aware that the monthly and quarterly magazines are never described as the "Press"?

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the reasons why the average price paid for land by the Commissioners rose from 57s. 6d. per acre of plantable land in 1923 to 80s. in 1927?

I have been asked to reply. The main reason why the average price paid by the Forestry Commissioners for land in 1927 was higher than in 1923 was that the 1927 areas included more of the following assets, namely: (a) timber and young plantations; (b) houses; and (c) agricultural land which will be used for agricultural holdings or disposed of.

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what proportion of the afforestation grants made by the Commissioners in each of the last three years went to local authorities and to private individuals, respectively?

Of the afforestation grants made by the Forestry Commissioners in 1925 13 per cent. went to local authorities, in 1926 4 per cent. and in 1927 5 per cent. The remainder went to private individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the conversations that have taken place between His Majesty's Foreign

Will the Noble Lord say when it is hoped to publish these Regulations?

I stated that in my reply to the hon. Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the total sum spent by the Government of India upon defence purposes in the following years, 1913, 1920, 1926, 1927, and 1928, respectively; and the percentage of the total budget represented by these figures in their respective years?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Informal discussions took place at Geneva last month to investigate the possibility of obtaining agreement on a classification of naval armaments which could be included in the draft convention now being prepared by the Preparatory Committee for the Disarmament Conference. No conclusions have yet been reached, and it is still too early to make any statement as to the probable outcome. The building and employment of submarines were not touched upon in these conversations.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why the very important question of submarines was not discussed in view of the declaration of the American Secretary of State on this subject, and the willingness now of America to join with us in abolishing the submarine?

I said that the matter was not discussed in the specific conversations to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman particularly refers. Our views are quite well known on the question of submarines and have already been made public.

Surely no agreement can be come to without an agreement on submarines; why was it not discussed?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any decision has been come to by the British Government with reference to the question of lodging a claim for the occupation of the British Consulate in Nanking by Nationalist troops; and whether this claim has been lodged with the Nationalist authorities?

No specific claim for reparation for the occupation of these premises has been lodged. His Majesty's Government regard this matter as being covered by the statement in Mr. Eugene Chen's reply of the 14th of April, 1927, that

"The Nationalist Government are prepared to make good all damage done to the British Consulate at Nanking on the ground that, whether or not such damage was caused by Northern rebels and others, as stated in the preliminary statements issued by the Nationalist Government on the 31st of March last, the fact remains that a British Consulate on Chinese territory has been violated."

Is it intended to lodge a claim for this amount and how will the amount be arrived at?

The hon. Member knows that negotiations are now proceeding with the Nanking Government on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can yet make any statement as to the restoration to the town police mission in Greece of the powers originally allotted to them, and of which they were deprived by the Pangalos Government?

I have received no further information on the subject since the date of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's question on the 15th of February last, and I will ask His Majesty's Minister at Athens for a report.

If this report on the work of Sir Frederick Halliday and his police is satisfactory, will His Majesty's Government press for the carrying out of the terms of the contract which were originally entered into?

I think, as there is every reason to suppose that Sir Frederick Halliday's services have been appreciated by the Greek Government, the result will be satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action His Majesty's Government is taking with respect to the Note received from the Government of the United States of America inviting His Majesty's Government to adhere to a treaty for the outlawry of war and enclosing a preliminary draft treaty for that purpose?

The Note which the United States Ambassador addressed to His Majesty's Government on the 13th of April is receiving most careful and sympathetic consideration and will form the subject of consultations with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions.

Are we in any way bound to consult with the French Government before answering?

The French Government have informed us that they are about to send us a Note, now in course of preparation, enclosing a draft treaty embodying the French Government's views, and, therefore, it would be premature to consult them at the moment.

I did not make myself clear. Beyond consulting the Dominions, are we in any way bound to consult the French Government?

The French Government, as I say, are sending us a Note embodying their own views, and doubtless we shall exchange opinions on this particular matter.

As the opinions of the French Government and the American Government differ on this subject, can we be assured that this House will have the opportunity of considering the matter before the Government definitely commits us to the French point of view?

That really is not a question that ought to be addressed to me.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read a report saying that the French Government wish to exempt from the outlawry of war disputes affecting national honour or their vital interests?

I must see questions affecting other Governments before they are put down on the Order Paper.

May I submit that the questions asked by the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) and the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) affect other Governments, and every question on foreign relations affects other Governments, so that if we are to be prohibited from putting them in the House, we shall not be allowed to ask ask questions on foreign relations at all.

The hon. Member was putting something into the mouth of a foreign Government. It is that to which I object, it being a question that I should see before it is put.