asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now 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; that three of them were flogged; and whether he now has any information to communicate to the House on the subject

I have now received a report from the High Commissioner. On May 29th three militant Communists serving sentences of 30, 50 and 100 days respectively for taking part in illegal assemblies, refused to return to their cells after exercise. One of them threw a stone and hit the warder and the other two then joined with the first in attempting to wrench the warder's baton from his hand. They were overpowered and subsequently charged with refusing to obey an order and with using violence against a prison officer, and, being found guilty by the Superintendent of the Prison, they were punished, in accord- ance with Prison Regulations, by five days' solitary confinement and 12 lashes. These prisoners had been recommended by the Court for deportation, and the recommendation will be carried out in due course. There are nine other Jewish Communist prisoners in the prison who have caused considerable trouble to the prison authorities by constant violence and disobedience to orders and who for some days refused to take food. I do not know whether they asked to be treated as political offenders. Flogging is a legal punishment for offences of violence in prison, and the High Commissioner is satisfied that this punishment was properly awarded and administered.

Why were these men imprisoned? Was it because they were Communists?

No. I have given the answer. It was for taking part in an illegal assembly.

But is it a crime in Palestine to be a member of the Communist or any other political party?

I should like to have notice of that question.

What evidence has the right hon. Gentleman that these men were Communists?

After all, in all these matters of administration, the evidence is taken by the Government on the spot, and they were satisfied that these men were taking part in an illegal assembly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the illegal association referred to is the Communist party?

No.

Where are these men going to be deported to?

Presumably to their country of origin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are envisaged, under Clause 7 of the Kenya Native Land Trust Bill, to ascertain the consent of the natives concerned where such consent is required before the leasing of areas in the native reserves to Europeans; the composition of the native councils to which reference is made in the first of the proposed amendments; and how far they are representative of the native population?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 21st June to the hon. Member for Fins-bury (Mr. Gillett).

Was not the earlier reply to this request for information merely a statement that discussion was being temporarily postponed?

Yes, but as the whole matter has been postponed for consideration, I could not very well answer the detailed points that the hon. Member has put.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount of land now in the possession of the white population of Kenya; the dates on which the principal transferences were made; the amount of land involved in each; and what proportion this forms of the total fertile land of Kenya?

The areas of grants of land in Kenya registered in recent years are as follow:

					Acres.
1923	…	…	…	…	404,267
1924	…	…	…	…	364,410
1925	…	…	…	…	317,258
1926	…	…	…	…	332,684

These figures do not show what proportion of the grants were made to Europeans, nor do they make allowance for surrenders; but the total area alienated at the 31st December, 1926, was 6,005,774 acres. As regards land under occupation by Europeans, the total amount, according to the Kenya Agricultural Census for the year ended 31st July, 1927, was 4,737,920 acres. I am not in a position to supply the detailed information asked for in the second and third parts of the question. I cannot say what percentage of the total land area of Kenya could properly be classed as fertile, but the area alienated at the 31st December, 1926, was approximately 4 per cent. of the total land area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much land of the native reserves now occupied by natives it is proposed to alienate or which will be available for European settlement under the Native Land Trust Bill now under discussion in Kenya Colony; and where this land is situated?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 21st June to the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Gillett).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any correspondence has passed between his office and the Government of Kenya Colony as to the Native Land Trust Bill which that Government is understood to be introducing during this month; and, if so, whether a copy of such papers may be placed in the Library of the House?

Correspondence has passed, and is still passing, between the Governor of Kenya and myself in regard to the Native Land Trust Bill which was recently introduced into the Legislative Council in Kenya. I will consider when the correspondence is complete what part, if any, of it can be published.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to let us have some of this correspondence before his Estimates come up for discussion this year?

I think that I must wait until the correspondence is complete, but I will consider the suggestion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman prepare some statement on the matter?

I will consider that point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that there are now seven governors for a community of 2,000,000 people in the British West Indies, he will consider the desirability of one governor-general being appointed for all the islands and possessions in that area, with a senate house composed of representatives from each colony?

I am afraid I could not deal in reply to a question with all the practical obstacles to any scheme of West Indian federation, but I might refer the hon. Member to the Report of Lord Irwin (then Mr. Wood) on his visit to the West Indies (Cmd. 1679).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the successful economies effected in both large cities and small towns in America by the substitution of a business director for the local government, and in order to relieve the present financial stress, he will take steps to enable any of the small island communities of the West Indies to substitute this system for the present governments presided over by governors or administrators?

I am not aware of a desire in any of the West Indian Islands for the abolition of representative institutions and the substitution for the present Governors of business men without Colonial administrative experience.

Would it not be possible to have that system should the Islands express a desire to have it, seeing that it has been successful in great cities like Cleveland, Ohio, with a population bigger than the whole of the West Indies?

Such cities may have a large population, but the functions of a municipality are much more limited than those of a Colonial Government. In any case, the question is purely hypothetical.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish the Report presented by the Rev. A. G. Fraser, head of the Government school at Achimota, upon the condition of education in Northern Nigeria?

Mr. Fraser visited Nigeria at the request of the Governor of that Colony, and embodied his impressions in a Memorandum, which he sent to Sir Graeme Thomson. It is not proposed to publish the document, which was not an official report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the unsatisfactory telegraphic facilities in British East Africa, the difficulties of maintaining telegraph wires, and consequent delay in urgent telegrams, he will arrange for a system of wireless stations which will enable distant posts and travellers to maintain adequate communication and thus add to the safety of life and of travel in these areas?

I understand that the Kenya and Uganda Post and Telegraph Department have had under consideration the possibility of making use of wireless telegraphy for internal communications, but I have had no information to suggest that the present telegraphic services are unsatisfactory.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Italian Government maintain a very good service of wireless communication in their part of Africa, and that travel in the North of Africa is much safer than in British East Africa; and is he aware that a good many complaints have been lodged, not only about the difficulty of sending telegrams, but at the fact that telegrams arrive mostly about 10 days after being sent?

It depends upon the district. Obviously, in a great new country like East Africa, settlers cannot expect all the facilities that exist in the London district. As regards the Italians in Somaliland, I have not got sufficient information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of any opposition being put up by the cable companies to the establishment of wireless?

No, because that opposition could only arise in regard to wireless communication between Kenya and this country. That has been established already. There could be no competition between the cable companies and local internal services by wireless.

Is it not very unusual for a Member of the Opposition to praise anything Italian?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Members of the Opposition are as much interested in the British Empire as are any other party?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that during the season of 1927 some 3,800 bags of Arabica coffee, consigned by the Kilimanjaro Native Plantations' Association, were sold by auction in London at prices very similar to those obtained for Kenya coffee sold at the same auctions; and whether he has received any report as to the manner in which the native coffee plantations on Kilimanjaro have been managed and the present condition of the trees?

I am aware that the Kilimanjaro native Arabica coffee is of high quality and fetches good prices. Indirect Government supervision of native coffee cultivation in Kilimanjaro has proved successful, and the latest reports at my disposal indicate that the trees are in excellent condition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the present company working the copper ore mines in Cyprus hold them on lease; if so, what is the period of the lease and who were the lessors; and if the Cyprus or British Government derive any benefit in the form of royalties or otherwise?

The company holds the mines on a lease from the Cyprus Government for a period of 50 years from 1915. Provision is made in the lease for the payment of royalties to the Cyprus Government.

Is that company a British company registered in this country, or it is a foreign company?

I understand that it is an American company.

Was it open to a British company to get this lease?

I should have to have notice of that particular question. Certainly, it is no part of our policy to exclude foreign countries in helping to develop the Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statistics that will show the rate of pay offered to single women who are

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, with regard to the conversations he has recently had with the Minister of State for Public Works of Western Australia respecting a scheme

As the answer to the hon. Member's question is of some length, I propose, with his permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us some rough idea of the pay of these women, because he mentioned last week that they could make enough money in two years to pay their passage back to England?

It would be difficult to give a rough idea in a variety of occupations in a number of different Dominions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what would be their fare back to England if they had to pay it themselves?

I should have to have notice of that question.

The former Vice-Chairman of the Development and Migration Commission of the Commonwealth of Australia is at present in London with the object of negotiating a new development and land settlement scheme in Western Australia. Preliminary discussions have taken place, and I understand that the proposal will shortly be put before me, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

What area is it proposed should come under this scheme, and what is the rainfall?

I think that the total area is something not far short of 40,000 square miles.

What would be the rainfall?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the facts disclosed by the inquest held on 19th June, 1928, at Deptford on the body of Arthur Augustus Parsons, who had been radiographer at the Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich, for over 20 years, and for six years previously at Westminster Hospital, and who died from carcinoma contracted in the course of his duty, he will consider recommending some appropriate method by which the State can show its appreciation of such work for the public good?

If my hon. Friend will send me full particulars in regard to this case I will look into it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce any legislation with the object of taking away from the Lords Spiritual the right to sit in the House of Lords?

I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

Is the Prime Minister not aware that recent events have shown that this House has no confidence in the judgment of the bishops?

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can give the percentage of collieries in the various districts of the British coalfields where coal-cutting and conveying machinery is in use at the coal face, giving the output per man per shift in comparison with the output previous to the introduction of such machinery?

As the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Tonbridge, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether registration authorities under the War Charities Act, 1916, send periodical reports to the Charity Commissioners of organised efforts in their areas?

The reply is in the negative.

When local complaints are made of this nature, do the

The Commissioners have no power to do that, and it seems to me to be a matter for legislation which might very well be considered by the Home Secretary.

Are we to understand that the registration authorities make no report to anybody, not even to the Charity Commissioners?

Of course, they report to the local authorities. In the case of the war charities, they apply the surplus as near as possible to the original object for which that fund was created.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Tonbridge, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether any representation has been made to him in connection with the recent 10,000 shilling fund for ex-service men and their families in Scarborough: and, if so, will he state whether any action has been taken in the matter.

The registered War Charity known as the "ten thousand shilling fund" has now ceased operations. Under an Order of the Court the balance of the fund (£417 15s. 9d.) has been handed over to the Treasurer of the Women's Section, Scarborough Branch, of the British Legion and is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioners.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is tremendous indignation in Scarborough because of the alleged deduction by the British Legion of £315 out of £517 for expenses, and will the hon. and gallant Member cause investigations to be made in order to see whether this allegation is true or not?

I am not aware of this allegation, and I would point out that if there is any reason to believe that the funds have not been applied for the purposes for which they were intended, and for which the learned Judge made an order, then it lies with the Attorney-General to take such action as he may think fit.

Is the hon. Member aware that this is purely a local matter?

Yes, I am fully aware of that fact. As the British Legion has been mentioned, I would point out that the Charity Commissioners are not really concerned, because what we are discussing is a War charity. At the same time, we have heard that there is trouble in Scarborough in connection with the British Legion with which the headquarters of the British Legion have nothing whatever to do.

While this may be only a local complaint, it is really one which affects the whole nation so far as charity organisation is concerned. I think this House ought to be satisfied that, when charity collections take place, the money is not diverted from the purpose for which it was originally intended.

I have already pointed out that, if the money has been misapplied, it is open to the Attorney-General to call the attention of the learned Judge to the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, if he has any announcement to make to the House as to the position of ex-British civil servants in the Irish Free State and their rights to compensation under Article 10 of the Irish Treaty, as decided by the Privy Council in the case of Wigg and Cochrane?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Lord Chancellor on the 21st June in another place, in which the present position was fully set out. I propose, if hon. Members agree, to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the despatches which have passed between His Majesty's Government in Great Britain and His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State and the terms of the reference to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which was approved by His Majesty in Council on 15th June.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of Commons whether the Government have now abandoned their original idea of depriving these ex-British civil servants of the benefit of the decision they obtained from the Privy Council in Wigg and Cochrane? Is that decision now going to stand and are the ex-British civil servants to get the rights to which the Privy Council said they were entitled?

No, Sir; the whole case will be reargued as a case in reference to the Privy Council, and that will not affect the rights secured in the actual Wigg and Cochrane case for the appellants in that case.

If these ex-British civil servants are put to expense in arguing the case before the Privy Council, will their costs be paid by the Treasury?

I will certainly look into that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his Department is responsible for the collection of information and items of news, and for the editorial supervision, in connection with the British official wireless service?

Yes, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have a copy of the daily service placed in the Library of the House?

I do not think it would serve a useful purpose. I am quite willing, if my hon. and gallant Friend comes to the Foreign Office to show him the daily summary.

Would it not be a great advantage if hon. Members could have this matter for reference?

I do not think so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what regions are indicated in paragraph 10 of his reply to the United States Government respecting the multilateral peace treaty in which His Majesty's Government reserves its freedom of action in the event of interference with these regions; and whether this reservation is limited to the contingency of wanton attack upon any of the contemplated regions?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply returned on 5th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), in which my right hon. Friend stated that it would be undesirable to add to the general statement of the position of His Majesty's Government contained in their Note of the 19th of May. I can make no further statement at present.

Does not the new proposal of Mr. Kellogg meet the point completely and enable His Majesty's Government to sign the Pact without reservation?

I may say that in the opinion of His Majesty's Government the new Note of the United States shows a considerable advance, and that it is being most sympathetically considered.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say something a little less grudging than "a considerable advance"?