asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the views of the Government of India and the Government of Bengal have been received regarding the firing which took place on the railway strikers in Calcutta on the 28th of March last; and is he now in a position to make a statement on the subject?

I hope to be in a position to make a full statement in a few days. I will then notify the hon. Member, and perhaps he will put down a further question, so that the information will be available to the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Report has been received from the Committee appointed by the Governor-General in Council to consider the matter of the production and exhibition of cinematograph films in India; and can he give the House particulars?

My Noble Friend has not yet received the Report.

Can the Noble Lord say whether the Secretary of State has made any representations to the Government of India to see whether they will adopt the principles of the legislation which has recently been passed in relation to this subject in this country?

I do not see what that has to do with the question on the Paper. The hon. Gentleman asked me whether the Report had been received, and that is the question that I have answered.

I would like to know whether any representations have been made suggesting the putting into force of the provisions of the Cinematograph Films Bill?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down; obviously it does not arise out of this one. I cannot answer it out of my head, because I should have to refer to the papers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the average royalty per ton of coal in the Ramganj, the Shairia, the Bokharo, and the Giridih coalfields of India, respectively?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the total number of Government inspectors of mines employed by the Government of India; and whether the number of inspectors so employed is

My Noble Friend has not the materials for a reply, but will ask the Government of India to supply such information as is available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the total number of fatal accidents which have occurred in the coal mines of India attributed to subsidences arising out of working coal-pillars in each of the years 1920 to 1927, inclusive; and what was the total number of persons killed in each of these years due to such accidents?

As the answer is partly in tabular form, I will, with hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The statistics give the total number of fatal accidents due to falls of roof or sides (see the following table), and do not show separately how many of this total arose out of working coal pillars, but the reports for 1925 and 1926 indicate that in those years the fatal accidents attributable to the latter cause were 7 and 18 respectively, out of 86 and 76 due to falls of roof and sides in coal mines.

adequate, in view of the distances they have to travel to inspect the numerous and scattered coalfields and other mineral undertakings in India?

The number is 10, and, so far as my Noble Friend is aware, it is not considered inadequate. In 1926, all the important mines were inspected, and many of them several times.

Is the Noble Lord aware that there are 722 coal mines alone in India; that fatal accidents are frequent, and that it is very vital that inspectors should appear as soon as possible after an accident; and can we have some assurance that there will be sufficient inspectors?

That is really a matter for the local Governments. I am aware of the figure that the hon. Member has mentioned, but I am informed that, of these 722 coal mines, 660 were inspected last year, and that the total number of inspections was 1,700.

The number of inspections is not the vital point; the vital thing is that, when a fatal accident occurs, inspectors should appear as soon as possible after the occurrence.

I think that that is really a matter which should be dealt with in the Councils and Assembly in India rather than in this House, but I will bring the hon. Gentleman's view to the notice of my Noble Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information with regard to the malicious wrecking of a train near Calcutta by which 18 persons have lost their lives; and whether the culprits have yet been apprehended?

A preliminary inquiry indicates that the accident was due to malicious tampering with the permanent way. No arrests have so far been made, but a reward of Rs.10,000 has been offered for information leading to the detection and conviction of the perpetrators.

Has my Noble Friend's attention been drawn to statements in the native Press which said that Europeans had been killing the wounded, and can he not take steps to prevent the issue of such atrocious libels?

If any statements of the kind have been made, I am sure they will be properly dealt with by the authorities in India. I have not seen them, but I am sure that they are without any foundation.

Is this the accident that occurred at a place called Belur, and is the Noble Lord aware that statements of a very disquieting nature have appeared, not in native newspapers alone, but in the "Statesman" and in "Forward," two papers which are printed in English; and will he have them investigated, as the charges are very serious?

The hon. and gallant Member has been misinformed; the accident in question occurred at Dankuni, near Howrah. I have seen Press reports of charges which appeared in some of the less reputable Indian newspapers, and counter-charges made by the "Statesman." The charge made in the Indian newspapers was that wounded had been interfered with by some British, and the charge made subsequently in the "Statesman" was that, when a European went to the help of the wounded Indians, and endeavoured to rescue them, he was impeded by Indians. No doubt the whole question will receive the attention of the local authorities at the inquiry.

Has the Noble Lord's attention been drawn to the very important leading article in the "Manchester Guardian" to-day dealing with this very subject, and have not the Bengal Government taken steps to bring the people concerned to account?

Hon. Gentlemen on both sides of the House seem to think it is my business to read all newspaper articles, whether printed in India or in this country. I can assure them that these very important matters will receive full consideration at the inquiry which will be held.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is taking any action, and, if so, what, in connection with the Rangoon bribery cases, in connection with which Mr. Reddi has been acquitted of libel?

My Noble Friend has no official information of the facts of the case, but the matter is within the competence of the local authorities, and he has no reason to doubt that it will be dealt with suitably.

Is it quite clear that the two officials of the Port Trust who have been arraigned for bribery are not members of the Indian Civil Service or public officials?

I could not answer that question without notice. All that I know is that these two gentlemen are employés of the Rangoon Port, and, under the Act of Parliament constituting that body, the Commissioners have full power to dismiss them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether now that the Agricultural Commission has reported it is intended to set up the Banking Commission which has been promised?

As the right hon. and gallant Member is aware, the Report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture has only recently been received by the Government of India. I am not aware what view the Government of India take as to the bearing of the Report on the suggested banking inquiry, in regard to which I would refer the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on 8th December last.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the Banking Commission has again and again been put off until the Agricultural Commission reported? I presume he is also aware that in the Report of the Agricultural Commission great stress is laid upon the advantages of active co-operation?

Yes, I am aware of both those facts, but, as I pointed out in my original reply, this Report was only recently received by the Government of India, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to their policy on the Report?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can give the number of holdings in the Bardoli Taluka affected by the present dispute, and the number which respectively consist of five acres or less, and of from five to 25 acres; and whether any of the land seized by Government agents belongs to small agriculturists, and, if so, how much?

I have not the detailed particulars asked for in the first part of the question, nor have I figures of forfeitures up to date; but by the middle of May some 1,600 acres had been forfeited, almost all of which belonged to bania (i.e., moneylenders) non-agriculturists.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India is prepared to suggest that a committee of inquiry be appointed to deal with the Bardoli dispute, the personnel to be such as will command the confidence of all who are directly concerned in that dispute?

The Government of India and the Bombay Government are now in consultation as to the steps to be taken to deal with the situation in Bardoli, and I am not prepared to anticipate their decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the Bombay Legislative Council passed, in March, 1924, a resolution to the effect that a committee be appointed to consider the question of regulating the revision of assessment by legislation, and that no revision be proceeded with and no new rates under any revised settlement be introduced till such legislation is brought into effect; and why the latter part of this resolution has been disregarded?

It is the case that the resolution referred to was passed by the Bombay Legislative Council. The reasons why the Provincial Government could not accept the latter part of the resolution are clearly stated on pages 1301–2 of the report of the debate, copy of which was placed in the Library.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many persons, if any, have been arrested under Regulation 111 of 1818 in India during the last six months; and how long it is proposed to keep such persons under restraint without trial?

Three persons. As has often been explained, I regret that it is impossible to give a general answer to the second part of the question.

Can the Noble Lord give me the names of the three persons?

The hon. Member did not ask for the names, but I believe they are an ex-Maharajah and two Sikhs who got into trouble at Shanghai.

When is there a possibility of these people ever being released or given some form of public trial?

I have answered that question very fully in debate on more than one occasion and given the reason why it is necessary to put into operation these Regulations. I have nothing to add to what I have previously said.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to reopen negotiations with the Imam of the Yemen; whether the air raids carried out to attempt to enforce the evacuation of Dthala have ceased; and whether he will consider inviting the Imam to send representatives to a conference in London to discuss outstanding matters?

My latest information, received during the last two days, is that, as a result of the pressure brought to bear upon him, the Imam has been expelled from Dthala. The new situation thus created is engaging the active attention of His Majesty's Government.

Is it a fact that raids have been carried out at Hodeida, in the Red Sea, and does the Minister really think a bombing policy is good for British trade?

I understand no raid has been carried out at Hodeida. This is the first I have heard of it. Certainly that is not the object. Where armed raiders have occupied villages and farms of friendlies and our protected persons, we have no option but to drive them out and reinstate our people.

Is it a fact that Dthala has been occupied for about seven years?

No. Only off and on.

Does this mean that the territory we protect has been evacuated, and in that case will negotiations now be possible, so that we can have peace in that part of the world?

No, the opposite is true. We have not evacuated our Protectorate. We have driven the invaders out of a portion of the Protectorate.

That is not what I asked. Have the raiders now evacuated the country we protect?

Not yet out of the whole of it, but they are out of Dthala.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the reports from Cuba of the present plight of a large number of Jamaicans in that island; whether there have been any deportations, and, if so, for what reason; and whether efforts are being made to encourage this migration of Jamaicans from Cuba to other tropical countries, such as British Honduras and British Guiana, where labour is much needed?

My only information with regard to the reports referred to is derived from the Jamaican Press, which suggests that they are greatly exaggerated. As there is some ground for anticipating a considerable reduction in the Cuban demand for labour, the Government of Jamaica are at present in communication with the Governments of British Guiana and British Honduras with regard to the possibility of finding employment for Jamaicans in these Colonies. I need hardly say that my right hon. Friend welcomes the suggestion, and that he will be glad to give it every encour- agement, provided that certain inherent difficulties can be overcome.

Is it not a fact that there have been deportations of Jamaicans from Cuba?

I believe that is so. There have been some.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies with reference to the Haifa harbour tenders, whether any and, if so, what stipulations are to be made with reference to the payment of wages upon which European Jews can live, or whether the importation of labour from Egypt or elsewhere is contemplated.

Firms invited to tender will be informed that fair conditions of labour will be required in pursuance of Section 1 (4) of the Palestine and East Africa Loans Act, 1926.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say precisely how fair conditions of wages are defined?

It is quite impossible, in submitting a proposition to tender, to foresee every detail. When we come to arrange the actual terms of the tender with the successful firm, detailed questions about labour will be gone into.

Will it be possible to employ Arabs on this work, or is it confined to European labour?

I contemplate that some Europeans, some Arabs, some Jews and various people will be employed.

Will any attempt be made to get from the trade unions something in the nature of a standard rate of wages instead of leaving it purely to negotiations between the Government and the contractors?

I must have notice of that Question. I am not aware how far the various trade unions can speak for the whole of the population likely to he employed. There are, of course, the germs of a labour organisation becoming established in the neighbourhood, but that is a detail about which I cannot give any pledge at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, since the introduction of the Cinematograph Films Act took a final form, the Straits Settlements have changed their view as to its desirability; what is the cause of the alleged shortage of British films available, when the supply is over double that anticipated under the terms of the Imperial Act of Parliament; and what are the varying proportions of films of different nationality shown in that colony.

In 1926 the percentage of films by nationality was divided as follows:—United States, 76; Chinese, 15; British, 8: Italian, 2; other origin, 1. I have not the figures for 1927, but I understand that the percentage of Chinese is now about 25. On the other points I am not in a position to add to the information already given to the noble Lord, but the Governor will be asked for further particulars.

Have any representations been made to the State to increase the use of British films?

I think so. Certainly, it is our endeavour to increase the use of British films in British Dependencies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what reply was received to the request?

No, I cannot.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is a film censorship in the Straits Settlements; and, if so, what are the numbers and proportions of those of each country banned by the censors.

A film censorship exists in the Straits Settlements, but I have no detailed information as to the countries of origin of the films banned by the censorship.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to secure this information from the Governor?

I do not know. We get an annual report.

Is it not a fact that none of the British films made during the last two years have been banned?

I believe that is the case.

Who compose the Committee who decide on the films that shall be accepted in the Straits Settlements?

The hon. Member had better give me notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the terms under which the naval yard at Hong Kong is held from the Crown, or otherwise the nature of the existing tenure; and whether the present lessees or parties in occupation of it are entitled to dispose of their interest therein without restriction either as to the receipt or application of the purchase money or otherwise?

I have been asked to reply. The naval yard at Hong Kong is wholly occupied by the Admiralty and, in the main, is held upon conditions which would necessitate its return to the Colony on terms to be arranged mutually should it cease to be required for defence purposes.

If the Admiralty decide to give up the naval yard at Hong Kong, will they dispose of it and retain the proceeds?

That seems a purely hypothetical question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what aircraft carriers have been in home waters or at ports in Great Britain and Ireland during the last three weeks; what carriers are there now; and what is, and has been, their state of readiness for sea and during the last three weeks?

The following aircraft carriers have been in home waters during the past three weeks; the same vessels are still in home waters and their states of readiness are and have been as follows:

Argus. —Refitting at Portsmouth; due to complete 8th August.

Pegasus and Ark Royal. —In reserve at Plymouth and Chatham respectively and at 14 days' notice for sea.

Furious. —Cruising with Atlantic Fleet.

May I ask if His Majesty's Ship "Furious" is cruising with the Atlantic Fleet, and, if so, does it mean that she is in home waters?

She was at Torbay a few days ago. I am not sure where she is at the present moment.

Is she not a 27-knot ship, or thereabouts; and could she not have been sent to Spitzbergen very quickly?

Thereabouts!

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his Department has Reports of the welfare of the 1,400 British boys who have gone to Australia in the last three years under the Big Brother movement; and whether he will bring this movement to the attention of the Canadian authorities, in view of the desire of the committee and many British boys to proceed to Canada under similar Big Brother arrangements?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The annual report of the Big Brother movement for the year 1927 shows that the 962 boys who have been admitted to the movement between November, 1925, and September, 1927, are, with few exceptions, satisfactorily settled in Australia. This movement has been brought to the notice of the Dominion authorities in Canada, and I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's answer to a similar question by him on the 26th March. I understand that a representative of the movement is shortly to visit Canada with a view to explaining the aims and objects of the movement.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can give any information as to the date when it is anticipated that the Irish Grants Committee will have completed their investigation of claims and when the final settlement will be made with the claimants; and whether the recommendations of the Irish Grants Committee will be paid in full?

I have been asked, to reply to this question. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury) on the 9th July, it is expected that the work of the Committee will be completed during the early portion of next year. Until the work of the Committee has made further progress it is not possible for a reply to be given to the inquiry in the latter part of the question.

Will my right hon. Friend say, roughly, how many claims there are still to be disposed of, having regard to the great hardship to sufferers?

I gave the answer to that question on 9th July; I cannot remember the actual figure.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) whether the Empire Marketing Board contemplate an. extension of its activities on behalf of manufactured articles produced in Great Britain; and if he will state the nature of the publicity which has already been undertaken on behalf of any branch of productive industrial enterprise;

(2) whether the Empire Marketing Board will entertain proposals for joint publicity effort from city and borough councils and from the chambers of commerce; and if he will arrange a conference between the Board and industrial organisations in order to consider cooperative action?

I have been asked to reply. The Empire Marketing Fund, for reasons which my right hon. Friend has explained in reply to previous questions, is confined by the terms of the Parliamentary Vote to furthering the marketing of Empire products in the United Kingdom. The Board's activities embrace home agricultural produce, but they do not embrace manufactured articles. The Empire Marketing Board would welcome, in the field to which they are limited, the co-operation of the authorities mentioned, and my right hon. Friend has already been in communication with a great number of local authorities to this end. He would, however, hesitate, having regard to the limitations of the Vote which I have indicated, to suggest a special conference such as my hon. Friend proposes.

Is there any sound reason why the operations of the Empire Marketing Board should not be extended to industrial output as well as to agriculture?

Oh, yes. As has been explained very frequently, the terms under which a sum of money was voted by Parliament was settled in consultation with Dominion Prime Ministers and the Dominion Governments at the Imperial Conference. We do not feel at liberty, pending the holding of the next Imperial Conference, to depart from the arrangements then made.

Will my right hon. Friend say what success has attended the operations of the Empire Marketing Board in relation to agriculture in this country?

My hon. Friend should ask the Minister of Agriculture whether he thinks it has been a success or not.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not help British agricultural products by asking the Dominions to reduce their tariffs against us?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether a Report on the economic and financial conditions in Brazil is in course of preparation; when this Report will be published; and if the information provided will be brought up to as recent a date as may be convenient?

Owing to a recent change in the occupancy of the Commercial Secretary's post at Rio de Janeiro, it is not expected that the next Report on Brazil will be published before the spring of 1929. The instructions governing these reports require that they shall deal with conditions current at the time of writing.

How does my hon. Friend keep the industrial community of this country informed in the meantime of the requirements of Brazilian trade?

If any commercial man or industrialist in this country cares to ask what are the conditions in that country we are only too glad to help him.

Can the hon. Gentleman present any kind of interim report for the information of the industrialists of the country on the conditions in Brazil?

It is all a question of expense. I think that it is not necessary to burden these representatives with a report more than once a year. Every time you ask them to make a report it holds up other important work. We can get information by writing to our representative abroad and can communicate it to people in this country if they will indicate their wishes.

It is a very serious matter. Is not the latest information in the form of a Commercial Attache's report which was made nearly two years ago now?

Yes, it is.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the demand in the country for the safeguarding of British iron and steel goods, he will consider giving time for the Motion standing in the names of certain hon. Members at present on the Order Paper on this subject—

["That this House, whilst appreciating the relief given generally to productive industry by the Government's rating proposals, nevertheless would urge upon the Government the necessity of saving the Iron and Steel Trade in this country by the immediate application of a safeguarding measure to this important basic trade."]

In view of the state of Parliamentary Business, my right hon. Friend cannot give special facilities for the discussion of the Motion referred to.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 200 Members of Parliament have signed a petition in favour of the immediate application of Safeguarding to the Iron and Steel Industry, and, in view of the serious condition of these industries, and the increased unemployment therein, will he reconsider the matter?

In view of the fact that a tremendous number of his own supporters in this House are in favour of this particular request, will he not ask the Prime Minister to reconsider his decision? Seeing that 200 Members of Parliament are in favour of it, surely the Government can find time?

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the deplorable state of affairs recognised in this morning's newspapers in regard to two or three most important iron and steel industries, the Partington Company, and Pearson and Knowles? Will he look into these facts and bring them to the notice of the Prime Minister with a view to following up the suggestion in the question?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me a reply to my question? I asked whether the Prime Minister will reconsider the point.

Is not the recognised occasion for the Conservative party to commit suicide the Conference in the autumn?

On a point of Order. I put a very respectful request to the Leader of the House. May I have a reply to that question?

The hon. Member has already had a reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any representations have been made to Poland regarding a possible reduction of the import duties charged on British herrings?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have made re- peated representations to the Polish Government on the matter, having regard especially to the fact that the Polish tariff provides for a duty of 15 Zlote per 100 kilogrammes on herrings of the kind normally exported from this country whilst admitting certain other descriptions at a rate of 5 Zlote only. So far the Polish Government have been unwilling to meet our wishes, but the matter is not being lost sight of.

Is it a fact that the Polish Government are giving preference to Norwegian herrings instead of British herrings at the present time? If so, is that in accordance with the trade agreement?

The fact is that the herrings which are charged 15 Zlote are herrings which are only provided by this country, whereas the herrings from other countries go in at a cheaper rate because they are a different type of herring.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the figures of importation of the finer and more costly kinds of hosiery latch needles; and if he can give the latest comparative figures showing the value of the imports of latch needles?

The answer is a long one, and includes a table of figures. My hon. Friend will, accordingly, perhaps agree to my circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Member tell us with reference to the increase which he gave us on Friday if a similar increase is shown in the case of the finer qualities?

I am afraid the quality is not separately shown.

Is the hon. Member aware of the great increase of unemployment in this industry? If I give him particulars, will he see if he can increase the Import Duty?

I shall be glad to receive the particulars.

Following is the answer:

The official classification according to which importers are required to furnish to the Customs authorities particulars of hosiery latch needles does not provide for the separate enumeration of the various grades of these needles. It will be seen, however, from the following table that during 1926, 1927, and the first six months of 1928, the average value per million of the imports into the United Kingdom of hosiery latch needles consigned from North America (that is, Canada and the United States) has been considerably greater than that of the consignments from all other sources; that during the 12 months ended 30th June of this year the average value of the needles consigned from North America was higher than in the preceding 18 months, both actually and also in relation to the average value of needles from other sources; and also that the rate of importation from North America has increased considerably during the present year. In the first half of 1928 over 7,884,000 needles were imported from Canada and nearly 746,000 from the United States. The values of the imports consigned from North America and from all other countries registered in each of the five half-years in the period mentioned are given in the table.

STATEMENT showing the quantities and value of the imports of Hosiery Latch Needles into the United Kingdom during the years 1926 and 1927, and the first six months of 1928, distinguishing the aggregate amounts consigned from Canada and the United States.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action the Government propose to take in view of the rejection of the Rabbits Bill?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he proposes to take in view of the rejection of the Rabbits Bill?

The rejection of the Rabbits Bill in another place is receiving the consideration of the Government, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement in the matter.

In view of the Minister's failure to placate the Upper House by whittling down this Measure, will he attempt to pass it in the original form which he thought necessary in the public interest?

I have said that I am not in a position to make a statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is now proposed to get on with the reform of the House of Lords?

Will the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Prime Minister that use may be made of the Parliament Act, so that the Bill may be raised next year, and, if necessary, the year after, and go through automatically?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the building of the new quarantine station in Glasgow has yet been commenced; if not, when it is likely to be; and the site which has been chosen?

It has been decided not to build a quarantine station at Glasgow until experience has been obtained of the extent to which the London quarantine station will be utilised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the Report he has received on post-operation tetanus; and what action he proposes to take?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to my reply on this subject given to the hon. Member on the 3rd instant.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if I put a question down in a fortnight's time, he thinks he will be able to answer it?

Yes, I hope so.

asked the Minister of Pensions the present rental being charged for the new premises occupied by his staff at Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, and the rental for the late offices; and if the former has been taken yearly, and, if not, for how long?

I have been asked by the Minister of Pensions to reply to this question. The rental for the new premises occupied by the Ministry of Pensions in Sauchiehall Street is £2,200 per annum and the rent for the late offices was £1,000 per annum; the new premises have been taken on lease until Whit-Sunday, 1938, with an option to the Department to determine at Whit-Sunday, 1933, on 6 months' notice.

May I ask if these are the only premises the Department could get? It seems to be a tremendous rise in rent for premises which are totally inadequate.

I understand that they had the greatest difficulty in finding suitable premises, and these were the only ones which they could get.

Why is it that the Ministry of Pensions always takes offices in the most expensive streets, like Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, and Bath Street, Glasgow, and Princes Street, Edinburgh, when there are streets behind these which are more suitable for their Aces and where the rent would not be so costly?

I think the hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary if he has, during the past year, made any improvement in the method of factory inspection in Glasgow and the West of Scotland, particularly where female labour is employed; if he has increased the number of inspectors; and, if not, does he propose to do so in the near future?

No change has been made during the past year in the number of Inspectors in Glasgow and the West of Scotland, and, as I have already informed the hon. Member, I am satisfied that Scotland has a reasonable proportion of the available inspecting staff. I have, however, repeatedly stated that I am not satisfied with the present strength of the Inspectorate, and I am proposing very shortly to set up a Departmental Committee to examine the question. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will be Chairman and the Committee will commence its inquiry in the Autumn.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who are the members of this Committee of Inquiry?

No, Sir. I have not settled all the names, but I have arranged for my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary to take the Chair, and I hope to get the names settled very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mrs. Johnston, the widow of William Johnston, late chief engineer of the s.s. "Wantung," who was killed in the Yangtse river on the 5th September, 1926, during the occurrence of the Wahnsien incident, has received no compensation for the loss of life of her husband though her claim has been laid before the Nanking Government for some considerable time; can he state what the position is regarding this and other claims lodged in respect of this incident; and what steps the Government is taking to obtain a settlement of such claims?

The claim in question, with others arising out of the same events, was referred by the Consul at Chungking to His Majesty's Minister at Peking, who decided, with my approval, that it was at that time undesirable to present it to the Chinese authorities at Peking or elsewhere. At the moment there is nothing which I can usefully do to secure payment of this claim.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the work done by the University of Hong Kong in affording the facilities of a university course of medical, engineering, and general education for Chinese students from all parts of China, greatly to the mutual benefit of Great Britain and of China; that the university is handicapped in its work for lack of adequate funds and is consequently unable to afford those facilities to the extent which would otherwise be the case; that it is anxious to inaugurate a faculty for Chinese but is prevented from doing so by lack of funds; that the university has put in a claim for a grant in pursuance of the provisions of and in accordance with the principles of the China Indemnity Act of 1925; and can he state whether such claim will be approved?

The work of Hong Kong University has been recommended both to the Foreign Office and to the Buxton Advisory Committee established under the Act of 1925. The Committee's Report has been published in Command Paper 2766 of 1926; and on page 21 of the Report it will be seen that the Committee consider that the university should be regarded by the Board of Trustees as fully entitled to ask for grants from the Fund, that its claims should receive the same consideration as would be accorded to those of educational institutions in China, and that the development of the Department of Chinese Studies is especially to be recommended. The university authorities should therefore submit their claim for the consideration of the Board of Trustees as soon as that body has been established.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Government in regard to the allocation of the Boxer Indemnity; and whether any part of the Fund is to go to the University of Hong Kong?

For the first part of this question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank) on the 4th July; and for the second part, to the answer that I have just given to the hon. Member for South-East Essex (Mr. Looker).

I agree that the reply covers the same point, but I would like to know when it is likely that this Commission will be appointed?

It was explained by my right hon. Friend the other day that, owing to the conditions prevailing in China at the present time, it is very difficult to spend any of this money. Directly we can do so, we shall do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether replies have now been received from all His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions on the latest proposals from the United States Government for a treaty outlawing war; what is the nature of the replies so far received; whether the communications by His Majesty's Government and the Dominions on this subject are being made by cable; and when he expects to be in a position to make a definite reply to the United States Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is No, and to the third part, Yes. The views of His Majesty's Government have now been communicated to the Governments of the Dominions and India, and I hope to be in a position to hand our reply to the American Chargé d'Affaires on Wednesday. The replies of the Governments of the Dominions and India will no doubt be published by those Govern- ments in due course. In the meantime I can make no statement in regard to them.

Will that reply be laid in the form of a White Paper, as was done in the case of the previous replies?

The reply will be published in the Press. If it is necessary, I am ready to lay it. It is a mere question of expense.

As the previous reply, with all the reservations and difficulties, was published in the form of a White Paper, surely we can expect also that this will be published as a White Paper?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman thinks that it will be convenient to have it on record as a White Paper, together with the first reply, I rather agree with him, and I will lay it.

Would it not also be more respectful?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Governments have so far signified to His Majesty's Government their readiness to sign the proposed American peace pact?

The French and German Governments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any explanation why other Governments are able to make up their minds on this very important matter, and why cannot His Majesty's Government do so?

As a matter of fact, His Majesty's Government have made up their minds, but it is necessary for us to communicate with the Dominions. It is not necessary for the French and German Governments to communicate with other Governments of either of those countries.

Has not the Italian Government replied?

If the hon. Member looks at the question, he will see that it asks what Governments have communicated with His Majesty's Government. I have said that the French Government and the German Government have communicated; the Italians have not. I do not deny the statements in the newspapers that they have communicated with Washington, but they have not communicated their reply to us.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the widespread misunderstanding caused by the unwillingness of His Majesty's Government to sign the Optional Clause of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice, he will issue a White Paper elaborating the reasons on which His Majesty's Government bases its attitude?

It is not clear from the right hon. Gentleman's question whether the misunderstanding which he supposes to exist is domestic or foreign. The views of His Majesty's Government have been stated by me in this House on more than one occasion and were further explained in the observations on the suggested Programme of Work of the Sub-Committee on Security of the Preparatory Committee on Disarmament. This paper has been published. If the right hon. Gentleman thinks that more can usefully be done in either field I shall be glad to confer with him.

In view of the ambiguity which exists as to the opinion of the Dominions, could it be stated that it is not a fact that any of them have raised definite objections to the signature of the Optional Clause?

No, Sir, I cannot say that. That would not be in accordance with the facts, but the views of the Dominions are embodied in the report of the last Imperial Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information regarding the assistance offered by the Health Section of the League of Nations to the Bul- garian Government in connection with health work amongst the victims of the recent earthquake disaster; whether, seeing that the Council of the League of Nations at its recent session passed a resolution referring with satisfaction to this work and voicing the hope that other health administrations would follow the example of the Hungarian, Polish, Rumanian, and Serb-Croat-Slovene health services in offering their aid to the Bulgarian Administration, he supported the resolution on behalf of His Majesty's Government; and what measures he has taken to carry out this recommendation as far as Great Britain is concerned?

Upon receipt of the news of the earthquake in Bulgaria the services of a member of the Health Section of the League of Nations were offered to the Bulgarian Health Administration to assist in co-ordinating such public health measures as the situation demanded. The offer was accepted and a representative of the Health Section of the League proceeded at once to Sofia. He was fortunate in obtaining the immediate assistance of the Hungarian, Polish, Rumanian and Serb-Croat-Slovene health services in the form of vaccines, sera, mobile laboratories and personnel, whilst a hospital train, fully-equipped, was sent from Poland. In addition a large quantity of sanitary material, including soap and disinfectants, was also sent, as well as funds to be devoted to a vaccination campaign. As a member of the Council I naturally supported the resolution approving this action of the health organisation and expressing the hope that other health administrations might follow the example of those already mentioned. As regards participation in the relief measures by this country, I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to refer to the reply which I made to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Spoor) on the 23rd of May.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give the number of rural stations in Essex in which telephones have been installed; how many have no telephone installation; and how many have been installed during the past year?

The figures are 19, 58 and 1, respectively.

Is it not desirable that the Post Office should encourage these installations?

Yes, Sir.

Will the Noble Lord take all the steps in his power to encourage the railway authorities to establish these communications at rural stations?

Yes. We are pressing them to do so.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will have placed in the Library copies of the pamphlets, leaflets, and posters circulated for the purpose of supplementing the work of the canvassing staff engaged in obtaining new business for the Post Office telephones?

The leaflets, pamphlets, etc., are somewhat numerous, and I think they could not conveniently be placed in the Library. If, however, my hon. Friend so desires, I will have copies sent to him, or will arrange for a set to be available at the Post Office for his inspection.

Can the Noble Lord say the number of the leaflets in a set?

I cannot say offhand, but they are very numerous.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the specially trained staff of over 500 canvassers employed in obtaining new business for the Post Office telephones are directly engaged and under the control of the Post Office; and, if not, by whom are they employed and upon what terms?

Yes, Sir.

Is not the right way to get a spread of telephones to reduce the rates in country districts, instead of canvassing for new subscribers?

I agree with the hon. and learned Member to some extent, but the cost of construction is a deterrent.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the discussions on the financial conditions of the telephone system between the Isle of Man and the mainland have resulted in agreement; and will the new cable be laid in the next few months?