asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is yet in a position to say why a copy of a book entitled "The Politics of Oil," sent to India by a. London bookseller, was confiscated on its arrival in that country in March last?

This book was confiscated on arrival at Bombay as coming within the scope of the Notification issued under Section 19 of the Sea Customs Act. This Notification pro- hibits the importation of publications issued by or emanating from any organisation affiliated to or controlled by or connected with the Communist International.

This book has nothing whatever to do with Communism; it was published by the Labour Publishing Company, and was written at the instigation of the Labour Research Department.

The book was written by Mr. R. Page Arnott, of the Labour Research Department. I am informed that the author is a leading member of he Communist party in Great Britain, and he was convicted in this country in 1925 on a charge of conspiring with other persons to utter and publish seditious libels under the Incitement to Mutiny Act. He has been in Moscow for some time past working in close contact with the authorities there.

Is the Noble Lord aware that this book has nothing whatever to do with Communism, and that it is one of a series of studies of labour and capital, and deals purely with oil in politics?

If a member of the Communist party wrote a novel or a book of poetry, would he be debarred from carrying on his journalistic activity, and, if so, on what grounds, and how does the Government prohibit it?

That is rather hypothetical.

As regards the question as to the conditions under which this book was published, I would call the hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that it was published by the Labour Research Department, 162, Buckingham Palace Road. I am informed that this is an institution which is in close touch with the Communists, and is known to collaborate with the equivalent body in Moscow, which is under the control of the Central Council of the Trade Unions in Moscow.

Will the Noble Lord agree to read this publication himself, and ascertain whether it is of the kind which ought to be excluded from India?

No, Sir; it is the source of the publication, and not the publication itself which was the cause of the Government of India deciding to exclude it.

I asked whether the Noble Lord will agree to read it?

No, Sir; because it is a matter for the Government of India, who are in this matter acting within their full discretion, and with the full approval of my Noble Friend.

Will the Noble Lord give us any information as to his authority for stating that this particular committee in Buckingham Palace Road is under the control of some committee in Moscow?

I have made inquiries to that effect—and I am not going to give my source of information—and so has the Government of India.

Can the Noble Lord inform us where the extreme Socialist ends and the Communist begins?

Are we to understand that any book written by a Communist is to be forbidden entry into India?

The Government of India are acting in this matter exactly as the trade unions are acting in this country, and are doing their best to exclude Communist interference from outside sources with the internal affairs of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has now received the full Report, together with the views of the Government of Bengal and the Government of India, regarding the firing on the railway strikers in Calcutta on the 28th March last; and, if so, whether he will give the House the particulars?

The Report itself has been received to-day, but not the views of the Government of Bengal and the Government of India. Until these have been received, I cannot make any statement.

Can the Noble Lord say when it is hoped to receive this Report from the Government of Bengal, so that a statement can be made on this subject?

It is difficult to give an approximate date, but I will inform the hon. Gentleman when I am in a position to answer this question, so that he can put another question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of state for India whether he is now able to state what action has been taken with regard to the magistrate censured by the chief justice of Lahore in his judgment delivered on 18th November, 1927?

I am still in the position indicated by my answer to the hon. Member's question of 23rd April, but will ascertain when a decision is likely to be reached.

In view of the grave strictures of the judge in this case, and the fact that nearly six months have elapsed, can the Noble Lord indicate when he will be in a position to give a definite answer?

The hon. Member will realise that more than one authority has to consider this matter; full consideration is being given to it, and I regret that I am unable to tell him even approximately when a decision will be reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, and, if so, on what occasions during the past two years, the Indian Government has respectively tolerated and prevented' the delivery to Indian addressees of contributions from Moscow to the funds of Indian strikers?

I have no exact information, and would prefer not to make any statement until I am in possession of such information.

Has the Noble Lord's attention been drawn to a letter written by Mrs. Besant, no friendly critic of the Indian Government, to one of the Indian trade union leaders in receipt of Bolshevist money, to the effect that it should be returned, because

"it is poured out to create riots and bloodshed in other lands, and disgraces anyone who touches it."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to make any statement regarding the circumstances in which K. C. Banerjee, who had been sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment under the Arms Act, was released by the Punjab Government after serving some months of this term of imprisonment; whether he is aware that the Punjab Government has admitted that they had learned that this man had been connected with the criminal investigation department of the United Provinces; and that his release followed on the receipt of this information?

My Noble Friend has not yet received any report on this matter, but it was debated at some length in the Punjab Legislative Council on 10th May, and the debate has been reported in the Indian Press. When I receive the Official Report will send the hon. Member a copy. According to the Press report it is the case that Banerjee was released after serving two months of his sentence mainly in consideration of the fact that he had in the past given useful information to the United Provinces police and had assisted in the prevention and detection of crime.

In view of that statement, will the Noble Lord now reconsider the replies which he has given in this House to the effect that agents provocateurs are not employed by the Indian police?

No; the hon. Gentleman is reading into my answer something that does not exist. I never suggested that he was an agent provocateur, and there is not the slightest reason to suppose that he is. He was merely a gentleman who had given useful information to the police; and I would remind the hon. Member that it is the duty of all citizens in all civilised countries to give information to the police, if that information may be useful.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the Finance Member of the Punjab Government admitted that this man had been a paid agent of the police?

The report which I have seen in the newspapers did not convey that impression. Sir Geoffrey de Montmorency, according to the report, said:

"This informer belonged to the latter class"—

that is, those, as Sir Geoffrey had previously explained, who give really useful information leading to the detection and prevention of crime, and the protection of the public, and, as such, deserve consideration. Then, Sir Geoffrey went on to say:

"and we, therefore, took a lenient view of his offence, but we did not take this view until we were thoroughly satisfied on the point."

Did not the fact come out in the same debate that his expenses were always paid by the police authoriti as, and is it not a fact that his expenses for travelling to Punjab were actually paid?

On that, I should prefer to await the full report of the debate, but I must inform the hon. Gentleman that I see nothing wrong in a citizen, who has given useful information to the police, being paid for his expenses in connection with the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the number of undesirable films still being exhibited in India; and whether he will make representations to the Government of India with a view to bringing about a is ore efficient censorship of films In that country?

The whole question of the production and exhibition of cinematograph films in India has recently been considered by a, Committee in India, appointed by the Governor-General in Council, one of whose terms of reference was to examine the principles and methods of the censorship of films, and to make recommendations. The Committee is expected to report shortly.

Can the Noble Lord say whether any British films have been censored there lately?

Obviously not without notice, but I will send the information to the hon. Member. There are different methods in different provinces in India, and the whole question of censorship is being carefully considered by the Committee, and will afterwards receive the attention of the Government of India when the Committee report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the importance of town planning in British Malaya, owing to its present rapid economic development, he will say what steps are being taken to make use of the opportunities afforded by that development?

The Governments of British Malaya have given careful consideration to town planning and improvement in recent years. In the Federated Malay States the Government engaged a Government Town Planner in 1921, and have since established his Department on a permanent basis; legislative provision has been made for the preparation and enforcement of tows plans in suitable areas, and legislation dealing with improvement schemes is in preparation. In the Straits Settlements the Singapore Improvement Ordinance, passed last year, set up a Board of Trustees to prepare and carry out improvement schemes in Singapore Island.

Is the right hon. Gentleman convinced that the administration is strong enough to be able to carry out the legislation which is intended.

Oh, I think so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any further reports of attacks carried out by Persian tribes on the Iraq-Persian frontier in Amara and, if so, whether he will give particulars; and can he state whether the Commission of Inquiry which has been sent to Amara to investigate the circumstances of the trouble has made a Report?

I have not been able to identify any events to which the hon. Member's question could refer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received information that several persons have recently been accused in Palestine of membership of an illegal association and have been sentenced to deportation; whether he is aware that these persons asked that they should be treated as political offenders; that they went on hunger strike and are still on hunger strike, and that three of them were flogged; whether flogging and deportation of political offenders are forms of punishment authorised by the Criminal Court of Palestine; and whether he has any information to communicate to the House on the subject?

No, Sir, I have received no information of the kind. If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with more precise details, I will consider the desirability of making inquiry into his allegations?

May I ask, in the meantime, whether flogging is one of the punishments in the civil code of Palestine, particularly for political offences?

I am not aware that it is a punishment for a political offence—if it exists at all; but if the hon. and gallant Member will provide me with some clue to what he is referring, I will have inquiries made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the allegations, contained in a telegram sent to the Labour party, that these men after they had gone on hunger strike were flogged; and if that proves to be so, will he take immediate action?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the agricultural school at Nicosia, Cyprus, has been enlarged?

I have not yet received a reply to the inquiry on this subject which I addressed to the Governor as a result of my hon. Friend's question of the 30th April. I have, however, reminded him by telegraph, and hope to be able to let my hon. Friend have the desired information at a very early date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many students attend this school, and what are the nationalities?

I think I should have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the construction of a bridge over the Zambesi river?

I am unable to add anything to the reply given, to the question asked by my hon. Friend on the 30th April.

May I ask when the right hon. Gentleman hopes to be able to give that information?

I hope to get it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the gin imported into the told Coast, West Africa, is classified as trade spirits because it is of a kind not generally consumed by Europeans; and, if so, will he state the total number of gallons of spirits so imported in the last convenient period and the percentage of gin included in the total?

No, Sir. The importation of "trade spirits" has been prohibited since 1919 in the Gold Coast, and no gin which is classed as trade spirits is allowed to enter. In 1925 and 1926 the total importation of spirits was 943,487 and 805,642 gallons respectively, of which 91.1 and 91.3 per cent. was gin. The total importation in 1927 was 1,295,712 gallons, but I have not yet received detailed figures of each kind of liquor.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that this gin is drunk only by Europeans and not by natives?

I do not know how far some liquor is consumed by natives, but the point is that since 1919 trade spirits have been excluded.

Are we not under an obligation to prevent any gin getting into the hands of the natives?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why a letter was written and signed by the Assistant, Under-Secretary of his Department to a relative of the late Mr. Lillies, one of the murdered officers in the Solomon Islands, to the effect that one of the natives arrested in connection with the outrages at Sinarango has stated that he had Keen asked on several occasions by a brother of a man executed at Tulagi to kill Government officials in Malaita at the first opportunity; and why the letter stated that this would be in accordance with native customs?

The Colonial Office had been repeatedly pressed by the relative for fuller information as to the outrage, and the letter in question was one of a series of letters in that connection. The letter communicated the substance of a telegram from the Resident Commissioner of the Protectorate, and the allusion in that telegram to native custom was to the practice, not uncommon among primitive peoples, of seeking a life for a life.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the date on which the effects of the late Cadet Lillies arrived in this country from the Solomon Islands, and the date on which these effects were handed over to his next-of-kin.

The effects were received in the Office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies on the 1Ith May, and were delivered to Mr. Chudleigh on the 30th May.

Was there any reason for this very long delay?

I do not know what the reason for the delay was.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will inform the House as to the present situation at Koweit; for what purpose Koweit has been occupied; whether the occupation will be temporary or permanent; of what units the British occupying force is composed; whether any Indian troops have been sent from Iraq for the occupation of Koweit; and whether the occupying force has suffered any casualties?

The present situation in Koweit is normal. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I explained, in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 19th April last, the circumstances in which certain British detachments were sent temporarily to Koweit to assist the Sheikh. All these detachments have now been withdrawn. The answer to both the 5th and the 6th parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with regard to the Dead Sea concession, the concessionnaires are to be left free to obtain and make use of any labour of any nationality, or are they to he restricted to any one nationality?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given to him on the 30th November and 5th December last and to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bath (Captain Foxcroft) an the 7th December, to the effect that the provisions to be inserted in the concession could not be made public before the concession is granted. I can assure him that the point which he raises has not been overlooked.

Can the right hon. Gentleman contradict the statement, which has been widely made, that only Jewish labour is allowed to be employed by the concessionnaires on these contracts, without regard to the fact that in Palestine the majority of the people are Arabs?

I have not heard that rumour, and I have no reason to believe that such a provision is in contemplation.

Will this House be taken into consultation before the terms of the concession are decided on?

When the terms of the concession are definitely agreed, it will be open to the House to take it into consideration before final action is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the capital offered by the group said to form the financial backing of Mr. Novomeysky is considered to be enough for the complete development of the Dead Sea products to the stage of an estabished commercial industry or whether it is an amount sufficient only for an initial experimental stage?

I am advised that the present financial supporters of Messrs. Tulloch and Novomeysky command the capital necessary for the development of the undertaking for several years after it has commenced production on a commercial scale. If the undertaking proves a success further capital may doubtless be required.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied in his own mind that these two concessionnaires, as they practically are, are not going round the City of London asking for financial assistance and that they have got the actual financial backing, such as it is known the group of British capitalists who offered to undertake this business possess?

I think I have explained before that these concessionnaires were approved as of sufficient financial stability, but we are going further into the matter with them. The whole matter is still under discussion and the Crown Agents are negotiating with them.

May I take it, as the right hon. Gentleman uses the word "concessionnaires," that he agrees that the concession has been practically given to these two persons?

No. I have explained before that the matter was put up to tender and the most favourable tender was accepted, subject to the fulfilment of a number of conditions which are still under discussion. If those conditions are not fulfilled, the matter lapses and the whole field is open again; if, on the other hand, the conditions are satisfied, then these two gentlemen have a prior claim.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that they have sufficient backing?

That question is only a repetition.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can now state if it is still the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to set aside the judgment of the Privy Council in favour of ex-British civil servants in the Irish Free State, as decided in Wigg and Cochrane v. the Attorney-General of the Irish Free State, in May last year; if so, when will such legislation be introduced and what compensation will be paid to the civil servants in question for the delay in paying them the pensions and other compensation to which they have been held to be entitled more than a year ago?

I hope that it will be possible for a statement to be made on this matter at an early date; in the meantime I am afraid I cannot add anything to the previous replies which I have given to my hon. Friend.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the great hardship these ex-British civil servants are suffering by reason of the fact that they have got no result from the judgment they obtained a year ago, and does he not think they are entitled to some compensation immediately?

I am anxious to see a settlement as speedily as possible.

In view of that anxiety, can the right hon. Gentleman say that the matter will be settled at a given date, or will it be that Parliament will have adjourned leaving the matter still unsettled?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, as a result of the WiggCochrane judgment, he can now say if negotiations or conversations are taking place with the Government of the Irish Free State with a view to removing the deadlock in carrying out the provisions of Clause 19 of the Treaty; and whether the position of British ex service temporary clerks transferred to the Irish Free State Government is also the subject of these negotiations in view of their undoubted grievances against both Governments?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part the matters under discussion relate to the general position as regards claims for compensation under Article X of the Articles of Agreement, and not specially to the claims of particular classes of civil servants.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these British ex-service temporary clerks come under these terms?

I am afraid it would hardly be for me to make a ruling as to whether they come under those terms, and it is only when the machinery for dealing with those cases is set up that their claims can very well be considered.

asked the Secretary of State For Dominion Affairs whether any change has been made in the personnel of the. Commission to Australia; and, if so, whether he is in a position to give the name or names of those appointed to fill the vacancies?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that Sir Arthur Duckham, K.C.B., has undertaken to serve as head of the mission to Australia. Owing to unforeseen circumstances Sir Harry McGowan will unfortunately be unable to accompany the mission.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what action has been taken by the Empire Marketing Board to popularise the consumption of Empire-grown tobacco?

As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on the 6th June, the Empire Marketing Board are at present awaiting the forthcoming report of the Imperial Economic Committee on Tobacco before deciding what steps they can best take to popularise Empire-grown tobacco in the United Kingdom. In the meantime they have drawn attention to Empire tobacco both on their poster frames and in their press advertisements, while exhibits of Empire-grown tobacco have been shown by various Dominions and Colonies in the spaces provided for them by the Board at a number of exhibitions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman now tell me that at the reception given by his officers only Empire tobacco is offered to the guests?

I do not know the reception to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but, whenever I receive, I will certainly offer nothing but Empire tobacco.

Is there going to be a general distribution or is that offer applicable only to one or two hon. Members below the gangway?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of British manufactures exported to Empire countries and foreign countries, respectively, in 1927?

The value of the "Articles wholly or mainly manufactured" exported in 1927 from the United Kingdom, which were consigned to Empire countries was £275,600,000, and the value of such goods consigned to foreign countries was £288,300,000. Manufactured food and drink, and manufactured toba000, are not included in these totals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state how many convictions were registered in Great Britain during 1927 under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887; in how many cases were more than one member of a firm or company proceeded against; and in how many cases were more than one person convicted for the same offence?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The collection and examination of returns for 1927 is not yet complete. When it is, the number of convictions will he ascertainable, but I am afraid not the other particulars mentioned in the question.

Is it not important, in view of the working of the Merchandise Marks Act, that we should have a definite reply to the latter part of the question?

If the hon. Member will wait until the return is available, I will see if it is possible to give any more information. I only put that in as a sort of caveat.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send me on the return when it is received?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that many women who are potential emigrants to one or other of the Dominions are deterred by the fear of being unable to raise the passage money home should life overseas prove uncongenial to thorn; and whether he will consider inserting a clause guaranteeing to assisted female emigrants their return fare after a certain period with due safeguards against abuse of the privilege?

Single women are only assisted to proceed overseas for employment in household work. The rate of pay for such work in the Dominions is, generally speaking, sufficient to enable women who wish to revisit this country to save enough money for this purpose within two years of arrival. I do not, therefore, think it necessary to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any anti-toxin against foot-and-mouth disease has been discovered; whether his Department or any unofficial body has experimented with it in the inoculation of cattle; and, if so, what were the results of the experiments?

For some years it has been known that the serum of animals which have recovered from foot-and-mouth disease, when injected into susceptible animals, will protect them for a few days against the disease. The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee and scientists on the Continent are actively trying to discover a practical method of giving animals a lasting immunity from the disease, but the task presents very great difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has obtained any explanation from the German Government with regard to the large quantities of phosgene poison gas found to be stored in Hamburg contrary to the express terms of the peace treaty, as disclosed by the recent explosion of a tank containing the gas, with consequent serious loss of life: and what action is being taken in the matter?

The obligations assumed by the German Government under the Treaty of Versailles in respect to the manufacture and storage of chemicals utilisable as poison gas have been defined by agreement in subsequent correspondence between the ex-Allied Powers and that Government. They are set forth in Articles 1, 2, 3 and 8 of the. War Material Law, which entered into force on the 6th August, 1927 (an English translation of which will be found in the number of the Board of Trade Journal published on the 17th of May), read in conjunction with an exchange of Notes which took place in February, 1927, between the German Chargé d'Affaire3 at Paris and the President of the Conference of Ambassadors. In substance, the situation resulting from these documents as regards phosgene is as follows:—The manufacture, storage, sale, import and export of phosgene, intended for war purposes, is forbidden. The manufacture of phosgene intended for industrial purposes is allowed, but is confined to three factories, and the machinery for producing the gas in each of these factories is limited so as to fix the total maximum output at nine tons a day. No restriction is placed upon the export or storage of phosgene so produced for industrial purposes. The facts hitherto brought to light afford no proof that the German Government has failed to ensure the observance of the conditions described above, and His Majesty's Government do not consider, therefore, that any action on their part is required. It is understood, however, that an official inquiry into the incident to which this question relates is being conducted by the Germ an authorities.

Am I to understand from that reply that the German Government are really entitled to make as much poison gas as they like as long as they allege that it is for manufacturing purposes?

As I have pointed out in my answer, it is restricted to a certain amount of tonnage.

Is it not a fact that nine tons a day is enough to poison the whole world after a, few months making?

Is the hon. Member for South Kensington entitled to cast a reflection upon any other Government with whom His Majesty's Government is in friendly relations?

In the case of a Treaty for which we are responsible, I think the hon. Mem'3er is entitled to ask whether or not there has been an infringement of the Treaty.

But the hon. Member has gone beyond that.

An answer has been given.

How can you distinguish between industrial phosgene and war phosgene?

If there is any suspicion of an infringement of the Treaty, the League of Nations immediately steps in and holds an inquiry.

Are the Government not in a position to answer the question which was asked a few days ago as to what is the quantity of phosgene gas that was released?

I should like notice of that question.

May I ask if the nine tons per day of phosgene gas which the German Government are allowed to manufacture applies to 365 days in the year?

Yes, I suppose it does.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any recognition has been extended by His Majesty's Government to the Chinese Nationalist Government; if so, what form of recognition has been extended; and what steps are being taken to get into communication with the Nationalist Government of China, especially in view of recent events in Peking?

No formal recognition has been extended by His Majesty's Government to the Chinese Nationalist authorities, but communication with them is still maintained, as in the past, either through His Majesty's Minister or through His Majesty's Consular officers according as conditions allow or circumstances demand.

Is the question of recognition now under consideration?

I think it is premature to consider that question at the present moment, because there is no civil Government in Peking at the present time but merely a military regime.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to which Chinese Government the Chinese delegates to the League of Nations are answerable; and whether any steps have been taken to readjust the position in view of recent events?

The Chinese delegates to the League of Nations was appointed by a former Administration in Peking. Any readjustment of Chinese representation would be a matter for China herself to settle with the League, and I have no information as to the position.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman tell me a moment ago that there is no civil government at Peking? Surely steps are being taken to put this matter right?

It was the former government at Peking that appointed this delegate to the League of Nations, and it is for China, herself to appoint another representative to succeed him.

What would happen if the representative of the last Government of this country were still at Geneva presiding over the deliberations of the League?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communication from the Government of the United States of America in regard to any possible scheme of settlement by that Government on behalf of the States which defaulted previous to the date of the union in respect of loans raised by them for industrial purposes?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of the member countries of the League of Nations are in arrears with the payment of their quota towards the expenses of the League; and, if so, will he give particulars of the Governments concerned and the amounts involved?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The details which the hon. and gallant Member requires, and which are of a lengthy character, will be found on pages 19 and 21 of the audited accounts of the League for 1997, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. This statement gives the position as on the 31st of December last, and is the latest published information on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these countries have voted the payment of the whole of their arrears?

I may say that the Secretariat of the League of Nations is now engaged in negotiations and discussions on the subject of these arrears.

Is China in arrears?

Yes, to a certain extent.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that during each week in May the number of hours overtime worked at the Poplar exchange exceeds the number of hours which would be worked during a normal week by an additional member of the staff; and what steps he intends to take to remedy the position?

This overtime was in the main attributable to extra work of a kind requiring some experience and arising only on two days of the week. The De- partment, wherever practicable, always engages extra staff rather than resort to overtime.

Would it not be possible to allow someone on the staff to do this particular work, and take on someone to do the work which is not very important?

I can assure the hon. Member that we are constantly keeping in view the avoidance of overtime, because it is a thing we wish to avoid at all possible occasions. Until now, in consequence of the operation of the new Act which came into force about a month ago, it has been found impracticable to avoid rather an unusual amount 44 overtime for a limited period.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman can make some further inquiries? There are a very large number of reen capable of doing ordinary work and, notwithstanding this, during the whole month overtime has been worked.

Yes, I will certainly look into this matter again if the hon. Member wishes me to do so, but I must point out that, according to my information, the overtime only arose on two days in the week and not every time as the hon. Member seems to think.

asked the Minister of Labour t le number of cases of disputed unemployment benefit referred to the umpire by the insurance officers of the Ministry of Labour?

During the period 19th April, 1928 to 14th May, 1928, 148 disputed 3laims to unemployment benefit were referred to the umpire, including 73 referred by the insurance officer, 50 appeals by associations and 25 by applicants for benefit who were not members of associations.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is an increase or a decrease in the number of cases sent to the umpire under the new Unemployment Insurance Act?

I could not say without notice.

Are the decisions of the umpire on disputed points sent to the local officials at the Employment Exchanges for their guidance in cases which may arise in the future?

I think, though I am not quite sure, that previous decisions of the umpire are circulated; at any rate, they are very easily available.

Is it not most important that that should be done, since otherwise the time of the officials at the Exchanges may be taken up with cases similar to those which have been already decided?

Is the decision of the Umpire on the question of not genuinely seeking employment sent to the Courts of Referees?

Yes; my recollection is that all important decisions are published month by month in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

In dealing with this question, has not the Department yet arrived at a definition which will apply generally, as to what is meant by genuinely seeking work?

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the various Exchange officials to the decision given by the Umpire two years ago on four points in connection with the question of not genuinely seeking employment?

I have already said that all important decisions of the Umpire are circulated in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," and, therefore, by that means, if by no other, are brought to the notice of the officials concerned.

rose—

We have already had several supplementaries on this question.

It is a very important point.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Courts of Referees under the Unemployment Insurance Act are operating in each of the districts throughout the country?

Yes, Sir.

Has the Department any knowledge of the number of cases that are awaiting decision or awaiting hearing by the Courts of Referees?

That is an entirely different question, and I do not think it can be said to arise out of the question on the Paper. If the hon. Member wishes for information on that point, perhaps he will put a question down.

asked the Prime Minister when it is expected that the Report of the Industrial Transference Board will be published?

I am at present unable to add to the reply which I gave on 22nd May in answer to a question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Aston (Sir E. Cecil).

May we expect to have an answer before the House adjourns for the autumn Recess?

Indeed, I hope so.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will reconsider his decision not to allow the post office in Hartlepool to transact any business, however vital and urgent, for any period whatever on Sundays, even though resolutions from public bodies, the local council, and from the inhabitants have been duly placed before him?

The representations referred to by my hon. Friend have been carefully considered, but my right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to alter his decision. The amount of business transacted when the office was open was negligible and quite insufficient to justify the expense involved. Stamps are obtainable from an automatic machine outside the post office, and telegrams can be telephoned from a kiosk near the railway station, a few minutes' walk away.

Will my noble Friend bear in mind the hospital, and the representations from the hospital with regard to the question of food, seeing that neither of the facilities that he has suggested covers the ground in respect of medicine or food?

I have not received their representations, but I should like to consult with my hon. Friend on the matter.

Are we to understand that a public service is now to be measured by the amount of profit that is likely to be made?

The point about this particular post office is that we found that it was not being used on Sundays, and, therefore, it has been closed. There is, however, another office not very far off.

Is any arrangement made for filling these automatic machines on Sundays?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health what is now estimated to be the shortage of housing accommodation in England and Wales?

I regret that it is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the present shortage of houses in England and Wales.

Is it not possible to offer this House some estimate of the shortage in housing accommodation?

No, Sir; I have just said so.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give an approximate estimate? Are we to understand—[Interruption.] This is an important matter. Are we understand that a responsible Minister cannot give the House information as to an approximate estimate of the housing shortage in this country? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, if he can obtain the information, will he make an effort to obtain it?

Would it not be necessary, in order to answer that ques- tion, to make a survey of the whole country, and was not such a survey turned down by the Labour Government in 1924?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of cases in which sufferers from tuberculosis have been precluded from receiving sanatorium treatment unless the patient consents to be vaccinated; and whether he has sanctioned regulations to that effect?

The answer to both parts of he question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the West Riding of Yorkshire it is said that some regulation exists which precludes a person suffering from tuberculosis from entering a, sanatorium unless he is vaccinated, and will he make inquiries on the point?

No, Sir; I should want something; far more definite than what someone said in some part of the country. If the hon. Member has any definite ilnformation on the matter, I will inquire into it.

If a definite case is submitted to the right hon. Gentleman, will he make inquiries?

Certainly.

Are we to understand that the Ministry of Health is not responsible for any regulation of this kind?

I have just said so.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, after having been passed B 1 at the age of 57, Mr. Nicholas Pogose was gazetted as second-lieutenant with the 26th Lushai Indian labour company on the 17th December, 1917; that he served with his unit at Roisel and Bray, and in 1919 was ordered to Ypres and served with two Chinese companies at St. Julien and Langemarch, where his eyes were poisoned by mosquitoes and he was ordered to be in readiness to go into hospital next day; that a medical board in November, 1922, stated that Mr. Pogose's disabilities had passed away and, in consequence, his pension and allowances ceased; that in June, 1923, the appeal tribunal reversed this decision, and pension was restored and subsequently increased from 20 per cent. to 40 per cent.; that at Mr. Pogose's last medical board on 20th September, 1927, the medical officers stated that the sight of his right eye was completely lost and that they did not like the appearance of the other eye; why pension has been consistently refused, in view of the weight of evidence of poisoning of the eyes by mosquito bites; and whether, as Mr. Pogose's sight is deteriorating very rapidly, he will forthwith take steps to reopen the matter and make some allowance to this man, who has suffered severely both in health and circumstances?

My hon. and gallant Friend would appear to be misinformed as to the facts of this case. The officer in question is in receipt of pension for heart trouble and arteriosclerosis, in accordance with the decision of the Appeal Tribunal. His further claim in respect of eye trouble was considered and rejected by the Tribunal, and their decision is final. As my right hon. Friend has already informed the hon. and gallant Member, there are no grounds on which he would be warranted in adopting the course suggested in the last part of the question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have gone carefully into the whole case, and have been in communication with his Department in regard to it for the last four or five months; and is he also aware that the medical tribunal made a mistake in 1923, and recognised that they had made a mistake? Considering that this man is losing his eyesight in consequence of the mosquito bites that he received at Langemarch, surely something ought to be done to look after him?

I have looked at the correspondence, and my hon. and gallant Friend has communicated with the Ministry very frequently on this matter. As a matter of fact, he is mistaken in regard to one point. The Appeal Tribunal have not recognised that they made a mistake, and have never said anything of the sort. They said deliberately that this disability was not due to the War, and they have never corrected that statement.

Am I to understand that the statement made in this question, that the medical board in November, 1922, stated that Mr. Pogose's disability had passed away, that in consequence his pension and allowances ceased, and that it was afterwards found that a mistake had been made, is wrong? Is this question right or is it wrong? If it is right, surely something ought to be done for this poor man?

My hon. and gallant Friend is entirely wrong. As I have tried to point out in my answer, the Appeal Tribunal decided that the aggravation of the heart trouble and the arteriosclerosis persisted, but, at the same time, that the defective eyesight was not attributable to the War.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the creation of a Secretaryship of State for Wales; and, if not, will he explain his reasons?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the—negative. The reasons against such a course would seem to be more suited for debate than for a reply to a Parliamentary question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it fair to perpetuate this invidious distinction between Scotland and Wales?

I rely upon the hon. Member to protect me from my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs), who is going to ask the next question.

Is the Prime Minister aware that Scotland does not want a Secretary of State, but wants a Government of her own?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, unless this question is really favourably considered, there will be an overpowering demand in Wales for Home Rule?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that up to 1855 there were only three Secretaries of State whereas now there are seven; and whether a reduction of the number can now be effected?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that there were only three Secretaries of State in 1855; there were, in fact, four at that time. I am not prepared to recommend to the House any reduction in the present number.

Is it not the case that a fourth was created in 1855, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the First Lord of the Admiralty is not a Secretary of State, so why should the heads of the War Office and the Air Department be Secretaries of State?

That is another question. If the fourth Secretariat was established in 1855, it was in existence in 1855.

May I put the question the other way? May I take it that there will be no increase to satisfy the legitimate ambitions of various people, and that we shall not have a Secretariat State created for the Isle of Man?

Since the right hon. Gentleman refuses to interfere with the quantity of Secretaries of State, will he give some consideration to the quality?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has had any Report on the assault near Colombo on. a, party of tourists from a visiting ship; whether there is any precedent in recent years for attacks of this character; whether there are any special implications to be drawn from what occurred other than of a merely criminal character; how it was that the police v. ere not alive to this danger or capable of affording protection; whether any inquiry will be held other than the routine criminal proceedings; and what action is being taken as to the case?