asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the names of the three persons who have been arrested under Regulation 111 of 1818 during the last six months?

The three persons are the ex-Maharaja of Nabha, Dasaundha Singh and Gajjan Singh.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the two Sikhs who got into trouble at Shanghai, and who are at present under arrest under Regulation 111 of 1818, were serving soldiers; and will he state the nature of the offence which led to their arrest?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the nega- tive. They were deported to India from Shanghai on the expiry of sentences of imprisonment there for possessing seditious matter with intent to distribute and of conspiring to cause disaffection among the King's subjects, and were arrested on arrival in India to prevent them from pursuing their seditious activities.

Can the noble Lord say how long it is proposed to keep these two Sikhs in custody?

No, Sir.

Is there any intention of bringing them to trial?

Not at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he proposes to take action on behalf of Mrs. and Miss Jewett, who have since 1917 been endeavouring to obtain adequate compensation from the Government of Burma for their mining property; and whether he will inquire into all the circumstances of the case?

The Secretary of State in Council has already over a period of several years most carefully considered all the circumstances in consultation with the Government of India and on their recommendation offered a compassionate grant of Rs.15,000 to these ladies in addition to a payment of Rs.10,000 previously made in India and in full satisfaction of their claims. This offer was declined, and my Noble Friend does not propose to take further action.

Cannot the Noble Lord see his way to pay this on account, having regard to the dispute that has arisen over this matter, in order that they may have time to consider their position?

No. I have gone into these papers, as has the Secretary of State, and I am convinced that the offer that has been made is a proper and generous one, and that the ladies having declined to accept, the matter falls to the ground.

Is the Noble Lord not aware that these people are not at all satisfied that it is a generous offer?

I dare say they are, but that does not appear to me to affect the matter at all. Where there are two parties to a contract, one party is often not satisfied. There is not the slightest chance of this case being reopened. If the hon. Gentleman has any influence with these ladies, he ought to tell them that they would be well advised to accept the very generous offer made to them.

When the Noble Lord went into the case, did he satisfy himself that the officials who gave the concession elsewhere were free from any blame? Did he look into this question solely from the point of view of the compensation to the ladies, or did he also consider whether the officials who gave the concession elsewhere were blameable in the matter?

The matter was very fully gone into, and I am convinced that the offer made to these ladies was a perfectly proper and generous offer, and that it would not be in the interests of the taxpayers to make a further offer.

I am asking about the responsibility of the officials whose action forced the Indian Government to make this offer?

If the right hon. Gentleman can tell me in what way that arises out of this question, I shall be happy to answer him. Perhaps he will put a specific question on the Paper.

Will the Noble Lord inquire into all the circumstances of the case, not only into the question of the compensation due, but why liability to compensation arose?

My Noble Friend has already inquired into all the circumstances of the case and is convinced that the offer made is a proper offer in the circumstances.

Has the conduct of the officials been inquired into?

Of course, it was under inquiry at the time the matter was gone into, and there is no reason to take any action against them, because no blame is to be attached to them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will inform the House as to the present position regarding the Bardoli land assessment dispute?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the Bardoli people have offered to the Government of the Bombay Presidency to accept the findings of an independent and open re-inquiry into the equity or otherwise of the new land assessments in the Bardoli district, he will state whether the offer has been accepted, and, if not, on what grounds?

The present position is that the leaders of the agitation have declined to accept the Governor's proposals, conveyed to them during his visit to Surat last week, for the termination of their opposition. Sir Leslie Wilson has to-day therefore indicated to his Legislatve Council that if within a fortnight he receives a clear assurance that the agitation will cease and if the land revenue due on the revised assessment is paid into the Government Treasury, the Government will be prepared during the next cold weather to grant an official inquiry into any alleged errors of calculation or fact affecting the whole or individual assessments. If, however, the conditions mentioned are not satisfied, then the Government will take all necessary steps—which, I may say, have been carefully elaborated—to enforce compliance with the law and to crush a movement which would then be clearly exposed as one directed to coercing the Government and not to representing reasonable grievances. In this the Bombay Government would have the full support of the Government of India and of His Majesty's Government.

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of Sir Leslie Wilson's statement in the Bombay Legislative Council.

Does not the Noble Lord think that, in view of the fact that in this area, as well as in the greater part of India, the peasants are coming more under the control of the money- lenders, the request to pay the old assessment until a Committee of Inquiry has been set up, is a reasonable one?

No, Sir; I do not think anything of the sort. If, whenever a re-assessment of a district in India were made, the people refused to pay taxes on the ground that the re-assessment was not a proper one, all constitutional government would come to an end. The Government of Bombay have the full support of His Majesty's Government in the action that they are taking to prevent this illegal and unconstitutional agitation continuing.

Is it not the case that these people have very little constitutional power, and do they not claim that, according to the statutory Regulations—

The hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.

Extract from Speech by His Excellency the Governor of Bombay at the opening of the Session of the Bombay Legislative Council, Monday, 23rd July, 1928.

The subject on which I desire to speak to you and on which it is, to my mind, my obvious duty to address you, is one which has possibilities of being of even greater importance. I need hardly say that I refer to the present situation in the Bardoli Taluka. It is desirable, in the first place, that I should put before Honourable Members a short history of what has occurred since the start of this unfortunate dispute, which has now assumed proportions entirely out of keeping with the actual cause. On the 6th February I received a letter from Mr. Vallabhai Patel informing me that if an impartial committee clothed with adequate authority was not set up to examine the whole question afresh with regard to the reassessment, the cultivators would refuse to pay the whole of the revised assessment. He added that he had warned them that the struggle was bound to be protracted and might cost them their holdings. Undeterred by the consequences which must inevitably follow that action, they determined to refuse to pay any of the land revenue legally payable to Government, coming to that decision only six days after the letter to which I have alluded was received, and even before it had been possible for a reply beyond the usual formal acknowledgment to be sent to the letter. The letter contained technical arguments which required a considered reply from the Department concerned, which was despatched without delay. Government thereupon, as was its duty, began to put in force the penalties under the Land Revenue Code, of which penalties the occupants of the land refusing to pay. the assessed revenue had been warned by Mr. Patel. Honourable Members will remember that at the end of the Budget Session, Government was definitely challenged on this very issue. Government accepted the challenge, and this Honourable House by a majority approved the policy which Government had announced with regard to this question. The next chapter in the history of this dispute opens by the visit of some Honourable Members of this House to Mahableshwar when, in an interview with two of these Honourable Members, I informed them that I was much distressed at the attitude adopted by many of the occupants of the lands, and that I did not think that the position of Government in this matter was fully understood. I explained to these honourable gentlemen that Government had no idea whatever of doing any injustice; that while Government was convinced, after the most careful inquiry, that the reassessment was not only just, but even generous, I agreed that mistakes might possibly have been made in individual cases, although, after most careful inquiry, I did not myself see how this was possible; and I informed them that if any occupant or group of occupants thought that he or they were unjustly treated, Government had decided, on the representation of any case to the Collector or Commissioner, after the revised assessment had been paid, to reconsider the reassessment, and instructions had been sent to the Commissioner to that effect. So far as I was aware, this assurance on my part fully satisfied the Honourable Members concerned, but further correspondence ensued. When the Honourable Members left Mahableshwar, Government was satisfied that they appreciated and agreed with the suggestions of Government, which were that Government would be prepared to grant a fresh inquiry provided that the revised assessment was paid up. Unfortunately, there was for some reason a change in their attitude later. Government went still further at a later date in May, in order to satisfy the occupants of the lands that no injustice could fall on them, for we definitely promised, through my Honourable Colleague the Minister for Education, a fresh inquiry on the same terms. I really do not see what Government could have done more. Since that date constant efforts have been made by myself and members of Government to bring about a settlement, and Honourable Members are aware of the fact that I personally visited Surat as recently as last Wednesday in the hope that such a settlement might ensue. No settlement was, however, achieved, and it is not possible for Government to delay any longer in making known its final decisions. Government is of opinion, and I feel sure that Honourable Members will agree, that any announcement on a matter of such importance as this should be made to the elected representatives of the people of the Presidency, more particularly in view of all that has happened during the past few months and also in view of the vote taken on this question in the Budget Session. Not only is this the proper course to pursue, but it is the constitutional course, and I have endeavoured, since I have been here, to act entirely in the most constitutional manner possible. I therefore take this opportunity of putting before this Honourable House the views of Government as to the present situation and the definite and considered decisions of Government which have been approved by the Government of India. I say with intention that these decisions have been approved by the Government of India because issues have been raised in Bardoli which have a very wide significance, and, indeed, it is common ground that this question has become one of all India importance. So many speeches have been made by public men and others during the past few weeks on this subject that it is not a surprising fact that some confusion of thought arises. My Government had always had it impressed upon them that the issue was a very clear one, namely, whether the reassessment of the landholders in the Bardoli Taluka was a fair or unfair one. If, however, Government is to judge what the issue is on speeches and letters which have been spoken and written lately, and on actions which have been, and are being, taken to interfere with the administration of the district, the issue might appear to be a much wider one, and, in fact, one which in a sentence is, whether the writ of His Majesty the King-Emperor is to run in a portion of His Majesty's Dominions or whether the edict of some unofficial body of individuals is to be obeyed. That issue, if that is the issue, is one which Government is prepared to meet with all the power which Government possesses and by the decision of the representatives of the people of the district, as to whether they accept or not the conditions which Government lay down before any inquiry can be promised, it will be clearly demonstrated what is the issue before Government and the people of this Presidency and before the Government of India. If the only question to be dealt with is the justice or injustice of the reassessment, then Government is prepared to submit the whole case, after the revenue now due to Government has been paid and the present agitation entirely ceases, to a full, open and independent inquiry as outlined in the statement which has been published. In making their proposals, Government are anxious, above all things, that the agriculturists of Bardoli Taluka shall be relieved, as soon as possible, from the unfortunate situation in which they have become involved as the result of the campaign against the payment of land revenue, the justice of which has been disputed by some Honourable Members of this House. I, therefore, on behalf of my Government, put before Honourable Members the same proposals I put before those who came to see me at Surat as representatives of the cultivators of Bardoli Taluka. These proposals have been published and it is not necessary for me to restate them; but I must make it quite clear that they are not proposals put forward as a basis for compromise, but the definite and final decisions of Government. They are fair proposals and must commend themselves to the mind of any moderate man. They contain certain conditions which must be fulfilled before any fresh inquiry can be promised, and these conditions cannot be altered. I will mention one point only with regard to these proposals, and that is with regard to the demand on the part of Government for the payment of the revised assessment. This is obviously a vital condition, being a lawful and constitutional demand, the repudiation of which is both unlawful and unconstitutional. At Surat I was informed that the condition of the payment of the revised assessment would not be accepted, and consequently no settlement was possible. I would, however, remind Honourable Members, especially those Honourable Members who are the elected representatives of the people living in Bardoli Taluka, that it is their constitutional right to speak on behalf of, and decide in, the interest of their constituents. Those Honourable Members, and the Honourable Members of this House, must have, I am convinced, first of all in their minds the welfare of the agriculturist, and I sincerely trust that those interests will be the only ones which will actuate all Honourable Members in this matter. It is, of course, impossible for the present situation to continue, and a final decision must be arrived at as soon as possible. Government would, therefore, ask the Honourable Members concerned to communicate their decision as to whether or no they, on behalf of their constituents, accept or refuse the conditions, which must be fulfilled before a fresh inquiry can be set up, to the Honourable the Revenue Member within 14 days from today. I cannot believe that, realising the consequences of a refusal, the grave hardship on the agriculturists, the bitterness of feeling which will be engendered, and the inevitable result of any conflict which must ensue between Government and the people concerned, these proposals will be rejected. It is, however, my duty to make it perfectly clear that, if these conditions are not accepted, and consequently a settlement is not secured, Government will, in order that there shall be full compliance with the law, take what action they consider desirable and necessary, and will utilise all the powers at their command to ensure that the statutory authority of Government is maintained in every way. Neither the Government of Bombay, nor any Government, could tolerate a position in which private individuals attempt to put themselves above the law or take part in organisations which have the effect of inducing others to do so. To permit that is the very negation of Government, and it is not conceivable. whatever may be the consequences, that any Government worthy of the name of Government in any country would not take every step in its power to prevent or put a stop to any such action. I have not made these remarks so that they might be considered in any way as a threat. Nothing is further from my mind. They are merely a statement of facts, but it was my obvious duty both to this Honourable House and to the people of Bardoli Taluka to make them so that the position of Government cannot again be misinterpreted or misunderstood. No one will deny that there is a campaign of civil disobedience in Bardoli Taluka at the present time, and it is perhaps unnecessary for me to remind Honourable Members that civil disobedience is an act of lawlessness, however convinced those who are participators in that act may be that their case is just; and lawlessness is none the less lawlessness because it may be fostered or encouraged by persons holding strong convictions, or because its practice may evoke from some men and women qualities worthy of a better cause. Moreover, it would be well that public opinion should clearly realise the inevitable consequences of disregard for law upon the structure of any political society. Once men can convince themselves that it is proper to set at naught the legally constituted executive authority whose duty it is to administer then it is but a short step to challenge the title of the legislative body whose function it is to make the law, or to impugn the impartiality of the judiciary by whom the law is interpreted. Thus respect for law is fundamental in every sphere of social life, and to seek to supersede it by the private will of any citizen or body of citizens is to head straight for anarchy.

I have now one personal remark to make. I have taken on myself to address the House on this question, which I could have left to the Honourable the Revenue Member, because I thought it my duty to do so as head of the Administration. In the four and a-half years and more during which I have been head, I have endeavoured to associate myself intimately with the desires and aspirations of the peoples of this Presidency and to assist so far as I could in their troubles, as in the case of the floods in Gujerat, where all this difficulty now happens to be. In the first speech I made to this House I said that, so long as the opinions of the people were expressed to my Government in a constitutional manner, so long would they be received with every sympathy and consideration. I am justified in saying that such opinions have been so received, and I hope, and believe, that they have on all occasions received every consideration. It is indeed a sad thought to me that at the end of my term of office my Government is faced with a situation such as now confronts us when unconstitutional methods such as civil disobedience are being supported by a section of the people, and particularly when Government has never, I am prepared to assert, been unwilling to meet the reasonable wishes of the members of this House constitutionally expressed. I know you will believe me when I say that I am a friend of India, and particularly of this Presidency where I have received nothing but kindness and courtesy during my time, and that I look forward to the progress and prosperity of India in general, and Bombay Presidency in particular, with every hope and with a feeling of certainty that nothing can mar that progress, political and economic, except some action which, while it may be born only of a demand of the moment supported by a certain amount of public sympathy, still may leave wounds behind which it would take many years to heal; and until they were fully healed that progress to which I have alluded would be hindered if it did not cease altogether. I would therefore, as one who is, I hope, entitled to call himself your friend, urge with all the emphasis in my power that you should consider not the minor questions involved in this trouble but the major ones, and that you should endeavour to put yourselves in the position of Government, for if you do that you must come to the decision that Government has met the cultivators of Bardoli fairly, even as I have tried in my time here to mete out to all, whatever their class, creed or race, justice tempered with humanity. I have no more to say. I ask you not to take any hasty decisions, but to think well over all the grave issues involved and what I have said and, if you do, I have no doubt myself but that the sound common sense which has always been the guiding star of Bombay will again, as it has done in the past, lead you to a decision which will put an end to a situation fraught with grave possibilities, how grave no one to-day can foretell. You have often taken my advice in the past and I have much gratitude to you for doing so. I ask you to do so now on what I fully realise is the most important issue on which I have ever spoken to you.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the detention of the ex-Maharajah of Nabha is punitive or preventive in its purpose, and how much longer it is proposed to continue this detention?

The detention of the ex-Maharajah is essentially preventive in its purpose. No period of detention has been fixed.

In view of the fact that this is preventive in its purpose, would any kind of undertaking be sufficient to bring it to an end; that is to say, if he would enter into some undertaking of good conduct or something of that kind, would that bring it to an end?

I think it had better be left in the hands of the ex-Maharajah. I could not deal with this in answer to a question by an hon. Member. It is for the ex-Maharajah and not an hon. Member to give an undertaking.

Can the Noble Lord say whether the application which was made by this man some time ago for passports to England, which would re- move him from the area of possible disloyal action, would now be considered favourably?

That is another question altogether.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is in a position to give the House the latest information in regard to the railway strike in Madras and the disturbances connected therewith; how many Indians have been killed and injured, and how many Europeans; and whether he can state if any of the persons engaged in rioting and other disturbances were armed; and if he will also state what steps, if any, the Governor of Madras is taking to bring the dispute to an end; and whether there is in existence, or under consideration, any effective machinery for conciliation and arbitration in matters of dispute between the State authorities and the workers engaged in the Railway Services?

In view of the importance of this matter, I must ask your permission, Mr. Speaker, and the indulgence of the House to give a somewhat lengthy reply. The following information was telegraphed by the Government of India on 22nd July:

"The strike extends to all the menial staff on the metre gauge system, but the Agent reports that the running staff and station subordinate staff remain loyal, as well as the staff on the broad gauge. On the 18th July the Agent was asked by the President of the Strike Committee to agree to arbitration by the Madras Government's Labour Commissioner on four points, namely (1) lock-out pay, (2) absorption of surplus workmen, (3) the wages of the menial staff, (4) the grievances of the running staff. The Agent agreed to arbitration on the latter two points, provided the general strike were cancelled, but the President of the Strike Committee refused to put this reply before his Committee and the strike commenced at midnight on 19th July.

Intimidation is widespread, and the strikers are attempting to stop the running of trains at many points. On 20th July there was continued rioting and stone throwing, and at Mayavaram the police were compelled to fire on the strikers. Nine police were injured by stone throwing by a large crowd, one of them having his arm broken. Fire was opened under orders from the district magistrate who was on the spot. Eleven rounds of ball and 12 of buck shot were fired. The number of casualties is not known as it was dark at the time. Fifteen arrests were made and the situation was brought under control. Great damage to railway property was done at Tuticorin. I have just received a telegram which reports that the deputy magistrate at Tuticorin ordered firing on the 21st July. One man was shot dead and another was bayoneted. The situation is temporarily in hand but more men are required. The boat mail from Ceylon was derailed near Tanjore by malicious obstruction but without casualties. On the night of the 21st the boat mail was derailed again by the removal of fish-plates, and one person was killed and 10 injured. The Government of India have seen reports from news agencies of other cases of violence, but have no direct confirmation except in regard to the cases mentioned above. They have informed the Government of Madras that they may count on their fullest support in all necessary measures."

The Government of India intend to introduce a Bill to deal with trade disputes in the forthcoming session of the Indian Legislature. As regards other methods on the railways of dealing with matters in dispute, I gave the hon. Member some information on 17th May last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the Donoughmore Committee on the Ceylon Constitution will be communicated to the Indian Government?

The Report is a public document, and it is reasonable to assume that the Government of India will have provided themselves with copies of it as a matter of general interest.

Has the Noble Lord read that Report himself, and, secondly, is there a chance of the Simon Commission considering this admirable document, particularly the chapter dealing with communal representation?

I think the right hon. Gentleman is aware that I cannot take responsibility for what the Commission will consider. It is a matter entirely for them, and it is not really a matter to be discussed on the Floor of the House. With regard to the second point, I have not read the document, though I hope to do so in due course. Officially, I am not concerned with it in the slightest degree.

Is the Noble Lord aware that it deals very largely with a matter of vital importance to the people of Ceylon as well as the people of India?

No. It would be difficult to deal with that point in answer to a question. Although I hope, for my own information, to read the Report, it is quite clear that officially it has nothing to do with the Government of India.

Is it not a fact that no one would expect the Noble Lord to read such a voluminous Report within a week of its appearance?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any action taken as the result of the Report of the Donoughmore Committee may be expected this year?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take in regard to the Report of the Special Commission on Ceylon?

I am giving the Report my careful consideration, but I can make no estimate at the moment of the time which must elapse before any definite action can be taken on the proposals which it contains, or what that action will be.

How was it that the report found its way into the hands of a certain section of the Press before it was available to Members of the House, or to other sections of the Press?

I am not aware that that is so.

Is there any possibility of extending the terms of reference of the Committee, so as to enable it to deal with other cognate Crown Colonies in the same way?

I thing it would be asking rather too much of the members of the Committee to suggest that they should go out to other Colonies, but, of course, the experience which they have gained will be of value in regard to other Colonies.

Is it not in accordance with the right hon. Gentleman's principles that we should co-ordinate the Colonies, by applying to Colonies in the same stage of development, the same principles and, therefore, the same Committee of Inquiry?

That is quite a different question from the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Under-Secretary of State, on his recent visit to the Straits Settlements, investigated any of the problems dealt with in the 1924 Report on Social Hygiene; whether the situation is now better or worse than at that time: and whether any further steps are to be suggested or taken to remdy the evils that are therein stated to exist?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies had some discussion about this matter with the Governor of the Straits Settlements, and his advisers during his recent visit to Malaya. The Governments concerned are proceeding on the lines recommended by the Committee in question, which recognised that improvement in this as in other matters of social welfare must necessarily be gradual. I understand that the situation already shows some improvement and that it is not considered that any steps other than those recommended by the Committee can usefully be taken at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, having regard to the fact that before the Under-Secretary's recent tour there was not a single person in the Colonial Office who had ever seen Malaya, whether he will consider modifying the conditions of service in that Department, so as to give senior officials a term of duty in the actual territory of the Colony with which he is concerned before taking up permanent duties in Whitehall?

Appointments of administrative staff to the Colonial Office have since 1926 been subject to the condition of liability to serve overseas from time to time if required.

Apart from the fact that they are under the liability to serve overseas, do they, in fact, serve overseas?

Yes, Sir, several are serving overseas at this moment.

Is there any reason why the right hon. Gentleman should not, in the public interest, answer the first part of the question—that before the Under-Secretary's recent tour there was not a single person in the Colonial Office who had ever seen Malaya?

That is not in question form.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has information of the conditions under which Mr. Kramer acted as agent in claims made to the Enemy Debts Department; and whether the Department satisfied itself as to the standing of this agent?

The reply to the first part of the question is that it is no part of the business of the Department to inquire, and they have no information, as to the conditions under which Mr. Kramer or any other duly accredited! agent undertakes work connected with claims made to the Enemy Debts Department; and to the second part that the Department has been satisfied in each case that Mr. Kramer has been acting with proper authority from the claimants concerned.

Does the hon. Member think it is satisfactory that his Department should not have made inquiries as to the standing of this gentleman, seeing that £800,000 passed through his hands?

I am afraid the hon. Member does not quite appreciate the position. If someone has a claim against the Department and appoints someone else to act for him, provided we are satisfied that the second party has proper authorisation from the first party, it is no business of ours who the second party is.

Is it not the duty of the Department to ascertain whether all the parties are in good standing in these claims, seeing that it is the passing back of property to those who have proved their status, to the extent, in some cases, of over £1,000,000?

May I press the hon. Member to give an answer? Does he not think that there is at least a case for an inquiry to be made into the status of this gentleman, in view of the facts disclosed?

Just as I answer every Member's question without inquiry as to the status of the Member, so equally we deal with every accredited person.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, excluding the inspectorate and those employed on clerical dudes, there are no women in the Board of Education; and whether, in view of the desirability of associating women with this work, he will take steps when future vacancies occur to secure the appointment of women by promotion, transfer, or otherwise to responsible posts under the Board?

In addition to the women inspectors and women executive and clerical officers, the Board of Education staff includes a chief woman medical adviser, two women medical officers, a woman administrative officer and a woman librarian. A woman was among the six candidates recently interviewed for a vacancy in the administrative class which was filled by promotion, and women are equally eligible with men for vacancies filled from the Civil Service competitive examination.

asked the Minister of Pensions what search was made for new premises for the area office in Glasgow; how many were inspected and if the rents were in any cases lower; and if, in view of the large increase of rent of the new premises, he has taken steps to safeguard the Department against rack-renting?

I have been asked by the Minister of Pensions to reply to this question. The reply to the first part of the question is that an extensive search covering a period of over three months, supplemented by advertisements in the local Press, was conducted to secure new premises for the Ministry of Pensions in Glasgow. Assistance was also obtained from the civic and parochial authorities; in regard to the second part of the question, over 12 buildings were inspected, but in no case were the premises satisfactory as offices for the Ministry of Pensions; the rental fixed for the new premises is considered reasonable by the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue, and is considerably lower than that originally quoted by the lessors.

Can the Under-Secretary tell us the names of the people from whom this rent has been taken?

No, Sir, not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the southern section of the recently authorised Trans-Persian Railway will come within a short distance of the Iraq frontier, he will lay before the Persian Government a proposal to build a short connecting line from the nearest point on the railway in question to the port of Basra?

No, Sir. I do not propose to take any action at the present stage. When the Persian Railway has been built, the question of connecting it with the Iraq Railways will doubtless be considered. As the hon. Member is probably aware, the Iraq Railway system already extends to the Persian frontier at Khaniqin.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if this link were completed, there would then be direct railway communication between Basra and Calais; and is it not very necessary that this short link should be completed?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that fact. There would not be direct railway communication. There is a very long gap between Mosul and the end of the Anatolian railway which has not been bridged, and is not likely to be bridged.

I was thinking of the other route, on the other side of the Caspian. It is true it is roundabout, but, still, would there not be direct railway communication that way?

Could the right hon. Gentleman not do this, in anticipation of coming events?

No, Sir. The railway is still some way off.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that some 1,500 Europeans in Kenya signed the memorial to the King praying that conscription might not be imposed, he is willing to have an amendment introduced in the Kenya Legislative Council allowing the release from conscription of those who have a conscientious objection to serving in a European force amid a native population?

If I were satisfied that it was the desire of the Legislative Council to amend the Defence Force Ordinance in order to release conscientious objectors from their obligations to enrol, I should not raise any objection, but I do not feel called upon to take any initiative with a view to the introduction of such an amendment.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to have a system in Kenya in time of peace, which public opinion in this country would not tolerate in time of war?

No, Sir. The system is one of universal enrolment and when the question of actual service arises, then it may be possible to make arrangements to enable conscientious objectors to do something which will not involve shedding blood.

I wish to put two questions to the right hon. Gentleman. First, is he aware that we have, officially, as a Government, proposed the abolition of conscription in Europe? Secondly, why is there no oath of allegiance in connection with this enrolment?

The second question is one which I have answered very fully and in detail in debate, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the OFFICIAL REPORT. In regard to the other question, the situation in Kenya is quite different from the situation in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will extend the terms of reference of the Donoughmore Commission, so that in the interests of co-ordination they may now extend their inquiries beyond Ceylon to Malaya, Mauritius and Hong Kong?

The circumstances of these territories and their forms of government are so diverse that I do not think that any advantage would result from the inclusion of their problems in one comprehensive inquiry, even if it were possible to impose on the members of the Commission the undertaking of so prolonged a task.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate setting up Committees or taking any special steps in regard to other Crown Colonies?

That will depend on circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will state the nature of the representations made by the Common- wealth Government of Australia lately on the subject of British cinematograph films, and what answer was returned?

No representations have been received from His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia on the subject of British cinematograph films, and the second part of my Noble Friend's question does not therefore arise.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know if the Report is on its way?

No, Sir. I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that Canadian official returns show that considerably more European non-British than British immigrants have entered Canada in the past five years, and that whereas the British proportion of the whole Canadian immigration has fallen from 51 to 33 per cent. in these five years the total non-British proportion has risen from 49 to 67 per cent. of the whole; and whether he will confer with the Canadian authorities and with the British Minister of Labour as to the means whereby the British proportion can be increased by more comprehensive measures than are outlined in the Report of the Canadian Committee of Colonisation?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government in Great Britain have this matter under their consideration as a part of the larger problem of settlement within the Empire. It is clear that it is now under the consideration of His Majesty's Government in Canada, and it is one of the matters which will be specially discussed with the Dominion authorities by Lord Lovat during his forthcoming visit to Ottawa. I am in close touch on this subject with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Labour, whose Department is represented on the Oversea Settlement Committee.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the figures of those emigrants who have returned from Canada not being able to find employment there?

No, Sir. I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many women were assisted under the Empire Settlement Act to migrate to Canada in 1927; and what were the respective amounts contributed to this object by the home Government and the Canadian Government?

The total number of women assisted to Canada under the Empire Settlement Act in 1927 was 7,215. The expenditure incurred by His Majesty's Government in respect of the assisted passages of these settlers was £79,939. The cash expenditure by the Canadian Government was approximately £21,000. In addition, the Canadian Government will incur expenditure in respect of the provision of after-care for the settlers for a period of five years.

Does the number of women migrants show an increase as compared with the corresponding figure last year?

I am afraid that I could not answer without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider giving assistance from the Insurance Fund to unemployed persons who desire to migrate to the oversea Dominions and are suitable for it, seeing that otherwise larger sums in unemployment benefit may have to be paid out of the fund to such persons for a prolonged period, or whether he can take any other action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has no power to use the Insurance Fund for such a purpose, and it would require legislation to obtain the powers. But suitable persons desiring to migrate to the Dominions can receive financial assistance under the Empire Settlement Act. This assistance is of various kinds, and I am sending my right hon. Friend particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if his attention has been called to the statement of the Prime Minister of Ontario as to the way in which American influence and methods were permeating Canadian life; and whether His Majesty's Government in Great Britain will co-operate in his proposal for an Empire conference of men of affairs to review the means of strengthening Anglo-Canadian relations?

As regards the first part of the question, I have seen an allusion to this matter in the Press report of a recent speech of the Premier of Ontario in London. As to the second part, the reference which I noticed was to a proposed Conference of business interests. My hon. Friend will appreciate that this particular proposal is hardly one in which His Majesty's Government in Great Britain could take the initiative, but they are, of course, always glad to co-operate with other Governments in the Empire in schemes for the development of industry and trade. I may refer in this connection to the passage dealing with this matter in the Report of the Oversea Settlement Committee for 1927. I may also mention that in the replies which I gave in the House of Commons on the 26th of March to questions regarding the trade mission to Australia, I indicated that His Majesty's Government in Great Britain would be glad to give sympathetic consideration to an invitation from any other Dominion Government for the despatch of a similar mission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amounts of subsidy paid for beet-sugar development for each of the following years, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, and 1929, estimated: and whether there has been any refund in any particular case?

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

Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department yet received any expressions of gratitude from the shareholders of these companies?

Although the first part of the answer may be expected to include figures, I suggest that the second part might be given to the House.

Apart from the small adjustments rendered necessary in a few cases, there has been no refund of subsidy.

Is it the intention of the Government to take any steps to get the subsidy refunded in cases where the profits prove to be larger than anticipated?

There is another question on that subject.

Is there any relation between the subsidy and conditions and wages; and has special consideration been given to the small wages paid to the chemists?

We have no thought of modifying the existing arrangement as to subsidy.

Following is the reply—

The total amount of subsidy paid on home-grown beet sugar and molasses in each of the financial years referred to by the hon. Member is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount of subsidy received by each of the following beet sugar factories: Kelham, Cantley, Ely and Ipswich, up to the latest available date: and whether it is intended that the subsidy shall be refunded in any case where it is exceeded by the profits made.

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures desired by the hon. Member in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

Following are the figures—

The total amount of subsidy paid to 20th July, 1928, in accordance with the Beet Sugar Subsidy Act, on home-grown beet sugar and molasses manufactured at the factories referred to by the hon. Member is as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the estimated income upon which repayment of income tax was made in England and Wales in 1927–28 on account of farm losses or the actual income falling short of the amount assessed, respectively.

It is estimated that the income upon which repayment of Income Tax was made in England and Wales in 1927–28 on account of (a) farm losses, or (b) farming income falling short of the amount assessed, was approximately £2,250,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that pollution of the River Gipping through the effluent from the artificial silk works at Stowmarket is causing serious damage to riparian cultivators by infecting the water and thereby poisoning stock, he will without delay cause an investigation to be made into the circumstances?

I have received from time to time complaints of pollution in this river, but investigations carried out last year indicated that illness among pigs was due to swine fever, and that there was no evidence of poisoning of livestock due to pollution. With regard to further investigations, I would ask my hon. Friend to await the reply to the question which he proposes to address to-morrow to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a 10-miles stretch of beautiful clear river has been turned into a black evil-smelling sewer, and that all the fish for 12 miles below these works have been killed; and can he suggest any action which would obviate such a state of affairs?

I am sure the Ministry of Health appreciate this very unfortunate condition, but as the hon. Member has a question down for tomorrow, I think it would be more conveniently dealt with then.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons holding the office of superintendent registrar or registration officer are full-time officials not able, because of the nature and volume of their work, to engage in any other forms of remunerative employment, and the total income from fees such persons receive; and will he give the names of the districts to which these officials are attached?

It is not possible to give the precise information asked for. The obligations of a registration officer are not defined by any requirements as to the number of hours to be devoted to his duties, since in addition to his fixed hours of office attendance, he is required to perform other duties the extent of which is governed by the conditions of his district or sub-district. The classification of registration officers as fulltime or otherwise is thus not one which it has been possible to adopt, but I may say that the proportion of officers who are mainly dependent upon their registration income, which I understand to be the information desired by the hon. Member, is estimated at between 30 per cent. and 40 per cent.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "dependent"? How many of them are unable, because of this work, to undertake other work of a remunerative character?

As the hon. Member knows, the position of these officers is very difficult, because they have to be called upon at various times of the day and sometimes in the evening, but so far as we can ascertain the figure of between 30 and 40 per cent. is one which takes into account the fact that the majority of these men are mainly dependent upon the income from their position.

Could we have the names of the districts where this 30 per cent. are employed, so that we can test this information?

It is difficult, and I would like to give the hon. Gentleman all the information I can, because, as he knows, the registration officers are very anxious about the Bill that is now before the House.

In view of the Bill that is now before the House, would it be possible to give information, if only approximately, as to these numbers and the incomes of these people?

The Bill is not dependent upon these figures, because, as the hon. Member knows, the case has been put very fully before this House and the Committee upstairs. I appreciate that the hon. Gentleman is very anxious, as a good many other hon. Members are, about the position of these men during the next year or two.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox or other infectious disease were notified in England and Wales during the 12 months ended 30th June of this year; and in how many cases was the origin or inception of the disease traced directly, and with certainty, to persons classed as casuals or vagrants who had been inmates of casual wards?

I will publish a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT giving the figures asked for in the first part of the question. No information is available enabling me to answer the second part.

Is there no information with regard to these cases which are supposed to have arisen through contact with men in the casual wards and places of that kind?

I am afraid there is not. We have endeavoured to obtain this information, but it has been impossible to ascertain it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figure given me a few weeks ago by his Department was that there were 124 casuals who had had small-pox in the first six months of this year, and is he not aware that many of these people would not have contracted small-pox had the medical inspection been taken in the evening rather than in the morning?

As the hon. Member will see, I am asked in the question on the Paper how many cases were notified as a result of contact with casuals. This is another question to that referred to by the hon. Gentleman.

Following is the statement:

Notifications of Infectious Diseases in the 52 weeks ended 30th June, 1928.

(Provisional figures.)

England and Wales (including port sanitary districts).

Cases among non-civilians are excluded.

The figures for tuberculosis are not given, as so many corrections are received to the weekly figures that the totals are not made up until after the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the Middlesbrough Corporation in regard to the decision of the Ministry in awarding on appeal a pension of £672 12s. a year to Mr. F. W. Goundry as compensation for the ending of his employment as assistant overseer; what amount of remuneration was taken into account in arriving at this figure; and what is the period of service allowed in this connection?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Mr. Goundry's average net remuneration for his last five years of office was £1,008 18s. 1d., and he had had 40 years' service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a good deal of dissatisfaction is expressed owing to the fact that the previous much lower remuneration to this man does not seem to have been taken into consideration, and does his right hon. Friend think it is in accordance with his plea for economy that this very high pension should be given in view of the services rendered by this gentleman?

I think there is a good deal of misapprehension if there is any dissatisfaction. This gentleman served for 40 years, and his pension is calculated in the ordinary way, and no special consideration has been shown to him.

Is it not a fact that the permanent remuneration for his permanent position was only £675, and that this extra remuneration is only in relation to a secondary employment for which the fees were really payable to the town clerk?

If the hon. Member will investigate this from the legal point of view, he will find that there is an Act of Parliament which says that this other remuneration must also be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will instruct his inspectors to visit casual wards in the evening and at night after the casuals have been admitted?

Under the arrangements at present existing, the visits of inspectors to casual wards are not infrequently paid at night, and nearly all inspections are in the nature of surprise visits.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in some casual wards nightshirts made of hessian sackcloth are issued to casuals; and whether Regulations will be issued by his Department to specify a more suitable quality of material?

My right hon. Friend is only aware of one instance of this practice, and in that case another material has been introduced as a result of the representations of his officers. My right hon. Friend sees no reason for the alteration of the Regulations.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman's Department make it impossible for this terrible treatment to be given to these men; and may I ask further if he has ever himself tried to wear nightshirts made of this sort of material?

When the hon. Gentleman uses the expression "these men," I should be glad if he would send me particulars of them, because I have said that we are only aware of one case of this practice, and, as a matter of fact, in that case another material has now been introduced. I have repeatedly asked for particulars of these cases so that we can have them investigated.

Would it not be cheaper to put these gentlemen into artificial silk pyjamas?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in certain areas bread stations are 15 miles from the casual ward and bread tickets are not exchangeable for the mid-day meal after 3 p.m.; and, seeing that this sometimes involves a 15-miles walk in four hours, will he issue instructions that will result either in the earlier release of the men or the later availability of the ticket?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is not aware of such cases, but he will be glad to give considera- tion to any information which the hon. Member may have on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases, particularly in North Yorkshire, the men are not released until 11 in the morning and that they have to be at the nearest bread station by three in the afternoon, thus making them walk 15 miles in four hours, and although some men may be able to do it, when it is a question of old men, they either have to resort to going without or to begging on the way?

No, I am not aware of that. The hon. Member speaks of Yorkshire, but that is a very wide definition, and I now invite him again to send particulars of these cases, so that we may have them investigated.

Would it not be better if, instead of general suggestions of this nature, specific cases were put on the Paper by the hon. Member? Does the hon. Member think it fair to the Minister to make these vague allegations?

I will willingly give particulars of cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in cases where local authorities employ special valuers under the Rating and Valuation (Apportionment) Act, all or any of the expenses will be paid by the Government?

The cost of the remuneration of any valuers employed by local authorities for the purposes of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, and the Bill now before Parliament will be payable out of local rates under the provision of the former enactment.

Do I understand that if the local authorities engage special valuers, which they will be compelled to do, they will have to pay for the advice of these particular gentlemen, and will that not mean that it will be the cause of jumping up the rates in many parts of the country?

No; the local authorities are not compelled to employ these people, but, if they do, they have to pay for them themselves under the provisions of the Bill.

Does that not mean that if they are to have a true valuation and assessment, they will be compelled to get special valuers?

That is a matter for the decision of each local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any, and, if so, how many, Jamaicans have been deported from Cuba and for what reason; and what action was taken by His Majesty's representative in Cuba to safeguard the rights of these British subjects?

I have no official information in regard to these alleged deportations, but His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Havana has been instructed by telegram to furnish a full report.

Are these representations likely to have much effect, in view of the fact that the Home Secretary constantly repatriates British West Africans from Liverpool to West Africa?

I did not say that I was making representations. What I said was that I was asking for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement regarding the recent session of the League of Nations Committee on Security and Arbitration?

The Committee gave final approval to (1) model arbitration and conciliation conventions, and (2) model treaties of non-aggression and mutual assistance. Each of those two groups of model treaties is accompanied by an introductory note and two resolutions, one submitting and recommending the treaties, and the other relating to the good offices of the Council. The Committee adopted a resolution and report on the Finnish scheme for financial assistance to States' victims of aggression. It also drew up for consideration by Governments a model treaty intended to strengthen the means of preventing war, based on certain suggestions made by the German Government, accompanied by an introductory note and resolution.

In regard to the German proposals for a system of armistice, in view of Lord Cushendun's Amendment to that proposal which appeared to represent a retrogression from the obligations under Article 11 and 12 of the Covenant, can the Foreign Secretary state that no such retrogression was intended?

I not only say that it is not intended, but that there was no such retrogression, which exists only in the mind of the right hon. Gentleman.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in his last reply to the so-called Kellogg Note, there is a retrogression from Article 12 of the Covenant?

No, Sir, I am not aware of any retrogression from the Covenant. On the contrary, my principal anxiety was to see that we did not retrogress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the Egyptian Parliament has been dissolved for a term of years, he has any statement to make on the political situation in that country?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement upon the situation in Egypt arising out of the suspension for three years of parliamentary government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement about the political situation in Egypt arising out of the dissolution of the Egyptian Parliament?

I have no statement to make on recent developments in Egypt. The attitude of His Majesty's Government remains the same. They regard the Egyptian Parliament and Constitution primarily as matters for the King of Egypt and the Egyptian people to determine.

Before the edict was issued for the suspension of parliamentary government, was Lord Lloyd's advice either sought or given?

No advice was given by Lord Lloyd or His Majesty's Government.

Was the right hon. Gentleman, through Lord Lloyd, informed before the coup d'état in Egypt, and does he really suggest that, where we state an intention of preventing certain legislation in the Egyptian Parliament, it can be dissolved without our consultation and consent?

Yes, Sir. I had some indication as to what was going to happen, and I carefully refrained, and Lord Lloyd carefully refrained, from expressing any opinion or tendering any advice. It has been the consistent policy of His Majesty's Government to refrain, as far as possible, from interference in purely Egyptian affairs, and to safeguard only those interests which we have to maintain, and those obligations which it is our duty to fulfil.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the suspension of the Egyptian Parliament will endanger those interests more than the Public Assemblies Bill which he prevented?

The right hon. Gentleman's opinion on policy in a matter of that kind is not a question to be put at Question Time.

Surely, Mr. Speaker, the opinion of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as expressing the opinion of the Government in a matter of that kind, is of very great importance?

Not on a question of policy at Question Time.

On a point of Order. May we not ask as directly arising out of this question, in regard to the comparative disorder that might arise between these two matters?

I do not understand the hon. Gentleman's question.

We are asking the opinion of the Foreign Secretary as to whether he does not think that greater danger to foreign subjects will arise on the suspension of the Egyptian Constitution than from the passage of the Public Assemblies Bill.

That is purely a matter of opinion on policy.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to announce his decision in regard to better telephone facilities at Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire?

I regret to find that the volume of business does not warrant the extra cost which would be involved in replacing the present call office at Chaddesley Corbett Post Office by a kiosk in the street.

Does that mean that the proposals, which the Noble Lord previously suggested were under consideration in December, have now been abandoned, and that this village and a large country area is to be left without any facilities whatever?

I do not think that that is a correct representation of the facts. I shall be delighted to go into the matter with the hon. Gentleman. There are two telephones there.

Is not this really an example of the reactionary policy which the Post Office has adopted with regard to the extension of telephones?

There is a telephone in the post office in this village, and another public telephone immediately over the way, and all that I have said is that we are unable to put up a kiosk in the street, because the traffic does not warrant it.

When the Post Office is considering this matter, do they consider not only the revenue likely to come directly from out-calls at offices like that, but also the increased revenue likely to come from in-calls to the new teephone?

Oh, yes, certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Home Secretary, at Evesham on 14th July, on the subject of the reduction of naval armaments in connection with the signing of the pact to end war represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

I do not detect in my right hon. Friend's speech a statement of policy, but merely the expression of a hope that the signature of the proposed treaty for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy may lead to a further reduction of armaments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the premises on which his right hon. Friend spoke, as to the increase in the American Navy, are quite inaccurate, and will he inquire as to how it was that the right hon. Gentleman was not informed on this very important matter?

I think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman in his question referred to the speech as a whole. He has now mentioned what he considers the peccant paragraph. I have been at pains to read the whole of this speech, and I think that the answer to the question is a very fair one in the circumstances. The passage to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers seems to me to be in the form of a rhetorical question.