asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with regard to the Dead Sea salt concessions, he will take steps to bring about a merger of the various interests concerned, backed up by a British group?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend means the interests of the various applicants for this concession. I am afraid I am not prepared to intervene in the manner suggested.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that an offer has been made by a powerfully-backed British scheme for a merger of these interests, and does he not consider that it would be far preferable to the speculative possibilities of M. Novamesky?

If the applicants like to merge their interests, that is their concern. I cannot arrange it for them.

Is this not a case of M. Novamesky having done all the pioneer work before the anti-Semites were aware of the salt deposits, and that now they want to come in and scoop the pool?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has made any official inquiries as to the syndicate behind M. Novamesky in the Dead Sea salt concessions; and whether he can give their names?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, the discussions have not reached a point which would enable me to inform the House of the names of their financial supporters.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether secrecy is one of the conditions of their offer?

No, not at all. As the discussion has not yet arrived at concession, and it is not certain yet who are their supporters, obviously it would be unfair to give the names of people who have not yet definitely decided to commit themselves.

Is there any reason why these gentlemen should be treated any differently from others who are applying to the Government for leave to exploit a concession in a mandated area?

I do not know that that arises. The question is the names of the backers of this particular applicant. Undoubtedly, if a definite agreement were arrived at, it would be a matter for the information of the House as to who stands behind the agreement. But the matter is still entirely unsettled.

Will my right hon. Friend see that the interests of British agriculture are properly safeguarded?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in regard to the Rutenberg concession in Palestine, he can state the amount of the capital that was needed to finance this concession; when, and on what dates, this was obtained; whether a loan was made under the Trades Facilities Act; and whether the original conditions under which this concession was granted were completely carried out?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the Jordan electricity concession, not to the Jaffa electricity concession. I understand that the Palestine Electric Corporation, which has an authorised capital of £1,000,000, has, up to the present, issued shares to the extent of £657,951, and that arrangements have been made for a loan to the Corporation, guaranteed by the Treasury under the Trade Facilities Act of £250,000. I do not know on what dates the issued share capital was subscribed. The concession was granted on 5th March, 1926, and work is in progress. Under Clause 7 of the concession it has to be completed by 5th March, 1931, unless the period is extended for special reasons.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this loan under the Trade Facilities Act was in accordance with the Regulations, in mandated territory?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of applications that have been received by the Government of Sierra Leone for exclusive prospecting licences in connection with the discovery of platinum in that Colony?

According to information furnished by the Governor in February the number was then 17. He anticipated that further applications would be received, but that they- would not be many.

Are any of these licences not exclusively granted, and, if so, how many?

I would require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of secondary schools that exist- exclusively for Malays in the Federated Malay States; and whether it is intended to increase this number?

I regret that I am unable to furnish the information. Some little time ago I asked the Governor for a comprehensive report on educational policy, including the question of the higher education of Malays. He will doubtless furnish his Report after he has had an opportunity of discussing the matter with the Under-Secretary of State, who is now on a visit to the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the attitude of the British Government towards the introduction of conscription in Iraq?

The British Government do not propose to interfere in the matter either to encourage the. Iraq Government to introduce conscription or to prevent them from doing so. The British Government are not convinced, however, that the introduction of conscription would be acceptable to the people of Iraq as a whole or would be to the advantage of the country. It has been made clear to the Iraq Government that, if disturbances arose as a consequence of the introduction of the measure, we could not contemplate the employment of British troops to enforce its application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement with regard to the appointment of the five Indian members to the Legislative Council of Kenya Colony; whether it was with his approval that a communal franchise for Indian electors was recently substituted for the policy of nomination introduced in 1924; whether he is aware that the Indian community, as a mark of protest against the communal franchise, has boycotted the elections, with the result that, with the exception of one Indian elected as an unopposed return, there are now no Indian representatives on the Legislative Council; and whether he will consider the advisability of returning to the policy adopted in 1924, on the recommendation of the Colonial Indian Committee, by the then Secretary of State for the Colonies and re-introduce the practice of nomination with regard to the Indian members of the Council?

The communal franchise, approved in the White Paper of 1923, was accepted, without prejudice, by the Indian community. They subsequently withdrew their acceptance, and the later events were explained in the reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 26th March. I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to the future.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how much of the guarantees called up to meet the deficit on the British Empire Exhibition have been paid; how much remains to be paid; how much of the total liability falls on private persons; how much on His Majesty's Government; and whether, in view of the stated benefit to the country from the holding of the exhibition, he will recommend the remission of the amount due from private persons in whole or in part?

Before that question is answered, may I ask if the hon. Gentleman is aware that, instead of there being any liability, a sum of money has already been remitted to all the guarantors in full discharge of liability?

Speaking in general terms, I am aware of that fact. I was going to suggest to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) that as the answer contains a large number of figures, he should allow me to circulate it in the OFFICI ST, REPORT.

I am quite prepared to have the figures circulated, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman would he good enough to answer the last part of the question?

Yes. The liquidation has now been completed, and I am not prepared to recommend His Majesty's Government to assume any further liability.

Could the hon. Gentleman not ascertain the feeling of the House on this matter before it is finally closed? I believe I am right in saying that there is a widespread feeling that the private persons who, out of public spirit, came forward, should not now be mulcted in these unexpectedly heavy sums.

It was understood that, if the exhibition was not a financial success, then certain persons would make up the deficiency, or a portion of the deficiency. That was the clear understanding, and I cannot see the value of getting guarantors at all, if you are not going to insist upon their contract being carried out. It would be wrong, I think, having obtained other guarantors, that the Government should in any event be responsible for the whole of the liability.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the period of time for which the steam trawler, "Cicely Blanche, "of Milford Haven, and the steam trawler, "Ben Miedie," of Aberdeen, have been chartered for use in connection with research work; the terms of the charter hire, including the sum payable per month; and the services his department will receive in return therefor?

The "Cicely Blanche "has been chartered by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research from the end of April until the end of August next on repayment of all the owner's out-of-pocket costs and 2125 a month: and the "Ben Meidie" for a period of six months from about the end of April with the option of continuing thereafter subject to one month's notice on either side, on repayment of all owner's out-of-pocket costs and £100 a month. In each case the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research will reinstate the vessel on the conclusion of the research. In return, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research will have the right to instal plant for research, to have scientific staff aboard the ships, and to direct fishing operations and methods of handling and stowage. All sales of fish will be credited to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Is it not the case that the estimate of £18,000 mentioned in the recent Debate on fisheries was for these two vessels?

I would require notice in order to go into the question of what other expenditure was covered by that figure.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what steps are taken by his Department to see that the provisions of the fair-wages Clause are strictly adhered to by all contractors; whether his attention has been called to a recent case in Bristol in which, as the result of representations, it was found that incorrect rates were being paid and arrears of pay were admitted to be due to some of the men employed on a Government contract; and whether he will take steps to ensure that a close watch will be kept to prevent irregularities?

In reply to the first part of the question, a fair wages Clause is embodied in all contracts placed by the Department, and if there is reason to believe that any departure from the provisions of the Clause is occurring, an immediate, inspection is made of the wages books of the contractor. In the event of any underpayment being discovered, the contractor is required to pay the arrears of wages due to, the men concerned, and if he fails to do so his name is removed from the Department's list and other Government Departments informed. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. With reference to the last part of the question, the First Commissioner is satisfied that the procedure outlined provides a reasonable safeguard against irregularties, but he will always be glad to cause inquiries to be made into any ease to which his attention is invited.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that since the previous questions I have received a large number of complaints from men who were employed on this job and who received even less than the figures that were given in the official reply, and will he inquire into all these individual cases?

I told the hon. Member that I should be glad to inquire into any case which was brought to my notice. As far as this particular case is concerned, the employer has already agreed to pay up the arrears.

Will you let him off like that?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department., as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he is aware that Dunkery Beacon is in the market; and whether, in view of the danger that this historic spot may be lost to the people, he will have it scheduled as an ancient monument?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to the proposed sale of the Cutcombe estate, which includes Dunkery Beacon; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to securing this hill, with its historic monuments, for the nation?

My Noble Friend has seen a notice in the Press regarding Dunkery Beacon. He is quite prepared to schedule the monuments in question, but regrets that no funds are available for their purchase by the State.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any request from the Canadian Government that the correspondence passing between Canada and Great Britain concerning the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty should be published; and, if so, what reply the British Government has made?

I have been asked to reply to this question. A request in the sense indicated has been received from the Canadian Government, and a reply will be sent after I have had an opportunity of consulting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Have any requests been received from any of the other Dominion Governments, from South Africa or Australia?

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to secure suitable residential and office accommodation for His Majesty's Minister at Lima, Peru?

I am happy to be able to state that the Peruvian Government have very generously provided free of charge a site for a new British Legation house in Lima. Building operations will be commenced on the site as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

May we take it that the thanks of His Majesty's Government will be conveyed to the Peruvian Government?

Oh, yes.

And will it be seen that a worthy building is erected, because it will help our trade in South America very much?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Pundit Anandamurti and two assistants, all British-Indian subjects, have been arrested and deported from Portuguese India, and threatened with life imprisonment if they again enter Portuguese territory, for having converted 4,000 Roman Catholics to Hinduism; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to having representations made to the Portuguese authorities against this action, in view of the fact that numerous Roman Catholic priests and subjects of Portuguese and Indo Portuguese origin are permitted to live in British India with full religious liberty?

I have no information on this subject, but I will ask my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for India, to make inquiries.

asked the secretary for Mines if the catalogue of abandoned mines, so far as Cornwall and Devon are concerned, is now completed, with all available plans and information; and, if so, will it be published immediately?

The collection of information of plans of abandoned mines is almost finished, so far as Cornwall and Devon are concerned, but the indexing and arrangement of the information will take some time, and I cannot say yet when the catalogue will be ready for publication. In the meantime my Department will welcome any inquiries about these plans, and will answer them in so far as the information collected enables this to be done.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman discharged any of the men who were engaged upon this work, and, by discharging them, held up this catalogue?

No. The preparation of the catalogue has not been held up in any way.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to limit his nominations to the Metropolitan Asylum Board to those resident in the County of London, in view of the importance of the present and prospective duties of the Board?

The qualification of a nominated manager of the Board is prescribed in Section 167 (4) of the Poor Law Act, 1927, and confines nominations to justices of the peace resident within the asylum district and ratepayers assessed to the general rate therein.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how far the Asylum Board area differs from that of the administrative county?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has assured himself that all the members he has nominated to the Metropolitan Asylum Board have the necessary qualification; and whether he will ensure that all the members shortly to be nominated by him shall possess the necessary qualification tinder the Acts?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will issue a memorandum giving such information as is available with regard to the preparations which are being made by the Soviet Government for military, naval, and aerial warfare?

It would not be in the public interest to issue a memorandum such as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.

asked the Prime Minister whether the recent visit of the secretary of State for India to Germany was undertaken for official purposes; and whether he and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs consulted with the Secretary of State for India prior to the visit as to the public pronouncements to be made on matters of policy affecting His Majesty's Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Secretary of State for India was engaged in any official mission on behalf of His Majesty's Government during his recent visit to Berlin?

No, Sir; the visit of my Noble Friend was a purely private one.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the reports of his Noble Friend's speeches in the German Press and their repercussions in. the French Press, and will he see that his denial is given some publicity, at any rate, in the English papers?

I have seen nothing that my Noble Friend said except general sentiments as to the desirability of living on peaceable terms with our neighbours.

Then was it only in his private capacity that his Noble Friend the Secretary of State for India was advocating a German-Franco-British alliance against Russia?

Why not?

Because it is not the policy of the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to consult Parliament before any definite answer is returned to the Note of the Government of the United States of America inviting His Majesty's Government to adhere to a treaty for the outlawry of war?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the three fighting services are very large purchasers, if not always of the same articles, at any rate very often in the same markets, he will consider the establishment of one contracts branch for all three services, in order that closer co-operation and economy may be effected?

As I explained on the 27th March, there is already the closest co-operation between the contract departments of the Fighting Services, the Post Office and the Office of Works, and the Treasury; and, having regard to the report of the Committee on the Amalgamation of Services common to the Navy, Army and Air Force, the establishment of a central contracts department is not considered advisable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the cooperation could not be closer and more advantageous?

Oh, we have been working towards that both in that and other directions for the last three years.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a communication from the London County Council urging him to introduce a comprehensive measure dealing generally with rating and valuation in London; and whether, in view of the long time this matter has been under consideration and the desirability of the alterations in the Law being affected in time for the quinquennial valuation in 1930, 'he will introduce the Bill during the present Session?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has received the communication to which the hon. Member refers. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer him to the statement which my right hon. Friend made in this House on the Second Reading of the Rating and Valuation Bill now under consideration in another place.

asked the Minister of Labour (1), whether, with reference to Command Paper No. 3056, Return of Expenditure of Registered Trade Unions, he can state what grants are meant in the column of expenditure headed Grants to other bodies;

(2), whether, with reference to the Return of Expenditure by the Agricultural Workers Trades Union in 1925 and 1926, as published in Command Paper No. 3056, he can state what the bodies were which received these grants; and, if so, whether he will arrange with the Chief Registrar that in future years information regarding recipients of grants shall be included in the Return submitted to Parliament?

The items included under the heading "Grants to other bodies etc." are for the most part grants to Federations, other Trade Unions, Trades Councils and Congresses, whether by way of levy or otherwise. There are also included subscriptions to hospitals, convalescent homes and other charitable institutions and transfers of funds between unions on amalgamation or transfer of engagements.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the expenditure referred to in question No. 55. To include these particulars in the Returns would involve the publication of a mass of detail and this would not be consistent with the nature of the Returns which are intended to give a brief summary of the available figures.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that, in the case of this Union, during that year the grants to other bodies doubled the total amount of benefit to the members of the Union; and does he think that that is right?

It is entirely a matter of opinion. As I have stated in my answer, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the items which my hon. and gallant Friend wanted.

Is it possible for the executive of one union to make grants of its funds to other unions; and is there no provision against this misappropriation of funds?

As my hon. and learned Friend knows, that is a question of law about which I am not acquainted.

Has the hon. Gentleman examined the returns of the employers' trade unions, and noted that the percentage of grants to benefits is even greater than in any of the trade unions?

asked the Minister of Labour when it is expected that the Report of the Industrial Transference Board will be laid upon the Table?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Southwark Central (Mr. Day) on the 18th April, no formal Report has yet been made by the. Board though I have reason to believe that it is the Board's intention to make one at a later stage. I may remind the hon. Member that the Board are not primarily a Committee of Inquiry whose sole purpose is the presentation of a Report, but an advisory body with continuing functions. In this capacity the Board are in constant touch with the Departments concerned with the transfer problem, and in particular with the Ministry of Labour and the Overseas Settlement Department. Apart from private initiative, it is, in the main, through the Employment Exchange machinery, the training centres for juveniles and adults, both for home and overseas, and the oversea migration machinery that actual transfers of labour can be effected, and these agencies are operating in close association with the Board.

Have the Board done anything practical yet, and if so, what?

Yes; that question has been asked many times before, and if the hon. Gentleman will look at the reply given by my right hon. Friend on the 7th March last, he will find an answer.

Would it not be advisable to get the Report as early as possible, so that we may know what they have done?

Yes, I have no doubt that we shall get the Report as soon as possible.

Do we understand the hon. Gentleman to say that the Transference Board will deal with juveniles, as well as with adults?

Yes, certainly. What I said was:

"It is in the main through the Employment Exchange machinery, the training centres for juveniles and adults … that actual transfers of labour can be effected."

Does the hon. Gentleman wish us to understand that he has no knowledge of what the Board are doing until he gets a full Report?

No, Sir, I do not say that. What I say is that, when this question appeared on the Paper, I made it my business, to find out if it were the intention of the Board to issue a report, and, as I say in the answer, I have reason to believe that it is their intention.

Having regard to the importance attached by the Government to this Board, is it not desirable to have information at once?

It wou'd be much better to wait for the report.

When do the Government expect that the investigations of this Board will be completed?

That I cannot say, but their report will be made when their investigations are completed.

In view of the fact that we cannot have the report just yet, can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Board have succeeded in transferring anybody?

That is exactly the question asked by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Devonport (Mr. HoreBelisha), and, as I say, the reply will be found in the answer given by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received complaints against the growing practice of certain companies and individuals selling tea on the promise of large cash bonuses to their customers which are not forthcoming; and whether any prosecutions have taken place?

Except for a communication of the 18th instant from the hon. Member, no complaint has been received by me during the last year or two. No criminal offence is as a rule committed and proceedings are therefore not possible.

asked the Home Secretary the number of prisoners detained at Parkhurst Prison who have made attempts to escape during the past four years; the punishment inflicted on each man after recapture; how many men have been punished for breach of prison rules arid regulations during the same period; the nature of such punishments; is it the practice to inflict corporal punishment for offences committed in this prison; and has he received any complaints from prisoners asking for inquiries into the administration of the prison in respect of punishment and discipline in general?

I will have published in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the various particulars for which the hon. Member asks.

If anyone makes a complaint, does it come direct to the right hon. Gentleman?

l am answering the hon. Member's question very fully, and I do not think that I ought, by way of supplementary questions, to anticipate the statement which I ant circulating.

That is the last part of the question, and no reply has been given.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any communications from Russian banks in London regarding their alleged financial relations with Irish gunmen; and, if so, whether he will now make a further statement on the matter?

asked the Home Secretary (1) if he has received any explanation or protest from the Russian banking institution to which the notes in connection with the Irish gumen were traced; and, if so, what are the contents of such communication;

(2) on what date were Bank of England notes found in the possession of Irish gunmen arrested before Easter for keeping firearms without a licence; were all the notes found on the prisoners traced hack to a Russian banking institution in this country or were there any that had not passed through that institution; on what date were they last in possession of the Russian bank; did the police investigation disclose among what other institutions or persons the notes had been circulated during a period of four weeks before the arrest; and were the notes so traced quite openly stamped by the Russian bank with its name or identification marks?

The substance of the communications sent to me by the two Russian banks established in this country has already appeared in the Press. I propose to avail myself of their offers to supply any information in their possession hearing upon this matter, and I am replying to-day in that sense to their communications. Pending the conclusion of any further investigation that may result, I do not think that it would be in the public interest to furnish the particulars asked for by the hon. Member for North Battersea (Mr. Saklatvala).

May we have an assurance, pending these investigations, and pending a further discussion in this House, that no further interference will take place with Anglo-Russian trade?

I really do not know what the hon. Member means.

May I ask the question in another form? May we have an assurance that there will be no more raids, similar to that upon Arcos, and no more interference with persons who are desirous of carrying on trade between this country and Russia for the benefit and employment of people in this country?

The hon. Member may be assured that the Secretary of State in this matter will not act unless he has information equally as good as he had in the ease of Arcos.

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet been able to trace the source of the leakage of confidential information from his Department to the hon. and gallant Member for Hitchin (Major Kindersley)?

I am quite satisfied—in fact I have applied to the hon. and gallant Member personally—that the information did not come either from my Department or from the police.

Had any report of these financial operations appeared in the Press, or in any other public way, before the question was asked?

No, certainly not—not to my knowledge.

When the right hon. Gentleman says that his information is as good as before, is it not a fact that in his previous raid on the Arcos Bank he found nothing of any value at all?

asked the Home Secretary whether temporary shore leave is still being granted to persons from the Soviet ship "Tovarisch," which put into Southampton some time ago for repairs; if he can state how much longer it is expected that these repairs will take to complete; whether it is proposed to continue these landing facilities so long as the "Tovarisch" remains at Southampton; and whether any precautions are taken to ensure that the use of these facilities is properly safeguarded?

The answers to the four parts of the question are as follow: (1) Yes. (2) I am informed that the ship will be towed to Leningrad for repairs when that port is open in the course of the next few weeks. (3) Yes, as long as the conduct of the persons concerned continues satisfactory. (4) Yes, due precautions are taken and nothing has occurred to suggest that any facilities granted have been abused.

Is it necessary for some weeks to elapse before this ship can be towed for repairs to Leningrad?

I am sorry that it is not within the power of the Home Office to deal with the Russian climate.

On the other hand, does my right hon. Friend recognise the fact that many people living in the vicinity of where the ship is lying at the present time are extremely annoyed to think that these people are here?

Is there any reason to suppose that the conduct of the persons involved is other than satisfactory?